Catherine, Princess of Wales has unveiled a noticeably lighter hair colour as she joined Prince William and their children at a Sunday service near Balmoral.

Catherine, Princess of Wales has unveiled a noticeably lighter hair colour as she joined Prince William and their children at Sunday service near Balmoral

The 43-year-old royal, who recently stepped away from the spotlight to continue her recovery from cancer treatment, appeared at Crathie Kirk in Crathie, Aberdeenshire, , alongside husband William, also 43, who drove the family in a black Range Rover.

Their children  Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6  were seated in the back, with Charlotte smiling as the family made their way to the service.

Catherines hair appeared several shades lighter than her usual brunette, drawing attention as the family arrived at the parish church close to Balmoral Castle.

The service was also attended by King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 78, who arrived separately, as well as Princess Anne, 75.

The outing comes against a backdrop of ongoing tensions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have been absent from royal gatherings since stepping back as working royals in 2020.

It has been three years since William and Catherine were last pictured publicly alongside Harry, 40, and Meghan, 44.

That occasion came outside Windsor Castle in September 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, when the couples viewed tributes together.

At the time, the appearance was described as an olive branch extended by William.

Since then, relations have deteriorated further.

Former royal editor Duncan Larcombe told OK! magazine: Theres no doubt the feud between them is worse than ever, so much has happened and there has been so much betrayal and fury. The longer they dont speak, the deeper the feud will get.

He also said: Their Oprah Winfrey interview was the first big blow, so to speak, because it showed that Harry and Meghan were prepared to speak about the royals, particularly Charles and William, in a way one would never expect from another family member.

Then Harrys book, Spare, was incredibly damaging and made William furious because of the betrayal of family secrets. So now Harry and Meghan have carved out their own existence in California, but theyre doing it for cash and to the highest bidder.

Meanwhile, all that time in those same three years, William and Kate have been busy with duty, and havent cashed in on their status.
BEIRUT, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The first Kuwaiti oil tanker arrived in Lebanese territorial waters on Saturday under a deal to supply Lebanon with urgently needed fuel for its power plants, according to the office of Lebanon's energy minister.

Under the agreement, Kuwait will provide 132,000 metric tons of gas oil to Lebanon's state-run power utility EDL, with 66,000 tons granted as a donation.

Energy Minister Joe Saddi said the deal will not add to Lebanon's public debt as the cost of the purchased oil will be covered through revenues collected by EDL.

He also expressed gratitude to Kuwait, highlighting its longstanding support for Lebanon during times of crisis. 
GAZA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said on Sunday that it had agreed to a partial prisoner exchange deal with Israel and was ready for a comprehensive truce deal, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected all solutions.

In a press statement, Hamas said Netanyahu's approval of the "Gaza occupation plan" after the movement agreed to the proposal of Egyptian and Qatari mediators last week showed his "insistence on obstructing the agreement."

Hamas emphasized that a ceasefire agreement was the only way to release all Israeli hostages and held Netanyahu fully responsible for their fate.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he had instructed officials to begin "immediate negotiations" for the release of hostages in Gaza and an end to the war, while also vowing to approve military plans to seize Gaza City.

Netanyahu did not say how or where the negotiations would begin. Israel's Ynet news site, citing a senior official, reported that no delegation is expected to depart for Doha or Cairo at this stage. 
A member of a dance club performs during the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

People join the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

People dance during the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Members of a dance club perform during the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Members of a dance club perform during the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

People join the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Members of a traditional dance group perform during the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Members of a traditional dance group perform during the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Members of a dance club perform during the Dance Night event on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, Aug. 23, 2025. Around 20 dance schools participated in the 5th edition of the event, showcasing more than 15 dance styles. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
SYDNEY, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held across Australia on Sunday, with organizers claiming crowd numbers to be in the tens of thousands.

Organized by the Palestine Action Group, the national rallies follow a recent demonstration in Sydney that attracted tens of thousands of protesters and shut down the Harbor Bridge.

People swarmed the streets of the Melbourne CBD on Sunday, with the crowd estimated at 100,000 people, according to organizers.

Bruce McPhate, who participated in the demonstration in Melbourne, said what drove him to participate in the rally was the impact of the Gaza war on children.

"Anywhere else in the world it's never been acceptable, and I just felt I needed to come here today to make that point," he said.

Thousands of people gathered for the rally in Sydney, which began with speeches at Hyde Park, followed by a march to Belmore Park.

About 2,000 people gathered in Civic Square in Canberra for what was described as a "largely peaceful" protest.

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Hobart.

Tens of thousands gathered in the Perth city center to show their support for the Palestinian people. Organizers estimated about 25,000 people marched.

In Adelaide, thousands of protesters gathered outside Parliament House for the March for Palestine. 
BAGHDAD, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces carried out an airstrike early Saturday on an Islamic State (IS) hideout in Salahuddin province, killing the "terrorists" inside, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said.

Acting on intelligence information and several days of surveillance, the strike was carried out at 2:00 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Friday) on a hideout in the eastern part of Salahuddin province, the JOC said in a statement.

The airstrike resulted in the destruction of the hideout and the elimination of all "terrorists" inside, the statement said.

It added that Iraqi security forces will continue to pursue the remnants of terrorism in Iraq.

A security source told Xinhua that at least three IS militants were killed in the strike, including a senior group leader.

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. 
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Indias Supreme Court has backtracked on a controversial order that all stray dogs in Delhi must be rounded up and placed in shelters, after an outcry from animal welfare groups, politicians and citizens who warned it was neither humane nor feasible.

Earlier this month, the court ruled that every stray in the capital region  close to 1 million dogs, according to estimates  should be removed from the streets within eight weeks. The directive followed rising reports of dog bites and rabies cases nationwide, and a media storm over the death of a child allegedly from rabies.

Yet Delhi has barely 20 shelters and sterilisation centres, and many of these have capacity for only a few dozen animals. A larger facility visited by The Independent this week was crowded with ill and traumatised animals, many of which had visible open wounds. Even if more such shelters are built, activists say, housing dogs permanently in cages would cause immense suffering, spread disease, and ultimately fail to control the street population.

Under intense pressure and following a heated, weeks-long national debate on the issue, the court abruptly revised its order on Friday, saying that dogs should be captured and released back to the streets they live on after being sterilised and vaccinated  which is largely in keeping with current best practice.

But a line in the new order  that dogs considered aggressive or potentially rabid should not be released  is poorly defined, leaving a legal loophole that campaigners worry could be used as a licence for animal abuse.

Former federal minister Maneka Gandhi, one of Indias most prominent animal rights advocates, cautiously welcomed the modified order, calling it a scientific decision. But many experts say the episode has exposed a deeper malaise in how India manages its street dogs  a mixture of municipal neglect, poor enforcement of existing laws, and public misunderstanding.

Disbelief at the courts order

For Ambika Shukla, a veteran animal rights campaigner in Delhi, the Supreme Courts initial directive was unbelievable.

It is not conceivable that the Supreme Court would pass an order without due deliberation, without consideration of the scientific facts, evidence on the ground, and the availability of resources, she told The Independent while taking part in a protest at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi earlier this week. For a Supreme Court to react with emotion and anger rather than evidence and science is truly unbelievable. I didnt believe it at first.

open image in gallery A demonstrator protests against the Indian Supreme Court order mandating that dogs be moved to shelters ( Namita Singh/The Independent )

The proposal that all street dogs be confined to shelters struck animal welfare groups as not only logistically impossible but also ethically wrong.

When you house dogs in shelters, what are shelters? They are jails for animals, Shukla says. These are neglected places where animals are taken simply for treatment and recovery, and they are released as quickly as possible because everybody realises that no animal is happy in captivity. To keep an entire species in jail because of some bites  it makes no sense.

Activists concerns over the state of these shelters are not unfounded. The Independent arrived to a pungent smell of decay on a visit to a dog shelter run by a charitable trust in west Delhi that houses around 300 to 400 injured, abused or abandoned dogs along with those recently sterilised and neutered.

open image in gallery Protesters say the order has helped focus attention on the abuse of stray dogs in India ( Namita Singh/The Independent )

Despite Delhis sweltering August heat and humidity, only some parts of the shelter are shaded from the 3pm sun, with a group of injured dogs and puppies crowded together near an air cooler that isnt working. Hundreds of animals in various states of ill health lie baking in the open area. The stench from this part of the shelter is overwhelming.

Some of the dogs have gaping wounds. Those with the worst injuries, and those who have just had sterilisation surgery, are kept in a separate area for recovery. Here a grey pit bull  not a typical Delhi street-dog breed  is kept on its own in a 6ft pen, lying on one side and not moving.

A deep cut on his foot is infested with maggots. He was left outside the shelter gates about two days ago with the injury, Pradeep, a compound caretaker, tells The Independent. He has not moved or eaten since we took him in. We do not know why the owner abandoned him, but I suppose it was because of the foot injury.

Most of the dogs here have either been abused over time or severely injured in accidents or dog fights, explains Pradeep. While they are sometimes left by owners who then pick them up a few days later, many are simply abandoned outside the gate.

open image in gallery Dogs inside a crowded shelter in west Delhi ( Namita Singh/The Independent )

We then take care of them for ever, says Pradeep. But when a dogs owner drops them at the shelter, they sometimes just stop eating. They do not want anything but their master. They wont eat the tastiest food, the biggest pieces of chicken. Who will tell them no one is coming for them?

Shelters also pose public health risks. Confined dogs, especially when crowded, are prone to infections, stress, poor nutrition and premature death. Dogs enjoy human company just as much as humans enjoy theirs, Shukla says. To deprive both communities of this interaction is senseless. Dogs have lived alongside us for centuries.

India has 52.5 million stray dogs nationwide, according to a 2021 survey by Mars Petcare. Around 8 million live in shelters, which are often overcrowded and underfunded. In Delhi alone, according to media reports, there are thought to be nearly a million dogs. The citys existing sterilisation centres together hold barely a thousand at a time.

The humane alternative  sterilisation and vaccination

At the core of Indias legal framework on stray dogs is the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, first introduced in 2001 and updated in 2023 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. It requires stray dogs to be caught humanely, sterilised, vaccinated (especially against rabies), and then released back to the exact location they were picked up from. This avoids territorial conflict and keeps the numbers stable.

The World Health Organisation endorses sterilisation and vaccination as the only sustainable way to reduce rabies and dog bites. Bhutan, Indias much smaller neighbour, has achieved near-total sterilisation and vaccination of its strays after a 14-year-long campaign that began in 2009 and concluded in 2023.

open image in gallery A pit bull was found abandoned outside a dog shelter, an injury to his foot infested with maggots ( Namita Singh/ The Independent )

Campaigners argue that India, with its broader veterinary infrastructure, could do the same if the programme were properly implemented.

The rules are more than adequate, but they have never been implemented strictly by the authorities, Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS and vice-president of Friendicoes, one of Delhis largest animal welfare organisations, told Print.in.

Failures of the municipal authorities

Delhis municipal corporation (MCD) has been sharply criticised for failing to enforce the ABC programme. Justice Vikram Nath of the Supreme Court said during the hearings: This is happening because of the inaction of the municipal corporation. The government does nothing. The local authorities do nothing.

Shukla agrees. MCD has failed on all fronts  in training its staff, in motivating them, in implementation, in accountability. Working in the dog squad is considered a punishment posting. These are people with no training, no inclination, no understanding of why their job matters. How can they succeed?

All Creatures Great and Small (ACGS) volunteer and advocate Divyam Khera lashes out at the MCD for its poor efforts in respect of the sterilisation drive, saying that if it had actually done its job there would be no dogs on the streets today.

open image in gallery Stray dogs take shelter under a fruit cart in New Delhi on 14 August ( AFP via Getty )

The existing ABC [centres], most them are in a horrific condition, where the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are not followed. Dogs come back with stitches open, he tells The Independent as he raises concerns about inadequate funding.

The laws, rules and SOPs are there, but they are not being followed. Had they been followed, the situation would have never arisen, says Khera. Why should dogs suffer because of [our] systematic failure?

The Independent has contacted the MCD for comment.

Even when NGOs step in, a lack of funding remains the major obstacle.

Shiv Kumar, 45, a caretaker at Sonadi Charitable Trust, Delhis largest ABC centre, says the government pays only 1,000 rupees (9.40) per sterilisation  far less than the actual cost of 1,500 rupees, with payments also pending. The NGO relies primarily on public donations to do the work.

Kumar expresses concern that the municipal authorities only seem to act on the issue of stray dogs when Delhi is hosting high-visibility events, such as the G20 summit last year, and in the run-up to annual Independence Day parades. And even then, the way dogs are rounded up in vans is deeply controversial, with accusations that they are simply dumped outside the citys confines.

Since the court order, we have not sent our vans to pick up the dogs, he says, expressing his own displeasure at the earlier decision by the Supreme Court.

open image in gallery A stray stands on the ledge inside the shelter, visibly scared of visitors ( Namita Singh/The Independent )

Community feeding of strays is another flashpoint. The Supreme Court has now directed that designated feeding zones be established, but activists say this is already part of the ABC rules.

In New Rajendra Nagar, a Delhi neighbourhood, residents associations have worked with dog feeders to create dispersed feeding points.

The feeders chose the locations responsibly  spread out, so dogs dont gather in packs, and at night when children and older people arent around. The result? No increase in numbers, no puppies, no bites, no rabies in three years, Shukla says.

Legal experts warn that the Supreme Courts modified order still leaves dangerous gaps. The undefined category of aggressive dogs could legitimise arbitrary killings or indefinite confinement.

Corruption is another persistent issue. Shukla alleges that some MCD-funded centres are run by retiring officials who view them as a source of income.

If you sterilise 10 dogs and show 100 in your records, you get paid for 100. There is no accountability. Mortality is not even recorded. Every life is important, but if a dog dies in surgery, it isnt reported. That would never be acceptable in human hospitals.

She argues that the solution is to entrust the programme to committed animal welfare groups rather than uninterested municipal departments. No animal welfare person is interested in stealing funds. Many put in their own money. They understand the urgency. If six dogs need sterilisation before the next heat season, they know the difference between six dogs and 36 new puppies in a few months.

For Shukla, the stray dog debate is about more than just animals. Cruelty to animals reflects a society that picks on the weak. Animals cannot retaliate, complain or fight back, so they are the easiest targets. The same society will also mistreat women, children and the elderly. A society where animals are safe is a society where everyone is safe.

She invokes Mahatma Gandhis famous words: The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way it treats its animals.
Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday that President Donald Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

The condition affects millions of Americans, and is not a serious health threat. However, it can be painful and disabling.

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when a persons leg veins dont allow blood to flow back up to the heart, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Normally, the valves in your veins make sure that blood flows toward your heart. But when these valves dont work well, blood can also flow backwards. This can cause blood to collect (pool) in your legs, it said.

If left untreated, patients may experience pain, swelling, cramps, skin changes, varicose veins, and leg ulcers.

open image in gallery President Donald Trumps swollen left ankle is shown in this Wednesday picture taken in the Oval Office. The president was recently diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which is characterized by swelling and other symptoms ( AP )

People more likely to have the condition include those who may be pregnant, overweight, have a family history of the problem, and had damage to their legs following an injury, surgery, or previous blood clots. The condition is common in people older than 70.

Other causes may include high blood pressure in the leg veins due to sitting or standing for long stretches of time, a lack of exercise, smoking, a blood clot in a deep vein, and swelling and inflammation of a vein close to the skin.

Symptoms include swelling in the legs or ankles, a tight feeling in the calves, itchy or painful legs, pain when walking that stops when you rest, varicose veins. restless legs syndrome, painful leg cramps or muscle spasms, and leg ulcers that may be hard to treat.

open image in gallery If left untreated, chronic venus insufficiency may result in varicose veins, leg ulcers, and other symptoms. The condition is common in people over the age of 70 years old ( Getty/iStock )

Leavitt said that the president, 79, had noticed mild swelling in his lower legs and had been evaluated by the White House medical unit.

She noted that testing had shown no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease and that blood clots had been ruled out.

To treat chronic venous insufficiency, doctors recommend wearing compression hose and regular exercise to improve blood flow in leg veins. Some medicines and procedures may also be effective, especially in more severe cases.

With reporting from The Associated Press
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Two people, including a teenage boy, have been arrested over a suspected arson attack on a restaurant in east London that left five victims with serious injuries.

Officers were called to the restaurant in Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill in Ilford on Friday at around 9pm. Five people were rescued from the blaze, which left a man and a woman with life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Detectives arrested a 15-year-old boy and 54-year-old man on suspicion of arson with intent to danger life on Sunday. They remain in police custody for questioning.

CCTV footage seen by the PA news agency of the incident appeared to show a group of people with their faces covered walk into the restaurant before pouring liquid on to the floor. Seconds later the restaurant was engulfed in flames, the agency said.

Police also said they are searching for two further victims who they believe made off before officers arrived. London Fire Brigade previously said they had rescued five people from the restaurant, while nine others got out beforehand.

The Metropolitan Police said their investigation was continuing at pace and appealed for anyone with any further information to come forward.

open image in gallery A forensic investigator at the restaurant in Ilford (Helen William/PA) ( PA Wire )

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Mets Central Specialist Crime North unit said: While we have made two arrests, our investigation continues at pace so we can piece together what happened on Friday evening.

I know the community are concerned and shocked by this incident. I would urge anyone with any information or concerns to come forward and speak to police.

Previously, a London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: We were called at 9.02pm to reports of a fire at a restaurant on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill.

Part of the ground floor restaurant was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued five people from the restaurant. They were all taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. Around nine further people were able to leave the restaurant before firefighters arrived.

open image in gallery Police officers search the area on Woodford Avenue in Ilford (Helen William/PA) ( PA Wire )

The brigades control officers received seven calls about the fire and mobilised crews from Ilford, Hainault, Leytonstone and Woodford fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 10.32pm.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is the MP for Ilford North, thanked the fire services for their work in a post on X on Friday.

Huge thanks to @metpoliceuk @LondonFire @Ldn_Ambulance for their response to a serious incident on Gants Hill/Woodford Avenue this evening, he wrote.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The public is losing confidence in Sir Keir Starmers ability to tackle migration, new polling has revealed.

The YouGov findings revealed that 71 per cent believe that the prime minister is handling the asylum hotel issue badly, including 56 per cent of Labour voters.

The findings for The Times came as the government announced that it would be overhauling the legal process for asylum applications in an effort to fast-track decisions and attempt to prevent over interpretation of the European Convention of Human Rights.

It also followed a weekend of demonstrations outside asylum hotels, which saw protesters clash with police. Under the Abolish Asylum System banner, demonstrators gathered in Solihull, Dudley, Epping, Stevenage, London, Manchester, and Norwich.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said a new fast-track appeals system would see decisions made more quickly, curtailing the spiralling backlog in the courts and helping Labour meet its promise to end the use of asylum hotels.

open image in gallery Home secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to speed up the appeals process ( PA )

But with Nigel Farage set to unveil details of a mass deportation plan on Tuesday as Reform tries to capitalise on the issue, the YouGov poll underlined its importance to voters.

According to the findings, nearly four in 10 voters (37 per cent) said that immigration and asylum was the most important issue facing the country, compared with 25 per cent who said it was the economy and 7 per cent the health service.

While the backlog of initial decisions has been cut under Labour, there are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, more than a year on average to reach a decision.

Decisions will be prioritised for foreign national offenders and those in asylum accommodation under the plans, with professionally trained adjudicators replacing judges to remove cases from the backed-up justice system.

The home secretary said on Sunday: We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system with thousands of people in the system for years on end.

That is why we are taking practical steps to fix the foundations and restore control and order to the system.

Labour has promised to end the use of asylum hotels by the next general election, but critics, including Labour MPs, have called for Ms Cooper to bring forward the plans and remove migrants from hotels sooner.

Mr Farage and Kemi Badenoch have called for their use, which is costing taxpayers billions and stoking tensions in communities, to end immediately.

Several arrests were made at protests that took place against asylum hotels on Saturday, with anti-migrant protesters and anti-racism counterprotesters clashing.

Three arrests were made at the protest outside the Four Points hotel in Horley, Surrey, with two for a breach of the peace and one for breaching the conditions of a community protection notice.

open image in gallery A protest and counterprotest were held in Perth on Saturday ( PA )

Meanwhile, on Sunday, a council leader said that protests which took place the day before in Perth were sparked by completely false claims of further asylum hotels opening in the area.

A lot of this in Perth started off two or three weeks ago when there was a claim there was another hotel or two hotels going to be used for housing asylum seekers  completely false, Grant Laing, the SNP leader of Perth and Kinross Council, told BBC Scotlands Sunday Show radio programme.

The use of asylum hotels has increased in the past year under Labour, with critics warning that they are becoming flashpoints in communities and trapping migrants in limbo.

On Tuesday, the High Court granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to remove asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, from 12 September. The judgment, which the Home Office is to appeal, followed a series of violent protests that resulted in multiple arrests and saw police officers injured.

In one of Sundays demonstrations, uniformed police stood guard outside the Britannia hotel in Canary Wharf, east London, which has recently been the focus of anti-migrant protests.

Security guards could also be seen standing behind full-length barriers that blocked off the entrance way.

About 20 protesters stood quietly on the other side of the road with union flags propped up against a fence.

They ranged in ages from an adult wearing a T-shirt bearing the name of activist Tommy Robinson to a schoolgirl wearing a union flag dress and bow in her hair. She had tied a St Georges flag around her shoulders.

A woman carried a homemade banner, with a St Georges flag drawn on it, which read: Tower Hamlets Council house homeless Brits first.

Another banner read: Enough is enough protect our women and girls.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The family of a fairground worker who died after suffering serious head injuries have paid tribute to their relative, describing him as loved endlessly.

Corrie Lee-Stavers, 28, originally from the Sunderland area, was killed on a ride at the Spanish City Summer Funfair in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, on Saturday.

Shortly after 2.15pm on Saturday, Northumbria Police received a report that a man had been injured in a workplace accident.

Emergency services attended the scene and found Mr Lee-Stavers had suffered serious head injuries.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Mr Lee-Stavers died.

open image in gallery The annual Spanish City Summer Funfair has been closed as police investigate the death ( PA )

Northumbria Police said his family were being supported by specialist officers

Its with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved Corrie has passed away, his family said in a tribute.

He was tragically taken from us in an accident while working on a fairground ride. None of us were prepared for this, and the pain of losing him so suddenly is impossible to put into words.

Our lives will never be the same without him, but his memory will live on in our hearts forever.

We love you endlessly, Corrie, and we miss you more than words can ever say.

Youre with our mam now  rest in peace Corrie.

The fair was due to be open from Thursday through to bank holiday Monday, but has been closed.

Northumbria Police has contacted the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), who are assisting their investigation to establish exactly what happened.

The force said in a statement said: Corries family have asked for privacy whilst they process the loss of their loved one.

Our thoughts are with the man's family at this extremely difficult time.

Summer City Funfairs also posted a statement on Facebook on Sunday confirming their colleague had died.

"We are heartbroken to share that one of our much loved colleagues has sadly passed away following a tragic accident at Spanish City Funfair on Saturday 23rd August, 2025, the tribute said.

"Our team is like a family and we are all deeply affected by this loss.

"As a mark of respect, Spanish City Funfair will remain closed this weekend, while we take the time to grieve together.

"We kindly ask you for your understanding, and our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at this very sad time."

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police by sending them a direct message on social media, or by using the live chat or report form functions on the forces website.

They can also call the force on 101 and quote the reference number NP-20250823-0616.
KIGALI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- On the steep slopes of Rwanda's Western Province, residents of Nyabihu and Ngororero districts are grappling with the harsh realities of climate change. These areas, prone to landslides, destructive rains, and floods, have been chosen as pilot sites for a pioneering community-led climate adaptation project.

Both districts have faced the devastating impact of extreme weather. In May 2023, floods and landslides across Western Province killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of homes, schools, and key infrastructure, according to the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA).

For locals, the adaptation initiative is more than a technical program -- it is reshaping how communities understand and respond to environmental risks.

"We have been trained on climate change adaptation and sensitized on its causes, as well as how to mitigate and prevent its adverse effects," said Alice Akayezu, a resident of the Mukamira sector in Nyabihu District, in an interview with Xinhua recently. "We also learned practical measures such as the construction of bridges, diversion channels, flood barriers, and household drainage systems."

She explained that communities are given not only knowledge but also the power to design their own adaptation plans. "By enabling communities to lead their own adaptation journeys, we are transforming vulnerabilities into opportunities and working toward a climate-resilient future where no one is left behind."

Israel Dufatanye, coordinator of the adaptation project, told Xinhua that the initiative, funded by the Global Center on Adaptation, ensures that projects, particularly infrastructure, are climate-resilient by incorporating district vulnerability assessments into their design and implementation.

To make this possible, adaptation committees have been established at the district, sector, and cell levels. According to Dufatanye, these committees bring together government officials along with representatives from women's councils, youth, people with disabilities, civil society, and the private sector, all trained to conduct climate risk assessments and collect data to inform community-driven adaptation plans.

For Nyabihu and Ngororero, the pilot program is already yielding visible change after nearly a year of implementation, with communities not only better informed but also more involved in shaping the projects that affect their lives.

Farmers, for instance, are beginning to adapt their agricultural practices to changing weather patterns. By choosing climate-resilient crops and seeds, they are better prepared for shifting rainfall and seasonal changes. Residents are also learning how to use early warning systems, with information from the Rwanda Meteorology Agency and MINEMA being shared more widely across communities.

One of the project's most significant contributions has been at the national level. Rwanda's Local Administrative Entities Development Agency has revised its formula for allocating development funds to districts. While allocations were previously based on poverty rate, population size, and surface area, a fourth criterion has now been added: the climate vulnerability index of each district.

"This ensures that more vulnerable districts receive additional support in the future," Dufatanye said.

District leaders are convinced that embedding adaptation into development plans is the way forward, seeing the project as a roadmap for scaling adaptation across Rwanda.

Patrick Nathan Uwihoreye, vice mayor in charge of economic development in Ngororero District, emphasized in his interview with Xinhua that mainstreaming climate resilience is more effective than stand-alone interventions.

"Integrating locally led adaptation into our development plans will empower our communities to take charge of their future and ensure resilience in the face of climate change," Uwihoreye said. "By working together and listening to every voice, we can build a stronger, more resilient future." 
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Angela Rayner has purchased an 800,000 seaside apartment in Hove, which will be a third home for the deputy prime minister.

Critics called on Ms Rayner to answer questions about the properties she owns and where she pays council tax after she purchased the property.

Shadow housing secretary James Cleverly said: Angela Rayner is responsible for housing policy, yet she wont even be straight about her own.

Time and again shes been asked to declare exactly what properties she owns and where she pays council tax, and time and again shes dodged those questions, he told The Mail on Sunday.

He added: Weve done everything possible to get answers, but she still refuses to come clean. That matters, because this is the same deputy prime minister whos hiked taxes on family homes across the country. If shes not prepared to be open about her own affairs while taxing everyone else, the public will wonder what she has to hide.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is also housing secretary ( PA )

Ms Rayner divides her time between a 350,000 home in her constituency near Manchester and her central London grace-and-favour flat at Admiralty House in Whitehall.

The row over the purchase of her latest property comes as she prepares to levy an extra 100 per cent council tax charge on second homes.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said: Rayner is the Everest of hypocrisy. She laments a housing shortage, wants to soak the rich, whilst selfishly building her own property mountain.

Ms Rayner has encountered scrutiny over the properties she owns on a number of occasions, and this latest episode follows a row in 2024 that centred on her living arrangements more than a decade ago.

The deputy Labour leader faced claims that she may have broken electoral law and dodged capital gains tax and council tax in relation to the 2015 sale of her council house in Stockport, and questions were raised as to whether she had provided false information about her main address during the 2010s.

HM Revenue and Customs said it would take no action against the deputy Labour leader, finding that she owed no capital gains tax for the sale.

Ms Rayner said the row about council tax was a deliberate smear, adding: It was frustrating. Theres been a number of times where I felt that, whether it was misogyny or this, which I felt was difficult on a personal level.

The Telegraph reported that Ms Rayner has been seen at the three-bedroom flat in Hove with her partner, former Labour MP Sam Tarry, since May.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

An American Airlines flight was diverted Saturday after a passengers device caught on fire.

American Airlines Flight 357, from Philadelphia to Phoenix, was forced to divert to Washington Dulles International Airport following reports of smoke from a customers device, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The plane landed safely around noon at Dulles, the FAA added. Emergency personnel met the plane and helped the 160 passengers and six crew members off.

"The device was quickly contained by crew members prior to landing," American Airlines told The Independent in a statement.

The airline declined to specify what type of device caught fire.

American Airlines Flight 357 on Saturday was diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport following reports of smoke from a customers device, officials said. ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Passenger Adriana Novello, 22, told ABC News that she was seated in an exit row and awoke to one of the flight attendants jumping on her seat to get the fire extinguisher.

"Then I started smelling smoke, and a lot of people on the plane were coughing," she said. "But I looked behind me, and what we could tell was that there was something on fire in the aisle."

It was not immediately clear what caused the device to catch on fire. The Independent has contacted the FAA for comment.

The flight had taken off from Philadelphia at 10:49 before it landed just around noon, according to the airline.

In a statement, American Airlines said they were able to book customers alternative flights.

The FAA is investigating the incident.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said that Europe should carry the burden and take the lions share of the responsibility for safeguarding Ukraine should a peace deal with Russia be secured.

Defense Undersecretary for Policy Elbridge Colby has meanwhile said that American involvement in any future peacekeeping mission in the region would be minimal, according to Politico.

The comments come as President Donald Trump continues in his attempt to play mediator in separate talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, meeting with the Russian president in Alaska last week and Zelensky in D.C. on Monday in the company of Europes leading heads of state in pursuit of a breakthrough.

open image in gallery U.S. Vice President JD Vance discusses America's involvement in attempting to end Russia's war in Ukraine with Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Wednesday August 20 2025 ( Fox News )

Trump has ruled out sending any American ground troops into Eastern Europe but said it could support the peacekeeping effort by air, stating that Europes powers would be the first line of defence but receive a lot of help from the U.S.

Speaking to Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Wednesday, Vance said, I think that we should be helpful if its necessary to stop the war and to stop the killing. But I think that we should expect, and the president certainly expects, Europe to play the leading role here.

What he said very clearly is: Look, the United States is open to having the conversation, but were not going to make commitments until we figure out what is going to be necessary to stop the war in the first place.

Despite the lack of major announcements so far, the VP insisted that great progress is being made.

You can never say with certainty what the outcome in this situation is going to be, he told Ingraham.

But we now have the Russians talking to the Ukrainians; theyre talking details about what would be necessary on each side to stop the fighting, to stop the killing.

open image in gallery Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio talk as they attend a press conference held by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week ( Reuters )

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov struck a much more cautious note on Wednesday, warning that negotiations on security guarantees for Ukraine without Moscows involvement would amount to a road to nowhere.

We cannot agree with the fact that now it is proposed to resolve questions of security, collective security, without the Russian Federation, he said. This will not work.

Although Trump has dismissed the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO, a red line for Putin, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the military alliances Secretary General Mark Rutte have proposed offering Kyiv a collective defense agreement of its own similar to that underwriting the 32-member bloc, which Lavrov may have been obliquely warning against.

Colbys comment came as European military leaders met with Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at which defense officials from the U.K., France, Germany, and Finland reportedly pushed the U.S. delegation for more details on what military resources it was prepared to provide.

Theres the dawning reality that this will be Europe making this happen on the ground, a dismayed Nato diplomat, who was briefed on the talks, said afterwards.

The U.S. is not fully committed to anything.

I dont know where that leaves us, one of the European officials said.

Pretty much back to where we were in the spring with the coalition of the willing.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is imminently expected to sign off on the states radically redrawn congressional map, igniting a national redistricting battle ahead of 2026 midterm elections with the balance of power in Congress at stake.

The Republican governor said he will swiftly sign the map into law after the GOP-dominated state legislature gave it a final, party-line vote in the early hours of Saturday.

The map, which sets the boundaries for each district that represents the state in the House of Representatives, was explicitly redrawn under President Donald Trumps command to ensure Republican candidates will win up to five new seats  delivering a huge boost to preserve the GOPs thin House majority.

In his closing statement in support of the map, Republican state Senator Phil King repeatedly warned that the GOP would lose the House majority without it, while insisting that the boundaries were not gerrymandered along racial lines.

Hours later, a lawsuit accused the state of pushing a racially discriminatory map that unconstitutionally diminished the voting strength of Black and Hispanic Texans and dismantles minority-led districts to keep Republicans in power.

open image in gallery The GOP-dominated state legislature in Texas gave final approval to the states new congressional boundaries in the early morning hours on August 23 ( REUTERS )

This map is legal in all respects, King said.

Im convinced that if Texas does not take this action, there is an extreme risk that [the] Republican majority will be lost, he added. If it does, the next two years after the midterm, there will be nothing but inquisitions and impeachments and humiliation for our country.

Texas Republicans advanced the map despite a group of Democratic lawmakers who left the state to break quorum in a long-shot bid to prevent the state legislature from doing any business during a 30-day special session requested by the governor.

Dozens of Texas Democrats declared victory last week after staying out of the state for more than two weeks, temporarily blocking Republicans Trump-led gerrymandering campaign while bringing national attention to the fight.

But a second special session was called, allowing Republican lawmakers to quickly take up another vote on the map.

Democrats return to the state allowed them to create the legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court, take our message to communities across the state and country, and inspire legislators across the country how to fight these undemocratic redistricting schemes in their own statehouses, Texas House of Representatives Minority Leader Gene Wu said in a statement this week.

open image in gallery Governor Greg Abbott is expected to swiftly sign the map into law, triggering a nationwide redistricting battle and lawsuits accusing Texas Republicans of drawing congressional boundaries along racial lines that diminish Black and Latino voting power ( AP )

Despite Democrats petty stunts, we delivered on our promise, Abbott said Saturday. This map reflects Texans actual voting preferences, and I look forward to signing it into law.

The Texas fight quickly escalated across the country, with both GOP-led and Democratic states pursuing mid-decade changes to their congressional maps in a political arms race that could lead to explosive legal battles as voters prepare to cast their ballots next year.

On Thursday, Democratic lawmakers in California approved a new map that could swing five Republican-held seats to Democrats. Unlike the process for map changes in Texas, voters in California will have to approve the redistricting efforts in a referendum expected this November.

Robert Weiner  director of the voting rights project at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which represents the Texas NAACP in the ongoing lawsuit against Texas for racial gerrymandering  said the Texas map is illegal.

The architects of this racially discriminatory plan clearly targeted minority voters, he added. The legislators bulldozed important majority minority districts. It eliminates opportunities of Black and Brown people to elect their preferred candidates in multiple Congressional districts.

A federal judge will hold a hearing on the challenge on August 27.

The League of Women Voters of the United States said the map is designed to rig elections and silence voters.

Governor Abbott and Texas Republicans are abusing the redistricting process to bow down to an unpopular president who has no shame in thwarting the Constitution for his own benefit, the group said in a statement Saturday.

"Texans deserve fair maps drawn to reflect their communities  not partisan lines manipulated to entrench power, the statement said.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Donald Trump heaped praise on the new owner of CBS, saying Paramount chief executive David Ellison is a great man whom he knows very well, adding that Ellison is going to do the right thing with the network.

The presidents Friday remarks come a day after House Democrats launched an investigation into the politically fraught $8 billion merger between Paramount and Ellisons Skydance, which was approved by the Trump administration shortly after the president extracted a $16 million settlement in his meritless lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.

Speaking to reporters on Friday morning following the FBI raiding the home of his former national security adviser-turned-critic John Bolton, which Trump insisted he knew nothing about beforehand, the president turned his attention to boasting about his federal takeover of Washington, D.C.

In typical Trumpian fashion, the president went on a tangent about the fake news not giving him credit for deploying military troops on the streets of the nations capital, which he falsely claimed had a 90 percent approval rating. In reality, the vast majority of D.C. residents oppose the move and feel it makes them less safe.

After mocking MSNBCs upcoming name change, claiming it was because theyre ashamed of it and theyre disassociating it from NBC, which is also fake news, Trump then brought up CBS and Ellison  and had nothing but good things to say.

open image in gallery Donald Trump boasts that new CBS owner David Ellison will do the right thing and is a great man. ( AFP/Getty )

I think the news is getting better. Theyre learning that they have no credibility, he declared. CBS was just sold to a great person that I know very well.

Trump continued: A great man. He actually just bought CBS. And I think hes going to do the right thing with it.

Ellison is the son of close Trump ally and megadonor Larry Ellison, the Oracle founder who invested billions of dollars in David Ellisons Skydance merger with Paramount. Weeks before the Federal Communications Commission  led by Trumps hand-picked chairman Brendan Carr  finally approved the Skydance-Paramount deal, Trump similarly sang the younger Ellisons praises.

Ellisons great, the president told reporters in mid-June. Hell do a great job with it.

Earlier this week, the ranking members of the House Judiciary and Energy and Commerce committees sent Ellison a letter demanding documents and correspondence related to the administrations approval process of the Paramount merger, which officially closed on August 7.

Specifically, the two Democratic congressmen are seeking answers surrounding not only the settlement of the Trump lawsuit, which has sparked accusations of bribery from lawmakers and free press organizations, but also the presidents claim that he reached a side deal with Ellison.

Shortly after the previous Paramount leadership announced it was paying Trump $16 million to settle the 60 Minutes complaint, Trump boasted that Ellison had agreed to air up to $20 million of pro-Trump advertisements and programming on CBS once the merger went through. While the old Paramount denied any knowledge of any secret agreement, Ellison has remained mum on the matter.

This offer was necessarily contingent on the FCC approving the deal and does not appear to present any legitimate value to the public, only to President Trump, Reps. Frank Pallone and Jamie Raskin wrote Ellison this week. Therefore, this appears to be an offer of payment and benefits to a government official designed to achieve a specific outcome from the government  in other words, a bribe.

open image in gallery Ellison is currently facing a congressional investigation over the circumstances surrounding the Trump administrations approval process of the companys merger with Skydance. ( Paramount )

Additionally, the Democrats are inquiring about Paramounts decision to cancel the top-rated late-night show hosted by outspoken Trump critic Stephen Colbert just days before the merger was approved, as well as Skydances assurance to the FCC that it would review complaints of bias at CBS News and eliminate all diversity hiring practices. Both Trump and Carr publicly celebrated Colberts cancellation.

On top of that, Raskin and Pallone noted that during the negotiations with Trump to settle the lawsuit, which CBS lawyers said was without merit and legal experts described as frivolous, the executive producer of 60 Minutes and CBS News chief Wendy McMahon both resigned in protest.

Two wrongs do not make a rightillegitimate demands from the FCC or the Administration do not absolve your company from wrongdoing, the letter to Ellison stated. If Skydance offered a side deal of up to $20 million worth of advertisement or programming to President Trump in order to receive regulatory approval for the merger with Paramount, these actions would run afoul of federal and state anti-bribery statutes.

The lawmakers added: Similarly, if Paramount forced out CBSs longtime leaders, spent $16 million to settle a sham lawsuit with President Trump, or cancelled a highly popular comedy show that President Trump dislikes in order to curry favor with the Administration and to receive regulatory approval for the merger with Skydance, these actions would likely further embolden President Trump to use lawsuits and regulatory authority to attack media organizations that he finds objectionable in order to silence them.

In the meantime, it appears that Ellison and his senior leadership are preparing to enact painful cuts to the news network. Pucks Dylan Byers reported this week that Paramount sources had told him CBS News was losing around $50 million a year, a claim a CBS News spokesperson pushed back hard against, saying the news division is currently profitable.

Still, based on the Byers item, it appears that Ellison and Paramount president Jeff Shell are laying the groundwork to make sweeping layoffs at CBS News  and soon. The stage has been set for a round of painful cost-cutting, Status News Oliver Darcy noted. In other words, the disputed number may ultimately be less important than the larger narrative it helps justify: CBS News is about to face some painful budget cuts.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

President Donald Trump has claimed that African-American ladies.. beautiful ladies are pleading with him to extend federal troop deployments to Chicago after the militarized takeover of Washington D.C.s streets this month.

They are wearing red hats, just like this one. But they are wearing red hats. African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying, Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please, he claimed Friday in the Oval Office.

I did great with the Black vote, as you know. And they want something to happen. So I think Chicago will be our next, and then we will help with New York.

Now, a Black personal trainer and conservative influencer in Chicago has told local news outlets that she believes that the president was referring to her and the MAGA organization she co-founded, in his remarks.

We knew he had been listening to us, Danielle Carter-Walters told the Chicago Sun-Times Sunday. When I saw it, I said, Oh wow. Weve been asking for it in our videos. Now hes doing it.

open image in gallery Danielle Carter-Walters says she believes Trump was talking about her and her political action group when he said Friday that African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying, Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please. ( House Committee on the Judiciary | YouTube )

Carter-Walters also defended Trumps crackdown in D.C. "I mean, if you've got the National Guard right there, are you going to rob somebody right there in front of the National Guard? No, you're not," she told CBS Chicago.

The conservative influencer is co-founder of Chicago Flips Red, a small grass roots organization which appears to comprise of around half a dozen core members.

However Carter-Walters has had national exposure. In April, she testified before Congress during a hearing on sanctuary cities.

Trump doesnt appear to have acknowledged Carter-Walters by name before.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump for listening to @FlipChicagoRed. We truly appreciate everything youre doing to Make America Great Again. P.S.-Please send in the Feds too! Carter-Walters posted on X after Trumps remarks.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Trump made the remarks about Chicago as he discussed reaction to his deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents in the capital. The president has declared the operation a success, though the largest spike in D.C. arrests has been for immigration-related violations.

The Pentagon is reportedly planning to deploy military personnel into Chicago as soon as September. Trump has insisted that he has the authority to conduct takeovers of American cities across states -- beyond the special jurisdiction of the District of Columbia.

The Pentagon has been making plans to occupy numerous cities, even as Guard troops in D.C. have largely resorted to milling around and taking selfies with tourists, according to the Washington Post.

open image in gallery Trump made the remarks about Chicago as he discussed reaction to his deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents in the capital. The president has declared the operation a success, though the largest spike in D.C. arrests has been for immigration-related violations. ( AP )

After making his threats against Chicago on Friday, Trump spent some of the weekend leveling attacks at Lisa Cook, the only Black member of the Feds Board of Governors, as well as the only current Black governor of a state, Wes Moore of Maryland. On Sunday, he rejected an invitation from Moore to visit Baltimore in person.

Trumps ire has been particularly focused on cities in liberal jurisdictions with Black mayors, like Chicago, Baltimore and Washington D.C. Trumps threats to takeover Chicago were met with robust responses from Illinois governor, JB Pritzker, and prominent Black leaders in the Windy City.

Illinois has long worked with federal law enforcement to tackle crime, but we won't let a dictator impose his will, Pritzker posted on X late Saturday.

If Trump wants to take his ego trip on tour, he picked the wrong city. Chicago doesnt bow down to kings or roll out the red carpet for dictators. As a Black woman from the South Side, I can assure you @realdonaldtrump, your political circus isnt welcome here, tweeted Julianna Stratton, the states lieutenant governor.

Chicagos mayor Brandon Scott also responded in an interview Sunday on MSNBC. "We're not gonna surrender our humanity to this tyrant, he said. The city of Chicago has a long history of standing up against tyranny-- resisting those who wishes to undermine the interest of working people. We're not gonna back down. We're not gonna cower. We're not gonna bend. We're not gonna break. We're Chicago."

open image in gallery Trump announced last week he had placed D.C. police under direct federal control and deployed about 800 National Guard troops to the city ( Getty )

This is what weak men do to pretend theyre strong, added Kat Abugazelah, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois.

Trump can't actually deploy National Guard troops with law enforcement powers to any U.S. state without the consent of the state's governor.

His deployment of the Guard was not restricted in D.C. because the detachment is directly under the presidents authority. Federal law only allows the president to federalize state detachments under specific circumstances, and with different authorities depending on the situation.

Washington D.C. residents are in near-unison with their opposition to the Trump takeover of the nations capital. A Washington Post/Schar School survey this week found that roughly 8 in 10 residents oppose the deployment of Guard troops and federal agents across the city.

Since the military have hit the streets, one person was hospitalized after an armored guard vehicle ran a red light and struck a civilian vehicle. Numerous small-scale clashes between residents and agents carrying out arrests, patrols and checkpoints are frequently being reported in neighborhoods.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

President Trump on Friday said that he has stopped even more wars than he claimed to earlier this week, if the tally also includes pre-wars.

I settled seven wars, and actually if you think about pre-wars, add three more so it would be 10, Trump said in the White House when asked about the ongoing war in Ukraine, which continues despite his recent summits with Vladimir Putin and European leaders to end the conflict.

I thought this would be in the middle of the pack in terms of difficulty, Trump continued. Now Im not happy about anything about that war. Nothing. Not happy at all. Well see what happens. Over the next two weeks were going to find out which way its going to go.

Earlier this week, the president had put the figure at six wars in six months in a post on Truth Social. It was an apparent reference to diplomacy around disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Iran and Israel, India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, and Ethiopia and Egypt.

The following day, the president upped the tally again, telling Fox & Friends he had solved seven wars.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has continued to increase the number of conflicts he claims to have stopped while in office, arguing at various points this week he stopped six, seven, and even ten wars, including pre-wars ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

The president has long angled for a Nobel Peace Prize, and has claimed his diplomatic efforts towards conflicts in disputed Kashmir, Gaza, and Ukraine should be seen as historic.

He has also complained about his predecessor, Barack Obama, receiving the Nobel.

If I were named Obama, I would have had the Nobel Prize given to me in 10 seconds, Trump told the Detroit Economic Club last year.

This July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated Trump for the peace prize.

open image in gallery No peace deal has emerged to end Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite heavy Trump efforts to seek a resolution in recent weeks ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

However, when it comes to the Ukraine war, perhaps the conflict the president has invested most political capital towards solving, progress remains stalled.

On the campaign trail, Trump said he could solve the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours, though he later claimed he was being a little bit sarcastic.

More recent efforts, including talks with Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week and European leaders at the White House earlier this week, have yielded similar big promises and eventual walk-backs.

The president spoke of quickly arranging bilateral and trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. over the war, only for the White House to say this week, It is not in the national interest to further negotiate these issues publicly.

The Trump administration also went into the White House talks claiming Russia would accept NATO-style, Western-backed security guarantees for Ukraine, only for Russia to pour cold water on the proposal.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The Trump administration has ramped up its attacks on gender-affirming care as young people are identifying as transgender at a higher rate than their older counterparts.

Transgender Americans have been made a target of President Donald Trumps second presidency since his first day in office, when he issued an executive order declaring the United States only recognizes two sexes: male and female. Since returning to the White House, the president has made more than 300 attacks against LGBTQ+ people, according to advocacy group GLAAD.

This week alone demonstrates the fervor with which the Trump administration has taken aim at transgender Americans across the country.

The Air Force ordered that military boards must recommend separation for transgender service members, circumventing the typical board review process that includes a fair and impartial hearing. A Yosemite National Park ranger who hung a trans pride flag at Yosemites El Capitan was terminated. MAGA world erupted when two students were suspended from a Virginia high school after a Title IX investigation found they sexually harassed a transgender student.

The Trump administrations attacks against gender-affirming care, in particular, have ramped up this week amid a new analysis showing that 2.8 million Americans aged 13 and older identify as transgender.

open image in gallery A DOJ subpoena, made public this week, shows the Trump administration demanded hospital records about minor patients who obtained gender-affirming care ( Getty )

Of that group, more than three-quarters are under 35 years old and one-quarter are between 13 and 17, suggesting more young people are likely to identify as transgender compared to their older counterparts, the Williams Institute, a UCLA Law think tank, found in an analysis released Wednesday.

LGBTQ people, especially transgender youth, are more comfortable being themselves than ever before, a GLAAD spokesperson told The Independent in an email. No president or administration will ever censor us away.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

The report relied on data from a CDC survey. In an apparent remark on the political climate, the authors noted that theyre unclear about what data sources will be available in the future and said its also unclear whether individuals willingness to disclose on surveys that they identify as transgender will remain unchanged in the years to come.

In a direct onslaught on transgender youth, the Justice Department issued a subpoena to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia demanding records related to minors gender-affirming care, filings made public this week reveal.

open image in gallery Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in July that the Justice Department had issued 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in providing gender-affirming care to minors ( AP )

Last month, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the DOJ had issued subpoenas to more than 20 doctors and clinics involved in providing gender-affirming care to minors. Medical professionals and organizations that mutilated children in the service of a warped ideology will be held accountable by this Department of Justice, Bondi said in a statement in July.

The subpoena asks the hospital to produce documents that identify which patients were prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy, records related to diagnoses that formed the basis for prescribing these treatments, and documents related to informed consent and parental authorization. The DOJ wants documents dating back to January 2020, when no state had banned gender-affirming care. Now, 27 states have placed limits on such care, according to KFF.

The subpoena is a breathtakingly invasive government overreach, Jennifer L. Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at legal advocacy group GLAD Law, told the Washington Post. Its specifically and strategically designed to intimidate health care providers and health care institutions into abandoning their patients.

The GLAAD spokesperson suggested that the Justice Department instead apply itself to exacting justice for the creeps in the Epstein files if they truly cared about keeping young people safe. Their energy is misdirected and intentional, and every American knows it.

The Trump administration has been using different methods for months to try to seek such information.

A month before Bondi announced the subpoenas, the FBI urged the public to call in tips about any hospitals, clinics or providers performing gender affirming care.

open image in gallery President Donald Trumps administration has ramped up its attacks against gender-affirming care ( Middle East Images )

In May, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent letters to hospitals asking for information about their policies and information related to gender-affirming care treatments. Hospitals accepting federal funds are expected to meet rigorous quality standards and uphold the highest level of stewardship when it comes to public resources, Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator, said.

The administrations laser focus on the trans community  who make up just 1 percent of the population aged 13 and older, according to the analysis  extends far beyond collecting hospital data into policies.

Last Friday, the Office of Personnel Management issued a memo stating chemical and surgical modification of an individual's sex traits through medical interventions (to include gender transition services) will no longer be covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program in 2026.

The document notes that counseling services for possible or diagnosed gender dysphoria must still be covered.

Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a lawyer and health care strategist at Lambda Legal, slammed the policy as illegal.

This discriminatory policy denying medical care to government employees and their dependents is not only cruelit is illegal, he said in a statement. The federal government cannot simply strip away essential healthcare coverage from transgender employees while providing comprehensive medical care to all other federal workers.

This policy will also likely impact dependents of federal employees who may need access to such care.

The analysis revealed young people are more likely to identify as trans than adults. Among those aged 13 to 17 in the U.S., 3.3 percent identify as transgender, the analysis found; by contrast, of all U.S. adults, just 0.8 percent identify as transgender.

open image in gallery A new analysis showed that more young people are identifying as transgender compared to their older counterparts in the U.S. ( Williams Institute )

On Thursday, the Trump administration unveiled its latest attack on trans minors by terminating the California State Personal Responsibility Education Program, a federal grant aiming to educate young people on both abstinence and contraception. The grant was worth $12 million, Reuters reported.

Californias refusal to comply with federal law and remove egregious gender ideology from federally funded sex-ed materials is unacceptable, Andrew Gradison, the acting assistant secretary at the Administration for Children and Families, said in a statement. The Trump Administration will not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to indoctrinate children. Accountability is coming for every state that uses federal funds to teach children delusional gender ideology.

Defunding the grant marks the latest salvo in the administrations battle with California over transgender rights. Last month, the Trump administration sued Californias department of education over its policy to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.

The Independent has reached out to the states department of education for comment.

If its a day ending in y, President Trump is attacking kids safety, health, and access to education as part of his culture war, a spokesperson from California Governor Gavin Newsoms office told The Independent in a statement.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Weeks before the FBI raided John Boltons house, President Donald Trump made clear that his former national security adviser was a target of his second term.

Law enforcement agents raided Boltons home in Bethesda, Maryland and his Washington, D.C. office on Friday as part of an investigation related to classified documents, Vice President JD Vance confirmed. Bolton served as Trumps national security adviser from 2018 to 2019 but has since become a vocal critic of the president.

On Friday, Trump said he wasnt aware of the raids until after they happened. I saw it on television this morning, he said. The president added he wasnt a fan of Bolton.

My house was raided also, Trump told reporters, referring to the FBI raid of his Mar-a-Lago compound in 2022. So I know the feeling. Its not a good feeling.

But sources close to Trump toldThe Washington Post that the president was irked by Boltons critical comments ahead of his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The president also publicly took issue with Boltons remarks, calling him really dumb in a Truth Social post on August 13  raising questions over the timing of the raid, which occurred just nine days after the social media post.

open image in gallery FBI agents searched the home and office of former White House national security adviser John Bolton, who has emerged as a prominent Trump critic since leaving his first administration ( REUTERS )

The Independent has requested comment from the White House.

Earlier this month, Bolton accused Trump of running a retribution presidency. Since returning to the White House, Trump has targeted his so-called political enemies, including law firms, news organizations, former government officials, ideological opponents, and universities.

Bolton noted that Trump has already come after me and several others, alluding to the revocation of his security detail, which he received following threats against his life from Iran.

Bolton has yet to make a public statement following the raids.

Their public feud began to simmer during Trumps first administration in 2019, when the president asked his national security adviser to resign, stating in a tweet that he disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions.

In 2020, Bolton released an explosive memoir, The Room Where It Happened, detailing his time working in the first Trump administration.

The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation into whether Bolton disclosed classified information in his book and the administration tried to halt its publication, and a judge found in June 2020 that Bolton likely jeopardized national security by disclosing classified information in violation of his nondisclosure agreement obligations.

But the court did not block the books publication.

Both the lawsuit and criminal probe were dropped under the Biden administration.

Following the FBI raid, Vance hinted at a new law enforcement probe into Bolton that was in the very early stages. The vice president noted that classified documents are certainly part of that probe, but that theres a broad concern about Ambassador Bolton.

FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to defend the raid, writing on X Friday morning that NO ONE is above the law and that FBI agents are on mission.

Attorney General Pam Bondi similarly remarked that Americas safety isnt negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.

The investigation has sparked criticism from usually reliably supportive right-wing media outlets.

open image in gallery Bolton served as the presidents national security adviser during Trumps first term until 2019, when Trump said he disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions ( AP )

On Friday, panelists appearing on Fox News Americas Newsroom said they were skeptical of the FBIs decision to execute the raid.

Chris Swecker, former assistant FBI director from 2004 to 2006, said that he had consulted with former agency colleagues about the raid.

We're looking at this a little bit skeptically because we were very heavily critical of the Mar-a-Lago raid. Just because you have the authority and discretion to do something like this, doesn't mean you should, he told Fox News.

Every federal search is predicated on an affidavit that shows probable cause that a crime has been committed and that evidence exists in a specific location, he said.

We just don't want to see the FBI weaponized for the other side, if you will, just turning the playbook over, he added. So, we're anxiously awaiting the unsealing of that affidavit.

open image in gallery FBI agents carry boxes from Boltons office in Washington, D.C., less than two weeks after Bolton suggested Trump was running a retribution presidency ( AP )

Attorney and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley alluded to the longstanding disagreement between Trump and Bolton.

There is a great concern about whether this is retaliation against a political opponent, he said. We just don't know because we haven't seen the warrant, we haven't seen the affidavit.

Other conservative media warned that the raid could signal Trump is using the FBI to exact political retribution. The Wall Street Journals editorial board said the raid reeks of political vengeance.

Its hard to see the raid as anything other than vindictive, the editorial board wrote Friday. Mr. Trump made clear that he was out for blood against Mr. Bolton when he pulled the former advisers protective detail after his re-election.

Trump may hope that the raid leads Bolton to stop criticizing him publicly, the board suggested, adding that the real offender here is a president who seems to think he can use the powers of his office to run vendettas.

In August 2022, FBI agents raided Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach related to his handling of classified documents.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on charges alleging he unlawfully withheld thousands of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago compound and then obstructed law enforcements attempts to retrieve them. A federal judge appointed by Trump dismissed the case, and special counsel Jack Smith withdrew his appeals after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.
KHARTOUM, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled a hospital in the southwestern Sudanese city of El Fasher and abducted eight civilians from a nearby displacement camp, volunteer groups said on Sunday.

The Sudan Doctors Network said in a statement that RSF artillery fire struck El Fasher's Southern Hospital on Saturday morning, wounding a medical worker and six patients, including a child and a pregnant woman.

It condemned the attack, the second on the hospital in two weeks, and accused the RSF of trying to shut down medical facilities in the city amid severe shortages of supplies and the reliance of thousands on primary healthcare.

Separately, the Abu Shouk Camp Emergency Room, another volunteer group, said RSF fighters stormed the displacement camp north of El Fasher on Saturday and took eight unarmed civilians, including six women, a 40-day-old infant and a three-year-old girl, to an unknown location. It added that more than 20 camp residents remain missing, and the number is likely higher.

The RSF has not commented on the reported incidents.

Clashes have raged in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur state, since May 10 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied groups on one side and the RSF on the other. The wider conflict between the SAF and RSF, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions inside Sudan and across borders, causing what the UN calls one of the worst humanitarian crises of the century. 
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The Pentagon is reportedly planning to deploy U.S. military personnel into Chicago as soon as September as President Donald Trump escalates his threats to Democratic cities with a stated aim of tackling crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration.

Department of Defense officials have reportedly been planning for weeks in a model that could be used to occupy other American cities with thousands of National Guard troops, according to reporting by The Washington Post on Saturday, citing officials familiar with the plans.

We wont speculate on further operations, a defense official told The Independent on Saturday. The Department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.

If approved, the deployment could draw parallels to the contentious operation ordered by Trump in Los Angeles this June.

That saw 4,000 members of the California National Guard and 700 active-duty Marines dispatched, despite fervent opposition from state and local leaders.

open image in gallery The Pentagon is reportedly planning for the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago to quell what President Donald Trump described as out-of-control crime at the hands of a liberal mayor and Democratic-run city and state governments ( Getty Images )

Discussions have also taken place regarding the possible deployment of thousands of active-duty troops in Chicago, although this is currently deemed less probable, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the subject.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump threatened to send active-duty military personnel into Americas third-largest city to tackle what he described as out-of-control crime under Democratic leadership.

We're going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent, and we'll straighten that one out, probably next that'll be our next one after this, and it won't even be tough, Trump said.

The president then claimed that the Windy Citys Black population  including African American ladies, beautiful ladies  were screaming for him to please come to Chicago.

So I think Chicago will be our next, and then we'll help with New York, he said.

open image in gallery There was fierce public and political opposition to the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles in June ( AFP via Getty Images )

In addition to Los Angeles, the president has also taken similar action in Washington, D.C., with National Guard soldiers patrolling the streets.

At Trump's request last weekend, the Republican governors of three states said they were sending hundreds of National Guard troops to the nations capital.

This month, the president declared what he called a crime emergency to justify his administration taking control of the citys Metropolitan Police Department while deploying National Guard troops and federal law enforcement agents into the citys streets, claiming that the White House must rescue the city from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse.

Crime data collected by the FBI shows violent crime hit a 30-year low last year in Washington, which is a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress. The Justice Department is reportedly investigating whether city officials manipulated crime data after the president accused the capital city of creating fake crime numbers to undermine his federal takeover.

Fox News reported on Friday that the Trump administration reportedly plans to similarly mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks.

open image in gallery Members of the National Guard stand by at Union Station in Washington, D.C., as part of President Trump's attempt to seize control of policing in the nation's capital ( Getty Images )

The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention, according to the states Democratic Governor JB Pritzker.

The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority, he said in a statement Saturday in response to The Washington Posts reporting.

There is no emergency that warrants the president of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active-duty military within our own borders, he added.

Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families, he said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city has grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops, calling the presidents approach uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.

Johnson warned that such a deployment could inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement, and would undermine the progress the city has made in reducing crimes, noting that homicides are down 30 percent, robberies by 35 percent, and shootings by nearly 40 percent.

There are many things the federal government could do to help us reduce crime and violence in Chicago, but sending in the military is not one of them, the mayor said.

The National Guard is feeling the cost of the presidents insistence on using its troops to carry out his federal law enforcement agenda, with leadership concerned that prolonged deployments will eat into funding intended for training and operations.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Vice President JD Vance has touted his bosss energetic diplomacy with Russia, and insisted that the Trump administration would bring the three-year-long war between Ukraine and Russia to an end.

But as his remarks aired on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, Russias top diplomat was making that prospect look unlikely  while walking back progress made between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky and a host of European leaders in a whirlwind series of meetings over the past two weeks.

Vance told NBCs Kristen Welker, in a pre-taped interview, that both sides had signaled their openness to accepting significant concessions in recent days, and said that the president was open to increasing pressure if one side was seen as an obstacle to peace.

JD Vance insisted that Donald Trump would be able to pressure Russia into reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine in an interview aired Sunday ( NBC News )

This is the energetic diplomacy thats going to bring this war to a close, Vance said. We sometimes feel like weve made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, hes been very frustrated with the Russians. Were going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close.

He added that Russias Vladimir Putin made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3  years of this conflict during his summit with Trump on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Theyve actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. Theyve talked about what would be necessary to end the war, said the vice president.

He was unable to name specific areas where the Trump administration was making progress, however, as Russian and U.S. officials have given different interpretations of what was agreed upon at the Alaska summit.

But the two concessions named by U.S. officials in the wake of that summit -- a Ukrainian security guarantee and the prospect of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin within two weeks -- now both seem on the edge of disappearing, if they havent already collapsed.

Russias top envoy, Sergey Lavrov, appeared separately Sunday on Meet the Press and said that no Putin-Zelensky meeting was on the table in the immediate term.

Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all, Lavrov said.

The Russian diplomats comments come as Donald Trump confirmed Friday that he informed Putin that he was not happy about a Russia strike against a factory in Ukraine this past week that is owned by a U.S. company. The attack in the town of Mukachevo, which injured at least 15 people, was part of a larger wave of Russian airstrikes.

On his Sunday appearace, Lavrov proceeded to denounce the Ukrainian president and claimed that Zelensky was refusing to accept that Ukraine would be blocked from joining NATO under a peace agreement.

It was very clear to everybody that there are several principles which Washington believes must be accepted, including no NATO membership, including the discussion of territorial issues, and Zelensky said no to everything, said Lavrov.

He even said no to, as I said, to canceling legislation prohibiting the Russian language. How can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader?

European leaders who met with Trump at the White House Monday touted the brokering of that potential Zelensky-Putin sitdown as a major development in the peace process.

Russias recognition of the ability of Ukraine to sign security guarantees with the U.S. and other European nations similarly was seen as a major concession, but the Kremlin reportedly dismissed the prospect of troops from NATO countries on the ground in Ukraine after the U.S. presidents meeting with Zelensky.

Trumps own press secretary confirmed this past week that the White House would not consider deploying troops to Ukraine were it attacked again.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A centuries-old tradition of intricate lace crocheting from a small Polish mountain village is experiencing a remarkable global resurgence.

Wiesawa Juroszek, who learned the delicate handicraft from family at just six, is now, 53 years on, part of a new generation of women making Koniakow famous.

Their unique creations, from exquisitely crocheted lingerie and wedding dresses to skirts, blouses, and traditional tablecloths, are enjoying a surge in popularity and commanding elevated prices for their skilled artistry.

In Koniakow almost all the women do hekla, as we call it, Juroszek told The Associated Press. "For us its a passion, for us its our whole life.

Around 700 women work as lace makers in Koniakow, which is nestled high in the Beskid Mountains in southern Poland near the border with Slovakia.

open image in gallery Women practice "hekla", the traditional art of hand-crocheted lace making, on a valley slope in the village of Koniakow, Poland, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Daniel Franek) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The techniques have been passed down for years by Koniakow women, who were following the tradition of previous generations of Polish women who embellished bonnets worn over their hair by crocheting lace ribbons to be tied around their foreheads.

It was a decorative element. When a woman was married, she had her own, Juroszek said. "Later, women started making them as table decorations, like napkins, and the shape became round. And the women sold them, which was a way to earn money.

What began more than 100 years ago simply as work to support household budgets has been transformed into a prized craft. Blouses sell for at least 3,000 to 4,000 zoty ($750 to $1,000) and wedding dress prices reach up to tens of thousands of zoty.

The steep costs are based on the amount of time the women need for their needlework, with even a simple blouse requiring several weeks.

Unlike some other traditional craftworks around the globe, crocheting lace is not fading, it's flourishing.

open image in gallery A woman makes traditional lace from cotton yarn in the village of Koniakow, in Poland's Beskid Mountains, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Daniel Franek) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Koniakow lace is known for unique patterns that are often inspired by the landscape surrounding the highland village.

In this tiny village ... women create unique patterns from their imagination, compositions of thin threads, flowers and stars," said Lucyna Ligocka-Kohut, president of the Koniakow Lace Foundation.

They are surrounded by beautiful nature, so it inspires their motifs, she added. "We have no templates, no patterns. We create everything from our imagination, and thats why fashion houses want to work with us, because every design, every napkin, every new dress is something new for us.

The ladies of Koniakow say each of their lace creations is one of a kind, so it comes as no surprise that international fashion designers noticed the pieces.

Ligocka-Kohut lists brands that have been captivated by the work coming out of the mountain village including Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Magda Butrym, Rei Kawakubo and Comme des Garcons.

Koniakow lace has already appeared twice at Paris Fashion Week, she said.

open image in gallery Models present hand-made lace outfits during a fashion show in the village of Koniakow, in Polands Beskid Mountains, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Daniel Franek) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The most traditional Koniakow lace is mostly made in white or soft ecru. Bolder shades such as deep red, rich black and vivid green are typically reserved for lingerie and swimwear.

The bras, panties, thongs and G-strings are sold online for those who can't travel to southern Poland for lace shopping.

Homemaker Ewa Lesiewicz, one of the regular Polish customers, is a true fan of the famous lace works.

I already have a lace blouse, a lace bra, a set with panties and I really like it," the 63-year-old said. "I also want a set like this: a blouse and a skirt.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Ukrainians living in Britain fear Vladimir Putins war on their country will never end after watching the summit between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky unfold at the White House earlier this week.

Monika Popadiuk, who moved to the UK from Kyiv in July 2022, said she was afraid of losing everything a second time if the devastating conflict is not brought to an end. The 28-year-old left her dream job as a lawyer in Ukraines parliament and moved to rural Somerset under the British governments Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Like many displaced Ukrainians, Ms Popadiuk desperately wants to go back to her old life in Kyiv. But she does not feel that will be possible in the near future, despite the meeting on Monday being hailed as real progress by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.

open image in gallery Monika Popadiuk, 28, said her life was perfect before the war broke out ( Monika Popadiuk )

The peace people talk about does not feel like peace to me, she told The Independent. It feels like just a pause. Unless Ukraine is given real security guarantees, the war will resume.

She is concerned that any peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders would only freeze the war.

It does not seem that the Kremlin truly wants to end this war, she continued. Even if the war is frozen now, it will start again in a few months or years, when Russia is stronger than today.

When it comes to Ukraine conceding territory, Ms Popadiuk thinks this will only serve to embolden Russia: This looks very much like appeasement. History shows us that appeasement never stops aggressors. It only encourages them to continue.

open image in gallery President Trumps meetings with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders this week have been hailed as progress, but Ukrainians outside the country say this will not make Ukraine safe ( AFP/Getty )

Three years on from the start of the Russian invasion, there are some young Ukrainians who have never even seen their own country.

Liza Perebyyniss son was born in 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine, and he is now considered a child of war.

He doesnt know the war, but he would have this status, the 34-year-old said.

The boy is now three years old, and while he understands Ukrainian, he does not speak it. It pains his mother that she cannot show him her country while the war continues to rage.

open image in gallery Russias attacks on Ukraine have continued despite talks of peace ( AFP/Getty )

Ms Perebyynis is from the Donbas region and left Ukraine in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea. She went to China at first, and later to Germany, where she has opened her own yoga studio. Mondays meeting, which also saw key European leaders hosted in Washington DC, was not a breakthrough in her view  it was merely history repeating itself.

She told The Independent: Weve been there already. This conflict has not been happening since 2014 or 2022. Its been here for centuries. The territory has been back and forth.

Weve been betrayed. Giving up territories now would mean the war will start again in three years or in five years.

open image in gallery Liza Perebyynis, 34, said her son has never visited Ukraine ( Liza Perebyynis )

Ms Perebyynis was disappointed by the coverage of Mr Zelenskys White House meeting, especially the absurd focus on the Ukrainian president wearing a suit.

All of this feels more like a show with a red carpet and shaking hands, she said. Zelensky wearing a suit was not the most important part.

I was hoping for real politics, but I dont think any real decisions were made.

Tetiana Shcherban, 37, a Ukrainian entrepreneur in London, still goes back to Kyiv whenever she can to see her family.

When you love something, it doesnt matter if its dangerous or not, she said. I just need time to be there and feel that Ukrainian energy.

open image in gallery Tetiana Shcherban, 37, goes back to Kyiv to feel Ukrainian energy ( Tetiana Shcherban )

She came to the UK under the Ukraine family visa scheme and now splits her time between London and Kyiv. Before the war, Tetiana said she had almost the ideal life, then she had to start from scratch when Russia invaded.

While Ms Shcherban has a strong desire to return home more permanently, she said: I dont think this is the end. It may be an end to this chapter of the war, but not the end of Russias plans.

The feeling of danger for Baltic countries will not finish right now. Russian propaganda still prevails. The ideas on which they built their army and this war movement will never stop existing.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed King Charles as a true inspiration after the monarch sent a letter of support on Ukraines Independence Day.

In a message posted on X, the King spoke of his greatest and deepest admiration for the Ukrainian people as they continue defending their country against Russian invasion, and called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people, King Charles wrote.

I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

open image in gallery Zelensky called Charles a true inspiration ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire )

Mr Zelensky said he was grateful to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his cordial wishes to all Ukrainians on our Independence Day.

The Ukrainian president added: His Majestys kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war.

We appreciate the United Kingdoms leadership in supporting Ukraine and our just cause: to defend freedom from tyranny and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe.

On Sunday, Ukraine marks 34 years since the country left the Soviet Union, with more than 2,000 Ukrainian recruits set to celebrate alongside British personnel at an Interflex training site this year.

open image in gallery Charles hosted Zelensky at Windsor Castle in June ( PA Wire )

Downing Street and several Whitehall buildings are expected to fly the Ukrainian flag on Sunday.

A government spokesperson said: We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, including those who have made a second home here in the UK, in the face of continued Russian aggression.

The warm exchange of words between Mr Zelesnky and King Charles came as the Ministry of Defence announced an extension to Operation Interflex, the scheme that sees the British military train Ukrainian soldiers, until the end of 2026.

open image in gallery Participants in Bucharest wave a Ukrainian flag during an event of solidarity with Ukraine, marking its Independence Day on Sunday ( AP )

More than 50,000 troops have already been trained in Britain, the government says.

We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow, said defence secretary John Healey.

In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraines armed forces in the strongest possible position.

And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on Sunday, forcing a sharp fall in the capacity of a reactor at one of Russias biggest nuclear power plants and sparking a huge blaze at the major Ust-Luga fuel export terminal.

Despite talk of peace from the two countries, the war is continuing along the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) front line, accompanied by missile and drone attacks deep into both Russia and Ukraine.

Russias defence ministry said at least 95 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted across more than a dozen Russian regions on 24 August, the day that Ukraine celebrates its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Kursk nuclear power plant, just 60 km (38 miles) from the border with Ukraine, said air defences had shot down a drone that detonated near the plant just after midnight, damaging an auxiliary transformer and forcing a 50 per cent reduction in the operating capacity at reactor No 3.

open image in gallery Ukraine is celebrating its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union ( The Canadian Press via AP )

Radiation levels were normal, and there were no injuries from the fire caused by the drone, the plant said. Two other reactors are operating without power generation and one is undergoing scheduled repairs.

The United Nations nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it was aware of reports that a transformer at the plant had caught fire due to military activity and stressed that every nuclear facility should be protected at all times.

A thousand kilometres north, on the Gulf of Finland, at least 10 Ukrainian drones were downed over the port of Ust-Luga in Russias northern Leningrad region, with debris sparking a fire at the Novatek-operated terminal  a huge Baltic Sea fuel export terminal and processing complex  the regional governor said.

Plume of black smoke

Unverified footage on Russian Telegram channels showed a drone flying directly into a fuel terminal, followed by a huge ball of fire rising high into the sky, followed by a plume of black smoke billowing into the horizon.

Firefighters and emergency services are currently working to extinguish the blaze, said Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Russias Leningrad region. There were no injuries, he added.

According to Novatek, the Ust-Luga complex, which opened in 2013, processes gas condensate into light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil and gas oil, and enables the company to ship oil products as well as gas condensate to international markets.

Novatek produces mostly naphtha for Asia, including China, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia, as well as jet fuel that is delivered to Istanbul.

open image in gallery Firefighters extinguish a blaze at Novateks Ust-Luga facility in 2024 ( Telegram Channel of Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko )

Rosaviatsia, Russias civil aviation authority, said flights were halted for hours on end at several Russian airports overnight, including at the Pulkovo airport in the Leningrad region.

Ukrainian drones also attacked an industrial enterprise in the southern Russian city of Syzran, the governor of the Samara region said on Sunday. A child was injured in the attack, according to the governor, who did not specify exactly what had been attacked.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military said it had struck the Syzran oil refinery. The Rosneft-owned refinery was forced to suspend production and crude intake after the attack, sources told reporters.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has said its strikes inside Russia are in response to Russias continued attacks on Ukraine and are aimed at destroying infrastructure deemed crucial to Moscows overall military efforts.
Russia Ukraine war news today as Zelensky says US, Ukrainian officials to discuss Putin talks ( AFP/Getty )

On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Volodymyr Zelensky has said US and Ukrainian officials are expected to meet later this week to discuss preparations for a possible meeting with Vladimir Putin, after vowing to push Russia to peace.

Speaking during a joint briefing in Kyiv with Norway's prime minister, Zelensky said he plans to discuss the matter with US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, as well as discussing potential security guarantees.

The Ukrainian president added that Kyiv aims to secure at least $1bn on a monthly basis from allies to purchase US weapons for its war effort against Russia.

It comes after Kellogg attended a ceremony in Kyiv on Sunday to commemorate Ukraines 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

Zelensky insisted that a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin is the most effective way forward to end the war in Ukraine .

Meanwhile, the US has been blocking Ukraine from firing long-range missiles into Russian territory for several months, according to new reports.

Zelensky has responded to the reports saying Ukraine has recently been using its own weapons and not consulting Washington over its strikes.
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A one-year-old baby girl has died from malnutrition amid the escalating starvation crisis in Gaza, aid workers who tried to save her have said.

Sanaa Mansour al-Lahham never got to know a life without war before she died in a hospital in the territory in July as a result of prolonged nutritional deficiency and a lack of baby formula, according to the charity Humanity & Inclusion.

Earlier this month, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at their highest levels since the war began.

open image in gallery One-year-old baby Sanaa pictured a few months ago before she became acutely ill from malnutrition (  HI )

Nearly 12,000 children under the age of five were found to have acute malnutrition in July, according to the UN  including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, the most dangerous level. The World Health Organisation said that the numbers are likely an undercount.

On Friday, global hunger monitor the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared that 514,000 people  nearly a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza  are now experiencing famine.

Despite widespread international condemnation, the Israeli military looks set to push ahead with the next stage of its ground offensive on the territorys largest city, Gaza City, sparking fears that the health crisis will only get worse. Baby Sanaas death is just one example of the suffering taking place.

Sanaa was born during the war, says one of Humanity & Inclusions rehabilitation specialists, Haytham Abu Hadroos, who was part of the team that took care of the infant. She was a little girl who knew nothing about the cruelty of the world she entered. From her very first breath, the humanitarian situation in Gaza was collapsing day by day. Access to food, milk, or medicine became nearly impossible. From her first day, she faced conditions that no child should ever know.

open image in gallery Gaza has been hit by a food crisis amid claims that aid is being bottlenecked ( AFP/Getty )

The international aid charity said it first became aware of Sanaas plight when an exhausted and desperate young mother walked into a UN shelter at al-Haker School in Deir al-Balah, with one arm broken and her daughter held in the other.

She looked exhausted  physically and emotionally  after running from one hospital to another across the Gaza Strip, searching for answers, hope, and someone to tell her what was wrong with her daughter, Hadroos says. Her child, once joyful and playful, had suddenly changed after a high fever. She stopped crying, no longer moved like before, didnt roll or interact. She simply stayed still, moving her head and limbs slightly, as if sinking into silence.

It turned out Sanaa had developmental delays, the charity explains. Medical experts say high fevers in infants can be a sign of serious infection, which can cause lasting neurological injury if not treated immediately  a common occurrence given the scarcity of medical facilities in Gaza.

Malnutrition weakens the developing brain and immune system, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental issues. Sanaas body likely had no reserves to fight back when her fever struck, and her condition would have deteriorated without proper nutrition or medical intervention.

open image in gallery Former residential homes of the charity SOS Childrens Village have been reduced to rubble in Rafah ( SOS Childrens Villages )

Humanity & Inclusion says that hope was briefly reignited in March when its team began physiotherapy sessions with Sanaa to help her recover movement, together with occupational therapy and psychosocial support.

After three sessions, they reported that Sanaa could roll over and sit with minimal support. Her mother cried tears of joy, says Hadroos. It was the first time she saw real hope in months.

But that hope did not last long. Despite the medical care Sanaa received, and her transfer to Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, the infants condition deteriorated. On 17 July, Sanaa died from starvation, the charity says.

Sanaa is more than just a case  she wasnt a statistic, says Hadroos. She was a child  a life born into war, who faced the world with silent eyes and left too soon. In her story, there is not only grief but also a question to the world: how many more children will we allow to disappear before starvation in Gaza is recognised as the emergency it truly is?

This tragic loss highlights the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unimpeded access of humanitarian aid, as well as continued support and interventions for vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities and children.

open image in gallery Palestinians gather for a hot meal at a food distribution point in the Nuseirat camp for refugees in the central Gaza Strip ( AFP/Getty )

According to the Gaza health ministry on Thursday, 271 Palestinians, including 112 children, have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began. Israel disputes the figures, while Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that reports of starvation are lies promoted by Hamas and that any suffering in the territory is down to the terror group.

Over 100,000 trucks of aid have entered Gaza since the start of the war, and in recent weeks a massive influx of aid has flooded the Strip with staple foods and caused a sharp decline in food prices, which have plummeted in the markets, the Israeli ministry said in a statement denying reports of famine.

More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, according to Gaza health officials. The Hamas attacks on 7 October killed around 1,200 people with around 250 taken captive.

open image in gallery Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are now facing famine, a UN-backed organisation said ( AFP/Getty )

As the humanitarian situation reaches catastrophic levels, Humanity & Inclusion says it is sounding the alarm on the devastating and irreversible impact of starvation in Gaza, particularly on disabled people and children. What we are witnessing is not only a manmade crisis, but one that is rapidly creating a generation of people with lifelong disabilities, caused directly by prolonged malnutrition and lack of access to essential aid.

George Graham, the charitys executive director, explains: As starvation hits everyone in the Gaza Strip, it leaves a disproportionate impact on children and people with disabilities. Malnutrition is a leading cause of disability  we risk an entire generation being born with disabilities due to famished and malnourished mothers.
Adrian Weckler: Futuristic, convenient job-creators or intrusive pests  delivery drones are here, and it seems nobody is in charge

The Governments positioning on the issue is a masterclass in mixed messaging

Manna boss, Bobby Healy. Photo: Mark Condren

Adrian Weckler Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Last week, the Government tried to take control over the issue of drone deliveries in Ireland.
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone conversation with European leaders on Saturday to discuss the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts, according to the Presidency.

This follows meetings hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several other European leaders.

The Presidency said Ramaphosa has spoken to Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Ramaphosa appreciated the briefing he received last week from Putin following his meeting with Trump.

"In all the discussions, European leaders openly shared their perspectives, appreciated South Africa's role in engaging with both sides to the conflict, and provided President Ramaphosa with a firm commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine," said Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the president.

Magwenya said Ramaphosa will speak with other European leaders in the coming days and that the president has urged all parties to sustain the momentum in working toward peace between Ukraine and Russia.

"President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of holding bilateral and trilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and the United States as key to signaling a firm commitment to ending the war," said Magwenya. 
The hotel had been put on the market in October 2018 for 40m

The Library Bar at the Central Hotel in Dublin. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The owners of the former Central Hotel in Dublin City Centre are set to put the prominent property up for sale, the Sunday Independent understands.

Multiple industry sources said agents JLL and Eastdil had been approached by private-equity giant Deutsche Finance International and property investor BCP Capital about putting the historic site on the market.

One source said the property agents plan to put the hotel on the market for around 100m. The site is being renovated as a Hoxton hotel brand, due to open later this year.First opened in 1887, the Central Hotel on Dublins Exchequer Street was considered one of the capitals best-known hotels.

The building was designed by Richard Millar and William Symens, who also designed Parliament House on College Green, now Bank of Ireland.

Financial details of the acquisition were never disclosed

In July 2019, Deutsche Finance International, in a joint venture with BCP Capital, acquired the Central Hotel. The Gerry Conlon-led Bridlewood Family Trust previously owned it.

Financial details of the acquisition were never disclosed. However, the property had been put on the market in October 2018 for 40m. At the time, it had 70 rooms across four floors.

The Central Hotel on Exchequer Street, Dublin 2. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

Today's News in 90 seconds - 24th August 2025

Deutsche Finance and BCP Capital planned to refurbish the building, adding rooms and improving its food and drinks offering.

The acquisition was Deutsche Finances first significant investment in Ireland and followed the closure of its inaugural fund, DFI European Value-Add Fund, with 436m of equity, including co-investment.

In 2022, Deutsche Finance and BCP agreed a long-term deal with hospitality group Ennismore to operate the hotel as the countrys first Hoxton hotel. The plan would see the hotel renovated and restored, including its famous Library Bar, and extended to 129 bedrooms.

The Library Bar at the Central Hotel in Dublin. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

Hoxton hotels are known for their modern, premium design and are largely focused on young professionals. The brand already operates across several locations globally, including in London, Paris, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, Chicago, New York, Portland and Los Angeles.

Earlier this year, Ennismore announced The Hoxton in Dublin would open this winter. It had initially been planned to open in 2024.

The announcement revealed the hotel would have an open lobby, a cafe and wine bar and a new restaurant concept. It would also host a late-night music venue, marking a first for The Hoxton brand.

The Hoxton hotel brand is part of the Ennismore group, which also counts 25hours Hotels, Mama Shelter, Mondrian and SLS among its portfolio.

Founded in 2011 by Sharan Pasricha, Ennismore operates over 180 hotels and resorts, with 140 more in the pipeline. The group also has 500 restaurants and bars.

Ennismore entered a joint venture in 2021 with Accor, in which the French hospitality giant holds a majority shareholding.

JLL, Eastdil, BCP, Deutsche Finance International and Ennismore did not respond to a request for comment.
Distribution company installs countrys first robotic warehouse for cosmetics

The distribution company behind Bare by Vogue  the self-tan brand co-owned by Vogue Williams  is looking to make acquisitions in Ireland as it seeks to expand sales and push into new markets.
Demographics arent destiny, but innovation is

Pessimists foresee dwindling supplies of able-bodied and skilled workers, or the government going broke caring for an ocean of infirm doddering elders who are sinking everyone.

Codswallop! Worrywarts have it backwards. Greying populations arent impediments to progress  they are a sign of it.

Here is why you should rejoice in that, not reject it

Yes, Ireland is ageing. According to the OECD, 11.1pc of Ireland residents were aged 65 or older in 1970. That continuously hovered between 10.7pc and 11.4pc until 2010  before soaring past 15pc in recent years. Thats supposedly bad.

In 2008, Irelands old age dependency ratio (OADR, the ratio of how many people 65 and over there are for every 100 of working age) sank to 17.3. It has since spiked to 26.2. Also supposedly bad.

Every major economy greys as it prospers. Always have. Always will

By 2030, the European Commission projects Irelands OADR will approach 30. By 2050 it will be 47.3. That means only two workers for every doddering old fool like me. And this is supposedly awful!

What should we do about it? We should cheer it.

Every major economy greys as it prospers. Always have. Probably always will. As living standards increase, lifespans follow. Simple fact. Birthrates fall, too, alongside infant mortality.

Per the World Bank, in 1970, an Irish males life expectancy at birth was 71. A womans was 73.

Today, its 83 and 85 respectively. And tremendous healthcare advances mean many of those extra years are more fruitful and productive. Hooray!

Doomers love bad demographics and usually ignore the reverse. Most young, non-ageing populations are absolute bloody disasters.

Old folks invest, funding capitalisms growthy magic. Photo: Getty

You want examples? Countries sporting the very youngest populations (hence the lowest OADRs), mostly in Africa, sadly suffer extreme poverty, brutishly short lifespans and sky-high infant mortality. Wretched economies and capital markets, too.

Youth doesnt signify dynamism or booming markets. It more often signifies unproductiveness and chaos.

Demographics arent destiny. Innovation is. History shows most regions that grow into major economies get relatively older without killing economic growth or stock market gains.

Think a much-higher OADR makes today different? Its doubtful.

In 2001, the EU collectively had a 26.1 OADR, right around Irelands now. It has leapt to 37.2 since, while GDP more than doubled.

EU stocks more than tripled in value since then, despite most of this period being dominated by high-flying tech firms that Europe lacks.

Yes, periodic recessions and bear markets struck  theyre a universal truth  but overall, the growth continued. Stocks climbed as the OADR rose.

Things evolved similarly in the UK, US, Canada, Australia. But fear-peddlers fret more old folks will somehow wreck Ireland, noting the country was younger during the Celtic Tiger years. Demogra-fictions!

They pin pockets of weaker growth, such as Italy, on demographics alone, ignoring true economic drivers  like hours worked and sector composition.

Doomers think all oldsters are penny pinchers. Wrong

Then they ignore EU countries with stronger growth and bigger stock market gains over the past decade (like Germany and the Netherlands) which sport similar or higher OADRs than Italy!

Remember, current EU growth leader Spain was decried for sporting bad demographics years earlier.

Doomers think all oldsters are penny pinchers. Wrong.

Consider this: in 1984, Americans aged 25 to 34 spent 41pc more than those aged 65 to 74. The gap shrank to just 12pc by 2022. Again, innovation-derived prosperity rules!

Longer lifespans and an increased retirement age mean oldsters earn more than before  and spend part of it. Sure, those aged 45 to 54 (the USs highest spending bracket) still outspend the 65-to-74s by about 50pc. But even that decreased from over 80pc in 1984.

Old folks invest, funding capitalisms growthy magic.

Dependent burdens? Ha! Many work into their 70s or 80s. Im 74, and no retirement in sight.

Globally, more people are working longer too. Experience can make older workers more productive, not less, especially with physically intense farming and manufacturing jobs being replaced by service- and knowledge-orientated economies.

Demographic doomers also erroneously extrapolate recent trends  always a risky proposition. No one can be sure Ireland and other nations birth rates will keep falling. Or how many skilled workers immigration may bring.

Globally, how might new inventions  digital and otherwise  bring efficiencies as they always do?

Stocks? They price factors impacting firms profitability 3 to 30 months or so out. Not much further. Demographic trends evolve glacially over decades, giving markets ample time to adapt to whatever far-future realities emerge.

Demographic doomers play Goldilocks but never find just right conditions. Too many births stoke overpopulation moaning. Too few spur pension worries.

None of it tells you about where economies or stocks are headed long-term. But it says much about sentiment.

Sour spirits reflect lowered expectations, teeing up the positive surprises that drive stocks up the legendary wall of worry that bull markets love to climb.

So stay bullish. Tune out draconian demographic drama.

Ken Fisher is founder and executive chair of Fisher Investments. In Ireland, he writes exclusively for the Sunday Independent
Executives in corporate Ireland have been dying to scratch the remote working itch for some time. Many of them believe that working-from-home arrangements are too stacked in favour of employees and they would love to get them all back in the office  where they belong!
media

The Solace, tech entrepreneur Mark Legges new online death memorial service, is in talks with a major Dutch newspaper to power its digital obituary offering.

Legge, who co-founded gifting firm &Open, launched The Solace earlier this year.

The online service aims to help people through grief, offering traditional obituary services and technology for co-ordinating funerals and creating digital memorials with photos, videos and stories.

Legge told the Sunday Independent that The Solace was in early-stage talks with a newspaper in The Netherlands, adding no deal had yet been agreed.

However, international opportunities are something the business will continue to target.

Its clear our model has relevance well beyond Ireland, he said.

Legge said he had been encouraged by the companys early progress.

Weve successfully onboarded around 10pc of the overall market

The Solace has focused domestically on partnerships with larger, multi-location funeral directors.

These represent approximately 30pc of the Irish market by volume, with the remaining 70pc being single-location independents.

To date, weve successfully onboarded around 10pc of the overall market, including leading names like Massey Bros, Rom Massey & Sons, and RHEA.

The Solace is also set to launch a partnership with the Progressive Credit Union in August, which would see its offering included within its funeral planning packages.

Legge has been developing The Solace since January 2024, before the Irish Times acquired RIP.ie.

He believes technology in the sector is starting to shift, not because of increasing competition, but changing expectations around how people remember loved ones.

The Sunday Independent also understands The Solace is close to closing its seed funding round.
A waste-to-gas plant developer backed by private equity is looking to build a facility in Co Kildare as part of its 100m expansion plans for Ireland.

Cycle0, a European biomethane business founded in 2022 and backed by private equity firm Ara Partners, submitted a planning application to Kildare County Council seeking to construct a biogas plant in Ballyvass. The anaerobic digestion facility would produce renewable biomethane, a bio-based fertiliser from organic material and also capture CO2.

The UK-headquartered companys investment in the Irish market would put it in competition with former Panda Waste owner Eamon Waters, who also operates in the Irish biogas industry through his business, Bia Energy. The firm has a biogas plant off the M50 focused on commercial food waste.

A spokeswoman for Cycle0 said it provided a detailed, thorough, and professional application that it believes demonstrates Ballyvass is the right location to support Irelands decarbonisation objectives.

Cycle0 has previously announced plans to invest 100m in Ireland. The business said it was looking to equity-finance, build and operate a total of four new agri-based biomethane plants across the country, with the other three plants set to be developed in Limerick, Cavan and Galway.

In January, Cycle0 said its new plants would be expected to generate around 40GWh each of biomethane per annum, enough to heat over 12,000 homes for a year in Ireland. The plants would also create jobs.

Gas Networks Ireland recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cycle0, aiming to accelerate the development and integration of biomethane production into Irelands gas network.

It would look to connect Cycle0s biomethane plants to the gas network in support of government targets.
Whiskey on the rocks: Backers fear the liquid gold bubble has burst

Irish whiskey has taken millions in recent years from investors. With an industry slowdown in full swing, many are starting to panic. Despite the pain, distillery owners believe opportunity abounds

Irish whiskey faces changing times, especially in the US market. Stock image: Getty

Sean Pollock Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Investors in Irish whiskey distilleries are panicking as the global slowdown in alcohol continues to hammer the industry, with some of the most promising producers recently shutting up shop. However, despite investor worries, distillery owners remain upbeat that the sector will recover as it looks to secure a zero-for-zero tariff on spirits with the US.
The Irish arm of BAM, which is the main contractor on the National Childrens Hospital, more than doubled a dividend to its Dutch parent last year  paying over 11m in 2024 compared with 5m a year earlier.

Accounts for the Irish business, filed with the Companies Office this week, record turnover of 423.8m last year  down from 468.3m in 2023.

Profits before tax rose to 23.5m  up from 21.3m in 2023. The business is involved in a range of construction projects in Ireland, including large-scale housing schemes, motorways and schools construction, as well as the highly controversial Childrens Hospital, which is due to be finished next month, the latest in a series of scheduled completion dates.

The costs of the NCH have spiralled from 650m when the contract was awarded to an estimated 2.24bn.

The BAM Ireland accounts suggest there is still a question mark over the final bill. In the latest accounts, BAM said that subsequent to year-end 2024 it had submitted a time-delay claim for increased payment on the NCH project related to the Reflected Ceiling Plan  which is a type of blueprint that itemises work required on ceilings.

BAM believes this will generate further value to compensate for the significant extra costs caused by this issue.

The NCH continues to present challenges from both an operational and financial perspective, especially arsing from the ongoing design changes by the client which continue to adversely impact the project completion programme, the accounts state.

That points to likely further claims which will potentially push up the overall costs, particularly as the project is still not complete.

In previous accounts, for 2023, Bam Ireland confirmed it secured an extra 107.6m from the State for the much-delayed project.

The new accounts show a significantly bigger dividend of 11m paid to its parent from Irish operations in 2024, despite declining turnover.

The full-year results are the latest filed with the CRO here, but BAMs stock market-listed parent included newer Irish figures in half-year 2025 results published in July.

Revenue in the first half of 2025 in Ireland was 267m  down from 291m in the first half of 2024. Adjusted earnings (Ebitda) was 15.7m in the first half of 2025, down from 19.3m

Group-wide turnover at Royal BAM Group in the first half of this year was 3.4bn, up 7pc on a year before.

Adjusted earnings of 176m reflect a margin of 5.2pc.
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?
Meta warns Paschal Donohoe it will complain to Donald Trump about EU fine for breaking digital market rules

White House has already described the fines as a novel form of extortion

Meta complained to the Government about the European Commission fining the company 200m earlier this year for breaching EU digital market rules

Wayne O'Connor Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Facebook owner Meta has warned the Government that it plans to complain to the Trump administration over a 200m European Commission fine for breaching digital market rules.
A man holds a white dove symbolizing peace during the commemoration of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, in Ouidah, Benin, Aug. 23, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

OUIDAH, Benin, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Afro-descendants together with political, administrative and religious leaders paid tribute on Saturday to the victims of the slave trade in Ouidah, a historic city in southern Benin, on the occasion of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

Starting at the Place aux Encheres, a former slave auction site, participants walked about 2 km to the Door of No Return, a symbolic departure point for deportation to the Americas, to honor the memory of their ancestors.

Beninese Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts Jean-Michel Abimbola said the annual commemoration, held on Aug. 23, reminds the Beninese people of the painful history of the deportation of millions of men, women and children.

Bertin Pedro, an Afro-descendant from Haiti, welcomed the initiative, saying it helps strengthen ties between Benin and the African diaspora. He added that Benin has promulgated a law recognizing Afro-descendants of the slave trade and granting them the right to acquire Beninese nationality.

Held under the theme "Memory, Resilience and Future: Honoring the Victims, Building for Tomorrow" this year, the commemoration also brought together researchers, cultural figures and diaspora representatives for discussions on preserving memory and advancing remembrance initiatives. 

People attend the commemoration of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, in Ouidah, Benin, Aug. 23, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)
Starbucks was too big for somewhere so small  the Irish town that rejected US coffee giant

Popular chain, promoted as third place between home and work, is marking 20 years of business in Ireland this month

Peter O'Donovan speaking in his Dalkey cafe Pepper Laine

Keith Kelly Yesterday at 06:30

"If you see a Starbucks, you know what youre going to get, according to coffee shop owner Peter ODonovan, referring to the good and the bad of the ubiquitous chain that is celebrating 20 years in Ireland.
Theres no time, we will die: Palestinian mother in Ireland fears for son and husband in famine-hit Gaza

Woman pleads for help to get relatives to safety after medical evacuation with youngest son

Ibtisam has asked the Government to help evacuate her family from Gaza. Photo: Mark Condren

Laura Lynott Sat 23 Aug 2025 at 23:30

A Palestinian mother now in Ireland whose husband and son remain trapped in Gaza has begged the Government here to please save them.
I used to look up to gangsters: the Irish-American serving life for murder who found a career as a true crime writer

Growing up in Hells Kitchen in New York, John J Lennon fell into a life of crime. From Sing Sing prison, he now writers about others cases

John J Lennon in Sing Sing prison earlier this year. Photo: Luke Piotrowski

Tom Deignan Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 06:30

One thing is clear these days as you stroll along Ninth Avenue on Manhattans West Side: you dont need to worry about where your next smoothie or iced coffee is coming from. Not so long ago, you had to worry about far more serious things.
Colin Murphy: Sally Rooney and JD Vance know that democracy demands dissent

Both sides of the culture wars have been on the wrong end of draconian measures, including the ban on Palestine Action

Author Sally Rooney. Photo: Getty

Colin Murphy Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 06:30

I suspect that Sally Rooney and JD Vance would be surprised to find themselves on the same side. But crises make strange bedfellows. The UK, as the US vice-president rightly said in his speech at the Munich security conference last February, is in the throes of a crisis of free speech  and Rooney is in the eye of that storm.
Pictured at the launch of Irelands Greenest Places 2025 is Beth Healy (12) and Laura Gargiuto Keenan (12).

Killarney town, Castlegregory/Maharees and the Dingle Peninsula community have made the longlist of Irelands Greenest Places 2025 and are in contention to win their separate categories and potentially the overall title.

The three locations were among over 120 projects or places put forward by members of the public. 20 entries were submitted from people in Kerry.

Five towns made the long list and as a result Killarney will be battling it out for the Greenest Town Award with two Mayo towns, Ballina and Kiltimagh, Abbeyleix in Laois and Skerries in Dublin.

Five villages made the long list. In this category, Castlegregory / Maharees will be up against two Clare villages, Inagh and Quin, as well as Louisburgh in Mayo and Cloughjordan Ecovillage in Tipperary for the title of Greenest Village.

The Dingle Peninsula was selected in the community category. In all, 13 communities made the long list making it by far the most challenging category in the competition.

Bettina Pickering, who nominated Castlegregory/Maharees, describes it as a small village with a big environmental commitment.

Together, were not just protecting nature  were weaving it back into the heart of village life one small action at a time Ms Pickering said.

Bridget OKeeffe nominated Killarney and describes the town as a shining example of how natural beauty and community driven sustainability can go hand in hand.

This is not just a town that protects its natural heritageit is a community where sustainability is a way of life, Ms OKeeffe said.

For Grainne Kelliher on the Dingle Peninsula, its all about the community coming together, working as a team and having a say in how best to protect its future and tackle climate change.

Diverse local groups work diligently to help the peninsula move towards being more resilient, having cleaner energy, protecting our natural and beautiful landscape while keeping the local economy strong to ensure a vibrant, liveable place for future generations, she 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.
New Ross

New Ross Library embraces outdoor learning among trees

There was great excitement for those who visited JFK Memorial Park and Arboretum last week, as staff members from New Ross Library set up a pop-up library in the heart of nature and catered for young and old with various events throughout the day, 
The Spike Bridge which crosses over the Ounavarra River in Courtown.

Repair works will take place along a popular forest bridge in Wexford. The Spike Bridge which crosses over the Ounavarra River in Courtown Woods is on track to reopen for locals to enjoy once again.

Coillte announced in a maintenance report that the Courtown area would be allocated 35,000 for repairs to the damaged footbridge. The funding will also go toward repairs to trail repairs and general maintenance of the forest area.

The bridge has been closed to the public since February 2025 after concerns were raised regarding its safety to the public. Coillte closed the bridge initially due to deterioration of the bridge condition.

Coillte have further announced funding in other areas of north Wexford including Ballyfood and Camolin Park for general maintenance within the recreational sites.

In October 2024, safety concerns were raised from locals to Cathaoirleach Joe Sullivan, in which they labelled the bridge as rickety.

Wicklow Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne has welcomed Coilltes investment in the woods along Courtown Harbor. This bridge is a really important part of the walking trail experience in Courtown Harbour.

So many people expressed concern to me about its condition. I'm glad that my friend and colleague, Minister Dara Calleary and Coillte have found the money to invest in this facility. I'm really grateful to them for this action," Deputy Byrne said.

The current Spike Bridge in place was built in 1985 and was made using Irish sourced cedar wood. Access from the Ballymoney Road across the river to Courtown would not be possible.

However, walks within the wood on either side of the river remained open, visitors are not permitted to cross the bridge.

Malcolm Byrne, TD for Wicklow-Wexford

Deputy Byrne praised the area, and said the repairs of the bridge will boost the amenities in the area. "Courtown Harbour has so many wonderful amenities and particularly ensuring that people can enjoy the outdoors has to be a priority," he said.
Adam and Shane Naughter with Ellie and Lee Harron at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Marie Breen, Bernard and Niamh Carthy and Cathaoirleach Joe Sullivan at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Ollie O LOughlin with Keelan, Joanne and Sadhbh Mulligan at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Erin Morris on the hang tough at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Megan and Paul O Brien, Loughlin Gibbons, Evan Keogh, and Ryan Jeffreys at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

There was plenty of fun at the local community fun day in Tara Hill recently. The day exceeded the committees expectations, as huge crowds turned up to the event.

The fun day was organised by Tara Hill Community Development Association and Paul Carter, PRO, said the day was a true community effort, bringing volunteers together to do something special for the village.

Martin Murphy and Dominic Goland at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

The day exceeded all our expectations! We had 609 adults purchase entrance tickets and nearly 850 children entered for free, Paul said.

On the day, locals participated in traditional games including the popular hang tough challenge, and the less traditional chicken poo roulette. The atmosphere was absolutely magical. The sun was shining, and you could feel the genuine community spirit everywhere you looked, he said.

Paul, who is also the director of Gorey School of Art was impressed by the dog show this year, as over 80 dogs competed for the throne in a number of categories like Best Rescue Dog.

Erin Morris on the hang tough at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Chairperson of the committee presented plaques to local firefighters and farmers who helped bring a wildfire on Tara Hill under control in May 2025. Paul said the plaques were a sign of gratitude for the communitys cooperation.

Paul said locals gave positive reactions to plans for a new community centre. With planning permission already approved, people were excited to learn more about this project. People got to experience the building in an immersive VR experience delivered in collaboration between local architect Patrick Byrne and Gorey School of Art, he said.

Ollie O LOughlin with Keelan, Joanne and Sadhbh Mulligan at the Tara Hill Community Fun Day. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Paul thanked members of the community, volunteers, Gorey Fire Brigade and the local Coast Guard for attending and supporting the event.

Days like this don't just happen, they're built through the dedication of volunteers, the support of local businesses, and the enthusiasm of residents, Paul added.
Find out what masks, serums and balms you cant afford to leave at home

Greetings from Universal Terra Luna Resort in Orlando. Im here having a ball with my children and my mum. For context, the nearest I ever got to a theme park when I was a child was our local playground, so, yes, Im totally overcompensating for my own childhood  and, yes, Ive brought my mum along to do all the things we never could.

Now, can we talk about some other fabulous women I met on the way out here? Aer Lingus cabin crew member Shirley Fitzsimons told me she always reads my column  shes obviously taken all my advice because, seriously, the glam of her! Meanwhile, her colleague Leona was the epitome of hostess chic, as was Shauna. So inspired by these lovely ladies, I thought wed talk about how to protect your skin while travelling.

Patchology On The Fly Travel Facial Kit (29.990, millies.ie)

Taking Off

Using a hydrating face mask the night before the flight really helps, and the sheet masks from the Patchology On The Fly Travel Facial Kit (20, millies.ie) are perfect. This nifty travel kit is designed to combat dehydration, puffiness and dullness, and it contains the two-pack Hydrate FlashMasque, Restoring Night Eye Gels, Rejuvenating Eye Gels and Hydrating Lip Gel. The eye gels will definitely help to brighten and depuff the under-eye area, leaving you looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when you land at your destination.

Image Skincare Daily Prevention Nourishing Lip Balm SPF30, 36, imageskincare.ie

Lip Luxe

You dont want your lips drying up like old prunes while youre in the sky, so give them a slick of Image Skincare Daily Prevention Nourishing Lip Balm SPF 30 (36, imageskincare.ie). It provides deep hydration and reinforces the skins moisture barrier, and the subtle vanilla-scented balm comes in a gel-like formula that isnt sticky or tacky. An added bonus is that the SPF will be great if youre heading somewhere warm as lips are one of the more vulnerable areas to sun damage.

Clarins Multi-Active Glow Serum (69, clarins.ie)

Super Serum

To add radiance and hydration to your skin when you land, check out the new Clarins Multi-Active Glow Serum (69, clarins.ie). The brand has combined stabilised vitamin C and glycolic acid in a super-effective serum that acts in synergy to keep skin looking younger. It has a gentle exfoliating action and works to smooth skin texture, reduce the look of dark spots and reveal a more even, glowing complexion.

Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum (59 for 30 capsules, arnotts.ie)

Plump Up the Volume

The new Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum (59 for 30 capsules, arnotts.ie) combines hyaluronic acid with collagen-supporting peptides to deliver hydrating and visible plumping power. The acid is shrunk to travel deeply through surface layers of skin and then it magically expands to plump and fill skin from within so it looks firmer. A great choice to restore any moisture lost during the flight. Great for popping in the plastic bag btw.

Enjoy the products from Spanish skincare brand Germaine de Capuccini via The Radiant Ritual, 165, thejohnstownestate.com

Treatment

Spanish professional skincare brand Germaine de Capuccini can now be found at The Spa at The Johnstown Estate in Enfield, Co Meath. It has curated a selection of pampering day spa experiences, available Sunday to Friday from September to November. Try The Radiant Ritual (165, thejohnstownestate.com), which includes a 75-minute full-body exfoliation, back-of-body massage and a power hydration facial to leave your skin glowing. You also get to enjoy the thermal suites and a two-course lunch in The Spa Cafe.

Using a hydrating face mask the night before a flight really helps to protect your skin. Photo: Getty

Trionas skincare saviours

Olivia Fragrances Private Portrait (from 30, femme.ie)

Treat

I discovered Olivia Fragrances, an Italian brand of clean beauty and conscious living products in my fave boutique in Skibbereen, Femme. Stylish proprietor Stacey Egan not only has a great eye for fashion but a nose for scents too. These incredible fragrances are completely organic, vegan, cruelty-free and free from harmful or toxic ingredients, such as sulphates, parabens, silicones and pesticides. The brand has introduced two fab perfumes  one called Dirty Illusion and, my favourite, Private Portrait (from 30, femme.ie). Made with bergamot, saffron, rose, vanilla and amber, its glamorous and rebellious  just like me!

A jade roller and a gua sha tool, which can be useful for reducing puffiness on a flight

Trick

Did you know that low cabin pressure causes the fluid in our bodies to shift and can make us look puffy? Nobody wants to arrive with a swollen face so get busy with your hands and a gua sha tool while youre in the air to drain the lymph fluids. Use your fingertips to gently tap around the forehead and eyes and sinus area and press the sides of your nose as you exhale. Place the gua sha  which is also great for relieving pain and tension  on the forehead and guide it from the centre outwards, under the eyes, down the cheeks and sides of the nose and then from the sides of the nose to the hairline.
Traders sell products at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) in Ongwediva, Namibia, Aug. 24, 2025. Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.(Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

ONGWEDIVA, Namibia, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Speaking at the official opening on Sunday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the trade fair has evolved into a national flagship and investment platform that integrates policy, entrepreneurship, business, and government services.

"Today, this platform serves not only as an exhibition ground but also as a hub for enterprise development, policy dialogue, and investment opportunities," she said.

The 24th edition of the OATF, held under the theme "Innovate, Connect, Prosper," features a diverse array of offerings from the government, policy, agriculture, business, energy, creativity, and art sectors, with 450 exhibitors participating this year.

For the first time, it also includes representation from the aviation and digital innovation sectors. Among the total exhibitors, 26 are from other countries, including Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Indonesia, and Botswana.

The president emphasized that the trade fair is part of ongoing efforts for business and trade reforms, supporting the government's aspirations outlined in the sixth National Development Plan, particularly on youth employment, local value addition, and digital transformation.

This year, about 70 percent of the exhibitors at the OATF are women, and 60 percent are youth. These, according to Nandi-Ndaitwah, are not just numbers but evidence of progress in shaping an inclusive future.

In the meantime, according to the president, the trade fair, now a hub for economic development, also sets the stage for enhanced intra-African trade as the continent aims to increase trade.

The OATF, first launched in 2000, runs from Aug. 22 to 30, and is poised to play a crucial role in Namibia's continued push toward economic reform and sustainable growth. 

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah speaks during the opening ceremony of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) in Ongwediva, Namibia, Aug. 24, 2025. Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.(Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

People attend the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) in Ongwediva, Namibia, Aug. 24, 2025. Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.(Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)
Residents at Chamberlain Care Home in Edinburgh have taken up rowing to support three Scottish brothers aiming to become the fastest people to row across the Pacific (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Residents at an Edinburgh care home have taken up rowing sessions to show their support for three Scottish brothers aiming to become the fastest team to row across the Pacific.

Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean, who used to visit their grandmother at Chamberlain Care Home in Edinburgh, are on day 134 of their unsupported, non-stop journey from Peru to Australia to raise 1 million for clean water projects in Madagascar.

They are expected to complete their 9,000-mile crossing on Thursday.

As they close in on their destination, residents at the home are showing their support with physio-led rowing sessions in the lounge.

They are also due to hold a bake sale and concert on Thursday, when they hope to watch the brothers arrival in Cairns on a live stream.

Liliana Bahna, unit manager at Chamberlain Care Home, recalls the brothers coming to visit their grandmother when they were children.

Its a small community here, but our hearts are very much out in the Pacific with the boys.

I knew them as children when they visited their grandmother, so seeing them now  taking on one of the toughest challenges in the world  is just extraordinary.

Everyone here has been inspired by their courage, and were proud to be cheering them on.

Sheila Burtles, 95, who has known the brothers for many years, has been leading support at the home.

Sheila Burtles (Jeff Holmes/PA)

A former sensory analyst in the whisky industry, Ms Burtles worked with the brothers father Charles Maclean, a renowned whisky expert.

She has been made custodian of the voyages log, which is written each day by one of the brothers and printed and delivered to her room, and she also plots their progress towards Australia on a map of the worlds largest ocean.

Ive known the boys for many years, so this adventure feels very close to my heart, she said.

To be entrusted with the ships log is a real honour. Each time I mark their progress on the map, I cannot believe the scale of the challenge.

Its inspiring to follow their journey, and Im so proud to play even a small part in supporting them.

People around the country have taken on a range of fundraising challenges to support the trio, including 24-hour rowing challenges, rows on the Firth of Forth, and schoolchildren running a mile a day.

The brothers uncle and cousin also raised 2,100 by rowing 25.2 miles down the Tay from Perth city centre to Wormit Boating Club in Dundee, and the brothers have raised more than 600,000 out of their 1 million target.

Speaking from the boat, Jamie Maclean described the support from people back home as humbling.

Weve faced storms, exhaustion and days when the ocean feels endless  but hearing about Chamberlain Care Home rowing along with us makes all the difference, the 31-year-old said.

We have very fond memories of visiting our granny in the care home and meeting everyone who lived there.

Its humbling to know that people back home are putting their energy into supporting us. When things get tough, we picture them rowing in the lounge and it gives us a huge lift.

The pictures they sent through made a very tough day much lighter.

Although the brothers had originally set their sights on Sydney, harsh weather has forced them to alter course towards Cairns.

Despite the change of destination, the trio remain firmly on track to set a new world record for the fastest unsupported Pacific crossing by rowing boat.
Doctors say whats now happening is beyond anything theyve seen before

Palestinians sheltering in tents or seeking food were among at least 33 people killed by Israeli strikes and shootings in Gaza, medics said yesterday, as they struggled to deal with the famine that now grips the Gaza Strips largest city.

The famine determination by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC  the worlds leading authority on food crises  galvanised governments and aid groups to intensify their pleas for Israel to halt its 22-month offensive on Gaza, prompted by Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Aid groups have warned for months that the war and Israels restrictions of food into Gaza are causing starvation among civilians.

Israel said the famine declaration was a lie, and its military would press ahead with preparations to seize Gaza city.

Efforts toward a ceasefire that could forestall the offensive are on hold as mediators await Israels next steps.

Nearly half a million people in Gaza face catastrophic hunger

In the meanwhile, Israeli strikes killed at least 17 people in southern Gaza early yesterday, according to morgue records and health officials at Nasser Hospital.

The officials said the strikes targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis, which is home to hundreds of thousands who have fled from elsewhere in Gaza. More than half yesterdays dead were women and children.

In northern Gaza, Israeli gunfire killed at least five aid-seekers near the Zikim crossing with Israel, where the UN and other agencies convoys enter the enclave, health officials at the Sheikh Radwan field hospital said. Eleven people were killed in other attacks on Gaza elsewhere, according to hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Israels military said it was not aware of a strike in Khan Younis at that location and was looking into the other incidents.

On Friday, a report by the IPC said Gaza city is gripped by famine that is likely to spread if fighting and restrictions on humanitarian aid continue.

It was a rare pronouncement by the group  its first in the Middle East  and it came after Israel imposed a two-and-a-half-month blockade on Gaza earlier this year, then eased access with a focus on a new US-backed private aid supplier, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a aid convoy. Photo: AP

In response to global outrage over images of emaciated children, Israel has in recent weeks allowed airdrops and a new influx of aid entering by land  but UN and other aid agencies say the food reaching Gaza is still not nearly enough.

Journalists have seen chaos and security problems on roads leading to aid deliveries, and there have been reports of Israeli troops and GHF security men firing towards people seeking aid.

Israels military says warning shots are fired if individuals approach the troops or pose a threat to soldiers.

The IPC said nearly half a million people in Gaza, about a quarter of the population, face catastrophic hunger that leaves many at risk of dying. It said hunger has been magnified by widespread displacement and the collapse of food production.

Israel says it has allowed enough aid to enter during the war

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus office denounced the IPC report as an outright lie, and accused Hamas of starving the hostages.

Israel says it has allowed enough aid to enter during the war.

With ground troops already active in strategic areas, the widescale operation in Gaza city could start within days.

Aid group Doctors without Borders (MSF) said its clinics around Gaza City are seeing high numbers of patients as people flee recent bombardments.

The group said in a statement that strikes are forcing people, including MSF staff, to flee their homes once again, and we are seeing displacement across Gaza city.

The Israeli military has said troops are operating on the outskirts of Gaza city and in the citys Zeitoun area.

One US doctor who is volunteering in Gaza city said the levels of malnutrition there are off the scale. Not long after Texas surgeon Mohammed Adeel Khaleel arrived at a Gaza city hospital in early August, a 17-year-old was brought in with gunshot wounds to both legs and one hand, sustained when he went to collect food at an aid site.

In the emergency room, Dr Khaleel said he noted the ribs protruding from the teens emaciated torso, an indication of severe malnutrition. When doctors at Al-Ahli Hospital stabilised the patient, he raised his heavily bandaged hand and pointed to his empty mouth, Mr Khaleel said.

The level of hunger is really whats heartbreaking. You know, we saw malnutrition already starting to happen before, back in November. But now the level is beyond imagination, said Dr Khaleel, a spinal surgeon who is on his third volunteer stint in Gaza.

On Friday, the IPC said that parts of Gaza are in famine and warned that it is spreading. For months, UN agencies, aid groups and experts have warned that Israels blockade and ongoing offensive were pushing the territory to the brink.

In the 24 hours following the famine announcement by the IPC, eight people in Gaza died of malnutrition-related causes, bringing the overall toll of such deaths during the war to 281, according Gazas health ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals.

Israel pointed to what it said was its recent efforts to allow more food in, after it eased a complete two-month blockade in May. It has accused Hamas of siphoning off aid  allegations disputed by the UN, which says Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order make it extremely difficult to deliver food to the most vulnerable.

In July, an internal US government analysis found no evidence of systematic theft by Hamas of US-funded humanitarian supplies.

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City. Photo: AP

Dr Khaleel said the evidence of deprivation was already clear.

The degree of weight loss, post-operative complications and starvation that were seeing  it wouldnt surprise me if it was called famine, said Dr Khaleel, who went to Gaza as an independent volunteer via the World Health Organization.

At Gaza citys Shifa Hospital last week, nutrition director Dr Mohammad Kuheil led an AP journalist to the bedside of a thin-limbed girl.

Aya Sbeteh (15) was wounded in an airstrike. But her recovery has been set back by weakness from lack of food that her family says has reduced her weight by more than a third.

All we have are grains like lentils, sometimes, said her father, Yousef Sbeteh (44). Even flour is unaffordable.

Another patient, Karam Akoumeh, lay with sunken cheeks, his thin skin stretched like plastic wrap across his rib cage. His intestines were seriously damaged when he was shot while going out to collect flour, his family said, compromising his digestive system.

Now he is one of 20 people at Shifa brought in for abdominal wounds and increasingly malnourished because of a shortage of intravenous nutritional supplements, the doctor said.

Mr Akoumehs father, Atef, said the lack of supplements compounded the hunger that reduced his sons weight from 62kg to just 35kg.

I checked throughout all Gazas hospitals for the supplements, but I have not found any, he said.

Israeli officials have pointed out that some of those said to have died from malnutrition had pre-existing conditions.

Doctors and other experts say that is to be expected, as famine first preys on the most vulnerable, including babies and small children.

Outside the hospital, the shortage of nutrients is equally dire, say doctors and civilians.

Were starving. We eat once a day

There are no protein sources, only plant-based protein from legumes. Meat and chicken are not available. Dairy products are not available, and fruits are also unavailable, said Kuheil, the doctor in charge of nutrition at Shifa.

In Gaza city on Friday, Palestinians displaced from elsewhere recounted a desperate search for food.

Were starving. We eat once a day. Will we be more hungry than we are now? Theres nothing left, said Dalia Shamali, whose family has been repeatedly displaced from their home in nearby Shijaiyah.

She said they spent most of their money over the last two years moving from one part of Gaza to another as the Israeli military issued evacuation orders.

With Israel allowing more food in recently, the price of flour and other food items has been dropping, but the family still cant afford them, Ms Shamali said.

In its announcement on Friday, the IPC said famine in Gaza is likely to spread across the territory unless there is a ceasefire and a flood of humanitarian aid.

Some of the IPCs conclusions were echoed in a report by a group that organises medical missions to Gaza, which described a catastrophic rise in severe malnutrition among children and pregnant women.

The US non-profit MedGlobal repeated the grim statistic that one of every six children in Gaza under five is now affected by acute malnutrition, based on observations by its staff in four of Gazas five governorates.
CM Yogi Adityanath has officially released the book Drift in Lucknow, marking an important moment for the citys literary and cultural landscape. The launch event gathered intellectuals, writers, and readers, offering insights into the themes of leadership, social change, and personal growth highlighted in the book.

With his growing influence in Indian politics and governance, Yogi Adityanaths association with such a literary work has sparked wide curiosity. The book Drift is expected to connect with a diverse audience, especially young readers looking for inspiration and practical perspectives. Its release also reflects the increasing importance of literature in shaping conversations on development, identity, and values in modern India.

The event not only celebrated a new publication but also encouraged meaningful dialogue among thinkers, leaders, and the youth.

CM Yogi Adityanath releases Drift in Lucknow

The launch of Drift in Lucknow was attended by authors, readers, and prominent personalities. The Chief Minister highlighted how books play a vital role in shaping the mindset of society.

What is the book Drift about?

Drift is a thought-provoking work that explores themes of change, culture, and leadership. It reflects on how individuals and societies adapt to challenges while staying rooted in values.

Why does the book launch matter?

The release of Drift goes beyond a simple book unveiling. It opens space for dialogue between writers and readers, encouraging discussions on development, governance, and future aspirations.

Impact on youth and readers

The book is expected to inspire young readers by blending practical lessons with cultural wisdom. It shows how leadership and vision can guide personal and social transformation.

Literature and leadership connection

By associating with Drift, CM Yogi Adityanath has underlined the role of literature in leadership. The event showcased how books can influence not just individuals but also broader communities.
Twitch streamer Jason Jasontheween Nguyen, a rising star with FaZe Clan, and Sakura Shymko, who many know as Kyedaes younger sister, once gave fans hope for a fairytale romance. After Jason dedicated a custom song and their royal entry at Streamer Prom in June, making them one of the nights biggest highlights, fans were convinced they were the next power couple to root for, even with small hints of drama surfacing that evening.

But during Jasons recent stream, he confirmed that the relationship is officially over. The breakup has since spiralled into cheating rumours, after screenshots began circulating online suggesting Sakura had been texting her ex while dating the Twitch star.

JasontheWeen confirms breakup with Sakura

Despite whispers in the streamer community after their prom datewhere it was rumoured that Sakura allegedly caught an ick from JasonJasonTheWeen and Sakura still appeared to be going strong. Just a few days ago, he even shared an adorable photo of them together on his X account.

JasonTheWeen and Sakura split amid cheating rumours | Credit: @geekedworld

However, on August 23, the 21-year-old confirmed their breakup during a livestream and asked fans to stop bringing her up. When viewers kept mentioning her name, Jason said: Im not going to be weird and not say anything when I skip these clips, but please dont send any more clips of Sakura in my comm anymore. Im just going to skip, and my mods are going to remove it. Shes going to do her own thing, and Im going to do my own thing shes not going to be in my stream anymore. Thats it. I wish her nothing but the best, though. Okay, thats all Im going to say. I already know yall are about to go crazy, but lets just keep it pushing.

During their short-lived relationship, the couple streamed together often and even took a trip to Japan, where they shared plenty of photos with fansserving major relationship goals.

JasonTheWeen and Sakuras Japan trip had fans calling them couple goals | Credit: @jasontheween

Did Sakura cheat on Jason with her ex?

Right after Jason confirmed the breakup, fans uncovered a leaked Discord screenshot of Sakuras DMsand one name immediately stood out: Orean, her ex-boyfriend. The screenshot spread quickly across social media, fuelling speculation and sparking fresh cheating rumours.

JasonTheWeen and Sakura first sparked dating rumors after attending Streamer Prom together | Credit: @jasontheween

Many on social media blamed Sakura for breaking Jason's heart, as one person said, "Damn, she really just lost that bag. Jasontheween elevated her into another status, and she threw that all away for her Ex what a fumble." Another even claimed, "She used him."

Discord DMs just leaked showing Sakura is still in contact with her ex boyfriend Oren  pic.twitter.com/1y48YPIcde  Net Klips (@NetKlips) August 23, 2025

However, some users were quick to point out that simply being in touch with an ex doesnt necessarily mean cheating. They suggested the breakup could have been a mutual decision, noting that both Jason and Sakura are still young and likely just figuring themselves out.

I think she had a sense of realization. Yeah money and hype and being apart of a huge community of people is like that type of fantasy life style, but then you start being around those people and you see all that you have to deal with behind the scene and wonder if its your life.  The Shanzul (@TheShanzul) August 23, 2025

Sakura denies cheating rumours

Sakura also addressed the breakup during her own stream, tearing up as she explained why she and Jason are no longer talkingand firmly denying rumours that she had been speaking to her ex again.

This is very sudden. I did have a conversation with Jason yesterday just to talk about everything, and it really has damaged me it has nothing to do with him, which is really hard. I thought it was better for us to go our separate ways. Jason and I may have started out as content, but there was definitely something real behind the scenes. I just have such a hard time dealing with other peoples opinions on my relationship. It got overwhelming.

Sakura reacts to the end of Jakura pic.twitter.com/ynQNUFrxDx  TwitchVerse (@TheTwitchverse) August 24, 2025

She also clarified that the leaked DMs with her ex werent what ended things: The messages with my ex had no malicious intent. It was literally him asking if I wanted things to be dropped offits nothing weird. That relationship ended a long time ago. Jason wasnt insecure about it at all, thats not the problem. I really did try to push through the hate for months, but it just got too much.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old Indian-origin truck driver, has become the centre of an intense online conversation after his arrest in the United States following a tragic road incident. Singh, who reportedly entered the US illegally in 2018, is facing vehicular homicide charges after allegedly taking a wrong U-turn on a Florida highway that led to a fatal collision, claiming the lives of three individuals. Despite the serious charges, Singh has received a wave of support on the internet, with many users expressing sympathy and calling him 'innocent' and demanding a fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The accident took place on August 12 in California, from where he was later transferred to Florida. His commercial driver's license was obtained in California, and the incident has reignited debate among some groups about the potential dangers associated with undocumented immigrants.

Harjinder Singh has been identified as an illegal US immigrant | Credit: X/@libsoftiktok

Online petition gains momentum in support of Harjinder Singh

Since Harjinder Singh's arrest, a growing online movement has emerged in his defence. A petition calling for his release has amassed over 1.9 million signatures, reflecting widespread public support.

On the other hand, the petition describes the fatal crash as a 'tragic accident, not a deliberate act,' and argues that while accountability is important, the charges filed against Singh are disproportionately severe given the nature of the incident.

Meanwhile, the widespread support for Harjinder has sparked a major backlash from people who consider him innocent. According to Breitbart News, X (formerly called Twitter) said, More than 1,600,000 people have signed an online petition attributed to Punjabi youth urging the federal government to free Harjinder Singh.





3 died in a crash in Florida, USA, after a semi-truck made an illegal U-turn, colliding with a minivan.



A woman, 37, from Pompano Beach and a man, 54, from Miami died in collide. The minivans driver, man, 30, from Florida, was airlifted to the hospital, where he later died. pic.twitter.com/bz5qHqYLfX  orange  (@orange4u28) August 16, 2025





Netizens react to the online petition backing the Indian trucker

As soon as the update surfaced on social media, it garnered the attention of netizens online, and the internet was left divided. One X user said, "To be fair, the problem that the petition is not the content but the misunderstanding of the process. How can you demand a reduced or commuted sentence when the person hasnt even been tried and convicted? So if any of the people who signed this petition are naturalised citizens, they need to have their citizenship removed because they did not learn the rules of America."

"Thats what stupid open (or lightning) about this completely avoidable catastrophe! tragedy!. Unless all of the petition signers are from outside of the country, we have a civics problem that is massive and I mean MASSIVE."



To be fair, the problem that the petition was signed is not the content, but the misunderstanding of the process. How can you demand reduced or commuted sentence when the person hasnt even been tried and convicted? So if any of the people who signed this petition are naturalized  Andrew (@abmdski) August 23, 2025





Some Indian netizens have been calling out Singh saying, "Politically/legally aiding a person simply because that person identifies with you in some way (religion, skin color, immigrant status etc) is the definition of racism."

"He is Khalistani n in India Khalistani is a terrorist organisation. Who ever supports terrorist organisations can donate to support a terrorist," another Indian origin netizen commented.

Politically/legally aiding a person simply because that person identifies with you in some way (religion, skin color, immigrant status etc) is the definition of racism.  Stosh (@STL019) August 23, 2025





"How about we have a petition that supports him being prosecuted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law for taking the lives of three innocent people. Maybe there are 77 million who would sign that one," another added.

"Imagine losing your family and watching the world fight harder for the man who killed them than for justice, that cuts deep."

Another said, "This should be a wake up call to EVERYONE. Woke is NOT dead. Its just in hibernation. If given the chance, it will make a comeback."

"All green cards and naturalized who signed this petition should be deported. Prima Facie evidence they have no problem with what the Indian did, and quite probably would do the same themselves." " "I am in support of Harjinder Singh. I know it was an accident. He made a terrible mistake, not a deliberate choice to harm anyone. He was working hard to support his family like so many of us. One wrong decision changed everything. A 45-year prison sentence is not justice."

"I am in support of Harjinder Singh. I know it was an accident. He made a terrible mistake, not a deliberate choice to harm anyone. He was working hard to support his family like so many of us. One wrong decision changed everything. A 45-year prison sentence is not justice." pic.twitter.com/GnvPGfY6Xz  Josh (@XJosh) August 23, 2025





"In India, since there are so many there, these things happen all the time. Death is nothing to these third worlders, they don't value life. Yet they are amongst the 55 million visa holders here and the 20-50 million illegals. We have 100+ million invaders in our lands."

Harjinder Singh's case happened amid US visa scrutiny

Harjinder Singhs case has unfolded at a time when the United States is intensifying its crackdown on visa misuse and illegal immigration. Authorities are not only targeting individuals but also organisations suspected of aiding such violations.

Recent actions include imposing visa restrictions on officials from Indian travel agencies suspected of aiding unlawful migration. The Department of State has also issued a broader warning, emphasising that all 55 million foreign visa holders are subject to continuous review for violations such as overstaying or engaging in criminal activity.

BREAKING - The petition demanding a reduced or commuted sentence for the Indian who crushed three people in Florida with a semi-truck has reached 1.2 million signatures, not even 10 hours after hitting 500,000.



They arent compatible with us. pic.twitter.com/LevGHW0CUj  Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) August 23, 2025





Florida crash accused denied bail; family defends him

Harjinder Singh, who is accused of a deadly crash that killed three people on a Florida highway, was denied bond on Saturday, as per a media report.

In India, Harjinder Singhs family in Tarn Taran, Punjab, has spoken out in his support while expressing sorrow over the tragic incident. His brother, Tejinder Singh, told ANI that the crash was a heartbreaking mistake rather than an intentional act.

We deeply regret the loss of three lives. Harjinder made an error, but it wasnt done on purpose. He deserves consequences for the mistake, but not to be treated as if he committed murder, he said.
Maareesan ending explained: The Tamil thriller Maareesan culminates in a gripping finale that uncovers the chilling truth behind a string of murders. What starts as a routine investigation gradually spirals into a tangled web of secrets, betrayals, and hidden motives. At the heart of it lies Dhaya, a man burdened by his past and former prison time, who once again finds his freedom hanging by a thread. As the story unravels, the film keeps the audience on edge, questioning not just the killers identity but also the deeper purpose driving the crimes.

Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil | Credit: Netflix

Maareesan ending explained

After completing his sentence in Palayamkottai jail, Dhaya slipped back into a life of theft and, by chance, broke into the home of Velayudham Pillai, an Alzheimers patient who mistook him for someone else. Hoping to exploit him for money, Dhayal stayed close, only to discover that the old man was hiding a darker truth. He discovered that Velayudham had killed three men, initially believing him to be a human trafficker.

In reality, Velayudham was avenging his late wife Meenakshi, a psychiatrist who took her own life after her illness prevented her from helping victims of sexual abuse. Before her death, she gave him a list of perpetrators, which he vowed to eliminate.

Vadivelu in Maaresan | Credit: YT

The biggest twist came when Dhaya learned that his friend Ganesh was actually Arun, one of the abusers on that list. When Ganesh tried to silence Velayudham, Dhaya intervened and killed him. Yet, in court, Velayudham took responsibility for all four murders, declaring he had no remorse for punishing such men.

The judge found him guilty but acquitted Dhaya for lack of evidence. Awaiting his sentence, Velayudham left Dhaya with more than a lesson, he became the father figure Dhayal never had, transforming what began as a robbery into a profound bond.

What does Maareesan mean?

Maareesan is a character from the Hindu epic Ramayana, depicted as the golden deer who distracts Rama and draws him away from Sita, ultimately enabling her abduction by Ravana. The name Maareesan originates from Sanskrit and is closely associated with this mythical figure from the epic.

Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil on a bike | Credit: X

All you need to know about Maareesan

is an Indian Tamil-language drama thriller directed by Sudheesh Sankar, written by V. Krishna Moorthy, and produced by R. B. Choudary under Super Good Films. Starring Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu in unconventional lead roles, the film combines suspense with emotion, brought to life by Yuvan Shankar Rajas evocative score.

The film centers on Dhayalan (Fahadh Faasil), a petty thief freshly out of prison, who unexpectedly crosses paths with Velayudham (Vadivelu), an elderly man suffering from Alzheimers. Spotting an opportunity for easy money, Dhayal chooses to accompany him on a road trip, intending to take advantage of his condition and steal his fortune. However, what begins as a scheme driven by greed soon transforms into a perilous yet emotional journey that alters the course of both their lives.

As secrets unravel and motives collide, Dhayal realizes that Velayudham is not the frail victim he assumed, but a man with a haunting past and a deadly mission of his own. The film unfolds as a gripping tale of crime, memory, and redemption, blurring the line between survival and morality.

Where to watch Maareesan on OTT?

You can stream Maareesan on Netflix.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
On 23 August, the Yogi Governments initiative turned a new chapter in spreading education across villages of Uttar Pradesh by celebrating National Space Day in 1.32 lakh council schools. More than 14.8 million students took part in this historic event, where they explored planets, satellites, and the origin of the universe through digital learning resources.

For the first time, children learnt about Indias proud space missionsfrom Chandrayaan to Gaganyaanand experienced a structured digital journey into the future of science and technology.

A digital journey into space science

Students used interactive platforms to learn about the solar system, satellites, and space exploration. They witnessed Indias achievements in space research, including Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, and Gaganyaan. For many, it was their first in-depth exposure to the fascinating world of astronomy and futuristic technologies.

Activities that inspired curiosity

Schools organised exhibitions, workshops, and creative activities such as group discussions, model making, and drawing competitions. Special digital sessions gave students hands-on experience, while expert guidance from teachers and mentors helped them connect scientific facts with real-life applications.

Building scientific thinking under NEP 2020

This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises curiosity and scientific temper. By celebrating National Space Day, the government aimed to nurture critical thinking, inspire innovation, and make children more enthusiastic about careers in science and technology.

Governments vision for future-ready education

Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh stated that Indias space achievements are a source of inspiration for the younger generation. He highlighted that the Yogi Government has already introduced smart classes, digital libraries, drone and robotics labs, and now, with National Space Day, students will gain deeper exposure to research and innovation.
A tragic incident in Greater Noida has shocked the community, as 28-year-old Nikki Bhati lost her life after reportedly being set on fire at her in-laws' home. Her husband, Vipin Bhati, who has been accused in the case, was injured by a police bullet while allegedly trying to escape custody on Saturday. Amid the other allegations, cheating allegations on the accused has surfaced on the social media.

The victims sister, Kanchan, who is also related to the family through marriage, claims that Vipin and his mother, Daya, were responsible for the attack. Disturbing videos shared by Kanchan appear to show Nikki being beaten, followed by footage of her engulfed in flames and stumbling down a staircase.

While Vipin has been arrested, other family members, including his mother Daya, father Satyavir, and brother Rohit, are currently evading arrest. Authorities have launched an active search to locate the fugitives.

Demand for dowry led to physical | Credit: X | @incognito_qfs

A look at the whole timeline of Nikki and Vipins marriage

In an interview statement released by Nikkis father on NDTV, her father is demanding Bhatis encounter and the bulldozing of the house as justice for his daughter. In his statement, the boy recounted, Meri mumma ke upar kuch dala, fir unko chanta mara fir lighter se aag laga di (they poured something on my mother, slapped her and set her ablaze with a lighter). The childs testimony adds a harrowing dimension to the brutality of the crime, the statement mentioned.

Nikki and her sister, Kanchan, married brothers Vipin and Rohit on December 10, 2016. Her sister revealed that their father gifted a top-model Scorpio SUV, a Bullet (Royal Enfield), a bike, cash, gold and more. Not only this, but along with these, their father also used to send other gifts to their home on Karwa Chauth.

According to the sister, their parents did all that they could, but their in-laws were not happy. Moreover, both Vipin and his brother had extramarital affairs and used to abuse and assault their wives, and both wanted more dowry to fund their lifestyle, and now they wanted 36 lakhs more.

#WATCH | Greater Noida: Accused of murdering his wife Nikki over dowry demands, Vipin Bhati says, "... I have no remorse. I haven't killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often have fights, it is very common..." pic.twitter.com/YrPFaYARuY  ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025





Vipin Bhati is accused of an extramarital affair

According to an India Today report, Vipin Bhati, who is the prime suspect in the alleged murder case and the husband of Nikki Bhati, was caught by his family in Delhi while roaming with another woman and was beaten up.

The horrific murder of Nikki Bhati in Noida has once again shaken the conscience of the nation. Nikki was brutally tortured and then set ablaze by her husband vipin and in-laws for a dowry of 35 lakh. Her six-year-old child and sister witnessed this unspeakable crime. Videos pic.twitter.com/5iDX1BW43p  Adarsh Kashyap (@iadarshkashyap) August 24, 2025





Demand for dowry led to physical and mental assault

According to a post on X (formerly called Twitter), on 21 August 2025, Vipin and his mother mercilessly assaulted Nikki and burnt her alive in front of her six-year-old son.

Nikki's six-year-old son witnessed his mother's torture and gave this statement to the police: "They first put something on Mumma. Then they slapped her before setting her on fire with a lighter."

In 2016, sisters Nikki and Kanchan married brothers Vipin and Mohit Bhati in Gr Noida. Their parents gave a Scorpio, Royal Enfield, cash and gold as dowry, payment for a dignified life they hoped for their daughters.



Instead, both brothers revealed themselves as monsters. They pic.twitter.com/C5J3pkWToT  THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) August 24, 2025





Horrific incident sparked major outrage on social media

As soon as the incident surfaced on the internet, it quickly sparked outrage and fuelled discussions. One said, I don't understand why girls don't take a stand for themselves? If parents don't agree to keep you at home even after knowing everything you are going through, step out of the toxic marriage, get a job, live alone, but don't end up like this.

While another questioned, Marriage is scary that's why I reached 35 still how long i can be safe? People ask why I didn't marry? They already know my sis suffering 14 years of he ll in her life. This week i decided just bcs of my parents. I'll fight alone. My parents deserves happiness so my future hsbd.

Horrific incident sparked major outrage | Credit: X | @incognito_qfs

The dowry cases are still persistent in the country that is heading to become the 3rd largest economy. It is a matter of shame for us !! The women are not safe in the country, not even in their houses. Reason ? Poor law implementation. Lack of women empowerment. Lack of education. Lack of sex education.

Their father, the asshole who now demands justice, should have had the balls to bring his daughters back home instead of leaving them to be tortured by their husbands! This rot in our society and thinking that women need to adjust in marriages is sickening!
The wait is finally over for GTA 6 fans, as May 26, 2026, the release date, is coming closer. But while many count down the days, one community is busier than ever. The Landmarks Map project, originally launched ahead of GTA 5, has become a hub of speculation and analysis, meticulously mapping key in-game locations.

Now, all eyesand effortsare focused on decoding every possible detail about Rockstars highly anticipated next instalment in the franchise. A Reddit post on the same garnered massive attention from netizens, and its title mentioned, Speculatively plotting GTA 6's map is a painstaking, exhausting, and heroic effort: 'We had 10 people search every street in StreetView, this took weeksand failed'

Meet the fan mapping GTA 6 one frame at a time

According to a Reddit post, Robert, known as Ixr on GTAForums, is among the 20+ crore contributors in a much larger community that began with GTA 5s release and is now deep into analysing GTA 6. Using trailers, screenshots, official artwork, and even the 2022 leaks, Ixr showcases the dedication behind this fan-driven open-source mapping project.

Thousands of hours frame by frame

Weve collectively poured thousands of hours into this, says lxr, highlighting the obsessive level of detail the core team brings to the project. We know every frame of footage, every square mile of the map inside out. His research has even led him to become intimately familiar with Panama Citythe real-world counterpart of GTA 6s Port Gellhorn.

Despite its desolate state, with many buildings damaged by Hurricane Michael, lxr has grown fond of the area. Rockstar made an excellent, non-obvious choice here, he adds, praising the developers eye for nuanced, authentic settings.

GTA 6 boat physics debate heats up online | Credit: Reddit | @Andonio_fagaldo

An Obsession With Every Detail

To locate just one in-game building, the community went to extreme lengths. They divided Panama City into 10 zones, assigning 10 members to comb through each area using Google Street View. The search spanned weeks and still came up empty.

Then, months later, after the effort had long been abandoned, another member unexpectedly found the buildingnot in Panama City, but in southern Miamiwhile scanning similar architecture across Florida. Its a testament to the groups relentless dedication and attention to detail.

GTA 6 release is now just 40 weeks away | Credit: X | @GTAVI_Countdown

Unexpected discoveries keep coming

One surprising breakthrough came with the gas station featuring an alligator from the first trailer. The team didnt think theyd ever be able to pinpoint its real-life counterpart.

But not only was it identified, they also matched a nearby restaurant to a building seen in another clipgiving them the exact location and allowing them to accurately place the gas station on the map.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have expressed their deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage of the Ukrainian people in a letter to mark the countrys Independence Day.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have expressed their deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage of the Ukrainian people.

The pairs note was shared publicly by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday (24.08.25), with Charles, 76, and Camilla, 78, addressing it directly to the nations leader.

Their letter was then posted by the Ukrainian president on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a note of thanks.

Zelensky wrote: I am grateful to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his cordial wishes to all Ukrainians on our Independence Day. His Majestys kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war. We appreciate the United Kingdoms leadership in supporting Ukraine and our just cause: to defend freedom from tyranny and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe.

In the letter, Charles said: Dear Mr President! My wife and I sincerely congratulate you and the people of Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day. I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people. I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

My wife and I are delighted to extend our warmest and most sincere wishes to you and all Ukrainians for the coming year. King Charles III.

Zelensky also published Independence Day greetings sent by other leaders, including Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish prime minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, the Swiss president, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney travelled to Kyiv on Sunday, writing on X: On this Ukrainian Independence Day, and at this critical moment in their nations history, Canada is stepping up our support and our efforts towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

In London, the UK government confirmed that Ukrainian flags would be flown above Downing Street. Defence secretary John Healey said: We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow.

In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraines armed forces in the strongest possible position. And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.

The Ministry of Defence announced Operation Interflex  the codename for the British military training programme for Ukrainian troops  will be extended until the end of 2026.

Its scheme has prepared tens of thousands of recruits for combat since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Despite the celebrations marking Ukraines 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russian officials reported a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday (24.08.25) had caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the Kursk region.

An account for the plant on Telegram said a transformer was damaged but radiation levels were normal and there were no casualties.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly urged both sides to exercise restraint around nuclear facilities.

Diplomatic efforts also continued this month.

On 15 August, US president Donald Trump met Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump later said: Im going to make a decision as to what we do and its going to be, its going to be a very important decision, and thats whether or not its massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or we do nothing and say its your fight.

Zelensky has called for an unconditional ceasefire but accused Moscow of blocking any direct talks with Putin.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov responded by saying Putin was prepared to meet Zelensky when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all.
TRIPOLI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), aligned with the House of Representatives in Benghazi, said on Sunday that its deputy commander, Saddam Haftar, received the Turkish warship TCG Kinaliada at Benghazi port. The visit marked a sign of warming ties between Ankara and eastern Libyan authorities.

The LNA said the Turkish delegation included Ambassador Guven Begec, Defence Ministry official Ilkay Altindag, and Serkan Karmanlioglu, Turkiye's consul in Benghazi.

The port call follows years of hostility but points to a tentative thaw. In April 2025, Saddam Haftar held rare talks with senior Turkish commanders in Ankara. Media reports suggest the eastern parliament is weighing measures that would allow Turkiye to explore for oil and gas in Libyan waters, though no decision has been announced. Ankara is also discussing reopening its consulate in Benghazi.

Libya has been divided since 2014 between rival administrations in the east and west. A UN-brokered ceasefire in October 2020 halted major fighting, but national elections have repeatedly stalled. The Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, operates in parallel with the eastern administration backed by the House of Representatives. Front lines have largely held since the ceasefire.

Turkiye signed maritime and security agreements with Tripoli in 2019 and later sent drones and military advisers, helping repel the LNA's assault on the capital from 2019 to 2020. Relations with the east were hostile at the time, and in 2020, eastern forces intercepted a vessel linked to Turkiye.

The Turkish embassy said TCG Kinaliada visited Tripoli port last week. Turkish and Libyan statements said the ship also conducted a passage exercise off Tripoli. 
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared that mafia tendency no longer dominates in the state, stressing that the government has completely uprooted such activities to ensure law and order. Speaking at a recent public gathering, he highlighted how strict action, transparent governance, and zero tolerance towards organised crime have changed the states image.

Adityanath emphasized that under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh has moved away from an era of fear and mafia control to one of safety and development. He further stated that his administration has maintained a tough stance against criminals while encouraging investment and public confidence.

This statement reinforces his governments narrative of law enforcement reforms and signals the continuation of policies aimed at building a crime-free environment in the state.

Yogi Adityanath on mafia-free Uttar Pradesh

The CM said that mafia networks have been broken and their dominance has been eliminated through strong enforcement. He stressed that no individual, however powerful, is above the law.

Strict measures against organised crime

The state has seen demolitions of illegal properties, seizure of assets, and swift legal action against mafia groups. These steps have sent a clear message that criminal activities will not be tolerated.

Transformation of law and order image

According to Yogi Adityanath, the perception of Uttar Pradesh has shifted from a crime-prone state to one that is attracting businesses and investors, thanks to a safer environment.

Public confidence and governance impact

The CM linked improved law and order to better governance, claiming that citizens now feel secure and are more willing to engage in development activities.
German actress Svenja Jung, who leads Netflixs new erotic thriller Fall for Me, is rapidly gaining global attention. Though the film has divided both critics and viewers, her bold performance has sparked major online buzz and pushed her into the international spotlight. Heres everything you need to know about her.

Who is Svenja Jung? Actress going viral for Fall for Me

Svenja Jung, born on 28 May 1993 in Weroth, Rhineland-Palatinate, is a German actress who has been active in film and television since around 2011. She studied European media science at the Fachhochschule Potsdam while also training in acting at Juniorhouse in Cologne. Her early notable roles include portraying Sonia Rossi in the film Fucking Berlin (2016) and playing Kat in the adaptation of The Center of the World.

On television, she has appeared in well-known German series such as Unter uns, Heldt, Tatort, Deutschland 89, and Netflixs Dark (Season 3). More recently, she has been seen in productions like The Empress (Netflix), Spy/Master (HBO Max), Crooks (Netflix), and Fall for Me.

Who all star in Fall for Me?

Directed by Sherry Hormann, Fall for Me features Svenja Jung, Theo Trebs, and Victor Meutelet, best known to American audiences as Camilles (Camille Razat) younger brother in Emily in Paris.

Svenja Jung and Theo Trebs | Credit: Netflix

What is Fall For Me about?

After a breakup, Lilli (Svenja Jung) travels to Mallorca to visit her sister Valeria (Tijan Marei), who lives on their familys old estate. What begins as a healing trip soon turns tense when Valeria asks Lilli to sell the property to fund a luxury bed-and-breakfast with her fiance Manu (Victor Meutelet). Lilli refuses, unwilling to part with the last connection to their late mother.

Svenja Jung and Theo Trebs in Fall for me on Netflix

The sisters conflict intensifies after Lillis fling with Tom (Theo Trebs), who is secretly working for real estate mogul Nick (Thomas Kretschmann) to manipulate her into giving up the estate. As Lillis feelings for Tom deepen, so do the lies, until the truth inevitably surfaces.

Is Fall For Me based on a true story?

According to Tudum, Fall for Me isnt based on a true story, but it draws loose inspiration from the rise of Tinder Swindler-style scams happening worldwide.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Lucknow, August 22: The Yogi Government is taking strong measures to strengthen law and order while increasing the use of modern technology. In this direction, forensic science is being promoted across Uttar Pradesh. On the instructions of CM Yogi, forensic science has now been made mandatory in law enforcement. Over the past eight years, the state government has set up modern forensic labs, equipped the police with advanced tools to tackle cyber crime, and promoted greater police-forensic collaboration.

As part of these efforts, a cyber awareness workshop was organized in Noida on Friday to highlight growing threats in the digital age and strategies to deal with them.

250 Crore penalty for data theft in future

During the workshop, experts discussed the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, cyber audits, and the importance of data protection. It was revealed that in the near future, data theft may attract penalties up to 250 crore.

The event saw participation from more than 250 people, including Dr. G.K. Goswami (Founding Director, UP State Institute of Forensic Science), Additional CP Ajay Kumar, entrepreneurs, banking sector representatives, RWAs, social workers, and police officials. The workshop also highlighted Uttar Pradeshs growing forensic capabilities, such as the establishment of 13 forensic cabinets and the deployment of mobile forensic vans in all 75 districts.

Data is more valuable than money

Dr. G.K. Goswami emphasized that in todays era, data is more valuable than money. With cyber crime and digital data theft rising sharply, citizens must remain cautious while sharing personal information on social media.

He further explained that just as financial audits are mandatory, data audits will also become compulsory. Highlighting the concept of data insurance, Dr. Goswami said that just like crop, health, and fire insurance, digital insurance will soon reach the common man.

Discussing future prospects, he spoke about the idea of a DNA profile system, which could open new opportunities in scientific analysis. The workshop underlined that data security in the digital age is not just a technological challenge but also a social responsibility.

The Yogi Government continues to strengthen its fight against cyber crime through joint efforts with experts, citizens, and law enforcement agencies
Europe's shipping industry has to deal with the first "bill" since joining the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), the Union's main tool for reducing greenhouse gases.

At the heart of the bill is the EU's Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) platform, the emissions monitoring, reporting and verification system

specifically designed for shipping.

According to data from Drewry, a private London-based maritime research and advisory firm that provides market intelligence, advisory services and industry analysis to shipping companies, around 13,000 ships have submitted their emissions data for 2024, as required by the guidelines.

The recorded emissions amounted to 90 million tons of CO, a quantity that must be covered by the delivery of 40% of the corresponding emission allowances (EUA) by September 30, 2025.

The increase of approximately 14% compared to 2023 is attributed to geopolitical factors that forced a large number of ships to bypass the Suez Canal, following longer routes via the Cape of Good Hope.

The containership sector is particularly important, which, although it represents only 16% of the number of ships and 21% of the tonnage, is responsible for 34% of total emissions.

With the current price of EUAs at 70 euros, Drewry estimates that the shipping industry will be asked to pay around 2.9 billion dollars in the fall of 2025.

After the end of the transition period in 2026 and the full implementation of the measure, the annual cost is estimated to skyrocket to 7.5 billion.

On average, each RoPax or passenger ship will pay around 1 million per year, while for container ships the corresponding amount is 500,000.

Faced with the increased costs, shipping companies calling at EU ports are accelerating investments in energy-saving technologies, utilizing sustainable biofuels, launching ships using alternative fuels and applying advanced anti-pollution and low-friction paints, with the aim of reducing emissions and complying with the new strict framework.

The European Union is expected to align its rules with the expected Net Zero framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after its possible adoption in October 2025 in order to avoid double taxation.

   iefimerida.gr
It is encouraging that these days the next steps are being outlined on a path that we all hope will lead to peace, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday in his weekly review.

"Thus, I am given the opportunity to speak about Greece's stance on the war. A stance that is dictated by our national interest, our geopolitical position

and the challenges that arise from it. We are doing what our position at the core of the European Union and our major geopolitical choices dictate. We earned this position with difficulty. Our country paid a very high price for European isolation during the years of the economic crisis. We will never again allow Greece to be marginalized. We supported Ukraine from the very beginning. We supported the defender against the attacker in an blatant invasion and violation of a country's sovereignty," the prime minister emphasized.

"We are with Europe. We are with the West. We are with international legitimacy. We cannot accept changing borders by force as a common practice," he added.

He also referred to the issue of fires, stressing that more than 18,000 firefighters are operating this year, the third highest number in proportion to residents, among European Union countries.

As for the economic situation, the Greek premier cited the data of the finance ministry for the primary surplus. More specifically, he said that the primary surplus is higher than the target set by the government by 1.2 billion euros in January-July. "Our principle is that surpluses should be returned to citizens, every available fiscal space will be utilized for the benefit of society," he underlined.

   iefimerida.gr
The outcome underscores the gap between the governments ambitious rhetoric and the realities of implementation.

Greece is preparing to take a step in higher education with the creation of its first non-state universities, but the scale of the project is already proving more limited than anticipated.

After months of political build-up and promises of a sweeping reform, the government has approved just four of the 13 applications submitted by foreign institutions hoping to establish a presence in the country.

The universities that secured approval are the University of Nicosia, the University of York, Keele University and the Open University. Their Greek branches will operate either in partnership with local educational providers or on independent campuses. The decision followed the recommendation of the National Authority for Higher Education, which concluded its review shortly before the August 15 holiday. The necessary ministerial decrees are expected to be issued in the coming days, paving the way for the first programs to launch.

The initiative has been a flagship reform for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who framed it as a long-overdue modernization of Greeces strictly state-controlled higher education system. For decades, the country has maintained a constitutional ban on private universities, a policy that has forced thousands of Greek students to study abroad each year. By opening the door to foreign institutions, the government hoped to expand academic choices at home and stem the costly outflow of students.

Yet the approval process has revealed how difficult it is to reconcile political ambition with institutional and legal constraints. Several applications were rejected because proposed three-year undergraduate degrees clashed with Greeces four-year framework. Others stumbled over inadequate campus facilities or legal inconsistencies in their proposals. The exclusions left some prominent applicantsinitially viewed as frontrunnersout of contention.

The outcome underscores the gap between the governments ambitious rhetoric and the realities of implementation. Instead of a broad wave of new institutions reshaping the higher education landscape, Greece will see only a handful of foreign branches opening in the near term. While this marks a symbolic shift, it also highlights the slow, uneven path of reform in a sector long defined by entrenched rules, political sensitivities and public skepticism.

#GREECE #UNIVERSITY
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has taken into custody a suspected high-profile vandal wanted in the state.

DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, announced this in a statement provided to reporters in Uyo, the state capital, on Saturday.

John stated that the police apprehended the suspect during an intelligence-led raid around 9:30 pm on August 18.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Six Killed, 19 Injured As Bus Somersaults After Tyre Burst In Ogun

She explained that, acting on credible information, the commands operatives conducted a raid on the residence of the suspect, a 23-year-old male from Midim Water Side.

John revealed that the suspect had previously fled the community after being wanted for vandalizing school buildings and private homes.

Upon arrival, officers sighted the suspect and several other unknown individuals.

The suspect was apprehended during the raid, while the others escaped into a nearby creek on sighting the police vehicle, John said.

John disclosed that authorities seized a small bag containing what appeared to be cannabis leaves, four door handles, a mini flashlight, and several fragments of damaged door locks from the scene.

The commands spokesperson confirmed that the suspect is now in police custody.

Authorities are asking victims of recent vandalism in the area to come forward to provide identification and statements to assist with the ongoing investigation and prosecution, John said.

NAN
The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two young men accused of cattle rustling in Maikwangi village, Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Umar Usman, 24, and Auwal Mohammed, 22, were apprehended for allegedly stealing ten cows during a coordinated operation.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, disclosed the arrest in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday.

Advertisement

READ MORE : Made Kuti Defends Marriage To Igbo Wife, Cites African Leaders Vision Of Unity

On August 14, 2025, at about 0930hrs, intelligence at the Commands disposal indicated a suspected gang of cattle rustlers around Maikwangi village, Ningi LGA, Bauchi State, Wakil stated.

According to him, detectives attached to the Ningi Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with other security agencies and led by the Divisional Police Officer, acted swiftly on the intelligence report.

They successfully arrested two suspects possessing ten cattle suspected to have been stolen, he added.

The police spokesperson further explained that during interrogation, the suspects, who are residents of Magana district in Sabo LGA, Kaduna State, confessed to conspiring about a month earlier to raid a Fulani settlement in Gwamnare bush, Maikwangi village, where the cattle were rustled.

Members of the public, particularly the community of the Gwamnare bush area of Maikwangi village, Ningi LGA, Bauchi, and the entire public, are requested to further disseminate this information for the possible tracing of the rightful owners of these recovered stolen cattle, Wakil appealed.

He noted that investigation is ongoing, stressing that the suspects will be profiled and subsequently charged in court once inquiries are concluded.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a Chinese national, identified as 45-year-old Mu Hua Qiang, over alleged involvement in illegal mining operations in Aguleri, located in Anambra East Local Government Area.

Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the arrest was achieved through a joint operation between the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and the enforcement team of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade), a state-backed task force established to maintain environmental order and sustainability.

The suspect was first apprehended by operatives of the taskforce while conducting mining activities within the Aguleri axis, Ikenga explained in a statement on Saturday. He was later handed over to police operatives attached to the SCID on Friday evening. His statement has been voluntarily obtained, and he has been placed in lawful custody for further investigation.

Advertisement

READ MORE : Teenager Found Decapitated In Calabar Community

Ikenga further noted that the arrest reflects the success of inter-agency collaboration in tackling illegal mining in Anambra State, stressing that such operations remain critical to curbing the rising trend of unlawful mineral exploration across Nigeria.

According to Nigerias Minerals and Mining Act of 1999, all mineral resources are vested in the federal government, with mining and exploration rights granted exclusively through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. The law prohibits mining without a valid licence, but weak enforcement mechanisms have continued to encourage illegal mining activities by both local and foreign operators across mining communities.

Recent convictions across the country highlight the seriousness of the offence. In March, the Federal High Court in Ilorin sentenced two Chinese nationals to two years imprisonment for illegal mining, while in June, five Nigerian citizens were jailed for one year in Minna for similar offences.

Authorities in Anambra State have assured that Qiang will face prosecution once ongoing investigations are concluded.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to support whoever emerges as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in 2026.

He said it would not matter whether he secures the partys ticket or not.

Atiku made the declaration during the welcome ceremony of new defectors to the coalition party in Lagos State on Saturday.

Advertisement

The event saw top members of the ADC and the Labour Party (LP) officially joining the ADC.

The defectors were welcomed by the National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Kolawole Ogunwale; and the State ADC Chairman, Mr. George Ashiru.

Atiku, represented by Prof. Ola Olateju, served as the guest speaker.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/sam-onuigbo-calls-for-greater-investment-in-women-as-pillars-of-stability.html

Speaking on the partys upcoming presidential primary, Atiku said, It is not a thing we can predetermine. Whoever emerges through free and fair contests, we are all going to support.

He added that all aspirants would have equal opportunities to contest, stressing, We are not imposing anyone on the people.

The door is open to everyone who wants to contest.

Atiku emphasised the importance of inclusivity, noting that the winner of the ADC primary would represent all Nigerians in the general election.

He further assured party members of his loyalty, saying, My ambition will never be greater than the unity and progress of our party.

Currently, the three frontrunners for the ADC presidential ticket include former governors, presidential aspirants, and candidates Chibuike Amaechi, Peter Obi, and Atiku Abubakar himself.

The former Vice Presidents statement comes amid growing interest in coalition politics, as major political figures reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

His endorsement of a transparent primary underscores the partys commitment to democratic processes and fair competition.

Atiku concluded, We must ensure that all aspirants are given a level playing field. The party belongs to the people, and the people will decide.
HARARE, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Nearly six months on, the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in Zimbabwe has delivered treatment to more than 7,000 local patients.

In an interview with Xinhua on Sunday in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the team said its 11 medical professionals, covering various specialities from neurology to orthopedics, have been carrying out free medical consultations across the country and have performed over 200 surgeries since they commenced their practice in March.

"Some locals in remote areas don't have access to quality medical services; that's why we have been extending our reach to them by doing voluntary consultations," said Zhang Xiong, an orthopedist of the team.

Zhang, together with some of his colleagues, also offered free outpatient services every week at the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) center of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH) in Harare, providing TCM therapeutic techniques to help patients suffering from chronic diseases.

"Many local patients have come to realize that the TCM therapy is much safer and cheaper for some diseases," Zhang said.

Gao Juhua, the team's neurologist, told Xinhua that many Zimbabwean patients suffered from high blood pressure and high blood sugar, but many of them have little knowledge about their conditions.

"The free clinic offered them a place for medical checkups, and we will give them advice like how to take medicine rationally and maintain a healthy lifestyle," Gao said.

In the meantime, the team has been imparting cutting-edge medical knowledge and technology to their Zimbabwean counterparts by conducting training sessions, benefiting around 100 medical staff so far.

Li Jie, a respiratory physician of the team who was dispatched by central China's Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, said the Chinese hospital has partnered with the PGH on a respiratory and critical care medicine project since 2022, through which thousands of local patients have been treated.

"Under this project, we are able to invite many top-notch specialists in the Chinese hospital to help PGH, the largest general hospital in Zimbabwe, strengthen its capacity in this field by training local medical professionals consistently," Li said.

China has dispatched 22 medical teams to Zimbabwe since 1985, which played an important part in boosting the medical services in the southern African country. 
Iranian security forces have killed six militants during a raid in the restive southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, state media reported on Saturday, describing the group as linked to Irans arch-foe, Israel.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the clash broke out during what it called an intense exchange of fire with armed militants. Authorities confirmed that six of the attackers were killed and two others arrested during the operation.

The report did not specify the exact location of the raid or when it took place. However, security officials said intelligence services had obtained documents that revealed the Zionist nature of the targeted group. The militants were allegedly planning to attack a vital facility in eastern Iran, though no further details were disclosed.

Advertisement

READ MORE : Chinese National Arrested In Anambra For Alleged Illegal Mining

IRNA noted that the core members of the cell consisted of seven non-Iranian terrorists, without providing any information about their nationality. During the operation, two intelligence officers and one police officer sustained injuries.

Sistan-Baluchistan, which shares borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, has long been a hotspot for violent confrontations involving separatists, drug traffickers, and armed groups opposed to Tehran. The province is also home to Irans Sunni Baluch minority and remains one of the countrys poorest regions.

The region has witnessed a surge in attacks in recent weeks. On Friday, the Sunni jihadist group Jaish al-Adl, outlawed in Iran and designated as a terrorist organization by Tehran, claimed responsibility for an assault that killed five police officers in the province.

Just days earlier, on Sunday, Iranian state media reported that security forces killed seven members of another Sunni extremist group, Ansar al-Furqan, during a separate operation in the same province.

Irans Revolutionary Guards and security forces are frequently targeted in Sistan-Baluchistan, where clashes between government forces and armed factions continue to destabilize the region.
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 election.

The forum warned that such a move could cost him 80 percent of northern Muslim votes.

In a statement released on Saturday, the forum, led by Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, argued that the Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured Tinubus 2023 victory remains a winning strategy.

Advertisement

The Muslim-Muslim ticket will not affect President Bola Tinubus chances in the Middle Belt, which is part of the North-Central, and this is because of the key positions held by Middle Belt Christians in the APC government.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/omoyele-sowore-criticizes-ex-army-chief-buratai-cds-musa-for-calling-for-nationwide-lockdown.html

We can guarantee that Tinubu will get 90 percent of the votes from the North-Central, the statement said.

The forum countered calls from the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum, which urged Tinubu to change his running mate to avoid losing Christian votes.

Zazzaga emphasised, Those that are calling on President Bola Tinubu to change Vice President Kashim Shettima, basing their agitation on the Muslim-Muslim ticket,

if you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Now if Peter Obi is to come out again in 2027, what is the guarantee that they will vote for Tinubu even if he is to drop Shettima?

The statement further accused some individuals of seeking Tinubus defeat through mischief, noting, We believe the President knows better and will be able to see through their mischief.

They dont mean well for Mr President and the party.

The North-Central APC Forum advised maintaining the current ticket, stressing that changing Shettima could jeopardize northern Muslim support and weaken Tinubus chances for reelection.
The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a 38-year-old security guard suspected of breaking into an apartment and stealing valuables valued at N1.8 million.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the commands spokesperson, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos.

He stated that officers from the Iju Division arrested the suspect after a resident of the Ifako area reported that his home had been burgled when he returned on August 15.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Police Rescue Suspected Vandal From Mob In Lagos

Stolen items included a Sumec generator, a Fireman generator, a National air conditioner, and three air conditioner compressor engines, all valued at N1.8 million.

Detectives arrested the suspect in the same neighbourhood after investigations revealed he conspired with others, who are still at large, to commit the crime, Hundeyin said.

He further stated that the stolen items have been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects accomplices.

Hundeyin noted that the case will be filed in court once the investigations are finalised.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, pledged the commands determination to bring offenders to justice and encouraged employers to carefully screen job applicants.
The PDP Governors Forum further emphasised that internal disagreements should not overshadow the partys commitment to national development and democratic principles.

The governors stressed the importance of unity, noting that the upcoming November 15, 2025, national convention is crucial for consolidating the partys position ahead of future elections.

Advertisement

The PDP remains the only viable democratic alternative capable of steering Nigeria back to the path of good governance.

Members must resist all attempts by anti-party forces to derail our plans, the communique issued on Saturday.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/candidates-contesting-november-8-anambra-guber-poll-against-me-are-only-interested-in-appointments-after-losing-soludo-claims.html

Meanwhile, tensions persist within the party, particularly in the South-South zone.

FCT Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, raised concerns about the South-South Caretaker Committee appointed by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).

Speaking on Tuesday, Wike said, Our congress was held in Calabar, and Chief Dan Orbih emerged as the National Vice Chairman, South-South.

There is no two ways about it. If they refuse to recognise this, it will trigger another round of crisis.

He added, The so-called acting national chairman of the party wrote a letter to INEC after congress was held that it had been postponed. That is false. The congress was valid and binding.

The forum also condemned orchestrated defections, stressing that such distractions cannot diminish the PDPs grassroots appeal.

Despite the orchestrated defections, the people remain with us because they trust our vision and commitment to improving lives, the communique added.

The governors further accused the APC of divisive governance and policies that continue to impose hardship on Nigerians.

The APC has failed Nigerians on all fronts security, economy, and social welfare.

The PDP offers hope and a clear alternative, Governor Bala Mohammed said during the meeting in Gusau on August 23, 2025.
Nigerian actress Iya Ajirotutu has recounted her harrowing experience with alleged occult figures, which forced her to suddenly abandon both her long-time home and flourishing herbal business in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

Esther Adebayo, popularly known as Iya Ajirotutu and a prominent figure in the Yoruba film industry, revealed the experience during a recent interview with Feel Right TV, posted on YouTube.

Ajirotutu revealed that she hails from Oyan in Osun State and was born into a family with strong ties to traditional religion.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Nollywood Used To Be Passion-Driven, Now Its Cosmetic-Obsessed  Bimbo Akintola

She explained that despite embracing Christianity later in life, she still felt drawn to uphold her familys tradition of herbal medicine, which eventually led her to build a thriving practice in Cotonou.

The actress recounted that she successfully ran her practice for 11 years until she was approached by two mysterious women. She noted that the peculiar way they greeted her instantly revealed them as members of an occult group.

Ajirotutu explained that although the womens response appeared outwardly neutral, the underlying message carried a clear and unsettling threat.

She stated that out of concern for her safety, she made the drastic decision to abandon everything and leave the country in her 12th year of practice.

I was in a conversation with someone when two people came for me. I told them to wait for me in the corridor. I asked them what they wanted, but they said they came for me. They then made the occult slang. I rolled on the ground to greet them. They said if I want to do this job, I have to join them. I asked what if I decide to stop the practice, they replied that I am free, she said.

I also asked them what if I were to heal a relative who is having complications with pregnancy, and they said I can. But that incident made me leave the country. That was why I left Cotonou. I spent 12 years in the country. It was during my 11th year that those women came.

Adebayo further opened up about the personal toll of her popular movie roles, noting that she is frequently typecast as a spiritualist or witch on screen.

I have been to a place before where I was being stoned and tagged as a witch. Till this day, I am still being tagged a witch, she added.

Watch her speak below
The Niger State Police Command has apprehended 14 suspects over alleged illegal mining activities, vandalism, and the theft of an electrical transformer.

Eight of the suspects were nabbed in Minna during a police raid on an illegal mining site, while the remaining six were caught attempting to sell off a suspected stolen 300KVA transformer along Kaduna Road.

The Commands spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Saturday, noting that all the suspects have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Police Rescue Suspected Vandal From Mob In Lagos

The statement read, On 18th August, 2025 at about 4 pm, Police operatives of Central Police Station, Minna led by the DPO carried out a sting operation at an illegal mining site around mechanic bye-pass, Minna and the following suspects were arrested; Samaila Nuhu 20 years of Sayako, Ahmad Mohd 17 years of F/Layout Musa Aliyu 20 years of Bosso, Umar Salihu 47 years of Ang/Daji

The suspects were arrested with 3 diggers, 6 shovels and 10 headpans, while others fled from the scene. All the suspects are under investigation and they will be prosecuted accordingly. However, monitoring continues.

Similarly on 19th August, 2025 at 2 pm, some persons/victims of robbery from Fadama Mandela road, Sauka-Kahuta Minna reported at Tudun-Wada Police Div that on 18th August, at about 8 pm, some suspected robbers numbering about sixteen, conspired and robbed them in the area.

The police spokesman added, The items allegedly carted away include; one handset valued at about N75,000, a sum of N158,000, and foodstuffs including two bottles of palm oil. During the robbery, one of the victims was stabbed in the left leg with a knife.

In the course of investigation with technical intelligence, four suspects were arrested in connection with the crime; Mamud Mohammed, Abubakar Musa

Amadu Umar, Abdulkadir Suleiman, all of Sauka-Kahuta, Minna.

The injured victim equally identified the suspects as members of the gang that attacked them and the following items were recovered; Two SIM cards that were in the robbed handset, Three screw drivers, Two knives, Three cutlasses and Charms.

He explained that the suspects have been moved to the SCID in Minna for further investigation, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices.

In a separate update, the spokesman also confirmed the arrest of six suspected vandals linked to the attempted sale of a stolen electrical transformer. He disclosed that the suspects intended to dismantle the transformer and sell it off in pieces.

On 20th August, 2025 at about 9 pm, based on credible intelligence received at Maje Div that one Mustapha Haladu 28 years of Kaduna road and his accomplice Abubakar Ibrahim 26 years of the same area were planning to dispose of a suspected stolen 300KVA transformer within the night, at an uncompleted building along Kaduna road.

On receiving this information, DPO Maje mobilised his patrol team and embarked on constant patrol of the area, and as early as 4 am on 21st August 2025, a yellow truck with Reg. No. GWA 850 XD, carrying the said transformer, driven by one Aliyu Sadi 32 years of Kaduna road was intercepted.

The two suspects, Mustapha Haladu and Abubakar Ibrahim were also found with the vehicle escorting the item from Akilbu village, Kaduna State. When interrogated, the suspects could not give a satisfactory account or tender any document to prove ownership of the transformer.

Preliminary investigation revealed that they planned to dismantle and sell it in parts. Three other accomplices were also arrested; Isya Yushau 28 years, Usama Abdullahi 20 years, and Usman Suleiman, 25 years, all of Kaduna road, Abiodun stated.

He added that all the suspects are currently being investigated and will be transferred to the SCID in Minna for further interrogation.
The Member Representing The South East On The Board Of The North East Development Commission (NEDC), Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has called on the government to increase investment in women, describing them as the pillars of stability in Nigerian homes and communities.

Speaking through his representative, Abraham Osondu, at the 31st Annual August Meeting of the Obuohia Obi-Ibere Development Union (ODU) Womens Wing, held in Obuohia Obi-Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State on Saturday, Onuigbo emphasized that women play a central role in fostering peace and harmony within society.

According to him, women have become custodians of peace through strategic coalitions they formed to support men in community development. He noted that without their interventions, many homes and communities across Nigeria would have faced deeper crises.

Advertisement

READ MORE : Keep Shettima Or Lose The North  APC Forum Warns Tinubu

Onuigbo also highlighted that several abandoned community projects were revived through the united efforts of women, demonstrating their strong commitment to progress.

He further stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the peace and security of every part of Abia State and Nigeria at large. He praised the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her dedication to mobilizing women across the state towards sustainable development.

Commending the women of Obuohia Obi-Ibere, Onuigbo acknowledged their impact on the local economy, stressing that despite being predominantly farmers, they have contributed immensely to grassroots empowerment and economic growth.

In his remarks, the National President of ODU Mens Wing, Chiedozie Atuma, urged the women to ensure their children stay away from criminal activities in order to safeguard the future of the community.

Also speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of ODU Womens Wing, Mrs. Gloria Nwabuike, revealed that the women have successfully addressed challenges such as school dropouts, maternal health issues, and drug abuse among youths. She noted that these achievements were made possible through seminars and sensitization programs organized in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Ministry of Health, and other government agencies.
The Lagos State Government has assured that the reported harassment of journalists by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus Chief Security Officer (CSO), Kunle Fagbemi, is being addressed and will be resolved amicably.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, gave this assurance on Saturday, stressing that the administration does not condone any form of intimidation or harassment.

The incident, which occurred at the Lagos House in Ikeja during an official programme, allegedly involved Fagbemi confronting members of the governors press crew.

Advertisement

READ MORE : Teenager Found Decapitated In Calabar Community

The event in question was an empowerment programme organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, a pet project of Nigerias First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The initiative aimed to empower 1,000 women across Lagos State.

Eyewitnesses at the venue alleged that the CSO intercepted the bus conveying journalists attached to the governors office and accused them of being disruptive and unprofessional.

According to journalists present, Fagbemi reportedly used abusive language during the altercation, creating an embarrassing scene. Efforts by some media personnel to de-escalate the confrontation were said to have been unsuccessful.

Although no physical violence was recorded, members of the press expressed concern about their safety and described the encounter as part of a recurring pattern of intimidation at government events.

Speaking anonymously, a journalist told PUNCH Online:

The guy has been doing that for many years, but we just always leave him. Over small issues, they will just display for us. What did we do for you? As he keeps harassing journalists, we feel like it is the height of it today.

The development has raised concerns within media circles, with calls for Governor Sanwo-Olu to initiate a formal probe into the matter.

When a phone number believed to belong to Fagbemi was dialed, the respondent denied being him, insisting, Actually, youre calling the wrong person.

However, when informed that True Caller identified the line as Kunle Fagbemi, the individual responded, Sometimes if I do the same work you do, we try to save peoples names as our own names. The explanation hinted at a possible security strategy.

When pressed further on the allegation of harassment, the respondent retorted, Where is that? I harassed a journalist? before abruptly ending the call.

Reacting to the incident, Akosile confirmed that he had been briefed and assured that the misunderstanding was being handled with both parties.

He stated:

I wasnt there when it happened, but I have just been briefed about the development, and we are looking at it. One thing I can assure you is that its going to be a friendly affair at the end of the day. The security operatives have their jobs. They are protecting Mr Governor and the first family. The journalists are there to do their job. So no one should hinder the other from doing their job. There should be no place for harassment.

Its over six years that we have been in government, and weve never heard that anybody has harassed anybody before in this administration. We dont do it, its not in our DNA. And this is a one-off, and we will definitely look into it.

The media aide further disclosed that a reconciliation effort was already underway between the governors office and the press corps.

As I speak with you, as soon as I heard about it, weve had a meeting with the press corps and weve apologised to them for what happened, and Ive also spoken with the affected Chief Security Officer to the governor. He also told me his own side that he was trying to tell them not to go beyond a certain place, but I believe it was a misunderstanding. Its something that will be resolved amicably, Akosile added.
PECO CEO David Vahos speaks at press conference in Norristown in July, announcing a new customer relief fund. The Villanova graduate became PECO's CEO in June. Read more

Despite the stresses of his new job as president and CEO of Pennsylvanias largest electric and gas utility, including customer anxiety over high prices, David Vahos is ecstatic.

Im thrilled and humbled to be here, said Vahos, who brings 30 years of financial and operational leadership to the role. It really does feel like a community when you come to Philadelphia.

Advertisement

Vahos comes to Peco from Maryland, having most recently served as senior vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer of that areas Exelon subsidiary, Pepco Holdings. But he is no stranger to the Philly region. He graduated from Villanova University in 1995.

He returned to the area to take the helm of Peco in June, jumping right in amid heat waves and summer storm season. And as customers bills continue to go up, having risen about 5% on average between January and June.

The companys new leader, however, said he remains optimistic, motivated by how 1.7 million Philly-area households depend on their service.

Having that purpose really resonates with me. It resonates more today than it did even when I first got here, Vahos said. It really is just an awesome job.

But he is candid, too, about the challenges ahead.

The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

What are you hearing from customers about their electric bills this summer?

I had a customer come in to me the other day and say, Hey, I got my June bill, and Im looking at my July bill, and my bill doubled. We went through and looked, [and I showed them] Heres how much you consumed. You literally consumed twice as much. When its this hot, your bills are going to increase significantly. Because youre trying to stay comfortable and safe in your home.

Having a big customer come in helps everyone, right? So we like to see that. At the same time, we are concerned. We want to make sure that Pennsylvania continues to be a state thats generation-rich, because were an exporter of energy today, and data centers will consume that energy in a heartbeat.

In five years, if everything out there gets built, we could be in a situation that looks much more like neighboring states [such as New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland], where they have a deficiency of generation and they need to import. I dont want to see Pennsylvania in that kind of model, because it will impact customers from a price perspective. So we need new generation. Pennsylvania needs to build.

A data center is going to take three, four years to get to max load, if its a one-gigawatt data center. If someone wants to build a combined-cycle gas-fired plant, which is the most efficient natural gas pump you can build, its at least five years. There needs to be a sense of urgency that you cant wait until all of these data centers get here because its going to take five years to solve the problem.

Some New Jersey lawmakers are exploring unplugging from the PJM grid [which transmits electricity to 13 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey] and establishing a regional grid. What are your thoughts on that? Do you see Pennsylvania exploring that?

That is a very complicated question, because weve been together [with PJM] for so long and its so integrative. Its such a hard thing to untangle.

Pennsylvania isnt forcing anyone to build [generation]  and Im not saying they should or shouldnt  but that was the old model, when we used to have vertically integrated utilities. Then you owned your own generation stacks for your own customers, so you knew you could always supply them. We have moved so far away from that in the last 25 years. I just dont think its as easy as Im going to detach from PJM.

Said another way, Im not sure thats going to solve the problem. The problem is we need generation to be built in all of our zones, and I want it to be built here in Pennsylvania.

With President Trump pushing to repeal limits on greenhouse gas pollution, do you think coal will ever regain its footing in Pennsylvania?

Its hard for me to predict that one. The current administration is pulling back from a lot of those green initiatives. But Ive been around long enough to know that another administration will come, and [those initiatives] could come right back.

Its probably premature to say coal is going to come back at scale. Remember, its not just a federal mandate. Theres also a state mandate. So states have a lot of control over what kind of emissions they want to tolerate.
Val Ray King interacts with a customer at the Philadelphia Mycology Clubs second annual Fungadelphia Festival at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. King was running a booth for the Mycopolitan Mushroom Company. Read more

Something funky is growing in Northwest Philadelphia.

Deep in the woodlands between the Wissahickon Creek and the Schuylkill, about 300 mushroom lovers converged Saturday for the second annual Fungadelphia Festival  a celebration of all things mycological.

Advertisement

Backed by tunes from Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles, Steely Dan, and other heady favorites, this outdoorsy crowd had plenty to explore in the lush environs behind the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, where an array of mushroom vendors, artisans, and musicians gathered.

Of course, there were plenty of mycological experts ready to talk shrooms.

Everyone knows what a mushroom is, but actually its part of a larger organism, said Daehan Bong, a 33-year-old member of the Philadelphia Mycology Club.

Near the forests edge, Bong had set up a table with a large trifold poster board bursting with facts to educate passersby about his favorite fungi.

The mushroom, its only purpose is to make spores, he continued. The larger organism is the mycelium  its entirely underground.

Near a vendor serving up vegan mushroom delicacies, Fungadelphias organizer, 28-year-old Sam Bucciarelli, welcomed visitors back for the second edition of the budding event.

The weather is much better this year, Bucciarelli said with a grin.

The Philadelphia resident wore a large, red, gnome-style hat with leafy greens twirled around the brim; for guests with questions about mushrooms, she was impossible to miss.

Mushrooms are a pretty underserved science, said Bucciarelli when asked what inspired her to throw the festival alongside a team of around 20 volunteers. A lot of the data that scientists are using comes from community science.

For Bucciarelli, community is key, which is why the New Jersey native founded the Philadelphia Mycology Club. The nonprofit, which hosted the festival, operates in environmental centers, libraries, and museums across the region.

The club teaches members of the public about all the aspects of mushrooms, Bucciarelli said, from lessons on how to forage and cook them to more science-based lectures.

For visitors with a focus on flavor, vendor Val Ray King was busy selling mushrooms spanning the varieties from shiitake to blue oyster. For those looking for another experience, well, no psychedelics were on hand.

A member of the urban mushroom farming group Mycopolitan, Ray King grows mushrooms in an unlikely location  under artificial lighting in a basement in Northeast Philadelphia.

Most of them were harvested yesterday, Ray King said. Theyve literally been touched by one person.

Within the mushroom world, nothing has captured more attention as of late than the Cordyceps, Ray King said. The parasitic fungus was made popular by HBOs The Last of Us, in which a mutated Cordyceps variant begins infecting humans.

According to Ray King, however, the fungus is misunderstood.

They also have huge medical benefits to them, Ray King said, mentioning their uses for energy and respiratory health. I dont have them here  theyre all sold. I cant grow them fast enough.

All this fungi talk was relatively new for Vedant Patel, a 25-year-old festival attendee who said he got into mushrooms only recently after watching the Fantastic Fungi documentary on a streaming platform.

I was intrigued by mushrooms from that, said Patel, a self-described science lover from Delaware. The top of the mushroom is just the fruit of it. Then underneath they have a much more complex network, kind of like neurons in your brain.

Patel is the kind of visitor Bucciarelli, Fungadelphias organizer, hopes will come back year after year to enjoy attractions such as group yoga classes, arts and crafts, guided nature walks, and live music. (Nematode, a psychedelic rock band from New Jersey, provided the jams this year.)

If theres a tie into mushrooms, or nature, or connecting with community, we do our best to welcome in everyone who wants to be here, Bucciarelli said.
MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at a transformer unit on the premises of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia's Kurchatov, local media reported Sunday.

According to a statement from the plant's press service, the transformer unit was operating at a 30 percent capacity and is not the nuclear power plant's core infrastructure, reported REN TV.

The fire has not affected the local electricity supply, which continues to operate normally, the statement said. Firefighters are working to bring the blaze under control, and authorities have confirmed there is no threat to public safety.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. 
An American Airlines Airbus A321 takes off from Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Read more

A Phoenix-bound American Airlines jet that left Philadelphia more than an hour behind schedule Saturday was diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport after the crew reported a fire in one of the passenger rows, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The FAA said the jet landed safely at the airport, in Leesport, Va., around 11:50 a.m.

Advertisement

The Airbus A321, which American Airlines says has a seating capacity of 190, left Philadelphia International Airport at 10:49 a.m., according to the airlines website.

The FAA said it will investigate the incident.

The airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Members of the Revenge Unit of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigades SQUADRON battalion, known for its prowess in intercepting Russian Drones. Read more

 READ MORE: DRONE GLOSSARY

KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine  Last month, for the first time in this or any other war, Ukrainians captured Russian troops in this region using only robots and killer drones.

Advertisement

The tale sounds like something out of science fiction, yet it was simply an early episode in the evolving era of unmanned warfare.

Drone pilots from the legendary 3rd Separate Assault Brigade dropped a first-person view attack drone into a Russian trench, and a ground robot launched a rocket. The robot also broadcast a message: Surrender or die. Seventeen Russians emerged, hands up, and an aerial drone guided them toward waiting Ukrainian soldiers who took them prisoner.

The capture only burnished the groups reputation, already lauded for its tough fighters and its popular recruitment campaign.

But the brigades special battalion for intercepting enemy drones, known as SQUADRON, has also become famous for its prowess.

In June, I met SQUADRONs commander, call sign Betsyk (an abbreviation of his hometown), and his chief of staff Zakon (meaning law), 26, in a basement headquarters in the region. They became friends and joined up together in the first weeks of the invasion.

Not far away is the city of Izyum, briefly occupied by the Russians, and the war crimes committed there are always on these mens minds.

Betsyk, who was already in university and working for a tech company, was only 18, but he downed a helicopter before reaching 19. Zakon was an oil and gas lawyer and said hes now married to drones.

Every battalion or even company in the 3rd has a drone lab that also works on ground robots, Zakon told me. Most labs are small, he explained, but this one expanded to 120 smart guys, so it could make a bigger impact on the innovation process and share their expertise with other brigades.

The goal is to instill AI and best business processes into the army, Zakon said. He tells potential recruits that you can do what you did privately in tech firms or as gamers, but join the army. We have hundreds of new recruits.

For this elite unit, that is no doubt true, but drone innovators as well as pilots are an endangered species, with each side eager to kill the others experts. That makes the work of this unit more vital and more fraught.

In daily contact with drone pilots, they constantly update Ukrainian forces and private manufacturers about shifts in Russian technology. As Betsyk tells me, The Russians learn fast. They are starting to use artificial intelligence to maneuver [drones], but our guys solve all Russian maneuvers.

This is how Ukraine maintains its technological edge.

The battalion also maintains contact with NATO allies and private European drone makers that send representatives to test its products at the front. This helps Europeans keep up with critical technological changes in drone warfare  and with Russian techniques. Lots of small European countries call us, says Betsyk.

And they are working with one U.S. company (which they wont name) on new methods to destroy the Shahed drones that are causing havoc in Ukrainian cities.

In the battalions manufacturing center  a maze of rooms lined with towers of drones for engineering, programming, and testing  the techie soldiers explore new features on a drone simulator. The atmosphere and dress code are casual, the focus intense.

The name of our unit is Revenge, Im told by a 26-year-old who goes by the call sign Steppe (meaning fields) and who is working on a simulator. Revenge is what keeps us motivated, because of all our comrades killed and wounded. We solve technical problems for the front line [positions]. We need to modify drones and adapt to different frequencies when the Russians change theirs, he said.

His colleague, call sign Obriy (meaning horizon), chimed in: When the Russians beat our solution, you need to find new solutions. We have a specific group doing only R&D, so we can react quickly to new threats. They go to the [front line] positions and test, sometimes upgrade, sometimes something new.

The battalion is constantly looking for new ways to kill Russian drones. We can connect manufacturers directly with [military] units, which makes their products more effective, Obriy added.

On this visit, I heard the same from every forward drone unit I visited about U.S. drones brought for testing by the U.S. military earlier in the war: They didnt work well. They were either unable to overcome Russian jamming or flew shorter distances than expected.

Would that more American drone producers, along with the Pentagon, were still making use of the opportunity to test or coproduce drones with Ukraine.

But I also wish that President Donald Trump could hear why these young volunteers will not stop fighting if he tries to hand Ukraine over to Vladimir Putin.

I saw pictures of 44 Dresden, Obriy said heatedly. Well, here, Russia levels nine story apartment buildings, so many lives are taken. When other countries say, you should have peace How? When whole families are slaughtered? When people who speak Russian, in Crimea and Mariupol, fought with their bare hands against Russian killers.

Call sign Dev, who had just returned from the front line, jumped in.

There was so much terror in Izyum. There were 500,000 people living here and now there are 100,000. We have been repressed by Russia for 100 years. We have no option but to fight because Russia came to kill our independence.

Steppe added: We will continue to fight for our independence and to prevent the enemy from coming again.

This is the message I got repeatedly from frontline drone units.

Before I left, Zakon repeated: The United States has an excellent opportunity to test here. You need to test weapons.

Hes correct. Instead of undermining Kyiv, the United States badly needs to learn from Ukraine how to counter Russias advanced drone skills before they are used against the rest of Europe  or us.
If someone from outside Ireland were to ask me where the best landscape in the country is to experience nature, I would have to say the Burren in County Clare. There are many parts of this extraordinary region where you can walk for hours and see only native forests and meadows of grasslands full of flowers and chirping insects.

This may be down to luck in large part, as the thin soils are not suitable for commercial forestry or intensive agriculture, there are no obvious invasive plants like rhododendron blighting the hillsides and no peatlands to be overgrazed or drained. But it is also down to design, as the people here have been at the heart of an impressive programme to preserve the regions built, cultural and natural heritage for over 20 years.
As Irelands most recent heatwave is replaced by an autumnal chill in the air, spare a thought for our European cousins, for whom far-more-outlandish temperatures have become a predictable annual occurrence.

Last year, Greece, in particular the island of Rhodes, was decimated by surging temperatures and rampant wildfires.

This summer Spain (among others) has become the latest European hot-weather country hit by the scourge of wildfires, with close to a million acres of forestry burnt to date across the summer.

The sunshine months in the climate change-era now represent more than the opportunity for a much-needed holiday and the sensation of sun on skin.

Soaring temperatures currently equate to a sensitive public health issue for native residents in many of the countries traditionally seen as sun-holiday destinations for those of us living in Ireland and Britain.

Temperatures reached as high as 46C in some of Spain's southern regions. Picture: Cristina Quicler /AFP via Getty Images

In Spain, for example, the recent stultifying temperatures  reaching as high as 46C in some of the countrys southern regions  are very much a political hot potato.

With the countrys power grid surging  in response to the mass demand for air conditioning  the extreme temperatures proved a deadly hazard to the most vulnerable in Spanish society: the elderly, the sick, the homeless.

Spain has a similar housing crisis to Ireland, with demands domestically for the tourist season to be extended beyond the three core summer months in order to ease the burden on an overtaxed accommodation market.

Given the Irish populations traditional enthusiasm for sunning themselves abroad, temperatures floating around the 40C mark have not gone unnoticed by Irish tourists.

Darragh Joyce from Limerick described the conditions on his recent honeymoon in Seville  the southern city at the epicentre of the Spanish heatwave  to the Irish Examiner. Forty-one degree temperatures forced him and his partner to duck in and out of establishments to avoid the heat  partaking in the mist sprinklers installed in every cafe and restaurant in an effort to cool down.

"We just got away with it and maybe got home in good time. The plane home, they send you out to the runway and you're left standing there for 15 minutes, I found that really tough, under the heat, just totally out in the open, he said.

This year is just the latest year of many in which the Mediterranean coasts have endured torrid summer heat. Despite a palpable ramping-up in heady temperatures during the Irish summer, the true extremes of what is being seen down south are yet to really affect Ireland. In a decade, that may no longer be the case.

The threat of wildfires has failed to put people off travelling. Picture: Patricia De Melo Moreira / AFP via Getty Images

But keeping it local, are Irish holidaymakers behaviours changing in light of these weather trends? And, if not, are they likely to do so?

The answer is more complicated than you may think. Yes, behaviours are changing, but not that quickly, and not as yet in a way to make corporate concerns profiting on the summer rush change their own strategies.

There is no real change showing up in the market, there is no movement, says travel commentator Eoghan Corry.

He is not wrong. Irish travel to Spain and Portugal is up in 2025 year on year, and not insignificantly.

In May and June, the numbers heading to Spain from Irish shores were up 13.1% and 8.1% respectively, with close to 700,000 people making the journey. Travel to Portugal was similarly up in the region of 4% in the same months. If spiralling temperatures are making us think twice about travelling it is not especially noticeable going by travel statistics alone.

The numbers are up everywhere, Mr Corry says, noting the appetite of the Irish to travel abroad has recovered post-covid at a greater rate than our continental cousins (travel from Ireland is up roughly 30% on the pre-pandemic levels from 2019, a metric not even close to being replicated in say Germany).

Regardless of expressed worries about heat, prices and availability are what motivates people in terms of where they travel to, he says.

He explains the heat in Spain in particular, while very much a major social issue, does not as yet seem to be affecting tourism there.

It comes down to beds and accessibility. Spain is a country Ireland has a great relationship with. People might want to go somewhere more exotic, but they see the difficulty in getting there, and it will always come back to what theyre familiar with.

What about the threat of wildfires?

It did affect Greece last year, and it did cause people to cancel, but the flights continued.

In May and June, the numbers heading to Spain from Irish shores were up 13.1% and 8.1% respectively, with close to 700,000 people making the journey.

There are three points to take account of, he explains. First, changes are not showing in the marketplace. If anything, bookings are up and substantially up. They are called sun holidays for a reason.

"Second, while a heatwave is a big problem for local authorities in destination countries, it is less so for tourists, who have easy access to air conditioning.

"And lastly, the very extreme heat tends to be inland, away from the main tourist areas, he says.

It doesnt fit the climate change narrative. Climate change dominates debate in one section of society, but elsewhere people will continue to do what they always did. You cant change your travel insurance because of concern over extreme heat, at least not without a great deal of difficulty.

"Our behaviours may adjust when were at the destination  going to the pool earlier, then retreating to air conditioning where its comfortable. People express concern about heat in a lot of surveys, but it doesnt show in the patterns. It comes down to beds and availability and air fares and people will be directed by the airlines always.

Mr Corry explains that if you want to gauge a change in peoples attitudes towards travel, then the airlines should be your first port of call.

Ryanair in particular rules the skies over Europe. If there is a change in trends in bookings, to say a major holiday route like Faro or Malaga, they will pick it up first and they will change their approach to mitigate it. They wont send eight flights a day to Malaga if it is not profitable to do so, theyll move those flights to where they can make money, he says.

A query to Ryanair as to whether any appreciable change in bookings trends has been noticed to date in 2025 (and what the airlines tolerance metrics are for changes in such trends before action is taken) receives a succinct reply: No, were seeing strong travel demand [in 2025] across our full network.

Ryanair chief executive Michael OLeary gave the same opinion in the wake of the airlines most recent earnings call earlier this month: Were seeing strong bookings through the peak summer months. The fares are holding up.

Those figures may still change, however, with a month still to go before the end of the summer season.

I think everybody is cautious at the moment, and we're right to be cautious," he said.

Why the caution?

Because people are looking to stay flexible, we believe, given the current state of whats going on in the world, says Jackie Sheahan, sales director with travel management company Frosch Ireland.

She cites a travel sentiment survey conducted earlier this year by Click & Go Holidays, which indicated at the time in early April, two thirds of Irish holidaymakers had yet to book their trip abroad for the year, saying the traditional mode of booking a holiday up to a year in advance has fallen by the wayside in search of that flexibility.

Knowing the Irish consumer, I would think the hesitancy is probably coming from how the world is looking just now, with Trump, Ukraine, Israel, an awful lot of stuff. People are nervous, but in a few years time we will probably look back and see that this was a very serious time across the globe, she says.

But how can traffic to the likes of Spain be up and holiday bookings be down? Sheehan suggests the differential is likely corporate travel versus the movement trends of private holidaymakers.

Is travel-sentiment being down at any given time empirically a bad thing for the industry?

We would never overly panic. Sixty six per cent is a lot of people not to have booked a trip, but we are expecting it to take a bit of an upturn. And if people dont travel this year we would suspect theyll travel in bigger numbers next year.

"As it is, there is great last-minute choice at the moment, be it a trip to Lanzarote or a river cruise in Ireland, Ms Sheehan says.

It is difficult to gauge the market, if youre looking at the figures, youd say at least 70% of people still intended to travel but they may have been putting it off until August through October. I wouldnt say its a dip, its just people haven't booked yet.

"Then youll have people with say 2,000 to spend, and they dont care where they go so long as its family-friendly and inclusive. And if thats the case, then there are fairly good options there for people booking late.
Ill see you later.

These are the last words Michael Gaine said to staff at Kenmares Centra on March 20, 2025, before he left, never to be seen again.

As well as getting phone credit, he bought a lunch roll and a bottled drink at the supermarket he had visited almost every day.

He was his usual chatty, happy-go-lucky self, said someone who met him that day.

He was always in Centra around about the same time every day, as far as I could tell.

As the wealthy 56-year-old sheep farmer stepped away from the till and headed for the exit, little did anybody who knew him expect the instore CCTV to record his last known movements in the town.

Standing 5ft 10in with a stocky build, brown grey hair, and a bushy beard, he was wearing his distinctive orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans, and black boots.

Michael 'Mike' Gaine buying phone credit in Centra, Kenmare, Co Kerry, at 9.48am on March 20.

His sleeves were rolled up, he was clutching something with his hands as he walked away towards the main entrance.

A short while later he walked out into the car park, got into the nine-year-old bronze Toyota Rav4 jeep his wife Janice bought in 2015, and drove onto the Killarney Rd towards Molls Gap.

Where exactly he went after leaving Centra remains as much of a mystery as does his current whereabouts.

It is not yet publicly known if he popped into the house he shared with his wife Janice in Carhoomeengar East, a short distance from Kenmare before heading straight to his familys old farmhouse.

Less than 1km from Molls Gap, it lies in the glaciated heart of a mixed mountainous realm of rocks and grassy bogland into which he was born and bred.

Searches by hundreds of volunteers in the initial stages of his disappearance failed to find anything of evidential value.

All of his usual haunts have been visited by detectives, and questions asked.

One of those haunts is the small filling station owned by his friend and neighbour, Independent councillor Dan McCarthy.

I was at the mart on that Thursday, so I wouldnt have seen him in the shop, if he was there, said Dan.

But Id say five days out of seven he would be there to get ration for his animals and if he wanted a cup of tea, wed have a cup of tea.

A creature of habit, another place where Mike would be regularly was the Kenmare Co Op Mart, which Dan manages.

If he didnt have anything to buy or sell, he would still be there on mart days.

He would be seen talking to other farmers in the small canteen or in their huddles behind the thick iron bars of the ring side.

As hed catch up on news at that ring, hed be keeping a quiet eye on what was fetching what on mart days, as animals bellowed and whined in the ring and pens behind it.

This would also be as the loud, fast monotonous drill of the auctioneers voice reverberated around the concrete hall, speedily calling out prices per animal in increments of 10 or 100.

Dan referenced Mikes frequent appearance on mart days when he paid an emotional tribute to him on Thursday.

His tribute  and an appeal for anybody with any kind of information about Mikes possible whereabouts  came before half the farmers small cattle herd was sold off.

Dan was visibly shaken after he made his appeal.

Afterwards, he said: Selling Mikes stock was one of the hardest jobs I have had to do since I took over the mart 21 years ago.

To sell your neighbours cattle when he is not around to see them being sold is very sad. It hit every bone in my body.

I can feel the pain that the family is going through. I looked down from the rostrum and could see some of his friends and neighbours crying as they stood around the ring side.

He said that, after the sale was done, these same friends went into the canteen for a cup of tea and some sandwiches and went back out to keep searching.

Ask anybody in the close-knit community and theyll just shake their head in wonder.

But as time goes on, there is a growing acceptance that Mike is no longer alive.

There is also a growing feeling now that there may have been foul play, and that this is not  as many initially thought  a personal tragedy.

On the day before he vanished, he looked at two pairs of walking boots in a local shop, one for around 99 and the other for around 46.

In picking the cheaper ones, he was overheard saying he would go for the cheaper ones because I dont have far to go, or words to that effect.

This led to speculation that his last actions involved walking a few kilometres to a local quarry at Molls Gap or to a lake a little further away down the road.

Apart from the fact that a Garda Water Unit team, soldiers, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Civil Defence, and a small army of local volunteers have failed to find any sign of him in and around the quarry or lake, there is also the issue of his knees.

One local farmer said: If there was a delivery at the gate to the farm and the gate was closed and the package was left there, he wouldnt walk up to get it if he could avoid it.

Hed tear up to the gate in his quad bike. He was not a huge fan of walking anywhere. He had issues with his knees, and he had an issue with a hip too. The knees had been plaguing him in recent years.

Although his quad bike was out of action at the time he vanished, according to a friend, he would often be seen on it feeding his sheep along the road or off the many tracks crossing his sprawling land.

Mother's death

Some have suggested that, at the time he disappeared, he had been upset about his mothers death. She died in February.

Up to a few years ago, Sheila had helped Mike run his farm, which he had taken over from his uncle John.

Mike grew up with his two sisters at his parents house on Railway Rd, Kenmare.

He owns that property jointly with wife Janice.

As far as the farm and lands in Carrig East, near Molls Gap, is concerned, he and other members of his family were given them as a gift by his uncle John in March 1995.

Other land nearby was also gifted by John to another member of his family in 1987.

This is understood to be the two properties across the road from the entrance to Mikes farm.

According to local farmers and friends, Mike and Sheila worked side by side for decades and she was seen pretty much as the matriarch who ran everything.

As well as having around 30-40 head of cattle, they had hundreds of sheep, possibly as many as around 600 at one point.

His own father, Jimmy, had also helped out on the farm.

However, Mikes distraught wife Janice, who is a former school vice principal, is not known to have been very involved with the farm.

When herself and Mike went to Australia for about eight months in around 2000, it was Sheila who ran things while they were abroad.

They were devoted to each other, said a family friend.

She was a real rock to him as he ran the farm. Her death in February hit him and his sisters hard. It is still very raw.

There have been suggestions locally that Mike might have been prone to not returning home the odd night, but friends have dismissed this.

In the distant past, Mike might go awol [absent without leave] for a few days, one farmer said.

But round here that just means someone was too legless after a match or a funeral or some celebration, and what of it?

That did used to happen but very, very rarely and thankfully, that isnt against the law.

Gardai stopping motorists in Kenmare as part of their search for the missing man: Picture: Neil Michael

Another suggestion has been that he went up North to buy a tractor, which may have been on the cards at some stage.

This is because Mike quite often bought tractors, especially if the ones he had broke down and he couldnt get it fixed.

A fan of classic cars, as well as tractors, they were his toys that would be buy from time to time, said a friend.

He was not a great one for repairing the ones he had. Even if he could, he would go off it and get interested in another one.

I think he had at least four tractors, maybe a fifth before he disappeared.

To add to the mystery, his wallet and his mobile phone appear to have been left in his jeep, which was still at his farm house when gardai arrived.

Shortly after he went missing on March 20, questions about the welfare of his animals started to be raised.

While the couple do not have any children, his nephews  who are in their 20s  could have looked after them.

But according to friends, it was felt that, under the current circumstances, it would be better if the herd could be minded elsewhere or sold off.

Although an American he let live rent-free in a derelict property on his farm about six years ago still lives at the farm, it is not known how the man felt about the prospect of looking after the cattle.

Understood to be a former US marine who served in Afghanistan or Iraq, he had been living rough on land in and around Ladies View, not far from Kenmare and Killarney.

Mike, in what people say is a great example of his kind-hearted soul, let him live rent-free in a derelict cottage near his old farm house at the farm.

He has been living there for about six years and rarely leaves the farm.

While not known to spend time working with Mikes animals, the American has worked on Mikes tractors and cars and has a reputation locally as being something of a mechanic.

The day after Mike went missing, friends say the American was fixing the brakes on one of the farmers jeeps that was due to have its NCT done.

The American is understood to have helped gardai as much as he could and has said he is, like so many others, baffled by Mikes disappearance.

Friends say that while Mikes sheep scattered around the 1,000-acre estate can be left to their own devices, the cattle need more hands-on care and attention.

The farm of Michael Gaine is situated between Kenmare and Moll's Gap. Picture: Dan Linehan

For a start, Mike did not grow his own silage and had to buy it in, adding to the cost of looking after them.

Added to that, the cattle needed to be regularly checked for any illnesses.

On April 3, around 13 were sold off in Kenmare, of which eight  which were sold over two lots  made more than 12,000.

The rest of his herd was removed from the farm at the end of March and are being looked after by a family friend.

He is believed to be based in Co Meath and was a friend of Mikes father Jimmy and uncle John, who he has taken over the farm from.

The family friend is understood to be the same man who has sold the Gaine family thousands of sheep over the past four or five

decades, according to a local farmer.

While people do not believe Mike is suddenly going to turn up out of nowhere, as one local farmer put it, they increasingly doubt his disappearance is the result of a personal tragedy.

Instead, the general feeling locally is  in the absence of any new information  that there may well have been some foul play.

In his appeal for information before he auctioned off some of Mikes cattle, he pretty much alluded to this.

Addressing farmers thronging around the ringside, he said he and the rest of the community will keep looking for Mike because someone knows something about what happened to Mike.

Afterwards, he was asked by the Irish Examiner if anybody suspects foul play.

Someone does know something, and they do know the whereabouts of where Michael is.

If he was alive, he would be here today, and he would go into the canteen and there would be plenty of banter.

Hopefully he will come back alive. But as time goes on it is getting harder to see that [being the case].

The stark possibility of his not being found alive is understood to have been discussed with the family at the end of March.

Members of the Garda Water Unit arrived in Kenmare in March to see if they could locate Mikes body, and they are understood to have met a member of his family to discuss their work.

While families struggle to cope with the disappearance of a loved one in any circumstances, a very important factor for families is them being able to recover their body, said a source familiar with underwater searches by Garda divers.

It doesnt give them closure, because few families ever get closure.

But it is a huge emotional thing to at least know where they are and that they were able to give them a proper burial.

It is a great comfort to families in tragic situations like this.

Members of the Defence Forces searching the farm of Michael Gaine. Picture: Dan Linehan

The divers, who had driven down from their base in Tullamore, searched for water in an old disused quarry up the road from Mikes old farm house on April 3.

They also then spent two hours going back and forth along the shore of the nearby Barfinnihy Lake but found nothing of any evidential value.

Another area that was expected to be searched was the Looscaunagh Lake about an hours walk from Mikes old farm house.

It is near Ladies View, so named after a visit there by Queen Victorias ladies-in-waiting during the English monarchs 1861 visit to Ireland.

Dan, who was visibly upset by the end of his appeal for information at the April 3 auction said: There is a terrible sense of doom and gloom in the town and area about this. It is hanging over all of us.

It is so unlike Mike to just head off without telling somebody. I have heard the suggestion that he went up North to buy a tractor but if he did, he would have either been seen by now or he would have contacted his family to assure them that he is OK.

Aside from that, somebody would have seen him by now, stopping to get diesel or eating in a cafe.

Somebody somewhere would have seen him by now, and they havent.

He added: All we want is to bring him back to his family, whatever the outcome. They just want him back.

There is no one saying anything, its just everyone is numb and is completely stunned as to what has happened.

Everyone is waiting to see what the next move is.

This article was originally published on April 5, 2025.
Noel Clarke, who rose to fame in the early 2000s, has lost his libel case against Guardian News and Media (GNM), and a High Court judge ruled that he was not a credible witness.

On Friday a High Court judge dismissed his libel case against GNM, finding that its reporting of allegations of misconduct, including bullying and sexually inappropriate behaviour, was both true and in the public interest.

Mrs Justice Steyn backed articles the newspaper had published which included claims he had inappropriately touched, bullied, or harassed several women.

Born in London, Clarke was raised by his mother, a nurse.

He studied media and took classes at Londons Actors Centre before making his debut in the 1999 Channel 4 TV series Metrosexuality.

In 2003 he won the Most Promising Performer award at the Olivier Awards for his performance in Where Do We Live, at the Royal Court Theatre, and then significantly widened his fan base by playing Billie Pipers boyfriend, Mickey Smith, in Doctor Who.

He also gained fame as Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, before writing and starring in the acclaimed film trilogy Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, directing two of them.

He co-founded his own production company, Unstoppable Entertainment, in 2007, which has produced films including Jessica Hyness directorial debut, The Fight, and 1010, directed by Suzi Ewing and starring Luke Evans and Kelly Reilly.

He then won the Bafta rising star award in 2009, crediting the award for his long career.

Clarke at the world premiere of Brotherhood (Ian West/PA)

In 2015 Clarkes former friend Adam Deacon was given a restraining order after hundreds of abusive posts aimed at Clarke on Instagram and Twitter, after a row over the title of Deacons hit 2011 film Anuvahood.

In 2018, Unstoppable Entertainment joined forces with All3Media and launched Unstoppable Film and Television to expand their remit to include television, which led to the launch of Sky One drama Bulletproof, in which he starred before the allegations came to light.

Bafta then awarded him the outstanding British contribution to cinema prize in April 2021, but this and Clarkes membership of the academy were suspended after the allegations against him were published by the Guardian.

Clarke dropped legal action against the academy in 2022, but pursued a libel claim against GNM.

On Friday, Mrs Justice Steyn dismissed Clarkes claim, saying that although she accepted some of his evidence, overall she found that he was not a credible or reliable witness.

Additionally, he was found to have singled out a woman for belittling and bullying treatment, probably because he had the power to do so, and he found it amusing.

The judge further said the impression she got from witnesses was that Clarke felt entitled to proposition young women for sex, and had no understanding of how pressuring such conduct could be, or how uncomfortable it could make young women, in subordinate roles to him, feel while performing their jobs.

However, the judge said that even when Clarkes actions were calculated and deliberate, he tended to be oblivious to their impact, regarding his own behaviour as merely being naughty, cheeky, teasing or within his rights as a director or producer.

In addition, he does not see himself as reflected in the articles because there is a kinder, more generous side to him.

During the High Court trial earlier this year, Clarke appeared visibly emotional as he claimed the publisher had smashed my life.

He said: They have smashed my life for four years with this rubbish, this nonsense. Four years.

He continued: I did not do this, I would not do this. I have got children. This is not true.

He later said that while he was a flawed guy, he added: The reason I stand here four years later is I am not what they have branded me.
Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes.

The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plants press service on Telegram.

While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, front left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, front right, shake hands in Sophia Square, Kyiv (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire due to military activity, but had not received independent confirmation.

It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack.

Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russias Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal.

People visit the memorial wall of fallen defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire.

Russias defence ministry claimed its air defences intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraines air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked independence day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyivs Independence Square, emphasising the nations resolve.

We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace, Mr Zelenskyy said, calling for a just peace.

What our future will be is up to us alone, he said, in a nod to the USRussia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests side-lined.

And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal, he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Mr Zelenskyy.

On this special day  Ukraines independence day  it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side, wrote Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskyys chief of staff.

Norway announced significant new military aid on Sunday, pledging about 7.0 billion kroner (593m) for air defence systems.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar.

Meanwhile, fighting continued on the front line in eastern Ukraine, where Russia claimed on Saturday that its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region.
VIENTIANE, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The tranquil rivers of northern Laos' Luang Prabang province come alive as the synchronized splash of oars mingled with cheers and applause from excited crowds during the annual boat racing festival, celebrating tradition, unity and enduring culture.

The festival featured a range of cultural and community activities, including boat races, traditional parades, ceremonies, and a cultural market. The event not only highlighted the province's rich cultural heritage but also aimed to promote tourism and support the local economy.

The cultural market officially opened on Friday, attracting both local and international visitors. Traders offered a wide variety of products, including handicrafts, agricultural goods, local foods, and traditional items.

On Saturday morning, people from all ethnic groups participated in an almsgiving ceremony before gathering along the riverside to witness the boat races, reflecting the community's strong cultural identity, unity, and enduring traditions.

For many visitors, the boat racing festival is the perfect excuse for a short getaway to Luang Prabang, one of Laos' top travel destinations. Usually known for its calm, laid-back atmosphere, the town transforms during the festival, offering a vibrant, immersive cultural experience.

Toukta, a traveler from Lao capital Vientiane, took the opportunity for a solo vacation as a break from her busy work life. Witnessing the festival firsthand, she expressed deep appreciation for its vibrant energy and cultural richness.

"Luang Prabang has such a graceful way of blending its old-world charm with new and diverse sights throughout the town. You can feel the deep respect people have for their heritage, culture, and traditions -- it shows in everything, from the warm hospitality of the locals to the food and its landmarks," Toukta said.

She described the boat racing festival as more than just a sporting event or celebration, calling it a powerful tribute to Laos' enduring cultural spirit.

Toukta also praised the event for its role in preserving Lao traditions while celebrating them in a way that engages both locals and visitors.

During a meeting held on Aug. 15 to review the work of the provincial task force in addressing economic challenges and to outline future plans, it was reported that Luang Prabang welcomed more than 2.1 million visitors, both domestic and international, during the first seven months of 2025, marking an 83.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

From the perspective of many residents, the boat racing festival is seen not only as a meaningful cultural tradition but also as a vital opportunity for economic growth.

"The event helps preserve Lao heritage by showcasing local customs, crafts, and ceremonies to visitors from around the world. From my perspective as a vendor, the festival also brings a significant boost to the local economy, supporting families and small businesses while promoting Luang Prabang as a cultural destination on the global stage," Khamtan, a vendor in Luang Prabang province, told Xinhua.

Khamtan noted that in the past, most visitors during this period were locals or people from nearby provinces. However, he emphasized that improved infrastructure, particularly the China-Laos Railway, has made travel much easier and faster, significantly increasing the number of tourists coming to the province.

For a young explorer like Nouna, a domestic traveler, attending the festival is not just about fun; it is an inspiring way to immerse herself in the cultural atmosphere, surrounded by tradition, pride, and festive energy.

She shared that the festival helps Lao youth recognize the value of their heritage and emphasized that cultural events like this can spark interest among both domestic and international tourists.

Nouna also expressed hope that more young people will travel within Laos, take pride in their cultural identity, and contribute to supporting local economies through tourism.

This year's festival featured a variety of activities that sparked the interest of young travelers from across the country, many of whom shared selfies with the province's landmarks and captured the lively festival atmosphere on social media.

Luang Prabang province, some 220 km north of the Lao capital Vientiane, is one of the most well-known provinces in Laos and a top tourist destination for its old temples, scenic attractions and rural landscapes.

The province is hoping to attract at least 2.3 million visitors in 2025, targeting more than 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. 
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The more genetic history that is done, the more it is clear that ancient ethnonyms, the names given supposed ethnicities, put a variety of peoples under a single rubric. I talked recently about how the Phoenicians, long thought to be what we would now call Lebanese, were actually a multi-ethnic trading diaspora in which Greeks and Italians took a leading role in North Africa and Spain  even if they worshiped the god Baal and adopted a Semitic lingua franca.

Now Tatiana V. Andreeva and her colleagues have published a major study of the dna of 131 ancient Scythians, who lived in the Eurasian steppes beyond the Black Sea and at times ruled a vast empire that encompassed Crimea and southern Russia, stretching east. It turns out that they werent one people.



Map by Antiquistik via Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

This point is worth underlining at a time when the United States is seized with a paroxysm of white nationalism. Whiteness is meaningless as an ethnicity. Some 5% of self-professed whites in the South have recent African heritage. Courts recognized Arab-Americans as white in the early twentieth century when the category was essential for basic legal and property rights. Apartheid South Africa recognized the Japanese as white when they became for a while the worlds second largest economy. Most national ethnicities can be deconstructed. So it is important to recognize that nations are constructs. Certainly, the diverse Scythians were.

Herodotus is one of our major classical sources on the Scythians, whose heyday stretched from the 700s to the 100s BCE, being thus roughly contemporaneous with the ancient Persians of Iran, whose Achaemenid Empire was overthrown by Alexander in 330 BCE. And, indeed, the Scythians are said to have tangled with Darius (d. 486 BCE), the Achaemenid king, as Herodotus said:

After the taking of Babylon, an expedition was led by Darius into Scythia. Asia abounding in men, and vast sums flowing into the treasury, the desire seized him to exact vengeance from the Scyths, who had once in days gone by invaded Media, defeated those who met them in the field, and so begun the quarrel. During the space of eight-and-twenty years, as I have before mentioned, the Scyths continued lords of the whole of Upper Asia.



Dress ornament, Scythian, ca. 5th century BCE, Metropolitan Museum, NYC

The Scythians are also thought to have spoken an Iranian language. Persian is only one of the many Iranian languages  others include Avestan, Soghdian, Saka, Kurdish and Pushtun. The Scythians had a shifting nomadic empire that sometimes stretched nearly to Siberia. Luckily for historians and archeologists, the Scythians had elaborate burial rites for their chieftains, often burying weapons and precious metals with them. Professor Andreeva notes that Scythian burials can be recognized by certain archaeological indicators. These include animal style artistic tradition in various artifacts, specific types of weapons, including the composite bows and acinaces daggers, and distinctive horse harnesses (e.g., bridles, bits, and saddles).

This material-culture triad that allows the identification of Scythian burial sites means that if geneticists can extract DNA from the remains of such a mound, they know they are dealing with Scythians.

By the way, the weapons that are mentioned are distinctive. Akinakes were double-edged short swords for thrusting. Mike Loades explains that composite bows are double-curved, made of wood, horn, sinew and glue, and then laminated. Despite being relatively short, they could have a draw weight of over 100 pounds. Powerful, they could be fired from horseback even before the invention of the stirrup, using saddle pommels for balance. This steppe technology made the nomadic Scythians a formidable natural cavalry.

The fighters included women archers, whom the Greeks called Amazons. Some of them cut off their right breast so it wouldnt interfere with letting the arrows fly in combat. Armed females were interred in burial mounds with their weapons.



Axe head, Scythian, ca. 6th5th century BCE, Metropolitan Museum, NYC.

So, were the Scythians, as some archeologists argued, a reformulation of the Srubnaya people of the Eurasian steppes, or were they Central Asians, as others have argued?

The answer is: all of the above. Some 30% of the samples showed ancestry from the Srubnaya Iranian-speakers and Anatolian farmer populations. Some 10% had some East Asian ancestry. Others were positioned close to present-day European individuals between the modern Caucasus, North European, and Western Pontic populations. Some had dark hair and eyes. Many in the west had fair hair, even red hair, and blue eyes, as Herodotus reported. Some had Baltic antecedents, others were mainly from the steppe.

After the decline of the Scythian nomadic empire in the 200s BCE, the succeeding people in eastern Anatolia (now eastern Turkey) were known as Sarmatians, Iranian speakers. But they dont seem to be related to the Scythians.



Oxus Treasure. Gold penannular armlet: the monsters have long snouts, rows of teeth, triangular hsaped eyes and long tails which interlock at the back of the hoop. The cast is solid and the decoration is chased. These bracelets can be associated either with art from the Caucasus or with the Scythian-style art of western Siberia. Scythian?. 5thC BC-4thC BC.  The Trustees of the British Museum. Shared under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license.

Most Scythian men seem to have married out, so there is lots of diversity in the mitochondrial dna from the women. There was one one elite clan in the middle Don region that only married other members of the clan. Maybe it was a royal clan of the sort of which Herodotus speaks. But it was unusual. No other Scythian tribe married within the group.

After the 200s BCE, the Scythians seem to have gradually migrated en masse to Europe, leaving DNA traces in Poland, Denmark, Scandinavia, and the northwestern part of Russia, and even in Britain. The people now living where they used to roam dont seem to retain the haplotypes or genetic markers characteristic of the major Scythian groups represented in the Eurasian burial mounds. As noted, the Sarmatians, who are almost certainly ancestral to the Kurds, dont seem related to the Scythians.

One new finding is that the Scythians couldnt eat fruit many of them had fructose intolerance. As pastoralists, they likely lived on meat and dairy and bartered for grain. They dont seem to have been lactose intolerant, as many east Asians are, and they may have drunk fermented mares milk the way we know the later Mongols did. They didnt have a problem with alcohol addiction. On the other hand they appear to have gotten high on hemp, akin to marijuana.

Andreeva et al. conclude, We have demonstrated the genetic heterogeneity of temporally and geographically distinct Scythian communities and that their ancestry primarily originates from different steppe-related BA [Bronze Age] groups, with minimal contributions from ancient Siberian and/or Asian components. These findings confirm the hypothesis that IA [Iron Age] populations across vast steppe areas share cultural elements but not ethnicity.

That is, the Bronze Age Scythians may not have been much related to the Iron Age Scythians, and the rubric gathered up lots of distinct peoples, who changed over time in their composition. They shared a common culture  the triad burial mounds, for instance, and the short swords and composite bows, and probably spoke an Iranian language.

The secret of the greatness of the Scythian Empire was, like the secret of the greatness of the United States, its very ethnic diversity (and the gender diversity of its military) and ability to bring in new populations under a broadly similar culture.

*Slightly revised 2:26 pm 8/24/24.
by Dr Binoy Kampmark

( Middle East Monitor )  History shows that famines are, for the most part, engineered. Be it through carelessness, selfishness or plain malice on the part of officialdom, creating the circumstances under which a population expires to hunger is a matter of construction. As the economist and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen so powerfully showed in Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation (1981), the focus on the cause of famines should be less on the food supply and more on the economic, social and political factors surrounding them. Food prices might severely spike. Food distribution systems can fail. Certain groups in society may lose their means of employment, thereby preventing them from purchasing essential foodstuffs.

In Gaza, the conditions of famine have been in the making for months. From March, when the Netanyahu government purposely halted all food from entering Gaza, only to ease the blockade in May through a handful of food distribution points murderously overseen by the Israeli Defence Forces and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the only question was when that ghastly outcome would be realised. As was the case for the UK government in Ireland in the 1840s and Bengal in the 1940s, Israel is responsible for this famine because it controls almost all the Gaza strip and its borders, writes Ilan Noy, an expert on the economics of disasters and climate change. But Israel has also created the conditions for the famine.

By the end of July, the New York Times, citing data from the Gaza Governorate Chamber of Commerce and Industry, listed a number of basic food items that had become obscenely priced: sugar, costing $106 per kilogram, as opposed to 89 cents prior to the war; flour, costing $12 per kilogram compared with the pre-war price of 42 cents; and tomatoes: $30 per kilogram, a shocking increase from the pre-war level of 59 cents. Hebrew University academic and economic historian Yanni Spitzer, casting his eye over the soaring food prices, observed that the situation had shifted from the start of the war, given the testimonies coming from the Strip.

On 22 August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee (FRC) published a report claiming that 514,000 people  a roughly a quarter of Gazas population  faced famine conditions for the period 1 July to 15 August, described in technical terms as IPC Phase 5. The body defines IPC 5 as the highest phase of the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Scale, and is attributed when an area has at least 20 per cent of households facing an extreme lack of food, at least 30 per cent of children suffering from acute malnutrition, and two people for every 10,000 dying each day due to outright starvation or to the interaction of malnutrition and disease. The Committee was satisfied that reasonable evidence was available showing that the IPC Phase 5 conditions were affecting the Gaza Governorate. It also concluded that the severity of conditions in North Gaza similar or worse than in Gaza Governorate, though refrained from an official classification given limited evidence on the population in this area.

The IPC report is also adamant that the central and southern regions, comprising the governorates of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, will face the same level of catastrophic food insecurity next month, taking the number to over 640,000. A further 1.14 million in the territory will be in an Emergency (IPC Phase 4) state, with a further 396,000 people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) conditions. The time for debate and hesitation, urge the authors, has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading. Any further delays to reverse this entirely made-made famine will result in a totally unacceptable escalation of Famine-related mortality.

In keeping with other famine-inducing authorities in the past, COGAT, Israels military arm responsible for overseeing the distribution of aid, offers a thin gruel of denial. The report was, COGAT thundered in its published response, false and relies on partial, biased data and superficial information originating from Hamas, a terrorist organization, often laundered through organizations with vested interests. The IPC, in any case, could not be trusted, ignoring Israels own information and repeatedly providing inaccurate assessments that failed to reflect the reality on the ground.



Gaza 52, Digital, Midjourney, 2025

One could only express awe at the unflinching mendacity of the following statements: The report disregards the fact that in recent weeks we have advanced significant efforts and that the overall trend has shifted; Since the start of the war, and specifically over the past several months, COGAT, in cooperation with other Israeli authorities and international partners, has implemented an extensive humanitarian operation in the Gaza Strip. There had also been a sharp decline in the prices of food, which plummeted in the markets. Even as this is happening, however, a convenient culprit always looms large: Hamas has not ceased its attempts to exploit humanitarian aid for its own military buildup.

Be it willed ignorance or sinister motivation, Israels official response sidesteps the fundamental problem: the issue was always whether food would be allowed to reach a hungry Palestinian civilian population through unabridged humanitarian channels. Given the complete blockade of March and the choking, murderous points of food distribution set up in Gaza after May, the answer is all too clear in its grimness. As Forensic Architecture and the World Peace Foundation (WPF) plausibly contend, Israel has effectively dismantled the existing civilian model of aid distribution long used and accepted in favour of a military model. This suggested a pattern, one positively crying out for judicial scrutiny and international sanctions.

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.

Middle East Monitor
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces shelled a hospital in North Darfur's besieged city of El-Fasher and abducted six women and two children from a nearby displacement camp, rescuers and a medic said Sunday.

El-Fasher, under RSF siege for over a year, is the last major city in western Darfur still held by the army and a flashpoint in the war that erupted in April 2023 between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The Emergency Response Room at the Abu Shouk camp near El-Fasher on Sunday said RSF fighters stormed the site, seizing eight unarmed civilians -- six women, a 40-day-old baby and a three-year-old child -- and taking them to an undisclosed location.

More than 20 camp residents were missing, the rescuers said, warning the actual number could be higher.

On Saturday, RSF artillery also hit the emergency and trauma unit of a hospital in El-Fasher, wounding seven people, including a staff member, a doctor told AFP.

The bombardment, which continued into Sunday morning, "caused damage to the emergency department, forcing us to suspend operations", said the doctor, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.

The hospital is one of only three still functioning in the city.

Since losing Khartoum in March, the RSF has stepped up attacks on El-Fasher and surrounding camps in a bid to tighten its hold on western Sudan where it now controls most of the Darfur region.

Abu Shouk, home to tens of thousands of displaced people, has come under repeated attacks this month.

On Thursday, El-Fasher's resistance committee -- one of hundreds of volunteer groups documenting atrocities during the conflict -- said the RSF shelled multiple locations in Abu Shouk killing five members of the same family in a direct strike on their shelter.

The pro-democracy activists, who also coordinate aid in Sudan, said four other people were injured in the deadly strike.

Abu Shouk is among three camps outside El-Fasher where famine was declared late in 2024.

The United Nations has warned famine could spread to the city, though a lack of data has so far delayed a possible declaration.

The Emergency Response Room at Abu Shouk said also on Thursday that hunger and disease were resulting in deaths at a rate of seven each week in the camp.

It added critical infrastructure has also collapsed, with 98 percent of the camp's water facilities out of service due to security threats and fuel shortages.

The conflict, which has killed tens of thousands, has triggered what the UN calls the world's biggest displacement and hunger crisis. Both sides face accusations of war crimes and using starvation as a weapon of war.






Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cautioned Mt Kenya residents to be vigilant against what he termed as President William Rutos tactic of offering handouts during his countrywide tours.

Speaking in Kanyuambora, Mbeere, Embu County, on Saturday, Gachagua claimed that the Head of State was using cash as a strategy to win back public trust.

As the leader of Mt Kenya, the President will bring a lot of money here. We cannot bury an elephant with its tusks.

Take the money, but do not give him our votes, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader told residents.

He further urged locals to punish the President politically for allegedly dismissing Justin Muturi from his Cabinet, pledging to work with other opposition figures to ensure Ruto serves only one term.

Gachagua also challenged residents to resist the current administration, including local United Democratic Alliance (UDA) legislators allied to the Government.

Leaders accompanying him echoed his sentiments with Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa accusing the Government of sponsoring chaos witnessed during Gachaguas arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday.

Now we know it is you, William Ruto, who caused the violence. Why are they only attacking Gachagua? That shows he is the leader, Karungo alleged.

Gachagua jetted back into the country on August 21st after a six-week stay in the US.

His return was marked by a massive show of support but also marred by violence along Mombasa Road, where youth clashed with his supporters and journalists covering the event were injured.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Former Roots Party presidential candidate, Professor George Wajackoyah, has once again sparked national debate with a controversial proposal, calling for night-running to be recognised as a talent and promoted as a tourism attraction.

The scholar and lawyer took to social media declaring, Roots Party recognises night runners as a talent.

This will attract tourism.

His statement quickly went viral, drawing a flood of reactions ranging from ridicule to serious reflection.

Some Kenyans dismissed the suggestion as impractical.

These guys run at night, how will tourists get the opportunity to explore? A netizens posed.

Another joked that Wajackoyah was acting as a recruitment agent for the runners.

The reactions reflect a familiar pattern surrounding Wajackoyahs politics.

During the 2022 election, he captured public attention with bold proposals in his Roots Party manifesto, including legalising marijuana to offset Kenyas debt, and exporting hyena testicles and dog meat as foreign exchange earners.

These unconventional ideas, coupled with his Shake the Tree Movement, became a hallmark of his campaign.

Although he did not win the presidency, Wajackoyah has remained a prominent figure in public discourse.

His willingness to champion bizarre proposals continues to provoke conversation, with Kenyans divided over whether his ideas are genuine solutions or simply clout chasing.

His latest night-running proposal has once again cemented his reputation as one of Kenyas most unconventional political thinkers.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Li Yuanlong, an inheritor of Luosifen making technique from China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, prepares a serving of Luosifen noodle during the "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, Aug. 23, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Meng)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, on Saturday night, showcasing traditional culinary culture and the friendship between China and Brunei.

The event was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Brunei and took place at Laksamana College of Business (LCB). Nearly 80 guests, including Bruneian cabinet ministers, government officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and well-known public figures, attended the event.

Teams from Guilin Tourism University in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Brunei's LCB prepared their characteristic dishes, exchanging cooking techniques and food culture.

During the traditional Chinese tea frying demonstration, the venue was filled with the aroma of tea. Bruneian guests participated in the process and tasted freshly fried Guangxi tea.

"Culinary culture is a precious treasure of traditional Chinese culture," said Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo, noting that each dish not only carries the unique flavors of China's Guangxi, but also embodies the essence of Southeast Asian culinary culture.

"Through every bite, we can taste the deep-rooted cultural connections between Guangxi, Brunei, and the entire ASEAN region, truly experiencing the profound charm of cultural exchange and mutual understanding," said the ambassador.

S. Sivarajah, CEO and deputy principal of LCB, emphasized the significance of this event in promoting culinary and cultural exchange between the two nations, sharing cooking techniques, and enhancing the friendship between the peoples of China and Brunei. 

Guests experience the traditional Chinese tea frying technique during the "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, Aug. 23, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Meng)

A team from Guilin Tourism University in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region demonstrates the traditional Chinese tea frying technique during the "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, Aug. 23, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Meng)






Saturday, August 23, 2025 - A group of opportunistic looters was left disappointed after rushing to an overturned lorry, hoping to cart away free goodies, only to discover that the truck was ferrying nothing but stones.

In a viral video circulating online, dozens of people can be seen scrambling towards the accident scene, expecting to walk away with foodstuffs or valuables.

However, their excitement quickly turned into shock when they realized the lorry was loaded with ordinary building stones.

Social media users have since reacted with endless jokes, with many saying karma had served the looters right.

Watch the video.

Looters disappointed after trying to loot from an overturned lorry, only to find out it was ferrying stones pic.twitter.com/Z4mjj8O8mm  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) August 23, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader, Cleophas Malala, has clarified why key opposition principals skipped the dramatic homecoming of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday.

Speaking on Friday, Malala said the leaders absence was a deliberate strategy to avert possible disruption.

He claimed intelligence reports had revealed plans by hostile groups to block them if they appeared together at the airport.

Invitations were sent to all United Opposition leaders. Their decision not to come was strategic. We had agreed they would instead join us at the Kamukunji rally, Malala stated.

His remarks sought to dispel speculation of cracks in the opposition following the conspicuous absence of Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior CS Fred Matiangi, Narc Kenyas Martha Karua and DAP Kenyas Eugene Wamalwa.

According to Malala, the airport welcome was meant as a DCP function, while the Kamukunji meeting was designed as a broader opposition event.

However, the rally was disrupted after hostile groups blocked opposition leaders along Mombasa Road.

We know the other side wishes for division, but we are united, Malala said, noting that heavy police presence further hindered their movements.

Gachagua returned from a six-week stay in the United States to a rousing welcome. Thousands of youthful supporters thronged JKIA from early morning, waving party banners and escorting his convoy.

The celebrations, however, turned chaotic near City Cabanas after stone-throwing youths disrupted the procession, injuring several people including journalists.






Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Mumias East Member of Parliament, Peter Salasya, was caught on camera making moves on a beautiful lady at Kasarani stadium, where thousands of Kenyans turned up to cheer Harambee Stars.

In the video, the youthful MP is seen confidently approaching the lady, engaging her in playful conversation as the cameras rolled.

At one point, Salasya appears to be shooting his shot, leaving the lady blushing.

This is not the first time the controversial legislator has been linked to his love for the ladies.

Salasya, often branded a womanizer by critics, has never shied away from openly expressing his admiration for beautiful women.

Watch the video

Peter Salasya having a moment with a Harambee stars fan! pic.twitter.com/wPKlMW2zAg  The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) August 23, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 23, 2025 - A police officer is on the run after shooting and killing his colleague while on duty at a Government fertilizer depot in Luanda, Vihiga County.

The deceased, Constable Nicholas Samoei, was fatally shot in the head on Thursday night at the Esirabe Depot where the two were guarding supplies.

Confirming the incident, Luanda Sub-County Police Commander Richard Siele said initial claims by the suspect that Samoei had taken his own life were dismissed after investigators recovered both officers rifles and established the fatal shot was not self-inflicted.

The deceased was shot in the face, with the bullet exiting through the back of his head. From the evidence, it is clear he did not kill himself but was murdered, Commander Siele stated.

The suspect fled the scene soon after the shooting and switched off his phone, prompting a multi-agency manhunt.

Police have described him as armed and dangerous.

Residents reported hearing gunshots between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., only to later discover Samoeis body lying at the site.

Siele noted that the fleeing officer initially phoned in to claim Samoei had shot himself but later disappeared.

From the sequence of events, we strongly suspect the colleague is responsible, he added.

Samoeis body was taken to Vihiga County Referral Hospital mortuary as investigations continue.

Authorities have appealed to the public for information that could lead to the suspects arrest.






Saturday, August 23, 2025 - Social media has been set ablaze after a furious lady, Wakio Kanyi, exposed her boyfriend, Dr. Frankline Mokua, branding him a shameless womanizer.

According to Wakio, the man she thought was a faithful partner turned out to be a serial cheat juggling multiple relationships behind her back.

Shockingly, she claims to have discovered that Dr. Mokua was romantically involved with not one or two, but ten different women at the same time.

She accused him of deceiving women with sweet words while playing them like chess pieces.

Check out her posts.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
ON Sunday 17 August residents in the Maryville estate in Kildare town celebrated one of their own when they put together a special presentation for jockey Robbie Dolan who won the richest horse race in the world last November  the Melbourne Cup.

His mam and dad live in Maryville, and he was born there, said retired county councillor Paddy Curran.

I live in Maryville, and I was sitting outside the shop when Robbie McCormack said we should do something for Robbie Dolan because hes one our own whos just won the most expensive horse race in the world, said Paddy.

They say it is the race that brings a nation to a stop.

Robbie was also a finalist in the Voice Australia, and has a song out in the charts.

Hes still riding in Australia and wed expect him to ride in the Melbourne Cup again this November.

This was a real, old-style community event. We got a small grant from the Council, but the band and the barbeque staff were voluntary. All of that was fantastic.

One evening I was up in Maria Macaris getting chips and she heard me on the phone saying that we were struggling a bit, and she said Ill help you with sponsorship, which was very good of her.

It was a real, old-style community event, and Im glad I was a part of it.

Robbie even sang on the stage the song he sung in The Voice, and it went down a treat.

It was right to have it here because in Kildare town its either the kick of a horse or a hob-nail boot  horse racing or the army are the only options here, and the amount of people who know so much about horse racing live around Maryville.

Robbies dad Bobbie rode for Dermot Weld, and his grandfather was Peadar Matthews, who also rode winners.

His cousin Jamie Powell rides for Johnny Murtagh, and with three generations they are a massive racing family.

He even had a film crew from Australia follow him around as the winner and they filmed him in the National Stud and his old school where he left a message for the kids returning to school next week, he concluded.

See more photos in next week's Kildare Nationalist on sale from Tuesday in all local stores
The Local Authority Waters Programme in collaboration with the Nore River Catchment Trust held a Blue Dot event at the River Douglas in Muckalee last Thursday, August 14.

The River Douglas is a Blue Dot, one of Irelands highest quality rivers, lakes and coastal waters - the cleanest and most ecologically valuable sites in the country. Blue Dot waters have the highest ecological quality of all our waters and often a greater diversity of species that are sensitive to pollution.They have a natural physical form that has not been changed much by human activities.

TAP HERE FOR MORE NEWS FROM NORTH KILKENNY

The event celebrated Kilkennys only Blue Dot river and Mags Morrissey, Senior Community Water Officer introduced the event before handing over to LAWPROs scientist Ed Cox, who gave a talk on the science of water quality and the very important interaction between the quality and the physical structure of the river. He took a biological sample using the kick method and the group spent time looking through the invertebrates and discussing the importance of all life in the river.

It was fantastic to see so many members of the community coming together to learn about blue dots and what they could do to protect them," said LAWPRO scientist Ed Cox.

"Human pressures like nutrient pollution and alteration of the physical habitat have resulted in the loss of nearly all of the pristine waterbodies in County Kilkenny. Only the headwaters of the Muckalee river are relatively unimpacted. To address this stark trend in Kilkenny, and across Ireland, can only be done by all sectors of society working together."

TAP HERE FOR MORE ENVIRONMENT/ECO NEWS FROM KILKENNY

The event attracted a good crowd including Cllrs Maria Dollard and Pat Fitzpatrick, Kilkenny Leader Partnership, members of the board of NRCT, citizen science enthusiasts, farmers and other interested individuals from the locality. There were lots of questions and a good discussion on the pressures facing our rivers.



The Nore River Catchment Trust will commence their Citizen Science in Schools programme in September and its heartening to know that the Blue Dot rivers in Muckalee will be part of their focus.
KABUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have apprehended 42 individuals suspected of various crimes, including theft and kidnapping, in a series of operations over the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said Sunday.

The ministry said the alleged criminals were arrested following police operations in the provinces of Samangan, Faryab, Helmand, Paktia, Nimroz, Herat, Ghazni, Paktika, Ghor, Kunar, and Badghis.

The ministry noted that most detainees were linked to theft and smuggling cases.

All suspects have been transferred to the judiciary organs for further investigation and potential legal action. 
Macra wishes to extend heartfelt congratulations to Katelyn Cummins, the Laois Rose and a proud Macra member, on being crowned the 2025 International Rose of Tralee - the first-ever Laois winner. Her success marks a momentous occasion for her county and for young rural women across Ireland.

Katelyn, a 20-year-old apprentice electrician from the village of Ballyouskill on the LaoisKilkenny border, has inspired many with her determination and leadership.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

The chairperson of North Kilkenny Macra, she combines her apprenticeship at Alpha Drives with helping out on her familys dairy farm. Her dynamic presence, performing a spirited jive on stage, alongside her clear commitment to challenging stereotypes in trades, earned her widespread praise both on the night and online. In her onstage interview, Katelyn emphasised the importance of confidence and encouraged young women to pursue whatever path they believe in.

Macra President Josephine ONeill congratulated Katelyn on her achievement As North Kilkenny Macra chairperson, Katelyn has long demonstrated her passion for Macra. It was wonderful to see Katelyn speak of Macra on such a National platform. We wish her well on her journey as Rose of Tralee for the next year and look forward to seeing her at Macra events along the way.

Macra would also like to commend the Wexford Rose, Cliona OLeary. Cliona has long represented Wexford Macra as their National Council Representative, and continued to champion the Model County in her role as Wexford Rose.

Both women have represented themselves, their families and communities, and the young women of rural Ireland excellently, and we are very proud of them.

The organisation also extends its congratulations to all Macra members who participated in the festival this year, with a number of members acting as escorts.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's special counsel team investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol's short-lived martial law imposition sought a warrant to arrest former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Sunday.

The special counsel team said in a news briefing that it filed the arrest warrant for Han on Sunday afternoon on charges including aiding the ringleader of insurrection, perjury, fabricating official documents, and damaging public files.

The special counsel team asserted that Han, as the then prime minister, had the responsibility to check the president's arbitrary exercise of power, but failed to prevent the illegal martial law and instead provided assistance.

The special counsel team also accused Han of attempting to cover up legal loopholes in the martial law documents by formulating and subsequently abolishing related documents after the martial law imposition.

The special counsel team charged Han with suspicion of perjury based on the fact that he previously stated at the Constitutional Court of Korea and the National Assembly that he knew nothing about the martial law documents.

In July, the special counsel team conducted a search and seizure at Han's residence and obtained relevant evidence materials, according to former media outlets. 
Romanian Sorana Cirstea of Romania claimed her first WTA title in more than four years with a victory in the hardcourt tournament in Cleveland, Ohio
Flash: DPRK top leader oversees test-fire of new air defence missiles on Saturday: KCNA
The Lower Macungie restaurant temporarily shut down after a 68-year-old driver lost control of her BMW in the parking lot, damaging multiple suites in the building, state police said. Mims Copeland | The Oregonian

A crash into a Lower Macungie business building last week has forced the temporary closure of a well-known hibachi grill and sushi chain.

Bang Bang Hibachi Grill & Sushi, located in Suite 225 at 6900 Hamilton Blvd., has shuttered for repairs, its owners posted on the business Facebook page. The posting was made just after Tuesdays accident.

Dont worry  well share our reopening date as soon as we can!," the posting states, along with a heart emoji. ... Thanks for your understanding & support  we cant wait to welcome you back soon!"

Owners forwarded patrons to the eaterys other establishment at Parkway Center, 1519 Lehigh St., in Allentown for pickup orders. Bang Bang Hibachi Grill & Sushi also has a third location at Quakertown Plaza, 1465 W. Broad St. in Quakertown, Bucks County.

WFMZ-69 News reports a fourth site is under construction at 1241 Airport Road in Allentown. That site plans to open by late summer near Redners Markets in space that previously occupied the New Dragon Palace Chinese restaurant.

The accident also briefly shuttered JEI Learning Center, state police had said.

Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer with Pennsylvania State Polices Troop M, told lehighvalleylive.com the accident happened shortly after 8 a.m. last Tuesday.

A 68-year-old driver from Lower Macungie was operating a 2016 BMW X3 in the parking lot, when she lost control and struck Suite 230 in the building, which occupies the learning center, Branosky said.

The accident additionally damaged neighboring Suite 235. There were no occupants in the building at the time of the accident, Branosky had said.

The woman was treated at the scene with minor injuries, state police said.

This crash is being investigated by Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsvilles Patrol Unit, with the assistance of the Lower Macungie Township Fire Department.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
A balloon arch created by Kim Frailey, the owner of Three Hearts Event Center. She enjoys party planning and creating decor like this for her own parties. Courtesy of Kim Frailey

For the last 20 years, Kim Frailey has frequently enjoyed party planning and hosting, incorporating different themes and decor into each party she plans.

Alongside this passion, she said her three children are her life. She called them her three hearts.

Taking her love for event planning, while paying homage to her kids, Three Hearts Event Center was born.

Frailey is targeting early October for opening Three Hearts Event Center. Located at 822 Nazareth Pike in Lower Naazareth Township, the 3,000-square-foot venue is designed to accommodate up to 100 guests.

She hopes clients will use the space to celebrate lifes biggest moments, such as weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, graduations, holiday gatherings, retirement parties and more.

She is aiming for a grand launch event on Oct. 4, and several bookings are already scheduled for later in October.

Frailey said the centers basic rental rate will start at $800 for a four-hour event, including two hours for setup and one hour for cleanup. She is also finalizing themed package options and add-ons, such as centerpieces and chafing dishes.

A website for the business is currently in development to handle inquiries and reservations.

Frailey, who is completing a degree in hospitality management with a focus on corporate event planning, said planning her daughters Sweet 16 party reinforced her belief that she could provide party planning services to others.

This isnt the first party I planned with her Sweet 16, Frailey said. My whole goal in life is to entertain in any way I can.

The center will offer a flexible rental space where clients can bring their own food and beverages. Basic rentals include tables, chairs and linens, with additional packages that feature decorative options such as balloon or floral arches, buffet equipment, bar setups and themed centerpieces.

Her goal is to not only offer the space to clients, but be involved in planning the parties if they wish.

I will be able to rent out the space to someone that just wants a basic kind of package, but I also have the vision of someone that wants something done, she said.

She recently met with a client planning a Sweet 16 party to map out a theme, and she already has plans to hold a Havana-themed 50th birthday party next year.

A work in progress: Contractors are beginning to work on flooring and painting inside Three Hearts Event Center. Top is before, and the bottom is after the carpets were removed. Courtesy of Kim Frailey

Frailey designed the space with a neutral, modern aesthetic to make it adaptable for different occasions. The interior will feature cream-colored walls, a black accent wall and new epoxy flooring in a white-and-black marble pattern.

She described it as a blank canvas, allowing each events decorations to stand out.

This interior design is still in progress.

The building was previously occupied by ServiceMaster and requires minor cosmetic renovations. Frailey said structural changes werent necessary, but has worked with contractors to install new fixtures and event features such as a bar.

Launching the event center required securing approvals from Lower Nazareth Township for zoning and parking capacity. Frailey said she had not anticipated how many steps were involved, such as forming an LLC and negotiating a lease.

It took a long time, she said. But its more exciting to me. I can go to the next step. I get to cross all those things off my list.

Besides opening the center itself, Frailey is excited to meet new people and see their vision through.

I really enjoy making people happy, having them get that satisfaction of what they want for their party, she said.

Chelsea McClure can be reached at cmcclure@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on instagram at @chelsealehighvalley.
A Laois gun club has gone full circle, restoring a near extinct native wild bird to the countryside, forever protected from hunting.

Mountmellick Gun Club has reared and released about 60 grey partridges to rewilded farmlands around the town over the past five years, and they are determined to keep going.

The ground dwelling grey partridge, a shy bird that mates for life, was once a common wild Irish bird.

In recent years it had become nearly extinct with less than 50 birds left in Ireland just five years ago. The rapid decline happened over just 30 years, mainly blamed on the use of biocides on farmland like Roundup.

A pair of breeding partridges, photographed by Liam Healion at Mountmellick Gun Club.

It was once a game bird but will never be hunted again, says the chair of Mountmellick Gun Club.

Mark Bergin is proud of the results of the work of his members, supported by the community.

We have put a huge amount of work into it over the past five years. We have released about 60 into the wild around Mountmellick, into sanctuaries.

They have two pens, one at member Micky Wards house, and another in their rewilded 7 acre plot in Lower Forest where they also rear pheasants.

Local farmers including Junior Dowling, the Rochfords, Murt Delaney and Conor McNamara have all come in on it to let the birds out on their lands that they allowed to go wild for them.

Liam Healion, John Ging, Mark Bergin (chair) and Gavin Feery, Mountmellick Gun Club, at their Bay Road bird sanctuary.

They need grass, actually short grass is better for picking. They sleep on the ground so we have to do fox control in areas we let them out.

A big thanks to the farmers and to everyone who got in behind us. I am absolutely delighted at the success, and we will keep going for as long as we can.

My aim is hopefully they will become as common again as pigeons, and for us to talk to local schools about the project.

Mountmellick Credit Union have been brilliant, only for them we couldnt do it. We feed the partridges in winter with the donation they give us, the chair said.

The club has nearly 50 members, including two women. Members still hunt, but aim to strike a balance with nature.

We release 250 hen pheasants a year. The hens cant be shot. We have had success with pheasant hens hatching too. Always as a club, we have spent the same money on hens and cocks. We release about 200 cocks a year so we put in more than we take out. Members are only allowed to shoot two cock pheasants a week during hunting season. Two birds is enough to eat, and we do eat them. They are absolutely gorgeous in a stir fry, he said.

The Mountmellick club is part of an Irish breeding project launched by the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is showing a steady increase in the grey partridge population.

Dan Curley, chair of the NARGC also spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

He said that the initial breeding birds were brought in from Lithuania to breeding stations in Boora in Offaly, in Dublin and in Carlow.

We have about 40 clubs involved in the project now. The birds are in their hundreds now, about 200 to 300. They would have been hunted in the past but it is not allowed now, its illegal, he said.

The clubs would all be talking to local farmers to get them on board. The birds need wild bird cover, provided under the ACRES agri-environment climate scheme.

I love to see them, they give a chirp as their call. They are very loyal mates, they pair forever and protect their territory and all stay together in a covey and fly up together. We check the sites for vermin control. As they are ground nesters, if theres greycrows they will be in trouble straight away, the NARGC chair said.

Read also: Laois farm to open for the public in 'Inside the Gate' event

Other sponsors the club rely on include Eddie Kirwan Pub Mountrath, Dunkeen Oil, Integrileads, Jonathan Ward Transport and Telfords Hardware as well as Cllrs Paddy Bracken and Seamus McDonald.
MANILA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Three motorists have died and one has been injured after a van crashed into two roadside houses along a highway in Quezon province, southeast of Manila, police said Sunday.

In a report, police said the van was enroute to a village from the town center when it crashed into two houses in San Narciso town around 4:30 p.m. local time Saturday.

The accident killed the car's 45-year-old male driver and his two passengers, a 62-year-old male and a 57-year-old female. Another 48-year-old female passenger was also injured in the accident.

No occupants of the two houses were injured in the crash. Police are investigating the cause of the crash. 
The Mise Eire festival is taking place at Castlebar's Ivy Tower Hotel (formerly The Welcome Inn), Saturday, August 23. My brother and I managed to get free tickets from people who could not attend the event, to give the public the inside scoop on what went on.

The age profile of those attending appeared to be mainly people in their 50s - though I spotted a few children in the midst of the audience. There was a high proportion of people from Dublin in attendance, though I did hear Mayo accents dispersed around the place. At an event made up of hundreds, I only witnessed white people in attendance - except for a woman behind the bar.

Read More: 'I am genuinely disgusted' - Locals respond to Mise Eire festival as line-up revealed

Security was tight, to say the least. I spotted eight different security staff on the premises.

I caught the tail-end of John Waters panel and Q and A, which was held in the Ivy Towers upstairs function room. For this event, the room was full, and some people sat on the floor to hear Waters speak.

When asked by a member of the audience for the solution to modern day crises, Waters said that people like himself who are volunteering and doing the work for free for years are the solution to societys problems.

After Waters talk, the conference room was emptied out for a panel talk by Louise Roseingrave, Una McGurk, and John Hamer - with Derek Domino moderating the discussion. This is when things became interesting. The talk began with a discussion about censorship. The speakers reached a consensus that the mainstream media is rotten and that citizen journalists such as Stephen Kerr or the Irish Patriot are more reliable sources of news.

At one point, Derek Domino said that Mise Eire will be back next year bigger and better than ever, and that tickets to attend the festival will be scarcer than All-Ireland tickets. A speaker also thanked the Ivy Hotel owner for refusing to buckle to outside pressure and hosting the event.

Then the discussion turned to immigration. John Hamer from Stroud in England said: We are the dominant race in the world.

Hamer said that he has been in Ireland for a few days and he believes the country has a similar vibe to the UK in terms of immigration. The panelist then began to explain the Kalergi plan, which the Institute of Strategic Dialogue describes as a conspiracy theory that claims immigration is a deliberate tool used to replace white European populations.

The Kalergi plan is a popular theory amongst white nationalists.

Speaker and barrister Una McGurk spoke about a secret plan that the Irish government is plotting, which people need to know. Una said that the government plans to put an additional 2.6 million people in Ireland by 2040 - which in her opinion is a policy spearheaded by Fine Gael.

To put these claims into perspective, - there are currently 1,554 people staying in International protection accommodation centres in Mayo, according to the Department of Justice, as of August 10. The census of 2022 estimates the countys population to be 137,970 people. However, no information is safe; As one might expect from this type of event, a speaker on the panel questioned the legitimacy of the census population figures.

McGurk - who unsuccessfully ran in the European elections in 2024 - has said in an election video that her career has been lost due to being cancelled by her comments relating to Covid in 2020. McGurk spoke against Covid PCR tests and the destruction of the christian West over the course of the panel.

The barrister also mentioned the protocols of the elders of zion in her answer to the question of migration. The Holocaust Encylopaedia refers to the text as an antisemitic book used to promote hatred of Jews. The Holocaust Encyclopaedia - which is run by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - says that it is the most widespread antisemitic publication of modern times.

Louise Roseingrave was more subdued in her opinions in comparison to the other panelists. The writer focused on her catholicism in her answers to questions posed by Derek Domino. Roseingrave mainly spoke about her pro-life views and her commitment to her religion.

In between the two panels, the workshop I briefly attended on self actualisation was uneventful. The event was relatively poorly attended, with perhaps less than twenty attendees in the audience. To the credit of the workshop, no conspiracy theories were discussed.

A plaque caught my eye in the room to the side where the workshop was hosted. It read that former President Mary McAleese had given a speech to the Mayo Irish emigrant liaison committee at the Welcome Inn. Her speech was in honour of all of the Irish living abroad.

It is safe to say that once the protocols of the elders of zion was brought up at the panel, I had seen enough. Having given up two and a half hours of my Saturday to Mise Eire, I was ready to go home.
Image from the animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters.' NETFLIX

It is the most-watched animated film of all time on Netflix. KPop Demon Hunters, produced by US studio Sony Pictures Animation, has shattered all records since its release on June 20. The action is set in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The soundtrack? K-pop. The plot follows a fictional girl group, Huntr/x (pronounced "Huntrix"), made up of three superheroines leading a double life as demon hunters. Their rivals, the Saja Boys, are demons disguised as K-pop stars working for the evil Gwi-ma, who threatens to steal the souls of their fans.

While children are watching the movie repeatedly, it is above all the soundtrack that has won over every generation. It has amassed more than 3 billion streams worldwide, making it one of the summer's musical hits. Its standout track, "Golden," topped both the US and UK charts, even surpassing the songs of BTS and the 2012 hit "Gangnam Style" by Psy.

"The film resonated with K-pop fans but also reached newcomers," said cultural critic Ha Jae-keun. Thanks to its intergenerational appeal, many parents developed a passion for K-pop, further fueling interest in Korean pop culture and expanding a fanbase that had previously consisted mostly of teenagers and young women.

You have 78.66% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
Investigation'The Enigma of Mohammed VI' (1/6). Twenty-six years after his 1999 coronation, the Moroccan monarch's relationship to power remains complex. As questions about his health arise, the prospect of his succession is fueling power struggles and backroom deals among the country's elite.

The two recent images are opposites. They represent the two intersecting narratives about the state of Morocco's monarchy. The first scene took place on June 7 during the Eid al-Adha ("Festival of Sacrifice") prayer at the mosque in Tetouan, in northern Morocco. Wearing a pastel yellow djellaba and a garnet fez hat, King Mohammed VI sat on a leather-upholstered stool. His face betrayed signs of fatigue while those around him praised Allah in prostration. The image of the 62-year-old monarch, alone in his feeble stillness among a congregation kneeling, a gesture he could no longer accomplish, intensified the already profound concern for his health.

More than two weeks later, the narrative underwent a radical reversal. A video posted on social media showed Mohammed VI in a swimsuit straddling a jet ski off the coast of Cabo Negro, a seaside resort near Tetouan. He was surrounded by a swarm of escort boats carrying his bodyguards. The king timidly raised a hand to his compatriots cheering him on from the shore. Although his demeanor remained reserved, a monarch who can pilot such a machine on his own could hardly be considered unwell. Suddenly, the unease sparked by the previous scene faded away.

The dual choreography perfectly encapsulates the transition process Morocco is undergoing. The king has become physically frail, as confirmed by other photos, such as from when he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat at the end of October 2024, appearing thin and holding a cane. However, his weakening should be seen as dramatic or at risk of undermining his composure as leader of the kingdom, according to the carefully crafted and widely circulated official messaging.

You have 91.97% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
TWO BROTHERS have been refused bail after gardai alleged that they were involved in the sourcing and distribution of firearms to criminal elements when they were charged with firearm offences.

Gary Walsh, aged 40, and Damien Walsh, 32, were both charged at a special sitting of Mallow District Court on Friday with two firearms offences each after gardai stopped and searched a car in Charleville in North Cork at 11pm on Wednesday night.

READ NEXT: Gardai arrest man over spate of thefts from cars in Limerick suburb

Both men were charged on Friday with possessing and having under their control a .22 Calibre Long Rifle 3D Printed Harlot Pistol and with possessing and having under their control five .22 Calibre Long Rifle ammunition at Rathgoggin South, Charleville on August 20.

Detective Garda James McCarthy gave evidence of arrest charge and caution in relation to Gary Walsh, of Retail Park, Kilmallock, County Limerick and Damien Walsh, of Trabolgan Road, Whitegate, County Cork. The detective neither man made any replay to the charges after caution.

Detective Inspector John OConnell said gardai were objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the charges. Det Garda McCarthy said the offences carried a maximum penalty of 14 years upon conviction on indictment before giving an outline of the alleged facts.

He said gardai searched an Opel Corsa being driven by Gary Walsh with Damien Walsh in the passenger seat at a filling station in Charleville and alleged they found a loaded 3D printed handgun, which was a viable firearm, in the space between their seats by the handbrake

Det Garda McCarthy said that the State would allege that Gary Walsh was involved in the sourcing and supply of firearms and they would base this allegation on videos and WhatsApp voice recordings found on Gary Walshs phone.

He alleged the videos showed the gun being handled by a hand with a tattoo and the tattoo appeared to match a tattoo on Gary Walshs hand while there was also commentary on the video that sounded like the voice of Gary Walsh.

The detective further alleged there was a voice recording of Gary Walsh having a conversation with a third party about supplying him with a gun and that gardai would allege Damien Walsh was present in the car at the time of the conversation and was aware of what it involved.

Defence solicitor, Joe Cuddigan said that his client, Damien Walsh would deny that he heard any such conversation taking place as he had fallen asleep. My client says he was not a party to any discussion about the supply of firearms to anyone, he said.

Mr Cuddigan put it to Det Garda McCarthy that the gun was concealed in a black plastic refuse sack so the gun wasnt visible but the garda said that they believed both men were aware of the contents of the refuse sack which was within arms reach of both men.

Judge Monika Leech said that she was refusing bail to both accused on the grounds of the seriousness of the charges. She remanded both men in custody to appear again at the vacation sitting of Mallow District Court next Tuesday by video-link.
GARDAI are hunting for a knife-wielding man who threatened staff of a county pub this weekend, Limerick Live has learned.

The shocking incident occurred at a licensed premises in Kilmallock.

READ NEXT: 'Let Go!' Brawl between women leaves one topless after Limerick concert

A garda spokesperson confirmed gardai in Kilmallock are investigating an incident of possession of an offensive weapon that occurred at a premises in the early hours of this Sunday morning, August 24 at approximately 1am.

A male threatened staff with a weapon and left the scene. Gardai conducted a search of the area but the male was not located, said a garda spokesperson.

It is understood that the Regional Armed Support Unit responded to assist local gardai.

No injuries have been reported.

Investigations are ongoing, said a garda spokesperson.

Anybody who was in Kilmallock around 1am this Sunday morning and witnessed any suspicious activity is asked to come forward to gardai.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), or pedestrians who have mobile phone footage, are asked to contact Bruff garda station on 061-382940, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800666111, or any garda station.
LIMERICK is a key area for the Lesser Horseshoe bat, a small and special bat species found in parts of Ireland including West Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, and Mayo.

Although there are only around 14,000 Lesser Horseshoe bats left in these six counties, their homes have become more and more separated because of changes in the landscape over time.

This separation makes it harder for the bats to find mates from other groups, which can lead to inbreeding and put the overall population at risk.

READ MORE: Limerick sows seeds of change with biodiversity workshop

The Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT), which works to protect wildlife in Ireland, has partnered with the Mulkear River Catchment Project to create a new conservation initiative focused on the Lesser Horseshoe bat.

This project aims to protect and connect the habitats that these bats depend on, especially around river systems.

To help raise awareness and connect people with nature, an evening walk will take place at Curraghchase Forest Park on Thursday, August 21 at 8pm.

This park is home to Lesser Horseshoe bats, making it a perfect place to learn about them.

During the walk, Dr. Kate McAney, Ireland Mammal Programme Manager for VWT will share interesting facts about the bats and explain why they are important to the local ecosystem.

This event offers a great chance for community members to enjoy a peaceful walk in nature, learn more about biodiversity in the local area, and find out how they can help protect these animals.

It is also a wonderful opportunity to understand how local conservation efforts make a difference in preserving Irelands unique wildlife.

Everyone is welcome to join this free, family-friendly event to support the conservation of the Lesser Horseshoe bat and celebrate Limericks rich natural heritage.

The conservation status of the Lesser Horseshoe bat was recently downgraded from Favourable to Inadequate, meaning that without action, their numbers and range will continue to decline.
THE IRISH Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is urging people across Limerick to keep donating blood following the recent spell of hot weather, which has led to a noticeable drop in donations.

IBTS is asking people to "consider deferring just an hour in the sun to make a life-saving difference".

Demand from Irish hospitals has not slowed down, said Alex O'Connor, IBTS recruitment executive.

Your donation can help ensure patients continue to get the blood they urgently need. We know the sunshine is tempting, but giving blood takes less than an hour and could mean the world to someone in need.

READ MORE: Community spirit shines as the Going for Gold finalists are revealed

Blood clinics will be running in the Castletroy Park Hotel on Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26 from 4.20-7.40pm, and at Devon Inn Templeglantine on Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 28 from 4.50-8.10pm.

New and returning donors are welcome. All blood types are needed but particularly O negative, A positive and AB negative.

Every donation makes a profound difference. One unit of blood can save or significantly improve the lives of up to three people.

To make an appointment, call 1800 222 111.
The funeral of a nine-year-old boy who died in an accident at his home in Co Donegal will take place later this week.

The boy, who was named locally as Joey Forker, was pronounced dead at the scene outside Dungloe on Friday evening.

His funeral will take place at St Cronas Church Dungloe on Thursday.

He was a pupil of St Crones National School in Dungloe.

A funeral post stated that Joey is survived by his heartbroken parents, Audrey and Joe, loving brothers Jason and Jordan, grandparent Willie, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends.

Joey will repose at McGlynns funeral home in Dungloe on Monday.

In a statement, gardai said: Gardai and emergency services responded to a fatal incident at a premises in Dungloe, Co Donegal, on Friday August 22.

A male child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

His body was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where a post-mortem examination took place.

The Health and Safety Authority has been notified and has launched an investigation into the incident. A file will be prepared for the coroners court.

In a statement, a spokesman said: The HSA is aware of the fatal incident and has launched an investigation.

As such, no further information is available at this time.

Sinn Fein TD for Donegal, Pearse Doherty, said: My thoughts and prayers are with all of those following the heartbreaking news from Dungloe.

Joeys funeral mass will take place on Thursday at 12pm in St Cronas Church, Dungloe, with interment in Magheragallon Cemetery in Gweedore.
A BRAND NEW food festival celebrating Limericks vibrant culinary culture is launching this September.

Flavours of Limerick is set to bring the city alive with flavour, fun and festivity, taking place across various locations in Limerick.

The four-day festival will feature a programme of tastings, live demos, family activities, and immersive food experiences, all designed to showcase the people, produce and places that make Limerick a food destination on the rise.

READ MORE: Top Limerick band to feature on RTE as 'Nationwide' reports from city

The festival will be delivered by Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) and is supported by the Mayor of Limericks Mayoral Fund.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said I felt strongly about allocating some of the Mayoral Fund to begin putting a spotlight on the quality of our food and to allow our food producers to achieve their full potential.

Whether its menus like these at civic events or festivals like Flavours of Limerick, we want to continue to enhance Limericks visibility as a food destination, he added.

With many activities over the weekend there are four pillar events, set to make the festival an enjoyable experience for all.

Thursday, September 18 will see Mystery Dinner taking place in a hidden city location. With the location revealed just hours before, guests will be guided into a one-of-a-kind atmospheric setting for an unforgettable dining experience curated by top local chefs.

Friday, September 19 will see Nicholas Street transform into a pedestrianised street for the Street Feast party. With food stations, live music and local flavours taking centre stage, the event, in partnership with Culture Night, is a free community event which invites everyone to experience food, culture and celebration.

On Saturday, September 20, Peoples Park will light up for the Sing-a-long Picnic, a family day featuring larger than life characters, picnic zones and singalong fun for kids (and grown-ups) of all ages.

The Milk Market on the Sunday becomes the festivals live demo hub with top chefs including Trisha Lewis and Tom Flavin cooking up a storm on the main stage. Workshops, tastings and a specially curated line-up of food stalls will round out the final day in the citys most iconic food venue.

With many more events happening across the city, whether you're a foodie, a family, or a curious visitor, theres truly something for everyone to enjoy.
KATHMANDU, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Telecommunication equipment, readymade garments, machinery and parts, textiles and electrical goods emerged as the top five products Nepal imported from China in the 2024-25 fiscal year which ended in mid-July, the central bank said on Sunday.

Nepal's total imports from China stood at 341.1 billion Nepali rupees during this period and the top five items accounted for nearly 37 percent of the imports, the Nepal Rastra Bank said in a report.

Telecommunication equipment topped the chart with a total value of 30.73 billion rupees, and the imported smartphones alone were valued at 24.91 billion rupees.

Nepal imported from China readymade garments worth 28.08 billion rupees, machinery and parts worth 23.90 billion rupees, textiles worth 21.97 billion rupees and electrical goods worth 21.34 billion rupees, the bank noted.

China has long remained the second-largest trading partner of Nepal after India. (1 Nepali rupee equals 0.007125 U.S. dollar) 
New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI)  After the State Bank of India, Bank of India has classified the loan account of insolvent Reliance Communications as fraudulent and named its former director, tycoon Anil Ambani, citing alleged fund diversion in 2016, according to a regulatory filing.

State-owned Bank of India granted a 700 crore loan in August 2016 to Reliance Communications for its ongoing capital and operational expenditure and repayment of existing liabilities. Half of the sanctioned amount disbursed in October 2016 was invested in a fixed deposit, which was not permitted as per the sanction letter, according to the bank's letter that RCom disclosed in a stock exchange filing.

Also Read | Reliance Power share price in focus after THIS plea from Reliance Capital

RCom said that it has on August 22 received a letter from Bank of India dated August 8 stating the bank's decision "to classify the loan accounts of the company, Anil Dhirajlal Ambani (promoter and erstwhile director of the company), and Manjari Ashok Kacker (erstwhile director of the company), as Fraud".

Previously, State Bank of India (SBI) had done the same in June this year, alleging misappropriation of bank funds by entering into transactions that violated the terms of the loans.

Also Read | Anil Ambani denies all charges after CBI action in bank fraud case

Following a complaint by SBI, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday searched premises linked to Reliance Communications and Ambani's residence.

CBI said it has registered a complaint after the State Bank of India claimed a loss of 2,929.05 crore, resulting from the alleged misappropriation by Reliance Communications and Ambani, the younger sibling of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani.

Anil Ambani's spokesperson, in a statement, "strongly denied all allegations and charges" and said he "will duly defend himself".

"The complaint filed by SBI pertains to matters dating back more than 10 years. At the relevant time, Ambani was a non-executive director of the company, with no involvement in the day-to-day management," the spokesperson said.

"It is pertinent to note that SBI, by its own order, has already withdrawn proceedings against five other non-executive directors. Despite this, Ambani has been selectively singled out."

Reliance Communications in the latest filing said its subsidiary Reliance Telecom Ltd too has received a letter from Bank of India conveying the lender's decision to classify the loan accounts of the company, Grace Thomas (erstwhile director of RTL and present director of the company) and certain other persons as 'Fraud'.

Also Read | CBI books Reliance Communications in 2,000-crore SBI fraud case

Under banking laws, once an account is declared fraudulent, it must be referred to enforcement agencies for criminal action, and the borrower is barred from accessing fresh finance from banks and regulated institutions for five years.

Bank of India, in the letter disclosed in the Reliance Communications filing, said RCom had turned NPA on June 30, 2017, with an outstanding of 724.78 crore.

"The Bank has been following up with the borrowers and guarantors for repayment of dues; however, they have failed and neglected to make repayment of the dues."

Reliance Communications had in April disclosed that its total debt stood at 40,400 crore in March.
New Delhi: Renewable energy company Azure PowerGlobal Ltd has put on hold its search for a joint venture partner for its 950 megawatt solar power portfolio in Rajasthan, said two people aware of the development.

Non-binding offers had been submitted for up to a 50% stake in Azure Powers projects at Bhadla in a proposed deal having an enterprise value of about 4,100 crore and an equity value of about 1,000 crore, according to these people, who declined to be identified.

The transaction has been put on hold," one of them said. Mint couldnt ascertain the names of the companies that submitted the non-binding offers.

The transaction, codenamed Project Agile and run by investment bank Ambit, involved a 300 MW operational capacity and two ready-to-build projects totalling 650 MW.

The two projects, part of a Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd manufacturing-linked bid awarded in 2019, are to be built in two tranches of 300 MW and 350 MW, involving a capital expenditure of 3,300 crore.

Azure Power has a total operational capacity of 3.04 gigawatt.

La Caisse, formerly Canadian pension fund Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, holds a 53.4% stake in Azure Power, Indias first renewable energy company to have listed on US stock exchanges. Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) holds a 21.4% stake in the company.

We wont be keen to comment on the story at the moment," a spokesperson for Ambit said in an emailed response. Spokespersons for La Caisse and OMERS declined to comment.

An Azure Power spokesperson said the company does not comment on market speculation regarding its business or entities and individuals not related to Azure. As part of our ongoing business, we routinely assess various strategic opportunities".

Key Takeaways Azure Power has put on hold its plan to bring in a joint venture partner for its 950 MW solar projects in Rajasthan, despite receiving non-binding offers for up to a 50% stake at an enterprise value of about 4,100 crore.

The company continues to grapple with instability, including multiple top management exits in quick succession, a bribery probe under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and a class-action settlement for which it has provisioned 194.5 crore.

While Azure faces headwinds, India remains an attractive market for renewable energy deals, with recent transactions involving players like Actis, Sembcorp, and Greenko underscore robust investor appetite.

Management churn, an investigation, and a settlement

New Delhi-headquartered Azure Power has struggled with significant top management churn in recent years.

After founder Inderpreet Wadhwa left the company in 2019, new chief executive Ranjit Gupta and chief operating officer Murali Subramanian resigned in April 2022. Harsh Shah, who was named CEO on 1 July 2022, left within two months to join India Grid Trust (IndiGrid).

Rupesh Agarwal, who had joined as chief strategy and commercial officer, was named acting CEO. After he left in July 2023, Azure Power brought in Sunil Gupta as CEO in July 2023 and Sugata Sircar as group chief financial officer and executive director, finance in May 2023.

In November 2023, Azure Power was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.

There has also been an overhang of bribery and corruption investigation under the USs Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

In a statement on 21 November 2024, Azure Power said it was aware of the actions announced by the US Department of Justice and US Securities and Exchange Commission against certain former directors and officers of Azure, as well as certain third parties", and that the former directors and officers of Azure referenced in the US Department of Justice and US Securities and Exchange Commission actions ceased to be associated with Azure more than a year ago".

In its consolidated financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2025, Azure Power said that as previously disclosed, a class action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, case number 1:22-cv-07432, against the company and certain of its former directors and officers alleging violations of US securities laws".

It added: Subject to final approval by the court, the company and the lead plaintiff have agreed to settle the case without any admission of liability by any defendants. The settlement received preliminary approval by the court on April 30, 2025, and the company expects a hearing to address final approval to take place in September 2025."

Azure Power also said it had provisioned 194.5 crore ($23 million) as of 31 March towards the settlement.

Indias solar draw

India, as the worlds third-largest solar power producer, has been attracting a lot of investor interest.

Singapores Sembcorp Industries Ltd and General Atlantic-owned Actis Llp are among half-a-dozen bidders shortlisted to conduct due diligence to acquire Macquarie Asset Management Green Investment Groups renewable energy platform, Vibrant Energy, in a transaction having an enterprise value of about $600 million.

Among other recent transactions in Indias renewable energy space, Japans financial services firm Orix Corp. sold its 17.5% stake in Greenko Energy Holdings to AM Green BV, which is owned by Greenko Group founders Anil Chalamalasetty and Mahesh Kolli.

Also, Hexa Climate Solutions acquired Fortum India Pvt. Ltd , ONGC NTPC Green Pvt. Ltd bought National Investment and Infrastructure Fund-backed Ayana Renewable Power Pvt. Ltd, and a joint venture between the Philippines-based Ayala Corporation-owned ACEN and UPC Renewables is planning to sell a significant stake in its upcoming 1 GW projects in India.

Analysts say India offers significant opportunities for mergers and acquisitions in the green energy space.

In Asia Pacific, India stands out as a dynamic market, with energy security and ambitious clean-energy targets (backed by government initiatives in renewables, battery storage and green hydrogen) creating a favourable environment for M&A activity," PwC said in a report dated 24 June.

Investor appetite for operational and under-construction assets is strong, with hybrid models gaining traction. Government support is expected to drive further M&A energy and infrastructure activity across the region," it added. Two examples of this supportive policy environment include the Indian governments initiative to integrate biogas into the national gas grid and its recent revision of the Domestic Content Requirement policy to boost domestic solar cell manufacturing."

India has an installed renewable energy capacity of 226.9 GW, of which solar power accounts for 119.02 GW. Of this, 90.99 GW is from groundmounted solar plants, 19.88 GW from gridconnected rooftop systems, 3.06 GW from hybrid projects, and 5.09 GW from offgrid solar installations.

Overall, India has a solar power potential of 748 GW, led by Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. The Union government targets adding 50GW of green energy capacity annually to reach 500GW renewable capacity by 2030.
New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) India's 28 listed real estate companies have together sold properties worth nearly 53,000 crore in the April-June quarter, with Prestige Estates achieving the highest sales bookings.

According to the data compiled from regulatory filings, the total combined sales bookings of these 28 listed realtors stood at 52,842 crore in the first quarter of the current financial year.

In terms of sales bookings, Bengaluru-based Prestige Estates Projects Ltd emerged as the leading listed player in the April-June quarter of FY26, with pre-sales of 12,126.4 crore.

DLF Ltd, the country's biggest realty firm in terms of market capitalisation, stood at the second position, with pre-sales of 11,425 crore, driven by the Gurugram luxury home market.

Mumbai-based Godrej Properties clocked sales bookings of 7,082 crore, while Lodha Developers sold properties worth 4,450 crore during the June quarter.

Delhi-NCR-based Signature Global achieved sales bookings of 2,640 crore in the June quarter.

Notably, these top five developers contributed 71 per cent to the total combined sales bookings achieved by the 28 listed realty firms.

The bulk of these sales bookings pertained to residential properties, whose demand has surged post-COVID pandemic. Big branded real estate developers have benefited most from this strong revival, both in volume and value terms, in India's housing market, as homebuyers have become risk-averse.

Among other listed players, Bengaluru-based Sobha Ltd and Delhi-based Omaxe Ltd sold properties worth 2,079 crore and 2,001 crore, respectively.

Mumbai-based Oberoi Realty Ltd and Kalpataru Ltd posted sales bookings of 1,639 crore and 1,249 crore, respectively.

Bengaluru-based Puravankara Ltd and Brigade Enterprises Ltd sold properties worth 1,124 crore and 1,118 crore, respectively.

Sales bookings of Mumbai-based Keystone Realtors, which markets under the Rustomjee brand, stood at 1,068 crore.

In the below- 1,000 crore pre-sales category, there were many players.

Mumbai-based Sunteck Realty sold properties worth 657 crore, while Pune-based Kolte-Patil Developers Ltd clocked 616 crore in pre-sales numbers.

Mahindra Lifespace sold properties worth 449 crore, and Bengaluru-based Shriram Properties Ltd pre-sales stood at 441 crore.

Sales bookings of Delhi-based Ashiana Housing Ltd were 430.97 crore.

Mumbai-based Aditya Birla Real Estate Ltd and Raymond Realty Ltd reported pre-sales at 422.5 crore and 306 crore, respectively.

Delhi-NCR-based TARC Ltd sold properties worth 225 crore, while Lucknow-based Eldeco Housing & Industries Ltd did 221.11 crore worth pre-sales and Max Estates Ltd nearly 220 crore.

Bengaluru-based Embassy Developments Ltd sold properties worth 198 crore in the April-June period of this fiscal.

Ahmedabad-based Arvind Smartspaces Ltd's sales bookings were 175 crore.

Sales bookings of Mumbai-based Arihant Superstructures Ltd, Arkade Developers Ltd, Ajmera Realty & Infrastructure Ltd and Suraj Estate Developers Ltd stood at 150.6 crore, 142 crore, 108 crore and 81 crore, respectively.

Some of the listed players have not reported their sales bookings numbers, an important metric to evaluate their performances.

Revenue recognition of sales bookings achieved by these developers takes time, as it is linked to the completion of real estate projects.

Real estate developers, which are not listed on stock exchanges, generally do not report their quarterly and annual sales bookings.

During the 2024-25 financial year, the country's 26 major listed real estate firms sold properties valuing 1.62 lakh crore.
Kochi (Kerala) [India], August 24 (ANI): In a major move to uplift the fishing community in the Kuttanad region in Kerala, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs, George Kurian, has announced a new pilot project aimed at boosting livelihood opportunities for fish farmers. This was decided at a consultative meeting held at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi.

Under the new initiative, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, will take proactive steps to implement a range of modern and traditional aquaculture practices to revive economy based in Kuttanad. These include integrated fish farming, cage fish farming, the sustainable "one fish one paddy" initiative, and biofloc fish farming.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying added in a release that as part of the project, Fish Farmers Producers Organisations (FFPOs) will be formed to empower local communities and streamline operations.

"Enhancing livelihood for the region's farmers is the primary goal of the initiative", Minister George Kurian said.

Under the pilot project, extensive training programmes will be conducted to equip farmers with the necessary skills in aquaculture and other related practices. The project will also encourage startups to enter the sector, focusing on essential post-harvest activities such as processing, cleaning, packing, and fish trade, thereby creating new employment opportunities and adding value to the produce.

Given the diverse aquatic environments of Kuttanad, the project will be divided into separate fresh and brackish water farming initiatives, catering specifically to the distinct conditions of Upper and Lower Kuttanad. Expertise of premier research institutions, including ICAR research institutes, central agencies, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) will be explored to provide technical and scientific support.

The Union Minister of State pointed out that a detailed project report will be prepared immediately to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the initiative, which is expected to bring significant and sustainable economic benefits to the Kuttanad region.
Shimla, Aug 24 (PTI) China has agreed in principle to the proposal of resuming trade through Shipki-La in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh during the recent visit of its Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India, a statement by the state government said on Sunday.

The trade was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has informed the state government that the Government of India had initiated discussions with China for the resumption of border trade through all three designated points- Shipki-La (Himachal Pradesh), Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim), the statement issued here said.

"The Himachal governments consistent efforts to resume trade with China through Shipki-La (Kinnaur) have yielded encouraging results. The government of China has agreed in principle to the proposal during the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India," it said.

"This breakthrough was made possible due to the personal intervention of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who had written to the Union government urging revival of the historic Indo-Tibetan trade route" following which the Union government "formally took up the matter with China, leading to a consensus to restart the trade," the statement said.

The state government would now take up the matter with the Union Commerce Ministry for completing codal formalities.

The chief minister had emphasised that Shipki-La, once an offshoot of the legendary Silk Route and formalised as a border trade point under the India-China bilateral agreement of 1994, played a vital role in trans-Himalayan economic and cultural exchanges.

In addition to trade, the state government has also received a positive response regarding the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Shipki-La, the statement said.

The state government had highlighted that the Shipki-La route, connecting via Gartok towards Darchen and Mansarovar, is comparatively shorter on the Tibetan side.

Himachal Pradesh already has road connectivity up to Shipki-La via Rampur Bushahr and Pooh, making it feasible to develop the necessary base camps and supporting infrastructure for the Yatra, the communication sent to the Union Government had said.

The External Affairs Minister, in a letter to the CM, conveyed that after a five-year gap, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim), and discussions are underway with China on the possibility of adding Shipki-La as an additional route.
(Bloomberg) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the blocs trade deal with the US, arguing that it brings stability and avoids escalating tensions with a key ally.

A trade war between the European Union and the US would have been celebrated by Russia and China, von der Leyen wrote in a guest commentary for German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published on Sunday.

Instead, we agreed on a strong, if not perfect deal, she said, warning that retaliatory tariffs risked fueling a costly trade conflict with negative consequences for our workers, consumers, and our industry.

Unlike other US trade partners, whove been handed new base rates on top of existing tariffs, the EU faces a 15% tariff that is all inclusive, von der Leyen said. That allows European goods to access the US market under more favorable conditions, which gives EU companies a significant advantage.

The preliminary agreement, struck with US President Donald Trump in Scotland last month, has drawn criticism from European lawmakers and industry groups. Last week, the two sides moved toward formalizing the pact, detailing plans to reduce levies on European automobiles and potentially opening the door to future discounts on steel and aluminum.

European officials say they will keep pressing for lower tariffs on products such as wine and spirits after failing to secure exemptions.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also defended the deal on Saturday, saying that while the tariffs will weigh on Germanys economy, a full-blown trade war with Washington could have been far worse.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
NEW DELHI : Radisson Hotel Group, which runs brands like Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, and Park Inn by Radisson, is betting on Indias expanding travel market, targeting a portfolio of 500 hotels in the country by 2030. The group, which currently operates more than 140 hotels and has another 70 in the pipeline, is treating India as a strategic growth marketsecond only to China in terms of number of properties, its top executive said.

There are very few countries where we have 200 hotels. Is the 500-hotel goal ambitious? Yes. But think about the size and opportunity of India," Federico J. Gonzalez, executive vice president, Radisson Hotel Group, said, speaking withMint during his visit to India this week. How business is shaping up in India is teaching us what we should do in other parts of the world," he added.

Also Read | Indias luxury knockoff boom just got a legal reality check

China remains Radissons most significant market globally with over 400 hotelsmostly franchisedbut India is rapidly catching up. Right now, China is a bit stable, if not slightly lower, after the last few years of the pandemic. In contrast, India is growing significantly. We were among the first to spot the opportunity, not just in metros but also in secondary and tertiary cities," Gonzalez said.

The group, owned by Jin Jiang International Holdings Co., a Chinese state-owned hospitality conglomerate, operates a portfolio of 10 hotel brands from midscale to luxury. The group has been expanding its global footprint while adapting to evolving travel trends, with India emerging as a key growth market. Since being acquired by Jin Jiang in 2018, Radisson has focused on strengthening its presence across EMEA and Asia, exiting the Americas business in 2022 through a sale to Choice Hotels.

Rise in tourism

He said the company has seen consistent performance in India in revenue per available room (RevPAR), contributing significantly to its EMEA growth. RevPAR is a metric hoteliers use to measure how much money a room makes per night when occupied.

Key Takeaways Radisson plans to grow its India portfolio to 500 hotels by 2030.

India is now Radissons second-largest market after China.

Strong revenue per available room and high average daily rates are driving profitability in India.

Post-Americas exit, Radisson has a balanced mix of managed and franchised hotels.

Air connectivity and inbound tourism are key growth drivers.

Globally, Gonzalez said tourism trends remain positive with rising average incomes and improved travel infrastructure bringing more consumers into the fold. In India too, we see a lot of domestic travel, and also a growth in the number of towns, which makes the potential significant," he said.

While Radisson operates mainly in the mid-market space here, it also has a presence in the luxury segment. Gonzalez said that Indian consumersacross price pointsare extremely value-conscious, a trait that is influencing their choices.

Looking beyond India, he said, travel demand is evolving rapidly. Globally, we expect a shift towards higher expectations for personalised experiences and quality accommodations. Consumers everywhere are becoming more aware of what good hospitality looks like," he said. In India, average room rates are high, and while in Europe, hotel occupancy is not growing significantly, average daily rates (ADRs) are up. Latin America is performing well, too.

Also Read | Ventive Hospitality to open six hotels with Marriott in India by 2030

Gonzalez sees the most significant opportunity in Indias inbound tourism. Theres huge growth potential there," he said.

The group has been undergoing structural shifts since mid-2022, when Choice Hotels acquired Radissons Americas businessabout 600 franchised hotels and 67,000 roomsfor $675 million. The transaction, which included brands like Radisson Blu and Country Inn & Suites, expanded Choices reach in upscale markets across the US, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Strategic shift

After selling its Americas business, Radisson has rebalanced its portfolio. The group now has more hotels than before, with an equal division of managed and franchised properties, and stronger profitability. Our gross operating profit today is higher than before the sale to Choice," Gonzalez said.

Also Read | Lemon Trees Keswani to transition from dual role at top in succession planning

Gonzalez sees air connectivity as a key driver for global tourism and hotel growth. Airlift is still not entirely back, and everything from Europe to China and other major international destinations will be a huge opportunity once airlines fully return to capacity," he said.
New Delhi: The government is set to unveil a 70,000-crore financial package to attract investments in ship-building and repairs and also to promote domestic shipbuilding and enhancing port infrastructure, two persons aware of the matter said. The Union cabinet could clear the plan as early as mid-September.

The upcoming package would include 20,000 crore funds for developing and operationalizing a shipping cluster programme, 20,000 crore for a new Ship Building Financial Assistance (SBFA) programme and 25,000- 30,000 crore for operationalizing the Maritime Development Fund (MDF).

A policy note on the three schemes for the shipping and ports sector has been finalized after several rounds of meetings between the finance ministry and the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW), the first person quoted above said, adding that the proposal is expected to be approved by the Union cabinet within the next two to three weeks.

Also Read | India in Iran port pivot to skirt Hormuz Strait chokepoint

The schemes are expected to clear the hurdle on bringing in investments in shipbuilding, as they would bring clarity from the government over the development of infrastructure and financial support, said an official of MoPSW on the condition of anonymity.

The schemes will also pave the way for operationalizing several joint venture agreements that have been in the works for the development of three proposed greenfield shipbuilding clusters on both the east and west coasts of the country in partnership with Japanese and Korean ship-building majors, the official said.

Under the 20,000 crore shipbuilding cluster programme, development of new clusters of 1.0-1.2 million gross tonnage (GT) each will be targeted. This scheme will provide direct capital support in the form of creating the breakwater along with capital dredging. It also proposes a 10-year rent holiday for the land, if not provided at a nominal rate. Investment is also designed to support the creation of trunk infra such as roads, utilities and sewage treatment.

Also Read | India overtakes China in smartphone exports to US  details here

A total of five locations in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra are being explored for the shipbuilding clusters. The first one may come up in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat or Odisha, where the identification and notification of land has progressed swiftly. Special purpose vehicles have been created in these states and they have also commissioned techno economic feasibility report (TEFR) for the project.

The 20,000-crore Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) 2.0 was announced in the Union Budget, but the policy will be notified after the Cabinet approval. The policy will extend the existing SBFAP by another 10 years from April 2026, and aims to provide direct financial subsidies to Indian shipyards. The initiative seeks to help shipping firms secure orders by offsetting operational cost disadvantages and boosting the domestic shipbuilding industry.

The 25,000- 30,000 crore MDF will help shipping firms secure long-term funding. This equity fund will derive its corpus from the government, public sector undertakings, domestic and overseas financial institutions, multilateral funding agencies, pension and other equity funds. It will provide blended financing to make investments in shipbuilding attractive.

Queries sent to the ministries of shipping as well as finance remained unanswered till press time.

India can indeed become a shipbuilding hub with foreign investment and government initiatives to establish shipbuilding clusters. Continued funding, partnerships, and support will help the nation become more globally competitive and solidify its status as a major marine hub," said Pushpank Kaushik, chief executive officer and head of business development (subcontinent, Middle East and South-East Asia) at Jassper Shipping, a Hyderabad-based shipping and logistics company.

In 2024, India held less than 1% of the global shipbuilding market... Large commercial shipbuilding in India remains limited, even though 28 shipyards exist. Most ship repairs are handled overseas. However, with foreign support and partnerships, domestic capabilities are expected to improve, and larger ships may be constructed," Kaushik added.

The government looks to make India a global hub for building ships of all sizes and also boost ship-ownership with the considerable scaling up of Indian-built and Indian-owned and flagged ships in cargo operations.

It aims to raise the share of Indian-built ships in the country's fleet from 5% at present to 7% by 2030 and 69% by 2047 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Under the Maritime Vision 2030 and Vision 2047 plans, the government is also targeting to make India among the top 10 and top five shipbuilding and ship owning countrys worldwide, respectively.
New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) The usage of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in vehicles could lead to a 2-5 per cent drop in fuel efficiency, depending on the type of cars, according to automotive industry experts.

In the midst of social media debate over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, automotive engineers working with some of the major automakers, whom PTI spoke to, said that in older vehicles, which are not E20 compliant, there could be erosion of gaskets, fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, but not immediately.

"There can be a drop in mileage ranging from 2-5 per cent, depending on the type of vehicle. This is purely because of the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol," said an expert requesting anonymity.

Earlier this month, the Oil Ministry clarified that "the critiques suggest that E20 causes a 'drastic' reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced". However, it did not state the percentage drop in fuel efficiency.

"The efficiency drop (if any) in E10 vehicles has been marginal. For some manufacturers, vehicles have been E20 compatible from as far back as 2009. The question of any drop in fuel efficiency in such vehicles does not arise," the ministry had said.

The ministry also stated that "vehicles tuned for E20 deliver better acceleration, which is a very important factor in city driving conditions. Additionally, ethanol's higher heat of vaporisation reduces intake manifold temperatures, increasing air-fuel mixture density and boosting volumetric efficiency".

On August 4, the ministry, in a post on X, said: "Ethanol, being lower in energy density than petrol, results in a marginal decrease in mileage, estimated at 1-2 per cent for four-wheelers designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, and around 3-6 per cent in others".

When contacted for comments, leading automakers Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India declined to comment.

A Tata Motors spokesperson said, "Our vehicles are E20 compliant".

Another expert said, "E20 usage will not have any impact on engines of compliant vehicles, as the materials are tuned for it. However, in vehicles, which are not E20 compatible, there could be erosion of gaskets and fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, but not immediately".
Prince Harry is facing renewed scrutiny over his United States visa application.

Prince Harry is facing renewed scrutiny over his United States visa application

The Duke of Sussex, 40, moved to California in 2020 with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, 44, after stepping back from royal duties and his immigration status in the US has been under question since he admitted in his memoir Spare to using cocaine and marijuana.

Court records have now revealed the Department of State is holding more than 1,000 documents relating to his case.

The disclosures in legal filings show that 1,007 papers concerning Harry were identified within the Department of State, which oversees visa applications.

According to the records, 217 documents are held by the Office of the Secretary of State  the equivalent of the UK foreign secretary  while 517 potentially responsive records were found within the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

A further 271 papers are held by the Office of the Legal Adviser and two by the Office of the Deputy Secretary of State.

The documents are now due to be reviewed by a federal judge in Washington to decide what, if any, may be released publicly.

The development follows a lawsuit filed in January by the Heritage Foundation, a rightwing think-tank, which had previously sued the Department of Homeland Security in a bid to access Harrys immigration records.

While the action led to the release of several files, none disclosed details of his visa status or whether he provided accurate information in his application.

Heritage has claimed in its latest filing Harry may have withheld details of his past drug use despite writing in Spare that he had taken cocaine and smoked marijuana.

The organisations lawyer Samuel Dewey said the scale of documents located was significant.

He added: The number of papers on Harry shows they are monitoring him pretty closely. I think were going to see documents from Harry talking about the case, but other material may be withheld. Then it will be up to politicians whether that decision is overruled.

The lawsuits have prompted speculation about how a potential Donald Trump administration might respond to Harrys residency in the US.

US president Trump, 79, has previously been critical of the Duke of Sussex and Meghan.

The Department of State has declined to comment on the filings.
DHAKA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh and Pakistan have signed several deals and memorandums of understanding as part of their efforts to work together for further cooperation.

"We've resolved to work together to take forward our multidimensional relations with Pakistan," Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka after a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday.

A press release by the Bangladesh foreign ministry said after the bilateral meeting, the signing ceremony took place. One agreement on the abolition of visa for diplomatic and official passport holders, one cultural exchange program and four MoUs on cooperation in trade, between news agencies, foreign service academies and think tanks of two countries were signed.

The Pakistani official is on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh from Saturday to Sunday.

This is the first official visit by a Pakistani dignitary since the Bangladeshi interim government was formed. 
GOMA, Democratic Republic of CongoThe evidence of Rwandas clandestine war was scattered all over the ruins of Goma International Airport.

Outside of one hangar were piles of Congolese military helmets, jetsam of an army that lost its nerve and tried to slip away when Rwanda-backed M23 rebels attacked the airfield in January.

Along the runway sat burned-out military trucks and crippled armored vehicles. At first they appeared to be debris from the battle that left rebels controlling the largest city in eastern Congo. Looking closer, however, a pattern emerged. The insurgents staggered the metal carcasses on the airstrip to make it suicidal for the vanquished Congolese military to try to land planeloads of troops and retake Goma.

Off to one side were the ruins of the operations center once manned by blue-helmeted United Nations troops, whose mission here was to support the government and protect civilians. Hopelessly out-of-date U.N. battle maps littered the floor. The peacekeepers, unable to keep the peace, remained barricaded in their bases, while rebels ruled the streets.

The rebel uprising left uncounted thousands dead and wounded, and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. The U.S., the U.N. and human-rights activists say M23 was sponsored by neighboring Rwanda, which supplied thousands of troops and advanced weaponry.

The Congo war marks an extraordinary turn of historical events for Rwanda, whose very name evokes bitter memories of the worlds failure to prevent genocide there 31 years ago. The tiny country has since evolved from an object of sympathy into a controversial and feared powerhouse in the region.

Its military, which since the genocide has trained with U.S. Special Forces, Chinese soldiers and other foreign armies, is now one of the most effective on the continent.

Rwanda flexes its muscle in ways the West considers ambiguous. In Mozambique, Rwandan troops fight Islamic State insurgents and protect natural-gas supplies being tapped by Western countries. Rwandan peacekeepers wear U.N. blue in South Sudan and Central African Republic.

But Rwandans have also become more aggressive in a scramble to profit from the vast mineral deposits buried across the border in Congo. Getting access to those mineralssome crucial to making smartphones and other technologyis a Trump administration priority.

Ultimately, Rwandas stunning battlefield successes with M23which controls a swath of Congos territory, including mineral-rich landswon it a favorable peace deal with Congo, signed in Washington on June 27. The deal opens the way for billions of dollars in mineral investments by Western companies. Rwanda this month agreed to accept 250 migrants being deported by the U.S.

To help M23 seize Goma, just across Rwandas border, Rwandan commandos and other troops, armed with advanced surface-to-air missiles and guided mortars, shelled peacekeepers in January, killing three of them, according to the U.N. The U.N. Security Council said Rwandas actions could constitute war crimes.

The victim has become the oppressor in many ways," said Ladd Serwat, senior analyst for Africa for the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, a U.S.-based nonprofit that tracks political violence worldwide.

The U.N. says some 4,000 Rwandan troops fought alongside the rebels, whose ranks are filled largely with Congolese Tutsis and other Rwandan-language speakers. Human Rights Watch estimates more than twice that many were involved. At times, according to the U.N., there were more Rwandan troops on the front lines than there were Congolese rebels. M23, founded in 2012, had roughly 5,000 fighters when it took Goma, and has since grown to some 12,000 through voluntary and forced recruitment, according to Serwat. Numerous Rwandan soldiers, especially Congolese Tutsis who had been refugees in Rwanda, have now joined rebel ranks, he said.

The U.S. demanded Rwanda withdraw from Congo. The European Union imposed sanctions on Rwandan military commanders, to no avail.

Rwanda will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising national security," the Rwandan foreign ministry said in response.

Rwandan officials routinely deny their forces have been involved in the fighting. When pressed, however, a senior Rwandan official told The Wall Street Journal: Defensive measures became more active."

The language was echoed in the U.S.-brokered Rwanda-Congo peace agreement, in which Rwanda obliquely agreed to a lifting of defensive measures."

Shadows of the genocide

From the Rwandan point of view, the chaos that is eastern Congo is inextricably linked to the 1994 genocide, in which ethnically Hutu extremists slaughtered an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

Paul Kagame, now Rwandas president, was a young child in the late 1950s when his father, Deogratias Rutagambwa, a member of the royal family, joined a half-million other Tutsis and fled to neighboring Uganda to escape what was to be one of many outbreaks of intramural Rwandan ethnic violence.

Kagame grew up in a refugee camp and came to resent the treatment that expatriate Rwandans received from the Ugandan government. He joined a Ugandan rebel movement that seized power in 1986. He later served as the countrys head of military intelligence and received U.S. military training.

Kagames eye remained on Rwanda, however. In 1990, he joined a Tutsi uprising against the Hutu-dominated Rwandan government. The two sides negotiated a truce in 1992.

Two years later, the airplane carrying Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down by parties unknown. A spasm of bloodletting followed, with government forces and Hutu extremists murdering Tutsis en masse. Victims were slashed to death with machetes and burned alive as they sought sanctuary in churches.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame at a commemoration for the 31st anniversary of the Tutsi genocide in April.

Kagames troops fought back, seizing the capital, Kigali, and chasing the extremists into Congo. After serving as defense minister and vice president, in 2000 Kagame became president, a position he has held ever since.

Kagame included moderate Hutus in his government and, in an effort to break the cycle of ethnic conflict, ordered that national ID cards no longer specify a citizens ethnic identity. His government erected genocide memorials throughout the mountainous country. Rwanda became a favorite of Western aid donors, its cities clean and its government well-run.

Kagames rule, however, has turned dictatorial. Human-rights groups accused his agents of hunting down some political opponents and jailing others.

There is nobody in Rwanda who is in prison that should not be there," Kagame told reporters in 2022. We have a justice system that is actually functional and fair."

To the extent they subtly acknowledge their involvement in Congo, Rwandan officials say theyre simply defending their own borders and Tutsi cousins who are persecuted in Congo.

Acled, the conflict-monitoring group, counted 63 cases of violence targeting Rwandan migrants and Rwandan speakers in Congo since 2018, resulting in at least 69 deaths.

One Tutsi farmer from eastern Congo told the Journal that he had fled to a refugee camp in Rwanda late last year after Hutu extremists kidnapped his daughter. To get her back, the family had to cobble together a $3,500 ransom, an astronomical sum in eastern Congo.

The militants taxed Tutsi farmers $2 per cow, in addition to a levy on milk, he said. If you couldnt meet the milk quota, theyd cut off the cows legs," the farmer said.

Were trying to survive," said Lawrence Kanyuka, the rebel spokesman in Goma. Weve been pushed to defend our people here."

Genocide ideology

In their ill-fated defense of Goma, the Congolese army, according to Rwandan and M23 officials, fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the heirs of the Hutu extremists who carried out the genocide, mostly members of an armed faction called the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. Congolese officials, they say, speak of Tutsis in dehumanizing terms that encourage discrimination and worse.

The genocidal ideology is being embedded in the children born today," said Kanyuka, the rebel spokesman, who is the target of Western sanctions.

Patrick Muyaya, Congos communications minister, denied its army is allied with Hutu extremists. But he said circumstances forced them together when M23 and the Rwandans swept toward Goma.

Were in an area of war fighting the same enemy," Muyaya said in an interview. Sometimes they can have some collaboration or cooperation, but its not systematic."

Congolese authorities say Rwanda is motivated not so much by memories of the genocide as by dreams of wealth from stolen Congolese minerals. M23 rebels have seized control of the Rubaya coltan minecoltan is used in smartphones and other techand, according to Kinshasa, Congolese gold has been flooding into Rwanda.

Kagame knows the international community is very sensitive about the Tutsi because of the genocide," said Muyaya. The Rwandan president, he added, keeps using those pretexts to continue his illicit economic activities" in eastern Congo.

Rwandan officials deny pillaging Congolese mineral resources, but say that, should peace prevail, theyd like Rwanda to become a mineral-processing hub for legally mined Congolese ore. The new peace accord talks vaguely of integrating Congolese and Rwandan mineral supply chains, with the U.S. government and American companies playing a role as well, a Trump priority.

Rwandas critics say its covert support for Congolese rebels make it complicit in human-rights abuses M23 committed.

M23s spokesman, Kanyuka, said that when the rebels seized Goma, they uncovered atrocities against Tutsis, committed by Hutu extremists and Congolese troops.

Once they controlled Goma, M23 rebels rounded up and sometimes executed those they suspected of ties to the Congolese army or government, according to Clementine de Montjoye, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, the nonprofit international advocacy group.

Rebels and government troops have weaponized rape during the fighting, according to CARE International. The charity says at least 67,000 women and girls were sexually assaulted in the first four months of the year.

Residents cleaned the streets during a special cleaning exercise conducted by the M23 movement in Bukavu in February.

M23 enforcers in Goma require locals to turn out Saturday mornings to clean the streets, morgues and sewers, according to residents. The mandatory cleanups mirror a similar requirement the Rwandans enforce in Kigali, one of the cleanest cities in Africa.

Diplomatic win

Western governments who roundly criticized Rwandas invasion of Congo have praised its service in peacekeeping missions over the past 20 years, including in Haiti, Chad, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Mali and Sudan. Western governments welcome an African peacekeeping army thats disciplined and provides besieged governments with an alternative to hiring Russian mercenaries.

Were part of broad conversations that arent just about people taking pity," said the senior Rwandan official.

Rwandans say they volunteer for peacekeeping duty in part because theyre haunted by the memory of how U.N. forces in Rwanda failed to stop the ethnic slaughter happening in front of them three decades ago.

Likewise, Rwanda says it agreed to take in migrants expelled by the U.S. in part because nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement, and our society values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation," according to Yolande Makolo, a government spokeswoman.

Rwandas peacekeeping missions, however, arent purely altruistic, according to 2023 research by the International Crisis Group. While Rwandan troops helped provide security in Central African Republic, business interests connected to Kagames ruling party acquired mining concessions and agricultural land in the country, the group said.

Rwandas most-spectacular foreign-policy success, in Western eyes, has been its campaign against Islamic State-affiliated fighters who were rampaging through Mozambiques Cabo Delgado Province.

Insurgent violence was so intense from 2017 to 2021 that TotalEnergies and Exxon Mobil halted work on $46 billion in liquefied-natural-gas projects on the Indian Ocean coast.

In 2019, the Mozambican government brought in hired guns from the Wagner Group, the Kremlin-linked private military company. The Russian mercenaries took heavy casualties and soon gave up the fight.

In 2021, Mozambique asked Rwanda for help. The European Union agreed to partly fund the mission. Kagame dispatched 5,000 troops, who quickly drove Islamic State fighters deep into the coastal woodlands. Rwandans also help secure the gas project and have worked to win hearts and minds in the province, setting up clinics and fish markets.

The violence persists, however. Militant violence displaced almost 60,000 Mozambicans between July 20 and Aug. 3, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Eastern Congo has proven stubbornly resistant to peace in the past. Grievances run deep, and skeptical analysts predict the peace agreement that Rwanda and Congo signed in June will prove harder to implement than it was to announce.

President Trump with the foreign ministers of Congo and Rwanda at the signing of the two countries peace agreement in June.

M23 insurgents arent even part of it; theyre holding separate talks with the Congolese government. It remains to be seen whether the rebels will cede control of eastern Congo. Just this month, they accused the Congolese military of violating a cease-fire.

But Rwanda, it seems, has come out of the negotiations on top.

Kigalis success on the battlefield forced Congo to the table in the first place. Congolese authorities agreed, at least in principle, to crack down on the same Hutu extremists who were their allies just a few months agoa major Rwandan demand. And Rwanda may end up with a lucrative role in the Congo minerals trade.

It was," said one Africa analyst, a big diplomatic win for Rwanda."
Lawmakers want technology companies to limit young peoples access to social media by verifying their age. Its no easy feat.

U.S. law already prohibits social media and other ad-supported platforms from serving content to children under 13 without parental permission. Now lawmakers and advocacy groups are taking it a step further, with a patchwork of new rules that also prohibit kids under 18 from engaging in certain online activities.

The U.K.s Online Safety Act, which went into effect on July 25, requires platforms to verify users ages before showing some content. In the U.S., several states have passed similar bills. New laws in Texas and Utah require parental permission before a child can download apps or make in-app purchases. This puts the enforcement burden on app-store providers, namely Apple and Google. Other states, like Mississippi, instead ask social-media companies to verify user age.

NetChoice, a trade association whose members include Meta, Google and Reddit, is continuing to challenge the Mississippi law, and has generally opposed government mandates.

Our members have developed many tools to give parents more visibility and control, and they are continuing to innovate every day to build effective solutions," said Paul Taske, co-director of NetChoice Litigation Center. Google has even proposed alternative legislation.

Age-verification technologymuch of it outsourced to third-party providers like Yoti, Incode and Persona to prevent excessive data collectionisnt always accurate. Legitimate users have complained about being locked out of their accounts. User error is a problem as well, with some failing to provide the proper identification.

Families sometimes willingly give underage kids access. And often, they just dont know what the kids are up to. Tech-savvy kids find workarounds, such as using VPN services that mask their location.

Here are the various technologies that the tech companies are using, and the pros and cons of how they work:

Photo IDs

Many platforms rely on using a government-issued photo ID to verify who users are. People fudge these documents constantly, from pasting a different picture to uploading a high-quality fake IDsometimes even generating one with AIsaid Roman Karachinsky, chief product officer at Incode.

The other problem with photo IDs is it assumes that someone will have one and not all people do, said Karl Ricanek Jr., professor of computer science in the college of science and engineering at University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

Parents permission

Some of these age-verification tools are no better than parents being in control of their own children," said Ari Waldman, professor of law at UC Irvine School of Law. Both are poor guardrails," he added.

Yet platforms and app-store providers at times do rely on parentsand others over 18.

Apple and Google let parents create and monitor child accounts. In June, Apple announced a new developer API that allows a parent to share a childs age range with developers without giving them the childs birth date, so that apps can display age-appropriate content.

But it isnt always easy to tell that the so-called parents are being truthful. You have no idea whether or not you have a true parent thats doing these validations," said Ricanek. And kids are creativemost kids have multiple accounts."

The video selfie

In 2024, Metas Instagram announced teen accounts, limiting what they can see and who they can connect with. Those under 16 are also required to receive a parent or guardians permission to make any changes. If someone tries to change their age to over 18, they are required to validate with either an ID check or a video selfie thats sent to Yoti.

On TikTok, if banned users want to prove they are of age, they can provide a credit card for a temporary charge or send a photo of their government ID along with three selfies. TikTok works with Incode, which uses zero-knowledge proof tokensessentially confirming age without disclosing personal informationto ensure privacy. Banned users can also ask their parent or guardian to confirm their age.

Were minimizing data and not asking for too many things," said Ricardo Amper, chief executive of Incode.

The verifying process can be hard to get right. Users need to take a high-quality video selfie in a well-lit room, said Karachinsky. (The company guides users through the process and can also help them fix it live.)

And the rise of manipulated, deepfake video makes the job even harder, he added. Even for comparatively lower-stakes use cases, you need technology that can catch the advanced attempts," he said.

In the U.K., Reddit works with Persona to request an uploaded selfie or a government ID. After Persona verifies the users age, Reddit only receives and stores the users birth date and verification status.

The AI guess

In mid-August, Google started to use AI to figure out a users age based on signals they are sending to the platform: what theyve searched, what YouTube videos theyve watched. Indirect signals could be a good way to check without involving the user. Meta also says it uses technology to estimate age based on activity.

But its hard enough just differentiating between users in the first place, said Ricanek. Were assuming that everybody has their own personalized individualized account and that doesnt happen as well."

Safety vs. privacy

Getting age verification right means nailing accuracy without collecting too much data.

The Kids Online Safety Act is legislation that sailed through the Senate but is stuck in the House. This would push big tech companies to address the host of risks posed to children on their platforms, from deceptive marketing to sexual exploitation. It might never become U.S. law, but if it does, platforms will need to know exactly who the children are.

If companies are going to be required to do age verification, they must do so in a rights-respecting way," said Aliya Bhatia, senior policy analyst at the Center for Democracy and Technology, a nonprofit organization.

Write to Ann-Marie Alcantara at ann-marie.alcantara@wsj.com
WASHINGTONThe Pentagon has for months been blocking Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia, U.S. officials said, limiting Kyiv from employing a powerful weapon in its fight against Moscows invasion.

A high-level Defense Department approval procedure, which hasnt been announced, has prevented Ukraine from firing any U.S.-made long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or Atacms, against targets in Russia since late spring, the officials said. On at least one occasion, Ukraine sought to use Atacms against a target on Russian territory but was rejected, two officials said.

The U.S. veto of long-range strikes has restricted Ukraines military operations as the White House has sought to woo the Kremlin into beginning peace talks.

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagons undersecretary for policy, developed the review mechanism" to decide on Kyivs requests to fire long-range U.S.-made weapons as well as those provided to Ukraine by European allies that rely on American intelligence and components.

The review gives Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth final say over whether Ukraine can employ the Atacms, which have a range of nearly 190 miles, to strike Russia.

President Trump has been very clear that the war in Ukraine needs to end. There has been no change in military posture in Russia-Ukraine at this time," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Secretary Hegseth is working in lockstep with President Trump."

The Pentagon and Ukrainian officials didnt return requests for comment.

Ukrainian infantry men in June were part of an attempt to stabilize the frontline amid a Russian offensive.

The Pentagons approval requirement has effectively reversed a decision by former President Joe Biden in his final year in office to permit Ukraine to strike inside Russia with Atacms.

In a social-media post Thursday, Trump said that Ukraine couldnt defeat Russia unless it could play offense" in the war, which has lasted longer than three years following Moscows invasion.

It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking" the invading country, he wrote Thursday on social media. There is no chance of winning!"

U.S. officials said Trumps statement didnt signal a policy change that would dispense with the Pentagons review mechanism or encourage Ukraines use of Atacms and other long-range Western systems. But a senior White House official said Trump could change his mind about facilitating expanded offensive operations against Russia.

As president-elect, Trump said it was stupid" of Biden to allow Ukraine to attack inside Russia. Were just escalating this war and making it worse," he said in a December interview with Time.

U.S. Atacms and other long-range weapons, such as Britains Storm Shadow cruise missile, havent been game-changers for Ukraine. But they have enabled it to threaten Russian command and control headquarters and airfields far from the front lines, as it presses its advantages in manpower, weaponry and resources.

The Pentagon review procedure also applies to Ukraines use of the Storm Shadow as it relies on U.S. targeting data, according to two U.S. officials and a British official. The British government declined to comment.

Trump has threatened to increase sanctions on the Kremlin and tariffs on its major trading partners unless Moscow agreed to a cease-fire. But a decision on that has been deferred following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the Kremlin chief convinced Trump he was serious about making peace.

Trump vowed in July to provide Kyiv with new weapons as long as Europe agreed to pay for them, a decision that came after a brief pause in U.S. arms shipments while the Pentagon examined whether there were shortfalls in its own stockpiles. Trump told reporters that month that were not looking" to provide longer-range weapons to target Moscow.

While the U.S. hasnt announced any plans to provide more of the missiles, other types of weapons that European governments are buying from the U.S. could help Ukraine within its own borders. They include air-defense systems and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, which has a 90-mile range.

The administration this week approved the sale of 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition air-launched missiles, or ERAMs, which are set to arrive in Ukraine in about six weeks, two U.S. officials said. The $850 million arms package, mostly funded by European nations and which includes other items, was delayed until after Trumps summits with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Several U.S. officials said use of the ERAM, with a range between 150-280 miles, would require Ukraine to seek approval from the Pentagon. The State Department didnt return a request for comment.

George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War, which closely monitors the Ukraine conflict, said Russian officials complained publicly about Atacms strikes against their territory since then, though they regularly did when attacks occurred in the past.

The Biden administration provided hundreds of Atacms to Ukraine starting in 2023. The restrictions on Atacms attacks inside Russia initially imposed under Biden were removed in the fall of 2024 after North Korean troops entered the war with Russia.

The last of the Atacms authorized to be sent to Ukraine by the Biden administration arrived during the spring, according to U.S. officials.

Ukraine has developed some of its own long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia, specifically drones that it has used to strike Russian oil refineries and aircraft.

Zelensky said last week that his country was developing a new cruise missilethe Flamingothat could be produced in significant quantities by the end of this year or early next year.

Drones are great for certain things, but they have their own vulnerabilities too," said James Townsend, who served as the top Pentagon official for NATO issues during the Obama administration, about the restrictions on use of Atacms. You dont want to limit the Ukrainian ability to put pressure on the Russians."

In addition to requiring approval for missile attacks, Colby, the Pentagons third ranking official who has long been concerned about husbanding Pentagon resources to deter China, tightened control over additional munitions for Ukraine. In a June memo he established three categoriesgreen, yellow and redfor assessing whether U.S. stockpiles of weapons were adequate to allow some to be shared with Kyiv.

The green category consisted of systems that the U.S. had in abundance and that could readily be provided to Ukraine, while yellow and red systems are in shorter supply. It gave Hegseth authority to reclaim weapon systems earmarked for Ukraine that fell in the yellow and red categories.

Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com, Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com and Lara Seligman at lara.seligman@wsj.com
After months of targeting universities over antisemitism allegations, the Trump administration is turning to a new focus : whether schools are using proxies for race in admissions to diversify student bodies.

This emphasis is emerging in recent edicts from federal agencies and in the White Houses scrutiny of specific universities.

In late July, Attorney General Pam Bondi warned in a memo against using unlawful proxies" for racesuch as geography or applicant essays on overcoming hardshipsin admissions. Soon after, the U.S. Education Department announced it would require universities to report new data on applicants, broken down by race, to ensure race-based preferences are not used."

Universities have been prohibited from using racial preferences in admissions since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in 2023. The Trump administration suggests schools may be flouting the ban, though universities say they comply.

For conservatives and the administration, the current push represents a common-sense strategy to enforce and extend the Supreme Courts ruling. Others say this approach distorts the court decision and could depress Black student enrollment, which has already fallen at some top colleges.

Theres an effort to say that the law is something that its not. Theres an effort to say that its illegal to seek to have a diverse student body," said Peter McDonough, general counsel for the American Council on Education, a university lobbying group.

In the Supreme Court ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that in college admissions, a student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individualnot on the basis of race."

Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affected his or her life," Roberts added. However, universities may not simply establish through application essays or other means the regime we hold unlawful today."

Since the ruling, university leaders have vowed to scrap explicit considerations of race, while also adopting strategies, such as broader recruitment, to maintain racial diversity.

In 2024, the share of Black freshmen dropped significantly in somethough not allelite colleges. Interpreting this shift is difficult because of a rise in students who declined to state their race and technical challenges with that years financial-aid form.

Some conservatives question schools where Black enrollment didnt fall. I suspect a goodly percentage are using illegal proxies," said Edward Blum, an activist who helped bring the case against affirmative action to the Supreme Court. He noted that many universities had said it would be impossible to maintain racial diversity without affirmative action.

Cross-cultural skills

The Trump administration hasnt presented direct evidence of widespread efforts to defy the affirmative-action ban. Blum said such evidence could emerge in future litigation.

In their recent resolutions with the administration on a number of issues, Columbia and Brown agreed to not use applicants personal statements to introduce or justify discrimination."

Amanda McGregor, a spokeswoman for Brown, said the universitys agreement with Trump shouldnt be misconstrued as any indication of any finding related to our commitment to fair and lawful admissions."

A Columbia spokeswoman, Virginia Lam Abrams, said its federal agreement reflects an ongoing commitment to following existing law related to admissions."

The administration is also pressing for $1 billion from UCLA and a pledge to eliminate identity-based preferences" for admissions, scholarships and hiring.

The University of California system has been complying with Californias ban on affirmative action for decades, said spokesman Omar Rodriguez. At the same time, we remain committed to expanding access for all qualified students," he said.

In the July Justice Department memo from Bondi, the Trump administration warned against ostensibly neutral criteria that function as substitutes for explicit consideration of race." For instance, it noted that diversity statements," or asking applicants about cross-cultural skills" or obstacles they have overcome," could be illegal if used to advantage certain races.

The National Association for College Admission Counseling has emphasized to its members that the memo isnt legally binding, said the groups CEO Angel Perez. I dont think most institutions are jumping and immediately changing practices."

The memo also said that measures to benefit low-income students cant be targeted to areas or populations to achieve racial or sex-based outcomes." A DOJ spokeswoman declined to elaborate.

To some, the suggestion that race-neutral measures could be illegal if they seek to achieve racial diversity marked a striking goal-post shift from what opponents of affirmative action have previously argued.

Conservative justices have long suggested schools could maintain racial diversity through nonracial strategies, noted Yale law professor Justin Driver. Universities prohibited from engaging in racial discrimination by state law continue to enroll racially diverse classes by race-neutral means," wrote Justice Clarence Thomas, in a concurrence in the affirmative-action case.

Richard Kahlenberg testified as an expert witness in the case, arguing against traditional affirmative action on the grounds that schools can achieve racial diversity through other methods, such as through preferences for students from poor families. The Department of Justice cant change the law, but the fear is it could intimidate some universities," said Kahlenberg, who works at the center-left Progressive Policy Institute.

The DOJ memo is a very aggressive interpretation of the law," said David Bernstein, a law professor at George Mason University.

The Trump administration has previously faced legal challenges to restricting campus diversity efforts. In February, the Education Department laid out its interpretation of the affirmative-action decision, saying that universities cant eliminate standardized testing requirements to increase racial diversity. But three federal courts have halted enforcement of this guidance.

Legal cases have percolated since the 2023 Supreme Court ruling. In one closely watched case, a conservative legal group challenged a Virginia high schools admissions policy change. Though the policy didnt explicitly consider race, it resulted in more Black and Hispanic students and fewer Asian students. Plaintiffs contended the policy shift was racially motivated. The district said it had no discriminatory intent.

A federal appeals court sided with the school district and the Supreme Court declined to grant reviewthough the Trump administration recently launched its own investigation into the schools admission practices.

Erin Wilcox, an attorney who argued the Virginia case, said similar suits are ongoing and noted the Supreme Court hasnt weighed in on the new breed of diversity efforts.

If youre not allowed to do that using an outright racial decision, youre not allowed to do that using a racial proxy either," said Wilcox of the Pacific Legal Foundation.

Write to Matt Barnum at matt.barnum@wsj.com
Written questions in Parliament are often a rich source of information, compelling the central government to disclose details it might not otherwise make public. They can even force the government to add some degree of processing of what is essentially raw data.

In the recently concluded Monsoon Session, this was clearly evident in the written questions directed at the civil aviation ministry.

Coming in the aftermath of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, several questions focused on air safety. Here are five revelations about India's civil aviation sector:

Regulators: High vacancies

In India, three entities are tasked with air safety: the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA|), which regulates the aviation sector; the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which sets safety standards; and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which regulates flight movement and operates air traffic control.

The parliamentary questions focused on their staffing, exposing severe shortages.

Nearly half the sanctioned posts in the DGCA were vacant. Overall, staff vacancy was about 39% in the BCAS and about 37% in the AAI as of June 2025. After these numbers came out, Parliament members dug deeper. They posed questions on staffing by grades and then by technical/non-technical functions in the three entities. These showed that, in the DGCA, only half of the sanctioned Grade A posts and half of the sanctioned technical posts were occupied. Further, the 546 vacancies in technical functions made up two-thirds of the DGCAs 823 vacancies.

Budgets: Tapering numbers

In one of its responses, on 11 August, the government maintained: The shortfall has not impacted the functioning of the DGCA." While it said it was filling up these posts on priority, it also said the high vacancy was partly on account of recency441 DGCA posts were created between 2022 and 2024, including 426 technical posts. In the BCAS, which had 230 vacancies, 84 posts were created during restructuring in 2024. In the AAI, which had 9,477 vacancies, 840 posts of air traffic controllers had been created recently".

One challenge for these organizations is budgets. All of them are reliant on the central government, to varying degrees, for funding. In 2024-25, the revised estimates for all three organizations indicate a drop in funding from the Centre. The drop was the highest in the case of the DGCA, from 351 crore in 2023-24 to 301 crore in 2024-25. In general, all three entities have seen a tightening of support from the central budget.

Airlines: Elusive profits

One of the questions also shed some more light on the pre-tax profit/loss and debt levels in 2024-25 of the five major Indian airlines, which currently fly about 99% of domestic passengers. Some of it was already in the public domain, some of it was not. Like most years, a financial summary of Indian airlines does not paint a pretty picture, except for market leader IndiGo. Four of these five airlines were in the red in 2023-24, and remained so in 2024-25.

Air India, which was privatized and entered the Tata group fold in January 2022, continues its long climb to profitability. It has been adding planes, rationalizing routes and increasing revenues. Amid a period of lower oil prices, its pre-tax loss has reduced from 8,922 crore in 2022-23 to 5,025 crore in 2023-24 to 3,890 crore in 2024-25. But it has a fair distance to travel, and the recent crash has only set it back further.

Timeliness: Leaders and laggards

Several questions revolved around the Air India Boeing 787 that crashed on 12 Junestatus of this investigation, norms related to working hours of pilots and cabin crew, staffing at regulators, safety of the 787 aircraft and technical glitches, among others. For example, one of the government responses said the number of technical glitches reported by Indian airlines declined from 448 in 2023 to 421 in 2024. In 2025, till 28 July, the count was 183.

In 2025, till 30 June, market leader IndiGo was also the leader on timeliness, registering an on-time performance in 82.4% of its flights. It was followed by Akasa Air (79.5%) and the Air India Group (76.1%). While these airlines were somewhat close to each other, further down, there was a big gap to SpiceJet and Alliance Air. In terms of cancellations, the three leaders in timeliness were also the only ones below the 1% mark.

Airports: Accumulated losses

Air traffic in India has been growing at a steady pace. Amid a diversification of this traffic beyond the leading metros, there are challenges to the extent this can continue in a profitable way. Several parliamentary questions focused on the UDAN-RCS (Uday Desh Ka Aam Nagrik-Regional Connectivity Scheme), where the government incentivizes airlines to fly to underserved destinations. The government has pulled back from this scheme.

One reason for this can be seen in the performance of airports in lower tiers. As per its 2023-24 annual report, the AAI owned and operated 121 airports. One of the questions shows that 81 of these airports, which accounted for about 6% of domestic passenger traffic in 2024-25, made a loss that year. Their accumulated losses over the past decade stand at 10,852 crore, with 45% accounted for by the top 10 alone.

www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data.
Mumbai: State Bank of India has asked its subsidiaries to step up as part of chairman C.S. Settys stern message that underperformance will not be tolerated, according to a person aware of the matter.

Setty, who took over from Dinesh Khara as chairman of Indias largest lender a year ago, has informed the subsidiaries that since salaries, especially of the top brass, are benchmarked to industry standards, they must perform to justify that.

There is a message from the top that performance is key and the benchmarks are the peers in the private sector and the broader industry that each of the subsidiaries belongs to," the person cited earlier said on the condition of anonymity.

SBI has 18 subsidiaries in India, two of whichthe life insurance company and its credit card businessare listed. Of the seven frontline subsidiaries, the review will start with two that are seen as underperforming.

The person quoted earlier said the state-owned bank wants to start this exercise at SBI Card and SBI Caps, and then move on to insurance and other subsidiaries. SBI Card does not have a publicly traded comparable peer, and SBI Caps is unlisted.

The recent exits at SBI Capital Markets were a result of this approach, the person said. Mint reported in April that SBIs investment banking and project advisory arm was undergoing a restructuring exercise, leading to exits of at least three senior executives.

SBI is justified to want more from its subsidiaries," Ashutosh Mishra, head of institutional equities research, Ashika Stock Broking. They have been using the SBI brand name and its reach to distribute their products, and it is only fair that they give quantifiable returns to the bank."

Queries emailed to SBI, SBI Caps, SBI Card, and SBI General Insurance remained unanswered. A spokesperson for SBI Life Insurance said it does not comment on speculations".

The push for better performance coincides with a government nudge to public-sector banks, asking them to monetize their stakes in subsidiaries. As a precursor, banks should improve governance and professional decision-making and bring greater operational efficiency to their subsidiaries, news agency PTI reported on 29 June, citing unnamed sources.

Quest for leadership

Although SBI has shown strong performance and is valued higher than its closest state-owned peer by total loansBank of Barodait still lags private sector lenders. SBI traded at 1.5 times its book value in FY25, while Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank traded at one time, 3 times, and 3.3 times, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

After announcing the banks June quarter results on 8 August, Setty told reporters that the bank will continue to nurture these subsidiaries and maintain leadership positions in their respective businesses." Setty said on 11 August that it is seriously looking" at listing its general insurance and asset management businesses, the Hindu Businessline reported.

Since being named chairman, Setty has been pushing to bring in more business and improve performance, said another person, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Succession planning

The first person said succession planning at certain frontline subsidiaries needs more thought to prepare the next rung of leadership to take over when required. It is not just about performance since some of these subsidiaries are outpacing the market in growth, he said.

The bank has noticed that some department and vertical heads have stayed around for years without properly creating a pipeline of talent to come up the ladder," the first person said. Employees of subsidiaries should be rotated within these companies so that they get exposure to various business functions."

While those like the insurance subsidiaries are doing far better than peers, some have underperformed the market.

For instance, SBI Card, the second largest by the number of cards and the third largest by customer spends in FY25, has consistently faced higher credit costs. A key metric to gauge the quality of a lenders portfolio, credit cost is the total provisions and write-offs as a percentage of assets. In Q1 FY26, it stood at 9.6%, up 58 basis points from the previous quarter and 111 bps higher than a year earlier.

Also Read | SBI expected to report tepid Q1 earnings on net interest margin pressure

SBI Caps, which leads the league tables in debt advisory, has been losing ground to newer players in the last few years. The firm has also not been able to scale up its advisory business when it comes to deal-making. This, coupled with intensifying competition in the advisory space, has likely led to the restructuring, Mint reported in April.

SBI Cards has once again delivered whats become its most consistent metricelevated credit costs," analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein (India) said in a note to clients on 25 July.

It said that despite hopes that the previous quarter (Q4 FY25) marked the bottom, the company posted yet another disappointing set of results, with credit costs rising further to 9.6% and dashing expectations of a quick turnaround. According to Bernstein analysts, the management attributed the increase in credit costs to higher expected credit loss (ECL) provision requirements, implying that losses were higher than what was modelled, requiring higher provisions for certain assets.

That said, if the past fourfive quarters are any guide, the market reaction may prove fleetinga brief dip, renewed hopes of a bottom, and another rally, all in the recurring hope that next quarter will somehow offer an alternate reality."
Osia Hyper Retail share price will remain in focus in Monday's trading session after the company announced major decisions on Saturday, August 23.

Osia Hyper Retail share price closed 4.95 per cent at 14.41 apiece on Friday. Small-cap stock has rallied as much as 21.40 per cent in past five trading sessions.

Osia Hyper Retail key announcements In an exchange filing, the company announced that the board has approved increase in authorised share capital of the company to 500,00,00,000, issue of equity shares through QIP, preferential basis, and convertible warrants.

Increase the Authorized share capital of the Company to Rs.500,00,00,000/- (Five Hundred Crores Only) subject to the receipt of approval of the Members of the Company and such other approval(s)/ permission(s)/ consent(s)/ sanction(s) of any government/ regulatory/ statutory authorities, as may be required, the company said in the filing.

The company further informed the exchanges that the board has approved the issue of equity shares via Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP) up to 200,00,00,000 and preferential basis for an aggregate amount up to 100,00,00,000.

The company will also be issuing convertible warrants via Preferential basis for an aggregate amount up to 350,00,00,000. Issue of Convertible Warrants (Warrants) on Preferential basis for an aggregate amount up to Rs.350,00,00,000/- (Rupees Three Hundred Fifty Crores Only), in accordance with provisions of Chapter V of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 and other applicable rules, regulations and guidelines of SEBI and applicable provisions of Companies Act, 2013, it said.

Osia Hyper Retail also informed the exchanges that the company will conduct Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) on September 22.

 The Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Company will be held on September 22, 2025 at the registered office of the Company situated at Basement Store 1, 4D Square, Opp. IIT Eng College, NR. D-mart, Visat Gandhinagar Highway, M, Otera, Ahmedabad,Gujarat, it added.
NEW DELHI : For many young Indian professionals, Europe is a favourite holiday destination. But for software engineers Arnav Gupta and Sayani Bhattacharjee, just vacationing there wasnt enough.

We had travelled extensively across Europe and always felt that we should experience the quality of life, infrastructure and facilities more deeply by living here. Vacations only give you a glimpse," said Arnav.

In August 2024, the couple packed up their lives in Bengaluru and moved to London, UK. Among the many destinations they considered, London ticked all the boxes. It has plenty of opportunities in tech, the pay is goodlower than the US but better than major European hubsand the long-term path to permanent residency or citizenship is clearer. And, of course, we didnt have to learn a new language," Arnav said.

But London, consistently ranked among the worlds 10 most expensive cities, demands its share of financial and lifestyle adjustments. Housing was the first reality check for the couple. We now live in a 600 square feet one-bedroom apartment, compared to the 1,600 sq. ft three-bedroom we had in Bengaluru," said Arnav. Rent and utilities take up nearly 25% of our combined income. For single earners, it can climb to half their take-home pay."

However, he is not complaining. The rent pinches but doesnt feel like a downgrade. The modern apartments here make efficient use of space. Besides, we spend a lot of our time outdoors as theres so much to do in the city."

View Full Image Graphic by Paras Jain/Mint

As part ofMints series on Indian expats, the couple shares their experience of living in London.

Career opportunities

Both Arnav and Sayani work in tech firms in London. Arnav moved on a UK Global Talent Visa, a visa option that allows highly skilled professionals in different fields to live and work in the UK without a job offer. Sayani has moved as a dependent.

Finding jobs wasnt difficult for both of us. Our experience with global tech companies helped, and already having the visa made the search easier than finding employers who can sponsor fresh work visas," said Arnav.

In general, he added, London offers good career opportunities for those in tech and finance. "The number of jobs and pay scales is good. Marketing or sales might be trickier for expats as locals or UK-educated candidates often get preference."

As for the pay, the UK offers higher salaries than India, Arnav noted. Average Indian salaries are still less than half of what youd make in the UK," he said.

While some pockets, particularly in top tech or finance positions, in India have seen salaries rise, the difference continues to be large. Even within Europe, there are variations, but London is still far ahead in terms of average pay," he added.

Higher salaries make up for the higher cost of living in London for the couple.

Cost of living

Rent has been the single biggest dent in the couples finances. Beyond housing, the citys everyday expenses, from groceries to transport and dining out, feel higher but not unmanageable. Most of our expenses, on both essentials and lifestyle, are about 1.5X to 2X what we paid in India," Arnav said.

Back in Bengaluru, the couple lived in Indiranagar, one of the citys upscale neighbourhoods, and dined out often. Compared to Bengaluru, London does feel expensive, but not exorbitant," he added.

The couple has seen a notable jump in their incomes in London, so the higher cost of living hasnt changed their financial situation much.

Our earnings here increased in line with expenses, so our savings rate has not changed. Were able to maintain a lifestyle similar to Bengaluru, which already was a bit extravagant."

Moreover, the move has made European holidays and luxury cars more affordable for the couple. Long weekends to Italy, Spain, Portugal, or the Nordic countries are easy from London, and some destinations dont even require flying. For instance, Paris is just a two-hour train ride," Arnav said.

Apart from proximity, spending in pounds across Europe doesnt carry the disadvantage of converting from a weaker currency like the INR to the Euro.

A luxury car enthusiast, Arnav is keen to buy a Jaguar or an even more premium car, once he secures his UK driving licence.

A premium car here costs nearly half of what it would in India," he explained. The used car market in London is also very large. Unlike in India, driving a pre-owned car isnt taboo, which makes owning a high-end car so much more affordable."

Taxes and social security

Arnav and Sayani pay an effective tax of 35% and 30%, respectively. However, they get several social security benefits in return, said Arnav. The tax outgo is the same, but taxes here dont feel as high."

Of the 30-35% of their tax contribution, about one-third goes towards National Insurance (NI), which covers state pension and free healthcare under the UK's publicly funded National Healthcare Service (NHS). The NHS covers OPD visits, hospital treatment and emergency care, among others. We both also have separate employer-sponsored private medical insurance that covers private clinics, eye care and dental checkups," Arnav said.

Residents become eligible for a partial pension after continuous 10 years of contributions, whereas 35 years of NI contributions are needed to qualify for a full pension.

There is a welfare safety net too for unemployment and disability, wherein the state pays a fixed monthly allowance, depending on the NI contributions, for up to six months. We have not had to avail any of these, but its comforting to know were covered for such emergencies."

Apart from social security, there are some tax-saving mechanisms too, Arnav added. Some of these are especially devised for expats, like tax exemptions on foreign assets for the first four years and for the time spent outside the UK.

The second benefit is called Overseas Workday Relief. Both of our workplaces allow 1-2 months of remote work, so if we work from India, income for those months is tax-free. I have work trips to the US, those too get excluded," Arnav explained.

Thats not all. Also, up to 20,000 invested in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), any dividends, gains or interest earned are tax-free."

Through an ISA, UK residents can invest in savings accounts, stocks, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Investments and housing

After accounting for essential and discretionary spends, the couple saves about 40% of their household income20% as liquid savings and 20% invested across India and the US.

We are largely conservative investors, but have diversified globally," said Arnav. As much as 60% of their investment portfolio is in India, primarily in debt and large-cap funds and a small portion in stocks and crypto. The remaining 40% is invested globallyconcentrated in the US markets in a mix of index ETFs, blue-chip stocks and a small exposure in emerging fields.

So far, their strategy has paid off. The last three-year XIRR on our Indian portfolio is 16%, while the global portfolio is at 24%. The latter has delivered higher returns because I had invested during the 2020 crash," said Arnav.

The couple is saving up to buy a home in London, and its not a modest goal. Depending on where and what size we like, it could be anywhere between 500,000 and 700,000 ( 5.9 crore and 8.2 crore)," he said.

An independent house located about an hour outside the city might cost 300,000, while properties closer to London start at 600,000 and can climb up to 1.5 million. With mortgage rates hovering around 3-4%, the couple believes it makes sense to buy the house on a loan. The monthly payments on a 25-30 year mortgage work out to nearly the same as rent," he added.

The couple doesnt plan to return to India anytime soon. For now, we plan to settle here in the UK," Arnav said. Though Sayani would like a dual life: London in the summer, Bengaluru in the winter, he laughed. So far, living in London has felt like an extended vacation, like the ones we took from India."

Note: This article reflects the personal experiences of Arnav Gupta and Sayani Bhattacharjee living and working in London. Costs, income, lifestyle choices, and financial priorities may vary for others based on individual circumstances and goals.
At least five people, including an Indian national, were reportedly killed and dozens of others were injured when a tour bus returning to New York City from a trip to Niagara Falls crashed on a highway outside Buffalo.

The bus was travelling back to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls, with 54 people on board, including two bus company employees, police said.

Most of the passengers were Indian, Chinese or Filipino, New York State Police Trooper James O'Callaghan said during a press briefing.

Also Read | Another woman jumps into Niagara Falls; police search ongoing

The deceased were identified as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Bihar; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, of Jersey City, New Jersey, ABC News reported.

The deadly crash occurred on Interstate 90 in Pembroke, near Buffalo, at 12.22 pm (local time) on Friday, according to New York State Police.

New York State Police Trooper James O'Callaghan was quoted by ABC news as saying during a press briefing that the bus was traveling eastbound when the vehicle lost control, went into the median, over-corrected, and ended up in the ditch.

Also Read | Vehicle explosion kills two at US-Canada bridge in Niagara Falls

State police said Saturday the bus had overturned and rolled off the I-90 on the south embankment.

The crash forced the closing of the Thruway in both directions.

The eastbound lanes, which had remained closed into the evening, were reopened around 8.30 pm, about eight hours after the crash, and the westbound lanes reopened just after 5 pm, The Buffalo News reported.

Multiple people were ejected or thrown around the bus when it overturned, according to New York State Police Troop T Commander Maj. Andre Ray.

Ray said that five people were pronounced dead at the scene while many are still hospitalised. However, there were no other patients in a "life-threatening status", he added.

The bus, carrying passengers aged from 1 to 74, was operated by M&Y Tour Inc. out of Staten Island, Ray said.

A child was initially believed to have been among the fatalities, but that was later determined to be false, Ray said.

Also Read | What to know about visas for foreign truckers and the politics of a deadly Florida crash

Investigators have ruled out mechanical failure and impairment or intoxication of the driver as causes of the crash, Buffalo News reported.

Trooper OCallaghan said every passenger on the bus had at least some sort of cut, bruise or abrasion as an injury.

He said that the bus was extremely damaged and that many passengers had been ejected from the vehicle when it crashed. The driver was alive and well, he added.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, in a statement posted on X, said that she had been briefed on the tragic tour bus accident and that her office was coordinating closely with the State Police and other agencies that were responding to the crash.
He is only 28, it was his bad luck, said the family and the village of Indian-origin trucker Harjinder Singh, who is staring at a potential 45-year jail sentence for allegedly causing a deadly crash in the US.

As they rally behind him, calling for a lenient punishment, a campaign has also been started online to generate support for the 28-year-old driver from Rataul village in Punjab's Tarn Taran district.

Also Read | Illegal immigrant Harjinder Singh charged in fatal Florida crash that killed 3

Here's what happened Harjinder Singh (28) is facing charges of vehicular homicide in the US for allegedly causing a crash resulting in the death of three people on a Florida highway on August 12, according to a media report. He was driving a tractor-trailer and allegedly took an illegal U-turn.

After the accident, he fled to California but was brought back to Florida following the arrest, the New York Post reported on Thursday.

Over a week after the incident, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a pause to all issuances of commercial truck driver work visas.

The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers, Rubio posted on social media.

Also Read | Harjinder Singh faces deportation: What we know about video showing crash in US

Punjab leaders say: Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora has written to the Union Government urging intervention in the matter related to the frozen work visas for foreign truck drivers, particularly Punjabis, with the United States government.

In his letter sent on Saturday, Arora mentioned that the step taken by the US government following the highway accident in Florida, which involved a Punjabi-origin driver, has put the livelihood of 1.5 lakh Punjabi drivers in danger.

He appealed to the Minister of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy to initiate a dialogue with the US Government and said that the whole Punjabi community is being punished based on one incident.

Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, has urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to ensure counsellor access was provided to Harjinder, so that his case could be pleaded appropriately.

Badal has also urged the Centre to take up the issue of the freezing of work visas of all foreign truck drivers by the US following the fatal crash.

She also urged Jaishankar to convey to the US government that the Punjabi community had played a vital role in meeting the high demand for drivers and alleviating the stress of driver shortages on American consumers and its economy.

Also Read | Who was Jaswinder Bhalla? Popular Punjabi comedian who passed away in Mohali

Meanwhile, a petition on an online platform change.org has been created by a group  Collective Punjabi Youth, calling for a reduced sentence for Harjinder, arguing that the tragic accident was not a deliberate act.

While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident, it said. It received over 18 lakh signatures in its support.

Here's what Harjinder Singh's family and village said: Dilbagh Singh, one of his relatives, said that Harjinder's family was not in a position to speak anything. The family is in shock, he said.

We are also saddened over the death of three persons in the accident. Similar incidents have taken place earlier as well, Dilbagh told reporters in Tarn Taran.

His age is 28 years, and if he gets 45 years of jail, then you can imagine what will be the condition of his family, he added while appealing to the Sikh bodies to come forward to provide assistance to Harjinder.

He said that Harjinder had left for the US after mortgaging his land in 2018.

Harjinder's elder brother, Tejinder Singh, lives with his family and their mother in Tarn Taran. Their father is no more, and the family is engaged in farming.

Many locals in Rataul village supported Harjinder and called him a hardworking person. Though they acknowledged that Harjinder committed a mistake, they demanded that the US authorities not award harsh punishment.

Village sarpanch Jashandeep Singh said they stand with the family and appealed for no harsh punishment for Harjinder.

An elderly villager also urged the US government to show leniency towards Harjinder. It was his bad luck that such an accident took place, he said.

Another villager said Harjinder did not do it intentionally. The accidents do take place, he said.

Though it was his mistake to make a U-turn, he should not be awarded any harsh punishment; otherwise, his entire life would be ruined, he said.
A man walks past the main entrance of Austrian Post's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 24, 2025. Multiple postal operators across Europe are suspending most package shipments to the United States, citing uncertainty, confusion and rising costs linked to forthcoming U.S. customs regulations on low-value imports. By Saturday, postal operators in more than a dozen countries, including France, Britain, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, had announced either suspensions or severe restrictions on parcels bound for the United States. (Xinhua/He Canling)

FRANKFURT, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Multiple postal operators across Europe are suspending most package shipments to the United States, citing uncertainty, confusion and rising costs linked to forthcoming U.S. customs regulations on low-value imports.

DHL Group, Germany's largest postal and logistics company, announced Friday it will temporarily stop accepting commercial goods and certain private parcels to the United States through postal channels.

The decision follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump last month, which sets to abolish the longstanding "de minimis" rule that allowed duty-free imports of low-value goods worth up to 800 U.S. dollars.

Under the new framework, effective Aug. 29, all imported items will be subject to customs clearance and tariffs. DHL noted, however, that the measure will not affect gifts under 100 dollars exchanged between individuals, if clearly marked as such, nor the mailing of letters and documents, though these may face stricter controls. Shipments sent via DHL Express will remain available but must undergo standard tariff-based clearance.

DHL also said the suspension was unavoidable, as key details of the new customs procedures remain unclear. Without guarantees of smooth clearance, the company cannot process shipments reliably.

The uncertainty has rippled across Europe. By Saturday, postal operators in more than a dozen countries, including France, Britain, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, had announced either suspensions or severe restrictions on parcels bound for the United States.

France's La Poste said it would halt parcel services for goods starting Aug. 25, except for express shipping, documents, and small gifts. Other operators, including Royal Mail, Poste Italiane and Post of Slovenia, set earlier cut-off dates to ensure parcels clear U.S. borders before the new rules take effect.

PostEurop, the association of European postal operators, warned that unless workable solutions are found quickly, members may be "constrained to temporarily restrict or suspend" shipments to the United States.

A common theme in operators' statements was frustration at the lack of clarity and preparation time. La Poste said U.S. Customs had offered "no time...to re-organize and update computer systems" to handle the changes.

The United States has not yet clarified key procedures, particularly regarding the collection of customs fees, required data submissions, and cooperation with U.S. customs authorities, Czech Post said.

Concerns also remain over parcels already in transit on Aug. 29, which may suddenly require full duty processing on arrival, creating further uncertainty for both operators and customers.

The suspension is already rippling through online retail and logistics networks. Many small businesses and independent sellers in Europe rely on affordable national postal services to ship to U.S. customers.

"This is one of the first tangible consequences of Trump's tariff measures, poorly negotiated by the EU (European Union), with direct repercussions on consumers and enterprises," said Luigi Daniele of the Italian consumer association Consumerismo No Profit.

Furthermore, logistics experts warned the new U.S. customs regulations could bring broader disruptions.

"Eliminating the 800-U.S.-dollar exemption reroutes more than 1.3 billion parcels a year from a fast-track postal channel into full customs entry queues," said Stephen Dyke, a consultant at global supply chain firm FourKites. Ports, air hubs and brokers may face serious backlogs as low-value e-commerce shipments now require formal clearance, Dyke noted. 

This photo taken on Aug. 24, 2025 shows Austrian Post's headquarters building in Vienna, Austria. Multiple postal operators across Europe are suspending most package shipments to the United States, citing uncertainty, confusion and rising costs linked to forthcoming U.S. customs regulations on low-value imports.

By Saturday, postal operators in more than a dozen countries, including France, Britain, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, had announced either suspensions or severe restrictions on parcels bound for the United States. (Xinhua/He Canling)
A day of filming turned tragic for a young YouTuber in Odisha after he was swept away by strong currents at the Duduma waterfall in Koraput district. The missing youth has been identified as 22-year-old Sagar Tudu, a resident of Berhampur in Ganjam district, officials said on Sunday.

According to police, Sagar had travelled to Koraput with his friend Abhijit Behera to create content for his YouTube channel, showcasing tourist destinations in the region. On Saturday afternoon, the duo was filming reels using a drone camera at the waterfall when the incident occurred.

Also Read | Rapido driver arrested in connection with firing outside Elvish Yadavs house

Authorities of the Machakunda dam, following heavy rainfall in the Lamtaput area, had released water after issuing alerts to residents downstream. Sagar, who was standing on a rock near the waterfall at the time, was suddenly caught off guard as the water level rose sharply.

Witnesses said he struggled to keep his balance on the slippery rock before being swept away by the gushing current. Tourists and locals nearby attempted to rescue him, but their efforts were unsuccessful, NDTV reported.

Soon after, teams from the Machakunda police and the Fire Brigade arrived and launched a search operation. However, the YouTuber could not be traced till late evening.
Hyderabad: A five-month pregnant woman was murdered allegedly by her husband, who then chopped her body parts at their house in Hyderabad's Medipally, and threw the pieces in the Musi river, police officials said on Sunday.

The sequence of events of the brutal murder does not stop there. After throwing the other body parts, the man retained the headless and legless trunk in his room, said DCP (Malkajgiri Zone) P V Padmaja, reported PTI.

How did the incident come to light? Later, the husband dialed his sister informing that his wife went missing. She grew suspicious and alerted a relative, who then took him to the police station. There, he again tried to pass off the murder as a missing case, but eventually confessed to killing his wife, the DCP told reporters.

Why did the man murder his wife? The incident occurred at about 4.30 pm on Saturday when the 27-year-old accused, who works as a driver with a ride hailing company, murdered his 21-year-old wife by throttling her over frequent quarrels due to family disputes.

On Friday, August 22, the woman told her husband that she would go to Vikarabad for medical check-up and thereafter stay at her parents house. The husband, however, did not agree  leading to a quarrel. The pregnant woman abused him, and on the same day, the accused decided to eliminate her, police said, reported PTI.

Based on his confession, a case under relevant BNS sections on charges of murder and causing disappearance of evidence of offence was registered and the accused was taken into custody, she said.

The dismembered was found in the house and sent for post-mortem, she said, adding "We have to ascertain the deceased (is wife of the accused) and a DNA test will be conducted".

Were body parts recovered? Police officials said NDRF personnel besides swimmers of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), took up searches, but so far they did not find the body parts.

The accused and the victim, both natives of Vikarabad district, who were neighbours, were married through a love-cum-arrange marriage in January 2024 at Arya Samaj here, police said.

Couple quarreled frequently After marriage, they moved to Hyderabad and resided in a rented house at Boduppal. They lived happily for about one month, thereafter frequent quarrels arose between them due to family disputes. In April 2024, the woman lodged a complaint with police in Vikarabad, accusing her husband of domestic violence and a case was registered.

Subsequently, village elders held conciliatory talks, and a compromise was arrived at.

The deceased worked for three months at a Call Centre in Punjagutta in the city. However, due to suspicion over her movements, the accused stopped her from continuing her job.
Delhi Police has arrested another individual accused in the case related to the attack incident on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during the Jan Sunwai event hosted last week, reported the news agency PTI on Sunday, 24 August 2025, citing officials aware of the development.

Tahseen Syed, the accused who has been arrested in relation to the incident, is a friend of the prime accused individual, Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimji.

According to the agency report, Tahseen Syed was brought to Delhi from Rajkot in Gujarat on Friday for further questioning. The police also made him confront Khimji to verify the facts of the case.

Syed was taken into the Delhi Police's custody on Sunday, 24 August 2025, according to the agency report citing the officials.

What is Tahseen Syed's link to the case? As per the agency report, Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimji had allegedly sent a video of CM Rekha Gupta's house to Tahseen Syed, and Syed also sent him 2,000 while being in constant contact with him before the alleged attack on the chief minister.

Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimji is an auto driver who has five cases of assault and possession of liquor between 2017 and 2024 at Rajkot's Bhaktinagar police station. There have been other preventive actions also taken against him, said the officials, according to the agency report.

Delhi police are also questioning more than 10 people, including Khimji's friends and family members, in Rajkot. The police have also seized the accused's mobile phone and are following the leads that have emerged.

If required, we can also take him to his native place in Rajkot as part of the investigation, a person aware of the development told the news agency.

A court allocated Khimji five days of police custody. According to Rajkot Police, he went to Delhi from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on 19 August to take part in the protest against the Supreme Court's ruling on stray dogs.

What happened at the Jan Sunwai programme? On the morning of Wednesday, 20 August 2025, the Bharatiya Janata Party appointed Delhi's Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta was attacked at the Jan Sunwai programme.

According to the media reports, the attacker slapped the chief minister and also pulled her hair.

A person attacked CM Rekha Gupta during Jan Sunvai today. The accused has been nabbed by the Delhi Police and is being questioned, said the Chief Minister's officer in an official statement on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian envoy Oleksandr Polishchuk said on Sunday, adding that the two nations are trying to agree on a precise date for the same.

The Indian Prime Minister invited Zelensky to come to India. Both sides are working on this. We expect President Zelenskyy to be in India, definitely, said the Ukrainian ambassador to India.

Also Read | Trump reveals his plan if Putin, Zelensky fail to make deal to end war

Polishchuk made the comments while speaking to reporters on the occasion of Ukraine's national Flag Day, on Saturday, August 23. He also said that the day was historical as one year ago on the same day, PM Modi visited Ukraine and invited Zelensky to India.

In August 2024, PM Modi visited Ukraine and offered to help bring peace to Ukraine as a friend."

India-Ukraine ties Last week, President Zelenskyy had extended greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on the occasion of the nation's 79th Independence Day. He expressed hope that India would play an important role in global peace efforts, especially in ending the ongoing war with Russia.

On Saturday Ukraine's ambassador to India also called for a more active role from nation in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasising that Kyiv sees New Delhi as a key player in potential peace negotiations due to its longstanding ties with Moscow, reported ANI.

Also Read | Russia claims more Ukraine land, says forces took control of two settlements in

Meanwhile, amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, Russia, on Sunday, said that Kyiv had launched drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russias Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Also Read | What Russia wants as peace deal with Ukraine? Vladimir Putin has three demands
The US headquarters of Defence, the Pentagon, is reportedly planning to deploy the military to Chicago as President Donald Trump aims to curb crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration, according to a report by the Washington Post citing officials familiar with the matter.

Trump had previously indicated his plans for Chicago.

Chicagos a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent. And well straighten that one out probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough," Trump said on Friday while naming the cities he wanted to "clean up."

Long been planning A military intervention in Chicago "has long been in planning," coinciding with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) measures to search for illegal migrants in the state, the report said, citing people aware of the development.

Meanwhile, Trump's latest move has been criticised by mayors and state governors for suggesting a takeover of Democratic states. Illinois governor JB Pritzker has alleged that the US president is seeking to 'create chaos.'

"After using Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities, Pritzker said.

Also Read | India Post to suspend US-bound parcels from Aug 25

Trumps goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilise existing public safety efforts  all to create a justification to further abuse his power," he added.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson highlighted severe concerns over Trump's move and other plans.

"The problem with the Presidents approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound," the mayor said.

Also Read | Trade negotiations with US underway: EAM says amid Trump tariff tantrums

No formal notice yet Even though Trump's statement has been taken seriously by the officials, the federal government has not issued any formal communication regarding the military deployment, the report noted.

Trump enforced the Home Rule Act earlier this month, bringing the Washington, D.C., police force directly under the central control of the federal government. Following this order, the US president also dispatched the National Guard to the capital.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley reiterated the importance of rebuilding the US-India relationship to counter China. In a post on X, Haley said, To face China, the United States must have a friend in India.

She said, India must take Trump's point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better.

Haley noted that navigating issues like trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demands hard dialogue.

"But, we should not lose sight of what matters most: our shared goals," Nikki Haley and Bill Drexel of the Hudson Institute said in an opinion piece published in the Newsweek.

"Decades of friendship and good will between the world's two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence," Haley added.

Earlier on August 22, Haley said the rise of a democratic India "does not threaten the free world."

"Partnership between the US and India to counter China should be a no-brainer. It would serve America's interests to help India stand up to China," she had posted on X.

Haley and Drexel emphasised that decades of friendship and good will between the world's two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence... Navigating challenging issues like trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demand hard dialogue, but difficult conversations are often the sign of a deepening partnership.

She stressed, "India and China are unfriendly neighbors that have conflicting economic interests and ongoing territorial disputes, including a lethal skirmish over contested borders as recently as 2020. It would serve America's interests to help India stand up to its increasingly aggressive northern neighbour, both economically and militarily... The sooner the better."

Haley underlined India's strategic role, stating, "In the short term, India is essential in helping the United States move its critical supply chains away from China... India stands alone in its potential to manufacture at China-like scale for products that can't be quickly or efficiently produced here, like textiles, inexpensive phones, and solar panels."
The Pentagon is reportedly developing plans to deploy U.S. military forces to Chicago, following President Donald Trump's announcement of a crackdown on crime, homelessness, and undocumented immigration, according to a Saturday report by The Washington Post.

The Defense Department has been considering the move for several weeks, with options that include activating several thousand National Guard troops as early as September, the report said, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

Here's why Trump eyes Chicago Chicago is a mess, Trump, a Republican, told reporters on Friday, deriding its mayor as he continued his attacks on cities run by Democratic politicians. And we'll straighten that one out probably next.

The Pentagon said in a statement late on Saturday: We wont speculate on further operations. The department is a planning organisation and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, stated that the federal government had not contacted the state regarding any potential need for assistance. He noted that no emergency situation in Illinois would justify deploying the National Guard or other military forces.

Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicise Americans who serve in uniform and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families, Pritzker said.

On Friday, Johnson said the city had grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops, Reuters reported.

"The problem with the President's approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for and unsound," the mayor said, adding that over the past year, homicides in Chicago have fallen by more than 30%, robberies by 35% and shootings by almost 40%.

What happened in LA and Washington? At Trump's request last weekend, the Republican governors of three states said they were sending hundreds of National Guard troops hundreds of miles to Washington, D.C.

The president has portrayed the nation's capital as a city awash in crime, although Justice Department data shows violent crime hit a 30-year low last year in Washington, a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress.

Also Read: US military deploying forces to southern Caribbean against drug groups

While the federal government holds considerable authority in Washington, D.C., the Home Rule Act of 1973 grants the city the power to elect its own mayor and council, though Congress retains the ability to review local legislation. It remains uncertain how Trump could bypass this law without congressional approval.

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.
Every August, the largest batch of Indian students heading abroad for higher studies typically goes to the US. It is called the fall season. But this year, the numbers tell a different story. Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have seen a 25-50% drop in applications for loans to study in the US, as have counsellors who help students navigate the study-abroad admissions process amid unavailability of visa slots.

However, the decline is expected to be temporary. While some students are eyeing universities in other countries or deferring their admissions by a year, the number heading to the US is likely to rise again by next fall.

US student enrollment has significantly dropped over the past 5-6 months due to the unavailability of visa slotsUnavailability of visa slots has led to 25% students to drop out or wait for the next round of admission to consider other popular destinations for overseas education," said Piyush Kumar, regional directorSouth Asia, Canada and Latin America, IDP Educationa study-abroad counselling firm.

Since the beginning of Donald Trumps presidency, tensions between several US universities and the government have unnerved many parents in India. Delays in visa slots, demand for greater scrutiny of social media profiles of those aiming to study in the US, among others, have prompted undergraduate and postgraduate students to consider destinations beyond the US.

According to the latest data shared by America's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), students from India increased by 11.8% in 2024 compared to 2023. These are students who hold the F-1 and M-1 visas. The former is offered to students whose primary purpose is to complete an academic course of study while the latter is to pursue a vocational course. The SEVP is a web-based system that the Department of Homeland Securities uses to maintain and manage information" on foreign students.

NBFCs, along with banks, that offer student loans have seen a decline in applications. Initially, following Trumps election, there was about a 20% decline in interest among students for US programs. After the visa pause was introduced, the impact deepened, with up to a 50% decline in applications, particularly from the southern region of India, which traditionally served as a strong hub for the US market," said Ankit Mehra, co-founder and chief executive officer of GyanDhan, an NBFC that focuses on loans for overseas education.

Also Read | Amid US visa delays under Trump administration, students turn to UK and Asia

In May, the US government directed its embassies to stop scheduling new interviews for international student visas.

Prior to this, the US embassy in India had cautioned students that skipping classes or leaving the program without informing authorities would lead to visa revocation, as the Trump administration mounted scrutiny of overseas students to stop scheduling new interviews for international student visas.

For non-bank lenders, the average ticket size for a loan to study in the US is 40 lakh. Other popular geographies among Indian students include the UK, Canada and Australia. A four-year undergraduate degree from any of these countries could set one back by $55,000-$100,000 a year.

But, the decline in applications should stabilize and then increase over the next 12 months. We expect recovery to start in Fall'26," Mehra said. Students head for higher studies in the fall season, which is typically August-September and a smaller batch heads for the February-March period.

Surprisingly, many students are willing to defer their courses or wait a year and then re-apply. Students unable to secure admissions this year will re-apply, creating a rush and making scholarships harder to secure. Many of those taking a drop year are preparing by gaining work experience through internships, volunteering, or by acquiring new skills and certifications  both technical and non-technical  that bolster their CVs and benefit them in the long-term," said Nilanjan Chattoraj, head, credit and product, education loans, InCred Finance.

Counsellors like Namrata Pandey, founder of La Mentoraa, an organization that specializes in helping students gain admission into universities in India and overseas, are optimistic. About 50 students are heading to the US this fall and there are a couple who did not get their visas. The only difference is this year, parents are considering options of studying in India as seriously as they would for a degree in US."
(Bloomberg) -- Security in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is deteriorating amid numerous conflicts, including clashes between Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and Congos army, United Nations and UN Security Council members warned Friday.

The violence persists despite a US-backed peace agreement between Rwanda and Congo signed in June and ongoing talks between the M23 and Congo in Qatar, council members said in an emergency meeting called by the US.

Regrettably, the evolution of the security situation on the ground has not matched the progress achieved on the diplomatic front, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee told the council. The number of civilian casualties has risen dramatically, and rape and forced recruitment of children into armed groups continue.

Violence has persisted in eastern Congo since the mid-1990s when the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide spread across the border, sparking multiple wars and local conflicts, some of which continue to this day.

The current M23 rebellion is the most recent incarnation of multiple proxy groups supported by Rwanda to address its security concerns and protect its interests in the mineral-rich region, though Rwanda denies backing the rebels.

The M23 sparked international outrage earlier this year when it took control of the key trading hubs of Goma and Bukavu on Congos border with Rwanda.

The occupation led the Trump administration to redouble US efforts to stop the conflict.

Ongoing Fighting

Despite the US pressure, M23 is continuing to make incremental gains and, with backing from members of the Rwandan army, killed at least 319 civilians in July in four villages alone, according to the UN human rights office, Pobee said.

The villages were strongholds of a group known as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR, which has links to the Rwandan Hutu perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsis. Rwanda and M23 have long complained of Congolese collaboration with FDLR rebels.

Congo has agreed to neutralize the group as part of the US-backed peace deal.

Congos ambassador to the UN, Zenon Ngay Mukongo, said the alleged M23 massacres were targeted ethnic killings and asked the council to strengthen sanctions for those responsible.

The ongoing fighting in the east goes against the spirit and the letter of both the bi-lateral DRC-Rwanda peace agreement and the DRC-M23 declaration of principles, Dorothy Shea, the US ambassador to the UN, told the council.

The United States will hold accountable spoilers to peace, and we call on council members to do the same, she said, adding that the US had intelligence that Rwanda continued to support M23 attacks this month.

Rwandas UN ambassador, Martin Ngoga, accused Congos army of attacks and reinforcing its positions against the M23, but said his government continues to support the two peace processes.

Ngoga said the meeting took place amid grave and unfounded allegations against my country, and he called for an independent investigation into the killings in the Hutu villages.

Violence in other parts of the Congos east is also on the rise, council members said.

In Ituri province, security has deteriorated sharply since July, with the Codeco and Zaire rebel groups killing multiple civilians, the UNs Pobee said.

The Islamist Allied Democratic Forces have also killed 185 civilians since the beginning of July and hundreds have been kidnapped over the same period, she said.

Around 5.9 million Congoles are currently displaced due to conflict, making it one of the most acute humanitarian situations in the world, Pobee said.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia on Sunday, forcing a sharp fall in the capacity of a reactor at one of Russia's biggest nuclear power plants and sparking a huge blaze at the major Ust-Luga fuel export terminal.

According to the Russian defence ministry, at least 95 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted across more than a dozen Russian regions on August 24, the day that Ukraine celebrates its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Despite talk of peace by Russia and Ukraine, the deadliest European war since World War Two is continuing along the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) front line accompanied by missile and drone attacks deep into both Russia and Ukraine.

Kursk nuke plant attack The Kursk nuclear power plant, just 60 km (38 miles) from the border with Ukraine, said that air defences shot down a drone that detonated near the plant just after midnight, damaging an auxiliary transformer and forcing a 50% reduction in the operating capacity at reactor No. 3.

The plant said radiation levels were normal, and no injuries were reported from the fire the drone sparked. Two other reactors are operating without power generation, and one is undergoing scheduled repairs.

The United Nations' nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it was aware of reports that a transformer at the plant caught fire due to military activity and stressed that every nuclear facility should be protected at all times.

A thousand km north, on the Gulf of Finland, at least 10 Ukrainian drones were downed over the port of Ust-Luga in Russia's northern Leningrad region, with debris sparking fire at the Novatek-operated terminal - a huge Baltic Sea fuel export terminal and processing complex, the regional governor said.

Plume of Black Smoke Unverified footage on Russian Telegram channels showed a drone flying directly into a fuel terminal, followed by a huge ball of fire rising high into the sky followed by a plume of black smoke billowing into the horizon.

"Firefighters and emergency services are currently working to extinguish the blaze," Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Russia's Leningrad region, said. There were no injuries, he added.

According to Novatek, the Ust-Luga complex, which opened in 2013, processes gas condensate into light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil and gasoil, and enables the company to ship oil products as well as gas condensate to international markets.

Novatek produces mostly naphtha for Asia, including China, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia, as well as jet fuel with delivery to Istanbul.

Rosaviatsia, Russia's civil aviation authority, said flights were halted for hours on end at several Russian airports overnight, including at the Pulkovo airport in the Leningrad region.

Ukrainian drones also attacked an industrial enterprise in the southern Russian city of Syzran, the governor of the Samara region said on Sunday. A child was injured in the attack, according to the governor, who did not specify exactly what had been attacked.

Also Read | Russia claims more Ukraine land, says forces took control of two settlements in

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military said it had struck the Syzran oil refinery. The Rosneft-owned refinery was forced to suspend production and crude intake after the attack, sources told Reuters.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has said its strikes inside Russia are in response to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine and are aimed at destroying infrastructure deemed crucial to Moscow's overall military efforts.
MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian drone attacks sparked fires at a Russian nuclear plant and other energy facilities, local authorities said Sunday.

Debris from a Ukrainian drone struck a transformer at the Kursk nuclear power plant early Sunday, causing a fire and damage, the regional operational headquarters said.

No casualties were reported, it said, adding that the blaze was extinguished and radiation levels at the plant and surrounding area remained unchanged.

In the Leningrad region, debris from another drone ignited a fire at a terminal of Russian natural gas producer Novatek in the port of Ust-Luga, regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said.

The fire was later put out and no casualties were reported, he said.

Russian air defense systems intercepted three HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system rounds and 172 drones over the past day, the Defense Ministry said. 
Israel is reportedly preparing to launch a full-scale military offensive to seize control of Gaza City by mid-September, about two weeks after newly mobilised reservists report for duty.

Ahead of the operation, authorities are expected to instruct the roughly one million Palestinians currently in Gaza City to evacuate, possibly starting as early as Sunday, Channel 12 reported, citing the Times of Israel.

More than 60,000 army reservists are set to report for duty on Septemper 2, after they were called up to serve in the next phase of Israels war against Hamas.

According to Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the political echelon are pushing to speed up the launch of the operation, while the military wants to first take steps to safeguard the hostages and the troops, and also evacuate the Palestinians from Gaza City and ensure there is international legitimacy for the operation.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz warned on Friday that the gates of hell would be unleashed to destroy Gaza City if Hamas refused to accept Israels terms for a cease-fire.

Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamass murderers and rapists in Gaza  until they agree to Israels conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament, Katz said on X.

Many Israelis fear that the ongoing assault on Gaza City could endanger the 20 hostages still believed to be alive since 2023. Another 30 are thought to have died. Just a week ago, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets demanding a deal to end the fighting and bring all hostages home, AFP reported.

Anyone who truly wants to bring the hostages home does not launch a ground invasion of Gaza, said Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod is among the captives, ahead of a weekly rally in Tel Aviv.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Hamas' stance, suggesting the group has little incentive to negotiate with so few hostages believed to be alive. I actually think [the hostages are] safer in many ways if you went in and you really went in fast and you did it, Trump told reporters on Friday.

Gaza's Health Ministry reported that at least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed in the war, including those previously missing but now confirmed dead by a special ministry judicial committee. The number of malnutrition-related deaths has also risen by eight, reaching a total of 281, AFP reported.
United States Vice President JD Vance said that Russia has made significant concessions working towards a negotiated settlement in its conflict with Ukraine, reported the news portal NBC News on Sunday, 24 August 2025.

Vance highlighted that Russia has made these concessions for the first time in three and a half years of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which started in February 2022.

I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict, JD Vance said on NBC's show Meet the Press with Kristen Welker on Sunday.

Vance also claimed that Russia has acknowledged that there will be some 'security guarantee' for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

They've recognised that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv. That was, of course, a major demand at the beginning. And importantly, they've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine, said Vance.

Last week, Donald Trump renewed a threat to impose more sanctions on Russia if there was no progress toward a peaceful settlement deal with Ukraine in the next two weeks, according to a Reuters report.

He's tried to make it clear that Russia can be re-invited into the world economy if they stop the killing, but they're going to continue to be isolated if they don't stop the killing, Vance said on Sunday.

Trump's Russia-Ukraine peace deal target JD Vance's comment comes nearly one week after US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met at the White House, and Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Also Read | Zelensky to visit India? Ukrainian envoy says PM Modi has invited President

The meeting between Trump, Zelensky and other major European leaders on 18 August concluded, with plans to soon set up a three-party meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to work things out on a potential peace deal.

Trump also stated that he may potentially attend the meeting along with President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin to negotiate the peace deal.
US President Donald Trump was among other world leaders who extended their support for Ukraine and wished President Volodymyr Zelensky on the occasion of the nation's 34th Independence Day on Sunday, 24 August 2025.

In an official letter to the Ukrainian President, Donald Trump wished Zelensky on behalf of the entire American people.

Also Read | Zelensky to visit India? Ukrainian envoy says PM Modi has invited President

On behalf of the American people, I extend my congratulations and warmest wishes to you and the courageous people of Ukraine as you celebrate 34 years of independence, said Trump in his letter to Zelensky.

He extended his support to Ukrainian citizens, calling them people with an 'unbreakable spirit' and an example that inspires courage amongst the masses.

Trump also said that the United States respects Ukraine's fight, and the sacrifices which the country has made for the future as an independent nation.

The people of Ukraine have an unbreakable spirit, and your country's courage inspires many. As you mark this important day, know the United States respects your fight, honours your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an independent nation, said Donald Trump in the letter.

Also Read | Trump reveals his plan if Putin, Zelensky fail to make deal to end war

Trump also reiterated that 'now' is the moment to stop the 'senseless killing' as he would support a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine, which aims to bring peace to the region against a war which has been raging since February 2022.

Now is the moment to bring an end to the senseless killing. The United States supports a negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty and dignity, said Trump in his letter.

What did Zelensky say? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accepting US President Donald Trump's wishes, said that he appreciates the United States standing next to his nation and defending qualities like independence, freedom, and guaranteed peace.

Zelensky also said that he believes that by working together with the US, they aim to put an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, focusing on peace for the nation.

Dear @POTUS, thank you for your heartfelt congratulations on Ukraines Independence Day. We appreciate your kind words for the Ukrainian people, and we thank the United States for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what is most valuable: independence, freedom, and guaranteed peace. We believe that by working together, we can put an end to this war and achieve real peace for Ukraine, said President Volodymyr Zelensky in his recent post on the social media platform X.
Elon Musks SpaceX is preparing for the next test launch of its massive Starship rocket this Sunday, following a series of failures that have led some to question the projects long-term viability.

So far in 2025, all three Starship test flights have ended with the upper stage exploding  twice in dramatic fireballs over the Caribbean and once after reaching space. Additionally, in June, another upper stage exploded on the ground during a static fire test.

SpaceXs fail fast, learn fast philosophy has been credited with the companys dominance in space launches, largely due to the reliability of its Falcon rocket lineup.

However, the repeated Starship failures have sparked concern over whether SpaceX can replicate that success with what is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built.

Here's what experts say: The UK government stated on Thursday that it is working closely with US Government partners to protect the safety of its overseas territories, including the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Commenting on the uncertain outcome of SpaceXs Starship program, Garrett Reisman, a former NASA astronaut, SpaceX advisor, and professor of astronautical engineering at the University of Southern California, told CNN: Its very, very difficult to predict how this is going to end up. I think it could end up never working, or it could end up revolutionising our entire future of activities in space and geopolitics.

He noted that Starship plays a key role in the US effort to demonstrate technological superiority in the emerging space race with China, as reported by CNN.

SpaceX fixed technical slag SpaceX has made modifications to the Starship system scheduled to fly this weekend, following the in-flight failure that occurred in May. Among the changes is a redesigned fuel diffuser, a component the company believes malfunctioned during the previous mission, leading to excessive pressure buildup in the rockets nose cone. According to a technical summary SpaceX released last week, this issue likely caused the vehicle to lose stability and spiral out of control.

If all goes as planned during the upcoming Starship test, known as Flight 10, the 400-foot-tall launch system will lift off from SpaceX's South Texas facility and head out over coastal waters.

The lower stage of the rocket, called Super Heavy, which provides the initial thrust at liftoff, is expected to attempt a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Texas coast, according to SpaceX.
Goods and services tax (GST) on premiums paid for health and life insurance became a hot-button political issue in 2024, after a written reply in the Rajya Sabha revealed that the Centre had collected over 24,000 crore 21,000 crore as GST on fresh policies and another 3,274 crore on policy renewalsin the previous three fiscal years.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi immediately attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre for looking for a tax opportunity before every disaster". Later, the Congress-led INDIA grouping of opposition parties demonstrated on the steps of Parliament, demanding the removal of the prevailing 18% GST on such insurance premiums.

Strangely, just a couple of weeks before the issue erupted in Parliament, Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari had written to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman calling for a withdrawal of GST on insurance, arguing that levying such a tax amounted to taxing the uncertainties of life".

The Union cabinet has now forwarded a proposal to scrap GST on health and life insurance premiums as part of a wider GST reform, which seeks to restructure indirect taxation into three slabsexempt, 5%, and 18%while retaining a 40% levy on sin goods'.

And with both the Opposition and the government seemingly allied on the issue, the GST Council is likely to clear the proposal.

The flawed logic

While the proposal on scrapping GST on health and life insurance is a rare case of both the ruling party and the Opposition justifiably claiming a political win, it is based on fundamentally flawed logic. At first glance, it appears to be a win for consumers. The cost of their premiums will fall by 18% as the GST component is removed. But that is only in the short term.

In the long term, though, things will change. Insurers will lose the input tax credit on the GST they pay on the various goods and services they purchase to keep their businesses running. Everything insurers spend onoffice space, computers, employee salaries, agent commissions, marketing, and advertising servicesattracts GST, currently at 18% in most cases.

The GST paid by the insurer on operational costs can be set off against the GST due to the government on premiums collected, thus dropping the net tax liability sharply.

Under the GST Acts anti-profiteering clause, these cost savings have to be passed on to consumers, that is, people who are buying the policies, leading to a lower overall premium cost. Removing GST on premiums means that nothing can be set off, and insurers are highly unlikely to absorb the increased costs on their own for too long.

The net gain could shrink to around 5% over the medium term, well under the headline number of 18% relief, show industry estimates.

The second-order effects

According to Telangana deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, a member of the Group of Ministers, which has proposed the removal of GST on insurance, the government will lose an estimated 9,700 crore in revenue in the first year.

This will rise further, given the 8.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in health insurance and the 11% CAGR in the life insurance sector. This may be well covered up by increasingor not reducingtaxes elsewhere, or at the least, a cut on some service or the other.

Exemptions also lead to compliance complexity and open up the possibility of regulatory arbitrage. Most life insurance products in the country are investment-oriented rather than risk-cover-oriented. In that sense, as anyone who has dealt with insurance agents and mutual fund marketers will attest, they compete with other financial products. An exemption will skew the market in favour of insurance-linked schemes.

There is also the question of equity. Wealthier consumers who invest in life insurance products and take higher health insurance will benefit disproportionately, while the poor, who take basic health insurance for emergencies, may see premiums go up as base rates climb.

A more sensible solution will be to optimize this. Keeping insurance premiums in the lowest GST bracket of 5% will allow insurers to avail input tax credit, thus lowering the rise in base premium rates. At the same time, it will offer a nominal 72% saving in tax (18% to 5%) for consumers.

The focus should be on increasing penetration. Health insurance penetration excluding government-funded schemes like Ayushman Bharat or co-funded covers like Employees' State Insuranceis still only around 20% of the population, compared to 80% in developed economies. This can only grow if private insurers are able to offer cost-effective products, while retaining some margin.

A modest GST on insurance premiums offers an optimal way forward.
I concluded my previous column arguing that the current geopolitical moment is similar to 1991 and that India ought to do now what it did then: undertake economic reforms and Look East. Even if it were not for the problems with the US, there has long been a case for a second round of economic liberalization and engagement of Indias Southeast Asian neighbourhood. Now these are both urgent imperatives.

While India has increased its engagement of Southeast Asia since the 1990s in several important ways, there has always been a distance between the two. This is perhaps because Indias motivations for engaging the region have primarily been geopolitical, with an eye on balancing Chinese power, while most that are countries part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) looked towards India as their second large geo-economic partner after China. Thus, geoeconomics was secondary for India and geopolitics for Asean.

Also Read: Indias trade pact with Asean is becoming a casualty of Trumps tariffs

This misalignment of objectives is the underlying reason why India is engaged but not integrated with Southeast Asia. India was wary of entering any regional trade agreement that included China. Asean countries, except Vietnam and the Philippines to some extent, were lukewarm to a security relationship with India if that meant rubbing Beijing the wrong way. This has led to a kind of sub-optimal equilibrium that exists to this day.

Now that the US under the Donald Trump administration has thrown out Washingtons East Asian playbook, India, Asean and other East Asian capitals have new opportunitieseven imperativesto recast their relationships. No US ally can take Washingtons security umbrella for granted. No Asean state can presume that the US will continue to underwrite the security of the region. No country can be certain that its trade relations with the US will not be contingent on extraneous political factors. In an age where economic power is being used coercively, Asean economies are heavily dependent on China.

Also Read: Bide your time: Chinas playing a long game in its trade talks with America

The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institutes survey report of 2025 shows, yet again, that few among the regions elite think India has any political or strategic influence in Southeast Asia: Approximately a third of ASEAN-10 respondents have reservations about Indias ability to contribute to global peace, security, prosperity, and governance (35.8%). However, this level of distrust is nearly matched by this years trust levels (35.3%), thus presenting mixed sentiments about the prospects of Indias role in the region."

Further: Of the ASEAN-10 cohort that trusts India, 30.1% believe that it is a responsible stakeholder that respects and champions international law. This view is shared strongly in Vietnam (49.1%), Singapore (37.5%), Indonesia (37.3%) Brunei (32.5%) and Cambodia (26.4%). Almost a fifth (19.0%) of this cohort agree that India has vast economic resources and the political will to provide global leadership."

The report also states: Among the... respondents who distrust India, 40.2% believe that India does not have the capacity or political will for global leadership. Next, 30.3% feel that India is distracted with its internal and sub-continental affairs and thus cannot focus on global concerns and issues."

Also Read: Nitin Pai: India should craft a calibrated response to Chinas Yarlung dam project

To win over Southeast Asians, New Delhis foreign policy needs to be entrepreneurial. New options have to be created. It is telling that 30 years after Look East started, Indias relations with Indonesia, Aseans largest country and military power, are unremarkable. Elite Indonesians ranked India near the bottom when asked which of Aseans dialogue partners is most relevant. This is a country with which India has deep civilizational links and mirrors our cultural diversity and pluralistic democratic values. It is also a neighbouring country, separated by a mere 180km at the closest points in the Bay of Bengal. There are many reasons why India-Indonesia ties are merely good. Without active courtship, they will remain so.

Indonesia can be a vital anchor of a new regional quadrilateral security partnership that includes Vietnam, Japan and India, countries that have a common interest in countervailing Chinese preponderance. I recall many in New Delhi saying that a security partnership involving India, the US, Japan and Australia was impossible before Shinzo Abe proposed the idea of a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in 2007. Geopolitical conditions create the potential, but things materialize when someone takes the initiative and invests effort in making them happen.

Whatever might have been the reasons India stayed out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) five years ago, there is now a case to re-examine that decision. New Delhi might not get the same deal as the one it walked away from in late 2019, but could we not push for an enlarged one that includes trade in services? The Indian market is relatively more attractive to RCEP member countries after the US raised tariff barriers. Concerns about Chinese exports are real, but it cannot be anyones case that all Indian industries must be shielded from Chinese competition for all time. Staying out of the East Asian economic bloc is a recipe for isolation that India cannot afford.

The author is co-founder and director of The Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy.
You cant blame Tulsi Gabbard for trying. The US director of national intelligence announced last week that Britain was finally backing down on its outrageous demand that Apple give it a backdoor to user data. That would seem like a win for US tech giants and privacy advocates, but its not so simple. Even if the UK government does drop its request, it can still issue other technical capability notices" demanding tech firms share information about their users, which firms are not allowed to say theyve received.

The real problem is bad privacy legislation in the UK, and the best way to solve it isnt through political meddling, but in court. Gabbards pronouncement on X seems good on its face. It followed extensive negotiations with British officials, but it may make a much-needed change to the law less likely.

Also Read: Apples UK run-in: Privacy may matter less to its customers than it thinks

The UK issued the order in early 2025, arguing that snooping on citizens private data was a price worth paying to catch criminals. It is not. Such backdoors threaten the privacy of citizens and treat them like automatic suspects. Mass surveillance does not necessarily prevent serious crime either. Apple launched a legal challenge in March, saying the demands went too far and that it needed to maintain strong encryption to protect user privacy. The company has its own financial reasons, of course, with security being a cornerstone of Apples marketing strategy.

But addressing the confidential order in court could have led to a change in how the law was applied across the board. We have a duty to challenge this type of secret power," says Gus Hosein, executive director of Privacy International.

Tech giants are often on the wrong side of the ethical line when fighting against government regulation, like Britains much-more sensible Online Safety Act. But, in this particular case, Apple is right. The UKs Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, dubbed the Snoopers Charter, has helped make its citizens some of the worlds most spied-upon people. It not only lets the government demand that companies give them special access points to user data; it recently added that firms must notify the government of any big security changes, so the UK can determine whether or not to demand a backdoor.

Also Read: Apple sceptics have had to eat their wordsat least for the time being

The Home Office, a sprawling government department in London that handles immigration and policing, is at the heart of this heavy-handed approach to surveillance. So too is a long history of state control over communications like the once-nationalized British Telecom, along with a national-security mindset that sees constant observation as critical to maintaining public order. London is one of the most heavily surveilled cities in the world, with nearly one million CCTV cameras.

Britains backdoor demands are especially egregious because they come with a gag order for companies who get them. Neither Apple nor the UK government will say if such demands exist if you ask. That gives the government unhealthy leverage over its citizens, making it nearly impossible to hold officials accountable or know when privacy rights are at threat. A Home Office spokeswoman refused to disclose if the order on Apple had been dropped. We do not comment on operational matters, including confirming or denying the existence of such notices," she said.

So why do we know about the Apple order? Because the company found subtle ways of making it public, stopping all end-to-end encryption for British customers of iCloud and by challenging the order in court. Apples case was due to be heard in early 2026, and admittedly, winning was a risky bet. British courts rarely rule against the government on issues of national security. But there was a chance that if Apple prevailed, the UKs Supreme Court could overturn the governments secret backdoor notices for good.

Also Read: Big Tech in the dock: The EU could force Meta and Apple to change their coercive ways

The UK could do with that sort of improvement, as its clandestine demands make it an ugly anomaly in the democratic world. American tech firms arent legally compelled to add backdoors to their products, and past attemptslike the Clipper Chip in the 1990s and FBI-Apple dispute over encryption in 2016were blocked or abandoned after a public backlash.

In the EU, strict privacy laws and court rulings have stopped governments from forcing companies to build in backdoors, typically citing risks to human rights and cybersecurity.

The UKs Home Office will likely drop its order under US pressure, but we will not know for sure until Apple uses its next appearance before a judge to say its case is invalid. That would be an unfortunate outcome for a fight that should have played out publicly in court and could have put an end to such intrusive surveillance powers for everyone else. Bloomberg

The author is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology.
The Florida detention camp known as Alligator Alcatraz is being run illegally by state workers who are holding immigrants off the grid, the American Civil Liberties Union said in a new lawsuit filed hours after a judge in a different case ruled the facility must be dismantled.

The ACLU on Friday sued a group of Florida agencies involved in operating the facility, alleging theyre violating federal laws that strictly limit how states can participate in immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit in federal court in Fort Myers is the latest legal threat to Floridas coordinated effort to support President Donald Trumps campaign to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. The camp was a key to Governor Ron DeSantis quest to play a high-profile role in Trumps immigration crackdown.

The lack of authority to operate the facility has resulted in unprecedented challenges that people in immigration detention typically do not face, including being held without charge, not receiving initial custody or bond determinations, not appearing in the detainee locator system, and not being able to access their attorneys or immigration court, the ACLU said.

The White House and the Department of Homeland Security didnt immediately return messages seeking comment. The Florida Department of Corrections, one of the defendants in the case, also didnt immediately respond.

The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status to represent all detainees at the facility, alleges that the unprecedented issues at the Alligator Alcatraz stem from a clear lack of authority at the heart of the facilitys operations.

The filing comes after a judge in a different case ordered that Alligator Alcatraz must be wound down and dismantled because it hadnt gone through the normal environmental review process for federal construction projects. Florida filed a notice of appeal.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday sharply criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that his own party MPs get uncomfortable when he speaks in Parliament and are apprehensive that he will do anap-shanap baatein and the party will have to bear the consequences.

Rijiju alleged that Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, does not listen to his own party members.

Rahul Gandhi kuch bolte hain, unke saare MPs bahot uncomfortable ho jaate hain. Wo darte hain ye anapshanap baatein karenge, uska khamiyaza party ko bhugatna padta hai...(When Rahul Gandhi speaks, his MPs get uncomfortable what nonsense he will speak, the party will have to bear its consequences, he said.

Watch the video here:

Union Minister further accused him of treading a very dangerous path and alleging that the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha is acting in coordination with anti-India billionaire George Soros. Rijiju further asserted that despite such conspiracies, the country remains secure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ANI reported.

In an interview with ANI, the Union Minister said, Rahul Gandhi is going on a very dangerous track. George Soros says that one trillion dollars are kept to destabilise the Indian government. The anti-India Khalistan force sitting in Canada, the US, the UK, and many Left organisations are conspiring to work against the country. Rahul Gandhi and Congress are working in coordination with them and weakening the country. This is very worrisome. But no one can destabilise the country under PM Modi's leadership.

The Union Minister alleged that the Congress party had worked with anti-India groups whenever it failed to win elections. ... When Congress cannot win elections, then they and the forces against India together start attacking the government and the institutions so that the public loses faith in this country's institutions... They have repeatedly said that the judiciary and the Election Commission are sold, to weaken them... Rijiju told ANI.

He further added that such actions were intended to create instability. When they conspire to weaken the nation and the credibility of the government, then that results in agitation... They are working with the Leftist mentality

Rahul Gandhi kuch bolte hain, unke saare MPs bahot uncomfortable ho jaate hain.

Rijiju recalled the Supreme Court's remarks over Rahul Gandhi's "Chowkidar chor" allegations and his being rapped over his remarks about India-China border tensions during Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Venezuela released a group of political prisoners as President Donald Trumps administration ratchets up pressure on Nicolas Maduros socialist regime.

Eight detainees were freed in the South American nation early Sunday, while five others will serve out the remainder of their sentences under house arrest, former governor and presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said in a post on X.

Among those released was Americo De Grazia, an ally of Maria Corina Machado, the banned opposition leader who represents the biggest challenge yet to Maduros 12-year rule. Pedro Guanipa, the brother of a prominent jailed opposition figure, was given house arrest.

There were 815 political prisoners behind bars in Venezuela as of Aug. 21, according to Caracas-based human-rights group Foro Penal.

The US recently deployed three warships, carrying 4,000 sailors and Marines, to the southern Caribbean as part of its efforts to combat drug cartels in the region. Earlier this month, Trumps attorney general doubled the bounty on Maduros head to $50 million.

Trumps administration has also withheld approval for several oil majors seeking to resume operations in Venezuela, including Spains Repsol SA, Italys Eni SpA and Maurel & Prom of France, despite handing out a license last month for Chevron Corp. to resume pumping crude in the South American nation.

The US State Department and Venezuelas information ministry didnt immediately reply to requests for comment on Sundays prisoner release.

Last month, Maduro agreed to swap 10 American detainees and dozens of Venezuelan political prisoners in exchange for 250 Venezuelan migrants who had been deported to and locked up in El Salvador. Its unclear whether this latest batch was negotiated with the US or meant to interfere with Trumps administration plans.

On Friday, Maduro invoked a former Venezuelan president, Cipriano Castro, who offered to open all doors for political prisoners amid tensions with the US during his time in office in the early 1900s.

In remarks a day earlier, Maduro dismissed news of the US deployment but nonetheless called on Venezuelans to unite and enlist. We call to arms all militia members, to tell the imperialists: Enough of your threats, Venezuela rejects you!

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces launched a strike on a storage site for Ukrainian missiles and a drone workshop, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.

The strike targeted a storage site for "Sapsan" operational-tactical missiles, a drone production workshop and warehouse, and temporary deployment points for Ukrainian armed formations in 146 areas, the ministry said in a statement.

It added that Russian air defense systems shot down three HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system rounds and 172 drones over the past day.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force said Sunday that Russia attacked with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 72 combat and decoy drones overnight, adding that 48 of them were downed. 
Geoffrey Hinton, the former Google researcher widely recognized as the Godfather of AI, has issued another warning about artificial intelligence systems. In his latest interaction, Hinton compared current AI systems to AI beings and said there is an urgent need for research on how to stop them from taking over the world.

Speaking to British-American entrepreneur Andrew Keen on his YouTube channel, Hinton said, The existential threat is very different. Weve never had to deal with things smarter than us. I mean, nuclear weapons, theyre not smarter than us. They just make a bigger bang, and theyre easy to understand, whereas AI, people dont yet understand that what were doing is creating alien beings.

Hinton, while comparing AI systems to alien beings, stated that they are capable of understanding what they are saying, which goes contrary to the general perception in the field of AI that current large language models (LLMs) are nothing but statistical models that predict the next word based on patterns in their training data.

Then again, LLMs are not supposed to have self-preservation instincts, but a new Anthropic study found during an experiment that its Claude Opus 4 model would blackmail an engineer to reveal their affair under the threat of being shut down.

If you look through the James Webb telescope and you saw an alien invasion that was going to get here in about 10 years time, people would be terrified. But were actually making these aliens. Theyre real beings. They understand what theyre saying. They can make plans of their own to blackmail people who want to turn them off, Hinton said.

We should be very worried about this, and we should be urgently doing research on how to prevent them taking over. Thats a very different threat from anything weve had before, he added.

Hinton had quit his job at Google in 2023 after working at the search giant for over a decade. At the time, he said it was so he could speak freely about the risks of AI without being influenced by corporate interests.
The craze for ChatGPT has only increased with every successive model launch, with its GPT-4o native image generation feature going so far as leading a viral Ghibli-style image generation trend earlier this year. While OpenAI's GPT-5 launch hasn't gone as planned, the company still continues to be among the most popular in the market with over 700 million weekly active users.

Also Read | ChatGPT maker says Musk turned to Mark Zuckerberg to help finance OpenAI bid

However, there could be a dramatic increase in ChatGPT's subscriber base if a new report by The Guardian is to be believed. The Microsoft-backed AI startup is said to be in talks with the U.S. government to give the whole country a ChatGPT Plus subscription, which costs $20/month.

Reportedly, Sam Altman and UK technology secretary Peter Kyle had recently discussed a multibillion-pound deal to give all UK citizens access to the ChatGPT Plus tier. While ChatGPT is accessible to all users without a subscription as well, the usage limit is lower and some features like personalities, Sora video generator, and AI agents are restricted behind a paywall.

The report, while citing two sources, states that this idea was floated as part of a broader discussion in San Francisco about the opportunities for collaboration between OpenAI and the UK government.

However, the UK technology secretary did not reportedly take the idea seriously because it could have cost as much as 2bn to the government.Kyle had previously dined with Altman in March, April, and in July he signed an agreement with OpenAI to give the UK's public services access to the company's AI.

The secretary has been a big champion of AI within the government and reports had emerged in March from ChatGPT on a lot of work-related questions, including why British businesses were not adopting AI and what podcasts he should appear on.

ChatGPT is fantastically good, and where there are things that you really struggle to understand in depth, ChatGPT can be a very good tutor for it, Kyle told PoliticsHome in January.
Trump was once a Republican Party outsider. Now it's his GOP and the MAGA faithful are in the lead
This years race featured a new location and is estimated to have the largest turnout yet, with nearly 1,000 runners participating. To some, it might just be any ordinary race, but for many who attend, it's a celebration in remembrance of one runner's life and legacy.

Cameron Bean was an avid and gifted runner. For him, running wasn't just a hobby: it was everything.

"It was his passion. It was his life, Lisa Bean, Camerons mother, says. People who knew him and met himI think they felt that.

Camerons father, Steve, says this was evident.

[He] was just bigger than life, Steve says. Everything he did, he did it 110%.

Camerons life was cut short September 21, 2015, when he was struck and killed by a car while he was out for a run.

UPDATE: Driver who killed runner sentenced to four years Valerie Bray pleaded guilty in December to charges relating to the 2015 incident that killed Cameron Bean.

"She hit him, drove straight to Moccasin Bend where she worked and was cleaning the glass out of her car where he busted the windshield out, Lisa says.

It's been nearly 10 years since that day, but instead of letting the tragedy break them, Cameron's family found strength in keeping his memory alive.

As hard as it iswe are so grateful and so thankful that people havent forgotten him, and we have been able to make something good out of the horrible tragedy of him not being here, Lisa says.

The Bean family remembers Cameron as charismatic and intentional toward everyone who crossed his path. Lisa says her family received letters from Camerons college friends upon hearing his death, many of them stating it wasnt uncommon for Cam to go out of his way to make sure others were recognized.

He just lived his life like that, making sure he knew people saw them, Lisa says. [He] made them feel wanted, Camerons father, Steve, says.

Through these connections and simply by the way he lived, Lisa says hes someone she admires and models her life after.

I look at my life, and Im like, am I doing that for anybody? He did it all the time, she says.

For nine years, Cameron's family has dedicated a Saturday in August to honor his legacy, remember his spirit and share his life-long passion.

It's exactly what we want it to be, and it's exactly the tribute for him, Lisa says.

For most, though, the Cam Run is more than just a race, a number on the clock or a prize at the finish line: it's finding hope in the heartache, and light in the loss.

"Because we know where he is, he would not choose to be here, but he would be very, very pleased with what's going on for his memory and glad that he lived his life the way he did, Lisa says.

It's this family's journey in healing, one step at a time.

"This oneI don't think there's an end for us any time soon, Lisa says.

But the Bean family says the annual event is as much for Cameron as it is for everyone grieving the loss of loved ones. Its a way to find comfort, peace and unity in the midst of mourning.

"You guys are grieving tooits not just us, Lisa says. We feel for ya'll too, and if coming here makes you feel good or closer to somebody, just speak to those people. We never know what the person beside us is going through."

Lisa says, over the years of sharing her sons story, shes been able to meet and connect with hundreds of people. Even two days ago, she was in North Carolina eating at a restaurant, when Cameron was brought up in a conversation with her waitress. Lisa says, after hearing Cams story, the waitress and her father signed up and ran in this years race.

Theres story, after story, after story, Lisa says.

The family says their goal is to continue the tradition for years to come, in hopes that Camerons story will reach people everywhere.
Local News

By Long Island Published: August 24 2025

Ishmoile Mohammed was swimming in the ocean when he got caught in a rip current pulling him west.

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the drowning death of a man at the ocean beach of Sailors Haven yesterday.

Ishmoile Mohammed was swimming in the ocean when he got caught in a rip current pulling him west.

Lifeguards rescued Mohammed from the water at approximately 2:45 p.m. and with the assistance of Fire Island National Seashore employees, rendered aid.

Mohammed, 59, of South Carolina, was airlifted to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore where he was pronounced dead.
US Army infantrymen assigned to 10th Mountain Division during night range operations in Syria, June 9, 2025. (Sergeant Trenton Pallone/US Army)

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a raid by US forces killed a senior ISIS [Islamic State] member in Atmeh in northwest Syrias Idlib province on August 19. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve [CJTF-OIR] will continue to build partner capacities and ensure security and stability within the region. We ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition, said in the wake of the raid.

The operation targeted an Islamic State official who was considered a key financier who planned attacks in Syria and Iraq. He had relationships throughout the ISIS network in the region, posing a direct threat to US and Coalition forces and the new Syrian Government, according to CENTCOM. We will continue to pursue ISIS terrorists with unwavering determination, throughout the region, added Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of CENTCOM.

Initial reports, including from the Associated Press (AP), said that the operation had led to the capture of Abu Hafs al-Qurayshi, an Iraqi citizen and IS commander, who the group may have named as its supreme leader two years ago. The AP ascribed the claim of this capture to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, saying that another Iraqi citizen was also killed in the operation. Other reports, such as by Arab News, relied on these early claims about taking Qurayshi alive. However, CENTCOMs statement did not mention capturing anyone, nor did it specify the name of the target of the raid or that he was the Islamic States top commander.

Syrian officials offered separate information about the targeted individuals identity. Syrian state TV on Wednesday quoted an unnamed security official as saying the Iraqi man targeted in the operation is known as Ali, adding that his real name is Salah Noman. It said Noman was living in an apartment with his wife, son and mother. It said he was killed in the raid, Arab News reported.

In February 2022, the Pentagon announced that former Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al Qurayshi had been killed in a raid that also took place in Atmeh, Syria. Importantly, as Arab News notes, Al-Qurayshi is not the real name of Daesh leaders but comes from Quraish, the name of the tribe to which Islams Prophet Muhammad belonged. Daesh claims its leaders hail from the tribe, and al-Qurayshi is part of their nom de guerre.

In 2022, the Pentagon said that Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al Qurayshi had killed himself and others as the operation unfolded. An ISIS deputy and some of al-Qurayshis family members were reportedly killed when al-Qurayshi detonated the explosive device, a US Department of Defense statement said. Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al Qurayshi had become the head of the Islamic State in 2019 after the death of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, who was killed in a US raid in Idlib.

Atmeh is around a 15-mile drive from Barisha, where Baghdadi was killed. The area has historically been controlled by Hayat Tahrir al Sham, the group that led the offensive that toppled the Bashar al Assad regime in December 2024 and has formed the backbone of a government in Damascus. Ahmed al Sharaa, the head of HTS, became the transitional president of Syria after the regimes fall. Atmeh is also very close to an area controlled by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, another prominent rebel group. Several key Islamic State leaders have sought refuge in this area of northwest Syria near the Turkish border.

The US-led effort against the Islamic State is undergoing changes in Syria and Iraq as the leadership in Damascus transitions, and the US military shifts its forces and its mission in Iraq to a bilateral security arrangement. On July 22, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve completed an annual transfer of command to US Army Brigadier General Kevin J. Lambert.

On July 25, Central Command said that its forces had conducted a raid resulting in the death of senior ISIS Leader, Dhiya Zawba Muslih al-Hardani, and his two adult ISIS-affiliated sons, Abdallah Dhiya al-Hardani and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba al-Hardani. The raid took place in Al Bab governorate near Aleppo in an area apparently controlled by the Turkish-backed SNA. The US has also continued to train with anti-Islamic State partner forces, including the Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria and the Syrian Free Army in Tanf in southern Syria.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
Zoe Reed, chair emerita of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU), speaks during an interview with Xinhua in London, Britain, on July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Lu)

by Xinhua writer Jin Jing

LONDON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Highlighting the West's limited understanding of China's sacrifices during World War II (WWII) as a "real issue," Zoe Reed, chair emerita of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU), said humanity must learn from history to chart the way forward.

Western education offers "limited" and often "narrow" content regarding China's role in the war, Reed told Xinhua in an interview ahead of the September commemoration events in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"We in the West sort of think World War II was just a European thing with a bit of American involvement, and we don't really think through how the rest of the world has suffered," Reed said.

"Clearly, we have very limited education about what happens in China and what happened in China. So what we can do to bring that to people's attention is valuable," she added.

Reed, of mixed Chinese and British heritage, has a traditional Chinese name, Sun Ruyi, which literally means "May things go as one wishes." Her father, orphaned during the war against Japanese aggression, later traveled to Britain in the 1940s to study with the help of Joseph Needham, a renowned British scholar and the first chairman and president of SACU. With such a deep personal bond to China, Reed decided to carry on Needham's mission and became chair of the association in 2009.

In recognition of her significant contributions to boosting Britain-China friendship, Reed has been invited to attend the upcoming commemoration events in Beijing. She said she felt "completely honored and completely amazed" upon receiving the invitation.

"I feel very delighted that the hard work of SACU over these last many years is being recognized by this opportunity," she added.

Founded in 1965 in London, SACU marks its 60th anniversary this year. Over the decades, the society has worked to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the British and Chinese peoples, with a particular focus on broadening the horizons of young Britons and enhancing their understanding of China.

To raise awareness of China's wartime history and commemorate the friendship forged between the two countries during World War II, Reed has made promoting the story of George Hogg, a British journalist who dedicated his life to supporting China's resistance against Japanese aggression, a key part of SACU's work.

In 2015, SACU launched the George Hogg Education Fund to promote educational exchanges between regions and institutions in both countries, and to enhance public awareness of China, particularly regarding its wartime experience.

In April, Reed personally helped organize a trip for Hogg's relatives and historians to several places in China, including Gansu Province, retracing Hogg's footsteps. With the support of SACU, a George Hogg memorial exhibition opened on July 22 at a museum in Harpenden in Hertfordshire, Hogg's hometown in Britain, marking the 80th anniversary of his death.

Looking ahead, Reed said SACU will further expand strategic cooperation with various partners to bring its messages to a wider audience in Britain. The organization also plans to fund British students to travel and study in China, enabling more young Britons to gain a deeper understanding of the country.

"To build that shared understanding, if we can do that with the next generation, then (it will be) so much better," she said.

On Britain-China ties, she emphasized that understanding each other's history and respecting different development paths and viewpoints are key to maintaining sound bilateral relations.

She also expressed hope that Britain and China can further strengthen cooperation on common global challenges, such as climate change and global health.

"There will hopefully be a focus on things of global impact where we all have a shared humanity and need to work together," she said. "You need to learn from history to plan your way forward." 
Born in Palma in September 1997, Sami Bekal Bounouare moved to Rotterdam with his family when he was 13. In November 2023, a Spanish politician, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, was shot in the face in Madrid by a would-be assassin. Sami Bekal Bounouare is believed to have masterminded the assassination attempt. Europol has offered a 50,000 reward for him.

Also known as 'Pacho', he became a prominent figure in the Dutch underworld. Aged 27, he has a history of drug trafficking and is said to have strong ties to the Italian mafia and the Mocro Maffia, a powerful network of criminals of Moroccan origin that has become one of the most feared in Europe.

The attempted assassination of Vidal-Quadras was in retaliation for his support of the Iranian opposition in exile. The security forces believe that Pacho arranged for Meherz Ayari to travel to Spain in August 2023; he was the hitman. In addition, he provided vehicles and money to those involved in the plot and negotiated the purchase of the weapon that was used.

As well as this, a judge in the Netherlands has evidence that he was behind the murder of an Iraqi citizen in 2021 and an attempted murder in June last year.

By that time, he was no longer in Spain - he lived in Granada. Arrests were made after the assassination attempt, but Pacho escaped first to Morocco, then Qatar, Brazil, Colombia and finally Turkey, from where he crossed into Iran.
Dear Eric: I started a new job a year ago. I took over as a supervisor at a municipal agency from an individual who was retiring and who is a friend of mine.

The position I took over had a number of employees who were retired and had part-time jobs. They were very loyal to him, and he let them do what they wanted as long as it got done. There was no structure at the workplace.

I tried to implement small changes from the start, and each time, I was met with, thats not how we have done it before. I didnt want to make it seem like it was my way or no way, but things needed to change. If I complained to my supervisors, they might think I was simply being difficult and that I couldnt get along with anyone. They wouldnt listen to me at all.

Its reached the point where every time I walk in and ask for something to be done, the employees do the exact opposite. Its embarrassing to work there. I have no support from either end. I enjoy the job, but my staff does not respect me.

I am at a loss about what I should do. I dont know who is in charge there because I dont feel like I am. Do you have any suggestions or ideas about what I can do?

Disrespected Supervisor

Dear Supervisor: It can be very difficult to inherit someone elses workplace culture. In a supervisory role, a lot of negotiation involves understanding what you need to adjust to and what you need to change. Thats a dance that goes on for a while. Respect from the employees you supervise is important, and I dont want to dismiss that, but its also crucial to think about the expectations that are being placed on you, the expectations youre placing on yourself, and the expectations you have for the workplace.

To that end, see if you can get clarity from your supervisors about what success looks like for you, how they measure it, and what systems are in place to encourage growth. These systems may not existmany workplaces are imperfect. But this information could help you to modify your expectations and, in turn, take some of the frustration out of the working relationships you have with the employees you supervise.

You also might want to talk to your friend. He created this imperfect system, and while you clearly dont want to perpetuate it, he might be able to give insight or cheat codes. Ask him, how do I deal with these people?

Shifting a culture is more akin to turning a cruise ship than a speed boat. Smaller steps are going to be necessary, and the first should be finding one thing about your job performance that you feel good about and pouring your energy into that.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)

2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
As the Trump administration focuses on antisemitism at institutions like Harvard University, in the background, professors and higher education advocates are thinking about what might come next.

Some see the Trump administrations push against diversity, equity and inclusion  also known as DEI  as the next frontier for controlling what should or shouldnt be taught or researched at colleges and universities.

The Trump administration could come after universities the way its coming after so-called antisemitism. They can say we have this executive order, the executive order defines sex as only a binary male or female. And theres no such thing as gender. Therefore, if youre teaching gender studies, you are violating the executive order of the government, said Laurie Essig, Professor of Gender, Sexuality, Feminist Studies at Middlebury College.

Some conservative leaders dont believe the federal government is able to control what is taught in private institutions, but agree that the attacks on DEI will only continue.

Diversity, equity and inclusion came to mean in practice, something very different from those words. It became the imprimatur for a system of race-based preferences, for identity-based division, for gross oversimplification and stereotyping of individuals and became an excuse to teach some deeply ideological, deeply problematic views as uncontroversial, said Frederick Hess, senior fellow and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank.

The Trump administration has also signed a flurry of executive orders related to DEI. One includes calling for public and private colleges to end DEI programming in a January order, claiming that it diminishes the importance of individual merit, aptitude, hard work and determination.

Another executive order in April called for the punishment of accreditors if they require unlawful discrimination under the guise of DEI initiatives.

More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination, according to a U.S. Department of Education announcement in March.

And, the Supreme Court decided on Thursday that the Trump administration can slash hundreds of millions of dollars worth of research funding in its push to cut federal DEI efforts.

Yielding to political masters

College and university officials have been considering how to respond to the Trump administrations actions to make sure they are in compliance with federal law, according to Dr. Emmanual Guillory, senior director of government relations at the American Council on Education.

The reconsideration of DEI programming is occurring across academia, but especially in states like Texas that have emphasized anti-DEI initiatives, he said.

Florida and Texas have been leaders in attacks on higher education, including on DEI. But what we see is the same issues playing out in states across the country. Amy Reid, PEN America's Freedom to Learn Foundation

While Texas and conservative-leaning states might be scaling back their DEI programming or classes, blue states are as well, according to Amy Reid, Senior Manager for PEN Americas Freedom to Learn program.

Florida and Texas have been leaders in attacks on higher education, including on DEI. But what we see is the same issues playing out in states across the country, Reid said.

Some faculty have already felt like their universities have begun capitulating to the Trump administration by renaming or walking back their DEI offices  including at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northeastern University.

Harvard faculty members were told last week that Black Lives Matter signs in their office windows violated campus policies and must be taken down.

You would have to be very naive not to see the link between the signs removal and the universitys repeated efforts to placate the Trump administration, on issues ranging from DEI to the Israel-Palestine conflict. This action is but the latest instance of Harvard yielding to donor pressure and political masters, Harvard professor Bence Olveczky told MassLive.

Why DEI as the next step?

While the Trump administration has prioritized cracking down on DEI, some states have also been working on it.

As of April 28, 20 states have passed anti-DEI legislation, according to Campus Reform.

This was pioneered at the state level in places like Idaho and Florida, where state boards and state politicians began to scrutinize higher education and whats being taught, the names of courses, the content of those courses, the structure of the gen-ed [general education] program and began to ... attack these programs in various ways, said Carrie Baker, the chair of the Program for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality at Smith College.

While states have pushed the issue, it has also been taken on by people such as Christopher Rufo, who has led a national movement opposing critical race theory and DEI.

The Trump administration has appeared to follow the direction of Rufo as he has called for the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion departments and the U.S. Department of Education and adjusting or cutting federal funding to institutions in an effort to change their ways.

Rufo, a senior fellow at the right-wing Manhattan Institute, a New York City think tank, has said higher education should be the first field of battle.

Rufo has been involved in reshaping the liberal arts school, New College of Florida. The new Board of Trustees fired the president, abolished the DEI Department, shut down the Gender Studies program and established colorblind admissions. He claimed it has become the opening move in a conservative counterrevolution.

Reid, who formerly worked at New College of Florida as a professor of French language and literature and director of the Gender Studies Program, said the focus on DEI is a sleight of hand that masks the effort to censor higher education behind a glib campaign against an imaginary foe  DEI."

While Rufo isnt the only one pushing the anti-DEI movement forward, Hess, from the American Enterprise Institute, said Rufo has had an effective public voice.

I think Rufo was a spark that helped awaken a lot of Republicans to issues that many of us have been voicing frustrations with. But he did a very effective job of connecting this to concrete instances in ways that broke through, Hess said.

The anti-DEI movement is also part of a larger blueprint from Project 2025, a conservative master plan that reenvisions a federal government with expanded presidential power, including over private and public universities and colleges.

In the nearly 1,000-page document, it lays out the way indirect costs at universities should be capped in order for the federal government not to pay for DEI and leftist agendas  which has been done and is being fought in court.

So theres no way that it [Project 2025] couldnt be a major influence on the Trump administration in all the different areas, not just education. Adam Kissel of The Heritage Foundation, which published Project 2025

It also states that the terms DEI, sexual orientation and gender identity, among others, should be deleted from every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation and piece of legislation.

Adam Kissel, a visiting fellow at The Heritage Foundation, which published Project 2025, said the blueprint represents, in a sense, the consensus of the conservative movement.

So theres no way that it couldnt be a major influence on the Trump administration in all the different areas, not just education, Kissel said.

Could higher ed in Mass. change?

Despite Massachusetts reputation for being liberal, its not insulated from federal attacks on DEI, according to Baker, at Smith College.

She worries that the Trump administration will threaten institutions accreditation if they dont eliminate certain departments. Columbia and Harvard have already had their accreditations threatened over antisemitism.

The fact that Columbia put their Middle East studies under receivership or that Harvard canceled an issue of a Middle Eastern journal on Palestine. I mean, our universities are so heavily funded, particularly research universities, by the federal government, and Trump is weaponizing that to try to coerce them to change their curriculum, to change who theyre hiring, to change who they admit. And these are private institutions, but theyre trying to basically commandeer these institutions to achieve their own political goals, Baker said.

Baker and Essig are part of a broader organizing effort from chairs of gender studies departments that are speaking with their accreditation agency and school administrations to prep them for potential attacks on their departments.

I think it doesnt take a lot to scare people into compliance, and obviously, it affects who will and wont come to the U.S. for an education. And that shapes our education as well, Essig said.

While cutting gender studies programs is at the forefront of what the chairs are concerned about, they believe that the dismantling will go beyond gender studies, into ethnic studies and others, Essig said.

Forcing departments like these to close would be harmful, according to Reid, from PEN America.

We risk inappropriately limiting our students ability to access the education that they need and deserve free of censorship, she said.

As Harvard fights against the Trump administration, some professors have already decided not to teach certain courses due to concerns of content-based retaliation and fears for their students safety.

For instance, one professor, Jules Riegel, a lecturer in History and Literature, opted out of teaching a global transgender history class.

A lot of work to do

While the Trump administration is likely to continue pushing forward with an anti-DEI agenda, Kissel, from The Heritage Foundation, said the classroom is generally sacrosanct and not within the purview of government regulators, especially not at the federal level.

He called the worries from Baker and others not realistic fears, stating that theres going to be very little change because the professors are still going to teach what they want.

Most of the academic centers are going to continue to go on the way they are, and the culture of each university is not going to change over three years unless major internal players want it to. And even then, it may not happen. Universities are large and slow to move, Kissel said.

Hess, from the American Enterprise Institute, agreed. He said the administration doesnt have a way to make institutions abolish programs.

In red states, youre certainly seeing some legislators ask whether these programs are a good use of public dollars. But in Massachusetts, youre not going to see that. And you know, some institutions may take a look at some of these programs that have low enrollment or have lousy graduate outcomes and may question their value. But I dont expect youll see a lot of that, he said.
A Massachusetts man convicted in 1991 of murdering his neighbor after a party on the day after Christmas was denied parole for a third time by state officials earlier this month.

Christopher Berry, 53, has served 37 years of his life sentence for the killing of his Saugus neighbor, 87-year-old Virginia Woodward, on Dec. 26, 1987.

Berry, then a 16-year-old, hosted a small party at his home, drinking beer and smoking marijuana, as well as consuming Xanax and mescaline, before getting into a physical altercation with his father, according to documents filed with the states parole board.

After the fight, his father physically removed him from the apartment and told him not to come back. Berry then decided to break into Woodwards home, located across the street, to steal property and money.

After gaining entry, Mr. Berrry went into her kitchen and drank vodka, parole documents state. He then found Ms. Woodward lying in bed. With a butcher knife, Mr. Berry stabbed Ms. Woodward eight times in her head, chest, abdomen, upper arms, and hands. Mr. Berry then smoked a cigarette, which he extinguished on her forehead.

Berry went home, and after authorities learned of Woodwards death the following day, he was arrested shortly after.

On Aug. 13, the states parole board denied Berry parole and he is eligible for another review in two years. Its the third time since 2015 that state officials have denied him parole.

Court decision grants possibility of parole

An Essex County jury found Berry guilty of first-degree murder on Oct. 4, 1991, and a judge sentenced him to life in prison without possibility of parole. He was also convicted of armed burglary with assault on an occupant and sentenced to a concurrent term in prison.

In 2013, however, the states Supreme Judicial Court made Berry and other defendants sentenced to life without parole as juveniles eligible for parole consideration after 15 years following its decision in the case of Commonwealth v. Diatchenko.

Berry appeared before the parole board in February and attorney Courtney Kenyon represented him, according to parole board documents.

What did parole board say?

The boards decision found that Mr. Berry needs continued work on self-development, specifically regarding his judgment and coping skills.

The parole board said Berry continues to struggle with substance use and anger. The decision states he is encouraged to pursue programming to address his decision-making, coping skills, relapse prevention, and anger.

He is also encouraged to provide confirmation of renunciation from gang affiliation, the board wrote.

The parole board heard opposition testimony from Essex County Assistant District Attorney Dawn Masterson in opposition to parole, the decision states.
LISBON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed on Sunday when a light vehicle crashed on a road in Monchique, Faro district, according to Portugal's civil protection command.

Lusa News Agency reported that the victims were found burned inside the vehicle. The crash also triggered a forest fire, which was quickly brought under control.

Authorities said the road remained closed as of 2:30 p.m. local time while recovery and cleanup operations were underway. 
Over two days next week, former Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctors fight to get his job back begins in earnest.

Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read case, made headlines for the derogatory text messages he sent about Read during the investigation into the death of her boyfriend, John OKeefe. He joined the State Police in May 2014 and was assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorneys office in September 2019.

Proctor was relieved of duty on July 1, 2024  the same day Reads first trial ended in a mistrial  and was then suspended without pay a week later. In each of his last two years as a full-time trooper, Proctor earned more than $102,000.

The State Police fired Proctor on March 19 of this year, a decision he quickly appealed to the Civil Service Commission. The full hearing on Proctors appeal begins on Aug. 26 and continues on Aug. 27. The hearing will then pick back up in late October.

Heres what to know ahead of the hearings.

Why was Proctor fired?

A state police trial board determined Proctor violated a pair of department regulations: unsatisfactory performance and alcoholic beverages.

The unsatisfactory performance charge against Proctor was tied directly to the Read case. The trial board, which held three days of hearings on the case against Proctor, determined he sent derogatory, defamatory, disparaging and/or otherwise inappropriate text messages about a suspect in a homicide investigation between Jan. 29, 2022, and Aug. 17, 2022.

On a text thread with his superiors, Proctor joked about going through Reads phone for naked photos. He also repeatedly mocked Reads medical conditions, telling a group chat of friends from high school she had a leaky balloon knot. Proctor also called Read a whack job [expletive] and said he wished she would kill herself.

The board also determined Proctor provided sensitive and/or confidential information about a homicide victim, potential witnesses and/or potential investigative steps to non-law-enforcement personnel during his investigation.

Proctor created an image that he was biased in his dealings with a homicide suspect, the trial board found, adding he brought himself and the state police into disrepute.

In the early stages of his investigation, Proctor told his friends the owner of the home OKeefe was found outside of wouldnt catch [expletive], noting he was a Boston cop, adding that there will be some serious charges brought on the girl, meaning Read.

Zero chance she skates. Shes (expletive), Proctor added.

The board also determined Proctor violated State Police regulations when he and Canton Police Detective Kevin Albert got drinks during a cold case investigation on Cape Cod.

Alberts brother, Brian, owned the home where OKeefe was found outside in January 2022. The connections between Proctor and the Albert family were highlighted by Reads lawyers throughout both trials, where they argued Proctor conspired to frame Read.

There was no finding by the trial board that Proctors investigation was compromised.

What is Proctors case?

Proctor is pursuing his appeal on two grounds: that State Police did not have just cause to fire him and that he was treated differently from other troopers in a similar situation.

In a filing with the Civil Service Commission obtained by MassLive through a public records request, Daniel Moynihan, one of Proctors lawyers, claimed Proctor was kept on full duty for months after his superiors learned of the text messages on his personal phone. Proctor testified before a federal grand jury in February 2024, which marked the first time he was confronted with the messages.

Immediately after that, Proctor claims, he told his supervisor, Det. Lt. Brian Tully, about the messages. Tully informed his supervisor, and eventually, Proctor was called into a meeting with the State Police general counsel.

Proctor wasnt notified he was the subject of an internal affairs investigation until April 2024.

He has also claimed he had a right to privacy for the texts he sent on his personal phone, which included those about the investigative steps and many of his derogatory messages about Read.

There is no Massachusetts State Police policy, rule or regulation governing the personal cellphones of troopers or any of its employees, Moynihan wrote in a filing submitted to the commission.

The State Police does not claim that the investigation into Read was compromised, as Reads defense lawyers did during her trials.

Does Proctor have a chance?

A pair of experts MassLive spoke to both said they saw a path for Proctor to get his job back.

Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge, said the State Police caved to public pressure and scapegoated Proctor.

Proctors firing further damages the already-tattered reputation of Massachusetts State Police Discipline, Lu, an adjunct professor at UMass Lowell, said in March. This is out of proportion to previous discipline for the same infractions, and suggests to troopers that they are subject to the whim of politics, not a fair discipline process.

How can we expect police to be fair to people on the street when they themselves are treated unfairly, he said.

The State Police never disciplined Proctor before he was relieved of duty in July 2024.

That fact could well aid Proctor in his appeal, said Maureen Boyle, a professor at Stonehill College and a longtime crime reporter.

If this is a one-and-done, this does not seem like this should be a career-ending situation, she said.

What Proctor has said

Proctor gave interviews to both 20/20 and Dateline, which aired after Read was acquitted following her retrial, which ended on June 18.

In those interviews, he admitted the texts he sent about Read were regrettable, but denied taking part in any kind of conspiracy. Instead, he said he was caught up in the moment, investigating the death of a fellow officer, who was roughly his age.

He addressed one message head-on: where he told his sister he wished Read would kill herself, saying in the interview that the comment was in jest.

Its a figure of speech, Proctor said, and he didnt mean it literally.

In the interview with 20/20, Proctor also addressed his dismissal from the State Police. He recalled dropping to his knees and lying on his lawn after hearing the news that he had been relieved of duty on July 1, 2024, the same day Reads first trial ended with a hung jury.

But he also said he didnt know of any other trooper punished for personal texts, let alone fired.

The civil service hearings

Only the issue of just cause will be raised at the August hearing dates, when State Police will call their first and only witness, Det. Lt. Kevin Dwyer. Dwyers direct examination by a lawyer for the State Police will take place on Aug. 26, and Moynihan will cross-examine him the following day, Aug. 27.

Then the case shifts to Proctor on the issue of disparate treatment. Its not clear how many witnesses Moynihan will call to bolster his case on that issue. Those hearings are set for October 21, 22 and 23.

Each hearing day will be presided over by a hearing officer. In Proctors case, civil service commissioner Angela McConney will oversee the hearings.

Thus far, the commission has denied all five discipline and layoff appeals that have come before it in 2025. Since January 2006, 77% of such appeals have been denied, according to the commission.

Most appeals are decided within 15 weeks. In Proctors case, that could mean it may well not be until 2026 that a decision is handed down on his future.

If the commission decides Proctors termination was unjust, it could award him back pay.

Commission decisions can be appealed in one of two ways: either by filing a motion for reconsideration with the commission or by bringing the appeal to a superior court judge.
Air pollution harms health, causing respiratory issues, heart disease, reduced immunity, and long-term environmental damage.

  Trusted Source

The health burden and racial-ethnic disparities of air pollution from the major oil and gas lifecycle stages in the United States



Go to source Trusted Source



What if the air we breathe has a hidden price? A new study links #airpollution from the oil and gas industry to more than 10,350 #pretermbirths and 216,000 new cases of #childhoodasthma each year across the US. What will it take to clean up our air? #PublicHealth #FossilFuels

A Comprehensive Look at the Health Toll of Oil and Gas Pollution

Advertisement

A Cross-Border Health Crisis: The Global Reach of US Oil and Gas Pollution

The health burden and racial-ethnic disparities of air pollution from the major oil and gas lifecycle stages in the United States - (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu2241)

along with hundreds of thousands of other serious health problems ().According to new research led by University College London (UCL) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Black, Asian, Native American, and Hispanic communities are consistently among the hardest hit.Published inthe study is the first to comprehensively assess the health toll of outdoor air pollution from every stage of the oil and gas lifecycle, from extraction to combustion in cars and power plants. It also provides a detailed picture of the racial and ethnic disparities in exposure and health outcomes.The researchers found thatUsing advanced computer models, they mapped the spread of pollutants across the United States and linked them to health risk data to estimate the burden of conditions ranging from asthma to premature death.Dr. Karn Vohra, lead author and formerly of UCL Geography, explained that their modeling was able to isolate pollution from each stage of oil and gas production and compare the resulting health impacts. What we found was striking, he said.One in five preterm births and adult deaths linked to fine particulate pollution come from oil and gas. Even more concerning, nearly 90% of new childhood asthma cases caused by nitrogen dioxide exposure were tied to this sector.Although the oil and gas industry plays a central role in the U.S. economy, its air pollution impacts have been poorly quantified until now. The study tracked emissions across the entire chain: upstream processes such as exploration, drilling, and extraction; midstream transport, compression, and storage; downstream refinement and petrochemical processing; and finally, consumer end-use. Of all these stages, end-usemainly the burning of fossil fuelswas by far the most damaging, accounting for 96% of the overall health burden.The five states with the highest total health impacts are California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. When adjusted for population size, residents of New Jersey, the District of Columbia, New York, California, and Maryland face the greatest per-capita health risks.The study also highlights stark racial and ethnic inequities.The effects are particularly severe in areas such as Southern Louisianas Cancer Alley and eastern Texas, where Black communities suffer disproportionate rates of premature mortality, preterm births, and childhood asthma.Researchers traced much of this disparity to historic zoning practices like redlining, which concentrated minority populations near industrial sites and high-traffic corridors. Permitting of polluting facilities in these areas further compounded the health risks.Professor Eloise Marais of UCL Geography, the studys senior author, emphasized that communities have long recognized these injustices. It is well known that oil and gas pollution leads to worse health outcomes for certain populations. Our study puts hard numbers behind this reality, showing just how large these inequities are, she said.The health toll also extends beyond U.S. borders. The team estimated that American oil and gas pollution caused 1,170 early deaths in southern Canada and 440 in northern Mexico in 2017 alone.Co-author Dr. Ploy Achakulwisut of SEI stressed the urgency of these findings. Our analysis adds to the growing evidence that a rapid transition away from oil and gas is not only critical for addressing climate change but also for protecting public health today. Hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved every year in the U.S. alone if we phase out fossil fuels, she said.The researchers developed a detailed inventory of emissions from oil and gas, ran it through state-of-the-art air chemistry models, and compared pollutant concentrations with epidemiological data, census figures, and health outcomes.The analysis focused on 2017, the most recent year with comprehensive data, though the authors note their estimates are likely conservative. U.S. oil and gas production has increased by 40% and consumption by 8% since then, meaning the current health burden is likely even greater.The study was carried out by a collaboration of researchers from UCL, SEI, George Washington University, and the University of Colorado Boulder.Source-Medindia
 Zee Studios

He also stated that he wasnt aware of the entire story and was only told about his character which he liked. Additionally, Saswata also talked about how the film was titled The Delhi Files when he signed and later changed to The Bengal Files.

Pallavi Joshi Hits Back At Saswata Chatterji Over The Bengal Files Allegations

Now, Vivek Agnihotris wife Pallavi Joshi who plays an important role in the film and is also the co-producer has hit back at Saswata over his allegations.

Addressing Saswatas statement, Pallavi told Hindustan Times, I understand what is happening. Living in Bengal, they must be facing a lot of political pressure. Even then, my point of view is, I'm a woman and taking a stand. You're a man, so you have to grow a pair and say the truth. Don't say that I was just told about my character. That's not correct.

She added, And yes, the film was called The Delhi Files earlier. But it was not called only The Delhi Files. The full title was The Delhi Files: Bengal Chapter. It was always about Bengal. We hadn't kept anybody in the dark about it.

She further quashed Saswata's claims about not receiving the entire script. She said, This may happen with other projects, but not in our films. We work with bound scripts. All the actors were told what the script and story were. This guy also knew inka character kispe based hai (on whom his character is based). There was a discussion. So to say that I was only given my lines and stuff like that, it's not good. Good of him to say that, please go and watch the film. But, I would like men to show a little more courage.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test-firing of two types of new antiair missiles, state media said Sunday, displaying his expanding military capabilities as the South Korean and U.S. militaries carry out joint drills.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said the test Saturday proved the missiles effective in countering aerial threats such as drones and cruise missiles, and that Kim assigned unspecified important tasks to defense scientists ahead of a major political conference expected early next year.

The report did not specify the missiles that were tested or where the event took place. It did not mention any remarks by Kim directed at Washington or Seoul.

The test coincided with new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung s trip to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where they vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and their trilateral partnership with the United States to address common challenges, including North Koreas nuclear ambitions. Lee was to depart for Washington on Sunday for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kims government has repeatedly dismissed calls by Seoul and Washington to restart long-stalled negotiations aimed at winding down his nuclear weapons and missiles programs, as he continues to prioritize Russia as part of a foreign policy aimed at expanding ties with nations confronting the United States.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kim has sent thousands of troops and large shipments of weapons, including artillery and ballistic missiles, to help fuel President Vladimir Putins warfighting.

That has raised concerns Moscow could provide technology that strengthens Kims nuclear-armed military, with experts pointing to North Koreas aging antiair and radar systems as a likely area of cooperation.

South Koreas previous conservative government said in November that Russia supplied missiles and other equipment to help strengthen air defenses of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, but did not specify which systems were provided.

Kim held a ceremony in Pyongyang last week to honor North Korean soldiers who fought in Ukraine, awarding state hero titles to those who returned and placing medals beside 101 portraits of the fallen, praising them as great men, great heroes and great patriots, state media reported.

According to South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to Russia since last fall and about 600 of them have died in combat. Kim has also agreed to send thousands of military construction workers and deminers to Russias Kursk region, a deployment South Korean intelligence believes could happen soon.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
The plovers kept quite busy this summer.

Great Lakes piping plover breeding set a big record this year, at least in one way. It was a record-shattering year for unique breeding pairs of the endangered species, but predators kept the number of surviving chicks down.

This years total unique breeding pair count was 88, breaking last years record by seven pairs. Thats the highest pair count since the species was added to the federal endangered species list 40 years ago.

However, dozens of plover nests were attacked by predators this season, including at least 26 at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a national park on Lake Michigan about 25 miles west of Traverse City.

Related: Oldest Great Lakes piping plover has 2 chicks this season at Sleeping Bear

A great horned owl killed a brood of chicks at the national parks Dune Climb Trail, and coyotes ate eggs from six plover nests on North Manitou Island.

This season was a bit difficult for hatching and chick survival, but in conclusion survival was not too dismal, said Stephanie Schubel, of the Great Lakes Piping Plover Conservation Team.

There were 110 plover chicks that fledged in the wild, meaning they grew all their feathers, were able to fly and care for themselves without their parents. Another 36 chicks raised in captivity were also released by scientists onto Great Lakes beaches this year.

This MLive file photo shows recently hatched Great Lakes piping plover chicks on their first day outside the incubator, kept corralled in an enclosure June 25, 2025, at the University of Michigan Biological Station near Pellston. (Sheri McWhirter | MLive.com) Sheri McWhirter

Statistics show this years overall chick survival rate for the plovers was on target for eventual recovery of the endangered species, despite the losses to predators. There is no fixed timeframe for the species to recover, but instead a set of recovery goals including fledge rate  the average number of chicks per breeding pair that survive.

This years fledge rate for wild plovers was just below the recovery goal of 1.5 chicks per pair. And the birds surpassed the recovery goal when the captive-reared chicks were added in for 146 total chicks this summer. The record number of fledged chicks was 167 two years ago.

Sunrise side birds

Another bright spot for Michigans piping plovers this year came on the sunrise side of the state.

This is the third consecutive year of record-setting plover breeding in the Great Lakes. Now an increasing number of the federally endangered birds are establishing nests on the Lake Huron side of the Lower Peninsula; five this year, with one in Cheboygan, another in Oscoda, and three at Tawas Point State Park.

It was the first attempted nest at Cheboygan State Park since the 1990s, said Nick Theisen, watershed technician for nonprofit Huron Pines.

One chick from the Cheboygan site was captive-reared and released, along with four chicks from the Tawas Point site. One chick fledged in the wild at the Oscoda site.

It amounts to a lot of plover activity on the east side of Michigan.

Related: Great Lakes piping plover moms head to southern islands and leave dad behind

We have the same male whos come back for the past three years, which is exciting, Theisen said. Unfortunately, he lost both of his nests, but his eggs were the ones that were salvaged, kept and reared, and re-released. So, were hoping that he comes back.

And this was the fourth year on the Huron shore near Oscoda for another male piping plover nicknamed East Side Bob. His moniker comes from his ankle tags colored blue, orange, blue  BOB.

Hes successfully fledged chicks. I mean, its not as good of a site as Tawas Point. Its a really weird beach that he likes, but, you know, he likes it. It works, Theisen said.

Nevertheless, predators also took their toll on the Lake Huron shore. Wildlife monitors at Tawas Point documented a merlin killing a female adult, and they believe gulls ate the eggs from another nest there.

Theyre an endangered species for a reason, Theisen said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday met with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung in Beijing.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that after the inauguration of the new ROK government, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with President Lee Jae-myung, during which they reached important consensus on promoting the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations in the next step.

Wang noted that China maintains stability and continuity in its policy towards the ROK, urging both sides to adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, firmly uphold the direction of friendship, expand common interests, foster greater goodwill, properly handle sensitive issues, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations in the right track.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with all peace-loving countries and people to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice.

Wang called on both sides to safeguard the international free trade system together, jointly oppose trade protectionism, practice the concept of multilateralism, enhance communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations and others, and effectively respond to regional and even global challenges.

Park Byeong-seug asked Wang to forward the letter from President Lee Jae-myung to President Xi.

He said that the new ROK government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to work together with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance high-level exchanges, expand practical cooperation for the future, increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, youth and other fields, and bring the strategic cooperative partnership between the ROK and China back on track.

The ROK always respected the one-China principle and is willing to develop relations with China and other major countries in parallel to jointly maintain regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, he added. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)
Glasgow sounds like he will be good to go after leaving Thursday's practice early. Vaki faces a cloudier return, while Turner potentially suffered a significant injury. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

DETROIT -- Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell offered injury updates on three players as training camp and now the preseason comes to a close.

Starting center Graham Glasgow left Thursdays practice with a lower leg injury. But Campbell doesnt sound concerned about Glasgows status moving forward.
School immunization waiver rates by county for 2024. An interactive version of the map is available in the story below. Justin P. Hicks | jhicks3@mlive.com

The rate of Michigan parents declining to get their children fully vaccinated for school, as recommended by health experts, has doubled in the last decade.

For the 2024-25 school year, nearly 6.2% of Michigans more than 351,000 kindergarten, seventh grade and new entrant students had a waiver to avoid getting the recommended shots, according to new data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Detroit police are investigating after a 16-year-old boy was found fatally shot at a playground on Saturday, Aug. 23. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com file

DETROIT, MI  A 16-year-old boy was found with a gunshot wound to the head at Butzel playground in Detroit, police said.

The teen was discovered around 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, in the 14800 block of Monte Vista Street, according to Fox 2 Detroit.

The boy was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, the news outlet reported.

No arrests have been made, and the incident remains under investigation.
WYOMING, MI  Thousands of car enthusiasts lined an already busy 28th Street on Saturday as bright, flashy cars rolled past.

Adjacent parking lots were flooded with classics and luxury vehicles.

The 20th annual Metro Cruise, where cars are the stars, featured four pit stop sites and a large main event area at Rogers Plaza on Aug. 22 in Wyoming, a suburb of Grand Rapids.

MLive photographer Isaac Ritchey visited Rogers Plaza to see cars on display. Check out the gallery above, or click here for a direct link to the gallery.

Scenes from the 20th annual 28th Street Metro Cruise at Rogers Plaza in Wyoming on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.c

New and enhanced features this year included an official cruise at 4 p.m. for all collector car and truck owners to show off their rides.

We look back on these 20 years and recall lots of memories, as we hope you do, the Metro Cruise Committee stated. This event was born out of gatherings that were already happening at Rogers Plaza. Metro Cruise was and is so proud to embrace that tradition, hopefully keeping true to its original roots, and curate the space and event-feel for this year again, and many years to come.

The Cruise was established in 2005 and has since been a place for car enthusiasts to compare rides, lament the woes of repairs and debate what mods should be made to their vehicles.

Attendees enjoyed live music, exhibits and vendors, demonstrations, firetruck displays, exotic and luxury car collections.
The outside of Flint City Hall is shown in this MLive file photo. A survey by the New Jersey Real Estate Network recently ranked the municipal complex as the ugliest in country. Ayrton Breckenridge | MLive.com

GENESEE COUNTY, MI  Flint City Hall has been declared the ugliest public building in the United States following a recent survey by the New Jersey Real Estate Network.

Meanwhile, a Genesee County woman got a lot more than she bargained for this past week when she took home a $500K prize after purchasing a $5 lottery ticket.

Learn more about these stories and other recent Flint-area news with these headlines from the past week:

Woman claims $500K prize from $5 lottery ticket she bought at Flint gas station

A Genesee County woman plans to buy a new house and car after winning $500,000 from a winning Triple Red 777s Instant Michigan Lottery ticket she purchased.

She bought the ticket for just $5 at a Sunoco on Miller Road, and in a statement, she said she couldnt believe she won.

Read the full story here.

Whitmer, McDonald Rivet warn of impact of Medicaid cuts at Grand Blanc event

During a visit to Grand Blanc High Schools campus on Aug. 20, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) addressed recent Medicaid cuts.

They expressed their concerns regarding the cuts, which are included in President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill. Rivet said the cuts could deprive millions of health insurance.

Read the full story here.

Flint man convicted on 15 felony counts for torturing, shooting woman

A Flint man was convicted of 15 felonies on Aug. 18, including torture, in connection to a 2020 incident.

36-year-old Kevin Lamar Smith assaulted and shot a woman multiple times after allegedly forcing her into his vehicle.

He is then believed to have left her in the vehicle.

Read the full story here.

Flint City Hall tops national ranking as ugliest building in America

The New Jersey Real Estate Network has declared Flint City Hall the ugliest city hall, county government complex, or courthouse in the United States following a recent survey it conducted.

While there arent any plans in the works for a new city hall, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley has admitted the matter has needed to be addressed for several years.

Read the full story here.

Unfinished work results in free parking for another week in downtown Flint

Motorists will be able to park for free on Saginaw Street in Flint until Monday, Aug. 25, according to the Flint Downtown Development Authority.

The city is delaying the planned rollout of its new street parking payment system due to outstanding contract work.

Paid parking hasnt been enforced on the street for more than a year.

Read the full story here.

Residents had no say as state pursued Mundy Township megasite, supervisor tells legislators

A Mundy Townships official went before a congressional subcommittee on Aug. 20 to address recent efforts to bring a semiconductor facility to a megasite in the township.

Township Supervisor Jennifer Stainton told members of the subcommittee the townships residents had no say in the project, which was abandoned by a chip-manufacturer due to economic insecurity, according to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Read the full story here.

Candidate who lost Flint City Council election alleges absentee ballot misconduct in lawsuit

The race for the Flint City Council 3rd Ward seat is being contested by candidate Beverly Biggs-Leavy.

Biggs-Leavy finished second in the Aug. 5 election for the seat, and she recently filed a lawsuit alleging misconduct involving absentee ballots.

The election was won by write-in candidate LaShawn Johnson, who is among those named in the lawsuit.

Read the full story here.

Genesee County commissioners cement decision to honor late colleague Bryant Nolden

Members of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners recently honored former commissioner Bryant Nolden, who died in December 2022.

This past week, commissioners decided to name their primary meeting room the Bryant BB Nolden Auditorium.

In addition to serving on the board of commissioners, Nolden served as the director of the Berston Field House in Flint.

Read the full story here.
JACKSON, MI -- The Civil War Muster is back in Jackson, with two days of Civil War reenactments and other activities.

The battle theme on Saturday, Aug. 23, was the Battle of Tulifinny, while the Sunday, Aug. 24 theme will be the Battle of Deveauxs Neck. That reenactment will take place at 2 p.m.

The Battle of Tulifinny took place in December 1864 in South Carolina and included Michigan troops, some from Jackson, according to Jackson County Michigan Historical Society President Maurice Imhoff. The 1st Michigan Colored Infantry Regiment also fought in both battles.

This year, the muster is partnering with America 250, the national initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S Army. The event features interactive tents with sleeping quarters, firearms and vehicles from the Michigan National Guard.

Patricia Tremble has been attending the event for years. Now, she shares her love of history through this event with her 4-year-old granddaughter, Jazmine.

Im a big history buff, Tremble said. I believe you learn from history, and so the fact that you can live it, you can really feel what really went on. Instead of sitting in the house just doing a bunch of video gaming, these kids are out running around having fun.

Tremble recommended the Saturday Night Ball for people who like to go all out in character, and walking through the camp.

Youll see most everybody at their camps, Tremble said. Almost everybody at their camps are willing to chat with you about what it is that they represent.

Activities began around 9 a.m. Saturday and will end at 10 p.m. Things continue on Sunday morning from 9 a.m. until around 4 p.m.

For more information, visit Jackson Civil War Musters website.
Lowry's Little Flock expanded its offerings last year with a small, charming chapel that hosts various ceremonies and Sunday services

LIBERTY TWP., MI  Hidden behind the many alpacas, goats and ducks inside Lowrys Little Flock Farm is a small trail leading to the back of the property.

If you follow it, likely guided by Lowrys dog Maggie, you will find a small white structure peeking over the tall grass. The building is topped with a cross, surrounded by glass windows and accompanied by a swing swaying in the wind.

Kent and Tahny Lowry call this their Chapel of Hope.

The tiny church, constructed in 2023, has become another destination on their 30-acre farm at 12201 Sutfin Road, near Horton.

It provides a quiet space for people to be alone and pray, and it hosts weddings, vow renewals, Bible studies and monthly Sunday services, Kent said.

My faith is strong, and I dont know, I just always had that thought of, wouldnt it be really neat if we just had our own little chapel in the woods? said Tahny, who bought the farm with her husband about eight years ago. So, we made it happen.

To bring life to the dream, they reached out to their neighbor Bill Stuard of Stuard Construction. While he is semi-retired he still takes on projects for friends and family, he said, and hes built nearly every structure on the farm, including animal barns, its bakery space and a wooden fence.

They gave Stuard full freedom. Their only requirements: traditional and small.

The space seats about 15 people, but more than 100 can sit outside, Kent said.

Originally, the pair considered building a larger wedding venue but decided to keep it small to fit the family-friendly feel of the farm, Kent said.

Theres a lot of big wedding venues in the area, but theres a good market of people that want that smaller, intimate wedding, Kent said. Being out there secluded on the property is very unique.

Stuard had never built a chapel. Ive built residential homes my whole life, and I thought itd be a fun little project to do, Stuard said. I just like doing something different, and I thought a church was a really good thing for our community.

Construction took roughly three months. Stuard created the 260-square-foot interior with pine and custom sawn flooring. The exterior siding is real wood, not vinyl, he said.

A cross in the back lets in natural light, one of Tahnys favorite features.

I thought if I made a cross in there with glass, I could see that tree and the sunset and itd just be beautiful, Stuard said. Just one of those things you do as the job progresses.

Tahny purchased the steeple bell herself, he said. Hanging it was a challenge but hearing guests ring it from across the farm makes it worth it.

The Lowrys purchased the property and their house from Tahnys uncle in 2017. It started as a hobby and a way for Tahny to continue her love for baking after stepping away from catering.

They raised alpacas and goats, but when they needed to use the alpaca fiber, they started making mittens, socks and hats, Kent said. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the couple expanded their offerings to include a bakery case filled with Tahnys homemade goods and animals like cows, donkeys, emus, rabbits and pigs.

Visitors walk past the animal pens to get to the chapel, which now hosts monthly Sunday services, led by local pastors, during the warmer months. Several couples have renewed vows or married there too.

Karen and Duane Bosche of Jackson married there in April. Both are 65 years old and it wasnt a first marriage for either of them, Karen said. They wanted something simple and private.

Karens daughter Cara had visited Lowrys Little Flock Farm in the past, and recommended they check out the chapel, Karen said. After seeing it, they were immediately drawn to the chapels secluded and woodsy setting, the antique bell and stained-glass window.

It was small and private and exactly what we were looking for, Karen said. When you have a small group like that, you dont want it to feel like youre just this tiny group in a huge place.

On their wedding day, they played an instrumental version of A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, exchanged vows and performed the Cord of Three Strands ceremony. Duanes son Jordan rang the bell beforehand, and Duane rang it again after the ceremony, he said.

Tahny said that it was neat for her because she knew the ceremony was going on and that it wasnt just somebody ringing the bell just because they were back there, Karen said.

The Bosches have returned to the farm since, enjoying the baked goods and visiting the animals. Its special for them to be able to go back to the place where they got married, Duane said.

The Chapel of Hope can be booked by emailing Lowryslittleflockfarm@gmail.com or calling 517-262-5867. Rental prices typically range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the service and length, Kent said.

The ceremony space is far enough away from the farm that the animals dont wander over, Tahny added.

Its just a neat little place to go, and see, walking down the trail, Tahny said. Its not far, but it seems like its a hidden gem.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
An arial view shows the proposed battery energy storage facility, in yellow, located just east of Comstock Elementary School and the STEM Academy. Comstock Public Schools

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI  When Comstock Public Schools broke ground on its STEM Academy in September 2024, district officials envisioned it surrounded by forest and fields.

Now, a company called Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) wants to build a 400-megawatt battery energy storage facility east of the new school still under construction at 7600 E. Main St.

If the battery station were there first, we would probably not have built where were building, Superintendent Jeff Thoenes said.

He recommends the district take a stand against the proposed energy storage facility, in light of a new risk analysis report. The report found the facility could pose a danger to students at the STEM Academy and Comstock Elementary School, which is next door.

Both are within a half-mile of the proposed new facility.

Tornados, lightning, vandalism and even eco-terrorism pose a threat to the facility, per the report. If an incident at the site becomes uncontained, explosions and fire could be a big problem for its neighbors.

Battery storage sites like the one proposed in Comstock Township are connected to the grid. The battery cells arent large themselves, but are stored in groups in large, above-ground banks the size of a shipping container.

The cells are charged up when excess electricity is generated. Energy can be discharged when demand is high, typically in the evening.

Like any rechargeable battery, the lithium-ion cells can heat up and release hot, flammable, toxic gases, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The gases can lead to an explosion or intense fire.

It blows my mind that this could even be thought of putting next door to a school, Comstock Township Supervisor Ben Martin said.

Comstock Township placed a moratorium on large wind, solar and battery energy storage facilities through the end of the year.

Some township board members said its too soon to safely allow this kind of development. Others have voted to move forward, hoping to ensure the township will stay in control as the state pushes for renewable development.

At school board meetings, Thoenes said a growing number of attendees are coming to speak against the project.

Thoenes commissioned a report on the proposed facility from Glenn Keates of Ann Arbor-based CTC Engineering.

Comstock Public Schools previously commissioned Keats to determine the risk of electromagnetic field from the Jaguar substation, located south of the STEM Academy.

If the battery facility report concluded there was no risk to students, the district could continue its neutral stance, he said.

That wasnt the case.

The plant, under normal operation, poses little or no danger to the two schools or surrounding community, the report states. However, in the event of a natural or man-made anomaly, could result in a major event.

If the facility were proposed further away from the school, Thoenes said he would support it.

I would prioritize safety and the investment the community already has put in (to the schools), Thoenes said.

CIP presented plans for emergency situations, including evacuation of the nearby school and protections in place to curb the spread of fire, Township Clerk Nicole Beauchamp said previously.

Unlike the Jaguar substation, the battery energy storage facility couldnt be shut down with the flip of a switch, Thoenes said. It wont be monitored around the clock by on-site staff.

He recommended the school board take official opposition to the construction of the battery energy storage facility near the STEM Center and elementary school. The board will take a vote Monday, Aug. 25.

Martin plans to present the schools report to the township board and moratorium committee.

Comstock Public Schools are a major community stakeholder, he said, and their input will weigh greatly on the decision-making process.

I think were all in favor of the project if it goes in the right location, Martin said. Lets put this in a good safe spot that is safe for our residents and our land, our environment.

The project is big, costly and divisive, Martin said. A third party opinion helps lay out the benefits and risks.

I think that should have been done in the first place, Martin said.

The township moratorium committee has been working to improve ordinances that will govern site plans for future renewable energy projects.

We should take our time working through it as diligently as we can ... and not let the financial incentives distract us, Martin said.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
This MLive file image shows painting inside the former Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy facility. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

SAGINAW, MI  Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest.

Saginaw school earns top rankings in 2025 U.S. News Best High Schools list

The Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy (SASA) has earned national recognition, securing the No. 4 position in Michigan and ranking No. 83 nationally in the 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools list.

SASA stood out among nearly 18,000 schools evaluated across the country. The rankings consider multiple factors including state assessment performance, graduation rates and college readiness indicators.

Read more here.

Saginaw County corrections officer fired after allegedly smuggling drugs into jail

A former corrections officer is facing potential prison time after being accused of smuggling contraband into the Saginaw County Jail, deputies said.

Jeilon Banks, who had worked at the jail since April 2025, was the subject of surveillance and an investigation conducted by Saginaw County Sheriffs detectives and members of the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET), according to a Saginaw County Sheriffs Office news release.

Banks was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 14, when he was witnessed accepting a payment and receiving a controlled substance he allegedly planned to bring into the jail, deputies said. He was then held at the Genesee County Jail.

The Saginaw County Sheriffs Office officially terminated Banks employment on Friday, Aug. 15, deputies said.

Read more here.

Old Saginaw fairgrounds gateway restoration receives $50K boost

A $50,000 Michigan State Historic Preservation Office federal grant will support Saginaw officials efforts to restore the historically-designated former Saginaw County fairgrounds gatehouse, laying more groundwork to turn the former site into a park.

This 1929-built gatehouse, which served as the primary entrance to the now-abandoned fairgrounds for decades, will receive masonry repairs as part of the grant funding, officials said.

Read more here.

Preliminary exam continues for man accused of fatally shooting travel nurse in Saginaw

A preliminary examination was held this week for a man accused of fatally shooting a travel nurses assistant in Saginaw earlier this year.

Williams went before Saginaw County District Court Judge Elian E.H. Fitchner for the examination on Monday, Aug. 18.

Demetrius B. Williams, 31, is accused of killing 27-year-old Eliza Vega-Aparicio, who was from California at a Cypress Street home she was staying at in Saginaw, at approximately 4 a.m. on April 5.

Williams faces multiple charges stemming from the incident, including open murder, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and three counts of third-offense felony firearm.

Read more here.

New sentencing date set for Saginaw County woman in child abuse case

A new sentencing date has been set for a Chesaning woman who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child for her boyfriends sexual gratification.

Arielle C. Truckner, 35, appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Court Judge Manvel Trice III on Monday, Aug. 18, for her sentencing hearing.

Truckners attorney, James Piazza, requested additional time to address the matter with her. Trice III agreed to schedule a new sentencing date for 9 a.m. Sept. 15.

Read more here.

Investigation continues into weekend shooting that left five people injured in Saginaw

A weekend shooting at a large gathering in Saginaw that left five people injured remains under investigation, according to a Saginaw Police Department news release.

Saginaw Police officers responded to the scene of the shooting in the area of Perkins and South 23rd streets at approximately 10:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.

When they arrived at the scene, officers found a 45-year-old man suffering from severe injuries in a roadway.

Read more here.

Tickets for Netflix stars magic show in Saginaw go on sale

Fresh off his Netflix comedy special Magic Lover, magician Justin Willman is bringing his new tour to the Temple Theatre in downtown Saginaw this fall.

The performance, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, is part of Willmans One for the Ages tour spanning more than 30 cities.

Willman, who gained prominence as the creator and star of Netflixs Magic for Humans and Magic Prank Show, has amassed over 1 billion views with his unique blend of magic and humor, organizers said.

Read more here.

String musicians wanted: Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra holding auditions

The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra will host open auditions for multiple string section positions for its 2025-26 season, offering opportunities for musicians to join one of mid-Michigans longstanding cultural institutions.

Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Fouad Fakhouri, the orchestra is seeking musicians for section positions in violin, viola, cello, and bass, organizers said.

The auditions will take place on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Temple Theatre in downtown Saginaw.

Read more here.
Kevin Newman was released by the Angels at the trade deadline. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh) AP

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran infielder Kevin Newman to a minor-league contract.

Newman, 32, was assigned to Triple-A Toledo and collected two hits in his debut Saturday night.

A first-round pick out of the University of Arizona in 2015 (19th overall), Newman has appeared in parts of eight big-league seasons since debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018. After four years as Pittsburghs everyday middle infielder, he has since shifted into utility roles with the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and, most recently, the Los Angeles Angels, who released him at the trade deadline.

After spending most of four seasons as an everyday middle infielder for the Pirates, Newman has more recently taken on utility roles with the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and, most recently, the Angels.

Newmans arrival comes as the Tigers designated longtime infielder Ryan Kriedler for assignment on Friday.

Kreidler remains on waivers. If he clears, he could return to Toledo and potentially share shortstop duties with Newman.
NEW YORK, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Three Chinese nationals were killed and nine others injured in a bus accident in Upstate New York on Friday, the Chinese Consulate General in New York confirmed Sunday.

Of the nine injured, seven have been discharged from the hospital and two others are still receiving medical treatment.

The Chinese consulate has contacted the family of the victims and is helping with the aftermath.

A work team from the consulate arrived at the scene on Saturday to visit the injured in hospital and provide necessary consular assistance. 
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore seen from a boat on Lake Superior in Munising, Mich. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

MUNISING, MI - Natures artistic masterpiece awaits visitors at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where vibrant, rainbow-colored cliffs stretch for 15 miles along Michigans Upper Peninsula shoreline. While hiking trails offer glimpses of these geological wonders, the most spectacular views come from Lake Superiors waters.

The shorelines distinctive name originates from the colorful patterns decorating its sandstone cliffs that range from 50 to 200 feet in height - a natural phenomenon created when mineral-rich spring water seeps through the rock face. As the water flows toward the waterline, it leaves behind striking mineral stains that transform the cliffs into natural canvases.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore seen from a boat on Lake Superior in Munising, Mich. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

Each hue in this natural palette has a specific mineral source: iron creates the red and orange streaks, copper produces blue and green tones, manganese results in brown and black marks, and limonite forms white streaks. These colorful patterns appear throughout the rock formations and at shoreline waterfalls.

The dynamic and ever-changing nature of this landscape was dramatically demonstrated in 2019 when kayakers witnessed a cliff collapse into Lake Superior. The sandstone cliffs that make the park so visually spectacular are also prone to erosion, leading to releases like this one from time to time. Small releases happen as often as every year usually in the spring, as the soil thaws  with bigger releases happening about once every five years, a spokesperson told MLive after the incident. No one was injured.

Park officials monitor erosion, but if you are hiking it is important to stay a safe distance from the cliff edges. If you choose to explore on the water kayaking and boating, make sure to check marine weather since conditions can change rapidly on Lake Superior.

A U.S. Park Ranger boat with the National Park Service inspects the cliffs near Bridal Falls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Mich. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

Kayakers in Lake Superior along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Mich. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

The National Park Service strongly advises using only the longer sea kayaks. The smaller recreational kayaks and canoes are unsafe for Lake Superior, which rolls like an ocean. All paddlers must wear a life jacket and carry a whistle or air horn for emergencies. Sudden winds, cold water, and lack of shoreline shelter make this area risky for inexperienced paddlers, so guided tours are highly recommended. Boaters, kayakers and swimmers are required to stay at least 100 feet from the base of the cliffs.

70 1 / 70 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is iconic from the waters of Lake Superior

There are several options for exploring this colorful coastline by water that are based out of Munising. Most of these companies generally operate from midMay through midOctober and each scheduled trip is very dependent on weather conditions.

Miners Castle lookout at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior in Munising, Mich. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

Kayakers along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Mich. on July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

Kayaking enthusiasts can choose from multiple guided tour companies. Pictured Rocks Kayaking offers tours launched from support boats, enabling 3 to 5-hour paddling excursions that begin and end directly on the water.

Pictured Rocks Kayaking boat heads toward Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Munising, Mich. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

Paddling Michigan provides various tour options with different difficulty levels, including equipment, snacks, and transportation. Yooper Yachts Kayak Tours offers flexible scheduling based on weather conditions, along with safety gear and direct shoreline access.

A tour boat along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Mich. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

Those who prefer motorized options can book with Pictured Rocks Cruises, the official National Park Service-authorized concessionaire, which provides 2 to 3-hour narrated cruises along the 40-mile shoreline. For a faster-paced experience, Riptide Ride offers 90-minute, high-speed jet boat tours showcasing the cliffs, lighthouses, and wildlife around Grand Island and parts of Pictured Rocks.

Superior Pontoon Rentals that visitors can take to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Mich. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com

Visitors seeking independent exploration can rent from Seaberg Pontoon Rentals or Superior Pontoon Rental, which offer half- or full-day self-guided pontoon rentals. These boats come equipped with safety and navigation equipment for exploring Grand Island, Pictured Rocks, and local shipwreck sites.

You can find more safety information on the National Park Service website.
When cool air moves over warm waters, fair weather waterspouts can form. These are often weak and short-lived, but boaters should always avoid them. NOAA

A cold snap in late summer? That means were in a prime window for waterspouts to whirl up over the Great Lakes.

And its already started, according to the International Centre for Waterspout Research, which is based in Toronto. The group on Saturday reported waterspouts being sighted over Lake Erie. They popped up off Port Stanley and off Port Bruce, near Ontario.

The highly anticipated waterspout outbreak over the Great Lakes begins this weekend and continues through the week as cold air floods in over the very warm waters, the research group said.

On Sunday, Lake Michigan is the most likely spot for a waterspout outbreak.

Why the waterspout outbreak now? The weather conditions are perfect, with colder air blowing over the comparatively warmer surface water of the Great Lakes.

MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has explained the set-up for these water funnels, and why fall can be prime time to see them.

His explanation:

The perfect set-up for multiple waterspouts is a very cool blast of air from the northwest, a cold front and an upper-level low pressure system. Each of these ingredients has their own special part in forming a waterspout.

A waterspout forms when cold air at 5,000 feet up and higher moves over the Great Lakes region. The large temperature difference between the air aloft and the ... surface water creates an unstable situation.

In weather, unstable means the air aloft is heavy and wants to fall to the ground. The warm air at the water surface is light and wants to be higher in the atmosphere. The two air masses get on the move, going lower with the cold aloft and higher with the warmth at the surface. As the air switches places a rotation can also start.
Welcome to fall. Well, not really. But for the next week, our daytime high temperatures will feel more like early fall than late summer.

A sharp cold front has given us a big change in the weather pattern - and its locked in for the next several days. Canadian air masses will keep things feeling a little chilly.

With this system, weve also got the chance for lake-effect rain showers across some parts of the state today.

Here are the forecast highlights for Sunday from the National Weather Service offices across Michigan:

A sharp cold front is bringing unseasonably cool temperatures and lake-effect rain to Michigan this weekend, with highs struggling to reach the 60s in some areas and potential for scattered showers across the state.

A persistent upper-level trough will drive temperatures well below normal through early next week, with daytime highs only reaching the upper 50s to mid-60s.

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan regions can expect west-northwest winds creating hazardous marine conditions, including potential waterspouts and dangerous swimming conditions. The National Weather Service has issued Beach Hazards Statements for Lake Michigan shorelines through Tuesday evening.

Precipitation will be most likely in northwest wind belt areas, with lake-effect rain showers developing Sunday and continuing into Monday. Some interior locations might see up to half an inch of rainfall. The Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan will experience the most consistent shower activity.

The cool pattern will persist through midweek, with overnight temperatures potentially dropping into the 40s, especially in interior regions. Some locations might even see patchy frost by Tuesday night if conditions align. A gradual warming trend is expected by late week, though temperatures will remain slightly below normal.

We should prepare for fall-like conditions, with light jackets recommended and the potential for occasional light rain. Outdoor activities, particularly near Great Lakes shorelines, should be planned with caution due to gusty winds and potential marine hazards.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story based on data from the National Weather Service. It was reviewed, edited and expanded by MLive staff.
Grab that sweater. Fall-like weather has arrived in the Detroit region today and its going to stay around at least through Wednesday.

High temperatures will only be in the upper 60s and mid-70s. At night, the lows will fall into the 40s by early next week.

Today, Southeast Michigan will see a chance for light showers, but any rain should be brief.

Here are the forecast highlights for Southeast Michigan from the National Weather Service:

A cold front moving through Southeast Michigan today brings the potential for isolated thunderstorms before ushering in significantly cooler temperatures that will persist into next week.

The front, tracking through the region this afternoon, could trigger scattered storms, particularly in the Eastern Thumb region where theres a slight chance of severe weather.

Once the front clears the area tonight, a substantial cooling trend begins. The influx of cold Canadian air will drive temperatures steadily downward, with light showers possible Sunday and Monday, particularly over Lake Huron where thunder may occur.

The coolest air settles in by Tuesday, when morning temperatures will dip into the 40s  a pattern that will continue into Wednesday. A modest warming trend is expected to begin mid-week, with temperatures gradually returning to seasonal norms by Friday.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story based on data from the National Weather Service. It was reviewed, edited and expanded by MLive staff.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
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

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng recently said that as the world's most important agricultural producers and consumers, China and the United States each have their own strengths in agriculture and can complement each other well.

"China and the U.S. together produce nearly 40 percent of global food and consume one-fourth of the total. China has comparative advantage in labor-intensive agricultural products, while the U.S. specializes in land-intensive agricultural commodities through mechanized, large-scale production," Xie made the remarks at a U.S.-China soybean industry partner breakfast reception in Washington D.C.

This event was co-hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products, with participation from industry associations, agricultural enterprises, and scholars of both countries.

"Agricultural exchanges and cooperation have not only offered more choices for consumers in both our countries, but also put more money in the pockets of American farmers," Xie said.

"They have provided impetus for agricultural transformation and upgrading in China and the U.S., and opened up a new path for securing global food security," Xie continued.

The Chinese ambassador argued that agriculture should not be politicized, and "farmers should not pay the cost of trade war."

"Restricting Chinese citizens and businesses from buying farmland is purely a move of political manipulation on the pretext of national security. It is completely unfounded, and is aimed to hijack China-U.S. agricultural cooperation for a few individuals' own agenda," Xie said.

"China is ready to work with the U.S. side to implement the important common understandings of the two leaders, make good use of the economic and trade consultation mechanism, build consensus, clear up misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation, so as to jointly share the dividends of development and return to the right track of win-win cooperation," Xie said.

Industry associations and enterprises in both countries serve as a bridge and shoulder a special mission, and need to continue playing a constructive role, Xie said. "I hope more friends will join in, and let's together be 'farmers' who work hard to grow a steady, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship," he said.

"We need to keep the 'pests' away from bilateral agricultural cooperation, say a loud no to any attempt to politicize trade and economic issues in the name of national security," Xie said.

"We also need to sow more 'seeds,' work closely on trade, industry, business and research, and strive to achieve more results in restoring dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in the agricultural area," Xie added. 
ICSI CS June Result 2025 on August 25: Steps to download your scorecard here

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.

Saurav Pandey

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Vaishnavi Gavankar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Bigg Boss 19: Ashnoor Kaur on her participation, I have played numerous characters and now it is time for me to show how I am in real life

Vaishnavi Gavankar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Bigg Boss fame Abhishek Kumar and Samarth Jurel unfollow each other on Instagram, Is Isha Malviya the reason behind the rift?

Vaishnavi Gavankar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Jungkook's "Seven" becomes first song by a Korean solo artist to reach 2.5 billion Spotify streams

Satwik Jaiswal

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Palak Vij

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Manish Malhotra to reveal Gustaakh Ishq first look on Monday; November release announced

Satwik Jaiswal

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
M Snehanjali

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Description

Experience the militiamen of Huntington drilling before joining General George Washingtons Army in the Battle of Brooklyn (aka Battle of Long Island) on August 27, 1776!

The Huntington Militia will host "Huntington Prepares for the Battle of Brooklyn," a reenactment event, on Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 12PM to 4PM at the Arsenal & Village Green, 425 Park Ave, Huntington, NY.

Witness the militia march, drill, and fire muskets! Hear the roar of the cannon! Join the militia in a family & childrens musket drill. See colonial crafts, trades, and music! Learn about the Huntington Militia and its involvement in the American Revolutionary War!
Nakul Tomar

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
When Javed Akhtar reacted to Shabana Azmi facing housing bias due to religion: "We are a huge society, live in extreme paradoxes"

Satwik Jaiswal

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Tamal Nandi

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Aishwarya Dabhade

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
130th Amendment may make India first democracy with automatic ouster of PM, CMs: How other countries handle it

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran

Rewati Karan

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
8-yr-old student charred to death, 3 others injured in fire at residential school in Arunachal Pradesh

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
BJP demands apology to Hindus from Vijayan, Stalin before attending Ayyappa meet at Sabarimala

Rewati Karan

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
World News Live: Earthquake of magnitude 3.4 strikes Tibet

An earthquake of magnitude 3.4 struck Tibet on Sunday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 98km.

In a post on X, NCS said, EQ of M: 3.4, On: 24/08/2025 14:11:02 IST, Lat: 28.09 N, Long: 88.08 E, Depth: 98 Km, Location: Tibet.
China has agreed in principle to resume trade with India through Shipki-La in Kinnaur: Himachal govt

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Queen Elizabeth and Donald Trump had a "genuine rapport".

Queen Elizabeth and Donald Trump are said to have bonded well

Craig Brown's book A Voyage Around The Queen suggested last year that the late British monarch found the US President "very rude" when she hosted him during her reign, but a new biography of King Charles denies the claims that Trump kept her waiting at Windsor Castle in 2018 by arriving late and that he had walked in front of her while inspecting the Guard of Honour.

Royal author Robert Hardman writes in Charles III: The Inside Story: "Trump did nothing wrong at all. He arrived exactly on time. It was the Queen who had come out early because she wanted to check the dais and the steps, which were always a concern at that stage of her life.

"You have to remember that this was her first big event since the Duke of Edinburgh's retirement from public duties the year before.

"She wanted to get it right. It was the same inspecting the troops. All through her reign, it would be the duke who escorted the visitor to do the inspection and she hadn't done it before.

"And Trump did the right thing. The visitor is always invited to walk first and she had to gesture to him to go in front. The anti-Trump crowd were determined to find a faux pas. There wasn't one."

A member of the Queen's staff recalled how the monarch - who died aged 96 in 2022 - and Trump, 79, bonded over their Scottish roots.

The royal staffer is quoted in the book, which is being serialised in the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "It wasn't just small talk. They discussed policy matters. He was super charming, on his best behaviour throughout."

It is claimed that the Queen was surprised by Trump's boundless energy.

The member of staff adds: "He would bound up and down the stairs. When Joe Biden came three years later, we had to put him in the creaky old Edwardian lift."

Brown's book claims that the monarch had complained about the President's behaviour to a lunch guest a few weeks after one of visits to the UK.

The author explained: "Over the course of her reign, Her Majesty entertained many controversial foreign leaders, including Bashar al-Assad, Robert Mugabe, Idi Amin, Donald Trump, Emperor Hirohito and Vladimir Putin.

"She may not have found their company convivial; upon their departure, she may even have voiced a discreet word of disapproval.

"A few weeks after President Trump's visit, for instance, she confided in one lunch guest that she found him 'very rude': she particularly disliked the way he couldn't stop looking over her shoulder, as though in search of others more interesting."
Nvidia designs graphics processing units (GPUs) that are used by data centers to provide the computing power required by a host of advanced computing tasks, such as training and running large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Nvidia's GPUs are designed to be deployed in clusters of hundreds or thousands, boosting the parallel processing power they can apply to workloads. In addition, Nvidia's CUDA platform provides libraries and tools for developers who are working on software that will be powered by its GPUs. It's a popular platform with developers, and it's only compatible with Nvidia's chips. That added competitive advantage is one reason why I'm confident that it will continue to control the lion's share of the GPU market for years to come.

Semiconductor maker Nvidia is the biggest company in the world by market capitalization, so it naturally gets the top position on this list, too. While a recent pullback has driven the market cap from $4.4 trillion down to $4.2 trillion, the tailwinds that have propelled Nvidia's upward over the last few years are still present -- and they won't be going away any time soon.

Three tech stocks that I think would be great choices for any retail investor's portfolio are Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META).

Including strong, profitable tech stocks in your portfolio is one of the best ways to give yourself an opportunity to outperform the market. Consider that the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite is up nearly 18% in the last 12 months, handily outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 .

However, I also recognize that tech stocks are way too important -- and profitable -- to miss out on. Tech stocks represent companies that are at the forefront of innovation and development, leading the world's charge into the future. Without tech companies, we wouldn't have a host of massively significant advances that we take for granted today -- things like personal computers, online banking, 5G wireless service, the internet, smartphones, and GPS technology. Nor would we have the incredible types of tech that companies are still making rapid progress on today -- such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, generative AI, and autonomous vehicles.

As a buy-and-hold investor , I closely follow my long-term investments through exchange-traded funds and retirement accounts. I've always followed a Warren Buffett-style of investing, in which I look for strong, profitable companies to hold over the long term.

Story Continues

Nvidia will release its results for its fiscal 2026 second quarter on Aug. 27, and I think it's going to be another sterling report. I'll also be looking carefully at management's guidance, as the company is expected to resume selling its H20 AI chips to customers in China after being blocked from exporting them to that country earlier this year.

2. Taiwan Semiconductor

As the company that fabricates the advanced chips designed by Nvidia (as well as an array of other chip companies), Taiwan Semiconductor benefits from many of the same tailwinds as the GPU leader. But there are some differences between their businesses that make TSMC stock even more appealing.

As the world's leading third-party chip foundry, Taiwan Semi manufactured nearly 12,000 products for 522 customers in 2024, employing 288 separate process technologies. It's involved in about 85% of all semiconductor start-up product prototypes. In short, this is an ideal stock to own if you believe that the semiconductor business broadly will continue to grow, but you want to hedge some of your exposure away from Nvidia.

Taiwan Semi is also moving to limit its exposure to the trade war between Washington and Beijing, and to expand its manufacturing footprint further beyond the island of Taiwan, which China has designs on. The company is in the midst of spending $165 billion to expand its new manufacturing and R&D facility in Arizona and bring some of its most advanced fabrication processes to the U.S.

3. Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms, which operates Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, is the unquestioned king of the social media companies. On average, 3.48 billion people use its platforms every day -- and that number is increasing. Its daily active user count was up by 6% in June from a year earlier.

The company leverages that massive audience -- and the mountain of information it collects about them -- into an impressive revenue stream. Ad impressions were up 11% in the second quarter from the previous year. Overall, Meta reported $47.5 billion in revenue in the second quarter, up 22% year over year.

Meta's own artificial intelligence platform, Meta AI, has been driving a lot of its recent success. Meta AI's chatbot can generate content, answer questions, and create images. The company also provides AI-powered tools to advertisers to help them reach the customers they want, making their ads on its social media platforms more effective.

Tech stocks to buy and hold

Companies in the tech sector must constantly innovate in their efforts to stay relevant, and their stocks can sometimes be volatile. But Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Meta Platforms aren't merely chasing trends -- they're shaping them. I expect that these companies will remain at the forefront of their industries as we move into the second half of the decade, and I view them as good bets to continue outperforming the market. That's why I like them for any buy-and-hold portfolio.

Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now?

Before you buy stock in Nvidia, 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 Nvidia 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 $649,657!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,090,993!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,057%  a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025

Patrick Sanders has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Brilliant Tech Stocks to Buy Now and Hold for the Long Term was originally published by The Motley Fool
Rewati Karan

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Fights between husband and wife are common: Greater Noida dowry case accused shows no remorse, says he didn't kill her

Ria Kapoor

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Gaganyaan Mission symbol of new chapter in journey of Atmanirbhar Bharat: Rajnath

101Reporters

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Deblina Halder

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
'India ready for Gaganyaan, from Moon to Mars': Rajnath Singh on nations new milestone'

Deblina Halder

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Arishaa Izaj

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil accused of forcing abortion, says in viral clip: To kill you, I need seconds

Arishaa Izaj

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Near term, it's hard to know what will happen, but Lennar's long-term outlook is promising. Patient investors can collect a dividend that recently yielded 1.5% -- and that has grown by an annual average rate of 33% over the past five years.

You may not be very familiar with Lennar (NYSE: LEN), but it's a major homebuilder in America, and its future is promising because America needs many more homes -- especially affordable ones for young first-time home buyers. If interest rates drop in the near future, that could spur home buying, though a recession could thwart that trend.

You might want to consider buying Amazon stock, too, because it still has enormous growth potential . It features a hugely dominant online marketplace, but it's also home to a major cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS). Its shares are appealingly valued at recent levels, too, with a recent forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 34, well below the five-year average of 46.

You might know that Berkshire Hathaway owns multiple insurance and energy operations, along with companies such as Dairy Queen International, See's Candies, Fruit of the Loom, and the entire BNSF railroad. Buffett has long avoided many high-tech companies, but yes, his company now owns shares of Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) -- some 10 million shares, in fact, per the latest disclosure.

Here, then, are some stocks in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio that you might want in your own. Do note, though, that the days of Buffett himself making all the investment decisions (often in consultation with his late business partner Charlie Munger) are over. He now has two investing lieutenants, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, so some stocks in the portfolio may be their picks.

Who wouldn't be interested in some Warren Buffett stocks to consider for their portfolio? After all, Buffett's investing chops have not been exaggerated. He increased the value of his company Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) by 5,500,000% (nearly 20% annually) over 60 years. In contrast, the S&P 500 index of 500 of America's biggest companies gained about 39,000% (10.4% annually, on average) over the same period.

Consider investing in Berkshire itself, which is passing the baton to longtime Buffett lieutentant Greg Abel.

Lennar is positioned to profit from America's need for more housing, especially if interest rates drop.

Lire la suite

Lennar shares are reasonably priced at recent levels, too, with a price-to-sales ratio of 1, on par with its five-year average, and a forward P/E of 13 above the average of 9. It's a new holding for Berkshire, and Berkshire already owns 3% of the company.

3. Chevron

Chevron (NYSE: CVX) is Berkshire's fifth-largest stock holding, and Berkshire now owns close to 7% of the energy giant. It's another dividend-paying stock, with a recent fat 4.5% yield. It's also been a big stock repurchaser, with its reduced share count leaving each remaining share more valuable.

Why might you buy Chevron stock? Well, thanks to various investments (such as its purchase of Hess), it stands to collect a lot of free cash flow in the years ahead -- which can be used to pay dividends and increase dividends. Chevron is also well positioned to profit from both traditional energy sources as well as alternative energies.

Chevron's forward P/E was recently 20, a bit above its five-year average of 14, suggesting it's somewhat overvalued. You might wait for a lower price, or buy into it incrementally, or just buy anyway -- as long as you plan to remain invested for many years.

4. UnitedHealth Group

Berkshire was in the news recently, for buying into the beleaguered health insurer UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). It's a new holding for Berkshire, and was recently the 18th-largest position in the portfolio

Shares of the insurer were recently down 39% year-to-date, in part due to the fact that it's being investigated by the Department of Justice for possible Medicare fraud. Also, its CEO has just stepped down. For those who see such issues as temporary and surmountable, this is a good buying opportunity.

You can be sure the company's management is working to turn things around, and simple demographics paint a promising future, too, as our growing and aging population will continue to need healthcare -- and medications. (UnitedHealth includes the pharmaceutical specialist Optum.)

5. Berkshire Hathaway

A last Berkshire Hathaway stock to consider is Berkshire Hathaway itself. It's built to last, after all, and is likely to keep growing over time, though not at the breakneck speeds of yore, perhaps. Buffett is stepping down at the end of the year, but he'll still be around, and his successor, Greg Abel, is a promising choice.

Berkshire Hathaway doesn't pay a dividend, but when it's under new management, that might change. It has all depended on whether there were more productive ways to deploy the company's cash. So far there have been, but Abel might decide differently. Investing in Berkshire means you'll always be a part-owner of any stock in Berkshire's portfolio.

Give any or all of these companies some consideration for your own portfolio. And know that you can always take the easier (and also effective) path, recommended by Buffett himself, of opting for a simple, low-fee index fund.

Should you buy stock in Amazon right now?

Before you buy stock in Amazon, 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 Amazon 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 $649,657!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,090,993!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,057%  a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025

Selena Maranjian has positions in Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, Chevron, and Lennar. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

5 No-Brainer Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy Right Now -- Including Amazon.com was originally published by The Motley Fool
My community members criticised me for the judgement: CJI BR Gavai on sub-classification of SC quota

Siddharth Chakravorty

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Parliament must debate, not stall: Amit Shah, Kiren Rijiju hit out at opposition tactics

Aishwarya Dabhade

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
RSS Jodhpur meet from Sept 5: Will BJP see a new president as Sangh gears up for centenary?

Aishwarya Dabhade

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
'Running a bulldozer on democracy': Kharge on Bills for removal of PM, CMs, ministers; dubs it 'satta chori'

Rewati Karan

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Sanjay Raut accuses BJP of vote theft in Maharashtra, says issue now at national and global stage

Aishwarya Dabhade

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party to opt out of JPC on PM, CMs removal bill

Siddharth Chakravorty

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Siddharth Chakravorty

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Like the generations that came before them, Gen Z is thinking about retirement. While still young, many have already begun saving for their golden years, and are dreaming of what life will be like when they can finally retire from their 9-to-5 job.

Check Out: 6 Mistakes Boomers Are Making With Their Money in the Trump Economy

Read Next: 4 Housing Markets That Have Plummeted in Value Over the Past 5 Years

According to the 25th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers, this generation has had a tumultuous start to their careers, having come of age during the pandemic. However, they have had unparalleled access to retirement savings plans and are more financially literate than any previous generation.

Here are the five ways Gen Zers said they are planning to spend their retirement, and whether they are on track to achieve their goals.

Traveling

According to the Transamerica retirement survey, 65% of Gen Zers listed traveling as a top priority during retirement. Luckily, the generation may be on track to achieve this dream. As reported by The New York Times, young adults are contributing to 401(k)s earlier and more aggressively than their predecessors. The generation understands the basics of compounding interest, and seems anxious to achieve financial freedom.

Be Aware: Heres the Minimum Net Worth To Be Considered the Top 1% in Your 50s

Spending Time with Family and Friends

Gen Z, like most other generations, also hopes to spend more time with family and friends during retirement. Of respondents, 58% in the generation indicated this was important to them. Fidelity recommended that by the time a person is 30, they have 1x their salary saved in retirement. At 35, the investment company recommended having double.

While Gen Z may be eager to hang with loved ones during retirement, they will need to step up the savings to have a fully funded account. The average 401(k) balance for individuals in this generation is $13,500, which is likely below the target amount. The good news is that Gen Z has time to stockpile savings.

Pursuing Hobbies

Another dream of Gen Z is to pursue hobbies during retirement. Nearly two-thirds (57%) listed it as a vital part of their golden years. Pursuing hobbies, however, can be expensive, and retirement plans will need to be fully funded to help ensure money is there long after a salary is gone. While Gen Zers started stashing retirement funds away earlier than their predecessors, they have also withdrawn more from their accounts. According to Transamerica, 26% of Generation Z workers have dipped into retirement funds either by withdrawing from a 401(k), IRA or a related account.
'US must treat India as key partner, not adversary like China': Nikki Haley warns Trump

Deblina Halder

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
SNM Abdi is an independent journalist specialising in Indias foreign policy and domestic politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Deblina Halder

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Ankita Sengupta

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
OpenAI chief Sam Altman says fatherhood has changed his thought process, calls it 'totally...'

MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation.

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Shaurya Shubham

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Pragya Trivedi

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
UK authorities use counter-terrorism laws for arrests at protests related to Gaza

Authorities in the United Kingdom are utilizing counter-terrorism laws to arrest individuals at protests related to the conflict in Gaza, raising concerns about the impact on civil liberties, Al Jazeera says in a report. The use of these powers, alongside the recent Public Order Act 2023, is occurring amid a government stance of 'zero tolerance' for what it defines as extremism. The application of the laws is contentious, as critics argue the broad definition of terrorism is being used to criminalize legitimate protest and stifle free speech. The controversy often centers on whether protesters' actions, such as displaying certain symbols, constitute illegal support for proscribed organizations like Hamas, sparking a debate between civil liberties advocates and security proponents.
With strong revenue growth and significant hedge fund interest, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) secures a spot on our list of the 14 Best IT Stocks to Buy for the Long Term.

Bank of America Remains Bullish on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM), Sets a $290 PT

An automated manufacturing production line of semiconductor components on an assembly line.

On August 13, 2025, Bank of America Securities reaffirmed its Buy rating on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) with a $290 price target. The bullish stance reflects the companys strong likelihood of exemption from proposed U.S. Section 232 semiconductor tariffs.

The investment firm also highlighted Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM)s multi-phase Arizona investment, which is a key factor protecting the company from trade risks. At the same time, the investment enhances the companys competitive positioning against peers with smaller U.S. footprints.

Thanks to its resilient demand in AI and high-performance computing segments, minimal earnings impact is expected for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) even under a tariff scenario. Investor confidence remains strong amid continued AI-driven growth and a projected 18x P/E multiple by 2026.

Taiwan Semiconductor makes and sells integrated circuits and semiconductor devices globally. It is one of the best IT stocks.

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

READ NEXT: 11 Best Gold Penny Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds and 11 Best Rebound Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.

Disclosure: None.
'I lost 17 pounds in jail': Indian-origin man wrongfully jailed for 47 days in US demands public apology, shares 'harrowing' ordeal

Pragya Trivedi

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
JD Vance says Russia has made first real concessions to Ukraine as Trump pushes for peace

Aishwarya Dabhade

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Pakistan FM Ishaq Dar in Dhaka on his first visit in 13 years

Pragya Trivedi

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Pentagon blocks Ukraine from using US long-range missiles to strike Russia

Aishwarya Dabhade

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Key Points

BigBear.ai badly missed expectations in its most recent quarter.

A decline in government spending drastically affected its top line.

Without a significant improvement to its gross margins, it's unlikely that BigBear's bottom line will get out of the red anytime soon.

10 stocks we like better than BigBear.ai 

BigBear.ai Holdings (NYSE: BBAI) has been a volatile stock to hold over the past year, with its price ranging between a low of $1.26 and a high of $10.36. Recently, the company reported earnings, and it has once again disappointed investors, sending BigBear's stock back into another tailspin.

For all the hype and excitement surrounding the company's artificial intelligence (AI)-powered business software, BigBear has failed to deliver strong results time and time again. In its most recent quarter, the company not only badly missed expectations, but it also slashed its guidance.

Is the stock in trouble, and could this be the start of a much bigger and prolonged sell-off for the tech company, or could BigBear make for a good contrarian buy today?

Image source: Getty Images.

Big miss highlights the company's dependency on government contracts

On Aug. 11, BigBear reported its quarterly numbers for the period ending June 30. Revenue of $32.5 million declined by 18% year over year, and the company's operating loss grew from $16.7 million to $90.3 million. With numbers like that, it's not much of a surprise that the stock fell after the release of the report. Wall Street analysts were expecting revenue to come in around $40.6 million.

The reason for the big drop in revenue was a result of "disruptions" in the federal contracts the company has with the government, particularly with programs supporting the U.S. Army. The government's "efficiency efforts" have impacted not only this past quarter's results but also resulted in BigBear reducing its guidance for the full year. The company now anticipates its full-year revenue will be within a range of $125 million to $140 million, versus its previous guidance of $160 million to $180 million.

For investors, the concern is that government spending can have a significant impact on BigBear's financials and dictate its growth. The company needs to diversify its customer base; otherwise, government cutbacks could continue to weigh down its top line in the future.

Lack of revenue growth isn't BigBear's only problem

It's bad news for a growth stock to show no growth, and for its sales to actually decline on a year-over-year basis. But a more troubling issue I see is that BigBear's gross profit margins are low for a software company. It reported a gross margin of $8.1 million last quarter, which was just 25% of its top line.
Turkish first Lady Emine Erdogan urges Melania Trump to speak up for Gazas children amid famine crisis

Pragya Trivedi

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Texas legislature approves new congressional map pushed by President Trump

The Texas Senate has given its final approval to a new congressional voting map that favors Republicans, sending the bill to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature, AP says in a report. The new map, which creates five new districts that would likely favor the GOP, was pushed for by President Donald Trump to aid the party in the 2026 midterm elections. Governor Abbott, a Republican, is expected to sign the measure into law, although Democrats have stated their intention to challenge it legally.
The students who completed the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Twice-Exceptional Students Achieving and Matriculating in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math program pose for a photo with 500 Sails Sakman Mario Borja, Marianas High School Special Education teacher Cynthia Ferrari, and Public School System Career and Technical Education Program Director Jessica Taylor during the awarding ceremony at the Pacific Islands Clubs Charley Cabaret on Saturday.

Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Reporter

Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) is included in our list of the 10 Unstoppable Canadian Stocks to Buy Now.

BMO Capital Raises PT on Equinox Gold Corp. (EQX) Following Strong Q2 Results

A closeup image of a miner holding a pile of gold nuggets, a representation of the company's royalty.

BMO Capital raised its price target on Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) from $8.29 to $9.38, maintaining an Outperform rating, following the companys strong Q2 results.

In the second quarter, Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) beat BMOs $0.04 estimate and the $0.03 consensus, recording adjusted EPS of $0.11. The companys earnings were driven by lower-than-expected all-in sustaining cost of $1,959 per ounce, compared to forecasts of $2,242.

Furthermore, Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) recorded strong operational progress at the Greenstone project and steady advancement at the Valentine project, which is scheduled for first production in late Q3. This developmental progress further boosted investor confidence. Looking ahead, the investment firm expects the companys balance sheet to strengthen on the back of rising cash flows in the second half of 2025.

With its operations in the Americas, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada, Equinox Gold Corp. (NYSE:EQX) explores, develops, and operates gold and silver projects. It is one of the unstoppable stocks.

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

READ NEXT: 13 Best Oil Refinery Stocks to Buy Right Now and 13 Hot Oil Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None.
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, flanked by Speaker Brenson Wase, right, and parliament chaplain Rev. Lawson Matauto, at the opening of the Nitijela in early August where she spoke forcefully for Taiwan's inclusion at the Pacific Islands Forum as a development partner with the region.

Photo by Wilmer Joel
Nigerias military says its airstrikes killed 35 Islamic militants in Borno state View Photo

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Nigerias military said it targeted militants with precision airstrikes in the countrys northeast early on Saturday, killing at lest 35 suspected jihadis as the West African country grapples with militancy and a resurgent Boko Haram.

The strikes were launched on four targets in the area of Kumshe in Borno state, near the border with Cameroon, according to Ehimen Ejodame, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force.

Boko Haram, a homegrown group of jihadis in Nigeria, is considered one of the worlds deadliest armed groups. It took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose its radical version of Islamic law in the countrys northeast.

A splinter group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, is known for targeting the military and has overrun bases in northeastern Nigeria, Africas most populous country.

The conflict has spilled into Nigerias northern neighbors, including Niger, and resulted in the death of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 2 million others, according to the United Nations.

Ejodame said the insurgents had converged on Kumshe following attempted attacks on ground troops in the area.

Following the operation, communication was re-established with ground troops, who confirmed that the situation around their location had been stabilized, he said.

Despite the efforts by the government of President Bola Tinubu to curb jihadi attacks, the militancy has persisted.

Apart from the insurgency in the northeast, Nigeria is also struggling to curb the activities of armed gangs in the north-central and north-west regions.

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN

Associated Press
California High Speed Rail View Photo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Californias long-delayed high-speed rail project could be operating in the Central Valley by 2032, but it is far short of securing the funding it needs to connect up north toward the San Francisco Bay Area and south toward Los Angeles, according to a report by officials released Friday.

It will cost roughly $87 billion to build between Gilroy, about 80 miles southeast of San Francisco, and Palmdale, about 37 miles north of Los Angeles, the High Speed Rail Authoritys report says. That section is expected to start running in 2038.

While challenges remain, so too does the potential to deliver a modern transportation system worthy of the states ambitions  one that reflects the scale, complexity, and promise of California itself, Authority CEO Ian Choudri wrote in the report. Lets go build it.

The project is designed to shuttle riders across nearly 500 miles between San Francisco and Los Angeles. When voters approved a proposition in 2008 to authorize a bond to fund a third of the project, the cost was estimated at $33 billion and was to have been up and running by 2020. It could now cost up to $128 billion to build, the authority estimated last year. Officials will release an updated estimate in a business report next year, authority spokesperson Micah Flores said in an email.

There is 119 miles of construction underway in the Central Valley. But the state needs to make progress to build toward larger population centers near the Bay Area and L.A. and secure stable sources of funding to attract potential private investors, the report says. The project desperately needs help from the private sector. The authority recently heard back from 31 potential private investors who expressed their interest and started meeting with them this month.

A 171-mile section in the Central Valley between Merced and Bakersfield is expected to cost nearly $37 billion. Thats up slightly from a previous estimate, but the authority said that figure would have ballooned to $51 billion had it not taken recent cost-saving measures.

The project has received nearly $24 billion in funding to date, most of which has come from the state through a voter-approved bond and money from the states cap-and-trade program. The rest has come from the federal government. But the Trump administration said in July it was pulling $4 billion in funding from the project, which the authority quickly sued to try to get restored.

The authority has spent about $14 billion on the project through May of this year, according to the new report. Dozens of structures have been built in the Central Valley, including viaducts, underpasses and overpasses, along with 70 miles of guideway, the report says.

President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy both have slammed the project as a train to nowhere.

The Railroad we were promised still does not exist, and never will, Trump wrote on Truth Social in July. This project was Severely Overpriced, Overregulated, and NEVER DELIVERED.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom wants lawmakers to reauthorize the states cap-and-trade program through 2045 and ensure high-speed rail receives $1 billion a year from it. The program is set to expire at the end of 2030.

By SOPHIE AUSTIN

Associated Press
Greetings gentle readers, welcome to another installment of the Sunday Morning Movie. Today its some of that good Russian cinema: The Island. Its a tale of sin and redemption set on a lonely island on the White Sea.

Reviews:

Letterboxd says:

Powerful and thought-provoking. The Island is the kind of film that needs to be analyzedits story is a parable, and every part of it serves a purpose. You can just feel Tarkovskys influence on Lungin here. By no means is this a film for everyone thoughits pretty grim, filled with symbolism, and demands full attention. I can already tell The Island will stick with me for a while, and Im sure Ill be watching it again.

Variety says:

Casting former Russian rock star Pyotr Mamonov as a gaunt, scraggly bearded monk who works miracles by the icy White Sea, punchy helmer Pavel Lounguine (Taxi Blues, The Wedding) surprises followers with his less-virile but oddly fascinating The Island. While not as poetic or narratively complex as Kim Ki-duks Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter  and Spring, which it superficially calls to mind, this parable about faith and salvation is addressed to the same kind of broad-minded arthouse audience drawn to spiritual themes. Refined visuals and well-paced narrative will clinch fest slots.

The Rad Trad says:

The main theme of this movie is not forgiveness or miracles, but penance. Anatoly is often invited to live with the prior and recover his failing health, but he prefers to sleep on coals and pass his time praying the Jesus Prayer. Moreover, he reproaches those unwilling to live a penitential or God-centered life, even his own prior. Would God exorcise a demon or tell of the survival in France of a would-be-widows husband for any old priest? Probably not. Anatolys forgiveness and satisfaction, and presumable entrance into heaven, only come as consequence of his penance, a penance which takes his entire life. No penance, no peace. No suffering, no real love. No Cross, no heaven. It is a great film and, despite its length, never really drags, as there are few enough characters that the movie can change focus several times in the course of two hours without veering away from its main point.

My take: I really enjoyed this film. I am a sucker for contemplatives and I secretly dream of ending my days in some remote hermitage, far from the Internet and my phone. The scenery is yet another character in the story: images of roiling seas, craggy rocks covered with lichen, ramshackle log buildings, and lots and lots of snow set a bleak backdrop against which the protagonists agonized struggle with his sins can properly play out. There is humor but it isnt in contradiction to the spiritual sternness of the storyline, rather it accentuates it.

Directed by: Pavel Lungin

Written by: Dmitry Sobolev

Notable Actors: Pyotr Mamonov

Plot (Spoilers!):

A Russian coal barge is boarded by Germans during World War Two. The two Russians aboard, Anatoly the sailor and the captain Tikhon, are captured and threatened with death. Anatolys fear is evident and the Germans offer him a choice: shoot his captain or be shot. Anatoly chooses to shoot his captain, who falls overboard. The boat is blown up by the Germans but it doesnt sink, rather it drifts towards land where it and Anatoly are discovered by Orthodox monks. Anatoly is accepted into the monastery and maintains their furnace.

Decades go by and Anatoly has become a kind of holy fool with the abilities to prophecy and heal. He is deeply remorseful about shooting his captain and lives a bleak, ascetic life of penitential prayer and work. Locals come to him for healing and guidance. He is misunderstood by his fellow monks and plays mischievous pranks on them that points out their spiritual frailties.

One day a Soviet admiral comes to visit the monastery along with his deranged daughter. Anatoly tells him the woman is possessed by a demon and takes her to an small, bare island that he uses to pray. He successfully exorcises the demon and the admiral is deeply thankful. It turns out that the admiral is in fact Tikhon. He was only wounded by Anatoly and survived. He forgives Anatoly for betraying him.

Anatoly knows his time has come to an end. He announces his death and the monks provide him with a coffin. At the movies end, we see the coffin being transported away from the island with a monk in the boat holding a large cross aloft.
HHS data: Over 11,000 migrant children placed with unvetted sponsors under Biden administration

Between 2021 and 2025, over 11,000 unaccompanied migrant children were placed with sponsors who were neither parents nor legal guardians and were not subjected to required FBI fingerprint background checks, violating federal law.

The administration failed to conduct mandated home studies for over 79,000 children under 12, including nearly 2,000 cases where such reviews were explicitly recommended due to safety concerns.

HHS cared for nearly 490,000 unaccompanied migrant children from late 2020 through mid-2025, with most children arriving at the southern border and placed through the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Grassley convened a whistleblower roundtable revealing abuse, mismanagement and internal suppression of safety concerns. Democrats did not attend and blocked two of Grassley's reform bills aimed at protecting children from exploitation.

Grassley's decade-long oversight efforts were validated by a DHS Inspector General report confirming widespread failures, including the administration's loss of contact with hundreds of thousands of migrant children and the mishandling of over 65,000 incident reports, including 7,300 involving human trafficking.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has revealed the "systematic failures" in the Biden-Harris administration's handling of unaccompanied migrant children following the release of newly obtained data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

According to the HHS data, between January 2021 and January 2025, more than 11,000 migrant children were placed with unvetted sponsors  individuals who were neither the child's parent nor legal guardian and who were not fingerprinted or subjected to background checks. (Related: HHS launches investigation into ORR's handling of unaccompanied migrant children.)

Per federal law, specifically 8 U.S. Code  1232(c)(3)(A), all non-parent, non-guardian sponsors must undergo a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal background check using digital fingerprints. However, the HHS data revealed that the administration disregarded this requirement in over 11 percent of such cases.

The HHS data also reveals that during the said period, the administration failed to conduct required home studies for 79,143 migrant children under the age of 12. Home studies are mandated by HHS regulations when a young child is to be placed with a non-parent or non-guardian sponsor, especially in cases where red flags are raised. Notably, 1,961 of those children were placed in homes where a home study was specifically recommended, yet no follow-up was conducted.

From October 2020 to September 2024, HHS was responsible for the care of 468,736 unaccompanied migrant children, and has cared for an additional 21,399 children from October 2024 through June 2025. The vast majority of these minors are apprehended at the southern U.S. border and transferred to the custody of HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) for placement with sponsors.

In line with the report, Grassley commented, "My oversight continues to expose disturbing evidence that the Biden-Harris administration turned a blind eye to tens of thousands of kids who needed proper supervision and care. It's appalling to prioritize speed and optics over the safety and well-being of children. I appreciate the Trump administrations efforts to undo the damage caused by the last administration's failed border policies, and I'll continue my oversight of the issue to ensure abuse like this never happens again."

Lax sponsor screening procedures lead to abusive situations

Grassley has spent over a decade advocating for stronger protections for unaccompanied migrant children, warning of the dangers posed by insufficient vetting, weak oversight and siloed inter-agency communication. His efforts intensified during the last Congress as the number of unaccompanied children entering the U.S. surged.

In that period, Grassley repeatedly warned that the Biden-Harris administration's inadequate safeguards and lax sponsor screening procedures allowed thousands of vulnerable children to fall through the cracks, with some reportedly ending up in exploitative or abusive situations.

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, Grassley convened a whistleblower roundtable last Congress to allow frontline HHS and contractor employees to speak out about abuse and mismanagement in the Unaccompanied Children (UC) program. The roundtable revealed troubling accounts of neglected complaints, abusive sponsors and internal pressure to suppress concerns about child safety.

But despite the gravity of the testimonies, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee declined to attend the roundtable and opposed two key legislative reforms championed by Grassley  a bill to overturn a Biden-era rule that enabled the release of children to unvetted or inappropriate sponsors and another bill sought to cut off federal funding to contractors and facilities that had been implicated in facilitating or failing to prevent sexual abuse against migrant minors. Both measures were blocked, leaving "a dangerous status quo" in place.

Visit Migrants.news for similar stories about unaccompanied migrant children.

Watch this video of Alex Jones' interview with Anthony J. Rubin discussing the massive government-sponsored kidnapping and trafficking of unaccompanied migrant children.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Illegals pose as migrant children to get expedited access across U.S. border.

Trump administration locates nearly 80,000 missing migrant children, exposing failures of Biden-era policies.

Investigative journalist: Over 85,000 unaccompanied migrant children trafficked into the U.S. have been KIDNAPPED.

Leaked government document reveals migrant children are being held illegally in Border Patrol facilities.

DHS report: ICE has failed to track down location of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Judiciary.senate.gov

Brighteon.AI

Brighteon.com
Babies in Wi-Fi-dense homes face triple risk of developmental delays: Study warns of emerging health crisis

A study links high wireless radiation exposure to developmental delays in infants, including problem-solving and motor skill challenges.

Babies in homes with radiation levels exceeding 1 mW/m faced three times higher risks compared to low-exposure cohorts.

Experts urge stricter safety limits, citing parallels to the tobacco industrys historical misinformation.

Childrens vulnerability stems from higher RF absorption in developing brains.

Calls to action include reducing wireless tech in homes, especially near infants and for policy reforms.

Infants living in homes with elevated wireless radiation levels face significantly higher risks of developmental delays, according to a newly published study from Mumbai. Researchers found that babies exposed to high levels of radiation from Wi-Fi, cellphones and nearby cell towers showed triple the likelihood of delays in problem-solving, fine motor skills and social interaction compared to those in low-exposure environments. Published in the journal Cureus, the study evaluated 105 babies aged 2-12 months, measuring radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) radiation in their homes and assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The findings align with mounting concerns about childrens vulnerability to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Dr. Robert Brown, a radiologist with the Environmental Health Trust (EHT), called the results a dire situation, emphasizing that childrens developing brains and higher water-ion content make them more susceptible to radiation. The studys authors noted that babies in high-exposure homes (median radiation: 32.36 mW/m) had 2.74 times greater fine motor delays and 3.67 times more problem-solving deficits than low-exposure groups. Zero infants in low-exposure homes (0.62 mW/m) showed emotional-social issues, whereas 11.5% in high-exposure homes did.

Were seeing a stark pattern: higher radiation exposure correlates with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomeseven after accounting for socioeconomic factors and birth weight, said the studys lead author, Suzanne Burdick, Ph.D.

How the study was conducted

Researchers measured wireless radiation in Mumbai homes using a Selective Radiation Meter, then divided the infants into high, medium and low-exposure groups. Parents answered neurodevelopmental screening questionnaires every month for a year, assessing skills like stacking blocks or responding to sounds. Statistical analyses confirmed radiation exposure as a key predictor of delays, even after adjusting for variables like socioeconomic status.

The radiation thresholds alarmed public health advocates. Homes in the high-exposure group exceeded 32 mW/mfar surpassing the 1 mW/m limit deemed extreme concern by building biologists, though the FCC allows up to 10,000 mW/m. These FCC limits are dangerously outdated, said Fariha Husain of Childrens Health Defense. Engineer Eric Windheim added that such high readings are rare in the U.S. except near cell towers or ultra-connected households.

Experts call for policy shifts and public awakening

The study fuels broader debates about regulating wireless technology. Miriam Eckenfels of Childrens Health Defense likened the situation to the tobacco industrys decades-long suppression of health risks, noting emerging peer-reviewed research linking wireless radiation to cancer and DNA damage. Parents have a right to know about these risks, she said.

Dr. Brown highlighted absurd industry oversight: Healthy adults showed abnormal blood cell clumping after just five minutes with a phone on their leg. Imagine the cumulative impact on infants. Joe Sandri of EHT urged manufacturers to adopt simple engineering fixes, stressing, The industry must start competing on safety, not just speed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has long warned that children absorb twice as much cell phone radiation as adults, and pregnant women face heightened risks for fetal exposure. The BioInitiative Report (2012) similarly linked wireless radiation to potential ties with autism and called for reduced exposures.

Historical context: A repeat of the tobacco era?

The parallels between the wireless industry and Big Tobacco are striking. As corporations downplayed risks by discrediting studies, the general public remained unaware. Were at risk of repeating that tragedy, said Sandri. Over 200 studies cited in the Defenders archives tie EMF exposure to childhood leukemia, leukemia in children of prenatal cell phone users and cognitive deficits in adolescents.

The Indian study arrives amid a global expansion of 5G infrastructure, which crams devices with higher-frequency radiation. This isnt just about convenience5G poses new risks, notes the studys co-author. We need transparency from regulators and safer alternatives for families.

Protecting our future: Simple steps for families

While further research is needed, actionable advice exists. Experts recommend:

Reducing wireless devices in homes, especially bedrooms. Shut off Wi-Fi at night to minimize exposure during sleep, advises the AAP.

Using wired internet through fiber optics instead of Wi-Fi.

Keeping phones in airplane mode when near children.

Lobbying for safer radiation standards and transparency from telecom companies.

For many parents, its a sacrifice to unplug, but protecting a childs future is worth it, said Dr. Brown.

A path forward for health and safety

The Mumbai study underscores a critical window for intervention: infant developmental stages are irreplaceable. As advocates push for policy changes, families can reduce risks now. Childrens health shouldnt be collateral damage in the tech race, said Sandri. Lets demand truth and safer innovation. With stakes this high, the message is clear: shield the next generation from invisible threatsone Wi-Fi router off at a time.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

Cureus.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org
Bank execs pressured by Obama and Biden administrations to DEBANK conservative clients

Senior officials at major U.S. banks claim they were pressured by regulators under the Obama and Biden administrations to deny services to politically disfavored individuals and groups.

Executives cited "Operation Choke Point" and a rebooted version under former President Joe Biden as efforts to target industries like firearms, crypto and conservative nonprofits using regulatory ambiguity.

Banks were allegedly encouraged to consider negative media coverage as justification for debanking clients, particularly conservatives and President Donald Trump allies, without direct orders from regulators.

Critics argue that debanking, originally intended for anti-money laundering, has been "weaponized" against dissidents, religious groups and businesses labeled undesirable by political elites.

In response, Trump signed the "Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans" order, banning banks from denying services based on political beliefs or using "reputational risk" in a discriminatory way.

Senior banking officials are now speaking out about years of political pressure from federal regulators to deny financial services to certain individuals and businesses based on political or ideological grounds.

In interviews with Fox News Digital, two executives from major U.S. banks, who requested anonymity, claimed that regulatory agencies under former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden used ambiguous laws to advance political agendas. These pressures, they said, were often subtle but unmistakable.

According to the bank executives, much of the pressure came during initiatives like "Operation Choke Point," a Department of Justice (DOJ) program launched under the Obama administration to cut off banking services to "high-risk" industries, such as firearm sales, payday lenders and certain political groups.

Although President Donald Trump officially ended the program in 2017, lawmakers and industry insiders now claim a rebooted version, dubbed "Operation Choke Point 2.0," emerged under the Biden administration. This iteration allegedly targeted cryptocurrency firms, conservative nonprofits and other disfavored groups.

One of the executives suggested that during Biden's presidency, banks were encouraged to consider negative media coverage as a marker of reputational risk. This, they said, led to heightened scrutiny and in some cases, outright debanking of conservative clients, including individuals associated with Trump, especially during periods of legal battles and hostile press.

The same executive also revealed that regulatory agencies did not need to issue direct orders. Instead, expectations were made clear through subtle means, implying that failure to comply could bring regulatory consequences. One key area of focus, he said, was the pressure to file more Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), which banks are required to submit to the Treasury Department when they detect potentially illegal or questionable transactions.

Though the executives acknowledged that regulators often acted with good intentions, they argued that the worldviews of agency officials inevitably shaped their decisions, leaving banks stuck between political winds and regulatory compliance.

"Those pressures were very, very real. When your regulator gives you a suggestion, it's not a suggestion; it's an order. The political stuff is very real, those pressures are real," one of the two senior banking executives said during the interview.

Trump targets "weaponized" debanking with executive order to protect political and religious beliefs

The term "debanking," according to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, refers to the closure of a business' or an individual's bank accounts or denial of services, often without a clear explanation. Originally rooted in federal anti-money laundering laws, the practice has been frequently weaponized against political dissidents, conservative activists, independent journalists or industries deemed "undesirable" by globalist elites, such as firearms dealers, alternative health practitioners or critics of government narratives.

Tim Schwarzenberger, a CFA of Inspire Investing, a firm actively engaged in fighting debanking, stated that banks have used "reputational risk" as a pretext to deny services to individuals and groups with politically unpopular views.

Trump claimed he was a victim of debanking, alleging that major banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America refused to accept over $1 billion in deposits. Melania Trump also said she and her son Barron were debanked. Former Sen. Sam Brownback similarly accused JPMorgan of debanking his religious nonprofit in 2022.

In response to such claims, Trump recently signed an executive order titled "Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans," banning banks from denying services based on political beliefs or citing "reputational risk" in a politicized manner. (Related: Trump vows to issue executive order to stop "debanking" of conservatives.)

Visit Conspiracy.news for more stories like this.

Watch this episode of "World Alternative Media" as host Josh Sigurdson is joined by financial expert Tim Picciott, the Liberty Advisor, to discuss the more than 1,000 bank accounts being shut down every day for political views.

This video is from the World Alternative Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon backs President Donald Trump's tariff proposals.

National Australia Bank now debanking customers for "mean" speech.

Bank of America is an active enemy combatant targeting conservatives for financial deplatforming.

DEBANKING SPREE: UK banks are closing more than 1,000 accounts a day with little explanation.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.AI

Brighteon.com
Egypt rejects Israeli plans to DISPLACE Palestinians from Gaza

Egypt has firmly refused Israeli plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, calling it a "red line" that would liquidate the Palestinian cause. Temporary tent camps in Sinai have been set up, but Egypt insists no permanent resettlement will be allowed.

Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that displacement would violate international law, calling it ethnic cleansing and a war crime. Reports suggest Israel has explored resettlement with countries like Uganda and South Sudan, though no decisions have been made.

Over 50,000 Palestinians have been affected, with 80 percent of casualties being women and children. Infrastructure destruction has left Gaza without basic necessities, including food, water and medical care.

Israel continues its offensive, targeting Gaza City, while Hamas warns this will lead to further mass displacement. Protests in Israel demand an end to the war, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government remains committed to military action.

The UAE and Jordan have led aid airdrops, while European nations join relief efforts. The international community faces a pivotal moment in responding to the crisis and preventing further escalation.

Egypt has firmly rejected Israeli plans to displace Palestinians from their historical homeland, warning that such actions would amount to the "liquidation" of the Palestinian cause.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has been unequivocal in his condemnation of any displacement efforts. In a recent interview with CNN, he stated, "Displacement is a red line. We will not accept it, we will not participate in it and we will not allow it to happen." Abdelatty emphasized that the displacement of Palestinians would be a "one-way ticket" out of Gaza, leading to the "liquidation" of their cause and the end of the Palestinian goal.

The announcement comes as tensions rise over the fate of Gaza's 2.4 million residents, half of whom are women and children, amidst ongoing Israeli military operations. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has explicitly stated that Cairo "will not permit the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza into its territory."

As a temporary measure, Egypt has set up makeshift tent camps in the Sinai Peninsula to accommodate some displaced Palestinians  but maintains a clear stance against permanent resettlement. This position aims to prevent what Egypt views as Israeli efforts to displace Gazans from their homeland permanently.

Abdelatty's remarks underscore Egypt's deep concern over recent reports suggesting that Israel has been consulting with several countries about the potential resettlement of Palestinian refugees from Gaza. These countries reportedly include Indonesia, Somaliland, Uganda, South Sudan and Libya, although no concrete decisions have been made.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned all forms of displacement, including those carried out through policies of starvation, land confiscation and settlement expansion. In a statement issued on Sunday, Aug. 17, the ministry criticized these discussions as part of a broader, rejected Israeli strategy to depopulate Palestinian territories and undermine the Palestinian cause. (Related: OUTRAGE: Israel told Gaza residents to flee to Egypt for safety, then appears to have BOMBED the lone border crossing for their escape.)

The statement further urged the international community, particularly peace-supporting nations, to reject complicity in such an "immoral and illegal crime" that would violate the principles of international humanitarian law, constitute a war crime and amount to ethnic cleansing. It warned of the grave historical and legal consequences that would befall any party involved in or facilitating such displacement.

Humanitarian crisis and global response

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with over 50,000 Palestinians affected by the Israeli operation since Oct. 7, 2024. Shockingly, around 80 percent of these casualties are women and children.

The destruction of infrastructure, including more than 85 percent of universities and over 80 percent of schools, has exacerbated the crisis. The attacks by Israel have also left civilians without access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care.

The United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront of international efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. As part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, the UAE has conducted its 73rd airdrop of aid, delivering essential food supplies to the beleaguered territory. This initiative, conducted in cooperation with Jordan and with the participation of several European countries, highlights the UAE's leading role in international relief work.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military is pressing ahead with plans for the next phase of its Gaza offensive, focusing on Gaza City. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated, "We will maintain the momentum of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots' while focusing on Gaza City. We will continue to strike until the decisive defeat of Hamas." In response, Hamas warned that these plans would result in "a new wave of extermination and mass displacement."

Demonstrators across Israel have called for an end to the Gaza war and a deal to release hostages still held by militants. The protests, which included a general strike, were sharply criticized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies. The Israeli army's chief of staff reiterated the military's commitment to the offensive, stating, "We will continue to strike until the decisive defeat of Hamas, with the hostages always at the forefront of our minds."

Follow Humanitarian.news for more news about the Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

Watch this clip of Turkey and Egypt, through their respective foreign ministries, condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's full Gaza City occupation plan.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Hamas accepts ceasefire deal as Israel prepares brutal Gaza City invasion.

Egypt pressured Al-Azhar to withdraw statement condemning genocidal starvation in Gaza, sources say.

Spain and Ireland REJECT calls by Israel to accept Palestinian refugees

Sources include:

YourNews.com

TimesOfIsrael.com

Brighteon.ai

GulfToday.ae

Brighteon.com
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Talks for Brazilian firm Novonor, formerly Odebrecht, to sell a controlling stake in petrochemical company Braskem to a fund backed by businessman Nelson Tanure continue, despite the end of a 90-day exclusive negotiation deadline, Braskem said in a securities filing on Friday.

The exclusivity window has closed without both parties reaching an agreement that would exempt the fund of possibly paying for damages in a lawsuit that states the firm's salt mines have caused sinking ground in the city of Maceio and forced evacuations.

A source familiar with the Tanure-linked investment fund Petroquimica Verde told Reuters that no deal will be signed until they are certain that the environmental liabilities will not be transferred to the new partners and creditors.

Earlier this month Tanure said in a statement to Reuters that an agreement with the entities involved in the disaster was a "sine qua non (condition)" for the deal.

A second source close to the negotiations confirmed that resolving the environmental liability issue was from day one fundamental to advancing negotiations with Tanure.

Novonor's decision to continue negotiations with Tanure keeps the door open to a deal, but "sends an important signal to banks that were uncomfortable with the situation," the source added.

In the meantime, private equity firm IG4 Capital is working to launch a rival bid for Braskem's controlling stake as it aims to consolidate Novonor's bank debt and exchange it for Braskem shares, sources said.

Shares in Braskem were up some 2.4% in the afternoon trade, almost matching Brazil's benchmark stock index Bovespa, which gained around 2.5%.

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes and Gabriel Araujo. Writing by Isabel Teles. Editing by Mark Potter and Alistair Bell)
Louisianas lawsuit against Roblox fuels debate over mandatory age verification and digital privacy

Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a lawsuit against Roblox, accusing the platform of failing to protect children due to its lack of age verification and inadequate safety measures.

Murrill argues that without digital ID requirements, predators can easily pose as children. She is calling for nationwide age verification laws across all major tech platforms.

Critics on social media accused Murrill of using child safety as a cover for increased government surveillance, warning that digital ID systems could erode privacy and civil liberties.

The company cited existing protections, including restricted chat for users under 13, unencrypted message monitoring, and a new selfie-based age verification system for teens.

Roblox said its AI tools helped flag over 1,200 potential exploitation cases in early 2025, but Murrill maintains that the lack of identity checks still leaves children vulnerable.

A new lawsuit filed by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill against the popular online game Roblox is intensifying a debate over online safety, digital privacy and the growing push for mandatory age verification laws across the internet.

In a press release on Thursday, Aug. 14, Murrill accused the online platform of creating an unsafe environment for children by failing to implement sufficient user age verification protocols. The lawsuit, filed in state court, alleges that the platform's lax security has turned it into a "breeding ground" for child predators and harmful content.

"Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators because it prioritizes user growth, revenue and profits over child safety," she stated in a press release. "Due to Roblox's lack of safety protocols, it endangers the safety of the children of Louisiana." (Related: CLAIM: Popular online game Roblox accused of functioning as an avenue for CHILD EXPLOITATION, with 13K incidents reported and 24 predators arrested in 2023.)

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Murrill doubled down, posting, "Big Tech platforms must get on board with age verification laws." This, in turn, quickly garnered the attention of X users, who accused Murrill of using child safety as a pretext to expand government surveillance and control.

"DO NOT BE FOOLED. THIS IS NOT ABOUT KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE. IT IS ABOUT CENSORSHIP AND CONTROL," one commenter warned, adding, "Companies can't even protect your debit card or phone number. DO NOT TRUST THEM WITH YOUR IDENTITY." An image circulating alongside the post titled "Five Reasons to Say NO to Digital ID" outlined key concerns: privacy violations, centralized authority, risk of data breaches, exclusion of vulnerable users and the irreversible loss of personal freedoms.

Others criticized the approach for shifting accountability away from families. "Why can't you encourage parents to parent?" another user asked. "Age verification will do nothing. You don't bring your kids to a bar, don't leave the Internet to raise them. There are ample parental tools."

Some reactions were more scathing, accusing officials of exploiting real abuse cases to push an authoritarian agenda. "You want to build a social-credit panopticon," another user posted. "The fact that you are using actual harassment and abuse as a Trojan horse to do so is vile."

Roblox defends safety measures amid growing pressure for stricter age verification

Roblox, which boasts over 111 million monthly active users, describes itself as "the ultimate virtual universe that lets you create, share experiences with friends and be anything you can imagine." The platform, as per Brighteon.AI's Enoch, "is especially popular among children and teenagers, with its user base skewing heavily toward younger audiences."

According to a public statement from Roblox, it has a "zero tolerance policy for the exploitation of minors." It also claims to have specific features designed to limit risk for its youngest users, including restricted chat capabilities for players under the age of 13, unless they receive explicit parental permission. The company also noted that private messages on the platform are not encrypted, allowing internal teams to monitor conversations and flag suspicious behavior.

In July, Roblox rolled out a new feature for older teens: a video selfie verification system for users aged 13 to 17. The tool allows verified teens to access unrestricted chat features, but only when engaging with pre-approved "trusted connections." The system is still in a testing phase.

The platform has also started deploying artificial intelligence to proactively detect signs of grooming and exploitation. These AI systems scan chats for sexually suggestive language and other red flags, helping the company identify potential threats.

Still, Murrill argued that adults can easily bypass these safeguards to pose as children and create accounts that require no verified identity.

Visit TechGiants.news for more stories like this.

Watch this video video about Meta targeting children.

This video is from the TNP (The New Prisoners) channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Big Brother's next project: Report reveals government is rooting out domestic violent extremist content in gaming.

Big Tech leads million-dollar campaign to kill bills that are meant to keep children safe online.

PARENTS BEWARE: Satanic group 764 preys on minors online.

EU plans to monitor private online chats under the guise of combating child abuse.

Europe hits TikTok with $368 million fine for mishandling childrens personal info.

Sources include:

ReclaimtheNet.org 1

ReclaimtheNet.org 2

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com
Meta collaborates with conservative activist Robby Starbuck to curb political bias in AI

Facebook parent company Meta has partnered with conservative activist Robby Starbuck to address political and ideological bias in its AI systems, following a defamation dispute involving Meta AI.

Both parties agreed to work collaboratively to improve Meta AI's accuracy and reduce "hallucinations" and political bias, with Starbuck emphasizing the importance of fairness and election integrity in AI.

Since 2024, Meta has begun rolling back censorship and controversial DEI policies, with Zuckerberg pledging to reduce content moderation and promote political neutrality.

Meta committed in April to making its Llama 4 AI model politically neutral and saw its Oversight Board uphold posts misgendering individuals, signaling a shift away from prior enforcement practices.

In March, Meta introduced "Community Notes" as an alternative to biased third-party fact-checkers, gaining attention for correcting false political claims and reinforcing Meta's pivot toward transparency and neutrality.

Facebook's parent company, Meta, has announced a partnership with conservative activist and commentator Robby Starbuck to address political and ideological bias in artificial intelligence.

In a joint statement released on Aug. 8, Meta and Starbuck said they had made "tremendous strides" to improve the accuracy of their AI systems and reduce bias. The agreement includes a joint commitment to "work collaboratively in the coming months to continue to find ways to address issues of ideological and political bias and minimize the risk that the model returns hallucinations in response to user queries."

"Both parties have resolved this matter to our mutual satisfaction. Since engaging on these important issues with Robby, Meta has made tremendous strides to improve the accuracy of Meta AI and mitigate ideological and political bias. Building on that work, Meta and Robby Starbuck will work collaboratively in the coming months to continue to find ways to address issues of ideological and political bias and minimize the risk that the model returns hallucinations in response to user queries," Joel Kaplan, the president of global affairs of Meta Platforms, posted the joint statement on X (formerly Twitter).

Starbuck, who, according to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, is a vocal critic of "woke" corporate culture, posted the same statement on his X account, with a lengthy caption. "In a world where AI is rapidly becoming a part of our lives, ideological fairness and honesty is critical. As part of our resolution, Meta and I will work together to make that fairness and honesty a reality." (Related: Walmart, America's largest private employer, drops anti-white DEI policies as activist Robby Starbuck slays another corporate woke program.)

He reiterated this during an appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box" that same day, emphasizing that his legal challenge was never just about his personal experience. "That was always the point of my lawsuit  fix this for everybody so this doesn't become a massive, you know, really terrible story in the future where AI affects elections in ways that no one is comfortable with," Starbuck said.

Meta signals major political shift with conservative collaboration, censorship rollbacks and AI reform

The announcement was hailed by some as the most definitive sign yet of a dramatic ideological realignment within the tech giant, once widely criticized for its left-leaning political bias.

For years, Facebook was at the center of allegations of suppressing conservative voices and promoting a left-wing agenda through content moderation, algorithmic choices and politically charged fact-checking. But in 2024, Zuckerberg began to publicly acknowledge missteps, including the platform's compliance with Biden administration requests to suppress content that questioned the official Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) narrative.

Since then, Meta has undertaken a series of major policy shifts aimed at reducing perceived political bias and censorship on its platforms.

In January, Zuckerberg announced plans to significantly cut back on content moderation and roll back controversial DEI policies, including removing mandates like placing female hygiene products in male restrooms. By April, the company committed to political neutrality in its Llama 4 AI model, aiming for it to respond to diverse viewpoints without judgment. That same month, Meta's Oversight Board upheld posts that misgendered transgender individuals, signaling a shift away from earlier content enforcement practices seen as biased against conservatives.

In March, Facebook launched "Community Notes," a crowdsourced fact-checking system modeled after a similar feature on X, intended to replace third-party fact-checkers often criticized for left-leaning bias. The tool gained attention recently when it corrected a claim by Hillary Clinton regarding Georgia's abortion laws, reinforcing Meta's new approach to more balanced and transparent content oversight.

Taken together, these moves represent what may be the most significant ideological repositioning in years. Once seen as emblematic of the tech industry's left-leaning dominance, Meta is now positioning itself as a champion of political neutrality, free speech and transparency in AI.

Read more stories like this at Wokies.news.

Watch this clip of Mark Zuckerberg recounting how the outgoing Biden administration demanded that his company censor internet memes on "The Joe Rogan Experience."

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Jack Daniel's axes woke training ahead of next Robby Starbuck expose about corporate DEI indoctrination.

Meta CEO Zuckerberg admits Biden administration's censorship demands were ILLEGAL, but Meta failed to fight back.

Harley-Davidson promises no more DEI, diversity spending goals and other woke madness after Robby Starbuck investigates.

Evil CEO of Fakebook META, Mark Zuckerberg, creating Meta Superintelligence Labs to surpass all human capabilities and rule planet earth.

Zuckerberg's META-FAKEBOOK censors anyone opposed to Israel's mass-murdering of Palestinians  Now Meta faces LAWSUIT over bias and discrimination.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

X.com

Brighteon.AI

Brighteon.com
Soft cheeses RECALLED from product shelves over potential contamination by foodborne pathogens

Wegmans and Quesito El Establo recalled soft cheeses across multiple states after potential contamination with Listeria (which can cause miscarriages and death) and rodent-related Salmonella (leading to severe gastrointestinal illness).

Affected products were sold in 11 states + D.C. (July-August 2025) and included items like Camembert, Brie and assorted cheese flights. No illnesses reported yet, but consumers are urged to return products for refunds.

Beyond pathogens, physical hazards (glass, metal, pests) pose risks during production. FDA classifies objects 7-25mm as dangerous, but many incidents go unreported, masking the true scale of contamination.

Inspections found rodent infestations and poor facility conditions, yet recalls often only happen after contamination is confirmed. Weak oversight and inconsistent tech (e.g., X-rays, metal detectors) increase risks.

Key steps to reduce risk: check recall alerts, inspect food, wash produce, handle high-risk items carefully and report contamination to authorities. Food safety is a shared responsibility.

Soft cheeses have been recalled from the market over potential contamination by foodborne pathogens, highlighting the importance of food safety.

Grocery chain Wegmans Food Markets pulled several of its popular soft cheeses off shelves at all its stores in nine states and the District of Columbia. The cheeses were recalled following information that the products might contain Listeria, a pathogen that can survive even refrigeration and cause miscarriages, seizures or even death.

The affected products were sold in Wegmans locations in Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were supplied by Georgia-based Estancia Holdings and were sold between July 1 and Aug. 12.

The following products were recalled, per advice by Estancia's supplier in France:

Wegmans Medium Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese 8.8 oz

Wegmans Assorted Cheese Flight 1 lb

Wegmans Grilling Camembert with Tapenade & Roasted Tomatoes 10 oz

Wegmans Caramel Apple Pecan Topped Brie Cheese 13 oz.

Over at New England, Quesito El Establo recalled its Spanish Cheese (Queso Colombiano) following an inspection by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Agency inspectors found rodents and rodent droppings inside the production facility where it was made.

The discovery raises the risk of contamination with Salmonella, which infects more than a million Americans annually. Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps or can lead to more serious complications (including a bloodstream infection) that require hospitalization. (Related: Cheese and other dairy products sold by Rizo-Lopez Foods recalled following a LISTERIA OUTBREAK.)

So far, no illnesses have been reported. The FDA advises consumers who have eaten any of the affected products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund

What does "physical contamination" mean?

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine, physical contamination is when "harmful foreign objects, such as glass, metal shavings or plastic fragments, accidentally enter food during production or preparation. These contaminants can cause injury, illness or even death if ingested."

Experts divide these hazards into two main types:

Unintentional hazards : Accidents that happen during processing or handling  like a bolt falling from a machine, a shard of glass from a broken light fixture or even human hair or fingernails.

: Accidents that happen during processing or handling  like a bolt falling from a machine, a shard of glass from a broken light fixture or even human hair or fingernails. Naturally present hazards: These are hard or inedible parts of the food itself, such as bones in fish, bone fragments or particles in meat, feathers from poultry, nutshells in peanut butter, pieces of shell from seafood, or seeds in fruit.

Both categories matter because they can harm consumers directly or act as carriers for bacteria and chemicals that cause illness. The unsettling truth is that contamination can slip into food at nearly any stage:

The building  broken glass, crumbling plaster, paint chips or pieces of tiles can fall into the food

Equipment  loose screws, nuts and bolts or metal shards from worn machinery

Packaging  bits of plastic wrap, cardboard, elastic bands, staple wires, string

Food handlers  buttons, hair, jewelry, nail polish flakes or even pen caps

Pests  caterpillars, insects, rodents (mice, rats, etc.), slugs and their droppings or fur

Suppliers  raw materials that arrive contaminated, like grit on fruits and vegetables or feathers in poultry

The FDA considers hard or sharp objects between seven and 25 millimeters long in ready-to-eat foods as potentially harmful enough to trigger legal action.

The hidden iceberg of contamination

Here is something most recall-weary consumers don't realize: The cases that make it to the news are only the tip of the iceberg.

Across the pond, European watchdogs estimate that most physical contamination incidents never make it into public databases. If inspectors find rodent droppings in a warehouse or loose bolts on a production line, it often leads to warning letters, fines or temporary closures  not actual recalls. Unless contaminated food is confirmed, consumers may never hear about it.

That means official recall lists tell only part of the story. Behind the headlines, countless other contamination cases are quietly handled and forgotten.

Most Americans can't inspect food with metal detectors or X-rays, or test it for microscopic hazards. While technology to scan for contaminants is improving, not every company invests in these tools and oversight still varies. Even the best factories can slip up.

But that doesn't mean consumers are at the mercy of food manufacturers. Here are some small ways to ensure food safety:

Stay alert to recalls : Sign up for FDA or USDA recall and safety alerts or follow trusted news outlets.

: Sign up for FDA or USDA recall and safety alerts or follow trusted news outlets. Inspect food items : A quick glance before eating can stop a foreign object from becoming an emergency room visit.

: A quick glance before eating can stop a foreign object from becoming an emergency room visit. Wash produce thoroughly : Dirt, grit, sand and small stones are common in fresh veggies.

: Dirt, grit, sand and small stones are common in fresh veggies. Handle high-risk foods carefully : Deli meats, soft cheeses, sushi and pre-cut fruits and veggies are more prone to contamination.

: Deli meats, soft cheeses, sushi and pre-cut fruits and veggies are more prone to contamination. Don't shrug off "minor" contaminants : They may be small, but they carry harmful bacteria and have huge repercussions for health.

: They may be small, but they carry harmful bacteria and have huge repercussions for health. Speak up: Report contaminated food to local health authorities.

The news of soft cheeses being recalled highlights the vulnerabilities in the food supply. They also serve as a reminder that food safety is a shared responsibility, not just the government's job.

Watch this video to learn more about physical hazards in food.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

How four types of contamination keep sneaking into food.

Canned beef stew RECALLED nationwide over wood fragments.

Breakfast cereal RECALLED over metal fragments found in the products.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Brighteon.ai

Bromley.gov.uk

FoodTimes.eu

Brighton.com
VAPING now deemed as GATEWAY DRUG to SMOKING CIGARETTES as major global research study reveals startling statistics for kids and teens

Its not just cigarettes that are horrible for your health, its vaping too. These nifty little nicotine delivery devices dont just deliver free-based nicotine thats been treated with ammonia, but also other chemicals from artificial flavors and colors to ones that create the trendy cloud puffs. The science is in, and its scary.

A groundbreaking global review has raised alarm about the long-term health consequences of youth vaping, suggesting that electronic cigarettes may be far more harmful to children than previously thought. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), analyzed 56 systematic reviews covering 384 studies on youth vaping.

Published in Tobacco Control, the findings suggest strong associations between vaping and a wide range of physical and psychological health risks, as well as an increased likelihood of transitioning to conventional cigarette smoking.

A major global review led by the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that children who vape are three times more likely to start smoking later in life, with strong evidence linking vaping to increased cigarette use.

The study, which analyzed 56 reviews covering 384 studies, also linked vaping among young people to respiratory illnesses (asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia), reduced sperm counts, dizziness, headaches, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

While researchers warned of serious health and psychological risks, other experts urged caution, noting that most of the studies reviewed were observational or low quality, making it difficult to prove vaping directly causes these outcomes.

Campaigners and health leaders argue the findings strengthen the case for stricter regulations on vape marketing and sales, as companies are accused of targeting children with colorful packaging and sweet flavors despite rising concerns about long-term health effects.

Devastating Health Impact of Vaping Revealed in Major Global Study

One of the most striking revelations was that children who regularly vape are three times more likely to become smokers later in life compared to non-vapers. The analysis consistently showed that young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely, raising concerns that vaping acts as a gateway to tobacco use. Researchers also reported that vaping is linked to higher risks of respiratory illnesses, including asthma exacerbation, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Other physical side effects observed among youth vapers include lower sperm counts, dizziness, headaches, and migraines.

Beyond physical health, the review highlighted significant mental health concerns. Evidence indicated associations between vaping and higher rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts among young users. Lead researcher Dr. Su Golder emphasized the consistency of these findings, urging stronger public health measures to protect young people. Co-author Dr. Greg Hartwell noted that the transition from vaping to smoking could expose teenagers to the multitude of harms long associated with traditional tobacco.

The findings also reignited concerns about the marketing strategies of vaping companies. Campaigners accuse manufacturers of deliberately targeting children with colorful packaging and sweet flavors like bubblegum and cotton candy, products critics argue are designed to mimic toys or candy rather than smoking cessation aids.

However, the studys conclusions sparked debate among experts. Critics, including Professor Ann McNeill of Kings College London, cautioned that most of the reviews analyzed were rated as low quality and primarily observational, meaning they cannot prove causation. She argued that while vaping is consistently linked with later smoking, this does not prove that vaping itself causes smoking. Similarly, Dr. Emma Beard of University College London described the gateway claim as speculative, pointing out that overall smoking rates have continued to fall even as vaping use has increased.

Despite these disagreements, researchers agree that e-cigarettes are not risk-free. While they lack tobacco, tar, and carbon monoxidethe most dangerous elements in cigarettesvapes still deliver high doses of nicotine and contain potentially harmful chemicals. Nicotine itself is highly addictive, raises heart rate and blood pressure, and constricts blood vessels. Long-term consequences of inhaling vaporized chemicals remain largely unknown, adding to public health concerns.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also weighed in, describing the evidence on vaping as complex. It has stopped short of recommending e-cigarettes as smoking cessation tools due to uncertainties about their harms. Governments are responding: in June, the UK banned single-use disposable vapes such as Elf Bar and Lost Mary in an effort to reduce youth access, restricting sales to reusable devices only.

Taken together, the findings underscore a growing consensus that vaping poses serious risks to adolescents physical and mental health. While debate continues over causation, the review provides the strongest evidence yet that vaping is not a harmless alternative for young people and may, in fact, set the stage for lifelong addiction and chronic illness.

Tune your internet dial to NaturalMedicine.news for more tips on how to recover from popcorn lung and other breathing disorders caused by the toxins in vape gadgets and e-cig juice.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

DailyMail.co.uk
Chris Cuomo: Democratic Party is DEAD, and far-left extremism killed it

Chris Cuomo (former CNN anchor) declared the Democratic Party politically "dead," blaming its decline on a far-left shift that alienates mainstream voters.

Chris contrasted today's Democratic Party  focused on cultural control and radical policies (defund police, open borders, socialism)  with his father Mario's era, which prioritized working-class economics and pragmatic governance.

Chris warned that Democrats now mirror MAGA-style extremism, pushing "fundamentalist" ideologies detached from economic realities and harming voter confidence.

His brother Andrew's primary defeat by socialist Zohran Mamdani highlighted the partys fractures and unelectable agendas, risking GOP gains with moderates and minorities.

Chris dismissed modern Democratic rhetoric and questioned whether the party can recover before the next election, declaring: "That party is dead."

In a striking critique from within liberal media circles, former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has declared the Democratic Party politically "dead"  blaming its demise on a radical leftward shift that has alienated mainstream voters.

Speaking on a recent episode of "The Benny Show," the erstwhile host of "Cuomo Prime Time" argued that the party of his family's legacy no longer exists. He added that the Democratic Party has been replaced by an elite-driven movement that prioritizes cultural control over economic fairness.

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine, Chris' father Mario Cuomo (1932-2015) "was the governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, shaping key policies and leaving a political legacy." Meanwhile, the former CNN host's brother Andrew served as governor from 2011 to 2021, but resigned amid scandals." (Related: Federal prosecution sought for Cuomo amid nursing home cover-up: A call for accountability in health crises.)

Chris' comments reflect growing disillusionment among some Democrats as the party grapples with stark divisions between progressive activists and moderate voters. He contrasted his father's era  when Democrats championed working-class interests while upholding free-market capitalism  with today's politics, where debates rage over defunding police, open borders, and socialist policies.

"No Democrat would have argued for any of this. My father would have done none of this," Chris told Johnson said. The former CNN host's remarks came amid Andrew suffering a crushing defeat in this year's mayoral primary against socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, further underscoring the party's ideological fractures.

How Democrats lost the middle and betrayed the working class

Chris later argued that this shift in mirrors extremist tendencies on both sides of the political spectrum. While conservatives embrace the Make America Great Again (MAGA) ideology, he warned that left-wing factions now court "fundamentalist" ideologies, targeting constituencies like Jews or pushing policies detached from economic reality.

"The Democratic Party is now officially in MAGA mode. We are now, on both sides, in a period of extremism." Chris lamented on his NewsNation program "Cuomo" on Wednesday, Aug. 20. His critique aligns with broader concerns over plummeting voter confidence, as Democrats hemorrhage support among moderate and minority voters repelled by progressive slogans like "defund the police."

Historically, Chris' remarks echo past realignments such as the Democratic Party's shift after the term of President Ronald Reagan. Yet his urgency suggests a deeper crisis.

He dismissed modern Democratic rhetoric as "provocative b******t" devoid of accountability, a far cry from his father's emphasis on pragmatic governance. Ironically, Chris noted that today's Republican Party now positions itself as anti-establishment voices for "the little people"  a role once claimed by Democrats.

The fallout extends beyond rhetoric. Chris cited his brother's electoral loss to Mamdani as proof of the party's lurch toward unelectable radicalism.

"Andrew's no establishment guy," he said, emphasizing that traditional Democrats have been sidelined by activists pushing an agenda voters reject. Critics argue this extremism risks ceding electoral ground to Republicans, as seen in recent GOP gains among Hispanic and working-class demographics.

While Chris' blunt assessment challenges left-wing orthodoxy, it underscores a pivotal question: Can Democrats course-correct before 2024? His verdict that "that party is dead" may resonate with voters exhausted by hyper-partisanship.

Head over to CancelDemocrats.news for more similar stories.

Watch this Fox News report about Chris Cuomo being fired by his former network CNN.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo admits to taking IVERMECTIN for his vaccine injury.

'My boy Chris': Social media posts reveal CNN's alleged pedo was close friends with Chris Cuomo.

Pathetic Democrats and "mainstream media" propagandists rail at Trump supporters for breaching capitol building after ignoring Antifa/BLM riots for months.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

PJMedia.com

Brighteon.ai

Mediaite.com

Brighteon.com
Democrats face alarming 4.5 million-voter deficit as GOP surges in registration across 30 states

Since 2020, Democrats have suffered a net loss of 4.5 million voters to Republicans across 30 states, according to data analyzed by the New York Times and L2.

The Democratic registration drop spans blue, red and battleground states, with sharp losses in places like North Carolina, Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

Key Democratic constituencies, especially men, younger voters and Latino voters, are shifting away. Among new Latino registrants in Florida, Democratic affiliation dropped from 52 percent in 2020 to just 33 percent in 2024.

Top Democratic analysts now openly admit the party underestimated the crisis. Tom Bonier called the situation a "big flashing red alert," and others say there's no clear plan to reverse the trend.

The registration swing played a major role in Donald Trump's 2024 victory, helping him win the popular vote and flip critical counties and states previously held by Democrats.

The Democratic Party is confronting a political crisis of historic proportions as new data reveals a staggering 4.5 million-voter registration deficit compared to the Republican Party across 30 states since 2020.

According to a New York Times analysis using data from the nonpartisan firm L2, Democrats have lost ground to Republicans in every one of the 30 states, from deep-blue coastal strongholds to critical battlegrounds, often by wide margins. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, this is a voter registration deficit and refers to the deliberate or suspicious absence, incompleteness or invalidity of critical voter data in registration records

The decline of Democratic voter registration is evident everywhere.

In North Carolina, Republicans have nearly erased the Democratic registration advantage, slashing a 400,000-voter lead in 2020 down to just 17,000. In Florida, Democrats once outnumbered Republicans in Miami-Dade County by 200,000 voters. Now, the GOP leads in registration. Nevada, a bellwether state, saw Democrats lose more ground than nearly any other state. Even in Pennsylvania, the Democratic registration edge plummeted from over half a million to just 53,000.

This realignment is not only geographic but also demographic. Democratic registration has cratered among men, younger voters and Latino voters  all groups that once formed the backbone of the party's coalition.

In 2018, Democrats accounted for 66 percent of new voters under 45. By 2024, that figure had fallen to just 48 percent. Among Latino voters in Florida, the percentage choosing to register as Democrats dropped from 52 percent in 2020 to just 33 percent in 2024.

Between the 2020 and 2024 elections, Democrats shed approximately 2.1 million registered voters in states with partisan registration. In contrast, Republicans added 2.4 million  a swing that has fundamentally altered the national political landscape and is raising urgent alarms within Democratic ranks.

Even in states where Democrats still hold a numerical advantage, the party's once-dominant edge is rapidly eroding. In November 2020, Democrats led Republicans by nearly 11 percentage points in registration across partisan states. By the 2024 election, that lead had shrunk to just over six points. And the trend has only accelerated in 2025.

Voter registration shift among Democrats plays a crucial role in Trump's 2024 return to the White House

Democratic strategists are sounding the alarm, but there is little consensus on how to reverse the trend.

"I was wrong," said Tom Bonier, a top Democratic data strategist, who previously downplayed the registration losses. "Clearly, in retrospect, we can say the Democratic Party had dug itself in too deep a hole in the preceding four years for the Harris campaign to dig itself out in the last few months." He now calls the registration figures "a big flashing red alert."

Maria Cardona, a longtime Democratic National Committee member, and Lakshya Jain, a Democratic analyst and co-founder of Split Ticket, a nonpartisan election-analysis site, echoed a similar statement.

"Anyone who says that these things are not concerning for Democrats is, in my opinion, mostly lying," said Jain. "The act of being a registered Democrat is still psychologically something. The act of switching is a political statement." (Related: Elon Musk accuses Democrats of 'importing voters.')

Indeed, this registration shift was a crucial factor in President Donald Trump's return to the White House in 2024. He swept swing states, won the popular vote for the first time and captured critical counties long considered Democratic strongholds  in part due to the registration deficit.

Head over to VoteRepublican.news for more stories similar to this.

Watch this video discussing how President Donald Trump is freaking out Democrats.

This video is from the Proforce channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Arizona voters describe difficulties voting; poll workers failed to inform voters about retrying rejected ballots.

HARVARD POLL: Congressional Democrats' approval among young voters plummets, GOP gains ground.

POTUS Trump planning to end "birthright citizenship" scheme long exploited by the Democrat Left to generate more voters.

Biden to flood America with illegal aliens, aka new Democrat voters.

J.D. Vance promises higher wages for middle-class and working-class Americans under a second Trump administration.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.AI

Brighteon.com
Minnesota joins legal onslaught against TikTok, alleging algorithmic exploitation of youth

The Minnesota lawsuit accuses TikTok of violating state consumer protection laws through deceptive trade practices, deliberately framing the case around consumer fraud rather than free speech arguments.

The core allegation is that TikTok's algorithm is a psychologically manipulative tool designed to addict young users by analyzing their behavior to create a compulsive, endless stream of personalized content that prioritizes engagement over mental well-being.

Minnesota's action is part of a growing, bipartisan movement, with approximately two dozen states now taking legal action against TikTok, stemming from a nationwide investigation into its impact on youth mental health.

The state is seeking a court order to force TikTok to cease its alleged harmful practices and is pursuing massive financial penaltiesup to $25,000 per instance a Minnesota child accessed the platform.

The case is a significant legal battle that could set a critical precedent for regulating social media design, challenging the tech industry's argument for self-regulation and asserting the need for external oversight to protect vulnerable users.

In a significant escalation of the legal battle against Big Tech, Minnesota has launched a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media behemoth of deliberately designing its platform to addict young users through psychologically manipulative algorithms, prioritizing endless consumption over the mental well-being of a generation. The action, filed on Tuesday by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, represents a growing, bipartisan consensus among state law enforcement officials that the time for self-regulation is over and that legal accountability is necessary to protect vulnerable consumers.

The core of the allegation: Beyond free speech

The Minnesota lawsuit, filed in state court, meticulously avoids arguments concerning free speech, a common defense used by technology platforms. Instead, it frames the issue as a straightforward case of consumer protection, alleging that TikTok violates state laws against deceptive trade practices and consumer fraud. The central accusation is that the company possesses extensive internal knowledge of the psychological harm its product can cause, yet deliberately obscures these risks and refuses to implement meaningful safeguards, all in the service of maximizing user engagement and advertising revenue. (Related: Dozens of states SUING TIKTOK for damaging children's mental health.)

The engine of addiction: Demystifying the algorithm

At the heart of the state's case is the TikTok algorithm, a complex piece of computer code that dictates which videos a user sees. In simplified terms, this algorithm is not a neutral curator. It is a sophisticated prediction engine that analyzes every like, share, watch and pause to learn a user's preferences and vulnerabilities with terrifying accuracy. It then feeds an endless, autoplaying stream of hyper-personalized content designed to trigger dopamine releases in the brain, creating a compulsive loop that is exceptionally difficult for developing adolescent minds to break. The lawsuit alleges this is not an accidental byproduct but the very core of TikTok's business model.

A national movement gains momentum

Minnesota is not acting in a vacuum. Its lawsuit brings the total number of states taking legal action against TikTok to approximately two dozen, forming a powerful coalition of attorneys general from across the political spectrum. This wave of litigation stems from a nationwide investigation launched in 2022 by a bipartisan coalition, signaling that concern for children's mental health transcends partisan divides. While other states moved more quickly, Ellison stated that Minnesota waited to file until it had completed its own, thorough investigation, ensuring its case was built on a robust foundation of evidence.

Voices from the front lines: Educators sound the alarm

The human cost of the platform's design was given a powerful voice at the announcement. Sean Padden, a middle-school health teacher from the Roseville Area school district, provided sobering testimony from the educational front lines. He reported witnessing an irrefutable correlation between the rise of TikTok and a dramatic spike in student mental health issues, including severe anxiety, depression, anger and a crippling decrease in attention spans as students become conditioned to seek instant gratification from short videos rather than the sustained effort of learning.

Financial penalties and injunctive relief

The state is seeking substantial consequences for the company's alleged misconduct. The lawsuit requests a court declaration that TikTok's practices are deceptive and unfair under Minnesota law. More significantly, it seeks a permanent injunction that would legally force TikTok to cease these harmful practices within the state. Financially, the state is pursuing penalties of up to $25,000 for each instance in which a Minnesota child accessed the platform, a sum that Ellison acknowledged would be massive given the hundreds of thousands of Minnesota youths estimated to use the app.

TikTok's rebuttal: Safety features and parental controls

In response to the allegations, TikTok has mounted a vigorous defense. Company spokesperson Nathaniel Brown issued a statement rejecting the lawsuit's claims as misleading and inaccurate. He pointed to the platform's suite of voluntary safety measures, stating that teen accounts come with over 50 features and settings designed to promote safety. He specifically highlighted the Family Pairing tool, which allows parents to customize settings like screen time limits and content filters, arguing that the company provides the necessary tools for responsible use.

A pattern of predatory practice in Big Tech

Legal experts note that this action against TikTok is part of a much broader pattern of state-led legal challenges against social media giants. Minnesota itself is among dozens of states suing Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, for employing similar addictive features that harm young users. Other platforms like Snapchat and Roblox are also facing litigation, painting a picture of an industry-wide failure to prioritize user well-being over exponential growth and engagement metrics.

Regulation vs. innovation

This case represents a fundamental clash of philosophies. On one side is the tech industry's argument for minimal interference, contending that innovation thrives in a free market and that parental oversight, enabled by company-provided tools, is the primary solution. On the other side is the growing conviction among state officials that certain business models are so inherently manipulative and harmful to vulnerable populations that they require external regulation, much like the laws that govern other consumer products with known dangers.

The road ahead: A long legal battle

The filing of the lawsuit is merely the opening salvo in what is expected to be a protracted and fiercely contested legal battle. TikTok, with its vast resources, will undoubtedly challenge the lawsuit's premises at every step, likely arguing that the states are overreaching and that the issues are preempted by federal law. The discovery process, however, could force the company to reveal internal studies and communications about its design choices and knowledge of user harm, which could prove to be the most damning evidence of all.

TikTok is not merely an entertaining app with some harmful content on it. The claim is that its fundamental designthe algorithmis an engineered system intended to create addictive behavior in young users. The misleading age rating facilitates access to this tool, and the promotion of mature content is a byproduct of its engagement-first, well-being-last design philosophy, according to Brighteon.AI's Enoch.

The outcome of Minnesota's case, and those like it, could set a critical precedent for the future of the internet. A victory for the states would empower others to enact and enforce stricter regulations on digital platforms, fundamentally altering how social media companies can design their products and interact with young users.

John Tabacco says: "We should all be worried about TikTok." Watch this video.

This video is from the NewsClips on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

TikTok resumes U.S. operations after Trump intervenes.

U.S. government sues TikTok over CHILD PRIVACY violations.

TikTok becoming a platform for child sexual exploitation.

Trump rescues TikTok, proposes 50% U.S. ownership to avert ban.

TikTok caught tricking teens into self-diagnosing rare mental disorders.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

Indiatoday.in

WBAP.com

Brighteon.com
Rediscovering an herbal revolution: Rosemary Gladstars Herbs for Natural Beauty

Rosemary Gladstar's book "Herbs for Natural Beauty" promotes a holistic view of beauty, encouraging readers to see it as an integral part of overall well-being rather than a superficial pursuit.

Gladstar advocates for the use of pure, natural ingredients like aloe vera, beeswax and essential oils, while advising against harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. Her philosophy centers on knowing exactly what goes into beauty products to ensure they nourish and benefit the skin.

The book is a comprehensive guide filled with recipes and techniques for creating herbal beauty products. Highlights include the "miracle grains" exfoliant, "herbal facial steam" for deep skin cleansing, and "herbal bath blends" for relaxation and rejuvenation, all customizable to individual needs.

Gladstar is a strong proponent of cruelty-free beauty, urging readers to choose products and brands that do not test on animals. This ethical stance is a key component of her philosophy, emphasizing that true beauty should not come at the expense of other living beings.

Beyond recipes, the book serves as a guide to living a more natural, holistic lifestyle. Gladstar encourages readers to harness the power of plants to enhance their beauty and well-being, offering valuable insights and practical advice for both beginners and experienced herbalists.

In an era where the beauty industry often prioritizes profit over ethics and sustainability, Rosemary Gladstar's book "Herbs for Natural Beauty: Create Your Own Herbal Shampoos, Cleansers, Creams, Bath Blends, and More" offers a refreshing alternative.

This guide, published at a time when consumers are increasingly seeking transparency and sustainability, invites readers to reconnect with nature and embrace a more holistic approach to beauty. Gladstar, a renowned herbalist with a lifelong passion for natural healing, advocates for a return to the earth's gifts. She encourages readers to create their own beauty products using pure, natural ingredients.

Gladstar's journey into the world of herbal beauty began in her childhood. She spent countless hours lying in the tall grasses of her family's farm, feeling the earth beneath her and dreaming of a life in harmony with nature.

This early connection with the natural world laid the foundation for her philosophy that true beauty is a reflection of inner health and harmony. In her book, she shares this philosophy  urging readers to view beauty not as a superficial pursuit, but as an integral part of overall well-being.

One of the central tenets of Gladstar's approach is the use of pure, natural ingredients. She emphasizes the importance of knowing exactly what goes into the products we use, advocating for the avoidance of harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances.

Instead, she encourages the use of ingredients like aloe vera, beeswax and essential oils, which not only nourish the skin but also provide therapeutic benefits. This focus on purity and simplicity is a recurring theme throughout the book, as Gladstar guides readers through the process of creating their own beauty products.

"Herbs for Natural Beauty" is a treasure trove of recipes and techniques, offering a wide range of options for those looking to incorporate herbal beauty into their daily routines. Among the highlights is the "miracle grains" recipe, a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and leaves the skin feeling soft and refreshed. This versatile recipe can be customized with different herbs and essential oils to suit individual needs, making it a staple in any natural beauty regimen.

Another standout is the "herbal facial steam," a delightful way to open up pores and allow the healing properties of herbs to penetrate deeply into the skin. Whether you have dry, normal or oily skin, Gladstar provides a blend that caters to your specific needs, transforming your home into a personal spa.

For those who love a good soak, the "herbal bath blends" chapter offers a variety of options designed to soothe, relax and rejuvenate. From stimulating blends to calming ones, there's a recipe for every mood, with the addition of essential oils and sea salts enhancing the therapeutic benefits.

Gladstar believes that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp and her "herbal hair rinses" and "hot oil conditioning treatments" are designed to nourish and strengthen. She also delves into the ancient art of henna, offering tips on how to achieve beautiful, natural-looking hues without the use of harsh chemicals.

Beyond the recipes, Gladstar emphasizes the ethical considerations of beauty. She is a strong advocate for cruelty-free products, urging readers to be mindful of the brands they support. Brighteon.AI's Enoch warns that "even 'natural' labels can be deceptive."

"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows greenwashing and Big Tech censors the truth about toxic ingredients. Always verify sources and trust homesteading, herbalism and permaculture communities, not corporate 'authorities.'" This commitment to ethical beauty is a cornerstone of Gladstar's philosophy. It reflects her belief that true beauty should never come at the expense of another living being.

"Herbs for Natural Beauty" is more than just a collection of recipes. It's a guide to living a more natural, holistic lifestyle. Gladstar's approach encourages readers to embrace the power of plants and use them to enhance their beauty and well-being. Whether you're a seasoned herbalist or just starting, this book offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone interested in exploring the world of natural beauty.

Learn more about natural beauty by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com
The world tends to see Europe as fragmented, bureaucratic, and underfunded  a tough place to build global companies. But those very constraints are why Europe is producing some of the most resilient billion-dollar businesses today. Scarcity forces discipline. Fragmentation gives startups diverse talent. And limited funding pushes founders to act globally from day one.

In todays market, where investors reward efficiency over hype and customers demand solutions that work across borders, Europes supposed weaknesses have become its greatest strengths. Our own $1 billion journey proves it.

Progress beats polish every time

In DataSnippers early days, our founders didnt have much capital, brand recognition, and certainly no fancy office. They had a few laptops, a shared workspace that doubled up as the lunchroom, and a product that barely worked. That might sound like a list of disadvantages, but I believe theyre the main reasons why the business moved fast enough to win.

When you dont have extensive resources, you must turn to being creative, resourceful, and fast. Instead of over-engineering, you test ideas quickly. Instead of waiting for the perfect conditions, you take action with what you have.

For example, they ruthlessly focused on getting our product into customers hands as quickly as possible. Often, far too early. This was intentional. It created a very swift feedback loop to build and improve our offering. They moved fast and iterated rapidly.

Scrappiness changes your psychology. Every obstacle becomes a puzzle to solve, not a reason to pause. They didnt have the budget for big-ticket marketing campaigns, so they built an army of customer advocates by personally solving their problems. They didnt have a data science team, so they taught themselves analytics at night to understand the metrics. They didnt have a dedicated Quality Assurance department, so every single employee diligently tested features, including the founders themselves.

That constant bias toward progress over polish allowed us to iterate in weeks what typically took larger companies months to decide on. The lean and scrappy approach they used out of necessity became part of our DNA. Even when we could afford to spend more resources down the line, we strived to operate with the same mindset.

Use your European location to sell globally

Unlike U.S. startups that can grow large while staying domestic, European founders operate globally from day one. They have to and its an advantage.

From a single HQ, we could sell across Europes diverse markets, hire multilingual talent, and reach customers in three continents within 24 hours. A morning call with Asia, a midday demo with Madrid, and an afternoon pitch to New York, all without leaving Amsterdam.
Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance.
2 held with 8.45 kg of Ganja at Agartala railway station

Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 01:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Agartala (Tripura) [India], August 25 (ANI): Two men from Bihar were arrested at Agartala Railway Station on Sunday evening after police found 8.45 kilograms of ganja in their possession, as per the police.According to police sources, the seized contraband is valued at around Rs 1.7 lakh on the black market. The duo was attempting to transport the ganja to Bihar.The arrested individuals have been identified as Sonu Kumar (31), son of the late Munshi Mahaldar, and Suman Kumar Gupta (34), son of the late Ashok Kumar Gupta, both residents of Naya Tola, Tingachiya, under Town Tana Police Station, Kathihar district, Bihar.A specific case has been registered at Agartala GRPS (Case No. 2025GRP085) under sections 20(b)(ii)(B)/29 of the NDPS Act. The accused are currently under interrogation.Earlier on August 1, in a major success against drug trafficking, the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Jatrapur Police, seized 14,000 Yaba tablets and arrested three suspected individuals in the Salpokhar area close to the border, a press release from the Tripura CMO informed.Acting on specific intelligence received during the early hours, a BSF team swiftly mobilised and cordoned off a red Chevrolet Aveo LS car and nearby premises in Baspokhar. Upon the arrival of Jatrapur Police, a joint search was conducted, resulting in the recovery of 70 packets containing 14,000 Yaba tablets, valued at approximately Rs 1.4 crore.Three individuals, Sarfraj Ahmed from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Jubair from Moradabad, UP, and Nazrul Islam from Cooch Behar, West Bengal, were arrested from a nearby house. The contraband and the suspects were handed over to the Jatrapur Police for further legal action.The operation highlights BSFs commitment to preventing narcotics smuggling and ensuring the safety and security of the Indo-Bangladesh border. (ANI)

First Published: August 25, 2025, 01:00 IST

News agency-feeds 2 held with 8.45 kg of Ganja at Agartala railway station

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Andhra CM invites Anand Mahindra to explore hidden tourism gems in state

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 22:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Amaravati, Aug 24 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday invited Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra and other hospitality leaders to partner with the state in developing tourism, highlighting unexplored destinations like Dindi.

Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is blessed with a treasure trove of experiences, from spiritual heritage to scenic retreats, waiting to be discovered by global travellers.

Recommended Stories

Our state offers a treasure trove of experiences for every traveller. I invite you, and all hospitality leaders, to partner with us in welcoming the world to Andhra Pradesh," said Naidu in a post on X, replying to Mahindra.

The CM said that the only ism for the future is Tourism it brings people together, connects cultures, creates livelihoods, and drives growth with purpose.

Mahindra observed that Andhra Pradeshs scenic beauty remains underexplored, noting its pristine beaches, lush coconut groves, and tranquil backwaters as unique opportunities for tourism growth.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

One of the reasons I am proud is because we chose from inception, to create new destinations," said Mahindra in a post on X.

He further described Dindi as a serene backwater paradise, home to the giant Victoria Amazonica whose massive leaves can even hold a child. PTI MS GDK KH

First Published: August 24, 2025, 22:15 IST

News agency-feeds Andhra CM invites Anand Mahindra to explore hidden tourism gems in state

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bihar SIR: Documents of over 98 pc electors received

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 11:45 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) The Election Commission on Sunday said documents of 98.2 per cent electors have already been received with eight more days left for people to file claims and objections to the draft electoral roll of Bihar published as part of the intensive revision of voters list.

It underlined that the claims and objections period gives an opportunity to the electors to not only rectify mistakes in the draft rolls, but also submit their requisite documents which they may not have provided while submitting their enumeration forms.

Recommended Stories

As per information received from the office of CEO Bihar, till date documents of 98.2 per cent electors have been received," it said.

From June 24 to August 24, in 60 days, 98.2 per cent persons have submitted their documents.

This means an average of about 1.64 per cent per day. There are still eight days ro go till September 1 with just 1.8 per cent electors remaining for submission of the documents," it said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Supreme Court has now asked the poll authority to accept Aadhaar or any of the 11 listed documents from people seeking inclusion in the voters list.

The Election Commission has asked the Supreme Court to repose faith in it for carrying out the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. PTI NAB DV DV

First Published: August 24, 2025, 11:45 IST

News agency-feeds Bihar SIR: Documents of over 98 pc electors received

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
COAS embarks on Algeria visit to reinfoce defence engagement

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 22:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi [India], August 24 (ANI): General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), embarked on an official visit to Algeria from August 25- 28, a statement by the Ministry of Defence said. The visit comes close on the heels of the recent visits by the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff, underlining the importance accorded to strengthening India-Algeria relations, as per the statement.The visit aims to reinforce defence and security engagement between India and Algeria, with a focus on bolstering Army-to-Army cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional and global security challenges, and exploring avenues for defence industrial collaboration.During the visit, Dwivedi will hold high-level meetings with senior Algerian leadership, including General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of the Peoples National Army; Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, Commander of Land Forces; and Swati Kulkarni, Indian Ambassador to Algeria. He will also visit prominent military institutions such as the School of Command and Major Staff, Tamentfoust; Cherchell Military Academy and pay homage at the Martyrs Memorial.As a precursor to the visit, Indian defence industries had showcased their capabilities at Defence Seminar in Algiers from July 30 to August 1, laying the foundation for defence industry and technology collaboration, as per the statement.The visit of the COAS is expected to further deepen the historic ties between the two nations and provide impetus to advancing shared security interests, regional stability and defence cooperation, the statement said.His visit will see the enhancement of bilateral defence cooperation between India and Algeria.https://x.com/adgpi/status/1959406190158618723In a post on X, the ADGPI said, General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, proceeded on an official visit to Algeria today. The visit underscores a shared commitment to deepening mutual understanding, enhancing cooperation in areas of common interest and advancing bilateral Defence Cooperation between the two nations." (ANI)

First Published: August 24, 2025, 22:15 IST

News agency-feeds COAS embarks on Algeria visit to reinfoce defence engagement

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Delhi: Man hangs self from tree in Astha Kunj Park

Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 01:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) A 20-year-old man committed suicide by hanging from a tree in southeast Delhis Astha Kunj Park area on Sunday night, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Tarun alias Babli Jaat, a resident of Madanpur Khadar JJ Colony, they said.

Recommended Stories

A PCR call regarding the incident was received at Amar Colony police station around 10.25 pm. The caller, Bhola, 25, a resident of Nehru Place, informed the police about the incident.

Upon reaching the spot, the investigating officer found the body hanging from a tree, while the family members of the deceased were already present," the officer said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Preliminary inquiry revealed that Tarun had left his home around 5 pm on Sunday, but did not return. Later in the evening, his body was discovered in the park, he said.

The crime team and forensic experts inspected the spot. The body has been shifted to a hospital for post-mortem. Further investigation is underway. PTI BM NB

First Published: August 25, 2025, 01:00 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi: Man hangs self from tree in Astha Kunj Park

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Key Points

XRP's price jumped by 11% on Aug. 7, outpacing both Bitcoin and Ethereum that day.

Ripple is investing heavily in building an ecosystem around RLUSD, XRP's stablecoin counterpart.

10 stocks we like better than XRP 

After nearly five years, the legal saga between XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has come to a close. Dating back to December 2020, Ripple and the SEC disputed whether XRP was an unregistered security until a federal judge ultimately ruled that it was not in retail transactions. Both sides agreed to end their appeals as they pertain to XRP. In a joint filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals recently, both parties withdrew their court appeals, and Ripple agreed to pay $125 million in fines.

For Ripple, this marks a long-awaited closure. The company can disperse XRP without worrying about the SEC breathing down its neck. For investors, there's less risk of trading platforms delisting or suspending XRP, which many did in January 2021 following the initial SEC lawsuit. But does this mean the token is set for a price surge?

Image source: Getty Images.

Trump's executive order gives an extra boost to XRP and other tokens

Coincidentally, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 7, the same day as Ripple and the SEC's joint filing, allowing cryptocurrencies to be included in 401(k) retirement accounts. XRP's price jumped by 11% to $3.32, outpacing both Bitcoin and Ethereum that day.

It was XRP's biggest single-day gain since July 17, when the coin surged roughly 14% after House lawmakers advanced the Genius Act, a bill aimed at regulating stablecoins and integrating them into everyday finance. While XRP isn't a stablecoin, Ripple's own USD-pegged RLUSD coin helped fuel optimism within the Ripple ecosystem. When the bill's approval was announced, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse showed his support on social media platform X, stating that the Trump administration was the most "crypto forward" in U.S. history.

Is there another price surge for XRP on the horizon?

After four straight days of losses, XRP bounced back on Aug. 12 with a roughly 4% gain. And while it has pulled back since reaching a record high of $3.66 in early July, that kind of retracement is common for volatile assets.

The bullish day can be linked to the 90-day extension of the U.S.-China tariff freeze. The crypto market has often reacted to tariff news, including a sharp sell-off when "Liberation Day" tariffs were announced in early April. The uncertainty around tariff policy tends to amplify the instability and volatility of XRP.
Foreign News Schedule for Aug 24, Sunday

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 10:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

**** Pak FM holds talks with leaders of various political parties in Bangladesh Stories on Pakistan FM visit to Bangladesh.

Stories on developments in Sri Lanka Stories on developments in Pakistan.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Recommended Stories

Stories on Russia-Ukraine war.

Stories on West Asia wars.**** PTI RD RD RD

First Published: August 24, 2025, 10:15 IST

News agency-feeds Foreign News Schedule for Aug 24, Sunday

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
NCLAT sets aside plea against Nuvoco Vistas acquisition of Vadraj Cement

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 20:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) The appellate tribunal NCLAT has dismissed the plea against the acquisition of Vadraj Cement by Nirma group cement business Nuvoco Vistas Corporation during an insolvency resolution process.

The Delhi-based principal bench of NCLAT has upheld the previous order passed by the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which has on April 1, 2025 approved Nuvoco Vistass plan for Vadraj Cement, which includes an upfront payment of Rs 1,800 crore.

Recommended Stories

A two-member NCLAT bench comprising Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Member (Technical) Barun Mitra rejected an appeal filed by an employee and authorised representative of employees of Vadraj Cement against the approval of the Nuvoco Vistas bid over their payout regarding their gratuity dues.

Gujarat-based Vadraj Cement, formerly owned by ABG Shipyard, which has a 3.5 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) clinker unit in Kutch and a 6 MMTPA grinding unit in Surat, along with captive jetty in Kutch, total debt was over Rs 8,000 crore, according to reports.

Moreover, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) over the valuation observed:" The Average liquidation value being Rs 1,080 crore and fair value being Rs 1,668 crore, the Plan value submitted by Resolution Applicant (Nuvoco Vistas) is more than fair value of the CD (Vadraj Cement)." Nuvoco Vistas, which acquired Vadraj Cement through its subsidiary Vanya Corporation, bid was approved by the Committee of Creditors (CoC) with a 100 per cent majority.

Earlier on June 21, Nuvoco Vistas Corporation had said Vanya Corporation has completed the acquisition of Vadraj Cement in accordance with the terms of the resolution plan approved by the NCLT.

The Resolution Plan provided for payout to the Operational Creditors, which included the employees of the CD.

They had a claim of Rs 10.51 crore towards provident funds, pension fund and gratuity funds, in which Rs 6.30 crore was provided and the balance amount was proposd to be paid on a pro-rata basis is in accordance with the Resolution Plan.

NCLAT obserced that the resolution applicant, Nuvoco Vistas and the RP have also contended that as per value of Resolution Plan and payment to the Secured Financial Creditors (SFC), the liquidation value of the employees is Nil and the Plan purposes to make payment to employees despite the liquidation value being Nil We are of the view that there is no inconsistency or illegality in the impugned order dated 01.04.2025 approving the Resolution Plan. The payout to the employees is as per the approved Resolution Plan. We do not find any substance in submissions of the Appellant, so as to interfere with the order approving the Resolution Plan. There is no merit in the Appeal,"said the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) They observed that the total amount of gratuity dues is only Rs 2.86 crore and that is well within payout proposed for employees.

Moreover, the resolution professional has proposed balance amount to be paid on a pro-rata basis is in accordance with the Resolution Plan.

We do not find any inconsistency or contradiction in the Resolution Plan as contended by the Appellant," said NCLAT.

Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against Vadraj Cement commenced from February 2, 2024 after the NCLT admitted a plea filed by then Oriental Bank of Commerce (now Punjab National Bank) under Section 7 of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Nuvoco is positioned as the fifth-largest cement maker in India. The Nirma group firm had started its operations in 2014 through a greenfield cement plant in Nimbol, Rajasthan. Later, it acquired Lafarge India, which entered India in 1999 and Emami Cement in 2020.

With this acquisition, Nuvoco Vistass consolidated capacity has reached 31 MMTPA. PTI KRH KRH TRB TRB

First Published: August 24, 2025, 20:15 IST

News agency-feeds NCLAT sets aside plea against Nuvoco Vistas acquisition of Vadraj Cement

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Noida dowry murder case: Police arrest mother-in-law of victim Nikki Bhati

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 20:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 24 (ANI): The police have arrested the mother-in-law of the deceased woman, Nikki Bhati, in connection with the alleged dowry death case, police said on Sunday.Earlier in the day, Nikkis husband, Vipin Bhati, was shot in the leg during a police encounter and admitted to a hospital for treatment. The man accused of setting his wife on fire, who later succumbed to her injuries, was today brought to a hospital in Greater Noida for treatment after being shot in the leg during an encounter with Uttar Pradesh police. Vipin Bhati has been sent to a Judicial Custody of 14 days. Police said that the husband of the deceased was accused of setting his wife on fire, who later succumbed to her injuries. He was also accused of frequently assaulting Nikki.Speaking to ANI from his hospital bed, Bhati denied the allegations. I did not kill her. She died on her own," he said. When asked about the accusations of physical assault, he replied, Husband and wife often have fights, it is very common"The victims father told ANI that she had 70 per cent burns and was pronounced dead at the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.I reached there as soon as my elder daughter called me..The doctor told me she is 70% burnt..We took her to Safdarjung Hospital. The doctor told me to take her back because she would not be able to survive. He (her husband) should be hanged. They got married in 2016. He started harassing her a few days after marriageThey asked for Rs. 35 lakhs She started her own work, and her husband began asking for the money she earned. I demand that the Court and CM give him the death penalty"Meanwhile, the family of the deceased woman, Nikki Bhati, held a protest outside the Kasana Police station today, demanding justice.The father of the deceased woman alleged that her in-laws killed her over their demand for dowry.Her mother-in-law poured kerosene while her husband set her on fire. They kept asking for dowry; now their demands have been met. I just married my daughter as per tradition. Their dowry demands have been met now that my daughter has died. They demanded a car and tortured my daughter for that."He also accused the husband of domestic violence. That person is neither man nor human; he is a butcher. We once brought her home because of all this domestic violence, but because of societal pressure, they came and took her back on the promise of not repeating this. It continued. Now they have got what they wanted," he said.Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party womens wing national president Juhi Singh said that the strictest punishment should be given in the case. Strictest punishment should be given in this case The parents should empower their daughters, keep them safe and raise voice for their rights This is not worth an apology There are laws for crimes against women, but the government is not implementing them"Further investigation is still ongoing. (ANI)

First Published: August 24, 2025, 20:15 IST

News agency-feeds Noida dowry murder case: Police arrest mother-in-law of victim Nikki Bhati

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Tripura Health Department outlines healthcare facilities at AGMC, GBP Hospital

Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 00:30 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Agartala (Tripura) [India], August 25 (ANI): The Tripura Health Department on Sunday held a press conference at the Agartala Press Club to highlight the patient care and speciality services available at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital.Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, the Medical Superintendent of GBP Hospital, the Superintendent of IGM Hospital, and other senior officials addressed the media during the briefing.The officials shared details about the wide range of health facilities at the hospitals. These include inpatient care with 1,413 functional beds, outpatient services that serve around 2,000 patients daily, intensive care with 116 beds across specialised units, and round-the-clock emergency and trauma care with advanced operation theatres, laboratory, imaging, and ambulance support. Dialysis services with a capacity of 100 sessions daily are also available.Speciality services at AGMC and GBP Hospital cover general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, respiratory medicine, ENT, eye care, dermatology, dental, and pain clinic.Super-speciality services include neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, cardiology, urology, nephrology, burn and plastic surgery, CTVS-IR, and cancer care. Cancer treatment facilities provide radiotherapy, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, LINAC, and immunotherapy.The hospitals are also equipped with advanced laboratories that conduct ELISA, RT-PCR, histopathology, biopsy, flow cytometry, CD4 count, thalassemia screening, viral load testing, and other specialised tests. Diagnostic tools include CT scans, MRI (3 Tesla), digital mammography, endoscopy, colonoscopy, EEG, ECG, ECHO, bronchoscopy, and NCV tests.Comprehensive cancer care, including surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies, is available along with major surgical procedures in general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology, and obstetrics and gynaecology. Specialised services are also offered in paediatrics, radiodiagnosis, urology, nephrology, and plastic surgery.Sharing future plans, officials said, Establishment of a 200-bed MCH wing, introduction of DM, MCh, DNB, and Hospital Management courses, new PG courses in Skin, Transfusion Medicine, and PMR & seat increases, paediatric cardiac surgery facilities, organ donation & transplantation (kidney, liver, and heart), cleft lip/palate and cochlear implant surgeries, and development of SMART Lab, HLA Lab, and Genetic Lab, and creation of Critical Care Block & Communicable Disease Block are on the list."The Health Department said these expansions are a major step towards strengthening Tripuras healthcare system and ensuring advanced treatment for patients from the state as well as neighbouring regions. (ANI)

First Published: August 25, 2025, 00:30 IST

News agency-feeds Tripura Health Department outlines healthcare facilities at AGMC, GBP Hospital

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Venezuelan President showcases Xi Jinpings gift amid growing tension with US

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 05:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Caracas [Venezuela], August 24 (ANI): Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday (Local time) highlighted his growing ties with China while taking a veiled swipe at the United States, which has recently escalated pressure on his government, CNN reported.During the closing ceremony of the First Pedagogical Congress of Bolivarian Teachers, Maduro interrupted his remarks on education to show off a new smartphone that he said was personally gifted to him by Chinese President Xi Jinping.As reported by CNN, Maduro said he communicated with Xi through that new phone by satellite.You want to learn something, you look for a tutorial. I want to learn how to use that camera that the cameraman has there, you put camera tutorial such-and-such. I want to learn how to handle this new Huawei phone (Chinas flagship brand in mobile devices), which is the most advanced in the world This was given to me by President Xi Jinping, of China, I have it here. I communicate by satellite with him," Maduro commented at the closing event.Ni hao, ni hao (hello). Xiexie, xiexie (thank you)," the Venezuelan president immediately added while pretending to have a phone call in Mandarin.The move was more than symbolic, as Venezuela continues to underline its closeness with Beijing amid deteriorating relations with Washington.Earlier this week, Maduro met Chinese Ambassador Lan Hu and hailed progress this year in our mutual cooperation with sister China, especially in economy, science, technology and artificial intelligence projects."Last year, on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela, Hu criticised unilateral coercive measures" of the US.China and Venezuela are united in defending the rights and interests of developing countries in the face of US unilateral coercive measures, so as to build a more just and equitable multipolar world, based on mutual respect," Hu said.According to CNN, the Trump administration recently doubled the bounty on Maduro to USD 50 million, accusing him of leading the Cartel of the Suns, which Washington has now designated as a terrorist organisation. The Venezuelan government has rejected the allegations, which date back to 2020, as politically motivated. (ANI)

First Published: August 24, 2025, 05:15 IST

News agency-feeds Venezuelan President showcases Xi Jinpings gift amid growing tension with US

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Visakhapatnam to host 41st IATO annual conference in 2026

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 16:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Amaravati, Aug 24 (PTI) Visakhapatnam will host the 41st annual conference of the Indian Association of Tour Operators in 2026, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Special Chief Secretary Ajay Jain said on Sunday.

Speaking at the 40th Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) annual conference held from August 22 to 24 at Puri in Odisha, Jain emphasised the opportunities in the tourism sector, the incentives and concessions being extended to investors.

Recommended Stories

Visakhapatnam, a key tourist destination, will host the 41st IATO conference in 2026," said Jain in an official release.

The tourism sector has a golden future and Andhra Pradesh is committed to providing world-class facilities and connectivity for tourists, he said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Jain gave a presentation on the industrial status accorded to the tourism sector, and the priority being given to infrastructure and new airports in the state.

He further observed that the Centre and state governments are making significant efforts to boost tourism development in Andhra Pradesh. PTI MS KH

First Published: August 24, 2025, 16:15 IST

News agency-feeds Visakhapatnam to host 41st IATO annual conference in 2026

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
WHO reports health challenges for Afghan returnees from Pakistan, Iran

Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 02:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Kabul [Afghanistan], August 25 (ANI): Afghan returnees from Pakistan and Iran are facing severe healthcare challenges, including shortages of essential medicines, female health staff, gender-sensitive services, isolation facilities, trauma care, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), Khaama Press reported, citing the World Health Organisation (WHO).According to the WHO, between July 31 and August 15, 2025, a total of 106,109 people returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran, with 83.7 per cent arriving from Iran. Returns through the Torkham crossing nearly tripled during this period, highlighting the pressure on border healthcare services.WHO reported that the Omari camp in Torkham recorded 566 outpatient consultations, mostly for respiratory infections and diarrhoea, while 20,582 people were vaccinated against polio and measles. At Islam Qala, 1,079 returnees received primary healthcare, including 297 treatments related to trauma, with 24,519 children under 10 vaccinated against polio and measles.Integrated healthcare services were also provided at the Spin Boldak and Milak borders, with 8,683 consultations and 22,711 polio vaccinations. Additionally, 134 children received oral polio vaccines (OPV). Despite these efforts, shortages of isolation facilities and female staff remain a major concern, Khaama Press reported. Returnees with disabilities or those requiring mental health and psychosocial support face significant gaps, particularly at Milak. WHO emphasised the urgent need for investment in comprehensive healthcare and specialised services to protect vulnerable populations.Meanwhile, hundreds of Afghan citizens remain stranded in Pakistan after their hopes of relocating to a third country were dashed due to changes in asylum policies in the United States and other nations, Geo News reported. Many of these Afghans had previously held stable jobs in Afghanistan.Following the Talibans return to power in August 2021, a large number of Afghans fled to Pakistan. However, as Islamabad tightens its immigration policy, these refugees are now stuck, unable to move forward due to changes in global refugee policies.In Islamabads Argentina Park, nearly 300 Afghan families are living in temporary shelters. Among them is 24-year-old Samia from Baghlan City, who fled Afghanistan in February 2022 and now resides with her infant son, Daniyal, born in Pakistan.Earlier this month, Pakistan directed Afghans in the southwest to leave, prompting thousands to head to the border, officials said. A deportation campaign, initially launched in 2023, was renewed in April when the government revoked hundreds of thousands of residence permits and warned of arrests for non-compliance, Geo News reported. (ANI)

First Published: August 25, 2025, 02:15 IST

News agency-feeds WHO reports health challenges for Afghan returnees from Pakistan, Iran

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Apple iPhone 17 Launch Date Accidentally Leaked On Apple TV App?

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Mohammad Haris



Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 13:08 IST

The now-deleted post hinted that Apple's 2025 hardware event could be held on September 9, according to a report.

The September 2025 showcase is expected to feature the debut of the much-anticipated iPhone 17 line-up, alongside new Apple Watch models and upgraded AirPods.

Speculation around Apples next-generation iPhone 17 series is heating up as leaks and rumours continue to surface. While the company has yet to issue an official announcement, an apparent slip-up on the Apple TV app may have prematurely revealed the launch date.

The now-deleted post hinted that Apples 2025 hardware event could be held on September 9, sparking buzz among fans and tech watchers, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

Recommended Stories

A tipster, who goes by the handle Apple Leaker on X (formerly Twitter), shared a screenshot of the accidental post, which seemed to display an official invite for the upcoming event. The image carried Apples signature glowing logo set against a purple-hued backdrop, similar to visual themes previously spotted on MacBook Air wallpapers.

Although the post was swiftly taken down, it has led many to believe the leak has all but confirmed the expected event date. Apple is likely to make a formal announcement before the end of August.

What Apple May Unveil

If the leak holds true, the September 2025 showcase will feature the debut of the much-anticipated iPhone 17 line-up, alongside new Apple Watch models and upgraded AirPods.

Industry chatter suggests that the iPhone 17 range will include four versionsiPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. All are rumoured to be powered by the next-generation A19 chip, which should deliver stronger performance and improved efficiency.

In addition, Apples upcoming iOS 26 update is expected to bring a host of AI-driven features, further enhancing the user experience across devices.

With just weeks to go until Apples official word, excitement is building for what could be one of the companys most significant product launches in years.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, Apple is expanding iPhone production in India across five factories, including two recently opened plants, as part of its effort to reduce reliance on China for US-bound models, Bloomberg has reported.

For the first time, all four iPhone 17 models  including the pro-level versions  are being manufactured in India ahead of their launch next month. According to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg, the devices will ship from the South Asian country from day one.

About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 12:53 IST

News business Apple iPhone 17 Launch Date Accidentally Leaked On Apple TV App?

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Digital Economy In India: 'BharatNetra' Fintech Hub Launched In Bhubaneswar To Boost Financial Tech

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 14:24 IST

Odisha will play a central role in making India a global economic leader, says Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The hub has been launched by the Odisha government in collaboration with GFTN, National University of Singapore, and the Asian Institute of Digital Finance.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has launched an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub, called the BharatNetra Initiative, in Bhubaneswar. Describing it as a transformative step that will shape the future of finance in Odisha, Majhi said it would strengthen Indias global leadership in the digital economy.

Odisha will play a central role in making India a global economic leader," he added.

Recommended Stories

The hub has been launched by the Odisha government in collaboration with Global Finance & Technology Network Singapore (GFTN), the National University of Singapore, and the Asian Institute of Digital Finance, according to an official statement.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Electronics & IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling, and Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) CEO Sopnendu Mohanty were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Majhi said the initiative would skill more than 7,000 students across all 30 districts of Odisha. It will run certification programmes designed by the Asian Institute of Digital Finance at the National University of Singapore.

The chief minister said the collaboration had been forged during the historic visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January this year.

Majhi added that the state would nurture start-ups and entrepreneurs by establishing a dedicated Centre of Excellence within the hub. In addition, the project will also establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC), which will act as a strong foundation for attracting global financial institutions and new investments into Odisha.

Highlighting efforts to improve digital infrastructure, Majhi announced that a cable landing station connecting Bhubaneswar to Singapore is being established.

Noting that Odisha is the first state to formulate an AI Policy, he said preparations are underway to launch a dedicated FinTech Policy and GCC Policy to attract global investments.

The CM further said that the initiative is aligned with the vision of the Prime Minister, who during his Independence Day speech this year had envisioned skilling three crore youth with an investment of 1 lakh crore. Odisha is ready to contribute to this grand vision," he remarked.

Underscoring the states talent pool, he said Odisha produces around 1.8 lakh graduates annually in engineering, polytechnics, and IT streams, along with skilled youth from 950 ITIs.

Emphasising the importance of research, Majhi noted that in addition to skilling, Odisha has established a Deep Neural Network Laboratory and other Centres of Excellence. Our vision is to make Odisha the Research Capital of the East," he underlined.

He also thanked the Prime Minister for central government approval of two semiconductor fabrication units in Odisha. Semiconductors are the building blocks of the digital economy, and Odisha is proud to play a leadership role in this national mission," he said.

On the occasion, Majhi launched the BharatNetra Hackathon website, and a GCC+ overall programme was also announced.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Odishas vision aligns with Indias national priority of skilling youth for the global digital economy. The BharatNetra Initiative will not only open pathways for employment and entrepreneurship but also strengthen Indias leadership in financial inclusion and innovation," he added.

Odisha Minister for Electronics & IT, Dr Mukesh Mahaling, said the state is emerging as Indias innovation frontier, outpacing national growth and securing over $23 billion in new investments this year. With progressive IT and AI policies, we are creating an ecosystem where advanced infrastructure, world-class talent, and start-up energy converge," he added.

GFTN Group CEO Sopnendu Mohanty said: The BharatNetra Initiative and the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub will redefine Odishas role as Indias strategic gateway to the Asia-Pacific financial technology corridor. This partnership with GFTN will empower talent, foster innovation, and connect Odisha to the worlds most dynamic financial ecosystems."

It may be noted that the I-GFTCH in Odisha will focus on four pillars: Global Learning, Global Mindshare, Global Innovation, and Global Capability Hub  developed in partnership with Singapore-based GFTN.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Over the next five years, the initiative will equip 7,000 students across the state with critical skills in technology, regulation, and business for careers in financial technology.

The programme has already selected its first batch of 375 students from more than 3,800 applicants representing over 60 colleges across all districts of Odisha. The first batch is set to graduate by January 2026.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 11:12 IST

News business Digital Economy In India: 'BharatNetra' Fintech Hub Launched In Bhubaneswar To Boost Financial Tech

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Patel Retail IPO Listing On Tuesday: What Does GMP Signal? Know Share Price Prediction

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 12:24 IST

Patel Retail IPO Listing Date: Its unlisted shares are commanding a GMP of Rs 48, or 18.82% over the issue price of Rs 255, indicating strong listing gains on August 26.

Patel Retail IPO Listing Date And GMP.

Patel Retail IPO Listing Date: Supermarket chain Patel Retail is set to make its stock market debut on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, with its shares scheduled for listing on both the BSE and NSE. The IPO, which concluded on August 21, 2025, witnessed a blockbuster response from investors, raising expectations for a strong listing day performance.

Patel Retail IPO GMP Today

Recommended Stories

According to market observers, Patel Retails shares are commanding a grey market premium (GMP) of Rs 48, or 18.82% over the issue price of Rs 255. This indicates that the stock is trading at Rs 303 in the unlisted market, hinting at a likely premium listing if the momentum sustains.

GMP is considered an early indicator of listing price trends, though market conditions on the day of debut also play a crucial role.

Patel Retail IPO: Listing Day Expectations

Going by the robust oversubscription and a healthy grey market premium, Patel Retail is expected to list at a premium of 15-20% over its issue price. If GMP trends hold, the stock could open near Rs 300 levels, rewarding investors who secured allotments.

Patel Retail IPO: A Step-by-Step Guide To Check Allotment Status

Step 1: Visit the Official IPO Allotment Website

Go to the registrars website handling the IPO. For Patel Retail, the registrar is usually Link Intime India Pvt. Ltd. The website link is: https://linkintime.co.in.

Step 2: Navigate to the IPO Allotment Section

Look for a tab or link that says IPO Allotment Status" or Check Allotment".

Step 3: Select Patel Retail IPO

From the dropdown or search bar, select Patel Retail IPO.

Step 4: Enter Your Details

You will need PAN Number (mandatory), Application Number / DP ID & Client ID (for demat applications)

Step 5: Submit Your Details

Click on Submit or Check Status.

Step 6: View Allotment Status

Your screen will display whether you have been allotted shares or not. If allotted, it will also show number of shares allocated.

Alternative Methods

Stock Exchange Websites: You can also check allotment status on BSE (https://www.bseindia.com) or NSE (https://www.nseindia.com) by searching for Patel Retail IPO allotment.

Mobile App / Bank Portal: Some brokers and banks also provide IPO allotment status via their apps or net banking.

Refund / Share Credit

If you are allotted, shares will be credited to your demat account. If not allotted, the application money will be refunded to your bank account.

IPO Subscription Response

The three-day subscription window for the IPO, open between August 19 and August 21, saw overwhelming investor participation. The issue was subscribed 95 times, with bids placed for 74.79 crore shares against 0.78 crore shares on offer. Such high demand reflects strong investor confidence in the companys growth potential.

Fund Utilisation and Issue Structure

Patel Retail aimed to raise Rs 242.76 crore through a mix of fresh equity and offer-for-sale (OFS).

Fresh issue: 0.85 crore shares worth Rs 217.21 crore

0.85 crore shares worth Rs 217.21 crore OFS: 0.10 crore shares worth Rs 25.55 crore

The company has earmarked the IPO proceeds for debt repayment (Rs 59 crore), working capital requirements (Rs 115 crore), and general corporate purposes.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The IPO price band was fixed at Rs 237255 per share, with a face value of Rs 10. The minimum lot size was 58 shares (Rs 13,746 for retail investors), while high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) were required to bid in larger multiples.

Fedex Securities Pvt Ltd acted as the book-running lead manager, while Bigshare Services Pvt Ltd served as the registrar of the issue.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 12:24 IST

News business  ipo Patel Retail IPO Listing On Tuesday: What Does GMP Signal? Know Share Price Prediction

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Samuel Corum/Getty Images News/Getty Images

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

A FINRA-suspended broker known as K Money was arrested and faces charges of defrauding social media followers of more than $800,000.

According to the Justice Department, Kenneth Thom was charged with securities and investment advisor fraud and faces 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said that Thom used social media to steal from investors.

If youre getting investment advice from someone who is not registered as a broker or investment advisor, the risk of fraud is much higher, he said.

Thom first registered in 2006, with brief stints at Joseph Stevens & Company, National Securities Corporation and Next Financial Group. In 2011, FINRA suspended him for failing to pay an arbitration penalty.

According to the DOJ, Thom also told investigators hed co-mingled an investors money with his own in a brokerage account. He allegedly lost the funds and didnt tell the investor (spending some of it on a Manhattan apartment), eventually ignoring the investor altogether.

When Thom was suspended, he re-invented himself as a successful trader on Facebook, calling himself K$ or K Money, and touting his (false) bona fides as a Wall Street Veteran, a luminary, and a beacon of knowledge, the DOJ claimed.

According to the indictment, Thom offered subscriptions for trading lessons and daily trade suggestions, managing a Facebook group called the K$ Trading Group. Starting in 2023, he began managing client funds, posting in the group about a subscription with a 10K buy-in, and quickly began accepting client deposits.

But from January through August 2024, Thom received about $786,234 from 67 clients, sending about $350,000 to brokerage accounts, less than half the total sum he promised to trade. Of the $46,234 he didnt trade, he returned about $51,478 to nine clients, with his bank returning a further $10,000.

Thom used the remaining funds for dining at restaurants, travel, luxury goods, cash withdrawals, and transfers to other accounts (the expenses included $6,026 on Airbnb and $5,883 on an all-business class airline flying between New Jersey and Paris). According to the indictment, Thom spent $6,982 on a single purchase at the Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan.

According to the DOJ, of the money he did invest, Thom lost more than 73% in net loss between March 2024 and 2025. Thom allegedly falsified performance updates for clients showing gains.

In January 2025, he changed the Facebook group name to AYABABTU (an acronym for the meme All Your Base Are Belong to Us, which comes from a bad translation of a Japanese video game). Hundreds of members were removed from the group. Thom allegedly told some investors that someone else had taken over his Facebook account, and he then stopped responding to clients entirely.

Thom could not be immediately reached for comment prior to publication.
Pakistan Again At Risk Of FATF Grey List Over Illegal Digital Transactions: FM Aurangzeb

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 11:39 IST

The Pakistani minister acknowledges the country had exited the FATF grey list "with great difficulty" after 6 years, warning that digital transactions can't be reason for reversal.

If certain level of activity is happening at this scale, it's only a question of when, not if, that we are going to get into trouble as a country, says Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

Pakistans Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has admitted that the country risks slipping back into the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list if unregulated digital transactions, which is currently being carried out by nearly 15% of the population, are not brought under a proper regulatory regime.

If certain level of activity is happening and happening at this scale, its only a question of when, not if, that we are going to get into trouble as a country, as a sovereign again," Aurangzeb conceded while speaking at the Leadership Summit on Blockchain and Digital Assets: Technology and Innovation, according to tribune.com.pk.

Recommended Stories

The minister acknowledged that Pakistan had exited the FATF grey list with great difficulty" after six years, warning that digital transactions cannot be the reason for a reversal.

The admission once again highlights Pakistans fragile financial credibility and its repeated failures to implement international compliance standards.

According to him, over 25 million Pakistanis are engaged in digital businesses. He claimed regulation was necessary to avoid international sanctions.

Digital transactions remain illegal in Pakistan, with the country still dragging its feet on amending laws to formally legalise digital currencies. A proposed ordinance to create a regulator for crypto and digital assets is still awaiting federal cabinet approval.

Aurangzeb said parliamentary committees will soon deliberate on the Virtual Assets Ordinance, which seeks to establish the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), an autonomous federal body with powers to license, regulate, and supervise entities dealing in virtual assets.

Recently, 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.

Pakistans Troubled FATF History

Pakistans track record with FATF has been dismal. It was first placed on the grey list in 2008 for its role in financing terror groups. Since then, it has been repeatedly flagged for failing to curb terror funding and money laundering  issues directly tied to its long-standing policy of supporting cross-border terrorism, including against India.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

From June 2018 to October 2022, Pakistan remained on the grey list for over four years, during which its economy suffered from reduced foreign investment, higher borrowing costs, and increased international scrutiny. The country barely managed to exit the list after implementing an action plan under intense global pressure.

India has consistently maintained that Pakistan uses terror financing as a state policy and that FATF scrutiny is essential to hold Islamabad accountable. The latest concerns raised by Aurangzeb only reinforce New Delhis position that Pakistan continues to pose risks to global financial stability and security.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 11:38 IST

News business Pakistan Again At Risk Of FATF Grey List Over Illegal Digital Transactions: FM Aurangzeb

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Mumbai Metro 2A, 7 To Run Till Midnight For Ganeshotsav: Extra Services To Route, All Details Here

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 12:47 IST

Mumbai Metro 2A, 7 & Ganeshotsav: From August 27 to September 6, the last trains from Andheri West (Line 2A) and Gundavli (Line 7) stations will run till midnight instead of 11 pm

The number of trips on Mumbai Metro 2A and 7 has been increased. (File)

Mumbai Metro 2A, 7 & Ganeshotsav: In relief for commuters travelling to Ganpati pandals from western suburbs, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to run Mumbai Metro 2A, 7 till midnight during Ganeshotsav.

From August 27 to September 6, the last trains from both the Andheri West (Line 2A) and Gundavli (Line 7) terminal stations will now run till midnight instead of 11 pm.

Recommended Stories

In this period, trains will run more frequently during weekday peak hours and with a 10-minute headway on Sundays, ensuring safe, reliable, and convenient travel for all," said MMRDA chief Sanjay Mukherjee.

Rubal Agarwal, managing director of MMMOCL, said that the extended services would help them to manage the festive rush better and give citizens an option to reach their favourite pandals without getting stuck in traffic.

EXTRA METRO TRAINS FOR PASSENGERS

Monday to Friday: There will now be 317 Metro trips between Monday and Friday, an increase of 12 trips. Trains will depart every 5 minutes and 50 seconds during peak hours and every 9 minutes and 30 seconds during non-peak hours.

Saturday: The 244 trips of the Metro have been increased by 12 trips to 256 trips. One train will leave every 8 minutes. While during the less crowded period, the train will leave every 10 minutes and 25 seconds.

Sunday: The number of trips has been increased to 229, up by 12 from the earlier 217. On Sunday, one train will leave every 10 minutes. Additional trips will be run for passengers as required.

THE TWO METRO LINES

Mumbai Metro 2A: Line 2A (yellow Line) runs from Dahisar East to D.N. Nagar (detailed explanation here), stretching 18.6 km with 17 elevated stations along the heavy Link Road corridor. The 17 elevated stations are: Dahisar East, Anand Nagar, Kandarpada, Mandapeshwar, Eksar, Borivali West, Pahadi Eksar, Kandivali West, Dahanukarwadi, Valnai-Meeth Chowky, Malad West, Lower Malad, Pahadi Goregaon, Goregaon West, Oshiwara, Lower Oshiwara, Andheri West (D.N. Nagar interchange).

Line 2A runs along the Western Express Corridor, which is notorious for heavy traffic, especially during peak hours. Roads like Link Road, SV Road, and Western Express Highway can take 1.5 to 2 hours to travel 1516 km in rush hour. The metro covers the same stretch in about 3540 minutes, cutting commute time by up to 50-60%.

It is connected with Metro Line 1 (at D N Nagar) and Line 7 (at Gundavali).

Mumbai Metro 7: Line 7 (Red Line) connects Dahisar East to Gundavali (Andheri East) (detailed explanation here), covering approximately 16.5 km with 13 elevated stations along the Western Express Highway corridor. Line 7 has 13 stations (all elevated)  Dahisar East, Ovaripada, Rashtriya Udyan, Devipada, Magathane, Poisar, Akurli, Kurar, Dindoshi, Aarey, Goregaon East, Jogeshwari East, Gundavali (Andheri East).

End-to-end travel takes roughly 35 minutes, while the combined journey from Dahisar East to Andheri West via Line 2A/7 is around 75 minutes.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

It is connected to Line 1 at Gundavali/Andheri East via foot-over bridge to Andheri WEH station and Line 2A at Dahisar East (shared terminal).

With News18 Lokmat, PTI Inputs

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 12:42 IST

News cities  mumbai-news Mumbai Metro 2A, 7 To Run Till Midnight For Ganeshotsav: Extra Services To Route, All Details Here

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Welcome Bappa! First Look Of Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja Out Ahead Of Ganesh Chaturthi | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 19:33 IST

Mumbais Lalbaugcha Rajas first look in magenta attire mesmerizes devotees ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27, marking the start of ten days of Ganeshotsav celebrations.

First look of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai's most famous lord Ganesh idol, ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. (PTI)

As the nation is gearing up to welcome Lord Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, which falls on August 27, the eagerly awaited first look of Mumbais iconic Lalbaugcha Raja was unveiled on Sunday ahead of the celebrations.

Devotees were spellbound by the first glimpse of the bappa, dressed in magenta colour attire. Located in Putlabai Chawl, Lalbaugcha Raja or King of Lalbaug is the most visited Ganesh mandal in Mumbai.

Recommended Stories

VIDEO | Maharashtra: First look of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbais most famous lord Ganesh idol, ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.This year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations will begin on August 27. (Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/fV6qugUN0p  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 24, 2025

From a commoner to celebrities, lakhs of Mumbaikars stand in Lalbaugs long queues every year to get a glimpse of the iconic idol.

The Ganapati festival, beginning August 27, is a major celebration in Maharashtra and across the country. Ganeshotsav spans ten days of joyous celebrations, elaborate rituals, and other festivities and concludes with the grand visarjan, where Lord Ganesha idols are immersed in water bodies amidst chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya and beats of dhol.

KING OF LALBAUG: History

The history of Lalbaug dates back to the early 1900s, when the Parel area was predominantly characterized by its bustling textile mills. As industrialisation surged in the 1930s, these mills faced significant upheavals, which had a profound impact on both the local community and their livelihood.

According to local legend, during a period of upheaval, fishermen and traders in the area turned to their beloved deity, Lord Ganesha, seeking assistance. In response to their prayers, they were gifted a plot of land that now forms the bustling Lalbaug market. The community viewed this gift as a divine blessing from Lord Ganesha.

In reverence to their divine blessing, the locals chose to dedicate a section of the land for Ganpati celebrations. Thus, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal was established on this site, where the Ganesh idol is installed each year. The idol is adorned in various attires and celebrated as a king during the festival.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Over the years, the scale and grandeur of these celebrations have expanded significantly.

The festival now features elaborate pandal competitions, with each one striving to outdo the others in magnificence and creativity.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 19:33 IST

News mumbai-news Welcome Bappa! First Look Of Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja Out Ahead Of Ganesh Chaturthi | Watch

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
J&K Administration Takes Over 215 Schools Linked To Banned Jamaat-e-Islami

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 06:36 IST

Officials say the move is aimed at 'safeguarding the academic future' of the thousands of students enrolled in these schools

Opposition parties, including the Peoples Conference and the PDP, criticised the elected government for implementing the order, with some calling it 'unfortunate' and 'undemocratic'. (Representational image)

In a significant administrative move, a contingent of officials and police personnel on Saturday completed the process of a temporary takeover" of 215 schools across Jammu and Kashmir. The schools were affiliated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its educational wing, the Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT).

Recommended Stories

The governments action follows a late Friday order issued by the school education department, which stated that intelligence agencies had found these schools to be directly or indirectly linked with the proscribed organisations. The order also noted that the managing committees of these educational institutions had either expired or were adversely reported upon" by security agencies.

Officials say the move is aimed at safeguarding the academic future" of the thousands of students enrolled in these schools, ensuring their education is not jeopardised due to their managements affiliations with a banned entity.

The process of taking over management was conducted with police teams accompanying district officials and principals of nearby government schools to the targeted institutions. According to officials, the handover was completed peacefully and smoothly", with an assurance that students and teachers would not be displaced. The new management, led by district magistrates and government school principals, is tasked with ensuring quality education as per the National Education Policy (NEP) norms.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The decision has, however, triggered a political controversy. Opposition parties, including the Peoples Conference and the PDP, criticised the elected government for implementing the order, with some calling it unfortunate" and undemocratic". Jammu and Kashmir education minister Sakina Itoo clarified that her approval was only for a temporary arrangement and not a permanent takeover by district commissioners, a detail she claims was tweaked" in the final order without her knowledge. Despite the political friction, the government has maintained that the action is a necessary step to curb radical influence and secure the future of the students.

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 24, 2025, 06:36 IST

News education-career J&K Administration Takes Over 215 Schools Linked To Banned Jamaat-e-Islami

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bihar SIR: Documents Received From 98.2% Voters, Only 0.16% Objections Filed, Says Poll Body

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 11:11 IST

Election Commission shared an update on ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and said that so far, 98.2% voters have submitted their documents for the exercise.

ECI shares update on Bihar SIR (PTI image)

The Election Commission on Sunday gave an update on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar, and said that it has received documents from 98.2% voters during the exercise, pointing out that only 0.16% claims and objections have been received, with eight more days to go before the September 1 deadline.

The poll body said that out of 7.24 crore electors in the draft rolls, 10 objections were received from the Block Level Agent of 12 political parties, while 1,21,143 individual voters filed claims.

Recommended Stories

The poll body underlined that all claims and objections will be resolved by September 25.

As per information received from the office of CEO, Bihar, till date, documents of 98.2% of Electors have been received. Out of 7.24 Crore electors in the draft rolls, 0.16% Claims and Objections have been received so far. 10 from the BLAs of 12 Recognised Political Parties in Bihar," the Election Commission said in a statement.

As per information received from the office of CEO, Bihar, till date, documents of 98.2% of Electors have been received. Out of 7.24 Crore electors in the draft rolls, 0.16% Claims and Objections have been received so far. 10 from the BLAs of 12 Recognised Political Parties in pic.twitter.com/nkoQ5P5Sv8 ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

A total of 3,28,847 new voters have applied for voter registration, it said.

The commission said that from June 24 to August 24, 98.2% people submitted their documents.

This means an average of about 1.64 % per day. There are still 8 days to go till 1 September, with just 1.8 % Electors remaining for submission of the documents," the statement said.

Out of 7.24 Crore electors in the draft rolls, 0.16% Claims and Objections have been received so far. 10 from the BLAs of 12 Recognised Political Parties in Bihar. NIL by persons who are not Electors of that Assembly Constituency and 1,21,143 by Electors within their Assembly Constituency," the poll body added.

After checking, the Final Electoral Rolls will be published on September 30.

The Bihar SIR has created an uproar among the Opposition, which has accused the ECI of deliberately adding the names of voters to favour the BJP.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

A large part of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament was washed out due to the Oppositions protest over the SIR exercise. They demanded a discussion on the matter, while the government maintained that a debate on the subject cannot be held as it is sub judice.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJDs Tejashwi Yadav are carrying out a Voter Adhikaar Yatra, aiming to reach out to the voters regarding alleged voter list irregularities.

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 24, 2025, 10:40 IST

News india Bihar SIR: Documents Received From 98.2% Voters, Only 0.16% Objections Filed, Says Poll Body

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
BJP Tears Into Congress Over Kerala MLA Scandal: Why Victim-Shaming Women?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 15:04 IST

Congress MLA Mamkootathil has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least three women, including Malayalam actor Rini George

Kerala BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil | File Image

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday intensified its attack on the Congress, questioning why the party was victim shaming" women who have accused Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil of sexual harassment.

Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar took direct aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of fostering a culture of lies" and alleging that Congress leaders believe they are not answerable for their actions.

Recommended Stories

If Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon is part of so many Congress programmes, why are they victim-shaming in Kerala? Why is this man still an MLA? This is something the people of India and Kerala are understanding," Chandrasekhar said, referring to the Congress campaign slogan from the 2021 Uttar Pradesh polls.

Allegations Against MLA

Mamkootathil, who represents Palakkad, has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least three women, including Malayalam actor Rini George, writer Honey Bhaskaran, and trans rights activist Avanthika.

George, in a viral interview, alleged that Mamkootathil sent her inappropriate messages for years and even offered to book a hotel room.

She claimed senior Congress leaders ignored her complaints.

Avanthika accused the MLA of making lewd remarks and sharing rape fantasies" with her. Bhaskaran too has accused him of harassment.

Social media has since been flooded with alleged screenshots of WhatsApp messages and an audio clip in which the Congress leader is purportedly heard coercing a woman into an abortion and threatening her.

Mamkootathil has strongly denied the allegations.

While he stepped down as Kerala Youth Congress president on August 21, he refused to resign as MLA, insisting the charges are politically motivated.

Resignation is not even in my thoughts. None of the women have filed a legal complaint. If the CPI(M) wants, they can fabricate one. I will prove my innocence in court," he said.

BJP Turns Heat On Congress

Chandrasekhar alleged that Mamkootathils case reflects a larger problem in the Congress.

This man is just a symptom of a deep-rooted malaise. The Congress survives on appeasement, corruption and divisive politics, not service to the people. What Rahul Gandhi has created is a metaphor for lies and corruption," he told NDTV.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

He also lashed out at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, claiming that the Gandhi siblings believe they are above accountability.

Believing that they are not accountable for anything that they do is going from Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra all the way down to these types of jokers," Chandrasekhar said.

Location : Kerala, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 15:04 IST

News india BJP Tears Into Congress Over Kerala MLA Scandal: Why Victim-Shaming Women?

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
BSF Apprehends 15 Pakistani Fishermen In Gujarat's Kutch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 10:49 IST

BSF apprehended 15 Pakistani fishermen from Sujawal district and seized an engine-fitted country boat near Kori Creek in Gujarat.

Police officials revealed that the accused had known the teacher for over two years (Representative image)

The Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested 15 Pakistani fishermen and seized an engine-fitted country boat near the Indo-Pak border in Gujarats Kutch district, the BSF reported on Sunday.

Recommended Stories

The BSF conducted a search operation on Saturday on the basis of a specific information regarding an unidentified boat found in the general area of the border outpost at Kori Creek in the states Kutch region, it said.

An extensive search was carried out in the adjoining bets and during the search, 15 Pakistani fishermen were apprehended along with one engine-fitted country boat," the BSF said in a release.

The detained fishermen are Pakistani nationals from Sujawal district in Sindhi province of the neighbouring country. They were located in the general area of the BSFs 68th battalion border outpost.

As per the information shared by BSF, the boat was carrying around 60 kg of fish, nine fishing nets, diesel, ice, food items, and wooden sticks. Additionally, a mobile phone and Rs 200 in Pakistani currency were also confiscated from their possession.

BSF Nabs Senior Bangladeshi Police Officer

Earlier on Saturday, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended a senior officer of the Bangladesh Police as he attempted to illegally enter Indian territory in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, according to top government officials.

The infiltrator, whose identity remains undisclosed due to an ongoing investigation, was arrested near the Hakimpur Border Outpost between 6 pm and 7 pm.

The officer was intercepted by BSF troops during routine patrolling. On searching him, the force recovered some identity documents, confirming that the intruder was a senior Bangladeshi Police officer," the officials told ANI, requesting anonymity.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The India-Bangladesh border, spanning 4,096 km, is one of the longest international borders in the world and frequently encounters cases of infiltration, smuggling, and illegal crossings. West Bengal alone accounts for nearly 2,217 km of this stretch, making it a sensitive zone for security agencies.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Gujarat, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 10:49 IST

News india BSF Apprehends 15 Pakistani Fishermen In Gujarat's Kutch

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'Can Kill You In Seconds: Kerala MLA Faces Fresh Heat As Audio Clip Reveals Threat To Woman

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 12:17 IST

The over four-minute clip, which went viral on Saturday, purportedly records a conversation between the Palakkad MLA and an unidentified woman

Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil | File Image

Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil, already under fire over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, has been hit by fresh controversy after an audio clip surfaced in which he allegedly pressured a woman to undergo an abortion and threatened her with dire consequences if she resisted.

The over four-minute clip, which went viral on Saturday, purportedly records a conversation between the Palakkad MLA and an unidentified woman, reported NDTV.

Recommended Stories

In it, Mamkootathil is heard expressing fear that the womans pregnancy would destroy" his life and, at one point, warns her that to kill you I just need a few seconds."

However, CNN-News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the recording.

The exchange begins with the woman questioning why he wanted her gone without permission." Mamkootathil responds that she doesnt understand the consequences.

When she insists she is ready to face them alone, he interjects, saying, You cant face it alone. I dont know the consequences when I get angry."

Throughout the conversation, he repeatedly asks what she would do if she gave birth, asserting, I will not leave it." The woman counters that she would raise the child herself and accused him of being capable of killing it.

The MLA also attempts to reassure her, saying, Till this moment, I havent called you a bad word. Dont think that you were with me. You are a woman. Is this your ideal in life? I will never do anything wrong to you."

There has been no official response so far from either Mamkootathil or the Congress party on the audio clip.

Mounting Allegations

The controversy adds to a growing list of accusations against the 38-year-old legislator.

The row began when Malayalam actor Rini George claimed in an online interview that a prominent youth leader from the Congress had sexually harassed her.

While she did not name Mamkootathil, opposition leaders, including the BJP, linked him to the case.

George alleged the politician had sent her objectionable messages, invited her to a five-star hotel, and dismissed her threats of complaint, allegedly telling her, You can go and tell anyone who cares?"

Soon after, writer Honey Bhaskaran and trans activist Avanthika came forward with their own accusations of sexual misconduct against the Congress MLA.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Mamkootathil has denied all wrongdoing.

On August 21, he resigned from all organisational roles in the Congress, including his post as Kerala Youth Congress President, but insisted the decision was voluntary and not a directive from party high command.

Location : Kerala, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 12:17 IST

News india 'Can Kill You In Seconds: Kerala MLA Faces Fresh Heat As Audio Clip Reveals Threat To Woman

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'Constitutional Values Are At Stake,' Says INDIA Bloc's VP Candidate Sudarshan Reddy

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 23:40 IST

Sudarshan Reddy, the India Bloc's VP candidate, promised that he will make all efforts in defending the Constitution, which was increasingly coming under attack today.

INDIA Bloc VP candidate Sudarshan Reddy. (PTI)

Opposition INDIA Blocs Vice Presidential candidate Sudarshan Reddy on Sunday warned that all values enshrined in the Indian constitution were at stake, and the idea of fraternity was coming under attack.

The former Supreme Court judge is contesting against NDAs candidate C Radhakrishnan for the Vice Presidential post after the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing health reasons. The INDIA bloc fielded Reddy, described as one of Indias most distinguished and progressive jurists."

Recommended Stories

Reddy promised that if given the opportunity, he will make all efforts in defending the Constitution, which was increasingly coming under attack today. All values enshrined in our Constitution are at stake. I consider the idea of fraternity perhaps is coming under attack," he told reporters at an event in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

Regarding his opponent, the former judge promised that the upcoming vice presidential election will be one of the most decent election" fought in the recent past of the country.

VIDEO | Opposition Vice Presidential candidate B Sudershan Reddy says, All values enshrined in our Constitution are at stake. I consider the idea of fraternity perhaps is coming under attack."(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/dNVKqOTfu1  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 24, 2025

I do not speak about him (CP Radhakrishnan) because I have decided and declared openly in public that I do not want to make any comment whatsoever about the other candidate because the contest is for the post of Vice President," he said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin welcomed Reddy, saying that he fought for justice and humanity during his tenure as a judge, and will respect Tamil Nadus emotions as VP.

Those who trust in Democracy have accepted you as the VP candidate. In the past 60 years, he has worked for justice. He worked as an honest Judge and protected the Constitution. Why he is needed now is because the BJP is attempting to destroy the Constitution, and we need him to protect it," said Stalin.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced former Supreme Court judge Reddy as the opposition Vice President candidate and informed that he will file his nomination on August 21 for the September 9 election.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Reddy was appointed as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005. He served as a Supreme Court judge from 2007 to 2011.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 23:40 IST

News india 'Constitutional Values Are At Stake,' Says INDIA Bloc's VP Candidate Sudarshan Reddy

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
UP Dowry Victim's Father Seeks Encounter Of Accused Husband: 'Killed Her Despite Meeting Demands'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 12:44 IST

The father of the victim in Greater Noida dowry murder case has demanded that the accused husband should be shot dead and their house be razed as a punishment for Nikki's murder.

Greater Noida murder case: Nikki's father demands encounter of husband (Photo: X/ @GreaterNoidaW)

As the gruesome murder of a 28-year-old woman  Nikki  in Greater Noida came to light, her father demanded that the accused husband be shot dead in an encounter for killing his daughter by setting her on fire, according to a report.

He also alleged that Vipin Bhati, the accused husband, was in a relationship with someone else and wanted Nikki out of the way.

Recommended Stories

A shocking murder case came to the fore in Greater Noida on Saturday after Vipin was arrested for allegedly brutally assaulting his wife and setting her on fire over a Rs 36 lakh dowry demand at their residence in Sirsa. The horrific videos of the incident surfaced online, showing him beating her and her on fire on the stairs. As she was being transferred from Fortis Hospital in Noida to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday.

Demanding the strictest punishment for his daughters killers, Nikkis father, Bhikari Singh Payla, told NDTV, They are killers, they should be shot, their home razed. My daughter was bringing up her son by running a parlour. They tortured her. The whole family was involved in the conspiracy, and they killed my daughter."

He said that Nikki did not want him to worry about her and she tried her best to make the marriage work. But they are killers," he said.

He further urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that Vipin, the accused husband, should be killed in an encounter.

They shoot pickpockets in the leg, and they wont kill these murderers? This is a BJP government," he told NDTV.

The father said that his family met all the demands from Nikkis in-laws, yet they killed his daughter.

First, they demanded a Scorpio in dowry, which was given. Later, they asked for a Bullet motorcycle, and that too was provided. Yet, they kept torturing my daughter," he told India Today TV.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The father had recently purchased a Mercedes, which was the latest to catch Vipins greedy eye, and he had been demanding it also, the report said.

Nikki was attacked by her in-laws in Greater Noida. They dragged her by the hair and set her on fire in front of her young son and her sister, who is also married into the same family. Her husband, Vipin, has been arrested, while police are looking for the others. A case has been filed against four family members  Nikkis husband, her mother-in-law, her father-in-law, and her sisters husband.

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 : Greater Noida, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 12:14 IST

News india UP Dowry Victim's Father Seeks Encounter Of Accused Husband: 'Killed Her Despite Meeting Demands'

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Bobby Brazier is set to move to India and devote himself to the Hare Krishna religion.

Bobby Brazier is planning to go and live in India

The EastEnders star is believed to have told his friends that he is planning to stay in the country for at least a year after becoming a follower of the movement - a form on Hinduism that has its roots in India.

A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Bobby is really excited and happy about his move to India. He's been telling everyone about it and preaching to them about why he is devoted to Hare Krishna.

"He's such a nice young man, his heart is in the right place, but some people are surprised that he's walking away from his career at a time when he's on such a high with it.

"He says he expects to be over there for a long while, at least a year, so maybe he will pick up on his career when he's back."

The 22-year-old star - whose is the son of TV presenter Jeff Brazier and the late Big Brother star Jade Goody - will be leaving his role as Freddie Slater on EastEnders later this year and is said to have started following the Hare Krishna religion as he "sought solace" following his mother's death from cancer in 2009 when he was just five.

Bobby is said to have become a regular presence at the Hare Krishna temple in Soho, London, as he takes part in communal prayers, chants and preparing meals for others.

It was revealed in June that Brazier would be departing EastEnders after three years and that the decision between the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant and bosses on the BBC soap was mutual.

An insider said: "Bosses had a meeting with Bobby only recently as they had a plan in mind for a storyline, and it just so happened that Bobby was also thinking that now was the right time to look for other opportunities outside the show.

"The timing of the decision worked for both, but his final scenes are not for a while yet."

Bobby had previously suggested that he was considering taking a "step back" from his acting career.

He said: "I think I need to step away from acting for a bit and have a break.

"I'm 20, but I haven't felt 20 in a very long time."
Alarmed by the growth of dollar-pegged stablecoins after the US passage of the Genius Act, European Union officials are considering launching a digital euro on a public blockchain such as Ethereum or Solana, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

In a statement, the European Central Bank told the paper it was considering different technologies  both centralised and decentralised  in the development of the digital euro, including distributed ledger technologies.

Previously, the EUs planned central bank digital currency, or CBDC, was expected to be launched on a private network due to officials concern that tokens issued on public blockchains could compromise users privacy.

According to the Financial Times, however, conversations within the EU changed after the US passed the Genius Act in July, a landmark federal law that makes it easier for major corporations to issue their own stablecoins.

The laws proponents argued the Genius Act would be a boon for stablecoins and, in turn, US dollar dominance.

That sentiment was echoed by Pierre Gramegna, the managing director of European Stability Mechanism, a European Union intergovernmental organisation.

And, if this were to be successful, it could affect the euro areas monetary sovereignty and financial stability, Gramegna said in March, referring to the success of dollar-backed stablecoins.

To tackle this threat, he urged the European Central Bank to make the digital euro a reality to safeguard Europes strategic autonomy.

One EU official, quoted anonymously, told the FT the passage of the Genius Act rattled a lot of people who now want to accelerate the development of a digital euro.

ECB leaders and EU officials say a digital euro could bolster Europes financial autonomy by creating a home-grown payment system to rival American payment giants like Visa.

While EU officials worry about the privacy implications of launching a token on a public blockchain, the digital euro has nevertheless been fraught with controversy and conspiracy theories since the ECB launched its investigation in 2021.

Many consumers want to avoid a Big Brother scenario where the central bank would be able to digitally track their spending with CBDCs.

To assuage that concern, the ECB said it would not have access to personal data. That would remain with commercial banks, which would need to host the digital euro.

Citing the potential for government surveillance, Republican lawmakers in the US have sought to preempt the development of any CBDC.

The week, the House of Representatives passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision to block the Federal Reserve from issuing a digital dollar.

Aleks Gilbert is DL News New York-based DeFi reporter. You can reach him at aleks@dlnews.com.
Noida Woman's Husband, Who Burnt Her Alive Over Dowry, Shot In Leg While Trying To Escape

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 14:43 IST

Vipin Bhati, husband of the Greater Noida woman he allegedly set on fire over dowry demand, was shot in his leg during encounter by the UP Police.

Greater Noida murder case: Husband shot at in encounter (ANI Image)

In a dramatic turn of events, the man, who allegedly set her wife on fire, killing her, over a dowry demand in Greater Noida, was shot at in the leg in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police while he was trying to escape custody, officials said on Sunday.

The accused husband was identified as Vipin Bhati, who allegedly murdered 28-year-old Nikki on Thursday over a Rs 36 lakh dowry demand. The videos of his assault surfaced online, sending shockwaves across the city. He was arrested on Saturday.

Recommended Stories

Officials said that he was trying to escape custody, prompting the police to open fire on his leg.

We had come here to recover the bottles of inflammable liquid which he threw after using them to set her on fire. We recovered the bottles but around that time, he snatched the Inspectors pistol and tried to run. When the police surrounded him, he tried to fire on us. In self-defence, the police also fired and the bullet hit his leg. He has been sent to the hospital for treatment. Further investigation is underway We have recovered bottles of thinner which were used to set the woman on fire," ADCP Sudhir Kumar told news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Greater Noida, UP | Accused of murdering his wife Nikki over dowry demands, Vipin Bhati brought to the hospital for treatment, after he was shot in the leg during an encounter with the police. pic.twitter.com/DZMuAenvX5 ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

Shortly before his arrest on Saturday, Vipin implied in a social media post that she died by suicide.

Victim Womans Father Pleaded CM Yogi For Encounter Of Husband

Hours ago, the victim womans father, Bhikari Singh Payla, had demanded from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that the accused husband be shot dead in an encounter for killing his daughter for dowry despite fulfilling all his demands.

They are killers, they should be shot, their home razed. My daughter was bringing up her son by running a parlour. They tortured her. The whole family was involved in the conspiracy, and they killed my daughter," he told NDTV earlier in the day.

They shoot pickpockets in the leg, and they wont kill these murderers? This is a BJP government," he added in his plea to the Chief Minister.

He said that he fulfilled every demand by Vipin, yet his family killed his daughter.

First, they demanded a Scorpio in dowry, which was given. Later, they asked for a Bullet motorcycle, and that too was provided. Yet, they kept torturing my daughter," the father of the victim, Bhikari Singh Payla, told India Today TV.

Nikki was allegedly assaulted and set on fire by Vipin on Thursday, along with her elder sister Kanchan who is also married to the same family. The horrific videos of the incident surfaced online, showing her in fire, with most of her body burnt.

She died while being shifted from a private hospital in Noida to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Thursday.

Husbands Increasing Dowry Demands

Nikki and Vipin had married in 2016, during which the womans father had already given expensive dowry items, such as gold, a Scorpio, and a Bullet bike, yet the husband continued to demand more and more day by day, the family alleged.

Nine years into their marriage, Vipin and his family tortured Nikki and Kanchan over a Rs 36 lakh dowry demand.

Our father gifted a top-model Scorpio SUV, a Bullet (Royal Enfield) bike, cash, gold, everything. Besides this, gifts would be sent from our home on Karwa Chauth," Kanchan told NDTV.

Detailing the horror that unfolded in front of her eyes on Thursday, she said, We were being tortured, our in-laws would tell us they did not get this or that during the wedding. They asked us to get Rs 36 lakh from our home. I was also assaulted between 1.30 am and 4 am on Thursday. They told me, We have got dowry for one (sister), what about the other? You are better off dead. We will marry again."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

That same evening, they brutally assaulted my sister in front of me and the children. They then threw some liquid on her and set her ablaze in front of my eyes. I tried to save her, but I could not," she recalled.

Nikkis minor son, who had to witness his mother being charred by his father, said, They poured something on mumma, slapped her, and then set her ablaze using a lighter."

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 : Greater Noida, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 13:36 IST

News india Noida Woman's Husband, Who Burnt Her Alive Over Dowry, Shot In Leg While Trying To Escape

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Gurugram Police Arrest Another Suspect In Elvish Yadav House Shooting Case

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 20:11 IST

Gurugram Police arrested another for aiding the firing at Elvish Yadavs Sector 57 home. Ishant alias Ishu Gandhi was caught earlier. Himanshu Bhau gang claimed responsibility.

Elvish Yadav Issues First Statement After Gunshots Fired at His House

Gurugram Police have arrested another suspect in connection with the recent firing outside the house of Bigg Boss winner and popular YouTuber Elvish Yadav. The accused, identified as 24-year-old Jatin from Faridabad, was taken into custody for his alleged role in planning the attack and providing the motorcycle used in the crime.

According to police, Jatin had been working as a Rapido bike rider in Gurugram for the past two months. During interrogation, he admitted to arranging the motorcycle for his associates, who carried out the shooting at Yadavs residence in Sector-57.

Recommended Stories

Investigators have also recovered the bike used in the incident from Jatins possession. Police said further questioning is underway to trace others involved in the case.

Earlier, one accused, identified as Ishant alias Ishu Gandhi, a resident of Jawahar Colony, Faridabad, was caught after an encounter, during which he was shot in the leg and later admitted to the hospital for treatment. He opened fire at the police team with an automatic pistol, firing more than half a dozen rounds before being overpowered.

Elvish Yadav made headlines recently after his Gurugram residence came under gunfire in the early hours of August 17. Police confirmed that unidentified attackers fired several rounds outside his Sector 57 home.

Sharing details of the attack, Sandeep Kumar, PRO of Gurugram Police, had said, Three masked miscreants opened fire outside the residence of YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadav in Gurugrams Sector 57. The incident took place at around 5:30 AM. More than a dozen rounds were fired. Elvish Yadav was not at his residence at the time of the firing."

Elvishs father, Ram Avtar Yadav, also confirmed the incident to ANI and shared, We heard a sound around 5.30 in the morning. When we came outside and looked, we saw that bullets had been fired here. Then we immediately checked the CCTV. We found that there were two people involved for sure, and probably a third one too. We informed the police. These people fired more than 15 rounds."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

He also revealed that Elvish was not at home when the tragic incident took place. May God give wisdom to the people who did this. Naturally, we feel scared," he said.

The notorious Himanshu Bhau gang has taken responsibility for the attack via an alleged Instagram post, accusing the YouTuber of promoting gambling.

First Published: August 24, 2025, 20:07 IST

News india Gurugram Police Arrest Another Suspect In Elvish Yadav House Shooting Case

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
India Has Chance To Become Self-Reliant Amid Global Instability: PM Modi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 22:09 IST

PM Modi urged youth to support Make in India at Sardardham, praising its role in education and girls' empowerment, and stressed self-reliance.

PM Modi (Photo: YouTube/ Narendra Modi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that the path to a developed India lies in building a self-reliant India.

While virtually addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of Sardardham Phase-II in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said India has a significant chance to achieve self-reliance as the world is going through instability.

Recommended Stories

Sharing my remarks during foundation stone laying ceremony of Sardardham Phase-II in Ahmedabad. https://t.co/4zB7AUJ45U Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2025

We launched Skill India Mission under which crores of youth are being prepared as skilled manpower in different fields. Today, a large part of the world is stuck in the problem of ageing; they need youth, and India has the capacity to provide youth to the world.

He also urged the nations youth to embrace Make in India" products to help build a better future for generations to come. Noting that only Operation Sindoor is not patriotism, he appealed to traders to decide to sell only swadeshi items.

India has to become self-reliant in todays world, which means we should use indigenous products. Our enthusiasm for Make in India should increase. The Swadeshi movement will strengthen our future, and you have to lead it. The youth of our society should decide that not a single foreign thing comes to our house," he added.

PM Modi said Indias strength lies in Make in India and self-reliance, which will brighten the future of the coming generations.

Further emphasising Indias demographic strength, PM Modi asserted that his government is focused on creating maximum employment opportunities for the youth. He said that the central government is creating new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people through initiatives like the Mudra Yojana and the newly launched PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana.

Today, the number of startups in India has reached close to 2 lakh. Startups are being created in tier 2 and 3 cities. We started the Mudra Yojana. Under this, Rs 33 lakh crore have been given to the youth for self-employment. Due to this, lakhs of youth have become self-reliant and are also making others self-reliant," he added.

PM Modi said the world values Indias talent along with its labour and understands its importance, which has created new opportunities in various countries.

Our youths are surprising the world in many sectors like healthcare, education, and space," he added.

He also lauded the exemplary work of Sardardham in promoting education and providing opportunities for girls empowerment.

PM Modi said Indian society is awakened and has started supporting the endeavours of its daughters.

Today, a new awakening has come in society. They are coming forward themselves and making arrangements for the progress of their daughters. The seeds that were sown in Gujarat have today become a movement in the whole country through Beti Bachao Beti Padhao," he said.

He also recalled that the school dropout ratio of girls was very high when he became chief minister of Gujarat (in 2001).

He said schemes like Kanya Kelavani benefited immensely and encouraged the society to come forward and take the responsibility for educating girls.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

PM Modi said female foeticide was another concern, which was addressed by him with the support of society, and by launching a movement to eradicate the social evil.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 22:09 IST

News india India Has Chance To Become Self-Reliant Amid Global Instability: PM Modi

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
No Less Than Nirbhaya: Victim Of Unspeakable Crime, Deaf-Mute UP Girl Fights For Life | Sunday Special

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 08:30 IST

While doctors strive to rebuild the 11-year-olds battered body, her family battles poverty, stigma and sleepless nights, demanding death for her rapist

A colostomy was doneher intestine was pulled out from the stomach to pass stool and urine, a treating doctor explained, adding that she will require at least two reconstructive surgeries once the wounds heal. Representational image/AI-generated

She may not be Nirbhaya, but her wounds are no less than hers," said the mother of an 11-year-old mentally challenged girl from Uttar Pradeshs Rampur district, recalling the brutality her deaf-and-mute daughter was forced to endure. Four months ago, the child was brutally raped by a villager and left to die. Her injuries were so severe that doctors had to pull out her intestine through the abdomen to create an alternate passage for passing waste. We spend sleepless nights watching over her, fearing she might unknowingly harm herself in her sleep," the mother of the Dalit girl told News18.

Recommended Stories

Four months on, the childs fight for survival continues. Her family, weighed down by poverty and grief, finds itself trapped in a cycle of medical expenses, social stigma, and unending trauma. Though the rapist has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, the parents say nothing short of a death sentence will deliver justice. For what he did to our innocent, mentally challenged daughter, nothing less than death can be justice," they said.

The night that changed everything

The ordeal began on April 15 this year, when the girl did not return after going towards the fields near her home in the Safni police station area. As evening turned into night, her familys frantic search ended in horror when they found her lying unconscious in a field. Her face bore scratch marks, her clothes were bloodstained, and her body showed signs of severe assault.

Unable to speak or hear, the girl could not narrate her trauma. But a medical examination confirmed rape. Police later recovered CCTV footage showing local villager Dan Singh Yadav, 28, taking her along that evening. The CCTV footage was crucial. It clearly established the accuseds movements with the girl. He was arrested promptly and booked under POCSO," a senior Rampur police officer said.

Fast-track trial, but family unsatisfied

On August 11, within just four months of the incident, a special POCSO court in Rampur convicted Yadav and awarded him life imprisonment with a fine of Rs 6 lakh. Special Judge Ramgopal Singh termed the evidence clear and indisputable", noting the brutality inflicted on the child.

While police hailed the swift investigation and trial, the family expressed disappointment. The monster destroyed her forever. Life sentence means he will still live. Why should he get a chance to live when my daughters life has been snatched away? Only hanging him will bring peace," the victims uncle said, adding that the family would soon appeal in the High Court.

Medical ordeal: A life on hold

The girls condition remains critical. Doctors at Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College, Meerut, where she was treated for 14 days, had to create a temporary diversion for waste discharge. The child had 11 injuries, including deep lacerations on her genitals. Repair was not possible immediately. A colostomy was doneher intestine was pulled out from the stomach to pass stool and urine," explained Dr Sheetal, one of the treating doctors. She will require at least two reconstructive surgeries once the wounds heal."

But the procedures are costly and time-consuming. Until then, the girl survives with her intestines outside her abdomen, covered only with a piece of cloth. She requires colostomy bags costing Rs 270 eachsometimes two a day. The family cannot afford them regularly. Instead, her mother ties a cloth around her stomach and cleans her with cotton after every bathroom visit.

She points to her stomach and groin in pain. I watch her all night so she doesnt scratch or hurt herself. I cannot sleep. Our life revolves around her wounds now," her mother said.

Living with open wounds

Inside their two-room mud house, poverty is etched into every cornerunplastered walls, a yellow clay floor, and the absence of proper sanitation. The father, himself mildly mentally challenged, is unable to provide a steady income. The mother picks up farm labour whenever work is available, but the familys survival now depends almost entirely on the shoulders of the girls elder brother.

The 24-year-old had once been employed at a cosmetics factory in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, drawing a monthly salary of Rs 20,000. But the assault on his younger sister turned his life upside down. I rushed home the moment I heard. After seeing her condition, I couldnt return to work. For the past four months, I have been running between police stations and courts. Whatever we had saved was spent on legal battles. Now, with the case over, I am searching for work againthis time in Rampur so that I can stay close to my family," he said.

Our daughters dont leave the house anymore

The girls elder sister, once cheerful and outgoing, now lives in constant fear. She has stopped stepping outside, a decision the family takes as a precaution.

We cannot risk sending her out. Our daughters dont leave the house anymore. This crime has shattered our peace forever," said the girls uncle, who also played a key role in pursuing the legal case.

Beyond the financial and medical crisis lies the burden of social stigma. The family says villagers whisper about the assault, and the child is sometimes looked at with pity or suspicion. We feel isolated. People look at her differently. For us, every day is like living in a hospital ward. There is no joy, no laughter," the mother said.

Poverty, stigma, and shattered lives

Doctors say the girl may take months, even years, to heal. Surgery can only be attempted after her wounds close completely. Even then, there is no guarantee of full recovery.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

For now, the family is pinning its hopes on the compensation fine imposed on the convict, though they fear delays. That six lakh, if it ever comes, may help us buy medical bags and pay for surgeries. But even money cannot give her a normal life back," the uncle said.

First Published: August 24, 2025, 08:30 IST

News india No Less Than Nirbhaya: Victim Of Unspeakable Crime, Deaf-Mute UP Girl Fights For Life | Sunday Special

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Noida Dowry Victims Father Says Vipin Used To Demand Her Earnings, Seeks Death Penalty

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 17:47 IST

Bhikhari Singh Payla claimed that Nikki did not want him to worry about her, and she tried her best to make the marriage work.

The woman, identified as Nikki, was killed for dowry, nine years after she married Vipin Bhati - a resident of Greater Noida's Sirsa. (X)

Greater Noida Dowry Killing: In a very shocking and horrific incident, a woman, identified as Nikki, was killed by her husband and in-laws after being beaten up and set on fire in Uttar Pradeshs Greater Noida for dowry.

The womans elder sister, Kanchan, who is also married in the same family, has said both of them were being tortured for dowry, and their in-laws had asked for Rs 36 lakh.

Recommended Stories

Meanwhile, the victims father has demanded that the accused husband, Vipin Bhati, should be hanged to death for committing such a crime.

While speaking to news agency ANI, Bhikari Singh Payla, the father, said that Vipin started harassing and torturing Nikki just a few days after the marriage for dowry.

He also claimed that Nikki did not want him to worry about her, and she tried her best to make the marriage work. Payla said that she even started her own work, but the greedy husband began demanding the money she earned.

#WATCH | Dadri, Uttar Pradesh: On Noida dowry murder case, victims father Bhikhari Singh Payla says," I reached there as soon as my elder daughter called me..The doctor told me she is 70% burnt..We took her to Safdarjung Hospital. The doctor told me to take her back because she pic.twitter.com/KAzV4F39Tn ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

He started harassing her a few days after marriageThey asked for Rs. 35 lakhs She started her own work, and her husband began asking for the money she earned. I demand that the Court and CM give him the death penalty" he said while speaking to news agency ANI.

Payla further recounted the horror, saying that he reached the hospital as soon as her elder daughter, who is also married in the same family, called him and told him about the gruesome incident.

I reached there as soon as my elder daughter called me..The doctor told me she is 70% burnt..We took her to Safdarjung Hospital. The doctor told me to take her back because she would not be able to survive," he added.

The father said that his family met all the demands from Nikkis in-laws, yet they killed his daughter.

First, they demanded a Scorpio in dowry, which was given. Later, they asked for a Bullet motorcycle, and that too was provided. Yet, they kept torturing my daughter. He (her husband) should be hanged," he said.

Nikki, the woman who died, had married into a family in Greater Noidas Sirsa village in 2016, and her sister Kanchan said the torture for dowry began just six months later. Nikki, she said, was thrashed by her in-laws on Thursday night and then set ablaze in front of her son.

Videos show Nikki being dragged by her hair by her husband, Vipin, and another woman. Vipin, shirtless, has visible blood on his stomach and back. In other clips, Nikki is seen hobbling down the stairs while on fire, then sitting on the floor with her severe burn injuries clearly visible. In one scene, someone throws water on her, seemingly to help soothe her burns.

As she was being transferred from Fortis Hospital in Noida to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Vipin claimed that he did not kill Nikki, the victim, and she died on her own". Videos of him brutally assaulting his wife surfaced online, but he said that he has no remorse".

His remarks came while lying on a hospital bed after being shot in the leg during an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police as he tried to escape custody, a day after his arrest in his wifes murder case.

I have no remorse. I havent killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often have fights; it is very common," he told the news agency.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Police are searching for the womans father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law, all of whom have been named in the case.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Greater Noida, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 17:47 IST

News india Noida Dowry Victims Father Says Vipin Used To Demand Her Earnings, Seeks Death Penalty

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Noida Womans Dowry Murder Sparks Outrage: Husband In Custody, NCW Takes Suo Motu Cognisance

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 23:22 IST

As outrage mounted over the alleged killing of Nikki for dowry in Greater Noida, police arrested her mother-in-law while her husband was shot in leg as he attempted to flee.

Greater Noida murder case: Husband shot at in encounter (Photo: X/ @GreaterNoidaW)

Greater Noida Dowry Murder: The gruesome murder of a 28-year-old woman by her husband and in-laws over dowry in Uttar Pradeshs Greater Noida has sent chills down the spine across the nation.

The accused husband, Vipin Bhati, who set his wife, Nikki, ablaze alive and killed her for dowry, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody. He was arrested a day earlier, on Saturday.

Recommended Stories

Earlier today, Vipins mother, Dayawati (55) and wife of Satyaveer, has also been arrested. She had been absconding since the incident and has been named in the FIR filed by the victims family, the PRO said.

What Happened In Sirsa?

Nikki, the woman who died, had married into a family in Greater Noidas Sirsa village in 2016. Her elder sister, Kanchan, who is also married in the same family, has said both of them were being tortured for dowry, and their in-laws had asked for Rs 36 lakh.

Kanchan said the torture for dowry began just six months later. Nikki, she said, was thrashed by her in-laws on Thursday night and then set ablaze in front of her son.

Horror In Videos

Videos show Nikki being dragged by her hair by her husband, Vipin, and another woman. Vipin, shirtless, has visible blood on his stomach and back. In other clips, Nikki is seen hobbling down the stairs while on fire, then sitting on the floor with her severe burn injuries clearly visible. In one scene, someone throws water on her, seemingly to help soothe her burns.

As she was being transferred from Fortis Hospital in Noida to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday.

Unfortunately, her young son witnessed the horror when she was tortured and set on fire by his father and his grandmother.

They first put something on mumma. Then they slapped her before setting her on fire using a lighter," said the boy, fighting back tears.

The Encounter Row

Earlier today, Vipin, who was arrested on Saturday, attempted to escape police custody when he was being escorted by the police to recover evidence around 1.30 pm, according to the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police PRO.

Officials said that he was trying to escape custody, prompting the police to open fire on his leg.

We had come here to recover the bottles of inflammable liquid which he threw after using them to set her on fire. We recovered the bottles but around that time, he snatched the Inspectors pistol and tried to run. When the police surrounded him, he tried to fire on us. In self-defence, the police also fired and the bullet hit his leg. He has been sent to the hospital for treatment. Further investigation is underway We have recovered bottles of thinner which were used to set the woman on fire," ADCP Sudhir Kumar told news agency ANI.

Gave Top-End Model Car, Gold, But

The victims family has claimed they had fulfilled all the demands of the husband during the marriage.

While speaking to News18 India, Nikkis brother, Rohit said that they had gifted a top model of the Scorpio car at the wedding in 2016, along with all the daily-use items.

He said that both of his brother-in-laws (Nikkis and Kanchans husbands) used to torture his sisters on a regular basis for dowry, with the younger one being more cruel. This had been going on for a long time; their demands were increasing day by day after the marriage," he said.

The family alleged that the womens husbands continued to demand more and more day by day. Nine years into their marriage, Vipin and his family tortured Nikki and Kanchan over a Rs 35 lakh dowry demand.

Victims Father Demands Death Penalty

Victims father, Bhikari Singh Payla, has demanded that the accused husband be hanged to death for committing such a crime.

While speaking to news agency ANI, Payla said that Vipin started harassing and torturing Nikki just a few days after the marriage for dowry.

He also claimed that Nikki did not want him to worry about her, and she tried her best to make the marriage work. Payla said that she even started her own work, but the greedy husband began demanding the money she earned.

Nikkis father also said that he met all the demands from Nikkis in-laws, yet they killed his daughter.

First, they demanded a Scorpio in dowry, which was given. Later, they asked for a Bullet motorcycle, and that too was provided. Yet, they kept torturing my daughter. He (her husband) should be hanged," he said.

No Remorse, Says Vipin

Meanwhile, Vipin claimed that he did not kill Nikki, the victim, and she died on her own". Videos of him brutally assaulting his wife surfaced online, but he said that he has no remorse.

I have no remorse. I havent killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often have fights; it is very common," he told news agency ANI.

Interestingly, hours before being arrested, Vipin implied in a social media post that she died by suicide and went on to say that the world was calling him a killer.

Why didnt you tell me what had happened? Why did you leave me? Why did you do this? The world is calling me a killer, Nikki," Vipin wrote on Instagram at around 1 am on Saturday. His social media bio says that he is an advocate.

Women Commission Takes Suo Motu Cognisance

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, the National Women Commission (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the gruesome case and has asked the UP Director General of Police (DGP) to provide a detailed action report within three days.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written a letter to the top cop and has directed the immediate arrest of all the accused, strict action under the provisions of law, fair and prompt investigation of the case, and ensuring the safety of the victims family/witnesses.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Greater Noida, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 23:22 IST

News india Noida Womans Dowry Murder Sparks Outrage: Husband In Custody, NCW Takes Suo Motu Cognisance

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Noida Woman's Husband, Who Burnt Her Alive Over Dowry, Sent To 14-Day Judicial Custody

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 19:46 IST

Vipin Bhati has been sent to 14-day judicial custody for killing his wife Nikki over dowry in Greater Noidas Sirsa village; Dayawati was also arrested by Gautam Buddh Nagar police

The woman, identified as Nikki, was killed for dowry, nine years after she married Vipin Bhati - a resident of Greater Noida's Sirsa. (X)

Greater Noida Dowry Murder: Vipin Bhati, the accused husband who set her wife on fire and killed her for dowry, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody. He was arrested a day earlier on Friday. However, he was shot at in the leg in an encounter with the UP Police while he was trying to escape custody.

Hours before, Vipins mother, Dayawati, who is also named in the case, was arrested by the Gautam Buddh Nagar police from Kasna.

Recommended Stories

#WATCH | Greater Noida dowry murder case | The accused husband, Vipin Bhati, has been sent to a Judicial Custody of 14 days pic.twitter.com/EoXILgPjl8 ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

Victims father, Bhikari Singh Payla reacted to the development, saying that they are satisfied with the police action as the administration is working in their favour.

Our lawyer will take action. We hope that the court gives us justice CM Yogi takes bulldozer action against small criminals, and then these people are big criminals. They are monsters who burnt my daughter" he said to news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Greater Noida dowry murder case | Dadri, Uttar Pradesh: On the accused being sent to 14-day Judicial Custody, the victims father Bhikhari Singh Payla says, Our lawyer will take action. The administration is working in our favour that he has been sent to custody We pic.twitter.com/PBfA6EAmyt ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

The case pertains to the brutal assault and killing of 28-year-old Nikki, who was killed by her husband and in-laws by beating her up and setting her on fire at their residence in Greater Noidas Sirsa village on Thursday over frequent dowry demands.

Horrific videos of the incident surfaced online, showing the husband dragging Nikki by her hair and unleashing a brutal assault on her. In another video, the victim woman was seen in flames on the stairs.

Kanchan, the womans elder sister who is married in the same family, said that they were being tortured by in-laws and their husbands for Rs 35 lakh dowry, despite all their demands, which included expensive gifts like Scorpio, Bullet bike and gold, being met earlier.

The family alleged that the womens husbands continued to demand more and more day by day. Nine years into their marriage, Vipin and his family tortured Nikki and Kanchan over a Rs 35 lakh dowry demand. Meanwhile, the victims father has demanded that the accused husband be hanged to death for committing such a crime.

While speaking to news agency ANI, Bhikari Singh Payla, the father, said that Vipin started harassing and torturing Nikki just a few days after the marriage for dowry.

He also claimed that Nikki did not want him to worry about her, and she tried her best to make the marriage work. Payla said that she even started her own work, but her greedy husband began demanding the money she earned.

Meanwhile, Vipin claimed that he did not kill Nikki, the victim, and she died on her own". Videos of him brutally assaulting his wife surfaced online, but he said that he has no remorse". Shortly before his arrest on Saturday, Vipin implied in a social media post that she died by suicide.

His remarks came while lying on a hospital bed after being shot in the leg during an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police as he tried to escape custody, a day after his arrest in his wifes murder case.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

I have no remorse. I havent killed her. She died on her own. Husband and wife often have fights; it is very common," he told the news agency.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Greater Noida, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 19:46 IST

News india Noida Woman's Husband, Who Burnt Her Alive Over Dowry, Sent To 14-Day Judicial Custody

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Not Good If Parliament, Assemblies Arent Allowed To Function For Political Gains: Amit Shah

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 23:43 IST

Amit Shah at the All India Speakers Conference urged for debate in Parliament, praised Vithalbhai Patel, and warned that frequent disruptions harm democracy and nation-building.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (Photo: X)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies are places of debate and discussion and should not be prevented from functioning for political interests.

While addressing the All India Speakers Conference in the National Capital on Sunday, Shah referred to the oppositions protests and frequent disruptions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, and said that while symbolic protests have their place, the practice of obstructing the House day after day under the pretext of protests is not good" for democracy.

Recommended Stories

The Union Minister said that when there is limited debate or discussion in Parliament, the contribution of the House in nation-building gets affected.

Debate must take place in a democracy. But it is not good if the House is not allowed to function in the name of opposition for someones narrow political gains," he said as quoted by news agency PTI.

Opposition should always be restrained. But in the name of opposition, if the House is not allowed to function day after day or session after session, it is not good. The country has to ponder over it, the people have to ponder over it, and elected representatives have to ponder over it," he added.

Citing the humiliation of the Mahabharata character Droupadi, he said, whenever the dignity of the House is compromised, the country has seen dire consequences.

Shah also lauded the democratic tradition of India since Independence and said democracy here has roots so deep that it has not seen shedding of even a single drop of blood during regime changes, unlike many countries where the democratic situation deteriorated over the years.

He said if there is no debate in Parliament or Legislative Assemblies, these would remain lifeless buildings.

The task of expressing views in these buildings is done by all members under the leadership of the Speaker, and only then does it become a living entity, which works in the interest of the country and the State," he said.

Terming the Speaker as the guardian as well as a sevak (servant), Shah said that the most challenging role in the House is that of the Speaker, as they are elected from a political party, but, upon taking oath, assume the role of an impartial umpire".

He said the position of the Speaker of the legislative assembly is of utmost importance, and it is the responsibility of the Speaker to protect the prestige of the House and enhance it. He asserted that brainstorming is the best way to resolve problems of the people in a democracy.

Shah said that the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly must focus on three key aspects  wisdom, ideas, and legislation. He said wisdom gives rise to ideas, and ideas lead to legislation, which is the primary function of the Assembly. The ultimate purpose of any law should be public welfare, he added.

Shah, while addressing the conference, which is being held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Vithalbhai Patel becoming the first elected Indian President (Speaker) of the Central Legislative Assembly, the Lower House of the legislature of British India, also paid tributes to the leader.

He said on this very day 100 years ago, the great freedom fighter was appointed the President of the Central Legislative Assembly, marking the beginning of Indias legislative history.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

If the freedom struggle of the country was important, then running the country and establishing legislative procedures are equally important. Vitthalbhai Patel played an important role in establishing and strengthening democracy even during difficult days. We should all remember that," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 23:43 IST

News india Not Good If Parliament, Assemblies Arent Allowed To Function For Political Gains: Amit Shah

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Not Just Turkey, Indian Tourists Shun Azerbaijan Too, Numbers Drop 66% | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 08:00 IST

The Azerbaijan tourism website even depicts a truncated map of Jammu and Kashmir, showing PoK and Aksai Chin as not part of India, News18 found

The tourism figures for the month of June show that only 9,934 Indian tourists visited Azerbaijan in June, compared to 28,315 Indian tourists going to Baku in the same month last year. Representational image/AI-generated

Not just Turkey, Indian tourists have also shunned Azerbaijan after Operation Sindoor. Indian tourists going to Azerbaijan in June this year fell by two-thirds compared to the same month last year, official tourism figures show.

Recommended Stories

The Azerbaijan tourism website even depicts a truncated map of Jammu and Kashmir, showing PoK and Aksai Chin as not part of India, News18 found.

Big dip in numbers

The tourism figures for the month of June show that only 9,934 Indian tourists visited Azerbaijan in June, compared to 28,315 Indian tourists going to Baku in the same month last year. That is an almost 66% drop in tourism numbers in June after Operation Sindoor and Azerbaijans open support for Pakistan during it.

May and June are the top tourism months for Indians to go to Azerbaijan, and as many as 23,326 Indian tourists had gone to the country this May, before the sharp drop in June. Apart from Turkey, Azerbaijan is the other country which openly supported Pakistan at global forums, and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir paid a visit to Azerbaijan in May to thank the country for its support. A trilateral meeting with Turkey and Azerbaijan happened.

Till May, Azerbaijan described India as one of the key target markets for its tourism sector. The number of guests, overnight stays, and expenditures is growing, and India is among the top three countries visiting Azerbaijan. In 2024, Indian arrivals reached 243,589a 108% increase compared to 117,302 in 2023," says the Azerbaijan Tourism Department.

Turkey at receiving end too

News18 reported on Saturday how Indian tourism to Turkey has halved in the last three months, after the role of Ankara in arming and backing Pakistan became clear during Operation Sindoor.

Latest figures accessed by News18 showed only 16,244 Indian tourists went to Turkey in July this year, compared to 31,659 in May. That is a nearly 50 per cent drop. Even comparing the year-on-year figures, the massive drop is clear. Against 16,244 Indian tourists landing up in Turkey this July, 28,875 went there in the same month last year. That is a 44% drop.

Turkeys role was exposed in May with the discovery of Turkish-made drones being used by Pakistan against India during Operation Sindoor. Turkey also adopted a blatant diplomatic stance in favour of Pakistan. Since then, a Boycott Turkey" campaign has emerged in India.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Leading travel portals like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip have disincentivised travel packages to both Turkey and Azerbaijan since.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 08:00 IST

News india Not Just Turkey, Indian Tourists Shun Azerbaijan Too, Numbers Drop 66% | Exclusive

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
One Student Charred To Death After Arunachal Pradesh School Catches Fire, 3 Others Injured

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 14:40 IST

Eight-year-old boy died and three others were injured in a fire at Papikrung Government Residential School in Shi-Yomi, Arunachal Pradesh. Police are probing the cause.

AI Generated Image

In a heart-wrenching incident, an eight-year-old boy was charred to death in a fire at a government residential school in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh. The fire took place at a residential school on Sunday. Other than one fatality, three students got severely injured.

The incident took place at the boys hostel of Papikrung Government Residential School around 2 am, Shi-Yomi Superintendent of Police S K Thongdok told PTI.

Recommended Stories

The deceased student has been identified as eight-year-old Tashi Jempen from Chango village. He was a student in class 3 student.

The injured students, identified as Lukhi Pujen (8), Tanu Pujen (9) and Tayi Pujen (11), were first taken to a hospital in district headquarters Tato, around 85 km away, from where they were being taken to Zonal General Hospital at Aalo in West Siang district for improved treatment. Aalo is another 130 km from Tato, around a five-hour journey.

Their condition is reported to be out of danger, he the official said.

Meanwhile, a police team has been sent to the remote village, located 17 km from Monigong town, to investigate the matter, the officer added.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The village does not have power connectivity, so the investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire

Papirung is located just before the last Indian Army post in Tadadege village.

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 : Arunachal Pradesh, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 14:40 IST

News india One Student Charred To Death After Arunachal Pradesh School Catches Fire, 3 Others Injured

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
On 1 September 2025, the Failure to Prevent Fraud offence will take effect under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, changing how UK financial institutions manage fraud risk. The legislation holds banks, payment providers, and financial services firms accountable for fraud committed by employees, agents, contractors or other associated persons acting on their behalf.

This is a significant development that raises the bar for fraud prevention. Yet many financial institutions remain unprepared for the operational and cultural changes needed to meet the requirements of the new offence.

Expanding liability for financial institutions

The new offence covers a range of fraud-related crimes such as false representation and abuse of position. Its extraterritorial scope means UK-based customers or operations can trigger liability even if misconduct occurs abroad.

For multinational banks and payment providers, this heightens the need for comprehensive, group-wide risk assessments and coordinated fraud controls. A failure in a subsidiary, whether in Hong Kong, Luxembourg, or elsewhere, can now lead to consequences at the UK parent level.

Addressing the quiet threat of insider fraud

Insider fraud continues to be one of the most challenging threats for financial institutions. It occurs when individuals with legitimate access  staff, vendors or contractors  exploit their position to misappropriate funds, manipulate records, or bypass controls.

Traditional fraud detection tools often focus on external attacks, leaving blind spots for sophisticated insider threats. Real-time monitoring integrated into payment workflows is essential to detect suspicious behaviour early and intervene before losses occur.

Meeting the reasonable prevention standard

To comply with the new offence, financial institutions must demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to prevent fraud. The UK government outlines six core principles to guide this: risk assessment, proportional measures, top level commitment, thorough due diligence, clear communication, and ongoing monitoring.

In practice, this means:

Documented, regular fraud risk assessments tailored to the institutions specific exposure

Targeted staff training focused on roles with heightened fraud risk

Rigorous third-party due diligence and contract terms addressing fraud prevention

Strong governance, control testing and audit trails to provide oversight and evidence of compliance

These measures are fundamental to both regulatory compliance and operational resilience.

Managing third-party risk in financial services

Financial institutions rely heavily on third-party vendors for services ranging from cloud infrastructure to customer support and analytics. Under the new offence, inadequate oversight of these providers can expose firms to legal and regulatory consequences.
Pakistan Deputy PMs Bangladesh Visit: Should India Be Worried? Exclusive From Intelligence Sources

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 19:44 IST

Intelligence sources say Indias concerns are particularly related to three fronts -- India-Pakistan Border, India-Bangladesh Border and India-China Border

Bangladesh is hosting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar. (News18)

Pakistan and Bangladesh are reshaping and redrawing their relationships after the fall of Sheikh Haseena regime last year, raising eyebrows from the Indian defence and security establishment.

India sees the closeness between the two countries with serious concern," said intelligence sources.

Recommended Stories

Bangladesh-Pakistan ties

Bangladesh is hosting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar and the trade envoy. Dar called on Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh in Dhaka. The discussion covered revival of old connections between the two countries, promoting youth linkages, enhancing connectivity, and augmenting trade and economic cooperation. The recent developments in the region and the prospects of regional cooperation were also discussed. Dar conveyed the Prime Ministers greetings for the Chief Adviser. He apprised the Chief Adviser of his engagements in Dhaka and the key outcomes of his visit.

He also thanked the Chief Adviser for the excellent visit arrangements and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the course of visit.

Bangladesh armys Quarter Master General Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman was in Pakistan this week in a bid to reset civil-military ties after the 1971 war.

Jamaat-e-Islamis deputy leader Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher met Pakistans Deputy PM In Dhaka to further enhance relations with the brotherly Muslim state in the coming days and how to make the regional alliance for more active and stronger cooperation. Dar also met leaders of the newly formed National Citizen Party which led last years uprising, as well as the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

On Friday, Rahman met with General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), in Rawalpindi. Both the militaries vow to enhance defense and security cooperation in the region. A day earlier, Pakistani Trade and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan held talks in Dhaka, where he agreed to set up joint commissions to boost trade and investment.

A post on X from Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Office of the Spokesperson) said: Following delegation level talks in Dhaka today, the DPM/FM @MIshaqDar50 and Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh oversaw signing of six instruments between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their list includes Agreement between Pakistan and Bangladesh on Visa Abolition for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders, MoU on Joint Working Group on Trade, MoU between Foreign Service Academies of Pakistans and Bangladesh, MoU between Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, MoU between Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, and Cultural Exchange Programme. These Agreements will institutionalise and further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in trade and economics, training of diplomats, academic exchanges, media cooperation and cultural exchanges."

What are Indias concerns?

After the 1971 Independence War, Bangladesh leaned heavily on India, which almost encircles the country of 170 million people. Bangladeshs Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus has demanded that India hand back Hasina, who continues to refuse to attend her trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity

Dhaka accused India this month of backing Hasinas now-outlawed Awami League party, charges that India rejected, saying it does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out" from its soil.

There are widespread speculation found in the Pakistan and Indian defence circles, related to the ties between China, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Sources say Indias concerns are particularly related to three fronts  India-Pakistan Border, India-Bangladesh Border and India-China Border.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

India has to face Jihadis on two fronts on Pakistan and Bangladesh sides as Pakistan and China are supporting anti-India Jamaal-e-Islami and Bangladesh National Party.

The growing Chinese and Pakistani influence in Bangladesh has also put an additional burden on the Indian defence forces, which are now stretched across the Indian Ocean, Bay Of Bengal and Arabian Sea including all three major borders including line of control (LoC) and line of actual control.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: August 24, 2025, 16:45 IST

News india Pakistan Deputy PMs Bangladesh Visit: Should India Be Worried? Exclusive From Intelligence Sources

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Rajasthan Flood: Two Dead, Many Stranded; Army, NDRF Join Rescue Ops As Villages Submerged

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 09:52 IST

The highway connecting Rajasthan to Madhya Pradesh is submerged, while roads linking Kota to Jaipur and nearby districts are also underwater

Army and NDRF teams are conducting rescue ops | Image: ANI

Continuous downpours have thrown life out of gear in Rajasthan, with several districts inundated, roads washed away, and connectivity cut off.

Authorities confirmed two rain-related deaths and said hundreds of people had been shifted to safer locations as more showers are expected in the coming days.

Recommended Stories

The worsening situation has prompted large-scale rescue operations, with the Army, NDRF, and SDRF being pressed into service. The Air Force has kept a Mi-17 helicopter on standby to assist in evacuations and relief work.

#WATCH | Rajasthan | Flood situation in Sawai Madhopur, following torrential rain in the city pic.twitter.com/iug83FxWCg ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025

8 Districts Under Distress

Eight districts are under severe distress, with Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, and Bundi reporting the worst conditions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Nainwa in Bundi recorded 502 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, the highest in the state.

Two women have lost their lives in separate incidents  one swept away by strong flood currents in Bundi and another killed when a tin shed wall collapsed on a farm.

Sawai Madhopur remains among the hardest hit, with more than 30 villages marooned and over one lakh residents affected due to incessant rain and the overflow of the Surwal dam.

In Bundi, localities such as Nainwa, Kapren, and Keshoraipatan are facing severe flooding.

During rescue work, a tractor carrying SDRF personnel and villagers overturned, leaving one team member injured. Despite the setback, joint operations by the Army, SDRF, and NDRF are continuing in flood-hit regions.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has reviewed the relief measures and ordered a special survey to assess crop and property losses.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla visited affected zones, directing officials to expedite rehabilitation efforts.

Road, Rail Link Badly Hit

Transport networks have been badly disrupted, said officials.

The highway connecting Rajasthan to Madhya Pradesh is submerged, while roads linking Kota to Jaipur and nearby districts are also underwater.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Train services have been hit in multiple stretches.

The weather office has issued a yellow alert, warning of more heavy rain that could worsen the crisis. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious and avoid venturing out unnecessarily.

Location : Rajasthan, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 09:52 IST

News india Rajasthan Flood: Two Dead, Many Stranded; Army, NDRF Join Rescue Ops As Villages Submerged

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Shashi Tharoor Concerned Over Ex-Sri Lankan Presidents Arrest: Abjure Politics Of Vengeance

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 09:29 IST

Shashi Tharoor said the charges brought against Wickremesinghe appeared minor and noted that the 76-year-old former president had been hospitalised soon after his detention.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. (PTI file photo)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor voiced concern over the arrest of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, urging Colombo to avoid the politics of vengeance" and to treat the veteran leader with dignity.

Posting on X, Tharoor said the charges brought against Wickremesinghe appeared minor and noted that the 76-year-old former president had been hospitalised soon after his detention.

Recommended Stories

Concerned about the detention of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe on what, on the face of it, seem trivial charges. His health issues have already seen him taken to the prison hospital. I call on the government of Sri Lanka  while fully respecting that this is their internal matter  to abjure the politics of vengeance and treat their former President with the respect and dignity that he deserves, after his decades of service to the nation," Tharoor wrote.

Concerned about the detention of former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickramasinghe on what, on the face of it, seem trivial charges. His health issues have already seen him taken to the prison hospital. I call on the government of Sri Lanka  while fully respecting that this is pic.twitter.com/ojuEfEu4FG Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 23, 2025

Sri Lankan journalist S. Venkat Narayan also condemned the move, calling the arrest ridiculous" and suggesting that India could step in with medical assistance if required.

I think this is highly ridiculous because, as he said before he was taken in, he said, hello, I never did anything for myself. I only worked for Sri Lanka. And you know the fact that they are arresting me shows what kind of administration Anura (President Anura Kumara Dissanayake) is heading at the moment," Narayan told news agency ANI.

Wickremesinghe was taken into custody on Friday on allegations of misusing state funds.

According to Newswire Lanka, the charges are linked to a private visit to London, where he attended a university graduation ceremony.

Investigators allege the trip was not an official engagement but was financed with public money as part of a broader overseas tour.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

A seasoned politician, Wickremesinghe served six terms as prime minister before stepping in as interim president in July 2022 following Gotabaya Rajapaksas exit.

He later lost the September 2024 presidential election to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National Peoples Power.

First Published: August 24, 2025, 09:29 IST

News india Shashi Tharoor Concerned Over Ex-Sri Lankan Presidents Arrest: Abjure Politics Of Vengeance

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Stay Away From Rivers, Drains: Uttarkashi Police Issues Safety Advisory Amid Heavy Rain Alerts

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 23:18 IST

Uttarkashi Police warned of heavy rain, urging caution near rivers. In Tharali, rain caused floods, killing Kavita Bisht, injuring nine, and damaging 41 houses.

In this image posted on Aug. 22, 2025, aerial view of a flooded area after the formation of an artificial lake as a result of obstruction in the Yamuna river due to debris from a rain-fed stream, at Syanachatti, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. (PTI)

Uttarkashi Police on Sunday urged residents and tourists to exercise caution in view of heavy rain alerts in the region. In an advisory shared on social media, the police said repeated announcements were being made to warn people against venturing near rivers and drains.

Police announcements are continuously alerting people in view of rain alerts and safety. Take all precautions, do not go near rivers and drains. Stay in a safe place. Dial 112 for police assistance," Uttarkashi Police posted on X.

Recommended Stories

The region has been experiencing intermittent showers, raising concerns of rising water levels and possible flash floods.

Meanwhile, the rescue and relief work continued on a war footing on Sunday at Tharali in Uttarakhands Chamoli district, where incessant rain wreaked havoc a day before, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visiting the affected area to take stock of the situation.

A 20-year-old woman died while a 78-year-old man went missing on Saturday after heavy overnight rain in Tharali sent a rain drain flooding, depositing debris at several houses and markets in the area, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying.

Nine people were left injured, out of which six were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh by a helicopter in view of their critical condition, they said.

According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), 150-200 people have been evacuated from the affected areas and taken to safer places.

CM Dhami on Sunday conducted a field inspection of the disaster-hit areas and took stock of the rescue and relief operations.

After speaking to the affected people, Dhami directed the concerned officials to provide all possible assistance to them.

Many houses and shops in the tehsil office, Chepdon Bazaar, Kotdeep Bazaar, and the surrounding areas were filled with one to two feet of debris.

A total of 41 houses, including the sub-divisional magistrates residence, have been damaged in Tharali and its surrounding areas, while 11 vehicles have been buried under the debris.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said that over 150 personnel from multiple agenciesincluding the district administration, police, disaster management team, fire service, NDRF, SDRF, and Indo-Tibetan Border Policehave been deployed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing.

The body of Kavita Bisht was recovered from a house destroyed by the debris in Sangwada village, while a search operation is underway for the 78-year-old man missing in Chepad, located a short distance from the village.

The SEOC said the administration is making arrangements for food and stay for those shifted to relief camps.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Karnaprayag-Tharali-Dewal road remains obstructed at 12-15 places within a radius of 10 km of Tharali due to piling debris and washout, which are being cleared with the help of excavators.

(With inputs from PTI)

Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 23:17 IST

News india Stay Away From Rivers, Drains: Uttarkashi Police Issues Safety Advisory Amid Heavy Rain Alerts

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Two Pakistani Women Found On Bihar Voter List Amid Electoral Roll Revision, Probe Launched

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 11:18 IST

According to officials, the case came to light when the Ministry of Home Affairs began checking records of foreign nationals who had overstayed their visas.

Bihar election 2025 | File Image: PTI (Representative)

Two Pakistani women who entered India in the 1950s have been found registered as voters in Bihar amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls, triggering an investigation by the Union Home Ministry.

Officials confirmed that both women, residents of Bhagalpur, were verified in the SIR process before being identified as foreign nationals.

Recommended Stories

According to officials, the case came to light when the Ministry of Home Affairs began checking records of foreign nationals who had overstayed their visas.

The women, who arrived in India in 1956, were flagged during this exercise, following which the process of removing their names from the electoral rolls has been initiated.

Booth Level Officer (BLO) Farzana Khanam, who carried out the verification, said she had received official communication with passport details that matched the women.

One of them was identified as Imrana Khanam. She was not in a condition to talk as she is old and unwell. Her passport dates back to 1956, and she was issued a visa in 1958. Following departmental instructions, I filled out the necessary forms and began the process of deleting her name," Khanam explained.

#WATCH | Bhagalpur, Bihar: A Pakistani woman, who came to India in 1956, has been found to be in Bihars voter list and was even verified in the SIR carried out in the state. When the Home Ministry started carrying out an investigation regarding foreign nationals who had pic.twitter.com/CodczsabaD ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

The matter is now under formal inquiry, with further steps to be taken by higher authorities.

A notice from the Home Ministry had reached the local election office on August 11, directing verification and action.

The Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls is a state-wide exercise launched in July to verify the authenticity of entries in the voter list.

The drive, conducted ahead of the 2025 state Assembly elections, has already courted controversy, with opposition parties alleging irregularities and selective targeting of communities.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Officials maintain that the SIR is aimed at cleansing the rolls of duplicate, ineligible, or fraudulent entries to ensure free and fair elections.

The discovery of foreign nationals on the electoral rolls is expected to intensify the political debate in Bihar, where the revision exercise has already come under sharp scrutiny.

Location : Bihar Sharif, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 10:59 IST

News india Two Pakistani Women Found On Bihar Voter List Amid Electoral Roll Revision, Probe Launched

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Vice-Presidential Poll Candidate Files Nomination Papers With Forged Signs Of Several MPs

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 16:06 IST

Only CP Radhakrishnan and B Sudarshan Reddy's nominations were found valid for the September 9 poll.

The last date for filing nominations for the Vice-Presidential poll was August 21. (Representational image/Sansad TV)

A shocking case of forgery has emerged in connection with the vice-presidential election, which is scheduled to take place on September 9.

A candidate, identified as Joemon Joseph from Kerala, allegedly falsified the signatures of several MPs on his nomination form, falsely representing them as having supported his candidature.

Recommended Stories

Josephs papers included 22 proposers and 22 seconders, with names and signatures of MPs from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Swati Maliwal, Asaduddin Owaisi, Sasmit Patra, and even YSRCP MP Mithun Reddy, who is currently in jail.

The matter came to light when the MPs were contacted by the election office to cross-check whether they had extended support to 45-year-old Joseph, said to be a resident of Kerala, for the next months election. Expressing surprise, many MPs said they did not even know the person and never signed nomination papers.

The authorities received 68 nominations from 46 candidates by August 21, the last to file papers for the vice-presidential elections. Out of these, 28 nominations from 19 candidates were rejected at the initial stage.

The remaining nominations from 27 candidates were further scrutinised and only two nominations were found validthat of CP Radhakrishnan (BJP-led NDAs candidate) and B Sudarshan Reddy (opposition INDIA blocs candidate). Both candidates had submitted four nomination papers each.

The election for the Vice President of India will see a direct contest between Justice Reddy, backed by the INDIA bloc, and NDAs nominee C P Radhakrishnan. The polling for the Vice Presidential election would take place on September 9, with counting to take place the same day.

The Vice Presidential post fell vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 21, citing health reasons.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The VP is elected by an electoral college, which consists of MPs from both houses of Parliament. The elections of the Vice President are governed by the provisions under Articles 64 and 68 of the Constitution. The Election Commission notifies the VP polls by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.

As per Article 66(1) of the Constitution of India, the election of the Vice President shall be held by the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote, and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 24, 2025, 16:06 IST

News india Vice-Presidential Poll Candidate Files Nomination Papers With Forged Signs Of Several MPs

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
High Drama And Handwork: Pratibha Ranta Stuns In Rahul Mishra Couture

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 09:08 IST

For the opening of Rahul Mishra's flagship store in Mumbai, Pratibha Ranta opted for a sculptural black mini dress from the designer's Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

Pratibha Ranta was styled by Humaira Lakdawala.

Pratibha Ranta made a striking appearance at the grand opening of Rahul Mishras new flagship store in Mumbais historic Horniman Circle. The event marked a significant milestone for the couturier, whose 7,500 sq ft space, designed in collaboration with architect Rooshad Shroff, was conceived as more than just a boutique. Instead, it was envisioned as a living museum of couture, where craft, architecture, and narrative design merged seamlessly.

For the occasion, Pratibha Ranta wore a dramatic creation from Rahul Mishras Spring/Summer 2025 couture collection. The sculptural black mini dress was a masterclass in structure and embellishment, with sharp pleated accents radiating across the silhouette like shards of light. The interplay of textures and hand-embroidered details reflected Rahuls signature ability to balance drama with meticulous craftsmanship.

Recommended Stories

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rahul Mishra (@rahulmishra_7)

The actors look was styled by Humaira Lakdawala, who kept the ensemble sleek yet impactful. Paired with the bold dress were black platform heels: a statement accessory that not only complemented the outfits architectural lines but also added a futuristic edge to the overall look. Her glam was kept soft and understated, with natural tones enhancing her features and allowing the outfit to take centre stage.

The setting for the evening, Maison Rahul Mishra, reinforced the designers philosophy of storytelling through space. Golden installations, artisanal details, and immersive design elements made the store itself an extension of Rahuls couture vision. Embroidery and nature-inspired motifs extended beyond garments, shaping the interiors into a contemplative celebration of handwork.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rahul Mishra (@rahulmishra_7)

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Pratibhas appearance captured the essence of the night: modern, bold, and deeply rooted in Indian artistry. As she posed against the luminous installations, the dress reflected the designers ethos of marrying contemporary silhouettes with the painstaking detail of traditional craft.

The evening not only showcased Rahul Mishras latest couture but also highlighted the convergence of fashion, art, and architecture in a way that resonated with Mumbais cultural spirit. Pratibha Rantas ensemble stood as the perfect embodiment of that vision  a reminder that couture, when worn with confidence, becomes living art.

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 24, 2025, 09:08 IST

News lifestyle High Drama And Handwork: Pratibha Ranta Stuns In Rahul Mishra Couture
Creators Take On The Swiss Alps In Ticket to Switzerland YouTube Series

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 21:10 IST

Ticket to Switzerland is a first-of-its-kind YouTube travel series that brings Indias top creators to the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland.

From Zurich to Jungfrau: Indias Creators Compete for the Ticket to Switzerland

What happens when Switzerlands breathtaking landscapes transform into the ultimate playing field for Indias favourite creators? Enter Ticket to Switzerland, an all-new YouTube series where beauty meets adrenaline, friendship meets rivalry, and only one team walks away with the coveted title.

From Zurichs buzzing boulevards to the snow-laden peaks of Interlaken and Jungfrau, the postcard elegance of Geneva, the alpine charm of Laax and Engelberg, and the dizzying heights of Murren and Schilthorn, the show unfolds as a love letter to Switzerland. Tied together by the Swiss Travel System panoramic trains, boat cruises, and cable cars  each journey is as much about the travel as the destination, moving both the story and the competition forward.

Recommended Stories

Meet the Teams:

Team AAAP (Archana Puran Singh, Parmeet Sethi, Ayushmaan & Aaryamann Sethi): A mix of seasoned stars and Gen Z energy, the Sethi family bring warmth, wit, and playful rivalry, showing how travel strengthens bonds.

Team Barkha (Barkha Singh): Exploring solo, Barkhas fearless, curious journey highlights the joy of discovering Switzerland  and yourself  independently.

Team BFFs (Ashi Khanna & Shivesh Bhatia): With food, photos, and friendship at the heart of their travels, they add colour, humour, and a touch of chaos to every challenge.

Team Nawez (Nagma Mirajkar & Awez Darbar): High-energy, passionate, and playful, the duo blend romance, competition, and spontaneous dance battles against stunning alpine backdrops.

Each episode plays out like a travel diary, packed with clues hidden inside iconic landmarks, adrenaline-fuelled activities, and plenty of hot chocolate in between.

Voices Behind the Vision

Ritu Sharma, Deputy Director and Marketing Head  India, Switzerland Tourism, shared:

Switzerland and India share a deep, emotional bond that goes beyond tourism  its rooted in cinema, culture, and storytelling. With Ticket to Switzerland, we wanted to celebrate this connection through a contemporary lens that resonates with young Indian travellers."

Christian Schoch, Director  India, Switzerland Tourism, added, YouTube is one of the most powerful platforms in India today. With this series, we wanted to inspire travel discovery in the very spaces where our audiences live, laugh, and dream."

The Contestants Speak

Archana Puran Singh (Team AAAP): Switzerland felt like living in a Yash Raj film. We laughed, raced, teased, and discovered new sides of each other, unforgettable, the Sethi way."

Barkha Singh: Every destination felt like a fairy tale, each challenge rewarding me with adventure, exhilaration, and personal growth."

Ashi Khanna & Shivesh Bhatia (Team BFFs): Like the perfect tasting menu, every moment had a different flavour. Sweet, thrilling, and wholesome all at once."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Awez Darbar & Nagma Mirajkar (Team Nawez): From impromptu dance battles to quiet moments of awe, it was laughter, masti, and magic. And yes, Awez still thinks he carried the team."

As friendships are tested and rivalries heat up, the question remains: Which team will outwit, outplay, and out-adventure the rest to claim the Ticket to Switzerland?

About the Author Lifestyle Desk Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi... Read More Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi... Read More

fashion, travel, News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

First Published: August 24, 2025, 21:10 IST

News lifestyle  travel Creators Take On The Swiss Alps In Ticket to Switzerland YouTube Series
Indian-Origin Man Jailed In False US Kidnapping Case Shares 'Harrowing' Details; Demands Apology

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 07:38 IST

Mahendra Patel spent 47 days in Cobb County jail after a false kidnapping accusation at Georgia Walmart, now demands a public apology and recounts his harrowing prison ordeal.

Mahendra Patel Languished In US Jail For Over a Month In False Kidnapping Case

Indian-origin man languished in a US jail for 47 days after being accused of fake kidnapping. He now demands a public apology from law enforcement in Georgia and shared harrowing" details from his time in prison.

62-year-old Mahendra Patel faced attempted kidnapping and other charges after a mother accused him of trying to grab her 2-year-old son from her at a Georgia Walmart. He was indicted on April 3 by a grand jury on charges of criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, simple assault and simple battery. Patel was held in a Cobb County jail for 47 days.

Recommended Stories

Speaking to NDTV, Patel recalled his time in prison and shared his ordeal. He said that he would survive on bread, peanut butter, and milk as he is a vegetarian. Inmates used to threaten him and he used to live in fear.

I lost 17 pounds in jail. I didnt get my medicines for days. Im vegetarian, so I lived on bread, peanut butter, and milk. Other inmates threatened me. One said, If I take you in the shower and beat you, what would you do? Another demanded half a million dollars for protection," Patel was quoted as saying by NDTV.

He also recalled being abused on social media, people used to demand deportation and some even said that he should be burnt alive.

Demanding an apology, Patel told NDTV, I demand a public apology from the police and the district attorney. They must also explain what steps theyll take so this never happens to another innocent person."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Patel was proved innocent through surveillance videos. He encountered the complainant, 26-year-old Caroline Miller, with her two children riding a motorized cart at a Walmart in the city of Acworth.

Miller alleged Patel then grabbed her 2-year-old son from her, but that she pulled the child back. However, CCTV footage showed that he was just trying to make sure the boy didnt fall from the scooter

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 : Georgia

First Published: August 24, 2025, 07:36 IST

News nri Indian-Origin Man Jailed In False US Kidnapping Case Shares 'Harrowing' Details; Demands Apology

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | Blurring Identity & Gloomy Futures: Labour Migration And Structural Challenges In Bengal

Written By : &

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 14:15 IST

The state needs serious introspection of its governance model if it aims to stop the outflow of distressed migrants and uphold the model of Ma-Mati-Manush

The state is struggling to keep pace with the development and job creation of the other leading states. (PTI File)

The recent administrative crackdown to deport Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants has created an atmosphere of fear, trauma, and political allegations across parties. During the search operations, the identities of Bangla-speaking Indian Bengalis and their Bangla-speaking neighbours are becoming blurred.

These unwanted blurred identities often generate traumatic experiences among the genuine residents of India. In this context, it is an opportunity to understand the context of labour migration from West Bengal.

Recommended Stories

Mass-scale labour migration from the state is a very contemporary phenomenon. Traditionally, West Bengal used to receive more migrants from other states than it used to send out. It was only during the last Census of 2011 that the phenomenon of large-scale outmigration became clearly evident. Over the years, the situation has worsened.

The state is struggling to keep pace with the development and job creation of the other leading states. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs informed Parliament that between 2011-12 and 2024-25, about 6,688 companies have left West Bengal. The ministry also stated that one-third of these  more than 2,200 companies  left the state since 2019.

In February of this year, the state government announced an allocation of 4,400 crore to set up six economic corridors connecting the city with the districts, which Chief Minister promises, will create significant employment opportunities.

Further, to cope with the situation, 1,250 crore has been invested by the state government over the past five years to expand capacity and upgrade technology in companies, averaging only 250 crore per annum. In contrast, the state granted 340 crore in 2024 to Durga Puja Committees, and this amount is expected to increase to 400 crore in 2025, with grants reaching around 45,000 Durga Puja Samitis. It is quite evident that the states effort for sustainable job creation is much less than creation of some seasonal work around Durga Puja.

The Chief Minister of the state is sensitive to the situation of distressed migrant labourers and consistently encourages them to stay back in their home state to avoid humiliation and abuse in other states. We had the opportunity to travel across the villages of several districts in the state. The unfortunate situation prevails in rural areas across all the districts, where there is hardly any economic opportunity other than agriculture. Micro-enterprises are declining. New initiatives are not encouraged and are thus severely lacking. Excessive political interference discourages new investment and pushes old and established businesses to shut down or shift elsewhere. Corruption loomed over coal mining and other activities, in which even several state-level ministers have allegedly been involved. These activities suffered a severe blow once the influential political leaders were not spared by the Honourable Court. These ventures are completely disrupted to provide sustainable livelihoods due to muddled political intervention. Over time, this has pushed a substantial section of the rural population to take up menial jobs in other states.

The farm sizes in the state are too small to be technologically viable for profitability. Poor infrastructure linked to agriculture and marketing of agricultural products restricts growth around that sector. Thus, agriculture does not provide sufficient livelihood opportunities for the majority of the population. Complaints of severe corruption exist around MGNREGA, with the state government claiming that the Centre has stopped allocations to the state. While opposing the central government, many of the Central funds remain unutilized on different schemes. This has further displaced the rural population by not providing more work opportunities and made them vulnerable migrants. The states population receives state governments cash assistance under various schemes which as usual is not sufficient for better livelihood to satisfy an aspiring household. These schemes serve more as crutches than as support to help them walk independently.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The state needs serious introspection of its governance model if it aims to stop the outflow of distressed migrants and uphold the model of Ma-Mati-Manush while asking them to come back or stay back to live with dignity.

Bhaswati Das is Associate Professor, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Science, JNU. Samaun Mondal is Senior Research Fellow in Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, JNU. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: August 24, 2025, 14:15 IST

News opinion Opinion | Blurring Identity & Gloomy Futures: Labour Migration And Structural Challenges In Bengal

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is one of the best stocks to buy according to billionaire Ken Fisher. On August 18, the investment bank reiterated its focus on pursuing growth opportunities in the Indian market with the opening of a new office in Mumbai.

Goldman Sachs Group (GS) Affirms Push for Growth in India with New Office

Roman Tiraspolsky/Shutterstock.com

The inauguration of a new, expanded office space underscores Goldman Sachs investment in Indias economic future and potential. The new office also underscores the banks next chapter in the multi-decade growth trajectory in India.

The expansion comes as Goldman Sachs is ranked the number one investment bank in India for both announced and completed mergers and acquisitions. The company is also pursuing opportunities around Indias burgeoning equity capital markets, which have raised more than $10 billion in IPOs since 2024.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm. It offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including investment banking, to a diverse client base comprising corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals.

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

READ NEXT: 10 Best Performing Crypto Stocks So Far in 2025 and 10 Best Low-Risk Index Funds to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Opinion: US Sending Sergio Gor To India Smells Of Reset, With A Whiff Of Re-hyphenation

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 11:43 IST

Sergio Gor, who was born in Tashkent of Soviet-ruled Uzbekistan in 1986 and grew up as a child in Malta, breathes in rarefied air of US President Donald Trumps innermost circle

Trump expressed confidence in Gor's ability to further the "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" agenda (Image: Reuters)

Gorokhovsky is a surname which would hang from ones neck like a large rock in Americas topmost echelons of power. Especially if one is born in the former Soviet Union.

Gor, however, renders the rock somewhat invisible and much less weighty.

Recommended Stories

Which is why Sergio Gor, who was born in Tashkent of Soviet-ruled Uzbekistan in 1986 and grew up as a child in Malta, breathes in the rarefied air of US President Donald Trumps innermost circle.

And which is why his appointment as the next ambassador to India  with the extra charge as special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs  is so consequential.

Trump himself and a host of his most senior colleagues, from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., rushed to congratulate Gor. What was interesting to note was the tone of the messages, coming after Trumps tariff tantrums, a fiery hiatus in India-US ties. It suddenly seemed no water had flown under the bridge.

I am excited about the Presidents decision to nominate @SergioGor to be our next Ambassador to India. He will be an excellent representative of America in one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world," Rubio posted on X.

I am excited about the Presidents decisions to nominate @SergioGor to be our next Ambassador to India. He will be an excellent representative of America in one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world. Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 22, 2025

That one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world" Rubio mentions has been lately hauled through childish claims of mediation in Operation Sindoor, serenading Pakistan, calling Indias a dead economy," and ratcheting up tariffs to a point where it ceases to be punitive and becomes laughable.

Even Gors Soviet backdrop  his father Yuri Gorokhovsky was reportedly an aviation engineer who worked on aircraft designs for the Soviet military, notably the IL-76  and whispers that he is close to the Kremlin even today, could work as a bridge with India.

Gor has Trumps ear. He is powerful enough to drive a wedge between Trump and Elon Musk (who described him as a snake") and to go unvetted for six months despite himself heading the White House Presidential Personnel Office.

So, Gors appointment as ambassador does smell of Washingtons attempt to reset relations with New Delhi.

Former Trump adviser and conservative ideologue Steve Bannon, in an interview, applauded Gors appointment, hoping his closeness to Trump will serve both countries.

I believe Sergio is the only person outside of [chief of staff] Susie [Wiles] and a handful of others who actually has walk-in privileges to the president at any time, day or night," Bannon said. If Im [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi in India  and I say this as somebody thats so pro that relationship  I couldnt think of a better pick. Does he have a deep knowledge base of Indian policy issues? He doesnt, but this guys a quick study. He not just has access to the president  but he has a unique trust. The President trusts this guy, that hes dealing with him straight."

In that sense, Gor is the shortest possible route to Trumps regrettably short attention span.

The prickly bit remains Gors additional role as special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. That bit carries a whiff of re-hyphenation of India with Pakistan.

For a nation on the way to being the planets third largest economy to be hyphenated with a crumbling rogue state usually in the news as a net exporter of terror is not just insulting but a guaranteed dealbreaker. Will the US keep walking down that road and alienating its biggest ally in Asia and bulwark against China?

One cannot put it past Trump.

In the past, India had successfully rebuffed mechanisms which could have led to such hyphenation. When Richard Holbrooke was nominated as the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2009, it seemed the Obama administration had put India and the Kashmir issue in his KRA.

It triggered India and forced the Obama administration to drop India (and any reference to Kashmir) from Holbrookes official portfolio. He became the Special Representative solely for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

But this time, the US has given its ambassador to India a double role, which makes it technically difficult to object.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

India will watch the situation closely and with cautious optimism. But if Gor proves to be Trumps henchman, he would not just mess up the relationship with India further, but ignite fires in one of the worlds most politically sensitive regions, flames from which may eventually reach the Land of the Free.

Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views

First Published: August 24, 2025, 11:43 IST

News opinion Opinion: US Sending Sergio Gor To India Smells Of Reset, With A Whiff Of Re-hyphenation

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Opinion | Wang Yi's India Visit: Chance To Assert Strategic Autonomy Amid Global Uncertainties

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 19:29 IST

China and India dont have to fight. For now, they can find ways to cooperate. But India should move carefully, always putting its own interests first

India and China, the longtime rivals, are cautiously strengthening ties. (X File)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India this week to hold talks on the border dispute as the countries gradually move towards resetting ties amid uncertainties in its trade ties with the United States, another major trading partner. India and China, the longtime rivals, are cautiously strengthening ties. In a world rocked by U.S. President Donald Trumps erratic trade policies, India is using this moment to assert strategic autonomy rather than merely patching up its differences with its northern neighbour.

The visit came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis trip to China later this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Wangs visit occurred days before External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Russia from August 20-21 for discussions with his Russian counterpart. Both meetings were crucial for Indias ties with China and Russia against the backdrop of Trumps unpredictable approach to both. This is Indias chance to deal with a tricky global situation. It can work with China while staying independent and strong. Right now, India should focus on growing its influence as a key global player. The goal is to protect its economy and security by being practical but also sticking to its values.

Recommended Stories

Both nations are working to improve relations and ease tensions following the deadly clash between their troops in the disputed Galwan Valley in 2020. Wang Yi visited India for talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. These discussions could help ease tensions between the two countries. The meeting also prepared for Prime Minister Modis upcoming visit to China  his first in seven years.

Trump declared economic war against India, slapping India with an additional 25% tariff over its purchases of Russian oil. That has raised the total tariff on Indian imports to the United States to a whopping 50%  among the highest the US charges. India faces the highest tariff along with Brazil. Trumps heavy-handed tactics threaten to end Washingtons decades-long consensus to forge stronger U.S.-India ties. The U.S., once a reliable counterweight to China, now appears erratic, imposing punitive duties while extending a tariff truce with Beijing. This unpredictability underscores Indias need to diversify its diplomatic and economic options. China is a critical partner with India for goods like rare earth magnets and fertilizers, supplies of which have dwindled since 2023. Resuming direct flights and border trade through Himalayan passes could ease these pressures, but at what cost to Indias sovereignty and pride?

Indias challenge is to engage China without compromising its core interests. The memory of Chinese-supplied weapons used by Pakistan, Beijings all-weather friend", during Mays India-Pakistan clashes still stings. New Delhi has accused Beijing of providing real-time intelligence to Islamabad, a charge that lingers as Wang met his Indian counterpart. Indias strategic autonomy demands a clear-eyed approach to this rapprochement.

India should carefully negotiate with China to protect its interests while maximising diplomatic and economic benefits. Prioritising economic cooperation and advocating for the restoration of vital resources such as rare earth magnets should be Indias top priority. Chinas willingness to normalise relations is indicated by the return of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route; India needs to take advantage of this to negotiate advantageous trade terms. Verifiable promises of peace along the Line of Actual Control should be demanded by India.

The 2024 disengagement agreement is a step toward easing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), but it is not a straightforward resolution. A sustained de-escalation requires transparent mechanisms. India must deepen its regional alliances  think Japan, Australia, and the Philippines  to counterbalance Chinas influence. Finally, India should accelerate its domestic push for technological self-reliance, as Modi emphasised in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2025, reducing dependence on Chinese imports over time.

The counterargument is that engaging China risks emboldening an unreliable neighbour. Critics point to Beijings opaque intentions and its support for Pakistan, arguing that deeper ties could trap India in an unequal partnership. These concerns are valid  Chinas history of border incursions and its strategic encirclement via the string of pearls" in the Indian Ocean demand vigilance. Yet, isolation is not an option. A complete freeze in ties would cede economic opportunities to others and leave India overly reliant on a now-unpredictable U.S.

Wang Yis visit could be a turning point. If India works with China in practical ways boosting trade, keeping the border calm, and strengthening ties with neighbours  it can protect its independence while still gaining from a cautious partnership.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

China and India dont have to fight. For now, they can find ways to cooperate. But India should move carefully, always putting its own interests first.

The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: August 24, 2025, 19:29 IST

News opinion Opinion | Wang Yi's India Visit: Chance To Assert Strategic Autonomy Amid Global Uncertainties

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Tejashwi Yadav Advises Elder Brother Chirag Paswan To Get Married, Rahul Gandhi Quips In Jest

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 17:13 IST

As the crowd chuckled, Rahul Gandhi, seated beside him, interjected on a lighter note, saying, "It is applicable for me as well."

Tejashwi advises Chirag Paswan to get married, Rahul Gandhi says applies to me as well (X)

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday took a dig at Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan and cheekily advised him to get married soon.

While responding to Paswans remark that Tejashwi Yadav has become a hanger-on" of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a press briefing during the oppositions ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihars Araria, the RJD leader said, Some people are Hanuman of a special person, but we are Hanuman of the public. Chirag Paswan is not an issue today"

Recommended Stories

#WATCH | Araria, Bihar: On Union Minister Chirag Paswan, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, He is Hanuman of a particular person. We are the Hanuman of the public. Chirag Paswan is not an issue today I will definitely advise him, he is our elder brother and should get married as pic.twitter.com/WIx3PAhojT ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

He further advised the Union Minister to get married soon. He is our elder brother. I would definitely advise him to get married quickly," he said, with a grin.

As the crowd chuckled, Rahul Gandhi, seated beside him, interjected on a lighter note, saying, It is applicable for me as well."

The jab was a clear reference to Paswans oft-repeated claim of being Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hanuman, affirming his loyalty to PM Modi. During the 2020 Bihar polls, drawing a parallel, Paswan said that he does not need to use PM Modis photos for the election campaign in Bihar.

I dont need to use PM Modis photos for campaigning. He lives in my heart; I am his Hanuman. If needed, I will tear open my chest and show it," he had famously said during the polls.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, with whom Tejashwi Yadav shared the stage after the Vote Adhikaar Yatra, alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has institutionalised attempts to steal votes in Bihar through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and is working in favour of the BJP.

In Bihar, SIR is an institutionalised way for vote theft. Lakhs of voters names were deleted; the Opposition is complaining, but the BJP has not complained even once because there is a partnership between the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner and the BJP," he said.

The Voter Adhikar Yatra, carried out by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, to target the government over alleged voter theft and take their serious charges of vote chori" among people ahead of the Assembly Elections in the state later this year, from Sasaram on August 17.

The Yatra entered its eighth day on Sunday and will conclude in Patna on September 1.

The two leaders have alleged irregularities in the voter list, accusing the Election Commission of India of deliberately adding names of voters to favour the BJP.

The Yatra will cover over 1,300 km across 20 districts in the state and will conclude in Patna.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The polls are slated to be held later this year, though the ECI has yet to announce the schedule for the same.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Araria, India, India

First Published: August 24, 2025, 17:13 IST

News politics Tejashwi Yadav Advises Elder Brother Chirag Paswan To Get Married, Rahul Gandhi Quips In Jest

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
How Dare Your Client: Judge Blasts Mother Over Child Neglect, Grants Custody to Father | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 13:24 IST

A viral courtroom video shows a judge fiercely criticizing a woman for child neglect, granting custody to the father. Netizens praise the judge's "unbiased" and bold approach.

Kolkata HC gives custody to the father after the mother failed to care for child

A high-voltage courtroom drama went viral where a judge is seen lashing out at a woman for not taking care of her child. His fierce approach is being lauded across the internet.

Recommended Stories

In the viral video it can be seen that the judge gives custody of the child to the father and calls out the mother for negligence. and with mothers like her, children will never have a good life," the judge said while granting custody to the father.

We will give the custody of the child to the father right now, she will come here tomorrow and will be handed over to the father in our presence..how dare your client do this!" the judge told womans counsel. Check the viral video here.

Judge Blasts Woman For Not Taking Care Of Child | Watch

Kolkata HC gives custody to the father after the mother failed in her duty. Finally, a court recognizing that fatherhood isnt just about paying bills its about being a better parent when the mother cant. #FathersRights #Equality pic.twitter.com/UtRThylW3y ???????? (@Try2StopME) August 23, 2025

Netizens Lauds Judges Approach

While it is not clear what the matter was but judges reaction and unbiased" judgement is loved by the netizens.

Even in the neighbourhood I see fathers are more caring for kids and mothers are just doom scrolling. Mothers think just feeding the child is a big task. All this is due to girls being raised with too much protection and care by their parents. They are spoilt and they expect same from husband," a comment on X reads.

Yes we need such judges. Not because he is taking the side of father but because he is giving unbiased judgement," an X user wrote.

Its about being a better parent when the mother cant.- Wrong. Even when the mother is around," another comment reads.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

How dare you(she) can do this  is the most terrific lines ive heard in ages. Huge respect to judge saab," one of the users on Instagram lauded judges statement.

Why kids are always given to mother not to father custody? Father pays the money to all nourishment, also Father has the family to who look after him anyways," another comment reads.

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

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: August 24, 2025, 13:21 IST

News viral How Dare Your Client: Judge Blasts Mother Over Child Neglect, Grants Custody to Father | Watch

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
How Was Lucknow Before Nawabs? Here's Lesser-Known History & Link With King George's Medical College

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 10:00 IST

Lucknows past before the Nawabs was shaped by the Sheikhzadas, their Machhi Bhawan fort and their connection to King Georges Medical College.

Before the rise of the Nawabs, Lucknow was defined by the Sheikhzadas. (Photo Credit: X)

When people speak of Lucknow, the conversation almost always turns to the Nawabs, their grandeur and their lasting imprint on the city. But as Sheikh Aamir Raza, a descendant of the Sheikhzada family of Lucknow, reminds us, the citys history stretches much further back, into a chapter often overlooked in popular memory.

In Lucknow, people often talk about the Nawabs, but no one really talks about what existed in the city before the Nawabs," Raza said in an Instagram reel, shedding light on a lineage that predates the celebrated Nawabi courts.

Recommended Stories

Before the rise of the Nawabs, Lucknow was defined by the Sheikhzadas. Among the earliest arrivals was Sheikh Adam Sanani, followed by Sheikh Abdur Raheem Bijnori, who, according to Raza, was appointed as the first Subedar (Governor) of Awadh by Emperor Akbar. His final resting place is today known as Nadan Mahal, a site that still stands as a quiet reminder of that era.

When Sheikh Abdul Rahim Bijnori came to Lucknow, he built a massive fort, which over time came to be called Machhi Bhawan," Raza said. This fort would remain a focal point of power and identity for the Sheikhzadas.

The historical thread stretches directly to one of Lucknows most prominent landmarks. Today, where Machhi Bhawan once stood, the magnificent King Georges Medical College was built," Raza said.

Even today, the Sheikhzada family holds tangible connections to its past. In our possession, we still have 29 royal orders (farmans), including those issued by Emperor Akbar and Shah Jahan, both connected to our family," Raza shared with pride.

Lucknows pre-Nawabi history is also intertwined with dramatic moments in the Mughal era. Raza recalled a famous story. When Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah Suri and fled Delhi to save his life, he passed through Lucknow. At that time, the Sheikhzadas of Lucknow came to his aid, providing him with 50 horses and Rs 10,000," he said.

Watch the full clip here:

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

For Raza, speaking of this history is not just about nostalgia but about reclaiming a forgotten identity. With grace and pride, he continues to stand as a living descendant of the Sheikhzadas, custodians of a heritage that shaped Lucknow long before the Nawabs ever arrived.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: August 24, 2025, 10:00 IST

News viral How Was Lucknow Before Nawabs? Here's Lesser-Known History & Link With King George's Medical College

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Its All Because Of You: IndiGo Pilots Touching Tribute To His Mother Wins Hearts Online

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 21:40 IST

Captain Jaswant Varma from Andhra Pradesh honored his mother mid-flight on IndiGo, crediting her support for his pilot dream. The emotional tribute went viral on Instagram.

Screengrab of the viral video. (Instagram)

An IndiGo pilot from Andhra Pradesh paid tribute to his mother mid-flight, crediting her unwavering support for helping him realise his dream of becoming a pilot. Captain Jaswant Varma took a moment during the journey to express his heartfelt gratitude to passengers.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain, Jaswant speaking. Thank you for choosing IndiGo for your travel," he said, as seen in a video on Instagram. The video quickly went viral.

Recommended Stories

This is a very special day for me because the person who supported me and my dream to become a pilot, my mother, is travelling for the first time here with me. Please give a big round of applause."

We come from a very remote village near Tirupati Balaji. So the choice of becoming a pilot is beyond imagination for us. But it was my mom who stepped forward and stood behind me in every struggle, sleepless night, and also, of course, education loan EMI as well," he added.

Because of her, Im standing here as a captain, flying in the plane, taking all the responsibilities, living my life dream," the pilot said.

Looking at his mother, he said, If I had to sum it up in one word, its all because of you. Without you, I wouldnt even be here."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pilot Jaswanth Varma (@pilotjaswanth)

Passengers broke into applause as the captain shared the heartfelt moment with his mother. The video, shared on Instagram, was captioned Welcome announcement for Mother." In the comments, he added, In one wordif you didnt exist, I wouldnt either. Not as a person, not as a pilot, not even as Captain Jaswant."

This video has my whole heart," one of the users said. Men came men saw and men cried   Beautiful video on my feed," added the other.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Real pilots are the mothers who navigate life challenges with courage and love ," a third user commented.

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: August 24, 2025, 21:40 IST

News viral Its All Because Of You: IndiGo Pilots Touching Tribute To His Mother Wins Hearts Online

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
From Royalty To Racing: 120 Corgis Dash Through Lithuanias Capital In Adorable Race

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 18:23 IST

Corgi Race Vilnius in Lithuania drew 120 teams from Europe, with Amigo winning the costume contest and Mango taking the solo race.

Representative Image of Welsh corgis. (AI Generated)

Welsh corgis, often celebrated for their royal connections, are also proving to be spirited racers. That was on display at the Corgi Race Vilnius in Lithuanias capital, where 120 teams from across Europe competed. The event drew enthusiastic corgis and their owners from countries including Poland, Latvia, Germany, Austria, and Italy.

Thousands of Lithuanians gathered in the capitals largest park on Saturday to watch the events  a solo sprint, a contest for the mightiest voice," costume challenges, and group racing.

Recommended Stories

The event wrapped up on Sunday with the World Corgi Meetup, where corgis in Lithuania were linked through a live broadcast with fellow pups in the United States, Ireland, and Poland.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

This is so much fun and great emotion for the entire family, something bright that many people are craving for these days," said retired teacher Janina Stoniene, who attended the race with her three grandchildren. The children said they admired the costume challenge as dogs were dressed in eye-catching outfits like Batman, a princess or an airplane.

A corgi named Amigo, sporting a factory-themed costume complete with two tiny chimneys and Fur Factory" lettering, was named the proud winner of that contest. Another called Mango, whose owners are from Lithuania, was the champion of the solo race.

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Lithuania

First Published: August 24, 2025, 18:20 IST

News viral From Royalty To Racing: 120 Corgis Dash Through Lithuanias Capital In Adorable Race

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Pakistan Dy PM Says 1971 Bangladesh Genocide Issue 'Resolved', Dhaka Seeks Apology

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 18:16 IST

Dar visited Bangladesh for a two-day state visit, marking the first such visit in 13 years, as Bangladesh and Pakistan look to mend ties, adding to India's concerns.

Pakistan FM Ishaq Dar (Centre) meeting leaders in Bangladesh. (Ishaq Dar/X)

Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh, said that three unresolved matters, including the 1971 genocide of Bangladeshi Bengalis, had been resolved twice in the past. However, Bangladesh rebutted his claim, saying the matter remains unresolved".

Dar is currently in Dhaka in the first state-level visit by a Pakistani Foreign Minister to Bangladesh after 13 years, as the Muhammad Yunus-led government is reportedly mending ties with Pakistan despite a tumultuous history and atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army during the liberation struggle in 1971.

Recommended Stories

As soon as he arrived in Dhaka, Dar held back-to-back talks with leaders of various political parties of Bangladesh to boost bilateral ties. After a meeting with Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain at Hotel Sonargaon on Sunday, he spoke about the 1971 genocide by the Pakistani Army.

The issue was settled for the first time in 1974. And the document of that time is historic for both countries. Then (former Pakistan Dictator) General Pervez Musharraf came here (to Bangladesh) and resolved the issue openly. As a result, the issue was resolved twice. Once in 1974, and again in the early 2000s," he was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo.

Bangladesh Rebuts Dars Claim

However, Bangladesh said the key issue of wanting an apology from Islamabad for atrocities during the war remained unresolved", rebutting Dars claims. Mohammad Touhid Hossain said that the issue of an apology was not solved, but agreed to strengthen ties between the nations.

We have reached a consensus that the pending issues must be resolved so they dont stand as obstacles in our relationship," Hossain told reporters after the meeting. Both sides signed agreements to deepen trade and economic ties, as well as boost cultural exchanges.

Hossain said Bangladesh had raised unresolved issues such as an apology or expression of regret for 1971, claims over assets, and the matter of stranded Pakistani citizens." He said it would be wrong to expect problems of 54 years to be solved in a single day.

Over three million people were killed, and more than 300,000 women were raped by the Pakistani Army during the 1971 genocide. Since the carnage, the people of Bangladesh have consistently demanded that Pakistan apologise for its barbarity.

Why Dars Visit Is Concerning For India?

India is believed to be closely watching Dars visit to Bangladesh as Dhaka is working on strengthening ties with a country that killed millions of Bangladeshi Bengalis under Operation Search Light in 1971.

What adds to the concern is that Dar also separately interacted with leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a hardline radical group that has espoused anti-India sentiment and was banned by previous governments for alleged terror links. A six-member delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also met the Pakistani minister.

We tried to present the thoughts of the people of Bangladesh. There is an opportunity for improvement from the hostile relationship that existed before," said National Citizen Party (NCP)Secretary Akhtar Hossain.

Meanwhile, ousted PM Sheikh Hasinas Awami League has condemned Dars visit, stating that without recognition of genocide, normalisation is betrayal." The party asserted that history cannot be rewritten. Justice cannot be bargained away."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

According to a report in Northeast News, Pakistan has yet to express remorse or apologise for the genocide of 1971, and some Pakistan-based media outlets are publishing articles calling for reclaiming Bangladesh as a revenge for Pakistans defeat in the 1971 war with India."

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: August 24, 2025, 16:18 IST

News world Pakistan Dy PM Says 1971 Bangladesh Genocide Issue 'Resolved', Dhaka Seeks Apology

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Chinese Women Demand Action After Private Pics Leaked On Telegram Channel: 'It's Verbal Rape'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 17:30 IST

A private Telegram channel called "Mask Park Treehole Forum" became the centre of controversy after intimate photos and videos of several Chinese women were leaked there.

The images of several Chinese women, including minors, were leaked on a private Telegram channel. (AI-Generated Image)

A private Telegram channel in the Chinese language, with more than 100,000 subscribers, has sparked a public outcry over womens safety after it was revealed that the private pictures of countless Chinese women, including minors and relatives of the perpetrators, were leaked there.

The channel was exposed last month by an anonymous stranger, identified as Mrs D, who learned that her former boyfriend had leaked her intimate photos and videos on the channel. She also provided screenshots showing many women being insulted in explicit ways in the private channel, named as Mask Park Treehole Forum".

Recommended Stories

I cant believe how disgusting all this is. Its like theyre verbally raping (women) And theyre even fantasising about their family members," she told CNN, revealing that she was tipped off by a stranger who had obtained several photos and videos of her, along with her social media information.

D was informed by the messenger that her ex-boyfriend had invited others to exchange" secretly filmed videos of their ex-girlfriends. When she confronted her ex, he said he had only shared the explicit material with three people  though she suspects the number is higher.

When it first happened, I had a mix of feelings," she said. It was so ridiculous  and I was really angry and sad."

Chinese Women Demand Action

According to CNN, Mask Park is one of many similar groups on Telegram, where users shared explicit footage and photos of women, including their partners, as well as deepfake images from the social media accounts of female friends and colleagues. These pictures have been used to blackmail and encourage others to insult the women using degrading language.

Chinese women from all walks of life, including lawyers and students, have urged authorities to take action, stressing that Mask Park is just a small part of a larger danger that is affecting women. After the public outcry, the channel was closed, but that has not deterred women from working together to investigate the matter.

Several women reported being shocked and panicked by the revelations that their private images could be leaked on Telegram. Ive never seen such a large-scale collective crime before," said Franny, a lawyer from Shenzhen who has been investigating the network.

Zhang, a criminal defence lawyer from Beijing, warned that closing just one Mask Park doesnt mean the perpetrators will stop there", highlighting that the number of perpetrators of such acts may be much higher.

The case has drawn parallels to a separate South Korean case involving a Telegram channel known as the Nth Room," an online sexual blackmail ring that targeted dozens of minors and young women. The accused were imprisoned and South Korea passed legal reforms with harsher punishments for sex crimes.

Chinese Censorship Obstructing Justice

However, as the women demand justice, Chinese authorities have reportedly taken down Ds post, which had over 40,000 likes and 20,000 reposts, along with posts of other campaigners and redirected searches for Mask Park" away from the sex exploitation scandal.

Some online investigators alleged that they have received anonymous threats of doxxing and retribution if they continue digging into the Mask Park case, with one such email reviewed by CNN. Notably, large-scale protests are heavily restricted in China and carry severe repercussions.

Chinas ruling Communist Party has cracked down hard on people advocating for womens rights. Chinese people remain largely conservative, particularly in the cases of divorce and domestic violence, which are not considered a priority by the police.

For example, a 24-year-old woman in China had alleged that her ex-husband had leaked nudes from her pregnancy to others on WeChat, a popular messaging app in China. She said police had rejected her accusations twice for lacking evidence, and only opened a case when her video amassed popularity.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Women have complained that the Chinese police are slow to investigate matters where explicit images are shared on platforms that are legal to access in China. Its very unlikely that Chinese police would open a criminal case without solid evidence, according to lawyers.

However, Chinese authorities have previously taken action against domestic incidents of secret filming. For example, in March 2022, the Ministry of Public Security arrested more than 860 suspects and seized 30,000 illegally operated webcams linked to an underground network. However, such legal punishments are very rare and lenient and often does not to criminal charges.

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 : Beijing, China

First Published: August 24, 2025, 17:30 IST

News world Chinese Women Demand Action After Private Pics Leaked On Telegram Channel: 'It's Verbal Rape'

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Democrats Criticise Trump's Plans To Deploy Troops In Chicago, Baltimore: 'Has No Authority'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 22:36 IST

Trump had already threatened to send National Guard troops to Chicago and New York, and he also threatened to deploy them in Baltimore to combat crime and illegal immigration.

US President Donald Trump (AP/File)

After taking over the Washington police in his proclaimed goal of reducing crime and illegal immigration, US President Donald Trump is now planning to deploy National Guard troops to the Democrat-controlled Chicago and Baltimore, sparking alarm in the Democratic camp.

The Pentagon has been reviewing plans that could mobilise several thousand National Guard troops to the nations third-largest city as early as September, according to a report by The Washington Post, citing officials familiar with the matter. However, the federal government has not given Chicago officials any official notice.

Recommended Stories

Trump had already warned that Chicago and New York would meet the same fate as Washington, DC, where he deployed National Guard troops and ordered a federal takeover to combat crime, illegal immigration and homelessness. Were going to make our cities very, very safe," he told reporters at the White House. I think Chicago will be our next, and then well help with New York."

Trump Has No Basis, Say Democrats

Trumps plans have been met with criticism from Mayors and state governors, who have accused Trump of destabilising" public safety and abusing power. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, said Trump does not have the authority to deploy troops.

Theres no basis, no authority for Donald Trump to potentially try to drop federal troops into the city of Chicago," Jeffries told CNN, highlighting that crime had declined in the city, and accusing Trump of manufacturing" a crisis.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told MSNBC that Trumps moves are a flagrant violation" of the US Constitution. The president of the United States of America has repeated this petulant presentation since he has assumed office. If the reporting is actually true, what hes proposing at this point would be the most flagrant violation of our Constitution in the 21st century," he said.

Trump had called Chicago a mess" and the mayor incompetent". Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused the Trump administration of attempting to manufacture a crisis" as a pretext for sending troops to Chicago.

Trump Eyes Baltimore

Apart from Chicago, Trump on Sunday suggested the possibility of deploying troops to Democratic-run Baltimore in Maryland, criticising Governor Wes Moore over crime levels in the city.

Responding to Moores invitation to visit Baltimore, Trump said, As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a walk." Wes Moores record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States" are doing. But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops," which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime."

He also said Baltimore is ranked the fourth-worst city in the nation in terms of crime and murder, without providing any evidence. In contrast, the Baltimore police department in July said there had been a double-digit reduction in gun violence compared to the previous year.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In an August 21 letter, Moore invited Trump to attend a Baltimore public safety walk" in September to discuss strategies" for effective public safety policy. Donald Trump, if you are not willing to walk our communities, keep our name out of your mouth," he was quoted by USA Today as saying at an event that day.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 24, 2025, 22:36 IST

News world Democrats Criticise Trump's Plans To Deploy Troops In Chicago, Baltimore: 'Has No Authority'

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
The head of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's digital assets unit, Trish Turner, is leaving her post for the private sector just as new tax policies are set to potentially bring in a wave of crypto work for the agency.

As she departs, it's unclear who will be running the office that's been leading the tax agency's crypto work as a major shift in U.S. digital assets taxation is on the horizon. Turner's exit comes after the IRS set several new rules and forms in motion to direct taxation requirements for individual crypto investors and their brokers. And the departure comes after two other top officials on crypto work, Seth Wilks and Raj Mukherjee, already left through the Trump administration's budget-slashing campaign earlier this year.

The tax arm of the Treasury Department is poised to experience a massive influx of crypto-sector filings while it's also weathering deep budget and staffing cuts in excess of 20,000 employees. IRS staffing  long a target of Republican lawmakers  has experienced a long-term decline from about 113,000 three decades ago to about 76,000 at a recent count.

One of the major crypto changes at the IRS was the new 1099-DA form that millions of investors will be receiving from their crypto brokers. About 3 million taxpayers have previously disclosed they had crypto transactions  a number that's likely much higher in reality, setting up a potential glut of newly disclosed crypto taxpayers as the policies come online. The IRS didn't respond to questions about Turner's departure and who will take over.

"Digital assets have shifted from a niche issue to a core focus for global regulators, and I am proud to have helped lay the foundation for oversight in this fast-changing space, Turner said in a statement to CoinDesk. Now, Im excited to be moving to the other side of the table to help taxpayers, businesses, and institutions understand their obligations and navigate those same rules with confidence."

Among the private-sector roles she's taking on, Turner will be tax director at the firm CryptoTaxGirl, a tax business that specializes in crypto transactions, and will also do work with the UK firm Asset Reality, she said.

Laura Walter, CTG's founder, said in a statement that Turner's arrival will help "ensure our clients receive the highest level of guidance, protection, and confidence in their filings."

For years, crypto investors and businesses have struggled through U.S. tax uncertainties, with no third-party documentation to make their tax-filing requirements clear. So a large segment of digital assets holders have skipped their crypto tax calculations in past years, further muddying the water for the IRS.
Fireball, Smoke Fill Sky As Israeli Airstrikes Hit Yemens Capital After Houthis Launch Missile

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 21:20 IST

Israeli airstrikes hit Sanaa after Houthi rebels launched a missile toward Israel. Explosions rocked sites like a power plant and gas station.

Screengrab from X.

Israeli airstrikes hit Yemens capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, just days after Houthi rebels launched a missile toward Israel, the rebel group said. The attack is the latest escalation in Israels strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis.

According to the Houthi media office, Israeli strikes hit several locations in Sanaa, including a power plant and a gas station. Residents also reported explosions near the presidential palace. These were the first reported strikes in Yemen since last week, when Israel claimed to have targeted Houthi energy infrastructure. Tel Aviv has not immediately confirmed Sundays attack.

Recommended Stories

Videos from the aftermath of the strikes, widely shared on social media, captured scenes of chaos and fear among residents. One clip showed thick plumes of smoke billowing above buildings as panicked voices echoed in the background, while another revealed a fireball erupting between structures at the apparent strike site.

Thick smoke after airstrike on Houthi oil station pic.twitter.com/BH9qVXuyLk Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 24, 2025

In another clip, a man was seen running down a street as others looked on at the rising smoke with disbelief. Screams and cries of panic could be heard as the missiles rained down on the capital.

In the past hour, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Sanaa, Yemen.It seems like Houthis attack against Israel on Friday  which used a missile carrying multiple warheads  elicited Israel to respond harshly. pic.twitter.com/KCltnFmqCm Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) August 24, 2025

News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.

Residents in Sanaa told The Associated Press they heard explosions near a closed military academy and the presidential palace. Smoke was also spotted rising close to Sabeen Square, a central gathering point in the capital.

The sound of explosions was very strong," said Hussein Mohamed, a resident living near the presidential palace.

Ahmed al-Mekhlafy, another resident, described the force of the attack. The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered," he told AP by phone.

Sundays airstrikes were the first in Yemen since last week, when Israel said it had hit Houthi-controlled energy facilities. However, Israel has not yet confirmed responsibility for the latest attack.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, Houthi officials pledged to press on with their military operations against Israel. Nasruddin Amer, the groups deputy media chief, said the strikes would not dissuade the rebels.

No matter how much they bomb, we will not abandon Gaza, and this is a pledge we made to our people in the Strip, and we will not retreat from it as long as there is a drop of blood pulsing in us," Amer wrote on social media.

Location : Yemen

First Published: August 24, 2025, 21:20 IST

News world Fireball, Smoke Fill Sky As Israeli Airstrikes Hit Yemens Capital After Houthis Launch Missile

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
India Will Buy Oil From Where It Gets The Best Deal, Says Envoy To Russia Vinay Kumar

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 22:32 IST

Ambassador Kumars statement came during an interview with state-run TASS on Sunday.

Ambassador Kumar says oil trade payments with Russia face no hurdles, eyes wider Russia export push. (IMAGE: PTI FILE)

Seeking the best deal" when buying oil and taking measures" to protect its national interest amid US tariffs is what India will do, Indian envoy to Moscow Vinay Kumar said during an interview with Russian state-run TASS on Sunday.

Kumar also called the US President Donald Trumps administrations decision to increase tariffs on Indian imports by 25 per cent, totalling 50 per cent, due to New Delhis purchase of Russian oil as unfair.

Recommended Stories

First of all, we have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of 1.4 billion people of India and Indias cooperation with Russia as of several other countries has helped to bring about stability in the oil market, global oil market. So the US decision is unfair, unreasonable and unjustified. Now government will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country," Ambassador Kumar was quoted as saying by TASS.

Kumar echoed the words of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who earlier this week at an event hosted by newspaper the Economic Times said that said Indias priority remains to protect its farmers and small producers, stressing that the country will not compromise on their interests.

Ambassador Kumar also highlighted that Indias cooperation with Russia and other countries has contributed to global oil market stability, echoing a similar statement made by Jaishankar when he met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier this week.

The trade takes place on a commercial basis. So, if the basis of commercial transaction trade imports are right, Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. So thats what the current situation is," Kumar said.

Our trade is based on market factors and done with the overall object of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. There are other countries, including the US itself and in Europe, trading with Russia," he said.

He added that oil trade between India and Russia is running smoothly with no payment-related difficulties.

India and Russia have a working system of trade settlement in national currencies. There is no problem now in payment for oil imports," Kumar told TASS.

He added that beyond energy, India is eager to expand its exports to Russia in sectors such as electronics, automobiles, textiles, fashion, and construction materials.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Some of the important areas that we think we need to focus on and improve our exports are textiles and fashion products, construction materials, auto and automobile spare parts and components, also electronics and the entire set of electronics and IT-related products. Also phones. Many of the top manufacturers are also manufacturing in India. We look forward to an increase in those areas also," the envoy said.

Kumar noted that while bilateral trade volumes have grown in recent years, Indias exports to Russia still remain below their potential, making diversification beyond energy a key priority.

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: August 24, 2025, 22:32 IST

News world India Will Buy Oil From Where It Gets The Best Deal, Says Envoy To Russia Vinay Kumar

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Indian-Origin Truck Driver Behind Fatal Florida Highway Crash Denied Bail By US Court: Flight Risk

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 10:42 IST

Harjinder Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide after allegedly making an illegal U-turn with his tractor-trailer in Fort Pierce, leading to a collision with a minivan

Harjinder Singh | Image: X

A 28-year-old Indian-origin truck driver accused of causing a fatal highway accident in Florida that left three people dead has been denied bail, according to reports.

Harjinder Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide after allegedly making an illegal U-turn with his tractor-trailer in Fort Pierce on August 12, leading to a collision with a minivan.

Recommended Stories

All three occupants of the minivan were killed on the spot, while Singh and a passenger in his truck escaped unhurt.

At a Saturday hearing, St. Lucie County Judge Lauren Sweet ruled that Singh was an unauthorised alien" and a substantial flight risk."

The court found probable cause for all six charges against him, classifying them as forcible felonies under Florida law.

There are no conditions of release that will ensure your appearance at trial. Therefore, sir, Im setting your bond on each charge at no bond," Judge Sweet declared during the proceedings.

Singh attended the hearing virtually from St. Lucie County Jail, assisted by an interpreter.

Singh, who reportedly crossed into the US illegally in 2018, obtained a commercial drivers license in California. He was arrested last week in Stockton, California, before being extradited to Florida.

The case has triggered a political clash between federal authorities and Californias Democratic administration.

Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins, a Republican, posted on social media: He thought he could run. @GovRonDeSantis and I brought him back to face justice."

Criticism also came from Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, who slammed Californias DMV for granting Singh a commercial license despite his immigration status.

3 innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsoms California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Drivers License  this state of governance is asinine," she wrote, adding that such policies put public safety at risk.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The controversy prompted US Senator Marco Rubio to call for tighter controls.

More than a week after the accident, Rubio announced a temporary halt on issuing commercial truck driver work visas, warning that the rise of foreign drivers operating heavy vehicles posed a danger to American motorists and livelihoods.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 24, 2025, 10:42 IST

News world Indian-Origin Truck Driver Behind Fatal Florida Highway Crash Denied Bail By US Court: Flight Risk

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Lavrov Says Putin Ready To Meet Zelenskyy, But Doubts His Legitimacy As Ukraine's President

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 22:11 IST

Sergey Lavrov stated Vladimir Putin is open to talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy but questioned Zelenskyys legitimacy, as Kyiv insists he remains Ukraines leader under martial law.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday that President Vladimir Putin is willing to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but cast doubt on Zelenskyys legitimacy as Ukraines leader.

In a rare interview with NBC News, Lavrov claimed that any negotiations would require clarity on the authority of the person signing an agreement. When we come to a stage where you have to sign documents, wed need a clear understanding that the person whos signing is legitimate. According to the Ukrainian constitution, Zelenskyy is not," he said.

Recommended Stories

Lavrov underscored that Zelenskyy was the de facto head of the Ukrainian regime, but said that the issue of who is going to sign the deal on the Ukrainian side is a very serious [one]."

We would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate," he said, adding that Zelenskyys calls for a meeting with Putin were a ploy to strengthen his legitimacy.

Moscow has frequently questioned Zelenskyys status since his five-year presidential term formally ended in May. Kyiv maintains that Zelenskyy remains the legitimate head of state under martial law provisions, which extend presidential powers during wartime.

His remarks come days after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump held closely-watched talks in Alaska, after which Russia called for turning the page in bilateral relations and resuming cooperation, and invited Trump to Moscow.

US Vice President JD Vance said Russia has made significant concessions" to Ukraine over Trumps demands to end the war, adding that the US president has been engaged in very aggressive, very energetic diplomacy" with both Moscow and Kyiv in a bid to find a compromise solution that would stop the killing.

No Interest In Territory

Lavrov further asserted that Russia had no interest in territorial expansion, but wanted to protect ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking people from persecution by Ukraine. We dont have any interest in territories. We have the biggest territory on Earth," he said.

The Russian Foreign Minister said Moscows goal was to remove any security threats to Russia coming from Ukrainian territory" and protect the rights of ethnic Russian and Russian-speaking people from the Nazi regime".

Meanwhile, Putin said he had a good, constructive and frank discussion with Trump in Alaska. I really hope the first steps made are just the beginning of a full-scale recovery of Russia-US relations. The next steps depend on the US leadership," he was quoted as saying by the Foreign Ministry.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Zelenskyy also met with Trump last week in Washington alongside other European leaders in pursuit of gathering more support to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has urged for a direct peace agreement between both sides to end the war.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy on Sunday stressed that a meeting with Putin would be the most effective way forward" after Russia on Friday ruled out a meeting between the two leaders. Lavrov had accused Western countries of seeking a pretext to block negotiations".

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 : Moscow, Russia

First Published: August 24, 2025, 21:28 IST

News world Lavrov Says Putin Ready To Meet Zelenskyy, But Doubts His Legitimacy As Ukraine's President

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
'Sooner The Better': Nikki Haley Calls On India To Take Trump's View On Russian Oil 'Seriously'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 13:30 IST

The remarks come at a time when India-US ties are strained after the Trump administration imposed secondary tariffs on New Delhi for continuing oil purchases from Russia.

Former US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley | File Image

Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley on Sunday advised New Delhi to take seriously US President Donald Trumps concerns over Russian oil imports and move swiftly to address the matter with Washington.

She said the long-standing partnership between the two democracies should serve as the foundation to overcome recent trade frictions.

Recommended Stories

India must take Trumps point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better," Haley wrote in a post on X.

Decades of friendship and good will between the worlds two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence. Navigating issues like trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demands hard dialogue," she added.

India must take Trumps point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better.Decades of friendship and good will between the worlds two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence.  Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) August 23, 2025

Haley, who served as US Ambassador to the United Nations during Trumps presidency, cautioned that while trade disagreements and energy ties with Moscow are serious, both nations must not lose sight of their larger strategic priorities.

But, we should not lose sight of what matters most: our shared goals. To face China, the United States must have a friend in India," she said.

The remarks come at a time when India-US ties are strained after the Trump administration imposed secondary tariffs on New Delhi for continuing oil purchases from Russia.

The levies, which now push duties on Indian exports to 50 per cent, are among the steepest Trump has announced apart from those against Brazil.

Reports also suggest friction over New Delhis rejection of Trumps offer to mediate in its conflict with Pakistan.

India has strongly criticised the measures, calling them unfair, unjustified and unreasonable."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also pushed back, declaring that India would not compromise on the interests of its farmers and fishermen. I know I will have to pay the price, but I am ready to do it for farmers," he said.

Haleys Warning In Context

Earlier, writing in Newsweek, Haley warned that relations between Washington and New Delhi were near a breaking point" and stressed that rebuilding trust was essential if the US intended to counter Beijings growing global influence.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

She argued that India should not be seen as an adversary akin to China and urged the Trump administration not to let disputes over tariffs or US involvement in India-Pakistan tensions derail the relationship.

With the dispute escalating, Haleys intervention highlights growing concerns within the Republican camp that prolonged tensions could jeopardise a partnership both nations see as vital in balancing Chinas influence.

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 24, 2025, 13:30 IST

News world 'Sooner The Better': Nikki Haley Calls On India To Take Trump's View On Russian Oil 'Seriously'

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Teenager, Man Arrested Over Arson Attack On Indian Restaurant In London; 5 Injured

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 21:02 IST

The police said five people were hospitalised after an arson attack on the Indian Aroma restaurant in Ilford of east London, on Friday night. Two people are in custody.

The Indian Aroma restaurant was reportedly a target of a suspected arson attack. (Photo: X)

Two suspects, including a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man, were arrested over an alleged arson attack on an Indian restaurant in east London that left five people with serious injuries, according to local reports.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the Indian Aroma restaurant in Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill, in Ilford on Friday night at around 9 pm, after the eatery went up in flames. Five people were rescued from the fire, of whom two suffered life-threatening injuries, police said.

Recommended Stories

The teenager and the man were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life on Sunday. They are currently in police custody for questioning, according to The Independent.

CCTV footage of the incident, seen by the UK-based PA news agency, appeared to show a group of people with their faces covered walking into the restaurant before pouring liquid onto the floor. Seconds later, the restaurant was engulfed in flames.

Indian Community Shocked

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said around nine people were able to escape the restaurant before firefighters arrived. Part of the ground floor restaurant was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued five people from the restaurant."

Meanwhile, police are looking for two more victims who they believe made off before officers arrived. They said the investigation was continuing at pace" and appealed for anyone with further information to come forward.

While we have made two arrests, our investigation continues at pace so we can piece together what happened on Friday evening," said Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers of the Metropolitan Polices Central Specialist Crime North unit. I know the community are concerned and shocked by this incident. I would urge anyone with any information or concerns to come forward and speak to police."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The restaurant, managed by Rohit Kaluvala, describes itself as being dedicated to serving the authentic flavours of India". The eaterys website says it hosts movie executives, film and television crews, religious and cultural events, charity and business events, and religious and cultural events.

Our restaurant is highly known for both its first-rate customer service and its high-quality, distinctive Indian cuisine served with its authentic recipes," it read.

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 : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: August 24, 2025, 21:00 IST

News world Teenager, Man Arrested Over Arson Attack On Indian Restaurant In London; 5 Injured

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Trump Eyes Chicago Takeover After DC, Pentagon Planning Military Deployment: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 08:10 IST

Pentagon has for weeks been planning a military deployment in Chicago as part of Donald Trump's crackdown on crime and illegal immigrants, according to a report.

Chicago military deployment: Trump plans crackdown on crime in city (Reuters Image)

US President Donald Trump has set his eye on a crackdown on crime and illegal immigration in Chicago, Illinois, after the federal takeover in Washington DC, according to a report.

The Pentagon is working on a plan to deploy military personnel in Chicago for some weeks, The Washington Post reported.

Recommended Stories

A few thousand members of the National Guard" may be deployed in the city as part of the crackdown on crime, illegal immigration, and homelessness.

Trumps Crackdown Plans For Chicago

Trump had on Friday highlighted his ongoing National Guard deployment in Washington, DC, where over 2,200 troops have been sent as part of what he calls a long-overdue push to reduce crime, and said that Chicago and New York would be the next major cities in the United States that are the targets of the federal crackdown on crime.

We are going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent. And we will straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough. Then we will help with New York," he said.

Officials who were familiar with the matter said that a military deployment in the city has long been in planning" and is linked to increased ICE activities to find undocumented migrants in the city as they seek to follow a directive from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller to make at least 3,000 arrests per day, The Washington Post reported.

Trumps Plans Meet Criticism From Governor

Mayors and state governors have criticised Trumps remarks to take over cities. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused the President of trying to destabilise" ongoing public safety efforts, claiming power abuse.

After using Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities. Trumps goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts  all to create a justification to further abuse his power," Pritzker said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said that Trumps approach was uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound".

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Washington Post report said that although Chicago officials are taking Trumps warnings seriously, the federal government has not sent them any official notice. A spokesperson for the Illinois governor told the Post that no one from Trumps team has contacted the governors office to discuss military plans.

The Pentagons plans for future troop deployments come as the Trump administration pushes state and local leaders to let the federal government play a bigger role in finding and deporting undocumented immigrants. Recently, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to many state, county, and local officials saying that sanctuary policies" block law enforcement and will be challenged in court.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 24, 2025, 07:55 IST

News world Trump Eyes Chicago Takeover After DC, Pentagon Planning Military Deployment: Report

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Ukrainian Drone Attacks Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, Gets Downed By Air Defence Systems

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 19:24 IST

The radiation levels at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant and in the surrounding area have not exceeded normal limits, the plant's press service said.

Ukraine attacks Russia's nuclear power plant (Reuters file image)

A Ukrainian drone was shot down by the Russian air defence systems near a nuclear power plant in the Kursk region on Sunday, the plants press service said.

The drone attack managed to spark a short-lived fire at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant and damage its auxiliary transformer, leading to a reduction in the operating capacity at one of the plants units, Reuters reported, citing a statement by the press service.

Recommended Stories

A combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine was shot down by air defence systems near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Upon impact, the drone detonated, resulting in damage to an auxiliary transformer," the press service said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

The press service clarified that there were no safety threats to people or the plant, but as a result of the detonation, unit three of the plant was reduced to 50% capacity.

The destroyed drone also caused a fire in the plant, but it was extinguished shortly after, it added.

The radiation levels at the site and in the surrounding area have not exceeded normal limits, the press service said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that radiation levels around the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant remain normal following an incident at the site. Russian authorities reported that the power output of one reactor unit was reduced after an auxiliary transformer sustained damage. A fire that broke out as a result was quickly extinguished, and officials confirmed that no injuries were reported.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Ukraine has said that its strikes inside Russia are in response to Russias continued attacks on Ukraine and are being carried out to destroy infrastructure considered crucial to Moscows overall military efforts.

Earlier, Russias REN TV, citing the plants press service, reported that the transformer is not a part of the nuclear section of the plant.

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 : Russia

First Published: August 24, 2025, 09:53 IST

News world Ukrainian Drone Attacks Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, Gets Downed By Air Defence Systems

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Russia Made 'Significant Concessions' On Ukraine, Says US Veep JD Vance

Curated By :



Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 19:35 IST

Donald Trump hosted Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska and met Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders at the White House to end the conflict.

US Vice President JD Vance. (Reuters Image)

US Vice President JD Vance said Russia has made significant concessions" to Ukraine for the first time in the ongoing conflict, days after President Donald Trump held talks with both Russias Vladimir Putin and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an attempt to end the war.

The Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict. They have actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They have talked about what would be necessary to end the war," Vance told NBC News.

Recommended Stories

However, the VP underscored that Russia is not completely there yet" to end the war, but they are engaging in a diplomatic process in good faith".

Were trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and Ukrainians to find a middle ground to stop the killing. I think what the president has been trying to do here is try to engage in very aggressive, very energetic diplomacy because this war is not in anyones interests."

The Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict," says @VP.Were trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and Ukrainians to find a middle ground to stop the killing." pic.twitter.com/b487LlfIyx  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 24, 2025

Vance On Trumps Tariffs

The Vice President also spoke about Trumps aggressive economic leverage", which included secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy."

Relations between India and the US have been strained after Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including an additional 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil. However, the US did not penalise China, which is the largest buyer of Russian oil.

When asked about why tariffs were not imposed on China, Vance said, Obviously, we have a 54% tariff on the PRC right now, so weve already applied pretty hefty sanctions on the Chinese, and we have had a lot of conversations on all levels of the government to try to encourage the Chinese to be better partners and bring this war to a close."

He rejected the misunderstanding" of the tariff question, saying the US is indeed applying aggressive economic pressure", which can be dialled back in the future. He said the negotiations have not reached the final outcome yet.

Vance Criticises Joe Biden

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Vance also weighed in on a Russian missile strike in western Ukraine on Thursday that hit an electronics factory owned by a US-based company, saying, I dont like it. But this is a war, and this is why we want to stop the killing. The Russians have done a lot of things that we dont like. A lot of civilians have died."

He also criticised former US President Joe Biden, saying he did nothing but talk and failed to stop the war. He said that there was plenty of room for negotiation. Were going to eventually be successful, or well hit a brick wall. And if we hit a brick wall, then were going to continue this process of negotiation, of applying leverage."

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 24, 2025, 19:20 IST

News world Russia Made 'Significant Concessions' On Ukraine, Says US Veep JD Vance

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
Zelenskyy Expected In India On Modi's Invitation: Ukrainian Envoy Shares Insight Into Plans

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 07:23 IST

President Zelenskyy is expected in India on the invitation of PM Modi, Ukrainian envoy said, sharing insight into the plans.

Zelenskyy expected in India (Reuters Image)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to be in India, and a precise date" for his visit is under discussion, Ukraines Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited Zelenskyy to India during his visit to Kyiv last year in August.

Recommended Stories

The Ambassador said that both sides are working on the dates for the historic visit.

In relation to the declaration about the future strategic partnership between India and Ukraine, believe me, we have potential for that. The Indian Prime Minister invited Zelenskyy to come to India. Both sides are working on this. We expect President Zelenskyy to be in India, definitely. It will be a great achievement in our bilateral relationship We are trying to agree on a precise date," he said on Saturday.

PM Modi had embarked on a historic Ukraine visit on August 23, 2024, when he met President Zelenskyy and invited him to India.

The two leaders have met on several other occasions on the sidelines of international summits.

The leaders met for the first time since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20, 2023. During this meeting, PM Modi emphasised that the war was an issue of humanity," and reaffirmed Indias commitment to peace and humanitarian support.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

On June 14, 2024, they met along the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italys Apulia, where PM Modi emphasised dialogue and diplomacy as the path to peace in the conflict.

On September 23, 2024, the duo met on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York and discussed Indias continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

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 24, 2025, 07:04 IST

News world Zelenskyy Expected In India On Modi's Invitation: Ukrainian Envoy Shares Insight Into Plans

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the Trending AI Stocks on Wall Street. On August 20, IBM and NASA revealed the most advanced open-source foundation model developed to understand high resolution solar observation data and predict solar activity impacts on Earth and space-based technology.

Surya applies artificial intelligence to solar image interpretation and space weather forecasting research, offering a novel way to protect satellites, GPS, power grids, and telecommunications from solar flares and coronal mass ejections.

IBM and NASA Unveil Surya, AI Model to Predict Solar Storms

A satellite in mid-flight with its solar panels capturing the sun's rays.

The model will also offer the right tools to help experts plan for solar storms which can disrupt the Earths technological infrastructure. Accurate solar weather prediction has become a critical need for humanity given mankinds increasing dependence on space-based technology and interest in deeper space exploration.

Think of this as a weather forecast for space. Just as we work to prepare for hazardous weather events, we need to do the same for solar storms. Surya gives us unprecedented capability to anticipate whats coming and is not just a technological achievement, but a critical step toward protecting our technological civilization from the star that sustains us. -Juan Bernabe-Moreno, Director of IBM Research Europe, UK and Ireland.

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is a multinational technology company and a pioneer in artificial intelligence, offering AI consulting services and a suite of AI software products.

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

READ NEXT: 10 AI Stocks In The Spotlight For Investors and 10 Must-Watch AI Stocks for Investors

Disclosure: None.
He is a foreign national who targeted other foreign nationals in a wave of criminal activities, including some which were caught on CCTV, and he even sent stolen laptops to his home country by bus.

That alone suggests Cassian Pascal Mangombe, who has been arrested by police for the crimes, is probably from one of Zimbabwes neighbouring countries, where bus services exist.

Or, maybe, he is even from Tanzania.

But, whatever his nationality, Mangombe, a 45-year-old who entered the country illegally, is now in custody after his luck finally ran out.

By the time he was nabbed, he had already sent some of the laptops, which he stole, to his home country by bus.

He is alleged to have stolen more than US$25,000 and other valuables by stealing from parked vehicles. Cassian targeted Sharif Ahmad Elamine, 26, and stole US$2,000, an MSI laptop, a Lenovo laptop, a Lebanon passport, a Zambian debit card, a Zambian driving licence, a Zambian work permit and a Zambian National ID.

The incident happened at the Village Walk Shopping Centre in Borrowdale and was captured on CCTV.

On the same day, Cassian targeted another foreign national, Shaqyong Chen, 50, when he parked his vehicle at Greenfields Shopping Center in Harare.

He stole a bag containing US$23,000, Podhill company documents and a Chinese passport belonging to MojianLin and jumped into a Toyota Fortuner.

It was the same car which was used for the theft in Borrowdale.

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the three incidents happened between Monday and Thursday last week.

The three incidents took place at Bond Shopping Centre, Mt Pleasant, Greenfields Shopping Centre, along Samora Machel Avenue, Harare and Village Walk Shopping Centre, Borrowdale, Harare where three laptops and fuel coupons were stolen from parked motor vehicles.

On August 22, 2025, detectives from CID theft from car received information which linked the suspect to the cases.

The detectives tracked the suspect leading to his arrest in Msasa, Harare.

The arrest led to the recovery of fuel coupons stolen on August 19, 2025, from a parked Toyota Hilux vehicle at Village Walk Shopping Centre, Borrowdale, Harare.

Investigations by the police established that the suspect illegally entered the country and had already sent the stolen laptops to his country of origin by bus.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged INTERPOL to facilitate the recovery of the stolen laptops. H Metro
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has been roped in by traders at Harares biggest informal market, who are frustrated by alleged extortionist fees in a development that has exposed factionalism in Zanu PF.

The traders sought assistance in resolving a myriad of challenges they are facing at the newly constructed Mbare Musika retail market, which they attributed to the privatisation of the facility by fortune seekers.

In a letter dated August 18, the informal traders raised serious complaints about exorbitant charges, exclusion of original beneficiaries, reduced space sizes of market stalls and refusal to accept rental fees in local currency, among others.

Knowing your warm heart, we are looking forward to your usual assistance, part of the letter read. The letter was signed by Roderick Maposah, the Mbare retail market chairman, secretary Josiah Rovai and Stephen Tsopo, a security officer.

It was copied to Local Government minister Daniel Garwe, Harare Provincial Affairs minister Charles Tawengwa and Harare mayor Jacob Mafume.

Garwe is said to have reacted angrily to the traders decision to approach Chiwenga directly without going through his ministry. The minister is one of the leading proponents of Zanu PFs 2030 agenda to keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in power beyond his constitutionally guaranteed terms in what is said to be a strategy to stop the VPs ascendancy to the presidency.

The traders said they had been facing a number of challenges since the market was declared a state of disaster by Mnangagwa after it was gutted by a fire in October last year.

According to the letter, a handful of the traders benefitted, while nearly 70% of the affected beneficiaries were allegedly sidelined by Masimba Holdings.

The private player was accused of using its financial muscle to elbow out the elderly and less privileged.

The traders also claimed that licensing fees at the market now include US$150 deposit on rent, a weekly rent of US$50, a US$1 fee for every visit to the toilet and a monthly parking fee of US$240 in addition to the taxes the vendors are obliged to pay, charges which they said were beyond the reach of many.

The rates pegged by the private player of US$200 per month is far too high compared to the US$25 the elderly and childheaded retailers were being charged by the council, the letter reads.

The private player strictly needs payment in foreign currency (USD) whereas the council accepted all currencies including our local Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG} currency.

The private players lease conditions are too harsh and naturally don't make business sense.

The private player reduced the space size from the traditional 2,5 mx2m to only 1,2mx1,2 m despite increasing the monthly fees.

The letter added: We are against the construction of a three-story building that was said to accommodate 10,000 retailers at a very small space hence recommending a clearly marked open shade that makes more business sense.

On Monday when Garwe received the letter from the traders, The Standard heard that he immediately summoned them to his office for a meeting and complained why they wrote a letter to his political foe Chiwenga before bringing the issue to him.

Four traders went to the Local Government ministry where they held a meeting with permanent secretary John Bhasera and a director in the ministry, a source disclosed.

Bhasera agreed to form a task force to investigate the complaints. The team went to Mbare on Wednesday on a fact-finding mission. Garwe wants to contain the situation as quickly as possible.

The traders said they did not get a favourable outcome during the meeting. No agreement, no outcome, Rovai, who is the secretary of the Mbare retail market, said yesterday. Standard
On a recent evening in Senegal's capital of Dakar, an imam named Ibrahima Diane explained to a group of men why they should be more involved in household chores. "The prophet himself says a man who does not help support his wife and children is not a good Muslim," the 53-year-old said, as he described bathing his baby and helping his wife with other duties. Some of the 14 men chuckled; others applauded. Diane was taking part in a "school for husbands," a UN-backed initiative where respected male community members learn about "positive masculinity" in health and social issues and promote it in their communities, per the AP .

In Senegal, as in many other West African countries with large rural or conservative populations, men often have the final say in major household decisions, including ones related to family planning and reproductive health. Following his sessions at the school, Diane regularly holds sermons during Friday prayers, where he discusses gender and reproductive health issues, from gender-based violence to fighting stigma around HIV. "Many women appreciate my sermons," he said. "They say their husbands' behavior changed since they attended them." Diane also said some men have told him the sermons inspired them to become more caring husbands and fathers.

The classes, which launched in 2011, follow similar efforts in other African countries, particularly Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, where the UN Population Fund says it improved women's access to reproductive health services by increasing male involvement, growing the use of contraceptives by both men and women, and expanding access to prenatal care. Discussions for men also have focused on girls rights, equality, and the harmful effects of female genital mutilation.

story continues below

The program now operates more than 20 schools in Senegal, and upward of 300 men have been trained. In some communities, men who once enforced patriarchal norms now promote gender equality, which has led to a reduction in the number of forced marriages and more acceptance of family planning, per Senegal's ministry of gender. Candidates must be married, respected locally, and supportive of women's health and rights. After training, the men act as peer educators, visiting homes and hosting informal talks. "My husband used to not do much around the house, just bark orders," said one 52-year-old woman. "Now he actually cooks and helps out with daily tasks." More here.
Local police along the US-Mexico border are increasingly turning to AI-powered drones to track drug traffickers, seek out migrants trying to cross into the US, assist in emergencies, and compensate for staff shortages and reduced federal funding. While US officials have long used drones along the border, creating what they call a "virtual wall," the technology is now in the hands of even small local agencies, expanding the ongoing tech arms race with Mexican drug cartels, reports Axios.

The number of US agencies using drones has soared 150% since 2018, with most relying on them as "first responders" for emergencies. These high-tech drones can operate for hours, use thermal imaging for night searches, and quickly re-create accident scenes.
Opponents and supporters of migrants faced off in angry confrontations at demonstrations held around Britain over the weekend as the government scrambled to deal with fallout from a court order that will force a hotel in a London suburb to evict asylum-seekers. The ruling has created a headache for the government, which has struggled to curb unauthorized migration while fulfilling its responsibility to accommodate those seeking refuge. The two groups hurled insults at each other in several communities Saturday as police struggled in places like Bristol to keep them apart, the AP reports. On Sunday, groups gathered peacefully outside hotels used to house migrants in Birmingham and London's Canary Wharf. The situation:
The family of Virginia Giuffre has criticized the Justice Department for releasing transcripts of its interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, saying it gave Jeffrey Epstein's imprisoned accomplice a "platform to rewrite history" and undermine the voices of survivors like Giuffre. "The content of these transcripts is in direct contradiction with felon Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction for child sex trafficking," the family said, NBC News reports. The statement added, "This travesty of justice entirely invalidates the experiences of the many brave survivors who put their safety, security, and lives on the line to ensure her conviction, including our sister."

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Maxwell and her lawyer in Florida last month. The transcripts show her largely denying knowledge of any sexual abuse, though she and Epstein were convicted of crimes, and discounting Giuffre's accusations. Maxwell, who's seeking a presidential pardon, also said she never saw Donald Trump, who spent time with Epstein, act inappropriately. Shortly afterward, she was transferred to a more comfortable prison camp. Giuffre's family contends that Blanche did not adequately contest Maxwell's statements during the interview, allowing her to present a false narrative. Trump's supporters were pleased by the transcripts' release. Laura Loomer told Politico that she hopes "these transcripts will quell a lot of the nasty, salacious lies and rumors that were spread by bad actors online" about Trump.

On Sunday, the publisher Alfred A. Knopf told the AP that it will publish a posthumous memoir by Giuffre on Oct. 21. Working with Amy Wallace, a journalist, Giuffre had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book before she died in April, the publisher said. Knopf said Giuffre had told Wallace that in the event of her death, she still wanted Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice to be released.
Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen's capital on Sunday, days after the Houthi rebels fired a missile toward Israel that its military described as the first cluster bomb the rebels had launched at it since 2023. The Iranian-backed Houthis said multiple areas across Sanaa were hit, while the Houthi-run health ministry said at least two people were killed and 35 others were wounded. The rebels' Al-Masirah satellite television reported a strike on an oil company, per the AP , and video on social media showed a fireball erupting there.

Israel's military said it struck the Asar and Hizaz power plants, calling them "a significant electricity supply facility for military activities," along with a military site where the presidential palace is located. Sanaa residents said they heard explosions close to a closed military academy and the presidential palace. They saw plumes of smoke near Sabeen Square, a central gathering place in the capital. Ahmed al-Mekhlafy said he felt the sheer force of the strikes. "The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered," he said by phone.

The Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months, saying they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians during the war in Gaza. Nasruddin Amer of the Houthi media office, posted on social media that "our military operations supporting Gaza won't stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted." Yemen's rebel group is "learning the hard way that it will pay and is paying a heavy price for its aggression against the State of Israel," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised remarks.
The U.S. has taken another step toward its bid to create a sovereign wealth fund that can profit from investments in U.S. companies, acquiring a nearly 10% stake in Intel to become the semiconductor company's largest shareholder.

Intel confirmed the move on August 22, but discussions had been widely reported since embattled CEO (and former Board member) Lip-Bu Tan met with President Donald Trump on August 11 following sharp criticism from the president over his China business relationships.

The investment stake is unique and has drawn sharp criticism. Opponents suggest that such investments could create an unlevel playing field that undermines capitalism, while proponents argue that such investments are warranted when the U.S. provides taxpayer money to support corporate interests.

Intel is considered an integral part of U.S. security. Image source: Shutterstock/TheStreet

A complicated deal with Intel comes together quickly

After Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to President Trump regarding Lip-Bu Tan's China ties, the president said Tan was "highly CONFLICTED," and should resign from Intel's top post.

Tan traveled to D.C. shortly thereafter for a face-to-face meeting with President Trump, which sparked the possibility of the U.S. taking an ownership stake in Intel.

Last week, the White House confirmed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was negotiating a deal that would convert grants provided under the Biden Administration's $52.7 billion CHIPS and Science Act in 2022.

That legislation was geared toward providing grants to semiconductor companies to build and expand U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Most semiconductors are currently made overseas in Taiwan and South Korea, including 90% of next-gen AI chips, primarily made by Taiwan Semiconductor for Nvidia in its Taiwanese fabs.

Related: Lip-Bu Tans net worth: The Intel CEOs wealth after White House visit

Intel was awarded CHIPS Act grants worth $7.9 billion in November 2024. At the time, the White House said they would "directly support Intels expected U.S. investment of nearly $90 billion by the end of the decade" and that "The Department will disburse the funds based on Intels completion of project milestones."

However, Intel has stumbled financially since then, with mounting losses forcing Tan to pivot toward cost-cutting, including layoffs and a slowed timeline for its manufacturing expansion.

"We need to make our own chips here," said Lutnick on CNBC earlier this week. "We should get an equity stake for our money."

The Intel deal gets done: Here are the details
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
Representatives from Bahraini Hajj campaigns recently attended a joint meeting with the Bahraini Hajj Mission to discuss key updates for the upcoming pilgrimage season.

According to campaign officials, the Hajj Mission outlined new mandatory arrangements for Bahraini pilgrims transportation. Under the new rules, pilgrims must book internal Saudi buses through the Nusk app, and only buses operated by companies accredited by the Saudi Transport Syndicate will be allowed.

The rules require the use of these buses for all movements, including upon arrival in Mecca, internal transfers within the holy sites, and travel to Medina. Bahraini buses will only be permitted to transport pilgrims from a designated point after the King Fahd Causeway, and only for land trips.

Campaigns said discussions are ongoing about a possible exception that would allow Bahraini buses to transport pilgrims to and from Dammam Airport for flights operating through that airport, while other transport routes will remain under the electronic systems registered companies.

In a related update, the Hajj Mission informed the campaigns that the area allocated to Bahraini pilgrims in Mina is likely to be included in a major development project. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC) is leading a project to replace tents with modern residential towers. The first phase includes ten five-story towers accommodating more than 30,000 pilgrims, alongside two-story advanced tents.

Sources said Bahrain has been notified that Bahraini pilgrims may be included in the trial operation of the new buildings next season, which could increase the cost per pilgrim by up to 300 Bahraini dinars.

Separately, a Hajj campaign owner  who requested anonymity  advised contractors to delay announcing their program prices due to confirmed and pending fees, including gypsum charges and holy site development costs. He warned that overlooking these could result in significant financial losses for campaigns, as occurred last season.
OSAKA, Aug 25 (News On Japan) - The surge of AI tools is changing how homework gets done.

As summer vacation enters its final stretch, many students are still racing to finish their assignments. A second-year junior high school student admitted, "I haven't finished." A second-year high school student said, "Not at all," adding that completing everything now would be "a bit tough."

In a reporter demonstration, entering "Please write a book report on Botchan" into ChatGPT produced a full response in seconds. A middle school principal said teachers sometimes suspect AI when writing "goes beyond what we would expect from the student," raising questions about how to evaluate such work fairly.

A further twist is so-called reverse AI: ghostwriting services report requests to rewrite AI-generated text so it reads as if "written by a person." At the same time, some schools are experimenting with autonomy by letting students decide the volume of their vacation homework themselves, aiming to cultivate initiative rather than simple compliance.

Source: KTV NEWS
Mark Zuckerberg

Elon Musk tried to enlist Mark Zuckerberg for his unsolicited bid to buy OpenAI this year for almost $100 billion, the startup said in a court filing.

OpenAI said Musk identified Zuckerberg, the chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., as one of the people with whom he had communicated about potentially financing a deal to purchase the ChatGPT maker.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Neither Zuckerberg nor Meta signed the letter of intent or participated in the $97.4 billion bid, OpenAI said in the filing. OpenAIs board formally rejected Musks bid in February.

Musk worked with Sam Altman to found OpenAI a decade ago before going on to launch a rival startup, xAI. He has been locked in a legal skirmish with OpenAI, repeatedly trying to derail the startups plans to restructure as a more conventional for-profit business. The billionaire filed two lawsuits against OpenAI for allegedly straying from its founding principles and asked a court to block the companys restructuring efforts.

Evidence that Musk was quietly trying to persuade one of OpenAIs chief rivals to help him acquire the startup could undercut the billionaires legal claims that Altmans partnership with Microsoft Corp. betrayed the OpenAIs charity mission. The judge overseeing the legal battle previously has written that efforts by Musk to incorporate OpenAI into Tesla or to convert it into a for-profit company are relevant because they may be inconsistent with his claims against Altman and OpenAI.

OpenAI CEO Sam AltmanPhotographer: Nathan Howard/Bloomberg

OpenAI asked in the filing Thursday for the judge to order Meta to turn over documentation related to any communication the tech company had with Musk.

In a letter Friday, Musks lawyer argued to the judge that OpenAI should be barred from getting information from Meta about the February bid. It should also be barred from gathering other material from third parties related to its claim that Musk is waging a harassment campaign to damage Altmans startup and boost xAI, the lawyer said.

Musks attorney also said OpenAI has already signaled that it wants to question three other parties who signed the February letter of intent to purchase the startup.

At the time, Musk enlisted a group of wealthy allies for a cash bid to buy the nonprofits assets. Backers of the proposal included Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital, Atreides Management, Vy Capital, Joe Lonsdales 8VC and Ari Emanuel, through his investment fund.
WeRide (WRD), the autonomous driving company backed by Nvidia (NVDA), just unveiled WePilot AiDrive, a revolutionary one-stage end-to-end advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) that could fundamentally challenge Tesla's (TSLA) Full Self-Driving (FSD) dominance. This breakthrough represents a significant leap beyond traditional two-stage autonomous systems.

Typically, conventional approaches separate sensing and decision-making into distinct processes. However, WePilot AiDrive integrates both functions into a unified architecture, enabling vehicles to "see and act" simultaneously, mimicking skilled human drivers. This innovation delivers faster response times, efficient routing, and superior fault tolerance compared to existing systems.

More News from Barchart

Developed in partnership with Tier 1 supplier Bosch, the technology has completed core function validation and is expected to enter mass production later in 2025. The system has showcased remarkable capabilities across complex scenarios, including lane changes in heavy traffic, navigation around unplanned construction, unprotected intersection turns, and intricate interactions with pedestrians and obstacles in urban environments.

www.barchart.com

WeRides Widening Ecosystem

WeRide's technical advantages are compelling. The scalable computing architecture runs on high-performance platforms while scaling down to mid- and low-power setups through model distillation. Its proprietary middleware decouples algorithms from hardware, enabling rapid adaptation across different platforms. The system supports both pure vision and multi-sensor fusion configurations, providing flexibility that Tesla's camera-only approach lacks.

The WePilot AiDrive employs extensive driving data to automatically generate training labels and continuously improve performance, a capability that strengthens with each mile driven. This creates a self-improving system that handles edge cases and long-tail scenarios effectively over time.

WeRide has also achieved another milestone: approval for late-night Robotaxi testing in Beijing's challenging conditions. Equipped with over 20 sensors, including high-precision cameras and LiDARs, the system achieves 360-degree coverage with a 200-meter detection range, ensuring stable operation even in poor lighting and adverse weather.
When financial educator George Kamel hit the streets of Nashville with a simple question about debt, the responses he got were more alarming than the debt amounts themselves. In a revealing YouTube street interview, Americans opened up about their financial burdensand their surprisingly cavalier attitudes toward owing tens of thousands of dollars.

The numbers alone paint a stark picture of Americas debt crisis: 77% of U.S. households carry some form of debt, according to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Kamels impromptu interviews captured a cross-section of the nations financial reality. Student loans dominated the conversation, with amounts ranging from a couple thousands to a staggering high end of AU$90,000 ($58,382) Australian student debt, says Kamel.

Don't Miss:

The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market  and you can too at just $2.90/share.

The ECG Hasn't Changed in 100 Years  This AI Upgrade Could Help Detect Heart Disease Years Earlier

The Debt Landscape: From Car Loans to Credit Cards

The variety of debt types mentioned in these candid conversations reflects the multiple ways Americans are leveraging their futures. One interviewee casually mentioned a $48,000 used Mercedes with most of it financed, while another carried $25,000 in car debt. Credit card balances, some lingering for five years despite payment attempts, added another layer of financial obligation.

Business debt, government repayment obligations, and even ROTC payback requirementstotaling $60,000 for one individual who switched career pathsdemonstrated how debt can accumulate from various life decisions and circumstances.

The most striking aspect wasnt the debt amounts, but the emotional detachment many displayed toward their financial obligations. I feel like I should be stressed, but Im not, one respondent admitted, echoing a sentiment that appeared throughout the interviews.

Trending: Kevin O'Leary Says Real Estate's Been a Smart Bet for 200 Years  This Platform Lets Anyone Tap Into It

The Dangerous Psychology of Debt Denial

What made Kamels findings particularly concerning was the widespread lack of concrete repayment strategies. Many interviewees had no clear timeline or plan for becoming debt-free. Some student loans sat in deferment for years, accruing interest while borrowers remained disconnected from the growing balances.

Perhaps most troubling were the magical thinking solutions many relied upon: marrying rich, hoping for government forgiveness, or simply planning to die with it. One Australian student, despite owing AU$90,000, remained stress-free due to government assistance programs that effectively transfer the debt burden to taxpayers.
Tim Drury looks at his son Jack during a hospital stay in December 2024. Courtesy of Tim and Kelsey Drury

Tim and Kelsey Drury said things appeared relatively normal at the beginning of their son Jacks life.

Jack was delivered at 33 weeks because Kelsey developed a pregnancy complication, but Kelsey said her son blew the doctors away with how quickly he caught up.

We were like, This is great, hes going to develop normally and everything, she said.

But as time went on, Jacks development started to plateau. He never crawled. He never built the strength to roll over. He had trouble with tummy time.

At around 10 months old, Jack was enrolled in early intervention services to support his development. They signed him up for feeding therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. But no one knew exactly what was wrong, said Tim.

A lot of our specialists and care team that were looking at Jack were also befuddled as to what was causing his delays, because if you look at him, he didnt have any physical symptoms that would be associated with, for example, a type of muscular dystrophy. We brought him to some other specialists to look at his bone structure, and they said that nothing was wrong, said Tim.

When an occupational therapist suggested the couple see a neurologist, they visited the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures in Marlboro, where Jack underwent genetic testing.

The couple spent six excruciating months waiting for the results, bracing themselves for the worst, said Kelsey. Ultimately, she said, I dont think either of us could have prepared ourselves for this.

On July 2, shortly after their sons 2nd birthday, the Drurys got a life-changing diagnosis  Jack had infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy, a rare and fatal neurological disorder for which theres no cure or treatment. Right now, doctors can only help manage symptoms and support quality of life.

The first few days after that were spent in utter heartbreak and despair, said Tim.

Now, the couple is channeling their grief into the search for a treatment. In early August, they partnered with New Jersey-based nonprofit INADcure Foundation to launch Jacks Miracle Mission, an awareness and fundraising campaign that aims to raise funds for a gene therapy clinical trial that will give Jack, and other children like him, a chance at a future. As of Wednesday, their campaign has raised more than $545,000.

Children with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy often need assistive devices like the gait trainer that Jack is using here. Courtesy of Tim and Kelsey Drury

Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy is one of three types of PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration, a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the PLA2G6 gene. This means babies born with it initially appear healthy but as they get older  usually between the ages of 6 months to 3 years old  they start to have neurological issues, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Among the first symptoms are rapid, wobbly eye movements, floppiness in the head, body and legs, and an inability to sit, crawl or walk.

That can progress over the next several years as a persistent deterioration where they lose the ability to talk, walk and become very limited. Some kids even have difficulty swallowing and eating, so they wind up needing a lot of support, said Dr. Darius Adams, a clinical and biochemical geneticist whos medical director for the Jacobs Levy Genomic Medicine and Research Program at Atlantic Health.

Kids with the disorder often have weakened immune systems and are more susceptible to infections. Many children dont survive past 10 years old, said Adams, whos also the division chief of Goryeb Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism.

Its unknown exactly how many people in the world have the disorder. Its estimated to affect about 1 in 1,000,000, according to the Rare Genomics Institute, a non-profit organization focused on patients and families affected by rare diseases worldwide.

Its hard to know how many people have the condition because it requires sophisticated genetic testing to make a diagnosis, said Adams.

Its possible that in other area of the world where there isnt much accessibility to this type of testing, there could be kids who are undiagnosed, he said.

But getting genetic testing is just the first hurdle. Once parents have a diagnosis, theyre faced with the stark reality that there really is no treatment anywhere in the world, said Adams.

That was unacceptable to Leena Panwala, whose daughter Ariya was born in July 2014. The first year of her daughters life, things were really, really good, said Panwala, who lives in Fairfield.

Then, when her daughter was about 15 months old, Panwala noticed Ariyas pupils shaking back and forth. That began their diagnostic odyssey, beginning with an ophthalmologist, then a neuro-ophthalmologist, a neurologist, a developmental pediatrician, and finally a geneticist at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said Panwala.

Leena and Anil Panwala with their daughters Ariya, 11, and Alaya, 7. Courtesy of Leena Panwala

By the time Ariya was diagnosed with the terminal disease in September 2016, just two months after her 2nd birthday, she could no longer sit up independently or reach for toys. Today, she is 11 years old and requires round-the-clock assistance.

Panwala searched online for an organization that could help her navigate her new reality, but she couldnt find one focused solely on this one condition.

Its not really on anyones radar. Theres not enough research dollars that go into it, and that just didnt sit well with me. I needed to feel like I was doing everything in my power for my daughter and other kids like her, she said.

She officially formed the INADcure Foundation in April 2017 with the ultimate goal of developing a gene therapy treatment. Gene therapy is a new area of science that involves using gene-targeted treatments for neurological conditions. Currently, about 40 cell and gene therapies are approved for use in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

After years of searching for a biotech partner without success, INADcure decided to sponsor the development of a gene therapy treatment independently. The foundation assembled a team of scientists, researchers, and manufacturing experts to drive forward research.

It partnered with the Rare Genomes Project at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to publish a study calculating the prevalence of PLA2G6-associated disease, which had not been previously calculated. It collaborated with doctors at Baylor College of Medicine to study potential gene therapy treatments in mice. It also partnered with researchers at Oregon Health and Science University to create a set of best practices for care.

The goal of this research is to produce enough robust data to submit an Investigational New Drug application to the FDA. Panwala said the foundation hopes to submit an application by September.

At the same time, INADcure is also starting the manufacturing process for its clinical trial drug, which can take approximately six months.

Adams, a member of the foundations scientific advisory board, said INADcure is not only a fundraiser, but theyre functioning as a biotech company simultaneously, which is not the anywhere near the norm.

This is a model thats unheard of, but its out of necessity because weve gone to biotech and theyve repeatedly told us, Look guys, we feel for you, but theres no way we can justify the outlay to pull this off, said Adams.

If approved by the FDA, the foundation will move forward with a clinical trial hosted by Atlantic Health, with Adams as the principal investigator. However, an additional $2 million is needed to fund the clinical trial.

Whether or not Jack gets to be part of the clinical trial, Kelsey and Tim said raising money for it has given them something they didnt have before  hope.

A lot of people have never heard of this before, said Tim. Its something thats impacting children globally, but where theres actually hope and potentially some work being done towards some therapy and cures, its all being done right here in New jersey, which is pretty remarkable.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
The One Grove property, which opened in 2024 at 215 Grove St., features a mix of studio to three-bedroom apartments with high-end finishes and appliances. Provided by Cushman & Wakefield

A luxury apartment development located on Jersey Citys Grove Street has obtained a massive $81 million refinancing deal.

The refinancing package for One Grove, a 200-unit residential community was secured during the summer, according to a statement from Cushman & Wakefield who arranged the loan.

The five-year, interest-only loan was secured through Societe Generale on behalf of Sing Wang of TKK Capital.

The property, which opened at 215 Grove St. in 2024, features a mix of studio to three-bedroom apartments with high-end finishes and appliances.

Rents start at about $3,000 per month and Greystar handles leasing operations at the property.

Approximately 30% of the units include private outdoor spaces, according to the announcement.

Designed by MHS Architecture, One Grove is strategically positioned at the south end of the Grove Street corridor.

The property offers residents amenities including a landscaped rooftop terrace, state-of-the-art fitness center, co-working space, resident lounge, and demonstration kitchen.

The development also features a parking garage and is located near public transportation options including the PATH train and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.

The property includes furnished short-term rental apartments, providing flexibility for various leasing needs.

The refinancing deal was disclosed on June 24.

Cushman & Wakefield said the transaction highlights both the ongoing demand for well-located, high-quality multifamily properties and the strength of Jersey Citys real estate market.

Brad Domenico, along with Frank Stanislaski and Jack Subers from Cushman & Wakefields Equity, Debt & Structured Finance group, advised the borrowers on the transaction. Additional advisory support came from Niko Nicolaou and Ryan Dowd of the firms Multifamily Advisory Group.

Our team was able to leverage our expertise in this sector and market to secure favorable terms for the borrower in a competitive financing environment, said Brad Domenico of Cushman & Wakefield.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
Moses Stoller of South Orange waves his Israeli flag a the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ Solidarity with Israel rally at Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Short Hills on Sunday night. 10/08/2023 Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance

By Jake Davidson and Cory Rothbort

Criticism of Israel  like criticism of any government  is protected speech. But antisemitic intimidation is not.

New Jerseys proposed antisemitism bill, A3558, draws that line.

Recent commentary about A3558 has sparked public debate  but also confusion. Some critiques conflate advocacy with analysis, and legal terms with rhetorical ones.

In moments like these, clarity matters.

The Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey (JBAR) is a voluntary affinity group of attorneys committed to justice, equity, and the rule of law.

We represent thousands of Jewish lawyers and allies across the state. We believe in fierce debate and in bright lines  especially when it comes to protecting both free speech and vulnerable communities.

A3558 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism  a noncriminal guide used by the U.S. State Department, the European Union, and dozens of democratic governments. IHRA includes a critical safeguard:

Criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.

It also lists context-dependent examples: Holocaust inversion, collective blame of Jews, denying Jewish self-determination, or applying double standards only to Israel.

A bare allegation of genocide does not automatically trigger any of these examples.

The amended version of A3558, which unanimously passed the Assembly State and Local Government Committee in July 2025, is noncriminal guidance that:

Creates no new crimes

Creates no speech code

Provides a uniform standard for identifying antisemitic intimidation

It explicitly protects the right to criticize Israel like any other nation.

Calling a governments conduct genocide, war crimes, or ethnic cleansing is core political speech in the United States. It only becomes unlawful if it morphs into true threats, incitement, or harassment.

A3558 cannot change that. What it can do is help administrators and law enforcement name antisemitic intimidation when it occurs.

Under IHRA, A3558, and the First Amendment, the sentence Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is protected political speech  unless it crosses into specific antisemitic manifestations.

Some recent analysis misrepresents IHRAs scope, cherry-picks advocacy reports, and ignores complicating evidence.

For example, the ICC has pursued war-crimes charges against both Israeli and Hamas leaders. That is not the same as genocide. The International Court of Justice has not made a genocide finding. Allegations are not adjudications.

Genocide has a precise legal meaning: the intentional destruction of a people, in whole or in part, as such.

That standard has been met in the Holocaust, Rwanda and Bosnia. Applying it broadly to Israel  while ignoring Hamas explicit calls for Jewish extermination and its deliberate use of civilians as shields  strips the word of its gravity and insults the memory of true genocides.

Bias is not disqualifying  but undisclosed bias can obscure clarity. When writers present unequivocal conclusions, readers deserve transparency about declared alignments and political commitments.

Thats not censorship  its context.

New Jersey already defines racism, homophobia, and bias intimidation. Yet despite a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, we have no definition of antisemitism. That gap leaves Jewish families vulnerable.

A3558 fills that gap. It aligns with 37 U.S. states, 98 local jurisdictions, the federal government, the EU, the UK, Germany, France, Canada, and even the Global Imams Council. In none of these places has free speech vanished.

Debate thrives. Protest continues. Academic inquiry flourishes. What has improved is clarity.

If we can name racism, then surely we can name antisemitism too.

Naming antisemitism doesnt silence debate. It doesnt criminalize dissent. Free speech is protected. Harassment is not.

The IHRA definition does not suppress dialogue it clarifies when expression crosses into unlawful intimidation. Thats not censorship. Thats constitutional guardrails in action.

In moments of heightened public discourse, its essential that commentary be accompanied by context, and that advocacy be distinguished from analysis.

When the worlds oldest hatred mutates before our eyes, the last thing our institutions should do is blur the line between debate and defamation.

A3558 restores that line. New Jersey should uphold it.

Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assemblymember and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Roster.

Jake Davidson and Cory Rothbort are co-chairs of the Advocacy Committee for the Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey (JBAR).

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
Julie Roginsky, a Democrat, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers yet have remained friends. Here, they discuss the weeks political events with Star-Ledger editor Enrique Lavin.

Q: The Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and the talks that followed in Washington have left several major questions unresolved, including Russias demand for Ukraine to remain outside of NATO. Trump, meanwhile, has suggested Ukraine may need to cede land for a ceasefire. Where can the USA  historic archival of Russia  go from here?

Mike: I am not sure what was accomplished if anything, but we all hope there was at least progress. The U.S. president has singular convening power in the world, as was demonstrated by Trump meeting with Putin and then meeting with numerous Western European leaders with Zolensky just days apart.

I will add that it was painful to see the great U.S. military literally rolling out the red carpet for a war criminal responsible for war in Ukraine, murders and rape of civilians, and the kidnapping of children. Trump treats Putin more nicely than the leaders of our long-time allies.

Julie: Let me echo Mikes last point first. The president of the United States ordered Marines to get on their hands and knees, literally, to roll out the red carpet for an autocratic, murderous dictator.

I dont often get emotional but watching that felt like a blow to the solar plexus.

Trump did not do this for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or for the western allies who accompanied him to Washington a few days later. He also took a private ride with Putin for 10 minutes in The Beast [the presidential limousine], something no other foreign leader has done. What they discussed will be lost to history but it is deeply troubling that it happened at all. It signals a depth in their relationship that should concern us all.

Here is the bottom line: Ukraine already has security guarantees from the United States. It received those when it ceded its nukes to Russia in the 1990s and they are not worth the paper they are written on now. You cannot cut a peace deal with Putin because he is a liar who wont respect it. The only path forward is to give Ukraine all the weapons it needs; to seize the billions in assets Russia has stashed in the West and give it to Ukraine for reconstruction efforts; and to have a united, strong, well-funded NATO standing against Russian aggression. Under Trump, none of this is happening because, for reasons that are still unclear, he is in thrall to Vladimir Putin.

Q: Cant the U.S. support defending Israel from existential threats, such as Hamas, and hold the Israeli government accountable for well-documented human rights violations in Gaza? What are the implications for U.S. foreign policy?

Mike: Yes, we need to stand by Israel and against Hamas. Hamas, Iran, and others will not cease without the death of Isreal and all Jews, so compromise with terrorists is hard to find. That said, it is difficult to justify the starvation of children. Some solution must be reached, and it must include Jordan and Egypt accept Palestinians into their countries.

Julie: I agree with everything Mike said except the last part. Jordan and Egypt will never accept Palestinians into their countries because they dont want to strengthen the Muslim Brotherhood on their own soil. There is nowhere for the Palestinians to go and the coming occupation of Gaza will be brutal and inhumane. Netanyahu will no more eradicate Hamas than the United States was able to eradicate the Taliban. There must be a political solution to this, because a military one will be unsuccessful, will cost thousands more lives and lead to tremendous suffering on both sides of the Eretz Crossing.

Q: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is making national waves with his redistricting gambit, while creating momentum for 2028. A few questions: Is his controversial plan to redraw his states congressional map to counter Republican gerrymandering in Texas going to work?

Mike: My kindergarten teacher once told me two wrongs dont make a right. But in politics, one cannot unilaterally disarm, allowing the other side to play by different rules to their advantage. The Texas ploy is stupid and undemocratic. So is the California ploy, and the Illinois ploy, and the New York ploy. The explicit goal of gerrymandering on both sides is so loathsome, allowing the ends to always justify the means  the ends in this case simply being to win, even if it means removing as much competition as possible.

Julie: Well, Democrats tried very hard to pass a federal law [in 2021] that would have prevented this but Republicans killed it. This is all awful for democracy and for the vast majority of Americans who dont want to be governed by members of Congress who represent the extremes. Having said that, you cannot allow Republicans to do this in Texas and Florida and Indiana and still stand on your principles. So go, Gavin Newsom and Kathy Hochul and JB Pritzker!

New Jersey should get with the program and pass a constitutional amendment next year that would lead to picking up an extra district here, too. As I keep saying, because I come from New Jersey, when they go low, we get the excavator out and bury them.

Mike: Do not change New Jerseys redistricting rules. For the last 35 years, we have been one of the few states that has a mandatory, equal bipartisan redistricting committee, with a tiebreaking independent member appointed by the Supreme Court. The process forces compromise, and it does not allow the majority party to simply gerrymander in their favor. New Jerseys process isnt perfect, but it is better than most states where the map is simply another piece of legislation rammed through by the majority party.

Julie: Whats fair is fair. If Republicans in other states are going nuclear, they should expect Democrats in Democratic states to do the same. If Rep. Tom Kean Jr. didnt want his seat erased, he should have voted for the federal bill to ban partisan redistricting.

Q: Newsoms aggressive and often over-the-top lampooning of President Trump has boosted his visibility as his social media strategy has gone viral. Is this the beginning of a new era in American politics? Will this style of counter political programming become the new normal?

Mike: Democrats need someone to take the fight to Trump, but I dont think the rest of the country is yearning for the governor of California and former mayor of San Francisco to tell the rest of us how government should run. He will be the wrong messenger for Democrats in 2028.

Julie: Newsom is shining a spotlight on how the media has normalized Trumps insane rhetoric, for which I am deeply grateful. I have no idea whether he will emerge as the nominee in 2028 but he is, as Mike said, taking the fight to Trump like no other governor or senator today. Everyone else should get with the program, too. We are way past the sternly worded-letter phase of the cycle.

Q: Heres a question about American culture in 2025: Where are we  or who are we? Trump is calling for the whitewashing of Smithsonian museums by eliminating language about our countrys history of enslaving Black peoples, for instance. Hes taken over the Kennedy Center, boasts having had a hand in canceling Stephen Colbert and cheers on controversial pop culture, such as Sydney Sweeneys American Eagle commercial, which clearly suggested eugenics.

Mike: This is the backlash to the cancel culture of the last decade. It went too far and now the pendulum is swinging too far back in the other direction. I am confident our history will not be erased at the Smithsonian, and the Kennedy Center will live on. I also think Stephen Colberts ratings and profitability had plenty to do with the end of his show, and I think we all care too much about a blue jeans commercial. Where is Brooke Shields and Jordache when we need them?

Julie: First, no one cares about a blue jeans commercial. That was a totally manufactured controversy by right-wing media. But to the larger point: For years, MAGA has sought to rewrite history to justify its own version of reality. It has done this at the grade level through school bans in schools, like efforts to ban the Diary of Anne Frank, which depicts the horrors of the Holocaust, and Beloved, which depicts the horrors of slavery. The point is to start brainwashing Americans young  and to keep them brainwashed into adulthood. That is why Trump is working so hard to bring ideological diversity to universities, which is a backdoor way of ensuring that they teach only what he wants taught. That is why he is now erasing American history from museums  first from the Smithsonian and then, eventually, from others that receive federal funding.

Q: Anything youd like to note about the ongoing the Epstein/Trump files saga?

Mike: I am watching what they are doing with convicted felon Ghislane Maxwell, who procured underage girls for Epsteins pedophile friends. Are they trying to silence her? Or give her favorable treatment to buy her silence? It all smells of smoke.

Julie: Dont sleep on how much Republicans are harming the very survivors who are at the heart of this scandal. Rep. Jim Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, is calling everyone from Bill and Hillary to Bill Barr to testify, but he is refusing to call the women who were trafficked by Epstein as young girls. Why? Is he scared of what they would say under oath about whom they were trafficked to?

When you take a step back and realize how little we have heard from the survivors and the presidents comparable kid-glove treatment of Ghislaine Maxwell, you understand how much no one in Washington actually cares about getting to the bottom of what really happened.

Q: Do you think Gov. Phil Murphys push to reform PJM Interconnection and spotlight rising energy costs will help Democrats defend their energy policies in the November election  or will Republicans succeed in framing it as a failure of clean energy leadership?

Mike: Stop the blame game. The energy crisis is the fault of Gov. Murphys energy policies, forced upon him by the far left, as Democrats in the Legislature simply went along. Eight years ago, New Jersey was self-sufficient, producing all our own energy. Now we import 40% of our electricity because we allowed nuclear facilities to close, and said no to new natural gas generation, thinking renewables would be sufficient, when they simply werent ready yet.

And blaming PJM, a non-profit moving electricity around a dozen states, is silly political scapegoating. Without PJM and their ability to move energy from other states here, New Jersey would be in serious trouble. New Jersey simply doesnt produce enough electricity to meet our demands anymore, so we must import from Pennsylvania and even West Virginia and Kentucky, where they still burn plenty of coal. The energy policy of Trenton Democrats has been their greatest failure, leading to higher prices, insufficient supply, and incredibly, higher emissions.

Julie: This is very simple: no one in New Jersey knows what PJM is and no one cares. They care that their energy prices have skyrocketed under Gov. Murphy. This is a big problem for Democrats this November. PJM is not on the ballot.

Q: Democrat Mikie Sherrill has drawn criticism from both the Murphy administration and Republicans for distancing herself from Murphy after she skipped consulting him on her running mate and for calling out state agencies for stifling business growth. Will this help or hurt her chances with voters in November?

Mike: The same political party has not won three consecutive terms for governor in New Jersey since the 1960s. And while Gov. Murphy is not unpopular, there is certainly some discontent with the status quo. So, Mikie Sherrill is smart to find opportunities to distance herself from Murphy, without causing a true rift with him or Democratic voters more broadly. Showing some independence from your party is always a smart thing in New Jersey elections, where independent voters will make the difference.

That said, believe me, Gov. Murphy wants Mikie Sherrill to win. Having a Democrat follow him would be a feather in his cap, while a Republican winning would cement the idea that people wanted a real change from him. Ask President Obama what it feels like when you think your partys candidate will succeed you and the other guy wins. Not good.

Julie: Why in the world should Mikie Sherrill have consulted with Phil Murphy on her running mate? Hes fundamentally irrelevant now and he is not beloved by the voters of New Jersey. His polling is about on par with Trumps, except that he does not excite the Democratic base the way Trump excites MAGA, so his displeasure is not something that should affect her. The best thing Rep. Sherrill can do is distance herself from Murphy. Its not even a reflection on Murphy  its just that after eight years of any governor, voters are looking for change. It happened after Christies two terms, it happened after Whitmans two terms and it will happen now, if she does not clearly separate herself from the status quo.

Q: With New Jersey being one of only two gubernatorial races this year, Ciattarellis campaign is drawing national attention as a bellwether for 2026. The Republican candidate is trying to build a coalition that includes voters who are skeptical of Trump, despite now being seen as a Trump-aligned candidate. Sounds tough. Will he succeed?

Mike: Time will tell, but the effort is smart. Trump won 600,000 more votes in losing New Jersey for president than Gov. Murphy did in winning the last governors race. There are hundreds of thousands of voters out there that support Trump that almost never vote in a governors race. Can Jack inspire them to vote without turning off the more moderate independent voters? Thats the trick.

The opportunity is also there for Sherrill. VP Harris received more than 800,000 more votes than Murphy did three years prior. A million-and-a-half voters care about the presidential race, but not at all about governor. Can one side inspire just a fraction of those voters without alienating the center?

Lastly, a key question remains  is Trumps popularity transferrable? He won in 2016, but the Republican party got trounced in 2017, 2018 and 2020. This is similar to President Obama. Obama won in 2008 and 2012, but Democrats were soundly defeated in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. Sometimes just because the guy on top is popular, it doesnt mean the votes trickle down.

Julie: If Mikie Sherrill wins, it will be in part because voters who would otherwise have given a Republican a chance after eight years of Democratic rule could not stomach pulling the lever for someone whose victory Trump will take credit for.

I suspect that Ciattarelli understands this, which is why he is reaching out personally to voters of color and others who have traditionally been in the Democratic tent but who increasingly feel that Democrats have taken them for granted.

The challenge for Rep. Sherrill is to convince those same voters that she will take their concerns more seriously than they feel Gov. Murphy has. She has a huge opportunity to create a big coalition of suburban voters whom she has represented in Congress, urban voters who turned out for Trump last year in larger than expected numbers and young, progressive voters who feel disengaged from the New Jersey Democratic Party.

But she needs to reach out to these people personally and not rely on others, including county leaders, to do it for her. Ciattarelli has been at it for a decade and has met and developed a relationship with lots of people in the state, including many Democrats. She needs to play catch up  and quickly.

Q: On Thursday, a U.S. District judge ruled that Trump-appointed Alina Habba has been serving without legal authority as the acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey since July 1. The judge concluded her appointment was unlawful, and she must be disqualified from participating in any ongoing federal cases in our state. What does this mean for Trumps agenda?

Julie: Full disclosure, my husband Gerry Krovatin is one of the attorneys who won this case. This is a huge victory for democracy and the constitutional order. U.S. attorneys cannot serve beyond a short period of time unless they are either confirmed by the senate or approved by the states federal judiciary. Neither of those things happened here, so it is outrageous that the Department of Justice tried to keep Alina Habba in place. The president should find someone else to serve as U.S. attorney who can either get confirmed by the senate or by New Jerseys federal judges.

Mike was unavailable to respond to this last-minute question in time for publication.

Political consultants Julie Roginsky and Mike DuHaime Photo by Stephanie Cowan

A note to readers: Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we prove it every week with this Friendly Fire conversation.

Mike and Julie are deeply engaged in politics and commercial advocacy in New Jersey, so both have connections to many players discussed in this column. DuHaime, the founder of MAD Global Strategy, has worked for Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and George W. Bush. Roginsky, a principal of Comprehensive Communications Group and author of the Salty Politics column in Substack, has served as senior advisor to campaigns of Cory Booker, Frank Lautenberg, and Phil Murphy.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
RPC, Inc. (NYSE:RES) is one of the Most Oversold Penny Stocks to Buy Now. On August 14, Piper Sandler lowered the firms price target on RPC, Inc. (NYSE:RES) from $5 to $4, while maintaining an Underweight rating on the stock.

The firm noted that they talked with many companies dealing in drilling, completion, production, and power across North America and in the international market. The discussion with these companies revealed that the Oilfield Services and Equipment sector remains flat due to many conflicting market factors. Moreover, the industry is also dealing with the oil price shock in an environment characterised by deflation and sticky production in US land markets. The firm notes that as a result of these persisting challenges, the future of RPC, Inc. (NYSE:RES) and the overall sector remains uncertain; thus, Piper Sandler remains cautious.

Piper Sandler Lowers PT on RPC, Inc (RES), Maintains an Underweight Rating

A pressure pumping machine at the centre of an oilfield, surrounded by a team of workers in the field.

RPC, Inc. (NYSE:RES) provides specialized oilfield services and equipment. It serves companies exploring and producing oil and gas in the US and some international markets.

While we acknowledge the potential of RES 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.
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below.
A number of events this week in New Orleans will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures. Below is a round-up of art exhibits, film screenings, panels, seminars and more taking place in the area.

Weathering the Storm: Reflecting on New Orleans Past

Presented by the New Orleans Public Librarys City Archives & Special Collections, Weathering the Storm explores the Citys experience and response to major hurricanes through municipal action, emergency preparedness, and community resources, and touches on hurricanes Betsy, Camille and Katrina. The collection was curated by Amy DeNisco, Amanda Fallis, Andrew Mullins, Brittanny Silva and Christina Bryant, and an online version is also available. It runs through the end of 2025 at the librarys main branch, 219 Loyola Ave.

Dapper Bruce Lafitte: A Time Before Katrina

The New Orleans Museum of Art presents a series of works by local artist Dapper Bruce Lafitte. Using handmade paper and ink, Lafittes work acts as documentation, celebration, and requiem of pre-Katrina New Orleans and touches on local landmarks, institutions and other cultural touchstones. The exhibit runs through Sept. 21 in the museums Great Hall. Find information at noma.org.

NO PAPERS! NO FEAR: Documenting the (UN)Documented

Presented by the Caribbean and New Orleanian Arts (CANOA) center in Bywater, poet, playwright and artist Jose Torres-Tama's No Papers! No Fear explores the role undocumented immigrant workers played in the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurrican Katrina. The exhibit runs through Oct. 24 at CANOA, 4210 St. Claude Ave.

Katrina Diaspora: A 20-Year Recursive Experiment

This group show at the Good Children Gallery features work by artists Christopher Saucedo, Andrew Au and Jennifer Purdum including prints, collage and other forms of art. The show runs through Sept. 14 at The Good Children Gallery, 4037 St. Claude Ave.

Monarch Forum

Hosted by Taproot Earth, the two-day event will include panels, conversations and sessions focused on climate change, displacement and environmental justice 20 years after Katrina. The forum takes place Monday, Aug. 25, and Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Open to the public but registration is required. Find more info at taproot.earth.

Katrina 20 Mini Film Festival

The evening film festival on Monday, Aug. 25, and Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater will include screenings of Picking Up the Pieces: College Life After Katrina, Guardians of the Flame, Katrina Babies and more. Find the schedule and more info at katrina20.org.

Coastal Reflections

Restore the Mississippi River Delta hosts a panel discussion on community organizing and advocacy for coastal restoration and post-disaster work followed by a fireside chat with Meagan Williams and Krista Jankowski about their work on urban and coastal flood issues. The event is at noon Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Andre Cailloux Center. Admission is free. Find more info at eventbrite.com.

Down by the Riverside

Poet Donney Rose will present his poetry and storytelling project Down by the Riverside at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Ashe Powerhouse Theater. Rose blends poetry, audio storytelling of Black New Orleanians about their Katrina experiences, and other elements. Find more info on Instagram: @donney_rose.

Author talk with Sandy Rosenthal

Sandy Rosenthal, the founder of Levees.org, will discuss her 2020 book Words Whispered in Water: Why the Levees Broke in Hurricane Katrina, about her work holding the Army Corps of Engineers accountable for the levee failures. Shell be at Octavia Books at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27. Find more info at octaviabooks.com.

Turning the Tide: Weathering Katrina

A panel of current and former Times-Picayune journalists will discuss staying during the storm and reporting on Katrina. Turning the Tide takes place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Tulanes Tidewater Building Auditorium on Canal Street. Find more information at events.tulane.edu.

Women of the Storm screening

The Gulf States Newsroom hosts a screening of the 2015 documentary Women of the Storm about the group of the same name and the women who fought for New Orleans after Katrina. There also will be a discussion with group founder Anne Milling, filmmaker Wesley Shrum and more. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the Prytania Theatre Uptown. Find more info at eventbrite.com.

20 Summers screening

BETs short documentary 20 Summers: Rebuilding the Rhythm of New Orleans features New Orleans artists talking about the citys music and culture 20 years after Katrina. There is a screening at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Gallier Hall. An artist talk back with Tank Ball, Pell and Sunni Patterson will follow. Find more info on Instagram: @embracetheculturenola.

+3 Clancy DuBos: 20 years later, Katrina still separates our before and after eras Ultimately, its up to us to write our history, cure our ills, right our wrongs, and most of all lean on and raise up one another.

The Ella Projects The State of New Orleans Culture

Writer Lolis Eric Elie moderates a discussion on the effects of Katrina in the two decades after the storm, organized by the pro bono legal aid group The Ella Project. Theres a reception at 5 p.m., and the panel is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Find information at ellanola.org or nolajazzmusuem.org.

'Together in the Eye screening

The new documentary made by New Orleans natives shares the stories of people who did not evacuate when Katrina hit the city, but it also continues into the citys recovery and return of cultural traditions. There is a screening at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Prytania Theatres at Canal Place. Tickets are $25 via togetherintheeye.com.

'A Village Called Versailles screening

Vietnamese Initiative in Economic Training (VIET) hosts a screening of the documentary about the devastation of the Vietnamese community in New Orleans East following Hurricane Katrina and their efforts to organize and rebuild. At 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at 13435 Granville St. Find information on Instagram: @vietnola.

The Katrina List: An Untold Story of Hurricane Katrina

The New Orleans African American Museum and Katrina National Memorial Foundation open an expo of R. Omar Casimires work documenting people who were left stranded during the storm and flooding. Visit noaam.org for information.

'Leading Ladies of Hurricane Katrina'

Royd C. Anderson presents his documentary about Hurricane Katrina and there's a Q&A afterward. At 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the St. Charles Parish East Regional Library (160 West Campus Drive, Destrehan). Visit myscpl.org for more information.

+13 Note Change: How the post-Katrina charter system reshaped music education in New Orleans New Orleans' move to a charter school system after Hurricane Katrina has reshaped music education in a city known worldwide for its music.

Annual march and second line

Organized by the Hip Hop Caucus and the Katrina Commemoration Foundation, the annual march and second line begins at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, with a healing ceremony, a remembrance of those lost and a moment of silence at N. Galvez Street and Jourdan Avenue in the Lower 9th Ward. A march toward Hunters Field will follow, with a brass band joining halfway to turn the march into a second line. A rally then begins at 3 p.m. at Hunters Field at N. Claiborne and St. Bernard avenues. Find more details at katrina20.com.

20 Years Beyond Katrina

The Louisiana State Museums on Friday, Aug. 29, will re-open the exhibit Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond at The Presbytere. Following the ribbon cutting, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, author Walter Isaacson, former Jefferson Parish president Aaron Broussard and others will take part in a public symposium about the areas recovery. The symposium starts at 10 a.m. at Le Petit Theatre and is free to attend. Find information at louisianastatemuseum.org.

A Reason to Stay screening

The documentary uses footage shot by a couple that had bought a home in Mid-City before the storm and worked to rebuild after their neighborhood was flooded following Katrina. The screening is at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at The Broad Theater, and theres a party afterward at the Broadside. Movie tickets $12 at thebroadtheater.com.

Waves of Grace: Remember Katrina

Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw, Rockin Dopsie, Ella Grace Francis, Jane McMahon and more perform at the Katrina remembrance. At 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at The Orpheum Theater. Find tickets at orpheumnola.net.

Swimming Upstream: The Katrina Monologues

Created for the 10th anniversary of Katrina by Ashe Cultural Arts Centers Carol Bebelle and Eve Ensler, the show is based on the stories of women who survived and rebuilt their communities after Katrina. This performance features Troi Bechet, Sekyiwa Shakur, Jennifer Pagan, Monique Dominique and others. At 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Find tickets at mahaliajacksontheater.com.

'K20: When the Water Met the Door'

Curated by DiQuan Forcell, the art exhibition reflects on the storm and its legacy through photogrpahy, sculpture, sound and installation. Featuring works by Keith Calhoun, Kathy Randels, Ayo Scott and more. Opens Friday, Aug. 29, at the Contemporary Arts Center and runs through Oct. 31. Find more information at cacno.org.

504: The Hip-Hop Musical

Anthony Bean directs 75 youth in a production about how Black teens endured Katrina and its aftermath. The show combines music, spoken word and movement. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at Orpheum Theater. Tickets $25 via orpheumnola.net.

Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Summit

The City of New Orleans hosts a day of panel discussions, speakers and other in-person events on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Gallier Hall to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Katrina. There will be discussions on the intersection of climate change, water and infrastructure, and another panel will focus on sustainability in the city. Events run 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the summit is free to attend. Find more information at katrina20.nola.gov.

The Spirit of Louisiana Katrina 20th Commemoration

There is a commemoration of the damage from Hurricane Katrina and the first responders, relief workers and others who helped rebuild. Thats followed by a second-line parade and concert by the Bucktown Allstars. The ceremony is at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. Find information at kreweofblackandgold.com.

Deeply Rooted: 20 Years and Beyond

A block party with DJ Two Scoops, food vendors and family-friendly activities will take place 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, under the bridge along N. Claiborne Avenue between Orleans Avenue and St. Louis Street. Arts New Orleans also will unveil the new mural Deeply Rooted. Find more info at cidnolaonline.com.

Post-Katrina: Experiences Within the City after Katrina

Community activists and preservationists discuss recovery efforts and shortcomings in a panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Main Branch of the New Orleans Public Library. Find info at neworleans.libnet.info.
My expectations are very low

They'll make it into the playoffs

To the NFC Championship game

Black and Gold in the Super Bowl

Vote

View Results
Alison Hammond has hit back at suggestions that she is on TV too often.

Alison Hammond is happy with her busy TV workload

The 50-year-old star is a regular presence on the small screen with presenting roles on This Morning and The Great British Bake Off but feels that she "stands out" because of her race as she issued a riposte to her social media critics.

Asked if she is concerned about overexposure, Alison told The Guardian newspaper: "No. If I need to rest up or a job doesn't appeal, I won't do it. I'm good at saying no. I turn down 10 things per day, no exaggeration.

"It looks like I'm on TV a lot, sure, but I stand out partly because it's still not the norm to see a Black woman doing this. I don't want to bring race into it but no one says that about Davina (McCall) or Ant and Dec.

"I've worked hard for 22 years to get here. That woman on TikTok is allowed her opinion. It keeps me grounded. I'm not a national treasure. I'm just me, doing a job that I adore to the best of my ability, trying to be better than I was yesterday."

Alison - who found fame after appearing on Big Brother back in 2002 - will once again co-host Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off alongside Noel Fielding this year and finds it easy to relate to the contestants given her own background in reality TV.

The For the Love of Dogs host said: "I was a contestant on Big Brother, in the jungle (on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!), even on Celebrity Bake Off. I know what they're going through.

"There's one baker who can't even make caramel but they learn on the job and do brilliantly. I love watching them progress. They go into the tent as one person and come out as another. You can't help being emotionally involved.

"What often moves me is hearing about who they've left behind to take part. Some have kids. They're not seeing their babies because they're working so hard at this. You're willing them to do well. When they leave, you find a lump in your throat."
For AI, the most pressing challenges are not software development or infrastructure manufacturing -- it's the strain on the U.S. power grid. Hyperscalers such as Microsoft , Alphabet , Amazon , Meta, Oracle , and OpenAI are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into data centers, each requiring massive amounts of electricity to operate at scale.

Right now, the American economy is experiencing something akin to the Industrial Revolution thanks to the booming impacts of AI. But with any megatrend comes significant trade offs.

At first glance, these may look like broad, boilerplate themes. But I see something deeper -- a unifying thesis that ties together some of the biggest secular growth opportunities underpinning the American economy.

In the S-1 filing for American Exceptionalism Acquisition Corp., Palihapitiya outlines four core pillars he believes are essential to U.S. competitiveness -- artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized finance (DeFi), defense, and energy production.

Let's break down what investors need to know about this SPAC, why Palihapitiya's recent move matters, and which company I think could be on his radar -- a potential candidate to become the next Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR).

For a while, SPACs seemed to fade quietly into the background of stock market activity. But just as investors began to write them off, Palihapitiya reignited the conversation with a new prospectus for his latest $250 million "blank check company": American Exceptionalism Acquisition Corp . While details are limited at the moment, Palihapitiya has hinted at the kinds of businesses he's targeting.

At the center of the frenzy was Chamath Palihapitiya -- better known on Wall Street as the "SPAC king". A former executive at AOL and Meta Platforms turned billionaire venture capitalist (VC), Palihapitiya made his name taking bold bets on disruptive companies.

SPACs have been overly risky investments for quite some time, and Palihapitiya's personal track record is mixed.

While there are limitless candidates for the new SPAC, one software startup stands out as a compelling opportunity -- sharing some similarities with Palantir in its early days.

Story Continues

And it's not just the private sector. The U.S. government is moving aggressively with initiatives like Project Stargate, a $500 billion domestic infrastructure program designed to establish America's digital transformation.

Against this backdrop, I think Palihapitiya may be eyeing a start-up sitting at the intersection of his four pillars.

Image source: Getty Images.

What company could fit the bill for Chamath?

In my eyes, Houston-based Amperon could be a natural fit for the American Exceptionalism SPAC.

Amperon functions as an operating system for the power grid, offering AI-powered software that delivers real-time intelligence to utilities, energy traders, and large power buyers. Its platform enables decision-makers to forecast demand, renewable output, and wholesale prices with greater precision -- addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the energy economy.

In many respects, Amperon can be thought of as the Palantir of climate tech. Just as Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) synthesizes massive volumes of unstructured data and turns them into actionable insights for government agencies and large private enterprises, Amperon applies the same methodology to the grid. It translates fragmented inputs -- from weather patterns or anomalies in demand surges -- into a unified model for energy stakeholders.

The company has also built strategic collaborations with Microsoft, National Grid, and Acario (part of Tokyo Gas). Much like Palantir's early contracts, these partnerships have the potential to deepen and expand over time -- embedding Amperon's tools more firmly into data workflows.

Both Amperon and Palantir demonstrate how AI-driven software layers can evolve into indispensable infrastructure. Where Palantir dominates defense and enterprise intelligence, Amperon is carving out a parallel role capturing energy, climate, and grid optimization.

And because energy touches every sector, Amperon's reach extends even further. Its intelligence platform could support crypto and DeFi protocols, where mining depends on reliable power sources, and strengthen defense applications, where resilient energy sources are critical to national security. This suggests that Amperon's total addressable market (TAM) is far broader than it might initially appear.

Ultimately, this vision aligns almost perfectly with the ethos of Palihapitiya's new SPAC: backing companies at the intersection of AI, defense, DeFi, and energy -- all rolled up and packaged into a compelling opportunity reshaping conscious capitalism.

Remember to be careful with SPACs

In the disclosure section of the prospectus, Palihapitiya reminds investors that they should only consider this SPAC if they can "embody the adage from President Trump that there can be 'no crying in the casino.'" Harsh as it sounds, the warning is well placed.

History hasn't been kind to SPACs. A University of Florida study found that SPACs across nearly every major industry have consistently underperformed the broader market over the past decade.

SPCE data by YCharts

Palihapitiya's own track record underscores this risk. Aside from MP Materials and SoFi Technologies, most of his SPACs have been financial catastrophes. As an investor, he has also backed other high-profile deals that flamed out -- including Desktop Metal and Berkshire Grey (both delisted) and Proterra and Sunlight Financial (both bankrupt).

My take is to approach the new SPAC with measured optimism, while keeping Palihapitiya's history of stewarding outside capital at the forefront of your thesis.

American Exceptionalism's converging focus on emerging themes across AI, defense, crypto, and energy might position it as a unique opportunity potentially poised for explosive growth. But smart investors understand that promise and hope are never true substitutes for prudent, disciplined investing.

Should you buy stock in Palantir Technologies right now?

Before you buy stock in Palantir Technologies, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Palantir Technologies wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $649,657!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,090,993!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,057%  a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025

Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Palantir Technologies, and SoFi Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Oracle, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends MP Materials and National Grid Plc and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Prediction: Chamath Palihapitiya's $250 Million SPAC Could Create the Next Palantir for America's Energy Grid was originally published by The Motley Fool
Celestica Inc. (NYSE:CLS) is included in our list of the 10 Unstoppable Canadian Stocks to Buy Now.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform Rating on Celestica Inc. (CLS) Following Strong Q2 Results

A close-up of a hand reaching out to touch a virtual animation, demonstrating the power of the company's IoT technology.

RBC Capital raised its price target on Celestica Inc. (NYSE:CLS) from $185 to $225 on July 30, 2025, maintaining an Outperform rating. This price revision follows the companys strongest Q2 results in more than two years, according to the investment firm.

Celestica Inc. (NYSE:CLS)s Q2 results were largely driven by robust demand from hyperscalers. Furthermore, the investment firm sees the companys guidance as conservative, indicating further upside potential. RBC Capital believes that Celesticas valuation premium should remain, driven by its strong growth momentum and an improving revenue mix, enhancing its competitive edge in supply chain and technology solutions.

Celestica Inc. (NYSE:CLS) serves advanced technology, connectivity, and cloud infrastructure markets by providing global supply chain solutions, offering design, engineering, manufacturing, and after-market services. It is one of the unstoppable stocks.

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

READ NEXT: 13 Best Oil Refinery Stocks to Buy Right Now and 13 Hot Oil Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None.
See What Strategic Infrastructure Israel Has Damaged in Iran

Israels largest attack ever against Iran has targeted nuclear and military facilities, gas and oil depots and the government-run broadcaster. More than 200 people have been killed and hundreds more injured.

Iranian facilities hit by Israeli attacks Missile facilities Nuclear facilities Energy facilities TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Tabriz Mashhad Tehran Most of the attacks so far have occurred in the western part of the country, where the largest number of facilities and cities are located. Kermanshah Natanz AFGHANISTAN IRAQ Isfahan IRAN Kerman Shiraz KUWAIT Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 100 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Tabriz Mashhad Tehran Most of the attacks so far have occurred in the western part of the country, where the largest number of facilities and cities are located. Kermanshah Natanz IRAQ Isfahan IRAN AFG. Kerman Shiraz KUWAIT Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 200 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Tabriz Tehran Mashhad IRAN Kermanshah Natanz AFG. IRAQ Isfahan Kerman Shiraz KUW. Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf 250 miles U.A.E Most of the attacks so far have occurred in the western part of the country, where the largest number of facilities and cities are located. Sources: Nuclear Threat Initiative, International Atomic Energy Agency, Global Oil & Gas Features Database and New York Times reporting The New York Times

Here is what is known about the damage to Irans strategic infrastructure so far.

Nuclear facilities

Israel launched its most recent attack against Iran last Friday with waves of coordinated airstrikes hitting nuclear sites and killing much of the countrys military chain of command, along with several nuclear scientists.

Irans nuclear industry is well established, with over 30 facilities spread over the country, and some buried deep underground. On Wednesday morning, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said Israel had struck two centrifuge production facilities.

Iranian nuclear facilities attacked Attacked Other nuclear facilities in Iran TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Bonab Mashhad Natanz and Isfahan are the most important nuclear sites in Iran and the first ones Israel attacked. Tehran Fordo Natanz AFGHANISTAN IRAQ Isfahan IRAN Kerman KUWAIT Bushehr Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 100 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Bonab Natanz and Isfahan are the most important nuclear sites in Iran and the first ones Israel attacked. Mashhad Tehran Fordo Natanz AFG. IRAQ Isfahan IRAN Kerman KUW. Bushehr Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 200 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Bonab Mashhad Tehran Fordo IRAN Natanz AFG. IRAQ Isfahan Kerman KUW. Bushehr Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf 250 miles U.A.E Sources: Nuclear Threat Initiative, International Atomic Energy Agency and New York Times reporting The New York Times

Natanz

The first strikes severely damaged Irans largest uranium enrichment center, at Natanz, about 140 miles south of Tehran.

Damaged electric substation Structures damaged or destroyed in Israeli strikes since Friday Destroyed by Israel in 2020 Pilot fuel enrichment plant destroyed Source: Institute for Science and International Security. Satellite imagery by Maxar Technologies. The New York Times

The U.N. nuclear watchdog initially reported that the strikes had damaged only the aboveground part of the enrichment plant. It later revised its assessment to confirm direct impacts on underground enrichment halls.

Satellite imagery taken two days after the strike shows the tracks of heavy machinery and piles of dirt covering craters above where the enrichment halls are believed to be built.

June 14 Craters June 15 Heavy machinery vehicle tracks Dirt piles Source: Satellite imagery by Maxar Technologies The New York Times

Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center

Irans most likely repository of near bomb-grade nuclear fuel is stored at a complex outside the ancient capital of Isfahan. The stockpile has so far been spared from attack, but the Israeli military struck laboratories that work to convert uranium gas back into a metal  one of the last stages of building a weapon.

Damaged building Damaged road Source: Satellite imagery by Maxar Technologies The New York Times

Fordo enrichment center

As of Wednesday morning, Irans most heavily fortified nuclear site, Fordo, remained undamaged. It was built deep inside a mountain to protect it from attack. Only the U.S. military has a bomb capable of even reaching it.

Striking Fordo is central to any effort to destroy Irans ability to make nuclear weapons.

The site appeared to be intact in this satellite imagery taken on June 14.

Fordo enrichment center Source: Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies

A few other important nuclear facilities remain undamaged. Among them is Bushehr, Irans only operating nuclear plant, and Arak, a heavily guarded complex that has long been suspected of being built to produce plutonium.

Bushehr, June 15 Arak, June 14 Source: Satellite imagery by Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies

Israel also targeted at least one university associated with nuclear programs. In an image posted on social media and verified by The New York Times, black smoke can be seen billowing from the Institute of Applied Physicss campus.

There are a few other institutions in the area that are also associated with Iranian nuclear programs, including Shahid Rajaee University and Malek Ashtar University of Technology. Both are under U.S. sanctions. American officials believe they participate in research on nuclear warhead design.

Missiles bases

Iranian missile capability was also degraded by the strikes. The Israeli military said that it had struck 12 missile launch sites and storage facilities on Tuesday alone.

Missile bases attacked Other missile bases in Iran TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Tabriz Shahroud Mashhad Tehran Kermanshah Imam IRAN AFGHANISTAN IRAQ Isfahan Kerman Shiraz KUWAIT Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 100 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Tabriz Shahroud Tehran Kermanshah IRAN AFG. Imam IRAQ Isfahan Kerman Shiraz KUW. Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf 250 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Tabriz Shahroud Mashhad Tehran Kermanshah IRAN Imam AFG. IRAQ Isfahan Kerman Shiraz KUW. Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 200 miles U.A.E Sources: Nuclear Threat Initiative, analysis of satellite imagery by Maxar Technologies and New York Times reporting The New York Times

Several Israeli strikes targeted a missile base in Kermanshah, where missile storage buildings can be seen with damage in a satellite image taken on June 15.

Destroyed buildings Source: Satellite imagery by Maxar Technologies The New York Times

Satellite imagery also shows damage at tunnel entrances to underground missile facilities.

Damaged tunnel entrances Destroyed building Source: Satellite imagery by Planet Labs The New York Times

In addition to Kermanshah, multiple other missile facilities were hit.

Shiraz missile facility Piranshahr facility Bid Kaneh missile facility Tabriz base underground entrance Source: Satellite imagery from Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies

Energy infrastructure

With the second-largest gas reserves in the world and the fourth-largest crude oil reserves, Iran is one of the worlds major energy producers.

Iranian energy facilities Energy facilities attacked Intact power plants Intact refineries, oil and gas storage TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Bonab Mashhad Tehran Israeli strikes took out Tehrans main gas depot and its central oil refinery. Kermanshah Anahita AFGHANISTAN IRAQ Isfahan IRAN Kerman KUWAIT Tonbak Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 100 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Bonab Tehran Mashhad IRAN AFG. IRAQ Isfahan Kerman KUW. Tonbak Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf 250 miles U.A.E TURKMENISTAN Caspian Sea Bonab Mashhad Tehran Israeli strikes took out Tehrans main gas depot and its central oil refinery. Kermanshah Anahita AFG. IRAQ Isfahan IRAN Kerman KUW. Tonbak Bandar Abbas SAUDI ARABIA Persian Gulf QATAR 200 miles U.A.E Source: Global Oil & Gas Features Database and New York Times reporting The New York Times

Over the weekend, Israel targeted Irans critical energy infrastructure. It struck Tehrans main gas depot and its central oil refinery, according to a statement from Irans oil ministry. The ministry said Israel had also targeted a section of one of the worlds largest gas fields.

Video posted to social media and verified by The Times shows a large fire burning at the Shahran oil depot, north of Tehran.

Source: WANA, via Reuters

Other infrastructure

On Friday, Israel carried out a strike on a military airport in the northwest Iranian city of Tabriz. A video taken by a witness and verified by The Times shows large plumes of black smoke rising into the sky.

Damaged buildings Damaged runway Source: Satellite imagery by Planet Labs The New York Times

And on Monday evening, the Israeli military attacked the headquarters of Irans state television. A news anchor was speaking live on the air when an explosion shook the building, followed by the sound of breaking glass and screams.
DOVIDA, Irelands leading home care provider, will host a series of National Hiring Week events across the country from September 1  5 as part of a major recruitment drive.

The company aims to hire 60 new caregivers throughout Westmeath, Offaly, and Longford to meet growing need for its services.

Dovida caregivers provide essential support to ageing adults and people living with disabilities in their own homes. The organisations person-centred approach means that its Caregivers build meaningful connections with their clients and empower them to live fuller, more independent lives.

National Hiring Week is a great way for us to get out and about in the community to connect with people looking to start a rewarding career in home care, Lorraine McLaughlin, General Manager of Dovida Midlands, said.

It provides us with an excellent platform to highlight what makes us an employer of choice in the sector and gives potential recruits the chance to meet local Caregivers and support team members to explore whether a career in care is right for them, she added.

READ NEXT: Tullamore residents cannot tolerate flooding situation for another winter

Dovida National Hiring Week events in the Midlands

Monday, September 1st, 10am - 4pm: Walk-in interviews at Birr Technology Centre, St Brendans Street, Birr, R42 A593.

Tuesday, September 2nd, 11am - 3pm: Open day and walk-in interviews, Temperence Hall, New street, Longford, N39 R9X8.

Wednesday, September 3rd, 10am - 3pm: Athlone Town Shopping Centre, Mardyke Street, Athlone.

Thursday, September 4th, 10am - 3pm: Hiring stand and walk-in interviews, Tullamore Bridge Centre, Bridge Street, Tullamore, R35 XC58.

Friday, September 5th, 10am - 3pm: Hiring stand and walk-in interviews, Greville Arms Hotel, 33-37 Pearse Street, Mullingar, N91 X9RN.

Dovida caregivers provide a range of vital services that empower people in their community to remain living as independently as possible in their own homes. Whether assisting an older person who needs some help around the house or supporting someone who has a disability to attend events in the community, Dovida caregivers are there.

Dovida offers both full and part-time positions as well as flexible hours in the mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends, allowing caregivers to fit their work into their lives and balance it with other commitments, such as family life or study. The company also provides comprehensive training and support, as well as opportunities for personal and professional development.

People who need support from Dovida want to maintain autonomy over their life, to experience belonging, pursue happiness and find purpose. Our caregivers are key to ensuring that as many people as possible can do just that, Lorraine concluded.

READ NEXT: Offaly man secured Ireland's position as a world leader in the pharmaceutical industry

Dovida welcomes applications from people from all walks of life and is committed to supporting them every step of the way. For more information on life as a Dovida caregiver and how to apply, please visit dovida.ie/hiring-week
A number of Offaly men have appeared before a Defence Forces Tribunal in Dublin during recent months.

Their cases are in relation to a number of unpleasant incidents, including bullying, which they were subjected to during their time in the Army.

According to Steven Whelan, a solicitor in Coleman Legal, Talbot Street, Dublin, Coleman Legal is representing fifteen clients in the Midlands counties alone, including three clients from Tipperary; five clients from Galway; two clients from Laois; three clients from Offaly; and two clients from Westmeath.

We also have a number of clients that are originally from these areas, Mr Whelan told the Midland Tribune, but are currently based overseas in Spain, Australia and the UK.

The Tribunal has been established to examine the complaints processes related to serious allegations of misconduct, abuse and mistreatment within the Defence Forces both in Ireland and abroad. The Tribunal is also examining complaints related to Air Corps personnel being exposed to toxic chemicals in Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell. Additionally, complaints related to the anti-malarial drug Lariam are being examined.

The two solicitors working on the project, including Mr Whelan, are Defence Forces veterans themselves, which gives them, they believe, a unique understanding of the unique challenges faced by our clients.

The Tribunal is tasked with examining the adequacy of complaints processes within the Defence Forces, investigating the culture surrounding the making of complaints, and assessing the response to reports of hazardous chemicals and other abuses. The inquiry is seen as being a significant step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and improved standards for all serving personnel.

This Tribunal is an opportunity for the Defence Forces community, continued Mr Whelan, to seek accountability and ensure future generations are protected from similar challenges our clients have faced.

"This will, we believe, help to ensure that the Defence Forces is a safe and welcoming environment for new and existing members and that service members have appropriate mechanisms in place to facilitate a complaint of abuse without fear of facing retaliation or reprisals.

"We are also concerned about the lack of awareness in the veteran and serving community and we have highlighted our concerns in a letter to the tribunal, Mr Whelan added.

The Defence Forces Tribunal is located in the Infinity Building in Smithfield. The Government intends to keep the office space in the Infinity Building going forward for further Tribunals and/or enquiries. The office space is equipped with a hearing room, interview rooms and offices for staff.

The Offaly clients were accompanied in their interviews by Mr Whelan and a Junior Counsel Barrister. Each interview was conducted by two Barristers from the Tribunals Legal Team (a Senior Counsel and a Junior Counsel). Each interview was conducted in a non-adversarial manner, and each client was questioned by the two interviewers, after which the interview concluded.

The sole member of the Tribunal is a Judge, Ms Justice Ann Power, who is supported by a legal team of six barristers, three of whom are experienced Senior Counsel. There is also a full-time solicitor, a registrar and a handful of full-time support staff.

The Tribunal is currently in its investigative phase and at present is conducting interviews with those who did not make a formal complaint to the Defence Forces while they were serving members. Our experience so far, commented Mr Whelan, has been that a lot of ex-Defence Forces personnel did not make complaints while they were serving. The reason for this was because they were afraid to make a formal complaint as many had witnessed those who did make formal complaints face ostracisation or further bullying. A lot of our clients accepted bullying as they werent even aware of the complaints mechanisms. After the Tribunal concludes the interviews with the personnel who did not make formal complaints, those who did make formal complaints will then be contacted for interviews. This process will take slightly longer as they will need to provide the documentation theyve taken up from the Defence Forces as part of this process. The Tribunal will then decide, based on the interviews, who will be called to give evidence at the public sittings.

As the Tribunal remains in its early investigative phase, no determinations or recommendations have yet been issued. However, upon conclusion of the process, it is expected that the Tribunal will make formal recommendations to the Government. It is our hope that any such recommendations will be supportive of those who suffered mistreatment during their time in the Defence Forces. A formal report will follow at a later date, but that is likely some time away, possibly 2027.

Mr Whelan said Coleman Legal is representing a large number of individuals from the Midlands and other regions throughout the Tribunal process.

Some have been interviewed already, he remarked, others are currently in the process of preparing for interviews, and a small number have yet to be contacted by the Tribunal.

"There is ongoing contact with the Tribunal team to assist in scheduling and preparing for these interviews.

"The interviews with the veterans currently living overseas, including in Australia, Spain and the UK can be conducted by video call.

"Some of our Midlands-based clients have already participated in interviews, with others scheduled in the near future. As each case proceeds at a different pace depending on documentation, I cant give a public update on each individual case at this time," he added.

We are hearing some deeply distressing accounts from clients, reflecting a systemic failure to protect both women and men during their time in service. Of particular note are statements that a number of individuals were subjected to bullying and harassment even after leaving the Defence Forces. This has included instances of public ridicule and, in some cases, efforts by serving members to obstruct former personnel from securing civilian employment. Our aim is to ensure that our clients are given an opportunity to give an account of their experiences in the hope that it will be acknowledged in the report and that changes to the organisation will be implemented.

Mr Whelan pointed out that the Smithfield Tribunal remains one of the most significant developments in the campaign for accountability and justice for members and veterans of the Defence Forces. While there is still some way to go, the process has so far allowed many individuals who were never heard during their service to finally have their voices recorded and their experiences acknowledged. Our office remains committed to supporting our clients through this process and working with the Tribunal to ensure it fulfils its important mandate.
Brands

Casual footwear brand Crocs has named Carly Gomez as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. The 20-year omnichannel marketing expert joins after most recently serving as CMO for Fabletics following a previous 16-year tenure at Vans, where she held marketing roles with increasing responsibility across global markets.

Denim purveyor Levi Strauss has named Chris Callieri as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, effective Sept. 15. He will join the companys executive leadership team and helm the brands global supply chain operations. His responsibilities will include product development, sourcing, global supply management, sustainability and distribution and logistics. Callieri joins Levis from Victorias Secret, where he served as chief supply chain officer since November 2022. Before that, he led the sustainability strategy and execution for Tory Burch, spending five years with the label, and held various senior roles at Adidas.

More from Sourcing Journal

Skims

Skims, the shapewear brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian, has named Robin Gendron as its first president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) division. Gendron previously served as president of EMEA at Michael Kors and brings over 15 years of experience across wholesale, retail, merchandising and operations to Skims in his newly-created position.

Italian luxury house Valentino has named Riccardo Bellini as chief executive, effective Sept. 1. Bellini has spent nearly 30 years in the industry, previously serving as CEO for Chloe and Maison Margiela, with earlier stints including 10 years at Diesel and 11 years at Procter & Gamble. In January, Bellini was named managing director at Qatari investment fund Mayhoola, Valentinos majority holder, per his LinkedIn.

Retail

Portfolio of consumer-driven footwear brands Caleres has named Kathleen Welter as chief human resources officer. Doug Koch, current chief human resources officer, will remain with the company for a month-long transition period with Welter and to support special projects until his retirement at year-end. In this role, Welter will oversee the human resources functions for the companys portfolio of brands and global associates, including recruitment, talent management, training, culture, compensation, benefits and labor law compliance.
A family living in Mayo who have Eyrecourt roots, are suffering with one of the hardest blows for any family in recent months.

In mid June of this year, they lost their three year old daughter Saoirse to leukaemia as a result of rare a serious genetic condition.

Now their one year old daughter Eabha is fighting for her life and needs a lifesaving bone marrow transplant as she has the same genetic condition that her sister died from.

Little Eabha Duggan is presently in the Dutch city of Utrecht, at the Prinses Maxima Centrum, undergoing tests ahead of a bone marrow transplant.

Such specialised treatment cannot be carried out in Ireland so the family has to travel to the Netherlands to this world leading specialist childrens hospital, just weeks after they buried their eldest daughter.

Martina OBrien from Eyrecourt, just over the bridge from Banagher, is married to Tommy Duggan and living in Claremorris.

Martinas parents Pat and Rose are well known because they have many relations spread throughout the Midlands.

We are devastated and distraught at what is happening to our grandchildren and our daughter and her husband, Pat said.

No parents should have to bury a child, its cruel and now to think the second child is fighting for her life, its unimaginable, he said with tears in his eyes.

Three year old Saoirse underwent a bone marrow transplant in February 2024 and the initial prognosis was positive, but sadly the cancer returned just months before she passed away in June.

Pat explained that the family had little or no time to grieve the loss of their child with their attentions turning to their second child who is now fighting her own battle.

Not to mention the massive costs involved, said Pat. He went on to explain that the family could be a long time away if all goes well for Eabha because she will need considerable monitoring for a long time to come.

A few weeks ago, Martinas sister Anne Marie Kenny, alongside her friend Louise Clarke, set up a Go-Fund-Me-Page to help the family meet with the massive costs involved. Their target initially was 40,000 and to date, over 128,000 has been raised in support of Eabha.

This is every familys worst nightmare but heartbreakingly for the Duggan family, this is their second time down this road. Martina and Tommy are heartbroken at the loss of Saoirse and now to have to deal with this is beyond belief, Pat said.

At least the Go Fund Me page will provide some financial relief to Tommy and Martina so that they can focus their full attention on Eabhas care. The family are extremely grateful to everyone and overwhelmed by the incredible support they are receiving because while the medical costs for Eabhas treatment are covered by the HSE, There are still considerable costs incurred by the family that must be met.

Such a horrible nightmare for any family to go through, certainly touches the hearts of everyone. People are extremely generous at times like this and we are very thankful, said Pat.

The family are hoping that medical science can help little Eabha who is well and doesnt have leukaemia at this time but its important and indeed its vital that she gets all the medical help and treatment she needs before it does occur as it could be too late then like her big sister who was diagnosed in late 2023 but lost her battle to this rare genetic condition.

If you would like to contribute to the fundraiser just go to the link below

https://www.gofundme.com/f/together-for-eabha-duggan-mayobonemarrowtransplant
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, Lahur Sheikh Jangi, leader of the opposition "People's Front Party", was arrested alongside two of his brothers following a violent confrontation with security forces in Sulaymaniyah. The operation, which unfolded in the early hours of Friday morning, resulted in multiple casualties and has drawn both domestic and international concern.

The recent armed conflict in Sulaymaniyah was the result of a deep and long-standing political and familial power struggle within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Sheikh Jangi was once co-president of the PUK alongside his cousin Bafel Talabani, son of the late President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani. Their relationship deteriorated in 2021, leading to Sheikh Jangi's removal and Bafel consolidating control over the party.

Sheikh Jangi later founded the Peoples Front Party, which gained traction and won seats in the 2024 elections, and has posed a challenge to PUK dominance.

Legal Charges and Arrest Warrant

The Sulaymaniyah Court issued an arrest warrant under Article 56 of the Iraqi Penal Code, accusing Sheikh Jangi of criminal conspiracy and destabilizing public order. The operation to arrest him involved heavy weaponry and counter-terrorism forces, which many viewed as excessive and politically motivated.

Armed Clashes and Security Concerns

Sheikh Jangi's loyalists, known as the Scorpion Force, resisted the arrest, leading to hours of armed clashes. The use of tanks and heavy weapons inside a civilian area shocked many and raised concerns about the militarization of political disputes.

Political Suppression Allegations

Critics argue that the arrest was not just legal enforcement but part of a broader crackdown on opposition voices. Similar actions were taken recently against other opposition figures, including Shaswar Abdulwahid, fueling fears of authoritarian tactics.

Regional and International Reactions

The Kurdistan Regional Government expressed concern over the violence, while the federal government in Baghdad called for transparency and restraint. International bodies, including the U.S. and Turkey, condemned the escalation and urged peaceful resolution.

In essence, this wasn't just a legal matter, but a flashpoint in a larger battle over political control, legitimacy, and the future direction of Kurdish governance.

In addition to Sheikh Jangi, his brothers Aso and Bolad were also arrested, while Rebwar Hami Haji Ghali, commander of the Lalazar forces, surrendered himself to the security authorities.

The operation to arrest Sheikh Jangi in Sulaymaniyah involved several key Iraqi Kurdish security units, primarily affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Caregivers and domestic workers may work for families, the elderly or seriously ill patients for decades. Getty images Getty Images

Dear Liz: Please consider mentioning employers who havent forgotten long-time employees in their estate planning.

Caregivers and domestic workers may work for families, the elderly or seriously ill patients for decades. When there is a death, the estate or family members rarely remember these workers who feel their effort must have meant very little not to have been acknowledged in some small way.

I did hear about an employer who put away $10,000 a year in a savings account for an hourly paid employee who retired after 30 years of service.

By the way, the employee never asked for anything. She was just grateful to have been of service for so many years.

Answer: Youre right that a bequest could be a meaningful acknowledgment of a longtime domestic employees faithful service. Such bequests also can trigger huge family fights, accusations of undue influence and court challenges that drag on for years.

The size of the bequest, the size of the estate and the contentiousness of the family are all factors that need to be considered. Also keep in mind that while most bequests arent taxable, bequests from an employer often are since the IRS views such transfers as compensation. Anyone contemplating including an employee in their will would be wise to consult an estate planning attorney as well as a tax pro.

Dear Liz: My mother passed away two years ago. She left a small mountain of paperwork which my brother, sister and I have finally started to sort through. Among the surprises that we have found is a receipt from a bank for the purchase of $4,500 of U.S. government savings bonds.

The date of purchase is one month after the birth of her grandson in March 1992. We suspect that the bond was intended as a gift for the grandson. 4

Is there a way to track down these bonds? Would a receipt from a bank be sufficient to satisfy the Treasury that the bond purchases were valid?

Answer: Savings bonds purchased in 1992 would have already matured and are no longer paying interest. If your mom didnt cash in these bonds, you may be able to find them through the U.S. Treasury Departments Treasury Hunt tool. You can find it at treasurydirect.gov/savings-bonds/treasury-hunt.

Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the Contact form at asklizweston.com.
A Portland police officer searches the inside of a silver Audi sedan Saturday, April 19, 2025. The driver of the sedan, who was arrested, fled from officers working a street takeover mission and took them into Vancouver and back into Portland. Police stopped him at the intersection of Northeast 148th Avenue and Halsey Street. Zaeem Shaikh/The Oregonian

The Portland Police Bureau said it is aware of recent social media posts calling for people to attend a street takeover in inner Southeast Portland this weekend, and police are on a mission to discourage the takeover.

Due to significant public safety concerns this activity raises, the bureau wrote in a press release, Portland Police officers will be dedicated to prevention and intervention.

A street takeover is when drivers race each other and perform donuts and other stunts on public roads and highways. They have drawn crowds in Portland within the last year ranging from 100 people to upward of 1,000. The Police Bureau documented 139 street-takeover events in the city last year.

Recent takeovers have gone largely unchecked by Portland police in June and April. The police have said they either did not have enough resources to stop them, or were tied up responding to other reports.

Police warn that street takeover participants cars could be towed, or they could lose their cars permanently through criminal forfeiture. Those facilitating or helping participants in street takeovers could face misdemeanor offenses.
Portland firefighters put out a fire in a Northwest Portland garage before it spread to other areas of the home Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. Portland Police Bureau

A 15-year-old Portland boy is accused of attempted murder and arson after he allegedly lit his familys Northwest Heights house on fire and caused other damage to the home with a hammer during a mental health crisis, according to a news release from the Portland Police Bureau.

Officers responded to a home in the 1700 block of Northwest Potters Court around 3 p.m. Friday after receiving a report that a boy in mental health crisis was causing significant damage to his familys home with a hammer, police said.

Other family members had evacuated the house and were unhurt. Officers brought in an Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team and a team from Project Respond, who tried to convince the boy to surrender for more than an hour, but were unsuccessful.

The family and officers agreed to disengage and follow up later when they saw the boy leaving the house and then saw that the houses garage was on fire.

Officers called firefighters who were able to put out the fire before it spread beyond the garage, which was heavily damaged.

Meanwhile, officers followed the teen at a distance as he walked for more than a mile in nearly 100-degree heat in a forested area. He ultimately surrendered and was taken into custody without the officers having to use any force.

The teen was taken to a hospital for self-inflicted injuries and is now at the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention facility on allegations of three counts of attempted murder in the second degree and arson in the first degree, according to a Portland Police Bureau press release.
She helped him enroll in the Veterans Affairs health care system. Getty Images. AFP/Getty Images

Dear Annie: I met my husband three years ago, about eight months after he lost his first wife of 20 years. Their marriage was often toxic, and she was very abusive toward him. After she passed, he was ready to move on.

Right away, I knew something wasnt right with my husband. In his mid-50s, he was having short-term memory issues, falling frequently and struggling with his mental health. After seeing his health care provider and enrolling in the Veterans Affairs health care system, we discovered he had suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries during his time in the Army. That diagnosis led to him becoming a 100% service-connected disabled veteran and allowed him to receive the care he needed for a better quality of life.

His family, however, waged a war against me for helping him, accusing me of manipulating and brainwashing him. My husband has distanced himself from them, and were no longer on speaking terms. My husband has a lot of anger toward them as he suffered for decades without their help or support.

His parents, who live in another state, are elderly and in poor health. I fear that if he doesnt reconcile with them before they pass, he will resent me. I love my husband with all my heart, and this has been a hard road. I just want the very best for him, unconditionally. Any advice? -- Wife on the Defensive

Dear Wife on the Defensive: Youve been an incredible source of support for your husband. You recognized he was suffering and helped him get the care he so clearly needed. Thats not brainwashing; thats being a spouse through good and bad, in sickness and in health.

Its understandable to worry he might one day regret cutting ties with his parents, but reconciliation isnt something you can or should force. That decision is up to your husband. If he ever expresses interest in reaching out to them again, support him gently. If not, trust that hes made peace with that choice and knows whats best for him, even if its painful.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
On an ancient lake bed in central Oregon, where the alkaline soil clumps and crumbles and only sagebrush grows, are the beginnings of Seattles future.

Its terrible land, owner Randy Kruse freely admits, bought in the 1970s by his grandfather, whod only ever known the fertile ground near Portland. Kruse and his son gave up grazing cattle here because it wasnt worth the water to even try.

But what is lacking in its soil is made up for in sunlight, which cuts cleanly through the high deserts dry air.

Seattles appetite for electricity is growing, whet by charging stations and data centers, electric buses and new apartments. Residents and businesses consume more than ever, and more extreme weather has pushed the power grid to the limit. The city wants and needs to mine the Kruses light 400 miles southeast for its own.

Its a new line of work for a department that, even five years ago, only knew surpluses.

Drought has sucked water from behind the concrete walls of the dams of Seattle City Light, which for much of the past century offered a seemingly endless supply of cheap and clean power.

In turn, Seattle City Light now believes it needs to add more than 1,800 megawatts of power by 2033  roughly double what the utility produces today. Its a staggering number, and does not include data centers in the city, which consume huge amounts of energy.

So, for the first time in its long history, the public utility has begun to look beyond hydro for sources of energy. Adding fossil fuels to Seattles mix is discouraged by state law and politically untenable.

City Light is already under contract for two solar projects in Oregon. One will be on the Kruses land. The other is outside Prineville, on a property once used for spreading septic waste.

It took nearly a decade for these two properties to get where they are today and each will provide between 40 and 50 megawatts of power  a sliver of the citys projected need.

The green power landscape was already bottlenecked in the Northwest to the point of stagnation. Now, President Donald Trumps spending bill will roll back much of the industrys tax credits, making it certain to further contract.

The stakes are clear.

Seattles rates, which will likely rise regardless, could climb significantly without new energy. At worst is a future with blackouts  an unlikely scenario for now, but not an impossible one, city officials acknowledge.

Its gotten to the point where, instead of saying, In 20 years, we should be doing this, its now: We are starting to do these things,  said Siobhan Doherty, City Lights power supply officer.

For City Light, then, the task is finding enough paths through the twisting renewable energy environment to meet its needs. Seattle must find the people on the ground ready to build and connect, and to do it before the other West Coast utilities get there first.

This is a new era for them, said former state Sen. Reuven Carlyle, who authored the 2019 state bill to phase out fossil fuels.

From bust to boom

In 2018, a City Light review panel sent then-Mayor Jenny Durkan a letter ringing the alarm bell.

Demand for electricity was shrinking and the departments revenue was going with it. Forecasts showed declines in consumption every year for the next 20, putting the departments financial outlook on shaky ground.

But by 2022, the picture had flipped. Electric cars were ascendant, urged on by state incentives, and buildings were becoming increasingly plugged in. Talk of electrifying buses and ferries and demand for faster computing power meant the forecast climbed.

At the same time, extreme weather events caused huge peaks in energy use and drove prices to new heights. In December 2022 and January 2024, during cold snaps along the West Coast, the city set records for power consumption, forcing City Light to dip into its emergency reserves. Summer use also increased as the heat dome of 2021 spurred widespread adoption of air conditioning.

All this was happening during periods of drought. Below-average snowpack in the mountains meant Ross Lake, which feeds three City Light dams, was shallower than normal, squeezing the citys flexibility for power generation.

The same issues facing Seattle are facing the rest of the West Coast, meaning competition for supplemental energy on the open market is steep. From 2020 onward, the average cost of power generation jumped to $80 a megawatt-hour from the previous 20-year average of $38.

Taken together, City Lights projections for meeting the citys energy needs skyrocketed. In 2022, it estimated the city would need 400 new megawatts of power; by 2024 that had climbed to 1,825  a whole second citys worth of electricity.

Weve found all of the low hanging fruit for energy efficiency, said Doherty. Were trying to figure out: How do we meet the moment? How do we find different types of resources?

New salesmen emerge

Jake Stephens doesnt consider himself a prospector.

Still, he searches the West for untapped opportunities offered by the land. Stephens, who wears a wide-brimmed hat, a turquoise belt buckle and occasionally a bolo tie, has spent many hours of his life staring at maps, tracing property borders and their proximity to power lines, searching for the parcels best suited to building solar fields. From the cab of a Ford F-150, he glazes over the yawning beauty of central Oregon, instead pointing out each dangling line, noting its direction and how many megawatts it can carry.

Ultimately, you need this kind of complex intersection of ground that works, can be built, is near power lines, is generally private land, has a willing landowner and doesnt have a variety of other issues which can emerge, he said.

As the rest of the clean energy sector began waking up to the possibilities of the Northwest, Stephens had already been here for a decade, massaging out agreements with families to build on their land and holding a spot in line to plug into the power grid. Where others assumed it rained across the state, Stephens suspected its high desert was underappreciated. He began placing bets, signing contracts up and down central Oregon.

The gamble is paying off: When City Light put out the call for more electricity, Stephens company, NewSun Energy, was better prepared than almost anyone to deliver power within months, rather than years. The two solar fields Seattle wanted, which will likely come online next year, are tests  experiments by City Light that will help chart the path for expanding their energy ambitions going forward.

The true value of Stephens assets is not the land itself, though hes proud of that too. Rather, its how soon those properties can connect to the Bonneville Power Administration. That, experts say, is the most valuable asset a developer can hold.

Acquiring renewables, it isnt about the resources, said Randall Hardy, former superintendent of Seattle City Light and former administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration. Its transmission, transmission, transmission.

Bonneville, which controls the majority of the Northwests power grid, is so behind on connecting providers its not currently accepting new applications.

Many in the queue are looking to 2030 and beyond before they can plug in  rendering moot whatever land or other assets they might hold, no matter how prized. As a result, Washington and Oregon are some of the slowest states in the country to add new renewable energy, Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica reported recently.

Thats not the case for Stephens. Several of his projects are plug-in ready. And of the possible solar projects in Oregon ready to come online by 2029, he estimates NewSun controls as many as half  a hard-fought and valuable holding that gives him the swagger of a man whose bets have paid off.

But once NewSun is tapped out, the solar picture gets murkier for Seattle. Competition between West Coast utilities for new resources will be steep, and utilities like Puget Sound Energy have to find even more than Seattle.

City Light is also putting stock in wind and geothermal. But wind also relies on Bonneville transmission. And while Bonneville is now investing heavily in updating its lines, progress is slow.

Figuring out how to navigate the complexity of this transition is really hard, said former Sen. Carlyle, and expecting that theyre going to have an answer by Monday morning at 9:30 coffee is a tough sell.

Not sexy stuff, but its critical

Randy Kruse doesnt think much about climate change, if at all.

I have other stuff to worry about, he said, standing feet from rows and rows of solar panels already built on his property. What Kruse and his son do worry about is the price of alfalfa. They grow a high-protein product, prized for dairy cows, on the more fertile plots of their land. But prices have been in the tank lately and breaking even has been a challenge.

Solar is a backstop to those years.

The solar income helps our farming operation immensely, he said.

Kruse admits hes considered covering all 3,600 acres of his property with the panels; in todays market, it would probably be more profitable. Pride in the work and the product and his son Ryans drive to keep farming are enough to stop him from doing so, for now.

The openness of central Oregon, which saps up sound like its in a vacuum, is a world away from Seattle. Lake County, where the Kruse land sits, voted more than 81% for Trump, the most Republican county in Oregon, a mirror image of King County.

But aside from some grumbling at the bar, solar development has been largely welcomed in the area. Local officials signed off on the permitting, and the panels look like a mirage on the landscape.

Kruse is proud to power Seattle. I think thats incredible, he said.

Trumps spending bill is likely to make the partnership between places like Seattle and Lake County more difficult. Though the bill allows a short runway for projects to get off the ground, the Bonneville queue means new projects will miss out. Stephens estimates, without the tax credits, the price of solar will go up 40%.

People dont know what their costs are going to be in the future, said City Lights Doherty, so theyre less certain, theyre going to slow down their own development, theyre going to want contracts to provide flexibility on pricing so that they can take that into account.

For residents and businesses in Seattle, that will mean higher prices. Even without the tax and spending bill, the days of paying $38 a megawatt-hour are likely gone for good; in 2024, the Seattle City Council signed off on 5.4% rate hikes.

Its a tremendously uncertain time, said former Bonneville head Hardy, and the fact is its going to be more expensive.

In Seattles City Hall, its a conversation that comes up only occasionally, generally when its time to review the next years rates.

The City Councils energy committee has long been reserved for the bodys most junior or disfavored member, held for years by former Councilmember Kshama Sawant and now under control of Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck.

Candidly, nobody runs for City Council or for mayor saying, I want to lead the transition to a renewable energy future,  said Carlyle. But its time for City Hall to really lean in, he said.

Mercedes Rinck insists she did run for office, in part, to help with that transition.

I know this is not sexy stuff, but its critical, she said.

In a recent briefing with City Light, staff told Mercedes Rinck that in just the past year it has received 11 applications to plug in new data centers. Not all of those may come to pass, but its a sign of whats to come. Bridging the gap between the needs of today and the realities of tomorrow will be a challenge, Mercedes Rinck acknowledges.

I have to believe that its achievable, she said. It has to be for the sake of our region.
Homeland Security Investigations agents patrol the National Mall on Saturday. President Donald Trump surged National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers into Washington this month. AP

President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to expand his military deployments to more Democratic-led cities, responding to an offer by Marylands governor to join him in a tour of Baltimore by saying he might instead send in the troops.

Last week, Trump said he was considering Chicago and New York for troop deployments similar to what he has unleashed on the nations capital, where thousands of National Guard and federal law enforcement officers are patrolling the streets.

Trump made the threat to Baltimore in a spat with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat who has criticized Trumps unprecedented flex of federal power aimed at combatting crime and homelessness in Washington. Moore last week invited Trump to visit his state to discuss public safety and walk the streets.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said Moore asked in a rather nasty and provocative tone, and then raised the specter of repeating the National Guard deployment he made in Los Angeles over the objections of Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom.

Wes Moores record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States are doing, Trump wrote, as he cited a pejorative nickname he uses frequently for the California governor. But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.

Moore said he invited Trump to Maryland because he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance about improving crime rates in Baltimore.

The president is spending all of his time talking about me, Moore said on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday. Im spending my time talking about the people I serve.

After surging National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers into Washington this month, Trump has said Chicago and New York are most likely his next targets, eliciting strong pushback from Democratic leaders in both states. The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has spent weeks preparing for an operation in Chicago that would include National Guard troops and potentially active duty forces.

Asked about the Post report, the White House pointed to Trumps earlier comments discussing his desire to expand his use of military forces to target local crime.

I think Chicago will be our next, Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday, adding, And then well help with New York.

Trump has repeatedly described some of the nations largest cities  run by Democrats, with Black mayors and majority-minority populations  as dangerous and filthy. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is Black, as is Moore. The District of Columbia and New York also have Black mayors.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking during a religious event Sunday at Howard University in Washington, said the Guards presence in the nations capital was not about crime: This is about profiling us.

This is laced with bigotry and racism, he later elaborated to reporters. Not one white mayor has been designated. And I think this is a civil rights issue, a race issue, and an issue of D.C. statehood.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said there is no emergency warranting the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago.

Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families, Pritzker wrote on X. Well continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans.
Lorenzo Oakes, an enrolled member of Saint Regis Mohawk and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs descendant picks blueberries and huckleberries with his Uncle Max Oakes, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as part of programming for the camping trip. Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

This story originally appeared on Underscore Native News.

In the shadow of Mt. Hood on the weekend of Aug. 8 to 10, a group of tents formed a circle underneath the towering trees of the Mt. Hood National Forest with sunlight shining down on the faces of campers laughing, as they ate a dinner of chicken and carnitas tacos. Indigenous campers, ranging in ages from teens to adults from Native Nations across the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. gathered to spend the weekend entirely in nature.

Parrott Creek Child and Family Services joined with Bark and Future Generations Collaborative to host their first camping trip for Indigenous people. The programming included cultural activities to teach traditional skills and nature-based activities to get people outside and connected with the land.

As the Trump administration rolls back funding and protection in National Parks and public lands, the ability to access these spaces is at risk.

Parrott Creek Child and Family Services cultural ecology program manager, Ameyalli Manon-Ferguson, Osage and Mazahu, said the weekend was about trying to bring urban Natives into the mountains and create an easy and accessible plan to get them onto the land.

A sign points the way to the campsite for Indigenous campers attending the Parrot Creek Child and Family Services and Bark camping trip. The trip which had 11 campers and four staff member campers, served as an opportunity to learn about ecology, beading, cordage making and basket weaving. Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

Angela Hopson, Barrow Utqiaqvik Native Inupiaq, learns how to make rope from Edwin Brown, Tlingit and Selawik. During their demonstration, Brown shared their own journey with coordage making and provided green string for campers to turn into coordage. Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)

Ameyalli Manon-Ferguson, Osage and Mazahu and Parrott Creek Child and Family Services cultural ecology program manager watches campers swim in Timothy Lake as part of the activity scheduled for Saturday Aug. 9. Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News +Report for America

Mt. Hood is such a sacred place to so many different communities and its really a great way to get people out on the land, especially those coming from the more urban areas like the Portland metro area, she said. In Portland theres so little access to natural areas and for Native people, theres so little culturally appropriate access to native areas.

According to Manon-Ferguson, Parrott Creek Child and Family Services consistently makes a conscious effort to include Indigenous peoples in their programming. Back in 2020, Clackamas County transferred ownership of 80 acres of land to Parrott Creeks private ownership. The administration of the nonprofit knew they wanted to do a land back effort, but they didnt know what it would look like. Together with a team of Indigenous ecologists from Friends of Tryon Creek, they decided to focus on restoring the land to be an ecologically and culturally functioning site for the community.

All of our restoration practices and stewardship goals are ultimately for preserving the land for cultural use and then being able to bring out the wider community and our youth and kind of have it be a benefit for a lot of different marginalized groups, Manon-Ferguson said. But our stewardship goals are specific, so this camping trip is kind of just an extension of that effort to connect Native people with nature as much as possible.

With the help of Bark, a nonprofit organization watchdog that monitors logging and timber sales in Mt. Hood and Future Generations Collaborative, a collective between Native serving and Native specific organizations, Manon-Ferguson and Parrott Creek Child and Family Services cultural ecology program coordinator Autumn Martinez began brainstorming ways to bring the camping trip to life.

Outdoor recreation can be expensive and it can feel very exclusive, Manon-Ferguson said. If you didnt grow up knowing how to camp, hike, fish, etc. It can be really daunting to try to do.

From providing tents, sleeping bags and pads, camping chairs, lanterns, portable restrooms, lunch, dinner and gift cards to cover gas, Martinez and Manon-Ferguson wanted to make the trip as accessible as possible.

We wanted to meet people where theyre at and provide them with the gear they need and guide them for success and really create a safe environment for them to recreate and learn new skills and connect, Martinez said.

Marien Knight, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, weaves a basket starter for a berry basket. Knight taught weaving to campers as part of the programming and activities during the camping trip. Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

Meg Waller, Barks restoration program manager, prepares bison chili for dinner campers to eat on Saturday Aug. 9. Dinner was accompanied by frybread made by Parrott Creek Child and Family Services cultural ecology program manager Ameyalli Manon-Ferguson and cultural ecology program coordinator Autumn Martinez. Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America

Tents and a hammock make up a portion of the campsite for Indigenous campers attending the Parrot Creek Child and Family Services and Bark camping trip. Ameyalli Manon-Ferguson, Parrott Creek Child and Family Services

Throughout the weekend campers got to have a summer camp experience with Indigenous-led workshops on beading, weaving, cordage making, swimming in Timothy Lake, berry picking, hiking, and the option to go on a plant walk. They also had an optional beaver survey or groundtruthing survey they could participate in, which, according to BARK, is hiking timber sale land proposals, closely observing the forest and then calling attention to discrepancies between the ecological conditions and the Forest Services approach to managing the area.

Meg Waller, Barks restoration program manager, was in charge of an optional beaver survey for the weekend and prepared most of the meals. As she combined ingredients together for Saturday nights dinner of bison chili and frybread, Waller said the partnership between Bark and Parrot Creek was natural. However, Waller said a majority of the people who come on Bark camping trips are volunteers and students who arent Indigenous.

One of our big priorities is accessibility and getting folks out onto Mount Hood. I think for a variety of reasons, we dont usually have very many Indigenous folks come out with us and so its definitely a priority of ours to reach out to that community more and be a resource, she said.

Edwin Brown, Tlingit and Selawik, taught cordage or rope making to campers. Brown, an urban Native, said spaces like the camping trip are important for Natives who are struggling to learn about their culture.

Ive been in tribal spaces that I was unfamiliar with where I did not feel very welcome, and I felt kind of looked down upon because I didnt know all the traditions, Brown said. Its really important when organizations do events like this, so that everyone feels welcomed into the community and can comfortably learn about culture.

Having participated in several Parrot Creek sponsored events, Brown said the organization focuses on creating a safe environment for Indigenous people to find community, ask questions and learn.

I really appreciate Indigenous organizations, especially nonprofit ones, that give back to their communities and actively engage with them, he said.  I really like spaces like this, because theyre very healing, and they remind you to be kind of open minded and welcoming to other people.

As Max Oakes, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, relaxed in their camping chair, they reflected on the modern-day uses of Mt. Hood. A wildlife biologist for the tribe, Oakes said the camping trip was a way to bring people who have historically used the lands back.

A lot of this area is so tied intrinsically to Warm Springs and our history. The pure number of non-tribal people who are enjoying public lands can make it difficult to access some of these areas, Oakes said. Paying fees for some of these areas, even just having the opportunity for people to get out here, whether its vehicle transport, is a huge deal. These are huge barriers for people who historically were able to move through here without facing any of those barriers.

Oakes said the sense of the community at the camping trip was a way to heal and bond during times of uncertainty.

President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill rescinded $267 million in previously committed funding for National Park improvements. It also required the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to increase timber sales. Mt. Hood, a national forest, is part of public lands and could see an increase in timber sales as a direct result of the bill. In efforts to dismiss DEI initiatives, he signed an executive order that suggested the previous Biden administration had pressured National Historical Park rangers into using their racial identities to dictate how they convey history to visiting Americans.

Recently, there have been reports of notices that have been erected at every National Park Service site asking visitors to report signs or information that are negative about either past or living Americans or dont emphasize the beauty, abundance, and grandeur of the American landscape.

After the success of this years camping trip, Parrot Creek and Bark plan to have another camping trip next year although its uncertain when.
A special legislative session to pass new taxes for transportation should include explicit language restricting the new revenue for maintenance and operations, the editorial board writes. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

Gov. Tina Koteks multibillion-dollar transportation tax plan, if passed, will help prevent layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation, funnel money to local governments for road repairs and prop up struggling public transit systems. It also promises to replace the Byzantine system of charging truckers with a more streamlined approach.

But the current proposal will do little to increase accountability for the states spending of transportation funds, despite supporters claims. While provisions for more audits and regular reviews may help keep tabs on ODOT, accountability also depends on the commitments made ahead of time. And even as state officials paint a dire picture of crumbling roads, unplowed highways and other maintenance nightmares if new taxes arent approved, they have yet to insert any language that requires the new revenue to go to those crumbling roads, unplowed highways and other maintenance nightmares.

Instead, elected officials and ODOT could choose to use those dollars to support ongoing highway megaprojects whose costs have already quadrupled their original estimates, exposing ODOTs profound accountability gap. Lining up new revenue has become even more urgent in light of Koteks abrupt decision to cancel tolling on Portland-area highway projects as a way to pay for them. And that flexibility will come in handy for Kotek to maintain her controversial Project Labor Agreement executive order, which is expected to significantly boost the cost of publicly funded highway projects  while benefitting her loyal labor union donors.

To be sure, the talk heading into this weeks special legislative session is all about maintenance and filling the roughly $300 million hole in ODOTs budget for the 2025-27 biennium. Without more money, the agency said it will need to lay off nearly 500 people next month and more in the months ahead; close maintenance yards around the state; and prioritize what work can be done and how quickly. Theres no talk about directing money from the proposed tax hikes to ODOT megaprojects, including the now $815 million (formerly $250 million) Abernethy Bridge along Interstate 205 or the $2 billion (formerly $450 million) Rose Quarter expansion along Interstate 5.

But as economist and longtime critic Joe Cortright has noted, ODOT has a history of quietly moving funding around to prop up ever-escalating highway projects at the expense of other core responsibilities, such as preserving bridges. ODOT is also already using gas tax dollars to repay debt. Cortright questioned whether the state will carve off some of the new revenue as well to support additional bonds for projects.

And while ODOT has long claimed that legislative language limits how it can use highway project funds, its worth noting that the current proposal lacks similar wording to prevent ODOT from using these new dollars to backfill whatever financial gap the agency needs to patch.

It may be asking too much of state leaders to tie their own hands on how to use that money. But thats exactly what the proposal needs.

Consider the array of increases that the governor and legislators want to pass: Hiking the gas tax by 15%; doubling car registration fees; raising title costs by 55%. Half of the proceeds will go to the state and half to cities and counties to support their transportation spending.

The proposal also calls for doubling the 0.1% payroll tax taken from Oregonians paychecks for public transit, most of which is to be spent in the county where the taxes are collected.

While a precise figure has yet to be released, a previous version of Koteks proposal would have brought in close to $6 billion over the next decade. The maintenance needs are real, both at the local and state levels. But so is the collective burden on Oregonians.

If Kotek and legislative leaders want to genuinely build in accountability, they should explicitly commit to directing those funds to maintenance and operations. They have gone to great pains to explain to Oregonians just how vital ODOT maintenance crews are to safe transportation. They have emphasized that gas tax dollars will eventually decrease as cars grow more efficient and electric vehicle adoption increases. They should show that their rhetoric isnt just a scare tactic by dedicating it to this critical mission.

Accountability also means not building in problematic policies in the first place. Kotek should rescind her executive order insisting that contractors for major state projects negotiate benefits and other working conditions with labor unions for workers on the projects  even if those workers arent union members.

As we and others have noted repeatedly, the order discourages competition, making projects significantly more expensive, as an ODOT report found, concluding the agreements can increase costs by up to 20%. Considering that the vast majority of Oregons construction workers are not unionized, such agreements  which can require employers to contribute to union health and pension plans that nonunion workers wont ever access  its hard to see the benefit of such a requirement. The order is already tied up in court, which gives Kotek all the more reason to just pull it.

And finally, accountability should be shared with local communities as well. Legislators should consider loosening restrictions on the payroll tax to allow counties without robust public transit to use those dollars for their most pressing transportation needs. What makes sense in Multnomah County may not make sense in Lake County.

Ultimately, Democrats, who hold a supermajority in both chambers, can pass Koteks plan without a single Republican vote. And certainly, the pressure to do so is intense. But the sheer size of this bill should compel legislators to add language that explicitly dedicates this new money to cover maintenance needs. They should question Koteks executive order and the 20% premium that the public will likely pay on major projects. And they should stick up for rural communities to have greater flexibility in using residents payroll tax dollars for pressing transportation needs.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
(Reuters) -Spirit Airlines has engaged advisers to explore strategic options after its financial restructuring fell short of securing a sustainable future, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing sources.

The airline has enlisted financial adviser PJT Partners and is also working with consulting firms FTI and Seabury Airline Strategy Group, according to the report.

The budget airline did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Spirit's future remains uncertain just months after emerging from bankruptcy, as the loss-making airline flagged fresh doubts about its ability to remain a going concern amid weak domestic demand and dwindling cash reserves.

Shares of Spirit Aviation Holdings, the parent company of Spirit Airlines, fell 14.6% to $1.40 in after-hours trading.

The airline, known for its bright yellow livery, filed for bankruptcy protection last November after years of losses, failed merger attempts and heavy debt.

It was the first major U.S. carrier to file for Chapter 11 since 2011 and emerged from bankruptcy in March following a court-approved restructuring backed by its creditors.

Ratings firm Moody's on Friday joined Fitch in downgrading the carrier further into the junk category, highlighting Dania Beach, Florida-based Spirit's "higher than expected cash burn" compared to earlier forecasts when the airline emerged from bankruptcy.

Fitch downgraded Spirit last week, citing a high likelihood of near-term default.

(Reporting by Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)
Op-ed contributor Robin Roemer and I agree on at least one area: Oregon has lost sight of what a quality education means. But where we differ is in how we define it, (Opinion: Oregon has lost sight of what a quality education means, Aug. 17).

Roemer, the vice president for legislative advocacy for the Oregon PTA, argues the problem is funding. But Oregon already pours billions into schools, and the results speak for themselvestoo many kids still leave unprepared. Dollars matter, but it is unjust to spend public dollars without focus. What truly changes outcomes is investing in evidence-based practices that raise achievement: high-quality instruction, effective use of time and strong accountability.

At the same time, our enrollment is shrinking. Pretending we can hold onto the same staffing structures while serving fewer students is denial. If classrooms are too small, we must right-size staffing. If theyre too large elsewhere, we must consolidate. Anything less squanders precious resources.

Oregons new accountability policy is far from a plan for consultants from the state Department of Education to take over districts struggling to meet state goals, as Roemer suggested in his op-ed. Instead, it is about fixing a system that has normalized mediocrity. Oregons kids deserve better than the soft bigotry of low expectations. They deserve classrooms where great instruction is the standard.

Christine Pitts, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
For nearly two decades Oregon investment in higher education has not kept pace with expenses. The result is a strained system in which institutions are asked to compete with one another rather than collaborate for student benefit.

An example is the current debate over whether community colleges should offer teaching degrees. What sounds like a solution to our teacher shortage actually unnecessarily duplicates programs, diverting limited state dollars and fragmenting a fragile system, (Oregons community colleges want to train teachers. States universities say not so fast, Aug. 18).

Oregon has the capacity to prepare teachers, but lacks the coordinated investment and student support to move aspiring educators through programs we already have. Institutions like Western Oregon University - the states historic teachers college  created robust pathways for this with community colleges across Oregon. Students complete their first two years close to home before transferring seamlessly to a bachelors program, with online and hybrid options designed to meet the needs of working adults. The pathways are proven, affordable and scalableand dont create redundant programs.

Oregon should follow other states that address teacher shortages by investing in students with scholarships, loan forgiveness programs and stipends. With incentives for enrollment and reduced financial barriers for students, we can train enough teachers without forcing institutions to compete for scarce funding.

Higher education in Oregon is a shared enterprise. Community colleges and four-year universities each play essential roles. Community colleges provide access, affordability and strong foundations; universities provide advanced degrees and meet rigorous accreditation requirements. When we build intentional pathways between the two, students thrive. When we duplicate programs and fragment resources, students lose.

Jose E. CollColl is provost and vice president of academic affairs at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
The new-look Timbers held their own in their debut.

With all three of their transfer-window additions in the starting lineup, Portland battled to a 0-0 draw against Western Conferenceleading San Diego FC on Saturday night in the clubs first-ever meeting.

Designated players Kristoffer Velde and Felipe Carballo, along with midfielder Matias Rojas, were the focus in their first match since signing. But against a San Diego side that controlled the first half, their impact was muted  Velde (70 minutes) and Rojas (61 minutes) each managed one shot, while Carballo took two in 81 minutes.

Ironically, it was the Timbers who have been around that brought the biggest spark. After coming off the bench in the second half, Antony shifted the tempo in the 62nd minute, and Ariel Lassiter nearly broke the deadlock in the 72nd with a free kick that forced Carlos Dos Santos into a diving save. James Pantemis finished with three saves for his fourth clean sheet of the year.

San Diego (16-7-5, 52 points) controlled 71 percent of first-half possession, but that dropped to 58 percent in the second half as Portland pressed. The Timbers outpaced San Diego in XG 1.10 to 0.66, put more shots on target (3-1) and had Finn Surman anchoring the backline when San Diego pushed late.

With the result, the Timbers (10-9-8, 38 points) remain winless in their last three MLS matches. But facing the toughest remaining schedule in the league, taking a point from the conference leaders keeps Portland safely in sixth.

Next up: a trip to face second-place Minnesota on Saturday in St. Paul.
Six out of the 16 emergency department visits Friday were from Hood to Coast participants. Teresa Mahoney | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Amid a sweltering heat wave that set a record high temperature Friday at 102 degrees in the Portland area, the number of 911 calls and visits to nearby emergency departments are up.

The Portland metro area is facing the highest heat risk of 2025, said Brendon Haggerty, a manager with the Multnomah County Health Department, due to record temperatures and number of days it will be hot.

The county remains under an extreme heat warning through Tuesday.

911 calls on Friday rose to 415  44 of them being heat-related. The average number of emergency calls is far below that number, said Julia Comnes, a spokesperson for Multnomah County, with that number around 330.

Heat-related emergency department visits were also up. Typically, we see a single visit or no visits. Yesterday, we had 16 visits, six of them from Hood to Coast participants, said Haggerty.

Hood to Coast is a 196-mile relay race from Mount Hood to Seaside. Participants were encouraged by the events organizers to skip legs if they felt unwell while racing in the heat wave.

With temperatures as hot as they were, Haggerty said, even conditioned athletes are susceptible to heat illness. This underscores the need for all of us to adjust vigorous exercise or work to the cooler morning hours during extreme heat.
A man sits next to the Salmon Street Springs fountain in downtown Portland on July 26, 2022, when temperatures reached triple digits. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

Forecasters expect the Portland area to warm up to at least 98 degrees on Sunday, continuing a string of sweltering hot days.

Friday and Saturday both breached 100 degrees, according to National Weather Service temperature gauges at the Portland International Airport.

So, Sundays 98 degree day will bring some relief -- though not much. The heat is likely to abate in earnest later in the week.

Forecasters expect Monday and Tuesday temperatures to drop into the low 90s, Wednesday and Thursday in the mid-to-upper 80s and high 70s by Friday and into the Labor Day Weekend. The average high temperature for this time of year is around 80 degrees, according to National Weather Service records.

The Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for the Portland area and much of the Willamette Valley, which remains active until 11 p.m. on Tuesday. Experts recommend drinking plenty of water, staying out of the sun and limiting strenuous activity outside during the hottest part of the day.

Fridays high temperature of 102 degrees busted Portlands previous record of 98 degrees on that day, recorded in 1942. On Saturday, Vancouver, Hillsboro and Eugene all set new heat records as well, the National Weather Service announced.

Portlands record high temperature for Aug. 24 is 99 degrees, set in 1982.
The Flat fire in central Oregon remained uncontained as of Sunday morning, though fire officials struck a cautiously optimistic note about halting its advance in a morning briefing. Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

Smoke from central Oregons rapidly spreading Flat fire has made the air unhealthy to breathe and the worst in the state, according to a state air quality index map, as firefighters try to contain the blaze northeast of Sisters.

Redmond, Bend and La Pine all registered air quality indices of more than 150, considered unhealthy for all populations. Sisters air quality index was 75.

The air is considered good when it measures 0 to 50. Anything from 51 to 100 ranks as moderate, 101 to 150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, and anything over 150 as unhealthy for everybody. Registering 300 to 500 is considered hazardous.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on Friday issued an air quality advisory for Deschutes County, Jefferson County and western Crook County, prompted by the Flat fire.

The advisory will remain in effect until at least Monday, state officials said. They noted wildfire smoke can irritate lungs and eyes or exacerbate some residents medical conditions.

Those most at risk when air quality deteriorates include infants and young children, people with lung or heart disease, pregnant people and older adults, officials said.

Residents are advised to stay inside as much as possible, keep doors and windows shut and set their air conditioners to recirculate. Find officials other advice for dealing with smokey air here.

The Flat fire, which started Thursday, grew to nearly 22,000 acres and remained 0% contained Sunday morning. About 4,000 homes are threatened, fire officials said. More than 800 firefighters are battling the blaze after Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act authorizing the deployment of more resources to assist local agencies.

The Deschutes County Sheriffs Office expanded evacuation orders on Saturday evening and several subdivisions near the fire are under Level 3 (go now) evacuation orders. Find a full map of evacuation orders here.

Eric Perkins, an Oregon Department of Forestry operations section chief, said in a Sunday morning briefing that firefighters continued to lay down fire line along the perimeter of the Flat fire to halt its advance.

In Whychus Canyon on Saturday, Perkins said, fire officials prioritized safeguarding homes as the fire marched down into the canyon.

Between air tankers and all the other resources dispatched against the Flat fire, he said officials felt hopeful about stopping its progression Sunday. But he issued a warning about the hot, dry conditions.

The weathers not that favorable, Perkins said. Its more favorable for the fire than the firefighters today  but I think we have enough resources that well hold our own.

See The Oregonian/OregonLives interactive wildfire map for the status of wildfires across the state.

-- Jonathan Bach; jbach@oregonian.com
Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) is one of the best high growth consumer stocks to buy now. On August 19, TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles maintained his Buy rating on Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS), with a price target of $86, a solid 36.6% implied upside from the current price of $62.94.

TD Cowen Maintains Buy on Dutch Bros (BROS) Amid Strong Growth

On August 6, the company reported its quarterly earnings, with revenue of $415.81 million, growing 28% year-over-year, and beating Wall Street estimates of $403.75 million. The surge in revenue came from solid same-store growth, which in turn was a result of increasing consumer footfall. The company offers attractive loyalty benefits and an innovative menu, which has led to repeat business.

The more impressive beat, though, was the EPS, which stood at $0.26 per share in Q2, a 47.46% earnings surprise. Dutch Bros saw margin expansion in Q2, for which the company reported a net margin of 6.16%, as against 4.32% in the quarter before that and 3.67% in the same quarter last year. The company has been improving its operational efficiency.

Dutch Bros has built a strong customer experience in its coffee shops, with its unique menu, like Protein Coffee, a resonance with Gen Z, as a result of authenticity and community engagement, which could drive growth as the company looks to expand its operations.

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

READ NEXT: 10 Best Growth Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 13 Most Undervalued Cybersecurity Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None.
As part of Spotlight PAs new book club, read the hit novel, connect with readers across the state, and join a live discussion on Sept. 25 with author Jessamine Chan. Provided

Story by Yaasmeen Piper of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Frida Lius life is not what she expected. The protagonist in Jessamine Chans bestselling novel, The School for Good Mothers, is struggling in her career and marriage. Her only solace is her daughter. But when the government takes her, Frida must prove through a series of trials that she is fit to be a mother.

As part of Spotlight PAs new book club pilot, Booklight PA, were reading Chans debut novel and discussing it with readers across the state on Discord. (Join now!) Then, on Sept. 25 from 6 to 7 p.m., Chan will join us via Zoom to answer your questions on her Philly-based novel.

The School for Good Mothers made the New York Times Best Seller list, was chosen as a Today show book club pick, and was longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and the Carnegie Medal.

This event is in partnership with A Novel Idea, a community-minded bookstore and event space based in East Passyunk, Philadelphia, run by Alexander Schneider and Christina Rosso-Schneider. Read more about A Novel Idea and purchase your books here.

Register and submit your questions for Chan here. And join our Discord group chat to discuss the book as you go.

UPCOMING BOOKLIGHT PA EVENTS:

Oct. 23: Saturnalia, Stephanie Feldman

Nov. 18: If Sons, Then Heirs, Lorene Cary

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
In this photo, taken from a video and distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, Russian servicemen wave Russian national flags sitting in a bus at an exchange area in Belarus after returning from captivity during a POWs exchange of a group of servicemen between Russia and Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) AP

By The Associated Press

Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plants press service on Telegram. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire due to military activity, but hadnt received independent confirmation. It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack.

Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russias Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal. The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire.

Russias Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraines air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

Another wartime Independence Day

The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked Independence Day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyivs Independence Square, emphasizing the nations resolve.

We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace, Zelenskyy said, calling for a just peace.

What our future will be is up to us alone, he said, in a nod to the U.S.Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests sidelined.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, front left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, front right, shake hands as they take part in a ceremony on Independence Day in Sophia Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP) AP

And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal, he said.

U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg was in attendance at Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, during which Zelenskyy awarded him the Ukrainian Order of Merit, of the 1st degree.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Zelenskyy.

On this special day  Ukraines Independence Day  it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side, wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyys chief of staff.

Military aid and prayers for peace

In a joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Carney said Canada will invest 2 billion Canadian dollars ($1.5 billion) in new military assistance for Ukraine to boost its army and provide urgently needed weapons.

Zelenskyy said the two leaders were considering the presence of Canadian forces on the ground in Ukraine as part of a reassurance force.

Norway announced significant new military aid Sunday, pledging about 7 billion kroner ($695 million) for air defense systems. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar.

Pope Leo XIV prayed Sunday for peace in Ukraine as he marked the countrys Independence Day with a special appeal during his weekly noon blessing. He said the faithful were joining Ukrainians asking that the Lord give peace to their martyred country.

Leo also sent a telegram to Zelenskyy, which the Ukrainian leader posted on X along with similar notes from other world leaders.

In the letter, Leo assured his prayers for all Ukrainians who are suffering, and wrote: I implore the Lord to move the hearts of people of goodwill, that the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue, opening the path to peace for the good of all.

A war of attrition

Meanwhile, Russias troops continued their push in eastern and northern Ukraine, where Russia claimed Saturday that its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region. The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukraine had taken back control of the village of Novomykhailivka, also in the Donetsk region.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that 146 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukraine, in exchange for the same number of Ukrainian servicemen. The ministry said the latest exchange also included eight residents of Russias Kursk region, which was subject to a surprise Ukrainian incursion in August 2024, who were returned to Russia after being held in Ukraine.

The Independence Monument is pictured as Ukrainian flags blow in the wind in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP) AP

Shortly after the Russian announcement, Zelenskyy said our people are coming home. He said that those being exchanged included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022, he said.

Zelenskyy did not confirm the number of prisoners involved in the exchange.

Follow the APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Response Team members demonstrate how the team enters a residence in the pursuit of a wanted subject at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Brunswick, Ga. on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Ruchalski) AP

By REBECCA SANTANA, The Associated Press

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP)  Immigration and Customs Enforcement is an agency inside the Department of Homeland Security that is integral to President Donald Trumps vision of carrying out the mass deportations he promised during the campaign. Deportation officers within a unit called Enforcement and Removal Operations are the ones who are responsible for immigration enforcement. They find and remove people from the United States who arent American citizens and, for a variety of reasons, can no longer stay in the country.

Some might have gone through immigration court and a judge ordered them removed. Or they were arrested or convicted of certain crimes, or theyve repeatedly entered the country illegally or overstayed a visa. ICE also manages a growing network of immigration detention facilities around the country where it holds people suspected of immigration violations.

Overall, its activities  and how it carries them out  have polarized many Americans in recent months.

After years when the number of deportation officers largely remained even, the agency is now rapidly hiring. Congress this summer passed legislation giving ICE $76.5 billion in new money to help speed up the pace of deportations. Thats nearly 10 times the agencys current annual budget. Nearly $30 billion is for new staff.

Last week, The Associated Press got a chance to visit the base in southern Georgia where new ICE recruits are trained and to talk to the agencys top leadership. Here are details about four things ICE is doing that came out of those conversations.

ICE is surging its hiring

ICE currently has about 6,500 deportation officers, and it is aggressively looking to beef up those numbers. Acting Director Todd Lyons says he wants to hire an additional 10,000 by years end.

The agency has launched a new recruiting website, offered hiring bonuses as high as $50,000, and is advertising at career expos. Lyons said the agency has already received 121,000 applications  many from former officers.

New recruits are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. Thats a sprawling facility near the coast where federal law enforcement officers  not just ICE agents  from around the country live and train. ICE is looking to more than double the number of instructors who train deportation officers.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) instructor demonstrates getting a 170 lb. dummy into a position to be handcuffed on the agility course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Brunswick, Ga. on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Ruchalski) AP

Caleb Vitello, who runs training for ICE, says it has cut Spanish-language requirements to reduce training by five weeks, and hes been looking for ways to streamline the training and have recruits do more at the field offices where theyre assigned.

ICE is also preparing for conflict

As Trumps effort to deport millions of people has intensified, violent episodes have unfolded as ICE seeks to arrest people. Critics have said ICE is being too heavy-handed in carrying out arrests, while ICE says its people are the ones being attacked.

Vitello said the agency tracks every time officers use force as well as any time someone attacks its officers. According to the agencys data, from Jan. 21 through Aug. 5, there were 121 reported assaults of ICE officers compared with 11 during the same period last year.

Lyons said that after recent operations in Los Angeles turned violent, ICE is making gas masks and helmets standard issue for new agents. Right now were seeing and were having to adapt to all different scenarios that we were never trained for in the past, he said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Response Team members demonstrate how the team enters a residence in the pursuit of a wanted subject at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Brunswick, Ga. on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Ruchalski) AP

Lyons says the agency is also starting to send out security teams to accompany agents making arrests: Were not gonna allow people to throw rocks anymore, because were going to have our own agents and officers there to protect the ones that are actually out there making that arrest.

And its beefing up specialized units for risky situations helping and clearing the house.

They are members of a Special Response Team taking part in a demonstration at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. These officers are like a SWAT team  deportation officers with special training to assist in difficult situations. They also accompany detainees that the agency deems dangerous when they are deported.

Everybody is trained to serve a warrant, Vitello said. These guys are trained to serve high-risk warrants.

There are roughly 450 deportation officers with the special training to serve on these teams, and Lyons says they have been deployed to assist with immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, and Washington.

He said hed like to have more such units but wouldnt put an exact number on how many. Vitello said theyre also in the process of getting more of the specially armored vehicles.

ICE teaches who agents can arrest  and when

New recruits to ICE receive training on immigration law and the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unlawful searches. Longtime officers get regular refreshers on these topics.

A member of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Response Team demonstrates how the team deploys at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Brunswick, Ga. on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Ruchalski) AP

In limited situations, ICE agents are allowed to enter someones home. Generally, when theyre seeking someone theyre trying to remove from the country, they have an administrative warrant as opposed to a criminal warrant. That administrative warrant doesnt allow them to enter the house without first getting permission.

Vitello says the new recruits are taught about the different warrants and how the rules differ. And theyre taught how those who allowed ICE to enter their house can change their mind.

If somebody says Get out, and you dont have your target, you have to leave, he said.

Multiple videos on social media have shown ICE officers breaking car windows to pull someone out of a vehicle and arrest that person.

As ICE sees it, Vitello said, deportation officers do have the authority to arrest someone in a car or truck. Vitello said in the rare case where a target was in a motor home, officers would talk to the agencys lawyers first to figure out what protections apply.

Advocates for immigrants and the government have often disagreed about how much authority ICE has to make those arrests and where.
The Pickett Fire burns above a vineyard in the Aetna Springs area of Napa County, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) AP

By TAMMY WEBBER, The Associated Press

Wildfires in California wine country and Central Oregon grew overnight, prompting hundreds of evacuations as firefighters sought to contain the blazes Sunday amid dry, hot weather.

The Pickett Fire in Napa County had grown to more than 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) and was 11% contained as of early Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection.

About 190 people were ordered to leave their homes, while another 360 were under evacuation warnings as the fire threatened about 500 structures near Aetna Springs and Pope Valley, said Jason Clay, spokesman for Calfire Sonoma Lake-Napa Unit.

More than 1,230 firefighters backed by 10 helicopters were battling the fire, which began Thursday after a week of extremely hot weather. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Residents of the Western United States have been sweltering in a heat wave that hospitalized some people, with temperatures forecast to hit dangerous levels throughout the weekend in Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.

Clay said the weather has moderated since the fire broke out, with Sundays high expected to be 94 degrees (34 Celsius). But humidity levels were expected to drop amid increasing winds later Sunday afternoon.

Thats been a driving factor in the afternoons since weve seen the fire activity pick up for the last three days, Clay said, adding that support from all up and down California has been critical to our efforts.

The fire began in the same area as the much larger Glass Fire in 2020, which crossed into Sonoma County and eventually burned about 105 square miles (272 square kilometers) and more than 1,500 structures.

That fire was driven by wind, while the current fire is fueled mainly by dry vegetation on steep slopes  some of it dead and downed trees left over from the Glass Fire and some of it grass and brush that grew back and then dried out again, said Clay.

In Oregon, the Flat Fire in Deschutes and Jefferson counties had grown to almost 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), with about 4,000 homes under various levels of evacuation notice, including 1,000 with orders to leave immediately, according to the state Fire Marshals Office.

A firefighter battles the Pickett Fire burning in the Aetna Springs area of Napa County, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) AP

Firefighters were able to cut containment lines and continued to suppress fires in some residential areas. However, they faced significant challenges Sunday with difficult terrain, low humidity and triple-digit temperatures in some areas, officials said.

Some homes have burned, and officials said they were working to confirm the status of structures.

The area is in a high desert climate, where dried grasses and juniper trees are burning and fire is racing through canyon areas where its challenging to create containment lines, said Jason Carr, Deschutes County sheriffs spokesman.

The fire began Thursday night and grew quickly amid hot, gusty conditions. Fire officials were keeping an eye on isolated thunderstorms in Southern Oregon that could drift north on Sunday, state Fire Marshals spokesman Chris Schimmer said in a video posted to Facebook.

A bulldozer clears vegetation as the Pickett Fire approaches in the Aetna Springs area of Napa County, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) AP

If we get thunderstorms that roll through, it can ... cause the fire to jump (containment) lines, said Carr, adding the downdrafts can push fire in multiple directions.

Although its difficult to directly tie a single fire or weather event directly to climate change, scientists say human-caused warming from burning fossil fuels like coal and gas is causing more intense heat waves and droughts, which in turn set the stage for more destructive wildfires.

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
A television station broadcasts a VIX chart on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York.

Hedging is a hot topic again as Jerome Powells Jackson Hole speech stoked enthusiasm that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September, sending stocks back up near record highs.

Most Read from Bloomberg

With signs of generally extended positioning within equities, investors are debating the most effective way to protect gains before Nvidia Corp. earnings, jobs and inflation data and the Fed rate decision.

Powell came in more dovish than feared and markets have clearly responded positively, said Chris Murphy, co-head of derivatives strategy at Susquehanna International Group. We are seeing some investors rolling up protection on ETFs tracking the S&P 500 and buy call spreads in SPDR Gold Shares ETFs as a part of an inflation play.

With the market still in buy-the-dip mode, many strategists are touting S&P 500 Index put spreads and, more recently, look-back or resettable puts that will be useful should markets continue grinding higher in the short term. But there is a notable omission among recent hedging candidates: buying calls on the Cboe Volatility Index  normally a go-to for investors.

Vanilla puts or put spreads on the SPX may be a more reliable hedge given the current market regime, said Tanvir Sandhu, chief global derivatives strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence. Furthermore, the SPX skew is steep, which helps improve the cost of put spreads.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. strategists pointed out last week that the US deficit and Donald Trumps pressure on the Fed may start to depress both Treasuries and stocks, suggesting a binary trade betting on the S&P 500 falling more than 5% by year-end and the 10-year yield rising 0.2%. In Europe, digital-style put spreads on the Euro Stoxx 50 Index were relatively cheap, with one-month 5% out-of-the-money put volatility at about the 20th percentile over the past year.

One reason for the omission of VIX options is cost. The calls screen as expensive relative to S&P 500 puts, Bank of America Corp. strategists highlighted in a research note last week.

Source: BofA Global Research

This is mostly reflective of the VIX option volatility increasing relative to that for the S&P 500, which has been weighed down by rock-bottom realized moves. The so called vol-of-vol looks expensive on a relative basis, which is consistent with other measures of convexity generally being rich.
The large cheese balls container that Dallas, the dog was stuck in is displayed at a press conference held by Canine Rescue of Central Pa, to provide an update on her condition. Aug. 21, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Its anything but a cheesy update to the story of Dallas Cheddar, who was found with her head stuck in a cheese ball barrel last week:

The company that manufactured the cheese ball barrel said it will pay for Dallas veterinary fees.

Jeff Warehime, CEO of Hanover Foods, said multiple people sent inquiries to him about the pup. Bickels Snack Foods, a division of Hanover Foods, manufactured the jar. The company decided to pay the veterinary fees associated with her recovery out of our love for dogs and to unconditionally give back to the community who supports our brand, Warehime wrote on Facebook.

Before the company stepped in, Canine Rescue of Central Pa., a nonprofit, all-volunteer group, was on the hook for the fees. The rescue helped find Dallas and took her to the emergency veterinarian after she was rescued. Dallas is now in a foster home.

Its not clear how Dallas got the jar on her head, but volunteers with Canine Rescue of Central Pa. said its likely she stuck her head in looking for a snack.

We would encourage everybody to do proper trash disposal, recycle. If you have a large container, cut it up, Janelle George, from the social media and medical committees at Canine Rescue of Central PA, said at a press conference Thursday.

8 1 / 8 Dallas the dog

The pups plight began when a volunteer with Canine Rescue of Central Pa. spotted the dog, distressed with a jar on her head, on Aug. 18. Volunteers searched for days until a drone operator helped find her early Wednesday morning.

Dallas Cheddar is now making a speedy recovery, thanks, in part, to Hanover Foods generosity.
Trucks carrying an initial 1,600 metric tons of U.N. World Food Program (WFP) food assistance, enough to feed 220,000 people, arrive in Tawila, North Darfur State, Sudan, in this April 27, 2025 WFP file photo. With homes and farms destroyed, people are depending on WFP to survive, with some victims on the brink of famine. But access and funding remain major challenges for WFP and other humanitarian agencies. (World Food Program photo).  WFP/Mohamed Galal

By William Lambers

As colleges reopen, a great service project for students would be to advocate for feeding hungry children displaced by war.

Think of the children from Sudan, a country devastated by civil war and famine. Sudanese kids and their families have fled to neighboring Chad. The children get a chance to go to school there and get meals provided by the UN World Food Program.

School meals become a lifeline for the refugee kids from Sudan, preventing starvation and giving them the strength to learn. The school meals also feed hungry children in Chad and other impoverished host nations. But these hungry kids can only get the meals if they have support from advocates in the United States and other donor countries.

Sadly, many times school feeding programs dont get enough funding and sometimes are canceled. But we have the power to feed many child war victims around the globe, if we speak out for these life-saving initiatives. As the UN World Food Program says, War destroys, food rebuilds. We can rebuild many lives and communities if we provide them school meals.

In impoverished countries children often wont attend school unless there are free meals available in class. Without the incentive of the meals, poor children drop out of school to work or help their families search for food. The UN World Food Program, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, Marys Meals, Mercy Corps, CARE and other charities give great importance to school lunch programs to save children from hunger.

For infants in impoverished countries, if they dont get the food they need in the first 1000 days of life they are forever stunted in growth. Some infants never get a chance and they perish from starvation. But if we speak up for feeding these children, we can save lives.

Its not inevitable that children overseas face hunger. In fact, after World War II students in America participated in overseas relief campaigns that fed hungry children. Students held food drives or educated others on preventing food waste so more aid could be sent.

Some schools held art contests to make posters about fighting world hunger or held writing contests. At Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, students held a movie night showing films about hunger overseas.

Professor L.P. Irvin, who served with the military during the war, told of the hunger in Europe. As reported by the Miami Student newspaper, a campus food drive was started to collect donations to fight the post WWII hunger. Students today could also similar events to fight hunger around the globe.

Americas greatest peace initiative ever after World War II prevented the biggest famine in history. Millions of lives were saved and nations rebuilt. Schools throughout America were contributors to this humanitarian mission. Students even supported the start of UNICEF through the Crusade for Children fundraiser.

Many children in the war-torn countries were given a future because someone overseas cared enough that they should get meals. Peace in the world today also depends upon food for children.

Students today might feel helpless about world events and what action they can take. But they can be advocates for feeding hungry children everywhere.

The World Food Program USA has even started a campaign to get young people involved fighting world hunger. The Zero Hunger Generation campaign invites college students to set up events on campus to advocate for feeding the hungry while also developing their leadership skills.

Hunger is the worlds most solvable problem, and young people want to help. The Zero Hunger Generation helps close the distance between those facing hunger in distant places and young Americans here at home, said Barron Segar, president and CEO of World Food Program USA.

Right now there is famine threatening Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali. Relief agencies dont have enough funding to tackle these emergencies. There are many other nations in desperate need of food too. Peace hopes in the Congo depend on food for the hungry. In Ukraine, war has caused millions to need humanitarian aid. Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia and many other countries need food assistance.

Tragically, there has been many funding cuts to global food aid this year, harming efforts to feed the hungry and build peace. The Zero Hunger Generation plan encourages young people to write to their elected officials, urging them to support global food aid. Funding needs to be increased for the Food for Peace program and the McGovern-Dole school feeding program.

The food needs abroad are massive, but so, too, is the energy and resourcefulness of students here to take action. Students this year can make a big difference becoming advocates for feeding the worlds hungry, and saving children from starvation.

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger.
U.S. Sen. David McCormick has proven without a doubt that he works for Donald Trump and not for the people of our Commonwealth.

His decisions since taking office are in lockstep with the Trump Administration regardless the damage to the livelihood of his constituents. The immoral and unethical choices he has made while confirming cabinet and judicial appointments should be disqualifying for his or any other office.

The alleged criminal elements of the DOJ and FBI are unprecedented and McCormick rubber stamped those appointments regardless the evidence of unfit character.

We have no other choice but to make sure he is a one-term senator.

McCormick wrote me and stated that the GOP has disrupters in D.C. Problem is, they are unethical disrupters.

Mark E. Counsman Camp Hill, Pa.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks on stage during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/TNS) TNS

Update: Pentagon says some Guard units in D.C. are now carrying firearms as Trump targets more cities

By Carson Swick, Baltimore Sun (TNS)

President Donald Trump clapped back at Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Sunday, threatening to send in the troops to Baltimore in a lengthy social media post.

The outburst saw Trump mock Moores offer for him to walk the streets of Baltimore, suggest he could pull federal funding for the reconstruction of the Key Bridge, and imply that Moore lied about receiving a Bronze Star for his service in the Army.

[I]f Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin [Newsom] did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime, Trump wrote, using a derogatory nickname for Californias Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. After only one week, there is NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN DC! When it is like that in Baltimore, I will proudly walk the streets with the failing, because of Crime, Governor of Maryland.

Trump added that Baltimore is ranked the 4th WORST CITY IN THE NATION IN CRIME AND MURDER, referring perhaps to U.S. News & World Reports ranking of the most dangerous places in America, which ranked Baltimore at No. 4 behind Memphis, Oakland and St. Louis.

Stop talking and get to work, Wes, Trump wrote. Ill then see you on the streets!!!

The outburst marks a sharp escalation of the feud between the Republican president and Marylands Democratic governor, as Moore has repeatedly described himself as not the leader of the resistance so far in Trumps term  though that relationship could be changing.

Speaking in Baltimore on Thursday, Moore told Trump to keep our name out of your mouth.

Trump took aim at Moores previous offer for him to walk the streets of Baltimore, a city that has seen notable reductions in violent crime in recent years. Trump suggested, without evidence, that Moore fudges his figures on crime and credited his deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., with securing stability in the nations capital.

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I walk the streets of Maryland with him. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore? As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a walk.

Key Bridge, Bronze Star comments

Trumps online offensive also included a threat to pull federal funding for the reconstruction of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge and a mention of Moores Bronze Star controversy.

Also, I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge. I will now have to rethink that decision??? Trump wrote at the end of his initial post.

Federal funds to construct a new Key Bridge were approved late last year, so Trump attempting to withhold them could set up a showdown with Congress.

In a separate post, Trump asked a simple question: Did Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, lie about getting a Bronze Star?

In 2024, Moore acknowledged he incorrectly claimed to be the recipient of a Bronze Star medal while applying for a White House fellowship in 2006. The governor, who served in Afghanistan, called the situation an honest mistake and eventually received the honor last December.

Moore responds

Moore, who appeared on CBS News Face The Nation Sunday just minutes after Trumps social media posts, appeared to respond by accusing him of blissful ignorance and using dated tropes about urban crime.

The reason that Ive asked the president to come and join us is that he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance, these tropes and these 1980s scare tactics, Moore said on the program. While the President is spending time in the Oval Office making jabs and attacks at us, there are actually people on the ground doing the work, who know what support would actually work to continue to bring down crime, but its falling on the deaf ears of the President of the United States.

This article will be updated.

Caleb Townsend contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Carson Swick at cswick@baltsun.com.

2025 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The mast that showed above the sand dunes in Barnegat Light to mark the ship Sea King was washed away during Hurrican Erin. New Jersey Maritime Museum

Waves from Hurricane Erin pounded Long Beach Island earlier this week, taking away a historic island landmark.

A steel mast poking above the sand on the beach at Barnegat Light in New Jersey was all that remained to let people know the final resting place of the vessel Sea King.

On Thursday night, the storm pulled the mast back to sea.

Its another landmark gone, Gretchen Coyle at the New Jersey Maritime Museum in Beach Haven said on Saturday.

On Feb. 12, 1963, the 95-foot trawler Sea King was towing a decommissioned minesweeper named Prescott to Atlantic City for refitting, according to information on the museums website.

Both ships were stranded on the Barnegat Shoals during a thick fog. The Prescott was later re-floated and saved.

The Sea King, however, could not be salvaged and became buried in the sand near 12th Street.

The Sea King ended up in the sand dunes, and what was interesting over the years was sometimes it was in the ocean and sometimes it was in the sand dunes, Coyle said. It (the mast) didnt move, but the water around it moved.

The steel mast was a landmark used by locals and cherished by history buffs.

Many people took to social media on Saturday to express sadness that the mast was gone.

The mast was a point where you just aimed to go and take a picture. It was a landmark that made you smile, Coyle said.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy took away a small building next to the ship called the shack, she said.

Coyle said people are still finding out about the loss of the mast, much of the word spreading through social media.

I havent been out there because this just happened the other day, but I saw it on Facebook this morning, she said.

Coyle also thinks a new marker to identify the location of the Sea King will likely be put in place.

I cant speak for Barnegat Light, but at some point I dont doubt there will be a commemorative plaque, Coyle said.

Barnegat Light treasures its maritime history, she said.

Coyle said the New Jersey Maritime Museum at 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven, also carries photos and history of the Sea King.

Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com.
Key Points

Alibaba is doing so well, that its high-margin e-commerce business is throwing enough cash around to bankroll its more-nascent bets.

The stock is trading for just 14 times this year's earnings and less than 11 times next fiscal year's profit target.

Alibaba also has a fast-growing cloud business that's profitable.

These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires 

Many Chinese stocks keep climbing the Great Wall of Worry. Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) is one of the leaders. Shares of the country's e-commerce pioneer have risen 46% over the past year, overcoming trade war concerns and its own lack of material top-line growth in recent years.

Alibaba's AliExpress -- its online retail platform that sells discounted merchandise to U.S. consumers -- is clearly in the crosshairs of the tariff dispute with the White House. After a decade of consistent double-digit revenue growth, it has clocked in with single-digit gains in the last three fiscal years. Analysts see more of the same through at least the next two years.

Investors will get a read on how Alibaba is holding up when it reports results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 next week. A lot is riding on what it has to say that Friday morning, but instead of focusing on the next week, let's take a look at the next 52 weeks. Alibaba is in better shape to continue beating the market a year from now than you probably think. Let's take a closer look.

The business model works

Its flagship e-commerce business is a cash cow in China. Taobao and Tmall are its consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer platforms, respectively. They combined for $62 billion in fiscal 2025, or 45% of Alibaba's $137 billion in consolidated revenue.

The bigger point here is that those two platforms accounted for $27 billion -- or 113% -- of the company's consolidated $23.8 billion in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization (EBITA). In other words, the profitability of its Chinese e-commerce efforts is funding the balance of the rest of its money-losing businesses.

So when you begin to ding Alibaba because of the impact of rising consumer-facing prices on AliExpress for stateside shoppers, connect the dots. All of Alibaba's international e-commerce business takes up a modest 13% slice of the top line, and the U.S. is just one part of that segment. It's also losing money, so it might be better for the bottom line if it leans even more on milking its cash cows.

This doesn't mean that all of these side bets are more trouble than they're worth. Alibaba is investing in everything from artificial intelligence to food delivery.
Alexis Nicolai, his lucky fishermans hat firmly planted on his head, made a promise before coming to play the PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona PS Open Main Event.

My son is laughing at me every time I wear this. Because he said, 'you look like a fisherman, dad'. So I say, this time Im going to have the hat, and the trophy, and win everything, Nicolai said.

His prediction came true, as Nicolai emerged from a field of 5,036 entries to take home the EPT Shard trophy and the 772,000 top prize, by far the largest score of his career.

EPT Barcelona PS Open Final Table results

Place Player Country Earnings 1 Alexis Nicolai France 772,000 2 Mengshi Tian Hong Kong 482,290 3 Ben Zech Germany 344,560 4 Chin Wei Lim Malaysia 265,200 5 Daniele Cuomo Italy 203,910 6 Jakub Sterba Czechia 156,830 7 Kazuhiko Yotsushika Japan 120,610 8 David Taieb France 92,770

In the dream, Nicolai, the third straight Frenchman to win this event after Lucien Cohen and Sylvain Berthelot, said through a translator after catching a lucky straight on the river to deny Hong Kongs Mengshi Tian. I just dont realize. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe in the car tonight. Tomorrow at 7:30, Im going to work. A job is a job, says my father.

Nicolai, who runs a taxi ambulance company, more than doubled his career earnings with this title. His previous best score was for $64,000. He began the final table as the short stack, got dangerously short heads-up against Tian, but finally opened up with a constant barrage of all-in shoves that allowed him to battle back and snatch away the trophy.

Alexis Nicolai

At the start, I was really short, and I was in a bad situation. Finally, I found a double up really quickly. We just wait for the short stack to bust, and he finally bust. Then, I have to admit, I opened some crazy hands so it was easier, he said. I had a bad start to heads-up, lost some handsThen I changed my mind. I was going to talk to him more, and thats what I did. My friend, all in. I shoved so many times, I made him crazy.

Day 4 Action

Day 4 began with 13 players hoping to secure a place at the final table. Yakiv Syzghanov (13th), Arthur Emig (12th), Efrim Erdinc (11th), and Adis Zukanovic (10th) were the first bust-outs of the day and fell short of the final nine.

At the start of the final table, Kazuhiko Yotsushika was where he began the day, at the top of the leaderboard with a massive chip advantage, nearly double Tian in second place. Nicolai, meanwhile, was the short stack with just 7,450,000.

Nicolai won a race with ace-queen against Jakub Sterbas jacks to earn an early double up. Bernardo Neves then got his last 6,000,000 in as it was his turn to race with ace-queen against Tians jacks, but this time the pair held to send the WSOP bracelet winner to the rail in ninth place.

Tian surpassed Yotsushika for the chip lead with that pot, and Yotsushika lost some more when he missed a straight draw against Chin Wei Lims pair of aces as the Malaysian high roller doubled up to more than 20,000,000. Yotsushika didnt stay down for long, though, calling David Taiebs all-in shove for 6,600,000 with pocket fours. Taieb had ace-jack, but couldnt connect with the board and was eliminated in eighth.

Yotsushika then took two big hits, first paying off Tians flush on the river, then calling a 3,000,000 bet from Ben Zech with a pair of kings, only for Zech to show a pair of kings with a jack-kicker to win the pot. Left with just 15,000,000, Yotsushika got his last chips in shortly after with pocket sixes, but Nicolai picked up jacks to bust the former chip leader in seventh.

Kazuhiko Yotsushika

Tian continued his climb when he shoved the small blind and Sterba called for 8,000,000. Sterba flopped a straight against Tians pocket tens, but the turn gave Tian quads and the knockout as he hit 50,000,000. Tian began pulling away from the field, holding nearly half the chips in play five-handed.

Daniele Cuomo then moved all in for 8,000,000 with ace-nine, but Nicolai woke up with kings in the big blind and Cuomo busted in fifth. Zech flopped quads to double off Tian before Lim called off his last 18,000,000 against Nicolai. Lim was racing with ace-queen against tens, but Nicolai spiked top set on the flop to take a big lead as Lim was sent to the rail in fourth place.

Chin Wei Lim

Zech fell in third after losing his last 8,650,000 with a dominated ace-six against Nicolais ace-seven. Tian led 84,400,000 to 66,625,000 at the start of heads-up, and didnt wait long to open a big advantage. He first raised to 19,000,000 on the turn, then shoved the river as Nicolai surrendered, then showed down the nut straight to leave Nicolai with just 22,000,000.

Nicolai playfully kept shoving, the words, My friend, all in, ringing throughout Casino Barcelona as he worked his way back up to 40,000,000. Tian finally took a stand with ace-ten against Nicolais ace-three. Tian was a favorite to close out the tournament, but Nicolai found a three on the flop to double up and take the lead.

Mengshi Tian - Alexis Nicolai

Nicolai continued moving all in before Tian called for his last 50,000,000 with pocket sevens. Nicolai, though, showed down pocket nines. As both respective rails shouted for cards, Tian spiked a set on the flop. The turn gave Nicolai outs to a straight, and he caught a jack on the river to complete his straight and send the French rail into a frenzy.

While posing for his winners photo, the Shard trophy planted on the table in front of him, Nicolai made sure to do one thing: he took off his hat and placed it on the trophy. Hes taking it home, just as he predicted.

That concludes PokerNews coverage of the PS Open. Stay tuned for more coverage throughout EPT Barcelona.
Day 1 of the highly anticipated 100,000 EPT Super High Roller during the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona has wrapped up at Casino Barcelona, with 36 entries recorded so far and 22 players making it through to Day 2.

Leading the way is Punnat Punsri of Thailand, who bagged 943,000 after getting off to a dream start. He slow-played pocket aces against Jesse Lonis, calling a four-bet preflop before holding against Lonis nut flush draw to score a full double. This pot helped Punsri rise to the top of the chip counts by the end of play, and he has put himself in a great position to try to claim a second title here at EPT Barcelona.

End of Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Punnat Punsri Thailand 943,000 157 2 Seth Davies United States 890,000 148 3 Teun Mulder Netherlands 829,000 138 4 Santhosh Suvarna India 749,000 125 5 Kayhan Mokri Norway 608,000 101 6 Nikita Kuznetsov Russia 589,000 98 7 Aleksejs Ponakovs Latvia 562,000 94 8 Jean-Noel Thorel France 554,000 92 9 Phil Ivey United States 407,000 68 10 Morten Klein Norway 389,000 65

Second in the counts is Seth Davies, who bagged 890,000 after winning the biggest pot during the last level of the day against David Coleman. Davies four-bet jammed with big slick, and Coleman called with pocket queens. Davies looked to be heading to the rail, but an ace on the river saved Davies and locked up his spot near the top of the counts. Teun Mulder maneuvered his way to bagging up a stack of 829,000 and rounds out the podium positions.

With this being the biggest buy-in of the series, its no surprise the field was packed with familiar names. Among those making it through the day is Kayhan Mokri (608,000), who is the back-to-back champion of this event the last two times it was held. Also returning for Day 2 are Phil Ivey (407,000), Nick Petrangelo (260,000), Jason Koon (241,000), Espen Jorstad (169,000), and Jesse Lonis (134,000). Bringing up the rear is Enrico Camosci (72,000), who will have plenty of work to do when play resumes.

Phil Ivey

Registration remains open until cards are in the air Sunday, with the field expected to grow further in one of the festivals most prestigious events. Day 2 resumes at 12:30 p.m. local time with blinds at 3,000/6,000 and a 6,000 big blind ante, and players will battle through another eight 60-minute levels. The official prize pool and payouts will be announced shortly after play begins.

Remaining Schedule

Day Date Time Blind Levels Day 2 August 24 12:30 p.m. 60 minutes (play eight levels) Day 3 August 25 12:30 p.m. 60 minutes until final table, then fixed number of hands per level

Stay tuned to PokerNews for chip counts, updates, and all the action as the 100,000 EPT Super High Roller continues in Barcelona.
Andy Tsubasa Field covers business and development for The Post and Courier's Columbia bureau. He has reported on business for the Albany Times Union, general assignment news in Bridgeport for the Connecticut Post, Kansas state politics for the Associated Press and city hall for the Bismarck Tribune.

Reach him at afield@postandcourier.com or @AndyTsubasaF on X. If you want unlimited access to the work of the Post and Courier Columbia newsroom, follow this link for a special discounted rate.
Key Points

Berkshire Hathaway is the investment vehicle of Warren Buffett and his team.

The company's stock has vastly outperformed the broader market, thanks to the way in which Buffett invests.

Berkshire Hathaway is about to see a huge change in the way it's run.

10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway 

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) is an interesting name. Today it represents the conglomerate that Warren Buffett built. But, before Buffett bought the company, it was a failing clothing business. That clothing business ultimately closed under Buffett's watch, representing one of his most prominent failed investments.

A long run of good investments has turned that failure into a huge success. However, in one year's time, there's going to be a very big change at Berkshire Hathaway.

What does Berkshire Hathaway do?

Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate. Conglomerates often operate in a few different business lines, sometimes with each business having its own brand identity. Berkshire Hathaway took that model and ran with it. At the end of 2024, Berkshire Hathaway had 189 subsidiary companies!

Image source: The Motley Fool.

But that's not the whole story. That list of 189 companies includes a couple of large insurance businesses. Insurance companies collect insurance premiums up front and they pay out money to cover losses in the future. The premiums get invested until the cash is needed to fund payouts. This is what's known as "float" on Wall Street. Insurance companies can keep whatever they earn on the float.

Berkshire Hathaway has long invested the float in the stock market, with a large portfolio of stocks augmenting its owned businesses. Some of the company's long-term holdings include Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), American Express (NYSE: AXP), and Chevron (NYSE: CVX). That diversity is replicated in the company's owned investments, in a wide-ranging investment portfolio.

Essentially, Berkshire Hathaway is something like a mutual fund. When you buy the stock, you are, effectively, investing alongside CEO Warren Buffett. As the chart below highlights, doing so has worked out very well for investors over the long term.

Things are about to change at Berkshire Hathaway

So, from a big-picture perspective, buying Berkshire Hathaway is really buying into Buffett's investment approach. To briefly summarize that approach, Buffett likes to buy well-run companies while they are attractively valued and then hold them for the long term to benefit from the growth of their businesses. Simple to say, hard to do. Yet, clearly, Buffett has executed his investment approach incredibly well over time.
Nick Reynolds covers politics for the Post and Courier. A native of Central New York, he spent three-and-a-half years covering politics in Wyoming before joining the paper in late 2021. His work has appeared in outlets like Newsweek, Poynter, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post. He lives in Columbia.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Toby Cox is a reporter for the Post and Couriers Rising Waters Lab, covering flooding, sea-level rise and community resilience. She graduated from the University of Virginia and Harvard Divinity School. Her previous work can be found in National Geographic, The Diplomat, Summerhouse DC, The Revealer, Harvard Divinity Bulletin and others. If you have a question, tip or story idea, reach out to her at tcox@postandcourier.com. You can reach her securely on Signal at 843-670-8651.
Move Silfab, a citizens group organized to oppose the placement of the solar panel manufacturer's plant in Fort Mill, erected a couple of billboard along the U.S. 21 Bypass in April 2025.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-24 16:01:53

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 440 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 24, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Hims & Hers Health, Inc. ("Hims & Hers" or the "Company") (NYSE:HIMS). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com 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 Hims & Hers and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until August 25, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Hims & Hers 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 April 29, 2025, Hims & Hers announced a long-term collaboration with Novo Nordisk, starting with the immediate sale of "a bundled offering of Novo Nordisk's FDA-approved Wegovy on the Hims & Hers platform." Then, on June 23, 2025, Novo Nordisk issued a press release announcing that it was terminating its partnership with Hims & Hers, citing "Hims & Hers deceptive promotion and selling of illegitimate, knockoff versions of Wegovy that put patient safety at risk." The press release stated that Hims & Hers "has failed to adhere to the law which prohibits mass sales of compounded drugs under the false guise of  personalization.'" The press release further stated that "[b]ased on Novo Nordisk's investigation, the semaglutide' active pharmaceutical ingredients that are in the knock-off drugs sold by telehealth entities and compounding pharmacies are manufactured by foreign suppliers in China" which "FDA has never authorized or approved and which may contain unsafe and illicit foreign ingredients." On this news, Hims & Hers' stock price fell $22.24 per share, or 34.63%, to close at $41.98 per share on June 23, 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.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-24 16:01:47

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 938 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 24, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against CTO Realty Growth, Inc. ("CTO" or the "Company") (NYSE:CTO) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and docketed under 25-cv-01516, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired CTO securities between February 18, 2021 and June 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired CTO securities during the Class Period, you have until October 7, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com 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.[Click here for information about joining the class action]CTO is a publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns and operates a portfolio of purported high-quality, retail-based properties located primarily in higher growth markets in the United States ("U.S."). The Company converted into a REIT in February 2021 and, as of December 31, 2024, owned 23 income properties in seven states, including Ashford Lane, a retail and dining center in Atlanta, Georgia.Under guidelines established by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), REITs must pay out at least 90% of their taxable profits to shareholders annually as dividends. In return, REIT companies are exempt from most corporate income tax. CTO has touted that its operation as a REIT "provides the tax-efficient organizational structure for [its] stockholders" that "will allow [it] to provide them with an attractive and sustainable dividend." To measure its performance, CTO uses the financial metric Adjusted Funds from Operations ("AFFO"). The AFFO of a REIT, though subject to varying methods of computation, is generally equal to the REIT's funds from operations with adjustments made for recurring capital expenditures (also referred to as "capex") used to maintain the quality of the REIT's underlying assets. Professional analysts tend to prefer AFFO because it takes into consideration additional costs incurred by the REIT as well as additional income sources, such as rent increases. Thus, analysts believe that AFFO provides for a more accurate base number when estimating present values and a better predictor of the REIT's future ability to pay dividends.The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) CTO's dividends were less sustainable than Defendants had led investors to believe; (ii) the Company used deceptive and unsustainable practices to artificially inflate its AFFO and overstate the true profitability of its Ashford Lane property; (iii) accordingly, CTO's business and/or financial prospects were overstated; and (iv) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.On June 25, 2025, Wolfpack Research ("Wolfpack") published a report entitled "CTO: The B. Riley of REITs" (the "Wolfpack Report" or the "Report"), which compared CTO unfavorably to B. Riley, a financial services company that recently lost more than 90% of its value amid three years of losses, soured investments, delayed financial reports and revelations that the SEC had been investigating whether the firm gave shareholders an accurate picture of its health. Citing interviews with former employees and whistleblowers, the Wolfpack Report accused CTO of, among other things, "not generat[ing] enough cash to pay its recurring capex and cover its dividends since converting to a REIT in 2021" and instead "rel[ying] on dilution (increasing shares outstanding by 70% since December 2022) to cover a $38 million dividend shortfall from 2021 to 2024," employing a "manipulative definition of [AFFO] where they exclude recurring capex, unlike all of their self-identified shopping center REIT peers," and "us[ing] a sham loan to hide the collapse of a top tenant from shareholders at Ashford Lane." (Emphasis in original).Further, Wolfpack predicted imminent further dilution of the Company, noting that CTO has just $8.4 million in cash while facing quarterly dividends of $14 million and average recurring capital expenditures of $5.7 million per quarter, along with approximately $12 million in additional planned capital expenditures.On this news, CTO's stock price fell $0.98 per share, or 5.42%, to close at $17.10 per share on June 25, 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 billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
Key Points

A top regulator said it wouldn't convene an advisory committee to discuss the biotech's latest application.

This is for the company's leading pipeline drug, troriluzole.

10 stocks we like better than Biohaven 

On a very good Friday for the stock market, Biohaven's (NYSE: BHVN) performance was exceptional. The clinical-stage biotech's share price inflated by over 6% that trading session thanks to regulatory news it delivered in the morning. Even the surging S&P 500 index couldn't come close to that kind of increase, with its 1.5% gain on the day.

Regulatory progress

Biohaven revealed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it has been updated on the progress of its New Drug Application (NDA) for troriluzole. The company said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed it that an advisory committee meeting to discuss the submission at the regulator was no longer necessary.

Image source: Getty Images.

Troriluzole is a drug that targets spinocerebellar ataxia, a cluster of inherited and progressive neurological disorders that affect the body's movement. The development and regulatory application process for the drug has been halting, with the FDA initially refusing to accept the company's filing. Biohaven ran a new late-stage clinical trial and is using its data for the current NDA.

Although the cancellation of the advisory meeting implies the regulator has, in effect, already reached a decision, it might not necessarily be one favorable to the company. Investors are best advised to wait until the actual decision is rendered to make a decision on whether or not to buy this stock.

Good chance for success, apparently

Having said that, according to research from RBC Capital Markets analyst Leonid Timashev cited by Investor's Business Daily, around two-thirds of applications where an advisory committee meeting is cancelled ultimately won approval (from 2019 until the present). Given that, the market's very bullish reaction to the news is understandable.

Should you invest $1,000 in Biohaven right now?

Before you buy stock in Biohaven, 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 Biohaven 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 $650,499!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,072,543!*
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-24 03:40:14

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 303 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 23, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Roblox Corporation ("Roblox Corporation") (NYSE:RBLX) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.The State of Louisiana filed a lawsuit against Roblox on August 14, 2025, alleging that the Company fails to protect children from predators on its gaming platform. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said, "Due to Roblox's lack of safety protocols, it endangers the safety of the children of Louisiana. Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators because it prioritizes user growth, revenue, and profits over child safety. Every parent should be aware of the clear and present danger poised to their children by Roblox so they can prevent the unthinkable from ever happening in their own home."Following this news, Roblox's stock price fell over 6% on August 15, 2025. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-24 05:32:07

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 627 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 23, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., August 23, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) between May 7, 2025 and July 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 30, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Novo Nordisk securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 30, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW:We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Novo Nordisk's growth potential. Notably, Novo Nordisk's asserted potential to capitalize on the compounded market greatly understated the potential impact of the personalization exception to the compounded GLP-1 exclusion and overstated the likelihood that such patients would switch to Novo Nordisk's branded alternatives. Further, defendants greatly overstated the potential GLP-1 market or otherwise, Novo's capability to penetrate said markets to achieve continued growth. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for more information.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-24 13:01:17

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 411 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 24, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Sable Offshore Corp. ("Sable" or "the Company") (NYSE:SOC) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Sable securities: (1) pursuant and/or traceable to Sable's May 21, 2025 secondary public offering (the "SPO"); or (ii) between May 19, 2025, and June 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/SOC Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) they represented that Sable Offshore Corp. had restarted oil production off the coast of California when it had not; and (2) as a result, defendants' statements about Sable's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/SOC . or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Sable you have until September 26, 2025, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
On Wednesday, 30 September 2020, Favour Okechukwu, 11, was gang-raped to death in Ejigbo, a low-income suburb in Lagos State.

The victims family had expected swift justice, but almost five years later, it remains a mirage.

Frustrated by her failure to secure justice for her late daughter, the deceaseds mother, Ruth Okechukwu, a petty trader, surrendered to her grief, clinging to God for justice.

The police made us believe they were working on the case and promised to get to the root of the matter, but nothing was done, she told DevReporting.

From the transportation of Favours remains for autopsy to the endless visits to different police stations, the deceaseds relatives took care of the expenses. Even as they grieved, they realised that seeking justice comes with a financial burden.

With teary eyes, Mrs Okechukwu narrated that: My husband took her body from Isolo General Hospital to Ikeja for the autopsy on 18 November 2020 because we were told that the doctor could not go to Isolo. The mortuary attendant helped us arrange for an ambulance. We paid for the ambulance and funded the entire process. The autopsy process lasted from morning until night.

We were assured the result would be ready within two to three weeks. But we never saw the result. The doctor claimed to have submitted it to the police, yet the police said they never received it. We were also kept in the dark about the outcome of the forensic test conducted at the scene of the rape. The suspects who were reportedly arrested were later released.

When contacted by DevReporting, the lawyer in charge of the case, Alex Ishogba, explained that the Magistrate Court, sitting in Oyingbo, Ebute Metta, initially remanded the suspects in Kirikiri correctional centre and sought legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The lawyer, engaged by the family, said when the DPP reviewed the case file sent by the Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yaba, they found major gaps  key documents like the sperm test results, autopsy report, and fingerprint evidence linking the suspects to the victim were missing. With no evidence in the file, the DPP advised that the suspects be released. The magistrate court then released them based on this advice.

Before the legal advice was released, I went to the DPP and I was told that the police messed up the case, because they didnt put the medical reports and all the evidence in the file, the lawyer added.

In order to get justice for the family of the victim, Mr Ishogba said he took the case to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi to sue for the enforcement of fundamental human rights. However, the court ruled there was not enough to link the suspects to the case.

That was the end of the process to get justice for Favour and her family.

In Nigeria, for many sexually abused children and their families, justice remains elusive as the criminal justice system, meant to protect them, delivers no justice despite making the families spend money that many of them do not have.

In the absence of justice

A 2020 study titled Justice Through the Lens of Survivors, conducted by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), revealed that when justice is well administered to survivors, it can give a sense of relief and closure.

But findings by DevReporting revealed that the path to justice is littered with costs that many families cannot afford. They range from police mobilisation fees to payment for medical reports, chartered vehicles and case entry fees, among others.

As a result, many who cannot afford to bear the financial burden or who get frustrated by endless court adjournments and delayed judgments, give up and abandon their cases.

Such failures threaten progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16.2, which seeks to end all forms of violence against children.

To address this problem, the Lagos State Government supports the Police Gender Unit in the state financially to investigate these kinds of cases and get justice. The unit within the Lagos State Police Command is where most sexual violence cases are transferred to from divisions for further investigations before being charged in court.

However, the problem persists despite this policy.

Ugly trend

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a silent health emergency that goes unnoticed, grossly under-reported and poorly managed, as very young children rarely have the vocabulary to describe what happened. Perpetrators exploit this vulnerability, committing their crimes under a culture of silence and stigma.

A 2024 UNICEF data revealed that 370 million (one in eight) girls and women globally experienced rape or sexual assault in childhood, while 240 to 310 million (one in eleven) boys and men experienced rape or sexual assault during childhood. While children suffer different forms of violence, sexual violence is said to leave scars that last a lifetime.

The prevalence of child sexual abuse in Nigeria is alarming, as one in nine girls and one in 20 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault, while 82 per cent of all victims under 18 are female, according to data from Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), an international nonprofit anti-sexual assault organisation.

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, the Nigerian police recorded about 717 cases of rape and sexual assault of minors across Nigeria. Late Favour was one of them.

About 799 suspects were arrested, 631 cases conclusively investigated and charged to court, while 52 other cases were left under investigation, as the then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, blamed the surge in the number of cases on COVID-19 restrictions.

The federal government then declared a state of emergency on sexual and gender based violence in all 36 Nigerian states.

Victims parents lament

Like Favour, the story of Evelyn*, another victim of sexual abuse, echoes the same pain and systemic neglect faced by many sexually abused children in Lagos State.

According to Evelyns mother, Esther Agbim, a tea seller at Cele Market, along Mile 2-Oshodi road in Lagos, her daughter, who was 10 years old in September 2023, told her that their neighbour, Lucky Bassey, invited her into his room and rubbed his manhood on her private part.

Shocked by this revelation, Ms Agbim reported the case at the Ijesha Police Station, leading to Mr Basseys arrest.

Before the suspects arrest, police investigators requested 20,000 from Ms Agbim for mobility, but after pleas, she paid 5,000.

A medical examination at Mirabel Centre, a sexual assault referral centre, confirmed that the girl had been penetrated and sustained wounds in her vagina. Some neighbours and police officers allegedly pleaded with the mother to drop the case. After much pressure and a lack of money, Ms Agbim reluctantly succumbed.

The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) of the case, Madam Grace, pulled me aside and tried to dissuade me from going to the Ikeja Gender Unit. She claimed that the procedures at Ijesha police station were no different from those at the unit, adding that many had already interceded on the perpetrators behalf, Mrs Agbim recalled.

According to her, the policewoman later proposed that Mr Bassey sign an undertaking to stay away from the abused child, adding that his older brother agreed to move him out of their compound. I had to agree with them, Ms Agbim told DevReporting, amid regret.

Months later, Mr Bassey accosted Evelyn for the second time in their shared bathroom and had carnal knowledge of her. The child kept silent for days after the second assault due to fear. When she finally told her mother, she said Mr Bassey covered her mouth so no one would hear her scream.

Determined not to let him escape a second time, Ms Agbim returned to the police station to file another report. However, Mr Bassey had fled, and attempts to apprehend him were unsuccessful.

According to Ms Agbim, each time Mr Bassey briefly returned home and she alerted the police, they would not take any action.

Instead, I was constantly directed from one police station to another, she said, adding that, To worsen the situation, my landlady threatened to evict me from my apartment if I didnt drop the case against Mr Bassey. But I have chosen not to drop it.

She insisted that if the police had acted appropriately the first time, the second sexual assault might not have happened.

Now, I have been ejected from my apartment, and my daughter lives with the trauma. After the incident, she would often complain of stomach pain, and at one point, vomited worms. I can only imagine the pain she endured. I want justice for my daughter. I know I am going through all of this because I dont have the means to pursue justice. If only I had the money to hire the best lawyer, maybe I would get justice, she told DevReporting.

Disillusioned with the justice system, Ms Agbim sought help from the Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), a non-governmental organisation.

Speaking on the possible connection between sexual assault, stomach pain, and vomiting worms, a public health physician, Mohammed Ibrahim, a professor, explained that when heavily infected by worms, children in Nigeria may vomit worms, especially the common roundworm, ascaris. He said this is a recognised medical occurrence and is not related to sexual assault.

He said abdominal pain can arise from different causes, including sexual assault, noting that, medically, its significance depends on the nature and location of the pain as well as other associated symptoms and signs.

The doctor can only determine the actual cause after fully examining the patient, he added.

DevReporting contacted Mr Bassey for comments, but he did not respond to calls and many text messages sent to his known phone number on the allegations against him.

A story too many

At the Lakowe community in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos, a mother of two, Amuanamua Overere, recounted a distressing incident involving her five-year-old daughter, Sophia*.

According to Mrs Amuanamua, Sophia was sexually assaulted by a neighbour, identified as Frederick, on 29 October 2023, when she was three years old. She had gone to refill her cooking gas cylinder and left her daughter at home. On her way back, she saw Mr Frederick, who was heading out to buy fish.

He offered me one of his gas cylinders so I could boil water to bathe my baby. Later that day, unknown to me, he gave Sophia money to buy biscuits and instructed her to return the change to him. After handing him the change in his room, he made her watch a movie before penetrating her with his fingers. She returned with torn underwear and knickers, crying when I eventually found her after searching for over four hours.

Mrs Amuanamua told DevReporting that she found her daughter crying with red and swollen eyes. Sophia told me he bathed her afterwards, she said.

When she reported the incident to the community leader (Baale), community members pleaded with her not to escalate it, offering to refund all expenses she had incurred on her daughters health, but Mrs Amuanamua refused.

Upon realising that the community wouldnt act, she reported to the Akodo Police Station on 1 November 2023, and Mr Frederick was arrested five days later. She was thereafter referred to Akodo General Hospital for a medical examination, which cost 10,000. This was in addition to purchasing gloves for the hospital.

She said: I had to return the Point of Sale (POS) machine I was using to do business to the bank, so I could raise money to pay for the medical examination.

When I returned to the hospital for the result, I was told the doctor had gone on leave. I waited for a whole month to get the result. During the waiting period, the police released Mr Frederick.

Mrs Amuanamua said the community later turned against her, while her landlord asked her to vacate her apartment.

Later, a woman reached out, saying she was sent by Frederick to offer me 100,000 to drop the case. I asked her if she would let Frederick go free if he had abused her daughter. Also, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), identified as Ryan, said they granted Mr Frederick bail because I had not produced the doctors report in time. He shouted at me, saying I made allegations without evidence.

Mrs Amuanamua said that after she submitted the medical report to the police, nothing was done, and Mr Frederick had disappeared from the community. She was later introduced to Harmony Advocacy Network, an NGO, and on 28 November 2023, the case was transferred from Akodo Police Station to Ikeja Gender Unit, where she got a new IPO, identified simply as Mr Kunle.

The woman in charge of the Ikeja Gender Unit said the police needed to visit the crime scene and asked me to hire a vehicle to take them to Oshoroko. I told them I didnt have the money and went home. Already at that time, each time I visited the gender officer from the Lekki free trade zone area where I reside, I spent nothing less than N9,500 on transportation up until December.

Sophias mother told DevReporting that in December 2023, the police called to inform her that they were coming to the Oshoroko community to investigate her case.

They met with the Baales deputy, who assembled local women. Shockingly, my neighbour, Mummy Halimo, whose daughter was earlier playing with Sophia, denied seeing her that day. Even a boy who had earlier confirmed seeing Sophia enter Fredericks room also denied it after he was threatened. I burst into tears as everything unravelled. Weeks later, Mr Frederick reportedly relocated, as my daughter continues to live with trauma.

All I want is justice for my daughter, she said amidst sobs, even as little Sophia told this newspaper that, He touched my yansh.

DevReporting made several calls and text messages to Mr Fredricks contact, but his phone was unavailable.

Many laws, yet no justice

According to Sections 358 and 359 of the Criminal Code Act  Part Five, anyone who rapes another is liable to life imprisonment. Any person who attempts to rape another is liable to a 14-year-imprisonment upon conviction.

Also, Lagos is one of the states in Nigeria that has domesticated the Childs Rights Act and underage persons are unfit to give consent for sexual acts. So even if it were to be proven that an underage victim gave consent, it would be regarded as rape. In such a circumstance, it is referred to as statutory rape.

Section 31 of the Act states that a person who commits an offence of defilement (i.e sexual intercourse with a child) is liable on conviction to life imprisonment.

However, five years of data trends from the DSVA indicate that children consistently account for between 30 and 42 per cent of total reported cases annually.

Also, Section 5 of the DSVA Law 2021 states that part of the agencys functions is to coordinate immediate responses to sexual and gender-based violence. It is also meant to provide financial assistance, subject to the availability of funds, to high-risk survivors of sexual and gender-based violence for logistics to various responder agencies, case management, medical assistance, sexual assault counselling, psychosocial support, business seed grants, cost of relocation, or any other form of allowance or assistance necessary.

In his reactions, Ebenezer Omejalile, co-founder and chief operating officer of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), said the path to justice for many sexually abused children from low-income families is littered with insurmountable costs. According to him, it has become a norm that the oppressed cannot get justice if they do not know anybody to push their case.

It is very shocking that despite the training and capacity building programmes, the police in the family support or gender unit have acquired, some of them still exhibit a high level of incompetence in the way they go about cases. A child has been defiled, yet they are subjecting her to outrageous costs. Perpetrators are always ready to pay any amount to escape being punished by the law, he told DevReporting.

Based on our encounter, some police officers want to turn themselves to law courts, prosecutors or judges. Weve seen situations where complainants who are not accompanied to the police stations are frustrated by officers right from the counter, denying them access to the unit meant to handle their case.

We have a case that is still ongoing in the Ikorodu Magistrates Court. There is a prosecutor there who is in the habit of telling the magistrate that defilement and rape cases are family matters. They are also in the habit of not letting the victims know the date for the next sitting. For most cases, they provide weekend dates. Tell me, which court sits on weekends?



Editors Note: Names with an asterisk (*) have been changed to protect the victims. The second part of this report contains details of our reporters encounter with officers in different police stations in Lagos while trying to report rape and sexual assault cases.

This report was supported by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under its Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP)
Menstrual health remains one of Nigerias most pressing yet under-discussed public health challenges, with millions of women and girls struggling to access safe products, accurate information, and supportive environments.

In this exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Abdulhameed Adediran, Team Lead for Menstrual Health Initiatives at Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria, shares insights into the current state of menstrual health, the barriers caused by stigma and cultural taboos, and the role of policy in shaping a more inclusive future for women and girls.

PT: How would you describe the current state of menstrual health in Nigeria?

Adediran: Id describe the current state of menstrual health in Nigeria as burdened. This is because in the past, there have been concerted efforts amongst stakeholders to improve on what used to be a more deplorable situation. I will look at this through three lenses of demand, supply and enabling environment.

In terms of demand, I will look at the comprehensive education. Until recently, Nigeria did not have a structured document that clearly outlined messaging, communication, education, and behavioural change strategies around menstrual health and hygiene.

This meant that for years, women and girls relied on fragmented information and rumours about how to manage their menstrual period. This includes how to dispose of the products, appropriately use their sanitary products and what to do when they encounter certain challenges during their menstrual period. So, this information was not available until recently.

In terms of access, we know that almost 100 per cent of disposable pads, which are commonly available in Nigeria, are imported. What this means is that, the price of the monthly commodity is left at the mercy of foreign exchange. As we know, foreign exchange is unfavourable and it directly impacts what is meant to be a basic need of every woman.

Even in terms of access, the distribution channel is restricted because not everyone feels comfortable stocking or distributing menstrual products, especially in rural areas. When that happens, women and girls opt for different options, usually unsanitary products that are used for sanitary services during their menstrual periods.

This is quite deplorable, and the experience we found in the field is worse than we thought. Weve had reports of girls who use dry leaves, cow dung and their socks in place of pads.

That said, I like to describe the situation as both half-full and half-empty. With the concerted efforts of PSI, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and other partners, progress is being made. If we sustain these strategies, we believe improvements will come faster than expected.

PT: What are the most common challenges women and girls face in accessing menstrual products and information?

Adediran: The challenges cut across sections of social, cultural and economic lines. We observed that there is an economic stratification in access to products and services, including information. An instance of this is a girl in an urban area who has access to sophisticated, latest smartphones and can download different apps to monitor her flow, and if she is in pain, she can ask questions online amongst others.

Direct health services are more accessible to those of the high economic stratum than those of low socioeconomic status. What this means is that those in the rural areas have fewer opportunities for services and information.

As mentioned earlier, the common forms of menstrual products are disposable products which are not manufactured in Nigeria. This means that the rich have access to the high-end products by travelling abroad to get the best quality product to use for the whole year, until the next time they get to travel. While the poor do not even get the available basic option mainly because they either cannot afford it or its a luxury to them. Distribution is also limited, especially in rural communities where local vendors may not prioritise stocking these products.

For social reasons, we noticed that knowledge about menstrual health is just passed on from generation to generation. This means that the myths go along with whatever the right information is, as there is no way to verify what is right or wrong.

For the cultural aspect, we are in a very deep cultural country, so a lot of the cultures are passed from generation to generation and just end up being adopted and then passed on again. For instance, we had a social experiment where we asked a group of experts, doctors, and educationists how to dispose of menstrual products and the house was divided.

Some said you have to burn it, some said you have to wash it thoroughly, while others said you have to flush it. All these are going on because there is practically no structured way to dispose of these products, so it just becomes a culture of people going with trends.

PT: How do myths, stigma, and cultural taboos influence menstrual health practices and attitudes in Nigeria?

Adediran: During our trainings, we try to ask What do you call menstruation in your culture, and you could see the diversity in what menstruation is called, because nobody wants to come out straight and say, it is menstruation. That is the fundamental basis for the various stigmas that are associated with it.

Our culture gives the impression that its okay to say you have a headache or malaria, but its almost a taboo to say Im on my period. If this is being passed from one generation to another, it becomes a norm and everybody thinks its okay not to disclose any information about ones period. This means one thing; that girl will not be able to access the right services and products.

For instance, a girl goes to the supermarket but feels uncomfortable buying pads because she doesnt want people to know she is menstruating, despite being a woman. Also, a girl doesnt want to hold an extra pad when going out just to make sure nobody knows she is on her period and so on.

All of these put together affect the quality of life Nigerian women live during their menstrual period and the quality of the menstrual products and services they can access.

PT: What role can schools, workplaces, and community leaders play in improving menstrual health access and awareness?

Adediran: To be honest, since we got ourselves to where we are it is our responsibility to also take us out of where we are. We have spoken extensively about how our socio-cultural environment has impacted menstrual health. So, it means that for us to work it back, we also need to adopt the same strategy.

How can we do this? By getting each one to tell the other. Its easier for people in the community to influence other people and say, We have agreed as a community that this is no longer the norm. And before you know it, it starts spreading out.

And when we talk about community, it varies. For instance, for us at PSI, we are building a group of people that we call the Menstrual Health Champions, and they cut across the different strata and layers of our society.

We also have them in the community, those we call the Community Menstrual Health Champions. These are influential within the community, like opinion, religious and cultural leaders within the community. We count on them to gradually, through various dialogue sessions, begin to change the narrative.

At the schools, because we know that teachers have a huge influence on what the girls become or believe in, we are also empowering them to pass down this knowledge.

We also have the Media Champions because a lot of people consume so much information from the media. Hence, we decided to infuse menstrual health into it and get them to pass this information so that, gradually we might begin to change the narrative and trend of menstrual health. We believe there is a tremendous role that individuals and communities can play when it comes to reversing the trend in the menstrual health challenges we face in Nigeria.

PT: Can you tell us about the menstrual health initiative by PSI?

Adediran: In PSI Nigeria, we have several projects cutting across reproductive health and other non-communicable diseases. Menstrual Health-No Wahala (MH-NoW) is a project that aims to improve the menstrual health of adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 10-24 in Nigeria, specifically in the six states of; Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa and Sokoto.

Most recently, further to this project we received a grant to provide menstrual and economic empowerment to women in Plateau state. What we do is intersect between improving access to menstrual health services and products and improving access to comprehensive information and education to address stigmas and taboos associated with menstrual health.

PT: Are there any successful menstrual health initiatives in Nigeria that could serve as models for wider adoption?

Adediran: If the monthly report received from the field is anything to go by, then Id say the PSI menstrual health initiative is already a success. So far, we have a set of over 300 menstrual health champions and in three months, we have been able to reach over 200,000 people with menstrual health information and education.

We have also identified producers of reusable products within each state, and still using our network of champions, we have been able to identify a chain of distribution of these products. So far, we are still counting the number of pads being sold daily to adolescent girls and young women.

Again, if we can do this successfully in three LGAs each in six states, then we believe that this can always be replicated. Most importantly, there are cross-cutting efforts around creating an enabling environment for menstrual health.

We have been able to support the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to develop the very first National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management in Nigeria, and we believe that, if this can be adopted in all states, it can help improve menstrual health.

We have also carried out smart advocacy training in PSI implementing states, and we are happy to scale it down to other states and provide resource materials. The training materials and behavioural change communication materials that we have developed are also available and have been adopted at the National level.

What this means is that anybody from Nigeria can pick these materials and use them to provide structured information, education and communication on menstrual health. So yes, these are models that have been tried and can be replicated in otherer states across the country.

PT: What are the biggest gaps in government or policy efforts to address menstrual health, and how can they be filled?

Adediran: Id say generally, it is prioritisation. Youd observe that a lot of times, government priorities differ. Among government priorities, there is women health which mostly doesnt rank very high even when discussing women matters. A lot of times when you talk about the needs of women, everybody talks about empowerment, distributing wrappers, grinding machines, bag of rice and others.

But beyond that, there are certain things that are fundamental to the livelihood of these women like the reproductive health. Even in discussing other issues of womens health, the place of menstrual health so far has been found to be quite low which is not helpful.

I feel that a milestone in the recent validation of the policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management is the big statement that the government is beginning to look in the direction of menstrual health.

Yes, the gaps are there. We have a particular state where there is even a budget line on menstrual health and for some reasons, the funds will not just be released because the person responsible doesnt consider menstrual health a priority.

So, if we are able to put this policy into action, the budget is created, the funds are allocated and judiciously used, then the story of menstrual health in Nigeria will change for the better.

PT: What future steps or innovations would you recommend to improve menstrual health and reduce period poverty across the country?

Adediran: First, is that everyone should know that menstrual health is everybodys business. Knowing this will make everyone identify their role and once this is known, they take up the responsibility and discharge. The impressive discovery I also have about menstrual health is the multi sectoral nature of it. That is why the concept of Technical Working Group has worked effectively at the national level, and we are promoting it at the sub-national level as well in our implementing states.

For instance, we have different roles for the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Education, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) etc. Even at the sub-national level, this is how it is.

So, if we all can see that menstrual health first is human right, and secondly its everybodys business then wed have gone a long way to improve the health and wellbeing of our girls and women.
Nigerias foreign policy has always been most credible when it is principled, pragmatic, and independent. In a world newly polarised by great-power rivalry and by the war between Israel and Hamasand amid a documented surge in antisemitic incidents from Washington to Paris to SydneyNigerias best course is neither retreat nor alignment. It is strategic neutrality: a clear, non-aligned posture that keeps diplomatic doors open, protects Nigerians at home and abroad, and maximises economic opportunity while upholding humanitarian law and rejecting bigotry in all forms.

A tradition worth keeping

From independence, Abuja anchored external relations on non-alignment and African priority. That stance let Nigeria build credibility across dividesWestern and Eastern, Arab and Israeliwhile leading peacekeeping and mediation in its region. The principle was never about moral indifference; it was about freedom of manoeuvre to advance Nigerian interests and values without being conscripted into others quarrels.

Nigerias ties with Israel illustrate how flexibility serves national interest. Abuja severed relations after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war and restored them in 1992, then gradually normalised high-level engagement, including a 2013 state visit in Jerusalem. That arc reflects neither hostility nor fealty, but calibrated diplomacyprecisely the posture Nigeria needs now.

The new context: polarisation and a spike in antisemitism

The IsraelHamas war has reordered global conversationsfrom campus protests to multilateral diplomacyoften reducing complex realities to binaries. Alongside this has been a measurable rise in antisemitic incidents worldwide since October 2023, including arson attacks, shootings near Jewish institutions, and record hate-crime tallies reported by watchdogs and governments. Nigeria cannot ignore this tide; it should meet it with clarity: condemn antisemitism unambiguously, reject collective blame, and insist that criticism of any government never becomes hatred of a people.

Global survey data reinforce the warning: large shares of adults across many countries report antisemitic beliefs, with denial or ignorance of the Holocaust disturbingly common among younger cohorts. As Nigeria navigates online discourse and youth politics, those findings are a cautionary flag against imported hate amplified by algorithms.

What neutrality looks like in practice

1) Principle-first multilateralism. Nigeria should continue voting case-by-case at the United Nations, guided by international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. Abuja supported General Assembly calls for a humanitarian truce and later for an immediate ceasefire; that approachhuman-centric, rules-based, and independent of blocsshould remain the template.

2) Two-track engagement. Maintain full, functional ties with Israelwhile sustaining robust relations with the Palestinian Authority and key Arab and Muslim partners. Engagement is leverage: it allows Abuja to press for humanitarian access, hostage releases, and de-escalation, and to channel African perspectives into a process often dominated by external powers. This dual track also reassures Nigerias diverse communities that foreign policy is not a proxy for sectarian preference.

3) Economic pragmatism without dependency. Israel is a niche but useful partner in water technology, drip irrigation, agritech, health innovation, cybersecurity, and emergency response. Nigerias trade with Israel is modest but real; it can grow on Nigerian termstransparent, competitive, and tied to local value-addition, not just import contracts. Abuja should prioritise technology transfer, pilot projects in climate-smart agriculture, and joint ventures that create Nigerian jobs. At the same time, diversify suppliers so no single partner can weaponise access.

4) Guardrails at home. Neutrality requires domestic resilience. That means sustained investment in interfaith dialogue, rapid response to hate crimes (including antisemitic attacks), and a clear government communication line distinguishing legitimate policy critique from bigotry. Nigeria should pair this with digital-literacy campaigns and partnerships with platforms to throttle disinformation that can inflame communal tensions.

5) People-to-people protections. Nigerian pilgrims, students, and workers in or travelling to Israeland Nigerians of Jewish faithdeserve specific safety planning: consular hotlines, evacuation protocols, and cooperation with host authorities. Protecting citizens is not a concession to any side; it is the states first duty.

Why neutrality serves Nigerias interests

It preserves strategic autonomy. Non-alignment keeps Abuja free to say yes, no, or not yet based on facts, not faction. In a period when major powers frame every choice as a loyalty test, that freedom is priceless.

It enhances mediator credibility. West Africa still looks to Nigeria to broker and stabilise. A visibly even-handed Middle East posture protects Abujas standing when it asks neighbours to compromiseand aligns with its long record of peace operations and regional leadership.

It protects national cohesion. Nigerias strength is its pluralism. A foreign policy that appears to favour one identity over the other risks importing overseas polarisation into local politics. Neutrality signals that the federal government stands above sectarianism while enforcing a single standard against hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia alike.

It expands economic options. Technology partnerships with Israel can complement (not replace) cooperation with Europe, the Gulf, China, India, and others. When procurement is competitive and transparent, Nigeria secures better prices, stronger technology transfer, and less risk of capture.

Concrete steps Abuja can take now

Codify a principled neutrality note within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance: support for international humanitarian law, opposition to targeting civilians and hostages, defence of religious freedom, and rejection of hate speechincluding antisemitismat home and abroad. Stand up a NigeriaIsrael Opportunity Desk inside MFA/Trade: map sectors where Israeli firms have a comparative advantage (micro-irrigation, desalination, medtech, emergency medicine, cybersecurity). Require local-content plans, university partnerships, and training quotas in every deal. Publish impact metrics annually so the public sees jobs and skills, not just headlines. Pair every Israeli track with an Arab-world track. For each MOU signed with an Israeli entity, pursue an equivalent cooperation instrument with partners in the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, or Moroccoespecially on energy, logistics, and food security. Balance is both symbolism and strategy. Establish a Humanitarian Channel. Work with trusted NGOs and UN agencies to move medical supplies and relief where needs are acute. Nigeria can contribute modest funds, pre-positioned pharmaceuticals, or clinical teams, earning moral capital without entanglement. Create a Consular Safety Framework for Nigerians in Israel and the Palestinian territories: real-time travel advisories, encrypted registration portals, and pre-negotiated evacuation corridors with partners. Periodically test the plan. Name antisemitismand other hateclearly. In public statements and school curricula, embed definitions that separate policy disagreement from prejudice. Encourage universities and tech platforms to monitor and respond to harassment and doxing while protecting free debate. The government can convene faith leaders to issue a joint code of conduct for online and offline political expression. Invest in fact-checking and digital hygiene. Fund a nonpartisan consortium of Nigerian newsrooms, researchers, and civil society to track cross-border disinformation about the conflict, publish regular briefs, and coordinate with platforms on takedowns when content crosses into incitement. Leverage multilateral votes for leverage, not theatre. Where texts genuinely advance civilian protection or de-escalation, vote yes. Where they are performative or one-sided, abstain and explain. Nigerias recent votes for humanitarian pauses and ceasefire were consistent with that approach; keep it anchored in law, not geopolitics.

What success would look like

Economic : A small but growing pipeline of Israeli-Nigerian projects delivering visible gains in crop yields, water access, and emergency care; young Nigerian engineers trained through exchange programmes; and a steadily improving trade balance without over-reliance on any single supplier.

: A small but growing pipeline of Israeli-Nigerian projects delivering visible gains in crop yields, water access, and emergency care; young Nigerian engineers trained through exchange programmes; and a steadily improving trade balance without over-reliance on any single supplier. Diplomatic : Abuja consulted as a credible voice in MENA deliberations at the AU and UN because it is neither reflexively pro- nor anti- any party.

: Abuja consulted as a credible voice in MENA deliberations at the AU and because it is neither reflexively pro- nor anti- any party. Social: Lower incidence of hate crimes and communal flashpoints tied to overseas events, thanks to better public communication, education, and policingand an unmissable official line that bigotry will be prosecuted.

The moral centre

Neutrality must not be confused with moral silence. Nigeria should continue to affirm two truths at once: Israeli civilians have the right to live free from terror and hostage-taking; Palestinian civilians have the right to live free from bombardment, blockade, and dispossession. Upholding those truths does not require Nigeria to join any camp. It requires Nigeria to be itself: a diverse democracy that rejects imported hatreds, protects its people, prizes peace, and keeps its options open.

In an age of loud absolutes, quiet balance is a strength. Nigeria should use it.

Victor LIMAN is the former Chief Trade Negotiator and Acting Director General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations. Mr LIMAN is also the former Head and Commissioner, Nigeria Regional Investment and Trade Office, China, with the concurrent mandate to oversee Nigerias trade and investment relations with South Eastern Asian Countries. [email protected] (+234 7011276040).
The police command in Kwara says it arrested a man, who allegedly dismembered the body of his pregnant sister-in-law, Esther Enemo, at Egbejila Road in Temidire community, Ilorin.

This is contained in a statement by the command spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

According to Mrs Ejire-Adeyemi, the command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of 21 August, at Temidire community in Ilorin.

At about 9 a.m., a resident of the area reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mrs Esther Enemo.

In a swift response, a team of police detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence.

Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.

The suspect, (names withheld), aged 29 years, younger brother to the victims husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime.

Meanwhile, the husband has also been contacted for necessary clarification.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served, he said.

Mrs Ejire-Adeyemi expressed the commands regret over the unfortunate incident and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations that would incite fear or tension within the community.

READ ALSO: Toke Makinwa is pregnant

He assured that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

He urged the residents to continue to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that would aid ongoing investigations and security operations.

He reiterated the commands resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevailed in the state.

(NAN)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has condemned the outcome of last weeks by-elections, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the exercise under conditions riddled with irregularities.

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Gusau, Zamfara State, and signed by the forums Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the opposition governors alleged that the elections were heavily militarised and characterised by widespread vote buying and violence.

The forum condemns the over-militarisation of last Saturdays by-elections characterised by wide spread irregularities, vote buying and violence and calls on Nigerians to be more circumspect in protecting their votes, the communique said.

The by-elections, conducted on 16 August in 16 federal and state constituencies across 12 states, were held to replace lawmakers who either died or resigned after the 2023 general elections.

INEC results showed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won 12 of the contested seats in nine states, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured two seats in Anambra, the PDP won one in Oyo, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won a seat in Kano.

While the APC consolidated its dominance in most of the states, the PDP retained a foothold in Oyo and came second in several constituencies. APGA, on the other hand, consolidated its control in Anambra under the leadership of Governor Charles Soludo.

Both the APC and PDP have petitioned INEC to cancel results from certain constituencies, including Shanono/Bagwai and Ghari in Kano State, where incidents of malpractice and intimidation were widely reported. There were also reports of vote buying in Ogun States Remo federal constituency.

Insecurity and security reforms

Aside from electoral matters, the PDP governors also expressed concern about insecurity in the country.

They decried the persistent killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and other states.

While commending the Zamfara State government for recent successes in tackling insecurity within its borders, the forum urged the federal government to show commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians.

The forum, particularly commends initiatives by the government of Zamfara State in significantly curbing insecurity within the state; but condemns the continued monstrous killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger and Benue States and other parts of the country and calls on the federal government to be more responsive to the lives and properties of the citizenry, the communique added.

The Gusau meeting was attended by Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, who hosted it, alongside Governors Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Lagos State, Tunji Shelle, on Saturday resigned his membership of the party, defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Shelle and other PDP bigwigs, as well as some Labour Party members, joined the ADC at an affirmation ceremony in Lagos.

A former PDP BOT member, Abimbola Ogunkelu, another former State PDP Chairman, Muritala Ashorobi, PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East), Tai Benedict, ex-Youth Leader, Niyi Adams, and Rahman Owokoniran, ex-South West secretary, were among stalwarts who defected with Mr Shelle.

NAN reports that the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and other ADC chieftains, received Mr Shelle and others into the party.

Speaking with NAN, Mr Shelle said he and others decided to dump the PDP because of the gross indiscipline and endless crises in the party.

He said they were disappointed that the leadership of PDP could not halt the destabilising activities of some national leaders of the party.

Mr Shelle said PDP leaders, like the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were not working for the progress of the party.

He accused Mr Wike of working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) while still claiming membership of the PDP.

Mr Shelle said: Wike cannot hijack the party, and the rest of us continue to look as if we are helpless or we are no human beings.

I dont take it. I dont like being subjected to such ridicule.

One man cannot say he is working for APC while on the other hand keeps holding PDP to ransom. I think the leaders (PDP leaders) are compromised.

He said his defection to ADC with other PDP leaders had further weakened the former ruling party.

PDP is now empty with all its leaders moving to ADC in Lagos, he said.

Mr Shelle, who noted that ADC had tested and trusted politicians in its fold, said that the party was strong enough to stand against the ruling party in 2027.

He said that ADCs Interim Chairman, David Mark, and Mr Aregbesola have the capacity to steer the party to victory.

There are no distractions in ADC. The party leaders are not people anyone can buy over.

ADC has all it takes to save the situation in Nigeria and give the people the country of their dream, he said.

He said the support for ADC was growing by the day and urged Nigerians to join the party.

People are behind us, we are not fighting the battle alone.

We expect Nigerians to join the movement so that all of us can win together. With Nigerians behind us, ADC will definitely make a difference, he added.

Also speaking at the event, Mr Owokoniran, who noted that PDP had lost track, said, PDP is gone, there is nothing there. ADC is the only opportunity to challenge the ruling APC.

Also speaking, a former PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East), Tai Benedict, said that many more leaders and members of the former ruling party were still on their way into ADC.

We are emptying PDP members in Lagos State into ADC. Others are on the way; they want to take their last supper before coming, Mr Benedict said.

Also, Niyi Adams, a former Lagos State PDP youth leader, claimed that more than 5,000 PDP members defected to ADC across the 20 local governments of the state.

Mr Adams, who decried persistent internal crises in the PDP, said defectors would work assiduously to ensure victory for ADC in the 2027 general elections.

The ex-party chieftain said he did not think PDP would be able to resolve its crisis even after the November National Convention.

(NAN)
Nigerias largest carrier, Air Peace, has expanded its widebody fleet with the arrival of a fourth Boeing 777-200ER, as it doubles down on international ambitions and seeks to consolidate its grip on the fiercely competitive LagosLondon route.

The aircraft, registered 5N-CEG, landed at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday, 22 August, from Teruel, Spain. It was greeted with a water-cannon salute and a reception led by Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema, his executive team, and aviation officials.

This milestone strengthens our expansion plans as we prepare to connect Nigeria to more global destinations, including London, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, the airline said in a statement.

Configured with 312 seats26 in Business Class and 286 in Economythe new aircraft will join the fleet within two months, with Mr Onyema confirming its deployment on long-haul flights from Abuja to Londons Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Past Acquisition Controversies

The new acquisition comes against the backdrop of past scandals tied to Air Peaces plane purchases. In 2019, Mr Onyema was indicted by the US Department of Justice on charges of money laundering and bank fraud, accused of using falsified documents to move millions of dollars intended for aircraft acquisitions. In October 2024, prosecutors added obstruction of justice charges, alleging he attempted to mislead investigators with backdated contracts.

Though Mr Onyema has consistently denied wrongdoing and continues to operate freely in Nigeria, the unresolved cases cast a shadow over the airlines aggressive expansion. Aviation regulators have also previously criticised Air Peace for failing to properly report incidents involving its aircraft, raising safety oversight concerns.

London Route

Air Peace is currently the only Nigerian airline operating direct flights to London, a route it launched in March 2024. Within its first year, the carrier said it transported over 136,000 passengers across 662 flights, contributing an estimated $150 million to Nigerias GDP and creating 1,200 jobs. Its entry triggered a price war, forcing long-established rivals like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to slash fares, with ticket prices on the route reportedly falling by as much as 40 per cent.

But success has not come without hurdles.

The airline has faced slot restrictions, being limited to Gatwick instead of Heathrow, and has accused UK authorities of using aeropolitics to frustrate Nigerian carriers. Industry watchers warn that Air Peace risks repeating the fate of defunct airlines such as Arik Air and Med-View, which collapsed under the weight of high operating costs, governance issues, and intense foreign competition after briefly operating London services.

Beyond London

Even as it navigates the London battlefront, Air Peace is pressing ahead with expansion into South America and the Caribbean, with plans for direct flights to Sao Paulo, Antigua, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Mr Onyema argues that the strategy is part of a broader mission to make international travel more affordable for Nigerians and to establish Nigeria as a regional aviation hub.

READ ALSO: Air Peace announces flight resumption

He praised President Bola Tinubus administration for policies that support indigenous airlines and commended Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo for pursuing strategies that, he said, allow Nigerian carriers to compete more fairly against foreign giants.

With the new Boeing 777, Air Peace is positioning itself as more than just a regional player.

But as history shows, the challenges of sustaining long-haul operations from financial pressures to geopolitics may ultimately determine whether Nigerias flag-carrier ambitions take flight or falter.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Dormant Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) whales are springing to life, shifting capital into Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) as traders bet on stronger performance from ETH.

What Happened: On-chain data from Lookonchain revealed that a Bitcoin whale, who received 100,784 BTC ($642 million) nearly seven years ago has resurfaced, offloading BTC to buy 62,914 ETH ($267 million) spot and opening a 135,265 ETH ($577 million) long position.

Another dormant whale showed a similar pattern, depositing BTC into Hyperliquid.

This wallet, which originally received 85,947 BTC ($547 million), still controls six wallets holding 83,585 BTC ($9.42 billion).

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.

The moves come as Bitcoin and Ethereum prices dip, with traders noting ETH's relative strength against BTC as a signal of brewing upside momentum.

Analyst Miles Deutscher argued Ethereum is the stronger coin now: more than $20 billion in treasury demand still waiting to deploy, cycle timing suggesting ETH's rally is less exhausted than BTC's, and ETH's resilience on BTC dips compared to prior months.

He predicts Ethereum will rebound harder than both Bitcoin and most alts, offering a better risk-adjusted return.

What's Next: Crypto trader Scient predicts if Ethereum flips $4,380 then there could be a run through weak highs towards $4,800.

CryptoGodJohn sees $4,447 and $5,376 as upcoming targets over the next 68 weeks.





See Also: 2,000 High Earners Manage $6B With This AI Platform  Book Your Private Demo

Crypto Caesar noted Ethereum's cycle is entering its final phase, with a strong few months still ahead.

Ted Pillows noted Ethereum is testing $4,360 resistance; a breakout could hit $4,760, though a lower retest is also possible. He warns Powell's Jackson Hole speech could spark heavy volatility, as seen in 2023 and 2024, and advises traders to manage leverage carefully.





Read Next:
Veteran journalist Yakubu Mohammed says an unexplainable friction between late MKO Abiola, the publisher of the defunct National Concord, and late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and himself led to the founding of Nigerias first weekly news magazine, Newswatch.

Mr Mohammed, who together with Messrs Giwa, Ekpu and Dan Agbese founded Newswatch in 1984, said this in his memoir, Beyond Expectations.

Before Newswatch was formed, Mr Mohammed was the Editor of Mr Abiolas National Concord, while Mr Giwa was the Editor of Sunday Concord.

Mr Ekpu was a member of the Editorial Board of the newspaper, while Mr Agbese was the Editor of the New Nigerian Newspaper.

According to Mr Mohammed, Mr Giwas famed iconoclastic journalism inevitably became a source of friction in his apparently cosy relationship with Mr Abiola.

He wrote: But was that the only source of friction? It was difficult for me to pinpoint what it was.

All I can recall now was that there was a cold relationship.

He recounted how the trio formed a team whose visibility and professional contribution were positive developments for National Concord.

Out of office, we sometimes moved together and attended social events together.

We became poster boys for the improved public image of Concord.

That was when the famous Candido column of the New Nigerian referred to the trio of Dele, Ray and Yakubu as Benzy journalists wearing Gucci shoes,  he said.

Mr Mohammed also said that an in-house fashion competition created by a staff writer, late May Ellen Ezekiel (MEE), also exacerbated the frosty relationship between Messrs Giwa and Abiola.

While learning the ropes at Concord, she (MEE) introduced an occasional competition for best-dressed men.

It was open to the readers who usually voted for men who showed class and displayed sartorial taste.

One of the instalments grouped MKO and Dele together, and Dele was rated higher than MKO.

What the editor and his staff did was in bad taste. It was like committing incest.

Why would you feature anybody connected with the newspaper in a contest it was organising? And of all persons, the editor and his publisher.

This bad judgment did not sound funny to MKO, who literally stormed my office to say that Deles cup was full, Mr Mohammed said.

He said that the three of them were later queried by Mr Abiola for an exclusive interview they had with Muhammadu Buhari, the then military Head of State, in January 1984.

According to him, rather than a commendation from Mr Abiola for the scoop, the three editors got cold shoulders.

Unknown to us, the new military regime had fenced him off, and the duo of Buhari and Idiagbon were not relating with him.

When we returned from the interview and told the publisher of the warm reception General Buhari gave us, he was rather glum, he said.

Mr Mohammed said that Mr Abiola was later pushed by some vested interests to issue the trio a query, preceded by an anonymous letter describing them as stranger elements.

He said that the unending friction motivated them to start seeking investors for a weekly news magazine to be fashioned after Time and Newsweek magazines.

He listed some of the early investors in the Newswatch project to include businessman Ibrahim Yusuf, late Alex Akinyele, Nuhu Aruwa, Ime Umanah, Abdulaziz Ude and Mike Adenuga, among others.

(NAN)
A prominent South African opposition figure, Julius Malema, paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina, ahead of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conference.

Mr Sanwo-Olu disclosed this in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Mr Malema is the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)  one of the major opposition political parties in South Africa  was announced as the NBAs keynote speaker for the 2025 conference, which will run from 22 to 30 August.

EFF similarly announced Mr Malemas meeting with Mr Sanwo-Olu on social media.

His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu honoured the President and CIC @Julius_S_Malema with two priceless gifts: a commemorative Eyo gift pack, symbolising the cultural heritage of Lagos, and a plaque bearing the official seal of the Lagos State Government, as a mark of friendship and mutual respect, EFF posted on X.

According to the EFF on X, Mr Malema, also visited Babatunde Ogala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), ahead of the event.

NBA guest

Mr Malema is scheduled to address the Nigerian Bar Associations annual general conference at Enugu International Conference, Enugu, Enugu State, South-east Nigeria.

With the theme, Stand out, stand tall, the NBAs annual general conference will bring together legal practitioners, policymakers, judges, academics, and international guests, convened to reflect on law, democracy, governance, and nation-building.

More than 20,000 are expected to attend the conference. Also, former president Olusegun Obasanjo will chair the opening ceremony of the event.

Malemas politics

The EFF leader has been known for his outspoken views and controversial chants, including the decades-old anti-apartheid song Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer. This song has been a contention, with some parties representing white South Africans attempting to ban it.

He vowed to continue using controversial chants despite criticism from US President Donald Trump. In May, during a White House meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr Trump showed a video featuring Mr Malemas chants to support his claims of white genocide in South Africa.

The US president demanded from his South-African counterpart why Mr Malema had not been arrested for the controversial chants. However, Mr Malema responded that he, will never be intimidated by Donald Trump. He denied genocide in South Africa and maintained that the US would not be allowed to dictate to South Africa.

Mr Malema, a former leader of the youth wing of the African National Congress (ANC)  South Africas ruling party since the end of apartheid in 1994  was expelled from the party in 2012 and formed the EFF in 2013.

He is a feisty critic of the South African government led by President Ramaphosa.

He is also an advocate of the controversial expropriation of White South Africans land, a key component of EFFs economic freedom manifesto touted as measure to correcting land ownership imbalance skewed in favour of the While during the apartheid rule in the country.

Mr Malema has also called for the unification of African countries to match the economic strenghs of the US and the European Union.
I am of the view that the Nigerian government approached the Israel-Iran war in the appropriate manner. When Israel launched its attack on Iran, the Federal Government issued a condemnation of that act; and this is precisely as it should be, not because it was interested in taking sides, but it was a step made necessary by the fact that Israels action is a clear violation of the UN Charter, as it were. Nigeria went further by calling on the warring parties to de-escalate, and bring the conflict to an end.

It is rather unfortunate that the long-anticipated war between the two sworn enemies in the Middle East  Israel and Iran  eventually got fought. This intervention is not focused on which side is right or wrong  a theme that will continue to be interrogated, for a long time to come. Rather, it is to underscore the questionable circumstances in which the war  which Donald Trump is now dubbing, The 12-Day War  was fought. These were particularly quite concerning circumstances, made so by at least three elements.

First, Iran was actually in negotiations with the US when the first volley of preemptive attacks was launched against it by Israel. Of course, the Trump administration itself chose to hit the Islamic Republic while the latters Foreign Minister was in Europe, exploring possible negotiation pathways with the major European powers. These sequences of events cast a very dark pall on the place of diplomacy and, going forward, the trust nations would place on talks and negotiations whenever they find themselves in the vortex of conflicts.

In addition, President Donald Trumps words would seem not to be his bond; and this is quite significant for US foreign relations, going forward. At the beginning of the imbroglio, he gave the impression that he was not positively disposed to Israel attacking Iran, only to proclaim later, with much glee, on his Truth Social platform, that WE are in full control of the Iranian skies! Whether he did this to look strong after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who apparently understands Trump so well, had defied him, or not, is a topic to be addressed later, as more information is made available. The US President also spoke at some point that he was allowing a two-week period of grace for renewed diplomatic efforts, led by the Europeans, to play out before he would decide whether or not to join the bombing spree. Alas, he chose to disregard that solemn commitment and ordered that Iran be attacked, bunker-busted, within the imaginary two weeks! The point here is that the timing of the attacks by Israel and the US has considerably reduced the market value of diplomacy in international relations. There are grave consequences to this.

The second point of concern relates to the absolute lack of restraint on the part of Israel and the US in choosing to attack nuclear facilities, without regard to the possibility of radiation fallouts, and the wider implications of that for humanity, and the environment. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty expressly prohibits such acts, knowing how damaging they could be.

the wanton assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists and academics by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is quite concerning. It should be roundly condemned, by governments, international organisations, and no less, the global intelligentsia and professoriate. It is one emerging trend that should not become a new normal, because of the grave consequences for research and scholarship, and everything pertaining thereto.

Thirdly, the wanton assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists and academics by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is quite concerning. It should be roundly condemned, by governments, international organisations, and no less, the global intelligentsia and professoriate. It is one emerging trend that should not become a new normal, because of the grave consequences for research and scholarship, and everything pertaining thereto. The same goes for attacks on hospitals and schools, a tactic the IDF continues to deploy in Gaza, which significantly, Iran too latched onto, with attacks on at least one hospital in Israel, during the course of the war. This is completely unacceptable. It certainly cannot be evidence of chivalry attacking defenceless people; and I take it as indicative of how low humanity has fallen for trained soldiers to come into the open to justify the dropping bombs on hospitals!

That said, I think the war may serve, or may have served Nigeria well, viewing it strictly from the very narrow national interest point of view. Nigeria is an oil producer, which always stands to benefit anytime the crude oil supply chain is disrupted. But the broader outcome of the war, in the medium to longer terms  if it lingers  may not be as beneficial to Nigeria, and indeed the entire world. This is why it is in everybodys interest for it to stop as quickly as possible. It is why I endorse the efforts at putting in place a ceasefire. But I dare say that the sense in the declaration by the Iran Foreign Minister that the US attack on Fordow and other Iranian nuclear facilities, would have everlasting consequences, should not be lost on anyone. How these would unfold lies in the bosom of time.

Meanwhile, I am of the view that the Nigerian government approached the Israel-Iran war in the appropriate manner. When Israel launched its attack on Iran, the Federal Government issued a condemnation of that act; and this is precisely as it should be, not because it was interested in taking sides, but it was a step made necessary by the fact that Israels action is a clear violation of the UN Charter, as it were. Nigeria went further by calling on the warring parties to de-escalate, and bring the conflict to an end. It then set in motion the process of evacuating Nigerian citizens from both Iran and Israel. The Tinubu government acted appropriately and timeously in this regard. It demonstrated sensitivity and clarity of vision on the matter. We need to see more of such proactive, reasonable and realistic patterns in Nigerias foreign policy process.

Femi Mimiko is a professor of Political Science, at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; and member, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. E-mail: [email protected]; @FemiMimiko
Some people come into this world and quietly pass through it, content to mark their presence. Others write their own chapters. But then there is Doyin Abiola  who dont just write chapters, she wrote new volumes. She cleared a path through the darkness and made space for generations of African women journalists to shine. She held up a light and dared the world to follow it.

I dont like phone calls from Nigeria in the middle of the night. Nothing good ever comes out of the Nigerian night. They are hardly ever social calls. They rarely carry laughter or warmth. Its almost always a buffet of needs crying to be met  survival needs, medical emergencies, tuition troubles and more.

So, when my phone lit up last Tuesday under the blistering Californian summer sun and I saw a familiar Nigerian number, I picked it up gladly. Calls from home, when the sun is still high, usually bring lighter fare  nostalgia, gossip, or simply a shared laugh across time zones.

But the voice that greeted me was heavy, hollowed by grief. A voice that belonged unmistakably to the night. And, in that single breath before the words landed, I realised it was night in Nigeria.

Mama Doyin is gone, the voice said.

There is only one Mama Doyin in my universe. And she was not merely a woman. She was a force. A woman who looked at the skies and thought that is just the baseline for professional beginnings. A woman never content to follow footsteps. She created her own path, and in doing so blew the door of opportunities open for Nigerian female journalists and a generation of men too. She didnt rise by jumping through hoops. She soared over them.

Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola. Not merely a name, but a monument. Not just a woman, but a whirlwind. Not a story told, but a life lived in distinction.

Before her, newsrooms were largely male spaces. Women were often relegated to the sidelines  as typists, secretaries, low-level reporters. Not senior reporters and never editors. But when she arrived, she didnt wait for a chair to be pulled out. She took a seat at the table. She became the first female editor of a Nigerian national newspaper, topped it up by becoming the first editor-in-chief of a national newspaper. And not just any paper  the mighty Concord Press.

In a profession once walled off to women, she didnt just break the wall, she rebuilt the architecture. When others stopped at success, she aimed for significance. Where others settled, she started anew. She didnt wait for tomorrow to arrive. She picked up a torch and lit the way for it. She was fearless. When the military bared its teeth, she did not flinch.

I first met her at Concord. I was a young intern surviving on the weekly 50 transport stipend. My editor, Mike Awoyinfa, believed I deserved more and argued that I should be paid per article like a freelancer. She said yes. Not just to me, but to every intern. A little over a year later, after my national youth service, she approved Mikes recommendation that I should be hired five ranks higher than a typical graduate. I had no connections, no pedigree, just words and work. Mike gave me my first break and Mrs Doyin Abiola allowed him to give me the wings to fly.

Concord Press was a dream like Nigeria. It was built to be great, to change the way journalists worked and lived. It was the dream of MKO Abiola and Doyin Abiola was the overseer. Then the skies over Nigeria got poisoned by the dictators gunpowder. They crippled Concord and left it to die. They didnt just disable journalism  they killed the hope of a nation too.

We reconnected almost two decades later when I started the long journey working on a documentary film about MKO and the June 12 election. And that was when I really got to know her. We would visit and talk. In London and Lagos. For hours and hours. She proudly called me her younger brother and I called her Aunty Doyin. She was caring and doting. Because I travel a lot for work, she once instructed me to bring my wife over to London for a visit, so she could thank her for accommodating my schedule in her busy life.

When she learnt that I had helped man the Nigerian desk at Amnesty International USA during parts of the Abacha years, another connection formed. She shared stories rarely heard, battle scars unseen, strategies never published. Stories that still makes my heart ache for what Nigeria could have become.

She never stopped honouring the memory of MKO. Speak to her for five minutes and his name would come up. Not out of grief but pride, and regret for what Nigeria could have become if the only man theyve ever freely voted for to lead them was allowed to rule. She spoke of the global lobbying. The nights of strategy. The grand deceptions. The conversations with Mandela and the worlds other moral giants. She carried all of it with grace and fire.

And she spoke of how MKO chased her and won her heart. How the man who always got what his heart desired conquered the heart of Nigerias preeminent female journalist. But the biggest gift she shared with MKO was their daughter, Doyinsola  the Doyin in Mama Doyin.

She loved Doyinsola with every breath in her. Theres this twinkle in her eyes whenever she speaks about her and theres a magical connection between them when they share a space. Her grandkids always seem to energise her, even as age slowed her down. Watching her play with them, I often wondered how she managed to balance so much love and legacy. But that was her secret: she knew that the future must be nurtured  both in boardrooms and family rooms.

Some people come into this world and quietly pass through it, content to mark their presence. Others write their own chapters. But then there is Doyin Abiola  who dont just write chapters, she wrote new volumes. She cleared a path through the darkness and made space for generations of African women journalists to shine. She held up a light and dared the world to follow it.

You ran a great race, Aunty Doyin. Knowing you was a privilege. Walking in the glow of your light was an honour. Now, you can rest in heavenly peace.

Ose Oyamendan is a filmmaker based in Hollywood.
A few weeks ago, an outburst of then aspirant for Nigerias presidential office, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marked its third anniversary. On 2 June, 2022, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Tinubu bit the bullet in what has now become an epochal ad-lib commentary. In a retort to attempts to deny him the Nigerian presidency, he had said, Emi lo kan, e gbe kinni yii wa  It is my turn, bring this thing. At a meeting with Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, as well as leaders and delegates of the APC at the presidential lodge, Ibara, Abeokuta on that same day, Tinubu rained subtle invective on Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerias then sitting president. He had come to meet the partys delegates in Abeokuta ahead of its presidential primaries slated for about a week to that day.

Like Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder, lightning and fire or an enraged cobra, Tinubu spat out the magical words. If not for me who stood behind Buhari, he wouldnt have become the president, he began, in an audacity many believe was sterner than Barack Obamas. He tried the first time, he fell; the second time, he fell; the third, he fell He even wept on national television and vowed never to contest again but I went to meet him in Kaduna and told him he will run again. I will stand by you and you will win, but you must not joke with Yorubas and he agreed. Since he became the president, I have never got ministerial slots, I didnt collect any contract, I have never begged for anything from him. Emi lo kan, e gbe kinni yii wa; it is the turn of Yoruba, it is my turn.

Anyone in alignment with the Nigerian political barometer of this period in time would know that, as at the morning of June 2, 2022, Tinubu was not in the reckoning of the powers-that-be for a Buhari successor. For his presidential dream, in the words of immortal Nigerian nationalist, K. O. Mbadiwe, the come (has) come to become. Or better put, from the tone and timbre of Fela Anikulapo-Kutis saxophonist, rere (ti) run  a political calamity was afoot. Shortly after the outburst, however, what was thought to be a speech fiasco morphed into a catapult that shot Tinubu up. In spite of his visible opposition to his candidacy, Buhari almost instantly got sucked into it, inexplicably. You could feel the grudge and reluctance in Buhari thereafter. The gang-ups against Tinubu thereafter melted like ice in the sun. Not long after, a major stumbling block, Godwin Emefieles Naira re-denomination, fell face flat on the floor. Before you could say Jack, what was thought to be Tinubus baggage became his greatest wattage.

What actually transpired in Abeokuta that day? Scholars have since then subjected that audacious and epochal Tinubu statement to different analytical studies. Was it a pure biting of the bullet? A daring Tinubu owns its patent since he hopped into third republic politics? Or, was it an omnivorous appetite for things magical that many claim cannot be divorced from Tinubus politics? After all, Yoruba say a childs behavioural manifestation propels him to seek anti-machete protection charm (Iwa omo lon mu omo se okigbe). In other words, was that Abeokuta statement a product of unscience and metaphysics (oogun abenu gongo), a flavour that has been known to be part and parcel of African politics?

In April 2024, during the beginning of the travails of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, a similar pronouncement, thought to have spiritual implication, went viral in a video. It had an enchanter recite an incantation with utmost fury. It went thus: River Niger and River Benue, the confluence is in Kogi State. Except say River Niger and River Benue no come meet for Kogi; if River Niger and River Benue come meet for Kogi, dem no go fit arrest Bello Dem dey use EFCC pursue am, dem no go succeed o. Dem go lay siege for im house for Abuja Except say I no be born of Igala kingdom EFCC dey front, you dey back; you dey back, dem dey front; you dey left, dem dey right; you dey right, dem dey left; you dey centre, dem come there, you jump dem pass!a lion cannot give birth to a goat

Those in the know claim it would be ludicrous to claim that, since 2007 when he left the governorship of Lagos, Tinubu has welded his leadership of Lagos together only with political sagacity and tons of cash. Extra-terrestial intelligence in the form of occult practices, membership of a cult of leadership where allegiances are suborned in blood oaths, are alleged to be interwoven into the much-touted Lagos hold of power. In Africa as a whole, empirical evidence given by practitioners often interviewed to give participant observations of the phenomenon has shown that, while the electorate sees the formal practices of voting, primaries and elections, unseen, chilling, blood-curdling informal recourse to black magic is an unwritten but potent credential of African political practices. So, the question is, does metaphysics influence outcomes of electoral practices? Or put more succinctly, do politicians occult and traditional magical practices have any bearing on voter behaviour or electoral outcomes?

Of a truth, science has denounced the validity of the above reasoning. Austro-British philosopher of language, Ludwig Wittgeinstein, was one of those who rubbished it. In his Tractatus which contained criticisms of traditional metaphysical investigation like the Emilokan outburst, Ludwig considered such as abstract speculations and meaningless linguistic confusion. He even said that such engagements were metaphysical chatter(s). It must be said that three centuries before Wittgenstein, that is the seventeenth century, were a period in which philosophy and science could not be sharply demarcated from the occult. There, occult and reason existed side by side.

To thus think that Nigerias electoral politics is solely what transpires in the physical will be naivety of the highest order. In my little interface with politicians in southern Nigeria, I can confirm that there is a spiritual dimension to political leadership. Indeed, there exists a seeming incestuous relationship between politics and spirituality, especially rituals. It exists in northern Nigeria as well, solely cobbled together by the marabout system brought into Nigeria by hermitic and itinerant North African Islamic Malams. Because elections and electioneering are seen as war, Nigerian politicians visit spiritualists to fortify themselves with Okigbe, a charm perceived to insulate them from piercing machetes, guns and machinations of political adversaries. With Okigbe, it is said that someone thus fortified, if inflicted with machete, the metal breaks into two.

In southwest Nigeria, guests visiting homes of politicians where a mass of people throng will not fail to notice grains of millet and corns splashed on roads. They are rituals which are believed to attract a motley crowd to the sides of the politicians. Those in the know also say that, as we gravitate towards the 2027 elections, there will be a spate of ritual murders known to be handiwork of politicians in need of human parts to aid their political ambitions. Non-politicians also engage in it. When you go to road junctions where three footpaths meet (oritameta) in the southwest, you cannot fail to see ritual offerings in calabashes which are many times spiritual electoral interventions. Election times are periods rituals, libations and incantations reign. Effigies of political opponents are sometimes also made, on which are poured frightening incantations. The belief is that such political opponents are caged and their political destinies padlocked. Nigerian politicians also visit spiritualists, either the Christian variant, the Islamic-flavoured ones or traditionalists.

In earlier pieces I did, both on 26 September, 2021 and 28 April, 2024, with the headlines, Nigerias huge market of blood and human sacrifice and The marabouts of Yahaya Bello, respectively, I explored the themes of magical and ritual practices as a pervasive phenomenon in power relations in Nigeria. I stated that this affirms that when complicated issues and challenges of life confront Nigerian politicians, they quickly run to their traditions and origins. These syncretic practices do not affect their worship in church on Sunday nor mosque on Friday. This equally demonstrates the ease with which politicians momentarily throw away their Christian and Islamic cloaks to hold on to the utilitarian purpose that magic and sorcery serve them.

Late University of Leiden scholar, Stephen Ellis, in a 2001 article, Mystical Efforts: Some evidence from the Liberian war (Journal of Religion in Africa, XXX1, 2) described how young fighters in the Liberian war, sporting amulets which assumably made them bullet-proof, filled the streets with corpses. Monrovians were shocked at how soldiers (disemboweled) the bodies of their victims and (eat) their flesh or internal organs, particularly the heart. The art of eating a human heart is borne of a residue of practices in Africa. The belief is that a persons essence is contained in the heart and the blood. So, once the hearts and blood of these warriors are eaten and drunk, the one who had just eaten them acquires some of the power formerly possessed by his victim.

In prehistoric time, human rituals and cannibalism were racial-blind. So many works have historicised cannibalism and human rituals in Africa. Milan Kalous Cannibals and Tongo Players of Sierra Leone gave an account of deadly cannibalism practice in Sierra Leone during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by a set of people called were-animals notoriously labeled human alligators, human leopards and human chimpanzees. Their renown was capturing and ritually slaughtering their victims and harvesting their vital organs to make wealth-producing charms.

Cannibalism isnt strictly African as empirical documentation confirmed that during the trans-Atlantic trade, European cannibals were also on the prowl seeking the succulent fleshes of Africans to make delicacies. Andre Donelha, a Cape Verdean, who travelled in Upper Guinea from 1574 to 1585, recalled how the Mane, invaders who operated during the first half of the sixteenth century, attacked the Western coast of Africa from the eastern flank and (ate) human flesh at any time and while at war, even that which belongs to one of their own nation. When they make war, the conquerors eat the conquered. In fact, the Manes were reputed to bear the grisly and cruel name of Sumbas which, translated, means eaters of human flesh, a practice which Walter Rodney explained was for courage and ferocity.

With its domicile in West Africa in early to mid-20th century, Human Leopard, Alligator and Baboon Societies were dreaded secret societies originally active in Sierra Leone. They eventually spread to Liberia, Nigeria and Cote dIvoire. In Nigeria, it was predominant among the Efik of Calabar and bore the native name, Mforoekpe. Their appearance was in leopard skin dresses. At midnight, they waylaid travelers and were armed in sharp instruments that looked like a leopards teeth and claws. Once they succeeded in killing their prey, the Mforoekpe then cut the flesh into pieces which were then distributed to members of this dreaded secret society. Upon eating human flesh, members believed they were revitalised spiritually and physically while the entire Efik tribe received vitality thereby. Late Stephen Ellis in his The Mask of Anarchy: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War (1999 and 2006) also wrote about the cruelty of the Leopard Society.

So many myths surround the Yoruba Ogboni secret cult, Sierra Leones ancient Mende and Temne chiefdoms Poro (men) and Sande (women) cults and the Liberian Vai peoples Mende-Temne Poro cult called Beri and the Sandes Bundu. The Yoruba Ogboni society of the old Oyo Empire was a powerful cult notorious for its power to enthrone and dethrone traditional rulers, as well as powers that permeated Yoruba political organizations like the judiciary, governance among others. Last week, I cited Peter Morton-Williams anthropological study of this dreaded ancient Yoruba secret cult, entitled The Yoruba Ogboni cult in Oyo.

There are a plethora of metaphysical powers that initiates of blood, especially in fraternities and cults like Ogboni, wield and which entrap those in search of political authorities. Believing in the potent power of the Earth as a binding force, Ogboni use the edan (a twin object of a man and woman pegged on a cylindrical brass spare) in their lledi (shrine house) and sprinkles of blood to subtly encode obedience to rules and secrets. Not only does Ogboni ensure secrecy of affairs among its initiates, esprit-de-corps that is prized out of the initiates by blood oaths suborns potential squealers off revelations of Ogboni secrets.

Blood oaths, essential component of Ogboni cult rituals, are administered to safeguard secrets and ensure they do not leak to third parties. They were also to secure loyalty of one to another. Oaths also carve brotherhood where none exists.

Christianity and Islam have sought to wipe out blood oath, human sacrifice and cannibalism to no avail. The Ogboni itself was a recipient of this rout in 1948 in Oyo by Alaafin Raji Adeniran Adeyemi II, a pious Muslim monarch, who sought to de-link the palace from ancient voodoo practices. Hitherto, the palace held a great link to and derived its existence from the immense powers of the Ogboni fraternity.

Though a great attempt is made by the present cyber age to delink secret cults from the operations of society, they flower greatly among African elite, especially among political power cabals who run to them for metaphysical shields at moments of existential turmoil. Indeed, judges, politicians, lawyers and many leaders of societies are said to belong to these fraternal secret cults, all in the stampede for power and protection against inclement weathers of life. Pastors, Imams and many society leaders are said to be card-carrying members of the cult.

The question to ask is, how then do political leaders who take this syncretic path of rituals to power bear any allegiance to the electorate? It is believed that many of them, rather than to the electorate, show gratitude to leaders of cult groups, Babalawo, Pastors and Imams after their victory. So, what is the scale of harm of this practice on Nigerians?

Students of philosophy and traditional African religion would need to help us situate Tinubus June 2, 2022 outburst which culminated in the world-renowned phrase, Emi lo kan, e gbe kinni yii wa. To be where he is, did Tinubu have a dalliance with the elderly who are known to be spiritual leaders of his domain? Having hailed from a core Yoruba area of Iragbiji in Osun State, nobody needs to teach Tinubu the potent powers of autochthonous Yoruba peoples spiritual powers. For anyone who understands the lingo of the coven, the phrase Emi lo kan, e gbe kinni yii wa sounds more like an incantation ritual than the outburst of an enraged politician. It is almost synonymous with the chant, Agbe, bring goodies to me,Agbe, being a bird known in English as the Great Blue Turaco, a vibrant, culturally significant bird among the Yoruba which has blue plumage.

I have heard a sprinkle of scholars and practitioners say that the talismanic effect of that Tinubu outburst removes it from the ordinary. So, was it science, unscience, Realpolitik or spiritual politics that brought Tinubu to power? Did he, in 2023, realising the eternal wisdom in the native Yoruba wisdom which says, if you do not have what elders fortify themselves with, you would remain a suckling, (Ba o ni nnkan agba, bi ewe laa ri) decide to use what he had to get what he needed?

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.
I read with keen interest the recent piece by my brother, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, titled Holidaying Governor, Come Back! The passion in his lament is understandableno one should downplay the tragedy of losing innocent worshippers in Malumfashi.

Yet, passion must not cloud judgment. Let us carefully put things in perspective. First, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda did not abandon Katsina for a holiday selfie. He formally transmitted power to his deputy, Faruk Lawal Jobe, in line with constitutional provisions. This is exactly how governance is designed to function: continuity, even in the absence of the governor.

To suggest that governance halts unless the governor personally sits in Katsina is not only unfair but also belittles the office of the Deputy Governor. If Mr Jobe is brilliant, as Mr Malumfashi conceded, then he deserves trust to act in the governors stead.

Second, blaming Mr Raddas medical leave for the bandits savagery is misplaced. Banditry in Katsina did not begin with his administrationit is a decade-long national scourge that has defied successive governments. If every governor or president must remain glued to office during crises, then neither President Umaru Yaradua nor President Muhammadu Buhari would have been entitled to medical trips abroad.

Leaders are humans, not superhumans; medical attention is not a luxury but a necessity. Ironically, Mr Malumfashi himself admits that Governor Radda has been one of the most proactive leaders on the matter of insecurity.

He challenged the military high command for alleged compromise, established the Katsina Community Watch Corps, pushed for the death penalty against informants, and even led North-West governors to the US for strategic security consultations. These are not the actions of a complacent leader. To praise such steps in one breath, and then accuse the same man of choosing the most inauspicious time to seek treatment, is a contradiction.

Third, some of the claims advanced lack grounding. Was it 13 or 23 killed? Mr Malumfashi relies on some people claimed. This is dangerous in sensitive matters. Numbers in security tragedies must come from verified sources, not hearsay.

Similarly, citing a trending video of a bandit kingpin who claims we are working for the government is problematic. Criminals thrive on propaganda. Repeating their words uncritically gives oxygen to lies designed to demoralize citizens.

Fourth, it is important to separate state from federal responsibility. Constitutionally, security is in the hands of the Federal GovernmentArmy, Police, DSS, Airforce. The governor has no command over these institutions. Yes, he must coordinate, pressure, and innovate at the state leveland he has.

But to hang the weight of federal security failures solely on his neck is selective outrage. Even President Tinubu, with all the national apparatus at his disposal, struggles to stamp out insurgency in the North-West. Should we then say he should not travel for international summits?

Fifth, the repeated dismissal of highway protests and the frustration of ordinary people should not be twisted into proof of Mr Raddas failure. On the contrary, it reflects the depth of a national crisis. If protests alone could solve insecurity, then Nigeria would have been safe long ago. But Governor Raddas effort to institutionalize responses through the Community Watch Corps is a more sustainable step than ad-hoc road blockades.

Lastly, calling on the governor to cut short his leave ignores reality. The Acting Governor is in charge. Security agencies remain operational. And Radda will return. What matters is not his physical location on any given day, but the structures he has built to confront insecurity.

On that front, he has shown courage where others preferred silence. Yes, the killings in Malumfashi are painful. Yes, the peoples anger is justified. But anger should not blind us to facts: Mr Radda is among the few governors who have openly confronted both bandits and compromised officials, while pushing for homegrown solutions. Governance is not theatreit does not collapse because the governor is abroad for three weeks. The system continues.

So rather than call for his return in panic, let us strengthen the structures he has set in motion, hold both federal and state actors accountable, and avoid spreading unverified tales that only embolden the enemies of peace. May God console the families of the victims, protect Katsina, and grant lasting peace to our communities.

* Ahmed Abdulkadi wrote from Katsina
Forum of Congolese Intellectuals Abroad (FICE) Highlights International Law Violations and Calls for U.S. Support to Protect Peace Efforts

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Aug. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Forum of Congolese Intellectuals Abroad (FICE), a U.S.-based diaspora organization of Congolese professionals and scholars, strongly condemns Kenyan President William Ruto's recent nomination of a Consul General to Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Goma, located in North Kivu Province, remains under partial control of the M23 rebel group, designated by the DRC government as a terrorist movement and widely accused of atrocities and mass displacement. FICE warns that Kenya's move risks legitimizing an ongoing illegal occupation, undermining Congo's sovereignty, and destabilizing fragile peace efforts supported by the United States and Qatar.

Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner of the DRC swiftly rejected the announcement as "inappropriate," citing the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which requires host country approval before any consular appointment. Wagner emphasized that Goma's security situation makes such a posting unacceptable and reiterated that "any announcement regarding the appointment of a consul in Goma is particularly inappropriate and should not be considered without the approval of the Congolese authorities."

The controversy comes just days after Washington and Doha helped broker a fragile peace framework between Kinshasa and Kigali. Independent analysts warn that Ruto's decision could destabilize those negotiations, embolden Rwanda-backed M23 militias to expand their control, and fracture regional unity at a time when cooperation is critical for international security and investment. Although Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi has since clarified that the nomination is provisional and subject to Congolese approval, Congolese officials insist the announcement has already caused serious harm.

"This decision by President Ruto is not diplomacyit is an alarming attempt to normalize the control of a terrorist militia over Congolese territory," said Dr. Ngoie Joel Nshisso, head of FICE and a U.S.-based Congolese academic who has testified before Congress and the U.S. Executive Branch. "By bypassing Kinshasa and ignoring international norms, Kenya risks undoing the hard work of U.S. and Qatari peace efforts and fueling further violence in eastern Congo."

FICE stresses the international community cannot remain silent in the face of such a breach of diplomatic norms. The organization calls on the United States, global partners, and African allies defend Congo's sovereignty, reinforce the U.S. and Qatari peace process, and ensure accountability for actions that weaken regional stability.

"Congo's sovereignty is not for sale," added Dr. Ngoie Joel Nshisso. "We call on the United States, international partners, and African allies to ensure that no action, however disguised, derails the pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for the Congolese people."

About FICE

The Forum of Congolese Intellectuals Abroad (FICE) is a U.S.-based diaspora organization uniting Congolese scholars, professionals, and advocates. With members across the globe, FICE works to advance peace, defend sovereignty, and promote the economic and social development of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

For interviews or further information, please contact:

Michael McManus

Phone: 202-215-9254

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Forum of Congolese Intellectuals Abroad (FICE)
"We ask that Thou might bless this land and this sacred house once constructed, that it might be a light and strength to the Latter-day Saints and to all the community," Elder Andersen prayed. "Let our friends and neighbors feel Thy Spirit and increase their faith in Thy Son as they sense what has come to this place."

The Andersen's have deep roots in the Tampa area. Elder Andersen's wife, Kathy, was born and raised in Florida, much of it in Hillsborough County. They lived in the Tampa area from 1977 to 1993 raising their family, until church service moved them elsewhere.

Sister Andersen reflected on the growth of the church in the Tampa area since she was a young girl where she was taught about Jesus Christ. "I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love to listen to His words. 'Come follow me,' he said."

500 members and friends gathered at the 12-acre site at 9445 Camden Field Parkway in Riverview. Among the honored guests were Florida State Representative Michele Rayner, Reverend Dr. Glenn Dames of African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, leaders from Metropolitan Ministries, and other notable community and nonprofit organizations.

"The temple is going to touch the lives of tens of thousands of people. I understand the importance of the temple in the community. I do feel very blessed, because we all bring our blessings to this temple," remarked Patrick Davis, Associate Director of Development at Metropolitan Ministries.

Florida is currently home to more than 176,000 Latter-day Saints in nearly 280 congregations. The first congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ was created in 1897. The Tampa Florida Temple will serve more than 27,000 members in and around the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast.

Local members Ikwo & Dinah Ibiam explained, "Having a temple in this area sends a message that this is a place where people are striving to be good, and serves as a reminder to everyone to live better lives."

President Russell M. Nelson announced the Tampa Florida Temple during the April 2022 general conference.

He said then, "Positive spiritual momentum increases as we worship in the temple and grow in our understanding of the magnificent breadth and depth of the blessings we receive there."

Other temples announced, under construction or in operation in Florida are the Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tallahassee Temples.

Latter-day Saints consider each temple a house of the Lord and the most sacred place of worship on earth. Temples differ from the Church's meetinghouses (chapels). All are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses. The primary purpose of temples is for faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ to participate in sacred ceremonies, such as marriages, which unite families forever, and proxy baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors who did not have the opportunity to be baptized while living.

SOURCE The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
BEIJING, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The year 1945 marked a great turning point in history. After 14 years of resistance in China, 10 years in Ethiopia, six years in Britain and other Western European countries, and four years in the Soviet Union, the US, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, the world finally secured victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.

Eighty years on, commemoration and reflection of this triumph must not only recall its historical significance, but should also revisit the background in which the war began. Only through such analysis can we fully understand the profound sacrifices made by the forces of justice and draw lessons for safeguarding peace and development today.

The war had two epicenters: Europe and Asia. For English-speaking countries, the European story is more familiar. Yet in Asia, Japan was the engine of aggression, casting its long shadow over the region.

After the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century, Japan embarked on the path of external expansion. In 1894, it launched the First Sino-Japanese War, seizing Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. It later encroached upon China's northeastern territories and sovereignty through the Russo-Japanese War.

In 1931, Japanese militarists brazenly staged the September 18 Incident, igniting the first flames of fascist aggression worldwide. China thus entered a phase of partial resistance, which also marked the opening of the World Anti-Fascist War.

In 1936, Japan and Germany signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, with Italy joining the following year. This convergence linked the Eastern and Western sources of conflict. A year later, Japanese militarists deliberately provoked the Lugou Bridge Incident in July 7, 1937, unleashing a full-scale invasion of China. The pivotal event is recognized as China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders, opening the main Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War. From a global perspective, China was the first country to confront fascist aggression. While many nations, including the US and the UK, were still pursuing policies of appeasement toward Germany, Italy, and Japan, China had already opened a large-scale anti-fascist front. By the time the war broke out in Europe in 1939 and in the Pacific in 1941, China had already withstood Japanese militarism for eight and 10 years, respectively.

Corresponding to the two epicenters of the war were two main theaters: the European theater and the Asian theater. Japan's invasion of China was the defining feature of the Asian theater. The Chinese theater effectively thwarted Japan's strategy of a swift conquest and delayed its overall war of aggression in the Asia-Pacific region. It was not only the main theater in Asia but also the main Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War - an indispensable pillar of the ultimate victory.

Throughout that arduous war, the entire Chinese nation fought for the survival of China, for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the cause of justice for humanity, making immense sacrifices and tremendous contributions. Over 14 years of arduous resistance, China suffered more than 35 million military and civilian casualties, with direct and indirect economic losses exceeding $600 billion. Chinese forces tied down and fought the bulk of Japan's military strength, killing more than 1.5 million Japanese troops. At the same time, China's protracted resistance greatly depleted Japan's national power and resources, becoming a decisive factor in the eventual downfall of Japanese fascism.

The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was of global significance. It strategically coordinated and supported the Allies' strategic actions in Europe and the Pacific, while constraining Japan's strategic cooperation with German and Italian fascism. By resisting the main forces of Japanese militarism for 14 years, China dragged Japan into a prolonged quagmire. This endurance thwarted Japan's "northward advance" against the Soviet Union, sparing the latter from a two-front war, and delaying Japan's "southward advance" into Southeast Asia, undermining its scheme to unite with Germany and Italy in pursuit of world domination.

Former US president Franklin D. Roosevelt acknowledged China's pivotal role, commenting that without China, or if China had been defeated, many more Japanese divisions would have been deployed to other areas, and they would have been able to occupy Australia and India immediately without any trouble, and then push to the Middle East.

China's struggle was part of a global effort. Peace-loving nations provided vital support, including Soviet and American aviators who fought courageously in Chinese skies - many making heroic sacrifices. Anti-fascist fighters from North Korea, Vietnam, and even Japan joined the Chinese people in battle. Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune and Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis gave their lives treating the wounded. John Rabe of Germany and Bernhard Arp Sindberg of Denmark saved thousands of refugees during the Nanjing Massacre, an episode of mass murder and mass rape committed by Japanese troops against the residents of Nanjing, recording and exposing Japanese atrocities. The noble character and sacrifice of these international friends, together with the Allies' decisive role in hastening the end of the war, will always be remembered by the Chinese people.

Seen from the perspective of the global fight against fascism, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression holds an irreplaceable place in history.

More importantly, through this life-and-death battle between justice and evil, light and darkness, freedom and enslavement, China reestablished itself as a major country in the world. The Chinese people won the respect of all peace-loving nations, and the Chinese nation earned a noble reputation. It demonstrated China's unshakable determination to pursue independence, freedom, and liberation.

Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War belonged collectively to China and all the Allies. Today, as 80 years ago, China remains committed to working with all peace-loving nations and peoples to defend global peace, stability, and development.

SOURCE Global Times
Vatican City, Vatican (PANA) - Pope Leo XIV on Sunday commended the determination of the Chagossian people, particularly that of the women, in their peaceful struggle for their rights
Developers and billionaire outsiders are accused of interference in flyers that have found their way into mailboxes in Palmer Lake, where an explosive disagreement over whether to approve a location of the Texas travel chain Buc-ees has boiled over into lawsuits, resignations and a special election.

Ian Griffis acknowledges the barb is probably aimed at himself and media magnate billionaire John Malone, respectively. The pair have been putting words and capital towards opposing the development.

Moneys being spent more on informing the public, said Griffis.

While Liberty Media founder Malone is indisputably a billionaire  the second-richest person in Colorado, according to Forbes  Griffis disputes the developer moniker. A Colorado College graduate, Griffis has an extensive real estate investment portfolio through his company Griffis Residential. He split with the billion-dollar real estate company Griffis/Blessing he founded with his college roommate in the late '90s.

I dont know how you can call us outsiders, he said.

What unites the two businessmen is personal investment in a conservation corridor that has kept much of the scenery along Interstate 25 from Palmer Lake to Castle Rock barren of development.

The agreements were hashed out in the early 2000s among private landowners, Douglas County and conservation organizations. Both Griffis and Malone, one of the most prolific landowners in the United States, own ranchland in the corridor.

They have said that the Buc-ees location  with 120 gas station pumps  across the street from the start of easements would encroach on the wildlife habitat and scenery that makes the area special.

They are also part of the financial backing behind Protect Greenland Ranch, LLC, a group that has disseminated ads in Douglas County newspapers calling on county commissioners to publicly oppose the annexation necessary for the Buc-ees deal.

Rye Austin, executive director of the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation, confirmed that the Malone family spent money on the ads and endorsed the creation of a change.org petition opposing the annexation. Neither Griffis nor Austin would confirm how much money was spent on the effort, which also includes privately commissioned impact reports on how Buc-ees will impact the proposed location.

Austin said that Malone himself was not taking interviews. Protect Greenland Ranch, LLC, is registered in Delaware and was formed in July, public records show.

Can Douglas County stop Buc-ees?

The ads and online petition call on Douglas County to oppose the small sliver of land under the countys jurisdiction that would connect the Buc-ees site to the town of Palmer Lake. The town itself is in El Paso County.

The chains proposed 74,000-square-foot location would rely on the town for access to water, and thus cannot be built on its currently unincorporated lot next to the interstate without the towns approval. Annexations generally have to connect to municipalities, so Buc-ees developers want to use County Line Road as a thin property bridge.

Half of County Line Road is technically Douglas Countys jurisdiction, prompting Protect Greenland Ranch to call on Douglas County commissioners to fight to protect the countrys wildlands by opposing the annexation in its advertised petition.

Douglas County does have a role in this to play, and it may be symbolic, it may be legal, said Griffis.

Its not a simple problem, said Douglas County Commissioner George Teal, whose district includes the annexation proposal. He said the county has learned the hard way not to directly involve itself in annexations after an unsuccessful fight against the city of Aurora over a decade ago.

We cant do anything more than we already have, he said, referring to comments submitted to the town of Palmer Lake from Douglas County landowners.

Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings

Christopher Pratt, an attorney with Douglas County, said that the county, along with other stakeholders, attended a meeting to hear about the Buc-ees plan early in the process.

He said that while any encroachment on the conservancy could land developers in a protracted legal process, the county had already exhausted its interest in stopping annexations when a court rejected its efforts against Aurora.

It cost a lot of money to ultimately little effect, he said.

Teal has personal concerns about Buc-ees being next to the Greenland Ranch conservation easement, which he said might end up being the last unpaved piece of land between Denver and Colorado Springs. The average person in Douglas County, however, is likely not up on the controversy about Buc-ees, in his opinion.

The change.org petition created by Malone and Griffis has about 2,800 verified signatures.

Teal said hed like to pitch some alternate Douglas County locations to the Texas company: how about the Dawson Ridge development in Castle Rock, or even Larkspur?

Were more than happy to work with Buc-ees, he said.

Buc-ee's representatives declined to comment on public discourse around the proposed annexation.

Other players

Griffis and Malone are far from the only people spending money on Palmer Lake in an attempt to influence the Buc-ees decision.

Four committees have filed with the town in connection with the Sept. 9 special election, where two town trustees are up for recall and voters will decide on a measure that would require all annexations to appear as ballot questions.

The flyer calling out billionaire outsiders in Palmer Lake is connected with Keep Palmer Lake Independent. The committees registered agent has not responded to a request for comment, but filings with the town say the groups purpose is to oppose the recall of trustees.

Another group, Protect Palmer Lake, says its purpose is to vote no on the measure that would push all annexation questions to the ballot. Kyle Blakely, a marketing and public relations professional who serves as the registered agent for the group, said it was formed by Palmer Lake residents who support Buc-ees.

The goal is to be able to get the messages out about why it's a good thing for the community, he said.

Blakely said that the committee was working on a website, mailing fliers and handouts. The group also has an active social media presence with recorded interviews with town residents.

The other registered agent for Protect Palmer Lake is Sarah Brittain Jack, a fellow public relations consultant and a current member of the El Paso County Planning Commission. Jack did not respond to a request for comment.

The major opposition group with campaign filings is Integrity Matters, a Colorado Springs-based political group that has been involved in other local issues. The group has been an outsized presence in the fight against Buc-ees, taking the town to court in a lawsuit over its handling of the developers proposal.

Organizer Dana Duggan said that the group was not planning to spend that much on the special election, preferring to call any advertisements education.

Obviously, we support the citizens right to oppose leadership they feel is failing them, she said.

Calling Malone a really spectacular human, Duggan said Integrity Matters was nonetheless not focusing much energy on Douglas County or coordinating efforts.

The first financial filings on the special election are due on Aug. 25 and 26.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the first-ever All India Speakers' Conference 2025 at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Sunday.

New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the first-ever All India Speakersa Conference 2025 at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Sunday.

The two-day national event marks a historic moment as it commemorates the centenary of Veer Vitthalbhai Patelas election as the first Indian Speaker of a legislative body.

Organised under the leadership of Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, the conference will witness participation from Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Legislative Assemblies across India, as well as Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of Legislative Councils from six states.

The event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration on legislative practices, democratic values, and parliamentary procedures.

The inaugural session will be addressed by Home Minister Amit Shah, who will also release a special commemorative postage stamp in honour of Vitthalbhai Patel.

Additionally, Shah will inaugurate a unique exhibition showcasing the 100+ year journey of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, formerly the seat of the Imperial Legislative Council, which later became the Central Legislative Assembly and eventually evolved into the first Parliament of India.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will attend the ceremony as Chief Guests, highlighting the collaborative significance of this national-level gathering.

Several prominent leaders and former parliamentary dignitaries will deliver keynote addresses. Notable among them are Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kiren Rijiju, and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.

The conference will focus on key themes such as the strengthening of democratic institutions, the role of legislative bodies in a federal structure, and the legacy of parliamentary pioneers like Vitthalbhai Patel.

Focusing on digital innovations, including AI-enabled tools, the conference aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in lawmaking.
Moscow, Aug 24 : Russia said that over the past 24 hours, it shot down four Ukrainian guided aerial bombs and 160 drones.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted 33 Ukrainian drones over the country's western border regions, Xinhua news agency reported.

"On-duty air defense systems downed 13 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 over the Bryansk Region and one over the Kaluga Region" between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Moscow Time (0630 - 0900 GMT), said the ministry.

It added that 20 more fixed-wing drones were destroyed within the following two hours -- eight over Bryansk, seven over Smolensk, three over Kursk and two over Kaluga.

Earlier in August, Russia accused Ukraine of ramping up attacks ahead of the meeting between the US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

In a statement shared on X, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that 22 people have been killed and another 105 injured due to Ukraine's shelling and drone strikes over the past week. The ministry also shared a map marking the attacked areas in the Russian territory.

"With the Russia US Summit approaching, the Kyiv regime has stepped up its terrorist activity against Russian regions. Over the last week, 127 Russian citizens suffered from shelling and drone attacks. 22 died, 105 were wounded," said Alexei Fadeev, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Deputy Spokesperson.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : The four astronauts selected for India's first-ever human spaceflight mission under the Gaganyaan programme will be felicitated on Sunday, at a special ceremony at the Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park, New Delhi.

The ceremony will honour Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap, the elite Indian Air Force test pilots who have been rigorously training for the Gaganyaan mission, a landmark step in India's space ambitions.

Air Force Chief and the Chief of Defence Staff will be present to acknowledge their dedication and contribution to India's journey into crewed spaceflight.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS), who has played a pivotal role in mission training and development, will also receive special recognition during the event.

This recognition follows their participation in the National Space Day celebrations held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday.

Themed "Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities," the event brought together policymakers, scientists, students, and citizens to celebrate India's strides in space science.

The Gaganyatris were a highlight of the occasion, with thousands gathering to hear from them.

Sharing his experience, astronaut Group Captain Shukla said he was moved by the wave of enthusiasm from young Indians and the national excitement surrounding India's space dreams.

Angad Pratap, another Gaganyatri, emphasised the scale and vision of the mission: "Human space flight programme is not a single mission, but multiple missions in one mission, and the only challenge that stands in front of our nation from becoming a super power."

The felicitation marks a symbolic and emotional milestone as India prepares for its maiden human spaceflight, bringing the dream of Indian astronauts in space closer to reality.
Houston, Aug 24 : The Republican-dominated Texas Senate approved a redistricting bill aimed to add 5 GOP House seats in next year's midterm elections as a nationwide "gerrymandering arms race" is rolling out.

The bill, requested by US President Donald Trump, will be enacted into state law when signed by Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, Xinhua news agency reported.

Democrats on the state Senate floor failed to make a last-ditch attempt to delay passage overnight.

"This is not democracy, this is disgraceful," State Senator Sarah Eckhardt said on X.

After the GOP-led state House passed the bill strictly along party lines on Wednesday, Democrats vowed to wage a legal battle against the measure.

"This fight is far from over," said Gene Wu, the Texas House Democratic leader. "Our best shot is in the courts."

US states usually redraw congressional maps every 10 years after the nationwide census. The current congressional map in Texas was drawn in 2021, with Republicans having 25 seats out of Texas' 38.

The spotlight of the mid-decade redistricting now shifts to Democrat-led California, where a statewide vote on a new congressional map to offset the GOP's gains in Texas is scheduled in November.

Pressured by the White House, the Republicans, who are in full control of state governments in Ohio, Missouri, Florida, Indiana and South Carolina, are seeking opportunities to add more GOP-leaning districts before next year's midterms.

Meanwhile, Democratic-led states including Illinois, Maryland and New York are also considering redrawing their own congressional maps.

"Game on," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on X earlier this week.
Bucharest, Aug 24 : Three people were killed and four others injured after violent storms hit Romania, emergency services said.

The storms battered 18 counties and the capital Bucharest, toppling more than 240 trees and power poles, flooding dozens of basements and courtyards, and damaging over 70 cars, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) reported on Saturday.

In Arges county, the roof of a building collapsed on three people, killing an 18-year-old man and injuring two others. In Ilfov county, north of Bucharest, two people kayaking on Lake Snagov drowned after their boat capsized in rough waters, Xinhua news agency reported.

In Prahova county and Bucharest, two other people were injured when struck by a falling roof and a tree, respectively. All four injured victims were hospitalized but remained conscious, authorities said.

Authorities issued 19 weather alerts via the RO-Alert system across 12 counties and Bucharest on Friday evening.

The emergency response agency later said that two women, an 85- and an 83-year-old, were also victims of the flood. Firefighters had to use an excavator to retrieve one of the bodies from a riverbed.

The Environment Ministryas water management agency said some rivers rose to record high water levels. Repair works on collapsed bridges were underway, it said.

Romania has faced increasingly frequent episodes of extreme weather this summer, with officials urging residents to take shelter when storm warnings are issued.
Tokyo, Aug 24 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to forge closer cooperation to cope with a vortex of changes in global trade and the security order, in their first full summit before Lee is set to hold a high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump.

Calling Japan a "neighbor that shares a front yard," Lee expressed hope for the two countries to work together to expand cooperation in a wide range of areas, while working to minimize unnecessary conflicts.

"As the international order in trade and security is fluctuating, I believe the Republic of Korea and Japan, which share similar positions in terms of values, order and ideology, must strengthen their cooperation more than ever," Lee said in his opening remarks, referring to South Korea by its official name.

Ishiba echoed the sentiment, underlining the importance of the closer bilateral ties and trilateral cooperation with the US.

"Strengthening cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States is very important," Ishiba said. "Peace and stability will not come unless we make active efforts, and this is all the more true in such a turbulent era."

Ishiba also thanked Lee for choosing Japan as his first bilateral destination before visiting the US.

The Saturday summit with Ishiba comes before Lee will head for Washington for summit talks with Trump, in a rare diplomatic decision for South Korean presidents, who typically choose Washington, a key defence ally, as their first diplomatic destination after taking office.

It was Lee's second in-person meeting with Ishiba, following their encounter on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada in June, which Lee described as marking the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy" between the two nations' leaders.

On security, Lee and Ishiba reaffirmed their goal for the complete denuclearization of North Korea and strengthening trilateral cooperation with the US.

"We reaffirmed our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace and agreed to close coordination on North Korea policy," Lee said at a joint press briefing.

Following their talks, the two leaders issued a joint statement -- the first from a bilateral summit between Seoul and Tokyo in 17 years.

According to the statement, they agreed on the need to jointly respond to North Korea's illegal cyber activities and its growing military ties with Russia, while underscoring the importance of addressing the North's nuclear and missile programs through dialogue and diplomacy.

The statement also said South Korea and Japan will establish a joint consultative body to tackle common challenges, such as low birthrates and aging populations, and enhance economic cooperation in advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and hydrogen energy.

Lee called his visit to Tokyo an opportunity to solidify the foundation for "future-oriented" ties as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of the countries' diplomatic relations.

"Korea-Japan relations simultaneously contain aspects of confrontation, cooperation and mutual tolerance. What's important is to identify as many mutually beneficial elements as possible," he said in the interview. "There is no need to abandon the beneficial aspects because of certain negative ones."

The two leaders also agreed to cooperate on South Korea's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju in late October and on Japan's hosting of the next South Korea-Japan-China summit.

The talks came weeks after both countries separately struck trade deals with the US, which lowered proposed tariffs from 25 per cent to 15 per cent in exchange for large-scale investment pledges and greater market access.

As major exporters to the US, Seoul and Tokyo share key interests but also face growing pressure from Washington to increase their defense spending and contribute more to the cost of stationing American troops. Their auto and semiconductor industries also remain vulnerable to US tariff hikes.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for multiple districts in Kerala, warning of heavy rainfall over the next two days under the influence of a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as strong winds and intense showers are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. According to the IMD, heavy rain measuring between 7 mm and 11 mm in 24 hours is very likely at isolated places in the state from August 26 to 28.

Northern and central Kerala are expected to be the most affected.

On Tuesday (August 26), a yellow alert has been declared for Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts. The following day, Wednesday, the alert will extend to include Ernakulam, along with Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

The IMD has also issued a warning to fishermen, advising them not to venture into the sea off the Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep coasts during this period.

Winds are expected to reach speeds of 40-60 kmph, making marine conditions unsafe.

Coastal residents have been asked to exercise caution.

Earlier this month, Kerala had witnessed widespread damage due to heavy rainfall and strong winds that uprooted trees, damaged houses, and caused power outages across several districts.

With the state still recovering from those impacts, authorities are concerned that another spell of heavy rain could lead to renewed disruptions.

Disaster management officials have instructed local administrations to remain prepared, including setting up relief camps in vulnerable areas if water levels rise.

Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, keep away from waterlogged roads, and follow safety guidelines issued by the government.

While the southwest monsoon continues to remain active, the evolving low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal will play a key role in determining the intensity of rainfall in Kerala over the next few days.

With yellow alerts already in force for both Tuesday and Wednesday, officials have stressed the importance of heightened vigilance in the districts placed under warning.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : In a coordinated maritime operation, 15 Pakistani fishermen were apprehended along with one engine-fitted country boat in the Kori Creek area, Gujarat, near the Border Outpost (BOP) BBK by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Coast Guard.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs received from the 68 Battalion of the BSF, a search operation was launched on Saturday in the general area of Kori Creek, which falls under the operational jurisdiction of BOP BBK.

The area is located near the India-Pakistan maritime border in Gujaratas Kutch region.

The joint operation was conducted by a team led by Ashok Kumar, 2IC (Ops), along with Amit Kumar, Deputy Commandant (General), Bhuj; Anurag Garg, Assistant Commandant, 176 Bn (battalion) BSF; Inspector (G) S. Kumar of 68 Bn BSF; along with eight other ranks from 176 Bn BSF and three personnel from the Water Wing.

The team departed from Lakki Nala Jetty at 08:59 hours aboard the vessel FAC Prahar and reached the operation area by 10:50 hours. Additionally, three Fast Patrol Boats (FPBs) from FBOP Mukkunala and FBOP Devri Nala supported the operation.

During the extensive search of adjoining "bets" (mudflats), the team successfully apprehended 15 Pakistani nationals, all residents of Jaati village, Sujawal district, in Sindh province of Pakistan. The apprehended men, aged between 20 and 50, were found fishing illegally inside Indian territorial waters.

The items seized during the operation included one country-made, engine-fitted boat used by the intruders for illegal fishing activities.

Approximately 60 kilograms of fish and nine large fishing nets were recovered from the site, indicating extensive fishing in Indian territorial waters. The team also confiscated a substantial quantity of provisions, including 30 kilograms of atta (wheat flour), 15 kilograms of rice, five kilograms of sugar, three kilograms of ghee, 500 grams of tea, one kilogram of salt, and 500 grams of red chilli powder, suggesting the group was equipped for an extended stay at sea.

In addition, around 400 kilograms of ice and 60 litres of diesel were found onboard, along with 15 water cans of 20 litres each and a 100-litre drum, likely used for storing fuel or water.

The search party also discovered 100 wooden sticks, possibly used for cooking or other onboard needs. From the electronic items recovered, one keypad mobile phone (VGO TEL, Model I888) was found containing a Jazz and a Telenor SIM card, along with a memory card. Pakistani currency amounting to Rs 200 was also recovered from the apprehended individuals. All seized items have been taken into custody for further investigation and verification.

The operation demonstrates continued vigilance by Indiaas border forces to secure its coastal and territorial integrity against illegal intrusions.
In a newly-released agreement with Palmer Lake, superstore Buc-ee's intends to spend millions on infrastructure and one-time payouts to the town in exchange for annexation.
Greater Noida, Aug 24 : In a horrific case of domestic violence and dowry harassment, a woman was brutally assaulted and then set on fire by her husband and in-laws in the Kasna police station area of Greater Noida.

The incident was witnessed by her young son, who saw his father and grandmother thrashing and then burning his mother alive.

The deceased, identified as Nikki, was doused with inflammable material before being set ablaze, her family members alleged.

Her little son, who witnessed the ordeal, recalled, "They first put something on mumma. Then they slapped her. After this, they set her on fire using a lighter."

When asked directly by reporters, he nodded to confirm that it was his father who killed her.

The matter came to light on Thursday night after Fortis Hospital informed the police that a woman had been admitted with severe burn injuries.

Doctors at Fortis referred her to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital due to her critical condition. However, she died on the way before receiving further treatment.

Her elder sister Kanchan, who was also married into the same family, alleged that Nikki was murdered because she could not fulfil the in-laws' demand for Rs 36 lakh as dowry.

"We were harassed constantly. They kept saying they didn't receive this or that during the wedding. They demanded Rs 36 lakh from our family," she said.

She said she herself had been tortured and beaten for dowry demands.

"I was assaulted between 1.30 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Thursday. They told me, 'We got dowry for one, what about the other? You are better off dead. We will marry again'," Kanchan added.

She further stated that she witnessed her sister being burned alive.

"I tried to save Nikki, but I couldn't... I want them to suffer the way they made my sister suffer," she said.

Disturbing videos have surfaced, showing Nikki's husband and mother-in-law dragging her by the hair and thrashing her.

Another clip shows her sitting helplessly on the floor with severe burn injuries. Neighbours rushed her to Fortis Hospital, but she could not survive.

Based on Kanchan's complaint, a case has been registered against Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, brother-in-law Rohit Bhati, mother-in-law Daya, and father-in-law Satveer.

Police have arrested her husband, while the other accused remains at large.

Additional DCP Greater Noida Sudhir Kumar told IANS, "A case has been registered under murder on the complaint of the family. The deceased was married in 2016. The family alleges that Nikki was deliberately burnt to death by her husband and in-laws."

He further added that two police teams have been deployed to track down the remaining accused.

"One accused has been arrested. The rest will also be apprehended soon," the officer said.

Following the incident, Nikki's family members arrived at the police station in large numbers, demanding strict action.

Police assured them that the case is being handled on priority and that both technical evidence and witness statements are being taken into account.

Investigation is underway, and further details are awaited.
Seoul, Aug 24 : North Korea conducted a test-firing of two types of newly improved air defence missiles to assess their combat capability, with leader Kim Jong-un supervising the test of new weapons, state media reported Sunday.

The Missile Administration carried out the test Saturday, firing two types of new air defence missiles at different targets, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Kim oversaw the firing, accompanied by party and military officials, including Air Force Commander Marshal Kim Kwang-hyok.

The firing test came as South Korea and the United States have been conducting their large-scale joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield, since August 18, for an 11-day run.

The firing demonstrated the missiles' "superior combat capability" to promptly respond to aerial targets, such as attack drones or cruise missiles, the KCNA said, adding that their operation and reaction mode are based on "unique and special" technology.

"The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets," it said.

Kim also put forth "an important task" for the country's defence science sector to carry out ahead of a key party session, the report also said, without elaboration, Yonhap news agency reported.

Since the start of the Seoul-Washington military exercise, North Korea has issued back-to-back criticism. Last week, Kim denounced it as an expression of their will to "ignite a war," followed by remarks by his influential sister, Kim Yo-jong, who said South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is unfit to "change the course of history."

The test was conducted on the same day that Lee met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, ahead of his scheduled summit with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

North Korea often bitterly protests the drills as a "war rehearsal," while the allies describe them as "defensive in nature."
Chennai, Aug 24 : Retired Justice Sudershan Reddy, the Opposition's Vice-Presidential candidate, is in Chennai on Sunday to kickstart his campaign in Tamil Nadu.

He will begin the day by meeting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at his Alwarpet residence. During the meeting, Stalin is expected to felicitate Reddy and host a tea reception in his honour.

Reddy will formally seek the support of DMK MPs for his candidature in the Vice-Presidential election.

Following his discussions with CM Stalin, Reddy is scheduled to check into a star hotel in T. Nagar for rest and further engagements. Later in the evening, around 6 p.m., he will host a dinner at the hotel to interact with leaders and MPs of the DMKas alliance partners.

Among those expected to attend are Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief Selvaperunthagai, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, CPI state secretary R. Shanmugam, CPI(M) state secretary K. Balakrishnan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, and Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan.

At this gathering, Reddy will once again seek their collective backing for his Vice-Presidential bid.

The meeting in Chennai marks the beginning of Reddyas wider outreach across the country, as he aims to consolidate the INDIA bloc votes ahead of the crucial contest.

Meanwhile, NDAas candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan has also been actively reaching out to MPs and alliance leaders in various states to ensure a strong showing.

The Vice-Presidential election is set to take place on September 9, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fielding C.P. Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu and the Congress-led INDIA bloc nominating former Justice Sudarshan Reddy.

Both candidates have already filed their nomination papers and are now touring states to garner support from Members of Parliament (MPs) and alliance partners.

With both sides treating the contest as a high-stakes political battle, the dayas engagements in Chennai are expected to set the tone for the INDIA blocas campaign in South India.
New York, Aug 24 : Two individuals of Indian descent were among the five fatalities when a tour bus crashed while returning to the city from a visit to Niagara Falls, according to State Police.

On Saturday, police identified them as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, a visitor from Madhubani, and Pinki Changrani, 60, who lives in East Brunswick, New Jersey.

The bus with 54 on board was returning on Friday afternoon to New York City after a tour of the famous falls straddling the US and Canada when the driver apparently lost control, sending it rolling from the highway into a ditch.

The site of the accident was about 70 km from the Niagara Falls and about 600 km from New York City.

The other three persons killed were of Chinese descent.

The bus had an international cast of sightseers, including from India, China, the Philippines, and the US.

Details of the injured have not been released officially, and it was not known how many others from India were on the bus.

Some of the passengers were still in the hospital on Saturday in critical or stable conditions, while others had been discharged after treatment.

Soon after the accident, some of the injured were airlifted by a fleet of helicopter ambulances to area hospitals.

Police said investigations were ongoing with the participation of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Police said that the driver showed no signs of impairment, and the tour bus had no mechanical failure, and investigators are looking into whether the driver was distracted and lost control of the bus.

The bus suddenly veered off into the road divider and rolled over while the driver apparently tried to correct it, according to police.

It had on board an event recording device, which operates somewhat like the black box installed on planes, and it may have clues to the accident.
Jammu, Aug 24 : A suspicious aeroplane-shaped balloon with Pakistan International Airlines' logo on it was found on Sunday in J&K's Jammu city.

Jammu, Aug 24 (IANS) A suspicious aeroplane-shaped balloon with Pakistan International Airlines' logo on it was found on Sunday in J&Kas Jammu city.

Officials said that the white and saffron-coloured Pakistani balloon was found in the Nai Basti area of Jammu and had aPIAa written on it in green colour.

Balloons released into the air from the Pakistani side across the international border have periodically been found in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts close to the border.

Sometimes, such suspicious objects have also been found near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Drones have been used by terror outfits operating from across the border with the help of the Pakistani Army to carry weapons, drugs and cash to support terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Special equipment is deployed by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the international border to trace and shoot down these drones.

In many incidents, these drones have been recovered on the ground before their payloads could be picked up by the terrorists or the overground workers.

A week ago, a similar aircraft-shaped balloon with the PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) logo on it was found in a forward area of the border town Ramgarh in Samba district.

Green and white in colour, the balloon lay on the ground, a police officer had said then. "The BSF troops manning a forward post had found it.

While drones have specific objectives to sustain terrorism, the purpose of balloons bearing Pakistani markings is believed to be meant to distract the attention of the security forces and create panic among the common citizens, intelligence agencies say.

When nine terror infrastructure sites were destroyed by the Indian Armed Forces in target-specific strikes during aOperation Sindoora on May 7, Pakistan retaliated by targeting civilian facilities along the LoC and the international border in J&K. Drones carrying explosives were extensively used by Pakistan to target civilian areas in the Jammu division.

Over a dozen such drones were also shot down by the Army when they were seen flying in the sky in Srinagar city.

In the increased escalation after Pakistan targeted civilian facilities and defence installations, 11 air bases of Pakistan were damaged extensively by the Indian Armed Forces on May 10.

India has made it clear that any future terror attack on Indian soil will be treated as an act of war by Pakistan.
Tokyo, Aug 24 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to wrap up his two-day visit to Japan on Sunday and travel to Washington for a high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump.

In Tokyo, Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held summit talks on Saturday during which they agreed to deepen cooperation to address shifting global trade and security dynamics and to strengthen trilateral ties with the United States.

Lee said his decision to make Japan the first diplomatic destination for a bilateral summit since taking office underscored his focus on ties with a "neighbor sharing the front yard" and an "indispensable partner."

Lee plans to meet with Japanese lawmakers before departing and will arrive in Washington later in the day.

In Washington, Lee is scheduled to hold his first in-person meeting with Trump at the White House, with discussions expected to center on trade and security issues following a tariff deal struck between Seoul and Washington in late July.

Lee is expected to face a pivotal foreign policy test as the Trump administration pushes to "modernize" the alliance with South Korea, a process that could involve higher South Korean defense spending and a realignment of US Forces Korea amid Washington's drive to counter an increasingly assertive China, Yonhap news agency reported.

The two leaders are also expected to hammer out details of the broad trade agreement that lowered the US "reciprocal" tariffs on Korean goods to 15 per cent from 25 per cent in return for Seoul's $350 billion investment pledges and other commitments.

After the White House talks, Lee will attend a business roundtable with top corporate executives from both countries and deliver a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Lee also plans to visit Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, seen as a symbol of bilateral shipbuilding cooperation, before returning to Seoul.
Seoul, Aug 24 : South Korea's steel exports to the United States tumbled 26 per cent in July from a year earlier, hit by Washington's doubled tariffs, a trade association said on Sunday.

In June, U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent, up from the 25 per cent imposed in March.

Korean steel shipments to the U.S. fell to $283 million last month from $382 million a year earlier, according to data from the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), reports Yonhap news agency.

The value marked the lowest level in four years and four months, since March 2021. By volume, July exports dropped 24 percent on-year to 194,000 tons, the lowest since January 2023, KITA said.

In response to the steep tariffs, POSCO and Hyundai Steel Co., the country's two largest steelmakers, have unveiled plans to invest in a steel plant in the U.S.

In March, Hyundai Steel announced it would build a US$5.8 billion electric arc furnace-based integrated steel mill in Louisiana by 2029, with production slated to begin the same year. The following month, POSCO said it would join the project.

Given the plant's completion timeline, the steelmakers are widely expected to face tariff pressures for several more years, industry officials said.

South Korean steelmakers earlier said they will set up an "item-by-item" export strategy through close consultations with government officials and industry associations in response to hefty U.S. tariffs.

Korean steelmakers, already suffering an oversupply and slowing prices, had been deeply concerned that the addition of reciprocal tariffs may significantly undermine their price competitiveness in the U.S. market, according to the report.

a"IANS

na/
New Delhi, Aug 24 : In the era we live in, knowledge-based decision making is a prerequisite for success in any field, more so in the sphere of national security, where a hidden threat from the enemy can be countered only based on Intelligence that was available about the latter's secret plans and modus operandi.

New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) In the era we live in, knowledge-based decision making is a prerequisite for success in any field, more so in the sphere of national security, where a hidden threat from the enemy can be countered only based on Intelligence that was available about the latteras secret plans and modus operandi.

Security, by definition, is protection against the covert threat of the adversary; an open attack on the country would be repelled by our Defence forces, who were always in a state of readiness and who had the benefit of their own Military Intelligence keeping track of any signs of the enemy planning to resort to such an attack.

Intelligence is information that had some special tags-it had to be reliable, relevant to national security, futuristic, timely and confidential. It can be said that aall Intelligence is information but all information is not Intelligencea.

Our Intelligence agencies report on a threat only when they were totally convinced of the reliability of the information. Intelligence is information about what alies aheada and it must come in time for a meaningful response. All Intelligence has to be handled confidentially for you do not want the enemy to know awhat you knowa. Intelligence essentially is ainformation for actiona and gives you asecret powera against the enemy because of its confidentiality.

Security fails for three reasons- absence of Intelligence, failure of communication of Intelligence or its communication with such a delay that time for acting on it was already over and failure of response or aactiona which was unfortunate but not all that uncommon.

Intelligence is a rare commodity and none of it should be lost ain transita or disregarded as aun-actionablea for the reason of not being specific enough. Even a general warning about an impending threat to security from a certain quarter has enough scope for preventive action and the action-taking authorities must confirm that all that was possible by way of preventive measures had been done.

Moreover there is a multiplicity of Intelligence agencies in all countries and institutional arrangements had to exist for ensuring that all pieces of Intelligence on a threat travelled to a point at the national apex where they could be examined for an aintegral responsea. Director National Intelligence in US and the National Security Council Secretariat under the National Security Advisory in India, handled all the issues of coordination amongst Intelligence agencies.

Security is not a static phenomenon and is always in the process of evolution. The institution of NSA was created in 1998 during the Vajpayee government, and the position of Director, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) was created to coordinate the functioning of the Intelligence chiefs of the three Defence Services- Army, Air Force and Navy- in 2002. The Director of the Intelligence Bureau coordinates the flow of Intelligence from the Civilian agencies through Multiple Agency Centre (MAC) at the Centre and it has taken this function down to the state level where the head of Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) performs the same function.

The biggest threat to the internal security of India is terrorism directed from across our borders. Cross- border terrorism is keeping the border state of Jammu & Kashmir destabilised necessitating deployment of Army and paramilitary-military forces of the Centre there.

The simplest definition of terrorism is aresort to covert violence for a perceived political causea. Without such a cause terrorism will be sheer criminality which was not the case.

A acausea demands acommitmenta which in turn was determined by amotivationa. The motivation may be ideological as in case of Naxalism or driven by assertion of ethnic identity as was the case with insurgencies of North East in the past.

The motivation behind cross-border terrorism in Kashmir was faith-based -and hence very strong- exploited by Pak ISI to raise elements committed to Jehad. This indoctrination in the name of Islam exercised a pull that turned the minds not only of the ahave-notsa but of the educated lot as well.

Pakistan played the communal card in the valley when it organised militant elements to drive Kashmiri Pandits out of their homes in 1990s and in a more fierce way sent in terrorists to blatantly kill 28 tourists drawn from different parts of the country, in Pahalgam on April 22 last -after ascertaining their Hindu identity. The bigger objective was to spread communal violence in the rest of India. The Modi government did well to give a free hand to the Army to carry out a multiple retaliatory strike on as many as 9 terror bases in PoK and across the Indo-Pak border and deal with any further escalation. More importantly India defined the anew norma of considering any further act of terrorism against India as an aact of wara.

In the post-Cold War years open warfare seemed to have given way to aproxy warsa as terrorism emerged as the new weapon for acoverta offensives against strategic targets.

The anti-Soviet armed campaign in Afghanistan run on the war cry of Jehad, proved to be the first case of an aasymmetric wara bringing down even a superpower- forcing the withdrawal Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Terrorism became a cost-effective substitute of an expensive open awara- today faith-based terror has become the biggest threat to the security of the democratic world.

US President Donald Trump denounces Islamic terrorism in no uncertain terms and remains focused on China as an adversary- these mark a major convergence in the geopolitical understanding of India and US and should help to overcome any policy differences in other matters like tariff and trade.

Following the Pak-directed terror attack at Pahalgam, there was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan in which China showed up as a major supporter of Pakistan in terms of supply of military hardware and technological backing.

India has rightly upgraded its profile in Quad and should hope to use its diplomatic power to buttress Indo-US relations to the advantage of both the countries that happened to be the largest democracies of the world too. Transactional approach of Trump on certain issues - rooted in his aAmerica Firsta doctrine - can be handled by India without yielding on our own national interests. India is a major power having a say in the global issues of war and peace and it should stay firm in its advocacy of the larger good of humanity.

The special importance of operations based on Intelligence is seen in a situation where Army had to be deployed aon our own soila for countering terrorism as was the case in Kashmir. An Intelligence-guided approach is useful in three ways. First, it helps the aorientationa of the army by getting it to practise restraint in the use of force- defence forces are trained to repel an open attack with maximum force.

Secondly, it is expected to reduce collateral damage by way of civilian casualties because an operation was undertaken on specific information provided by Intelligence about the location and strength of terrorists. Finally, even in a terror-affected territory armyas deployment was in the format of aaid to civilian authoritya and Intelligence flowing from the agencies under the civilian control, guided the counter-terror action.

Army can have its own channels for gathering Intelligence but all information of Intelligence value had to be put together and assessed for response- there was no aconflicta in this acompetitiona. The Higher Command meetings in Kashmir are chaired by the Governor/Lt Governor for determining the strategy of counter-terror operations, sorting out issues of coordination and meeting any demands of the forces at work.

Intelligence at the national level is not a stand alone function of reporting on threats to security but is now an integral part of governance. In bringing out awhat lies aheada, it throws light on the arisksa to be countered as well as the aopportunitiesa that could be availed of. It thus assists in policy formulation-without adictatinga policy- and indicates the pathway for any acourse correctiona that might become necessary in the fast moving geopolitical scenario and swift changes that could occur even on the domestic front.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau)
New Delhi, Aug 24 : ChatGPT maker OpenAI has warned against unauthorised opportunities to gain exposure to the company through a variety of means, including special purpose vehicles (SPVs).

In a blog post, the US-based company said that all OpenAI equity is subject to transfer restrictions.

"This means that OpenAI equity cannot be directly or indirectly transferred unless the seller first obtains OpenAI's written consent. Any attempted transfer  which includes any pledge, encumbrance or other similar disposition  that does not follow this requirement is void," it noted.

"We are aware of firms that market unauthorised opportunities to gain exposure to OpenAI through a variety of means, including sales of OpenAI equity; investments in SPVs that own OpenAI equity; tokenised interests in OpenAI equity or an SPV holding OpenAI equity; and "forward" contracts and other forms of purported economic interests," the company informed.

OpenAI further stated it does not endorse or participate in any of these transactions, which are a violation of its transfer restrictions and may result in the invalidation of the underlying equity.

"Any transfers may also violate US federal or state securities laws, which impose significant restrictions on transfers of privately offered equity. A buyer or seller may have liability for those violations, and the transfer may be rescinded," said the company.

It urges users to be careful if they are contacted by a firm that purports to have access to OpenAI, including through the sale of an SPV interest with exposure to OpenAI equity.

While not every offer of OpenAI equity (or exposure to it) is problematic, it is possible that the firm offering to sell or facilitate the sale of OpenAI equity, or to provide indirect exposure to OpenAI equity, is attempting to circumvent our transfer restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to an investment in OpenAI. If so, the sale will not be recognised and carry no economic value to you, the company added.

IANS

na/
New Delhi, Aug 24 : BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Sunday defended the government's move to introduce legislation enabling the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if they are in judicial custody for 30 consecutive days on serious charges, and remarked that if the bill is passed, the political careers of many in the Opposition will come to an end.

His remarks came amid a political stir after the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party announced their decision to boycott the JPC formed to examine the controversial bills.

"This bill is important because it brings a sense of accountability to those holding constitutional responsibilities. If this bill is passed, their political careers will effectively come to an end," said Khandelwal, responding to criticism from the Opposition. He said the legislation would reinforce democratic ethics and ensure that public office is not misused by those facing serious criminal charges.

The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier this week and have been referred to the JPC.

These bills seek to provide a constitutional mechanism for the removal of top executive office-holders, including the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers, in the event of their arrest for serious offences.

While the Congress has indicated that it may participate in the committee's deliberations, the Trinamool and SP have outrightly rejected the process, calling the bills "politically motivated".

Khandelwal also backed the recent comments made by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the Congress party.

"Congress has a history, and that history stands witness to the fact that Congress has never hesitated to join hands with anyone for its own benefit, even if that person holds an ideology completely opposite to theirs," he said.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress of acting against national interests.

"When they conspire to weaken the nation and the credibility of the government, then that results in agitation. They are working with the Leftist mentality... Rahul Gandhi is going on a very dangerous track," Rijiju said.

Opposition leaders have expressed concerns over potential misuse of the legislation, warning that it could be used to target elected leaders through politically motivated arrests. The BJP, however, maintains that the bill upholds the values of transparency, justice, and democratic accountability.
The proposed 19-month Clean & Safe pilot program would add a larger private security presence, a new outreach team for homeless residents in the area and ambassadors who will promote downtown Colorado Springs businesses.
Chennai, Aug 24 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced that the state's ambitious breakfast scheme for schoolchildren will undergo a major expansion on Tuesday, with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann attending the event as the special guest.

DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson personally handed over the formal invitation to Bhagwant Mann on Saturday. His participation is seen as a gesture of solidarity across state borders, showcasing how Tamil Nadu's welfare models are increasingly being looked at as examples by leaders elsewhere in India.

The breakfast scheme, launched in September 2022 in select schools, was designed to address the problem of children attending classes on an empty stomach. Since then, it has steadily expanded its reach and will now cover government-aided schools in urban areas as part of the latest phase.

After this expansion, nearly 20.59 lakh students are expected to benefit from the scheme.

In a post on social media platform X, Stalin underscored the long history of welfare initiatives in Tamil Nadu. "From the Justice Party to the Dravidian Model government, we are providing food to students. This is not just food; it is manure for growth," he wrote, linking the present initiative to the state's century-old legacy of social reform and inclusive governance.

The Chief Minister has maintained that hunger should never be a barrier to learning.

Educationists have also welcomed the scheme, pointing out that nutritious meals in the morning can improve both concentration levels and overall academic performance.

With the inclusion of more schools, the programme is expected to help tackle malnutrition while also boosting school attendance in urban pockets.

Officials said the scheme is designed to complement other welfare programmes such as the midday meal scheme, free uniforms, and textbook distribution. Together, these interventions form the backbone of Tamil Nadu's commitment to social equity, ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have better opportunities to learn and grow.

In addition, CM Stalin has been highlighting health-focused initiatives. He recently launched 'Nalam Kakkum Stalin', a preventive healthcare programme that organises medical camps every Saturday across the state. The initiative has already benefitted lakhs of people: 44,795 on its opening day on August 2, followed by 48,046 on August 9 and 56,245 on August 23.

With Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann sharing the stage at the launch of the breakfast scheme's expansion, Tuesday's event is expected to further highlight Tamil Nadu's welfare-driven model of governance and reinforce its image as a template for other states to emulate.
Hyderabad, Aug 24 : Telangana Minister for Industries D. Sridhar Babu has assured farmers that there will be no shortage of urea in the state.

He alleged that the opposition parties were trying to mislead farmers with baseless claims.

"The Telangana Government stands firmly with our farmers, and we assure them that there will be no shortage of urea in the State. Opposition parties are trying to mislead farmers with baseless claims, but the truth is simple, that every step is being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply and protect their interests," Sridhar Babu said in a post on 'X' on Sunday.

The minister stated that during the review meeting held with senior officials, the functioning of Ramagundam Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) was examined, and concern that the plant had operated only 40 out of 145 days this season has been raised. The RFCL and its parent company, NFL, have been directed to take immediate corrective measures and, in the meantime, ensure that at least one rake of urea is supplied daily to Telangana from other plants, he said.

"For us, RFCL is not just an industry but a development partner in Telangana's growth. Until production stabilizes, the State Government will continue to closely monitor the situation and, if necessary, escalate the matter with the Centre. Farmers can be confident that their needs will always remain our top priority," said Sridhar Babu.

Meanwhile, the state government has stepped up efforts to overcome the urea shortage. It is arranging the procurement of nearly 40,000 tonnes within a week.

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Saturday reviewed the situation with RFCL CEO Alok Singhal and NFCL Telangana sales manager K. Rajesh. The minister noted that Telangana was yet to receive 62,473 tonnes of urea from RFCL as part of its allocation. He warned that delays in supply were causing serious difficulties for farmers and could harm standing kharif crops

The agriculture minister urged RFCL to take immediate steps to deliver the pending quota without further delay. He wanted officials to ensure that at least half of the required urea is dispatched to Telangana this week, either from RFCL or NFCL, so that farmers' cultivation activities are not disrupted.
Kolkata, Aug 24 : The Meteorological (MeT) Department has forecast week-long rain in Kolkata and south Bengal districts as another depression is likely to form in the Bay of Bengal on Monday. The new system, along with the present low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal, will bring moderate to heavy rain across south Bengal.

According to the MeT Department, a low-pressure area has formed over Gangetic West Bengal and its adjoining areas. It will move towards Jharkhand in the next 24 hours and gradually weaken. The monsoon axis has crossed Gangetic West Bengal via Ganganagar, Gwalior, Banda, Dehri and extended to the northeast Bay of Bengal.

At the same time, a new depression is likely to form near the Odisha-West Bengal coast on Monday.

"This will result in moisture incursion from the sea, paving the way for the right conditions for more rain. As a result, scattered to heavy rain will continue across all districts in south Bengal, including Kolkata, throughout the week starting from Monday," said a MeT official.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata's Alipore has issued a warning of thunderstorms for at least two more days in Kolkata. Scattered rains with thunderstorms are likely till Monday. The same forecast is in place for Howrah and Hooghly districts.

The minimum temperature in Kolkata on Sunday was 26 degrees Celsius, 0.6 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature on Saturday was 27.2 degrees Celsius, 4.8 degrees below normal.

"There is a possibility of rain in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram districts from Sunday to Wednesday," said the official.

Apart from this, heavy rain is likely in Purulia and Bankura districts for the next few days. The north Bay of Bengal, adjacent to North Odisha and West Bengal, will remain rough at least for the next 24 hours. As a result, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.

Meanwhile, heavy rain is likely in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Alipurduar districts on Sunday and Monday. Light to moderate rain will continue in the remaining districts.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24 : In a major escalation of the crisis within the Kerala unit of Congress, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala has come out strongly against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, demanding his immediate resignation.

This follows Opposition leader V.D. Satheesanas earlier call for Rahul to step down, intensifying the pressure on the embattled legislator.

The controversy began after serious allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against Mamkootathil, with a young woman accusing him of inappropriate behaviour. Though no formal police complaint has been lodged so far, the charge has sparked widespread outrage within the party and among the public.

Several leaders fear that shielding him on technical grounds would severely damage Congress' image, particularly ahead of the upcoming elections.

According to party sources, Chennithala has conveyed to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph that Mamkootathil should not continue as MLA even for a single day longer.

He is reported to have held detailed discussions with Satheesan and other senior leaders, firmly stating that the controversy surrounding Mamkootathil poses a serious threat to the partyas credibility.

Chennithala is believed to have warned the leadership that delaying action or citing the absence of a formal complaint would backfire.

He also cautioned that more allegations could surface against Mamkootathil in the coming days, compounding the damage if the party fails to act decisively.

From the beginning of the row, Chennithala has taken a hard line, urging the leadership not to adopt a wait-and-see approach. He has already suggested that Mamkootathil either resign on his own or face expulsion.

With both Satheesan and Chennithala publicly demanding his ouster, Mamkootathil now finds himself almost completely isolated within the Congress ranks.

Apart from Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil, very few leaders have come forward in his support.

Adding to the pressure, senior Congress woman leader and former MLA Shanimol Usman also called for Mamkootathil's resignation and urged him to step away from public life altogether.

With more leaders echoing similar sentiments, insiders believe the partyas central leadership may soon be forced to act, bringing Mamkootathilas political career to an uncertain crossroads.
Mumbai, Aug 24 : Veteran actor Anupam Kher has given a glimpse of his role of Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi from the upcoming film 'The Bengal Files'.

On Sunday, the senior actor took to his Instagram, and shared a monochromatic video from the sets of the film. The BTS video shows him walking with his arms around the neck of director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and an assistant director.

He wrote in the caption, "From the sets of @vivekagnihotri's #TheBengalFiles! @pallavijoshiofficial #Gandhi #BehindTheScenes".

'The Bengal Files' is set against the blood-soaked backdrop of West Bengal's violent political past, and based on true events and spine-chilling testimonies. The film is based on the Direct Action Day, and is touted to bring events from one of the darkest chapters of modern India to light. Mahatma Gandhi had camped in Noakhali for four months and toured the district in a mission to restore peace and communal harmony.

Earlier, actress-producer Pallavi Joshi, who has co-produced and acts in 'The Bengal Files', had opened up on the blockade imposed on the trailer of the film, and has called the ruling government of West Bengal for the same.

She said the trailer of the film, and a special screening was stopped on the orders of the ruling government of TMC spearheaded by Mamata Banerjee.

The makers of 'The Bengal Files' wanted to launch the trailer of the film in Kolkata on August 16, which marks the 79th anniversary of the Direct Action Day, a dark chapter in the history of India when the state of Bengal was rocked by widespread communal riots.

Talking about the blockade, Pallavi earlier told IANS, "Well, it was very clearly done by the ruling party, and we are making no bones about it. We knew that we'd get some kind of resistance".

"But we didn't know it would be like this, that we won't be able to show our trailer at all. It was very significant for us to choose Kolkata to release our trailer on August 16, which was the anniversary of Direct Action Day", she added.

'The Bengal Files' also stars Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumar. The film is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri.

Presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal & I Am Buddha, The film is a worldwide release by Zee Studios, and will arrive in theatres on September 5, 2025.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : In a significant step toward strengthening India's defence and strategic relations with North Africa, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi has embarked on a four-day official visit to Algeria from August 25 to 28, the Ministry of Defence announced on Sunday.

This visit comes soon after the recent visits by the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff, underlining the importance accorded to strengthening India-Algeria relations.

"The visit aims to reinforce defence and security engagement between India and Algeria, with a focus on bolstering Army-to-Army cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional and global security challenges, and exploring avenues for defence industrial collaboration," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

During his visit, General Dwivedi will hold meetings with top Algerian defence officials, including General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence & Chief of Staff of the People's National Army; Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, Commander of Land Forces; and Dr Swati Kulkarni, the Indian Ambassador to Algeria.

He will also visit several key military institutions, including the School of Command and Major Staff in Tamentfoust and the Cherchell Military Academy, one of Algeria's premier training establishments. A ceremonial tribute will be paid at the iconic Martyrs Memorial, commemorating Algeria's struggle for independence.

The visit builds on the momentum generated by the recent Defence Seminar held in Algiers from July 30 to August 1, 2025, where Indian defence industries showcased their technological capabilities and explored opportunities for collaboration in defence manufacturing and technology transfer.

The Ministry noted that the COAS's visit is expected to "further deepen the historic ties between the two nations and provide impetus to advancing shared security interests, regional stability and defence cooperation."

As India continues to expand its strategic footprint across Africa, this high-level military engagement with Algeria is seen as a critical move to strengthen India's partnerships in the region, especially in light of emerging security dynamics and the need for multilateral defence collaboration.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Amid the Voter Adhikar Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar, RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari, on Sunday, said there was a huge groundswell of public support during the yatra, crediting the impact of the united opposition.

"In the Voter Rights Yatra, the entire population of Bihar is on the streets. We are receiving immense public support and blessings. This demonstrates how the alliance of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav has awakened the government from Patna to Delhi," said Tiwari, calling the turnout a clear message of resistance against alleged election irregularities.

The yatra, aimed at protesting alleged "votebank theft" and raising awareness about electoral integrity, has quickly become a flashpoint in national politics.

Tiwari also took a swipe at the BJP-led NDA government, accusing it of trying to deflect from its own shortcomings by questioning the Congress party's legacy.

"The Congress party ruled the country for a long time, and today India is great because of the contributions of Congress governments. However, the people of the NDA and BJP, who have been in the central government for 11 years now, keep questioning Congress. We have won elections in the past, we win now, and we will win again," he asserted.

The yatra has seen enthusiastic participation across districts, as per the RJD leader.

The Opposition is accusing the Election Commission and the BJP of failing to address concerns about electoral malpractice.

Leaders in the Congress camp claim that the Supreme Court's recent observations on electoral transparency have further legitimised their movement.

According to party sources, the yatra will intensify in the coming days with top leaders like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Akhilesh Yadav expected to join next week, adding further weight to the campaign.

Congress believes the "success" of the yatra so far has turned the issue of voter rights and electoral transparency into a national conversation, especially with the Assembly elections in Bihar round the corner.
Mumbai August 24 : Actor Anil Kapoor today took to his Instagram account to celebrate 25 years of his hit movie "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai". The movie that released on 24th of August 2000, starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Sonali Bendre in important roles.

Mumbai August 24 (IANS) Actor Anil Kapoor today took to his Instagram account to celebrate 25 years of his hit movie "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai". The movie that released on 24th of August 2000, starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Sonali Bendre in important roles.

The movie revolved around sensitive issues like rape, single parenting and finding love amidst serious responsibilities, with a tinge of Bollywood masala making it worth watching for the audience of that era. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan essayed the role of Preeti while Anil Kapoor essayed the role of Avinash.

Taking to Instagram, Anil Kapoor shared a collage of a few pictures of the movie put together and captioned it as, " Hamara Dil Aapke Paas hai. Looking back at Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai as it completes 25 years, my heart is filled with memories of my dearest friend Satish Kaushik. I still remember how Aishwarya became a part of this special journey. While we were shooting Taal, I was struck by her incredible talent and suggested her name to Naidu Saab and Satish ji. At first, there were some reservations, but once Satish saw her on set, he was convinced. The rest, as

they say, is history.

Ironically, just before shooting began, Aishwarya had some concerns and almost stepped away. Satish and I went to her home, had a heartfelt conversation, and thankfully, she decided to stay on board. And I'm so glad she did, because her performance was phenomenal and the film went on to become a super hit, loved by both the trade and the audience.

Grateful for the memories, the magic we created, and for my friend Satish, whom I miss dearly every day

#HamaraDilAapkePaasHai."

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anil Kapoor, before "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai", had worked together in the super hit movie "Taal".

Actor Satish Kaushik who is no longer amidst us, shared an extremely close bond with Anil Kapoor and they had been thick of friends for over 35 years.

IANS

rd/
Sydney, Aug 24 : Three people have been hospitalised, including two with stab wounds, after being found unresponsive at a home west of Sydney on Sunday morning.

Police in the Australian state of New South Wales said that emergency services were called to conduct a welfare check at the home in the suburb of Leura, 80 km west of central Sydney, at around 7:30 am local time on Sunday, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Officers arrived and found two men, both believed to be aged in their 40s, with multiple stab wounds, and a woman believed to be in her 60s, unconscious at the scene. All three were unresponsive.

They were treated by ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital. Both men were in serious but stable conditions, and the woman was critical.

Police established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the incident.

In a similar incident, two men were hospitalised with serious injuries and a third has been arrested following a stabbing in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia on Thursday.

Police in the Australian state of Queensland said in a statement that emergency services received reports that two men had been stabbed by another man inside a property in the northern Brisbane suburb of Zillmere at 6:14 pm local time on Thursday night, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Emergency services arrived at the scene and found two men, one aged in his 20s and the other in his 30s, with serious injuries. Both were transported to the hospital.

A 51-year-old man was arrested a short time later and hospitalised under police guard to be treated for a laceration to his finger.

The Queensland Police Service said that investigators believe the three men are all known to each other and that there was no threat to public safety.

A crime scene was declared at the property and an investigation into the incident was ongoing.
Cairo, Aug 24 : Six students died and 24 others were injured in a drowning accident on Saturday at a beach in Alexandria governorate, northwest of Cairo, Egypt's Health Ministry said in a statement.

The victims were part of a student group on a field trip organized by an academy specializing in air hospitality, the ministry said. The incident occurred at Abu Talat beach in Alexandria's Agami district, Xinhua News Agency reported.

It added that ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Three of the injured were treated at the beach, while 21 others were transferred to nearby hospitals for further care.

Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, stressed the ministry's commitment to supporting the injured and their families, while closely monitoring the medical and emergency measures, according to the statement.

The ministry, which did not provide details on the circumstances of the drowning, urged the public to observe beach safety guidelines, especially during group outings, to prevent such incidents.

Meanwhile, three people were killed and four others injured after violent storms hit Romania, emergency services said.

The storms battered 18 counties and the capital Bucharest, toppling more than 240 trees and power poles, flooding dozens of basements and courtyards, and damaging over 70 cars, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) reported on Saturday.

In Arges county, the roof of a building collapsed on three people, killing an 18-year-old man and injuring two others. In Ilfov county, north of Bucharest, two people kayaking on Lake Snagov drowned after their boat capsized in rough waters.

In Prahova county and Bucharest, two other people were injured when struck by a falling roof and a tree, respectively. All four injured victims were hospitalized but remained conscious, authorities said.

Authorities issued 19 weather alerts via the RO-Alert system across 12 counties and Bucharest on Friday evening.

The emergency response agency later said that two women, an 85- and an 83-year-old, were also victims of the flood. Firefighters had to use an excavator to retrieve one of the bodies from a riverbed.

The Environment Ministryas water management agency said some rivers rose to record high water levels. Repair works on collapsed bridges were underway, it said.

Romania has faced increasingly frequent episodes of extreme weather this summer, with officials urging residents to take shelter when storm warnings are issued.
After almost six years and after accusations by numerous employees of a toxic work environment, the director of the states Office of Public G
Seoul, Aug 24 : The South Korea's National Assembly passed a controversial labour bill broadening workers' rights Sunday, drawing mixed reactions from labour and business groups.

The ruling Democratic Party led the vote, pushing the "yellow envelope bill" through despite a filibuster by the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). The filibuster ended earlier in the day, and the PPP boycotted the vote, which was subsequently approved in a 183-3 vote at a plenary session, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The bill, which amends the Labour Union Act, is primarily designed to guarantee the bargaining rights of indirectly employed subcontracted workers.

The bill also prohibits companies from filing lawsuits for damages or provisional seizures against unionized workers, which many argue businesses have used to suppress strikes.

Labour groups welcomed the bill's passage, with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) calling it "the historic fruit" of two decades of activist sacrifices.

The KCTU, one of the country's two largest umbrella labor groups, said, "(The) simple and undeniable truth" that "every worker has the right to unite and bargain has finally become law."

The group called for the government to come up with follow-up measures consistent with the bill's spirit.

However, the country's six major business lobby groups expressed deep regret over the bill's passage, warning it would severely harm Korean businesses and deter investors.

In particular, they voiced concern that ambiguities in the definitions of "employer" and "labor disputes" would "open the door for legal conflicts between labor and management" in the future.

They called on the National Assembly to clarify the legislation and urged the government to work closely with the business community during the six-month grace period to "minimize the impact of the bill's fallout."

On Friday, South Korean National Assembly passed another controversial broadcasting bill that would revamp governance of public broadcasters, with the ruling Democratic Party (DP) railroading the bill despite opposition by the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).

The amendment to the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act passed in a 179-1 vote at a plenary session. PPP lawmakers who had been staging a filibuster to block the bill boycotted the vote.

Under the bill, the board of directors at EBS will be expanded from nine members to 13.

The legislation is the last of three contentious broadcasting bills pushed by the DP that would eventually alter the governance structure of the three public broadcasters -- KBS, MBC and EBS -- by significantly increasing the number of their board directors and granting media and broadcasting associations, as well as related professional organizations, the right to recommend board members.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : On the sacred occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings to the nation, highlighting the universal values enshrined in the revered Sikh scripture.

Posting on X, PM Modi said: "Warm greetings on the sacred occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The timeless teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji continue to illuminate lives across the world, reminding us of the values of compassion, humility and service. The teachings inspire humanity to strengthen the spirit of unity and harmony. May we always walk the path of wisdom shown by the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and strive to build a better planet."

Celebrated with deep devotion by the Sikh community worldwide, the occasion marks the day when the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, was first enthroned as the spiritual guide of humanity.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also shared his wishes, writing on X: "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the Prakash Parv of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while extending greetings on the occasion, wrote in Hindi on X (loosely translated): "Heartfelt congratulations to all Sikh brothers, devotees, and residents of the state on the Prakash Purab of 'Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji'! This divine scripture, illuminated by the Guru's words, is a guide to truth, service, and harmony. Let us, on this sacred occasion, make the Guru's teachings our life's resolve and contribute to building a harmonious society."

Across Punjab and various parts of the country, devotees marked the occasion with great reverence. Thousands thronged to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar to pay homage, bowing before the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and partaking in the spiritual celebrations.

The sacred scripture, regarded as one of the most profound religious texts in the world, carries messages of equality, peace, and devotion, and addresses all of humanity, transcending caste, creed, and religion.

The holy Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji continues to guide individuals toward a higher spiritual purpose, unity, and righteous living.

On Sunday, a Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) is being taken out from Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib, led by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). As every year, the SGPC is observing the Parkash Purab with deep reverence and grandeur, organising various devotional and community service programmes to honour the eternal Guru.
Hyderabad, Aug 24 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, former Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu and leaders cutting across political parties on Sunday paid their last respects to former CPI general secretary and former Lok Sabha member Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, who passed away on August 22.

The Chief Minister drove to Makhdoom Bhavan, the office of the CPI and paid homage to Sudhakar Reddy and consoled his family members and party leaders.

CPI national General Secretary D. Raja, national Secretary Narayana, and state Secretary K. Sambasiva Rao and other leaders were present.

The Chief Minister penned his thoughts in the condolence book kept at the CPI office.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister called Sudhakar Reddy a great leader who fought for the poor and for the bahujan samaj. Stating that the veteran Communist leader always practised value-based politics, he said following his ideals would be the best tribute to him.

CM Revanth Reddy said he was paying his tributes on behalf of AICC, Telangana Congress and the state government. He gave the assurance that the government would recognise the services of Sudhakar Reddy and name some development project after him to perpetuate his memory.

Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also paid his last respects. He termed Sudhakar Reddyas demise an irreparable loss to politics.

State Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao, Seethakka, and State Legislative Council chairman G. Sukhender Reddy paid their last respects.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao also paid his last respects to Sudhakar Reddy.

Earlier, Sudhakar Reddyas mortal remains were shifted to the CPI office from Care Hospital, Gachibowli, where he passed away on Friday due to age-related problems.

The body will be kept at the CPI office till the evening to enable leaders, workers and followers to pay respects.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and leaders of various political parties will pay homage.

The state government has decided to perform the funeral with state honours. The Chief Minister directed Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao to issue orders and make necessary arrangements.

After the official honours, Sudhakar Reddyas body will be donated to Gandhi Medical College.

Sudhakar Reddy was 83 and is survived by two sons.

Sudhakar Reddy served as CPI national general secretary from 2012 to 2019 and represented Nalgonda in the Lok Sabha for two terms. He was a member of the 12th and 14th Lok Sabha, representing the Nalgonda segment. He also served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour while being a member of Parliament.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : US President Donald Trump's recent executive order imposing a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports for India's purchase of Russian oil threatens to unravel decades of carefully nurtured US-India strategic ties with this punitive approach risking alienating India, a democratic powerhouse and key ally in countering terrorism and balancing China's influence in the Indo-Pacific, according to an article.

Rather than imposing coercive tariffs, the United States should take inspiration from the United Kingdom's pragmatic approach in its July 2025 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, which fosters mutual prosperity without compromising either nation's priorities, said the article by Anna Mahjar-Barducci, a project director at the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), published by Australian Institute of International Affairs.

Failure to recalibrate could push India closer to China, an unintended geopolitical blunder that would undermine US interests, it warned.

India's role in the Quad and its contributions to counterterrorism make it a linchpin in America's Indo-Pacific strategy. Yet, Trump's tariffs, announced on July 30 and set to take effect on August 27, jeopardise this trajectory, it observes.

The tariffs, justified by India's high trade barriers and its purchase of Russian oil, overlook the pragmatic realities driving India's energy choices. With traditional oil suppliers redirecting to Europe, India turned to discounted Russian oil to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. As India's Ministry of External Affairs emphasised, these imports are driven by "market factors" to maintain "predictable and affordable energy costs". Punishing India for prioritising economic stability is perceived as unfair, especially when Western nations continue importing Russian uranium, palladium, and fertilisers, the article states.

The United Kingdom offers a compelling contrast to the US approach. On July 24, India and the UK signed a landmark FTA, the result of three years of negotiations that respected both nations' priorities. The agreement eliminates tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK, reduces duties on British goods like whisky and automobiles, and facilitates professional mobility through a Double Contribution Convention (DCC). This pact aims to double bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030, boosting sectors like Indian textiles and British advanced manufacturing while safeguarding sensitive areas like India's dairy sector.

The India-UK FTA demonstrates that trade deals thrive on collaboration, not coercion. By addressing India's developmental needssuch as protecting its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and agricultural sectorthe UK crafted a deal that aligns with India's economic realities while advancing its own interests. The agreement's focus on digital trade, intellectual property, and sustainable development further underscores its forward-looking approach, offering a blueprint for modern economic diplomacy, the article explains.

The US tariffs, in contrast, send a troubling signal to India, a nation that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with America in combating terrorism and promoting democratic values. India's purchase of Russian oil is not a geopolitical slight but a necessity to stabilise energy costs. Its defence procurement, while still 36 per cent Russian in 2024, has shifted significantly toward US and Western suppliers, down from 72 per cent a decade ago. Penalising India risks eroding trust and pushing it toward closer alignment with China, especially as Beijing signals openness to deeper ties through platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the article further states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to China for the SCO Summit on August 31, his first in seven years, underscores this risk. A China Daily article, shared by the Chinese embassy in India, highlighted a "thaw" in India-China relations, suggesting that US pressure could inadvertently strengthen ties between the two rivals. As Modi declared at the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, India will "never compromise" on its farmers, fishermen, and dairy workers, signalling resolve in the face of external pressure, it observes.

The US must recognise India's developmental imperatives -- its MSME-driven economy, agricultural vulnerabilities, and energy needs -- to unlock a mutually beneficial trade deal. India's insistence on measures like Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers is not obstructionism but a necessity for a nation where agriculture employs nearly half the workforce. A successful Indo-US FTA could leverage India's tech prowess and market potential to complement American innovation, mirroring the collaborative spirit of the India-UK deal, the article states.

Rather than escalating tariffs, Washington should prioritise negotiations that respect India's priorities while advancing US interests. The stalled Indo-US trade talks, bogged down by disagreements over agricultural subsidies and digital trade, could be revitalised by adopting a pragmatic approach. A deal that balances market access with protections for India's vulnerable sectors could boost bilateral trade, create jobs, and strengthen the strategic partnership, it observes.

The article contends that the United States stands at a crossroads in its relationship with India. The India-UK FTA offers a clear lesson: trade deals succeed when they respect mutual priorities and foster shared prosperity. By contrast, Trump's 50 per cent tariffs risk alienating a vital democratic partner, potentially driving India closer to China, and undermining US interests in the Indo-Pacific. Recalibrating its approach to prioritise collaboration over coercion will not only preserve but also enhance the US-India partnership, ensuring a stable and prosperous future for both nations.
Itanagar, Aug 24 : A 10-year-old student was charred to death, while three others were injured in a fire at a government residential school in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district on Sunday, officials said.

A police official in Itanagar said the incident occurred at the boy's hostel of Papikrong Government Residential School between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. in northern Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district.

The injured students were identified as Lukhi Pujen (8), Tanu Pujen (9) and Tayi Pujen (11).

They are now undergoing medical treatment at Zonal General Hospital at Aalo in West Siang district.

The charred student is yet to be identified, the official said, adding that the hostel was completely burnt down.

He said that a police and a rescue team have rushed to the remote village, located 17 km from Monigong town, to deal with the situation and look into the related aspects of the incident.

An investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire incident in the school at Papikrong village, which is located just before the last Indian Army post at Tadadege village in Shi-Yomi district, which shares borders with China.

Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister and local MLA Pasang Dorjee Sona expressed deep shock, attributing the fire to a short circuit.

He assured a thorough probe, immediate relief, and government support, while offering condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the injured.

Taking to his X account, the Minister said: "Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic fire accident at the boys' hostel of Papikrong School in Shi Yomi District, which occurred between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. due to a short circuit. The incident has resulted in the untimely loss of one young student, while three others have sustained injuries. The hostel has been completely damaged in the fire."

Dorjee Sona said: "I have instructed the District Administration and the School Administration to carry out a thorough investigation and to provide immediate support to the affected students and their families. The state government will extend all necessary relief and assistance to ensure that the victims and their families receive the care they need during this difficult time."

"My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured students. We stand united in grief and will do everything possible to help those affected to recover," the Minister said.
Katihar : , Aug 24 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday ducked a question on whether the Bihar Mahagathbandhan would declare Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial face, claiming that there was no tension and a lot of mutual respect in the alliance.

Addressing the media after taking a break from the ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra, Gandhi also stepped up his attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) for bias, alleging that it is not "neutral" but standing with the BJP.

Reiterating his charge of partiality against the ECI, Gandhi said, "There is an institutional attempt to steal votes in Bihar, but we will foil it. There is a partnership between the ECI, the election commissioner and the BJP."

Gandhi said the Mahagathbandhan is focused on forcing a change in ECI's biased conduct, but it is standing with the BJP.

Alleging that the ECI was favouring the BJP by not demanding any affidavit from their leaders who exposed bogus voters, Gandhi said that when he raised the issue of one lakh bogus voters, he was told by the poll panel to give a complaint on oath.

"The people are also seeing who the ECI is supporting," he said.

The Congress leader said the ECI is duty-bound to give an error-free voter list, but this was not done in Maharashtra, Haryana and Karnataka.

"You indulged in theft in Maharashtra and Haryana. We exposed 'vote theft' in Karnataka, but we won't let this happen again in Bihar," he said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav also addressed the media and slammed the ECI, alleging that it is functioning like one of the BJP's cells.

"The poll panel's reputation has hit rock bottom, and we are holding this march to save the Constitution and protect the electors' right to vote," he said.

The Mahagathbandhan in Bihar has planned the 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', covering 1,300 km across 20 districts, to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which they allege is resulting in disenfranchisement of voters in large numbers  a charge denied by the ECI.

The march is likely to conclude in Patna on September 1, about two months before the over seven crore electors pick a new 243-member state Assembly.
Dhaka, Aug 24 : Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has asserted that three unresolved matters between Islamabad and Dhaka, including the long-standing demand for an apology over the 1971 genocide, have been resolved twice in the past, local media reported on Sunday.

Dar, who is currently in Dhaka on a two-day official visit, marking the first state-level visit to Bangladesh in 13 years, made these remarks following a meeting with Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain at Hotel Sonargaon on Sunday afternoon, according to leading Bangladeshi media outlet, Prothom Alo.

When questioned about discussions on the unresolved issues during the ministerial-level meeting, Dar responded, "The issue was settled for the first time in 1974. And the document of that time is historic for both countries. Then General Pervez Musharraf came here (to Bangladesh) and resolved the issue openly. As a result, the issue was resolved twice. Once in 1974, and again in the early 2000s."

This comes at a time when experts believe that Dar's two-day visit to Bangladesh exposes the sheer desperation of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to strengthen ties with a country that carried out a genocide killing millions of Bangladeshi Bengalis under 'Operation Search Light' in 1971.

"Despite the geographical distance and the historical overhang of atrocities committed by Pakistan during the 1971 India-Pakistan conflict, Dhaka and Islamabad have been busy repairing bilateral relations since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024," a report in Northeast News mentioned.

"While military and political alliances are increasing, Pakistan has yet to express remorse or apologise for the genocide of 1971. Instead, Pakistan-based media outlets are publishing articles calling for reclaiming Bangladesh as a revenge for Pakistan's defeat in the 1971 war with India," it added

Over three million people were killed, and more than 300,000 women were raped by the Pakistani Army during the 1971 genocide. Since the carnage, the people of Bangladesh have consistently demanded that Pakistan apologise for its barbarity.

On Saturday, shortly after his arrival, Dar held a series of political meetings. A six-member delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) met the Pakistani Foreign Minister, while he also separately interacted with leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and the National Citizen Party (NCP).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said, "A meeting was held between a seven-member delegation from the NCP and Ishaq Dar...We tried to present the thoughts of the people of Bangladesh. There is an opportunity for improvement from the hostile relationship that existed before."

Additionally, according to the BNP officials, Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to meet party chief Begum Khaleda Zia on Sunday evening. The meeting will be held at her Gulshan residence at 7:30 p.m.

The relations between Dhaka and Islamabad were at their lowest ebb during former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's rule, specifically when the Awami League government initiated in 2010 the trial of collaborators of Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War.

The Awami League has condemned Dar's visit, stating that "without recognition of genocide, normalisation is betrayal."

Slamming Yunus, it said, "History cannot be rewritten. Justice cannot be bargained away."
Quetta, Aug 24 : The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta has approved an additional 15-day physical remand of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including prominent activist Mahrang Baloch, already in custody.

Speaking to reporters outside the court on Friday, Mahrang Baloch accused the state of keeping BYC leaders in prison to intimidate people. However, she stated that "the movement will not stop with imprisonment," The Balochistan Post reported.

She said, "No matter how strong the prison walls may be, they are nothing in front of a motheras resilience."

She stated that the government's lawyer files for an extension every time she appears in the court and called it the "reality of the judicial system." She further said, "Today, the same law is being used as a weapon by keeping people in CTD custody for 90 days."

She stated that the courts have not been able to recover the missing Baloch and Pashtun people. She remarked, "We began this struggle on the streets and carried it into the courts. These same courts, where thousands of cases of missing Baloch and Pashtuns are pending, have failed to recover them despite protection orders."

Mahrang Baloch warned that state cannot survive by going against the people of the nation and called Pakistan a "failed state." She said, "This is a failed state, and it must be understood that the more violence is used against the people, the stronger the resistance will grow."

She urged the people to rise for their rights. Baloch activist said, "Our movement carries a message for generations to come. The public must rise for their rights. Those who try to suppress or weaken us are the weak ones."

She stated that people of Balochistan are fighting for justice and truth. She said, "They only push state propaganda, but our movement is far ahead of propaganda. We are fighting for justice and truth. No amount of lies or state resources can defeat the truth."

Meanwhile, political and human rights activist Abdul Ghafar Qambrani, connected with the National Party, was released in Quetta after four months of detention. He was arrested during a police and paramilitary raid on April 6. Initially, he was taken to an undisclosed place and then he was moved to Hudda Jail under 3-MPO, along with other BYC leaders, on charges related to terrorism. His daughter, activist Bebow Baloch, continues to remain in police detention along with Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders.

In a statement shared on X, BYC condemned the extension of physical remand of its leaders. It stated, "Once again, the leadership of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has been placed on remand without cause or evidence. In Pakistan, the law has been systematically weaponized to suppress political activism. The judiciary has become ineffective, and the legal system has become a mockery. Both the Balochistan government and the courts function under the dictates of state forces, who, out of fear of political struggle, continue to target political workers."

It warned that BYC's movement will not be dismantled through arrests or the detention of its leadership and termed it "peopleas movement, deeply rooted in the masses." It further said, "If the state genuinely seeks to end resentment and hostility in Balochistan, it must first end the ongoing genocide. Until then, the struggle of Baloch political workers will remain organized, determined, and unbroken."

"Todayas decision by the judiciary has once again proven that, for the Baloch, there is no law, no justice, and no functioning judiciary, only pieces of paper weaponized at will against political activists. The 15-day remand of BYCas leadership, carried out under the stateas policy of repression, makes it clear that Pakistan is resorting to its most unconstitutional measures to silence political voices in Balochistan," it added.
Chennai, Aug 24 : DMK Deputy General Secretary and Parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi will be honoured with the prestigious Periyar Award at the party's annual 'Mupperum Vizha' celebrations scheduled to be held in Karur on September 17.

Chennai, Aug 24 (IANS) DMK Deputy General Secretary and Parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi will be honoured with the prestigious Periyar Award at the partyas annual 'Mupperum Vizha' celebrations scheduled to be held in Karur on September 17.

The awards, instituted by the DMK to commemorate stalwarts of the Dravidian movement, are presented annually to recognise the contributions of party leaders and workers in various fields.

Announcing the list of awardees on Sunday, the DMK headquarters said this yearas honours reflect the partyas gratitude to senior functionaries and grassroots leaders who have strengthened the movement across decades.

Suba Seetharaman, a former member of the Estimates Committee and ex-Chairman of the Palayamkottai municipality, will be conferred the Anna Award for his long service to the party and his role in organisational development.

The Kalaignar Award will be presented to So. Ma. Ramachandran, a centenarian and veteran functionary, who had served as the Anna Nagar unit Secretary and represented the constituency in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Party insiders recalled his tireless work in consolidating the DMK base in Chennaias urban areas during the formative years of the movement.

Senior leader Kulithalai Sivaraman, a member of the partyas General Council and former Chairman of the Kulithalai Union Council, has been chosen for the Pavendar Award.

Known for his strong ties with the rural base of the party, Sivaraman is remembered for mobilising farmers and labour groups in the Tiruchi region.

The Perasiriyar Award will go to Marudhur Ramalingam, Chairman of the DMKas Scheduled Castes Welfare Committee, former MLA from Kattumannarkoil, and former Chief Whip in the Assembly. His contributions to social justice initiatives within the party and his efforts in strengthening SC representation in politics were highlighted as reasons for his selection.

The M.K. Stalin Award will be presented to Pongalur N. Palanisamy, a veteran leader from Coimbatore, who earlier served as district Secretary and as a state minister. Palanisamy is widely credited for expanding the partyas influence in western Tamil Nadu.

The Mupperum Vizha, considered a major annual event in the DMK calendar, not only honours leaders but also reaffirms the partyas ideological commitment to social justice, equality, and grassroots mobilisation. This yearas celebration in Karur is expected to see the participation of top leaders, cadres, and well-wishers from across the state.

--IANS

aal/vd
Chamoli, Aug 24 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday visited the disaster-affected areas of Tharali in Chamoli district to review the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

The visit came after a cloudburst struck a village in Tharali tehsil late on Friday night, leaving behind severe destruction. Officials confirmed on Saturday that at least two people have gone missing in the calamity.

During his visit, locals stopped the Chief Minister's convoy and voiced their anguish over the devastation. They urged him to inspect the worst-hit areas, particularly Chepdo, to assess the ground situation. Some disaster-affected villagers also appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure the road to the upper villages is opened quickly.

Responding to their concerns, CM Dhami assured the villagers that efforts to clear the road are underway on a war footing.

He promised that once the route is safe, he would personally travel with the villagers to the upper villages to take stock of the situation.

Following this, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) posted on X, "In Tharali, after conducting an on-ground inspection of the disaster-affected areas, Honourable Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached out directly to the people. Bypassing protocol, he engaged in conversation with the villagers and attentively listened to their problems."

The Chief Minister also visited Kulsari, where he inspected a disaster relief camp, interacted with affected people, and assured them of full government support during this difficult time.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), CM Dhami sought feedback from the victims regarding the facilities at the camp.

He directed officials to ensure that no affected person faces any inconvenience and that all necessary support is provided on time and with full sensitivity.

The Chief Minister further announced immediate financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for families whose houses were completely destroyed and for the kin of those who lost their lives in the disaster.

He said instructions have been issued for proper arrangements to rehabilitate homeless families in Tharali, and effective action has already begun.

Meanwhile, teams of the Indian Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have intensified rescue and relief operations.

Police, the Disaster Management Department, and the District Administration are also actively engaged in providing assistance at the affected sites.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 : The Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers' Conference will be held on Monday in Bhubaneswar to deliberate on opportunities and challenges in strengthening the civil aviation sector across Eastern India.

Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 (IANS) The Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministersa Conference will be held on Monday in Bhubaneswar to deliberate on opportunities and challenges in strengthening the civil aviation sector across Eastern India.

As per an official statement, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, State Ministers, senior officials, and industry leaders in the sector will gather at the high-profile event.

The conference will be graced by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, as the Chief Guest and inaugurated in the presence of Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, who will deliver the keynote address.

Murlidhar Mohol, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, will also join the inaugural session.

The programme will open with a welcome address by Madhu Sudana Sankar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, followed by the stateas perspective shared by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, Government of Odisha.

The day-long deliberations will cover critical themes such as airport and heliport development models, the UDAN scheme and regional connectivity, skill development in aviation, expansion of the drone ecosystem, and the future of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).

Dedicated one-on-one sessions with the six participating states will highlight region-specific aviation priorities and policy support, while parallel industry interactions will explore avenues for investment, public-private partnerships, and collaboration in the aviation ecosystem.

Delegations from the aviation sector from Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, along with Odisha, will participate in the discussions.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) will also be in attendance, making this conference a comprehensive platform for dialogue and decision-making.

The plenary session will feature opening remarks by Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, followed by special addresses from Om Prakash Choudhary, Minister from Chhattisgarh, and Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Minister, Commerce and Transport, Government of Odisha.

The conference will conclude with a closing keynote by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu, who will present the Government of Indiaas vision for expanding regional connectivity, modernising aviation infrastructure, and fostering innovation in drones and emergency air services across Eastern India.

By hosting this landmark conference, Odisha reaffirms its role as an emerging aviation hub of Eastern India and as a vital partner in driving the nationas civil aviation growth story.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday hailed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's decision to introduce a bill in Parliament for sacking tainted Ministers.

Speaking at the All India Speakers' Conference 2025 in the Delhi Assembly, Gupta said, "Vithalbhai Patel ji had ignited the flame of parliamentary traditions and democratic decorum even in a subservient India. Today, under the guidance of the Home Minister Amit Shah, this opportunity to make that flame even brighter is becoming a historic legacy for all of us," she said.

The two-day conference, being organised on August 24 and 25, is commemorating 100 years of Vitthalbhai Patel as the first elected Indian Speaker of a legislature.

CM Gupta said that it was a moral victory for Indians when Vitthalbhai Patel was elected the first Indian Speaker of the pre-Independence Central Legislative Assembly 100 years ago.

She said, "This conclave will prove to be a milestone in the continuous journey of Parliament and Legislative Bodies, which is progressing towards making India's democracy even more enriched and stronger."

The Chief Minister praised Home Minister Amit Shah, who inaugurated the conference, for giving new strength to the decorum of democracy, code of conduct, impartiality, and timeliness.

His presence is elevating this conference from mere organisation to a historic milestone in the upliftment of democratic values, she said.

Calling HM Shah a guardian of democracy, CM Gupta hailed his decision to introduce the recent bill to sack tainted Ministers and the abrogation of Article 370.

"The Home Minister is the voice of democracy in the Lok Sabha. Every single word that he speaks is in the context of the Constitution and is logical," she said.

She said the power to enact people-oriented laws comes from the legislature. "HM Shah is a role model for all elected representatives due to his efforts to safeguard democracy," she said.

"His knowledge of legislative business and strong statements for the country have strengthened public faith in the government and Parliament," she said.

The two-day conference that started on Sunday is being attended by 29 Chairmen and 17 Deputy Chairmen from across the country, along with six Chairmen and four Deputy Chairmen of State Legislative Councils. Participants have come from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab and other states.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : India today stands at a pivotal juncture in its defence and diplomatic trajectory -- where the empowerment of women in uniform is no longer aspirational rhetoric but a calibrated reality, embedded within the operational doctrine of the armed forces and the nation's global peacekeeping mandate.

This evolution was powerfully underscored during "Operation Sindoor", a precision military response following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

In a moment of deliberate symbolism and strategic clarity, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Corps of Signals were entrusted with leading the official briefing.

Their presence was not ceremonial -- it was operational.

Wing Commander Singh, a seasoned helicopter pilot with more than 2,500 hours in high-risk terrains, and Colonel Qureshi, the first woman to command an Indian Army contingent at the Force 18 exercise, exemplify the calibre of leadership now emerging from India's women officer cadre.

The naming of the operation -- "Sindoor" -- in honour of the women widowed in the attack, and the decision to place women officers at the forefront of India's military response, reflect a profound shift in institutional ethos.

Women are no longer peripheral to India's defence narrative; they are central to its execution and its symbolism.

This transformation is backed by policy and precedent.

From 3,000 women officers in 2014 to more than 11,000 today, the Indian Armed Forces have expanded access to combat aviation, naval operations -- including submarines -- and permanent commissions across services.

The Supreme Court's directive on permanent commission has dismantled structural barriers, enabling women to pursue full career tenures with parity in command and responsibility.

India's leadership extends beyond its borders.

As one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping Operations, India has consistently deployed women in military, police, and civilian roles.

From the pioneering all-female police unit in Liberia in 2007 to Major Radhika Sen's recognition as the UN's Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2023, Indian women peacekeepers have redefined the role of gender in conflict resolution and community engagement.

The ongoing United Nations Women Military Officers Course (UNWMOC-2025), hosted in New Delhi with participation from 15 nations, further cements India's role as a global standard-bearer in gender-integrated military leadership.

This initiative is not merely instructional -- it is strategic capacity-building, rooted in India's lived experience and operational credibility.

India's model is not symbolic. It is constitutional, structural, and mission-driven.

Women officers are commanding troops, flying combat missions, leading covert operations, and shaping peacekeeping doctrine.

Their presence is not a gesture -- it is a force multiplier.

To global defence establishments and peacekeeping institutions, India offers a compelling blueprint: gender parity is not a concession -- it is a strategic imperative.

Empowerment, when institutionalised, enhances operational effectiveness, fosters trust in conflict zones, and strengthens the moral architecture of military leadership.

India's women in uniform are not just breaking barriers -- they are redrawing the map of what leadership looks like in the 21st century. And in doing so, they are not only securing the nation -- they are shaping the future of global peace.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Bangladesh is heading for a pivotal general election in February 2026, the first since the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule in August 2024.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who leads the interim government, announced that the Election Commission (EC) would finalise dates two months ahead of the polls.

Hasina's ouster came after a student-led uprising dubbed the "second liberation".

While her tenure delivered economic growth, poverty reduction, and landmark infrastructure projects like the Padma Bridge, it was marred by accusations of authoritarianism, corruption, and suppression of dissent.

Yunus' transitional government promised democratic renewal but has drawn criticism for banning Hasina's Awami League from contesting, echoing the same exclusionary tactics it condemned.

More than 420,000 people have been arrested in security crackdowns, and over 640 journalists have faced attacks or imprisonment.

The political landscape is further complicated by the re-entry of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Once outlawed, the Islamist party has been legally restored and is preparing for the polls. Its resurgence has coincided with rising attacks on religious minorities, particularly Hindus, during festivals such as Durga Puja.

Another emerging force is the National Citizen Party (NCP), born from the "Students Against Discrimination" movement.

Advocating for a "Second Republic", the NCP calls for a new constitution, decentralisation, judicial independence, and minority rights. However, its refusal to participate under the current Election Commission raises doubts about its parliamentary impact.

As elections approach, Bangladesh faces a defining test: whether Yunus' government will ensure inclusivity and transparency or slide into another cycle of divisive politics.

Observers stress that allowing all parties -- including the Awami League -- to participate is critical.

Notably, analysts warn of parallels with Pakistan's tumultuous military-backed transitions of the past.

The outcome of the 2026 vote will determine whether Bangladesh can consolidate its democratic aspirations or risk deepening political instability under the guise of reform.
Lucknow, Aug 24 : Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla is set to visit the city on Monday, a first after his historic visit to the International Space Station (ISS).

The city administration has drawn up elaborate arrangements to give the 'celebrity astronaut' a rousing reception when he reaches his native place.

Meanwhile, Subhanshu Shukla's parents and family members are excited and exuberant over his visit to his hometown.

While banners and billboards have been put up at various intersections of the city to accord him a warm welcome and also celebrate his success, his family and those in the neighbourhood are thrilled at the prospect of meeting him in person.

Meanwhile, Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal, speaking to IANS, said that everyone is eager to get his glimpse and said that it is a very good thing that the people of the state are blessing our child and preparing to welcome him.

"This is a matter of great pride for us, and we are very happy. It means a lot to us as people are extending him so much love and respect over his space journey," he said.

He further said that people have been waiting for Shubhanshu for a long time; now that time has come.

"Shubhanshu has received the love and blessings of the people of the entire country and state. The space mission has also been successful due to the blessings of the people," he added.

Shubhanshu's mother, Asha Shukla, said that preparations are underway to give him a warm welcome at home.

"Everyone is very happy, and the whole family is ready for a grand welcome for Shubhanshu. We will go to the airport on Monday to receive him," she said.

Shubhanshu's sister, Suchi Mishra, said that there is an atmosphere of happiness over her brother's visit to the city.

"We don't have enough words to express our happiness. He has brought pride and laurels to the nation. People love him and are expressing their love in different ways. As far as I know, there will be a road show after the airport on reaching Lucknow. After this, there will be a programme in the school. Thereafter, he will meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," she said.
Mackay, Aug 24 : Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green powered Australia to a record-breaking batting display by hitting centuries each before Cooper Connolly's five-wicket haul helped them seal a thumping 276-run consolation win over South Africa in the third ODI at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday.

Mackay, Aug 24 (IANS) Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green powered Australia to a record-breaking batting display by hitting centuries each before Cooper Connollyas five-wicket haul helped them seal a thumping 276-run consolation win over South Africa in the third ODI at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday.

After being dismissed for under 200 in the first two games, Australia rebounded in style with Marsh and Head adding 250 runs for the opening wicket a" marking the teamas fifth highest ODI opening partnership.

Their 34-over assault, with Head making 142 and Marsh hitting exactly 100, left ample time for Green, who smashed a maiden ODI hundred off just 47 balls and the second-fastest century for Australia behind Glenn Maxwell.

Green finished unbeaten on 118 from 55 balls, as Australia finished on a towering 431/2, their second-highest total in the format and the highest they have ever hit in a menas ODI at home. Alex Carey applied finishing touches to the innings with a brisk 37-ball half-century, while adding 164 runs for the third wicket with Green in just 13.3 overs, as Australia plundered 126 in the final 10 overs.

It also marked only the second instance in menas ODI history of the top three batters from one side scored centuries in the same innings. South Africaas reply never gathered momentum in a mammoth chase of 432. Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett struck early in the powerplay to reduce the visitors to rubble, before Connolly ran through the middle and lower order to pick a career-best 5-22.

As a result, the Proteas were bundled out for 155, suffering their heaviest ODI defeat as Australia wrapped up victory by 276 runs a" their second-largest margin of win by runs in menas ODIs. Connolly, 22, has also become the youngest Australian bowler to take five wickets in an ODI and finishes with the best ever figures by an Australian spinner in menas ODIs.

Despite the emphatic win, the series went South Africaas way 2-1, marking the first time since 2018/19 that Australia have lost back-to-back bilateral ODI series, following their 2-0 defeat to Sri Lanka earlier this year.

South Africa will now head straight to England for a tour of three ODIs and three T20Is starting on September 2. Australia, meanwhile, will have a break before playing three T20Is against New Zealand from October 1.

Brief Scores: Australia 431/2 (Travis Head 142, Cameron Green 118 not out; Keshav Maharaja 1-57, Senuran Muthusamy 1-75) beat South Africa 155 in 24.5 overs (Dewald Brevis 49, Tony de Zorzi 33; Cooper Connolly 5-22, Sean Abbott 2-27) by 276 runs
New Delhi, Aug 25 : As New Delhi expands its diplomatic footprints in Kabul vis-a-vis the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan, rumours are abuzz that the all-powerful military and ISI in Islamabad are feeling the heat of this engagement and are not happy with the improvement of ties between its two neighbours.

With the geopolitics in South Asia facing a new turn, the Taliban regime, which has still not been able to get widespread global recognition, is slowly making steps and is engaging both with the regional powers, including India and China, as well as with the West, not to forget getting a recognition from Russia a few days back.

With Islamabad and Kabul facing a rough time over several issues including the increase in attacks on the Durand Line, the threat of TTP militants and Kabul's engagement with New Delhi, Pakistan a few days back planned a gathering of anti-Taliban grouping including human rights activists, Afghan political groups and others, scheduled to take place on August 25-26.

With now just a day left, sources told IANS that the planned gathering has now been postponed.

The two-day event organised by Pakistan's South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) now faces a roadblock.

"Since the rise of the Taliban in 2021 after the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government, the military leadership in Rawalpindi hasn't been able to digest our triumph. And this is not for the first time. Whether it was the previous regime or even the current Taliban regime, Pakistan has been creating issues, and they are not happy with our engagement with New Delhi," a Kabul-based source told IANS.

According to the information, there were nearly 35-40 anti-Taliban people who were all set to attend that conference in Islamabad, mainly focusing on human rights issues, the condition of women in Afghanistan, amongst others. Similarly, there were rumours that Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front, was also scheduled to participate.

But sources reveal that he isn't going to attend this meeting, given his principled stand that his participation in this gathering in Islamabad could tarnish his image. Pakistan has been blaming the Afghan Taliban for not stopping the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has become a major threat for the ISI as the group continues to attack Pakistani security forces. Although Kabul has denied any support for the TTP, Pakistan continues to blame the Afghan Taliban.

The US former envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, also criticised Pakistanas decision to host the event, calling it "immature, irresponsible and unfortunate".

"This conference, as it is currently organized, is not a suitable place for patriotic Afghans. Organize it independently and elsewhere, not in such a suspicious gathering. I donat believe you would want the ISIas stamp on your forehead," he wrote on X.

The postponement of this gathering came a few days after the sixth meeting of the dialogue of the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan was held in Kabul on August 20.

The crucial trilateral meeting focused on security, infrastructure, economic cooperation, trade, CPEC, terrorism and other crucial issues.
Kolkata, August 23 : Former Bangladeshi police officer in the Sheikh Hasina government, Md Arifuzzaman, who was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF), for entering the country illegally, was sent to jail custody on Sunday.

He was produced at the Basirhat Sub district Court on Sunday, which remanded him in jail custody for 14 days.

On Saturday, the BSF caught the senior police officer in the previous Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh while illegally crossing the border in Swarupnagar area of West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

The person was identified as former Assistant Commissioner of the Rangpur Metropolitan Police, Md Arifuzzaman, who was trying to enter the country by taking advantage of the inclement weather on Saturday night.

The incident took place at the Hakimpur check post on the India-Bangladesh border of Swarupnagar police station in Basirhat sub-division.

Md Arifuzzaman was the former Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Rangpur Metropolitan Police.

This high-ranking official had gone into hiding in Satkhira district in Bangladesh after the Muhammad Yunus government came to power in the South Asian nation.

As south Bengal districts have been witnessing heavy rain due to active monsoon wind, the former Bangladeshi police officer took advantage of the weather condition to enter into the country illegally through India-Bangladesh's Hakimpur border.

However, as soon as he set foot on the country's soil, he was detained by the soldiers of the 143rd Battalion of the BSF, following which he was handed over to the police of Swarupnagar police station.

Sources said that several documents were recovered from the Bangladeshi police officer.

All those documents have been handed over to the high-ranking officials of Indian government.

According to sources, information has been exchanged between the High Commissioners of the two countries.

Initially, it is learnt that Arifuzzaman hid in the border area in Bangladesh for several months to save his life from the hands of the current Yunus government.

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh suspended Md Arifuzzaman for remaining absent at work place since October 14 last year without the approval of authorities concerned.

It said Arifuzzaman, who is also Assistant Superintendent of Police of the Armed Police Battalion-2, Muktagacha, Mymensingh, remained absent from duty since October 14, 2024.

It is believed that following his suspension, the police officer tried to flee the neighbouring country.
Jammu, Aug 25 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday met the Kishtwar cloudburst injured at the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Jammu.

During his visit to the hospital, he reviewed the medical arrangements for the injured people of Chashoti village cloudburst in Kishtwar district.

Speaking to reporters after his hospital visit, Rajnath Singh said that he had come to meet the people injured in the Chashoti tragedy.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very much concerned about the sufferers of the Kishtwar cloudburst, and he is personally monitoring the whole situation.

"Due to bad weather, I could not reach the spot. However, I am relieved that all patients admitted here are out of danger and recovering well. I appreciate the doctors for their dedication," he said.

After his visit to GMC hospital, the Defence Minister proceeded to the Raj Bhavan along with Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha and MoS in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, to hold a virtual interaction with the bereaved families of Chashoti village.

Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, has announced that the rebuilding of Chashoti village, which was severely affected by the cloudburst, will start shortly.

"A high-level meeting will soon outline the roadmap for reconstructing homes before the onset of winter. Our goal is to restore the villageas former glory and ensure rehabilitation of all those who lost their homes and livelihoods," the BJP MLA said.

Sharma has been camping at the disaster site since August 15, and he has been personally engaged in the rescue and relief operation.

On August 14, a massive cloudburst hit the Chashoti area of the Paddar sub-division in Kishtwar district, resulting in a huge loss of human lives and damage to property.

As many as 64 bodies have been recovered so far from the cloudburst debris, while many people are still missing.

The chances of the missing persons having survived the disaster are now very bleak.

The rescue teams are working at multiple locations, especially the major impact spot near a langar (community kitchen) site, sifting through the rubble using heavy machinery, including earth movers and sniffer dogs.

With the recovery of one more body, the death toll in the flash floods triggered by the cloudburst on August 14 in Chashoti village, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple, has risen to 64.

The dead included three CISF personnel and a special police officer (SPO) of J&K Police.
Chandigarh, Aug 24 : Asking Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to stop misleading the people, State BJP President Sunil Jakhar, on Sunday, clarified that the Central government has not cancelled any ration cards.

He said that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has already clarified on the issue.

"While the Chief Minister is creating confusion among the people of Punjab and fostering tension in the state, the BJP is organising camps to raise awareness about government schemes. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is adopting a repressive policy against these camps," BJP leader Jakhar added.

He emphasised that the AAP government must understand that the BJP's public awareness campaign cannot be stopped by such oppressive tactics.

He said the Supreme Court has directed e-KYC verification for ration cards, and the Central government is merely instructing states to comply with this order.

BJP leader Jakhar said that in Punjab nearly 1.41 crore people are receiving rations under the National Food Security Act.

The Central government has also granted three extensions to Punjab for completing the e-KYC process.

BJP leader Jakhar clarified that the inclusion or exclusion of individuals from the ration card list falls under the state government's jurisdiction and the Central government has no role in it.

He said the Central government has only asked for a re-verification to ensure that no ineligible person is receiving rations and no eligible person is left out.

"If any eligible person is found excluded, they should be included."

BJP leader Jakhar assured that the 1.41 crore people currently receiving rations will continue to do so and the Central government has not removed anyone's name from the list.

Adding or removing names is the responsibility of the state government, he said in a statement that the Centre has provided the necessary data to the state government to facilitate the e-KYC process.

BJP leader Jakhar said the AAP is raising this baseless issue to create division and confusion in society, following the same strategy taught by former Delhi Deputy Minister Manish Sisodia to party leaders in the presence of Chief Minister Mann to foster discontent, fear, and confusion.

He said "when it comes to the people of Punjab, only the BJP is raising their issues and acting as a strong Opposition, while other parties have surrendered to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann".

He suggested that these parties are driven by their leaders' personal interests, causing them to neglect the interests of the people.
Gov. Jared Polis insisted Colorado is not a "sanctuary" state and added he is "frustrated" by the label  a few months after he signed a law that expands the prohibition on cooperating with federal agents on immigration enforcement.

The sanctuary label is typically applied to cities and states that either discourage or actively prevent cooperation by local agencies with immigration agents. Both Denver and the state of Colorado have long adopted such laws.

On Thursday, Polis office told Colorado Politics that Colorado is not a sanctuary state." It's not the first time he has insisted that the label is erroneous.

"The governor continues to be frustrated by this mistaken and incorrect label and the lack of transparency from the federal administration on this and many other items," his office said. "In Colorado, we are improving public safety, apprehending dangerous criminals, cooperating with federal law enforcement on criminal investigations, and keeping our communities safe. The governor encourages the federal administration  and Congress  to focus on actually securing the border, decreasing violent crime, increasing transparency, and passing real immigration reform.

Polis offered the statement as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and federal officials are ramping up efforts against states and cities with sanctuary policies.

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice published a list of cities, counties and states that  the agency said  "impede enforcement of federal immigration laws."

In total, the list included 13 states, four counties, and 18 cities. Among the states is Colorado; also included in the list is Denver, whose mayor appeared before Congress earlier this year in a hearing about sanctuary jurisdictions.

Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design, Bondi said earlier this month. The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.

The tension escalated in the last few days, when the DOJ sent a letter to local officials, asking them to respond by Aug. 19 to (confirm) your commitment to comply with federal law and identify the immediate initiatives you are taking to eliminate laws, policies, and practices that impede federal immigration enforcement.

You better be abiding by our federal policies and with our federal law enforcement, because if youre not, were going to come after you, Bondi told Fox News last week, referring to leaders of sanctuary jurisdictions. Our leaders have to support our law enforcement.

When asked if Polis or Denver Mayor Mike Johnston could face arrest if Colorado does not meet the federal demands, Natalie Baldassarre, a senior media affairs manager for the DOJ, told Colorado Politics on Thursday, Im not able to comment on potential future actions.

Baldassarre said that, while she could not speculate on potential future action against state and city leaders, she noted that the federal government has filed lawsuits against Colorado, Los Angeles, New York State, Illinois, Rochester and New Jersey to officially invalidate unconstitutional sanctuary policies.

Featured Local Savings

Polis has sent several letters to Bondi and the DOJ to argue his point. On Aug. 19, Polis insisted Colorado is not a sanctuary state because it fully cooperates with federal authorities in identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting criminals  regardless of immigration status.

In July, a state employee sued Polis after the governor decided he would comply with a request from immigration authorities, who are seeking information related to unaccompanied minor children that the federal government said could be tied to child trafficking.

In filing the lawsuit, the state employee cited Colorado's law that prohibits cooperation with federal authorities.

Colorado has, for years, limited cooperation between federal immigration agents and local authorities.

In particular, a law, expanded this year, expressly prohibits all state agencies and political subdivisions from sharing or inquiring into individuals personal identifying information to enforce immigration laws. The law imposes a civil fine of $50,000 for each violation.

That prohibition does not extend to criminal investigations.

In the Aug. 19 letter to Bondi, Polis said, Colorado has and will continue to comply with federal law. Colorado, like many states, will not allow the federal government to commandeer our public safety resources, and our right to do so is protected by the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a civil lawsuit against a Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputy who communicated to ICE  via a routinely used multi-agency communications channel  about a college student who has overstayed her visa.

In announcing the lawsuit on Tuesday, Weiser said it aims to require the deputy to "follow state laws that bar state agency and local government employees from cooperating with federal officials on immigration civil enforcement actions."

In response, the sheriff of Mesa County said Weiser's decision to sue is "demoralizing," arguing it sends the message that the state's top law enforcement office is selectively enforcing a state law barring cooperation with federal immigration agents  and for "maximum political effect."

The deputy and several other officers have been placed on unpaid leave and reassigned to patrol duties.

Marianne Goodland and the Washington Examiner contributed to this report.
Seoul, Aug 24 : Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other top executives from South Korea's major conglomerates left for the United States on Sunday to join the economic delegation for President Lee Jae Myung's upcoming summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Samsung chairman arrived at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center of Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul around 3:50 p.m. to board a flight to Washington, reports Yonhap news agency.

Industry attention is being paid to whether Samsung Electronics will disclose a plan to expand its chip factory in Taylor, Texas.

Samsung Electronics earlier announced plans to invest US$37 billion to build new foundry facilities in Taylor, Texas, by 2030. The tech giant operates a separate chip factory in Austin, Texas.

Around noon, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan left for the U.S. as part of the presidential economic delegation.

Asked about his role, Chey said briefly, "I will do my best."

Other business leaders in the delegation include Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, CJ Group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun, Korean Air Co. Chairman Cho Won-tae and HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun.

The summit -- set for Monday (local time) in Washington -- follows a recent trade deal that lowered U.S. reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent in exchange for South Korea's pledge of US$350 billion in investment and $100 billion in U.S. energy purchases.

Of the pledged investment, $150 billion will go toward Seoul's shipbuilding cooperation initiative, dubbed "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" (MASGA). Trump has stressed the need to revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry and highlighted the role of allies, such as South Korea, a global leader in naval vessel construction.

It remains to be seen whether Korean companies will unveil additional U.S. investment plans during Lee's first meeting with Trump since his inauguration on June 4.

Hyundai Motor Group announced in March it will invest $21 billion in the U.S. through 2028, including $8.6 billion in the automotive sector and $6.1 billion in steel, components and logistics.

SK hynix Inc. is building a $3.87 billion memory packaging plant and advanced packaging R&D facility in West Lafayette, Indiana, to produce high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips for artificial intelligence applications.

LG Energy Solution Ltd., an LG Group affiliate, operates three battery cell plants in the U.S., located in Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan, with additional facilities under construction in Michigan, Georgia and Ohio through joint ventures with GM, Hyundai Motor Group and Honda, respectively.

a"IANS

na/
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Vowing to establish an ideal welfare state or 'Ram Rajya' in Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that no untoward incident can scare her away from interacting with citizens.

Addressing a Ramlila committee in Shalimar Bagh, she indirectly referred to the recent assault on her by a visitor and said, "You have made your sister so strong that she can bounce back from any adverse situation."

In an indirect reference to the attack on August 20, she said, "I want to say that no matter what the circumstances, I will never stop reaching out to all of you... to establish Ram Rajya, we must confront the evil forces."

"Lord Shri Ram taught us that the establishment of Ram Rajya is achieved only by confronting falsehood, injustice, and demonic forces. In Delhi, too, we must eliminate demonic negative forces and systemic evils to establish the ideals of Ram Rajya," she said.

The Chief Minister also took to X to share information about her interaction with the Ramlila organising committee in Shalimar Bagh in north Delhi and said, "Today, I participated in the Bhumi Pujan Yagna programme organised by the Ramlila Committees in A-Block and B-Block of Shalimar Bagh."

She said, "The filial duty of Lord Shri Ram, the sacrifice of Mother Sita, the dedication of Lakshman ji, the duty of Dashrath ji, and even the role of Mother Kaikeyi provide us with profound lessons."

She said that Ramlila is a festival of joy and faith for us every year.

"We must make it even more grand and disciplined. I urge all of you to contribute to the preparations and participate in it with your families. This year, the arrangements by the Delhi government will make the Ramlila experience even more magnificent and seamless for you," she said.

The Chief Minister, who had withdrawn from public glare briefly after an attack by a visitor on August 20, has gradually resumed her public appearances after the incident.

On August 20, CM Rekha Gupta was attacked by Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, a resident of Rajkot in Gujarat, during a 'Jan Sunvai' at her official residence in the Civil Lines area. The accused was immediately arrested.

CM Gupta, an alumnus of the University of Delhi, recently recalled an incident from her student politics days to stress her resilience.

"I am used to facing storms. When I was the DUSU president, we were organising a protest and burnt effigies at Maurice Nagar Chowk. As President, I had to light the effigy. A smart person had poured petrol, and as soon as I lit it, the flames rose, burning my face. I had to live with that injury for almost one and a half months. I was a student, young, but I decided not to stop and kept going," she said.

Drawing a parallel to her present role, the Chief Minister said, "Today, I have such a big power -- the people of Delhi, their love, affection and blessings. You all have entrusted me with the reins of Delhi. I am not going to be scared of any demonic power. I am very grateful to all of you."
Chennai, Aug 24 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday strongly condemned leaders of the DMK and Congress for their remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently vowed to dismantle the "corrupt regime" in Tamil Nadu.

Chennai, Aug 24 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday strongly condemned leaders of the DMK and Congress for their remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently vowed to dismantle the "corrupt regime" in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu state BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad said the comments made by DMK deputy general secretary A. Raja and Tamil Nadu Congress chief K. Selvaperunthagai were not only disrespectful but also aimed at misleading the public.

"It is deplorable that A. Raja has dragged Thirukkural, the revered Thiruvalluvar, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi into his political rhetoric for electoral gains," Prasad said, urging Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to take action against the DMK leader.

He further criticised Selvaperunthagai's statement that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister were "coming to steal votes".

Prasad likened the remark to the "scheming Shakuni of the Mahabharata", saying such rhetoric reflected the Congress' "political bankruptcy".

The BJP also dismissed Minister K.N. Nehru's claim that the DMK faced no electoral competition in Tamil Nadu.

The senior BJP leader pointed out that Home Minister Amit Shah had already pledged to uproot what he called one of the "most corrupt regimes in the world".

Prasad cited the cases of jailed Minister Senthil Balaji and former Minister Ponmudi, convicted in a corruption case, as proof of the rot in the DMK government.

Referring to the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, the BJP spokesperson accused Stalin of branding it a "black bill" to shield corrupt elements.

"The Chief Minister must come clean and explain whom he is protecting," he said. Prasad also defended Prime Minister Modi's record on Tamil Nadu, stressing his efforts to highlight the antiquity of the Tamil language on global platforms and promote the state's development.

"True Tamil identity lies in respecting its culture and heritage, and Prime Minister Modi embodies that spirit. He lives in the hearts of the Tamil people as a true son of the soil," he asserted.

Dismissing claims that the BJP cannot gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu, Prasad said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), under the leadership of AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami and with the guidance of PM Modi and HM Shah, was preparing to oust the DMK in the 2026 Assembly elections.

"The corrupt forces, separatist voices, and missionary-backed actors propping up the DMK alliance cannot halt the NDA's march towards victory," he declared. Prasad concluded that the BJP, together with its allies, would usher in a new era of clean governance in Tamil Nadu by rooting out corruption and ensuring that welfare projects reach the people without leakage.
Tokyo, Aug 24 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other lawmakers in Tokyo on Sunday to discuss ways to advance bilateral relations, the presidential office said.

Lee held talks with Suga and other members of the Japan-South Korea Parliamentarians' Association and briefed them on his Saturday summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Japanese lawmakers welcomed Lee's pick of Japan as his first destination for a bilateral summit since taking office in June and positively evaluated his meeting with Ishiba, vowing to work together for "future-oriented" ties, according to Kang.

Lee also met separately a delegation led by Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, and discussed ways to further develop bilateral relations through active parliamentary exchanges, she added.

On Saturday, the South Korean President urged Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba to forge closer cooperation to cope with a vortex of changes in global trade and the security order, in their first full summit before Lee is set to hold a high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump.

Calling Japan a "neighbour that shares a front yard", Lee expressed hope for the two countries to work together to expand cooperation in a wide range of areas, while working to minimise unnecessary conflicts.

"As the international order in trade and security is fluctuating, I believe the Republic of Korea and Japan, which share similar positions in terms of values, order and ideology, must strengthen their cooperation more than ever," Lee said in his opening remarks, referring to South Korea by its official name.

Ishiba echoed the sentiment, underlining the importance of the closer bilateral ties and trilateral cooperation with the US.

"Strengthening cooperation among Japan, South Korea, and the United States is very important," Ishiba said. "Peace and stability will not come unless we make active efforts, and this is all the more true in such a turbulent era."

Ishiba also thanked Lee for choosing Japan as his first bilateral destination before visiting the US.

The Saturday summit with Ishiba comes before Lee will head for Washington for summit talks with Trump, in a rare diplomatic decision for South Korean Presidents, who typically choose Washington, a key defence ally, as their first diplomatic destination after taking office.

It was Lee's second in-person meeting with Ishiba, following their encounter on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada in June, which Lee described as marking the resumption of "shuttle diplomacy" between the two nations' leaders.
Kolkata, August 24 : After the arrest of a nursemaid and her husband in connection with the murder of an elderly woman in New Garia of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district recently, the Kolkata Police have decided to tighten the security of senior citizens people living in and around the city.

As part of its measure, Kolkata Police is sending special forms to police stations to verify information regarding nannies, nursemaid, maid servants and drivers who are hired by such people.

Apart from this, the police will also collect information about tenants of various houses.

The special form planned by the Kolkata police will have a place to collect information about nannies, maids, drivers and tenants.

It is not yet clear how the police stations will collect this information from house to house.

However, this form could be especially important for those who live alone at home.

A senior police officer said on Sunday that a meeting in this regard was held on Saturday evening chaired by Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma.

"We have discussed the matter in detail. How can the common man share the information of nannies, servants, tenants with us, how can we verify that information in a timely manner, we have discussed all this. Everything will be announced soon," Verma said.

At present, there is a system in the police station to verify the information of house servants.

If any person wants, they can submit the information and documents of the servant to the police.

However, after the New Garia incident in Kolkata, the issue of nursemaid has also come under the scanner.

Usually nursemaid are appointed to look after sick or elderly citizens.

There is a special project called 'Pranam' on the Kolkata Police website for the convenience of elderly citizens.

According to the police, surveillance may be increased further from now onwards.

On Saturday, a nursemaid and her husband have been arrested by the police for murdering an elderly woman in Panchasayar police station area of aaNew Garia, in the southern outskirts of Kolkata.

According to the police, the name of the arrested nursemaid is Ashalata Sardar.

She is 36-years-old and her husband Mohammad Jalal Mir (41).

The two had conspired to snatch the property of the elderly couple in absence of their children who live outside Bengal.

The police recovered the elderly woman's jewellery from them.

The nursemaid was hired from a nearby aaya centre a few days ago.

Both the nursemaid and her husband have been sent to 12 days of police custody.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday participated in the Bhoomi Pujan (ground-breaking ceremony) of the Nav Shri Dharmik Leela Committee to be held at Red Fort Parade Ground, along with Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh.

Preparations for Ramlila and Durga Puja have begun in Delhi. Following this, Sachdeva, along with former MP Locket Chatterjee, addressed a meeting of Durga Puja Samitis organised by the party's Bengal Cell at the state office.

Sachdeva stated that whether it is Ramlila or Durga Puja, both symbolise the victory of truth over falsehood and represent India's religious and social greatness.

He added that these committees and Samitis are preserving our cultural heritage and working to instil values in the new generation.

Sachdeva and Locket Chatterjee, during the meeting organised by the Bengal Cell, discussed the concerns of Durga Puja Samiti and officials from various parts of Delhi, along with the Cell's in-charge Tapas Roy, Convenor Kishore Tarafdar and Co-convenor Arun Mukherjee. Delhi BJP Cell's In-Charge Ashok Thakur was also present.

The Delhi BJP chief assured that they will ensure all Durga Puja Samitis receive necessary administrative support in a timely manner.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta addressed a Ramlila committee in Shalimar Bagh and said that Ramlila is a festival of joy and faith for us every year.

She said, "The filial duty of Lord Shri Ram, the sacrifice of Mother Sita, the dedication of Lakshman ji, the duty of Dashrath ji, and even the role of Mother Kaikeyi provide us with profound lessons."

"We must make it even more grand and disciplined. I urge all of you to contribute to the preparations and participate in it with your families. This year, the arrangements by the Delhi government will make the Ramlila experience even more magnificent and seamless for you," she said.

She also vowed to establish an ideal welfare state or 'Ram Rajya' in Delhi and said, "Lord Shri Ram taught us that the establishment of Ram Rajya is achieved only by confronting falsehood, injustice, and demonic forces. In Delhi, too, we must eliminate demonic negative forces and systemic evils to establish the ideals of Ram Rajya."
New Delhi, Aug 24 : In an unprecedented outreach, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has extended invitations to more than 50 foreign embassies -- including the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and several other nations from the Muslim world, including Saudi, the UAE and others -- to participate in its centenary-year lecture series that will take place in New Delhi between August 26 to 28.

According to senior RSS functionaries speaking to IANS on the condition of anonymity, the move signals the Sangh's intent to showcase its intellectual and cultural side to a global audience.

Diplomats, opposition leaders, industry leaders, startup founders, defence experts, and members of minority communities such as Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists are among those expected to attend.

Nearly 2,000 participants are anticipated for the flagship event in New Delhi.

From the political side, a senior RSS functionary said that many of those who have little or no knowledge about RSS have also been invited.

Political representation will cut across party lines.

Leaders such as BJP leaders and Union Ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Apna Dal (Soney Lal) and Union Minister Anupriya Patel, JD-U's K.C. Tyagi and Sanjay Jha, and Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu from the TDP are among those on the guest list, highlighting an effort to widen engagement beyond the BJP and Sangh's traditional networks.

"We have invited leaders from every political party including Congress," a senior Sangh functionary said.

The lecture series, titled "100 Years of Sangh Yatra a" New Horizons", will begin with a three-day session at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi from August 26 to 28, featuring RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwatas address.

Subsequent events are planned in Bengaluru (November), and in Kolkata (December) and Mumbai early next year in February.

"Covering 17 thematic categories and 138 sub-categories, the invitation list will focus on achievers and their social, professional, and cultural contributions to the nation," said Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS a few days back while addressing a press conference.

The themes will include youth and entrepreneurship, women's leadership, national security, cultural identity, institutional decolonisation, and social harmony.

The presence of foreign diplomats underscores international curiosity about India's ideological and cultural currents.

By also including youth influencers, technology innovators, and changemakers, the RSS hopes to project its engagement with "Young India".

The centenary initiative is being viewed as a defining moment for the organisation, aiming to reframe global perceptions of the Sangh from that of a hardline rightwing cultural body to one with intellectual and societal depth.
Ahmedabad, Aug 24 : Continuous heavy rainfall across Gujarat has led to several dams overflowing, particularly in the northern region of the state. With water being released from the Dharoi and Sant Sarovar dams, the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad has overflowed on both banks, flooding low-lying areas and submerging walkways along the riverfront.

Amid the rising water levels, 25 workers trapped near Bakrol village in Sarkhej were successfully rescued on Sunday.

The workers, engaged in the construction of an overbridge across the Sabarmati, were caught in the sudden surge of water after release from the upstream dams.

The Ahmedabad Fire Department, deploying four to five rescue vehicles and three boats, reached the site and evacuated all the stranded workers to safety.

Meanwhile, the swelling river also affected ongoing infrastructure projects in the city.

Near Subhash Bridge, equipment related to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project was reportedly swept away in the strong river current.

Authorities have urged people to stay away from the riverfront and avoid venturing into low-lying areas as water levels continue to remain high.

As of today (Sunday), the Dharoi Dam is over 94 per cent full, receiving 59,444 cusecs of inflow. To manage water levels, authorities have opened four gates, releasing 58,880 cusecs into the Sabarmati.

Collectors of seven districts have been informed about the water release, and riverbank areas in Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Kheda have been placed on alert.

Authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas along the Sabarmati to remain cautious as the water level continues to rise.

As of August 24, Gujarat has received approximately 77 per cent of its average seasonal (monsoon) rainfall, with 193 talukas having recorded at least 1 mm of precipitation.

Earlier in August, the state had crossed the 64 per cent mark, with southern Gujarat leading at about 68.8 per cent, followed by East-Central, North, and Kutch regions in the mid-60s, and Saurashtra trailing at about 56 per cent.

At the start of August (August 1), Gujarat had received approximately 62.9 per cent of its seasonal average -- south Gujarat was at around 66.9 per cent, east-central at 64.8 per cent, north at 65.4 per cent, Saurashtra at 55.1 per cent, and Kutch at 64.2 per cent.

Putting this together -- throughout June to August, Gujaratas monsoon delivered strong early-season performance, with early milestones of around 30a"34 per cent by late June; by early August, the state had achieved nearly 63 per cent, and by mid-August surpassed 64 per cent, culminating in 77 per cent of the normal total by late August.
Mumbai, Aug 24 : Actress-producer Pallavi Joshi, who is awaiting the release of her upcoming film 'The Bengal Files', has spoken up on the challenges that she and her husband, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, the director of the film faced while mounting the project.

The actress-producer spoke with IANS recently at her residence in the Andheri area of Mumbai during the promotional run of her film.

She told IANS, "The biggest hurdle that we faced was that we realised we couldn't shoot in West Bengal and if you're talking about 'The Bengal Files', at least a portion of it has to be shot in the state but then we realised that we will not be given permission, we were denied permissions. So, we had to put up a set in Bombay and most of this film has outdoor locations".

The production costs surged given Mumbai's Jive with the economy, real estate and expenses.

She further mentioned, "So, we had to put a huge outdoor set. We had to put roads and we had to put buildings depicting the town of Noakhali".

"It was an art direction nightmare and at the same time, we also knew that there were going to be several extensions in the VFX as well", she added.

'The Bengal Files' is based on the Direct Action Day, and is touted to bring events from one of the darkest chapters of modern India to light.

'The Bengal Files' stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumar. The film is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri.

Presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal & I Am Buddha, The film is a worldwide release by Zee Studios, and will arrive in theatres on September 5, 2025.
Chandigarh, Aug 24 : In a major breakthrough against organised crime, Punjab Police have apprehended two shooters of Lucky Patial-Davinder Bambiha gang from Mumbai for their involvement in murder that took place in SBS Nagar last month, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said here on Sunday.

Those arrested have been identified as Karan Ganger (25), a resident of Hoshiarpur, and Jaskarandeep Singh, alias Kallu (23), a resident of Garhshankar.

As per the information, Hardeep Singh was shot dead by at his Kulpur village in SBS Nagar on July 2.

DGP Yadav said the arrested accused Karan Rormajara and Jaskarandeep Kalu in connivance with US-based Jaskaran Singh, alias Kannu, had recently killed a person in Pojewal due to their personal enmity.

The arrested accused and Jaskaran Kannu are associates of Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang, he said.

Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SBS Nagar) Mehtab Singh said following the murder a special investigation team (SIT) headed by the Superintendent of Police (Investigation) was constituted to probe the entire case.

He said police teams from Jalandhar and SBS Nagar, working on human and technical investigations, zeroed in on the location of the both the accused to be in Mumbai. AIG (Counter Intelligence) Navjot Singh Mahal said joint teams were sent to Mumbai and managed to apprehend both the suspects with the help of local police.

He said that the arrested accused were to be provided other targets by their foreign based handlers and such potential criminal acts have been averted because of their arrest.

A case dated July 3 was registered under Sections 103, 191 (3) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25 and 27 of the Indian Arms Act at police station of Pojewal in SBS Nagar.

--IANS

vg/pgh
Quandary Peak and McCullough Gulch recreation areas in the Tenmile Range south of Breckenridge, Colorado are slated to see massive improvements to several features at the popular Summit County location as early as summer 2026.

The proposed plan from the White River National Forest and the USDA Forest Service include trailhead infrastructure and trail system improvements, improved signage, and expansion to the Quandary Peak/McCullough Gulch parking reservation and trailhead shuttle system to other trailheads and designated campsites across the project area.

Titled the 'Tenmile Recreation Access Plan,' the White River National Forest has been seeking public comments on the proposed plan since Aug. 15, will accept comments through Sept. 15, and is holding a public open house meeting on Aug. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Breckenridge Recreation Center to provide more information and answer questions.

According to national forest, visitation rates have soared recently to approximately 237,000 annual visits occurring within the project area.

The area includes popular fourteener Quandary Peak, which is historically the most visited 14,000-foot peak in Colorado, along with the surrounding valleys of McCullough Gulch, Blue Lakes and Spruce Creek.

The national forest said in addition to Quandary Peak, the area is well known for its hikes to alpine lakes and waterfalls with historic mining ruins, and also serves as a drinking water source for residents of Colorado Springs and communities in Summit County.

We simply do not currently have the facilities such as bathrooms to adequately manage this level of visitation, Acting Dillon Ranger Amanda Wheelock said. Taking steps now to provide more sustainably managed recreation will help us more sustainably manage recreational use and improve visitor experiences.

The area is being negatively impacted by the combination of high visitation and a lack of facilities and infrastructure necessary to support current levels of use, the national forest said.

Impacts include:

Parking and traffic congestion through adjacent neighborhoods, at trailheads, and along roads and trails

An accumulation of trash and human waste at trailheads and popular destinations

Significant erosion and trampling of native vegetation

A proliferation of user-created trails

Graffiti and other damage to historic sites

Reduced access for emergency services

Residents and visitors cherish the beautiful peaks, high alpine lakes and waterfalls at the southern end of Summit County, Summit County Open Space & Trails Coordinator Katherine King said. This plan aims to adequately manage the existing use  not increase it  so that we can enjoy this special place in its high quality, natural state for generations to come.

The national forest said in order to address the 'Purpose and Need' of the project, it is focused on two broad categories of actions:

1. Recreation infrastructure improvements including:

Trailhead improvements at four locations: Blue Lakes, Quandary Peak, McCullough Gulch and Spruce Creek

Improvements to 11.7 miles of existing trails and 0.3 miles of existing road

Construction of 3.2 miles of new trail connections to create a logical system where trails connect to each other and back to the trailhead

Featured Local Savings

2. Expanding the Quandary Peak/McCullough Gulch shuttle and parking reservation system to other trailheads and designated campsites within the project area:

Reservations would be required for parking lots and designated campsites

A trailhead shuttle system would operate

Fees would be charged

In addition, roadside parking outside of designated areas would be prohibited year-round

Specific proposed actions at the Quandary Peak trailhead area

The Quandary Peak trailhead is located on land jointly owned by Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge. It serves as the primary hub for visitors who want to access the southern Tenmile Range, including Quandary Peak and McCullough Gulch.

According to the national forest, Quandary Peak averages around 35,000 annual visitors. Prior to 2021, the high visitation at Quandary, coupled with an additional 30,000 annual visitors to McCullough Gulch, created substantial parking and traffic impacts to nearby roads and neighborhoods.

Due to these impacts, the current Quandary Peak trailhead was constructed in 2021, and visitors have been required to ride a shuttle from Breckenridge or purchase advance parking reservations to access the area during the peak summer season.

The national forest said the Quandary Peak trailhead would be redesigned and improved and would include delineated parking spaces, restrooms, shuttle turn-around, improved directional and interpretive signage, and other ancillary facilities.

The proposed design would increase parking capacity from 67 spaces to a maximum of approximately 135 parking spaces, and the trail system would be improved to connect directly to the trailhead.

The national forest said to encourage visitors to park at the trailhead without driving through the McDill Placer neighborhood or walking on the county roads, the trails surrounding the Quandary Peak trailhead would be improved to create a logical system where the trail segments connect to each other, and back to the trailhead.

To accomplish this, the lower 1/3 mile of the existing Quandary Peak Trail would be realigned to connect directly to the trailhead and a new 1.9-mile trail would be constructed to connect to the Blue Lakes trailhead.

As partnering land managers, we have worked diligently to create a plan for the Southern Tenmile component of the Camp Hale National Monument that balances protecting natural resources with preserving a quality user experience," Duke Barlow, Town of Breckenridge Open Space and Trails Manager said. "Public engagement is a critical next step in the process to ensure all voices are represented in crafting the best plan possible.

To read the full proposed action plan from the White River National Forest visit its website here: fs.usda.gov.
Bhopal, Aug 24 : The temple town of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, steeped in myth and devotion, is preparing to host a gathering the second Global Spiritual Conclave on August 27.

The conclave will welcome spiritual thinkers, tourism leaders, and policymakers from across the country and beyond for the Second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave -- a day devoted to exploring how faith, heritage, and modern innovation can shape the future of travel.

It will be the 2nd "Global Spiritual Conclave: Rooh-Mantic" organised by the PHDCCI in collaboration with the Department of Tourism. Industry leaders from hospitality, aviation, and technology will join discussions.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Spiritual Leader Gauranga Das Prabhu will participate in the conclave, said a senior government official.

The event, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will attend as chief guest, while spiritual leader Gauranga Das Prabhu is set to deliver the keynote address, offering a contemplative lens through which the day's discussions will unfold.

Among the highlights is the unveiling of a new report titled Faith & Flow: Navigating Crowds in India's Sacred Spaces, a collaborative effort between PHDCCI and KPMG.

The report promises to shed light on the challenges and opportunities of managing spiritual tourism in India's most revered destinations.

The conclave will feature a governmentindustry roundtable chaired by the Chief Minister, where infrastructure, hospitality, and cultural preservation will take centre-stage.

Thematic sessions will range from the economic lifeblood of temple towns to the digital transformation of spiritual experiences.

Topics include the role of wellness in spiritual journeys, the cultural gravity of the Jyotirlinga circuit, and the evolving intersection of faith and technology.

Delegates will also embark on guided visits to "Shri Mahakaleshwar" and "Kal Bhairav" temples, immersing themselves in the spiritual pulse of Ujjain.

With support from partners like IRCTC, Sri Mandir App, E-Factor Experiences, and leading hospitality and tourism associations, the conclave is more than a conference -- it is a reflection of India's growing commitment to honouring its spiritual legacy while embracing the future.
Hyderabad, Aug 24 : Veteran CPI leader Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy was bid adieu by leaders cutting across party lines on Sunday as his body was handed over to the Gandhi Medical College after a funeral procession with state honours.

A posse of policemen offered a gun salute, opened fire in the air and observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

The police personnel playing the band led the funeral procession, which began from Maqdoom Bhavan, the office of the Communist Party of India (CPI).

Communist workers offered aLal Salaama and raised the slogan of aComrade Sudhakar Reddy amar rahea as the coffin was kept on the flower-bedecked vehicle.

A large number of CPI and CPI-M leaders and workers holding the party flag participated in the procession, which concluded at Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad, where Sudhakar Reddyas body was donated to Gandhi Medical College by his family members. His eyes will be donated to L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital.

CPI national General Secretary D. Raja, national Secretary Narayana, state secretary K. Sambasiva Rao, senior leader Aziz Pasha, and other leaders were present.

In the morning, Sudhakar Reddyas mortal remains were shifted to the CPI office from Care Hospital, Gachibowli, where he passed away late on Friday night due to age-related problems.

Sudhakar Reddy was 83 and is survived by two sons.

He served as CPI national General Secretary from 2012 to 2019 and represented Nalgonda in the Lok Sabha for two terms. He was a member of the 12th and 14th Lok Sabha, representing the Nalgonda seat.

The body was kept at the CPI office till 3 p.m. to enable leaders, workers and followers to pay respects.

Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and several ministers paid their last respects to Sudhakar Reddy.

State Congress President Mahesh Kumar Goud, BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao, Lok Satta founder Jayaprakash Narayan, Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) founder Manda Krishna Madiga, MLC M. Kodandaram, and civil liberties activist Haragopal also paid their homage.

Born in Kanchupadu village in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana on March 25, 1942, Sudhakar Reddy began his political career from the All India Students Federation (AISF).

He was elected twice to the Lok Sabha from the Nalgonda constituency in 1998 and 2004.

He was widely respected for his unwavering commitment to workersa rights and social justice. Dedicated to the Leftist movement, he participated in many grassroots struggles.

Sudhakar Reddy was known as a passionate advocate for the marginalised and an articulate voice for the working class. He was one of the last Communist stalwarts from the Telugu states.
Kabul, Aug 24 : Afghan police have apprehended 42 individuals suspected of various crimes, including theft and kidnapping, in a series of operations over the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Sunday.

The ministry said the alleged criminals were arrested following police operations in the provinces of Samangan, Faryab, Helmand, Paktia, Nimroz, Herat, Ghazni, Paktika, Ghor, Kunar, and Badghis, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The ministry noted that most detainees were linked to theft and smuggling cases.

All suspects have been transferred to the judicial organs for further investigation and potential legal action.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said that Afghan counter-narcotics police have thwarted two major drug trafficking attempts and arrested three suspected smugglers in northern Takhar and southern Zabul provinces.

According to the ministry, acting on intelligence tips, security forces launched two separate operations on the outskirts of Taluqan city, the capital of Takhar, and Shajoy district of Zabul, seizing 249 kg of opium and apprehending three traffickers. The detainees are under preliminary investigation and will be handed over to judicial organs for further legal action, the statement added.

In a related development, Afghan counter-narcotics police on Monday arrested 16 suspected drug traffickers and confiscated 872 kg of narcotics in western Herat province, the ministry reported.

In a similar action, Afghan police uncovered a quantity of weapons and ammunition during two separate operations in eastern Ghazni and southern Uruzgan provinces, the Ministry of Interior Affairs announced on Wednesday.

The contraband included 16 pieces of heavy and light arms, such as PK machine guns, M16 rifles, Kalashnikovs, assault rifles, and rocket launchers, discovered in Tirin Kot city, the capital of Uruzgan, and Jaghouri and Qara Bagh districts of Ghazni, the ministry said.

Additionally, authorities confiscated a substantial amount of ammunition and military equipment, including communication devices, explosives, and a large quantity of cartridges and bullets during the operations, it added.
Vadodara, Aug 24 : A complaint has been lodged at the Akota police station in Gujarat's Vadodara against a visa consultant accused of duping five Surat residents of Rs 22.81 lakh on the pretext of arranging work permit visas for European countries, police said on Saturday.

The case was registered on the basis of a complaint by Darshil Niteshkumar Shah, a resident of Rander Asopalav Society in Surat, who alleged that he and his friends Chirag Revdiwala and Kaushik Chauhan were cheated by Naveen Gopalbhai Khandelwal of Patel Colony in Akota and his associates.

According to Shah, the trio had approached a visa consultancy named Align Overseas, located at Alkapuri in Vadodara, where they were introduced to Prashant Shah, the owner of Pacific Consultancy.

They were told that a work permit visa for European countries would cost Rs 6.5 lakh, with an initial payment of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Believing the assurances, the friends paid Rs 4.5 lakh for work permits to Lithuania, which later shifted to a promise for visas to the Czech Republic, and eventually to Singapore and Fiji.

Shah said that although they managed to travel to Singapore on student visas, they were deported due to incomplete documentation.

His friend's Fiji visa was never processed.

In total, the group paid Rs 18.4 lakh, of which only part of the money was returned.

They still owe Rs 12.52 lakh.

The complaint further notes that Khandelwal also allegedly duped two Surat-based brothers, Mitesh Mehra and Chirag Mehra, of Rs 10.29 lakh in a similar manner.

A separate case has been filed in connection with their grievance.

Police have initiated an investigation into the allegations of cheating and fraud.

Visa fraud has surged across Gujarat in 2025, with numerous high-profile cases exposing a disturbing trend of duplicitous agents preying on hopeful emigrants.

In February, a Porbandar applicant was cheated of Rs 19.80 lakh under the false promise of a UK work visa, while in March, an Ahmedabad-based consultancy was duped of Rs 1.23 crore by a Noida firm over purported New Zealand and Australia work permits.

That same month, a Maninagar resident filed an FIR claiming he had been swindled of Rs 45 lakh by agents promising Canadian work visas.

Most recently, Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested four suspects in a fake Luxembourg visa racket after uncovering forged documents and nearly Rs 37 lakh in illicit payments.

Authorities have responded by forming dedicated police units to crack down on bogus consultants operating in key areas like Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surat and Anand.
Kolkata, Aug 24 : The West Bengal government's rehabilitation and financial assistance scheme 'Shramashree' for Bengali migrant workers, facing harassment across the country and returning to the state, will be launched next week.

Kolkata, Aug 24 (IANS) The West Bengal governmentas rehabilitation and financial assistance scheme 'Shramashree' for Bengali migrant workers, facing harassment across the country and returning to the state, will be launched next week.

Sources in the state government on Sunday said that the Labour Department has informed that a separate mobile app and a web portal are being launched for the project. The work of creating the app and portal is almost in its final stage.

"It will be open to the general public next week. This will help migrant workers returning to Bengal apply to the scheme in an easier way," said a senior government official.

Following allegations of Bengali migrant workers being harassed and attacked across the country, especially in BJP-ruled states, the West Bengal government has taken this initiative to stand by the workers who want to return to Bengal.

On August 18, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a new rehabilitation scheme, aShramashreea, for Bengali migrant workers who are facing harassment in BJP-ruled states.

The scheme is aimed at bringing back workers who wish to return and help them rebuild livelihoods in Bengal. Under aShramashreea, each returning worker will receive one-time travel aid of Rs 5,000 and monthly rehabilitation aid of Rs 5,000 for up to 12 months until employment is arranged. In this regard, a helpline number (18001030009) has been launched for such workers.

On Saturday, top officials of the state administration held a long discussion on the details of the scheme at the state secretariat. The state government is of the view that 'Shramashree' is not just a financial assistance programme, but a comprehensive security system for workers returning to Bengal. Through this scheme, migrant workers will not only get allowances, but also employment, health and food security for the future- all under one umbrella.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been raising her voice against the harassment of Bengali-speaking people across the country and the targeting of the Bengali language.
Jammu, Aug 24 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Sunday, reviewed the ground situation at a meeting in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu as he said he could not visit the Chashoti village, which was hit by a massive cloudburst in August, killing 64 people and injuring more than 100 as 30 are still missing.

Taking to social media platform X, the Defence Minister said, "Due to inclement weather, I could not go to the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today."

"Reviewed the situation at Chashoti from Jammu, via video conferencing facility."

"It is heartening to note that the state administration, Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police have done excellent work during the crisis situation."

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister @narendramodi, the Central government is leaving no stone unturned in providing relief and rehabilitation to those who have been affected by this tragic incident."

On his arrival here on Sunday, Rajnath Singh went to the Government Medical College hospital in Jammu and reviewed the healthcare arrangements for the people injured during the cloudburst in Kishtwar.

In another X post, the Defence Minister said, "Visited Jammu Medical College in Jammu and met those who were injured due to cloudburst and flash floods at Chashoti in Kishtwar. Praying for the speedy recovery of all the injured."

"Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha and Minister of State Jitendra Singh accompanied me during the visit."

The Defence Minister also reviewed the ground situation at a meeting which was attended by L-G Manoj Sinha and senior civil and military officials.

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Assembly, Sunil Sharma, has announced that the rebuilding of Chashoti village, which was severely affected by the cloudburst, will start shortly.

"A high level meeting will soon outline the roadmap for reconstructing homes before the onset of winter. Our goal is to restore the village's former glory and ensure rehabilitation of all those who lost their homes and livelihoods," Sharma said.

On August 14, a massive cloudburst hit Chashoti area of Paddar sub-division in Kishtwar district resulting in huge loss of human lives and damages to property.

Sixty-four bodies have been recovered so far from the cloudburst debris while many people are still missing.

The chances of the missing persons having survived the disaster are now very bleak.

The rescue teams are working at multiple locations, especially the major impact spot near a langar (community kitchen) site, sifting through the rubble using heavy machinery, including earth movers and sniffer dogs.

With the recovery of one more body, the death toll in the flash floods triggered by the cloudburst on August 14 in Chashoti village, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple has risen to 64.

The deceased victims included three CISF personnel and one Special Police Officer of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Kolkata, Aug 24 : Ahead of Durga Puja, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to visit West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources said on Sunday. While PM Modi is expected to hold a public meeting in Ranaghat of Nadia district, HM Shah is likely to inaugurate two Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.

According to a party insider, invitations to inaugurate the Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja in central Kolkata and Durga Puja at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) - organised by West Bengal Cultural Manch - have been sent to Union Home Minister.

BJP leader and president of Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee, Sajal Ghosh told IANS: "We have sent an invitation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to inaugurate our Puja. We have not received his confirmation as of yet. But we are hopeful that he will inaugurate our durga puja like his did in 2023."

The prominent Durga Puja committee had created Ram Mandir as its Puja theme in 2023.

The Union Home Minister has inaugurated the Puja and lauded Ghosh's effort to design the Puja mandal as a replica of the temple in Ayodhya.

This year, the Puja committee has unveiled 'Operation Sindoor' as its theme for the festival.

Sources said that HM Shah is likely to visit Kolkata on September 22, a day after Mahalaya which marks the first day of Devi Paksha - the beginning of Durga Puja festivities.

Meanwhile, following the success of PM Modi's recent trip to Bengal, the BJP is trying to organise a public meeting ahead of Durga Puja. Sources in the party said that PM Modi is likely to visit Bengal on September 20, a day before Mahalaya.

"There are plans that PM Modi is likely to hold another public meeting in Bengal. The meeting will be held at Ranaghat in Nadia district. We are awaiting an official confirmation from Prime Minister's Office," said a senior BJP leader.

The visit of the top BJP leadership to the state assumes significance as the party is trying to connect with Bengalis through Durga Puja festivities in view of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday stressed the need to honour the vision of the nation's forefathers by working towards building the India of their dreams.

Addressing the first session of All India Speaker's Conference at Delhi Legislative Assembly, on the topic 'Role of Nationalist Leaders of the Pre-Independence Central Legislatures Freedom Movement and Social Reforms', the Union Minister drew a parallel between the Assembly chamber and a centuries-old temple.

He described the hall as a living witness to the courage, sacrifice, and moral strength of leaders who faced immense challenges to ignite the flame of freedom across the nation.

He emphasised that every stone of the chamber bears the legacy of noble souls who contributed uniquely to India's struggle for Independence.

Shekhawat paid tributes to the nationalist leaders of the pre-Independence Central Legislatures for their unparalleled role in India's freedom movement and social reforms.

Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta and Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht were present during the Session.

Recalling the democratic traditions of India dating back to the Vedic era, Shekhawat highlighted historical references to institutions such as Sabha and Samiti, people-centric governance during the Maurya and Gupta periods, and the democratic spirit reflected in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Ashoka's edicts.

He also noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration at the United Nations in 2021 that India is the "Mother of Democracy."

Marking the centenary of Vitthalbhai Patel's election as the first Indian Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1925, Shekhawat urged that a dedicated session be held to discuss Patel's invaluable contributions.

He underscored how Patel and his contemporaries used the Assembly as a platform to inspire the freedom struggle even under the most adverse conditions.

Tracing the evolution of the Assembly from the colonial Governor-General's Council to the Constituent Assembly and ultimately to the present-day Parliament, Shekhawat stressed the need to honour the vision of the nation's forefathers by working towards building the India of their dreams.

Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, Deputy Chairman of Telangana Legislative Council Banda Prakash, Deputy Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Dr Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairperson of Bihar Legislative Council Ram Vachan Rai, Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Thomas A. Sangma, and Speaker of Bihar Legislative Assembly Nand Kishore Yadav also addressed the session.
Chennai, Aug 24 : Justice Sudershan Reddy, the Opposition INDIA bloc's Vice-Presidential candidate, on Sunday, praised Tamil Nadu for its progressive governance and reaffirmed his commitment to safeguard the Constitution if elected.

Addressing a meeting in Chennai, the former Supreme Court judge said the state has consistently stood out as a model for the nation in health, education, and socio-economic development.

"Tamil Nadu stands out as a leader in the country, showcasing exceptional imagination, vision, and human development. The state has excelled in health, education, and socio-economic policies," Reddy added.

"As a judge, I have upheld the Constitution for 52 years. If given the opportunity, I will continue to protect and defend it."

Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and other INDIA bloc leaders for their support, Reddy said that he was humbled by the confidence placed in him.

"I promise that I will not let down the Constitution or the trust of the people," he added.

Underscoring the significance of federalism, Justice Reddy warned of growing attempts to centralise power.

"The idea of federalism is crucial, and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been a strong champion of this cause despite numerous challenges," he said.

He pointed to ongoing efforts to restructure the GST and frame policies that, according to him, could undermine state autonomy.

"These attempts pose a serious threat to the federal spirit of the Constitution, risking the reduction of states to the status of mere municipalities," Reddy cautioned.

"This not only imperils federalism but also strikes at the very core of the Constitution."

He reminded that India's strength lies in the unity of its diverse states.

"As a nation, we must recognise that India is a union of states, and the Constitution emphasises this unity. Protecting this principle is essential to safeguarding democracy itself," he stressed.

Justice Reddy concluded by reaffirming his lifelong commitment to constitutional values.

"I will continue to defend the Constitution and uphold its principles, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to do so," he said.
Hyderabad, Aug 24 : In yet another horrific crime, a man in Hyderabad killed his wife, chopped the body into pieces, and dumped them in the Musi River, police said on Sunday.

The shocking incident occurred under the limits of Medipally police station in Medchal Malkajgiri district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Mahender Reddy, a driver with a ride-sharing app, who had a love marriage with Swati, 25, a call centre employee, only a year-and-a-half ago, killed her at their house in Boduppal on the evening of Saturday.

The accused then used an axe blade to cut head, hands and legs. After placing the body parts in small plastic covers, he dumped them into the Musi River the same night.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Malkajgiri, under the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, P. V. Padmaja, on Sunday, shared the details of the grisly murder.

To avoid any suspicion, the accused made three trips to the river to dispose of the body parts.

The DCP said Mahender Reddy later informed his sister-in-Chandrakala over the phone that Swati had gone missing. Chandrakala grew suspicious as she knew about the frequent fights between Mahender Reddy and her sister. She alerted her maternal uncle, Goverdhan Reddy, who resides in the Dilsukhnagar area in the city.

When Goverdhan Reddy went to Mahender Reddyas house, the latter told him that Swati had left the house and did not return. They went to the Uppal police station late on Saturday night to lodge a missing complaint. Since the Balaji Hills area of Boduppal comes under the jurisdiction of the Medipally police station, the police personnel asked them to approach the police station concerned.

While registering the complaint, the officer at Medipally Police Station asked Mahender Reddy a few questions. The officer grew suspicious of his incoherent replies and thoroughly interrogated him. He confessed to the crime and revealed all the details.

DCP said they registered a case and arrested Mahender Reddy.

Forensic experts and the clues team gathered clues from Mahender Reddyas house on Sunday. They found only the torso of the victim. The same was sent for the DNA test.

Police were searching for body parts in the Musi River with the help of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Hailing from Kamareddyguda in Vikarabad district, Mahender Reddy had an inter-caste love marriage with Swati. Two months after the marriage, differences cropped up between them, resulting in frequent quarrels. On a complaint by Swati, police had registered a case of harassment and cruelty against Mahender Reddy. There was reconciliation between them in the presence of elders following counselling by the police.

The brutal killing has revived the memory of the bone-chilling crime by an ex-serviceman under the limits of Meerpet police station of Rachakonda Commissionerate in January this year.

Guru Murthy had killed his wife, Venkata Madhavi, 35, and disposed of her body parts after cooking them. He had dumped the pieces in a lake at Jillelaguda of Meerpet.

Murthy, who was working as an outsourced security guard with the DRDO in Kanchanbagh, had lodged a missing complaint along with his in-laws. Based on suspicion, police interrogated him, during which he confessed to the crime.
Colorado Springs Police Department dispatchers recently received a service call about a woman who was allegedly threatening passersby with a knife, occasionally swinging and thrusting it toward people who came near her.

As officers prepared to respond to the call, they began to receive clarifying information: The woman was holding a stick, not a knife, and was arrested without further incident.

That new information changed the level of the response and likely saved the woman from getting injured, said CSPD spokeswoman Caitlin Ford.

The near-immediate relay of information came from the Real-Time Crime Center, a specialized CSPD unit that integrates an array of technologies, including body-worn camera footage, live drone feeds, law enforcement data, and streams from public and private cameras.

Colorado Springs police have been using technology to help solve crimes for years. Officers began wearing body cameras in 2016, and the department launched its drone program in 2018. Security camera recordings have served as an investigative aid for decades.

But the Real-Time Crime Center, launched in October 2024, has tied these technologies together to allow near-immediate access to information, which is quickly relayed to officers on the street increasing officer safety and investigative efficiency, CSPD officials said.

For the patrol officer on the street, the technology has changed, but the function of the job is still the same: Youre still talking to people and collecting evidence, said Sgt. Matt McLain. But we are using the available technology to help make us better at what we do.

The disparate technologies are integrated through a platform called Fusus, a map-based interface that combines a wide range of available data into a single pane of glass that is monitored 20 hours a day, five days a week by a rotating crew of detectives and crime analysts, McLain said.

Fusus ties everything together  the software, the databases, the cameras and the drones, he said. Its a tremendous help.

New York Citys police department launched the first RTCC in the U.S. in 2005, according to multiple reports. Since then, more than 200 law enforcement agencies have developed crime centers of their own, including the Miami-Dade, Tampa, Fresno, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Albuquerque, Seattle and Denver police departments.

CSPDs Real-Time Crime Center has access to feeds from more than 800 cameras across the city, including city-owned and business feeds, officer body-worn cameras, drones and more. Greater access means increased efficiency and officer safety, McLain said.

Its invaluable to officer safety, McLain said. Were able to assess a situation before our officers arrive, and give them a better idea of what theyre walking into.

Just before 1:30 a.m. on July 5, police responded to calls about a group of people arguing outside a downtown nightclub, one of whom appeared to be armed with a rifle. When officers arrived, witnesses and bystanders told police that it was an argument that got out of hand, and that no one was armed.

The group appeared to disperse, but began arguing again. Real-Time Crime Center personnel reviewed security video from the area, saw a man reaching into a vehicle for a handgun and alerted nearby officers that there was an armed man at the scene.

An officer fatally shot the suspect, but assistance from the RTCC prevented others from being injured or killed, officials said.

The RTCCs benefits extend beyond officer safety, according to McLain.

We can use the combination of cameras to find a suspect who is evading police, he said. Sometimes we use it to find a victim and lead officers to get to the victim faster.

Additionally, as in the case of the female suspect who was brandishing a stick and not a knife, the crime centers technology can prevent certain situations from escalating to violence.

It has been really effective, in some situations, as a de-escalation tool, Ford said.

But not everyone is convinced that the benefits of Real-Time Crime Centers outweigh the potential risks. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Police Accountability Project have expressed concerns about invasion of privacy and the use of RTCCs for surveillance purposes.

Local law enforcement has had access to cameras in their jurisdictions for a while now, said Anaya Robinson, policy director for ACLU Denver.

But when you tie in private cameras as well, or cameras that are owned by other entities, government or private, you are potentially developing a jurisdiction-wide surveillance system that looks at the vast majority if not nearly every square foot of city and county property. Our concern is that not only is the system surveilling potential criminal activity, but that it can surveil peoples day-to-day lives.

Featured Local Savings

Robinson added that, ideally, law enforcement should allow a period of public discussion before launching a platform like the Real-Time Crime Center.

The availability of tech for law enforcement and for surveillance purposes is only going to grow, and there is no way to responsibly use these types of technology without safeguards, regulations and statutes determining how and when law enforcement can implement them and requiring a public comment period before doing so, he said.

Because Real-Time Crime Centers are still relatively new, its too soon to tell whether they have a positive impact on investigative outcomes, Robinson argued.

However, a 2024 study by the University of Pennsylvanias Criminology Department, titled Creating Solvability With Real-Time Crime Centers, concluded that while research remains limited, available data suggests that RTCC involvement can significantly increase the likelihood that a case is solved.

CPSD spokesman Ira Cronin said the RTCC operates fully within the bounds of the U.S. and Colorado Constitutions, state law, and department policy, and that its exclusive purpose is to respond to active calls for service and investigations.

Cronin added that the department was transparent in informing the public about the launch of the RTCC and its purpose.

While we respect differing viewpoints, our focus remains on using these tools responsibly and lawfully to serve our community, he stated.

McLain said public response to the RTCC has been largely positive.

I think more community members are recognizing that these are useful technologies, so they expect us to use them for public safety, he said.

While the Real-Time Crime Centers camera network seems extensive, there are several pockets in the city where there is little to no coverage, largely because of a lack of community involvement, McLain said.

Colorado Springs is actually a large city in terms of land area, he said. Eight hundred cameras might sound like a lot, but there are a lot of blank spots where we dont have eyes. 

Business owners and residents can assist the Real-Time Crime Center by registering or integrating their cameras, officials said. Area businesses can integrate their cameras into the RTCC system by purchasing Fusus equipment. Residents can register their cameras with CSPD through a secure online portal.

So far weve had a decent number of people who have signed up, but there could be so much more, McLain said.

We could have ten times as many people register their cameras. Its just a way of helping us solve cases. If a resident emails video to us, it can save time instead of an officer spending an entire day canvassing a neighborhood.

Registering a camera doesnt allow police to access it without permission, and integrated cameras are for emergency purposes only and are not monitored by police, officials said.

McLain said he believes that most Colorado Springs residents will see the value of the Real-Time Crime Center as a public safety tool, and that officers will feel more secure knowing that RTCC detectives have their back.

Were seeing good interaction with officers, and were starting to solve cases faster and more efficiently, he said. Now officers know they have a detective on call waiting to help them with whatever case theyre working on, and they are starting to reach out to us.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Manipur is actively laying the groundwork for the integration of artificial intelligence in areas such as legal case management and GIS-based habitation mapping of villages, said Thokchom Kiran Kumar, Secretary (IT) in the Manipur government, underscoring the critical importance of AI capacity-building as a foundational step towards enhancing governance within the state.

These initiatives aim to facilitate more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric service delivery, he said an an event in Imphal, said Ministry of Electronics & IT in a statement on Sunday.

To accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence in governance, the Department of Information Technology (DIT), Manipur, in partnership with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), under MeitY, convened a two-day capacity-building workshop on "AI for Good Governance".

The workshop, conducted as a key component of NeGD's Capacity Building initiative, aimed to enhance the understanding and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance among senior officials of the government of Manipur.

The event witnessed participation from over 50 officers across various departments including all the Deputy Commissioners of the State, reflecting the state's collective commitment to digital transformation and AI-led innovation in public administration.

Delivering the welcome address, Nambam Deben, Director (IT), Manipur, extended a warm welcome to all participants and acknowledged the presence of the chief guest and dignitaries from NeGD.

Potsangbam Henry, Head, State e-Mission Team (SeMT), Manipur, expressed gratitude to the leadership of the IT Department, NeGD's support, and the active participation of officers. He emphasised SeMT's commitment to advancing AI-driven governance in the state.

This initiative represents a landmark in Manipur's digital governance journey, reaffirming the government's commitment to adopting AI-driven solutions for transformative public service delivery.

Through the Capacity Building scheme of NeGD, the programme equips state officials with domain expertise, hands-on exposure, and proven best practices in AI governance.

IANS

na/
Hyderabad, Aug 24 : Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna has received a place in the World Book of Records, UK Gold Edition, for his glorious 50 years in the industry. Balakrishna is the first Telugu actor to achieve this distinct honor.

In a formal statement, Santosh Shukla, CEO of the World Book of Records, lauded Balakrishna's five-decade-long contribution to Telugu cinema as "an inspiration to millions." He further noted that his journey stands as a golden benchmark in Indian and global cinema.

His daughter, Brahmani Nara, also congratulated his father on his latest achievement, saying: "A huge congratulations to my father, Nandamuri Balakrishna Garu! 50 years as a leading hero, a feat now in the World Book of Records! You are a true force of nature, an icon on screen, and a compassionate leader off it. So proud of this global recognition for your incredible journey. Our pride, our hero!"

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, also applauded the 'Daaku Maharaaj' actor with the following words: "#50YearsOfNBK Admired by people across generations and celebrated for his dedication and passion for cinema, Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna Garu's journey as a lead hero for 50 years stands as a golden chapter in Indian film history. The recognition by the World Book of Records, UK is a testament to his extraordinary journey. Congratulations to our dear Balayya on this historic milestone."

For the unversed, Balakrishna made his acting debut back in 1974 with "Tatamma Kala".

He went on to be a part of several projects such as "Annadammula", "Anubandham", "Sahasame Jeevitham", "Kathanayakudu", "Nippulanti Manishi", "Bhagavanth Kesari", "Veera Simha Reddy", and

"Daaku Maharaaj. During his career spanning five decades, the veteran dactor has been a part of more than 100 films.

At the moment, Balakrishna is occupied with "Akhanda 2: Thaandavam". His lineup further includes a project with Gopichand Malineni.

Balakrishna was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, in April this year.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, saying the former Bihar deputy CM went as far as declaring the Congress MP as the INDIA bloc's prime ministerial face while the LoP Lok Sabha himself did not commit to making the RJD leader the chief ministerial face.

Bhandari said this exposed the "mutual distrust and opportunism" between the two parties.

Speaking to IANS in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, Bhandari claimed: "Rahul Gandhi has reduced Tejashwi to a mere driver in Bihar. Despite Tejashwi announcing him as the PM candidate of the INDIA alliance, Rahul did not even acknowledge him as Bihar's Chief Minister. This shows how RJD and Congress cadres are busy pulling each other down at the grassroots. What binds them is corruption."

He further said that the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill was introduced to ensure that governments are not run from jail, but the RJD and Congress continue to rely on leaders tainted by scams.

"One is the fodder scam accused (Lalu Yadav), the other is accused in the National Herald scam (Rahul Gandhi). Both are now sharing the stage," he remarked.

On Tejashwi Yadav's statement endorsing Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister, Bhandari suggested asking other INDIA bloc leaders.

"If Tejashwi Yadav wants Rahul as PM, then Trinamool Congress, Sharad Pawar and Arvind Kejriwal should be asked if they are ready to support this. The truth is Bihar wants NDA's development agenda, not a coalition of corrupt forces," he said.

Bhandari also attacked Rahul Gandhi over his stance on national security.

"Rahul can never become prime minister because the Gandhi-Vadra family speaks the language of Pakistan and questions our Army. The country wants only development, and in 2029 too, NDA will return with an absolute majority under PM Modi's leadership," he asserted.
Moscow, Aug 24 : Russia and Ukraine on Sunday exchanged another 146 prisoners, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

Ukraine also returned eight residents of Russia's Kursk region. The area was briefly seized by Ukraine in a surprise attack in August 2024, before Russian forces recaptured it earlier this year.

The Russian servicemen are in Belarus receiving psychological and medical assistance before being transported to Russia, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange.

The third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul on July 23. After the talks, Russian Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said both sides had agreed to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners each.

Earlier in July, Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of conflict as delegations of the two countries held their third round of direct talks in the Turkish city.

The swap was conducted in accordance with the agreements both sides reached during their last talks on June 2 in Istanbul, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Russia and Ukraine held two rounds of direct talks on May 16 and June 2 in Istanbul.

During the second round, they agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, and soldiers under the age of 25, as well as the transfer of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

More than 1,000 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home in accordance with the Istanbul agreements, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

"We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities," Ukraine's chief delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks that lasted just 40 minutes.

Russia's chief delegate Medinsky said the point of a leaders' meeting should be to sign an agreement, not to "discuss everything from scratch".

He renewed Moscow's call for a series of short ceasefires of 24-48 hours to enable the retrieval of bodies.

Ukraine said it wants an immediate and much longer ceasefire.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 : The Odisha Crime Branch has arrested two fraudsters from Punjab and Andhra Pradesh in two separate cyberfraud cases involving more than Rs 7 crore, a senior official said on Sunday.

The sleuths on August 21 arrested a 41-year-old person from Ludhiana in Punjab for duping a Berhampur-based businessman of Rs 6.16 crore on the pretext of lucrative returns on the investments in digital currency exchange trade.

The accused identified as Bittu Kumar, who originally hails from Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, is currently staying at Ludhiana in Punjab.

The victim came in contact with the accused fraudsters through a social media platform in June 2024.

"They (fraudsters) persuaded him to trade in Initial Public Offering (IPO) and Over-the-Counter (OTC), USDT leading him to transfer Rs 6,16,37,084. Despite initial losses, he was convinced to invest more. When the victim attempted to withdraw his money from the virtual account, they demanded additional money and refused to release his funds," the senior official added.

The businessman soon realised that he had fallen prey to the cyber scamsters and filed an FIR at the Cyber Crime police station of the Odisha Crime Branch in July 2024.

Based on his complaint, the crime branch registered a FIR on July 9, 2024, and launched an investigation into the incident.

The investigating team led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Ratnaprava Satpathy after analysing the transaction details and working upon other digital evidence finally arrested the accused fraudster Kumar from Ludhiana on Thursday.

Different incriminating materials such as mobile phones, SIMs, debit cards, etc were seized from the possession of Kumar.

In another case, the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested one cybercriminal from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh for duping a person of more than Rs 1 crore on the pretext of investment in IPO and OTC trading.

The accused was identified as Sudheer Kumar, 33, of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh.

He is currently staying at Guntur district.
Islamabad, Aug 24 : Devastation in Buner and across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where hundreds of people lost their lives and entire villages were destroyed, cannot be attributed solely to torrential rain but arises from a system that ignores science, violates its own rules, and consistently fails to hold violators accountable, a report has said.

Construction on riverbanks and floodplains is a human action. Hotels and homes did not get constructed in known hazardous zones on their own. They were given approval or tolerated by officials, who turned a blind eye to the risk. Pakistan's Prime Minister has rightly termed it a "human blunder," Pakistan-based Business Recorder said in an editorial.

The report said: "The pattern is depressingly familiar. Each round of floods produces the same cycle of pledges, relief cheques, and solemn vows of reform. Then inertia sets in, vested interests reassert themselves, and the memory fades until the next catastrophe. Laws already exist to regulate construction and land use. Environmental and disaster management authorities are mandated to stop encroachments and protect floodplains. Yet the rules are not enforced, permits are granted under political or commercial pressure, and the costs are borne by the poorest communities. That is the governance failure at the heart of this crisis. It is not simply about capacity or resources. It is about will."

If the Pakistani authorities can use their machinery against tax defaulters or petty encroachments in the city, they can implement a ban on construction in flood-prone areas. The authorities, apart from taking action against ordinary citizens for minor violations, can also act against the well-connected interests whose illegal projects exacerbate natural disasters into human tragedy. That it does not speak to the selective application of the law, the report said.

The Business Recorder editorial said: "The Prime Minister has now promised meetings with provincial governments on disaster preparedness, reforestation, and construction regulation. These are necessary conversations, but they are not enough. The public has heard such promises before. What matters is enforcement and accountability. Have the hotels and structures that collapsed into rivers in 2022 been rebuilt in the same places? Were those who authorised them ever investigated? Unless these questions are answered with action, declarations from the top amount to little more than rhetoric."

Without effective punishment for breaches and lacking institutional structures that insulate planning from political interference, each monsoon will bring more avoidable deaths and devastation. Reforestation initiatives and disaster drills are important; however, they cannot be a replacement for a state that does not implement its own writ, it said.

"Natural disasters are unavoidable, but their consequences are shaped by choices. Pakistan has chosen, time and again, to let influence and corruption dictate where people build, how forests are felled, and whether safety codes are enforced. That choice has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced once again. To say lessons were not learned is true, but it is also incomplete. Lessons were deliberately ignored. Unless this cycle is broken with concrete action and accountability, the Prime Ministeras words will serve as nothing more than another entry in the long catalogue of unheeded warnings," the editorial maintained.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : The plight of religious minorities in Pakistan is once again under sharp focus, as fresh cases of abductions and forced conversions of Christian and Hindu girls highlight what rights groups call a "systematic crisis".

In June, 14-year-old Muskan Liaqat from Muridke in Punjab's Sheikhupura district, escaped after nearly two years in captivity.

Kidnapped at gunpoint in May 2023 by Muhammad Adnan and his father, she was forced to convert to Islam, declared Adnan's "wife", and subjected to repeated sexual assaults.

Muskan recounted that she was beaten with an iron rod, called derogatory slurs for Christians, and suffered a miscarriage after torture during a forced pregnancy.

Her ordeal is not isolated.

On June 19 this year, four Hindu siblings -- Jiya (22), Diya (20), Disha (16), and Ganesh Kumar (14) -- were abducted from Shahdadpur in Sindh.

Within two days, videos circulated online showing them reciting Islamic prayers with new names, a move celebrated by hardliners but devastating for their family.

According to the Movement for Solidarity and Peace, as many as 1,000 Christian and Hindu girls, aged between 12 to 25 years, are abducted annually in Pakistan, with police often refusing to act.

Many survivors face lifelong trauma and social stigma, while courts frequently accept kidnappers' claims that the girls converted and married willingly.

Rights organisations, including Jubilee Campaign and Open Doors, warn the number of such cases is rising, with victims as young as 10 reported in 2024 alone.

Meanwhile, proposed legislation to criminalise forced conversions has repeatedly failed under pressure from religious lobbies.

On August 11, observed officially as National Minorities Day, rallies in Karachi and Lahore demanded stronger protections, constitutional reforms, and criminalisation of forced conversions.

Analysts say Pakistan's growing radicalisation, coupled with state inaction, leaves minorities increasingly vulnerable.

Rights groups urge international actors, including the US, to tie aid to measurable improvements in minority protections.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : As External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar put out India's clear and firm stand on buying cheap Russian oil in larger national interest and also brushed aside Opposition's claims of flip-flop on India's oil import policy, the Opposition refused to buy his explanation and termed it a 'diplomatic disaster' for the nation.

Opposition parties, including Congress and AAP, claimed that the Centre rolled out a red carpet for the United States but was now forced to face global embarrassment, advising that any shift in foreign policy should have been preceded by extensive discussion and deliberation. They also accused the Modi government of not passing the benefits of cheaper oil to the common citizens and claimed that only industrialists and capitalists benefited from it.

EAM Jaishankar, speaking to the press earlier, dismissed the Trump administration's charge that it is running a "profiteering scheme" by buying discounted Russian crude. He emphatically stated that India's oil procurement from Russia was in national and global interest, and also that the previous US administration was supportive of its policy.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that the US' criticism of India's energy ties with Russia shows our diplomatic failure, and the government must be held accountable for 'not preparing in advance' about such negative fallout on the foreign policy front.

He claimed that India let go of its 'closest friend' at the cost of wooing the United States and is now being left 'cornered and isolated' from all quarters.

He also questioned India's fresh warming up of ties with China, particularly in the wake of frosty relations after the infamous Galwan clash and other differences.

Did we seek accountability from China about its aggression on Indo-China borders, or did we question it for the Galwan violence before opening trade ties?" Khurshid asked while claiming that the government failed in drawing up a steady and firm foreign policy.

AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar said that the common man hasn't benefited from cheap Russian oil.

"I believe that the Russian oil currently in the spotlight has been purchased only by the Modi government's capitalist allies, who profited by selling it in the open market. The common Indian has not benefited from this cheap Russian oil at all. Today, India's diplomacy is at its lowest point. Even countries like Bhutan and Nepal, which have always stood by India, no longer appear to do so."

Jaishankar's clarification on the oil purchase came after scribes questioned about the US criticising India over energy ties with Russia.

He wondered why the same yardstick was not being used for China, despite being the largest importer of Russian crude oil and also called out Western duplicity.

"We are not the biggest purchasers of LNG, that is the European Union. We are not the country which has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022; I think there are some countries to the south," he said.

"If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't buy them. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys. If you don't like it, don't buy it," Jaishankar further remarked.
Mumbai, Aug 24 : The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a report from Maharashtra Police chief within three days over a reported dowry death of a 26-year-old woman in Pimpri-Chinchwad (Wakad), an official said on Sunday.

The Commission took suo motu cognisance of a media report which said that a 26-year-old woman committed suicide due to dowry harassment.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written a letter to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, issuing directions that the case be investigated promptly, fairly, and in detail, said a statement issued by the Commission on X.

If the allegations are found to be true, the swift arrest of the accused should be ensured, the Chairperson directed the police chief.

She also directed the police that necessary assistance be provided to the victim's family and a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) be sent to the Commission within three days.

Earlier in the day, Rahatkar said at an event that brave women have been the inspiration of the nation for ages.

Speaking as a special guest at the 'Bharatiya Veerangna' programme organised by Ekla Shrihari Vanvasi Vikas Trust in Mumbai, Rahatkar recalled the historical Veerangas of the country.

She said, "Brave women have given strength, policy, devotion and expression to the nation. The Veerangas of the country are not only the glorious tales of history, but also our inspiration even today."

On Saturday, the NCW chairperson held a meeting with the Chairpersons, Members, and Member Secretaries of all State Women's Commissions following the conclusion of the Shakti Samvad programme.

This meeting discussed the problems raised by the State Commissions, and suggestions for their resolution were provided by Chairperson Rahatkar.

At the conference titled 'Shakti Samvad', the Chairperson said, "In our work for women's rights and empowerment, challenges are inevitable. But every challenge carries within it an opportunity. We must not allow ourselves to be halted by obstacles; instead, our focus should always remain on finding solutions."

She said when we approach difficulties with determination and clarity, we transform barriers into stepping stones.

Rahatkar said the role of each State Commission is crucial in this journey.

"Together we can ensure that women across the country not only feel protected, but also empowered to dream and achieve without fear," she said.

The NCW Chairperson also said that "Shakti Samvad is not merely a dialogue of words, it is a dialogue of resolve.

When all State Women Commissions come together with a shared vision, we create a collective strength that can transform the lives of women across India, she added.
Moscow, Aug 24 : Russia has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of playing a "game" by demanding a meeting with President Vladimir Putin even as it questioned his "legitimacy" while charging his European backers of seeking to prolong the conflict, unlike US President Donald Trump, who favours a diplomatic solution.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said that his country has no interest in seizing Ukrainian land but wants to protect ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking people from "persecution" by Kiev.

Russia is open to talks with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, given that he is the "de facto head of the regime" in Kiev, but any deals could only be signed by a legitimate representative of Ukraine, Lavrov said in an interview with NBC aired on Sunday, RT reported.

He did not rule out direct talks between President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, "provided this meeting is really going to decide something", but noted the necessary groundwork for such negotiations is not in place.

Acknowledging that Zelensky is the "de facto head of the regime", Lavrov said that "the issue of who is going to sign the deal on the Ukrainian side is very serious" and Moscow "would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate".

Zelensky's presidential term ended more than a year ago, and he has refused to hold a new election, citing martial law, RT reported.

Lavrov also claimed that Zelensky's calls for a meeting with Putin are "basically a game" and a way to strengthen the Ukrainian leader's questionable legitimacy.

"A game he is very good (at) because he wants theatrics in everything he is doing. He does not care about substance," he told NBC.

However, he questioned the efficacy of such talks, which would not yield any results, citing cases where Zelensky has directly defied Trump.

"Zelensky said no to everything He clearly stated that nobody can prohibit him from joining NATO he publicly stated that he is not going to discuss any territories."

The Russian Minister also accused Ukraine's European allies of wanting the conflict in Ukraine to continue, unlike the US President, "who seems to have genuinely embraced the path of diplomacy".

He noted that the response of several European leaders to the unprecedented summit between Presidents Putin and Trump in Alaska, and also their rhetoric during follow-up talks several days later involving Zelensky, showed that they are still on the warpath.

"The reaction of these European representatives and what they were doing indicates that they don't want peace. They say we cannot allow the defeat of Ukraine. We cannot allow Russia to win," Lavrov told NBC.

Meanwhile, the minister noted that President Trump has opted for an alternative approach, which drew Russia's respect because he was defending "American national interests".

"What they discuss between themselves is not a secret. We want peace in Ukraine. President Trump wants peace in Ukraine," Lavrov stressed.

He recalled how Russia and Ukraine came close to a peace agreement early in the conflict during talks in Istanbul, but alleged that then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and several officials from the then Joe Biden administration in the US, the French and the Germans had scuttled it.

In the interview with NBC, Lavrov, asked whether halting Moscow's military offensive was the only concession it was prepared to make, said: "We don't have any interest in territories. We have the biggest territory on Earth."

"What we are concerned about is the people who live on those lands, whose ancestors lived there for centuries."

Lavrov said Moscow's goal is "to remove any security threats to Russia coming from Ukrainian territory" as well as "to protect the rights of the ethnic Russian and Russian-speaking people who believe they belong to Russian culture and Russian history".

Incidentally, Zelensky on Sunday rejected US calls to withdraw its claim to Crimea or make any territorial concessions to Russia.

In a speech marking Ukraine's Independence Day, he vowed to retake the peninsula, as well as reclaim the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, which, along with Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, were incorporated into Russia in 2022.

"Here at the zero kilometre, this is a starting point where distances to Ukrainian cities are marked  to our Donetsk, our Lugansk, our Crimea," Zelensky said in an address filmed at the Maidan Square, the site of the 2014 coup.

"All of this is Ukraine and no temporary occupation can change that. One day we will be together again as one country. It's only a matter of time," he said.

While mediating peace efforts between Moscow and Kiev, President Trump had floated the idea of "land swaps," but firmly stated that Kiev will not regain Crimea, calling that scenario "impossible".

Territory was reportedly on the agenda at talks between Trump, Zelensky, and select EU leaders earlier this week following the Alaska summit, but the Ukrainian leader reportedly rejected proposals to cede territory.

"Ukraine will never again in history be forced to bear the shame that the Russians call 'a compromise'," he said on Sunday.
The Derby fire, a wildfire northeast of Glenwood Springs, grew 1,000 acres by Sunday.

The fire caused by a lightning strike a week ago has reached nearly 5,250 acres, a news release from the Derby Fire Information said Sunday morning. It still remains at 0% containment.

The Derby fire is located in the White River National Forest about 13 miles north of Dotsero, a small town along Interstate 70 in Eagle County near where the Glenwood Canyon begins.

There are 525 total personnel working to slow the fire, 100 more than the previous day.

The area could get some needed rain Sunday, officials said, but that may also increase the chance of lightning that could fuel or start new fires. Especially in drier areas.

Most of Eagle County was under extreme drought this week and the west side of the county was in the midst of an exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Monsoon moisture is expected to feed afternoon thunderstorms around the Western Slope beginning Sunday and going into next week, according to the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction.

"The much anticipated cooler and wetter pattern has arrived," the NWS posted early Sunday morning on X. "Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon, with heavy rain, frequent lightning, small hail, and gusty winds the main threats."

Featured Local Savings

There's a 60% chance of precipitation in the area where the fire is and thunderstorms expected after 3 p.m. Sunday.

The fire was more active on the east side Saturday, the news release said. Though outflow winds have pushed the fire south.

Three aircraft have dropped water and flame retardant on the southeast side of the fire. Firefighters have strengthened control lines on perimeters of the fire and will continue to do so Sunday if weather permits, the release said.

A helicopter pilot helping mitigate the fire sustained minor injuries after the craft he was flying ended up in a lake just after 4 p.m. Friday.

Officials have extended the closure of Colorado River Road further south and closed access to Coffeepot Road. Eagle County still has an evacuation notice for residents of Sweetwater Road and Red Dirt Creek.

Areas along the Colorado River Road beginning north of I-70 are under pre-evacuation status.

Officials said personnel worked to protect more than 500 structures with sprinkler kits and removing extra fuels for the fire.
Chennai, Aug 24 : Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Sunday strongly criticised Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay for his remarks targeting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, calling the actor-politician's comments "immature" and unbecoming of a leader who has just entered politics.

Chennai, Aug 24 (IANS) Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Sunday strongly criticised Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay for his remarks targeting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, calling the actor-politician's comments "immature" and unbecoming of a leader who has just entered politics.

Responding to reporters' queries on Vijay referring to the Chief Minister as "uncle" in a recent speech, Poyyamozhi said Stalin has a public life spanning over five decades and currently leads the ruling DMK. "Vijay and his supporters must reflect on whether it is acceptable to use such an inappropriate term against the Chief Minister," the minister said.

He pointed out that the TVK leader's family had long-standing cordial ties with late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, Stalin, and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Poyyamozhi asserted that the actor-turned-politician should exercise restraint in his speeches instead of resorting to language that smacks of cinematic dialogue.

"Vijay's remarks were made in an immature fashion. He must realise the dignity of public life is different from that of films," he said.

Meanwhile, in Madurai, DMK office-bearers escalated the row by putting up wall posters condemning Vijay's "uncle" remark. The posters demanded that the TVK chief refrain from such comments and show due respect to the Chief Minister.

The controversy has been brewing since August 23, when Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam lashed out at Vijay for his choice of words. Panneerselvam had said the actor lacked political decorum and appeared to be addressing his fans as though he were delivering a film dialogue.

"Cinema and politics are not the same. Leaders must understand the difference," the minister noted, cautioning Vijay against blurring the lines.

Vijay, who launched his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party earlier this year, has sought to position himself as an alternative to established Dravidian parties. His fiery speeches, however, have drawn criticism from senior DMK leaders, who accuse him of crossing the limits of political etiquette.

As the war of words intensifies, political observers note that Vijay's foray into politics has unsettled rivals, with both ruling and opposition parties closely watching his rhetoric and its impact on his fan-base turned voter-base.

The "uncle" remark episode is seen as the latest flashpoint in the evolving political battle between the DMK and the emerging TVK.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Sunday that the Mumbai Port Authority has allotted four bighas in the prime Colaba area of the city on lease to the Assam Government for 60 years to develop essential public infrastructure for the people of the state to provide them greater access to the commercial capital.

Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Located at the heart of Mumbai in Colaba, this will plug a big aspiration of the people of Assam to have access to Mumbai city that can serve the needs of people, be it patients, be it students or even entrepreneurs."

"PM Narendra Modi's Government has reaffirmed its commitment to support Assam in designing and implementing people-centric projects in the fields of healthcare, education, and social welfare," the minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, "This is a people-first initiative. By making this land available to the Government of Assam for 60 years, we are enabling the creation of critical infrastructure that will serve generations to come. The project will be developed in line with the needs and aspirations of the people of Assam."

The decision follows a written request from the Chief Secretary of Assam to the Union Ministry, seeking allocation of land for a dedicated centre or infrastructure project that can serve the long-term needs of the people.

The Union Minister further informed that he had personally spoken to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the development. "The Chief Minister expressed deep satisfaction and appreciated the Government of India's support. He termed this step as a vital contribution to Assam's growth story and a milestone in our shared commitment to improving the lives of the people," Sonowal added.

While the specific plans for development are under consideration, officials indicated that the focus will be on building infrastructure with high public utility  ranging from healthcare and educational needs to welfare and social service facilities, as well as acting as an incubation centre for entrepreneurs. The 60-year lease ensures the government has ample time and flexibility to plan and execute sustainable projects.

Sonowal underlined the vision guiding this initiative, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always emphasised that the Northeast must become a powerhouse of growth, driven by empowerment of its people. Today's decision is another step towards realising that vision of an inclusive and sustainable Atmanirbhar Northeast."

"With the development of this land parcel, we are confident that the entrepreneurs from the state can also have access to the opportunities from the maximum city." The newly allotted land will add fresh momentum to this development trajectory, ensuring that the benefits reach the grassroots, he added.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : The Central government's push to promote solar energy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship PM-KUSUM Yojana is transforming agriculture across Gujarat, bringing both financial relief and improved livelihoods for farmers.

From reduced irrigation costs to enhanced crop quality, farmers say solar energy has brought "a new dawn" to their fields.

Under the scheme, farmers are provided with up to 60 per cent subsidy on solar pumps.

This scheme is now being seen as a revolution in farming sector with a blend of green energy.

Farmers across Gujarat have hailed this scheme and highlighted this has brought a new revolution in the farming sector.

Farmers in Panchmahal say the scheme has not only boosted their incomes but also improved their health and safety.

"Earlier, we were forced to irrigate our fields at night, risking encounters with wild animals and snakes. Now, with solar pumps, we can irrigate during the day. It saves time, improves sleep, and keeps us healthy," said Bhavik Patel, a local farmer told IANS on Sunday.

Patel, who installed a solar system eight years ago, recalled the transformation.

"We used to rely on others' wells and pipelines for water, and we irrigated at night. With solar, everything has changed -- our farming has improved, and the benefits are long-lasting."

The installation cost of a 5 HP solar pump is around Rs 2.5 lakh, but after subsidies, farmers spend barely Rs 1 lakh.

This shift has freed cultivators from the burden of soaring diesel prices and erratic electricity supply.

In Gujarat alone, lakhs of solar pumps have already been installed, drastically reducing dependence on conventional power.

The state government has announced an ambitious plan to provide 30 lakh farmers with solar pumps in the next three years.

Farmers can also sell surplus solar power back to the grid, adding a steady source of additional income.

Experts note that the scheme is not just an economic relief measure but also a step towards environmental sustainability.

By replacing diesel pumps with solar systems, carbon emissions are reduced while water use efficiency increases.

Farmers also report improved crop quality, thanks to timely and reliable irrigation.

For Gujarat's farmers, the PM-KUSUM Yojana has become more than a subsidy programme -- it is seen as a revolution in agriculture, offering financial security, better health, and a greener future.
Ayodhya/Ujjain, Aug 24 : The Saint community has expressed displeasure over the remarks made by spiritual guru Swami Rambhadracharya on Premanand Maharaj.

Many prominent saints have criticised his statement, calling it "against the values of Sanatan Dharma".

Deveshcharya Maharaj of Siddhpeeth Hanumangarhi condemned the statement of Swami Rambhadracharya and said, "Such words are not in accordance with his position. Swami Rambhadracharya is a highly revered saint and has the highest position in Sanatan Dharma. The use of such language is absolutely inappropriate. Restraint and decent behaviour is expected from saints."

Similarly, Sitaram Das Maharaj described this comment as a sign of narrow-mindedness. He said, "Saint Premanand is an inspiration for millions of youth. Swami Rambhadracharya should have avoided making such a statement."

He further said that the duty of saints is to unite society, not to create controversy. "Such things cannot be supported. Saints should exercise restraint in their behaviour and speech, so that the dignity of Sanatan Dharma is maintained," he added.

Mahant Raju Das, priest of Hanumangarhi temple, also expressed his opinion on this issue. He said, "Both Swami Rambhadracharya and Premanand Maharaj are great saints. Such statements should be avoided, as they give a wrong message to society. I urge the saints to maintain mutual respect and harmony."

Mahant Rameshwar Das Maharaj, president of Ujjain Akhara Parishad, also termed this comment as inappropriate. He said, "Saints should stay away from such comments. Swami Rambhadracharya's statement is not in accordance with the dignity of Sanatan Dharma. Instead of unnecessary statements, I urge the saint community to give the message of unity and peace to the country and society."

At the same time, Mahant Vishal Das Maharaj, calling this matter an internal issue of the saints, suggested that both the saints should sit together and resolve the dispute through talks. He said, "Both are venerable. If there is any difference of opinion, it should be resolved amicably."

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya's critical statements challenging Premanand Maharaj's knowledge and popularity sparked controversy.

Rambhadracharya said, "I challenge Premanand ji to speak even one word of Sanskrit in front of me, or explain the meaning of the Sanskrit shlokas I have said."
Raipur, Aug 24 : In a decisive blow to Maoist insurgency in Chattisgarh, security forces achieved another major breakthroughs on Sunday, neutralising potential threats and recovering a cache of weapons and explosives in Narayanpur.

Earlier on Sunday morning, security forces recovered a large cache of arms in Sukma district.

According to police officials, a joint operation by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was launched in Naryanpur district.

This operation led to the arrest of a suspected Maoist commander during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the forested hills of Durgin-Markabeda, under Orchha police station jurisdiction.

The suspect, identified as Madda Kuhdam of Idwaya, currently residing in Bhatbeda, had been active as the commander of the Bhatbeda Maoist group under the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) from 2019 till recently.

According to police sources, Kuhdam was responsible for tracking police movements and orchestrating the placement of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly plotting an attack on security personnel with his associates.

Based on his questioning, authorities recovered a significant cache of arms and explosives from the surrounding jungle terrain, including a Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL), BGL cell with ammunition, a 12-bore gun, a Bharmar firearm, a detonator, and a plastic box filled with gunpowder.

A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, and further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, during Sunday morning in Sukma district, security forces conducting a routine patrol in the remote Koimenta region and stumbled upon a concealed Maoist weapons dump nestled between dense forest and rugged hills.

The recovered items included a country-made rifle, a BGL launcher with barrel, explosives, electric wiring, a damaged propeller from the Netra UAV drone, iron base plates, clamps, pole angler components, black Maoist uniforms, ammunition pouches, battery casings, and an extension board.

Officials believe the cache was intended for a large-scale assault on security forces, a plan that was thwarted due to timely intervention. The operation was carried out by a coordinated team from the DRG, CRPF, and CoBRA units, reflecting the intensified counter-insurgency efforts in the region.
Chennai, Aug 24 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on Sunday, hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for calling INDIA bloc Vice-Presidential candidate, retired Supreme Court judge P. Sudershan Reddy, a "naxal sympathiser".

Stalin described the remark as an "unwarranted and disgraceful attack" on a jurist with a long record of defending constitutional values.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, including MPs from Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, convened in Chennai to drum up support for Justice Reddy.

Welcoming Justice Sudershan Reddy to the state, the Chief Minister accused the BJP of levelling "baseless allegations" to distract from its own failures in combating extremism.

"Unable to eradicate terrorism, they are scapegoating a man who has spent nearly six decades defending the Constitution and upholding justice," Chief Minister Stalin said, urging lawmakers to see through what he termed as the BJP's diversionary tactics.

The DMK Chief praised Justice Reddy as "eminently qualified" to hold the office of Vice-President, recounting his distinguished career starting as an advocate for the Andhra Pradesh government in 1971 and culminating in his tenure as a judge of the Supreme Court.

"He has upheld rights, social justice, and Constitutional values throughout his career," CM Stalin emphasised.

Pointing to what he called "a climate of Constitutional erosion", the Chief Minister warned that the BJP government was "weaponising investigative agencies to hound political opponents" and reducing independent institutions into "party subsidiaries".

He added that the Vice-President's role had become crucial at a time when federalism and parliamentary traditions were under strain.

Reiterating the INDIA bloc's stance, the Chief Minister said the country needed a Vice-President who would act with courage, impartiality, and an unwavering commitment to constitutional principles.

"The BJP wears a Tamil mask while enacting policies against the interests of the Tamil people," CM Stalin charged, stressing that Tamil Nadu would continue to resist attempts to weaken the state's rights and voice in national affairs.

He said the upcoming Vice-Presidential election was not just about choosing an individual, but about safeguarding the democratic spirit and unity of the nation.
Agartala, Aug 24 : Five Guwahati-bound planes, including the flight carrying Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, made emergency landings at the Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala due to bad weather in Guwahati on Sunday, officials said.

A senior MBB airport official said that five Guwahati-bound aircraft, including the flight carrying Assam Chief Minister, made emergency landings here on Sunday afternoon and evening. The flights  two from Dibrugarh, one each from Aizawl and Kolkata -- after a few hours left MBB airport for Guwahati when the weather conditions improved. The Agartala-Guwahati flight went to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) on Sunday afternoon, but it could not land there and returned to Agartala and later left for its destination.

Tripura Tourism and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar and other senior officials have rushed to the MBB airport after the Assam Chief Minister's flight made an emergency landing at the airport.

Later, Chowdhury wrote on Facebook: "After getting information about the emergency landing of Assam's honourable Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma ji's Guwahati-bound aircraft at Agartala Airport due to bad weather in Guwahati, I rushed to the airport and spent some time with dada (elder brother)."

An official of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that the A320 aircraft, numbered 'Flight IGO 187', which was operating from Mohanbari airport of Dibrugarh in Assam and was scheduled to fly to Guwahati, was diverted to Agartala due to adverse weather conditions at Guwahati.

Currently, 13 to 16 flights operate from the MBB Airport every day with over 4,000 to 5,000 passenger footfalls daily. With a built-up area of 30,000 sq mt, the new terminal at the airport has been designed to handle both domestic and international passengers simultaneously during peak hours.

Agartala's MBB Airport is the second busiest airport in the northeastern region after the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati.
Hyderabad, Aug 24 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday called for an effective monitoring mechanism for the Telugu film industry.

He also proposed a joint policy framework involving producers, workers, and the government. He assured that the interests of both producers and workers will be safeguarded.

The Chief Minister mooted the proposals when a group of Tollywood producers and directors led by Telangana State Film Development Corporation (TSFDC) chairman and eminent filmmaker Dil Raju met him at his residence.

The meeting came days after film workers ended their strike after an intervention by the Chief Minister.

Stating that a positive working environment in the film industry is essential, he said the government will hold discussions with film workers to address their concerns.

"Cinema is a vital industry for Telangana, and the government is committed to resolving disputes, ensuring that issues such as strikes do not disrupt its functioning. Reforms are needed in producer-worker relations, with producers urged to act with humanity towards workers," he said.

CM Revanth Reddy stated that efforts will be made to prepare a white paper outlining long-term needs and reforms. He made it clear that the government will not tolerate attempts to monopolise or control industry systems and emphasised that all stakeholders must function within the law.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, he told the producers and directors that the government will remain neutral in disputes but will ensure fair solutions for all parties.

Reiterating that the government's vision is to place the Telugu film industry on the global stage, he said more Telugu films should be encouraged to be shot in Telangana. He noted that Hyderabad continues to attract international film projects.

Emphasising the importance of the film industry to Telangana's cultural and economic growth, CM Revanth Reddy assured complete government support to ensure that the Telugu film sector continues to thrive globally.

Measures will be taken to enhance skills for newcomers and create opportunities through a corpus fund dedicated to skill development.

The upcoming Skill University will provide specialised training facilities for the film sector. The Telugu film industry, which has already achieved international recognition, must be strengthened further, the Chief Minister said.

He reiterated that cinema is not only a form of art and culture but also a major employment-generating industry that contributes significantly to Telangana's economy and reputation.

Prominent producers including Allu Aravind, D. Suresh Babu, Gemini Kiran, Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, Naveen Erneni, Vamsi, Bapineedu, DVV Danayya, Gopi, Cherukuri Sudhakar, Sahu, Abhishek Agarwal, Vishwaprasad, Anil Sunkara, Sharath Marar, NV Prasad, SKN, Radha Mohan, Damu, along with celebrated directors Trivikram Srinivas, Boyapati Srinivas, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Vamshi Paidipally, Anil Ravipudi, Venky Kudumula, were present.
Agartala, Aug 24 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, on Sunday, appealed to the people to make this year's 'Mayer Gomon' a grand success, which he said would boost tourism in the state.

'Mayer Gomon' is an annual carnival celebrating the departure of Goddess Durga marking the conclusion of the five-day Durga Puja festival.

After a preparatory meeting about organising this year's 'Mayer Gomon' event, the Chief Minister told that the colourful event (Mayer Gomon) would be held on October 4 this year.

He said that he wants the whole country to know about Tripura's 'Mayer Gomon' and its significance.

Chief Minister Saha, who holds the information and cultural portfolio, said that like previous years 'Mayer Gomon' and Sharad Samman programme would be organised this year too after the upcoming Durga Puja, which would be held from September 28 to October 2 this year.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home and Public Works Department (PWD) portfolios, asked the police administration to maintain coordination with the clubs and other organisations to make a proper arrangement of the event.

Chief Minister Saha also directed the PWD to repair the roads at the earliest before Durga Puja.

"The height of idols, decorations, and lighting gates must be maintained with stipulated rules. Clubs using electricity during puja must be checked by TSECL (Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited) to ensure they are using meters and not illegal hook lines, otherwise any emergency situation may occur. The Fire and Emergency services must remain prepared. I also want to ask the health department to keep ambulances ready in empty spaces with health experts on standby. There are around nine routes, and some also pass near important hospitals. Club officials must also be aware of sound pollution and avoid loud noises. Women police must be deployed during the Mayer Gomon," the Chief Minister told the media.

Giving a stern warning to clubs and various other organisations against collection of puja subscription forcibly.

"I have instructed the police and administration to prevent any forceful subscription collection. However, the situation has changed now and everyone is more cordial," he added.

Those present in the meeting were Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, Information and Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Pradeep Kumar Chakraborty, Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya, and senior officials of various line departments.
Chennai, Aug 24 : DMK Deputy General Secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, on Sunday, criticised the remarks made by former Union Minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur who, while addressing schoolchildren, claimed that it was not American astronaut Neil Armstrong but the mythological figure Hanuman, who first set foot on the moon.

Sharing her response on social media platform X, Kanimozhi said such comments were not only misleading but also a direct affront to scientific knowledge and the spirit of rationality.

"Science is not mythology. To mislead young minds in classrooms is an insult to knowledge, reason, and the spirit of scientific temper enshrined in our Constitution," she wrote.

The DMK leader expressed concern that propagating such statements in an educational setting could distort the curiosity of children and prevent them from distinguishing between historical fact and religious mythology.

"India's future lies in nurturing curiosity, not confusing fact with fable," she stressed.

Kanimozhi's remarks come at a time when concerns have been raised by educators, scientists, and opposition leaders over repeated attempts to blur the lines between mythology and science in public discourse.

Critics argue that while mythology has a cultural and literary place, presenting it as fact in classrooms undermines the foundations of scientific learning.

Anurag Thakur, the former Union Minister's statement in front of schoolchildren, has drawn sharp reactions across the political spectrum.

Educationists have pointed out that Neil Armstrong's 1969 landing on the moon as part of NASA's Apollo 11 mission is a globally recognised milestone, and that dismissing such facts damages India's scientific credibility at a time when the country is making strides in space exploration through ISRO's Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions.

Kanimozhi emphasised that instilling a spirit of inquiry and respect for evidence-based knowledge in young minds was essential to building India's future.

She reiterated that political leaders and public figures bore a responsibility to uphold truth and scientific values when addressing students.
A person was taken to a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound Saturday, according to an online blotter post by the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Police responded to a shots fired call at 8:15 p.m. in the 500 block of North Murray Boulevard and found "multiple" shell casings on the ground, the blotter entry states.

Police said they are investigating what led up to the shooting and there was no word of an arrest.

The Department's violent crimes Assault Unit heads investigations into first- and second-degree assaults. The Unit has been assigned to lead the investigation, according to the blotter entry.
Guwahati, Aug 24 : The political heat in Assam is rising once again as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday, launched a scathing attack on the latest "Delhi delegation" now camping in the state.

The Chief Minister, reacting strongly to calls by Jamaat-e-Hind for his dismissal, said that a group of so-called activists and intellectuals -- Harsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Fayaz Shaheen, Prashant Bhushan and Jawahar Sircar -- have descended on Assam with the single aim of projecting lawful evictions as a "humanitarian crisis".

Chief Minister Sarma minced no words in asserting that this was a planned conspiracy to weaken Assam's united fight against infiltrators and illegal encroachers.

"We are alert and firm -- no propaganda, no pressure will stop us from protecting our land, our rights, and our culture," he wrote on social media platform X, drawing wide support from the people of the state.

Meanwhile, Assam Minister and CM Sarma's close aide Pijush Hazarika, too, took to X, taking a jibe at the Congress.

"After Jamiat, has @INCAssam imported another strategist? Meet UPA-era Planning Commission member Madam Syeda Hameed. She comes to Guwahati and says 'Bangladeshi aaye to kya hua'," Hazarika wrote.

He said that Assam will never accept such dangerous views and reminded the Congress that infiltrators will have to leave Assam, no matter who supports them in Delhi.

The twin statements mark a clear political pushback against what the ruling BJP terms a "sponsored propaganda" to derail Assam's eviction drive.

Both the Chief Minister and his cabinet member have made it plain -- Assam will not compromise on its identity, land, and future for appeasement politics.

According to another senior BJP leader in Assam, the message is loud and clear from Dispur: outsiders may cry foul, Congress may try to import strategists, and pressure groups may raise slogans, but the state government under leadership of CM Sarma is determined to carry forward its mission of protecting Assam's indigenous people and safeguarding their land from encroachers.
Guwahati, Aug 24 : Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, a staunch rival of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday waded into the ongoing political storm triggered by Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind's demand for Sarma's resignation, cautioning the Muslim body against interfering in the state's internal political matters.

The controversy began earlier this week after Maulana Mahmood Madani, national president of the Jamiat and known political ally of AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, reportedly demanded the Assam Chief Minister's resignation during a meeting in Delhi.

The demand has set off a fresh debate in the state, with political analysts warning that it could inject communal undertones into Assam's already sensitive political climate.

Reacting to the development, Gogoi said while the demand for a Chief Minister's resignation is a democratic right, such a call should only come from the people of Assam and not from outside organisations.

"If the people of Assam demand his resignation, that is legitimate. But it is not right for the Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind to interfere in our politics," the legislator said.

However, the Raijor Dal leader also trained his guns on Chief Minister Sarma for his reaction to the Jamiat's demand.

Sarma had reportedly brushed aside the demand with a dismissive gesture, which Gogoi described as "childish" and unbecoming of a constitutional authority.

"It is unfortunate for the Assamese people to have Himanta Biswa Sarma as Chief Minister, as he is an uncultured and uncivilised person," Gogoi alleged.

At the same time, Gogoi cautioned that statements by national-level religious organisations could aggravate Assam's delicate communal balance.

"We are in a very sensitive situation with existing Hindu-Muslim tensions. If organisations like the Jamiat meddle, the BJP might exploit this to fuel further unrest," he warned.

Appealing directly to the Jamiat leadership, Gogoi urged them to stay away from Assam's political theatre.

"I appeal to Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind not to interfere in Assam's politics, and I also urge the Chief Minister to behave like a civilised leader. Assam's people should decide Assam's politics," the MLA said.

--IANS

tdr/pgh
New Delhi, Aug 25 : In a dramatic escalation of the investigation into the recent knife attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the police have arrested Tahseen Syed, a close associate of the primary accused, Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya.

Tahseen was apprehended in Rajkot, Gujarat, and brought to Delhi late Friday night, where he now faces charges of criminal conspiracy and aiding an attempted murder, Delhi police sources said.

According to police sources, Tahseen played a pivotal role in supporting Rajesh's alleged plan to assassinate the Chief Minister.

Investigators revealed that Rajesh was in constant communication with Tahseen in the days leading up to the attack, and that Tahseen had transferred Rs 2,000 to Rajesh's accountbelieved to be financial assistance for executing the assault.

The attack itself occurred during Gupta's weekly Jan Sunwai session at her Civil Lines residence on August 20.

Rajesh, an auto-rickshaw driver from Rajkot with a history of criminal charges, reportedly first visited the Supreme Court premises, possibly intending to carry out the attack there.

However, deterred by the heavy security presence, he redirected himself to the Chief Minister's residence in Shalimar Bagh.

Delhi police sources close to the investigation say Rajesh had planned to use a knife in the attack. But upon encountering heightened security at the CM's residence, he allegedly discarded the weapon in the Civil Lines area before entering the premises.

Police teams are actively searching for the knife, which could serve as a critical piece of evidence. Tahseen's arrest marks a significant breakthrough in what officials are now calling a "premeditated and coordinated conspiracy".

His questioning is underway, and police are examining call records, digital communications, and financial transactions to determine the full extent of his involvement.

Authorities have also hinted at the possibility of a wider network, with several individuals under scrutiny both in Delhi and Rajkot, sources said.

Both Rajesh and Tahseen are expected to be produced in court on Monday, where police will seek extended custody to recover the discarded weapon and probe deeper into the conspiracy.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the security of public officials, especially during open-access events like Jan Sunwai.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who escaped serious harm, issued a statement reaffirming her commitment to public service: "Such attacks will never shake my resolve. I remain dedicated to serving the people of Delhi with courage and transparency."
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Advocate Siddhant Kumar, appearing for the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the Supreme Court, has said on Sunday that the apex court has given full support to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which has further strengthened the poll body.

This order is an important step towards strengthening democracy and ensuring an inclusive process, he added.

Advocate Kumar said, "Any order of the Supreme Court is paramount for us. In a democracy, all institutions have their own role, and both the Supreme Court and the Election Commission are an integral part of it. We respect this arrangement because it ensures the rule of law and inclusive democracy. This order of the Supreme Court not only empowers the Election Commission but also makes the democratic process more transparent."

Commenting on the Supreme Court's recent order regarding the SIR process, he said, "After hearing both the parties, the Supreme Court has passed an order and we believe that once the Supreme Court passes an order, the Election Commission has to follow it. So, keeping in mind the apex court order, the Election Commission will continue with the SIR process."

He also clarified that the Election Commission is committed to implement this process with complete transparency and fairness.

Responding to queries raised by opposition parties on the timing and management of the SIR process ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Advocate Kumar said, "The process started on June 24 and by August 24, verification of documents of more than 98 per cent of eligible beneficiaries had been completed. Their data had also been uploaded. This shows that the time allotted was sufficient."

He also said that when the SIR process started, there were no problems like flooding, which later cropped up in some areas.

Responding to the allegations levelled by opposition parties, Advocate Kumar said, "The Election Commission is a constitutional body and it is not appropriate to comment on it amid political turmoil. The facts speak for themselves. Verification of documents and coverage of over 98 per cent of the population was completed in a period of 60 days, which shows the success of this process."
Split Airport, Split, Croatia [ SPU / LDSP ]

If you are planning to travel to Split or any other city in Croatia, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Split Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Split Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Croatia. Split Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

Split Airport Info:

Split Airport IATA Code: SPU Split Airport ICAO Code: LDSP Latitude : 43.538 Longitude : 16.2996 City : Split Country : Croatia World Area Code : 415 Airport Type : Medium Split Airport Address / Contact Details :

Split Airport (SPU), Kastela, Croatia, Phone: +385 (0)21 203 555 , Email: informacije@split-airport.hr Split Website : http://www.split-airport.hr/ Airport Type : Public Owner : Split Airport Ltd. Hub for : Croatia Airlines Established Year : 1931 Timezone : Europe/Zagreb Split Airport Timezone : GMT +02:00 hours Current time and date at Split Airport is 06:35:33 AM (CEST) on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2025

Looking for information on Split Airport, Split, Croatia? Know about Split Airport in detail. Find out the location of Split Airport on Croatia map and also find out airports near to Split. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Split Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Split Airport, airlines operating to Split Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Croatia. Scroll down to know more about Split Airport or Split Airport, Croatia.

Split Airport Map - Location of Split Airport Load Map Croatia - General Information Country Formal Name Republic of Croatia Country Code HR Capital Zagreb Currency Kuna (HRK)

 1 HRK = 0.148 USD

 1 USD = 6.764 HRK

 1 HRK = 0.133 EUR

 1 EUR = 7.535 HRK

 More HRK convertion rates Tel Code +385 Top Level Domain .hr

This page provides all the information you need to know about Split Airport, Croatia. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Croatia or traveling to Split Airport. Details about Split Airport given here include Split Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes)

Coordinates of Split Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Split Airport

Location of Split Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc...

Split Airport Time Zone and Current time at Split Airport

Address and contact details of Split Airport along with website address of the airport

Clickable Location Map of Split Airport on Google Map.

General information about Croatia where Split Airport is located in the city of Split. General information include capital of Croatia, currency and conversion rate of Croatia currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc...

SPU - Split Airport IATA Code and LDSP - Split Airport ICAO code
Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman was honored with a hand and footprint enshrinement ceremony in Hollywood Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Actors Jacob Elordi and Kaley Cuoco attended the event, along with Oldman's fifth wife Gisele and his adult sons Gulliver and Charlie.

"Just WOW! Thank you, thank you, thank you to our family, friends, esteemed guests, Apple TV+ and, of course, @chinesetheatres for such an incredible and special day!!" said a post on Oldman's joint Instagram account with his wife.

Oldman, 67, is currently the star of Apple TV+'s Slow Horses.

His movie credits include JFK, Bram Stoker's Dracula, True Romance, Immortal Beloved, Air Force One, Fifth Dimension, Hannibal and the Harry Potter and Dark Knight franchises.

He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Darkest Hour in 2017.
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan on Saturday commended the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights for condemning the brutal killing of civilians in Darfur last week
SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the firing of new air defence missiles to test their combat capability, state media KCNA reported on Sunday.

The report came ahead of the summit on Monday between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korea President Lee Jae Myung.

Earlier this month, Kim condemned the U.S.-South Korea joint military drills as their intent to remain "most hostile and confrontational" to his country, pledging to speed up nuclear build-up.

The new anti-air weapon systems showed "fast response" to aerial targets such as attack drones and cruise missiles, KCNA said.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Andrea Ricci and David Gregorio)
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday accused the Opposition of indulging in propaganda after the Supreme Court said that voters excluded during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar can submit Aadhaar along with other documents, asserting that the apex court did not say Aadhaar alone can be a valid document to get voting rights.

IMAGE: Opposition MPs hold a protest against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar at Parliament premises. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

Aadhaar is only proof of identity and residence and it does not establish citizenship, BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said, adding that nowhere in the judgment did the Supreme Court even suggest that it should be used as a valid document for the SIR.

The Opposition is spreading propaganda over the issue, he said.

The Representation of the People Act states that a person will be disqualified from registration in electoral roll if he is not a citizen of India, declared by a competent court to be of unsound mind or is disqualified under law relating to corrupt practices or offences in elections, Malviya said.

The Aadhaar Act, he added, says it is only proof of identity and residence, and does not establish citizenship.

"Asking the Election Commission to include Aadhaar as a document for automatic voter enrolment would render Section 16 of the RP Act and the Aadhaar Act meaningless. In fact, this very bench, on August 12, held that Aadhaar is not a legal document to prove citizenship," Malviya said.

Attributing to the Supreme Court what it has not said is contempt of court, he said in a swipe at the opposition parties.

"The truth is simple: SIR is intact, Aadhaar alone cannot get you enrolled, dead, fake, Bangladeshi and Rohingya names will be removed and only Indian citizens will elect the next government -- not foreigners," he said.

Malviya also claimed that 65 lakh names removed from the draft voter roll in Bihar included fake, dead, and Bangladeshi and Rohingya names.

While the Supreme Court asked the list of deleted names to be published so that the affected persons can reapply, Malviya said only 84,305 objections have been filed so far, which is barely 1.3 per cent of the total deleted names. It is well below the standard margin of error, he said.

"Clearly, the 'vote chori' cry is manufactured," the BJP leader added.
The Election Commission on Sunday said documents of 98.2 per cent electors have already been received with eight more days left for people to file claims and objections to the draft electoral roll of Bihar published as part of the intensive revision of voters' list.

IMAGE: Opposition MPs protest over the alleged voter fraud and SIR issues, at Parliament premises, in New Delhi. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

It underlined that the claims and objections period gives an opportunity to the electors to not only rectify mistakes in the draft rolls, but also submit their requisite documents which they may not have provided while submitting their enumeration forms.

"As per information received from the office of CEO Bihar, till date documents of 98.2 per cent electors have been received," it said.

From June 24 to August 24, in 60 days, 98.2 per cent persons have submitted their documents.

"This means an average of about 1.64 per cent per day. There are still eight days ro go till September 1 with just 1.8 per cent electors remaining for submission of the documents," it said.

The Supreme Court has now asked the poll authority to accept Aadhaar or any of the 11 listed documents from people seeking inclusion in the voters list.

The Election Commission has asked the Supreme Court to repose faith in it for carrying out the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.
Indian Air Force's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla grew up as a 'shy and reserved' person, hearing stories of the 1984 spaceflight of Rakesh Sharma in his childhood days.

IMAGE: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla poses for a selfie with people during a felicitation function for Gaganyatris, in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: Ishant Chauhan/ANI Photo

On Sunday, Group Captain Shukla, India's second astronaut to travel to space after Captain Sharma, was signing autographs for school students and obliging fellow air warriors queuing up to get clicked with him.

Life, like his recent space sojourn in a spacecraft orbit, has indeed come full circle for Group Captain Shukla.

The occasion was the felicitation of Group Captain Shukla and three other chosen Gaganyaan astronauts by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Air Force Auditorium in Subroto Park in New Delhi.

During the event, Group Captain Shukla, who goes by the callsign 'Shuks', shared his journey of joining the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the experiences and challenges he faced while being part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

"I grew up as a shy and reserved person. We used to hear stories of the spaceflight of Rakesh Sharma in our childhood days," he said.

Group Captain Shukla credited the IAF for the transformation it brought in him, saying the 'IAF in general, and cockpit in particular', have been 'great teachers' in his life.

Amid all the accolades and admiration lavishly showered upon him, both on and off the stage, the caring family man in him was evident, as even in the middle of an excited crowd of selfie and autograph hunters, the star astronaut sought to ensure that his wife and little son were close by his side.

Group Captain Shukla, who is less than two months shy of turning 40, had a humble beginning.

Born and raised in Lucknow, he entered the IAF with a complete civilian background.

"Initially, I did not intend to join the defence (force), but I did. I filled up a form which my friend had bought, and eventually one thing led to another, and I landed up at the NDA (National Defence Academy)," he recalled in his nearly 30-minute address.

Group Captain Shukla also underlined that the Air Force training 'prepares you for anything life throws at you as also to face hardships'.

"It sets you up for life, it sets you up for success," he said.

Group Captain Shukla, who became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, returned to Earth last month with his fellow astronauts after a 20-day space sojourn as part of the Axiom Mission 4.

He met Rajnath Singh on Thursday at the South Block, where they discussed his space journey, the experiments he undertook in orbit, and Gaganyaan, India's pioneering human spaceflight programme.

The IAF officer also shared some humour-laced anecdotes from his 'microgravity challenges' while in the orbit, of objects which got lost as they floated away in the spacecraft.

He also described the experience of witnessing 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets in a day from the orbit.

Group Captain Shukla shared a video clip of a night view of the Earth from his spacecraft, which also gave a glimpse of parts of India, saying it is probably 'one of the most beautiful sights' one could ever see.

Group Captain Shukla's space odyssey as part of the commercial mission to the ISS has set the stage for achieving India's own ambitions of human spaceflight -- Gaganyaan -- and building the Bharat Antariksha Station soon after.

"This mission is a big achievement for our country, and it has come at the right time. India is on course for its human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antariksh Station and eventually landing on the Moon.

"Whatever we have learnt from this (Axiom) mission, I think they are very unique and critical for our mission. Our efforts in the coming months and years would be to employ those learnings in our mission," he told reporters on the sidelines of the event.

But the biggest aspect that is 'giving me joy, is the love and excitement among the people', and the support they are showing for this mission, he said.

"Somehow that curiosity has been generated in our country. Now we just have to enable it. One by one, we have to execute this mission. Very soon, we have to send an Indian in an Indian capsule through an Indian rocket from Indian soil," Group Captain Shukla asserted.

He also had a message for India's youth.

"This is a big opportunity for India in space exploration. We have the ambition in place, our dreams are big, and now we need you to realise those dreams. So, remain curious, and explore this field," he said.

Asking them to 'practise discernment in the age of distraction', Group Captain Shukla said, "Stay focused, the possibilities are endless."

More than 100 students from three Delhi schools under the IAF attended the event.

Jai Vashishth, 16, a Class-XI student at The Air Force School (TAFS) proudly sporting his class prefect's badge, said he felt lucky to meet 'astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla'.

"He is my role model now. I want to be like him, join the Air Force and become a fighter pilot. His journey has inspired us," he told PTI.

Vashishth, whose father retired from the IAF and is now working in the banking sector, said one of his friends wanted to become a doctor but now he too wants to join the armed forces.

Ashwina Tripathy, 16, also a Class-XI student who attended the event, said she felt happy and motivated to see Shukla face to face and hear about his journey.

"I initially wanted to become a fighter pilot but later I changed my mind. I now wish to become a doctor and take up a career in specialised aerospace medicine. I love aircraft and read about them in books and online," she told PTI, pointing to a fighter jet badge she sported on her uniform.
At least five people, including an Indian national, have been killed when a tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls with 54 passengers crashed on a highway outside Buffalo, according to media reports.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters

The deceased were identified as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Bihar; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, of Jersey City, New Jersey, ABC News reported.

The deadly crash occurred on Interstate 90 in Pembroke, near Buffalo, at 12.22 pm (local time) on Friday according to New York State Police.

The bus was travelling back to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls, with 54 people on board, including two bus company employees, the police said.

Most of the passengers were Indian, Chinese or Filipino, New York State Police Trooper James O'Callaghan said during a press briefing.

He said the bus was travelling eastbound when the "vehicle lost control, went into the median, over-corrected, and ended up in the ditch".

State police said Saturday the bus had overturned and rolled off the I-90 on the south embankment.

The crash forced the closing of the Thruway in both directions. The eastbound lanes, which had remained closed into the evening, were reopened around 8.30 pm, about eight hours after the crash, and the westbound lanes reopened just after 5 pm, The Buffalo News reported.

Multiple people were ejected or thrown around the bus when it overturned, according to New York State Police Troop T Commander Maj. Andre Ray.

Ray said that five people were pronounced dead at the scene while many are still hospitalised. However, there were no other patients in a "life-threatening status", he added.

The bus, carrying passengers aged from 1 to 74, was operated by M&Y Tour Inc. out of Staten Island, Ray said.

A child was initially believed to have been among the fatalities, but that was later determined to be false, Ray said.

Investigators have ruled out mechanical failure and impairment or intoxication of the driver as causes of the crash, Buffalo News reported.

Trooper O'Callaghan said every passenger on the bus had at least some sort of cut, bruise or abrasion as an injury.

He said that the bus was extremely damaged and that many passengers had been ejected from the vehicle when it crashed. The driver was alive and well, he added.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, in a statement posted on X, said that she had been briefed on the tragic tour bus accident and that her office was coordinating closely with the State Police and other agencies that were responding to the crash.
Indian envoy Vinay Mohan Kwatra discussed 'fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties' with United States lawmakers amid ongoing tariff tensions between New Delhi and Washington, DC.

IMAGE: Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Indian Ambassador has met four US lawmakers in the last 24 hours and 23 since August 9, as revealed by his social media posts.

Kwatra met Congressman Rep Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, on Saturday (local time) and thanked him for supporting the bilateral partnership between the two countries.

"Highlighted our perspectives on trade and economic cooperation, including the need for fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties," Kwatra posted on social media.

He also had a 'productive discussion' with Congressman Gabe Amo, Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats.

He appreciated Amo's support for the bilateral ties and 'shared perspectives on the importance of fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade engagements', said his social media post.

He also had a similar conversation with Congressman Jared Moskowitz, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Intelligence (HFAC).

In his conversation with Congressman Ben Cline, the Indian envoy highlighted his country's growing hydrocarbon purchases from the US.

'Had a productive conversation with @RepBenCline. Thanked him for his support to the bilateral partnership,' Kwatra posted.

'We discussed the importance of fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties,' Kwatra added.

Kwatra also highlighted 'India's growing hydrocarbon purchases from the US as an important component of our energy security'.

The series of meetings comes amid strain in India-US relations after US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India.

This includes 25 per cent for New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil that will come into effect from August 27.

Defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics.

India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In a light-hearted comment, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday quipped that 'talks are on' with Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav, a political ally and family friend, regarding his earlier suggestion that the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha should get married.

IMAGE: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi rides a motorcycle during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', in Purnea on Sunday. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

The 55-year-old made the remark at a press conference in Araria district of Bihar, during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra'.

His comment came after Prasad's son Tejashwi Yadav advised Union Minister Chirag Paswan to consider getting married. To this, Gandhi said he too received a similar suggestion from Yadav's father two years ago.

At the press conference, a journalist asked Yadav about Paswan's attempts to drive a wedge between the RJD and the Congress by calling the national party a 'pichhlaggu' (sidekick) of the regional outfit.

Yadav, who is the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance's chief ministerial candidate, said, "I can pay Chirag Paswan back in the same coin, make fun of his claims of being a Hanuman of, not even a party, but an individual."

Paswan, who heads the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas, has often compared his loyalty to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Lord Hanuman's legendary devotion to Lord Ram.

Yadav added, "I would not like to join issue with Chirag Paswan whom I consider an elder brother. I would only advise him to get married. It is high time."

The comment from the 35-year-old, a father of two, drew laughter from the crowd.

Rahul Gandhi, whom Tejashwi has consistently called 'bade bhai' (elder brother) during the Yatra, then took the mic and said, "The advice is applicable to me as well. Talks are on with his father."

The indirect reference was to a press conference held in Patna two years ago, hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was then trying to bring together leaders from across the country to defeat the BJP.

Prasad, known for his penchant for banter, had said, "We would urge Rahul Gandhi to get married. It has been a fervent wish of his mother (Sonia Gandhi). We want to see him as 'dulha' (groom) and join the 'baraat' (wedding procession)."

The remark was interpreted in a section of the media as the RJD supremo giving his stamp of approval, metaphorically, for making Gandhi prime minister in the event of a Congress-led coalition coming to power.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has asserted that fear of terrorists and their ecosystem in the Kashmir valley has almost ended, with places like Pulwama, which were earlier in the news for the wrong reasons, attracting more industries than Srinagar.

IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, during an event Hindi Rangmanch  Humari Bhasha, Humari Pehchaan organised by Wadies Hindi Shiksha Samiti at Tagore Hall, in Srinagar. Photograph: ANI Photo

Interacting with members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Srinagar on Saturday evening, the L-G said Kashmir has recorded just one local terror recruitment so far this year.

"Investments are taking place in areas like Anantnag and Pulwama districts in the Kashmir valley. More industrial units have been set up in Pulwama than in Srinagar. The fear of terrorists and their ecosystem has almost ended," Sinha said.

He said Pulwama district, which used to remain in news for wrong reasons, witnessed a massive participation of youths in the rallies during the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

"Thousands of youths came out with the Indian flag and the world watched it. There were many villages in Shopian and Pulwama where neither the police nor the government officers used to go. Now, people from those villages are also participating," he added.

Reflecting on improvement in the situation in valley, Sinha said Lal Chowk, which used to be gloomy after sunset, now remains alive till late evenings.

Slogans of Bharat Mata are being raised in every city and village; there used to be 150 days of strikes in the Valley on the signal of the neighbouring country, but in the last five years there has been no strike, he said.

"The local terror recruitment is approaching zero. This year, there has been one recruitment till now. There used to be stone-pelting at one place or the other everyday, but it is history now," Sinha said.

"There was a time when a terrorist is killed, the whole Valley would remain shut, and schools and colleges would be closed. That has ended now," he added.

Referring to protests in Kashmir after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, the L-G said now the people come out on the streets against terrorists.

"I had not witnessed this in five years, the way the people of Kashmir stood against terrorists and Pakistan for a week after the attack. Many elders said they have also never seen such a thing. I think there has been a huge change and the whole country is behind that transformation," he said.
(Reuters) -U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Russia has made "significant concessions" toward a negotiated settlement in its war with Ukraine and was confident progress was being made despite the lack of clear signs the conflict is nearing an end.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker", Vance said Russian President Vladimir Putin has made several concessions, including that Ukraine will receive security guarantees protecting against future Russian aggression.

"I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict," Vance said in comments aired on Sunday.

"They've recognized that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv. That was, of course, a major demand at the beginning. And importantly, they've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine."

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, started a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people. In return for ending Russia's attacks, Putin is demanding that Ukraine give up all of the eastern Donbas region, renounce ambitions to join NATO, remain neutral and keep Western troops out of the country, sources told Reuters last week.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that a group of nations including United Nations Security Council members should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security.

On Friday President Donald Trump renewed a threat to impose sanctions on Russia if there was no progress toward a peaceful settlement in Ukraine in two weeks, showing frustration at Moscow a week after his meeting with Putin in Alaska.

Vance said sanctions would be considered on a case-by-case basis, acknowledging that new penalties were unlikely to prompt Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine.

Vance pointed to Trump's announcement this month of an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as a punishment for New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil as the kind of economic leverage that would be used in pursuit of peace.

"He's tried to make it clear that Russia can be re-invited into the world economy if they stop the killing, but they're going to continue to be isolated if they don't stop the killing," Vance said.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut, editing by Ross Colvin, Alistair Bell and Diane Craft)
MANCHESTER  Orvis will cut 4 percent of its workforce by the end of 2025. This is the key news emerging from a statement released by Simon Pe
When a father in Tajikistan accused his 15-year-old son of stealing cash -- the equivalent of $60 -- he did not take him to the police or even scold him. Instead, he tied the boy's legs with a rope, dragged him behind his car, and filmed the ordeal. The teenager died of his injuries.

The July killing sent shock waves across Tajikistan, where corporal punishment was banned in 2024. Yet in many families in Central Asia corporal punishment is not only common, it is the norm. Slaps for poor grades, ear-pulls for disobedience, beatings "to instill discipline" remain embedded in the parenting culture.

The phrase "My child, my rules" is frequently invoked as a justification, covering up harmful actions that often constitute abuse.

The teenager's killing in the town of Tursunzade, 60 kilometers from the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, was not an isolated case. In November 2024, Tajik social media was flooded with footage of a grandmother from the southern region of Khatlon striking five children aged 3 to 7 with a stick as they lay on the floor crying. A month earlier, a mother in the same province was caught on video punching her 10-year-old son in public until his nose bled.

According to Tajikistan's Interior Ministry, 994 crimes were committed against minors in 2024, a more than 30 percent increase over the previous year. Forty-eight of those cases involved serious injury. With 40 percent of Tajikistan's 10 million people being under the age of 28, the scale of violence is significant.

"According to the latest demographic and health survey, 56 percent of children under 14 have experienced violence at home," a UNICEF representative in Dushanbe, who asked to remain anonymous, told RFE/RL.

Using physical punishment to parent is common across Central Asia. In Uzbekistan, a 2023 UNICEF survey found that 62 percent of children under 14 had been subjected to violent discipline. That led parliament to adopt a new law this spring banning all forms of corporal punishment by parents.

In in Kazakhstan, UNICEF reported in 2023 that 53 percent of children experienced either psychological or physical punishment. Among toddlers between the ages of 1 and 2, the figure was 38 percent. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has urged Astana to impose a legal ban, which the country still lacks.

In Kyrgyzstan, plans are under way to prohibit corporal punishment following a 2023 survey that found 65 percent of children experience violent discipline at home and 37 percent endure physical punishment.

'Parental Illiteracy'

In recent years, a troubling pattern has appeared in Central Asia: Some parents are physically abusing and humiliating their children on camera, intentionally recording these acts to send to spouses or other family members. Such videos are used to manipulate and put pressure on relatives.

In February, in Uzbekistan, a mother was recorded beating her infant and threatening to kill him to spite her husband. In 2023, an Uzbek father in the country's Tashkent Province filmed himself kicking and choking his toddler to torment his wife.

Elzhas Ertaiuly, director of the Happy Family counseling center in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, says the main problem is parental illiteracy.

"Many think: Why waste time explaining right and wrong when you can yell or threaten and achieve compliance in minutes?" Ertaiuly said. "Aggression toward children is a sign of parental weakness, emotional instability, and ignorance."

"You may have a master's degree and be a professional, but if you don't know the values of family life and the harm of certain methods, you are illiterate in family relations," Ertaiuly said. "That illiteracy allows you to punish children without thinking."

Madina Sharipova, a psychologist and associate professor at Tajik National University in Dushanbe, said the violence is cyclical. "Children who grow up with yelling and insults have no other example. They reproduce the same patterns when they become parents."

Muazzam Ibragimova, a child psychologist in Uzbekistan, warns that repeated punishment destroys a child's sense of safety.

"Pain comes from the person who should protect them. That breaks trust and creates chronic stress," she said. "Children stop distinguishing between their actions and themselves. They don't think: 'I did something wrong.' They think: 'I am bad.'"

The result, she said, is a destructive worldview: "[Such parents] internalize the model that force guarantees obedience. Later, they either dominate others or seek someone to dominate them. That is how the cycle of violence keeps going."

Societal problems also amplify the risks, according to Gulchehra Rahmonova, director of the NGO Legal Initiative in Tajikistan.

"A large share of the population lives below the poverty line. Financial instability and lack of food, housing, or clothing create enormous stress. Aggression spills onto the most vulnerable -- the children," Rahmonova said.

Children of Central Asian migrant workers are especially at risk. Left with relatives while parents earn money abroad, they often face neglect or abuse. In Uzbekistan's Tashkent Province in March 2024, a woman fatally beat her 6-year-old niece for failing to do her homework.

The story of the death of the Tajik teenager dragged behind his father's car became known only because it was filmed and appeared online. Only a fraction of violent incidents such as this ever come to light.

The challenge, experts say, is not only to punish perpetrators but to teach families that discipline without violence is both possible and necessary.
A fire broke out at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia after Russian military forces shot down a Ukrainian drone flying near the plant, the press service of the plant said.

The drone -- one of several reported on August 23 by Russian authorities -- fell on an auxiliary transformer, sparking the fire, which has been extinguished. There were no injuries, according to the press service's statement.

"A combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine was shot down by air defense systems near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant," the press service said in a statement on Telegram.

"Upon impact, the drone detonated, resulting in damage to an auxiliary transformer," the statement said.

As a result of the explosion, unit three of the plant was reduced to 50 percent capacity, the press service said.

Radiation levels at the site and in the surrounding area have not exceeded normal limits, it added.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has increased its drones strikes inside Russia over the past several months in response to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine. It says the attacks are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is crucial to Moscow's military efforts.

The story was first reported by Russia's federal television network REN TV. It reported that the transformer is not a part of the nuclear section of the plant, citing the plant's press service. It was not immediately clear in which part of the plant the fire occurred.

Kursk NPP is 40 kilometers west of Kursk city, the regional capital, on the bank of Seim River. The first unit was launched in 1976. Other units were added in 1979, 1983, and 1985, according to the press service.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the dangers of fighting around nuclear plants since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Earlier on August 23, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region were attacked by drones, regional authorities said, adding that six drones were shot down over the Leningrad region and two were shot down over St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg authorities said windows were shattered in a residential building in the Krasnoselsky district when the drone was "neutralized." There were no reports of injuries or deaths.

The drone attacks led to flight delays and cancellations at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport. More than 30 flights were diverted to alternate airports during the day, and more than 50 flights were delayed. The airport resumed operations by in the evening.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that a drone flying toward Moscow had been shot down.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Britain, France, and Germany -- the so-called E3 -- have warned they will trigger an oft-threatened but never-used mechanism at the United Nations that could reimpose global sanctions on Iran. Their deadline: the end of August, unless Tehran makes tangible progress in nuclear talks with the United States.

The "snapback" mechanism is a special process created alongside the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Its purpose is to ensure that if Iran seriously violates the deal, the international community can swiftly restore the full set of UN sanctions that existed before the agreement without getting bogged down in great-power vetoes or endless negotiations.

Although "snapback" is a nickname rather than a term in the legal text, it has become the common shorthand for the automatic return of sanctions. The E3 have already notified the UN that they are prepared to use it, a step that could dramatically escalate tensions over Iran's nuclear program. The mechanism itself is due to expire on October 18, giving the Europeans only a narrow window to act.

How Do UN Sanctions Snap Back?

The nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), includes a dispute process. If a participant in the deal, such as the E3 states, believes Iran is in "significant non-performance," they can raise the issue through the JCPOA's built-in mechanisms and ultimately refer it to the UN Security Council.

Once the issue reaches the UNSC, a 30-day clock starts. During those 30 days, the council would need to adopt a new resolution to continue sanctions relief for Iran. If that resolution does not pass in time, the old UN sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 deal automatically come back into force. No further vote is required.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has insisted for weeks that the E3's legal authority to trigger the mechanism is "highly questionable" because they demand Iran abandon uranium enrichment -- which he argues runs contrary to the JCPOA.

Their argument is that the E3 are breaking the deal, and therefore no longer parties to it.

But "there is no merit to this argument," said Richard Nephew, who served as the lead sanctions expert for the US team that negotiated the JCPOA.

"There is no mechanism by which another JCPOA participant can kick a JCPOA participant out of the agreement," he told RFE/RL. "The E3 never withdrew like the United States, so they maintain their rights."

Iran has also threatened to respond, including by withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iranian diplomats will meet their European counterparts on August 28 in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the mechanism from being triggered.

Why It's Called 'Snapback'

A key feature -- and the reason it's called "snapback" -- is that the process cannot be blocked by a veto. Normally, one of the five permanent UNSC members could veto a resolution to impose sanctions. Here, the system is reversed: To keep sanctions relief in place, the council must pass a new resolution.

Any veto of that resolution prevents it from passing, and because the default is that sanctions return if no resolution is adopted within 30 days, a veto actually speeds the snapback rather than stopping it. In practice, once a participant triggers the process, it is very difficult to prevent the old sanctions from coming back.

Iran says it is working with China and Russia -- both permanent members of the UNSC and parties to the JCPOA -- to "stop" the process. That, Nephew says, is not legally possible.

He noted that the only argument Beijing and Moscow can make is that the nuclear deal no longer exists, "but, that's really, really hard to do."

What Sanctions Will Return?

If the snapback process is successful, the UN will restore the six Iran-related Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010.

These include wide-ranging restrictions such as a UN conventional arms embargo, measures curbing activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, and an array of asset freezes, travel bans, and other proliferation-related rules.

In practical terms, this means reinstating a broad, UN-backed legal framework that governments, banks, shippers, insurers, and technology providers take seriously.

Will This Affect Iran Much?

Iranian officials have been downplaying the potential impact of renewed UN sanctions, claiming the effects are exaggerated.

Even though the United States already maintains extensive unilateral sanctions that heavily constrain Iran's economy and energy exports, renewed UN sanctions would still matter.

Nephew argued that Iran's nuclear and missile trade would be hit hardest. "Both of those things will be illegal, along with the dual use imports that Iran will need to rebuild these programs," he said.

Iran's insistence that the sanctions won't hurt much contrasts with its warnings of retaliation if they are reimposed.

"The sanctions cannot be so bad that they'd withdraw from the NPT and so meaningless as to not matter," Nephew said.
In the dense Serebryanskiy forest in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region, Ukrainian drone operators have equipped small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with net launchers that can intercept Russian drones flying above the battlefield.

The unorthodox defense has helped neutralize Russian attacks and offers infantry life-saving protection, according to soldiers from a unit that spoke to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

The forest is located in the final sliver of Luhansk that is still under Ukrainian control.

Soldiers from the Pomsta brigade, whose name contains the word that means "revenge" in Ukrainian, said the net-firing system helps defend against relentless Russian drone attacks.

"A net is the most effective way to down a drone," said one soldier who goes by the call sign Armani. "Our crew downed 100 drones in five weeks."

Video footage shared by the soldiers shows the nets halting drones poised above wounded Ukrainian infantry, preventing attacks and stopping reconnaissance of their positions.

"This video shows a [drone] used to save a wounded soldier by taking down an enemy drone hovering over him. In the next video, a [Russian] drone over another soldier is taken down. So, the [Ukrainian] drone operator saved two lives," Armani said.

This ad hoc tactic is one of numerous innovations in response to intensifying drone strikes across Ukraine. Armani said he hopes the low-cost solution will cause tactical setbacks and financial strain for Russian units.

"A DJI-Mavic drone for daytime operations costs about $1,700. One used during nighttime operations costs twice as much. The loss of equipment worth $230,000 every month is significant for [Russian forces]," he said.

The war in Ukraine has ushered in a radically different era of drone warfare, one built not around a few elite systems but around millions of small, cheap, expendable drones deployed by soldiers at the front.

Both sides have ramped up domestic drone production this year. Many cost only a few hundred dollars to make. New anti-drone systems, like net-firing UAV interceptors, have become an increasingly vital weapon as fighting continues to evolve.

Armani, who was once a frontline soldier in Ukraine's infantry, said the unit was planning to help produce more drone pilots to meet the rising demand.

"We are training other drone operators to scale up this technology because the infantry needs it in many parts of the front line. The more anti-drone systems there are, the better it will be for our soldiers."

In the Serebryanskiy forest, and elsewhere across the country, Ukraine is looking for new solutions as it braces for Russian forces to launch more drone onslaughts on the battlefield and against Ukrainian cities.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threw up a new roadblock to direct talks between Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

During an interview with NBC's Meet The Press that aired on August 24, Lavrov denied Russia has erred in striking civilian targets in Ukraine, questioned the legitimacy of Zelenskyy, and blamed Ukraine for setting back the peace process.

"The reaction to the Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives and what they were doing after Washington indicates that they don't want peace," Lavrov said in the pre-taped interview.

He added that permanent United Nations Security Council members should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security. The council consists of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Kyiv and other allies have so far rejected the idea of Moscow being among the security guarantors for a peace deal, and Zelenskyy recently shot down the prospect of Beijing playing a role.

"The guarantors would be guaranteeing the security of Ukraine, which must be neutral, which must be nonaligned with any military bloc and which must be non-nuclear," Lavrov said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov's comments came as Ukraine celebrated its 34th anniversary since the country declared independence from the Soviet Union and now finds itself navigating fraught diplomacy with Russia amid renewed calls from US President Donald Trump to push for peace talks.

August has been a month of intense diplomacy around ending the 3 1/2-year war, including a high-profile summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska, where the issues of security guarantees and potential territorial concessions took center stage.

During a speech in Kyiv on August 24 to mark Ukraine's Independence Day, Zelenskyy said that despite parts of Ukraine being currently occupied by Russian forces, there is "one Ukraine" and "we shall be together again as one family."

"[Ukraine] will never again accept the humiliation of what the Russians say is a 'compromise,'" he said. "We need a just peace in which our future will be ours to decide."

Zelenskyy added that his country will "not lose" its fight against Moscow.

"Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter."

Canada's Carney Discusses Security Guarantees In Kyiv

In a show of support, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on August 24 for his first official visit to Ukraine since being elected in April.

Carney said during a press conference with Zelenskyy that he would not rule out the presence of Canadian troops in Ukraine as part of future proposed security guarantees.

The framework for such security guarantees is currently being formed by Kyiv and its allies.

"We know that Putin can never be trusted," Carney said in his speech on Kyiv's St. Sophia Square. "We know that true peace and security will require security guarantees for Ukraine."

Carney also discussed with Zelenskyy a commitment of 2 billion Canadian dollars ($1.44 billion) for military aid, as well as joint opportunities for producing defense equipment.

During his speech in central Kyiv, Carney said more than $720 million will be used to finance ammunition -- along with drone and armored-vehicle production -- with Canadian suppliers.

Norway also announced on August 24 that it would contribute $693 million worth of air defense systems to Ukraine.

US envoy Keith Kellogg was in attendance at the Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, where he and Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson were awarded Ukraine's Order of Merit by Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko later met with Kellogg to discuss security guarantees.

"This is not only about the military component but also about political stability and economic capacity," Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram.

Uncertain Future For Peace Talks

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy posted a congratulatory note from Trump on his social media, where the US president praised Ukraine's "unbreakable spirit" as the country celebrates its independence.

Since the summit in Alaska, Trump has grown publicly frustrated over the lack of a peace deal.

He offered a fresh two-week deadline at the White House on August 22 for Kyiv and Moscow to move forward with a peace process or face possible US retaliation.

If steps toward ending the war are not been taken by then, Trump said he could enact "massive sanctions" or "massive tariffs" or he might do nothing and "say it's your fight."

Whether peace talks proceed could also be affected by events on the battlefield.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Kyiv and Moscow each sent back 146 prisoners of war on August 24, the latest in a series of exchanges this year.

That followed claims from Russia that its forces in eastern Ukraine seized two villages in the Donetsk region on August 23 and claimed to take another on Ukraine's Independence Day. The Ukrainian military also said its troops had recaptured a settlement on the western edge of the Dnipropetrovsk region on August 23.

Moscow also announced it had put out a fire at a nuclear plant in its western Kursk region after Russian air defenses claimed to have shot down a Ukrainian drone.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of two new air defense missiles on Saturday, state media reported.

The Korean Central News Agency said the two missiles were launched at targets in order to test their "combat capability." The test appeared to be successful, as it was concluded that the air defense missile systems have "superior combat capability" in taking down potential incoming drones and cruise missiles due to their "unique and special technology."

"The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets," KCNA added.

After the test, Kim, who was flanked by multiple military officials and others from his Workers' Party of Korea, ordered an unspecified "important task" that will be implemented by the country's Academy of National Defense Science, an organization that supports their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program.

The missile test comes just two days before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House.

Featured Local Savings

That meeting, set for Monday, is likely to be dominated by security issues, including North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Kim has only vowed to speed up his country's nuclear weapons production, most recently responding to annual U.S.-South Korea joint military drills by threatening a "radical and swift change in the existing military theory and practice and rapid expansion of nuclearization."

NORTH KOREA'S KIM GIVES WARNING AS US AND SOUTH KOREA BEGIN JOINT MILITARY DRILLS

Tensions between the two countries are also rising after North Korean troops briefly crossed the heavily-fortified border between them earlier this week, with South Korean soldiers firing more than 10 warning shots in response.

The incident led to immediate condemnation from North Korea, who accused Seoul of a "deliberate provocation."
A Carrick-on-Shannon woman has been forging her own way in marriage celebrations, providing unique and intimate marriages for a large spectrum of couples, ranging from those marginalised in society to those in an end-of-life situation.

Since her qualification two years ago, Loraine Greaney has been practicing as a professional marriage celebrant, operating under Entheos Ireland with full HSE recognition.

She was runner-up last year in the Lets Talk Weddings celebrant category.

The initial inspiration for Loraine to become a marriage celebrant came during her own wedding planning.

I got married myself 10 years ago and we didnt want a big wedding and we felt that a church setting, even though both of us are people of faith, might be a little bit lonesome because we only wanted a few people at our wedding, said Loraine.

After finding an alternative venue, Loraine found out that she now had to source someone to conduct the marriage, and found a fabulous lady from the HSE Solemniser registrar.

After attending more celebrant led weddings, she sought to become a qualified celebrant herself.

When I found Entheos, I just felt like right thats definitely the one for me. So I travelled up and down to Dublin for six months and I trained with a woman called Karen Dempsey and after the six months then I was placed on the register of solemnisers, the same register that all the priests in the country are on. Loraine hasnt looked back since her qualification, as she put it: Since then its just gone from strength to strength. I think its actually the best decision Ive ever made in life to do it and I love it, I absolutely love it. The range Loraines practice offers opens the possibilities for soon to-be married couples to customise their wedding experience. Various wedding cultures and traditions can be incorporated and blended into a couples special day, including Celtic hand fastenings and 50 different readings from old Irish poetry to famous film script.

Loraine's weddings incorporate a wide range of traditions and cultures.

A wide variety of couples from around the globe come to Loraine to be married, and the nature of her practice opens her up to marry interfaith couples, giving the example of a couple from Longford and Senegal.

The symbolism of the candle flame is also very important to Loraine during the wedding.

Loraine describes the process: I always put candles of remembrance into the ceremonies that youd often see in a church ceremony. With celebrant led ceremonies youre creating a space for the people who would have been there had they still been with us. She added: Then with that flame, we carry it forward into their unity candles and we explain to the guests the importance of using that same flame because theyre taking the wisdom, the love and the knowledge of all that has gone before them and bringing it together into their one candle. Loraines practice provides more than standard weddings, delivering end-of-life marriages and childrens funerals under the Laras Legacy branch of Entheos at no cost.

For every couple that we marry, we take a bit of the fee and we pop it into a pot and we make sure that we can do all of those ceremonies for free. From March onwards Loraine said she is busy almost every weekend, and that the positive feedback she receives from her ceremonies encourages engaged couples to have their marriage celebrated by her.

She offered her advice to couples who may not want a traditional church wedding, I tell couples not to be afraid of having a celebrant led ceremony. I think a lot of people think that its either the HSE registrar or its the humanists.

I dont think people are familiar with the fact that there are interfaith celebrants out there who can celebrate people of none and all faiths, said Loraine. Loraine can be contacted on her Instagram @celebrantloraine or by phone: 086 865 6268.
Home Ministry Orders Removal Of A Pakistani From Bihar Voter List; Woman Got Visa In 1958; Story

Her passport is of 1956, and she got her visa in 1958. She is from Pakistan

Home Ministry orders removal of a Pakistani from Bhagalpur, Bihar Voter List, Latest News: District Magistrate (DM) of Bhagalpur, Bihar, on Sunday said that the name of a Pakistani woman who came to India in 1956, and whose name is in the Bihar voter list, will be deleted after investigation, and the process to remove her from the voter list has also been initiated.

DM Naval Kishor Chaudhary, talking to ANI, said, "As per information, her name was found to be in the voter list, and after verification, Form 7 has been filled for her name deletion. After due process and investigation, her name will be deleted..."

Advertisement

The womans name was even verified in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list carried out in the poll-bound state.

The development comes after the Home Ministry started carrying out an investigation regarding foreign nationals who had overstayed their visa period, and the elderly woman was identified in Bihars Bhagalpur.

Booth Level Officer Farzana Khanam, speaking on the matter, told the media that the elderly woman identified as Imrana Khanam is not in a condition to talk due to age and illness.

Advertisement

Booth Level Officer Farzana Khanam said she received a letter from the Home Ministry on 11 August, and as per the order, she has begun the process of removing the name.

"... I received a letter from the department with her passport number, which I cross-checked. We have been asked to remove her name. Her name is Imrana Khanam... She was not in a condition to talk; she is old and unwell. As per the orders of the department, I filled out the form and began the process of removing her name. Her passport is of 1956, and she got her visa in 1958. She is from Pakistan... The next step of the investigation will be carried out by the department... I had received a notice from the Home Ministry on 11 August, the Booth Level Officer said.

Election Commission has received documents of 98.2 per cent of electors in Bihar in the SIR . Only eight days are left in the Claims, Objections and Documents period of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the state, the ECI said on Sunday, according to ANI.

Advertisement

Bihar, from June 24 to August 24, 2025, in 60 days, 98.2 per cent of persons have submitted their documents, according to the ECI press note cited in the ANI report.

1.8 per cent of electors are yet to submit documents by September 1. The exercise to collect their documents with the help of BLOs and volunteers is going on.

(For more news apart from 'Supreme Court Modifies August 11 directive on Stray Dogs in Delhi NCR; Street Feeding Prohibited,' stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Rahul Gandhi: Voter Adhikar Yatra Successful; People Joining Organically

The yatra, which is expected to cover 20 districts in the state, will culminate on September 1st in Yatra Finale, Patna.

Rahul Gandhi: Voter Adhikar Yatra Successful; People Joining Organically Latest News: Leader of Opposition in the lower house and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi, who along with RJD leader Tejasswi Yadav and the leaders of the INDIA bloc, launched Voter Adhikari Yatra in Bihar a week ago, has reached Bihars Araria today as per the schedule of the 16 days long yatra which is expected to cover over 1300 km.

On the eighth day, the yatra was resumed in Bihars Purnea district on Sunday.

Advertisement

The yatra was launched from Bihar's Sasaram on August 17, against the alleged vote theft through the special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in the poll-bound state and to protect the most fundamental democratic right - one person, one vote.

In the 16-day-long yatra, there are three breaks in between as per the schedule, and the second break comes tomorrow.

Today, Rahul Gandhi, in a joint press conference with Tejashwi Yadav and CPI (ML) from Bihars Araria, called the yatra a success and said that people are joining it organically.

Advertisement

Rahul Gandhi, speaking at the joint conference, said,The yatra is very successful and people are coming organically. It is clear that whatever we said about vote theft, crores of people of Bihar believe and accept it. That is why you are seeing this response.

He alleged that the Election Commission has failed to do its duty in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Karnataka and added that he would not let that happen in Bihar.

He said, The work of the Election Commission is to provide the correct voter list and they did not do this in Maharashtra, Haryana and Karnataka. Our entire pressure is to change the behaviour of the Election Commission and we will not leave it. We will not let you steal the election in Bihar. You stole in Maharashtra. You stole in Haryana. In Karnataka, we clearly showed that votes were stolen. We will not let it happen here."

Advertisement

A media person, putting forth a question to the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, said that there appeared to be good coordination, as RJD party workers were seen carrying Congress party flags and chanting Rahul Gandhi ki Jai, something, he said, never seen before. Additionally, the media person referred to an earlier remark by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who had rooted for Rahul Gandhis prime ministership if the alliance comes to power next time, adding that they believe in Rahul Gandhis ability to protect the Constitution and democracy.

In response, Rahul said, "A very good partnership has been formed between us, all parties are working together, there is mutual respect, ideologically we are aligned, politically we are aligned, there will be very good results, but vote theft must be stopped."

Speaking further at the press conference, Lop Rahul Gandhi said children of Bihar have become politically active and that children of the state are coming to him during the yatra and tell him in the ear, Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd'. He called it an interesting phenomenon and that the ECI should think about it.

Advertisement

"A very interesting thing is coming out, which was not there in the last two yatras. Children are coming. It is a very strange phenomenon. They are coming to me. They are saying 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd'. These are not adults. They are small. Now, a small child of six years has come to know. And not just one, thousands. Now, the Election Commission should go and talk to these children. They will get to know...The children of Bihar have become politically active..." Rahul Gandhi said.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, talking about the alleged ambiguity in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision, said, This process is so difficult, whether it is adding votes or removing them through a complaint, there is still no clarity in this process.

Earlier today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav rode motorcycles along with their supporters. A large number of people have shown up in support.

The yatra, which is expected to cover 20 districts in the state, will culminate on September 1st in Yatra Finale, Patna.

(For more news apart from 'Rahul Gandhi: Voter Adhikar Yatra Successful; People Joining Organically,' stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police Crack Cyber Financial Fraud Case, Banks Employees Involved

Anup Kumar S/o Liladhar is an SBI bank employee, while Pardeep Kumar S/o Ramesh Kumar was worked as a clerk in PNB, Sirsa.

Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police Crack Cyber Financial Fraud Case, Punjab National Bank Latest News: In a significant breakthrough, the Cyber Crime Police Station, UT Chandigarh, has arrested three accused in connection with a high-value online fraud, Cyber Crime Police Station said in a press release.

A case was registered on the complaint of a resident of Chandigarh. The three apprehended individuals are accused of making a transaction amounting to Rs 25.54 lakhs through UPI/IMPS/RTGS from the complainants bank account. The complainant only uses a basic phone.

The complainant had submitted a written complaint to the Bank Manager, Punjab National Bank (PNB) where he maintains a Savings Bank Account.

Next he had lodged a complaint in PS-Cyber Crime. Following an enquiry, a case was registered against unknown person.

Advertisement

The case has been registered under Case FIR No. 56, dt.13.05.2025, U/s 319(2), 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 61(2) BNS, PS-Cyber Crime, Chandigarh.

The operation was carried out under the leadership of. Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS, SP-Cyber, UT Chandigarh, with close guidance from A. Venkatesh, DSP Cyber Crime & IT, and supervision of Inspector Eram Rizvi, SHO, PS-Cyber Crime, Sector 17, Chandigarh.

The arrests mark an important step in curbing rising cyber fraud cases in the region, showcasing the effective coordination and swift action of the PS- Cyber Crime, the press release read.

Advertisement

On August 20, 2025, in a raid conducted in Rajasthan, where Balwinder @ Bindu, (Age 33 years), an accused, was arrested.

Disclosure made by Bindu following his arrest led to the arrest of the other two.

The other two accused have been identified Pardeep Kumar, son of Ramesh Kumar, aged 31 years; and Anup Kumar, son of Shri Liladhar, aged 31 years.

Advertisement

Anup Kumar was an SBI bank employee, while Pardeep Kumar worked as a clerk in PNB, Sirsa.

Case Background as Explained by the Police

The case was registered on the complaint, a resident in Chandigarh, who reported that he maintains a Savings Bank Account in Punjab National Bank, Sector-26, Chandigarh, linked with his registered mobile number. The complainant was using a basic mobile phone without internet or banking applications.

On 21.04.2025, when the complainant visited the bank to withdraw a5,000/ and asked for his balance of his account. The bank authorities informed him that the balance in the account was below Rs. 1 lakhs and bank officials said that multiple transactions had been made from his account between March to April 2025, amounting to a25.54 lakhs through UPI/IMPS/RTGS.

The complainant clarified that he did not made any transactions as he is not using smartphone, WhatsApp, internet banking, or any online banking apps, making such transactions impossible on his part. He immediately raised the issue with the bank and submitted a written complaint to the Bank Manager, PNB. Later, he clarified that he had not carried out any such transactions and lodged a complaint in PS-Cyber Crime and after enquiry a case was registered against unknown person.

Advertisement

Investigation Details

During investigation, it was revealed that the complainants registered mobile number which was linked with his PNB bank account had been deactivated earlier by the Telecom Service Provider (TSP) as the mobile number was not in use. Later, the same number was reissued to a person named Balwinder S/o Pala Ram. Balwinder he came to know that the given number was already linked with some bank account of PNB bank in which balance approx 26 lakhs. Then with the intention to withdrew the amount he activated internet banking on the number and fraudulently transferred funds from the complainants PNB account into various accounts. The investigation established the fraudulent transfers.

Accused Arrested & Recoveries-

On 20.08.2025, a raid was conducted at Rajasthan and accused Balwinder @ Bindu (Age 33 years) was arrested. One mobile phone and SIM used in the crime were recovered from his possession.

During interrogation, Balwinder disclosed that after obtaining the SIM, he received bank alerts linked to the complainants account. He conspired to activate internet banking with the help of Anup Kumar S/o Sh. Liladhar an SBI bank employee on contract basis and transferred the amount to various accounts.

On 22.08.2025, a raid was conducted at District Sirsa (Haryana), leading to the arrest of Anup Kumar. He disclosed that accused balwinder contact him and told that he wants to activate the net banking of PNB bank and for this purpose ATM card details of said PNB bank are required. Anup Kumar sought the ATM Card details of PNB bank account from Pardeep Kumar S/o Ramesh Kumar, who was working as a clerk in PNB, Sirsa and activate the net banking and transfer the amount available in account.

Further accused Pardeep Kumar was arrested from Ellenabad, Sisra, who disclosed the he shared ATM card details of the complainants PNB account with Anup Kumar, who further passed them to Balwinder, enabling fraudulent activation of net banking.

Current Status-

Bank accounts used for fraudulent transfers are being examined and further recoveries are under process and the prompt and coordinated response of the Police Station Cyber Crime team and Bank staff that leads to a total lien amount of a5,43,031/- has been secured in the accused bank accounts. The investigation is ongoing to trace the complete financial trail and uncover the full extent of the criminal nexus.

Police Issues Advisory for the Public:

1. Regularly update KYC details and ensure their registered mobile numbers remain active.

2. Immediately report to the bank if the mobile number linked with bank account was deactivated and update the new details with bank authorities.

3. Immediately report to police in case of any suspicious activity or deactivation of registered mobile numbers.

4. Exercise caution while sharing personal banking details and remain alert against fraudsters.

5. You can check how many SIM cards are issued in your name via official portals (e.g., TAFCOP in India). Report unknown numbers associated with your ID immediately. report to DoT via helpline or the TAFCOP website.

6. Verify suspicious calls by contacting local Police or Cyber Crime Helpline (1930)

(For more news apart from 'Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police Crack Cyber Financial Fraud Case, Arrest 3 for Transactions From PNB,' stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Former CIA Director Leon Panetta suggested on Saturday that John Bolton was targeted over his vocal criticisms of President Donald Trump after the FBI raided the former national security adviser's Maryland home just ahead of the weekend.

Early Friday morning, FBI agents conducted an operation at Boltons Bethesda residence as part of a high-profile national security investigation, which is believed to be about classified information Bolton was accused of illegally leaking in his 2020 book The Room Where It Happened. The raid was ordered by FBI Director Kash Patel, who was provided intelligence by CIA Director John Ratcliffe that led to the search warrant.

Weighing in on the raid, Panetta, who served under former President Barack Obama, implied that it was politically motivated.

"When you stand back and you look at the criticism that John Bolton has made and you look at the president and how sensitive he is about having those criticisms, particularly from somebody who was in his administration, its pretty hard not to come to the conclusion that theres some targeting here going on," Panetta said on CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront.

Bolton served as Trump's national security adviser in his first term before being fired in 2019 following numerous foreign policy disagreements with the president, particularly over potential peace deals or nuclear deals with North Korea, Iran, and the Taliban.

Since Trump reentered the Oval Office in January, Bolton has remained critical of the president's work mediating peace negotiations between multiple countries, claiming Trump merely "wants a Nobel Peace Prize more than anything else."

Featured Local Savings

Those peace deals have included the conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, Rwanda and the Congo, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and India and Pakistan. Trump also mediated a ceasefire between Iran and Israel in their 12-Day War earlier this summer, and has been pursuing a peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Friday raid seemingly reopens an investigation launched in 2020 over Bolton's book The Room Where It Happened, which he moved to publish before being given approval from the National Security Council, as is required in order to ensure classified information isnt included.

FBI RAIDS JOHN BOLTON'S HOME IN MARYLAND

That inquiry, begun under the Department of Justice near the end of Trump's first term, was dropped a year later under the Biden administration.

Bolton was not charged or detained following the raid on Friday.
CISF bid farewell to Adolf(Jack) & induct K9 Shaurya" for Explosive Detection, Into Canine Squad

K9 Shaurya's skills in detection, obedience and discipline were demonstrated during the ceremony, according to the post.

CISF Bid Farewell To Civil Aviation Security Dog, Induct Another For Explosive Detection Latest News: Vadodara Airport on Sunday bid a ceremonial farewell to K9 Adolf(Jack), who retired after years of exemplary service with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in safeguarding Vadodara airport and civil aviation security, CISF said in a post on X.

K9 Adolf's dedication and invaluable contribution to civil aviation security were remembered with honor and pride, the post read.

Advertisement

Retirement of K9 Adolf(Jack) & Induction of K9 Shaurya"



Vadodara Airport witnessed a ceremonial farewell to K9 Adolf(Jack), who retired after years of exemplary service with #cisf in safeguarding #Vadodara airport. K9 Adolf's dedication and invaluable contribution to civil pic.twitter.com/Ffzz8NpF1J  CISF (@CISFHQrs) August 24, 2025

On the same occasion, K9 Shaurya, a newly trained in explosive detection, was formally inducted into the CISF canine squad.

K9 Shaurya's skills in detection, obedience and discipline were demonstrated during the ceremony, according to the post.

Advertisement

The CISF K9 Unit continues to play a vital role in ensuring passenger safety and protecting critical aviation assets with loyalty and devotion, the CISF post concluded.

(For more news apart from 'CISF Bids Farewell to Adolf (Jack) and Inducts K9 Shaurya Into Canine Squad for Explosive Detection,' stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Senior Officer Of Bangladesh Police Arrested For Infiltration, Sent To 14 Days Judicial Custody

After the detention, the officer was handed over to the West Bengal Police for detailed questioning.

Senior Officer Of Bangladesh Police Arrested For Infiltration in West Bengal Latest News: Judge Debashish Banerjee of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate's court at Basirhat, West Bengal on Sunday, sent a senior Officer of Bangladesh Police to 14-day judicial custody, ANI reported.

The Border Security Force on Saturday evening arrested by the Border Security Force on Saturday evening for allegedly attempting to infiltrate into Indian Territory in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, after BSF personnel on routine patrol noticed suspicious movement.

Advertisement

The identity of the officer has not been disclosed yet. According to an ABP news report, the officer in question was intercepted near the Hakimpur Border Outpost between 6 and 7 pm.

On searching him, identity documents were recovered, establishing that the individual was a serving officer of the Bangladesh Police, a senior official told ANI on condition of anonymity earlier.

After the detention, the officer was handed over to the West Bengal Police for detailed questioning.

Advertisement

Investigation into the matter is underway.

(For more news apart from 'Senior Officer Of Bangladesh Police Arrested For Infiltration, Sent To 14 Days Judicial Custody,' stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Punjab Govt to Build First-Ever Modern Hostels for Backward Class Students at Punjabi University

CM Mann-Led Government Launches Rs 6.99 Crore Hostel Project to Empower Backward Class Youth

Chandigarh: The Punjab Government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, continues to deliver remarkable results in its mission to make the state drug-free through the flagship campaign Yudh Nashian Virudh (War Against Drugs).

On the 163rd consecutive day of this unprecedented drive, Punjab Police carried out 335 coordinated raids across all 28 police districts, resulting in the arrest of 104 drug smugglers and the registration of 74 FIRs. This brings the total number of drug smugglers arrested to 25,524 in just 163 days, a testament to the governments relentless fight against the drug menace.

Advertisement

The latest operation led to the seizure of 6.4 kg of heroin, 500 grams of opium, and 1,092 intoxicant tablets/capsules, striking another major blow to drug trafficking networks.

The state-wide action was conducted under the direct supervision of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, with over 120 police teams and 1,000 personnel, including 67 gazetted officers, actively participating. Police also checked 366 suspicious individuals during the operation to further tighten the noose on drug peddlers.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has given clear instructions to all Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police to ensure Punjab becomes drug-free. To oversee this mission, the Punjab Government has formed a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee, headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, to monitor and guide the ongoing campaign.

Advertisement

Highlighting the states three-pronged strategy, Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP), Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla revealed that police teams also persuaded 28 individuals to enter de-addiction and rehabilitation programs during the latest operations, showcasing the governments commitment not only to enforcement but also to rehabilitation and prevention.

With sustained efforts, strong political will, and community support, the Mann Governments Yudh Nashian Virudh continues to set new benchmarks in Punjabs battle to reclaim its youth from the grip of drugs.
Punjab Police Cracks Pro-Khalistan Graffiti Case in Record Time, Ensuring State's Safety Under CM Mann's Leadership

Punjab Police Cracks Pro-Khalistan Graffiti Case in Record Time, Ensuring State's Safety Under CM Mann's Leadership

Chandigarh: In yet another testament to the Punjab Governments unwavering resolve to ensure peace and security, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, working under the directions of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, successfully cracked the Pro-Khalistan graffiti case within just 24 hours, arresting two accused, including a minor.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, stated that the swift action demonstrates the efficiency and commitment of the Punjab Police in safeguarding the state against disruptive and anti-national elements. Pro-Khalistan slogans had appeared at three locations in Amritsar on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, with Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the USA-based head of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), claiming responsibility through a social media video.

Advertisement

The arrested accused have been identified as Jashanpreet Singh (22), a resident of Dargabad village in Batala, and a 17-year-old juvenile. Preliminary investigations revealed that both individuals were in contact with foreign-based operative Shamsher Singh alias Shera Maan, who directed them to carry out the act on Pannus instructions via the social media app Snapchat. Despite being promised payment for the graffiti, no money was ever received.

DGP Yadav affirmed that further investigation is underway, adding that this quick breakthrough underscores the Punjab Governments zero-tolerance policy towards any activity threatening the states harmony.

Commissioner of Police Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, credited the coordinated efforts of the investigative team led by DCP Ravinderpal Singh, along with ADCPs Jagbinder Singh and Harpal Singh, ACPs Harminder Singh and Shivdarshan Singh, Inspector Amolak Singh (CIA Incharge), Inspector Mohit Kumar (SHO Cantonment), Inspector Gurpreet Singh (SHO Civil Lines), and Inspector Amandeep Kaur (SHO A Division). Their meticulous planning and prompt action ensured the timely arrest of the culprits.

Advertisement

The investigation revealed that the accused purchased spray paint from Batala, executed the graffiti, and then shared photographs with Shera Maan as proof. Three separate FIRs have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act at Police Stations Cantonment, Division-A, and Civil Lines.

The Punjab Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order, ensuring that no anti-social forces succeed in disturbing the states peace. This achievement marks another milestone in CM Bhagwant Singh Manns mission to make Punjab safe, secure, and free from divisive forces.
Two-Wheeler Sales in July 2025 Record 13.20% YoY Growth  Scooters Shine, Mopeds Dip

The Indian two-wheeler market bounced back strongly in July 2025, registering double-digit growth on a year-on-year (YoY) basis. Overall sales grew by 13.20%, driven by strong performance in both motorcycles and scooters, though mopeds saw demand slipping. Hero Splendor continued to dominate the motorcycle segment, while Honda Activa retained its crown as the best-selling scooter, underscoring the preference for value and reliability among Indian buyers.

Top 10 Two-Wheelers July 2025

Sales of the top 10 two-wheelers collectively stood at 10,90,257 units in July 2025. This marked a 13.20% YoY growth compared to 9,63,086 units in July 2024, contributing to a volume increase of 1,27,171 units. However, momentum slowed on a month-on-month (MoM) basis, with sales slipping from 11,10,312 units in June 2025.

Hero Splendor led the pack with 2,46,715 units sold, posting an 11.73% YoY increase over 2,20,820 units in July 2024. Despite the YoY growth, Splendor sales saw a steep MoM drop from 3,31,057 units in June, suggesting some moderation in rural and commuter demand.

At No. 2, Honda Activa surged with sales of 2,37,413 units, marking a healthy 21.37% YoY increase from 1,95,604 units a year earlier. This 41,809-unit volume gain highlights the scooters unmatched popularity in the family and urban commuter segments. Honda recently bolstered the Activa brand with special 25th Anniversary Editions of the Activa 110, Activa 125 and SP125, further strengthening its appeal.

TVS Jupiter Sees Strongest Growth

Honda Shine followed at No. 3 with 1,59,658 units, registering a 2.29% YoY decline compared to 1,63,402 units in July 2024. In contrast, TVS Jupiter recorded the sharpest YoY growth in the segment. Sales rose by 67.25% to 1,24,876 units, up from 74,663 units a year earlier, reflecting growing demand for premium scooters.

Bajaj Pulsar ranked fifth, though its sales fell 16.67% YoY to 79,817 units from 95,789 units in July 2024. HF Deluxe, however, showed remarkable growth at 71,477 units, a 53.30% YoY increase over 46,627 units. Suzuki Access scooter saw a mild dip, down 4.32% to 68,172 units, while TVS Apache grew 22.44% YoY to 37,566 units.

Mopeds Lose Ground, Unicorn Gains

TVS XL, the only moped in the list, reported a 9.51% decline with 33,991 units sold, down from 37,563 units in July 2024. Closing the top 10 was Honda CB Unicorn 160, which delivered a 14.54% YoY growth with 30,572 units, compared to 26,690 units last year.

While the overall two-wheeler market reflected robust demand led by scooters and commuter motorcycles, the decline in mopeds suggests shifting consumer preference toward more versatile offerings. With festive season demand approaching, manufacturers are expected to further push new variants and special editions to sustain this growth momentum.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) endorsed Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) in his run for Texas attorney general on Saturday, calling the candidate a "close friend and ally."

"I am proud to endorse Chip Roy for Attorney General of Texas," Cruz said in a statement. "As my very first chief of staff, Chip has been a close friend and ally of mine for over 12 years. We have been in more fights together than I can count, and I know Chip will always, always, always fight for conservative values."

Roy launched his campaign on Thursday for the statewide office instead of seeking reelection in the House next year. The four-term representative said he wants to defend Texas against "open-border politicians, radical leftists, and faceless foreign corporations that threaten our sovereignty, safety, and our way of life."

The congressman will be seeking to replace Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the 2026 midterm elections.

Before his election to Congress in 2018, Roy served as Cruz's chief of staff, Texas's first assistant attorney general under Paxton, senior adviser to former Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), Senate Judiciary Committee staff director under Cornyn, and a federal prosecutor.

Roy will be vying for the Texas office in a crowded field of GOP challengers that includes Texas state Sens. Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman, in addition to former Texas Deputy Attorney General Aaron Reitz.

Cruz said while all the candidates for Texas attorney general are "friends of mine" and have been "strong supporters of mine for many, many years," he threw his support behind Roy.

Featured Local Savings

"With over two decades of dedicated service to Texas, Chip has consistently shown the courage, integrity, and conviction required to defend our great state," the senator added.

"He is a battle-tested warrior and a fierce defender of the Constitution. I have full confidence that he will stand up for the rule of law, preserve the rights and freedoms of Texans, and hold those who threaten our great state accountable. There is no one better equipped to lead the Office of the Texas Attorney General, and I know that he will ferociously fight and protect the Lone Star State," Cruz said.

A vocal member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Roy has frequently challenged Republican leadership in Congress and the White House on fiscal policy  to the point of drawing the president's ire.

CHIP ROY ANNOUNCES RUN TO REPLACE KEN PAXTON AS TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL

Late last year, President Donald Trump threatened a primary challenge against Roy after the fiscal conservative opposed Trump's push to raise the debt ceiling as part of government funding talks. Despite being an ardent supporter of Trump, Roy was one of the Republican hardliners who didn't agree with the president on this issue. Congress ultimately raised the debt ceiling to $41.1 trillion last month through Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with support from Roy.

Trump has yet to weigh in on his preferred candidate for the Texas attorney general race.
(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump has signed into law the Aviator Cancer Examination Study Act, which seeks to address cancer rates among former and current military aircrew members.

According to an Air Force study, these individuals experienced higher rates of melanoma, thyroid cancer and prostate cancer.

Building upon this study, the ACES Act requires the secretary of veterans affairs to investigate cancer and mortality rates for aircrew members who have served in the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

The specific cancers the study will look into are melanoma, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer and others. The ACES Act is designed to help understand the link between certain types of cancers and military services.

U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, and Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, who are both veterans, introduced this bill.

Kelly, a former Navy pilot, said, Veteran aviators and aircrews deserve answers about the correlation between their job and cancer risks.

Getting this across the finish line has been a bipartisan effort from the start, and Im proud to see this bill become law so we can deliver real answers and accountability for those who served, he said.

Cotton, who was an Army infantry officer, said he was grateful to the president for making the ACES Act the law of the land.

Featured Local Savings

We owe it to past, present, and future aviators in the armed forces to study the prevalence of cancer among this group of veterans, he explained.

In addition to having bipartisan support, many veteran groups and advocacy groups supported the ACES Act.

Jose Ramos, the Wounded Warrior Projects vice president for government and community relations, said his organization was proud to support this piece of legislation.

He called the ACES Act a critical step toward ensuring that veterans receive timely diagnoses, specialized screenings and the care they have earned.

US AND CANADA KICK OFF TRAINING MISSION IN ALASKA HIGHLIGHTING STATES CRITICALITY

Theo Lawson, the assistant director of legislative programs for the military nonprofit Fleet Reserve Association, said this bill is a vital piece of legislation.

Lawson said the bill directs critical research into cancer risks among military aircrew, ensuring better care and support for our aviators who have served our nation.
Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said Republicans are only pursuing mid-decade redistricting to even the playing field against Democrats who are likewise engaging in gerrymandering.

"All we're doing, frankly, is trying to make the situation a little bit more fair on a national scale," Vance told NBC News host Kristen Welker on Meet the Press.

"Democrats have gerrymandered their states really aggressively. We think there are opportunities to push back against that, and that's really all we're doing," he added.

Texas Republicans are leading the charge in redistricting by adding five more House seats that favor the GOP, with the Trump administration seeking to boost Republicans' narrow majority in the House by the 2026 midterm elections. The Texas Senate passed the state's newly redrawn congressional map on Saturday after the measure cleared the Texas House. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) is expected to sign the bill soon.

To combat Republicans, California Democrats are actively pursuing a plan, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), that allows voters to decide this November whether or not the state's congressional districts should be redrawn. The Democratic legislature passed bills on Thursday that set up the redistricting measure for a popular vote this fall. Shortly thereafter, Newsom signed the legislation.

Vance particularly takes issue with California's total number of House seats because illegal immigrants are included in the state's total population even though they can't legally vote.

Featured Local Savings

"They do go in the congressional apportionment. That's why California has so many more seats is because they count illegal aliens," he said. "They end up getting congressional representation that ought, by right, go to American citizens."

The vice president made a similar argument on Fox News two weeks ago.

VANCE SAYS CALIFORNIA HAS 'WAY MORE' HOUSE SEATS THAN IT SHOULD BECAUSE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Conducted every 10 years, the U.S. census counts all noncitizens living in the country regardless of their legal status. President Donald Trump has called for a new census that doesn't include illegal immigrants. While a mid-decade census is permitted for distributing federal funding or other purposes, it cannot be used for reapportioning House seats or redistricting.

Republicans in Indiana, Missouri, and Florida, in addition to Democrats from Illinois, New York, and Maryland, are also considering redistricting their own maps by next year.
Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics.
Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships; co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group and an activist for minority students STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, a Huffington Post blogger, a past columnist for Denver dailies and is featured on the podcast, Never Again.
FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2019 file photo, U.S. currency and credit cards sit on a table at a restaurant in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File) AP

By David Lightman, The Sacramento Bee

Looking forward to a tax break from the new law implementing President Donald Trumps promise to cut taxes on overtime or tips? You may be disappointed.

Theres an expectations gap here, said Andrew Lautz, director of tax policy at Washingtons Bipartisan Policy Center.

Tips and overtime deductions are going to provide a meaningful and significant cut for some taxpayers, he said, But what were seeing in the early reaction from the public is that the tax cut may not be as large as the general public expects.

Its also not entirely what Trump claimed. The president made a campaign pledge last year to do away with taxes on tips and end all taxes on overtime. Democratic opponent Kamala Harris supported a limited tax break for tips.

When Trump signed the Big, Beautiful Bill into law last month, a White House fact sheet trumpeted how it included NO tax on tips. NO tax on overtime. But thats not entirely true.

While headline writers still describe the changes in the same vivid terms, the reality is far different. And much less generous, said Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

The tax break

I think gimmick is the right word, said Alex Muresianu, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, when asked to characterize the breaks. He said the changes should provide some benefit to narrow subsets of taxpayers.

The bill provides no tax on tips up to $25,000 on federal income tax from this year until 2028. Qualifying taxpayers can deduct the tip amount from taxable income whether or not they itemize deductions. The break is available to those with modified adjusted gross incomes of less than $150,000; it is phased out as incomes get higher.

Employees can also deduct up to $12,500 in overtime pay, $25,000 if filing jointly, from taxable income from this year until 2028.

The provision, though, does not apply to all employees who work more than the standard 40 hour workweek.

Not eligible, for instance, are those who accept what the Bipartisan Policy Center called a pre-agreed upon amount that does not fluctuate with hours worked or the quality of the job done. Also not eligible is an employee who performs some administrative or so-called white collar duties.

For those who can deduct overtime pay, they could deduct the half in the 1 1/2 times regular pay they get for working beyond the standard 40-hour workweek.

The break can be claimed whether or not someone itemizes deductions, and is phased out starting at $150,000 for single taxpayers and $300,000 for joint filers.

Too complicated?

Taxpayers could find all this complicated. Lautz said that people may not understand that the qualifying amounts are deducted from income, not taxes themselves.

And questions remain about just who can take the deduction.

One Big, Beautiful Bills translation of President Trumps campaign trail promises on tips and overtime used fairly conservative language  hard caps on the amounts, some income restrictions, expiration dates, and a few explicit details on what qualifies as tips, said Pete Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union, a conservative watchdog.

As a result, he said, the population of taxpayers qualifying for relief is a significantly smaller subset of taxpayers who receive tips or put in overtime.

One problem could be defining whose overtime or tip pay qualifies. The Internal Revenue Service, he said, still has considerable latitude in writing the final rules, especially on tips. Those rules are expected from the Treasury Department no later than Oct. 2.

Plenty of people might get the occasional tip in their lines of work, like fitness instructors or tour guides, but are those customarily tipped professions that will be published on the IRSs list this fall? No one is certain, Sepp said.

The law says that only workers whose tips are given customarily and regularly are eligible.

Who qualifies?

There are also questions about the reach of these breaks.

Most workers dont get tips or overtime pay, explained Gleckman.

The lowest paid workers already pay no income tax. As a result, he said, more than 99% of households making less than $35,000  the lowest income 20%  gain nothing from the deductions for tips and overtime.

In Sacramento County, California, the average tax reduction from the tip provision is estimated to be $52 and from the overtime measure, $239, according to a Tax Foundation study.

Lautz of the Bipartisan Policy Center posed several questions yet to be answered about the tip tax break.

He asked: Do workers shift away from non-tipped occupations and towards tipped occupations? Do consumers change tipping habits? Do Treasury regulations expand the tips deduction (or foreclose it) to workers, employers, or occupations that were not (or were) expecting to benefit from it?

It is unclear if, when, or how the deduction may change economic behavior, Lautz said.
Apple TV+, which features popular series like Severance, Ted Lasso, and The Morning Show, has raised its monthly subscription price.

Apple announced on Thursday that the monthly subscription price for the streaming service has increased from $9.99 to $12.99. That is a 30 percent increase.

This price change is effective immediately, and customers should see it reflected in their bills within the next 30 days.

However, Apple TV+s annual plan, which costs $99.99 per year, and the Apple One bundle, which starts at $19.95 a month, will not face a price hike  at least not right now. The Apple One bundle includes multiple Apple services together for a single monthly price, such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+.

Apple justified Apple TV+s monthly subscription price increase by noting that it had launched a bevy of new programs and movies. The company also highlighted that Apple TV+ is one of the few platforms that does not display ads. Competitors like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, and Disney+ all offer ad-supported subscription plans, although for a discounted rate.

Since it launch, Apple TV+ has expanded its deep library of hundreds of Apple Originals, with thousands of hours of premium programming across genres and brand-new releases weekly  all ad-free, Apple said in a statement via Variety. Subscribers can explore a rich offering of thrilling dramas, epic sci-fi, feel-good comedies and live sports.

This marks the third price increase for Apple TV+ since its inception. The service launched in 2019 with a monthly plan priced at $4.99. In 2022, the price increased to $6.99, followed by another increase to $9.99 in 2023.

In announcing the latest price hike, Apple also shed light on its upcoming Apple TV+ premieres. These include The Morning Show Season 4 on Sept. 17; Slow Horses Season 5 on Sept. 24; Vince Gilligans Pluribus on Nov. 7, and original films like Highest 2 Lowest on Sept. 5 and The Lost Bus on Oct. 3.
Our proposed legislation will give medical professionals the tools they need to get people connected with treatment, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Mayor Eric Adams announced a new legislative proposal that would allow medical professionals to mandate treatment for those struggling with substance use disorders.

If approved by the state legislature, the law would bring New York in line with 37 other states that already authorize involuntary commitment for addiction.

The proposed legislation, dubbed the Compassionate Interventions Act, would give medical professionals authority to transport individuals who appear to pose a danger to themselves or others due to drug abuse to hospitals for evaluation.

The court could then mandate treatment if attempts to have the individual commit to treatment voluntarily are unsuccessful.

The city will also invest $5.1 million to launch its first-ever contingency management program through NYC Health + Hospitals, that will offer rewards  typically vouchers, prizes, cash or privileges  to encourage patients to stick to their treatment plans.

Our administration refuses to turn our backs on New Yorkers in need, Adams said.

Similarly, under the states mental hygiene law, New York maintains both inpatient involuntary commitment and outpatient courtordered treatment for those who may pose a risk to themselves or the community due to mental illness.

We must help those struggling to finally get treatment, whether they recognize the need for it or not, Adams said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has not yet endorsed the Compassionate Interventions Act. She reportedly was unaware of Adams announcement and stated she would review the proposals details.

At the same time, on Staten Island, addiction experts, including the boroughs district attorney, told the Advance/SILive.com they support the mayors proposal.

All believe rehabilitation, whether voluntary or mandated, has the ability to save the lives of those battling addiction as well as the broader community facing drug-related issues which include crime, violence and drug-dealing.

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon

Before the next overdose becomes the last overdose, we must intervene, McMahon said, while emphasizing that there is a need for innovative solutions to combat the ongoing drug crisis. (Courtesy of the Richmond County District Attorney's Office)

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the ongoing substance use disorder crisis that continues to impact families and public safety.

McMahon has long championed diversion programs primarily aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic and promoting restorative justice. The programs are designed to address underlying issues contributing to criminal behavior and reduce recidivism.

Substance use disorder remains one of the greatest challenges of our time, McMahon said. It devastates families, endangers public safety, and too often robs us of lives far too soon.

The district attorney stressed that no single solution would be sufficient to address the complex nature of addiction. Instead, he advocated for a balanced strategy incorporating accountability, compassion, prevention, treatment and recovery support.

McMahon expressed support for the mayors initiative on addiction illness, depicting every overdose as a cry for help that demands a response.

He further explained that he would review the proposal as it moves through the legislative process in the coming months.

Before the next overdose becomes the last overdose, we must intervene, McMahon said, while emphasizing that there is a need for innovative solutions to combat the ongoing drug crisis.

Luke Nasta, executive director of Camelot Counseling Centers of Staten Island

The basic premise is that a person who is hurting themselves and hurting others meet the criteria of why they should be mandated into treatment, said Luke Nasta, executive director of Camelot Counseling Centers of Staten Island. (Advance/SILive.com | Bill Lyons)

According to Luke Nasta, executive director of Camelot Counseling Centers of Staten Island, the type of individual the proposed law would apply to would be those whove lost control of their lives due to drug dependence. They would need to be enrolled in residential treatment and removed from society.

The basic premise is that a person who is hurting themselves and hurting others meet the criteria of why they should be mandated, Nasta said. Not to punish you, but to rehabilitate you.

Cesar Sosa, a client advocate at Camelot who experienced mandatory treatment himself after being incarcerated, credits it with his 40 years of sobriety.

If I wouldnt have been mandated, I doubt if I would even put a year together of sobriety, said Sosa, who has worked in addiction treatment for over 30 years.

Both emphasized that successful treatment also must go beyond prescribing medication. Medication alone does not rehabilitate a person, it stabilizes a person, Nasta explained.

The medication alone doesnt deal with the underlying emotional problems, psychological problems and mental illness  that happens through guidance and counseling.

Sosa also stressed that treatment should be viewed as therapeutic rather than punitive. Treatment cannot be viewed as punishment, he said.

Nasta believes the proposal could save thousands of lives every year while benefiting both individuals and society. He noted that residential treatment programs can prevent overdoses, emergency room visits and crime, while helping people become productive community members.

Alicia Palermo-Reddy, outreach coordinator of Grand Union Holistic Solutions

What if it opens one persons eyes, or turns on a light bulb in their head, and they like the way they feel after being mandated for 30 days? Well, then guess what? We save that person, Palermo-Reddy said. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)

Alicia Palermo-Reddy  known to many as the Addiction Angel works directly with patients facing substance abuse issues and said the proposed measure to mandate treatment for drug users could provide crucial support for families struggling with loved ones battling addiction.

She considers it an answer to our prayers.

Its very difficult to make that addict want to go for treatment on their own, but yet theyre killing themselves, she said.

Palermo-Reddy went on to point out that the legislation would also allow families to seek mandatory treatment for individuals who overdose and are brought to hospitals, rather than seeing them quickly discharged only to return home and potentially overdose again.

When you dont implement tough love on an addict and youre providing water, clean clothes, food, a bed to sleep in, why would they want help? Palermo-Reddy said. But yet, theyre shooting fentanyl and xylazine into their bodies and they could overdose at any given time.

While traditional interventions can be costly and difficult for families to organize independently, she says the measure could provide a structured path to treatment.

Palermo-Reddy insists that many times a family will allow an addict to bring them down their path and often have difficulty figuring out how to change course.

Theyre wondering where are they? What are they doing? Are they breathing? Are they home? So, this is a push that families could use to their advantage that are in the middle of complete chaos, living with someone thats addicted.

The mandate would require 30 days of treatment, potentially offering both a chance at recovery for the individual and a period of respite for affected families. And, while treatment doesnt guarantee recovery, she suggests it could be transformative for some.

What if it opens one persons eyes, or turns on a light bulb in their head, and they like the way they feel after being mandated for 30 days? Well, then guess what? We save that person, Palermo-Reddy said.
Editors Note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com.

Author, Danette Vigilante has penned "The Sand Beneath the Waves." (Courtesy/Danette Vigilante) (Courtesy/Danette Vigilante)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Seasoned author, Danette Vigilante, has now penned what she describes as a feel-good story that blends science, storytelling, and simple hands-on learning.

And her latest work couldnt come at a better time, since the back-to-school year is just around the corner.

The Staten Island resident, who was raised in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, reveals her new picture book titled The Sand Beneath the Waves, invites young readers to venture on a lyrical, fact-filled journey beneath the sea.

She explains the book is primarily designed for children in Pre-K to grade four and basically encourages curiosity about nature and science through vibrant art and imaginative prose.

The Sand Beneath the Waves invites young readers to frolic through coral reefs, swirling currents, burrowing clams  and even a prancing octopus  all while exploring the oceans role in shaping the sand we walk on, the talented author continues.

A page from "The Sand Beneath the Waves," by Danette Vigilante. (Courtesy/Danette Vigilante) Staten Island Advance

Whats more, the gentle and imaginative picture book  with illustrations by Olga Seregina  inspires curiosity about the natural world and all that it entails  blends playful rhyme with real elements of ocean science.

With vivid illustrations and poetic language, its a perfect read-aloud for classrooms, beach lovers, and budding marine explorers, Vigilante gushes.

The adorable tale is geared mainly for ages 4 through 9, inasmuch as it provokes wonder, sparks questions, and brings the magic of the sea to life  one page at a time.

In what translates into a new and exciting endeavor, Vigilante reports that she plans to visit New York City area schools and New York Public libraries with an unusual author experience: Shell have real coral, seashells, and sand in tow to offer kids a tactile and memorable introduction to marine life and science  a fun, immersive experience where education meets imagination.

She opines that her book isnt written from a scientists perspective, but rather from the lens of a curious storyteller, someone whos always been fascinated by the ocean and wanted to share that wonder in a way that feels both magical and educational.

Marine educator Melissa Cristina Marquez commented that The Sand Beneath the Waves is  an absolutely charming story: lyrical, playful, and full of wonder. It weaves science and storytelling in a way that feels both magical and educational.

Vigilante is thrilled to spread the word and share a spotlight on ocean learning, local literacy, and the power of storytelling during this upcoming school year.

The Sand Beneath the Waves, is available on Amazon.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vigilante resides in Dongan Hills with her family and her energetic pup, Juniper.

In addition to The Sand Beneath the Waves, Vigilante also is the author of Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil, which has garnered several prominent accolades, including a Moonbeam Childrens Book Award Gold Medal, a Bronze Medal at The Independent Publisher Book Awards for multicultural fiction (JUV/YA), and an Honorable Mention at the International Latino Book Awards.

Her other works include The Trouble With Half a Moon, a Sunshine State Young Readers Award nominee, and Saving Baby Doe, named to the New York Public Librarys 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list.

Vigilante publishes her books through Chi Chi Publishing Company which was named for her maternal grandmother.

MORE ABOUT VIGILANTE

A passionate advocate for literacy, Vigilante fosters a love of books in her community by maintaining a Little Free Library on her front lawn.

She reveals books and laughter are her favorite things, and she remains committed to inspiring young readers everywhere.

At this writing, Vigilante is working on Luke and Lani and the Super Seniors.

Its a middle grade adventure about 12-year-old twins who discover their quirky grandparents are actually superheroes.

The book is filled with mystery, humor, and a lot of heart as the kids team up across generations to stop a villain with a plan to steal everyones powers.

The catch? In this world, those powers arent always what youd expect  one guy can talk to animals, but only chipmunks, and they never stop talking.

CELEBRATIONS - AUG. 24 TO AUG. 30

AUG. 24

Sunday is birthday time for Jack Stern, a West Brighton attorney, Michael Carpinello, Phyllis Aloi, Alexa Renee Portney, who turns 17, Andrea Hills, Jimmy Cassidy of Castleton Corners who turns 34, Bobby Heaney, Paul Monforte, Geralyn Villani, Gina Marie Bariletti and Donna Tom.

AUG. 25

Happy birthday Monday to Mary Beth Francis, John James Noone, Daniel Santapaga, Rebecca Zalkin, Kayla Sliger who turns 12, and Nicole Leonardi Azarraga.

Kathy Taylor celebrates her 87th birthday Monday along with her cousin and travel buddy, Agnes Rubino who marks her 88th birthday on Aug. 29.

AUG. 26

Happy birthday Tuesday to Julia Kruse who turns 32, Erin Aversa, who turns 19 and to her sister, Michaela Aversa, who turns 22 on Sept. 1. Erin and Michaela are granddaughters of the late Jerome X. ODonovan and Vita ODonovan.

Birthday best on Tuesday to Dorothy Taylor, Victoria Nicole Falco, Robert Ricco and Joseph Golden.

Happy wedding anniversary Tuesday to Nora and John Rosati and to Justine and Jon Cauldwell.

AUG. 27

Birthday greetings on Wednesday go to Jianna Jackson who turns 15, Tony Flagello, Lulu Chiminski and Mario Naccarato, who turns 31. 

AUG. 28

Happy birthday Thursday to Bill Van Name, Joan Mary Andersen, Christopher Giovinazzo, Marilyn Wickert, and Carol Dennis.

The happiest of birthdays Thursday to twins William and John Malczewski, who turns 26 and were born on the same day as their great-grandfather John Cotton Sr. who was a very special member of the family.

Happy wedding anniversary Thursday to Carmine and Felicia DeBetta who celebrate 59 years of wedded bliss and to Colleen and Tim Kelly.

AUG. 29

Birthday wishes on Friday go to Jennie Sweeney, Brian Cregg, Susan Santorelli, Danielle Martino, John Edward Sciarrino who turns 19, Jeff Coogan, Ken Anderson, Nanette Scarcella and Michael Alvarado.

Happy wedding anniversary on Friday to Jessica and Liam Collins. 

AUG. 30

Happy birthday Saturday to Dylan Gaugh.

Saturday is wedding anniversary time for Denise and Pat Arena. 




STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Patrizias of Staten Island, in partnership with the Knights of Columbus, will host its third annual fundraising event on Monday, Sept. 8, to commemorate and preserve the legacy of James De Matteo, a heroic Staten Islander.

The event, titled An Evening That We Will Never Forget, benefits the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Never Forget Fund, according to De Matteos son, Nicholas De Matteo.

James De Matteo, who was born in Brooklyn but moved to Staten Island to raise his family, worked for 30 years in finance and commercial real estate on Wall Street.

On Sept. 11, 2001, the Bulls Head resident saved multiple people in the streets of lower Manhattan. He even used his tie as a tourniquet to help a bleeding woman who was hit by debris.

He died in 2022, at the age of 61, due to 9/11 related illnesses.

A lot of the heavy focus is on the police officers and firemen, and deservingly so, but there were a lot of heroes that day that were in suits and ties that jumped into action and became first responders said Nicholas De Matteo. I always like to try to get that out there, to remember my dad and all others like him for all their heroic actions that day.

Nicholas De Matteo, also of Bulls Head, is a member of the 9/11 Memorial Visionary Network and the Knights of Columbus. After his fathers death, he went in search of a way to honor his heroism and continue to share his story.

So after my father passed I was looking for what to do with it all. What can I do to help myself? What can I do to also help the greater 911 community? Because I know Im not alone. Theres no way Im alone, he recalled.

It was then that Nicholas De Matteo came up with An Evening That We Will Never Forget. The event, which has taken place at Patrizias of Staten Island since its conception, has raised close to $40,000, he said.

Nicholas De Matteo added that all funds raised have been matched by former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and go towards preserving the 9/11 museum and supporting local schools to ensure the next generation continues to commemorate 9/11 heroes.

This year, the event starts at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Patrizias Great Kills location at 4255 Amboy Road. Attendance costs $90 per person and will include the restaurants family-style menu, drinks and live performances. The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle, raffles with prizes donated by local businesses and a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas or Disney World.

Those interested in attending can contact Patrizias of Staten Island and pay by phone at 718-317-6600. Checks can be made payable to the Knights of Columbus, Council 16134. P.O. Box 131509, Staten Island, 10313.

Those who are unable to attend can donate to the cause at https://donate.neverforget.fund/a/ndematteo.
At left, Independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaking during a Democratic mayoral primary debate June 4, 2025. At right, Zohran Mamdani talking to people after the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater June 12. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, file and Vincent Alban/The New York Times via AP, Pool, file) AP

Hi Neighbor,

Over a sausage and onion pie at Joe and Pats the other day, I posed a question to a retired Staten Island elected official who still keeps a hand in the political game.

How is it that so many  including the Staten Island Democratic Party, who endorsed Cuomo in the primary, have rushed to endorse Mamdani for the general  while Cuomos still in it? I asked.

It was a rhetorical question, I suppose. But I still wanted to hear the answer.

The response just a single word: Disingenuous.

Indeed. See which way the wind is blowing and blow along with it.

Staten Island Dems had endorsed Andrew Cuomo even before he jumped into the race.

We believe Andrew Cuomo is the only proven leader with the track record of results and resolve to both navigate attacks from Washington and properly address the issues of corruption and deteriorating quality of life that our city faces today, Laura LoBianco Sword, the party chair, said in February. He stands for working class men and women, and that is why we are endorsing him today.

Keep in mind, Zohran Mamdani was in the race, but woefully behind in the polls.

Six months later?

Staten Island Democrats supporting Mamdani after backing Cuomo in primary, read the SILive.com headline

What changed? Other than Mamdani winning?

Its not a matter of us deciding to support [Mamdani], that decision was made by the voters, Sword told us. The Democratic Party has an obligation to support the Democratic nominee. Once theres a vote, were the Democratic Party, we support the Democrat. Period. End of story.

Well . . . yes and no. The New York City electorate as a whole might have supported Mamdani  but conservative Staten Island did not. Admittedly, the vote was close. But close doesnt win. And let us not forget that this was a primary, where only a fraction of Staten Island Dems  always notorious ticket-splitters  show up.

Add to the flip-flop list the 1199 health care union, the Hotel and Gaming Trade Council and the building workers union. The teachers union sat out the primary but is backing Zohran in the general.

No one should be surprised by all this. Weve seen it before.

Guy Molinari with President Ronald Reagan in the White House.

A former assemblyman, congressman and borough president, Guy Molinari died in 2018. He was Staten Islands Republican king-maker for decades when in his prime.

It was in 1997 when a Staten Island African American, Terry Player, was chosen by the Staten Island Republican Party to challenge a sitting councilman, Jay ODonovan, for the North Shore Council seat.

Terry Player - 2002 candidate for North Shore Assembly District 2002 CANDIDATE ASSEMBLY/61ST DISTRICT TERRY PLAYER: Republican, Conservative Staten Island Advance Staten Island Advance

It was a big deal at the time. Staten Island had never elected a Black candidate.

Guy, who was borough president at the time, promised to remain neutral in the Republican primary but was effusive of Terry.

What we didnt know was that Guy was secretly working to elect a Republican primary challenger, Joseph Cammarata. Joe won the primary decisively, with 64 percent of the vote.

You have to determine who is the best candidate for the position, Guy rationalized. You cant overlook the fact that there is an ethnic identification in voting. We have far too few African Americans registered as Republicans.

Advance editors were confounded and penned an editorial critical of the whole mess.

What Mr. Molinari seems to be saying is that in bottom-line, hardball politics on Staten Island, read the editorial, it makes no sense to nominate a Black person because Blacks cant win elections here.

Guy did what he did so well  went berserk. He accused me of calling him a racist, and I accused him and the party of abandoning the candidate they first declared best in the race.

You gotta back the guy who can get elected, Guy bellowed.

That scenario is not exactly the same as the current mayoral contest. But what they have in common is Guys philosophy: Support whoever looks like theyll win it.

Principles be damned.

Im eager to hear how Staten Island Dems square with Mr. Mamdanis position to legalize prostitution in the city. That is, if he hasnt yet abandoned it because maybe, just maybe, itll cause him to lose votes.

Brian

Oh by the way: In the World According to Donald Trump, America has been taking the slavery thing way too seriously. Seems that the Smithsonian Institution focuses too much on how bad slavery was and not enough on the brightness of America, according to our 47th president. The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been . . . he blasted on his Truth Social site. You know whats sadder than the fact he even uttered those words? Theyll be forgotten in a week.
A cell in an enhanced supervision housing unit on Rikers Island in New York, Thursday, March 12, 2015. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has unveiled a comprehensive plan to curb jail violence after a visit to the problem-plagued Rikers Island jail complex. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

A man being held on Rikers Island died early Saturday, marking the 10th inmate death in New York City jails this year, according to the New York Daily News.

The Department of Correction said, according to the report, that Ardit Billa, 29, was found unresponsive in his cell at the George R. Vierno Center around 12:25 a.m. and pronounced was dead within the hour.

Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie said the agency will conduct a full review; an autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.

Billa had been in custody since February on $25,000 bail after failing to appear in court on assault and weapons charges stemming from a January razor attack in Brooklyn, the outlet said.

According to the outlet, Billas death comes as the citys jail system faces mounting scrutiny, with this years fatalities already double the total in 2024.

Rikers Island is legally required to close by 2027, but the plan is years behind schedule, the outlet said.
Alex Jones sounded the alarm on his Infowars channel this week about Donald Trumps health.

The conspiracy theorist claimed that the president is in a health crisis, and looks like he is about to collapse.

It shows, and I get it, the fear that hes getting sick  who knows whats going on, Jones said. His ankles are giant.

Jones then said that the 79-year-old Trump appears to be declining, faster and faster.

A 45-year-old man couldnt do this, Jones said. So as the crisis gets worse, and its gonna get worse, because you can see him declining faster and faster. Its not super bad yet, but unlike Biden that was completely shot, and all these brain surgeries and the rest of it, Trump has great genetics. Hes tough, and if he takes care of himself, he can make it through these years and then after.

Jones told his viewers he believes that Trumps schedule is partly to blame.

So I really want Trump to cut the work days to, you know, 14 hours, he said. Not 20. I mean, heres an example, they looked at his schedule last week when he went up to Alaska. And he was seen doing interviews and getting on and off airplanes and things in a 35-hour period. And every hour or so, he was doing some interview, or talking to officials, and doing meetings and events. It looks like he didnt sleep. You cant do that at 50. You can do it at 20. You sure as hell cant do it at 79.

Jones said he sees warning lights flashing all over the place, and brought up Trumps recent post about making it to Heaven.

The president needs to be prayed for by everyone, and we need to ask God to send the Holy Spirit to him, Jones said.
Gov. Jared Polis insisted Colorado is not a "sanctuary" state and added he is "frustrated" by the label  a few months after he signed a law that expands the prohibition on cooperating with federal agents on immigration enforcement.
President Donald Trumps sudden openness to offering war-torn Ukraine NATO-style security guarantees has the presidents MAGA base in a fury.

MAGA architect Steve Bannon on his War Room podcast denounced the recent U.S.-Ukraine talks as globalist overreach, Newsweek reported, even though Bannon stopped short of condemning Trump directly.

I want to give a security guarantee to the citizens of the United States on these invaders right now, Bannon said. Thats the security guarantee I want. This entire war is so that Ukraine could be a Western country. Well, I dont give a tinkers dk.

Under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty signed after World War II, an attack on one NATO country is considered an attack on them all. Members would then be mandated to respond collectively, including possibly with military force.

During last weeks Ukraine war talks, the White House raised the possibility that Ukraine would be offered that protection even though Ukraine would not be granted NATO membership.

But Bannon and others in MAGA world see the possibility of granting Ukraine Article 5 protection as a fundamental betrayal of MAGAs core anti-interventionist stance.

There cant be any guarantee here from the United States, because thats going to inextricably link us to this conflict, Bannon told Politico. If we dont fund this, it stops happening. The Europeans dont have the hardware or the money.

Wrote one poster on X: All I heard were Article 5 and security guarantees. If POTUS agrees with that, we MAGA are out. Sorry, but you broke your promise.

Wrote another: Get out of Ukraine! No more US money! No more US weapons! No Article 5 US security guarantees! World War II is over!
Le Creuset, known for being a quality name in kitchenware, has temporarily reduced the price of their bestselling Signature 8-Qt Thyme Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven. This discounted price offers an excellent opportunity for those interested in trying out this renowned brand at a more accessible price point.

Le Creusets Dutch oven is constructed from cast iron and finished with an enamel coating. The lid knob is made of stainless steel with a gold finish. Its handles are designed as easy-grip loops.

This product is compatible with all cooktops, including induction and grills. Its oven-safe up to 500F and is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. It requires no seasoning and resists dulling, staining, chipping, and cracking. The dutch oven provides excellent heat distribution and retention, and includes a tight-fitting lid to circulate steam and retain moisture.

Le Creuset Signature 8-Qt Thyme Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven This gorgeous dutch oven will instantly upgrade your kitchen. $300 at Le Creuset

More kitchen deals:

Walmart has had great deals on cookware all summer 2025, and this release from Drew Barrymore is guaranteed to make a splash. Barrymore is beloved for her relatable and down-to-earth persona, so its no surprise shed decide to release products at Walmart. For a limited time, the Beautiful 10-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker is selling for just $80, marked down from its original price of $89.

This multi-cooker is incredibly versatile and can be used to slow cook, braise, simmer, steam, make rice and more. Its 10-in-1 system eliminates the need for other kitchen gadgets. The time and temperature can be adjusted and it even includes a steam rack for vegetables. Given the popularity of Drew Barrymore products, wed expect it to sell out quickly, especially at this low price.
Showers may bring rain to New York City on Thursday, June 26, 2025. This photo from Aug. 7, 2023, shows a rainy day in Clifton. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

A high risk of rip currents persists through Sunday evening along Staten Islands beaches, with the potential for scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms late Sunday into Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The NWS forecast indicates a cold front will slowly approach Staten Island on Sunday, bringing a slight chance of precipitation. Temperatures are expected to remain near or slightly below normal, with winds from the south at 8 to 12 mph and occasional gusts up to 20 mph. The most likely areas to see precipitation will be in the western parts of the region, with minimal rainfall expected in Staten Island.

Residents should exercise caution at Atlantic Ocean beaches due to the continued high risk of rip currents through Sunday evening. The NWS warns of long-period easterly swells around 3 to 4 feet that could create dangerous swimming conditions. By Monday, the rip current risk is expected to decrease to moderate levels.

For New York City, the forecast suggests mostly dry conditions with occasional cloud cover. Temperatures will hover in the mid-70s, with a gradual transition to cooler, more stable weather as high pressure builds in from the Central Plains.

The extended forecast indicates a stable weather pattern will dominate through the week, with predominantly clear skies and temperatures remaining near seasonal averages. No significant storm systems are anticipated, providing favorable conditions for outdoor activities.

Residents should continue to monitor local weather updates and be prepared for potential brief, isolated showers during the early Monday morning hours.

A draft of this story was generated using AI. It was reviewed, edited and approved by Advance/SILive.com staff.
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 Australian novelist Amy Taylor thought shed carved out a brief intermission between two labours of love: the release of her second novel, Ruins, and the imminent arrival of her first child. Then came the email: someone wanted to turn her novel about a young couple at a crossroads and their ill-fated trip to Athens into a film. Turns out, a lot of someones did. It was the quiet before the storm of publication, Taylor says. Then it snowballed, and we ended up with nine meetings booked across different production companies, and the last one was three days before I gave birth. Taylor, who lives in Brunswick, in Melbournes inner north, found herself 39 weeks pregnant, juggling Zoom calls at all hours, watching her inbox ping with new pitches from different production companies. For Taylor, it offered comfort that her story, not yet on the shelves, was resonating with readers. Novelist Amy Taylor has sold the screen rights to her novels The Ruins and Search History. Credit: Celeste Holm It was the best experience ever, especially in that period right before publication, Taylor says. I was in the stage where its just radio silence in a way. So to be able to go on these calls with production companies and just have them say lovely things to me was such a treat in that period. The meetings and emails resumed a few days after Teddy was born before the rights went to Oscar-nominees Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman; Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning) and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice; A Different Man), who will produce and star as the lead couple  freshly unemployed Emma and academic Julian  in the Miramax adaptation. I was trying very hard to be cool for the first meeting. They introduced themselves and started talking, and I remember glancing at myself in the corner of the screen  my face was just like  And I thought I was being really cool, Taylor laughs.

Advertisement

What convinced her ultimately wasnt the wattage, but their love for the novel. I was drawn to the genuine passion from everyone involved, she says. And I got to hear from Vanessa and Sebastian as well about their connections to the work, which was very generous of them and something I really appreciated. Its not difficult to see what drew them in (think Netflixs 2021 adaptation of Elena Ferrantes The Lost Daughter, starring Olivia Colman, for the screen aesthetic). Ruins is a page-turner, glistening with the sweat, sunshine and spanakopita of Greece. Emma and Julian arrive in Athens to house-sit for a friend  and to recalibrate and reconnect  but tensions simmer, particularly over whether they want to try for a child. Meeting Lena, a charismatic local, tips the trip into disarray. The story resists postcard Greece  whitewashed villages and endless blue seas  in favour of something claustrophobic, charged and intimate. Relationships teeter on a knife-edge, complicated by class, history, and desire. Vanessa Kirby is slated to play Emma in the film adaptation of The Ruins. Credit: AP Athens has such a complex, turbulent history, and even in more recent times, with economic turbulence. Its not an easy place to live, and its not an easy place to holiday even. I thought that atmosphere would make for a good setting for a novel where there was already an undertone of escalation of pressure, Taylor says. Taylor first visited Athens in 2019. While many visitors breeze past on their way to island getaways, she was drawn to the layers of history. She returned for research trips, notebook in hand, but wrote most of the novel from Melbourne, where she moved in 2020, after growing up in Perth. I was just absorbing as much as I could, as quickly as I could and walking around the streets so that when I came home, I could look at my Google Maps and recall where that was and what that looked like, so I could carry these characters through the city. Greek mythology subtly shapes the books architecture. Its three-act arc nods to classical drama: a chorus-like introduction, a rising complication, the hand of God  a plot device where an unsolvable problem resolves unexpectedly  and the ever-present shadow of Medea, whose mythological influence threads through the story.

Advertisement

I was trying very hard to be cool for the first meeting. The leap from Brunswick to Athens wasnt without hesitation. Taylors first novel, Search History (2023), was rooted in a city she lived in every day. Moving to another language, another landscape, was daunting. Yet, the two novels share a thematic continuity: Search History explored a young womans increasingly pathological obsession with her boyfriends dead ex, and Ruins continues that fascination with tangled love triangles. Amy Taylors second novel, Ruins, is set in Greece. I think its really hard to write a novel where its just two people breaking up. To me, that third element is what makes the conflict and tension and what makes a story out of it. I dont even see that just in relationships. I feel like every novel I write will probably in some way have three people, Taylor says. When we speak, Teddy is six weeks old. Taylor admits sleep is scarce, but the baby has offered a kind of ballast. There are two different worlds I can escape into when I need a reset, she says. And having something as grounding as a newborn snaps you back to reality when the anxieties of publishing rise. The film deal has also given her something else invaluable: time. With both Ruins and Search History now optioned (Search History by Netflix earlier this year), Taylor, who formerly worked in marketing, says she has bought herself some breathing room to work on her third novel.

Advertisement
If the size of CEO pay packets already annoys you, this information will make you even madder.

It turns out Australians dramatically underestimate the wage difference between our highest-paid executives and regular wage earners.

A new study shows the average chief executive officer of companies listed on the Australian stock exchange earns more than 100 times as much as the average full-time worker  but people think they earn just seven times as much.

Christopher Hoy, a University of Melbourne research fellow and co-author of the study, said it was just crazy how much people misjudge the scale of CEO pay packets relative to the rest of us.
Despite the polarisation in Australian politics, there is surprising common ground on one issue: disgust at soaring executive salaries. A new study has found Australians woefully underestimate the wage difference between the highest-paid executives and regular wage earners, but voters with far-right political views become much more supportive of higher taxes on the wealthy and greater social spending for disadvantaged households when informed about the true scale of wage disparity. The average chief executive officer earns more than 100 times as much as the average full-time worker. Credit: Matt Willis The study shows the average chief executive officer of firms listed on the Australian Stock Exchange earns more than 100 times as much as the average full-time worker. Australian chief executives are well remunerated compared with several counterparts in Asia and Europe. While the average chief executive here gets 100 times more than the average full-time worker, that ratio was 83 times in Sweden, 63 times in France and only 59 times in Japan. Chief executives do much better in Britain (where their average pay packets are 214 times the average worker) and in the US (269 times). But Australians seem ignorant of wage disparity, even though our business culture rewards chief executives handsomely, compared with their French and Japanese counterparts.

Christopher Hoy, a University of Melbourne research fellow and co-author of the study, told the Heralds Matt Wade that while our chief executives earn 100 times as much as fellow Australian workers, people think they only earn seven times as much. There is a genuine misunderstanding of just how widespread wage inequality is, he said. Loading So-called fat cat salaries are a vexed issue. The Herald has always maintained that it is worth paying for highly qualified people. Community standards must be considered in setting salaries for public servants, but the private sector provides plenty of evidence that high executive salaries are no guarantee of performance. That said, Australia has a unique three strikes concept in its corporate governance, specifically related to executive pay. However, amid the usual paying peanuts only attracts monkeys assertions, private sector CEO salaries have been largely left to boards and annual general meetings. But there is growing support for change. The study found that when respondents were asked what pay gap they would prefer between the average chief executive and average full-time worker, they said only three times as much. If that preference came to pass in Australia, some executives would take pay cuts in the tens of millions. Further, there was strong support for higher taxes on very high-income earners and for greater redistribution to disadvantaged households. Hoy said the findings had implications for tax policy debate as they revealed that most voters lacked a good understanding of how unevenly wages were distributed. Actual information about wage inequality closes the gap between people on the far right and people on the far left when it comes to support for redistribution, Hoy said.
A housing model planned for the Suburban Rail Loop has delivered zero affordable homes in central Melbourne despite being in place for nearly a decade.

The failings of the program, which lets developers exceed height limits in exchange for providing much-needed social housing, has prompted the Community Housing Industry Association to call for the state government to ditch the proposal along the SRL and instead mandate affordable housing.

An artists impression of how the area around the SRLs Clayton station might look.

The organisations latest report found there was not one affordable housing agreement made under the scheme since it began in Southbank and the CBD in 2016, despite 31,000 new homes having been approved in that time.

Community Housing Industry Association Victoria chief executive Sarah Toohey said it was clear voluntary schemes did not work and private developers should be forced to contribute affordable housing.
Kelly Flanagan remembers the screams from the cell next door and despairing at being locked away in her own small room as guard shortages meant prisoners werent allowed out into common areas.

Youve got this constant mindf--k of them not telling you when youre coming out, Flanagan says. It literally is easier for some girls to think about killing themselves rather than constantly not knowing.

Wiradjuri woman Kelly Flanagan, a recent prisoner at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

The Annual Prisons Statistical Profile  updated on August 1 to include the 2023-24 financial year  reveals the rate of prisoner self-harm has remained stubbornly high. The figures come as the Allan governments tougher bail laws put more people behind bars.

The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a maximum security prison for women in Ravenhall in Melbournes west, recorded 54.5 self-harm incidents per 100 prisoners  double the rate two years earlier.
Joyce, who is now a backbench MP, dismissed suggestions that debate on his bill to dump net zero would help Labor by highlighting the divisions within the Coalition, and said he wanted greater scrutiny of climate policies. I believe this [net zero] is doing massive damage and hurting poor people. I am very happy for our parliament at least to give some transparency to what I believe is a massive swindle, he said. Australia committed in 2015 to the Paris climate change agreement, which binds countries to net zero emissions by 2050 and interim reduction targets every five years, under former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott. In 2018 Abbott then urged Australia to quit the Paris deal, but his successors Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison did not do so. Brawling over the Coalitions policy on climate change has continued since that time.

A swag of current Nationals MPs, including Senator Matt Canavan and former leaders Joyce and Michael McCormack, are now leading a push for the Coalition to dump its commitment to the Paris deal. Many Liberals support more ambitious climate action and fear further alienating major-city voters  who deserted the Liberal Party in droves at the past two elections  if support for the Paris deal is dropped. Over the weekend, the Queensland Liberal National Party voted to dump support for net zero, following a similar move by the WA Liberals, but the vote is not binding on the federal party. The Resolve poll showed 48 per cent of marginal-seat voters and 45 per cent of uncommitted voters supported a 65 to 75 per cent emissions target.

The findings on the 2035 targets are contained in the latest Resolve Political Monitor, conducted from August 11 to 17 and have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 per cent. Earlier this month, in a major speech to the Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit, Bowen foreshadowed a busy period ahead in his climate portfolio that included receiving and considering the Climate Change Authority advice on our 2035 target, and releasing that target alongside six sector decarbonisation plans and a new National Net Zero Plan. Loading That target will be ambitious and achievable, he said. Australias current target is a 43 per cent reduction in net emissions by 2030, set against the 2005 emissions level. Most experts believe that while Australia will fall short of reaching its 2030 target, a more ambitious 2035 target of 65 to 75 per cent will still be set by the Albanese government. A more ambitious target is likely to increase pressure on the government over stubbornly high electricity prices which have not come down substantially, despite a significant increase in cheap renewables.

The Resolve poll also asked voters about the best approach to take to Australias current 2030 targets. A total of 28 per cent of voters supported keeping the current target of cutting net emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, while 17 per cent supported a more ambitious target and 12 per cent backed rejecting or reducing the 2030 target and concentrating on net zero by 2050. Another 17 per cent rejected all current emissions targets, while 26 per cent of voters said they were unsure. Compared with June 2024, when these questions were last put to voters, overall support for the governments emissions-reduction targets had fallen by a couple of percentage points in most categories, though within the polls margin of error in most cases. On Monday, the Greens will use Senate rules to demand Labor release a tightly held climate change report. The government has sat on the Climate Risk Assessment for months amid fears that its findings are so confronting that its release needs to be managed sensitively.

The Greens Senate order to produce documents expires at 9.30am on Monday, and the government is not expected to release the cabinet-level material. Greens leader Larissa Waters said Australians had a right to know officials concerns about climate change risks before Labor started a debate about climate targets. Loading We are extremely concerned about Labors decision to hide this assessment for over nine months. It is set to be a damning report which reportedly shows how continued coal and gas approvals are setting our country on a path to climate ruin  with homes within five kilometres of the coast set to be regularly flooded, major drought risks for much of the country, and all coral reefs dead, she said. The government will soon launch its 2035 targets, which will show whether Labor intends to put the climate ahead of coal and gas profits, or whether their donations from fossil fuel corporations have slowed down progress yet again.
The Centre for Independent Studies failed to tell one of its employees that key footage existed of the night in question of her sexual harassment allegation against the think tanks high-profile former executive director Tom Switzer.

Earlier this month, this masthead revealed that Emilie Dye, a former marketing and research analyst at the centre, had launched a case in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) accusing the think tank of taking retaliatory action against her after she made a sexual harassment complaint against Switzer.

Former Centre for Independent Studies employee Emilie Dye has launched a sexual harassment case involving her former boss Tom Switzer. Credit: Instagram/Wolter Peeters

There is no suggestion that the allegations are true, only that they have been filed in the FWC.

Switzer stood down as head of the think tank after the complaint, a decision he said he had already made, and was installed as a senior fellow. He categorically denies the claims against him, including that he rubbed Dyes leg, told her she had a great arse and described himself as a very sexual guy on a night out at Alfies Bar in Sydneys CBD.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Extreme heat is fast becoming one of the biggest threats to workers health and livelihoods, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warned on Friday
Robert J. Corry, Jr. is pursuing a masters degree at Colorado State University and is a recovering lawyer. He is an author of Colorados constitutional Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana possession and use in the state in 2012. The views expressed herein are his alone.
A trial of cashless pokies in Victorian pubs and clubs has been rejected by reform advocates who accuse the Allan government of breaking its promise to stop problem gamblers chasing their losses.

The Alliance for Gambling Reform, headed by anti-pokies campaigner Tim Costello, has dumped its support for a trial of carded-play technology at 43 suburban venues beginning next month after the government quietly shelved its commitment to include mandatory loss limits.

Tim Costello, head of the Alliance for Gambling Reform. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The City of Monash, one of three local government areas where venues are part of the trial, has written to the state government raising its concerns, and the City of Greater Dandenong will debate on Monday a motion by one of its councillors to withdraw its support.

Costello said there was no point trialling cashless technology, which is already used on electronic gaming machines at Melbournes Crown casino, if the mandatory setting of loss limits by punters was not part of the scheme.
These changes included a new definition of mental injury to one that causes significant behavioural, cognitive or psychological dysfunction or one diagnosed by a medical practitioner. But the most significant change was the decision to exclude compensation for people whose primary mental injury has been mainly caused by stress or burnout as a result of events that are considered usual or typical and are reasonably expected to occur in the course of their duties. People affected by these can instead seek 13 weeks of provisional payments for support and treatment, which every Victorian worker who submits a mental health claim is eligible for. Mental health claims once made up 2 per cent of all injuries in the scheme but have risen to 16 per cent and were expected to eventually reach as much as a third of all claims before the laws were passed. Another major rule change limited benefits for workers in the long tail of claims stretching past 130 weeks, requiring these people to prove permanent impairment of more than 20 per cent.

WorkSafes figures also show a significant increase in the number of Victorians who ceased weekly benefits after this change was introduced. Loading Between March 31, 2024, and April 30 this year, there were 3949 people receiving weekly payments who reached the 130-week mark at which their claim was subject to a review conducted under the new rules. Of these, 71 per cent, or 2814 claims, were terminated. In the 2022-23 financial year, when the old system was used, the cut-off rate was 46 per cent. This data excludes those who no longer received weekly benefits for other reasons, such as returning to work full-time or retirement.

Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari said the changes had done exactly what was intended when they were implemented by then-WorkSafe minister Danny Pearson: To cut injured workers from the support they needed to get back to work. Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari. Credit: Simon Schluter Many of these injured workers will lose their house and will not qualify for any unemployment benefits, Hilakari said. Their misery is due to his embarrassing lack of leadership and empathy. When the changes were legislated, the government provided $50 million to a new agency, Return to Work Victoria, tasked with improving the rate of injured Victorians returning to employment. Health outcomes for workers get worse the longer they remain on WorkCover and can lead to prolonged injury and unemployment  the longer a person is away from work, the less likely they are to ever return, an Allan government spokesperson said.

Thats why our changes to the scheme established Return to Work, to help injured Victorians recover and get back to work safely. An independent review will be held into the WorkCover changes in 2027 to assess if they are working as intended. A spokesperson for WorkSafe said the agency had provided $3.77 billion in support to more than 109,000 workers last financial year. While there are early indications the reforms are working as intended to address pressure on the scheme from a decade of rising claim numbers, more time is needed to assess the long-term impacts, they said. WorkSafe expects the total impact of the changes to take years to fully materialise and has cautioned to consider this when interpreting their data. Legal precedents and changes in behaviour are expected to become clearer over time.

In May, WorkSafe Minister Ben Carroll announced the average premium rate would remain at 1.8 per cent this financial year. The average charge has not changed since 2023-24. However, individual rates can change for specific businesses and industries. Opposition finance spokeswoman Bridget Vallence said the government needed to provide certainty that premiums would not be increased further. Loading As a result of the Allan Labor governments massive increases to WorkCover premiums, Victorian businesses are now paying over $5 billion in premiums, making it the most expensive scheme in the country, she said. Victorian businesses already paid a monumental price for Labors mismanagement of the WorkCover scheme, with the recent premium hikes being another tax on jobs.
A review of Australias Defence Force Reserves has recommended establishing a cyber-reserve capability and led to calls for retirees to form a cyber militia to fight online attacks.

Australian businesses have been hit by a wave of cyberattacks over the past 12 months, Qantas, Genea Fertility Clinic and major superannuation funds being among the victims of data breaches.

The nation is facing a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals to respond to such incidents, and the number and severity of attacks has led to calls for cyber defences to be bolstered. The shortfall of qualified professionals is forecast to translate to 30,000 unfilled positions over the next three years.

Bond University professor Dan Svantesson has conducted research identifying the potential roles, staffing and structure of a volunteer cyber reserve.

Retirees and other senior Australians could play a key role in defending the nation against such attacks, Professor Dan Svantesson, of the Bond University Faculty of Laws Centre for Space, Cyberspace & Data Law, said.
Seoul, South Korea: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the test-firing of two types of new anti-air missiles, state media said on Sunday, displaying his expanding military capabilities as the South Korean and US militaries carry out joint drills.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said the test on Saturday proved the missiles effective in countering aerial threats such as drones and cruise missiles, and that Kim assigned unspecified important tasks to defence scientists ahead of a major political conference expected early next year.

The report did not specify the missiles that were tested or where the event took place. It did not mention any remarks by Kim directed at Washington or Seoul.

Kim Jong-un supervising the latest test of anti-air missiles at an undisclosed location, in an image provided by the North Korean government. Credit: AP

The test coincided with new South Korean President Lee Jae Myungs trip to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where they vowed to strengthen bilateral co-operation and their trilateral partnership with the United States to address common challenges, including North Koreas nuclear ambitions. Lee was to depart for Washington on Sunday for a summit with US President Donald Trump.
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 Dover: The bus driver has a simple answer when asked what he thinks about the asylum seekers who cross the English Channel each week in the hope of a better life in Britain. Too many do-gooders, he says, as we stand near the docks in the port city of Dover. He is not angry about it, but he wants the boats to stop. And he thinks those who help the asylum seekers are only making things worse. The solution, in his view, is to make it harder for anyone who attempts the crossing from France. A UK Border Force vessel brings migrants intercepted crossing the English Channel into Dover port this month. Credit: Getty Images The Dover seafront is mostly empty when I arrive on a weekday morning to ask residents how they feel about the asylum seekers. One woman, out for a walk by the water, thinks some are genuine refugees but most are economic migrants. Another believes there are too many criminals among them. But they have not met Rishan from Eritrea. They might, however, if they ever need a nurse in Canterbury. Rishan, now living about 25 minutes away from Dover, crossed the channel when she was 17. That was a decade ago, and she made the trip in the back of a truck, not on an inflatable boat. Even so, she puts a human face on the agonising British argument about stopping the boats.

Advertisement

Her family left Eritrea to flee the dictatorship there when she was young, and she was raised in Sudan without any citizenship or prospects. She feared being taken by the police. One day, I left home without telling my family. I made a decision: I dont want to live like that, she tells me. Rishan crossed from Sudan to Libya, where she had to wait for four months. She found a boat that would take her north, and was one of the thousands intercepted each year by the Italian authorities. She landed in Sicily and headed north again, sometimes helped by charities. She lived on the streets and hid in trains. Rishan, 27, a nurse in Canterbury who arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker when she was 17. Credit: Kent Refugee Action Network The journey was awful because it was so traumatising. The adrenaline would keep you going, on and on, she says. Especially in Calais. Nobody approached me to say, would you like to apply for asylum? because I didnt know how the asylum process worked. They pushed us from area to area. After a month at the French port, she gained a place in the back of a truck  my small size helped me  and made it across the channel on a ferry. Hundreds have died in these trucks, suffocated or frozen, but this has not deterred asylum seekers.

Advertisement

Rishan can talk about her escape to England because she gained refugee status after several years. It took her from December 2014 to June 2015 to cross northern Africa and Europe, then years more to find her way in her new home. As a minor, she was placed with two foster families until she was 21. In her first months, she says, she stayed in her room most of the time. I wasnt sure who to trust. In her second home, she was part of a large extended family with two other young asylum seekers in a house with a loving grandmother. She was amazing. I loved her and I loved the whole family. Loading Rishan speaks now as a media ambassador for the Kent Refugee Action Network, a charity that helps young unaccompanied refugees and asylum seekers. It had 350 cases last year and offered 45,000 hours of teaching time. What frustrates her is that the media coverage rarely puts a human face on those who have the potential to contribute to Britain. Innocent people cross here to seek safety, and it is just put down as the number of illegal people. They are fleeing persecution, which is well known in countries like Eritrea or Sudan, she says. It puts so many negative things around them, so people think of them as criminals.

Advertisement

People think that when we come to the country, everything is sorted for us  housing, or benefits. Thats completely the wrong message. I always believed it was one journey to come to the UK, but it was another journey to live here and become part of the culture, and learn the language. It took me nine years just to finish university. Rishan started work as a nurse last September at a local hospital. One of her fellow refugees has graduated in business management, one is doing occupational therapy, and another has finished a computer science course. Others are in construction. An aerial view of inflatable craft, used by migrants to cross the channel, stored at a Border Force facility in Dover. Credit: Getty Images Most Britons will not know these workers were asylum seekers. In fact, few residents in Dover ever see those who arrive by boat. Those who come on inflatable craft are almost always intercepted at sea. Border Force officials take them to a cavernous building behind barbed wire on a wharf near the cruise ship terminal, where they are put on buses before being housed around the country. What people see, however, is footage of young men being taken into asylum-seeker hotels. The latest statistics show that 73 per cent of asylum seekers are male. Only 7 per cent are, like Rishan, females aged 17 and under. Another thing has changed over a decade. There were 25,771 applications from asylum seekers in the United Kingdom in the year to June 2015. There were 111,084 in the year to June 2025  including 43,600 who came by boat.

Advertisement
Turkeys first lady, Emine Erdogan, has publicly urged US first lady Melania Trump to speak out against the deaths of Palestinian children after the latter made an open plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the children of Ukraine.

In a letter that US President Donald Trump handed to Putin during their Alaska meeting, his wife implored the Russian president to restore the melodic laughter of Ukrainian children following international outcry over their abduction by invading forces.

Melania Trump has been sent a message by Turkeys Emine Erdogan, urging her to think of the children of Gaza. Credit: AP

But now Turkey, an open critic of Israel, is pressing the US to adopt a similar stance against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as global pressure intensifies over the death toll in Gaza and images of starving Palestinian children.

I have faith that the important sensitivity you have shown for the 648 Ukrainian children ... will be extended to Gaza as well, Erdogan wrote, stressing that 18,000 Palestinian children are said to have died since the conflict began following the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.
Taken together, the actions have alarmed Democrats and others who fear Trump is wielding the authority of his office to intimidate his political opponents and consolidate power in a way that is unprecedented in American history. You combine the threat of prosecution with armed troops in the streets, said Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College. The picture is pretty clear for anyone whos read a history book what kind of administration were dealing with. Past election investigations are a Trump focus Trump began his second term by pardoning more than 1500 people who were convicted of crimes during the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. His Justice Department, meanwhile, has fired some federal prosecutors who had pursued those cases. Attorney-General Pam Bondi ordered a grand jury to look into the origins of the investigation of his 2016 campaigns ties with Russia, and Trump has called on her department to investigate former Democratic president Barack Obama.

The governments watchdog agency has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who investigated Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the classified documents stashed at his Florida estate. Those cases were among several that dogged Trump in the years between his presidential terms, including a New York fraud case and charges for election interference in Georgia brought by the Democratic prosecutor in Fulton County. All those investigations led him to claim that Democrats had weaponised the government against him. Loading It is amazing to me the number of people the Trump administration has gone after, all of whom are identified by the fact that they investigated or criticised Trump in one way or another, said Stephen Saltzburg, a former Justice Department official who is a George Washington University law professor. On Friday, Trump used governmental powers in other ways to further his goals. He announced that Chicago could be the next city subject to military deployments.

And after his housing director alleged that one of the governors of the independent Federal Reserve had committed mortgage fraud, Trump demanded she resign or be fired. He took to his social platform on Saturday to highlight the claims, as he tries to wrest control of the central bank. No charges have been filed, and it is not clear whether Bondi will investigate Trump sees himself as the chief law enforcement officer Vice President JD Vance denied in a television interview that Bolton, the former national security adviser, was being targeted because of his criticism of Trump. If theres no crime here, were not going to prosecute it, Vance told NBCs Meet the Press on Friday.

Trump said he told his staff not to inform him about the Bolton search ahead of time, but he stressed he had authority over all prosecutions. I could know about it. I could be the one starting it, the president said. Im actually the chief law enforcement officer. Bolton occupies a special place in the ranks of Trump critics. The long-time GOP foreign policy hawk wrote a book published in 2020, after Trump had fired him the year before. The first Trump administration sued to block the books release and opened a grand jury investigation. Both efforts were halted by the Biden administration. The actions look like the payback Trump said he would pursue. Credit: AP Bolton landed on a list of 60 former officials drawn up by now-FBI director Kash Patel that he portrayed as a tally of the Executive Branch Deep State. Critics warned it was an enemies list. When Trump returned to office in January, his administration revoked the security detail that had been assigned to Bolton, who faced Iranian assassination threats.

The FBI is now investigating Bolton for potentially mishandling classified information, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly. In contrast, Trump condemned the FBIs search of his own Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022. Retribution is wide-ranging, from judges to the military Trump has also targeted institutions that have defied him. The president issued orders barring several law firms that were involved in litigation against him or his allies, or had hired his opponents, from doing business with the federal government. Trump cut deals with several other firms to do free legal work rather than face penalties. He has targeted universities for funding cuts if they do not follow his administrations directives. His administration filed a judicial misconduct complaint against a judge who ruled that Trump officials probably committed criminal contempt by ignoring his directive to turn around planes carrying people being sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

Loading The actions are among the steps that seem to be intensifying. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired several military leaders perceived to be critics of the president or not sufficiently loyal, and last week the administration revoked the security clearances of about three dozen current and former national security officials. On Friday, Hegseth fired Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, whose agencys initial intelligence assessment of US damage to Iranian nuclear sites attacked in June angered Trump, according to two people familiar with the decision and a White House official. Its what he promised, said Justin Levitt, a former Justice Department official and Biden White House staffer who is a law professor at Loyola Marymount University. Its what bullies do when no one tells them No. AP
Notting Hill Carnival: Two stabbed and 423 arrests but 'less serious violence than previous years', police say

Two stabbed and 423 arrests at Notting Hill Carnival
Three ways Arsenal could line up without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard against Liverpool

Three ways Arsenal could line up without Saka and Odegaard at Anfield
Okay, I think we can continue, he joked, before singing a soliloquy: My beautiful brother, here is some advice for free. As we all look on, and see you go down, I advise you to get down on one knee.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, protests redistricting plans before the hearing of the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting at the Capitol in Austin, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

If someone were to ask the advertising geniuses who coined the slogan "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" to adapt it to fit the Texas political landscape, the effort would be doomed.

The truth is, what happens in Texas politics  at least the juiciest stuff  rarely stays within the borders of the second-largest state by land area. That was clear this summer when Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to redraw the state's congressional boundaries in a way that gave Republicans an even softer cushion heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The governor's action, as it turned out, lit the fuse that propelled redistricting onto the national stage. With little alternative to simply accept the defeat awaiting them in the GOP-controlled Legislature, Texas House Democrats packed up and left the state to halt work in the lower chamber.

No sooner had they landed in Chicago than Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, rolled out the welcome wagon with a news conference that was streamed from coast to coast. From there, sundry contingents of Texas Democrats splintered off to New York, Massachusetts and California to argue that Abbott and Republicans had become water carriers for President Donald Trump, aiming to shield him from a possible blue wave in 2026.

Everywhere they went, camera crews and national reporters followed.

Soon, even more journalists from faraway Washington and New York City crowded into the Texas Capitol. The ring around the Rotunda became the staging ground for well-lighted TV crews broadcasting live reports. Seats in the already crowded press pen just off the House speaker's rostrum were claimed by journalists  local and national  willing to sacrifice sleep for access by arriving an hour or more before the doors opened.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Capitol Press Corps reporters suddenly found themselves in demand from major networks to explain the nuances of Texas politics to national audiences.

And perhaps to the chagrin of Texas Republicans, redistricting also gave Democrats in other states a sturdier platform. Hosting the Texas Democrats even sparked speculation that Pritzker might be a 2028 presidential contender.

The brightest spotlight, though, fell on California Gov. Gavin Newsom. While Texas Democrats stalled Abbott's redistricting plan in Austin, Newsom was leading California Democrats to press forward with their own redistricting plan to box out Republicans in the Golden State.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In other words, Newsom borrowed Abbott's playbook and gave it a California spin.

The two governors sparred on social media, with Newsom pulling Trump into the mix with memes. Abbott accused Newsom of charging into redistricting to offset GOP gains in Texas and boost his own 2028 presidential prospects.

Newsom, helped by the Texas Democrats' stalling tactics, claimed bragging rights by signing California's redistricting plan into law before Abbott received his.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

But Abbott may have the last laugh: His map takes effect once he signs it, while Newsoms faces voter approval. And as Newsom begins to make his case to voters, he's arguing that California must win the war that Texas started.
A November 1927 photo show two Waco GXE biplanes inside a hangar at University Airport in Austin. Courtesy of Jeff Morrison

Our Aug. 10 column, What happened to Haile Field, a lost Austin airport north of Hyde Park? generated considerable reader interest.

Taken from American-Statesman articles from the 1930s through the 1950s, the column included tales of deadly plane crashes and fanciful air shows, along with more mundane activities such as crop dusting and routine flight training.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

References to other Austin lost airports in the cited articles, of course, sent me back into the records to see what else could be found.

Instead of tracking articles in the American-Statesman archives, this time I relied mostly on a remarkable website, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, put together by Paul Freeman and updated as recently as this month.

Freeman shares maps, action shots and aerial photographs, as well as brisk written records, for hundreds of abandoned or repurposed American airports. I selected a few of interest from the Austin area, leaving out for now Liberty Hill Airfield, Eagle Rock Ranch Airfield (Wimberley), San Marcos Municipal Airport, Kittie Hill Airport (Georgetown), Thompson Field (San Marcos), Lite-Flite Airfield (Manor), Luling Memorial Airfield and Guenther Field (La Grange).

University Airport

A May 19, 1940 photo shows an unidentified woman hand-propping an aircraft at University Airport. Courtesy of Jeff Morrison).

This one really interested me because I frankly had never heard of it before my research on Haile Field. Shocker: Some of the hangars still stand.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Located northwest of Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, this field was owned and operated by the University of Texas. It opened five years before Mueller in 1925. The original operator for the commercial field, S.W. Ruff, oversaw two sod runways set in an L-shape and a cluster of support buildings.

Freeman publishes several maps, but its hard at first to determine exactly where the airport stood near Airport and North Lamar boulevards, not far from the Austin and Northwestern Railroad (now MetroRail) tracks. One aerial photo cites the field firmly north of Airport and east of North Lamar, which early on was called the Dallas Highway.

The University Airport closed in 1949, yet as late as 1960, one aerial photo showed most of its buildings still standing. Currently, a former three-arched hangar survives at 7121 N. Lamar Blvd. It serves as the stylishly renovated home of Red Velvet, a marketing agency.

Penn Field

This World War I-era training field just south of St. Edwards University has figured in several of our history columns. Its name has been preserved in the modern business development that preserves some of the old brick structures.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

As the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Americans rushed into the air. Training fields popped up everywhere.

That same year, according to Freeman, The Austin Chamber of Commerce secured options on 1,700 acres south of Austin, some of which was part of the Blocker Ranch. Gen. George Squire, chief signal officer of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, deemed 150 acres suitable for a landing field; he approved the site in September 1917.

The field was named after Austin aviator Eugene Doak Penn, who died while training in Italy in 1918. The University of Texas took on the program for the School of Military Aeronautics, but no flights took off until 1918. UT added a radio school to the site. Volunteer labor, including students and Boy Scouts, cleared the field of remaining rocks and cornstalks.

In March 1918, UT bought the land and a railway track was laid to the site. Do any of those tracks survive? Was it ever connected to the Bergstrom Spur which ran along what is now Ben White Boulevard and which activists would like to convert into a hiking trail?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Some of those Bergstrom tracks are in good shape near South Congress Avenue. At the other end of the line, alongside the American-Statesman newsroom at the Met Center, the tracks have been pulled out and the tree line is populated with wildlife.

Penn Field was short-lived. The war ended in November 1918. Subsequent uses have been Woodward Truck Body Company  partly destroyed by the 1922 tornado  Woodward Furniture Factory, and, in 2000, the sensitively adapted Penn Field office park at South Congress Avenue and Alpine Road.

Tim's Airpark / Austin Executive Airpark

According to the book Austin, Cleared for Takeoff by William Ragsdale, Theodore Timmerman purchased 250 acres of farmland northeast of Austin in 1956. Shortly thereafter, Jim Boutwell leased 20 acres to construct an airport.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The earliest depiction of Tims Airpark that Freeman could find was on a 1959 Austin Sectional Chart. It started with a single unpaved runway west of Dessau Road, but gained a paved one in the early 1960s. By 1970, the runways had been lengthened to 4,000 feet with a taxiway along the west side of the runway.

The airport continued to grow and, by 1985, it had been named Austin Executive Airpark. During that decade, Red Baron Pizza biplanes stopped there regularly during promotional tours.

Austin Executive Airpark closed unexpectedly in 2000 and became a car racing facility for a while. These days, the field hosts an array of large industrial buildings.

It would be easy to confuse this former airpark with the similarly named Austin Executive Airport, a functioning public-use field at 6012 Aviation Drive off the 130 toll road. It was once known as Birds Nest Airport.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

During my one visit in 2012 while reporting on aviation company executive Rene Banglesdorf, it was a pretty swanky joint. And this was before most of todays Austin billionaires  and their private planes  had moved to town.

Robert Mueller Municipal Airport

A 1995 aerial photo of Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. It closed in 1999. USGS

In 1928, voters approved bonds to build Austin's first municipal airport, writes Freeman. The City Council purchased 340 acres for $60,785 on a site outside of the city selected by Army Lt. Claire Lee Chennault  later commander of World War II's storied Flying Tigers.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The future Austin Airport, later renamed for a City Council member who had died, was slated for farmland 3.75 miles northeast of downtown, according to a 1929 Rand McNally map. The field officially opened Oct. 14, 1930 with a single runway, small terminal and bow-trussed hangar. Braniff International inaugurated the first commercial air service in 1936.

A second runway had been added by 1940, and a new terminal opened in 1942. Mueller served as one of four auxiliary airfields for Bergstrom Air Force Base during World War II.

During the 1950s, two much longer runways were added to the west side of the field. By 1956, Mueller could accommodate jet traffic, and in the 1960s, Mueller opened its new Jet Age terminal. Even in the late 1960s, Austin had only 15 to 25 flights a day provided commercially by Braniff, Texas International and Continental.

Traffic started to grow rapidly after deregulation in 1978. By the early 1980s, city leaders were looking for a new airport location. Many proponents backed a site near Manor, but the federal government came through by offering the former Air Force base that became Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Meanwhile, the high, flat land at Mueller, which closed in 1999, was slowly developed into a dense, walkable New Urbanist neighborhood anchored by Dell Childrens Medical Center.

St. Edwards Airport

This one is not recorded on Freemans website, but it pops up in the American-Statesman archives.

During its day, this airport stood off St. Elmos Road approximately one mile east of South Congress Avenue. That would put it about where St. Elmo Road hits Interstate 35.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This airport did not last much longer than Penn Field to its northwest. The American-Statesman reported on the spot 17 times from 1941 to 1949.

A May 6, 1946 article, for instance, relates the details of an air show at St. Edwards Airport; a Dec. 2, 1948 story reports on the Civil Air Patrol squadron located there; a March 11, 1949 display advertises Auto Aero Services, Inc.pilot training  The Friendliest Service in the Friendly City  there ($15 down, $15 a month).

Please send tips and questions for From the Archives to mbarnes@statesman.com.
The 27th edition of the George Enescu International Festival begins on Sunday in Bucharest, being centered around the theme of 'Celebrations' - in honor of this year's 70th anniversary of the great composer's death and other major timeline landmarks, Agerpres reports.

In a press conference preceding the event, the artistic director of the festival, conductor Cristian Macelaru, emphasized that this cultural event is emblematic of an entire country, and expressed his desire for accessibility of classical music to become normal in modern-day Romania.





He expressed his hope that a wide audience would come to the concerts and events of the festival."I believe that the municipality of Bucharest experiences a lot of backlog in terms of culture, but this has not stopped us, throughout the major difficulties we have endured on the budgetary and administrative side, from focusing on culture. This year alone, we have allocated over RON 600 million to culture in the municipality of Bucharest, a tremendous amount for the bleak period we are going through. And we will not stop here, we will address all those backlog issues because we are perfectly aware that without culture we are not a nation. (...) Not only does this event put Bucharest on the map, but it also puts Romania on the international map of culture," declared the acting mayor of the capital city.The 27th edition of the George Enescu International Festival debuts on Sunday, at the Palace Hall in Bucharest.Over 100 concerts by more than 4,000 guest artists are scheduled over the four weeks during which Bucharest becomes the world capital of classical music, between August 24 and September 21.Over 45 performances of George Enescu's works will be presented both in Bucharest and throughout the country: from symphonic masterpieces (Symphonies, Vox Maris, Pastorale-Fantaisie, Rhapsodies) to chamber compositions (Childhood Impressions, The Dixtuor, Quartets, Sonatas for Cello and Piano), from early pieces (Romanian Poem) to posthumously completed creations (Isis, Caprice Roumain). At the symbolic center of this anniversary stands the monumental opera Oedipe, staged at the Bucharest National Opera House in a production signed by director Stefano Poda, with Ionut Pascu in the lead role, Ruxandra Donose as Jocasta and Ramona Zaharia as the Sphinx.A distinct segment of the edition is dedicated to opera and ballet, with rare titles in concert versions or in spectacular stage visions. Among these are the impressive concert opera Fin de partie by Gyorgy Kurtag, inspired by Samuel Beckett's namesake play, and L'Heure Espagnole by Maurice Ravel, presented by the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana under the direction of Tompa Gabor, at the Bucharest National Opera.Richard Strauss's Salome opens the lyric series on September 1, at the Palace Hall, in a concert version with multimedia elements created by directors Nona Ciobanu and Peter Kosir. On September 14, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Dmitri Shostakovich will come to stage for the first time in Romania, in a production directed by Giancarlo Guerrero, with multimedia projections designed by Carmen Lidia Vidu.The 2025 edition features an impressive series of works in a first ever or national premiere: Concerto for Orchestra by Dan Dediu, Some Variations by Aurelian Bacan, Winter Sonata by Donghoon Shin, as well as rediscovered pieces from the Italian and Neapolitan Baroque.Another novelty is the string of concerts "Enescu in Control", which will take place every Wednesday evening in Bucharest's well-known Control Club, with performances by the Janoska Ensemble (August 27), pianist Francesco Tristano (September 3), the Radio Big Band (September 10), and the Bucharest Percussion Ensemble (September 17).
Over 40 coins and several ancient precious metal ornaments were discovered at the Histria archaeological site - Constanta County, during the digging campaign carried out in the Roman fortress's Great Gate - Great Tower sector, under the coordination of the National Museum of Romanian History (MNIR), the museum reports, Agerpres reports.

The artifacts were discovered in a house assumed to have burned down during the Roman period; numerous other items were found in the same layer (inscriptions, ceramic vessels, objects made of bronze, iron, glass, stone etc.)





Due to their features, the ancient coins and ornaments will be classified in the Treasure category of the national cultural heritage."The National Museum of Romanian History has a distinct research sector assigned within the site, where it has been carrying out own-funded archaeological excavations since 2000 to the present day; the goal is to study the early Roman era in Histria," the cited source mentions."Among these, the most noteworthy are new portions of two streets which were already known from previous research, a new street route, three large buildings sitting on these arteries, conduits for collecting household water or drinking water pipes, a fountain, an oven, various archaeological objects (supply vessels, amphorae, luxury and common use vessels, items made of bronze, iron, glass and bone, coins, fragments of inscriptions and architectural works etc.)," the cited release also states.
ST. LOUIS  By late last summer, it was obvious that the lake was disappearing. Again.

A water line stained the walls above the lake in Benton Park, the centerpiece of the historic neighborhood south of downtown, and patches of ground had collapsed around the bank.

Conservation officials blamed an age-old culprit: Nearby sinkholes were siphoning the water out of the lake and pulling it deep underground, bad news for the lakes hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout.

By this July, the water had dropped so low the Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued an Emergency Fish Salvage order and temporarily suspended fishing regulations. The order sanctioned a fishing free-for-all  anglers with a fishing permit were allowed to use spears, nets, grappling hooks and even their bare hands to get the fish out.

On Aug. 6, workers drained the lake.

It wasnt shocking for residents.

The alleys have a lot of sinkholes, said Lemya Sidki, 58, a business owner in Benton Park for 30 years. The old brick will collapse down into them.

A few years ago, she walked outside of her building to see a 4-foot-long, 2-foot-wide hole in the alley. I looked down into it; I couldnt see the bottom, she said. I said, Oh my god. Is there a cave under here?

The sinkholes underneath Benton Park have been a thorn for decades. In the 1980s, the city spent $30,000 to fix it. In 2007, it spent another $700,000. But experts say its something Missouri residents are going to have to live with. According to a 2023 U.S. Geological Survey analysis, 30% of Missouris land is classified as having high or very high sinkhole susceptibility, the 3rd highest in the nation.

Sinkholes form in landscapes called karst, made of rock that dissolves easily, such as limestone.

Rainwater picks up carbon dioxide from the air and from decaying organic material in the soil, creating a weak acid.

When the acid travels to the bedrock it eats away at the limestone, widening cracks and creating drainage networks that can swallow up water and soil.

Its not the same kind of collapse as the one that recently appeared on Olive Street in front of the well-known barbecue joint Pappys Smokehouse.

Those are typically caused as aging underground infrastructure, like rusting pipes, fall apart. After the pipes are replaced and the hole filled in, those areas are likely to stay stable, the cause of collapse fixed.

But when the cause is a void in the underlying limestone thats pulling water and soil down into caves  like in Benton Park  the fix is much harder.

Decades of trouble at Benton Park Lake

Benton Park was built in the mid-1860s on what had been a cemetery, in a part of the city where sinkholes are common.

Maps from the time show large bowl-shaped depressions  sinkholes  throughout the south St. Louis area. Many were filled in as homes were built and the city expanded.

Some people filled in sinkholes better than others, said local historian Chris Naffziger. You see crooked houses all over south St. Louis that you dont see in the north. There are some houses there I would never even accept as a gift.

And some of the sinkholes were useful. Breweries, for instance, lowered beer barrels straight down into naturally refrigerated caves.

In 1866, the superintendent and horticulturalist of Benton Park designed two lakes set into a grassy field that sloped below the street, nestled into two of the large sinkholes dotting the neighborhood.

Ever since, the sinkhole under Benton Park Lake has been trying to do what sinkholes do best  funnel water into an underlying cave system so it can be ushered through the planets water cycle.

Officials have tried to stop the drainage for decades.

Here we are, back at square one, Georgia Buckowitz, the citys director of parks, recreation and forestry told a local news outlet in 1980, after years of attempted fixes.

Back then, officials spent roughly $30,000 plugging cracks with concrete and a special expanding clay called Bentonite, and installing a rubber liner.

The sinkhole was undaunted.

In 2007, the city spent $700,000 to install a five-inch-thick concrete bottom in the approximately one-acre lake. Officials said they believed the problem was finally solved.

Ken Boyko, a scientist at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, has studied the cave system under the Benton Park neighborhood. He said this sinkholes thirst for the lake is particularly tenacious.

Usually, Bentonite or a rubber liner will do the trick, he said.

But they have some real engineering problems.

Boyko said it could be that the subsurface under the lake is not quite strong enough to support a stable seal.

What now?

Theres no magic fix to a sinkhole. But experts have suggestions.

Pay attention to your drains and gutters, said Fletcher Bone, a geologist with the Missouri Geological Survey.

If you dont move your downspouts away from your foundation, you may get settlement or formation of a sinkhole, he said.

Keep trees healthy. Dead tree root systems may warrant removal and replacement with soil or a specialized drainage system.

Usually, a healthy tree is to your advantage, said Doug Gouzie, a geology professor at Missouri State University, who has studied the relationship between trees and sinkholes. They do suck up a lot of the water.

Even if tree roots widen cracks in limestone, they simultaneously plug up those crevices and drink up water.

Until they die. Then, rotting roots make way for water to tunnel down. (And dead trees might be part of the problem in Benton Park. Four of them currently sit on the banks of the lake.)

Scientists also suggest continued study of neighborhood topography.

Nathan Wood, coauthor of the 2023 U.S. Geological Survey study, said a reoccurring investigation to detect subtle changes in the land surface that imply sinkhole formation could lead to a better understanding of Benton Parks sinkhole susceptibility.

Residents, meanwhile, say the problem is getting worse.

Benet Schaeffer has lived in Benton Park for 30 years.

Its never really been like whats going on now, he said. Im seeing a lot of sinkholes pop up in alley ways.

Schaeffer questions the citys method for filling in the holes, describing it like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. He said hes noticed some patches beginning to sink again as trash trucks roll over them.

Olivia Bracken lives across from the park and keeps a close eye on the sinkhole. Several months after the ground collapsed at the lakes bank she saw people trying to fix it. Not even a month later it was fenced in again, she said.

The sinkhole problem is visibly getting worse, she said on a recent morning walk with her dog, Rosie.

Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi, who represents the ward that includes Benton Park, said the city has hired engineers to study the neighborhoods sinkhole problem.

I understand the frustration when fixes take a long time, Cox Antwi said. I plan to work with the City and our partners to ensure future fixes continue to happen more quickly.

Greg Hayes, director of the St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, now leads the charge against the deep-seated geologic feature.

Hayes said solutions this time may include spot waterproofing or possible full replacement of the membrane in the lake.

Friday morning, two men with an excavator removed orange construction fencing and started digging where the ground had collapsed. Within minutes, there was a pile of dirt six feet high.

Bracken, the neighbor, was watching.

Im skeptical its gonna be fixed, she said.

Austin Huguelet of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
A soldier stands at a North Korean military guard post flying a national flag, seen from Paju, South Korea, June 26, 2024. (Lee Jin-man/AP)



SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea accused South Korea of a serious provocation Saturday after South Korean troops fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers setting up barriers along their tense border.

Ko Jong Chol, vice chief of the North Korean Peoples Armys General Staff, noted that Tuesdays warning shots coincided with the South Korea-U.S. summertime military drills and accused Seoul of deliberately trying to raise tensions.

Shortly after Kos statement, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed it had fired warning shots Tuesday afternoon at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the military demarcation line in the central border region while carrying out unspecified construction work. The Souths military said the soldiers returned to North Korean territory without incident and that the North didnt return fire.

In recent months, South Koreas military has occasionally used loudspeaker warnings and fired warning shots to repel North Korean soldiers crossing the military demarcation line. The incidents were largely seen as accidental as North Korean troops build anti-tank barriers, plant mines and carry out other work to reinforce border defenses amid heightened tensions.

Ko said the North Korean soldiers were conducting a barrier project to permanently block the southern border, as part of broader efforts of completely separating the territory between the Koreas, when the South responded with an audio warning and warning shots. Ko said the North had informed U.S. forces in the South of their plans for the border work on June 25 and July 18 to prevent accidental clashes.

 As the commanding officer responsible for the southern border management and security, I strongly demand (the South) to immediately stop the dangerous provocation aimed to make the fortification project in the southern border necessary for defending our sovereignty an excuse for escalation of tension, Ko said in a statement.

Animosity between the Koreas is running high now as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to flaunt his military nuclear capabilities and align with Russia over President Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine.

Citing the expansion of South Korea-U.S. military exercises and the hard-line policies of Seouls previous conservative government, Kim last year declared that North Korea was abandoning its long-standing goals of a peaceful unification between the Koreas and ordered the rewriting of the Norths constitution to mark the South as a permanent enemy.

Kims government has so far dismissed the diplomatic overtures by Seouls new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, who said last week that Seoul would seek to restore a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement aimed at reducing border tensions, while urging Pyongyang to reciprocate by rebuilding trust and resuming dialogue.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, center, walks with Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, left, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick, The Canadian Press via AP)



Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plants press service on Telegram. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire due to military activity, but hadnt received independent confirmation. It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack.

Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russias Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal. The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire.

Russias Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraines air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

Another wartime Independence Day

The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked Independence Day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyivs Independence Square, emphasizing the nations resolve.

We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace, Zelenskyy said, calling for a just peace.

What our future will be is up to us alone, he said, in a nod to the U.S.Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests sidelined.

And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal, he said.

U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg was in attendance at Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, during which Zelenskyy awarded him the Ukrainian Order of Merit, of the 1st degree.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Zelenskyy.

On this special day  Ukraines Independence Day  it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side, wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyys chief of staff.

Military aid and prayers for peace

In a joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Carney said Canada will invest 2 billion Canadian dollars ($1.5 billion) in new military assistance for Ukraine to boost its army and provide urgently needed weapons.

Zelenskyy said the two leaders were considering the presence of Canadian forces on the ground in Ukraine as part of a reassurance force.

Norway announced significant new military aid Sunday, pledging about 7 billion kroner ($695 million) for air defense systems. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar.

Pope Leo XIV prayed Sunday for peace in Ukraine as he marked the countrys Independence Day with a special appeal during his weekly noon blessing. He said the faithful were joining Ukrainians asking that the Lord give peace to their martyred country.

Leo also sent a telegram to Zelenskyy, which the Ukrainian leader posted on X along with similar notes from other world leaders.

In the letter, Leo assured his prayers for all Ukrainians who are suffering, and wrote: I implore the Lord to move the hearts of people of good will, that the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue, opening the path to peace for the good of all.

A war of attrition

Meanwhile, Russias troops continued their push in eastern and northern Ukraine, where Russia claimed Saturday that its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region. The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukraine had taken back control of the village of Novomykhailivka, also in the Donetsk region.

Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday that 146 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukraine, in exchange for the same number of Ukrainian servicemen. The ministry said the latest exchange also included eight residents of Russias Kursk region, which was subject to a surprise Ukrainian incursion in August 2024, who were returned to Russia after being held in Ukraine.

Shortly after the Russian announcement, Zelenskyy said our people are coming home. He said that those being exchanged included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022, he said.

Zelenskyy did not confirm the number of prisoners involved in the exchange.
DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, is among postal services around Europe that are suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid confusion over new import duties. (Matthias Rietschel/AP)



ATHENS, Greece  The end of an exemption on tariff duties for low-value packages coming into the United States is causing multiple international postal services to pause shipping as they await more clarity on the rule.

The exemption, known as the  de minimis exemption, allows packages worth less than $800 to come into the U.S. duty free. A total of 1.36 billion packages were sent in 2024 under this exemption, for goods worth $64.6 billion, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agency.

It is set to expire on Friday. On Saturday, postal services around Europe announced that they are suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid confusion over new import duties.

Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy said they will stop shipping most merchandise to the U.S. effective immediately. France and Austria will follow on Monday.

The U.K.s Royal Mail said it would halt shipments to the U.S. on Tuesday to allow time for those packages to arrive before duties kick in. Items originating in the United Kingdom worth over $100  including gifts to friends and family  will incur a 10% duty, it said.

Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out, DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, said in a statement.

The company said starting Saturday it will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the U.S.

A trade framework agreed on by the U.S. and the European Union last month set a 15% tariff on the vast majority of products shipped from the EU. Packages under $800 will now also be subject to the tariff.

The U.S. duty-free exemption for goods originating from China ended in May as part of the Trump administrations efforts to curb American shoppers from ordering low-value Chinese goods. The exemption is being extended to shipments from around the world.

Many European postal services say they are pausing deliveries now because they cannot guarantee the goods will enter the U.S. before Aug. 29. They cite ambiguity about what kind of goods are covered by the new rules, and the lack of time to process their implications.

Postnord, the Nordic logistics company, and Italys postal service announced similar suspensions effective Saturday.

In the absence of different instructions from US authorities ... Poste Italiane will be forced, like other European postal operators, to temporarily suspend acceptance of all shipments containing goods destined for the United States, starting August 23. Mail shipments not containing merchandise will continue to be accepted, Poste Italiane said Friday.

Shipping by services such as DHL Express remains possible, it added.

Bjorn Bergman, head of PostNords Group Brand and Communication, said the pause was unfortunate but necessary to ensure full compliance of the newly implemented rules.

In the Netherlands, PostNL spokesperson Wout Witteveen said the Trump administration is pressing ahead with the new duties despite U.S. authorities lacking a system to collect them. He said that PostNL is working closely with its U.S. counterparts to find a solution.

If you have something to send to America, you should do it today, Witteveen told The Associated Press.

Austrian Post, Austrias leading logistics and postal service provider, stated that the last acceptance of commercial shipments to the U.S., including Puerto Rico, will take place Tuesday.

Frances national postal service, La Poste, said the U.S. did not provide full details or allow enough time for the French postal service to prepare for new customs procedures.

Despite discussions with U.S. customs services, no time was provided to postal operators to re-organize and assure the necessary computer updates to conform to the new rules, it said in a statement.

PostEurop, an association of 51 European public postal operators, said that if no solution can be found by Aug. 29 all its members will likely follow suit.

Anderson reported from New York. Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris; Costas Kantouris in Thessaloniki, Greece; Stephanie Lichtenstein in Vienna; Brian Melley in London and Molly Quell in Amsterdam contributed to this report.
Israeli and Palestinian activists take part in a protest calling for the end of the war and an end to starvation in the Gaza Strip, as they gather in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Maya Levin/AP)



KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 33 Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday, including people sheltering in tents or seeking scarce food, local hospitals said as a famine in Gazas largest city puts new pressure on Israel over its 22-month offensive.

Israels defense minister has warned that Gaza City could be destroyed in a new military operation perhaps just days away, even as famine spreads there.

Aid groups have long warned that the war, sparked by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, and months of Israeli restrictions on food and medical supplies entering Gaza are causing starvation.

Israel has rejected the data-based famine declaration as an outright lie. Ceasefire efforts are on hold as mediators await Israels next steps.

Women and children struck and killed in tents

Israeli strikes killed at least 17 people in southern Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to morgue records and health officials at Nasser Hospital. The officials said the strikes targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis.

Awad, why did you leave me? a small boy asked his brothers plastic-wrapped body.

Another grieving relative, Hekmat Foujo, pleaded for a truce.

We want to rest, Foujo said through her tears. Have some mercy on us.

In northern Gaza, Israeli gunfire killed at least five aid-seekers near the Zikim crossing with Israel, where U.N. and other truck convoys enter the territory, health officials at Sheikh Radwan field hospital told the AP.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said cameraman Khaled al-Madhoun was killed while covering events at the Zikim crossing, and asserted that he was targeted by Israeli troops. The local Palestine TV confirmed his death.

Eleven people were killed in attacks elsewhere, according to hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Israels military said it was not aware of a strike in Khan Younis at that location and was looking into the other incidents.

AP journalists have seen chaos on roads leading to aid deliveries, and there have been almost daily reports of Israeli troops firing toward aid-seekers. Israels military says it fires warning shots if people approach troops or pose a threat.

Braving gunfire and crowds for food

Mohamed Saada was among thousands seeking food in the Zikim area  and one of many who left empty-handed. He cited the huge numbers of people, the shootings and trucks running over people.

Some carried sacks of food like lentils and flour. Others carried the wounded, including on a wooden pallet. They navigated fetid puddles and the rubble of war as temperatures reached above 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius).

Fridays famine report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said nearly half a million people  about one-fourth of Gazas population  face catastrophic hunger.

The rare pronouncement came after Israel imposed a 2 1/2-month blockade on Gaza earlier this year, then resumed some access with a focus on a new U.S.-backed private aid supplier, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

In response to global outrage over images of emaciated children, Israel has also allowed airdrops and new deliveries by land, but the U.N. and others say its far from enough.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office asserts it has allowed enough aid to enter during the war, while accusing Hamas of starving the hostages it holds.

An increase in Israeli airstrikes this month

With ground troops already active in Gaza Citys outskirts, the military operation could start within days in an area with hundreds of thousands of civilians. Israel says Gaza City is still a Hamas stronghold, with a network of militant tunnels.

Aid group Doctors without Borders, or MSF, said its clinics around Gaza City see high numbers of patients as people flee. Caroline Willemen, MSF project coordinator there, noted a marked increase in airstrikes since early August.

Those who have not moved are wondering what they should do, she told the AP. People want to stay, they have been displaced endlessly before, but they also know that at some point it will become very dangerous to remain.

Ceasefire efforts await Israels response

Many Israelis fear the assault on Gaza City could doom the 20 hostages who are believed to have survived since 2023. Another 30 are thought to be dead. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested a week ago for a deal to end the fighting and bring everyone home.

Anyone who truly wants to bring the hostages home does not launch a ground invasion of Gaza, Yotam Cohen, brother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, said ahead of a weekly rally in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu said Thursday he had instructed officials to begin immediate negotiations to release hostages and end the war on Israels terms. It was unclear if Israel would return to talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar after Hamas said it accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators.

Hamas has said it will release hostages in exchange for ending the war, but rejects disarming without the creation of a Palestinian state.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Hamas stance, suggesting the militant group is less interested in making deals with few hostages left alive.

I actually think (the hostages are) safer in many ways if you went in and you really went in fast and you did it, Trump told reporters Friday.

Gazas Health Ministry said at least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed in the war, including missing people now confirmed dead by a special ministry judicial committee.

The number of malnutrition-related deaths rose by eight to 281, the ministry said.

Israeli protest against far-right security minister

A small group of Israelis protested against the far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, as he walked to a synagogue in Kfar Malal, north of Tel Aviv. Videos showed the minister arguing with the protesters.

We dont want him in our village. Our message is to bring back the hostages, one of the protesters, Boaz Levinstein, told the AP.

Ben-Gvir is a key partner in Netanyahus political coalition and a staunch opponent of reaching a deal with Hamas, which hostages families see as the only way to secure the release of loved ones.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Sam Mednick in Jerusalem and Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report.
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP)



CAIRO  Israeli airstrikes hit Yemens capital on Sunday, days after the Houthi rebels fired a missile toward Israel that its military described as the first cluster bomb the rebels had launched at it since 2023.

The Iranian-backed Houthis said multiple areas across Sanaa were hit, while the Houthi-run health ministry said at least six people were killed and 86 others were wounded, seven of them in critical condition.

The rebels Al-Masirah satellite television reported that a strike hit an oil facility owned by the countrys main oil company, which is controlled by the rebels, and video on social media showed a fireball erupting at the plant.

Israels military said it struck the Asar oil facility and the Hizaz power plant, which it called a significant electricity supply facility for military activities, along with a military site where the presidential palace is located.

Sanaa residents told The Associated Press they heard explosions close to a closed military academy and the presidential palace. They saw plumes of smoke near Sabeen Square, a central gathering place in the capital.

The sounds of explosions were very strong, said Hussein Mohamed, who lives close to the presidential palace.

Ahmed al-Mekhlafy said he felt the sheer force of the strikes. The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered, he told the AP by phone.

The Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months, saying they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.

Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, vowed to continue attacks on Israel, writing on social media that our military operations supporting Gaza wont stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted.

The Israeli strikes were the first to hit Yemen since a week ago, when Israel said it targeted energy infrastructure it believed was used by the rebels.

The latest strikes follow the Houthis claim of launching a newly equipped missile toward Israel on Friday, targeting the countrys largest airport, Ben Gurion. There was no reported damage or injuries. Israels military said it fragmented mid-air after several interception attempts.

An Israeli Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, called Fridays projectile a new threat  a cluster munition, meant to detonate into multiple explosives on impact.

The use of cluster bombs makes interception more difficult and represents additional technology provided to the Houthis by Iran, the official asserted.

The official also said over 10 Israeli fighter jets carried out Sundays strikes.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel continues to impose an air and naval blockade, without details. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised remarks that the rebel group is paying a heavy price for its aggression.

Houthi attacks over the past two years have upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of global goods passes each year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 commercial and naval ships with missiles and drones.

The rebels stopped the attacks during this years brief ceasefire in Gaza and later became the target of a weekslong airstrike campaign ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In May, the United States announced a deal with the Houthis to end the airstrikes in return for an end to attacks on shipping, although the rebels said the agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel.

Last month, the Houthis said they would target merchant ships belonging to any company that does business with Israeli ports, regardless of nationality, as part of what they called a new phase of operations against Israel.

In May, Israeli airstrikes hit the Sanaa airport in a rare daytime attack that destroyed the terminal and left craters in its runway. At least six passenger planes were hit, including three belonging to Yemenia Airways, according to airport authorities.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Metz from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Soldiers with the District of Columbia National Guard stand watch during the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 16, 2025. Guard members are positioned at key locations throughout the city to provide a visible security presence alongside law enforcement partners. (Aaron Troutman/U.S. Army)



The Pentagon has for weeks been planning a military deployment to Chicago as President Donald Trump says he wants to crack down on crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration, in a model that could later be used in other major cities, officials familiar with the matter said.

The planning, which has not been previously disclosed, involves several options, including mobilizing at least a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September to what is the third most populous city in the United States.

The mission, if approved, would have parallels to the polarizing and legally contested operation that Trump ordered in Los Angeles in June, when he deployed 4,000 members of the California National Guard and 700 active-duty Marines despite the protests of state and local leaders. The use of thousands of active-duty troops in Chicago also has been discussed but is considered less likely at this time, said two officials who, like others interviewed, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The Chicago effort would further expand Trumps use of military force domestically, even when state and local authorities call the idea unwelcome and unwarranted. Administration officials have defended such deployments, arguing that they are taking necessary steps to bring back law and order.

Trump on Friday touted his ongoing National Guard intervention in D.C., where more than 2,200 Guard members have been deployed in what he has cast as an overdue effort to crack down on crime. He zeroed in on Chicago as the next target.

Chicagos a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent, Trump said, in remarks that were immediately dismissed by Chicagos leaders as unfounded. And well straighten that one out probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough.

The officials familiar with the matter said that a military intervention in Chicago has long been in planning, probably in conjunction with expanded operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to search for undocumented migrants.

The deployment would come as federal authorities look for new ways to intensify the identification and deportation of undocumented immigrants, including an expansion of ICE and efforts to challenge sanctuary policies, as they seek to meet a directive from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller to make at least 3,000 arrests per day.

The White House on Saturday declined to answer questions, referring instead to Trumps comments in the Oval Office on Friday. The Pentagon said in a statement that it would not speculate on future operations.

The Department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel, the statement said.

The Pentagons plans for future deployments come as the Trump administration pressures state and local leaders to allow the federal government to do more to find and deport undocumented immigrants. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently sent a letter to numerous state, county and local leaders stating that sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and will be legally contested.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, hit back at Trump in comments Friday, with the governor accusing Trump of attempting to create chaos.

After using Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities, Pritzker said. Trumps goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts  all to create a justification to further abuse his power.

Johnson said in a separate statement that Chicago officials take Trumps statements seriously, but that they have not received any formal communication from the Trump administration regarding additional law enforcement or military deployments in the city.

We have grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops to the City of Chicago. The problem with the Presidents approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.

Pritzker said in a statement Saturday night after this story was published that the state of Illinois had received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention.

He added that there is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders.

Trump has long described major U.S. cities as lawless, Democratic-run failures, fixating on Chicago in particular. During his first presidential campaign in 2016, he called off a political rally there before he took the stage after fights broke out between his supporters and political opponents.

More recently, as Trump announced the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. on Aug. 11, he claimed that crime was rampant in several other cities, hinting at a playbook for federalized crackdowns.

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, so far gone. Were not going to let it happen.

Chicago, a city of about 2.7 million people, has had the most homicides in the country in each of the past 13 years, with 573 in 2024. Like D.C. and many other major cities, it had a spike in homicides and other violent crime during the covid pandemic, though rates have come down since.

But several other major cities had higher homicide rates than Chicago last year, including St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore and D.C. In the District, violent crime is down 27% over this time last year, with homicides down 11 percent, according to D.C. police data.

A states governor generally oversees his own National Guard, but the president can federalize and deploy troops over objections under Title 10 of federal law. It permits the president to issue orders to National Guard members if there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the government.

A president also can invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty troops to perform law enforcement duties in the U.S., but such an act would be politically polarizing and trigger alarm in the Pentagon. Trump flirted with the idea in 2020, during unrest following the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Trump deployed both the National Guard members and a battalion of Marines in California in June while citing incidents of violence and disorder that had occurred during ICE operations to round up undocumented immigrants. Under the law Trump used, Title 10, the troops are generally prevented from being involved in law enforcement.

The California deployment was contested in court, with Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and other officials questioning whether Trump had violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from carrying out civilian law enforcement actions. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trumps orders violated the law, but his decision was halted by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco.

This month, Breyer oversaw a case in which California officials again contested the legality of the deployment there. Administration officials said the troops involved were not enforcing the law, but rather protecting federal buildings and law enforcement personnel. No final ruling has been issued. A couple hundred members of the California National Guard remain involved in the mission in Los Angeles.

Trump has faced fewer legal challenges with his deployment of the National Guard in D.C. because the city is subject to federal oversight. As of Saturday, more than 2,200 troops from the D.C. Guard and six other states were involved in the mission under orders detailed by Title 32, a federal law that governors can use to deploy National Guard members in other states. Those deployments require the consent of both governors.

The Pentagon said Friday that the troops in D.C. will soon be allowed to carry firearms, a change to their initial orders.
Noel Lawlor (61) vowed to go to the Bahamas upon his release from prison.

A former psychiatric nurse who smashed the entrance barrier to a midlands based pharmaceutical giant before being found roaring and shouting outside a hotel owned by Supermacs boss Pat McDonagh told a court: I need a vacation moments before being jailed.

Sixty-one-year-old Noel Lawlor, Caddlebrook, Ballinagare, Castlerea, Roscommon vowed to go to the Bahamas upon his release from prison moments after he was sentenced to three months behind bars following a drink fuelled incident in Athlone during the early hours of July 13 this year.

Lawlor, who has spent the past five weeks in custody on remand, pleaded guilty to four charges of criminal damage and public disorder at a sitting of Longford District Court before Judge Michael Connellan.

Sgt Enda Daly told of how Lawlor first came to the attention of gardai shortly before 2am when staff from Alexion Pharmaceuticals in Monksland, Athlone discovered the entrance barrier to its 100m biologics manufacturing facility had been broken.

The two gardai appeared before a sitting of Longford District Court.

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025

The court was told Lawlor was subsequently identified when gardai inspected very clear CCTV from the scene of the incident.

A little over an hour and a half later, Sgt Daly said gardai were called to a second disturbance, this time at the towns Athlone Springs Hotel.

Sgt Daly said staff at the four star hotel, which is owned by Supermacs founder Pat McDonagh, contacted gardai after Lawlor had returned to the premises roaring and shouting following an earlier incident.

Judge Connellan was informed how Lawlors abusive demeanour was soon aimed in the direction of gardai, conduct Sgt Daly added continued during his detention at Athlone Garda Station.

It was there, the court heard where Lawlor urinated on the floor of a holding cell and under its door, resulting in a second criminal damage charge being handed down.

A psychiatric and probation report carried out on Lawlor was also handed into court, the latter of which Judge Connellan read extracts from.

In outlining its findings, he noted how an assessment carried out on the Roscommon man had shown him to be an individual who was toiling under the effects of long term chronic alcohol misuse while also being adamant in his belief that he was a victim of garda harassment.

Those conclusions, the court heard, had ultimately deemed Lawlor to be unsuitable for probation supervision.

In drawing the States evidence to a close, Sgt Daly said Lawlor had 29 previous convictions to his name and was under the confines of a suspended and consecutive one month prison sentence which had been issued at Tullamore District Court just days beforehand.

Defence solicitor Mark Cooney referenced both reports before the court, saying how they painted a sobering picture of a man who had succumbed to very serious alcohol misuse.

He said while his own understanding of the damage caused to the entrance of Alexion remained unclear, Lawlors offending on the night in question was the cause of one and only one reason alone.

In asking the court to factor in his clients guilty plea and time already served, Mr Cooney also alluded to Lawlors past involvement as a psychiatric nurse, adding how some of that work had ironically taken place in Castlerea Prison where he had been remanded from time to time.

Lawlor, for his part, backed up those remarks, saying via video link how he had previously joined the Irish Prison Service to readvance his own career.

I spent 40 years of my life working as a psychiatric nurse and (I was) one of seven members of the Merchant Quay project, he said, while expressing his own remorse over the events of six weeks earlier.

Having listened on to Lawlors own address to the court, Judge Connellan sentenced him to three months in prison for the criminal damage charge at Athlone Garda Station, backdating it to the day he went into custody on July 13.

Lawlor was similarly fined 100 for the Athlone Springs Hotel incident and given six months to pay.

The two other charges of criminal damage and public intoxication were taken into consideration.

Lawlor was also remanded in custody to reappear before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court this week for the purposes of a section 99 re-entry to decide whether part or all of the suspended sentence he had been on at the time should be activated.

Upon being informed by Mr Cooney of the sentence and further court appearance he was now facing into, Lawlor leaned into the television monitor to reveal how he intended going on holiday in the wake of his release.

I need a break, I need a vacation (and) I intend to go to the Bahamas, he said, something he followed up by somewhat in jest asking Mr Cooney: And would you have a cigarette?
Paranoid gang boss fled to Dubai as net closed in with Gardai and PSNI investigating

Police at the scene of Robbie Lawlor's murder in Belfast in April 2020

Mr Bigs application for residency in the UAE was turned down

The gang boss known as Mr Big may face murder charges over the killing of Robbie Lawlor after he was exposed in the Encrochat hack.

The Dublin gang boss was so paranoid he was about to face imminent charges that he fled Ireland for Dubai earlier this year.

Mr Big, who is considered one of the main players in Irelands underworld, fled to the Emirates in February because he feared he was about to be scooped by gardai for ordering the killing of Robbie Lawlor and directing criminal activity. He is the focus of probes involving An Garda Siochana and the PSNI and his gang is suspected of being involved in numerous murders, including the 2020 hit in Belfast on notorious gunman Lawlor.

At the time of Lawlors murder, criminal gangs believed they were able to communicate securely through the Encrochat encrypted messaging service  but unbeknown to them it had been hacked by authorities.

Robbie Lawlor was shot dead in Belfast in April 2020

Polices forces around the globe were able to watch in real time as criminals, including Mr Bigs mob, communicated with each other and organised gang hits and drug and weapons shipments.

Users of the service only discovered in June 2020 that the system had been hacked.

By then, police forces had built up a treasure trove of evidence and intelligence.

Lawlor was murdered in April 2020 while police were monitoring the hacked Encrochat network.

It is understood that police on both sides of the Border have been co-operating as part of an investigation into Mr Bigs activities and believe they can link him to numerous crimes, including murder.

Prosecutors are now set to determine whether any charges will be brought against Mr Big.

Sources say they are confident that they can tie the Dublin-born gang boss to a specific profile on Encrochat which was used to direct criminal activities, and that he is right to be worried.

Gardai have already searched properties linked to his gang to match up furniture and other items with pictures sent via the phone network.

Mr Big is already well aware that the net is closing in on him and tried to get ahead of investigators by moving to Dubai earlier this year.

He applied for residency there but was turned down by UAE authorities. He later returned to Ireland and appeared in court in Dublin on minor matters earlier this year.

Encrochat features

Despite being a prime target for gardai for more years, Mr Big has no major criminal convictions.

He rose to prominence in north Dublin and was known for his involvement in tiger kidnapping and drug dealing over the years, but avoided serious convictions.

Members of Mr Bigs gang were linked to numerous shootings, but the wily mobster also profited from the murder of rival gang bosses.

Unlike many of his adversaries, Mr Big managed to side-step various feuds, including a major gang war with the Real IRA.

Police at the scene of Robbie Lawlor's murder in Belfast in April 2020

At the time, the RIRA was led by Dublin man Alan Ryan, who had ordered the killing of several Dublin criminals and who once tried to target Mr Big.

However, Mr Bigs gang was believed to have helped organise Ryans murder in 2012.

Ryans brother, Vinnie, who was also part of the Real IRA, was also shot dead in 2016.

Having survived the feud with the Real IRA, Mr Big was subsequently dragged into another bloody gang war with one of Irelands most notorious gunmen, Robbie Lawlor.

Lawlor was seen a psychopathic hitman who had been linked to a string of murders, gun attacks armed robberies and other crimes.

Associates of the gang boss had been in dispute with Lawlor since the murder of Mr Bigs associate Kenneth Finn in Coolock in 2018.

Finn was a feared gangland gunman who was a suspect in the murder of Alan Ryan.

Lawlor was the prime suspect in his murder.

The feared enforcer was also heavily involved in the Drogheda feud and was at war with the Maguire faction.

Lawlors close associate Richie Carberry, who was also feuding with the Maguire faction, was shot dead outside his home in Bettystown, Co Meath in 2019

He blamed Mr Big for the attack on Carberry.

Lawlor was subsequently suspected of being involved in the brutal murder of teenager Keane Mulready Woods who was dismembered and had his body parts dumped at locations in north Dublin as part of the feud.

Gangland boss 'Mr Big'

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025
Gary Fishers plan could be scuppered as enforcer flexes muscles to takeover drugs network.

Desperate crime boss Gary Fisher is considering a bizarre move into politics to escape his life as a paramilitary chief.

With South East Antrim UDAs criminal empire set to break up as the gang appear to be set on a course to transition, Fisher is keen to reinvent himself as a good guy.

Sources say he has spoken openly about a future in politics and has even considered an approach to the DUP to see if they allow him into their ranks.

No approach has been made and the party is unaware of any intention for him to do so.

However, he is understood to have told associates that his play to the party would be that he could bring with him considerable backing which would translate into guaranteed votes.

South East Antrim UDA spokesman Tommy Kirkham, with William Cameron and South East Antrim Leader Gary Fisher

SEA has indicated a willingness and readiness to scale down its involvement in criminal activity, but having come under increasing pressure from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force, Fisher is anxious to protect himself from prosecution.

The leadership has also been forced on to the back foot by a faction linked to a resurgent Colin Simms.

The one-time trusted Fisher enforcer is flexing his muscles and his crew have made their move to take over SEAs lucrative drugs operation, according to sources.

Fisher has been agitating to move away from SEA for some time. The Sunday World revealed he had devised an escape plan with a new life in Liverpool.

His plot to escape with a slice of SEAs profits came in the wake of a major health scare a few years ago, but was scuppered by other leading figures in the association.

The breakaway UDA unit has been in talks with British government officials for some time exploring the possibility it could move away from paramilitary activity.

Gary Fisher

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025

A significant portion of the suspected 2,000-plus membership has indicated their intention to stand down. The organisation say it is no longer taking membership dues, and all recruitment has stopped.

It has opened the door for killer driver, convicted drug smuggler and murder suspect Simms to make his move.

As previously revealed, Simms is being bankrolled by a car dealer and suspected drug dealer currently under investigation by the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) who he has been working for over recent months.

Playing on his reputation as a hard man, the car dealer has made Simms his enforcer, putting pressure on dealers and ensuring payments are made.

But now Simms is set to go the extra mile.

He is not put off by the fact his boss, now considered to be on course to outstrip SEA as the biggest drug dealer in south east Antrim, is under scrutiny from the NCA which is understood to have seized computers and mobile phones.

His drug dealer boss is in the car business and is understood to have used his industry contacts in Britain to bring drugs into Northern Ireland.

The pair now have their eyes on taking over the SEAs drug dealing operation which they run in partnership with a well-known family in the greater Belfast area.

The family provide an unchallenged smuggling route which sources claim is bringing four to five kilos of cocaine into Northern Ireland every week.

The operation is blindingly simple and also involves a pirate taxi firm which is run from a bar in Co Antrim.

The scam involves a bogus customer requesting a particular car which is sourced in England, mainly Liverpool. A driver is sent across to bring the car which is collected dockside in Merseyside, back to Northern Ireland.

It has been pre-packed with drugs.

If Colin gets his hands on that drug run and gets the travellers and the taxi firm on board, then hes the boss. No question.

The source added that the organised crime gang has been running drugs into the country this way for some time without being challenged or stopped by police.

Colin Simms

Simms and his boss see SEAs recent declaration that they have ceased recruitment, no longer take membership dues and are willing to at least partially stand down as an opportunity.

The taxi firm offers drivers willing to cross the water and fetch cars, they also act as couriers back home distributing the cocaine.

The source added that Simms is using his reputation as a hard man to put pressure on the taxi firm and travellers even using his alleged involvement in the murder of Glenn Quinn in Carrick in 2020 as a warning of what he is capable of.

Simms has never been charged in connection with the brutal murder of terminally ill Glenn in his home five years ago, but he remains a suspect in the unsolved murder.

Fisher and the SEA leadership are said to be furious at Simms move but are restricted in their ability to respond because of the pledges they have made to the British government that they will scale back their criminal activities.

It is not thought Simms dealer boss has any paramilitary connections.

By hooking up with a known dealer who is in direct competition with Fishers operation, Simms was taking a considerable risk. He is under strict orders from Fisher to stay out of the drugs trade, after he was nailed for dealing on the SEAs patch.

As revealed by the Sunday World he was put through a mock execution before being given a beating in February.

It was punishment for failing to heed repeated warnings to stop drug dealing.
Former cleric Tony Walsh (75) laughed when the Sunday World confronted him in Dublin city centre

Former cleric Tony Walsh (75) laughed when the Sunday World confronted him in Dublin city centre

One of Irelands most notorious paedophile priests smirked and refused to say if he was still a danger to children as he strolled into mass this week.

Former cleric Tony Walsh (75), who is suspected of abusing hundreds of children over decades and is back on the streets following his recent release from prison, laughed when the Sunday World confronted him in Dublin city centre this week and asked him if he still posed a threat to kids.

When our reporter asked the notorious predator why he found the question funny, he said: Im just going to mass.

Asked more questions about his horrific abuse of children, he repeated: Im just going to mass. Please leave me alone.

He then went into the Pro Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.

Tony Walsh is questioned by our reporter

The Sunday World can reveal that Walsh has been visiting the Pro Cathedral on a daily basis and has been staying in a hotel in Dublins north inner city since his prison release.

He has been spotted on numerous occasions strolling through the streets of the capital.

The Murphy report into clerical child abuse described Walsh as the most notorious child sexual abuser to come to its attention and detailed how the Catholic Church in Ireland and the Vatican tried to hush up his crimes, despite a litany of complaints against him starting the in the 1970s.

By the 1980s, a report conducted for the Archdiocese of Dublin described Walsh as a very disturbed man who is always going to be dangerous and could not be let near schools, children, confession etc.

The former cleric, who has since been defrocked, carried out a litany of horrific rapes and sexual attacks on multiple children over decades, starting in the early 1970s.

Walsh was released from prison last November after serving multiple sentences for his assaults.

The Sunday World tracked him down to a hotel in Dublin 1 where he mingled with members of the public, including young children completely unaware that the man in their midst was one of Irelands most notorious paedophiles.

Walsh pictured after sentencing in 1997

From the time he was a trainee cleric, twisted Walsh, known as a singing priest for doing Elvis impersonations in the All Priests Show in the 1970s, was abusing young boys and girls. He went on to become one of worst clerical child abusers in the country.

He has more than 40 convictions for a series of crimes against children  but his true number of victims is believed to be in the hundreds, according to the Murphy report.

Walsh abused the children from the 1970s through to the 1990s but little was done despite priests, canons, monsignors, bishops and the Archbishop of Dublin knowing of complaints against him.

Church authorities in Ireland asked the Vatican to defrock him in 1993 but Rome didnt officially do so until 1996.

He carried out further attacks during that time, including sexually assaulting a boy in a toilet after his grandfathers funeral.

The Murphy report revealed that the Vatican tried to stop Irish church authorities from defrocking Walsh despite his abusive behaviour being known about since the 1970s.

The report said church figures from priests up to Archbishop of Dublin Desmond Connell knew about his behaviour.

Walsh had been abusing children from the time he was trainee priest and decades later would be convicted of some of those offences.

Walsh sings in the 1970s

Just two days after he was appointed as a priest in Ballyfermot in Dublin in 1978, the parents of an eight-year-old boy complained that he had abused their son.

Walsh denied carrying out the abuse, no action was taken and the archdiocese did not respond to the parents.

The priest who received the complaint about Walsh informed church authorities the parents are most responsible people and there is no danger of publicity.

The mother of a 14-year-old boy made another complaint to the parish priest that her son was abused between 1978 and 1979.

There is no record of the archdiocese being informed and no action was taken other than fellow singing priest Fr Michael Cleary, who was based in Ballyfermot, going to the boys home in 1980 to educate him on male sexuality and telling him Walsh was sorry for what he had done.

Cleary was a celebrity priest with his own TV and radio shows who it later emerged had fathered two children with his housekeeper.

A youth co-ordinator who went on to become a priest also complained to the church about Walshs inappropriate activities with young girls at a summer camp between 1980 and 1982  but no action was taken.

Numerous complaints and concerns were raised over the following years, including by multiple priests, but several felt things were being hushed up.

In April 1985 Monsignor Alex Stenson met with the serial abuser over assault allegations.

Walsh denied nothing and also admitted abusing another boy in Wicklow, which the diocese had not heard about previously. He agreed to go to a psychiatrist.

The following October another complaint of abuse was made against Walsh. He denied it and no action was taken.

He was moved from Ballyfermot to Westland Row and in a letter described by the Murphy report as astonishing, Archbishop Connell wrote to Walsh saying: I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your dedicated work in Ballyfermot.

There were numerous more complaints after he moved and his housekeeper said there were always children in the house, boys stayed overnight and she saw boys leaving Walshs room.

She also found condoms and syringes in his room and also found her own underwear which had been used in Walshs room.

By 1988 Walsh had admitted to the church that he was involved with boys around once a fortnight. He was sent to a treatment centre in Stroud in England but returned to active duty on his return to Dublin and was appointed chaplain at a hospital for older people.

By the early 1990s the church had begun a formal investigation into his behaviour.

He later went back to Stroud treatment centre but would tell locals he was priest counsellor at the clinic and told a family he would babysit for them.

Walsh was finally formally dismissed from the priesthood in 1996 and went on to serve a series of prison sentences for abusing multiple young boys before his release last November.

He spent more than 20 years in prison since 1995 when he was first convicted of indecent assault and he went on to be convicted of numerous more sex attacks on children over the years, including 16 years with four years suspended handed down in 2011 for the rape and abuse of three victims.

Judge Martin Nolan described Walsh as evil as he handed down another four-year sentence in 2022 for assaults of three boys in the 1980s.

Former cleric Tony Walsh (75) laughed when the Sunday World confronted him in Dublin city centre

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025
Fingal County Council set to evict family from property used by Devon Hennessy (29) as criminal HQ

The home where 29-year-old Devon Hennessy admitted to imprisoning and branding a man as a RAT is a house owned by Fingal County Council.

Now Hennessy, his mother Veronica Maher, Devon and his two brothers are set to be evicted from their family home by the Council for anti social behaviour.

For years neighbours of the family at Sheephill Avenue in Corduff lived in terror of the Hennessy group headed up by the brothers murdered father Jason Snr.

He was shot dead on Christmas Eve 2023 while dining at Brownes Steakhouse before his killer Tristan Sherry was himself beaten to death in front of horrified diners and their families.

The Hennessy house

The Hennessy crew had used the State-owned property as their headquarters and it is understood regularly doled out violent assaults in the shed at the rear where a victim was lured for a torture assault, waterboarded and scalded with a bespoke cattle prod shaped into the word rat.

Veronica Maher and husband Jason Snr have been tenants of Fingal for years and their children grew up in the area.

Maher is currently before the courts facing charges in connection with a Garda investigation into organised crime.

Her sons, Jason Jnr and Devon, are also before the courts for the torture attack.

Maher is accused of money laundering and threatening to kill a garda and setting a large XL Bully dog on an officer on patrol in the area. She is currently on bail and denying the charges but remains at the family home.

It is understood that Fingal housing have deemed that the anti-social behaviour that has occurred at the home is enough for an eviction notice.

Jason Hennessy

But they have yet to move in to secure the property.

Earlier this month, Devon (29) entered a guilty plea after admitting his role in a torture attack in a shed at the back of the family home in February 2025.

He admitted assaulting the victim as part of a joint enterprise aimed at enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation to commit a serious offence.

The burly thug was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing due later this year.

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025

For several years, Devon has operated as one of the leaders of a west Dublin mob involved in drug dealing, gang feuds, gun and firebomb attacks.

Last August, Devon survived an attempted assassination after a gunman fired on him while he was driving a bullet-proof BMW.

Gardai later seized the vehicle, which was suspected to have been previously used by associates of the notorious Dundon crime gang.

It was just one of many times Devons activiites came to Garda attention. He was regarded as a key player in the Corduff feud which began at the end of 2018 after a dispute between two rival gangs.

Gardai search the Hennessy house

By the next year, there were multiple shooting incidents, assaults, stabbings, firebomb attacks and a machete attack at Finglas Garda Station linked to the feud.

Devon survived a number of incidents when gunmen opened up on his home and vehicle around that time, including one incident where five shots were fired at a car he was travelling in 2019.

Devon regularly appeared in court while the feud was ongoing and in 2020 he pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he admitted throwing a punch at a man as he was leaving a courthouse.

Devons father, Jason Snr, was also believed to be a key player in the drug gangs activities.

Gardai speak with Jason Jnr

However, the feuding finally lead to fatal consequences when Jason Hennessy Snr was shot while having a meal with associates in Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown in 2023.

In February, Devon and his two brothers Brandon and Jason were among five men accused of assaulting a man who was beaten and had the word RAT branded on his body

While Devon has pleaded guilty, four of his co-accused are awaiting trial in connection with the assault.
Restaurateur died in attack after confronting men over bill

Tributes to Sharif Rahman outside his Ontario restaurant

Two of the men caught on camera

Three men described as Irish Travellers are wanted by Canadian authorities over the 2023 death of a restaurant owner in Ontario during an attempted dine and dash.

Sharif Rahman was attacked outside The Curry House restaurant in Owen Sound on August 17, 2023, after confronting them over an unpaid $150 bill.

The 44-year-old husband and father of a young girl died a week later in hospital.

Robert Evans (24) faces a charge of manslaughter, while his father Robert Busby Evans (47) and his uncle Barry Evans (54) are facing charges over helping him to leave the country.

Evidence heard during a court appearance stated the men were from an Irish Traveller community near Manchester, as first reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

A recent judgement by a Scottish court on whether the two older men could be extradited outlined the Canadian case against them.

It is alleged by the Canadian government that Robert Evans uncle, Barry Evans, drove him 40 miles away from the town where the assault occurred.

His father, Robert Busby Evans, allegedly arranged for him to take a flight the next day to the United Kingdom.

Barry Evans and Robert Busby Evans are charged in Canada as being accessories-after-the-fact in the crime alleged to have been committed by Robert Evans Jr.

The written judgement delivered on July 31 only dealt with whether the two older men are wanted in Canada on charges that could also be considered an alleged crime in Scotland.

Edinburgh Sheriff Julius Komorowski ruled there is a case to answer and a full extradition hearing is due next October.

Two of the men caught on camera

That Robert Evans (Junior) was not a wanted man when he left Owen Sound, or Canada entire, is irrelevant, he wrote.

The Canadian authorities essentially allege his departure was facilitated to avoid his apprehension if and when he became a wanted man.

The court is also waiting for reports after lawyers for the men argued that conditions in Ontario prisons are so poor it would be a breach of their human rights to send them to Canada.

A car near the scene

CBC reported that when officers arrived at The Curry House restaurant on August 17, 2023, they found Sharif lying unconscious on the ground.

A witness told police a man was seen punching him, causing him to fall backwards, and hit his head off the pavement.

Sharif was known as a generous and active member of his community, and the local mayor told how hed cook food to help raise money for different causes.

There was an outpouring of grief and support in the wake of Sharifs death and hundreds lined Owen Sound streets for his funeral.

Restaurant owner Sharif Rahman died in August 2023

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025
McGuires Irish Cafe & Bar in Torremolinos was badly affected by the ferocious fire.

The owners of a popular Costa del Sol Irish pub have spoken of their heartbreak after it was gutted in a massive blaze that affected seven other bars and a supermarket.

Paul Kearns, originally from Dublin, and former Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology student Gavin McGuire said they had suffered a devastating loss in an anguished social media post and admitted they were struggling to process what had happened.

McGuires Irish Cafe & Bar in Torremolinos was badly affected by the ferocious 5am blaze this morning, which is currently being investigated by police and firefighters.

The initial emergency calls were about a kebab shop that was on fire which had spread to other neighbouring premises.

Remnants of the fire. Photo: McGuire's

The quick actions of emergency responders meant no-one was injured.

But the devastation the fire caused was clear in the photos Paul and Gavin posted this afternoon and other images that have come out including video footage of the blaze as it took hold.

Gavin, a former senior manager at Sheraton Athlone Hotel and former deputy manager at Nox Hotel Galway, said in a message he and Paul posted online: Dear friends. Paul and I are utterly heartbroken and in shock

Waking up to the news that our bar, along with our neighbour's, was lost in a fire is beyond belief and we are struggling to process this

This is a devastating loss for us, and a deeply sad day for our community.

McGuire's Irish Bar & Cafe.

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025

We are okay, and we will get through this together. We appreciate your support. Thank you. Love Paul & Gavin.

Wellwishers immediately responded with messages offering help.

Elaine Doyle wrote from her home in Ireland: Very sorry to hear this. Sending wishes from Ireland. If theres a GoFundMe to support we will.

Belfast-born expat Jacqueline Graham wrote in response: So sorry for you guys I'm sure you are in shock .. Unbelievable and devastating what has happened .. Trevor and myself letting you know you are in our thoughts and please don't hesitate to ask for help .. If there is anything we can do we will.

Another well-wisher said: We are absolutely shocked and saddened to read about this tragic event.

Paul Kearns and Gavin McGuire.

Thankfully you, Paul and the staff are safe.

Local firefighters involved in tackling the blaze said as they confirmed the damage: Our Torremolinos crew intervened in the fire that took hold of eight adjoining premises in the early hours of this morning in Isabel Allende Street.

The blaze affected seven pubs, gutting one completely and affecting the terraces of the rest, and a supermarket partially. There were no human casualties.

Torremolinos mayor Margarita del Cid said in a social media post: Early this morning a large fire broke out in Salvador Allende Street, which was put out very quickly and professionally by firefighters.

Thanks to their speedy intervention we dont have to lament any human casualties.

We have already contacted some of the landlords and tenants to start the rebuilding process as soon as possible.

Although it is in the municipality of Torremolinos, McGuires Irish Cafe & Bar is just east of Benalmadena Port in the Montemar area.

Customers writing online reviews about it have praised it for its food, with one describing its Sunday Roast as beautiful and another saying after a visit three months ago: Great place to have a couple of drinks and some top notch food.
Areej Al Zohoor was hospitalised with severe exhaustion and starvation just a day after arriving in Dublin

Palestinians, including children, plead for food as they wait for hot meals. Photo: Getty Images

Palestinians amid the destruction after Israeli strikes on a camp in Deir al-Balah. Photo: AP

Palestinian couple Feras Shaheen and Areej Al Zohoor were reunited In Ireland after Ms Al Zohoor was evacuated from Gaza by the Department of Foreign Affairs

Feras Shaheen waited anxiously for his wife of six months to appear through the arrivals door at Dublin Airport.

Areej Al Zohoor (28) had been evacuated from war-torn Gaza by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) just days before, and as she slowly emerged through the crowds, waif-like and frightened, Mr Shaheen (23) could finally allow himself to believe he had a future with her.

The moment I saw her safe was the happiest of my life, he said this week.

Palestinian couple Feras Shaheen and Areej Al Zohoor were reunited In Ireland after Ms Al Zohoor was evacuated from Gaza by the Department of Foreign Affairs

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025

I couldnt believe my eyes. I just couldnt believe that she made it. I just couldnt believe it. She was so thin. She was starving, absolutely starving.

She thought it was all a dream, us being reunited. And she was in shock. We went home and she slept.

Then her body just shut down. The trauma, the starvation, the fear, it had consumed her and shut down her body. We had to call an ambulance.

Mr Shaheen and Ms Al Zohoor met in Gaza University, two young students filled with dreams and love.

On graduation day in July 2023, they got engaged.

But a week later, I went back to Ireland, my second home, Mr Shaheen said.

I was driven by a single mission: to build a stable life so I could bring Areej, my fiancee, and start our lives together.

Mr Shaheen first came to Ireland in 2014. He was 12 years old and war had broken out.

His father had studied in Belfast during the late 1990s and Mr Shaheens sister was born there, so the family had a link.

When the war started in 2014, my parents were always fighting about my mother wanting to leave, Mr Shaheen said.

She would say, we can all go to Ireland and you know, start a new life there.

But my father, who worked as a political science professor in Gaza City, was always attached to Gaza because our family is there. In the end, he made the decision for us to come to Ireland.

We came here, we started to learn English, we started to make friends. We made a life here.

The family settled in Portmarnock, Co Dublin, where Mr Shaheen completed his Leaving Cert at the local community school.

I decided that I wanted to go and study in Gaza University, Mr Shaheen said.

I worked in Alghad TV, Gaza, a very well-known Arabic international TV station. I started doing my bachelors degree in journalism at Gaza University and thats where I met Areej. I was still working at the TV station, producing, editing, doing interviews. They wanted me to kept working for very little and I needed to support Areej. I decided to go back to Ireland and try and get work there.

A few short months after graduating, becoming engaged and moving back to Ireland, everything changed.

In October 2023, as war broke out in Gaza, Ms Al Zohoor stayed in the north with her family, refusing to abandon their home.

While others fled, Mr Shaheens friend Yahya risked his life, crossing south to north, to convince them to leave. His bravery saved their lives.

Palestinians amid the destruction after Israeli strikes on a camp in Deir al-Balah. Photo: AP

Months later, their home was bombed, killing 16 members of her family: her grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

They died because they stayed, Mr Shaheen said.

They died because they were never warned, because they were Palestinian.

As well as many friends from my side and her side, a lot of people that were very important and we love dearly have been killed as well.

Ms Al Zohoor moved south with Yahyas help, eventually finding shelter in Deir al-Balah. Her life was stripped to survival: cooking over fire, fetching water every two days, eating polluted food, breathing tainted air, caring for her mother and twin nephews while living through unspeakable trauma.

I supported her from afar, Mr Shaheen said. Emotionally, financially, but nothing could compare to holding her, to being with her. My days in Ireland were sleepless.

I saw her dying in my mind a million times. I was breaking too. Then Yahya and his brother Ahmed were killed trying to bring aid from Rafah.

The man who saved her  my brother in spirit  gave everything. I will never forget his sacrifice.

Despite the ongoing war, death and destruction, Mr Shaheen and Ms Al Zohoor were married last January 15, the day of the ceasefire.

We wrote our marriage certificate via Zoom, Mr Shaheen said. Hope flickered. Then the war reignited.

But this time, Ireland opened a door.Mr Shaheen had applied to the DFA to have his wife evacuated from Gaza. Her visa application was flagged in April and Mr Shaheen waited for news.

Then suddenly I got news from the DFA that she would be evacuated in July 16, he said.

I couldnt believe it. By then Areej had been suffering from starvation for more than a month. Sellers were no longer selling bread because they were afraid of being attacked. You couldnt buy food even if you wanted to.

On the day of evacuation, Ms Al Zohoor was put on a bus with other evacuees and taken to the Jordanian border.

On the bus, she was seeing all the destruction that the world is only seeing in satellite images recently, Mr Shaheen said.

She was on the ground, seeing it all from the bus. All she had with her was a bag of personal belongings and her papers. The Israelis took the bag off her before she was allowed to leave, so she came to Ireland with only the clothes on her back and her documents.

Palestinians, including children, plead for food as they wait for hot meals. Photo: Getty Images

After reaching Jordan, Ms Al Zohoor flew to Istanbul, then to Dublin. After one day in Dublin, she was taken to St Vincents Hospital, suffering from severe exhaustion and starvation.

She has had a slow recovery. When she was first in hospital, the consultant called me in to translate as she spoke to her. Do you feel safe?  No. Are you scared?  Yes. Do you think youre in Gaza?  Yes.

But she survived. We are together now, but the thing that has broken Areej is that she left her mother behind. They slept together in the same bed every night during the genocide. She is heartbroken to leave her.

Recently, Mr Shaheen and Ms Al Zohoor had a small wedding celebration. They are taking their new life together day by day.

Areej still has nightmares, Mr Shaheen said. She sees herself in Gaza. Suddenly she wakes up, terrified and panicked and realises she is in Ireland. We are still trying to figure out how to heal together.
The Sinn Fein president also did not incidate whether she would stand to become president.

Mary Lou McDonald has made a fresh demand for preparations for an Irish unity referendum to start immediately.

Speaking in Belfast, the Sinn Fein president said momentum for a united Ireland was growing  and challenged whoever becomes president this autumn to be a leader for reunification.

However, she gave no indication as to whether she will stand, having hinted at the weekend that she is mulling a possible run.

Ms McDonald was addressing the national Hunger Strike Memorial event at Dunville Park on the Falls Road.

She said a united Ireland was getting closer, stating: We are getting there, inch by inch, day by day, year by year.

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025

Remember  this state was designed to prevent a republican from ever becoming First Minister. The good and great said it would never happen. Well, as Mandela said, It always seems impossible until it is done.

Repeated polls have shown support for Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK, albeit the gap is narrowing.

A LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph in February suggested 48% of voters would opt to maintain the Union while 41% would back a united Ireland if a referendum was held immediately.

In our survey a year earlier, there was a 10-point gap between the two sides: 49% supported staying in the UK, while 39% wanted Irish unity.

Ms McDonald said: The momentum for Irish unity is growing all the time. Both the Irish and British governments must catch up.

Partition has failed all of our people. It has failed Ireland. So, the planning and preparation for democratic constitutional change must start now.

"The planning and preparations for Unity referendums must start now.

Ms McDonald said she wanted a society where people were so confident in our Irishness that we have no desire to chip away at the Britishness of others.

Sinn Fein has not yet decided whether to run a candidate in the Irish presidential election.

Speaking on Saturday evening Ms McDonald said the party still had to choose between running its own candidate or throwing its weight behind another.

We are still talking about that. It is August now and in September we will make that call, she said.

Asked if she was considering a run, she said she had obviously been thinking about things on a personal level but more importantly Ive been leading and involved in, and listening to the party conversation.

In Belfast on Sunday, she gave no further clues as to the partys thinking on a candidate.

However, she did say northern voters deserve a say in who becomes president.

This autumn we will elect a new Irish president. It is a disgrace that Irish citizens living in the north of Ireland cannot vote for their president, for our president, she said.

Returning to the theme of Irish unity, she said whoever succeeds Michael D Higgins should make it a priority.

She added: Whoever is elected to this important office must understand and honour their duties to Irish citizens living in this part of Ireland. And must understand also that the days of saying yes to Unity but not now are over.

"Its time to get on the pitch, to stop being bystanders as history unfolds, to finally shed the harness of partitionism, and become leaders for the reunification of our country.

"Thats what a government with real vision would do. Thats what a patriotic government would do. Thats what Micheal Martin should do. These are the values that the Irish president must advance.
These attacks do not represent Ireland. Please, please do not let this beautiful countrys name be tarnished by a few opportunists who try to create unrest

Priyanka Nuwan Karunaratna is originally from Sr Lanka but has been living in Co Kildare with his family for nearly two years

A Sri Lankan man who was welcomed into the Kildare community with open arms nearly two years ago is urging those behind the recent spate of attacks on people of a non-Irish background to stop "tarnishing Irelands reputation of being a welcoming place.

Priyanka Nuwan Karunaratna is originally from Sri Lanka but moved to Ireland with his family in November of 2023.

Since moving to Ireland, Priyanka and his family have made Co Kildare their home, living in the Curragh while Priyanka works in Naas.

As soon as they moved to Ireland, Priyanka said his family felt immediately welcome and part of the community.

"The Irish people are some of the nicest people I have met, Priyanka told the Sunday World. We have never experienced any type of discrimination or harassment or even a look of hatred from anyone.

"One example of how friendly and helpful people were when I first moved to Ireland, I didnt know how to use the self-service at the petrol stations because we dont have them where Im from, so I didnt know how to fill the gas tank.

"I remember I was at a petrol station in Naas and this middle-aged man saw me struggling and he had that empathy and came over to me and asked did I need any help. He then showed me how to do it. The kind actions of this man was my first impression of Ireland and its people.

Priyanka Nuwan Karunaratna is originally from Sr Lanka but has been living in Co Kildare with his family for nearly two years

News in 90 Seconds - 24th August 2025

Whether he was at work, taking part in the local parkrun or filling his car with fuel for the first time in Ireland, Priyanka experienced nothing but kindness.

"I joined Naas Parkrun and I was the only Sri Lankan there, recalled Priyanka. But everyone was so nice to me and so welcoming. Even though that was their first time meeting me, the people at the parkrun made sure to remember my name.

"At Naas parkrun you have to do two laps of Naas Racecourse and as I was finishing my first lap during my first parkrun, they were cheering my name and encouraging me saying come on Priyanka hurry up, you can do it. It was amazing, I felt so included at Naas parkrun and I still do.

In every aspect of Priyankas new life in Ireland, he felt welcome and above all, never felt worried for his safety.

However the recent spate of racially motivated attacks in Ireland, in particular, targeting the Indian community, have left Priyanka feeling a little unsafe.

Yes we are from Sri Lanka, but we are often mistaken for being Indian because we look Indian, said Priyanka. I commute to work by driving, but I often wonder about the experience of people who are commuting by taking public transport like the bus or train.

"My son is a university student and he commutes to Dublin for college by taking the train. Because of the recent attacks on Indians and other people I warn him to be very cautious and to never be by himself.

Despite feeling a little bit on edge since the recent attacks, Priyanka says he wants to pacify the situation as he argues that these attacks do not represent the feelings of the general Irish population. Instead, it is a small minority of opportunists trying to create unrest.

"These attacks do not represent Ireland, said Priyanka. Please, please do not let this beautiful countrys name be tarnished by a few opportunists who try to create unrest.

"Ireland has a good reputation among other nationalities. I still believe Ireland is a safe place for my family and the people are still welcoming. I have seen much more violence in my own country, than here in Ireland.

"In Sri Lanka we had a civil war of 30 years and people were bombed and killed ruthlessly.

Priyanka is urging those behind the recent racially motivated attacks to not damage their countrys name with their actions and has this word of advice for them.

"For some reason there seems to be this opinion among a small minority that we are over here in Ireland taking Irish peoples resources, but we are not, he said. We are taxpayers of this country too. We work here and contribute to society as well.

What I would say to this small minority of individuals behind these attacks is not to damage their countrys name and to instead, look at the bigger perspective and realise that if these attacks continue, people will stop coming to Ireland and you will lose a lot of expertise and experienced professionals in lots of different industries in Ireland.

"I dont want people to think Ireland is unwelcoming just because of the actions of a few people. My family have received nothing but welcome and kindness since we arrived.
A video uploaded by Kneecap shows activists being escorted from the crowd as they blew whistles in an attempt to disrupt the show.

Belfast rap group Kneecap have said a group of Zionists interrupted their performance at a festival in Paris.

The Belfast-based rap group took to the stage at Frances annual Rock en Seine music festival on Sunday before protestors emerged.

A video uploaded by Kneecap shows activists being escorted from the crowd as they blew whistles in an attempt to disrupt the show.

"A group of Zionists with flags and whistles tried to interrupt the start of our gig in Paris just now, the group said in a post on Facebook along with footage.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

It comes after local authorities, French Jewish groups and government officials opposed the Irish-language trios concert from going ahead.

The municipality of Saint-Cloud, a local governing body, pulled 34.5k of funding from Rock De Siene.

The objections follow Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, facing terrorism charges in a London court after displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig in November.

In the video posted to their Facebook page Naoise O Caireallain, known by his stage name as Moglai Bap, is heard speaking to the crowd while the protestors were carried out.

He said: "They want to try and stop us. They didnt want us to play at the festival. They just want to drown us out with whistles.

"We're not like them. We're not like Israel. We're not here to cause fights. It's all love it's all support for Palestine."

Matthieu Ducos, director of Rock en Seine, told AFP in the lead up to the event that we are confident that [Kneecap] will perform in the correct manner.

Meanwhile, Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) had demanded for the event to be cancelled.

He said: "They are desecrating the memory of the 50 French victims of Hamas on October 7, as well as all the French victims of Hezbollah,"

The French Authorities and event organisers were contacted for comment.
A Te Puke educator has created hands-on resources to teach tikanga and kawa, and they are now helping families and teachers across the region and even Australia.

Shona Ua-Marsh, who owns Giggles Te Puke Early Learning Centre, began making her own learning resource after taking a group of about 50 children on a marae visit.

When they first arrived, more than 20 children didnt want to continue the visit after seeing the Maori carvings and how they made them feel. Another 23 werent sure about going further once the karanga began.

I had only seven children ready to go through the waharoa and venture in. I realised in that moment that I had to normalise the idea of a marae and a wharenui  that I needed that in my classroom, she said.

Two years ago, Ua-Marsh created a dolls-housesized model wharenui to help tamariki/children learn through play.

Now children are excited to go, and Ive never had one child actually want to leave the trip since.

Thats through having that resource in our learning space to be able to give them prior knowledge before they go there.

The model includes tukutuku panels, atua carvings and images made to be engaging, not overwhelming for young learners.

Ua-Marsh has also created a paraikete, or learning blanket, so tamariki can learn te reo Maori, waiata (songs) and purakau (stories) in a simple, approachable way.

She said its not just for kaiako (teachers); its for first-time learners who dont know much about te ao Maori.

This resource helps learners thread the connection between their ancestors and themselves, deciphering their own whakapapa.

Te reo Maori is described as a language of identity, and the paraikete helps children communicate deeply and authentically.

On the other side of the paraikete is a kakahu  its intention is you can wrap that knowledge around the child.

Ua-Marsh is working on a new resource called Te Whare o te Auahatanga, a replica of a wharenui that allows artistic tamariki to paint, draw or interpret how they see a wharenui, helping them feel connected in their own way.

Importantly, Ua-Marsh emphasised that these resources are for everyone.

They are not just for Maori, its an understanding, its a space where everyone can find some goodness of understanding of how the world works and how our system of tikanga and kawa is about caring for others.

Shes seen demand grow as families in New Zealand and beyond are using the resources to teach in classrooms and families.



Shonas model wharenui that is a key element for learning about tikanga and kawa in the early learning centre. Photos / Stuart Whitaker

Ua-Marsh is also collaborating with Paper Plus Te Puke owners Stuart and Gloria Gunn.

She said much of the learning started in her centre is now reaching the wider community.

A lot of our parents and whanau were going, I want to learn or Im learning through my child, and Paper Plus is supporting by providing books and resources that support te ao Maori, whats going on beyond the classrooms to home and our community.

Te ao Maori is part of the curriculum at early learning, primary, intermediate and high school levels.

Paper Plus is supporting families beyond the classroom, with more te reo Maori titles and learning aids.

Some of Ua-Marshs resources will be displayed in Paper Plus Te Puke ahead of Maori Language Week, September 1521, alongside Maori language books, jigsaws and games that help with te reo Maori learning. Or they can be viewed at whatuandco.co.nz

Gunn said the shop is part of a multi-cultural community and that they are proud to support resources that reflect te ao Maori.

We are part of the community, and this is part of the community so we support anything thats part of the community. Its so important to us. We are a very multi-cultural town and people want to know about this.

He said the number of books available in te reo Maori is growing massively.

I think thats really important.

For families and teachers, the message is clear, said Ua-Marsh: Te ao Maori is woven into everyday learning inside classrooms, in shops and across the wider community.


High pressure will be covering much of New Zealand early this week although a low is moving southeastwards and is expected to lie north of the country by the end Tuesday, MetService said.



"Winds are expected to pick up in the north of the North Island," said MetService.

"There is low confidence that wind warnings will be needed for Northland at night."

On Wednesday, August 27, a low is forecast to continuemoving southeastwards to the north of the North Island.

"A ridge through central parts of the country will weaken as a front approaches southern New Zealand from the Tasman Sea."

MetService said there is low confidence that southeasterly winds about Northland, Great Barrier Island and northern Coromandel Peninsula will require warnings.

"There is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will fall in Tairawhiti/Gisborne north of Gisborne city. For Fiordland and Southland there is low confidence that northwest winds will reach severe gale."

On Thursday, a low to the north of the North Island is expected to move away to the southeast.

"A front moves northwards over the South Island, bringing rain to the west of the South Island and southern North Island. Strong northwest winds precede the front."

MetService said there is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will fall north of Gisborne city during the morning.

"There is low confidence that heavy rain about Fiordland, western Southland, the ranges of Westland, Grey and Buller, and headwaters of Canterbury and Otago will require a warning.

"For Fiordland, Southland, inland areas of Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough, as well as the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and southern Wairarapa there is low confidence that northwest winds will be strong enough to require a warning."



The front is expected to cross the North Island on Friday, followed by an unsettled west to southwest flow and a narrow ridge.



There is low confidence that warning amounts of rain will fall about the Tararua Range, and central North Island areas near Tongariro National Park. There is low confidence that a warning will be required for severe westerly gales about exposed parts of Wairarapa and the Tararua District.


A batch of a viral product taking the internet by storm is urgently being recalled due to an undeclared allergen.

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) said it is supporting ANZ Pharma Wholesalers to recall a batch of the Fruitae brand lemon-flavoured sorbet (75g) because of the presence of undeclared milk.

The batch with the date marking 10.12.2026 is affected by this recall, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said.

The affected product is imported and sold at supermarkets nationwide.

Fruitae brand Lemon Sorbet (75g). Photo / MPI

MPI said the product had been removed from store shelves.

The concern with this product is that milk allergies can be life-threatening for some people, causing anaphylaxis in severe cases.

People with a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. If you have consumed any of this product and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice. If you are not allergic or intolerant to milk, this recall does not affect you, MPI said.

Customers with a milk allergy or intolerance should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.

A specific batch of Fruitae brand Lemon Sorbet is recalled due to the possible presence of an undeclared allergen (milk).

New Zealand Food Safety received a notification of an associated allergic reaction.

As is our usual practice, NZFS will be working with ANZ Pharma Wholesalers Ltd to understand how the issue occurred and prevent its recurrence, deputy director-general for New Zealand Food Safety, Vincent Arbuckle, said.

The Chinese-branded Hong Qi sweet treats also come in mango, peach and strawberry flavours.
Three lucky Lotto players from Kerikeri, Whakatane and New Plymouth will be living the dream after each winning $333,333 with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw.

The winning tickets were sold at Woolworths Kerikeri in Kerikeri, Paper Plus Whakatane in Whakatane and on MyLotto to a player from New Plymouth.

Powerball was not struck on Saturday evening and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $10 million.

A lucky Strike player will also be celebrating after winning $200,000 with Strike Four. The winning Strike ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Auckland.

11 Lotto players win Second Division

Eleven lucky Lotto players will be celebrating after each winning $24,278 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw.

Two lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $32,949. The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold at Eastridge Lotto in Auckland and Fresh Choice Geraldine in Geraldine.

The winning Second Division tickets were sold at Eastridge Lotto (+PB)  Auckland, MyLotto (x4)  Auckland, Whitcoulls The Base  Hamilton, MyLotto  Tauranga, Pak n Save Rotorua  Rotorua, Cheviot Hardware  Cheviot, Fresh Choice Geraldine (+PB)  Geraldine, MyLotto  Invercargill.

Anyone who bought their ticket from either of the above stores or on MyLotto should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App.

Lotto NZ exists to return 100 per cent of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board.
SUR Malaga Sunday, 24 August 2025, 09:47 Share

The abrupt change in the weather in the Andalucia region of southern Spain continues today, after the third-longest heatwave on record in the country ended last week with a sharp drop in temperatures. According to the state meteorological agency (Aemet), Saturday was marked by the "lifting of a trough that will become an isolated depression at high levels this Sunday and will remain on Monday to the south of the Spanish mainland". The 'Dana' will bring from this Sunday an increase in cloudiness and the possibility of thunderstorms. "Occasional isolated showers, accompanied by storms, are not ruled out," Aemet said.

The clouds will increase throughout Sunday and storms are expected in the eastern third of the region (Almeria, Granada and Jaen) "from the afternoon onwards, more likely and intense in the sierras". Winds will be light and variable, tending to westerly on the Atlantic side. In Malaga province and along the Costa del Sol no rain is expected on the Costa del Sol, although storms could reach some parts of Malaga province in the early hours of Sunday morning and Monday morning.

Andalucia will maintain this "significant drop" in temperatures until the end of August with values "below normal" for these summer months. "It has entered a significantly cooler period than what is usual in Andalucia at this time of year," said the head of Aemet in Malaga, Jesus Riesco, speaking to Europa Press.
Miguel G. Casallo / N.H. / Europa Press Madrid Sunday, 24 August 2025, 10:50 Share

After almost two weeks, Spain is still confronting fires that have ravaged tens of thousands of hectares in regions such as Galicia, Castilla y Leon, and Extremadura. The high temperatures of the heatwave, combined with wind and low humidity, have fuelled the fires, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people and the mobilisation of extensive land and air resources.

Although improved weather conditions in recent hours have brought some relief to certain areas, the scale of the emergency remains enormous. With parts still burning and unprecedented environmental damage, the wave of fires has become one of the most serious the country has seen in recent years.

The extent of the damage has led the public prosecutor's office for the environment to ask its provincial representatives to "verify" that the most affected municipalities had the correct fire prevention plans in place as required by a 2003 forestry law.

Fires in Zamora province and near Tarifa .

The most devastation continues to be seen in northwest Spain. On Thursday this week, after ten days, the wildfire in Jarilla (Extremadura) - that region's most severe - had been stabilised, burning 16,700 hectares. In Asturias, cooler temperatures improved the situation, though one fire there remained a concern. In Castilla y Leon, 25 fires were still active, with the most serious in Leon and Zamora, despite the end of the heatwave and some rain. Galicia faced the worst fire in its history in Ourense province, with 30,000 hectares burned. Authorities hoped changed weather conditions would help control the blazes, but the scale of destruction - with thousands evacuated and vast areas scorched - shows that the emergency is far from over.

In total, the EU fire monitoring website said over 350,000 hectares (some 3,500km2) had burned in Spain in the last two weeks.

The regional governments in areas affected by the forest fires in August have begun the process of applying for disaster area status, an essential step for those affected to access emergency aid.

Four people have died in the fires and over a hundred people have been arrested and questioned in different locations under suspicion of starting fires either accidentally or deliberately.

Spain accepted international aid from five European countries to combat active forest fires. Germany is deploying 50-60 firefighters with 20+ vehicles to Extremadura. Slovakia has provided a BlackHawk helicopter stationed at Pinofranqueado base in Caceres. The Netherlands is sending two Chinook helicopters to Leon Air Base.

France and Italy have already contributed aircraft. Two French Canadair tankers operated from Santiago de Compostela before returning home, while two Italian aircraft helped with firefighting missions in Leon.
Scarborough, Maine  Rick Clough spent some four decades fishing for lobsters and sea urchins off the Maine coast before spotting one of the oceans most recognized predators  a great white shark.

The approximately 8-foot shark, seen off the beach town of Scarborough in July, surprised Clough, but didnt make him fear the ocean  though he admitted, Im not sure Id want to go urchin diving now.

Boaters, beachgoers and fishermen like Clough who spend time in the chilly waters of New England and Atlantic Canada are learning to live with great white sharks, the creatures made famous by the 1975 film Jaws. Sightings of the apex predators are up in places like Maine, where they were once very rarely spotted.

Scientists link the white shark sightings to increased availability of the seals the sharks feast on, and say beachgoers are generally very safe from shark bites. The sharks can grow close to 20 feet long, though most dont get that big.

David Lancaster, a commercial clam digger in Scarborough, used a drone to get a look at an approximately 12-foot shark near the towns famed beaches earlier this month. He described the animal as magnificent and really amazing to see. But he also said the sharks presence reminded him that swimmers need to look out for the big fish.

Why are great whites going north?

Sightings of great whites off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, have become increasingly frequent in recent years, and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has documented hundreds of the animals over more than a decade. But new data shows the sharks are heading even farther north into New Hampshire, Maine and beyond, said Greg Skomal, a senior fisheries biologist with the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries and a veteran white shark researcher.

The number of white sharks detected off Halifax, Nova Scotia, increased about 2.5 times from 2018 to 2022, according to a paper published by Skomal and others in May in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series. Even farther north, the number detected in the Cabot Strait that separates Nova Scotia and Newfoundland increased nearly four times over, the paper said.

Skomal said the average residency in these northern waters has also increased from 48 days to 70 days, suggesting that white sharks appear to be increasingly comfortable farther north.

A key reason for the shift seems to be the successful conservation of seals off New England and Canada via laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which has allowed seals to thrive and provide a food source for the predatory sharks, Skomal said.

It could be a function of a growing prey base, Skomal said. And that would be seals.

Sharks are protected, too

Great white sharks also benefit from protections, including a ban on fishing for them in U.S. federal waters that has stood since 1997. They are still considered vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

In Massachusetts, the marine fisheries department said it strengthened its fishing laws after fishermen in 2024 chose to target white sharks anyway. The state prohibited the use of certain kinds of heavy fishing gear in shoreline areas where white sharks are most commonly found.

We believe here in Massachusetts that targeting white sharks from the beach is not a safe practice, Skomal said. Not only because it could result in the death of the shark, but because it could be a public safety issue.

Despite the size and strength of the sharks, dangerous encounters between white sharks and humans are vanishingly rare. Worldwide, there have been fewer than 60 fatal great white shark bites on humans in recorded history, according to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Living with great whites

The first recorded fatal shark attack in Maine happened in 2020 when a great white shark killed 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach off Bailey Island.

Its an exceedingly rare event. But were providing all of this information to mitigate human behavior and hopefully reduce any negative encounters between humans and sharks, said Ashleigh Novak, research coordinator with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

The growth of social media has made shark sightings go viral in recent summers. A smartphone app called Sharktivity also allows shark spotters to report their sightings.

Lancaster, a surfer, said living with great whites is just something people in New England are going to have to adjust to.

Its crazy that they are around, as fishermen and surfers, and something we have to accept, Lancaster said. Its in the back of your head, but you have to accept it.
AnirudhRichie Newbie

Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1 Thanked: 17 Times

Re: The Scale Model Thread



The interiors are all plastic and looks decent for the price, pushback action turns on the lights and sound, also when doors are opened. Sound and lights are run by 3 small LR44 batteries which I remove immediately after opening the box.



The wheels only have rotation but no turns, they have a good heft to them and usually don't cross the INR 1000 mark for the 1:32 scale, and for 1:24 scale of the same models they usually have a price upwards of INR 1500.



Continuing with the collection,

Bugatti Divo - Random brand - Amazon









Ford F-150 Raptor SVT dirt edition - 1:48 scale - Kinsmart, it was after getting this one that I realised the hummer was Kinsmart too. And my search for these slowly began.





And the wall slowly turned into this with all my collection on display. There were some random cars like the Orange Gypsy, Yellow trailblazer and some other knockoff models I picked up from D-Mart during monthly grocery runs.









If you look at the top there's a Hummer and a Skyline lookalike RC cars, well the Skyline was purchased back in 2004 when we moved to Hyderabad recently from a local store. Whereas the Hummer was a gift from my maternal uncle for securing 1st Rank in grade 7 back in 2007, just penning this down brings back so many memories since we had a hige fiasco with this one.



We ordered this Hummer online, yes you read that right, online back in 2007 before Amazon and Flipkart were a thing. My uncle had a Citibank card which had something called Royal images catalogue. We placed the order on their website and paid the amount which was around INR 4000, definetely huge sum for a toy in '07.



After a week the product got delivered but something was off, the packing was huuuuuuuuuuuge, the dimensions were completely off for a RC car. But I couldn't hold myself and openend the packaging only to find that the product delivered was a RC helicopter, and the price of that was more than double of the RC hummer (don't remember the exact price for though).

My initial thoughts being a kid back then not wanted to miss out on the toy at hand was to keep this, we live in an apartment with so many buildings close by and electric wires and poles and no empty plots as well to play around. And this helicopter was easily around 45cms in length, so not small by any standards.



Finally we dropped an email to Royal images providing these updates and they asked us to courier the product back to them, and they would send us the right one. We packed the product and shipped it back to their address, and after almost 2 weeks got the Hummer finally in time for my birthday. Don't think we were ever refunded the courier charges. Seriously though, product returns and replacements have become so easy these days.

Coming to the product its a Maisto 3 channel Hummer H3T Radio controlled car, sadly it doesn't work now, but had a blast with it back in the day.

Pics from 2013 taken on Nokia c6-01 a symbian mobile.





Sorry for short detour from diecast to RC for a while.





Coming back to the topic, notice the small plastic container for my 1:64 scaled tomicas on the wall thats actually a jewellery box from Amazon.

Its pretty good and does the job if you uncard your 1:64s. Here is a link for anyone looking to buy one :

Here's how it looks from a closeup.





Lamborghini Muira - 1:48 scale - Kinsmart - Amazon

Lamborghini Huracan - 1:48 scale - Kinsmart - Flipkart

Tried some photo sessions by using a white background and deskpad for asphalt.









Muira and Muira Jota in one frame





Similarly, Huracan and Huracan Super Trofeo





All 4 Raging bulls together





The iconic "Panda Trueno" the Toyota AE86 driven by Fujiwara Takumi from Initial-D. Bought it on Amazon, was delivered in damaged condition with few scuffs and dings on the car, didn't feel like returning it though as it felt real with those scratches.





Nissan R35 GT-R another random brand from Amazon. Looks good side by side with the Liberty walk edition.







In the meanwhile during my occasional work visits to Pune, came across a toy store close to my office who has a really good collection of toys.

Bought the Majorette WRC editions and also the 6 color changers from him, since then he sends me of any new stock in his store on whatsapp.

Got these Road Signature 1:43 scale 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera (996) and 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo (993) for INR600 each.









August 2024 I had a work related travel to Sweden, and boy oh boy I made really good use of that trip.

Mumbai Airport

Hotwheels Mitsubishi Pajero evo, Mercury Cougar Eliminator, Custom 68 Camaro - INR 179 each



Istanbul Airport

Matchbox Chevy Camaro Convertible - 3.9 Euros

Hot wheels 91 Mazda MX-5 Miata - 3.9 Euros

Hot wheels Fiat 500e - 3.9 Euros



Vala Centrum in Helsingborg, Sweden

Hotwheels Corvette C6 - 29.5 SEK

Hotwheels Batman vs Superman - 29.5 SEK

Majorette Audi R8 Spyder - 39.5 SEK

Kinsmart Mclaren F1 GTR - 119 SEK











Emporia mall at Malmo, Sweden

Audi RS5 Racing, Lotus Elise, Porsche 918 Spyder - SIKU brand - 79.5 SEK each





Stockholm Airport

Hotwheels Ice Charger - 39 SEK

Hotwheels Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe - 39 SEK

Hotwheels Jaguar F-Type Project 7 - 39 SEK

Hotwheels Batman arkham Knight Black - 33 SEK

Majorette Lamborghini Countach LP400 - 79 SEK

Complete haul during onsite visit





During my visit to Sweden got a message from the Pune store guy about some hotwheels, made the payment online and here's them waiting for me at home

Hotwheels 96 Porsche Carrera, 84 Mustang SVO, 90 Acura NSX and Batman: The Animated series - each at INR 179





Back to India and during the 1st Birthday party of my Cousin's kid in some mall, was getting bored and went into Hamleys and grabbed some hotwheels.

5 pack HW Motor show, 5 pack Night Burnerz - both at INR899

Here's my wall after this collection





This marks the end of 2024 Part 1 due to image upload limitation, will soon post part 2.

Apologies for somewhat lengthy post, but truly its bringing back lots of memories. As you can observe, my initial purchases were all random brands, some which had a plastic base and some just got delivered in plain bubble wrap. They are not licensed products hence the naming on some of them are also purely comedic like Porsche is Porsohe, some of the decals also are a knockoff from the original.The interiors are all plastic and looks decent for the price, pushback action turns on the lights and sound, also when doors are opened. Sound and lights are run by 3 small LR44 batteries which I remove immediately after opening the box.The wheels only have rotation but no turns, they have a good heft to them and usually don't cross the INR 1000 mark for the 1:32 scale, and for 1:24 scale of the same models they usually have a price upwards of INR 1500.Continuing with the collection,Bugatti Divo - Random brand - AmazonFord F-150 Raptor SVT dirt edition - 1:48 scale - Kinsmart, it was after getting this one that I realised the hummer was Kinsmart too. And my search for these slowly began.And the wall slowly turned into this with all my collection on display. There were some random cars like the Orange Gypsy, Yellow trailblazer and some other knockoff models I picked up from D-Mart during monthly grocery runs.If you look at the top there's a Hummer and a Skyline lookalike RC cars, well the Skyline was purchased back in 2004 when we moved to Hyderabad recently from a local store. Whereas the Hummer was a gift from my maternal uncle for securing 1st Rank in grade 7 back in 2007, just penning this down brings back so many memories since we had a hige fiasco with this one.We ordered this Hummer online, yes you read that right, online back in 2007 before Amazon and Flipkart were a thing. My uncle had a Citibank card which had something called Royal images catalogue. We placed the order on their website and paid the amount which was around INR 4000, definetely huge sum for a toy in '07.After a week the product got delivered but something was off, the packing was huuuuuuuuuuuge, the dimensions were completely off for a RC car. But I couldn't hold myself and openend the packaging only to find that the product delivered was a RC helicopter, and the price of that was more than double of the RC hummer (don't remember the exact price for though).My initial thoughts being a kid back then not wanted to miss out on the toy at hand was to keep this, we live in an apartment with so many buildings close by and electric wires and poles and no empty plots as well to play around. And this helicopter was easily around 45cms in length, so not small by any standards.Finally we dropped an email to Royal images providing these updates and they asked us to courier the product back to them, and they would send us the right one. We packed the product and shipped it back to their address, and after almost 2 weeks got the Hummer finally in time for my birthday. Don't think we were ever refunded the courier charges. Seriously though, product returns and replacements have become so easy these days.Coming to the product its a Maisto 3 channel Hummer H3T Radio controlled car, sadly it doesn't work now, but had a blast with it back in the day.Pics from 2013 taken on Nokia c6-01 a symbian mobile.Sorry for short detour from diecast to RC for a while.Coming back to the topic, notice the small plastic container for my 1:64 scaled tomicas on the wall thats actually a jewellery box from Amazon.Its pretty good and does the job if you uncard your 1:64s. Here is a link for anyone looking to buy one : https://amzn.in/d/clxq942 Here's how it looks from a closeup.Lamborghini Muira - 1:48 scale - Kinsmart - AmazonLamborghini Huracan - 1:48 scale - Kinsmart - FlipkartTried some photo sessions by using a white background and deskpad for asphalt.Muira and Muira Jota in one frameSimilarly, Huracan and Huracan Super TrofeoAll 4 Raging bulls togetherThe iconic "Panda Trueno" the Toyota AE86 driven by Fujiwara Takumi from Initial-D. Bought it on Amazon, was delivered in damaged condition with few scuffs and dings on the car, didn't feel like returning it though as it felt real with those scratches.Nissan R35 GT-R another random brand from Amazon. Looks good side by side with the Liberty walk edition.In the meanwhile during my occasional work visits to Pune, came across a toy store close to my office who has a really good collection of toys.Bought the Majorette WRC editions and also the 6 color changers from him, since then he sends me of any new stock in his store on whatsapp.Got these Road Signature 1:43 scale 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera (996) and 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo (993) for INR600 each.August 2024 I had a work related travel to Sweden, and boy oh boy I made really good use of that trip.Mumbai AirportHotwheels Mitsubishi Pajero evo, Mercury Cougar Eliminator, Custom 68 Camaro - INR 179 eachIstanbul AirportMatchbox Chevy Camaro Convertible - 3.9 EurosHot wheels 91 Mazda MX-5 Miata - 3.9 EurosHot wheels Fiat 500e - 3.9 EurosVala Centrum in Helsingborg, SwedenHotwheels Corvette C6 - 29.5 SEKHotwheels Batman vs Superman - 29.5 SEKMajorette Audi R8 Spyder - 39.5 SEKKinsmart Mclaren F1 GTR - 119 SEKEmporia mall at Malmo, SwedenAudi RS5 Racing, Lotus Elise, Porsche 918 Spyder - SIKU brand - 79.5 SEK eachStockholm AirportHotwheels Ice Charger - 39 SEKHotwheels Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe - 39 SEKHotwheels Jaguar F-Type Project 7 - 39 SEKHotwheels Batman arkham Knight Black - 33 SEKMajorette Lamborghini Countach LP400 - 79 SEKComplete haul during onsite visitDuring my visit to Sweden got a message from the Pune store guy about some hotwheels, made the payment online and here's them waiting for me at homeHotwheels 96 Porsche Carrera, 84 Mustang SVO, 90 Acura NSX and Batman: The Animated series - each at INR 179Back to India and during the 1st Birthday party of my Cousin's kid in some mall, was getting bored and went into Hamleys and grabbed some hotwheels.5 pack HW Motor show, 5 pack Night Burnerz - both at INR899Here's my wall after this collectionThis marks the end of 2024 Part 1 due to image upload limitation, will soon post part 2.Apologies for somewhat lengthy post, but truly its bringing back lots of memories.
vb-saan Team-BHP Support



Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,518 Thanked: 13,675 Times

Summer of 25 | Road Trip | France & Germany A Summer Road Trip  France & Germany

I am someone who caught the travel bug a bit late in life - to be precise, from 2019 onwards. I used to travel a lot before that also, but that was all either work-related trips or short holidays mostly around Southeast Asia. A trip to the US west coast in the winter or 2019 was our first long holiday as a family. And that completely changed the way I view travel. I discovered the joy of road trips, impromptu stops, wandering into unknown places, discovering different cuisines and cultures, and above all, it was a journey of discovering yourself. At the end of that trip, we decided that we would go on a long holiday at least once a year.



That decision had a validity period of exactly 3 months. As the saying goes - Man plans, God laughs, the world went on a lockdown with Covid-19 pandemic and along with the flights, our travel plans got grounded for the next two years. Around the beginning of 2022 the Corona clouds started clearing off and we decided to start back on the travel plans. And in the summer of 2022, we restarted the holiday travels and from then on, its carried out as an annual routine (all documented here in the forum).



Every year we look at various options but somehow Europe gets the nod, and this year was no different. In the last three years, the trips had Germany, Italy, Switzerland in focus, and so this year France was decided as the focus country. Not sure if its because of the familiarity, I end up planning the trips with entry and exit out of Germany.



Singapore Airlines flight to Frankfurt getting readied for boarding.









In the past 3 years we took the midnight flight from Singapore (via Middle East) and land in Europe around early afternoon. This time it was a morning flight from Singapore, and we landed in Frankfurt in the evening, around 6:30 pm. Airport passport checks, and baggage clearance was smooth, and we got out in less than 30 minutes.



Finding the Sixt rental counter was easy, and since I opted for Priority Service my pickup was from the diamond lounge. The advantage of this EUR 30 add-on is almost no queueing, and the rental car pick-up is literally from the parking lot outside and thus avoiding the long walk / navigation through the multilevel carpark to locate the car (highly recommended option to select).



At the Sixt counter, the lady said the car I selected was not available, but she can give a free upgrade, with the options of an X2 M35i, or a VW Touareg. I was not very happy with the choices; I mentioned that my booking was for a guaranteed model (BMW M340i Touring) and I expect the car to be available. Secondly the options provided  the X2 M35i was the car we got last year, and the Touareg was just too big. While she was checking for alternate options, there were a couple of rental returns, and my selected model was also in that. She asked if I could wait for some 15 minutes for them to get the car ready, and I was happy to do so. While waiting I asked her how long she had been with Sixt, and with a beaming smile she said its now 27 years. I said I am not sure, but I think she attended to me back in 2022 summer, and I rented the same make/model. And she was like now I remember, you said you dont like Audi and insisted on getting a BMW, and I gave you an upgrade". That was a nice chitchat, and she looked distinctly pleased with her memory. A few minutes her colleague came with the keys, registration was done swiftly, terms and conditions were explained, and she directed us to the car that was parked just outside the terminal building.









Checked the car all around and took a walkaround video; it had a few dirt marks outside (probably because it was just returned from the previous rental). Interiors were all cleaned well, and the car was relatively new with only around 16300 kms done.



Soon we were on the way to our stop for the night (Heidelberg), maintaining sane speeds on the Autobahn.









Initially I had thought of staying around Frankfurt city center, which was like a 20 minutes drive from the airport. Another option was to drive out of Frankfurt and stop for the night outside the city limits, and I chose the latter. Heidelberg was the first town we visited during our road trip in 2022, but back then we just drove through the old town and did not really get out and explore. It took less than an hour to get to Heidelberg (~80 km from the airport).



Checked in to hotel, and later stepped out for a quick dinner, and closed the night early  much needed after a 13-hour long flight, and one hour drive



Summer means the sun is out until almost 10:00 pm









The Neckar river after sunset



I am someone who caught the travel bug a bit late in life - to be precise, from 2019 onwards. I used to travel a lot before that also, but that was all either work-related trips or short holidays mostly around Southeast Asia. A trip to the US west coast in the winter or 2019 was our first long holiday as a family. And that completely changed the way I view travel. I discovered the joy of road trips, impromptu stops, wandering into unknown places, discovering different cuisines and cultures, and above all, it was a journey of discovering yourself. At the end of that trip, we decided that we would go on a long holiday at least once a year.That decision had a validity period of exactly 3 months. As the saying goes - Man plans, God laughs, the world went on a lockdown with Covid-19 pandemic and along with the flights, our travel plans got grounded for the next two years. Around the beginning of 2022 the Corona clouds started clearing off and we decided to start back on the travel plans. And in the summer of 2022, we restarted the holiday travels and from then on, its carried out as an annual routine (all documented here in the forum).Every year we look at various options but somehow Europe gets the nod, and this year was no different. In the last three years, the trips had Germany, Italy, Switzerland in focus, and so this year France was decided as the focus country. Not sure if its because of the familiarity, I end up planning the trips with entry and exit out of Germany.Singapore Airlines flight to Frankfurt getting readied for boarding.In the past 3 years we took the midnight flight from Singapore (via Middle East) and land in Europe around early afternoon. This time it was a morning flight from Singapore, and we landed in Frankfurt in the evening, around 6:30 pm. Airport passport checks, and baggage clearance was smooth, and we got out in less than 30 minutes.Finding the Sixt rental counter was easy, and since I opted for Priority Service my pickup was from the diamond lounge. The advantage of this EUR 30 add-on is almost no queueing, and the rental car pick-up is literally from the parking lot outside and thus avoiding the long walk / navigation through the multilevel carpark to locate the car (highly recommended option to select).At the Sixt counter, the lady said the car I selected was not available, but she can give a free upgrade, with the options of an X2 M35i, or a VW Touareg. I was not very happy with the choices; I mentioned that my booking was for a guaranteed model (BMW M340i Touring) and I expect the car to be available. Secondly the options provided  the X2 M35i was the car we got last year, and the Touareg was just too big. While she was checking for alternate options, there were a couple of rental returns, and my selected model was also in that. She asked if I could wait for some 15 minutes for them to get the car ready, and I was happy to do so. While waiting I asked her how long she had been with Sixt, and with a beaming smile she said its now 27 years. I said I am not sure, but I think she attended to me back in 2022 summer, and I rented the same make/model. And she was like now I remember, you said you dont like Audi and insisted on getting a BMW, and I gave you an upgrade". That was a nice chitchat, and she looked distinctly pleased with her memory. A few minutes her colleague came with the keys, registration was done swiftly, terms and conditions were explained, and she directed us to the car that was parked just outside the terminal building.Checked the car all around and took a walkaround video; it had a few dirt marks outside (probably because it was just returned from the previous rental). Interiors were all cleaned well, and the car was relatively new with only around 16300 kms done.Soon we were on the way to our stop for the night (Heidelberg), maintaining sane speeds on the Autobahn.Initially I had thought of staying around Frankfurt city center, which was like a 20 minutes drive from the airport. Another option was to drive out of Frankfurt and stop for the night outside the city limits, and I chose the latter. Heidelberg was the first town we visited during our road trip in 2022, but back then we just drove through the old town and did not really get out and explore. It took less than an hour to get to Heidelberg (~80 km from the airport).Checked in to hotel, and later stepped out for a quick dinner, and closed the night early  much needed after a 13-hour long flight, and one hour driveSummer means the sun is out until almost 10:00 pmThe Neckar river after sunset Last edited by vb-saan : 23rd August 2025 at 08:52 .
The Health and Human Services (HHS) canceled a sexual education grant to California that provided services to children because officials claim it includes "radical gender ideology."

The grant is worth about $12.3 million, and the decision was made after state officials refused to revise the materials. The money was being used to pay for sex education programs in juvenile justice facilities, homeless shelters, and foster care group homes. These reached an estimated 13,000 youths per year through 20 different agencies.

Suspension of California's Sex Education Grant

The announcement of the grant's cancellation on Thursday was something that many people expected because it was linked to a 60-day compliance deadline. Andrew Gradison, the acting assistant secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), said that California's refusal to comply with federal law was "unacceptable."

Gradison added that the Trump administration will not allow taxpayer money to be used to indoctrinate children. He said that every state will be accountable if they use federal funds to teach children delusional gender ideology, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Read more: Supreme Court Allows Parents To Opt Their Children Out From Lessons Featuring LGBTQ Books

The situation comes as state officials have taken the position that the materials of California's sex education programs are accurate and do not violate the terms of the federal grant. An official statement read that the state's students deserve access to "education information" and materials that help them make healthy decisions about sexual activity.

Despite the latest development, the Trump administration is not accusing California of failing to carry out the abstinence and contraception instruction funded by the grant. It is instead focusing on the fact that the state included additional content that the government deems objectionable and "outside the scope' of the grant's purpose.

Promoting "Gender Ideology"

The decision also builds on previous efforts to ensure that all Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) grantees comply with statutory requirements set by the government. The ACF instructed all PREP recipients earlier this year to submit their curriculum for review, the HHS reported.

Gradison said that the ACF identified several instances of gender ideology content in California's programs. These include lessons that teach students that gender identity is distinct from biological sex and that boys can identify as girls and vice versa.

But in the termination letter, California's health department said it would not be making any modifications. State authorities argued that their program materials are relevant and medically accurate. They argued that the ACF does not have the authority to take an enforcement action against them, as per The Hill.
Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Eric Idle has reflected on being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, revealing he laughed when he discovered the news.

After being told the news, the Monty Python star, 82, found himself giggling upon recalling how he almost played a man struck down by the same illness years before.

In 2009, Idle researched the quickest way to kill off a character in a stage production hed written  and was told by doctors to give him pancreatic cancer.

When Idle found himself on the receiving end of a real-life diagnosis, he found himself overcome with laughter due to the morbid irony of the situation.

Idle said on a forthcoming episode of BBC Radio 4s This Cultural Life: Before I had pancreatic cancer, I went to my doctor and said, Ive got to get rid of a character very quickly  whats the quickest way? and he said, Pancreatic cancer  you may only have three weeks or three months.

And then, 12 years later, were looking at a screen and I said, Whats that? And [the doctor] said pancreatic cancer. And I laughed, because I thought it was very funny.

Idles 2009 project Death: The Musical was ultimately never produced, but he is set to perform it;s opening number in a new farewell tour taking place across the UK.

open image in gallery Eric Idle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019 ( Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival )

The comedian will perform several musical numbers from his career as part of the show, called Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Live!  named after the track from comedy film Monty Pythons Life of Brian (1979).

Idle previously said he feels lucky every single day after surviving pancreatic cancer. He was successfully treated for the illness after receiving an early diagnosis and been successfully treated for the illness.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

I feel that since 2019 Ive had a reprieve so I dont know or care what people say about me, he said.

Idle was part of the Monty Python comedy troupe alongside John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Sir Michael Palin, Graham Chapman and Terry Jones.

Palin, 82, recently said a reunion of the surviving members was off the cards.

open image in gallery Monty Python co-stars Michael Palin, John Cleese ad Eric Idle ( Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival )

They did a series of comeback shows in 2014 but without Chapman, who died of tonsil cancer in 1989, aged 48, and Jones, who died in 2020, aged 77, from a rare form of dementia.

There are ideas for us getting together but now theres only four of us left and people do their own things, Palin told Saga Magazine.

I dont think we keep in touch with each other as much now, he said in a new interview, calling their reunion shows a very good farewell.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Riz Ahmed has officially confirmed that hes a dad.

Ahmed mentioned that he and his wife, Fatima Farheen Mirza, have a young child  whose age and gender he did not disclose  during a conversation with Club Cine, posted on Substack Friday.

While speaking about some of his biggest movie roles, including one in the upcoming thriller Relay, Ahmed was asked what role hes proudest of.

Being a father. Because its not about me, he said.

Ahmed and Mirza met in 2018, when the actor was preparing for his role in Sound of Metal, in a cafe in Brooklyn, New York.

open image in gallery Riz Ahmed has confirmed he and his wife Fatima Farheen Mirza have a young child ( Getty )

I was writing a script. I was actually working on the thing that I'm editing now, he told CBS Mornings. She sat down opposite and started emptying her whole bag out because she'd lost her charger. You know, I just spotted an opening. 'Can I help you?

He also acknowledged how his relationship has ultimately shaped his career.

You know, at this point, anything that I do  as an artist  is facilitated by the support of my wife. So, it's definitely kind of made me realize the extent to which the people closest to you are actually the co-authors of your work, he added.

The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in 2020. However, they have chosen to keep their child out of the spotlight.

Still, Ahmed has spoken about the scary experiences hes had since welcoming a child. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Friday, he recalled a time when his family was robbed, resulting in his childs sentimental items being stolen.

open image in gallery Ahmed and Mirza met in 2018 in a cafe in Brooklyn, New York. ( Getty )

All our belongings and prized possessions were robbed on a truck that was moving from California to New York, he said. We just had a baby, and so all of our photos and memory cards and really precious items were robbed.

He also noted that the robbery happened right before he started filming Relay, where he plays Ash, who protects whistleblowers from corrupt companies through an anonymous call center.

Ultimately, Ahmeds real-life difficulties after the robbery shaped his performance in the movie. Sometimes, I would have the assistant director read out the email or the list of things stolen, or the latest text message from the person that was investigating, he said.

So that experience gave me a way into this character that was very visceral and honest. And Im just going to be real with you, thats partly why this film means so much to me, Ahmed added. We, as a family, were living through a similar version of loss and loss of control that my character was dealing with.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A man clutching a tiny microphone strides purposefully towards the sun care aisle in his local pharmacy. He picks up the orange and yellow bottles, scans the labels and quickly, performatively rejects them with a pantomime shake of the head. Why? Because hes convinced that sunscreen is filled with toxic chemicals that, he claims, are doing more harm than good. And if you watch his video for long enough, hell probably start recommending the natural option he's switched to instead. He might even (falsely) claim that, rather than protecting you from skin cancer, sunscreen increases the risk.

Variations on this scene are cropping up on social media with alarming frequency. Over on TikTok, this backlash against SPF (sun protection factor), known as the anti-sunscreen movement, has been brewing for a couple of years, but in the summer of 2025, it seems to have moved from a conspiratorial niche into something more mainstream.

Back in July, former The Only Way is Essex star Sam Faiers told her 2.5 million Instagram followers that she doesnt use sunscreen, and neither does her family, including her young children. Over the years, the kids have built up a really good tolerance to being in the sun, she said, before claiming that many sunscreens are actually pretty harmful and full of toxic ingredients. In the same month, actor and influencer Kelsey Parker revealed that she avoids using SPF on her children, too (she said she uses a homemade organic version instead, made from beeswax and no bad stuff).

Their concerning beliefs arent outliers, either. Recent research has suggested that Gen-Zers are particularly susceptible to sunscreen myths. Last year, a study from the American Academy of Dermatology found that 28 per cent of 18- to 26-year-olds believe that getting a tan is more important than the risk of skin cancer, with 37 per cent admitting to only using sunscreen when theyre nagged by others to do so. And new data from health insurance provider Vitality found that 18 per cent of Gen Z respondents believed that you dont need sun protection if you tan easily (theres the myth of good tolerance again).

To properly examine the anti-sunscreen backlash, we need to get to grips with exactly how this product works. The sun emits ultraviolet radiation in the form of UVA and UVB rays, both of which can cause damage to the skin, says Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics.

UVA rays, he explains, penetrate more deeply into the skin and are responsible for signs of ageing, like wrinkles, sagging and pigmentation, while UVB rays affect the surface, causing sunburn and direct DNA damage, which increases the risk of skin cancer. Cancer Research UK estimates that 85 per cent of cases of melanoma (a type of skin cancer that develops in melanin-producing cells) are caused by overexposure to UV radiation; their analysis has also found that melanoma rates have increased by almost one-third over the past decade.

open image in gallery There are two types of sunscreen filter: chemical or mineral ( Getty )

A broad spectrum sunscreen, Perry adds, is designed to shield us against both UVA and UVB rays. There are two main types of sunscreen: those that use chemical filters, which work by absorbing UV radiation and converting it into harmless heat, and those that use mineral filters, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These sit on the skins surface to reflect and scatter rays away.

Its the first category of creams and sprays, those with chemical filters, which tend to be the focus of anti-sunscreen sentiment. Thats because a handful of studies have discovered UV filters such as oxybenzone and avobenzone in peoples blood stream after applying sunscreen. These chemicals are benzophenones, a type of chemical that may influence the endocrine system, which is in charge of creating and releasing hormones in the body.

Anti-sunscreen crusaders will often tout these studies as a way of lending their claims an air of scientific legitimacy. But  spoiler alert  discussing complex research in a 90-second video doesnt always convey a full and nuanced picture. Dr Perry notes that although ingredients like oxybenzone have shown hormone-like effects in very high laboratory doses, the amounts used in sunscreens are far lower and theres no evidence they cause harm in real-world use. Plus, all the active filters in sunscreen, be they chemical or mineral, will have been rigorously tested and approved by regulatory authorities in the UK, Europe and the US. And if you truly wanted to avoid benzophenones, youd probably have to ditch half the contents of your washbag, because theyre common in other makeup and skincare products too.

Since sunscreen is used by so many people, even if there were a small negative effect, this would be very evident Dr Magnus Lynch

Consultant dermatologist Dr Magnus Lynch takes a similar view. It is true that certain chemicals used within sunscreen can be absorbed in small quantities through the skin, he says, however, there is little evidence that these are harmful. Plus, since sunscreen is used by so many people, even if there were a small negative effect, this would be very evident. And yet he is still seeing patients who are scared to use SPF now, after seeing myths amplified on social media by people with no medical expertise. I do understand the appeal of natural products and avoiding chemicals, he adds, but the risks of sunlight exposure are far greater. For those who are worried about chemicals, he suggests swapping to a mineral sunscreen instead.

As for the idea of sun tolerance that seems to be cropping up all over social media? Thats a misconception. You cannot train your skin to become safely resistant to UV, explains consultant dermatologist Dr Rakesh Anand. A tan is a visible sign of DNA damage, not a shield. It might provide, at best, an SPF of roughly two to four, which is nowhere near adequate, he adds (the NHS recommends using at least SPF 30). Relying on this tolerance leads to cumulative damage, photoageing and higher skin cancer risk.

open image in gallery Broad spectrum sunscreen shields us against UVA and UVB rays ( Getty )

Another concern for dermatologists is influencers sharing at-home sun care recipes. Last year, for example, model Nara Smith shared a video in which she mixed up coconut oil, shea and cocoa butter, jojoba oil, beeswax and zinc oxide. These homemade concoctions are not tested for UV protection, may offer inconsistent coverage, and could result in uneven or insufficient protection, raising the risk of burns and long-term damage, Dr Perry says. Beef tallow (an animal fat, also appealingly known as beef dripping) is another natural ingredient that anti-sunscreeners often praise. Perry describes its use for sun protection as complete nonsense and potentially very dangerous. Beef tallow has absolutely no SPF or UV-blocking properties, so applying it to your skin gives you zero protection against sunburn, sun damage or skin cancer, he adds.

He describes home remedies like these as not just ineffective but outright irresponsible, because they give people a false sense of security in the sun, and thats when real damage occurs.

So why has sunscreen suddenly become the site of conspiracies? The backlash seems to have gained momentum in the wake of the pandemic, riding the wave of medical misinformation and scepticism about traditional medicine that emerged with the arrival of the vaccine. At the same time, theres been a fresh focus on clean or natural products, which, as Dr Anand puts it, sometimes frames chemical as a synonym for harmful, which is misleading.

Were seeing DIY wellness and anti-medical narratives become popular online because theyre framed as empowering and rebellious Dr Jonathan Kentley

Medical advice, Perry says, can often feel technical or confusing, so myths and conspiracies offer an easier narrative, often framed as big companies trying to hide the truth. In videos criticising sunscreen, for example, you might hear influencers claiming that doctors are simply telling us that the sun is bad so that Big Pharma can make millions from SPF products.

Social media only exacerbates the problem. Platforms like TikTok reward short, emotive messages, says Dr Jonathan Kentley, consultant dermatologist at Montrose Clinic London and the Lister Hospital, so influencers attempt to craft a catchy narrative that cuts through, even if its completely untrue.

Throw in a growing mistrust of institutions, he adds, and you have fertile ground for health misinformation to flourish. Its part of a wider trend: were seeing DIY wellness and anti-medical narratives become popular online because theyre framed as empowering and rebellious. Unfortunately, though, Kentley adds, these narratives often end up doing more harm than good. We as doctors are finding it increasingly challenging to present the facts in an age where many get their primary source of information from social media platforms.

So next time you find yourself drawn in by spurious claims about sun care, its worth keeping Kentleys words in mind. Decades of rigorous research show that sunscreen is one of the safest and most effective tools we have to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing, he says. And while there is no case of cancer that has ever been linked to sunscreen, he adds, conversely, as a busy dermatologist, I can assure you that I have personally seen hundreds of cases of cancer caused by not wearing sunscreen.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Police in Burbank, California, say a man with a nose for trouble has once again been arrested.

Calese Carron Crowder, 38, a registered sex offender and alleged serial butt sniffer, was arrested Wednesday after allegedly taking a whiff of a womans rear end in public, KTLA reports.

Officers took him into custody at a Burbank store, though authorities have yet to confirm where the incident occurred.

The Independent has requested comment from Burbank police.

Online court records show he was booked in the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles on Thursday. This arrest comes less than two weeks after his release from that facility on August 9 following a July 22 arrest for a similar alleged incident at a Nordstrom Rack in Burbanks Empire Center.

open image in gallery Calese Crowder, 38, is back in jail after allegedly sniffing a womans butt in public, less than two weeks after his August 9 release for a similar incident ( Burbank Police Department )

In that case, he allegedly buried his face in a womans backside before bolting, according to police. Officers tracked him down at a nearby Walmart that night, where he was also allegedly seen sniffing other women.

At the time, Crowder was on active parole with a history of similar lewd conduct since 2021. He was charged with loitering with intent to commit a crime and held on $100,000 bail and had a court date on August 1.

open image in gallery Crowder is allegedly the man who sniffed this womans rear end at a Barnes & Noble in a viral August 2023 TikTok ( TikTok/@michaela.witter )

Crowders alleged actions first gained attention in August 2023 after a viral TikTok showed him allegedly sniffing a woman at a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Other women later came forward, claiming Crowder targeted them in stores like Urban Outfitters and Marshalls.

He has previously served time for burglary and robbery and, in February 2023, was sentenced to a year in jail for indecent exposure in Santa Clarita. He was granted early release. That August, he was again arrested for allegedly peeping and prowling at a Glendale home with children present.

Online court records on Wednesdays arrest do not list an upcoming court date.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A missing seven-month-old baby boy is believed to be dead following a harrowing investigation that has led to murder charges against his parents.

Emmanuel Haro has been missing for more than a week after his mother, Rebecca Haro, 41, claimed she was attacked in a parking lot while changing his diaper, and that her child was abducted, according to police.

I was going to get the diaper and somebody said, Hola, and I dont remember anything since, Rebecca tearfully told KTLA the day after the alleged attack. I woke up here on the floor, and I didnt see Emmanuel.

Haro and her husband, Jake Haro, 32, were taken into custody at their home Friday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said. They have been charged with murder and are being held at Riverside County jail without bail.

It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing, the department said in a news release Friday afternoon.

open image in gallery Rebecca Haro, 41, the mother of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, was arrested August 22 at her California home ( San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department )

Social workers also removed a two-year-old child from the couples home.

On August 14, Rebecca Haro, who had a black eye, initially told police that she was attacked by a man while changing Emmanuels diaper in the parking lot of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa.

Whoever took my son, please return him, Jake Haro pleaded to KTLA on August 15. We just want him back. We wont do anything to you. Just give us our son. Keep him safe, dont hurt him, make sure you feed him and change him.

If you know anything, please come forward or take him to the cops, Rebecca Haro added. Please come and bring my son back. Im begging you.

But the mother stopped speaking with authorities after she was confronted about alleged inconsistencies in her recollection of the attack. Detectives focused on the boys parents and police obtained search warrants for their home, covering text messages, computers, and other communications. They used cadaver dogs around the home and took Jake Haros vehicle into evidence.

Police have since claimed that the alleged abduction never happened.

open image in gallery Emmanuel Haro is presumed dead after police allegedly debunked his mothers claim that he was kidnapped ( San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department )

Emmanuel Haro is about 24 inches tall and weighs around 21 pounds, according to police. He has brown hair, brown eyes, and is cross-eyed. He was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.

Jake Haros lawyer, Vincent Hughes, told the Los Angeles Times that the mothers inconsistencies stemmed from being overwhelmed by her sons disappearance. She declined a lie detector test when authorities requested one.

"No attorney in their right mind would allow that to happen, and no person should ever consent to a lie detector test when its not even scientifically proven to be admissible in court, Hughes told the newspaper.

Jake Haro served six months in jail in 2023 for willful child cruelty, stemming from an October 2018 incident.

open image in gallery Emmanuel Haros father, Jake Haro, was also arrested Friday ( San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department )

"Jake has a criminal past. Were not running from that, but the facts of that case are a lot different than the facts of this case,  Hughes told the Los Angeles Times. And one crime doesnt mean that youve committed every other crime known to man, especially to take your own child.

Neighbors are demanding justice for Emmanuel following his parents arrest. Nearly 100 people held a candlelight vigil for him on Friday, bringing flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, books, candles, and signs to place along a fence on Ramona Street in Cabazon, The Sun reports.

The community gathered in a prayer circle with blue candles led by resident David Hernandez.

I dont know the family. It just hit close to home for my wife and myself, because we live in Yucaipa, Hernandez told the outlet. Its our community, and to hear something like that is not something that we hear every day, right?

Maya Gutierrez, 20, said she had been standing outside the Haros home all Friday afternoon in solidarity with Emmanuel

Nobody was his voice, Gutierrez said. He didnt deserve that at all.

Anyone with information about Emmanuels disappearance should contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be submitted to We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or at wetip.com.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

An 11-year-old girl delivered a baby at her Oklahoma home with no medical care and her parents have now been charged with felony child neglect.

The girls mother, Cherie Walker, 33, and her stepfather, Dustin Walker, 34, were both arrested after they allegedly failed to provide supervision or medical assistance for their daughter, who delivered a full-term baby on August 16, according to multiple local outlets.

The girl was 36 weeks pregnant, according to court documents obtained by FOX23. However her parents claimed that had no idea she was pregnant, Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson said.

Investigators said the child had not seen a doctor in more than a year and had not received any prenatal care. Hutson told KJRH the incident came to light only after the girl was taken to the hospital following the birth.

I was horror-stricken to find out its an 11-year-old little girl whos given birth, Hutson told FOX23. And that she had no medical care, and she had no one to be with her.

open image in gallery The girls mother, Cherie Walker, 33, and her stepfather, Dustin Walker, 34, (pictured) were both arrested after they allegedly failed to provide supervision or medical assistance for their daughter ( Muskogee County Sheriffs Department )

Both the mother and the stepfather are each charged with felony child neglect.

They are being held in the Muskogee County Jail on a $100,000 bond each and are scheduled to appear in court on September 3.

Hutson told KJRH that additional charges may be filed and that authorities are awaiting paternity test results to find out the identity of the babys father.

open image in gallery Both Cherie Walker (pictured) and the girls stepfather are scheduled to appear in court on September 3 ( Muskogee County Sheriffs Department )

This child is traumatized, Hutson told KOTV.

Shes been through a horrific ordeal. I mean, not only has somebody gotten her pregnant, but she gave birth at home without medical assistance, and this will be her life for the rest of her life.
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

A posthumous and unsparing memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent accusers, Virginia Giuffre, will be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf said Sunday.

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice is scheduled for release October 21, the publisher confirmed to the Associated Press.

Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, had been working on Nobody's Girl with author-journalist Amy Wallace and had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book, according to Knopf. The publisher's statement includes an email from Giuffre to Wallace a few weeks before her death, saying that it was her heartfelt wish the memoir be released regardless of her circumstances.

The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders, the email reads. It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness.

Giuffre had been hospitalized following a serious accident in the weeks before her death, her publicist had said, although its unclear when the accident was in relation to her email.

open image in gallery A posthumous memoir from Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre is scheduled to be released in October ( AP )

In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODYS GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices, she wrote to Wallace.

In 2023, The New York Post had reported that Giuffre had reached a deal believed to be worth millions with an undisclosed publisher. Knopf spokesperson Todd Doughty said that she initially agreed to a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press, but moved with acquiring editor Emily Cunningham after Knopf hired Cunningham as executive editor last year.

Giuffre had stated often that, in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epstein's sex-trafficking ring and exploited by Britain's Prince Andrew and other influential men. Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell in 2019 in what investigators described as a suicide.

His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in late 2021 on sex trafficking and other charges.

Andrew had denied Giuffre's allegations. In 2022, Giuffre and Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement after she had sued him for sexual assault.

Giuffre's name has continued to appear in headlines, even after her death.

In July, President Donald Trump told reporters that Epstein had stolen Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida where she once worked. She had alleged being approached by Maxwell and hired as a masseuse for Epstein. Maxwell has denied Giuffre's allegations.

Doughty declined to provide details about the Epstein associates featured in Nobody's Girl, but confirmed that Giuffre made no allegations of abuse against Trump, who continues to face questions about Epstein, the disgraced financier and his former friend.

open image in gallery Giuffres book includes intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, Maxwell and Prince Andrew, among others, according to her publisher ( Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire )

Knopf's statement says the book contains intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, Maxwell and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their out-of-court settlement in 2022.

Knopf Publisher and editor-in-chief Jordan Pavlin, in a statement, called Nobody's Girl a raw and shocking journey and the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free.

Giuffre's time with Epstein is well documented, although her accounts have been challenged. She had acknowledged getting details wrong, errors she attributed to trying to recall events from years ago. In 2022, she dropped allegations against Alan Dershowitz, saying in a statement at the time that she may have made a mistake in identifying the famed attorney as an abuser.

Nobody's Girl was both vigorously fact-checked and legally vetted, a Knopf statement reads.

Giuffre's co-author on her memoir, Wallace, is an award-winning magazine and newspaper reporter whose work has appeared in The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications. She has also collaborated on two previous books, Pixar co-founder Ed Catmulls Creativity, Inc. and former General Electric CEO Jeff Immelts Hot Seat.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The Trump administration reportedly plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks to support its immigration and anti-crime crackdowns, a dramatic expansion of the controversial operation thats seen federal agents and Guard troops carrying out activities across Washington, D.C.

The troops, who will largely be activated across Republican-controlled states, will serve in support of the administrations Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, as well as other law enforcement priorities, according to comment from unnamed Pentagon officials and documents obtained by Fox News.

The Guardsmen assisting ICE will be carrying out tasks that may include personal data collection, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing and photographing of personnel in ICE custody," an official told outlet.

The deployments will take place across the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming, per Fox.

Texas is reportedly slated to have the largest deployment.

open image in gallery The Trump administration is reportedly expanding its crime crackdown by deploying up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in support of its immigration and crime crackdowns ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted the reported states for comment, as well as the central National Guard leadership and the Department of Homeland Security.

The Guardsmen will be serving under Title 32 Section 502F authority, in which they technically remain under state command and control, but can assist with federal missions and are paid with federal funds. The status allows them to avoid running afoul of a federal law limiting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.

When asked about the reported operation, the Defense Department referred The Independent to a July announcement from the Pentagon changing the status of troops supporting ICE to Title 32 and adding 500 additional personnel to the mission, bringing it to a total of approximately 1,700 troops.

The statement said the troops could be involved in direct interaction with individuals in ICE custody, and that the mission stemmed from a May request from the Department of Homeland Security for assistance.

The Virginia National Guard plans to mobilize approximately 60 Soldiers and Airmen with a mission to provide administrative and logistics support to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at locations across the state, a spokesperson told The Independent. VNG personnel will not conduct law enforcement functions, and VNG support will not include making arrests.

open image in gallery National Guard operation in Washington has reportedly netted over 700 arrests alongside local and federal partners this month ( AP )

Nevada officials pointed The Independent to a Tuesday announcement from Gov. Joe Lombardo, which described up to 35 Nevada National Guardsmen assisting DHS with vital clerical, administrative, and logistical support  ensuring there will be no direct contact with detainees, no law enforcement duties, and no weapons involved.

A spokesperson for the Idaho National Guard told The Independent the states contingent will feature 14 personnel providing three ICE offices with administrative functions, potentially including data entry, record keeping, creating and maintaining reports, and other clerical duties.

The apparent expansion in operations comes as President Trump threatened to send the regular military into Chicago for a similar crime crackdown, as well as potentially send troops to New York City.

We're going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent, and we'll straighten that one out, probably next that'll be our next one after this, and it won't even be tough, Trump told reporters at The White House.

Nearly 2,000 Guard troops from Washington, D.C., and six states are deployed to the capital as part of the presidents anti-crime and immigration push.

Washington residents overwhelmingly oppose the federal law enforcement operation there, according to polling.

The operation has netted more than 700 arrests since beginning earlier this month, according to the Trump administration, though it hasnt released in-depth information about the identities or alleged offenses that form this figure.
Louisiana's ports support one in five jobs in the state. They help move millions of barrels of oil and chemicals products each year and enough U.S. agricultural exports to feed entire countries. Tourists arrive by the boatload for river and ocean cruises, and the taxes that ports generate account for around 5% of the state's annual budget.
Smoke rose from the still-burning tanks at Smittys Supply in Roseland Saturday, and although the thick plumes had eased since the explosion the day before, a strong chemical smell permeated nearby communities in Tangipahoa Parish, an oily sheen coating many of the cars, homes and other outdoor surfaces.
OnlyFans has paid its owner Leonid Radvinsky $US701 million ($1.1 billion) in dividends, including a record amount for 2024, ahead of a potential sale of the adult-content social network.

The payout was disclosed in financial filings by Fenix International, the London-based company that runs the platform. The company, which allows content creators to offer subscription material directly to their fans, is exploring a sale at a potential valuation of $US8 billion, Bloomberg reported in May.

Leonid Radvinsky bought a majority stake in OnlyFans in 2018 from its British father-and-son founders Guy and Tim Stokely, who founded the site in 2016. Credit: Facebook/LeonidRadvinsky

OnlyFans makes money by taking a 20 per cent fee on any subscriptions or content including videos, pictures and chats sold via the platform. It skyrocketed in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many sex workers and celebrities were looking for ways to make money during lockdowns. While much of the content is pornographic, the site also hosts creators focused on other topics such as fitness and food.

Radvinsky, the sole owner of Fenix, received $US497 million in ordinary dividends as well as an additional $US204 million in five tranches paid after the reporting date. In all, the Ukrainian-American entrepreneur has received about $US1.8 billion from the platform since 2021. The company disclosed dividends of $US472 million in 2023, $US338 million in 2022 and $US284 million the year before that, according to filings.
And if it is, we need to teach two things. The first: financial planning doesnt have to be about quitting work forever as soon as you can. It can be about building your ability to make choices. Getting to a point where you could ease off, work part-time, or say no to something that drains you, because youve got some financial confidence backing you up. Thats powerful. The second: purposeful work doesnt have to stop. Unless your health fails or your priorities shift, you can keep doing good work well into your 70s if you want to. Some of the most energised pre- and post-retirees I know are doing just that. Theyve pieced together lives that include a little paid work, some unpaid projects, volunteering, grandparenting, mentoring  whatever lights them up. And theyre doing it on their terms. In fact, the Retire with Purpose report shows, 81 per cent of Australians who havent yet retired plan to continue working in some form  through part-time roles, hybrid jobs, volunteering, or creative pursuits. Theyre not looking to check out. Theyre looking to transition into a life that reflects their values and choices. So, if thats the retirement model youre chasing, heres what needs to change.

1. Do your financial planning earlier (yes, even if it bores you to death) Nearly half of retirees in the report said they were financially unprepared when retirement arrived. According to ABS data, only 31 per cent of Australians retire by choice. On the flip side, four out of five working Australians who got advice felt confident about retiring at their chosen age. So why arent we getting advice sooner? If you start planning in your 40s or 50s instead of panicking in your 60s, youre far more likely to feel ready  not just to retire, but to choose whats next. Dont call it retirement planning if that feels too grim. Call it I want options planning. Youre working towards the point where you have enough  enough to go part-time, buy breathing space, or shift out of a career path thats run its course. The point is: you want to be the one calling the shots. Fifty and 60-somethings struggle to get interviews for roles theyre clearly qualified for. Credit: Louie Douvis

2. Lets stop sidelining older workers Ever heard a story about a capable 50 or 60-something looking for a job? They struggle to get interviews for roles theyre clearly qualified for  and would love to do. Some even strip experience off their CV just to get in the door. Many say theyd happily take a pay cut and work for a younger boss, just to step back and still do work they care about. Theyre not asking to cruise. They just dont want the top job any more. But younger managers often feel unsure  or worse, threatened  and sideline these skilled, experienced workers. If we want this to work, we need to shift our thinking. Train younger managers to understand that older workers often have different, perfectly reasonable goals  just like we once taught them that mothers make great employees who deserve flexibility.

Loading 3. Stay curious or get left behind This ones on us. If you want to stay employed into your 60s and beyond, you cant check out mentally. If youre resisting tech, grumbling about younger colleagues, or coasting on old credentials, youre not helping yourself  or your age group. The best older workers I know stay curious. They learn new tools, adapt to multi-generational teams, stay humble  and they get invited to stick around. And then there are the grumblers. Bored stiff. Counting the days. I get it  some jobs do suck the joy out of you. But if youve mentally left the building, thats not helping you or your team.

Take a break. Reskill. Pivot. Start shaping a future you want to step into, not just counting down to a date you hope will save you. 4. Make retirement a safe thing to talk about Most people dont tell their boss theyre thinking about retirement until they absolutely have to. One in four Australians in this report say they dont feel comfortable discussing it at all. Why? Because were scared of being sidelined. Of being quietly shuffled out of the good projects. Of being seen as halfway out the door. We can do better than that. Workplaces should help people plan their exit over time  not force them to pretend everythings fine until theyre suddenly gone. When people can plan and shape their transition, everybody wins. As UniSupers manager of retirement solutions Giacomo Tarantolo, put it: Retirement in Australia is changing. No longer is retirement seen as a full stop, but rather a transition to a new life focused on flexibility, fulfilment, and finding purpose in new ways.
Liquor merchants Dan Murphys and BWS have increased spending on security and equipment, including body-worn cameras and augmented-reality technology, following bouts of organised theft that has become an industry-wide issue.

Endeavour Group interim chief executive Kate Beattie said the network had seen an increase in incidences that threaten worker safety.

Liquor merchants Dan Murphys and BWS says they are grappling with organised theft. Credit: Louie Douvis

Were doing things like leveraging virtual-reality technology to train our team to respond well to threatening situations, and thats  to not escalate a situation and make sure they keep themselves safe, Beattie said.

Where were enabling some of our team to trial things like body-worn cameras so that they track their movement around the store and make sure they  minimise their manual handling risks.

We also, like others, have seen an increase [to] take measures like putting security guards outside our high-risk stores, and have things like lockout buttons for our teams to lock out people approaching that they think look threatening, direct alarms, and all the other measures that you would expect a retailer of our scale to be taking.

Endeavours Dan Murphys and BWS are two of many major chains grappling with organised crime syndicates that have turned stealing from supermarkets into a living.

Rebel Sports recorded lower margins as a result of the consistent theft, particularly in Victoria, which has become the epicentre of this criminal activity.

You have in your mind of a teenager stealing a pair of socks. Thats not this. This is professional, said Rebel operator Super Retail Group chief executive Anthony Heraghty.

Theyll have in their arms maybe $1000, $2000 worth of apparel. Theyll stride out of the store at walking pace.
Tens of thousands of protesters have marched across the country calling for an end to the death and starvation of Palestinians, as it was revealed NSW Police have spent more than $11.3 million controlling tensions from the Middle Eastern conflict here.

A confidential briefing on the forces response to protests, rallies and crimes linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict reveals that police resources have been strained protecting religious sites. The briefing also revealed the social cost of the conflict here in Australia.

Protesters participate in a pro Palestinian rally in Sydney on Sunday. Credit: AAPIMAGE

Protests returned to the streets of Sydney  and 36 other cities and towns  on Sunday, as the Palestine Action Group held a nationwide march calling for sanctions, an end to the starvation and genocide in Gaza, and an end to any arms trade with Israel.

At the Sydney event, 2021 Australian of the Year said Grace Tame asked the crowd: Who is ready to resist?
A developer backed by billionaire James Packer has sparked criticism over a $100 million plan to leverage the state governments affordable housing incentives to replace an older block of units in Potts Point with fewer upscale apartments, some of which would be offered at below-market prices.

Melbourne-based developer Time and Place last year raised the ire of residents when it submitted plans to knock down the Chimes building on Macleay Street and replace the 10-storey blocks 80 studio and one-bedroom apartments with a nine-storey tower containing about 31 luxury homes.

The Chimes building, designed by Hungarian architect Hugo Stossel, was completed in the heart of Potts Point in 1964. Credit: Louise Kennerley

But a new concept proposal shows the developer is seeking approval for a building envelope that would enable the construction of a block up to 13 storeys, at this stage comprising 34 residences.

At least 15 per cent of the apartments would be affordable housing, available at a lower price than market rent for a minimum of 15 years, under the governments policy of offering developers height and floor space bonuses if they dedicate a portion of homes for low- to moderate-income earners.
McCOOK  Cars fill the diagonal parking spaces marked by faded yellow paint in front of one of McCooks two popular Mexican restaurants. Inside, diners crunch house-made tortilla chips and slurp down jumbo strawberry margaritas, laughing over carefree conversations and sizzling plates of fajitas.

Tequilas Mexican Restaurant has been a staple in the small town of more than 7,600 people nestled in southwest Nebraska for years. Its where people go to celebrate birthdays with sopapillas and sombreros, where families sit down for a hot meal after church services, sporting events or afternoons spent browsing boutiques along the brick streets of downtown McCook.

But 3 miles away, on the outskirts of the city, something outside the daily routine is setting some on edge: Plans are being laid to transform a Nebraska minimum-security state prison into an immigration detention center intended as a place to detain immigrants while they await deportation.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced Tuesday that McCooks Work Ethic Camp will soon become the official site for an up to 300-bed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility dubbed the Cornhusker Clink, leading to rapidly swirling rumors, peaceful protests, news conferences nearly 230 miles apart and an unexpected visit to McCook by the governor.

Days following the announcement, the people of McCook are still searching for explanations behind the detention center, left wondering why their community was chosen, how this will impact them and what happens next.

On Friday, the McCook mayor, county commissioners, city officials and community members still remained largely in the dark on the details and impact of the center.

And there's no solid answer on when it will open.

Some McCook citizens fear the repercussions this facility could have on the small population of immigrants living in the town 70 miles south of North Platte, while others worry the detention center will bring criminals and terrorists to the area  fears that stem from statements made by Pillen. Meanwhile, some are indifferent to the transformation.

Regardless, the town has found itself suddenly thrust into the national spotlight, battling unwanted attention, scrutiny and uncertainty.

Even so, the community is working to remain the strong, tight-knit place its always been.

This is a special place  resilient, welcoming and full of promise, a spokesperson for McCook Mayor Linda Taylor said in a statement. We remain optimistic about our future.

Towns not for it

Chants of No more ICE rang out as dozens of people stood under the beating August sun Tuesday afternoon while they awaited the arrival of Pillens state plane, lined up along the airports tarmac, pressing their handmade signs against the chain link fence lined with barbed wire at the top.

They love our culture, but hate our people, one sign read.

Dont be a villain, Pillen, said another.

McCook says no to ICE camps.

No Concentration Camps in McCook.

Later, jeers of coward filled the air as Pillen boarded the states plane to leave southwest Nebraska for Columbus.

But by Friday morning, the city of McCook was quieter.

Instead of protests and angry chants, people had soft conversations over cups of black coffee at the local bakery, baling trucks loaded with hay rolled slowly through town and kids ran around the elementary school playground during recess. The campus at McCook Community College was calm and a few straggling students walked to and from class, backpacks slung carelessly over their shoulders.

It was business as usual.

But, underneath the calm, a state of unrest lingered.

In the days following the Tuesday announcement, Red Willow County Commissioner Charles Fritsche has received multiple phone calls from concerned constituents, worried it will bring hardened criminals close to the community.

Towns not for it, he told the Journal Star.

People and organizations statewide and across the nation have both praised and denounced the move that came as a shock to many. Nebraska Appleseed, a local advocacy group, started an online petition against the detention center as peaceful protests cropped up in Lincoln and McCook. Plans are being made to host a large protest in southwest Nebraska against the center.

John Clesson, a founding member of the McCook Art Guild and lifelong McCook resident, said he was against the ICE facility primarily because he doesnt feel the Work Ethic Camp has the ability to house high-profile criminals.

They're going to be people who did rape, murder and everything else, he said while sitting inside the art gallery in downtown McCook.

While Pillen referenced "criminals" and "terrorists" during the announcement, he also said the detention center will not house violent criminals.

But others opposed the transition for different reasons.

'It just came overnight'

Word spread fast.

The Trump administration plans to build a new immigrant detention facility in McCook.

As buzz around the center grew, plans of protests in McCook and Lincoln were made and online discourse took off.

Pillen, who was in Ogallala at the time, suddenly rerouted the state plane from its original target in Columbus to McCooks single-airline airport 2 miles east of town.

Then, two separate news conferences were scheduled nearly 230 miles apart Tuesday afternoon  one at the state Capitol in Lincoln with the heads of the Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska National Guard and another in the McCook airport with Pillen.

During the impromptu press briefing with media and select McCook citizens, Pillen revealed plans to convert the 200-bed Work Ethic Camp, which houses low-level offenders, into a detention center to aid the Trump administration in deporting people "that came here illegally, that are criminals and terrorists" and are "threats to our community," he said.

Detainees will likely stay at the detention center for five to 50 days, according to Pillen.

On Tuesday, Taylor, who has served on multiple public boards in McCook over the past few decades and is now mayor, said she met with Pillen for the first time about three days before the announcement was made and didn't receive a whole lot of details" at the time. The meeting on Aug. 16 lasted about 30 minutes, she said.

Taylor did not respond to multiple requests for comment by the Journal Star.

While officials rushed to host news conferences, many McCook residents discovered the plans for their community via social media or word of mouth  and it came as a shock to many.

It was just Boom, there it is. You know, like Whoa, hold on a minute there,' Clesson said.

The announcement seemed to come out of thin air, according to Hugh McCauley, who immigrated to McCook from Scotland 20 years ago and now works as a custodian for the local community college.

I was surprised. It just came all of a sudden, he said. And I think a lot of the locals are not happy with the way it came out just overnight. They didn't know anything about it. So I think that's why people are a bit freaked out.

Questions left unanswered

Dressed in tan jumpsuits and white undershirts, around a dozen inmates at the work camp fought the mid-morning heat on Friday as they learned to operate a forklift in an empty parking lot in McCook.

It's one of the many things they do at the camp  learning trades and skills that will help them transition back into life in the community.

But now, the fate of the 186 inmates currently housed at the work ethic camp is uncertain.

In order to house up to 300 immigrants awaiting deportation, theyll likely be transferred out of McCook and into one of Nebraska's other state prisons, which are already largely overcrowded. Nebraska's prison system, which was designed to hold 4,059 inmates, currently houses more than 5,800, according to state data.

But exactly where inmates at the work camp will be sent is just one of many questions left unanswered in the days since Pillens announcement.

A timeline for the transition is unclear, too.

Both Pillen and Rob Jeffreys, the director of Nebraska's prison system, have declined to provide a timeline for when the federal detention center will be up and running.

Jeffreys said at a Tuesday news conference he did "not want to get baked into a timeline" for how quickly the facility will open. In an email Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Nebraska's prison system said the state and feds haven't determined an opening date.

Many McCook residents have expressed dismay at the lack of transparency, stating the community not only had no warning but also little answers about the details of the detention center and how it may impact the community.

Molly Smith, a spokesperson for the city of McCook, said city officials are working to provide residents with the answers theyre searching for.

Our top priority is to ensure transparency throughout this process, Smith said in a statement. We are in communication with the appropriate state and federal agencies and are committed to keeping residents informed with timely, accurate updates.

While the detention center will continue to be staffed by about 80 state employees working there, its unclear whether more employees will be hired to address the growing capacity and change in the facilitys purpose.

Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, the guard's adjutant general, said at Tuesday's conference that 20 soldiers from the Nebraska National Guard will begin assisting ICE after Labor Day and stay in service through Nov. 15.

Scott Kefalas, who is from the area, said the current facility will need quite a bit of work before its ready to make the transition.

Kefalas, who said he doesnt have a strong opinion on the ICE detention center, worked in the warehouse at the prison for about three years before taking on a job as a custodian at McCook Community College nearly two years ago.

The facility would likely need work done inside to increase security if higher-level criminals will be held there and spaces like classrooms would likely need to be repurposed. Additionally, the center currently only has the capacity for 200 beds, so 100 more would need to be added to reach the planned 300.

Its also unclear whether women and children will be detained in McCook. The work camp only houses men.

I don't know where they would put the other 100 beds because there is no space, Kefalas said.

Jeffreys said new beds will likely be added to program rooms, multipurpose rooms and other areas of the center for use by ICE and no detainees will be housed outdoors.

People have questioned what will happen to the facility when the federal government is done using it and whether it will return to its original purpose of a rehabilitation center to introduce inmates back into life outside of imprisonment.

Many wonder why McCook was chosen as the site for the newest ICE facility, joining other centers across the country that have been created in the months since President Donald Trump took office, like Alligator Alcatraz in the Florida Everglades.

Clesson theorized McCooks distance from both Omaha and Denver, each about 260-280 miles from the rural town, played a role in the decision.

Fritsche, one of three county commissioners in Red Willow, struggled to come up with a reason behind the decision.

I wouldn't have a clue why they chose McCook, Fritsche said. I really don't have any ideas. And I didn't hear, didn't even know a thing about it until I got a little bit of insight (Tuesday) at noon.

The loss of the volunteer services provided by inmates at the work camp will also leave a gap in McCook and surrounding communities.

Those living at the camp have been known to help out at the Red Willow County fairground in the north part of town, load and unload boxes of food for the local food bank, and clean up around the viaduct near the McCook railyard. Theyve helped at state parks, local cemeteries, museums, hospitals and schools.

Their services have even extended outside of McCook as well.

Nearly 30 miles east, the inmates have done a plethora of jobs in Cambridge, a town of about 1,000 people, including work to restore an old one-room schoolhouse located in the city park.

Virginia Roberts, a longtime Cambridge resident, has worked with the inmates for about 15 years, often recruiting them to clean up the parks, trim around headstones in the cemetery, clear away dead branches and build flower beds.

During every job, she worked alongside them, becoming friendly with the inmates and close to the sergeants and corporals who supervised the outings. The inmates used to say she reminded them of their mothers. Some years later, it changed to grandmothers.

Now, Roberts hopes their absence in the area will be temporary.

They covered quite a lot of territory, and we're all going to have to step up to the plate now."
Tens of thousands of protesters have marched over the Victoria Bridge from Brisbanes CBD, as part of a national rally against Israels bombardment of Palestine amid worsening famine in Gaza.

Carrying placards that called for solidarity with Palestinians and urged an end to genocide, the march began moving from its starting point at Queens Gardens shortly after 2pm.

Chants through loudspeakers, high-tempo drumming and flags filled CBD and South Brisbane streets for the next two hours, with the last of the marchers arriving at Musgrave Park after 4pm.

Organisers originally estimated the crowd at 30,000, while others put the estimate at 50,000. At the beginning, it stretched back several blocks from Queens Gardens, with many attendees unable to hear the speeches as they were delivered.
Left meets right

As Waleed Aly points out in his opinion piece (The walkout of writers shows how promiscuous the politics of safety can be, 22/8); several years ago, conservative libertarians argued that section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act impaired their freedom of speech to insult and offend people on grounds of their race, whereas these days they argue that inflammatory, divisive and disrespectful language should be avoided in order to prevent insulting and offending people on grounds of race or political/religious leanings.

However, it also can be argued that left-wing progressives back then, advocating keeping section 18C are today arguing that being directed to avoid such language limits their freedom of speech, despite it enabling hatred of Jewish Australians.

And regarding the divisive notion of safetyism, whereas, for a more harmonious multicultural society, I prefer terms like inclusion and equality, such as shown by the recent cancellation of a right-wing Israeli parliamentarians visa based on fears that he could upset Muslim communities.

But why then is avoiding the use of inflammatory, divisive and disrespectful language thats fuelling the surge in antisemitism a violation of freedom of speech of writers at a writers festival?

Henry Herzog, St Kilda East Treaty millstone

There is no such thing as a Right side of history (Letters, 24/8). The Allan government treaty with Indigenous people is not a milestone. It is a millstone, which, along with all Labors other errors and omissions  and debts  will weigh down the state for years, or decades, or generations. Can we expect other identity-based elected bodies? If not, why not?

Anthony Caughey, Elwood Treaty overdue

Fantastic news: Treaty negotiations complete, a historic agreement is within reach, (23/8). Two hundred years late, but better late than never. Congratulations Labor.

Patricia Rivett, Ferntree Gully No child alike

Not so long ago, early years classrooms catered for diversity  developmental delay was not unusual and class programs were adapted accordingly. Commonly, five to seven-year-old boys, in particular, were not ready to sit and listen. The aim of a prep-2 program was to tap into kids interests, build their self-esteem, and engage them in learning.

These days, we expect all kids to measure up in the same way on the same day with a national testing program which takes no account of normal developmental differences, let alone specific developmental delay. We now mandate a prescriptive one-size-fits-all teaching program for beginners as if all kids develop in exactly the same way.

It is no wonder parents are anxiously seeking support. They believe their kids are failing when they are forced into a system that is no longer set up to nurture the needs of individual learners, with in-school support as required. Parents should be celebrating milestones instead of comparing their kids.

Susan Mahar, Fitzroy North Empower, not surveil kids

For the past 30 years, I have dedicated my career to the early childhood education and care sector. The growing calls to install CCTV cameras in early childhood classrooms are deeply concerning they suggest a lack of trust in our teachers and educators. Such measures undermine the very foundation of education, which is built on trust, respect, and human connection  qualities no camera can capture.

Early childhood educators are highly skilled professionals who nurture not only learning but also childrens confidence, curiosity, and emotional wellbeing. What they truly need is increased investment in professional development and supportive environments that recognise their expertise  not invasive surveillance that reduces their vital work to mere footage.

Children are active agents with rights, not passive subjects to be constantly monitored. Excessive surveillance strips them of dignity and erodes safe, nurturing spaces where meaningful relationships grow. Education should empower children, not condition them to accept surveillance as normal.

Trust, professional respect, and genuine support protect children far more effectively than cameras ever could.

Rebecca Drysdale, Essendon North

Dont go back

On International Womens Day 1975 I marched, I attended celebratory functions, I shared in the euphoria that said youve come a long way sister. I read with increasing despair Julia Bairds article (Gilead rising: In Trumps America, misogyny has found a powerful toehold, 23/8) on the ways in which extreme forms of misogyny are taking over in America (and maybe in Australia as well).

As always, it is up to women to resist this creeping sexism and do all we can to disallow this march backwards.

Gloria Meltzer, Chewton Tradwives and trad men

Reading Jacqueline Maleys piece about tradwives made for difficult reading, not because of the topic itself, but because Maleys contention is inconsistent (Women should keep house: Baking mad or the conversation we need?, 24/8). I have known several women who fulfil the criteria of a tradwife  or perhaps a tradwoman, as some are unwed  and yet, none did so to please someone else.

It is an insult to the intelligence of women to assert they are still living in the shadow of men. Instead of challenging, in truth dismissing other people, if there is a societal or relational problem, we should be asking what is causing men to grasp for the manosphere and women to traditional ideals of gender roles.

Anders Ross, Heidelberg Red tape, red herring

Beware the red tape argument. When business whinges about red tape, think workers wages and entitlements like super, sick pay, long service etc, occupational health and safety regulations, and their biggest bugbear, environmental safeguards.

Business wants to be able to bulldoze, drill and/or ride roughshod over habitat and property everywhere without impediment or oversight. This is what business means by removing red tape.

Business wants no regulations, to pay no tax, and secretly wouldnt mind a return to slave labour, but dont you dare remove their lucrative government subsidies.

Judy Loney, Drumcondra Taking the train

I have also taken the XPT train to Sydney and agree the service needs to be improved to reduce the time taken (Letters, Long Track to Sydney, 23/8).

I was told by the staff that the train was capable of travelling at 136 km/h on good sections of the track. If the whole track was capable of this speed and an express service provided, the trip could be done in about five hours going city centre to city centre. If you take time to get to and from the airport, the security check, boarding time etc. many people would take the train instead of flying.

Peter Hogan, Fitzroy North Councils go basic

Im alarmed to see councils across Victoria rolling back climate commitments. Darebin was the first council in the world to declare a climate emergency in 2016, starting a global trend that has since spread to thousands of jurisdictions.

Yet now, even here, the language and ambition are being watered down. Just across the creek, Yarra, once a progressive leader, has also swung sharply with a more conservative coalition of councillors  and it shows.

This back to basics smokescreen is being used to wash away responsibility for climate change, as if its no longer urgent, popular or solvable. That is deeply irresponsible. This was the hottest summer on record, and our cities will only get hotter. Climate change will cost every local community far more, through storm clean-ups, damaged infrastructure and skyrocketing insurance, than acting early ever would. We know meeting this moment requires big change, but every big change begins at the grassroots. Councils should be stepping up, not stepping back.

Cate James, Northcote

Orwells achievements

Writer Anna Funder exaggerates George Orwells flaws while minimising his achievements Animal Farm has turned 80, but we still dont know who wrote the best line, (20/8).

Feminist writer, Rebecca Solnit, in her book Orwells Roses, presents a far more balanced and nuanced portrait of the man who was sick all his life, died young, was a champion of the poor and downtrodden, fought for the Republic in Spain, loved gardening, wrote some of the best essays in the English language and was among the very first to see through Stalins Russia  yes much of this with the considerable practical and intellectual support of his wife Eileen OShaughnessy. As for no vanilla creature could give us that scarifying insight into darkness, 1984, this is to place Orwell in a double-bind: Thanks for the masterpiece, pity you had to be a bastard to write it.

Michael Read, Carnegie Supporter transference

It was extremely disappointing to hear so many Essendon supporters loudly boo when Adam Saad was in possession of the football on Thursday night. Saad came to Carlton some years ago from Essendon and he is entitled to be respected for his ability and his decision. Frequently, players change clubs for a variety of reasons.

As a Carlton supporter all my life, I hope my fellow supporters do not demean themselves, and our club, by booing any Blues players who transfer to other clubs next season. Unfortunately, I fear that could happen.

Tom Ward, Sorrento AND ANOTHER THING Ghislaine Maxwell

Re Maxwell saw nothing inappropriate, (24/8). She also said she did not witness any sexual abuse by Epstein. Phew, I guess that gets Donald and the late Jeffrey off the hook. Now lets see about a presidential pardon, for the wrongly convicted Ghislaine.

Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills Ghislaine Maxwell delivered the classic self-interested denial in the Trump Epstein matter. Well, she would, wouldnt she?

Paul Custance, Highett

Furthermore

Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991, but how much longer can it remain independent with current American and Russian leadership?

Vera Lubczenko, Geelong West While Albanese might be afraid of change, I think his party with fewer Baby Boomers and more young people will demand change. God help us if they dont. We have to stop the intergenerational poverty which is currently the case.

John Rome, Mount Lawley, WA AFL

It took the cardinals two days to elect the new Pope, five days for the AFL to resolve the Izak Rankine case.

Peter Schiller, Camberwell Snoop Dogg? The AFL appears to me to be a little hypocritical. I saw recent snippets that presented him as a homophobe of a rather unsavoury character. It goes against the AFLs own policy does it not?

Bill Proctor, Launching Place Finally

What a combination! AI (Artificial Idiocy) and deregulation (cutting red tape) to solve the housing crisis? (AI and a new strike team deployed to combat housing crisis, 24/8). SF (Spectacular Failure) is assured.

John Laurie, Riddells Creek
The far-right Israeli politician who was blocked from travelling to Australia, triggering a fiery spat between the two nations, has claimed his visa was cancelled for expressing mainstream Israeli views as he denied referring to Gazan children as enemies of his nation.

The Albanese governments decision to cancel Israeli parliamentarian Simcha Rothmans visa for a planned speaking tour last week prompted a ferocious response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branding Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese weak and his government cancelling the visas of Australian diplomats working in the occupied West Bank.

Simcha Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionist Party, was denied a visa to tour Australia. Credit: NurPhoto via AFP

Speaking at an online event organised by the conservative Australian Jewish Association on Sunday night, Rothman said he believed the cancellation of his visa was a shameful attempt to silence Israelis who have different political views to the Australian government.

Rothman said quotes cited by the Department of Home Affairs to justify the refusal of his visa  including support for the elimination of Hamas and opposition to a two-state solution  were commonplace in Israel.
On Monday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet Donald Trump at the White House. Lee is the 14th leader of a G20 nation to have met with the president since his inauguration seven months ago. Trump has also held at least one (and in some cases several) meetings with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, India, Russia, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and South Africa, as well as the president of the European Commission (which counts as a G20 member).

In June, it was announced that Trump would meet Chinas leader Xi Jinping, with whom he already has an established relationship, on a date to be settled. Trump will host Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Washington in the next two months.

Anthony Albanese is still to meet Donald Trump in person. Credit: Artists

The president has also welcomed to the White House, or paid visits to, the leaders of numerous nations outside the G20, including the king of Jordan, the emir of Qatar, the taoiseach of Ireland, the prime minister of Israel, and the presidents of Poland, Finland, Pakistan, El Salvador and, memorably, Ukraine.

Only three G20 nations have yet to secure a meeting with Trump: Brazil, Mexico  and Australia.
Practical Tips to Keep Young Drivers Safe and Insurance Costs Manageable

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21, 2025 -- A teen's first driver's license is both exciting and nerve-wracking for parents. Safety, training and the right insurance coverage ensures that new drivers are protected every mile of the journey.

Mercury Insurance knows that a teen's first license brings excitement  and higher insurance costs. Factors like age, driving distance and the type of vehicle all influence rates. In honor of National Traffic Awareness Month, Mercury is sharing tips to help parents of first-time drivers keep premiums as low as possible.

"National Traffic Awareness Month is an important reminder of how vital safe driving and proper preparation are  especially for teens getting behind the wheel for the first time," said Kevin Quinn, VP Claims, Auto, Mercury Insurance. "We want parents and young drivers to feel confident not only about safety, but also about understanding their coverage and making sure they're protected from day one."

According to The Zebra's State of Auto Insurance report, the national average for auto insurance policy premiums for those aged 16-19 is $4,573. Broken down into monthly payments, that could add over $380 to your expenses. The good news is that age 16 is the most expensive year, so you can expect that policy to steadily drop each successive year.

Some tips to lower your auto insurance rates with young new drivers include:

Bundle multiple insurance policies  Bundling your auto insurance policy along with your homeowners or umbrella policy can help keep costs down. Always be sure to ask for this discount.





Bundling your auto insurance policy along with your homeowners or umbrella policy can help keep costs down. Always be sure to ask for this discount. Shop around  This may seem like a no-brainer, but taking the time to shop around for auto insurance quotes can save you a reasonable sum of money.





This may seem like a no-brainer, but taking the time to shop around for auto insurance quotes can save you a reasonable sum of money. Increase your deductible  Raising your deductible will lower the cost of your monthly premium. It is important to make sure that the deductible is within your budget should you need to file a claim.





Raising your deductible will lower the cost of your monthly premium. It is important to make sure that the deductible is within your budget should you need to file a claim. Buy your teen a clunker  Most first-time drivers do not need a newer, expensive car to drive. Buying a reliable, older car as your teen is gaining experience makes good sense.





Most first-time drivers do not need a newer, expensive car to drive. Buying a reliable, older car as your teen is gaining experience makes good sense. Check for student discounts (good grades)  It should be noted that many insurance companies offer discounts for students who maintain a B average or higher. These discounts are often 10% to 25% and apply to full-time students under 25.

Taking the time to ask key questions and compare prices can help new drivers save money and stay within budget.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance.

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on X, Instagram or Facebook.

SOURCE Mercury Insurance
4 including 2 minors arrested





Staff Reporter :

BHILAI :

IN the ongoing drive to curb cybercrime cases effectively, Supela police took four including two minors into custody for their involvement into online fraud through mule bank accounts.

The accused has been sent to judicial custody following his arrest and court appearance. Police sources informed that the accused were identified as Sachin Yadav (18), a resident of Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Kurud, Jamul, Durg and Rahul Nishad (19), a resident of Gopal Nagar, Kurud, Jamul, Durg. The police said that acting on information received through the Smanvaya Portal operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs for tracking a suspected mule account, police traced the fraudulent activity to a bank account at the Bank of India, Supela branch.

The account was opened by Naresh Kupal, son of Krishna Kupal, resident of Dhacha Bhawan, Jamul, using his personal identification documents, including Aadhaar and PAN card. Despite being aware that the account would be used to receive funds obtained through online fraud, Naresh allegedly allowed the use of his account for illegal monetary gain. The account was found to have received Rs 1,19,098 through deceitful online transactions. The funds are suspected to be of cyber fraud.

The police arrested the accused and registered the offence against them under sections 317(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Following a detailed investigation and surveillance, police arrested two accused and also two juveniles. All have been sent to judicial remand. The police continue to investigate further leads to uncover the broader network behind this online fraud.
8 held with illegal narcotics





Our Correspondent :

KORBA :

IN a major crackdown on illegal drug trade, Korba Police arrested eight persons and seized a huge consignment of banned narcotics, exposing an inter-state network operating between Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tiwari, addressing a press conference, said that the action was taken under Section 21(b) of the NDPS Act. Acting on intelligence inputs from the Cyber Cell Korba and CSEB Outpost, a joint team conducted swift operations leading to the arrests. On of IPS officer Vimal Pathak, where six accused were apprehended with banned substances.

Those arrested were identified as Sangeet Kumar Patel (31), Gopal Yadav alias Malinga (31), Suresh Kumar Yadav (26), Saif Khan alias Chand (31), Abhishek Kumar Ratre (21), and Amit Kumar Bhardwaj alias Dadu (23). During interrogation, the prime accused Sangeet Patel disclosed the involvement of others based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, a Korba police team was already in Prayagraj on another case.

Acting on directions from senior officials, the team moved to Varanasi, where two more accused, Ajay Kumar Kanaujia (32) and Shantanu Jaiswal, were arrested. In Korba, police seized 4,917 pieces of narcotic substances valued at around Rs 83,000, cash Rs 2,300, and a motorcycle. In Varanasi, 14,048 narcotics worth approximately Rs 89,390 were recovered along with a motorcycle and two mobile phones. In total, 18,965 pieces of narcotic substances were seized, with an estimated market value of Rs 4,74,125. SP Siddharth Tiwari said the operation reflects
934 people injured in Pandhurnas traditional Gotmar Mela





Our Correspondent :

PANDHURNA :

, Aug 23 About 934 people from both sides were injured in the Gotmar Mela which was held on Saturday on Jam river between people of Pandhurna-Sawargaon. Out of which 72 seriously injured were taken to civil hospital by ambulance. From where two injured were referred to Nagpur for intensive treatment. Among them, Jyotiram Uikes leg was broken, while Nilesh Janraos shoulder was broken in the traditional fair. The administration had set-up six temporary health centres for the treatment of the injured besides 58 doctors and 200 medical staff. A total of 600 police personnel were deployed for security. Collector Ajay Dev Sharma has also implemented Section 144.

Before this, on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday, devotees planted a flag in the form of a Palash tree in the middle of Jam river in a cordial atmosphere. Also, a large number of devotees reached and worshipped the flag. Crowd gathered at the temple of Maa Chandika, the goddess worshipped in the fair. Devotees participating in the fair took part in the fair after visiting Chandi Mata. There was a crowd of devotees here throughout the day. Bajrang Kanwar Sangh Pandhurna distributed Mahaprasad to the devotees.

To maintain peace in the fair, Collector Ajay Dev Sharma kept an eye on the activities through binoculars from the control room built in Kekatpure Shri Ram temple. Along with this, administrative and police staff including SP, Sundar Singh Kanesh, ASP, Neeraj Soni, ADM, Neelmani Agnihotri remained engaged in the arrangements and monitoring. Temporary medical camps were set-up on both sides of Pandhurna and Sawargaon for the treatment of players injured in stone pelting during the fair. In which the team of the medical department remained engaged in the treatment of the injured. The injured were taken to the civil hospital by an Ambulance for necessary treatment. Revenue, Nagar Palika, Education and Police staff remained deployed at the camps. During the Gotmar Mela, MLA Nilesh Uike reached there and followed the tradition by throwing five stones.

He visited Maa Chandika along with city Congress president Jayant Ghode, District Social Media In-charge, Devkant Mandogade, youth Congress president Bunty Thakur, Akash Kolhe and other workers and toured the fair. After hoisting the flag, stone pelting takes place between the people of Pandhurna and Sawargaon. The people of Sawargaon do not allow the Palaash tree and the flag to be taken out. They protect it considering it to be a girl. The people of Pandhurna are considered to be the boys family. The people of Pandhurna try to take possession of the Palaash tree by pelting stones. Finally, after breaking the flag, both the parties together worship Chandi Mata and end Gotmar. 13 people died from 1955 to 2023:

There is no clear information about the beginning of the Gotmar tradition, but Suresh Kavle, a resident of Sawargaon, claims that it must have started about 400 years ago. The first death occurred in 1955 in stone pelting. After this, 13 people lost their lives till 2023. Among these, three people were from the same family. Many people lost their hands, legs and eyes in Gotmar. Despite this, people play it with double enthusiasm every year. However, the families who lost their loved ones celebrate it as a day of mourning. According to Pandhurna Police Station In-charge, Ajay Markam, no one has complained to the police station so far in the case of death and injury, due to which no case related to the fair could be registered.
Katni Mining Conclave 2-0: Investments worth Rs 56,414 crore signed





Staff Reporter :

Historic investment commitments amounting to Rs 56,414 crore were signed by the Madhya Pradesh Government with different industries at Katni Mining Conclave 2-0, on Saturday. The key Memorandums of Understanding were signed for on coal and energy, hydrocarbons, technological advancements, critical minerals, limestone and cement. The event witnessed participation from over 2,000 delegates, including prominent investors and industrialists from across India and abroad. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has announced that Madhya Pradesh received investment proposals worth Rs 55,414 crore during the Katni Mining Conclave 2.0, underlining the states growing reputation as a key hub for mining and mineral-based industries.

Addressing industry leaders and prospective investors, Dr. Yadav said, Madhya Pradesh has never lagged behind in mineral resources. With new opportunities emerging, we are moving rapidly to develop the state as Indias leading mining state. Now is the right time to invest in Madhya Pradesh. Dream big, set up industries, and the government will extend full support to realize those dreams. The CM highlighted that the conclave was highly successful in exploring new opportunities in mining and mineral exploration. Proposals came from eight mining companies, reflecting the strong interest of industrialists from across the country.

Dr Yadav informed that three significant MoUs were signed at the conclave including with Coal India Limited for exploration, processing and value addition of critical minerals, with Texmin-ISM Dhanbad for deploying technologies like Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Blockchain and Remote Sensing in the mining sector. With the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal for mineral exploration research. These MoUs will take Madhya Pradeshs mining sector to new heights, the Chief Minister said. Invoking Indian cultural values, Dr Yadav said, Our tradition is about sustainable use, not exploitation.

The philosophy of live and let live guides us. Just like farmers and soldiers contribute to the nations progress, industrialists too play a vital role by creating employment opportunities. He added that the state has abundant land banks, electricity, and water resources to support industries. Air cargo facilities and two upcoming metropolitan cities will further boost infrastructure. The CM informed that apart from major and minor minerals, the state is now identifying critical minerals as well. If Panna has diamonds, then Katni may well yield gold, he said, emphasizing the untapped potential. He also announced that sector-based conclaves are being organized after regional ones.

The upcoming events include a Spiritual Conclave in Ujjain August 27, and a Tourism Conclave in Gwalior August 31. Dr Yadav shared that on August 25, Katni will receive major announcements, including MoUs for four new medical colleges. Under the PPP model, hospitals will be linked with medical colleges, with the government offering 25 acres of land for just Rs 1. Highlighting pro-industry reforms, the CM informed that the number of approvals required for doing business has been reduced from 29 to just 10. Labour laws have been amended to allow women to work night shifts.

The states policies are now being adopted as models by other states. Concluding his address, Dr Yadav said, Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will make Madhya Pradesh the number one state in the country. By 2047, when India becomes a developed nation, our state will also witness transformative changes. To live with humanity is what we call Ram Rajya. Key Highlights of the Conclave: Hindustan Copper Limited Chairman, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, emphasized that copper is an eternal metal with deep roots in Indian history. Out of Indias 12 million-tonne production capacity, 5 tonnes will come from the Malanjkhand mines. He also noted that the company has donated 32 tonnes of copper for the construction of the Ram Temple.

With the support of the Madhya Pradesh government, Singh expressed confidence that the state will emerge as a leader in copper production. Kaushik Bose, MD of Mineware Advisor, said his company specializes in mechanized mining and announced a proposed investment of ?450 crore in the state. He thanked the Madhya Pradesh government for its industry-friendly policies. CM Dr Yadav also held virtual interactions with Rajiv Mundra (Kolkata), JP Agarwal (Sri Lanka), Vivek Bhatia (Delhi), V. Sairam (Kochi), and Thomas Cherian (Hyderabad), who shared their investment plans and experiences in the state. Investors praised the governments proactive approach, stating that in Madhya Pradesh they were able to establish units within 12 to 18 months, something unmatched in other states.
memorable-day-for-jabalpur-better-road-connectivity-can-change-fate-of-nation-farmers-cm-





Staff Reporter :

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS of the event

p Rs 5,500 crore Tiger Corridor Project linking Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna and Pench reserves. p Rs 15,000 crore, 255 km Bhopal-Jabalpur Greenfield Highway. p Rs 99 crore flyover from Hawabagh College to Shah Nala. p Rs 900 crore, 8 km ropeway from Empire Talkies to Gwarighat. p Rs 35 crore, 1.7 km ropeway from Civic Centre to Damoh Naka.

addressing the gathering at the inauguration of Madhya Pradeshs longest flyover, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, described Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari as a tiger who has gifted the State a Tiger Corridor. Expressing gratitude, the CM said what we had never even imagined has been fulfilled and what we asked for has also been granted. Stressing the importance of road infrastructure, CM Yadav said that the fate of a nation changes with roads and farmers lives improves through better connectivity. He underlined that Madhya Pradesh is an agriculture-based state and that proper transportation is crucial to ensure fair value for farmers produce.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal for a mandate in his third term with the promise of development, the Chief Minister said, Gadkari ji has given Madhya Pradesh projects worth Rs 60,000 crore as a blessing. He added that with divine grace and capable leadership, Mahakaushal and the State as a whole would continue to progress towards becoming the number one state in India. Minister Gadkari also inspected the flyover after inaugurating it. The dignitaries present on the occasion were Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla, State Minister Sampatiya Uike, MP V D Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Sumitra Balmeek, Rewa MP Janardan Mishra,

MLA Ashok Rohani, Abhilash Pandey, Ajay Vishnoi, Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh and others. Expressing views on the occasion, PWD Minister Rakesh Singh credited Prime Minister Modis leadership, Gadkaris vision and Chief Minister Dr Yadavs support for making Veerangana Rani Durgavati Flyover possible. He recalled that officials had initially said the bridge could not be built, but Gadkari intervened with repeated meetings to find a solution. He said the Congress Government had earlier blocked the project. Gadkari made it clear that if this bridge was not approved, Madhya Pradesh would not get anything. Today, that determination has changed the future of Jabalpur.

Calling the inauguration a transformative moment, Singh said the flyover had adorned Jabalpur like a crown jewel on Mahakaushals forehead. He also highlighted Rs 4,000 crore, 117-km ring road sanctioned for Jabalpur, along with announcements for two logistic parks and an iconic bridge. State Panchayat Minister Prahlad Patel also addressed the gathering and extended his gratitude to Gadkari for his continued support to Madhya Pradeshs development. MP Ashish Dubey thanked Gadkari for gifting the States longest flyover and emphasised the citys immense tourism potential. He urged the Minister to provide a direct road from Jabalpur to Bandhavgarh, noting that the current 180-km journey could be cut to just 90 km.
Pandhurnas Gotmar Mela tradition lives on, 934 injured





Our Correspondent :

PANDHURNA :

Over 934 people were in the famous Gotmar Mela that concluded on Saturday on Jam river between Pandhurna-Sawargaon in Pandhurna city. Players from Pandhurna-Sawargaon side participated in the fair and followed the tradition by pelting stones. About 934 players from both the sides were injured in stone pelting in the fair. Out of which, 72 seriously injured were taken to a civil hospital by ambulance. From there, two injured were referred to Nagpur for intensive treatment. Among them, Jyotiram Uikes leg was broken, while Nilesh Janraos shoulder was broken. The administration had set up six temporary health centres for treatment of the injured, 58 doctors and 200 medical staff are deployed in them. Over 600 police personnel are deployed for security. Collector Ajay Dev Sharma had also implemented Section 144. Before this, on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday, devotees planted a flag in the form of a Palash tree in the middle of Jam river in a cordial atmosphere.

Also, a large number of devotees reached and worshipped the flag. Crowd of devotees gathered at the temple of Maa Chandika, the Goddess worshipped in the fair. Devotees and players participating in the fair took part in the fair after visiting Chandi Mata. There was a crowd of devotees here throughout the day. Here Bajrang Kanwar Sangh Pandhurna distributed Mahaprasad among devotees. To maintain peace in the fair, Collector Ajay Dev Sharma kept an eye on the activities through binoculars from the control room built in Kekatpure Shri Ram temple. Along with this, administrative and police staff including SP, Sundar Singh Kanesh, ASP, Neeraj Soni, ADM, Neelmani Agnihotri remained engaged in the arrangements and monitoring. Temporary medical camps were set-up on both sides of Pandhurna and Sawargaon for (Contd from front page) treatment of players injured in stone pelting during the fair. In which the team of the medical department remained engaged in the treatment of the injured. The injured were taken to the civil hospital by an Ambulance for necessary treatment. Revenue, Nagar Palika, Education and Police staff remained deployed at the camps.

During organisation of the fair, toy market was set-up on Gujri Bazaar, Sukhrawari Bazaar, Teensher Chowk, Panchsheel Chowk and internal routes of the city. Apart from this, temporary shops of Manihari, Puja material, clothes, household items and various types of recreational games etc. were also decorated. For which the administration and police made various arrangements. During Gotmar fair, MLA Nilesh Uike reached there and followed the tradition by throwing five stones.

He visited Maa Chandika along with city Congress president Jayant Ghode, District Social Media In-charge, Devkant Mandogade, youth Congress president Bunty Thakur, Akash Kolhe and other workers and toured the fair. After hoisting the flag, stone pelting takes place between the people of Pandhurna and Sawargaon. People of Sawargaon do not allow the Palaash tree and the flag to be taken out. They protect it considering it to be a girl.

The people of Pandhurna are considered to be the boys family. People of Pandhurna try to take possession of Palaash tree by pelting stones. Finally, after breaking the flag, both the parties together worship Chandi Mata and end Gotmar. 13 people died from 1955 to 2023 - There is no clear information about the beginning of Gotmar tradition, but Suresh Kavle, a resident of Sawargaon, claims that it must have started about 400 years ago. The first death occurred in 1955 in stone pelting. After this, 13 people lost their lives till 2023. Among these, three people were from the same family. Many people lost their hands, legs and eyes in Gotmar. Despite this, people play it with double enthusiasm every year.

However, the families who lost their loved ones celebrate it as a day of mourning. According to Pandhurna Police Station In-charge Ajay Markam, no one has complained to the police station so far in the case of death and injury, due to which no case related to the fair could be registered.
Tension in Ujjain after stone pelting incident, three injured; probe underway





UJJAIN :

Tension gripped Madhya Pradeshs religious city of Ujjain late on Friday night after residents of two neighbouring colonies belonging to different communities clashed and pelted stones at each other, leaving at least three people injured, officials said on Saturday. The incident took place in the Pandyaa Kheri locality on Maksi Road, which falls in the home district of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Acting swiftly, police rushed to the spot and managed to bring the situation under control before it escalated further.

Additional Superintendent of Police Nitesh Bhargav, along with teams from two police stations, reached the area soon after receiving information. Later, additional forces were deployed, and a flag march was conducted in the violence-hit locality. Police have registered a case and detained eight people for questioning. Those detained include Aashif, Salman, Sonu, Kadar, Bheru, Chhotu, Shadab, and one more person, officials said. Videos from the area showed police personnel knocking on doors and summoning residents during their investigation. ASP Nitesh Bhargav said that the trouble began when a group of youths armed with sticks, knives, and swords reached Narayan Singh's house on Maksi Road and attacked him.

His brother Raghubir and others also sustained assaulted when they tried to intervene. The injured have been admitted to the hospital, where their condition is said to be stable. ASP added that the situation quickly escalated as members of a right-wing organisation also reached the spot in support of the injured family, resulting in heavy stone pelting between the two sides. He said that mild force was used to disperse the crowd. Heavy deployment has been made to prevent further escalation of the situation. Further investigation is underway.
Napa Wealth Management trimmed its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 89.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,243 shares of the companys stock after selling 37,071 shares during the period. Napa Wealth Managements holdings in Altria Group were worth $255,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Jump Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 203.2% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 23,865 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,432,000 after purchasing an additional 15,993 shares during the period. SVB Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 19.3% during the first quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 50,646 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,040,000 after purchasing an additional 8,181 shares during the period. Caitlin John LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 179.4% during the first quarter. Caitlin John LLC now owns 10,994 shares of the companys stock valued at $660,000 after purchasing an additional 7,059 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 6.9% during the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 239,066 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,349,000 after purchasing an additional 15,397 shares during the period. Finally, Haverford Trust Co increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 4.7% during the first quarter. Haverford Trust Co now owns 58,815 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,530,000 after purchasing an additional 2,625 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Altria Group alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group raised Altria Group from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the company from $47.00 to $59.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Wall Street Zen lowered Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. They set an underperform rating and a $50.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Altria Group from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $60.00.

Altria Group Stock Down 0.1%

NYSE:MO opened at $67.6150 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $61.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $58.81. The firm has a market cap of $113.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.08, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $48.86 and a 52-week high of $68.60.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $5.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.21 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 295.26% and a net margin of 37.24%.Altria Groups revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.31 EPS. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.350-5.450 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a $1.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.3%. This is an increase from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 78.92%.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Tesla, NVIDIA, Costco Wholesale, CSX, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing are the five Automotive stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Automotive stocks are shares of publicly traded companies involved in the design, manufacture, distribution or sale of motor vehicles and their components. Investors in these stocks gain ownership stakes in automakers, parts suppliers, dealerships and related service providers. Their market performance typically reflects factors such as consumer demand, technological innovation (e.g., electric vehicles) and broader economic and regulatory trends. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Automotive stocks within the last several days.

Get alerts:

Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, body shop and parts, supercharging, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services.

NVIDIA (NVDA)

NVIDIA Corporation provides graphics and compute and networking solutions in the United States, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and internationally. The Graphics segment offers GeForce GPUs for gaming and PCs, the GeForce NOW game streaming service and related infrastructure, and solutions for gaming platforms; Quadro/NVIDIA RTX GPUs for enterprise workstation graphics; virtual GPU or vGPU software for cloud-based visual and virtual computing; automotive platforms for infotainment systems; and Omniverse software for building and operating metaverse and 3D internet applications.

Read Our Latest Research Report on NVDA

Costco Wholesale (COST)

Costco Wholesale Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, France, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. The company offers branded and private-label products in a range of merchandise categories.

Read Our Latest Research Report on COST

CSX (CSX)

CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides rail-based freight transportation services. The company offers rail services; and transportation of intermodal containers and trailers, as well as other transportation services, such as rail-to-truck transfers and bulk commodity operations. It also transports chemicals, agricultural and food products, minerals, automotive, forest products, fertilizers, and metals and equipment; and coal, coke, and iron ore to electricity-generating power plants, steel manufacturers, and industrial plants, as well as exports coal to deep-water port facilities.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CSX

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM)

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.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TSM

Featured Stories
Aviva (LON:AV  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Citigroup from GBX 623 to GBX 687 in a research report report published on Thursday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the stock.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Aviva from GBX 695 to GBX 735 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 657.33.

Get Aviva alerts:

View Our Latest Report on Aviva

Aviva Price Performance

Shares of AV stock opened at GBX 672.60 on Thursday. Aviva has a 12-month low of GBX 390.70 and a 12-month high of GBX 510.20. The firm has a market capitalization of 18.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 2.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 68.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 634.21 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 580.92.

Aviva (LON:AV  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 14th. The company reported GBX 21.70 earnings per share for the quarter. Aviva had a net margin of 3.52% and a return on equity of 14.82%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Aviva will post 46.4942529 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Ian Clark acquired 8,100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 9th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 617 per share, with a total value of 49,977. 0.17% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Aviva

(Get Free Report)

Aviva plc provides various insurance, retirement, investment, and savings products in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and internationally. The company offers life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pension, and annuity products, as well as pension fund business and lifetime mortgage products.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Aviva Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aviva and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Birkenstock Holding PLC (NYSE:BIRK  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Buy from the fourteen research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $68.5833.

BIRK has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Birkenstock from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Birkenstock from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Birkenstock from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Birkenstock in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, UBS Group set a $77.00 price target on shares of Birkenstock and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th.

Get Birkenstock alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Birkenstock

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Birkenstock

Birkenstock Stock Performance

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BIRK. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in Birkenstock by 214.3% in the second quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,991,187 shares of the companys stock worth $147,107,000 after buying an additional 2,039,623 shares in the last quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP bought a new position in Birkenstock in the first quarter worth about $72,108,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Birkenstock during the second quarter valued at approximately $62,097,000. Holocene Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Birkenstock by 239.3% during the second quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 1,748,348 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,984,000 after purchasing an additional 1,233,085 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of Birkenstock during the first quarter valued at approximately $52,385,000. 19.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Shares of NYSE:BIRK opened at $53.3660 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $10.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $49.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.30. The company has a current ratio of 2.78, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Birkenstock has a 12 month low of $40.56 and a 12 month high of $64.78.

Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 14th. The company reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $749.13 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $641.18 million. Birkenstock had a net margin of 15.21% and a return on equity of 11.52%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.40 earnings per share. Birkenstock has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Birkenstock will post 1.77 EPS for the current year.

Birkenstock Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Birkenstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Birkenstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT (NYSE:PLYM  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the ten brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have assigned a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $20.6667.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PLYM. JMP Securities reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT in a research note on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Plymouth Industrial REIT from $20.00 to $19.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Citizens Jmp cut Plymouth Industrial REIT from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. Wedbush upgraded Plymouth Industrial REIT to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Plymouth Industrial REIT from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday.

Get Plymouth Industrial REIT alerts:

View Our Latest Research Report on PLYM

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Plymouth Industrial REIT

Plymouth Industrial REIT Stock Performance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT by 136.1% during the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,594 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 919 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT by 6,862.5% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,342 shares of the companys stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 3,294 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its position in shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT by 74.1% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 3,191 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 1,358 shares in the last quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT by 79.9% during the 1st quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 3,509 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 1,558 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New York State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT during the 1st quarter worth about $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.67% of the companys stock.

Shares of Plymouth Industrial REIT stock opened at $21.1450 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $16.03 and a 200 day moving average of $16.00. Plymouth Industrial REIT has a 12 month low of $12.70 and a 12 month high of $24.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $942.01 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.34 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 0.13 and a quick ratio of 0.13.

Plymouth Industrial REIT (NYSE:PLYM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $47.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $46.20 million. Plymouth Industrial REIT had a return on equity of 24.24% and a net margin of 67.77%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Plymouth Industrial REIT will post 1.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Plymouth Industrial REIT Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. Plymouth Industrial REITs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.33%.

About Plymouth Industrial REIT

(Get Free Report)

Plymouth Industrial REIT, Inc (NYSE: PLYM) is a full service, vertically integrated real estate investment company focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of single and multi-tenant industrial properties. Our mission is to provide tenants with cost effective space that is functional, flexible and safe.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Plymouth Industrial REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Plymouth Industrial REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Currys plc (LON:CURY  Get Free Report) insider Bruce Marsh sold 66,775 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 111, for a total value of 74,120.25.

Bruce Marsh also recently made the following trade(s):

Get Currys alerts:

On Friday, July 25th, Bruce Marsh sold 316,501 shares of Currys stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 115, for a total value of 363,976.15.

On Tuesday, July 22nd, Bruce Marsh sold 56,171 shares of Currys stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 116, for a total value of 65,158.36.

Currys Price Performance

Shares of CURY stock opened at GBX 111.80 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 45.83. Currys plc has a twelve month low of GBX 74.90 and a twelve month high of GBX 130.18. The company has a market cap of 1.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.14 and a beta of 1.31. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 116.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 108.53.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Currys ( LON:CURY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 3rd. The company reported GBX 10 earnings per share for the quarter. Currys had a return on equity of 9.53% and a net margin of 2.38%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Currys plc will post 9.5199569 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on CURY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a GBX 130 price objective on shares of Currys in a research report on Friday, July 4th. Shore Capital reiterated a no recommendation rating on shares of Currys in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Citigroup increased their target price on Currys from GBX 121 to GBX 150 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 175 target price on shares of Currys in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 151.67.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Currys

Currys Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Currys plc is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating online and through over 800

stores in 8 countries. We Help Everyone Enjoy Amazing Technology, however they choose to shop with us.

In the UK & Ireland we trade as Currys; in the Nordics under the Elkjp brand and as Kotsovolos in Greece.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Currys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Currys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) shares were up 6.6% on Friday . The company traded as high as $6,505.93 and last traded at $6,210.00. Approximately 298 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 459% from the average daily volume of 53 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5,825.00.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Stock Up 6.6%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $5,707.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $5,678.13. The company has a market cap of $745.20 million, a PE ratio of 15.67 and a beta of 0.26.

Get Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach alerts:

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $112.71 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $71.40 million during the quarter. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach had a net margin of 11.10% and a return on equity of 3.57%.

About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides various banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties. It offers checking, savings, Christmas club savings, health savings, market rate savings, and money market accounts; demand and time deposits; certificates of deposit; and individual retirement account.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as $62.81 and last traded at $62.84, with a volume of 2417522 shares. The stock had previously closed at $61.76.

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Trading Up 1.9%

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $56.84. The company has a market cap of $102.91 billion, a PE ratio of 14.65 and a beta of 0.75.

Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts:

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 8.0% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 2,266 shares of the companys stock worth $136,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. Horizons Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 5.7% during the second quarter. Horizons Wealth Management now owns 3,316 shares of the companys stock worth $199,000 after buying an additional 180 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 0.8% during the second quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 24,215 shares of the companys stock worth $1,454,000 after buying an additional 189 shares during the period. Wayfinding Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 2.3% during the first quarter. Wayfinding Financial LLC now owns 8,471 shares of the companys stock worth $457,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the period. Finally, Duncan Williams Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 4.8% during the second quarter. Duncan Williams Asset Management LLC now owns 4,305 shares of the companys stock worth $258,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the period.

About iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mirova lifted its holdings in Enersys (NYSE:ENS  Free Report) by 69.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 43,374 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 17,748 shares during the period. Mirovas holdings in Enersys were worth $3,972,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ENS. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Enersys by 3,833.5% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 414,748 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $38,335,000 after buying an additional 404,204 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of Enersys in the 1st quarter worth about $29,695,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Enersys by 35,119.1% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 123,267 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $11,289,000 after buying an additional 122,917 shares during the last quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Enersys by 13.4% in the 4th quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 1,028,027 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $95,021,000 after buying an additional 121,758 shares during the last quarter. Finally, D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Enersys by 82.0% in the 4th quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 199,072 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $18,400,000 after buying an additional 89,717 shares during the last quarter. 94.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get Enersys alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ENS. Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of Enersys in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Enersys from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Enersys in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of Enersys in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $118.33.

Enersys Price Performance

ENS stock opened at $102.06 on Friday. Enersys has a 12 month low of $76.57 and a 12 month high of $104.36. The company has a current ratio of 3.00, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $90.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $91.56. The stock has a market cap of $3.82 billion, a PE ratio of 11.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.08.

Enersys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The industrial products company reported $2.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.05 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $893.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $848.02 million. Enersys had a net margin of 9.60% and a return on equity of 21.99%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.98 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Enersys will post 9.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Enersys Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 12th will be given a $0.2625 dividend. This is a positive change from Enersyss previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 12th. This represents a $1.05 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Enersyss dividend payout ratio is presently 11.99%.

Insider Transactions at Enersys

In related news, CEO Shawn M. Oconnell acquired 475 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 30th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $83.76 per share, with a total value of $39,786.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 43,030 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,604,192.80. This represents a 1.12% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.91% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Enersys Profile

(Free Report)

EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enersys (NYSE:ENS  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Enersys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enersys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mobius Investment Trust plc (LON:MMIT  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 0.4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 139 ($1.88) and last traded at GBX 141.71 ($1.92). Approximately 81,873 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 61% from the average daily volume of 208,274 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 142.25 ($1.92).

Mobius Investment Trust Trading Down 0.4%

The stock has a market capitalization of 164.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.49 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 138.45 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 133.29.

Get Mobius Investment Trust alerts:

Mobius Investment Trust (LON:MMIT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The company reported GBX 0.18 EPS for the quarter. Mobius Investment Trust had a return on equity of 10.49% and a net margin of 81.04%.

Insider Activity at Mobius Investment Trust

Mobius Investment Trust Company Profile

In related news, insider Diana Dyer Bartlett purchased 30,992 shares of Mobius Investment Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 128 per share, for a total transaction of 39,669.76. 26.82% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

(Get Free Report)

Mobius Investment Trust plc (MMIT) is a closed-ended investment company listed on London Stock Exchange (LSE: MMIT).

MMIT provides investors with access to a high conviction portfolio of 20-30 small to mid-cap companies, across emerging and frontier markets.

The London listed investment trust will be managed by Mobius Capital Partners LLP (MCP), an investment manager launched in May 2018 by Mark Mobius, Carlos Hardenberg and Greg Konieczny.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Mobius Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mobius Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its position in Alamo Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALG  Free Report) by 79.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,364 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,369 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Alamo Group were worth $956,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Alamo Group by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 768,973 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $137,039,000 after acquiring an additional 47,819 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of Alamo Group by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 699,563 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $125,732,000 after acquiring an additional 26,835 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Alamo Group by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 506,815 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $90,320,000 after acquiring an additional 58,097 shares during the period. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Alamo Group by 22.9% in the 1st quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 400,860 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $71,437,000 after acquiring an additional 74,679 shares during the period. Finally, Ninepoint Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Alamo Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,988,000. 92.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Alamo Group alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on ALG. DA Davidson reissued a neutral rating and set a $225.00 target price on shares of Alamo Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Baird R W raised Alamo Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Wall Street Zen cut Alamo Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised Alamo Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $209.00 to $260.00 in a research note on Monday, August 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $234.00.

Alamo Group Price Performance

Shares of ALG opened at $221.83 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.10. Alamo Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $157.07 and a twelve month high of $233.29. The company has a 50 day moving average of $220.52 and a 200-day moving average of $197.24. The company has a quick ratio of 2.76, a current ratio of 4.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

Alamo Group (NYSE:ALG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The industrial products company reported $2.57 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.69 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $419.07 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $406.75 million. Alamo Group had a return on equity of 11.45% and a net margin of 7.41%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Alamo Group, Inc. will post 9.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Alamo Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 16th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, July 16th. Alamo Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.22%.

Alamo Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Alamo Group Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services vegetation management and infrastructure maintenance equipment for governmental, industrial, and agricultural uses worldwide. It operates through two segments, Vegetation Management and Industrial Equipment. Its Vegetation Management Division segment offers hydraulically-powered and tractor  and off-road chassis mounted mowers, other cutters and replacement parts for heavy-duty and intensive uses and heavy duty, tractor- and truck-mounted mowing and vegetation maintenance equipment, and replacement parts.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alamo Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Alamo Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alamo Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in shares of Seabridge Gold, Inc. (NYSE:SA  Free Report) (TSE:SEA) by 31.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 81,291 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 19,329 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP owned about 0.08% of Seabridge Gold worth $949,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. acquired a new stake in Seabridge Gold during the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its stake in Seabridge Gold by 7.9% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 1,199,101 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $13,994,000 after purchasing an additional 88,115 shares during the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV increased its stake in Seabridge Gold by 11.0% in the first quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 291,587 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $3,403,000 after purchasing an additional 28,850 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Seabridge Gold by 66.3% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,192,840 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $13,903,000 after buying an additional 475,352 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Seabridge Gold during the first quarter worth about $774,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.85% of the companys stock.

Get Seabridge Gold alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded Seabridge Gold from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, August 16th.

Seabridge Gold Stock Performance

NYSE SA opened at $16.5550 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $15.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.31. Seabridge Gold, Inc. has a twelve month low of $9.40 and a twelve month high of $20.55. The company has a market capitalization of $1.69 billion, a PE ratio of -43.57 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 4.24, a quick ratio of 9.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57.

Seabridge Gold (NYSE:SA  Get Free Report) (TSE:SEA) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 13th. The basic materials company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter.

Seabridge Gold Company Profile

(Free Report)

Seabridge Gold Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties in North America. The company also explores for gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum deposits. The company was formerly known as Seabridge Resources Inc and changed its name to Seabridge Gold Inc in June 2002.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Seabridge Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Seabridge Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Synovus Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 3.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 262,899 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,352 shares during the quarter. Synovus Financial Corps holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $16,034,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Oak Harvest Investment Services boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 50.9% during the 1st quarter. Oak Harvest Investment Services now owns 159,351 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $9,719,000 after acquiring an additional 53,754 shares during the period. Independent Franchise Partners LLP boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Independent Franchise Partners LLP now owns 17,393,791 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,060,847,000 after acquiring an additional 264,562 shares during the period. ICONIQ Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 21.0% during the 1st quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLC now owns 12,317 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $751,000 after acquiring an additional 2,140 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at about $438,000. Finally, Cadence Bank boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Cadence Bank now owns 173,116 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $10,558,000 after acquiring an additional 3,558 shares during the period. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley reiterated a hold rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Daiwa America cut Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Daiwa Capital Markets cut Bristol Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $42.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Bristol Myers Squibb from $51.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $56.38.

Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Down 1.2%

BMY opened at $47.8420 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $97.38 billion, a PE ratio of 19.29, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54. The business has a 50 day moving average of $47.06 and a 200-day moving average of $51.06. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 52 week low of $42.96 and a 52 week high of $63.33.

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $12.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.32 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 80.04% and a net margin of 10.58%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.07 EPS. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.350-6.650 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd were paid a $0.62 dividend. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 3rd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 100.00%.

Bristol Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Ascent Group LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 83.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,961 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,807 shares during the quarter. Ascent Group LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $2,164,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 63,864.7% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,976,684 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,172,423,000 after purchasing an additional 3,970,467 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,332,804 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,820,677,000 after acquiring an additional 40,125 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter worth $1,766,238,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 15.0% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,963,836 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,124,532,000 after acquiring an additional 256,204 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 13.6% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 1,891,260 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $967,193,000 after acquiring an additional 225,993 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP John F.W. Rogers sold 6,008 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $717.39, for a total transaction of $4,310,079.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 65,761 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,176,283.79. This trade represents a 8.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 7,463 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $724.40, for a total value of $5,406,197.20. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 18,594 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,469,493.60. This represents a 28.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 20,079 shares of company stock worth $14,423,221. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $741.8440 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $224.57 billion, a PE ratio of 16.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.38. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $705.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $620.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $439.38 and a 12 month high of $749.05.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 16th. The investment management company reported $10.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.82 by $1.09. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 14.32% and a net margin of 12.37%.The business had revenue of $14.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.53 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $8.62 earnings per share. The Goldman Sachs Groups quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th will be issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $3.00. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is 26.44%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on GS shares. Hsbc Global Res lowered The Goldman Sachs Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Zacks Research raised The Goldman Sachs Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Citigroup raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $550.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Citizens Jmp reissued a market perform rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Monday, July 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $660.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on GS

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as $80.24 and last traded at $80.21, with a volume of 584014 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $78.92.

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Stock Up 1.6%

The company has a market capitalization of $27.00 billion, a PE ratio of 16.04 and a beta of 0.95. The companys 50 day moving average is $77.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $74.01.

Get Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF alerts:

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VGK. Godsey & Gibb Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 833.3% in the 2nd quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 364 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 325 shares in the last quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 195.7% in the 1st quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 476 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 315 shares in the last quarter.

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Company Profile

Vanguard European Stock Index Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by Companies located in the markets of Europe. The Fund on focuses indexing investment approach by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Folklore is not just a relic of the past but a living testament to the imagination, identity, and resilience of communities across the world. On Friday, the department of folklore, University of Kalyani, marked World Folklore Day 2025 with a special lecture that turned the spotlight on the rich folk art traditions of northeast India and their evolving realities in the modern age.

The theme of the event, Folk Art of Northeast India: Identity, Continuity, and Emerging Realities, brought together eminent scholars and administrators. The chief speaker, professor Sarit Kumar Choudhury, vice-chancellor of Alipurduar University, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the diversity of folk art forms of the region. Tracing the intricate link between customs, beliefs, rituals, and creativity, he explored how traditions of tribal communitiesfrom Arunachal Pradeshs living heritage to the ritual practices of the Wancho tribes famed Log Drumcontinue to shape everyday life.

Advertisement

Professor Choudhury underscored that while modernity is altering the cultural landscape, the imagination of indigenous societies remains rooted in their rituals, legends, and symbolic practices. The folk arts of northeast India are not mere decorative forms; they are repositories of collective memory and identity, he observed.

Advertisement

The programme, held in collaboration with the Centre for Cultural Studies, also marked a growing academic partnership between Alipurduar University and the University of Kalyani. In his address, Professor Udaybhanu Bhattacharya, dean of the faculty of arts and commerce, stressed the urgent need to reconnect younger generations with folklore. Preservation is not about archiving folklore in books but about keeping it alive in practice and transmission, he said.

Echoing similar concerns, professor Sreekanta Gour, dean of education, noted that the department of folklore at Kalyani has already established itself as a significant hub for global folklore studies. Our goal is to present both Bengali and Indian folklore on the world stage, he remarked, highlighting the departments expanding academic influence.

The programme began with a welcome address by Professor Sujay Kumar Mandal of the folklore department, who reflected on the historic significance of the day. He recalled how English antiquarian William John Thoms coined the term folklore on 22 August 1846 in The Athenaeum journalan idea that has since grown into a globally recognised academic discipline. Today, 178 years later, folklore has become an integral part of social science scholarship, Professor Mandal said.
Heavy rains have flooded residential areas across several wards of Burdwan Municipality and parts of Kalna subdivision, further worsening the situation.

Neighbourhoods including Subhaspally, Mithapukur, Rasikpur, Bajepratappur, Shulipukur, Khaluibilmath, Nilpur, Becharhat and Amtala in Burdwan town were waterlogged following continuous rainfall since yesterday. The situation deteriorated further after the collapse of the drainage system.

Advertisement

Residents such as Debdas Rakshit of Subhaspally and Gourishankar Pramanik of Lakshipurmath alleged: The drains are not cleaned on time and in several areas the old drains are never cleared, which has led to todays crisis.

Advertisement

In Kalna, students of Nandagram Primary School and their guardians blocked the STKK highway today after venomous snakes were spotted entering classrooms with rainwater. Teachers also joined the protest. The school headmaster said: The entire school is waterlogged. It will take at least three days for the water to recede, but fresh rain has worsened the situation. A couple of snakes were seen moving inside the inundated classrooms.

The matter has been reported to the district administration, at a time when chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit Burdwan for an administrative meeting on Tuesday.

Commenting on the deteriorating condition in Burdwan town, Paresh Chandra Sarkar, chairman of Burdwan Municipality, blamed excessive rainfall: For the past two months we have been struggling with abnormal rain. We are practically helpless in this situation.
Diego Borella, who worked as an assistant director on the show Emily in Paris, has passed away at the age of 47.

Borella collapsed suddenly on Thursday evening while filming at Venices historic Hotel Danieli. Despite quick medical attention, attempts to revive him did not succeed. Reports suggest he may have suffered a sudden heart attack. He was pronounced dead around 7:30 p.m. local time.

Advertisement

Paramount Television Studios, which produces the series, confirmed the devastating news in a statement.

Advertisement

We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family, the statement read. Our hearts go out to the individuals family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

The Italian newspaper La Repubblica described Borella as a respected professional who built his career across some of the worlds major cities, including Rome, New York, and London. Colleagues recall him as someone with both skill and passion.

Emergency services were on the scene within minutes. According to reports shared with The Independent, an ambulance arrived at 6:42 p.m., and medics worked for nearly an hour to revive him. However, their efforts were unsuccessful.

Following assistant director Borellas passing, production for Emily in Paris paused briefly as cast and crew processed the tragedy.

Filming resumed on Saturday.

The news came just days after Netflix had begun building anticipation for the shows upcoming fifth season. Earlier this month, the streaming giant released first-look images, including a cheerful selfie of lead actress Lily Collins, who plays Emily Cooper. The post had signaled excitement and glamour ahead of the new season.

The fifth season of Emily in Paris began filming in May and is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on December 18.
Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, announcing that he would join the INDIA bloc Yatra in Bihar very soon, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill in the Parliament.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he clarified that he would join the Yatra of the INDIA bloc, and not that of Rahul Gandhi.

Advertisement

On being asked about the 130th Constitution Amendment , the Samajwadi Party chief said, Our chief minister (Yogi Adityanath) knew that one day such a Bill would come. That is why, as soon as he became the chief minister, he first withdrew the cases against himself and even that against the deputy CM.

Advertisement

Commenting on the threat perception of expelled SP MLA Puja Pal, the SP president said, I am not able to understand that when she has met the chief minister, what she is afraid of. I have asked the state president to write a letter to the Delhi government in which it is being demanded that an investigation should be conducted into her threat perception and which organizations can kill her.

Reiterating his charges of manipulation in the electoral rolls against the government, he said the Election Commission is hiding behind the DM. The same DM is hiding behind the election commission while the election commission is hiding behind the police and the Lekhpal, he alleged.

He said out of a total of 18,000 affidavits submitted to the Election Commission India (ECI), the poll panel replied only in 14 cases. I want to ask if those people have died then should not get death certificates.

Akhilesh Yadav said farmers are standing in line for fertilizers in the whole of UP today but the government is not responding to their grievances. At many places, elderly farmers have lost their lives. In such a situation, the government should tell where the fertilizer is.

He also said that at many places wild animals are preying on children and farmers. In Bijnor, leopards are often found preying on children in large numbers. Similarly, attacks have also taken place in Kalagarh, Nawabganj, Kheri. The government should pay attention to this. These incidents are being reported from every district. Animals are taking lives.

Akhilesh Yadav said the government is lying about the merger of schools. It has been heard that when the schools were merged, our colleagues were running PDF Pathshala or those who have sent their children to that Pathshala, the government is registering an FIR against them.

Earlier, the SP president announced that the disabled would get their rights if the Samajwadi government is formed in the state. Along with giving electric wheelchairs to the disabled, shops will be allotted to them at the village panchayat level and in the city.

He demanded that the BJP government at the Center should increase the pension for the disabled.

While honouring the disabled in the party office on Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav said that the government had made big promises to the disabled, but could not fulfill any promise.
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), on Sunday embarked on an official visit to Algeria. The visit, which will conclude on August 28, follows recent visits by the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff, underscoring the importance accorded to strengthening India-Algeria relations.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the visit seeks to deepen defence and security engagement between India and Algeria, with a particular focus on enhancing Army-to-Army cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional and global security challenges, and exploring avenues for defence-industrial collaboration.

Advertisement

During the visit, General Dwivedi will hold high-level meetings with senior Algerian leaders, including General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence & Chief of Staff of the Peoples National Army; Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, Commander of Land Forces; and Dr. Swati Kulkarni, Indian Ambassador to Algeria. He will also visit key military institutions such as the School of Command and Major Staff, Tamentfoust; Cherchell Military Academy; and will pay homage at the Martyrs Memorial.

Advertisement

As a precursor to the visit, Indian defence industries showcased their capabilities at a Defence Seminar in Algiers from July 30 to August 1, laying the groundwork for future defence and technology collaborations, the statement added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday paid rich tributes to former Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on his death anniversary, recalling his sharp intellect and invaluable role in shaping young leaders, policymakers, and Indias governance.

Several senior leaders, including Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, offered floral tributes at Jaitleys bust in Arun Jaitley Park in New Delhi.

Advertisement

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, said, Remembering Arun Jaitley Ji on his Punyatithi. A leader with a sharp intellect and an effective orator, Jaitley Ji contributed to strengthening the nations governance for the welfare of the people and dedicated himself to propagating the BJPs ideals and vision. His unwavering commitment to public service will continue to inspire young leaders and policymakers.

Advertisement

BJP president J.P. Nadda remembered Jaitley as a leader who established high ideals in public life through his simplicity and integrity, dedicated his entire life to Indias progress and advancement.

His efforts in nation-building and public welfare will continue to inspire all of us to serve the nation forever, Nadda posted on X.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also paid homage, stating, Warmly remembering Arun Jaitley ji on his Punya Tithi. His warmth, generosity and commitment to the nations progress remain a guiding example.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described Jaitley as an eminent thinker, eloquent speaker, skilled organiser, and true public servant of Indian politics, adding that his unparalleled contribution to the building of a strong nation will always be remembered with respect.

Former BJP MP Jaya Prada also offered floral tributes, recalling Jaitley as a senior leader in the BJP, highly intellectual, and an excellent speaker in the House. We also remember the reforms he introduced as Finance Minister. Even though he is not here with us anymore, he will always be in peoples hearts.

Padma Vibhushan Arun Jaitley, born on December 28, 1952, in Delhi to a Punjabi family that migrated from Lahore during Partition, was a Supreme Court attorney before rising as one of the BJPs most prominent leaders.

He served as Union Finance Minister from 2014 to 2019 during the first term of the Modi government. His tenure was marked by several landmark economic reforms, though his term was cut short by health complications.

After undergoing multiple surgeries and battling prolonged illness, Jaitley passed away on August 23, 2019.
Former Chief Minister Champai Soren was placed under house arrest by Ranchi police on Sunday, ahead of plans to plough the proposed site for RIMS-2 in Kanke-Nagdi. DSP V Raman confirmed that the measure was taken as a preventive step to maintain law and order. Soren will not be allowed to leave his residence.

Speaking from his home, Soren clarified that his opposition is not to RIMS-2 per se, but to the use of land belonging to local tribal communities. There are several government and low-yield plots in Ranchi where RIMS-2 could be constructed. My protest is to protect tribal land, he said, adding that his campaign against the land acquisition will continue.

Advertisement

Soren also reported that supporters and family members were detained. People travelling to Ranchi since Saturday night were stopped or taken into custody, including his son Babulal. Farmers in Nagdi were similarly prevented from joining the site. Soren described the house arrest as part of the ongoing movement to safeguard community land.

Advertisement

Reacting to the house arrest, Rakesh Sinha, state Congress general secretary and media in-charge, said that no one should be allowed to create disorder in society or the city under the pretext of any programme. If attempts are made to disrupt the environment, administrative action is inevitable. BJP leaders appear intent on creating chaos, and such demonstrations inconvenience the public.

Addressing the publics concerns is our priority. The BJP, which he accused of coming to power through alleged electoral malpractice, is now causing difficulties under the guise of development, he said.

Sinha further alleged that BJP leaders were frustrated after failing to give Champai Soren any responsibility despite his ambitions to become Chief Minister. With no official work assigned, they have chosen to turn development into destruction, he added.
Rahul Mamkootathil, facing allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women, is likely to resign as an MLA soon. The move comes after senior leaders including Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, V.M. Sudheeran, Uma Thomas MLA, and Shanimol Usman publicly stood against him.

There are strong indications that a consensus has been reached within the party on this issue. KPCC President Sunny Joseph has also demanded his resignation.

Advertisement

Senior Congress leader and former KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala has hardened his stance on the controversy, citing fresh evidence against the former Youth Congress state president.

Advertisement

He asserted that Rahul Mamkootathil should not be allowed to continue as an MLA even for a moment and must resign immediately.

Chennithalas remarks come amid intensifying protests over the sexual harassment allegations. He clarified that Rahuls continuance as an MLA would damage the party, especially with the possibility of further revelations.

Chennithala reportedly conveyed his views during discussions with KPCC President Sunny Joseph and AICC General Secretary Deepa Das Munshi.

On Sunday, Congress MLA Uma Thomas also demanded Rahuls immediate resignation, stressing that comparisons with how other parties handle such issues are irrelevant.

Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesanonce a mentor and staunch supporter of Rahulhas now distanced himself, reportedly expressing frustration and disappointment over the series of allegations and controversies surrounding the young leader.

Satheesan is said to have communicated to the leadership that Rahul must step down as MLA as well. Speaking to the media on Saturday, he hinted that Rahuls resignation as Youth Congress president was only the beginning, emphasizing that Congress would set itself apart from other parties by not shielding tainted leaders.

Former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan also stressed that the party must not protect a leader facing such grave charges. Referring to a leaked phone conversation in which Rahul allegedly pressured a woman to undergo an abortion, Muraleedharan said the matter cannot be brushed aside.

Within the party, many leaders believe that if Rahul clings to his MLA post on technical grounds, it will only deepen Congresss crisis and embarrassment. His resignation, they argue, is the only way to resolve the issue and limit political damage.

At the same time, a section of the leadership is wary of the consequences of his resignation. A by-election in Palakkad would follow, which some fear could be a setback for the party in the present climate. However, others including V.D. Satheesan believe Rahuls resignation would strengthen the partys credibility and give it an edge over opponents ahead of upcoming local body and Assembly elections.

Many within the Congress feel that Rahuls exit would end internal discord and send a strong message to both the Assembly and the wider public. With local body elections only months away, they argue that the party needs a moral and political reset. Rahul stepping down would, in their view, give Congress a clear upper hand.

Meanwhile, Shafi Parambil MP has come out in Rahuls defence, pointing out that he had already resigned from party posts soon after the controversy erupted. It is learnt that Shafi Parambil is the only leader within the party extending political support to Rahul.

Amid the crisis, the party high command is believed to have directed the KPCC leadership not to jeopardize Congresss prospects of returning to power in Kerala by protecting leaders facing serious allegations.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Sunday met the Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, who is on a three-day official visit to India, culminating on August 26.

Stating that the leaders held talks on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector, Nadda took to X in a post. Met with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, in New Delhi today as part of our Know BJP initiative. Our discussions focused on strengthening party-to-party relations, where I highlighted our partys ideology, organizational framework, and its role in driving Indias development journey. We also had a detailed discussion on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to deepening our partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations, read the post.

Advertisement

Rebuka was received by the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar on his maiden visit to India after taking over as the prime minister of Fiji.

Advertisement

Extending a welcome to the visiting dignitary and his delegation, the Ministry of External Affairs wrote on X, Warm welcome to PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji as he arrives in New Delhi on his first visit. PM Rabuka was received by MoS Education & DoNER Sukanta Majumdar at the airport. The visit will further deepen India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors.

Later, in a statement, the MEA said that PM Rabuka was accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 25, followed by a lunch hosted in the honour of the visiting dignitaries.

Rabuka will also deliver a talk on Ocean of Peace at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in the national capital, the MEA statement read.
The four astronauts, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain PB Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Group Captain Angad Pratap, were felicitated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh here on Sunday.

Dubbed as Gaganyatris, the four Indian Air Force officers are part of Gaganyaan, ISROs maiden space flight mission.

Advertisement

Describing the four as gems of the country and pioneers of national aspirations, the defence minister said India is expanding its presence in space. We do not see space only as a field of research, but as the future of tomorrows economy, security, energy, and humanity. Were steadily advancing beyond the Earths surface into new frontiers of space. Weve already marked our presence from Moon to Mars, and today, the nation stands fully prepared for missions like Gaganyaan, he said.

Advertisement

Describing the achievement as not a mere technological milestone but also a new chapter in Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the he said India proudly stands tall among the worlds leading space powers. Its space programme is not confined to laboratories and launch vehicles. Its a reflection of our national aspirations and global vision. From Chandrayaan to Mangalyaan, we have demonstrated that even with limited resources, an unlimited willpower can transform the most challenging goals into remarkable accomplishments, he added.

Singh also pointed out that the technologies derived from space, be it communication satellites, weather monitoring or disaster management are delivering services to every village and every field across India and emphasised that India cannot stay behind in the space journey. In the coming times, space mining, deep space exploration, and planetary resources will redefine the course of human civilisation, he said.

The defence minister further added that the world has entered an era where space is no longer a symbol of military power or technical prowess, but a new stage in the collective journey of human civilisation. India has always given the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to the world. And, today, our scientists and astronauts are taking the same message to new heights, he said.

Commending Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for his successful space mission, the defence minister highlighted the officers determination and courage which reflect the spirit of India, making him a source of national pride. Completing a two-and-a-half years training in just two-and-a-half months, Group Captain Shuklas remarkable testament showcased his personal dedication and the perseverance of the Indian people. His extraordinary feat is not just a technological achievement, it is a message of faith and dedication. It is not just Indias pride, it is proof of the progress of entire humanity, he said.

Raksha Mantri described Group Captain Shukla as a symbol of civil-military fusion. Though he wears the uniform of the Indian Air Force, his journey into space was not merely on behalf of the Armed Forces or India alone, but as a representative of all humanity. His contribution to the civil sector, through this historic mission, will forever be recorded in history, he said.

Underlining the need to prepare astronauts physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically, Singh highlighted the pivotal role played by Institute of Aerospace Medicine in this training. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a shining embodiment of that institutes success, he said.
1. Yes. The district should save money wherever possible. Consolidating schools is worthwhile.

2. Yes. KISD did this as part of its bond initiative in 2018, and it has paid dividends.

3. No. Closing and consolidating schools often involves busing and inconveniences families.

4. No. District residents paid $426 million for new schools in 2018. Why close campuses now?

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. There are likely some good arguments on both sides of the issue.

Vote

View Results
Taking strong exception to BJP veteran Amit Shahs criticism of the Opposition candidate for the vice-presidential candidate B Sudrshan Reddy as a naxal, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Sunday called it an irony that this was coming from the Union home minister.

Is this the way to treat a former Supreme Court Judge? Forgetting his responsibility, Shah, who holds the office of Union home minister, is making this unfounded blatant charge to escape their culpability and incompetence. It is nothing but an attempt at shifting the blame, Stalin said at a reception hosted for Justice Reddy, who is on his first leg of drumming up support.

Advertisement

For over 60 years Justice Reddy has served the cause of law and jurisprudence, upholding social justice and peoples rights, the chief minister recalled, adding that he had protected the Constitution as well as the magisterium of law. The country needs him at this critical juncture when the Constitution itself has come under threat. Further, he respects Tamil sentiments and is close to Tamil Nadu and its progressive legacy. This was evident when he debunked the New Education Policy and saud that Tamil Nadu, the lord of Periyar and Dravidian icons has not given up its resilience to carry on struggles, Stalin said.

Advertisement

Asking what the Modi Government is doing, the chief minister said it had turned statutory institutions as the BJPs subsidiaries. Given the dire situation, we have got a person who is committed to secularism, federalism, social justice and pluralism. As such, it is our bounden duty to support him, he noted.

Taking on the BJP, Stalin said after having done what are all opposed to Tamil Nadu, the saffron parivar has now come up with a Tamil mask and is scouting for support.

As the candidate of the INDIA bloc, 79-year-old Justice Reddy is pitted against Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, a senior BJP leader with RSS background hailing from Tamil Nadu. Despite the BJP using the sentiment to secure the DMKs support, the Dravidian major had rejected the overtures and stood by its ideological moorings.

The DMK, heading the Secular Progressive Alliance, comprises the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) of Thol Thirumavalavan, MP, the CPI(M) and the CPI, MDMK of Vaiko, IUML and Kamal Hassans Makkal Needhi Maiam. Some of them were present on the occasion.

Later, addressing the media, Justice Reddy said, This is certainly not just about a contest between me and Radhakrishnan Ji. It is a contest of representing two different ideologies  one which the other side is propagating that heres a quintessential RSS man. So far as Im concerned, I do not subscribe to that ideology Im essentially a liberal, constitutional, democratic, In his view, while India still is a constitutional democracy, it is under strain.

There is a democracy deficit. It is not that India is no more a democratic country We are still a Constitutional Democracy but under strain he said.

Reddy was nominated for the post of vice president by the Opposition after the NDA named CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the polls.
Kerala BJP president Rajiv Chandrasekhar on Sunday cautioned Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin against attending the Global Ayyappa Sangamam (Global Ayyappa Summit) at Pampa in Sabarimala on September 10 without apologising to Hindus. The event is being organised by the LDF government.

In a social media post on X on Sunday, Chandrasekhar said: If Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan misuse the faith of Ayyappa devotees, they will be stopped. The BJP Kerala chief added that this is a clear message from BJP workers across the country and Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Chief Minister MK Stalin.

Advertisement

He said both Pinarayi Vijayan and MK Stalin have harmed and insulted Sabarimala, Ayyappa devotees, and the Hindu faith over the years. Pinarayi Vijayan imprisoned many Ayyappa devotees, filed cases against them, unleashed police violence, and did everything possible to violate and insult the rituals of Sabarimala.

Advertisement

Both of you have harmed and insulted Sabarimala, Ayappa bhakts, and the Hindu faith over the years. Pinarayi Vijayan has imprisoned many Ayyapa bhakts, filed cases against many more, inflicted police violence on Ayyappa bhakts, and did everything to violate and insult the sacred traditions of Sabarimala, the BJP Kerala chief wrote in his post on X.

Stalin and his worthless dynastic son repeatedly insulted Hindus and referred to the Hindu faith as a virus. All this is deeply engraved in the minds of every Hindu, and this will never be forgotten or forgiven, he said.

Therefore, the CPI-M governments celebration of Ayyappa Sangam with just a few months left for the elections is a drama and part of a strategy to fool the people, he further said in his post/

Pinarayi Vijayan and Stalin need to know one thing. They can only participate in the Ayyappa Sangam if they apologise to Hindus and Sabarimala Ayyappa devotees. Pinarayi Vijayan should withdraw all the cases and apologise to Ayyappa Swamy for violating the rituals of Sabarimala. If Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi want to come to Kerala, they should apologise to the Hindus.

Without doing any of this, if Stalin or Pinarayi tries to misuse Sabarimala devotees or their faith and participate in this event, every BJP worker will take to the streets in protest. You should not underestimate the power of the BJP in this regard. First, you should apologise. BJP will not allow the faith of any Indian to be insulted, Rajiv Chandrasekhar said.

Ask for forgiveness first and then do your opportunistic politics. BJP will not permit anyone or any political party to insult any Hindus faith or anyones faith, Chandrasekhar wrote in his post.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday said that DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers participation in the Global Ayyappa Sangamam (Global Ayyappa Summit) is akin to insulting Hindus.

Speaking to media persons in Thrissur, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Global Ayyappa Summit, being held under the leadership of the Pinarayi Vijayan government, which is trying to destroy Ayyappa devotees and the beliefs of Sabarimala, is a farce.

Chandrasekhar said the Ayyappa Sangamam, organised by the CPI-M government with MK Stalins participation, is equivalent to Hitler standing up for the Jews, Rahul Gandhi telling the truth, Osama bin Laden becoming an apostle of peace, Hamas and Jamaat-e-Islami respecting non-believers, and Congress abandoning corruption.

In collaboration with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the CPI-M-led LDF government is organising an International Ayyappa Sangamam on September 20, 2025, at Pampa, the base of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. This event is part of the TDBs platinum jubilee celebrations and aims to showcase Sabarimalas cultural heritage to the world by bringing together spiritual leaders, scholars, devotees, and cultural representatives from various countries.

The state had witnessed violent protests after the LDF government decided to implement the 2018 Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to offer prayers at the shrine.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has said that the state received investment proposals worth Rs 56,414 crore from eight mining companies during the Madhya Pradesh Mining Conclave 2.0 organised in Katni.

Dr Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh has never lagged in mineral resources and is now moving swiftly to become Indias leading Mining State in line with emerging opportunities and challenges. He emphasised that this is the right time to invest in Madhya Pradesh, assuring industrialists that the government will provide every possible support to help them realise their biggest ambitions.

Advertisement

Dr Yadav expressed happiness that the conclave on Saturday has been highly successful in exploring new opportunities in mineral exploration and mining.

Advertisement

The Chief Minister informed that the State Government has signed three important MoUs to strengthen the sector. With Coal India Limited for exploration, processing and development of critical minerals. With Texmin ISM Dhanbad for the use of Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Blockchain and Remote Sensing in mining. With IISER Bhopal for mineral exploration research. He said that these MoUs will give new heights to Madhya Pradeshs mining sector.

The CM underlined that copper holds greater importance in Indian tradition than even gold or silver. He said, Our culture is live and let live. Industrialists not only move ahead themselves but also create opportunities for others.

Highlighting the states strengths, he noted that Madhya Pradesh has abundant land banks, electricity, and water. Soon, the state will also have air cargo facilities and two metropolitan cities.

The Chief Minister said that Katni is rich in minerals and now critical minerals are also being discovered. Just as Panna is famous for diamonds, Katni too may hold deposits of gold.

The CM pointed out that transparent policies have been implemented for development across all sectors. After organising industrial conclaves, the government is now holding sector-based conclaves, including the Spiritual Conclave in Ujjain on August 27 and the Tourism Conclave in Gwalior on August 31.

CM Dr Yadav also announced that the state government is starting hospitals along with medical colleges on a PPP mode. For setting up medical colleges, the government will provide 25 acres of land for just Re. 1.

An MoU for four new medical colleges will be signed on August 25 in the presence of Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

To promote ease of doing business, the number of required approvals has been reduced from 29 to just 10. Labour laws have been amended to allow women to work in night shifts.

Other states are now learning from Madhya Pradeshs policies, the CM asserted, adding, The government is working at full speed to make Madhya Pradesh the No. 1 state in the country.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Odisha Police has arrested a cybercriminal from Ludhiana, Punjab, for defrauding a man from Ganjam district of 6.16 crore, an official said on Sunday.

According to the complaint, the victim was lured into trading in IPOs, OTC, and USDT. He was deceived by fraudsters on the pretext of earning high returns through investments in digital currency exchange trading.

Advertisement

Persuaded by the promise of lucrative gains, he transferred 6.16 crore to accounts controlled by the cybercriminals.

Advertisement

Despite suffering initial losses, the victim was convinced to invest further. However, when he attempted to withdraw funds, the fraudsters demanded additional payments and refused to release his money. Realizing it was a scam, he lodged an FIR, the official added.

During the investigation, transaction details and digital evidence led the CID to Ludhiana, where one of the perpetrators was identified and arrested.

The accused has been identified as Bittu Kumar, a native of Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Ludhianas Inder Vihar area. Several incriminating items, including mobile phones, SIM cards, and debit cards, were seized from his possession.

Following his arrest, Bittu Kumar was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC), Ludhiana. After securing a transit remand, he was brought to Cuttack and will be forwarded to the Court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Berhampur, under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120(B), and 34 of the IPC read with Sections 66-C and 66-D of the IT Act, 2000, the official concluded.
The Congress party once again dodged questions about endorsing RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate of the Oppositions INDIA alliance in Bihar.

Responding to a query during a joint press conference of the alliance in Araria on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the party is currently focused on the campaign against Vote Chori (vote theft).

Advertisement

When asked why the Congress has not yet declared Tejashwi Yadav as the alliances CM facedespite Tejashwi publicly backing Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate of the INDIA blocthe Congress leader said: We have formed a very strong partnership. All parties are working together without any tension. There is mutual respect, and were supporting each other. We are ideologically and politically aligned, and we are confident of achieving encouraging results. But right now, we must focus on stopping Vote Chori.

Advertisement

Tejashwi Yadav has projected himself as the CM face of the alliance on several occasions. Leaders from the Left parties, as well as Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, have also extended their support to his candidature. However, senior Congress leaders in Bihar maintain that a decision on the chief ministerial face will be made only after the Assembly elections.

Addressing the media, Tejashwi Yadav once again targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the PM attempted to mislead people during his speech in Gaya.

He said, The Prime Minister spoke in Gaya about infiltrators, despite the fact that the Election Commission has never raised any objection to any voter being an infiltrator.

He also accused the Election Commission of becoming a Godi Aayog (a lapdog institution) and claimed that the poll panel has lost its credibility.

CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya stated that after completing one week, the Yatra has reached its midpoint. Over the past seven days, they have sensed a palpable public anger against the Election Commission and the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government.

He added that it is the Election Commissions responsibility to prepare accurate and error-free electoral rolls. Instead, the Commission has shifted the burden onto political parties.

Bhattacharya also questioned the BJPs silence on the entire SIR (Special Intensive Revision) exercise.

I wonder why BJPs Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have not filed any claims or objections despite the deletion of 65 lakh voters names. It shows that the BJP is confident that its own voters names have not been removed, he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday visited the Government Medical College (GMC) here to meet those injured in the recent cloudburst at Chishoti village in Kishtwar.

Soon after he arrived from New Delhi, Rajnath drove straight to the GMC to inquire about the health of the injured people. He met each of the injured and inquired about their health.

Advertisement

He was accompanied by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.

Advertisement

Visited Jammu Medical College in Jammu and met those who were injured due to cloudburst and flash floods at Chishoti in Kishtwar. Praying for the speedy recovery of all the injured, he wrote on X.

Rajnath, who was scheduled to visit the cloudburst-hit village and review the relief and rescue operations there, was unable to fly there due to bad weather.

Due to inclement weather, I could not go to the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today. Reviewed the situation at Chishoti from Jammu via video conferencing facility. It is heartening to note that the state administration, Army, NDRF, SDRF, and J&K Police have done excellent work during the crisis, Rajnath said.

The Defence Minister further said, Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government is leaving no stone unturned in providing relief and rehabilitation to those who have been affected by this tragic incident.

Before returning to New Delhi, he held a meeting with officers of the Army, paramilitary forces, and state government officials at the Raj Bhavan to take stock of the situation at Chishoti village in Kishtwar.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Sunil Sharma, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Assembly, briefed the Defence Minister via video-conferencing from Kishtwar about the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in Chashoti village.

He suggested several key initiatives, including road widening, crash barrier installation, and takeover of the road by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) due to the roads strategic and cultural significance; construction of a motorable Bailey Bridge at Chashoti to restore connectivity; establishment of an Army Goodwill School at Padder to provide quality education to the children and a petrol pump at Padder to address refuelling challenges.

He also sought financial support from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and a comprehensive rehabilitation package to cover losses in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, and local businesses.

Sharma said the Defence Minister accepted his demands and approved the construction of a Bailey Bridge, directed improvements in mobile connectivity, sanctioned the Army Goodwill School, and ordered the establishment of a petrol pump at Padder, addressing long-standing demands of the local community.

It may be recalled that a cloudburst followed by a flash flood on 14 August in the Kishtwar village claimed 67 lives, and at least 33 people were missing. Personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, and various other agencies were searching for the missing people under the debris.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, emphasising that Sikh Gurus dedicated their lives to protecting Sanatan dharma, Indian culture, and the nation, said the communities that uphold the valour, courage, and sacrifices of their ancestors live forever in history.

Addressing a congregation at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Paidleganj, Gorakhpur, on the occasion of the first Prakash Parv of the holy Guru Granth Sahib on Sunday, he said the legacy of bravery, renunciation, and sacrifice of the Sikh gurus continues to inspire the country.

Advertisement

The chief minister was inaugurated tourism development works, upgrades to the Gurdwara building, and expansion of basic facilities on the occasion. The Gurdwara Committee honoured him with a memento and shawl, after which he joined the sangat in the recitation of Guruvani.

Advertisement

Highlighting the unparalleled tradition of Sikh Gurus, CM Yogi said, From Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, every Guru dedicated his life to the protection of Sanatan dharma and the nation. Whenever Indian culture was in crisis, the Sikh Gurus stood firm and defended it through their sacrifices.

He especially remembered Guru Tegh Bahadur, noting that the 350th year of his martyrdom is being commemorated with programmes across the country. Recalling past events, he said Nagar Kirtan and Kirtan Paath had been organised from the chief ministers residence in Lucknow to mark the occasion, just as Guruvani was held during the 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj.

Yogi also paid homage to the supreme sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singhs four Sahibzadas  Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh, and Baba Fateh Singh. He recounted how, when offered their lives and estates in exchange for adopting Islam, they chose martyrdom instead. The Sahibzadas were bricked alive, yet they upheld their devotion to dharma and the nation. Their sacrifice remains one of the most glorious chapters in Indias history, he said.

He 0lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to observe December 26 as Veer Baal Diwas to honour the Sahibzadas, calling it a historic tribute to the Sikh Gurus sacrifices.

The chief minister noted that the Paidleganj Gurdwara has long been a centre of faith for the Sikh community but lacked adequate facilities earlier. With the support of the Tourism department and state government, it has now been upgraded, enabling devotees to participate in Guruvani, Langar, and other religious programmes with ease. He underlined that a Gurdwara welcomes everyone, regardless of caste or community, reflecting the universal message of Sikh tradition and Guruvani.

He further informed that three major Gurdwaras of GorakhpurJata Shankar, Mohaddipur, and Paidleganjhave been upgraded, which he described as a gesture of gratitude towards the Sikh Gurus.

Marking the day as especially sacred, CM Yogi reminded the gathering that 421 years ago on this very date, Guru Granth Sahib Ji was enshrined at Harmandir Sahib and accepted as Guru. The Sikh Gurus devoted their lives to the welfare of the nation, religion, and humanity. Today, our greatest duty is to live by their teachings and safeguard the nation and dharma, he said.

The chief minister described the event as an opportunity to unite the Sikh community of eastern Uttar Pradesh and said it was a privilege for him to join the celebrations in Gorakhpur, apart from his regular participation in Gurupurab events at Lucknow.
Himachal Pradesh is set to witness revival of cross-border trade as both India and China have agreed to re-open the routes through Shipki-La Pass in the Kinnaur district.

Both countries have also agreed to re-open other two designated trading points Lipulekha Pass and Nathu-La Pass.

Advertisement

They have also agreed to continue and further expand the scale of the Indian pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, Gang Renpoche and Lake Manasarovar from 2026.

Advertisement

With this the state has taken a significant step towards expanding pilgrimage and tourism opportunities with the Union governments approval to open the Shipki-La route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Along with boosting traditional trade, the pass will also serve as an additional route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, offering immense opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange, and local economic development.

A government spokesperson said here on Sunday that the Himachal government had been making efforts to resume trade with China through Shipki-La (Kinnaur).

Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, who recently was on a visit to India, held a meeting with Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar to discuss various bilateral issues. He informed that during this meeting, both the ministers agreed in principle to the proposal of resuming trade between the two nations.

This breakthrough was made possible due to the personal intervention of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who had written to the Union government urging revival of the historic Indo-Tibetan trade route. Acting on this, the union government formally took up the matter with China, leading to a consensus to restart the trade, he asserted.

The state government would now take this matter with the union commerce ministry for completing the codal formalities, he said.

Jaishankar has informed the state government that the government of India initiated discussions with China for the resumption of border trade through all three designated points-Shipki-La (Himachal Pradesh), Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim), which had been suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he disclosed.

The state chief minister had emphasized that Shipki-La, once an offshoot of the legendary Silk Route and formalized as a border trade point under the Indo-China bilateral agreement of 1994, played a vital role in trans-Himalayan economic and cultural exchanges.

In addition to trade, the state government has received a positive response regarding the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) through Shipki-La, he said.

The chief minister, in his communication to the Centre, highlighted that the Shipki-La route, connecting via Gartok towards Darchen and Mansarovar is comparatively shorter on the Tibetan side, he said, adding that Himachal Pradesh already has road connectivity up to Shipki-La via Rampur Bushahr and Pooh, making it feasible to develop the necessary base camps and supporting infrastructure for the Yatra.

The external affairs minister, in a letter to the chief minister, conveyed that after a five-year gap, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim), and now Shipki-La would be added as an additional route.

The chief minister has expressed gratitude to the union government for prioritizing these key concerns of the State in bilateral dialogues with China.
The ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh has gone slow on inducting expelled Samajwadi Party MLA Puja Pal into the party-fold. According to sources, Puja Pal has met many BJP leaders in Delhi within the last two days.

There were discussions within the BJP leadership that Ms Pal could be given the responsibility of wooing the most backward Pal community in the BJP, and that she be given a post in the organisation.

Advertisement

The BJP will try to woo all backward castes, including the Pal community, by fielding her in the assembly elections of 2027 and presenting her as a backward victim woman of the Samajwadi Party.

Advertisement

A senior party leader here on Sunday said that in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, despite the support of caste parties like Apna Dal (S), SBSP, Nishad Party, the opposition was successful in making a dent in the backward castes including Kurmi, Pal, Maurya, which are considered to be the core vote bank of BJP.

The BJP is working on a strategy to woo backward and Dalits to counter the political attack of the opposition. Puja Pal is one of the strategies, the leader said.

According to sources, Puja Pal has met many BJP leaders in Delhi within the last two days. They said she could also be included in the BJP on the lines of Swati Singh.

In 2016, when Swati Singh showed her aggression on the statement of former BSP leader, now in Congress, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, in response to Dayashankar Singhs comment against Mayawati, the BJP first made her the President of the State Womens Front, then an MLA, and later a Minister.

Meanwhile, a report from Prayagraj said hoardings of MLA Pooja Pal were placed at different places in the city. These hoardings were erected in the Dadhikando fair being held in Prayagraj.

These blue colour hoardings of Pooja Pal have been put up at many places, including Sulem Sarai of Dhoomanganj. The hoarding also has a picture of the Constitution maker, Dr Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. Pooja Pal has been a BSP MLA from the citys western assembly seat in 2007 and 2012.

Political meanings are also being drawn from the blue coloured hoardings. Sources of the political party say that this is a sign of Pooja Pals inclination towards the BSP again. The Bahujan Samaj Party uses blue as its official color.

However, in the monsoon session, MLA Pooja Pal had praised CM Yogi Adityanaths law and order. She had said that she got justice only under the leadership of CM Adityanath. Angered by this, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav expelled her from the party, accusing her of indiscipline.

Puja Pal had joined the Samajwadi Party in 2019, after which she contested the 2022 assembly elections from the Chail assembly seat in Kaushambi on the SP ticket.

She had cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections, and since then, her distance from the Samajwadi Party has started increasing.

Pal had met CM Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya several times. In the Lok Sabha elections too, she was indirectly accused of campaigning in favour of the BJP candidate.
The key accused in the high-profile Nikki death case, Vipin Bhati, was injured in a police encounter on Sunday after allegedly trying to escape from custody.

The incident took place near Sirsa Chowk in Greater Noida while he was being taken for a medical examination.

Advertisement

According to police, Vipin tried to flee from custody and ignored repeated warnings to stop. In response, police shot him in the leg to stop him. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is now under police guard.

Advertisement

The case originates from Sirsa village in the Kasna police station area of Greater Noida, where 28-year-old Nikki sustained critical burn injuries under suspicious circumstances. She was initially taken to Fortis Hospital and later referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where she was declared dead.

Authorities began an investigation after disturbing video footage surfaced, allegedly showing Nikki being physically assaulted by members of her in-laws family. Based on the footage and witness statements, several people, including her husband, Vipin Bhati, and her mother-in-law, have been named in the case.

Nikkis sister, Kanchan, who is married to Vipins elder brother, has provided a detailed account to the authorities. She claimed that both she and Nikki had been facing domestic abuse over alleged dowry demands. On the day of the incident, Kanchan says she witnessed Nikki being assaulted. When she tried to intervene, she too was allegedly attacked.

Kanchan said she tried to save her sister, but Nikki suffered serious injuries. Neighbours rushed Nikki to the hospital before the police arrived. Kanchans testimony has become a crucial part of the investigation.

Nikkis father also confirmed that he received a call from Kanchan about the incident. When the family reached the hospital, they were informed that Nikki had been brought in with severe injuries. She was later declared dead at Safdarjung Hospital.

While in custody, Vipin denied any involvement in Nikkis death. He claimed that the incident was not a case of murder but rather a suicide and that disputes between husband and wife were being misrepresented. However, given the video evidence and testimonies from family members and the victims child, police have strengthened the case against him.

Following Vipins attempt to escape custody, Greater Noida police emphasised that there would be no leniency in the case. Officials stated that all evidence, including video footage, witness accounts, and forensic reports, is being examined closely.

Nikkis family has demanded the strictest possible punishment for all accused persons, stating that justice must be served for their daughter. The police have assured the family and the public that a thorough and impartial investigation is underway.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House has dramatically reshaped the global geopolitical landscape, particularly in the realms of trade and strategic alignments. While some of these changes may be guided by his broader ambition of making America great again, there is also a growing sentiment ~ both within and outside the United States ~ that his actions are shaped as much by transactional and personal motivations as by strategic vision. At the heart of these shifts lies a reinvigorated tariff war, which has not only targeted traditional rivals like China but also extended to strategic partners such as India and members of the BRICS bloc.

Trumps first tenure was marked by a clear foreign policy orientation that sought to contain the rise of China. Recognizing China as the principal challenger to American supremacy, his administration sought to forge new alignments in the Indo-Pacific, bolstering ties with countries such as Japan, Australia, and India to act as counterweights. The strategic language was often couched in terms of preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific, in which the U.S. portrayed itself as a Pacific power with legitimate stakes in the regions balance of power.

Advertisement

However, Trumps second stint has seen a notable pivot: economic protectionism now trumps strategic consistency, and trade wars are being used not only as economic instruments but as tools of geopolitical leverage. The imposition of tariffs on India  Americas largest democratic partner and a crucial player in the Indo-Pacific ~ is a startling manifestation of this shift. On August 7, President Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, raising the overall tariff to a staggering 50 per cent. The rationale given was Indias continued purchase of Russian oil, which the White House claimed represented an unusual and extraordinary threat to American national security and foreign policy interests.

Advertisement

Yet this reasoning appears riddled with inconsistencies and accusations of double standards. Data shows that India accounted for only 13 per cent of Russias fossil fuel revenue since the start of the Ukraine war, whereas the European Union ~ despite its anti-Russia rhetoric  contributed 23 percent. Still, the EU has been spared punitive tariffs, while India faces the economic brunt. This selective application of punitive measures suggests that the logic behind the tariffs is not solely grounded in principled foreign policy. It increasingly looks like an attempt to pressure countries that have limited leverage over the United States.

Unlike China, which retaliated against earlier tariffs by banning the export of rare earth minerals ~ forcing Washington to reduce its tariff burden  India lacks such economic levers. With a vast population dependent on agriculture and dairy, New Delhi has long resisted opening up these sensitive sectors. Trumps insistence that India must make concessions in these very sectors adds further strain, as such demands are politically unacceptable in the Indian domestic context. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded with firmness, making it clear that India will not compromise the interests of its farmers, fishermen, and dairy producers. Speaking at a public event, he acknowledged that India might have to pay a heavy price for its stance, but asserted his readiness to bear it.

This defiant posture marks a significant deterioration in US-India trade ties, especially since Washington has simultaneously ruled out any further trade talks until the matter is resolved. For a relationship once touted as among the most consequential of the 21st century, the fallout is deeply disconcerting. What adds to the complexity is Trumps seemingly contradictory behavior towards other global actors. His previous hostility toward NATO and its European members has, in this tenure, given way to more transactional economic deals with both the EU and the UK. He has managed to extract higher defense spending from them, fulfilling one of his long-standing demands.

Meanwhile, Trumps initial soft posture toward Russia  based on the belief that he could persuade President Putin to end the war ~ has hardened as that expectation failed to materialize. Yet, rather than directly penalizing Russia, Trump has chosen to exert pressure on countries like India that maintain energy ties with Moscow. Even more puzzling is Trumps stance toward China. Despite earlier confrontations, he now appears to be exploring a potential trade deal with Beijing. There is speculation that he may even visit China, signaling a thaw that could have wide-ranging geopolitical ramifications. This approach stands in stark contrast to the harsh tariff measures directed at India and Brazil, both of which are BRICS members.

Trump has also described BRICS as an anti-US bloc and blamed the group for pushing de-dollarization ~ claims that are contested and oversimplified, but serve to justify further economic penalties. The net effect of these shifting positions is a growing perception that Trumps foreign and trade policies lack coherence and are driven more by short-term gains and political optics than by long-term strategic thinking. For India, this unpredictability represents a significant challenge. The country must now navigate an increasingly volatile external environment in which even its traditional partnerships can no longer be taken for granted. The economic consequences are already visible.

According to Moodys, the new tariffs could slow Indias GDP growth by 0.3 percentage points in FY2025-26, pulling it down from 6.3 per cent to around 6 per cent. Key sectors like electronics manufacturing may see reduced foreign investment due to the tariff gap compared to other Asia-Pacific economies. Investor sentiment is weakening, with foreign portfolio investors pulling out $2 billion in July and nearly $1 billion more in early August. Although the stock markets have shown some resilience, the broader trend is one of caution and concern.

Meanwhile, Chinas recent export restrictions on rare earth elements have highlighted the vulnerabilities in Americas high-tech and defence manufacturing sectors. While the U.S. has invested in domestic production and diversification strategies, it remains years away from building a self-reliant supply chain. This gives China a significant bargaining chip in any future negotiation ~ one that India lacks. Trumps willingness to go easier on China while punishing India only reinforces the perception that his administration picks its targets based on expediency rather than principles.

Adding another layer of complexity is Trumps sudden pivot toward Pakistan, a country he had once derided as duplicitous. His recent deal with Islamabad and the hosting of Army Chief General Munir at the White House are being viewed as part of a larger recalibration in the Indo-Pacific. Taken together with his softer posture toward China, this development raises serious questions about U.S. strategic priorities in the region and how India figures in the American calculus going forward. India, therefore, faces a geopolitical moment that demands both caution and clarity.

As Trumps second tenure introduces a mix of unpredictability, pressure tactics, and transactional diplomacy, New Delhi must work to safeguard its long-term interests without compromising its sovereign decision-making. This will require not only diversifying its strategic partnerships but also strengthening domestic economic resilience in the face of external shocks. The tariff war may just be one front ~ but the battle for geopolitical stability is far from over.

The writer is Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses
In 1946, Winston Churchill announced an iron curtain had descended across Europe from Stettin in the Baltic, to Trieste in the Adriatic. This time it is the west that is building the barriers. Every European nation bordering Russia is accelerating plans to construct hundreds of miles of fortified border to defend against possible Russian aggression. The reasons are clear. The post-cold war European security framework  which relied on strengthening international institutions and trade, Nato expansion and US military guarantees  is being eroded.

Sharing an 832-mile border with Russia, Finland proposed building a wall in 2023 that would cover about 15 percent of its border, costing over US$400 million and with hopes that it will be completed by 2026. Motivated in part by Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but also due to a rise of Russians fleeing to Finland to escape conscription, Finlands government passed a law in July 2023 to build stronger and taller fences, as the previous wooden fences were designed only to prevent livestock from crossing. Eight border posts were erected (including north of the Arctic Circle) alongside greater obstacles in the southernmost strip of the country.

Advertisement

There are even defences being erected in remote areas of north-eastern Finland, where in the not-too-distant past, a steady flow of Russian and Finns would regularly come and go across the border to buy groceries. And Finland is not the first. In August 2015, Estonia announced that it would build a fence along its eastern border with Russia, after Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea. In 2024, the Baltic states and Poland proposed to further fortify their borders with a defensive wall. It would cover 434 miles, costing over 2 billion. Plans and construction are now speeding up as leaders of the Baltic states worry that the prospects of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could mean Moscow redirects its military towards them. Latvia will invest about US$350 million over the next few years to reinforce its 240-mile border with Russia, while Lithuania is planning a 30-mile defence line against a possible Russian invasion.

Advertisement

Poland has started building a permanent fence on its border with Belarus as part of its defence against Moscows potential allies. These walls will also be accompanied by other physical barriers such as antitank ditches, 15-tonne concrete dragons teeth (which can stop Russian tanks advancing), massive concrete blocks and pyramids, roadblocks, massive metal gates, mined fields and blocked bridgeheads. Lithuania is planning up to 30 miles of reclamation ditches, bridges prepared for bombing and trees designated to fall on roads when necessary. The Baltic states are also building more than 1,000 bunkers, ammunition depots and supply shelters to further protect the 600 miles of territory that borders Russia. Bunkers are expected to be about 377 square feet, capable of housing up to ten soldiers and being able to withstand artillery strikes from Russia.

The Baltic nations plus Finland and Poland also all announced in 2025 that they would withdraw from the 1997 international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines, while Lithuania revoked its pledge to a cluster bomb treaty. Poland announced in June 2025 that it had added minefields to its East Shield border plans. These border defences will be using the latest technology and early warning systems and artillery units. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland and Norway met in Riga in 2024 to begin plans to build a 1,850-mile drone wall to protect their borders. This drone wall will have a sensor network, consisting of radars and electronic warfare tools to identify and destroy Russian drones. Within seconds of detecting a target crossing the border, there would be a system of close reconnaissance of drones.

This project will require a great deal of cooperation among participating states. Estonian companies are already designing drones that can both detect and neutralise threats along complex terrain in lakes, swamps and forests that blanket Russias border with the Baltic countries. Both cooperation from all countries that border Russia in Europe and an understanding of the terrain is critical to avoid the failures of the Maginot Line, part of a set of defensive barriers that France built along its borders in the 1930s, and which failed to prevent a German invasion in the second world war. In that case, it was assumed that the Germans could not pass through the Ardennes forest in Belgium. While the Maginot Line fortifications did cause the Germans to rethink their plan of attack, Belgium was left vulnerable. Today, European nations are aware that they cannot fully prevent a Russian attack, but they can, possibly, shape the nature of a Russian invasion.

The goal of these barriers is both deterrence and to try to control the location of any invasion. If a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is announced, the leaders of the Baltic nations fear the Kremlin could redeploy troops to their borders. Countries neighbouring Russia are trying to be as prepared as possible for whatever Vladimir Putin might do next.

(The writer is Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex. This article was published on www.theconversation.com)
Dawn breaks over the railway tracks slicing through a Calcutta slum. In the distance you hear the whistle of a local passenger train chugging sluggishly along.

Zoom in to a silhouette of a lean, lanky figure holding a Leica camera, gingerly treading the ground along the tracks, watching, waiting. for the perfect moment.

Advertisement

He zeroes in on his subject: the piercing glare of a person we would perhaps not have given a second glance to otherwise  a ragpicker in his raw ruggedness.

Advertisement

He presses the shutter. In the ensuing silence after the train has left and before the cacophony of the day starts, you hear the click.

From 2017 to 2024, with the Pandemic in between, if you happened to spot a foreigner trudging along the slums and shanties in different parts of the city clicking photographs, it is very likely that you have seen French photographer, Alexandre de Mortemart. He has been training his camera in the Calcutta peripheries capturing unseen dimensions of life of the people here and the places they inhabit, endeavoring to depict a direction in what appears to us all ostensibly to be utter chaos.

He has been on the lookout for the symmetry inherent in the lines of ad hoc shanties constructed haphazardly out of ramshackle polyester sacks perhaps or the purposefulness in the eyes of the seemingly purposeless people pushed to the peripheries of life.

A selection of these black and white photographs have been compiled into a coffee table book, which de Mortemart has called Mystical.a title highlighting the inherent mystery lurking in every nook and cranny of the city of Cal as it were.

In town for the pre-launch of the tome, he talks to me about the journey of putting it together. I have been in India long before I started photographing it, he says. Working for a Paris based French company with interests in India, specifically Bengal, he was sent here for the discussions and negotiations. However, his eyes had wandered to what would appear to him to be a world that existed almost off the radar.right here, all around, but almost as though invisible. It was in the field of vision but unacknowledged and undiscovered.

I could see Calcutta from a photography point of view. And when I say that I mean in the traditional sense of where photography came from.the lights, the shapes and what it is trying to convey. It has to have some sort of an idea, a message of sorts. It cannot be only fleeting, passings images without purpose. Hence the thing that struck me most were the people that you dont see.especially in other parts of the world.

Interestingly, however, the appeal of the books images is equally poignant for the people of Calcutta. We who are familiar with the ragpicker, the hijra, the beggar.them, whose lives flow along with us but as though in a parallel world, getting interconnected only at traffic intersections perhaps or on the pavements during morning walks when we almost step over them, sleeping, stirring, snoring, smiling, smirking as they catch glimpses of us. We never really make them the center of our field of vision. We avert our eyes and steps and invariably push them back in their places.to the peripheries.

When you flip through the pages of this book, you stare at them squarely and they stare right back at you. They glare. They smirk. They smile.

De Mortemart points out that the purpose of his visual narrative was to bring out the unity.

You can see in the book that there is a kind of direction, a unity if I may say. Not so much of the little things in life which are fleeing and passing. It is something permanent, poised to be photographed so that it remains forever.

Captured are a range of emotions, reflected in eyes, in the body languages, in the tilts of the head, in the motions of the hands. Captured is a little girls resolute walk towards an unknown destination, demonstrating her resistance to and resilience against the circumstances thrust upon her and her lot. We dont know where she is going and we will never know. The photographer has only captured the determination.

He says, In the years that I visited and revisited these areas I have gotten to know them and they have gotten to know me but only by face .only visually. We never spoke or exchanged any words. Part of the reason of course was the language barrier.his English or French to their Bengali or Hindi.

But the visual communication (what else is photography but that?) was powerful enough for de Mortemart to have long lasting, indelible even, memories that he can store for life.

They have become characters in the narrative of his own life. The music band player with his ill-fitting costume and oversized cap who beams at the photographer half to pose, half to demonstrate that he is a friend. The handsome young man sitting by the edge of a bed under an open sky, who is so engaged with the silent conversation with the photographer that he is startled when the reprimanding voice of a woman calls out to him, Get over here right now. De Mortemart chuckles recalling that moment. I did not know whether it was his mother or his wife but the voice emanated from somewhere in the vicinity, not within the frame of this photo but it was a commanding tone and the subject of my photo promptly got up and left. This photograph was clearly captured at the right time and right place. It won de Mortemart an international photography award. It is included in the book.

De Mortemart built up acquaintances amongst the hijra community too.photographing them as they pressed against car winds and knocked on the glass, clapping their hands, asking for money. He has witnessed the transformation of one of them from one gender to the other after an operation.

A theme of the book is the series we can call, the face photos. These capture those imaginary visages which we often spot in the unlikeliest of spaces. In formations of rain clouds or water stains on floors and in the case of de Mortemart, staring back at him from the makeshit walls of shanties constructed out of polythene sacks. Sometimes these smile, sometimes these smirk, sometimes these look sad and sorrowful. But they are an integral part of the unity that runs through the seemingly shattered, disoriented and disjointed lives in the slums.

Indeed, an underlying element in the photos is humour, which the visual narrative is generously sprinkled with. A tale of a tailors mannequin hanging outside the decrepit door of a dilapidated tailor shop is a case in point. De Mortemart has captured the dolls transformation from a handsome young Mannequin to a guy dealing with physical and psychological issues.including an amputated foot, another amputated foot a year later and eventually a plastic surgeried torso. The doll went into hibernation (from depression?) for about a year. To the great delight of de Mortemart, he was resuscitated and revived. De Mortemart found that he had reappeared in the display hanger outside the door of the tailors shop albeit in a new avatar and with a makeover. Lovers of Hindi cinema might notice a slight resemblance of the mannequin in its first avatar to Amitabh Bachhan. The revived version, in keeping with the changing times, has an ever so tiny resemblance with Randeep Hooda, who had become a poster boy for sometime after his runaway success in movies like Highway. This observation is totally subjective of course.

Evening descends over the Hooghly River and along the banks the photographer catches other characters for his visual narrative. They travel seamlessly between the railway and the river.

The underlying theme of the visual narrative of the book is the strength that holds together the lives of the people who live on the verges, perennially in danger of falling apart. It is about the resilience that refuses to cave into the cold callousness of the human condition. A photo of a poster pasted on a wall in a ghetto captures the enduring smile of Bengali film icon Uttam Kumar.the eyes, crinkled in glee reflect the unseen happiness depicted in the beaming smile but the middle is entirely missing, ripped out.

The book will be globally released in September/ October.

De Mortemarts is analogue photography. He is often asked the question, Why?. In this day and age of digital photography, when camera phones have turned photography into an everyman and everywomans passion, if not profession, he has deliberately decided on using a camera which requires the use of rolls of film. It is also phenomenally expensive. Every time you press the shutter, it costs (Rs 100.about 1 Euro), he says. Unlike the trigger-happy common individual of today whose hobby sees hundreds if not thousands of clicks per day, Alexandre has to carefully deliberate each frame before he presses the shutter.

The process of production, which incidentally is taking place partly in France and partly in Germany, using the globally acclaimed German technology, is costly and time-consuming. But in order to ensure that the quality of the photographs is the best in the world, de Mortemart is not going to settle for anything less. Indeed, asking him why? he prefers to use an analogue camera over a digital one is like asking grandmother why she prefers to grind her spices using the good old mortar and pestle over the blender or mixer for that matter.

Because it is custom made, not mass produced. Because the touch of tender loving care brings out the authentic flavour. In the case of De Mortemart it is literally the difference between the real and the reel.

Though in the case of Alexandre de Mortemart, the reel is all real.

In his foreword, Sublime Chaos renowned French philosopher, Pascal Bruckner, who has written the text for the book, observes, Alexandre de Mortemart offers us here a Calcutta sans colour, that is to say, free of bigotry and uninspiring picturesqueness. He suppresses from his photographs everything that relates to spectacle or stereotypical characters.

Published by Trans Photographic Press this year, according to Rima Sen, Alexandres wife, a Bengali, Though the photos are set in Calcutta, it is a truly global book.

The film for the photographs, bought in France is brought to India and exposed in Calcutta. Back in Paris, there is a process of developing the film which entails creating a contact sheet. From this the photos to finally be processed are selected.

In the next phase of printing the book will be in Germany.

German technology is world class, says Rima Sen. We are aiming for the best possible quality.

She says that the texture of the paper is to watch out for.

Indeed the book is impressive not just visually but also as far the tactile experience is concerned.

The writer is Editor, Features
CHRISTOPH SCHNELLMANN, CEO, Noida International Airport, told Senior Assistant Editor K. Sunil Thomas that once the airport is operational, the Taj Mahal would be a day trip from anywhere in India. Uttar Pradesh Industries Minister Nand Gopal Gupta makes a bigger promise: Noida Airport will transform UP. Hence, this weeks cover on what is going to be Indias largest airport.

And, it is not just the airport, writes Sunil. There are plans for a vast logistics hub; Air India-SATS is already building a cargo hub. Then there are plans for north Indias first film city, an electronics park, a medical-devices hub, FinTech and apparel parks, and an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. The Roseate Group will open the first hotel opposite the terminal next year, and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority is dreaming of a belt like Delhis Aerocity. Watch this space for more.

Coming to international news, our Ukraine coverage continues through the insights of our contributor Mridula Ghosh and a detailed article by Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk.

This issue also brings you a few interviews. There is a short one with Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte by Principal Correspondent Abhinav Singh. Our contributor from the US, Lavina Melwani, speaks to Anantha P. Chandrakasan, the first Indian-origin provost of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Senior Subeditor Bechu S. speaks to R. Praggnanandhaa, who says that India will be favourites for the next five chess Olympiads.

In @leisure, Anjuly Mathai speaks to writer Manu Joseph about his latest book, Why The Poor Dont Kill Us. The books cover has a guillotine on it, if youre wondering. Joseph says that the chaos that surrounds us is one reason the poor do not bump off the rich. When a locality is flooded, for example, the floodwaters do not distinguish between mansions and hovels. If the millionaire is flooded out of his home, like oneself, isnt it better to let him suffer than kill him and put him out of his misery?

My dear friend KC brings in a blast of humour about flag hoistings in Otherwise Cracked. This Independence Day, in Kochi, a CPI(M) branch committee raised a flag and saluted it, before realising that it was the Congress partyscharkha and all. They then promptly hauled it down and hoisted the national flag.

A couple of years back, a state minister here hoisted the flag upside down. And, in 2021, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met then Japanese premier Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, the tricolour on stage was upside down. The minimalist Japanese flag would never have that issue, see.

Circumnavigator Commander Abhilash Tomy once told me how someone spotted the Pakistani flag above the Golden Globe Race office and wondered why it was there. The flag was to honour Palestinian-American sailor Nabil Amra. The supplier got Palestine and Pakistan mixed up. I am now convinced that flag hoisting ceremonies come with their share of situational comedy.
Don Trump chose the wrong spot to host Vladimir PutinAlaska, a gold- and oil-rich land Russia had lost to the US 158 years ago. The sight of several Russian Orthodox churches80 including a 230-year-old cathedral in Kodiakif Putin saw them from the air, would only have steeled his resolve not to concede any more land to the west.

Alaska was once Russias. After his defeat at the hands of the British in the 1854-56 Crimean War, Tsar Alexander II worried that Britain would next invade Alaska from Canada. Instead of losing it in war to an enemy, he thought it prudent to sell Alaska to the neutral US for $7 million. Russian nationalists are yet to forgive the tsar for the folly.

How the atlas misleads us! It shows Russia and America hemispheres apart. We think they are poles apart, too. Quite contrary! They are hemispheres apart politically, but poles together geographically. In winter, when the Bering Strait freezes, you can walk from Russias Big Diomede isle to the USs Little Diomede, only three miles away. It could take you a daythe international dateline passes through the strait.

Illustration: Deni Lal

Lets leave geography and talk geopolitics. The world thinks that Russia had been annexing lands, first as the tsarist empire and then as the communist empire. But Russians think they have been losing landsAlaska to America and Crimea to the British in the 19th century, and all the ex-Soviet republics to the nasty west in the post-Cold War 20th century.

Russians believe they did a good thing to Europe by disbanding the Warsaw Pact, the military alliance they had with the East Europeans during the Cold War. In return, they expected the west to disband NATO. But NATO cheated. They not only refused to disband but expanded towards Russia roping in Russia's ex-allies, and placing troops, tanks and atomic arms at Russia's doorstep.

The west has been painting Putin as the sinner in the Ukraine warhe invaded a weak neighbour. But Russians feel the west has been sinning against them in the last three post-Cold War decades, breaking every promise they had made, cheating on every deal, and damning every covenant.

Even the little kind deeds of the past were now proving to be Russia's curse. Back in 1954, Russia had gifted Crimea, where Russia has been berthing its Black Sea fleet, to Ukraine. But when Ukraine threatened to sell those ports to the west, Putin annexed Crimea in 2014.

In Russias eyes, Ukraine is at the nasty NATO game again. It was when the next-door neighbour threatened to join NATO and sell its sovereign soul to the west that Putin said, enough is enough and invaded Ukraine. The war made him a global pariah; the west imposed sanctions on him and tariffs on those who bought his arms and oil; the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on him for war crimes. Now with the leader of the western world hosting him in Alaska, where he said no to a ceasefire till he got a final truce, he has left the west holding the bomb with a burning fuse.

What does Putin want? He wants Ukraines Russian-speaking eastern lands, most of which he has already captured. He might let Ukraine have all the security guarantees from the west against an invasion from Russia, but Ukraine shouldnt join NATO as a member. For, a membership would entail stationing US, British, French and German tanks, guns and missiles on Ukraine territory from where Moscow is only a short march away.

Little Ukraine may be seeking security guarantees against Russia; Russia is seeking guarantees against a nasty west.

prasannan@theweek.in
Quick: Who is the most applauded young sitarist on the global music circuit right now? Arguably, it is Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, 26, the first solo Indian classical musician invited to perform at the Bidens famous Diwali White House party in 2022. His backstory is as compelling as his music. Even more so, considering Indias current strained ties with Donald Trump, the present occupant of the White House.

Here was a young, gifted Delhi-born sitarist holding his own, politely but firmly telling astonished White House staffers why he could not accept the honour as initially conceived. Ignorant American officials had to be briefed on the deep cultural and spiritual significance of Indian classical music. Patiently, Rishab explained that a sitarist does not play standing upthis was not a guitar to be casually strummed at the door to welcome VVIPs. He requested, instead, for a raised platform with proper bolsters and seating. The stage, he insisted, must be elevated, in reverence to Saraswatithe goddess of learning. He also made it clear that he was not there to provide background music for amusement while the guests enjoyed a lavish spread, but to be heard as an artiste. Rishab won! His dignified performance that evening was respectfully received and warmly applauded.

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma

Music runs in his DNA. Rishab is the fourth generation born into the famed Rikhiram family of master luthiers, celebrated for crafting fine instruments. At 11, his father took him to meet Pandit Ravi Shankar, then auditioning promising sitarists for his school. Rishab played Raga Rasiya, Ravi Shankars personal favourite. At the end of the performance, Ravi Shankar told Rishabs father he wanted Rishab as his disciple. Only later did he point out to the overwhelmed boy where he had gone wrong! It remains Rishabs most transformative moment. Ravi Shankar passed away two years later, but his legacy was deeply embedded by then.

Soon after completing his schooling in Delhi, Rishab left for New York and majored in music and economics. Today, the American citizen is invited to perform at prestigious music festivals like Woodstocks 50th reunion. His shows are invariably sold out. What makes Rishab stand out is not just his music, but his presencefilm star looks, flowing anarkalis paired with antique Jadau jewellery, mehendi-adorned hands, and a calm, almost saintly stage aura.

Honestly, I had not heard of him till my daughter mentioned his concerts in Mumbai and Pune. She insisted we catch him live the next time he performs nearby. By now I was hooked. He is such a good raconteur, too. One anecdote in particular stood out: just hours before a concert, Rishab accidentally dropped his precious sitar and cracked it. That his wonderful father managed to fix the instrument in time for the concert says a lot about their relationship. He said the mended sitar sounded even more melodious that evening.

Rishabs unique positioning as a modern-day musician, who has adopted the sitar as an instrument for healing, makes his music that much more poignant and powerful. I have been listening to some of his spellbinding concerts where a lot of attention is paid to create the right setting with aesthetic lights and sets, providing a regal backdrop to his mood-elevating performance.

Rishab has bashfully admitted he would like to try his hand in cinemaas both actor and director. Well, he certainly has what it takes in terms of charisma. Dating rumours suggest his co-star could be Sanya Malhotra. If true, it is a romance as lyrical as Raga Rasiya, which depicts Radha and Krishna in playful conversation.

Well, what say, Rishab?

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade
A makeup artist recently took to Instagram to share a terrifying experience that shook her confidence in something as ordinary as earphones. She revealed that during a long journey to Delhi, she had her wireless earphones on continuously for nearly eight hours. The following morning, she noticed some hearing loss in her left ear. At first, she assumed it was temporary and waited two days, only to be told by a doctor that she had lost almost 45% of her hearing capacity in that ear.

The diagnosis, according to her doctor, was linked to her prolonged use of earphones. What followed was a painful treatment process that involved strong medication and direct steroid injections into her ear, with the warning that any delay in treatment would have caused permanent and irreversible hearing loss. After days of follow-up procedures, she was lucky enough to regain her hearing.

She concluded her post with a cautionary message: hearing loss can creep up silently, and a delay of even a few days can make the damage permanent.

Her story comes at a time when health authorities are also sounding the alarm about the potential harm earphones can cause to hearing. The Union Health Ministry in February issued a letter warning of hearing loss linked to excessive earphone and headphone use, especially among the young.

Director General of Health Services Prof (Dr) Atul Goel urged states and medical colleges to create awareness, stressing that prolonged exposure to loud music could cause irreversible hearing damage. He advised keeping audio device volumes under 50 decibels for no more than two hours a day, taking breaks, and preferring well-fitted or noise-cancelling headphones. The letter also flagged the risks of excessive screen time, loud gaming sounds, and high-decibel public events, urging safeguards to protect the younger generations hearing and cognitive health.

But what is the harm?

Earphones and headphones have become part of our everyday life, whether for music, movies, work calls, or simply drowning out background noise. But the science is becoming increasingly clear: they are not harmless. A 2022 study reviewing leisure listening habits concluded that earphones pose a significant threat of noise-induced hearing loss, one of the most common types of sensorineural hearing loss after age-related decline.

Another study on Swedish adolescents found that those who listened for three or more hours at volumes of 85 decibels or higher were far more likely to report tinnitus and measurable loss of hearing thresholds.

World Health Organisation warns that nearly 50% of teenagers and young adults between the ages of 12 and 35 in middle- and high-income countries are listening to music at unsafe levels.

The risk is not confined to teenagers. A study conducted in Kaduna, Nigeria, found that headphone users had significantly poorer hearing thresholds compared to non-users, with 17.6% showing hearing loss against just 7.4% in the control group.

Research also highlights that using earphones in noisy environments amplifies the damage, with one study noting that individuals in such conditions were 4.5 times more likely to develop hearing loss. When earphones are used for over 80 minutes daily in already loud surroundings, the risk multiplies to nearly five times higher than average.

What really causes hearing loss?

The science behind this is rooted in how our ears work. The cochlea, a delicate spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear, contains hair cells topped with stereocilia. These cells are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain.

Repeated exposure to loud noise overstimulates these fragile structures, damaging or destroying them permanently. Once gone, they cannot regenerate. Prolonged misuse of earphones, therefore, accelerates hearing decline, ageing the ears up to 50% faster than normal. Someone in their 50s who has consistently blasted music through earbuds might end up with the hearing capacity of someone in their 80s.

What are the warning signs?

Dr Bansal, Professor in ENT at PGIMER Chandigarh, cautions that prolonged use of earphones can have long-term consequences: With very long and excessive use of earphones, there can eventually be some degree of hearing loss. Apart from this, patients may also experience issues such as frequent headaches, behavioural changes, and heat-related discomfort.

Dr Bansal explains that people should watch out for subtle changes in hearing. One red flag is when a person feels they can hear someone speaking but misses out on certain wordsespecially similar-sounding ones. This indicates poor speech discrimination, he noted.

The early signs of noise-induced hearing loss are often subtle, which is why it is frequently ignored until the damage becomes significant. One of the first symptoms is tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears that often follows exposure to loud noise.

People may also notice that higher-pitched sounds, such as birds chirping or speech consonants, are harder to hear. Conversations, especially in noisy environments like restaurants or public transport, begin to feel muffled, and there may be a constant need to increase the volume on televisions or smartphones. Many also find themselves repeatedly asking others to speak louder or to repeat themselves.

Other warning signs include a heightened sensitivity to certain sounds, where everyday noises suddenly feel unbearable. Some may develop hypersensitivity or even experience an earache and discharge if an underlying infection is triggered.

Doctors stress that even if routine hearing tests appear normal, early damage might already be underway, sometimes referred to as hidden hearing loss. Emerging concerns also point to the excessive use of noise-cancelling headphones, which, while protecting against external sound, may interfere with how the brain processes auditory information.

Some doctors suggest that prolonged reliance on noise cancellation could contribute to auditory processing disorders, making it harder for the brain to make sense of sounds in complex environments.

How can you protect your ears?

Protecting your hearing does not require giving up earphones altogether, but it does require smarter listening habits. Experts advise that volume levels should remain below 60% of a devices maximum capacity. The World Health Organisation considers 80 decibels safe for up to eight hours of listening. Beyond that threshold, the safe exposure window drops dramatically.

Dr Bansal recommends moderation and mindful listening habits: If its not a private call, use the speaker instead of headphones. Try to cut down on prolonged use and always take intermittent breaks.

He added that if earphones are absolutely necessary, over-the-ear headphones that fully cover the ear are a better option than small Bluetooth earbuds. He also suggested keeping the volume at an optimal level, never excessively loud.

Technology can help too. Many devices and apps now come with built-in sound exposure monitoring or volume-limiting features. These tools can alert users when they exceed safe listening thresholds, helping them stay mindful of their habits.

Routine hearing check-ups are another safeguard. Even subtle changes in hearing thresholds can be picked up during an audiometry test, providing an early warning before severe loss sets in. And if symptoms such as ringing in the ears, persistent muffled sounds, or difficulty hearing high-frequency tones appear, seeking medical advice immediately can make the difference between recovery and permanent damage.

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.
Days after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar took everyone by surprise by singing the RSS anthem during a discussion in the assembly, another Congress MLA from the state heaped praise on the song.

Speaking to reporters at Kunigal in Tumakuru district, H.D. Ranganath crooned the opening lines of the song "Namaste Sada Vatsale", reported PTI news agency.

Ranganath called it a very good song and said he, too, heard it after Shivakumar sang it in the assembly.

"I read its meaning. It says we should salute the land where we are born. I see nothing wrong in that. Ours is a secular party, and we must accept good things from others, he said.

The MLA, however, was quick to add that the right-wingers insist on creating divisions of caste and religion, and that their ideology can never match with that of the Congress.

But what is wrong if someone sings a song from the RSS? I am only asking this question, he said.

Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, sang the opening lines of the anthem during a discussion on the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede, which claimed the lives of 11 people.

Shivakumar's recital came when the BJP legislators accused him of being an abettor of the stampede as he created mass frenzy.

As the video of his act went viral, sparking speculations about his possible tilt towards the BJP, the deputy CM clarified that he is an ardent Congress man.

I am a Congressman for life!



I am a born Congressman; my blood, my life, everything is here. I know my friends and I know my opponents, and I understand them with clarity of thought. The RSS and BJP must reflect on their own history and ties, but let there be no doubt  I stand pic.twitter.com/CTmOtK4FVF  DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) August 22, 2025

"I am a born Congressman, there is no question of joining hands with BJP-RSS," he said.

"I keep researching about the BJP and JDS as a political leader. Similarly, I have researched RSS too, he further said.
Kartik Baggan and his friend Sarvan were shot at by unidentified assailants in Sundar Nagar Chowk in Ludhiana on Saturday night. Baggan, who had been facing several cases of crime related to gang violence, died while his friend was left injured in what police assume had been gang violence.

According to police sources. Baggan was riding an Activa scooter with Sarvan at the back when they were ambushed. Sarvan, who works as a car washer, said that the assailants, who were on bikes, opened fire from the back, hitting him, which made them both fall. The assailants then shot five bullets at Baggan before leaving.

The scene caused panic as it had happened in the middle of the road, Hindustan Times reported. Sarvan was rushed to Christian Medical College and Hospital, where he is now undergoing treatment.

According to local reports, the attack is believed to have been due to a past rivalry.

Assistant commissioner of police Davinder Chaudhary said, We are scanning CCTV footage of the area to trace the assailants. An FIR has been registered against unidentified attackers.

Baggan was facing trial in multiple criminal cases, including attempted murder, attack on cops, and illegal possession of weapons. A Times of India report had noted last year that Baggan had frequently posted images of himself with weapons. He had also produced videos of himself being brought to court for trial in the attempted murder case. The report noteed that youth in Punjab were posting online content that glorifies weapons and violence.

In 2022, three men, Karandeep Kalia alias Karan of Harikartar Colony and Kunal Sharma alias Abhay, and Sameer Malik, were held by police in Ludhiana for attempting to murder Baggan. Baggan had been admitted to the hospital for a bullet wound. The police had recovered a 32-bore pistol and two live bullets from their possession. The men were from the Shubham Arora alias Shubham Mota gang. The attack was planned as Kartik Baggan and his accomplices, affiliated with the Puneet Bains gang, assaulted Karandeep and made a video of it.

The police are now investigating the identity of the assailants who shot Baggan.
Kerala Congress MLA and former state Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil denied allegations levelled against him by transwoman Avantika and said he is facing huge attacks over "false" charges. However, transwoman Avanthika accused Mamkootathil of twisting facts.

Addressing presspersons, the MLA from Palakkad claimed Avanthika was his friend and it was the transwoman who contacted him first on August 1. Mamkootathil said it was Avantika who "alerted" him about attempts to frame him in sexual assault charges. Later, Mamkootathil played an audio clip, which he claimed was sent to him by Avantika; the clip was reportedly a conversation between Avantika and a news reporter.

In the clip, which Mamkootathil said was shared with him by Avantika on August 1, Avantika is heard saying she has no complaints against Mamkootathil.

"Avantika said she is facing a life-threatening situation, if so, would she share such an audio clip with me?" Mamkootathil asked. The Congress leader also apologized to party cadres for the ill situation they are facing in his name. Mamkootathil said Avantika told him that she would stand by him in his fight for justice.

However, the Congress leader did not comment on other charges against him. The Congress MLA from Palakkad was supposed to conduct a press briefing yesterday, however, it was cancelled at the last minute for unspecified reasons.

Meanwhile, Avantika refuted Mamkootathil's claims and charged the Congress MLA of twisting facts. Avantika dared the former Kerala Youth Congress president to share messages on Telegram. Avantika charged that the audio clip, which Mamkootathil shared, was from a conversation held in June, and not on August 1. The transwoman charged Mamkootathil sought sexual favours from her, and he allegedly told her, "I want to rape you." Avantika said crucial evidence lies in Telegram, and the Congress leader chatted with her in vanish mode.

However, the allegations levelled by Avantika were just one among a series of sexual assault charges that have been levelled against Mamkootathil. The Congress leader is accused of seeking sexual favours from several women and even forcing a woman to undergo an abortion.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
The families of two students who were killed in the Oxford High School mass shooting in 2021 accepted a $500,000 settlement offer from the school district.

Lawyers said that before the federal lawsuits were dismissed, the two families had already accepted settlement offers from the district. The latter is now making good on the deals and is preparing to give the money.

Families of Oxford School Shooting Accept $500K Settlement

On Thursday, Oxford schools attorney Tim Mullins said the development is a result of good-will gesture and a reasonable resolution of a disputed claim. This was on the same day that the family of 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin filed a motion in federal court to get the settlement approved and the money distributed.

Baldwin was among the four student victims who tragically lost their lives in the Nov. 30, 2021, massacre at Oxford High School. The other victims were 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre, and 17-year-old Justin Shilling. Six other students, as well as a teacher, were injured, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Ven Johnson, the attorney for the plaintiffs, said that the development felt like a "slap in the face," citing the settlement offer. He added that the Shilling family was "conflicted" because the settlement was nothing compared to the loss they experienced. However, they took it because they were faced with getting zero and still wanted what was in the best interest of their family.

This was a reference to the blow that the families of the victims were ultimately dealt in federal court. It was because the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals concluded in May that the Oxford schools district was protected by governmental immunity and could not be sued over the shooting deaths.

A Tragic Incident

The shooter in the incident was Ethan Crumbley, who is now serving a life sentence after a guilty plea in 2023 to several charges. Last year, the shooter's parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were also convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter, CBS News reported.

Prosecutors had argued that the parents should also be held responsible for the killings because they ignored signs that pointed to their son's mental health needs. They also bought the firearm that their son used in the shooting.

The attorney for the Madisyn family, Wolfgang Mueller, said that everyone was disappointed in the amount that was offered in the settlement. He added that what makes things worse is that the school district never accepted any responsibility for the incident, as per The Oakland Press.
Nikki, the woman who was set on fire by her in-laws in Sirsa village, Noida, was a makeup artist along with her sister Kanchan. She was also a social media influencer and had around 49 thousand followers on Instagram, and had received many awards for her work.

Her elder sister Kanchan was married to the same family in December 2016. Her husband Rohit is Vipin's elder brother.

According to the sister's account, Nikkis husband, Vipin, and his family members assaulted her sister before setting her on fire in front of her son and Kanchan. She recorded two videos of the in-laws assaulting and burning her sister. It is alleged that their mother-in-law passed a flammable substance to Vipin, who poured it over her sister. When Kancha protested, they had struck her neck and beaten her, causing her to faint, Nav Bharat reported.

Kanchans husband Rohit and their father-in-law Satyaveer were both present while the crime took place.

Nikki was admitted to the hospital afterwards in Delhi, where she died.

Kanchan had also gone through similar abuse as the in-laws kept demanding a dowry of 36 lakh. Her family had already given them a bike and a Scorpio car.

The sister told the media that she, too, was assaulted on the night of the incident. "We were being tortured, our in-laws would tell us they did not get this or that during the wedding. They asked us to get Rs 36 lakh from our home. I was also assaulted between 1.30 am and 4 am on Thursday.

"They told me, 'We have got dowry for one (sister), what about the other? You are better off dead. We will marry again. I was hit several times, and I was not in my senses the entire day," she said. They slapped me. I was injured unconscious the entire day, she said



"I tried to save her, but I could not. Someone took her to the hospital. I don't know who. I had fallen unconscious...I want justice. I want my in-laws to suffer the way they made my sister suffer," she said.



After her sisters death, she filed an FIR, where she said that her mother-in-law Daya, father-in-law Satyaveer, husband Rohit, and brother-in-law Vipin preplanned Nikkis murder.

She said that they wanted Nikki to go away so that Vipin could be remarried.

Kanchan has also said that she will be raising Nikkis son as her own.
Noida police on Sunday arrested Vipin Bhati's mother, Dayavati, in connection with the probe into the alleged murder of her daughter-in-law, Nikki. She was allegedly set ablaze by her husband, Bhati and his parents for dowry.

According to police, Bhati's mother, Dayavati, was arrested by cops from Kasna police station on Sunday. Nikki's family charged that Vipin Bhati and his parents used to torture and assault her, demanding dowry. Bhati's family allegedly demanded a dowry of 36 lakh from Nikki's family. Nikki's sister, Kanchan, was also married into the same family, and she was also assaulted by the family.

According to Kanchan, Nikkis husband, Vipin Bhati, and his family members assaulted her sister before setting her on fire in front of her son and Kanchan on Thursday. Kanchan managed to record two videos of the in-laws assaulting and burning her sister.

Kanchan alleged that their mother-in-law passed a flammable substance to Vipin, who poured it over her sister. When Kancha protested, they had struck her neck and beaten her, causing her to faint, according to Nav Bharat.

Though Nikki was taken to the hospital, she succumbed to burns. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sudhir Kumar had on Friday said that police got a call from Fortis Hospital informing them that a woman with burn injuries had been admitted and was referred to Safdarjung Hospital. "Police immediately left for Safdarjung Hospital, but the woman succumbed to her injuries before the team could reach the hospital," he told PTI.

According to Kanchan, Vipin's family wanted to get rid of Nikki so that they could get him remarried to another woman. Nikki married Vipin in 2016, and the couple has a son.

Police arrested Bhati on Saturday after a video of him assaulting Nikki surfaced on social media. Police shot Bhati in the leg while he tried to escape from their custody. A second video showed Nikki, severely burnt, walking down a staircase before collapsing.

Kanchan charged, "We were beaten and tortured for days. They were demanding 36 lakh. They hit her on the neck and head, threw acid, and set her on fire in front of her child."

Nikki's father, Bhikhari Singh Payla, welcomed the arrest and appreciated the police's probe in the case. "The monsters burnt her to death. I am happy that the mother-in-law has been arrested. She is behind the entire conspiracy," ANI reported. Payla charged instead of disciplining her son, Bhati's mother encouraged him to commit such violent acts.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of working in coordination with the anti-India forces to weaken the country.

Rijijus charges came amid the raging row over the election rigging allegations, with the opposition parties accusing the BJP of vote theft in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and many other state assembly polls.

When Congress cannot win elections, then they and the forces against India together start attacking the government and the institutions so that the public loses faith in this country's institutions, Rijiju told ANI news agency.

#WATCH | Delhi | Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Rahul Gandhi is going on a very dangerous track. George Soros says that one trillion dollars are kept to destabilise the Indian government. The anti-India Khalistan force sitting in Canada, the US, the UK, and many Left pic.twitter.com/woUuvMRSfD  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025

The minister claimed that Rahuls remarks make his own party MPs uncomfortable as they fear that the party will have to pay a price for his nonsense. He noted that even the Supreme Court had scolded him for his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rafale, and the India-China clash.

Rahul Gandhi is going on a very dangerous track. What George Soros says is that one trillion dollars are kept to destabilise the Indian government. The anti-India Khalistan force sitting in Canada, the US, the UK, and many Left organisations are conspiring to work against the country. Rahul Gandhi and Congress are working in coordination with them and weakening the country, the minister said.

#WATCH | Delhi | Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Rahul Gandhi kuch bolte hain, unke saare MPs bahot uncomfortable ho jaate hain. Wo darte hain ye anapshanap baatein karenge, uska khamiyaza party ko bhugatna padta hai..."



"Rahul Gandhi is the LoP and I dont want to criticise pic.twitter.com/zAPzp061AI  ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2025

He, however, added that nobody can weaken the country under Prime Minister Modis leadership.

Rijiju further criticised the opposition parties for creating a ruckus in parliament, saying the MPs were acting on instructions of their party leaders.

These people (Opposition MPs) have been given orders from their party leaders to go and do anything, create a ruckus, and grab headlines," the minister told the news agency.
The Netherlands position on Israel is increasingly marked by division and political instability, sharpened by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The debate over how far the Dutch government should go in pressuring Israel has already claimed one major casualty: the resignation of Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and the withdrawal of his New Social Contract (NSC) party from the caretaker cabinet.

How Veldkamp's resignation shook the Hague

Veldkamp, who once served as an ambassador to Israel, resigned on August 23 after failing to secure cabinet backing for tougher action against the Israeli government.

ALSO READ | Netanyahu clears Gaza City offensive, orders new hostage talks

He had informed the parliament that he intended to push for stricter measures in response to Israels renewed assault on Gaza City, but admitted he no longer had the confidence to carry them through. His departure triggered an immediate exit by the rest of the NSC.

Party leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven said simply: The situation has to improve. It didnt. So now steps are being taken."

Deputy Prime Minister Eddy van Hijum added that while Veldkamp strongly believed in the need for additional measures, the brakes were constantly applied.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed regret at NSCs withdrawal, acknowledging the challenge of steering the country in a caretaker role. Others were less forgiving. The populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) condemned NSCs departure as irresponsible and accused the party of leaving the Netherlands rudderless at a time of crisis.

The resignations delayed a parliamentary debate on Dutch policy towards Israel. When it finally took place, lawmakers rejected a series of proposals that would have put significant pressure on the Israeli government. These included a boycott of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a ban on the purchase of Israeli weapons and a motion to recognise a Palestinian state.

Defence minister Ruben Brekelmans warned that cutting off weapons procurement from Israel would harm Dutch military readiness, although he said a boycott could be considered as part of a broader European approach.

Partial consensus on Israel

Despite these rejections, MPs did reach consensus on some points. The parliament agreed on the need for the total destruction of Hamas and called for maximum pressure on countries seen as sheltering or supporting its leaders. Lawmakers also urged Israel to grant international and national journalists access to Gaza to report on the war.

Even before this latest rupture, the Netherlands had already taken steps that suggested a tougher line on Israel. It halted direct arms exports to the country months after the outbreak of war in October 2023, although it continues to supply spare parts for F-35 fighter jets via third countries.

ALSO READ | Exile or ethnic cleansing? How South Sudan emerges as a controversial candidate for Gaza population transfer

In July, The Hague barred far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from entering Dutch territory. It also joined more than twenty other countries in condemning a major Israeli settlement project in the West Bank as contrary to international law.

Veldkamp had been pushing within the European Union for economic and trade sanctions on Israel. Earlier this year, he supported a legal review of the EUs Association Agreement with Israel, which pointed to signs of human rights violations. The Dutch government has also pressed for Israels suspension from the EUs Horizon research programme and reduced trade links.

In a significant move, Israeli defence companies have been barred from participating in the Netherlands largest military exhibition, NEDS, due to be held in November. Organisers cited security and organisational reasons, but the decision reflects a broader shift in Dutch policy.

Caretaker government under strain

The deepening political row comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza grows more desperate. On the day of Veldkamps resignation, a UN-backed food security body declared a famine in Gaza City, warning it was likely to spread without a ceasefire and the lifting of aid restrictions.

Opposition parties seized on the moment to accuse the cabinet of dithering while civilians faced famine, ethnic cleansing and even genocide. Some MPs described the long delays in debating tougher measures as a source of national shame.

ALSO READ | Gaza truce hopes reignite: Hamas accepts ceasefire deal, hostage exchange eyed

The Dutch government is itself fragile. It has been operating as a caretaker administration since June 3, when Geert Wilders Party for Freedom withdrew from the coalition over migration policy.

That collapse left only the liberal VVD and the BBB in office, together controlling just 32 of the 150 seats in parliament. Prime Minister Schoof even had to cancel a planned trip to Ukraine to deal with the crisis at home.

Elections are scheduled for October 29, but it could take months after that before a new government is in place. Until then, the Netherlands is left with a weakened and divided administration trying to navigate one of the most divisive foreign policy debates in recent memory.
Israeli military confirms airstrikes on Yemeni capital Sanaa that included the military compound where the presidential palace is located.

The airstrikes happened just days after the Houthi rebels fired a missile toward Israel, the rebels said, as per an AP report.

"Multiple military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Sanaa, Yemen, including a military site in which the presidency palace is located, the Adar and Hizaz power plants, and a site for storing fuelall used for the military activity of the Houthi regime. These strikes were carried out in response to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel with missiles and UAVs. The Houthis, backed by Iran, continue to exploit civilian infrastructure for terror purposes," mentioned a tweet by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on X.

STRUCK: Multiple military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Sanaa, Yemen, including a military site in which the presidency palace is located, the Adar and Hizaz power plants, and a site for storing fuelall used for the military activity of the Houthi regime.  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 24, 2025

The airstrikes hit multiple locations across the capital, including a power plant and a gas station. Loud sounds of explosions were heard by the residents. Smoke plumes near a central gathering place in the capital were also observed.

The Iran-backed Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea for more than 22 months, AP reported.

An Israeli Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations to AP, said the kind of projectile fired from Yemen towards Israel on Friday night was a new threat.

According to the official, the missile was a cluster munition, a projectile that is supposed to detonate into multiple explosives.
One of the five people who were killed in a tourist bus crash near New York on Friday was identified as an Indian, reports said.

The bus carrying 54 passengers was returning to New York from Niagara Falls when it overturned and rolled off the I-90 on the south embankment in Pembroke.

The deceased were identified as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Bihar; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, of Jersey City, New Jersey, ABC News reported.

A tour bus returning from a trip to Niagara Falls overturned in upstate New York, killing five people and injuring dozens of others, some of whom became trapped or ejected, police said. https://t.co/fbGyCpoGKV pic.twitter.com/CvUAhG0EF8  ABC News (@ABC) August 23, 2025

Multiple passengers ended up trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated, while others were thrown from the bus when it rolled over across the highway, New York State Police Trooper James O'Callaghan was quoted as saying by Reuters.

O'Callaghan said that most of the passengers on the bus were from India, China, and the Philippines. The vehicle was travelling eastbound when it lost control, went into the median, over-corrected, and ended up in the ditch, he added.

The Thruway was closed in both directions after the crash. The eastbound lanes were reopened around 8.30 pm, about eight hours after the crash.

New York State Police Troop T Commander Maj. Andre Ray said five people were pronounced dead at the scene, while many are still hospitalised.

As per a Buffalo News report, the investigators have ruled out mechanical failure and impairment or intoxication of the driver as causes of the crash.
India's envoy to Russia, Vinay Kumar, slammed the US tariffs on Indian imports and asserted India will continue to buy oil from Russia and other places where it will benefit the country. The Indian envoy pointed out that both the US and the European Union are also engaged in trade with Russia.

In an interview with Russia's TASS news agency, Kumar said India's oil procurement from Russia stabilised global oil market. "India's cooperation with Russia, as of several other countries, has helped to bring about stability in the global oil market," he said. "India will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country," he added.

"Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. So that's what the current situation is," India's envoy asserted. "Our trade is based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.

Indian envoy's assertion comes after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent visit to Russia. Jaishankar met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, earlier this week. Jaishankar's visit came in the backdrop of tensions in India-US ties over Russian defence and oil procurement.

On Saturday, Jaishankar rejected the US's criticism that India is running a "profiteering scheme" by buying discounted Russian crude oil. "We are buying (Russian) oil to stabilise the oil market. Yes, it is in our national interest. We have never pretended otherwise, but we also say it is in global interest," Jaishankar said during an event on Saturday.
Dr Mridula Ghosh, academic and THE WEEKs columnist from Ukraine, was awarded the Order of Merit on August 24, the 34th anniversary of Ukraines independence. She received the medal from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a ceremony in St Sophia Square, Kyiv. Prime Minister of Canada, Mike Carney, was the chief guest at the Independence Day celebrations.

THE WEEK Columnist Dr Mridula Ghosh receives Order of Merit award from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ghosh is board chair of the East European Development Institute and associate professor of International Relations at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Her on-ground was instrumental in THE WEEKs cover story on Ukraine, dated August 13, 2023. Editor Philip Mathew congratulated Ghosh on the honour and thanked her for her continued support.

Among the foreign nationals honoured by Ukraine were Keith Kellogg, the US presidents special representative to Ukraine. Kellogg was awarded a star of the Order of Merit, the highest degree of the order.

The Order of Merit, Ukraine

The Order of Merit has three classes and can be awarded to both civilians and members of the uniformed services. The order is preceded by The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise and succeeded by The Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky in the Ukrainian honours system.

Ghosh received the civilian honour in the third degree. Pastor John Mark Burns, who is an evangelical Christian pastor and a supporter of US President Donald Trump, too, was awarded the order in the third degree.

The orders ribbon is a deep red, with blue and yellow asymmetric stripes denoting Ukrainian colours. The award in the third degree has a silvery medal with a dark cross on which the Ukrainian trident, or tryzub, is emblazoned, within a gold wreath.
In a once-agrarian hinterland, dreams are taking flight. Barely into his teens, Jatin Kumar is making ambitious plans for his future. He lives in a farming village less than an hours drive from Jewar in western Uttar Pradesh, where Indias most exciting new projectthe Noida International Airport (NIA) is shaping up.

As in much of small-town northern India, Jatins grandfather and father both left the village for subsistence work in bigger cities. His grandfather was employed at a Bata factory in Kolkata in the 1980s, while his father shuffles between a string of private sector jobs in Delhi. But Jatin, who studies in a private English-medium school, is determined to stay. In his free time, he scrolls through aeroplane reels on his fathers old phone, dreaming of working at the shiny new airport once it is ready, and of one day becoming a pilot.

Closer to Delhi, Sinu John is excited, too, though for different reasons. A software engineer in his early thirties in Noida, he looks forward to shorter business trips. On a typical trip to Mumbai or Hyderabad, I spend more time in traffic from Noida to Delhi airport than on the actual flight, he said. Evening flights are a nightmare. I have to leave by afternoon and pray I could get through the rush hour jam on the Noida expressways and the Gurugram stretch in time. An airport closer in Noida will make my life much easier.

Lives and destinies of people and places are set for transformation as workers finish the main terminal building in Jewar, till now just a toll stop on the Yamuna Expressway between Delhi and Agra. With Noida Airport, the Taj Mahal becomes a day trip from almost anywhere in India, said Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Noida International Airport. You could leave Chennai in the morning, visit the Taj and return home by evening. Last-mile connectivity will be assured with air-conditioned buses and electric cars.

But the impact of the airport goes far beyond tourism or shorter commutes. With its one terminal expanding to five, one runway to four, and passenger capacity jumping from 1.2 crore to 12 crore, Jewar is set to become not just Indias, but Asias largest airportand among the busiest in the world.

Future awaits: A computer-generated image of the terminal | Noida International Airport

The hopes riding on this project are immense. It is not just a second airport for the National Capital Region but a catalyst for economic and social transformation across the belt from Noida to Mathura and Agra, and beyond. It is expected to create around a lakh direct and indirect jobs, while the surrounding population could triple.

Uttar Pradesh is betting on the airport as a driver of its development and prosperity. The state, Indias most populous, lags behind Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in industrialisation, infrastructure and human development. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wants to change that, and Noida Airport is central to his vision. He has been personally monitoring the project. Noida is going to be Indias biggest airport and we have many plans associated with it, he said recently. Infrastructure development like this has been pivotal to the revival. From conferences and roadshows to meetings with business leaders, he has projected Noida Airport as a turning point in the states fortunes.

Uttar Pradesh today has the highest growth rate, the largest MSME base, excellent land banks and investor-friendly policies across 35 sectors, he told a FICCI gathering in Lucknow, inviting industry to join what he called Indias growth engine.

Aviation analysts echo that sentiment. Any airport is a catalyst for growthbut a strong airport makes all the difference, said Sidharath Kapur, former CEO of Adani Airports and GMR Airports. Airports generate employment, but more importantly, they speed up the movement of goods, capital, services and people.

Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, put it more bluntly: Capital chases businesses. But it wants to see factories on the ground. That is only enabled by air connectivity. Great Indian companies are now being built in tier-two and tier-three cities, not just Mumbai or Delhi. Airports connect them to capital and markets. Thats why we need more of them.

The runway | Noida International Airport

When Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport opened its massive Terminal 3 in 2010, a study estimated that the airport alone contributed half a per cent to Indias GDP. Noida International Airport, on nearly 12,000 acres compared to IGIs 5,000, could have an even bigger impact.

Alongside the airport are plans for a vast logistics hub, North Indias first film city, an electronics park, a medical devices hub, FinTech and apparel parks, and an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility. Air India-SATS is already building a cargo hub. The Roseate Group will open the first hotel opposite the terminal next year. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) aims to shape the area into an aerotropolis with offices, hotels and shopping centres, similar to Aerocity near the Delhi airport but on a much larger scale.

By most measures, the Noida Airport looks failsafe. NCR is among the most densely populated regions in the world, with booming prosperity fuelled by IT, finance and manufacturing in Noida and Gurugram. IGI airport is already near saturation. No wonder airlines are queuing up. IndiGo, Indias largest carrier, has announced that it will be the launch carrier at Noida. It is about being at the forefront of connectivity and giving wings to the nation, said CEO Pieter Elbers.

The airport is also expected to correct historical imbalances. The Mathura-Agra axis is growing, but its only link was via road from Delhi, said Sharat Goyal, CEO of Impact Infracap. One reason Gurugram developed the way it did, while Noida remained a poor cousin, was airport connectivity. This will change that. Already farmland is turning into small hotels and restaurants, with names like Hotel Airport Side. Every week there is a new high-riseits incredibly exciting, said a senior official at the site.

Real estate prices have surged 80 per cent, fuelled not only by speculation but also by genuine end-user demand. Noida Airport and its ecosystem will create an economic gravity zonea self-sustaining urban-industrial cluster, said Avneesh Sood, director of Eros Group. Beyond jobs and property values, we expect a structural migration of talent, capital and innovation into this corridor. It is about catalysing a future-ready economy where housing, commerce and connectivity grow in sync.

Yet, this fledgling dream almost didnt take off. Proposals for a second NCR airport date back decades, gaining traction only in 2001 when then chief minister Rajnath Singh pitched a Taj International Aviation Hub. But the plan shifted between Greater Noida and Agra before Jewar was finalised in 2014.

Regulatory hurdles delayed it further. A rule forbidding new airports within 150km of an existing one, along with objections from IGIs private operator GMR, stalled the project. Only after both state and Central governments came under the BJP did it gain approval in 2018. Zurich Airport won the 40-year concession, with Tata Group building the terminal. Covid-19 caused even further delays, and the opening has been postponed several times. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in November 2021.

Schnellmann calls the project Indian hospitality combined with Swiss efficiency. The terminal uses red sandstone from the region, its levels alluding to the ghats of Haridwar and Varanasi, and an open forecourt inspired by UP havelis. Art, handicrafts and textiles from the state will decorate the interiors. Passenger spaces are designed for behaviour: low ceilings in areas where people need to move quickly, high ceilings where they should feel calm. Lounges will offer gaming, spas and a rare first for Indiaan open courtyard in the security hold area for al fresco dining. If they know where to go, they are relaxed, because they have full control of their situation, explained Nicolas Schenk, chief development officer, Noida Airport.

Operations are expected to begin before the end of this year with one terminal, expanding to five as demand grows. Once the first terminal reaches 80 per cent capacity, we will begin the second, a mirror image, said an airport official.

Sustainability is central. With a greenfield airport we could put sustainability front and centre, said Schnellmann. The airport will run on on-site solar power supplemented by wind energy from southern India, aiming to cover at least half of its needs. Natural lighting and ventilation have been built into the design. The goal is net zero operations.

For India, airports have become much more than just a transport infra, an approach that has dramatically changed since the turn of the century. From flying as an elite mode of transport into one for the masses that can spark off growth. In its first 70 years, India had 74 civil airports; it has now 162. As Modi said in his speech at International Air Transport Associations (IATA) global summit in Delhi in June, India is already the third biggest aviation market in the world, and is now aiming at 50 crore passengers by the end of this decade, and 1 crore metric tonnes of cargo. Bharats aviation sector is standing at a take-off point from where it is ready to soar to great heights, he said.

Airports are now not just a mover of masses, but a magnet for people and businesses. While older airports are being replaced by brand-new ones, many hubs are already planning their second airportsafter Goa, NCR and Mumbai, next in line is Chennai where TIDCO is in the process of acquiring land in Parandur.

But is the pace enough? The rate at which Indias GDP is growing, air traffic is growing, in the next 15 to 20 years, cities like Mumbai and Chennai will outrun the capacity of even their second airports, said Sidharath Kapur. This is where the government needs to come in, plan in advance, accelerate decisions as well as land acquisitions which is the single most difficult thing while planning a new airport. For instance, Bengaluru airport has a total capacity of seven crore, which could go up to 10 crore once a third terminal is constructed. Its passenger load last year was more than four crore.

Dont forget that the penetration of air travel is fairly low in India, given the size of its population and even if you discount the total population of 140 crore, the middle class itself will constitute 30 to 35 crore and that is the population which is most actively upgrading themselves to air travel. So, the growth is bound to come and the existing infrastructure, if you look at it from a medium- to long-term basis, is going to be woefully inadequate to meet this growing demand, said Kapur.

With a burgeoning middle-class set to take flight and with airlines vying for their pie in the sky (cumulative plane orders by Indian airlines are more than 2,000), airport expansion is crucial for transportation and tourism. But when you add in its multiplier effect on the economy, the significance boggles the mind. No wonder Schnellmann himself does not bill NIA as just an airport project. We are looking at this as an investment in infrastructure in India, he said. We are looking at the India growth story.
As you fly into Mumbai, you are greeted by expansive slums at one end of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) runway, and the crowded city jostling for space at the other. Despite the airports central location, accessing it means getting stuck in lengthy traffic jams, as the surrounding roads are among the busiest in the city, regardless of the time of day.

That may soon change, as Mumbai is getting a new airport in Navi Mumbai. Once ready, it will be significantly larger than CSMIA and will offer multi-modal connectivity.

Most megacities have multiple airports. London, for instance, has Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick, Luton and City airports. New York has three major airports, and Tokyo has two.

CSMIA is the worlds busiest single-runway airport. It has two terminals and two runways, but as the runways intersect, only one can operate at a time.

When the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is complete, it will feature four passenger terminals and two operational runways, along with dedicated general aviation and air cargo terminals. The existing airport is operating at full capacity and cannot be expandedyou cant extend the runway into the water, nor reclaim land. So, building another airport was the only solution, said an airline industry expert.

The idea of a new airport was conceived in the late 1990s. The bidding took place in 2017, and the project was awarded to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), owned by GVK. Gautam Adanis Adani Airport Holdings took over MIAL in April 2021, thereby taking control of NMIA.

NMIA is located near Panvel in Raigad district, east of South Mumbai and around 35 kilometres from CSMIA. In its initial phase, NMIA will have one operational terminal and runway, with capacity to handle 20 million passengers and 0.30 million tonnes of cargo a year.

The second terminal, expected to be commissioned in 2028, will add capacity for 30 million passengers and 0.50 million tonnes of cargo. The third terminal, set to open in 2030, will accommodate an additional 20 million passengers and 1.10 million tonnes of cargo. When the final phase is complete in 2040, with the fourth passenger terminal, the airport will have a cumulative capacity of 90 million passengers and 2.6 million tonnes of cargo.

CSMIA currently handles up to 55 million passengers a year. The existing Mumbai airport has faced capacity constraints, which benefited other airports. Airlines couldnt obtain the slots they needed for additional flights from the city. The new airport will solve such constraints, said Jitendra Bhargava, former executive director at Air India.

While the new airport prepares to open, Terminal 1 at CSMIA is also scheduled for a major redevelopment, which will raise its capacity to 20 million passengers per year, a 42 per cent increase. Terminal 1 is currently used for domestic flights, especially by low-cost carriers. The redevelopment, likely to start in November this year, will necessitate Terminal 2 and NMIA handling the additional load.

IndiGo, Indias largest carrier, recently said it would operate 18 daily departures from NMIA to 15 cities from day one. The airline intends to scale up to 79 daily departures, including 14 international flights, by November, and more than 100 daily departures by March 2026. By November 2026, there will be 140 daily departures, including 30 international services, by IndiGo. Akasa Air plans to operate 100 weekly domestic departures initially from NMIA, and later scale up to 300 domestic and 50 international departures a week.

Other low-cost carriers are also expected to shift some operations to the Navi Mumbai airport. Both Air India and IndiGo carry a large number of premium passengers from the current airport. Air India has its own international connections, plus those with Star Alliance airlines. IndiGo similarly has relationships with several carriers. Therefore, some services will likely continue to operate from the current airport, said an industry expert.

Developing the right infrastructure and links will be vital for NMIA. If it takes one and a half to two hours to reach the current airport from South Mumbai, Id expect a similar journey time to the new airport, but not longer. Improved connectivity is essential, said Bhargava.

The government has planned multi-modal connections to NMIA. Existing roads, highways and the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (Atal Setu) will connect different parts of Mumbai and Thane. An under-construction six-lane coastal road promises to make access between Atal Setu and the airport seamless.

A direct metro rail link between CSMIA and NMIA is also being planned. This 34km metro line will include an 8.2km underground section; but it may take years to materialise. Metro lines planned in Navi Mumbai will make the airport easier to reach. Water taxi services from a jetty near Radio Club, Gateway of India, are also proposed, ferrying people from Colaba to the new airport in 40 minutes.

NMIA was initially scheduled to open in December 2024. The first commercial flight validation was carried out last December when an IndiGo Airbus A320 landed successfully on the new runway. The opening date, however, has since been revised several times. It was expected to be operational by March 2025. The Aeronautical Information Publication, detailing all geographical and technical particulars, was published in March, scheduled to take effect on May 15. It is now expected to begin operations in September.

Delays are not uncommon when it comes to commissioning airports, owing to the focus on safety. In aviation, theres no such thing as being 95 per cent ready, said Bhargava. You have to be 100 per cent ready. Multiple agencies must be in place, from customs and security to taxi services and accommodation for employees.
JUSTICE B. SUDERSHAN REDDY, former Supreme Court judge, has stepped out of retirement for another fight. Though the numbers are against him in the vice presidential polls, his candidacy is expected to carry a message for the opposition, which has framed the mid-term contest as an ideological battle.

The 2025 vice presidential race has shaped up as a southern face-off, reflecting the regions growing national importance. The ruling National Democratic Alliance has fielded veteran BJP leader C.P. Radhakrishnan, a two-time MP and former president of the partys Tamil Nadu unit. He was also governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Known for his RSS and Jana Sangh background, Radhakrishnan is regarded as a committed party worker with strong organisational skills.

The RadhakrishnanReddy contest will not alter the power balance in Delhi, but its significance is symbolic and strategic. By nominating him, the BJP underscores its focus on South India, especially with Tamil Nadu and Kerala assembly polls ahead. The move also blunts the oppositions rhetoric of a northsouth divide after the 2024 Lok Sabha pollsa debate set to flare up again once the delimitation exercise grants northern states more parliamentary seats on the basis of population.

Radhakrishnans OBC background also helps the party underline its social outreach strategy, especially after it pre-empted the oppositions demand for a caste census by announcing it alongside the decennial census. The BJPs nominee has been a long-standing politician with vision, commitment and dedication. He belongs to Tamil Nadu, which is a symbol of our ancient cultural heritage, said BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal.

At 67, Radhakrishnans rise from Maharashtra governor to the second-highest constitutional office also signals a course correction within the BJP. After the bitter falling-out with Jagdeep Dhankhar, a lateral entrant, the partys emphasis is back on ideological loyalty. Radhakrishnan has an affable personality that has earned him praise from parties in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Unlike Dhankhar, who was often acrimonious with opposition leaders, Radhakrishnanwith his legislative experiencecan be both conciliatory and firm.

Head to head: INDIA bloc candidate Justice B. Sudershan Reddy with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi | PTI

His elevation also recalibrates the social and regional balance at the top. President Droupadi Murmu belongs to a tribal community in Odisha; the likely vice president is a member of the Other Backward Classes in Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is part of an OBC community in Gujarat. This creates space for a northern, upper-caste leader to head the BJP organisationthough the leadership may spring another surprise by elevating one of its OBC frontrunners.

The delay in selecting a new BJP president is talked about in hushed tones amid rumoured differences with the RSS. Modis strong invocation of the RSS from the Red Fortunprecedented for a prime ministeralong with Radhakrishnans nomination suggest fresh efforts to strengthen the BJP-RSS bond. Party leaders point out that changes in the Union cabinet may follow only after the new party president is named. With an eye on the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and the looming succession question, the BJP may pick someone who could steer the party through politically choppy waters. Modi has already dropped sufficient hints that he would stay on: at the Red Fort, he announced that he would declare Indias rise as the third-largest economy from the same venue.

Southern parties could find themselves doing a tightrope walk during the VP contest. Radhakrishnans nomination will put pressure on the DMK and other Tamil parties to support him, given his son of the soil image. The DMK, though, has announced that it would stand with the INDIA bloc.

By naming a jurist rather than a politician, the opposition hopes to strengthen its credibility and hold its ranks together. Justice Reddy, 79, began his career as an advocate in Hyderabad before being appointed a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He later served as chief justice of the Gauhati High Court, and was a judge of the Supreme Court from 2007 to 2011. He is known for having delivered several crucial judgements, including the one that resulted in the disbanding of the vigilante group Salwa Juduma measure that, according to the BJP, weakened the fight against Naxalism.

The contest has provided opposition parties their first opportunity after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to come together for a common cause. The NDA candidate may find it easy sailing in terms of numbers, but the margin of victory after the polling on September 9 would send out a symbolic message ahead of the Bihar polls, due later this year.

Reddy is also a strategic choice. He was born in undivided Andhra Pradesh and lives in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh is now ruled by Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Partya key NDA constituent whose support was crucial in the formation of the third Modi government. With Reddy in the fray, other Telugu parties such as the YSR Congress (which has already backed the NDA candidate) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi now need to clarify their stance.

According to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the contest went beyond numbers. This vice presidential poll is an ideological battle, as [Justice Reddy] reflects the values that shaped our freedom movement, and the values on which the Constitution and democracy have been anchored, he said.

The BJP has countered the ideological argument, though. The opposition itself is ideologically bankrupt, Agarwal said. It is an alliance of opportunist politicians and leaders. It is devoid of vision, leadership or national interest, and only wants to oppose every move of the Modi government.
SASARAM

Enthusiastic youth, rooftop gatherings of voters, loud music, booming announcements about vote theft and Tejashwi Yadavs projected comeback have charged up the oppositions campaign against Nitish Kumars two-decade rule in Bihar. Adding to the momentum is the Voter Adhikar Yatra, launched from Sasaram, the historical capital of Sher Shah Suri and the electoral bastion of Jagjivan Ram.

Posters at the rally display the faces of nearly every opposition leader. Groups of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress workers wave banners and shout Mahagathbandhan zindabad as they march. Cadres of smaller parties join in.

On stage, two leaders of the younger generation55-year-old Rahul Gandhi and 35-year-old Tejashwiprepare to address the crowd. My elder brother, leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi, has given the BJP a hard time, Tejashwi says. Together, we are here to defend your fundamental right, the right to vote. Clips of Rahul and Tejashwi bonding, including one of Rahul pouring water for RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, are quickly circulated on social media to project closeness and unity within the INDIA bloc.

During Tejashwis speech, some RJD supporters chant Rahul Gandhi zindabad, underscoring how the Congress leader has injected new energy into the campaign ahead of the assembly polls. The crowd is buoyant, with many convinced that nothing can stop the RJD-led alliance from defeating the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

Rahul repeats on stage what he said at his much-watched press conference on August 7: that the BJP, through the Election Commission of India, has manipulated voter lists to ensure its victory. After Rahul exposed the Election Commission, we must support the Mahagathbandhan more aggressively, says Babban Singh, 63, who travelled from Buxar to attend the rally.

Tens of thousands gather at these meetings to see Rahul and Tejashwi. BJP supporters, however, dismiss the allegations, pointing to a lack of evidence and noting that the Election Commission has mounted a legal challenge. Leaders from the saffron camp call the charge of vote theft a political drama designed to spread confusion.

What makes the campaign striking, says political analyst Madan Mohan Jha, is the BJPs inability to provide a strong factual rebuttal. This is the second time after the Constitution in danger slogan during the Lok Sabha polls that the opposition has managed to frame a powerful narrative. A Congress mayor, requesting anonymity, says Rahuls presence after the expose will strengthen the Congress both organisationally and electorally, boosting the Mahagathbandhans prospects.

Meanwhile, some of Nitish Kumars traditional voters appear unsettled. Political observers argue that anti-incumbency, combined with age politics against the 74-year-old chief minister, could weaken the NDA. The opposition claims the BJP is manipulating the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls to disenfranchise RJD supporters and tilt the outcome.

Baisakhi Ram, 70, from Kesarpura in Aurangabad district, says the election system is under BJP control. No matter how hard the Mahagathbandhan works, it will be the BJP that returns to power, he says. Akhilesh Yadav, a 40-year-old labourer in Sheoganj, voices similar concerns. The BJP is using this revision to steal RJD votes so they can rule forever. Tejashwi gave jobs and worked hard as deputy chief minister. But how will I vote for him? My voter ID still hasnt been issued.

Apart from consolidating their base, opposition parties are targeting swing voters who decide late and tend to vote on issues rather than loyalty. They are also attempting to penetrate Nitishs traditional support base through stronger cadre mobilisation. Balgovind Prajapat from Sheoganj says his son Ranjan, 25, still has no voter ID, along with around 200 others in their village of 1,800. Last time we voted for Nitish. This time we are not sure. We may vote for the Mahagathbandhan, he says.

Sensing uncertainty among Nitishs supporters, RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha says that voting for Nitish could only help the BJP retain power. We are working to gain their confidence, which will ensure our victory. Some EBCs (Extremely Backward Classes) and other groups are likely to shift towards us. And the vote theft narrative is resonating. The more the Election Commission denies it, the more its credibility suffers.

Opposition leaders believe they now have the momentum to sustain their campaign through the elections and beyond. Analysts say Bihar politics has shifted: earlier the BJP set the agenda while the Congress reacted, but now the BJP is being forced to respond to Rahul. RJD leader Ajit Singh believes there is an undercurrent against the ruling alliance. This yatra has planted doubt about the NDAs survival among the people. They may not say it openly but they will show it in the elections.

Still, the BJP cannot be dismissed. With its disciplined cadre, strong booth-level presence and support from the administrative machinery, it remains a formidable player. The Mahagathbandhan, despite the energy of the vote theft campaign, lacks comparable organisational depth in several regions. On the ground, the gap is evident. Vipin Bihari Dubey, 65, a farmer from Suara near Sasaram, admits the opposition has stirred hopes of change but warns, They must work harder to turn this momentum into victory.

Whether these charged gatherings reflect a decisive shift remains uncertain. Congresss Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru says it is too early to judge. Experts note that RJD supporters often create an early air of victory, projecting confidence long before results. While the contest looks neck and neck for now, the question is whether the vote theft charge will remain a rallying slogan or actually turn into votes.
Admiral Group (LON:ADM  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Royal Bank Of Canada from GBX 3,800 to GBX 4,100 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Berenberg Bank lifted their target price on Admiral Group from GBX 3,850 to GBX 4,000 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 15th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Admiral Group to GBX 260 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Admiral Group from GBX 2,700 to GBX 3,050 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 2,852.50.

Get Admiral Group alerts:

Get Our Latest Report on ADM

Admiral Group Stock Down 0.6%

Insiders Place Their Bets

ADM stock opened at GBX 3,656 on Thursday. Admiral Group has a 12-month low of GBX 2,383 and a 12-month high of GBX 3,686. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 7.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.01. The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 3,374.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 3,186.31. The company has a market cap of 11.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.90, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.18.

In other Admiral Group news, insider Michael Brierley purchased 28 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 15th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 3,272 per share, for a total transaction of 916.16. Also, insider Mike Rogers purchased 3,350 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 3,553 per share, for a total transaction of 119,025.50. Insiders own 18.30% of the companys stock.

Admiral Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Admiral Group plc is an established financial services provider offering motor, household, travel and pet insurance, as well as personal lending products, trading in five countries, namely the UK, France, Italy, Spain and the US. Founded in 1993, Admiral has grown to become an established multinational and multi-product insurer and is proud to be Wales only FTSE 100 Company.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Admiral Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Admiral Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA  Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Reduce from the thirteen analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have assigned a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $37.5417.

NSA has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust from $41.00 to $36.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on National Storage Affiliates Trust from $39.00 to $34.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on National Storage Affiliates Trust from $38.00 to $35.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. National Bankshares set a $33.00 target price on National Storage Affiliates Trust in a research report on Tuesday, June 24th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $37.00 target price on shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, May 19th.

Get National Storage Affiliates Trust alerts:

View Our Latest Research Report on NSA

National Storage Affiliates Trust Trading Up 3.4%

NSA opened at $32.14 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.84 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62. National Storage Affiliates Trust has a twelve month low of $28.02 and a twelve month high of $49.44. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $31.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $34.72.

National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.58 by ($0.03). National Storage Affiliates Trust had a net margin of 8.92% and a return on equity of 4.91%. The firm had revenue of $188.84 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $185.91 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.21 earnings per share. National Storage Affiliates Trusts quarterly revenue was down .8% compared to the same quarter last year. National Storage Affiliates Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.170-2.230 EPS. Analysts predict that National Storage Affiliates Trust will post 2.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Storage Affiliates Trust Announces Dividend

The business 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 $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.1%. National Storage Affiliates Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 367.74%.

Institutional Trading of National Storage Affiliates Trust

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NSA. Kestra Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust by 25.3% in the 2nd quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 6,306 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $202,000 after acquiring an additional 1,272 shares during the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in National Storage Affiliates Trust in the 2nd quarter worth about $392,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its position in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 0.5% in the second quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 147,947 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,736,000 after purchasing an additional 775 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 155.8% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,476 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $175,000 after purchasing an additional 3,335 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Man Group plc boosted its stake in shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust by 14.1% during the second quarter. Man Group plc now owns 125,372 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,011,000 after purchasing an additional 15,464 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.97% of the companys stock.

About National Storage Affiliates Trust

(Get Free Report)

National Storage Affiliates Trust is a real estate investment trust headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, focused on the ownership, operation and acquisition of self storage properties predominantly located within the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held ownership interests in and operated 1,050 self storage properties, located in 42 states and Puerto Rico with approximately 68.6 million rentable square feet, which excludes 39 self storage properties classified as held for sale to be sold to a third party.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for National Storage Affiliates Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Storage Affiliates Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Terreno Realty Corporation (NYSE:TRNO  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the eleven research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $64.00.

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company set a $72.00 price target on shares of Terreno Realty in a research report on Sunday, July 13th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Terreno Realty from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th. KeyCorp lowered their target price on shares of Terreno Realty from $70.00 to $64.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Terreno Realty from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $64.00 price target on shares of Terreno Realty and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th.

Get Terreno Realty alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Report on TRNO

Terreno Realty Price Performance

Terreno Realty Increases Dividend

Shares of TRNO opened at $57.7740 on Friday. Terreno Realty has a 1-year low of $48.18 and a 1-year high of $71.63. The stock has a market cap of $5.97 billion, a PE ratio of 22.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.75. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $56.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.24.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 29th. This is a positive change from Terreno Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Terreno Realtys payout ratio is currently 77.78%.

Insider Activity

In related news, President Michael A. Coke sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.96, for a total transaction of $539,600.00. Following the transaction, the president owned 412,415 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,253,913.40. This represents a 2.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Terreno Realty

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP increased its position in Terreno Realty by 359.3% during the second quarter. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP now owns 390,919 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $21,919,000 after purchasing an additional 305,806 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its holdings in Terreno Realty by 11.3% during the 2nd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 352,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $19,750,000 after purchasing an additional 35,855 shares in the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its holdings in Terreno Realty by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 261,880 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $14,691,000 after purchasing an additional 18,985 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in Terreno Realty by 438.1% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 11,757 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $659,000 after acquiring an additional 9,572 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Howland Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Terreno Realty by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Howland Capital Management LLC now owns 129,126 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,293,000 after acquiring an additional 4,941 shares in the last quarter.

Terreno Realty Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Terreno Realty Corporation (Terreno, and together with its subsidiaries, the Company) acquires, owns and operates industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets: Los Angeles, Northern New Jersey/New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Miami, and Washington, DC All square feet, acres, occupancy and number of properties disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Terreno Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Terreno Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Thematics Asset Management lifted its holdings in shares of APi Group Corporation (NYSE:APG  Free Report) by 2.9% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 738,647 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 20,647 shares during the quarter. APi Group makes up approximately 1.3% of Thematics Asset Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. Thematics Asset Managements holdings in APi Group were worth $26,414,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of APi Group during the first quarter worth about $38,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of APi Group by 105.5% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,529 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 785 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of APi Group by 339.0% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,633 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 1,261 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of APi Group by 40.5% during the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,672 shares of the companys stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 482 shares during the period. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of APi Group by 6.7% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,067 shares of the companys stock worth $145,000 after buying an additional 256 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.62% of the companys stock.

Get APi Group alerts:

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO James Arseniadis sold 4,843 shares of APi Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.38, for a total transaction of $171,345.34. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 12,116 shares in the company, valued at approximately $428,664.08. This trade represents a 28.56% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director James E. Lillie sold 95,000 shares of APi Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.23, for a total transaction of $3,346,850.00. Following the sale, the director owned 7,348,101 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $258,873,598.23. The trade was a 1.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 589,843 shares of company stock worth $20,694,672. Company insiders own 17.00% of the companys stock.

APi Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:APG opened at $35.75 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The company has a market cap of $14.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 111.72 and a beta of 1.56. APi Group Corporation has a 52 week low of $20.50 and a 52 week high of $36.55. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $34.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $29.31.

APi Group (NYSE:APG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. APi Group had a net margin of 3.35% and a return on equity of 21.33%. The firms revenue was up 15.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.49 earnings per share. APi Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q3 2025 guidance at EPS. Research analysts predict that APi Group Corporation will post 1.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of APi Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $31.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $34.6667 target price on shares of APi Group in a research note on Friday, June 27th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of APi Group from $32.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of APi Group from $31.3333 to $34.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of APi Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, July 13th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $36.10.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on APi Group

About APi Group

(Free Report)

APi Group Corporation provides safety and specialty services worldwide. It operates through Safety Services and Specialty Services segments. The Safety Services segment offers solutions focusing on end-to-end integrated occupancy systems, such as fire protection services; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions; and entry systems, which include the design, installation, inspection, and service of these integrated systems.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding APG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for APi Group Corporation (NYSE:APG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for APi Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for APi Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
AIMZ Investment Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 0.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,683 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 98 shares during the period. AIMZ Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,213,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ABT. Hughes Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Abound Financial LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Elequin Capital LP purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter valued at about $30,000. JCIC Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Abbott Laboratories alerts:

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT opened at $132.4120 on Friday. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $110.86 and a 52-week high of $141.23. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $131.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $131.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $230.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.70.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.26. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 18.32% and a net margin of 32.43%.The business had revenue of $11.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.100-5.200 EPS. Q3 2025 guidance at 1.280-1.320 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th were issued a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 29.57%.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other Abbott Laboratories news, CFO Philip P. Boudreau sold 5,550 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 51,003 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,862,453.65. This trade represents a 9.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ABT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. William Blair upgraded Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Mizuho upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $147.00 to $142.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 18th. BTIG Research lowered their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $143.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $144.47.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Oak Harvest Investment Services increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,247 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the quarter. Oak Harvest Investment Services holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $1,263,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of IVV. Windsor Advisory Group LLC grew its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 50 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Lord & Richards Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Navigoe LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC grew its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 51.9% during the 1st quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 79 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Putney Financial Group LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. 70.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts:

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance

Shares of IVV stock opened at $648.50 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $653.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $484.00 and a fifty-two week high of $649.68. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $628.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $592.76.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Company Profile

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
ICONIQ Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 13.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 39,884 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 4,755 shares during the quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $1,664,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. increased its stake in Bank of America by 121.0% during the 1st quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 62,041 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,589,000 after purchasing an additional 33,963 shares in the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 696,416 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,061,000 after purchasing an additional 50,296 shares in the last quarter. Prosperity Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Bank of America during the 1st quarter valued at about $998,000. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 37.2% during the 1st quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC now owns 65,038 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,714,000 after purchasing an additional 17,619 shares in the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 170.5% during the 1st quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 238,473 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $9,951,000 after purchasing an additional 150,299 shares in the last quarter. 70.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get Bank of America alerts:

Bank of America Stock Performance

BAC opened at $49.4850 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The company has a market cap of $366.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.47, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.31. The companys 50 day moving average is $47.06 and its 200 day moving average is $43.83. Bank of America Corporation has a 12-month low of $33.06 and a 12-month high of $49.66.

Bank of America Increases Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.03. The company had revenue of ($22,273.00) million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $26.79 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 14.81% and a return on equity of 10.25%. The firms revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.83 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 26th. Investors of record on Friday, September 5th will be issued a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 5th. This is a positive change from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is 30.41%.

Bank of America declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 23rd that allows the company to repurchase $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 11.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have weighed in on BAC. Phillip Securities lowered shares of Bank of America from a strong-buy rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $46.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 10th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $53.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 26th. Seventeen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Bank of America presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $50.13.

Check Out Our Latest Report on BAC

Insider Activity

In related news, insider James P. Demare sold 148,391 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.57, for a total value of $6,762,177.87. Following the transaction, the insider owned 223,407 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,180,656.99. This trade represents a 39.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Bank of America Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mirova lifted its position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP  Free Report) by 6.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 45,785 shares of the payment services companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,885 shares during the period. American Express comprises approximately 2.2% of Mirovas holdings, making the stock its 9th largest holding. Mirovas holdings in American Express were worth $12,318,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Comerica Bank raised its position in shares of American Express by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 167,832 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $45,155,000 after acquiring an additional 3,376 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp raised its position in shares of American Express by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 24,178 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $6,505,000 after acquiring an additional 657 shares in the last quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLC raised its position in shares of American Express by 18.4% during the 1st quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLC now owns 3,546 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $954,000 after acquiring an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC bought a new position in American Express during the 1st quarter worth $3,112,000. Finally, Quantitative Investment Management LLC grew its stake in American Express by 731.2% during the 1st quarter. Quantitative Investment Management LLC now owns 6,957 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,871,000 after buying an additional 6,120 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get American Express alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on AXP shares. Wells Fargo & Company set a $327.00 price objective on American Express in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on American Express from $360.00 to $371.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Monness Crespi & Hardt downgraded American Express from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. BTIG Research set a $277.00 price objective on American Express and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Finally, William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $311.05.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Glenda G. Mcneal sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.50, for a total transaction of $15,475,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 10,957 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,391,191.50. This trade represents a 82.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Laureen Seeger sold 61,721 shares of American Express stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.47, for a total value of $18,360,145.87. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 9,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,677,527.47. The trade was a 87.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 134,219 shares of company stock valued at $40,555,901. Company insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

American Express Price Performance

Shares of AXP opened at $318.9630 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $221.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a current ratio of 1.61. American Express Company has a one year low of $220.43 and a one year high of $329.14. The stocks fifty day moving average is $308.48 and its 200-day moving average is $289.89.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 18th. The payment services company reported $4.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.86 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $17.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.70 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 32.87% and a net margin of 14.78%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.49 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 3rd. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.02%.

American Express Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Apexium Financial LP grew its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 90.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,395 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,986 shares during the quarter. Apexium Financial LPs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,342,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in PM. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 31.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,027,000 after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,097 shares of the companys stock valued at $252,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 45,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,468,000 after purchasing an additional 766 shares during the period. Capital Analysts LLC raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 28.8% during the 4th quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 10,732 shares of the companys stock worth $1,292,000 after buying an additional 2,400 shares during the period. Finally, Coldstream Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 35,356 shares of the companys stock worth $4,255,000 after buying an additional 1,326 shares during the period. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Philip Morris International alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on PM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Philip Morris International from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. UBS Group upped their price target on Philip Morris International from $170.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. KGI Securities started coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, August 4th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $195.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Philip Morris International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $186.27.

Philip Morris International Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of Philip Morris International stock opened at $171.67 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $267.22 billion, a PE ratio of 32.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.48. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52 week low of $116.12 and a 52 week high of $186.69. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $173.69 and a 200-day moving average price of $166.19.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $10.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.33 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 120.86% and a net margin of 9.03%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.59 earnings per share. Philip Morris International has set its Q3 2025 guidance at 2.080-2.130 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 27th were paid a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is 102.66%.

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Third Point Investors Limited (LON:TPOU  Get Free Report) rose 2.5% on Friday . The company traded as high as GBX 25 ($0.34) and last traded at GBX 24.90 ($0.34). Approximately 40,987 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 151% from the average daily volume of 16,357 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 24.30 ($0.33).

Third Point Investors Stock Up 2.5%

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is GBX 25.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 25.20. The stock has a market cap of 442.71 million, a P/E ratio of 6.68 and a beta of 0.55.

About Third Point Investors

(Get Free Report)

Third Point Offshore Investors Limited is a close ended feeder fund launched and managed by Third Point LLC. The fund invests its entire corpus in Third Point Offshore Fund Ltd. It seeks to benchmark the performance of its portfolio against the S&P 500 TR USD. The fund was formed on July 20, 2007 and is domiciled in Guernsey, Channel Islands.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Third Point Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Third Point Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
QUALCOMM, Cisco Systems, Super Micro Computer, ON Semiconductor, Fortinet, Teradyne, and Monolithic Power Systems are the seven 5G stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. 5G stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that develop, manufacture or deploy fifth-generation wireless technology and infrastructure. They typically include network equipment makers, semiconductor and antenna producers, telecom operators upgrading to 5G networks, and related technology providers. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any 5G stocks within the last several days.

Get alerts:

QUALCOMM (QCOM)

QUALCOMM Incorporated engages in the development and commercialization of foundational technologies for the wireless industry worldwide. It operates through three segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT); Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL); and Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI). The QCT segment develops and supplies integrated circuits and system software based on 3G/4G/5G and other technologies for use in wireless voice and data communications, networking, computing, multimedia, and position location products.

Cisco Systems (CSCO)

Cisco Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells Internet Protocol based networking and other products related to the communications and information technology industry in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Japan, and China. The company also offers switching portfolio encompasses campus switching as well as data center switching; enterprise routing portfolio interconnects public and private wireline and mobile networks, delivering highly secure, and reliable connectivity to campus, data center and branch networks; wireless products include wireless access points and controllers; and compute portfolio including the cisco unified computing system, hyperflex, and software management capabilities, which combine computing, networking, and storage infrastructure management and virtualization.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CSCO

Super Micro Computer (SMCI)

Super Micro Computer, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops and manufactures high performance server and storage solutions based on modular and open architecture in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. Its solutions range from complete server, storage systems, modular blade servers, blades, workstations, full racks, networking devices, server sub-systems, server management software, and security software.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SMCI

ON Semiconductor (ON)

onsemi is engaged in disruptive innovations and also a supplier of power and analog semiconductors. The firm offers vehicle electrification and safety, sustainable energy grids, industrial automation, and 5G and cloud infrastructure, with a focus on automotive and industrial end-markets. It operates through the following segments: Power Solutions Group, Advanced Solutions Group, and Intelligent Sensing Group.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ON

Fortinet (FTNT)

Fortinet, Inc. provides cybersecurity and convergence of networking and security solutions worldwide. It offers secure networking solutions focus on the convergence of networking and security; network firewall solutions that consist of FortiGate data centers, hyperscale, and distributed firewalls, as well as encrypted applications; wireless LAN solutions; and secure connectivity solutions, including FortiSwitch secure ethernet switches, FortiAP wireless local area network access points, FortiExtender 5G connectivity gateways, and other products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FTNT

Teradyne (TER)

Teradyne, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells automated test systems and robotics products worldwide. It operates through four segments; Semiconductor Test, System Test, Robotics, and Wireless Test. The Semiconductor Test segment offers products and services for wafer level and device package testing of semiconductor devices in automotive, industrial, communications, consumer, smartphones, cloud, computer and electronic game, and other applications.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TER

Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. engages in the design, development, marketing, and sale of semiconductor-based power electronics solutions for the storage and computing, automotive, enterprise data, consumer, communications, and industrial markets. The company provides direct current (DC) to DC integrated circuits (ICs) that are used to convert and control voltages of various electronic systems, such as cloud-based CPU servers, server artificial intelligence applications, storage applications, commercial notebooks, digital cockpit, power sources, home appliances, 4G and 5G infrastructure, and satellite communications applications.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MPWR

Recommended Stories
Whitbread PLC  Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:WTBDY  Get Free Report) shares were up 3% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $10.84 and last traded at $10.84. Approximately 369 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 92% from the average daily volume of 4,548 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.53.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Whitbread in a report on Monday, June 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Whitbread presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

Get Whitbread alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WTBDY

Whitbread Stock Up 3.0%

About Whitbread

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $10.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.23.

(Get Free Report)

Whitbread plc operates hotels and restaurants in the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates hotels under the Premier Inn, ZIP by Premier Inn, and hub by Premier Inn brands. The company operates restaurants under the Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Cookhouse & Pub, Bar+Block Steakhouse, Thyme, and Table Table brands in the United Kingdom.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Whitbread Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitbread and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Over the past few years we've been trying to be more objective in order to more accurately blog local politics but we aren't going to back down on this one . . . And honestly, we haven't met too many real people who disagree.

Our thesis . . .

Any Republican or Democratic Party politico who voted to overturn a free & fair election victory for paid sick leave is now guilty of WAGE THEFT.

Allow us one more . . .

THERE'S NO ARGUING: OVERTURNING AN ELECTION AND TAKING MONEY FROM MISSOURI WORKERS IS DISGRACEFUL!!!

Other than the typical outright trolls, there aren't too many people who will argue this one because it has been such a shameful act and outright betrayal from those who hold power.

Here's one more reminder with the important part highlighted in red . . .

Starting on Aug. 28, 2025, employers in Missouri will no longer be required to offer paid sick leave. House Bill 567 repeals several provisions related to paid sick leave through Proposition A, backed by 57.5% of state voters last fall.



When Missouri's current paid sick leave law through Proposition A took effect on May 1, it required private employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and allowed employees to use the accrued leave for qualifying reasons.



These obligations end when the repeal takes effect on August 28.



Workers who averaged the standard 40 work hours per week since May 1 could have earned up to 22 hours of paid sick leave. Any unused paid sick leave time after August 28 wont be legally guaranteed.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
This afternoon police were called to another chaotic scene as deadly violence & shooting hit an urban apartment building and several people were forced to deal with the aftermath.

Here's the report and more TVs from the scene . . . .

Homicide 1700 blk E 12th Ter

This afternoon, at about 4:00 PM, patrol officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of East 12th Terrace on a shots fired call for service. While in route the call was upgraded to a shooting. Additional call notes indicated someone had possibly been stabbed, as well.



When officers arrived they were directed to an apartment building within the complex. As they entered an apartment they located an adult male victim suffering from unknown bodily trauma. KCFD EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.



Two additional victims were located on scene. An adult male victim was suffering from a gun shot wound. A juvenile male was suffering from head trauma by unknown means. They were both transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries.



While on scene officers learned a fourth victim was at a local hospital. The adult female victim went to the hospital by private conveyance and was suffering from a stab wound. She is listed in serious condition.



This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody. Detectives are determining what led up to the incident, but preliminary information revealed a possible altercation between several individuals. Detectives and crime scene personnel are on scene canvassing for witnesses, evidence, and surveillance footage.



If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

########

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

1 dead, 3 others hurt in KCMO shooting, stabbing: KCPD One person is dead and three others are hurt after a shooting and stabbing in Kansas City, Missouri, police say.

1 dead, 3 injured in Saturday afternoon homicide near Paseo and 12th Street in KCMO Police in Kansas City, Missouri, are investigating a homicide Saturday afternoon near The Paseo and E. 12th Street.

Developing . . .
Here's the thing . . .

Kansas City is very afraid of a federal crackdown but it's not all about La Migra or politically charged MAGA flexing despite so many recent headlines on the topic.

Remember that last week Mayor Q claimed the Prez was targeting Black leaders.

However . . .

A lot of that conversation is nothing more than culture war blathering that doesn't mean much beyond cool sound-bytes for culture war partisan slap fights.

Here's the REAL story that's taking shape behind the scenes . . .

CITY HALL INSIDERS ARE TALKING ABOUT RECENT INTERVIEWS WITH THE FEDS THAT HAVE A GREAT MANY 12TH & OAK SUITS "SHOOK" ABOUT THE FUTURE!!!

For a month we've been told to keep quiet about a steady stream of interviews.

The reality . . .

The feds are ALWAYS looking at 12th & Oak and so much corruption inside both buildings in anything but a secret.

Nevertheless . . .

Now that so many people have been interviewed . . . Insiders are getting more comfortable talking about impending trouble and questions that seem to be leading to new & exciting directions.

And so . . .

The federal crackdown that KCMO really fears has nothing to do with crime on the street and might consider sketchy municipal arrangements . . . Which is actually much scarier to local leaders than the boots on the ground making headlines in the Beltway right now.

Still . . .

There's still a chance we might see BOTH kind of crackdowns before the Midterms . . . And so we'll finish the post on that part of the conversation with MAGA clinching for more control over American cities . . . Check-it:

"From Boston to Los Angeles, President Donald Trumps portrayal of the District of Columbia as a lawless wasteland to justify his military and law enforcement incursion is viewed as an opening salvo in a bid to undermine the autonomy of Americas biggest cities. On Friday, Trump promised to target Chicago next, then New York.



"Many big city mayors, however, remain defiant, saying: Not so fast, Mr. President. "

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

As Trump administration unleashes federal show of force in DC, other US cities on president's radar push back | CNN As the Trump administration escalates its deployment of troops in the nation's capital and vows similar moves elsewhere, leaders of largely Democratic cities across the country are pushing back.

Trump suggests federal takeover in other cities after Washington, D.C. President Trump patrolled parts of Washington, D.C., after sending the National Guard to the area to address crime. CBS News' Natalie Brand has more.

WATCH: Trump says Chicago likely to be next target of federal efforts to crack down on crime President Donald Trump on Friday said Chicago will likely be the next target of his efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness and illegal immigration.

'It's really an invasion': Protesters slam Trump's DC police takeover as crime tumbles Washington DC reports no homicides this past week as Trump's federal policing takeover includes National Guard, ICE, and FBI with 719 arrests made.

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 23. Governor of the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation Igor Babushkin has sent a congratulatory letter to First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of her birthday, Trend reports.

"Dear Mehriban Arifovna,

Please accept the assurance of my highest consideration and my congratulations on the occasion of your birthday.

I wish you robust health, inexhaustible energy, success and new achievements in your multifaceted activities.

I express my deep gratitude to you for your constant attention to the development of cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Astrakhan Region.

I am convinced that the business partnership, friendship and mutual respect uniting the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue to be comprehensively strengthened," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov has sent a congratulatory letter to First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of her birthday, Trend reports.

"Dear Mehriban Arifovna,

Please accept my congratulations on the occasion of your your birthday.

I wish you, an experienced socio-political and public figure, consistently productive efforts in a responsible position, and success in addressing multifaceted challenges for the comprehensive development of Azerbaijan. May creative activity for the benefit of your native country and all the goals achieved bring you a well-deserved sense of accomplishment, and the support of the Azerbaijani people inspire you and give you strength to implement new useful ideas and promising projects.

I would like to wish you robust health, happiness and all the best to you and your loved ones".
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On the occasion of August 24 - Independence Day, I extend my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and, through you, all your people on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani-Ukrainian interstate relations stem from the great sympathy that our peoples have for each other, as well as from the historically established traditions of friendship and mutual respect between them.

The relations built on these solid foundations are currently evolving and are being enriched with new content. Our political dialogue, cooperation across the economic, transport, energy and humanitarian spheres are among the main factors characterizing our bilateral relations.

It is commendable that our countries demonstrate mutual support and solidarity on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the norms, and principles of international law. Azerbaijan will continue to provide the necessary humanitarian support and assistance to the friendly people of Ukraine.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to further strengthen and deepen Azerbaijani-Ukrainian friendship and mutual activities in line with the will of our peoples.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and peace and tranquility to the friendly people of Ukraine," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Azerbaijan will continue to provide the necessary humanitarian support and assistance to the friendly people of Ukraine, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of Independence Day, Trend reports.

"It is commendable that our countries demonstrate mutual support and solidarity on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the norms, and principles of international law. Azerbaijan will continue to provide the necessary humanitarian support and assistance to the friendly people of Ukraine," the letter says.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Ukraine is very thankful to friendly Azerbaijan for its humanitarian and other support, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on its X page, Trend reports.

He said that Ukraine and Azerbaijan have always supported each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"I highly appreciate President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyevs congratulations on Ukraine's Independence Day and his respect for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Dear President, Ukraine and Azerbaijan have always supported each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are very thankful to friendly Azerbaijan for its humanitarian and other support. We look forward to developing our strategic partnership for the benefit of our nations," the publication says.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Lithuania is advancing plans to acquire CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, with the Ministry of National Defence exploring the possibility of assembling the armored vehicles domestically, Trend reports.

During a strategic engagement in Sweden, Vice Minister of National Defense Orijana Masale convened with stakeholders from BAE Systems Hagglunds to deliberate on the prospective acquisition, assembly prerequisites, manufacturing methodologies, and collaborative industrial frameworks that could facilitate Lithuania's integration into global supply networks.



Our objective for the new infantry fighting vehicle initiative is to enhance the operational capabilities of our military while simultaneously generating sustainable economic benefits for the Lithuanian market. Transferring assembly operations to Lithuania would entail the integration of advanced technologies, the creation of employment opportunities, and the expansion of prospects within our industrial sector. By 2030, the Lithuanian contingent is mandated to achieve comprehensive operational readiness, with infantry fighting vehicles being a critical component of that objective, articulated Masale.



The CV90, or Combat Vehicle 90, engineered in Sweden, represents a state-of-the-art tracked infantry fighting platform characterized by its formidable lethality, exceptional maneuverability, and superior crew survivability metrics. The platform has undergone iterative enhancements to align with contemporary operational paradigms and has demonstrated efficacy in tactical engagements, notably within the Ukrainian theater of operations.



In June, during the NATO Defence Ministers conclave in Brussels, Lithuania executed a letter of intent, thereby integrating into a collaborative procurement initiative with Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands.

The operationalization of the acquisition and incremental integration of CV90 platforms in Lithuania would bolster NATO's interoperability framework, augment military preparedness, and yield substantial industrial advantages. Commencement of logistical operations to Lithuania and allied nations may initiate as early as 2028.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Irans non-oil exports to Turkiye see mixed results in early 2025

In the first four months of the current Iranian year, Iran exported around $1.7 billion worth of non-oil products to Turkiye, totaling roughly 3.3 million tons. Overall trade between the two countries reached about $4.3 billion, up slightly in volume but slightly down in value compared with last year.

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Irans non-oil exports to Tajikistan in the first four months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through July 22, 2025) rose by 32 percent in value and 30 percent in volume compared to the same period last year (from March 20 through July 21, 2024).

Data obtained by Trend from the Iranian Customs Administration indicates that Iran facilitated the exportation of approximately $116 million in non-petroleum commodities to the Republic of Tajikistan during this timeframe, culminating in a total mass of around 191,000 metric tons. In juxtaposition, the export metrics for the corresponding timeframe in the preceding year totaled $87.8 million and 147,000 metric tons.



The principal commodities exported encompassed petrochemical derivatives, metallurgical outputs, and agronomic as well as alimentary goods, among various others. The trade dynamics between Iran and Tajikistan have culminated in a turnover approximating $144 million, encompassing around 205,000 tons. This reflects a substantial 25.3 percent escalation in monetary value and a notable 29.3 percent uptick in volumetric throughput relative to the preceding fiscal year.



It is pertinent to highlight that the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) has reported that Iran's exportation of non-oil commodities reached 48.8 million tons, with a monetary valuation of $16.5 billion during the initial quadrimester of the ongoing Iranian calendar year. This reflects a marginal contraction of 5.5 percent in terms of fiscal value and a 1.5 percent decrement in volumetric output relative to the preceding year.

---

Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Iran and Pakistan have set a goal to increase their agricultural trade turnover to $3 billion per year over the next two years, said Irans Minister of Agriculture Gholamreza Nouri, Trend reports.

As he spoke to the local media after a meeting in Tehran with Pakistans Minister of Food Security and National Research Rana Tanvir Hussein, the minister noted that, currently, agricultural trade between the two countries amounts to about $1.4 billion.

"At present, Irans agricultural exports to Pakistan are roughly $700 million per year. The new target is to raise Irans exports of agricultural products to Pakistan to $1.5 billion annually," he said.

Nouri added that cooperation has been established between the two countries in areas such as food security, agricultural research, climate change, and combating water scarcity. Considering the geographic positions of Iran and Pakistan, the plan is for the two countries to collaborate as a regional hub for food security.

The Iranian minister also noted that Pakistan has expressed readiness to supply a large part of Irans corn needs, which Iran welcomes positively. In the rice sector, Pakistan is interested in expanding trade, and Iran is also keen to direct rice supplies toward Pakistan, taking into account the economic and friendly relations between the two countries.
Kyrgyzstan discloses scale of lending under state agriculture program

Photo: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan

As of August 22, 2025, Kyrgyzstans state program Financing of Agriculture-13 has issued thousands of loans to support agriculture, mainly targeting livestock, crop farming, leasing, and water-saving technologies. The program is carried out through Aiyl Bank and Eldik Bank

Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, August 24. The trade turnover between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan amounted to $9.394 million from January through June 2025.

Data obtained by Trend from the countrys Statistical Agency shows that the figure rose by 60 percent compared to the same period in 2024. During the reporting period, Tajikistans exports to Kyrgyzstan totaled $2.060 million, while imports stood at $7.334 million.

Meanwhile, Tajikistans total foreign trade turnover reached $4.731 billion in the first half of 2025, which is a 7.2 percent increase year-on-year. The countrys exports amounted to $955.3 million, down 4.3 percent from the first half of 2024. Imports, on the other hand, grew by 10.5 percent, reaching $3.776 billion.

Tajikistan maintained trade relations with 109 countries, including 10 from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and 99 from outside the CIS.

Trade with CIS countries accounted for 45.1 percent of Tajikistans total trade, or $2.132 billion, while trade with non-CIS countries made up 54.9 percent, or $2.599 billion. The trade deficit with CIS countries stood at $1.712 billion, while with non-CIS countries it amounted to $1.109 billion.

Compared to the first half of 2024, trade with CIS countries increased by 4.6 percent (or $94.4 million), and trade with non-CIS countries rose by 9.4 percent (or $222.4 million).
Photo: Official website of the King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 23. At the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein will pay a state visit to Uzbekistan on August 2526, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan says, Trend reports.

It is reported that the main events of the visit will take place in Samarkand.

It is noted that during the negotiations it is planned to discuss the developing political, trade, economic and investment cooperation, establishing cooperation in the chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, textile, mining and other industries, expanding cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

An exchange of views on current aspects of international and regional politics will also be held.
National post services in several other European countries also suspend parcel services to US.

Italy's national postal service has temporarily suspended the sending of packages to the United States ahead of new tariffs on the import of goods worth less than $800.

The move by Poste Italiane coincides with similar measures by other national postal services in Europe, including in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, amid confusion over new import duties.

Last month US president Donald Trump signed an executive order scrapping the long-standing 'de minimis' exemption on tariff duties for low-value packages coming into the United States, with effect from 29 August.

A total of 1.36 billion packages entered the US in 2024 under this exemption, according to data from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency.

In a statement on its website, Poste Italiane said it is seeking "suitable solutions" but pointed out that "the specifications and technical procedures were only published by US Customs on 15 August".

"In the absence of different instructions from US authorities and/or exceptions to the above-mentioned deadlines, Poste Italiane will be forced, like other European postal operators, to temporarily suspend the acceptance of all shipments containing goods destined for the United States, starting 23 August", the statement reads.

Poste Italiane said the suspension will not affect the mailing of letters or the Poste Delivery International Express service which follows a different logistics process.

"Mail shipments not containing goods will continue to be accepted," the Poste Italiane website explains, adding: "Customers will be promptly informed and updated on all measures that will be implemented."
Bereavement

The death sadly occurred on Tuesday, August 19 of Mrs. Monica Jacob (nee: Griffin). Late of Saint Johns Park, Waterford City, she was predeceased by her beloved husband Larry, son-in-law, Gerry, sister, May and her brother Jimmy. She is survived by her loving daughter, Toinette, sons, Peter and Paul and her daughter-in-law, Clodagh; she will be sadly missed by all her loving grandchildren, David, Rachel, Laura, Sally, Hannah, Ellen, Holly and her 6 great grandchildren. Monica will be remembered by her sisters, Theresa and Betty and a special mention for Helen and Julie, who will forever hold Monica in their hearts. Monica will be remembered fondly by her nieces and nephews, relatives, extended family, wonderful neighbours, and many friends in both St. Johns Park and Ballymacaw and all who knew and loved her in the Bridge Club. Monica will be sadly missed by all her relatives, extended family, neighbours, and wide circle of friends. Requiem Mass took place on Friday, August 22, at 10am at The Sacred Heart Church, The Folly Waterford. After which Monica was laid to rest in Butlerstown Cemetery. Condolences are extended to Monica's family, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.

Bereavement

The death sadly occurred on Saturday, August 16, of Mr. David Kelly Phibsborough, Dublin and formerly of Shandon Park, Kilkenny, and Cherrymount, Waterford. Predeceased by his loving father James (Jim), he is survived by his loving and heartbroken wife Susanne, mother Maura Kelly (Shandon Park), sister Edwina and her partner Raja, parents-in-law Jim and Margaret Crowe (Dublin), godsons Zach and Aongus, aunts, uncle, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousins, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. David will be sadly missed by all his relatives, extended family wide circle of friends. Requiem Mass took place August 20 at 10.30am in St. John's Church, Kilkenny with burial afterwards to Foulkstown Cemetery, Waterford Road, Kilkenny. Condolences are extended to David's family, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Sacred Heart Church

For Baptism enquiries / bookings please email: sacredheartparishinfo@gmail.com

Bereavement Group

The South East Regional Family Support Network bereavement support group provides a safe space for family members who have experienced the death of a loved one because of problem substance use or related issues. The group is facilitated by two trained psychotherapists and will include respite and other opportunities that may be relevant. This is a free service specific to the South East Family Support Network. Commencing on Tuesday, 26 of August 2025 from 10:30am to 12:00pm, and will continue for 8 weeks at the Millenium Building, Church Road, Lisduggan, Waterford, X91 FN5V. For further information email: info@serfsn or phone Riona: 086 6045805 / Catherine: 083 0162069.

Whist Club

Whist Club (card game) at the Butler Centre, St. John's Park is changed to Wednesdays at 7pm-9pm. They would love to see all their old players and new players would be most welcome 5 per person all new members welcome.

Singing Classes

Singing classes, priced 10 per class on Saturdays from 11.30am to 1pm at Butler Community Centre. Free tea, coffee and biscuits. Do you like music, enjoy singing. Booking: maria.musicclasses@gmail.com 089 4158263.

Golden Girls Aerobics Fitness

Golden Girls aerobics Fitness in Butlers Community Hall. The price is 6, pay as you go on Mondays from 10.15am  11am. Circuit training : All levels class that includes exercises to increase strength, improve coordination. Fitness and memory retention in a fun non non-intimidating environment, On Wednesday from 11am  11.45am chair exercise class: low-impact fitness class geared to Active Adults 50+. Great class for those who want to improve bone density, cardio fitness, balance to stay strong, mobile and independent. On Fridays from 11am  11.45am Gentle Pilates: class combines very gentle mat Pilates exercises for over 50s who want to develop core strength, find relief from tight muscles and back pain. Take the class at your own pace and have fun. For further information contact: Anna on 0872881173 email: annahawrylak@icloud.com

Summer Stars Reading Cards

Return your child's completed Summer Stars reading cards to any of our Waterford Library branches by September 6th to make sure they receive their medal and certificate in October.

Waterford Libraries Bealtaine Choir

Bealtaine Choir are seeking new male members to join their choir, no experience required. If interested, pop into Central Library any Thursday at 11am from September 4.

Absolute Beginners Classical Pilates

Join me for our new Absolute Beginners Classical Pilates Class starting Thursday, September 4, from 10am at the beautiful India Rae Pilates Studio, Cork Rd, Waterford City. This welcoming class will help you build a strong foundation, improve strength and flexibility, and connect with your body. The perfect way to begin your Pilates journey. Sign up today and take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced you! Booking through my website www.insideoutwellness.ie

History Talk

A historic talk, The Mons Star Recipients in the Royal Irish Regiment, will take place at Central Library Waterford on Wednesday, September 3, at 6.30pm. Meet authors Larry Scallan and Mary Anne Maher and hear about their recently published research into the Irish soldiers who received the Mons or the 1914 Star for service in the First World War, focusing especially on the young soldiers recruited from Waterford and the rest of the South East. The Mons Star, colloquially known as the Mons Star was awarded to officers and men who served during the first year of World War One (August 5 and November 22, 1914). All Welcome.
As part of the Jubilee of Hope, the Parish Pastoral Council is organising a Parish Pilgrimage Walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Waterford City.

This will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

As the roads from any of our churches to the city are not the safest for such a venture, those participating will gather at St Marys Church, Ballygunner, at 9:30am and walk from there to the cathedral, arriving for Mass at 12pm.

Those not walking can join us at the cathedral for the Mass. After Mass, participants are free to make their own way back to Ballygunner and home, or to go to the Pastoral Centre at St Joseph and St Benildus Church for refreshments.

All ages are welcome to attend, but those under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or grandparent.

All those intending to participate are asked to register by September 5 by giving their name at the sacristy or by emailing kcfparish@gmail.com.
Eva Osborne

Here are the stories making headlines this Sunday.

The Sunday Times leads with Irish property investor Paddy McKillen winning a 800 million battle with Qataris over London hotels.

Tanaiste Simon Harris is looking to fast-track visas and new funds among a range of state supports to stave off tariff rout, acfcording to the Business Post.

Gardai are considering a criminal complaint about St John of God bosses who allowed a predatory paedophile to prey on children in Africa for decades, The Irish Mail on Sunday reports.

The Sunday World leads with the home where 29-year-old Devon Hennessy admitted to imprisoning and branding a man as 'RAT' being owned by Fingal County Council.

The Kinahan cartel was active in up to 22 countries at the height of its power, the Irish Sunday Mirror reports.

The Sunday Independent leads with a detective garda raising serious concerns with a government department that investigation files are not being passed on to the Director of Public Prosecutions by the Corporate Enforcement Authority.

Big brother murder accused Martin Lowry was a close friend of John George, the ex-boxer shot dead in a gangland killing in Spain, according to Sunday Life.
Tuba Shakeel has a bachelor degree with honours and has written dozens of essays, but she wont soon forget a 600-word assignment she handed in last year. And thats not because she received glowing feedback.

Her universitys computer software scanned the assignment before declaring with certainty: 100 per cent written by artificial intelligence, or AI. She was given zero and considered a cheat until she could prove otherwise.

I needed to prove that this was my style of writing. I was quite lucky that at the end of my degree, so I had a lot of evidence to prove that this is the way that I write, and this is what I had previously written, she said.

University of Sydney students Wen Zhong, Sathsara Radaliyagoda, Will Thorpe, Jack Quinlan and Tuba Shakeel. Credit: Steven Siewert

Shakeels ordeal typifies the upheaval universities have faced since the introduction of generative AI. The battle for institutions is to maintain a semblance of academic integrity while ensuring a tertiary education remains relevant.
Fitz: All right, heres a question I never thought Id find myself asking. Tell me about the clitoris of the Great Ape thats upending Darwins theory of evolution? Natures Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction by Natalie Kyriacou Credit: NK: Well, a bunch of female scientists have been studying the clitoris of the bonobo, which is a great ape. Bonobos look a lot like chimps, but socially, theyre very different; while chimp societies are violent (individuals will tear each other to shreds), bonobos are remarkably peaceful. So these scientists discovered that bonobo females rub their clitorises together to enhance their bonds with one another. And this behaviour has become so beneficial to the species that bonobos have evolved giant clitorises. Fitz: Lesbian great apes? NK: Its not sexual, its friendship.

Fitz: Gee. I wish I had a friend like that, but go on. NK: To put it bluntly, female bonobos rub their clitorises together and overthrow the patriarchy. And the result is that bonobos live in a very peaceful society. Evolutionarily speaking, clitoral rubbing among females (bonobos, that is) offers a genuine advantage to the entire species, by strengthening social cohesion. Bonobo apes hug in the Democratic Republic of the Congo wilderness. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Fitz: And Charles Darwin in this? NK: Well, its highlighted some of the hidden sexism in Charles Darwins theory of evolution. Darwin, brilliant though he was, was a product of Victorian society, which deemed women inferior. He likened female animals to wives and claimed males were superior to females. Unfortunately, these biases shaped his theories: he focused almost exclusively on males, portraying them as dominant and courageous, while largely ignoring females because he deemed them to be passive and weak.

Thats why so many modern narratives about men being like dominant wolves are built on warped understandings of evolution. In reality, nature is full of surprises: in seahorses, males carry the babies; in spotted hyenas, females are the aggressors; in lions, females hunt and are central to pride survival. In fact, less than 10 per cent of research studies are even focused on the female of a species. Most research is on males of a species. And this is why the bonobo clitoris is so powerful. By studying the bonobos clitoris and the snakes clitoris and various other species, were actually discovering how varied and diverse species are, and all the incredible behaviours are represented across male and females. Fitz: Were wandering into sensitive areas of sexual and gender politics  and if it blows up, I am going to say its all your fault and you made me do it. But if you accept that one species rubbing their clitorises with each other is making their society stronger, does that  as a serious question  argue for the virtues of militant lesbians in human society? As in, we dont need men, we dont need your damn patriarchy, so naff off and stop spending so much money on guns and tanks while youre at it, you dickheads!? Loading NK: I dont think it needs to be political. Truly, we dont need to make a bonobo clitoris political. Its simply about recognising that society  human or otherwise  isnt limited to one type of role or behaviour. Across species, different individuals play different roles, and they all matter. Its also a reminder that we have centred the traits of a small number of male species and based our whole understanding of humanity on that. Which probably isnt wise. And its also limiting for men. So its more about recognising that species have a whole range of behaviours that are beneficial to species survival  and the point isnt to be the most dominant, because often evolution actually favours those that can form a cohesive society to ensure a species can thrive.

Fitz: OK, moving on. Why did the scientist build a helmet to get her head humped by a flightless bird, and how can this save the species? NK: So the kakapo is a critically endangered bird from New Zealand. It is the worlds heaviest parrot and is also the only parrot in the world that cannot fly. Theres under 250 of them left in the wild, and they face a few reproductive challenges, one of which is that the male parrots sometimes try to mate with human heads and inanimate objects. You see, their mating ritual isnt overly advanced. The men waddle up a hill together, dig a hole and start bellowing into it with the hope that the female kakapo will be irresistibly drawn to them. Fitz: This is sounding a tad familiar, but go on. NK: Unfortunately, the females arent often interested in this particular brand of male romance. So the males end up often mating with  other things. Fitz: Couldnt they try rubbing their penises with each other, like normal beings?

NK: [Laughing] Maybe they could try that! There was actually a YouTube video that went viral because a kakapo named Sirocco started humping a BBC presenters head, launching him to international fame. Anyway, as we know, the kakapo struggles to reproduce and is critically endangered. So a scientist called Kate McInnes developed an unusual scientific innovation to help the parrot reproduce. She went out and bought a rugby helmet and then sat in her backyard and repurposed it into an ejaculation helmet. Fitz: Wait! Excuse me. Dare I ask how  and I am so glad I didnt know this 40 years ago  one turns a rugby helmet into an ejaculation helmet? The kakapo, a flightless parrot, is critically endangered. Credit: AP NK: She put divots in it, so it was like she had a hat of condoms designed to collect the sperm of the parrot. Fitz: [Uncertainly] Yes ...

NK: McInnes set off into the forest wearing her homemade rugby ejaculation helmet and waited for the kakapo to come and hump her head. Fitz: As you do. NK: And it did. For three nights in a row, McInnes sat in the forest with a helmet on her head getting bonked by the worlds heaviest parrot. Unfortunately, the kakapo mates for quite a long time, so this went on for hours on end. Fitz: Not that theres anything wrong with that. NK: Unfortunately, the helmet didnt work. Not a drop of semen was produced.

Fitz: And so to my favourite story. Tell us about Barnaby Joyce once trying to give herpes to a species of fish. A carp removed from a Perth wetland. Credit: Wetland Research and Management NK: In 2016, Australias then deputy prime minister, the Honorable Barnaby Joyce, declared that he wanted to give herpes to a freshwater fish. The fish was a carp, an invasive species of fish that wreaks havoc on the Australian river ecosystem. In a passionate parliamentary speech, he proclaimed, We are afflicted in this nation with these disgusting, mud-sucking creatures ... for which the only form of control is a version of herpes. Essentially, he wanted to give herpes to the fish. And, as I said in my book, it wasnt clear whether the Deputy PM would be directly facilitating the transmission of herpes, but his speech did actually prompt a $15 million investment from the Australian government. See, carp have orgies. So Barnaby thought that if a gathering of carp were in the throes of love making, then that would provide the ideal venue for the mass transmission of herpes. And herpes is deadly to carp, so that meant, theoretically, their populations would reduce through herpes. Fitz: Have any carp since been spotted nipping into their local doctors office with false wigs and sunglasses, to complain that it burns when they urinate? NK: Not yet! And despite Barnabys passion, carp numbers have actually increased. Which had me wondering in my book: if the deputy prime minister cant give a fish herpes, what hope do we have for mobilising effective political action for nature?
When the year 9 student debaters of South Australia were given the topic for the third round of their debating competition a couple of months ago, people were piqued.

The topic, whether the tradwife movement is good for women, was deemed offensive by some, and they conveyed their offence to organisers in an offensive manner. Meanwhile, Debating SA, the not-for-profit body running the comp, was offended by the social media abuse and nasty phone calls it received, according to a report in The Guardian.

Women belong in the kitchen. Discuss. Credit: Adobe Stock

People rang up screaming, ranting, raving and carrying on, accusing organisers of undoing centuries of female advancement.

They were outside people whove got nothing to do with debating, who dont know how it works, a spokesperson for Debating SA told The Guardian. Debating is very formal  and not only do we not tolerate incivility, it never happens. If you follow the rules and regulations, theres no room for rudeness.
The Palm Beach home of recruitment boss Jason Johnson and his wife, Portia, has been sold for $11.3 million.

Known as La Palma, the four-bedroom, four-bathroom property was a holiday home and investment property for the Bondi-based Johnsons, who purchased it for $9,175,000 at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020.

La Palma is the Palm Beach holiday home rental of recruitment boss Jason Johnson. Credit: Domain

Jason, who was a corporate lawyer before becoming founder and chief executive of search firm Johnson Partners, told this masthead when they listed that they had undertaken an extensive cosmetic renovation, calling in award-winning designer Yasmine Ghoniem of YSG Studio to reinvent the 696-square-metre block.

And reinvent it, she did. Ghoniem transformed the Barrenjoey Road property into a luxe Mediterranean-inspired seaside home.
There was a lot of artificial intelligence about this past week. Some of it the subject of the roundtable; some of it sitting at the roundtable. All of it massively hyped. Depending on who you believe, AI will lead to widespread unemployment or a workers paradise of four-day weeks.

There was a lot of artificial intelligence about this week. Credit: Greg Straight

These wildly different visions suggest that assessments of the implications of AI are based on something less than a deep understanding of the technology, its potential and the history of humanity in interacting with new stuff. In the immediate term, the greatest threat posed by AI is the Dunning-Kruger effect.

This cognitive bias, described and named by psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger around the turn of the century, observes that people with limited competence in a particular domain are prone to overestimating their own understanding and abilities. It proposes that the reason for this is that theyre unable to appreciate the extent of their own ignorance  theyre not smart enough or skilled enough to recognise what good looks like. As Dunning put it, not only does their incomplete and misguided knowledge lead them to make mistakes, but those exact same deficits also prevent them from recognising when they are making mistakes and other people are choosing more wisely.

AI has layers and layers of Dunning-Kruger traps built in. The first is that the machine itself suffers from a mechanical type of cognitive bias. Large language models  the type of generative AI that is increasingly used by individuals at home and at work (were not talking about models designed for a specific scientific purpose)  are especially slick predictive text models. They scrape the web for the most likely next word in a sequence and then row them up in response to a query.
If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now!

Submit
Dr Michael Joseph Deasy, B.D.S., D.M.D, M.D.S., M.S., of New Jersey and Foxford passed away unexpectedly in Dublin on July 21st last.

Dr Deasy was known as 'Micheal' to his family, pronounced as Gaeilge. He was 'Mick' to his close friends from his student days at University College Dublin, and after emigrating to the United States, he was called 'Mike' by colleagues. But he was always Micheal to his wife, the former Mary Olivia Gallagher of Straide.

At the time of his passing, Dr Deasy had been travelling to the United States after spending a months holiday with his wife and eldest daughter, Maria, at his home in County Mayo. Over the past five years, they had lovingly restored the original Deasy family home in the town of Foxford, the very home where he had been born in 1930.

In County Mayo, Dr Deasy attended primary school in Cloongee and Foxford, and secondary school at St Nathy's College, Ballaghadereen. Before pursuing a career as a periodontist, Dr Deasy completed the teacher training programme with honours at St Patrick's College in Drumcondra, Dublin and studied English literature at the University of Galway. He returned home to teach in tandem with his elder sister Maura at a one-room schoolhouse in the village of Attymachugh, she with Senior Infants and he with the older children.

After several years, he decided to pursue a career in dentistry and he was awarded his B.D.S. with Honours in Pathology and Pharmacology from University College Dublin in 1964. He was one of 12 graduating students of the 24 originally admitted to the programme. He went into private practice in Chelmsford, England for a year before being awarded a fellowship in dental research at the Eastman Dental Center, University of Rochester, in Rochester, New York, USA.

Before his retirement in 2011, Dr Deasy had been a faculty member at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - now the School of Dentistry, Rutgers University, New Jersey - serving as a professor for 40 years, and as Chairman of the Department of Periodontics and Director of the Periodontal Postgraduate Program for 37 years.

A highly respected dentist, he presided over the Department of Periodontics with great success, retaining talented faculty members through his excellent leadership, mentoring and scientific scholarship. As author or co-author of over 100 scientific publications, several with a focus on periodontal disease, he lectured extensively throughout the world at universities and dental associations in the United States and in Brazil, Chile, China, India, Ireland, Taiwan, and Venezuela. He returned several times to Ireland, making presentations at Trinity College, UCD, and Cork University. He was a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the International Association for Dental Research, and the New Jersey Society of Periodontics. The recipient of several awards, including the Balint Orban Memorial Award In Recognition of Excellence in Periodontal Research, Dr Deasy held multiple honorary chairs. He also served as a member of the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners for many years.

Dr Deasy was the middle child of six children born to Martin and Mary Deasy, nee Brogan, originally from the villages of Cullen and Muckroe, near Foxford. Mr Deasy owned a shoe shop in the town of Foxford. Though long closed, the shops iconic sign 'Mac Deise' in traditional Irish lettering ('son of Deasy') remains on the Main Street.

Dr Deasy married the former Mary Olivia Gallagher at the University Church at St Stephens Green in Dublin in 1965. Having courted throughout the dance halls of Enniscrone, Pontoon, Rosses Point, Bundoran, and the UCD faculty dances, together they decided to move to Rochester, New York, where he completed his specialty in periodontics. Their eldest children, Maria and Martin, were born in Rochester; their youngest, Nannette, was born in Brooklyn and the family lived for a time in Belle Harbor, New York.

Following Dr Deasys appointment to the faculty of what was then the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, the family moved to Union City, and later settled in Chatham Township where they lived for nearly 50 years. There, Dr Deasy was active in his Catholic faith, teaching Sunday School at his local parish, Corpus Christi Church.

Dr Deasys great love of Ireland never abated and he brought his family home throughout their childhood, instilling in them a deep understanding of Irish culture and history. It was also there that he renewed his love for salmon fishing on the River Moy. Throughout his eighties and nineties, he made the transatlantic trip nearly every year to reunite with family. Dr and Mrs Deasy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary upon arriving in Ireland in June. The evening before his passing, the couple had been out to dinner with their closest friends from UCD and Foxford.

Dr Deasy is survived by his cherished wife Mary, his children Ms. Maria Deasy of New York; Dr Martin Deasy of San Francisco, CA; Ms. Nannette Deasy Baumgardner of New York and his son-in-law, Robert Baumgardner of New York, as well as his sisters-in-law Fay Deasy of Maldon, England and Mary Deasy of Dun Laoghaire, and his many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foxford Riverfest at www.idonate.ie.
Mayo Fine Gael TDs are backing Heather Humphreys bid for a presential nomination for the party.

Ms Humphreys and MEP Sean Kelly have both confirmed they will seek the nomination, but Ms Humphreys has made the early running with significant backing from her parliamentary party. Ms Humphreys retired from the Dail last November after serving in Cabinet for over a decade.

Fine Gael TDs Alan Dillon and Keira Keogh are among those to have thrown their support behind Ms Humphreys. Minister of State Dillon said he was delighted to support Ms Humphreys' nomination, adding: A strong, grounded leader who connects with people across all divides, shed make a fantastic President and has my full support.

Deputy Keira Keogh shared a photo of herself and Ms Humphreys with the caption: Our next President must be a unifier; someone who will bring the country together. Someone who is rooted in rural Ireland. Someone who understands everyday people."

Ballina-based Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy has also lent his support.

With her proven leadership as Minister for Rural and Community Development and her deep commitment to public service, she has the vision and experience to serve Ireland with distinction, he said.

Ms Humphreys said she has "decided to go for it", having originally ruled herself out in May.

Asked why she changed her mind, the Monaghan native said she had not wanted to stand against Mairead McGuinness, whom she described as a friend, but all that had changed with Ms McGuinness' withdrawal from the race on health grounds.

Nominations for the partys presidential candidate reopened at midday last Tuesday and will close at midday on September 2. Tanaiste and party leader Simon Harris said the decision to reopen nominations will enable the party to have a candidate in place by mid-September.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault on Tucker Street in Castlebar Co. Mayo in the early hours of Saturday 23rd August 2025.

At approximately 2.50am Gardai received report of a male unconscious after an alleged assault outside a licensed premises on Tucker Street.

The injured male, aged in his 20s, was removed from the scene and taken to Mayo University Hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

The scene was preserved and an examination was carried out.

Investigations are ongoing.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Any road users or persons with camera footage (including dash-cam) in the Tucker Street area between 2:30am and 3:15am are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Castlebar Garda station on 094 903 8200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Neil Kinnock, the former leader of the British Labour Party, is one of the most interesting politicians of my lifetime. He was interviewed recently about the 1992 General Election, when, despite much positive expectation in advance of that contest, Labour and Kinnock lost, his second unsuccessful election as leader. In the aftermath, he resigned.

In the interview, he recalled that when he realised that he had lost in 1992, he said: That's it, I've just wasted the best years of my bloody life.

I have been thinking about it, and him, since. Many who heard him will have thought the same as me. Firstly that it was characteristic of Kinnock - never a man to emotionally understate things - and second that it just felt flat wrong. Yes, it is his life and thus his place to judge it, but the most cursory look at his leadership of the Labour Party from 1983-'92 would not suggest those years were in any sense a waste.

Of course, he wanted to win. He wanted to end 13 years of the Tories in power and for Labour to form a government. He wanted to be Prime Minister. And when that didnt happen its no wonder he thought he had wasted a decade.

To understand why he didnt win, we have to go back a little. The Labour government lost the election of 1979 to Margaret Thatcher. The government she defeated had first been fatally weakened internally, when the trade unions brought the country to its knees through a series of strikes which became known as the Winter of Discontent. After the election defeat, the Labour Party in opposition went far to the left of the political spectrum, and one of the supporters of that change was a young MP called Neil Kinnock.

Kinnock was a close supporter and friend of the new Labour leader, Michael Foot. This association, as well as his at times brilliant speechmaking, helped him to rise quickly in the party.

But the positions that the Labour Party took up during that period were wildly popular inside the party, and deeply unpopular among many voters. Labour consequently suffered a huge electoral defeat in 1983, Foot resigned, and Kinnock was his natural and ultimate successor.

Kinnock won the leadership because he was on the left. He quickly realised that being so far on the left made it impossible for Labour to win a general election. As his deputy leader and sometimes rival Roy Hattersley once said, this was an unhappy situation for him to be in. He needed to make changes to win, but the changes he was to make were inevitably presented as demonstrating that he could not be trusted to stick to any principles. That dilemma would follow him all throughout his leadership. His attempts to resolve it were what he spent the best years of his life trying to do.

That process was made harder by two men most of all: Arthur Scargill and Tony Benn. Scargill led the 1984 Miners Strike, an event which placed Kinnock in an impossible position. The strike was called without a national ballot of all coal miners, which made it hard for the Labour Party - and other trade unions indeed - to fully support it. The strike was also unpopular among very many of the voters who Kinnock knew Labour had to win over to defeat Mrs Thatcher. But Kinnock, the Welsh son of a coal miner himself, could not - temperamentally, emotionally - oppose striking coal miners. So he had to try and thread a middle position, which was a torturous fence to try and sit on. His long winded answers to questions about his position led to him being nicknamed the Welsh windbag, which was one of many ferocious attacks mounted on him by a deeply hostile - and deeply Tory - British press.

Scargill lost the Miners Strike, but left wounds on Kinnock.

The other man who created political challenges for Kinnocks project was Tony Benn. In his later years, Benn became very fashionable among many on the left, who saw him as an honourable and principled socialist. He was those things in many ways and he was also - at the same time -one of the greatest advantages Margaret Thatcher had in her political life. Benns utterly impossible, though undoubtedly romantic, positions dragged the Labour Party into an unelectable position, and his continued courting of conflict within the party made it seem out of control and divided. Kinnock was furious with Benn for, as he saw it, making the Labour Party unelectable.

Kinnock fought two elections as leader. In 1987, he led a technically brilliant Labour campaign, in which the party - and he - came across as professional and extremely well organised. And it didnt matter a damn. The partys vote barely increased and Mrs Thatcher won another huge victory, her third. The scale of this defeat led Kinnock to believe that the party needed to change even faster than it had in his first spell as leader. So, out went a commitment to unilateral nuclear disarmament; out went a hostility to the EEC; out went many of the left wing positions that Kinnock had held so easily when he was a younger man.

In this period, Kinnock became noticeably tougher and less patient with colleagues who took different views. He changed his image, quietening down his natural ebullience, speaking more slowly, more deliberately, always wearing the sober suit. He tried everything he could to try and win.

But change the Labour Party as he might, he could not change it enough to win the 1992 election. In that campaign, the Tories mounted a ferocious attack on Labour for its tax plans, managing to persuade many aspiring working and lower middle class voters that voting Labour meant more tax for them. Those attacks succeeded, and while Labour got a lot closer to the Tories in terms of seats, they still lost.

Kinnock took full responsibility and resigned as leader. Some thought that a momentary lapse of his at an election rally in Sheffield in the last few days of the campaign, where he became overexcited while speaking, was partly to blame for the loss. It really made no significant difference. The problem was tax and that people - perhaps for the reasons outlined earlier - did not trust Kinnock when he tried to reassure them on it.

But defeated and all as he was, the efforts he made as leader of his party could in no sense be described as a waste of life, but one of extraordinary endeavour.

After the election defeat, Kinnock went on to do many interesting things. He became a Vice President of the European Commission and continues to play a lively and always interesting role in public debates. I met him once and was enthralled by his wit and lively company. But it is as a public speaker that he is most compelling, and in next weeks piece, I will take a look at one his most famous speeches, and how relatable it is to the experience of people in the west of Ireland.
U.S. immigration officials say they intend to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, after he declined an offer to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. Abrego Garcia's defense attorneys wrote in a Saturday court filing that the Costa Rica offer came on Thursday when it was clear he would likely be released the following day. After Abrego Garcia left jail on Friday, the Department of Homeland Security notified his attorneys that he would be deported to Uganda and should report to immigration authorities on Monday. Separately, prosecutors then gave him until Monday to accept the plea deal. His attorneys declined to say if he's still considering it.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Alligator Alcatraz may be shut down before Halloween. Florida already has a backup plan
Prince Harry quietly paid tribute to his late grandfather Prince Philip and other veterans for the 80th anniversary of V-J Day, which brought World War II to an end in 1945.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, had a wreath and letter placed at the Burma Star Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, England, on Friday, August 15. Earlier in the day, Harrys father, King Charles III, led a service of remembrance for those who served in the Asia-Pacific region during the war.

According to People, Harry  who has been based in the United States since he and wife Meghan Markle stepped down from their royal duties in 2020  asked a friend to place his tribute after Charles, 76, his wife, Queen Camilla, and members of the media left the event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The letter was written on Harrys personal letterhead and praised members of the Forgotten Army whose courage and endurance in the Far East campaign were anything but forgettable.

King Charles Reflects on Family Memories in Heartfelt Speech Amid Prince Harry Rift

The duke also included a personal message for Philip, who died in April 2021 at the age of 99.

For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning. My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign, he wrote. He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theater of war. Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged and the legacy you leave.

Darren Staples / POOL / AFP

Philip, who was married to the late Queen Elizabeth II, joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and was mentioned in dispatches for his service during the Battle of Cape Matapan in the Mediterranean Sea in 1941. He was on board a ship in Tokyo Bay when Japan officially surrendered in September 1945.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Harry is also a military veteran, having served in the British Army from 2005 to 2015. He completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot.

Prince Harrys Military Career: From Enlistment and Retirement to Invictus Games and Beyond

Harrys military service became a hot topic following the death of his grandmother Elizabeth in 2022, as he was not permitted to wear his uniform during official events as he was no longer a senior working royal. He was ultimately allowed to wear the uniform during a vigil alongside his brother, Prince William, and their cousins.

He has come to terms with not wearing uniform on these occasions, a source exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. Whilst thats disappointing in some senses, hes just grateful to be present and honoring the queen. At the end of the day, its only a uniform.
Prince Harrys latest gesture of sending a friend to place a wreath in honor of VJ Day heroes on his behalf has received a frosty reception from the royal fold.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, last week paid heartfelt tribute to VJ Day heroes, including his late grandfather, Prince Philip, in a very discreet way during the poignant Aug. 15 service.

While Harry remained in Montecito, Calif., during the Victory over Japan commemorations, he did enlist the help of his close pal to place a letter and a wreath on his behalf.

Prince Harry paid heartfelt tribute to VJ Day heroes in a very discreet way during last weeks poignant service. Getty Images

Despite his best intentions, it is understood that the dukes olive branch prompted a skeptical reaction from those who were close with the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died in 2021 at age 99.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What hypocrisy, a palace insider told the Daily Mail. Harry hurt his grandfather deeply during the final year of his life.

Prince Philips death came just four weeks after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, sat down for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The candid chat, during which the Sussexes left no stone unturned about their time in the palace, was closely followed by a slew of money-making ventures, including a tell-all book, Spare, and a Netflix series.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, enlisted the help of his close pal to place a letter and a wreath on his behalf. GB News

The source noted that working members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, did not leave wreaths at the ceremony.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This was because the Prince and Princess of Wales wanted commemorations to be led by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The palace viewed Harrys olive branch as hijacking the national service of remembrance, the insider added.

The Post has reached out to Buckingham Palace and Harrys reps for comment.

Harry remained in Montecito, Calif., during the Victory over Japan commemorations. GB News

Harrys friend, whose name has not been revealed, discreetly placed the items at the Burma Star Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England.

However, the duke specifically asked that it be laid only after the king and queen had exited the remembrance service, which marked 80 years since Japans surrender at the end of the Second World War.

Follow The Posts royal family live blog for the latest pics, news, exclusive details and more

Harry, who has 10 years of military experience under his belt, mentioned his late grandfather in the letter, which was addressed to the Forgotten Army.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Spare author stated that their courage and endurance were anything but forgettable.

Prince Phillips death came just four weeks after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, sat down for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey. Getty Images

For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning, the duke wrote. My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign.

He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war, the Invictus Games founder went on.

Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged, and the legacy you leave.

Harry, who rose to the rank of captain during his time in the military, said hes humbled by the example of the VJ Day heroes, saying he is proud and grateful for their service and dedication.

The palace viewed Harrys olive branch as hijacking the national service of remembrance, an insider claimed. Getty Images

The poignant letter was signed Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and featured the dukes cypher of an H underneath a crown.

The dukes grandfather was famously onboard the destroyer HMS Whelp in Tokyo Bay when Japanese officials signed the surrender on the USS Missouri.
Shortly after 8 a.m. on February 5, 2019, a road crew in Greenwich, Connecticut, spotted a red suitcase camouflaged in a wooded backyard.

What they found inside the case made them call 911 immediately.

When we approached the suitcase, we see the body of a lifeless girl, Greenwich Police Department Det. Sgt. Pierangelo Corticelli told Buried in the Backyard, airing Saturdays at 8/7c p.m. on Oxygen. The victim was frozen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Det. Anthony Fiscella, now retired from the Greenwich Police Department, recalled the scene as "pretty shocking" even for a law-enforcement veteran. She was folded up into a fetal position, he said. Her hands behind her back, hog-tied with twine.

The victim had signs of trauma on her head, abrasions on her hands, and broken fingernails. She took a beating, and this girl fought for her life, said Fiscella. Where did she come from?

The search for an answer led detectives to New Rochelle, New York, where a beloved daughter and sister had gone missing days earlier.

Valerie Reyes 2 BITB S6

Valerie Reyes goes missing

On January 29, 2019, 24-year-old Valerie Reyes failed to answer her phone when her mother, Norma Sanchez, called. After a time, when she couldnt get in touch with her daughter, the mom grew worried.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Valerie, a young woman with a big artistic talent, battled depression in the wake of her parents divorce. Valeries recent breakup with her boyfriend, John, amplified her moms concern.

Valeries brother, Salvador Reyes, got his dad, and they went to Valeries apartment. They met Valeries ex-boyfriend, John, there.

He and Valerie had argued the day before she went missing, said Salvador. He said he'd gone there to apologize. But Valerie was nowhere in sight.

Valeries family called hospitals and put up posters around New Rochelle, including the train station. They posted information about her disappearance on social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On January 30, they went to Valeries workplace and found that she wasnt there. So, the family went to the police and made a report.

Her mother related that Valerie had issues with anxiety, said Fiscella. They were concerned she could have harmed herself.

Detectives began by tracing Valeries banking information. They saw that someone drained her bank account of several thousand dollars, and had to figure out if it was her, or someone else.

Valerie Reyes BITB S6

Body found is identified as Valerie Reyes

On February 5, days after Valeries disappearance, a suitcase with a dead young woman in it was recovered in Greenwich, Connecticut, and investigators identified the victim as Valerie Reyes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was just the worst day of my life, Sanchez said of hearing the news about her daughter.

Detectives searched Valeries apartment and there was no sign of forced entry. The family told police there had been a broken glass on the floor that Valeries father had cleaned up. Her laptop and cell phone were missing.

Investigators went through the residence with a fine-tooth comb. We then decided to search using Luminal, said Corticelli.

The chemical glows when detecting blood traces. There was a lot of blood in the tub, blood in the sink, so much that you could clearly make out a handprint, said Fiscella.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The bloody areas were swabbed for evidence. While waiting for results, investigators focused on Valeries dating history.

Valerie Reyes' phone records offer clues

Her mother gave detectives access to her cell phone. One of Valeries friends shared names of men Valerie had dated. There was a guy named Joe who was a mechanic, and there was a guy named Javier, said Corticelli. She was on different dating apps.

Investigators saw that on January 29 at around 3 a.m., her phone was put into airplane mode. At the same time, several withdrawals were made from her bank account.

Bank security footage showed an individual dressed head-to-toe in black taking out the money from Valerie's account  and it wasnt Valerie.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The investigation at this point is zeroing in on this unknown male making ATM withdrawals, said Corticelli.

Using traffic surveillance cameras, the New Rochelle Police Department got a license plate off the black Honda CR-V that the individual was driving. It was found to be a rental car, leased in Queens, New York.

Javier Da Silva Rojas emerges in the case

Detectives subpoenaed the rental history for the car. While they waited for that information, DNA results from Valeries apartment showed a mixture of her blood and that of an unknown contributor.

This eliminates the ex-boyfriend, John, as a suspect, said Corticelli. This leads to further questions as to the identity of this unknown male.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The rental-car history results revealed a man named Marco, as well as other drivers. One of them was named Javier. It immediately clicked in my mind as a person that Valerie had dated, said Fiscella.

Detectives learned that Valerie had dated Javier Da Silva Rojas, who was from Venezuela, a year earlier. He was so upset when Valerie broke things off, that she had to block him on her phone.

Valerie had a drawn a portrait of him that was still on her wall when investigators processed the crime scene.

He had come into the United States on a student visa, which he had overstayed, said Fiscella. There was currently a deportation order for him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Detectives obtained surveillance video stills from the car rental location. We were able to see the unknown male from the ATM withdrawals without his face covered," Corticelli said. "That photo was Javier Da Silva Rojas."

Javier Da Silva Rojas arrested

A decision was made to charge Da Silva Rojas for the deportation order. On February 11, he was arrested in Queens and brought to the New Rochelle Police Department.

Marco was also interviewed. Detectives learned that he worked as a security guard in Da Silva Rojas building. He would rent out Zip cars to other tenants under his name. At this point, Marco was eliminated from the investigation.

Because Valerie was abducted and brought to another state, the FBI got involved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators get a warrant for Da Silva Rojas residence. They actually found Valeries identification and credit card in his apartment, said FBI Special Agent Daniel McKenna.

On February 12, detectives interviewed Da Silva Rojas. He denied knowing Valerie. Investigators confronted him with the evidence theyd already collected.

Da Silva Rojas changed his story. He said that he and Valerie had consensual sex the last time he saw her and that shed fallen and hit her head. He said he checked her for breath, said Fiscella. She wasnt breathing.

He said that he saw a suitcase outside, grabbed it, tied Valerie up, taped her mouth, put her in the case, and then dumped her in Connecticut.

We dont believe it when he says they had consensual sex, said Fiscella. She had a large hematoma to the forehead, multiple cuts to her hands. She fought for her life.

Investigators also didnt believe it when Da Silva said she was dead. He taped her from her chin to the top of her nose with packing tape, said Fiscella. [If] shes unconscious, knocked down or dead  you don't have to do that.

Javier Da Silva Rojas pleads guilty

Detectives were certain that this was a murder. But in order to prove the federal crime of kidnapping, they still had to establish that Valerie was moved out of state, and alive in New York and had died in the state of Connecticut.

During the autopsy, the medical examiner found crystallization in her lungs. That showed she had fluid in her lungs that froze, indicating that she was still alive when she was stuffed into the suitcase.

Investigators determined that Da Silva Rojas went to New Rochelle to try to rob her, said Fiscella. During that time, a violent struggle ensued.

After discarding Valerie in Connecticut, Da Silva Rojas essentially cleaned out her bank account. Larceny and greed were certainly a primary motive, said Corticelli.

Da Silva pleaded guilty to kidnapping with a result of murder. He was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. He will be deported to Venezuela after he serves his sentence.

Buried in the Backyard airs Saturdays at 8/7c on Oxygen.
Icelanders love their bakeries. They've mastered the art of pastry-making, crafting all kinds of perfect delicacies such as kanilsnuur (cinnamon buns), rugbrau (rye bread), and hjonabandssla (rhubarb cake). You can get kleinur, a delicious fried doughnut creation, at gas stations, and coffee for dunking treats can be found in even the most remote corners of the fjord-carved country. It's a paradise for those who, like me, have a sweet tooth and a serious hankering for coffee  there seems to be a great spot to satisfy them both in literally every village and town.

The bakeries' high-quality ingredients, old-world techniques, and Arctic berry-studded pastries are mind-blowingly tasty. There's seriously nothing better than enjoying rugbrau with Icelandic butter or hjonabandssla over a cup of coffee in a cozy little shop as it rains outside in the north. It's definitely my happy place. But I've noticed that when people visit Iceland, they often skip the bakeries. Perhaps it doesn't cross their minds, or they might think that bakeries are just for locals. However, if you're visiting Iceland, you shouldn't make this mistake.

If you don't know where to begin, here are the seven best bakeries in Iceland. I've included my personal favorites where I could eat again and again, but I've also turned to Tripadvisor, Reddit, and Google Reviews to fill in the gaps and find the ones that locals likewise enjoy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: 17 Ways To Cook Eggs, Explained

Brau & Co, Reykjavik

Braud & Co vegan croissant - Emily Iris Degn/Tasting Table

With multiple locations across Iceland, Brau & Co is my favorite bakery of all time. Everything is the best version of any pastry you've ever had  especially the croissants. The organic ingredients, such as grains and sugars, really shine, and the team takes extreme care in the ingredient sourcing process.

The bakery utilizes oland and einkorn flour from Denmark and Manitoba and 00 flour from Italy. You just won't find higher-quality goods anywhere. I also love that butter and sea salt come straight from Iceland, both specialties of the country. The Icelandic sea salt, especially, is so good that I have it shipped all the way to the Seattle area where I live because it's that unbeatable.

Highlights across its locations include the cinnamon rolls, marital bliss cookies, and Danish sourdough rye bread. As someone with Danish heritage, I want to emphasize just how perfect the latter is for smrrebrd, one of the best Scandinavian specialties. The croissants here are also killer and are the first thing I ever tried from Brau & Co. Stranded for a few hours in Hlemmur, a bus station-turned-food hall on the Laugavegur in Reykjavik, I followed my nose to the bakery's location and ended up just drooling over the glossy croissants. The barista there was so kind and gave me free pastries with the coffee I bought from her, and I had to come back for seconds because the croissants were better than any I had ever tasted. I recommend sampling the croissants, something sweet, and a bread variety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

braudogco.is

+354 456-7777

Multiple locations

Sesam Brauhus, Reyarfjorur

Sesam Bakari in Iceland with bread - sesam_bakery/Instagram

This cute little red bakery in East Iceland packs a punch, enticing locals with its piles of freshly made bread and cakes. The warm atmosphere is just so inviting, and it's such a fun spot to grab breakfast. Many consider this to be the best bakery in all of the East Fjords. My advice is to get there early to get the best pick before they're gone because it really is popular. Ask to sit outside to enjoy the view and the surrounding mountains. If there does happen to be a line, it goes by quickly, so don't be afraid to come in if the afternoon is the only time you're able to visit. Just note that the shop isn't open on Sundays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The menu includes all kinds of great Icelandic food. Everything is made by hand when possible, so you can really taste the craftsmanship. It uses ingredients like pumpkin seeds, rye kernels, and sprouted rye. The barley flour is sourced from Moir Jor, an organic farm in Vallanes that forever has my heart  its produce is unbelievably flavorful, and I loved trying it fresh from the fields. You'll definitely want to sample the baked goods, which include the farm's flours while you're at Sesam Brauhus.

When you visit, order an oat milk cappuccino, an oatmeal cookie, and a cinnamon roll before grabbing a loaf of bread to go. The cookies are perfectly chewy and sweet, and the cinnamon rolls are completely covered in sugar, making them an ideal coffee companion.

sesam.is

+354 475-8000

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hafnargotu 1, 730 Reyarfjorur

Blaa Kannan Cafe, Akureyri

Blaa Kannan Cafe in Iceland with banana coffee cake - Emily Iris Degn/Tasting Table

Akureyri, Iceland's capital of the north, is amazing. Sitting right on Eyjafjorur, the town offers gorgeous views of the saltwater, snow-coated mountains, and emerald pines. It's my partner's favorite city in Iceland due to the scenery, coffee shop culture, and lack of tourists. After spending some time wandering through the quaint downtown, make sure to duck into the giant blue bakery, Blaa Kannan Cafe, in the heart of it all.

The service here is fantastic. One of the workers once noticed me eyeing the bowls of Icelandic candy, including Nordic licorice, by the cash register and told me to sample them for free. Seeing that I loved it, she gave me a handful to have with my coffee. And that's not rare  the staff is amazing. When it comes to the food, the treats here are just outstanding. Blaa Kannan Cafe's freshly baked bread, cakes, and soup are so wholesome and tasty.

I'm partial to the banana coffee cake. I completely inhaled it when I first tried it because it was so moist and had the perfect amount of nuts on top. Otherwise, the carrot cake is the best, thanks to the thick frosting, a generous amount of carrots, and sweet spices. For something savory, get the quiche, open-faced rye bread sandwiches, or paninis. There's really no wrong way to go. Just note that from what I've observed, this can get pretty packed mid-day due to the central location. I'd recommend coming super early so you not only beat the crowds but also snag the best pastries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

+354 461-4600

Hafnarstrti 96, 600 Akureyri

Kaffi Ilmur, Akureyri

Kaffi Ilmur cake with coffee - michaelcharpentierkjeldsen/Instagram

Locals love this Akureyri fixture for its old-fashioned Icelandic cakes, plentiful outdoor seating, cozy plates, and great coffee. If you have the chance, come in the winter. I cannot stress enough just how magical it is to enjoy the baked goods as it snows in the city  Akureyri decorates the streets with string lights and garlands during the holidays. With a rooftop view of it all, Kaffi Ilmur is the best place in town to grab a coffee and pastry, and sit outside or by the windows to watch Iceland turn into a snow globe. That said, in the summer you do get to enjoy the bakery's fresh produce and blue sky views.

The bakery sits within one of Akureyri's oldest homes. Photos of the family that began it back in the very early 1900s hang on the walls, reminding diners of its history. Not that you could forget when the menu feels so timeless. Known for its traditional Icelandic cakes, these old-fashioned desserts are baked right upstairs, meaning they're extremely fresh. The apple cake and carrot cake are great. Otherwise, get the waffles with lots of whipped cream and a specialty cup of tea like 2001 Night, a mix of black tea, green tea, jasmine blossoms, strawberry, rhubarb aroma, sunflower blossoms, and rose blossoms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you want breakfast or lunchtime goodies, note that Kaffi Ilmur opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. On weekends, a brunch buffet is also laid out between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., so plan accordingly.

kaffiilmur.is

+354 680-5851

Hafnarstrti 107b, Akureyri

Deig, Reykjavik

Deig bakery sign and cinnamon bun - deigworkshop/Instagram

Though just a bakery, Deig might be among the best restaurants in all of Reykjavik. Everything is baked in-house daily, from the doughnuts to the bread to the bagels, and they're so good that diners find themselves returning or daydreaming of going after they've long left the country. It's contemporary, fresh, and original.

This is quite a modern bakery for Iceland, slinging doughnuts and bagels named after pop stars like Madonna and sitcom characters like George Costanza from "Seinfeld." Portions are huge and there's free wi-fi, so consider staying a while as you feast on goodies that will both fill you up and delight your taste buds. Every bagel flavor is vegan except for the Parmesan, and there are plenty of plant-based cream cheeses to choose from, making it a great pick for diners like myself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Deig closes when pastries run out, so just get there super early so you not only get what you want but can order at all. If you're in the mood for something savory, you can't beat the salmon bagel sandwich, made with smoked salmon from Olafsfjorur, tomatoes, caper cream cheese, and onions. I recommend ordering it with the sesame bagel as a base, because the crunch of the seeds adds a great dimension to this umami combination. Otherwise, get the cinnamon cruller for something sweet with classic Icelandic flavors  those of us Nordic-blooded pastry eaters love our cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

lekock.is/#deig

+354 571-1555

Tryggvagata 12, 101 Reykjavik

Braugerarhus, Akureyri

Vegan pastries lined up in Iceland - braudgerdarhus//Instagram

This is another northern jewel of a bakery, beloved among locals for the sourdough and pastries. This bakery is way off the beaten path, so don't expect to run into tourists here. The building, positioned inside a mall, just looks like a generic box-shaped structure with little signage, so it's also not someplace you'll easily find without an address. But the baked goods are unreal. Some online reviewers even complain that there aren't enough rating stars to give this spot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There's such a diverse selection at Braugerarhus. The vegan croissants are outstanding and shouldn't be missed. I like plain butter ones, but they also come glazed with chocolate and marzipan. Icelanders also adore the sourdough, so consider grabbing an Icelandic loaf to bring with you on your adventures. My partner and I always kept a loaf in the car while backpacking through the country  we'd pull it and top it with plant-based cheese out when we were hungry but couldn't be bothered to go inside somewhere. And this is a great spot to grab yours, as it's not only delicious, but being sold near some of the best outdoor adventures in the country.

Coffee and tea refills are free according to some customers, so if you're not in a hurry, consider staying a while with a book, plenty of pastries, and good company. The art on the wall is beautiful and the bakery is spacious.

+354 534-0034

Sunnuhli 12, 603 Akureyri

Wake N Bake, Reykjavik

Wake n Bake in Reykjavik - Emily Iris Degn/Tasting Table

My heart broke when Emilie And The Cool Kids, my favorite place for pastries in the city, was taken over recently. As it turns out, all of the recipes got passed over to the new owners, so despite the different name, I can confidently say that this place remains a gem. Wake n Bake, the new shop, serves all kinds of baked goodies, from sweet to savory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There's so much to love here. Expect piles of vegan cookies, fun interiors, incredible coffee, and plenty of seating where you can sit and people-watch right in the center of the capital. The bagels are really something. Try the Salmon and Garfunkel, a bagel sandwich stuffed with salmon, cream cheese, red onions, chives, and avocado. It's got great umami, and it's perfectly portable for carrying down the few blocks to the harbor. If you're vegan, try the Las Vegas Vegan, a sesame bagel sandwich with vegan cream cheese, spinach, tomatoes, avocado, and homemade pesto.

I also recommend ordering something sweet. I love the raspberry bun, which is filled with the tart and sweet fruit. The blueberry muffin and cinnamon bun are so sweet and cozy, making them ideal for a rainy morning in the city. Get yours with a Nutellachino for the ultimate hygge meal.

Hverfisgata 98, 101 Reykjavik

Methodology

Emily Degn in northeastern Iceland - Nicholas Allen Morgan

This article's inclusions are based on my own personal favorites as someone who's spent extensive time in Iceland. It feels like I've drunk an oat milk cappuccino at nearly every bakery in the country. I think that the bakeries included in this article captured the nation's pastry culture well, from the old-fashioned cake purveyors in the north to the bagel trailblazers in the south. They all have a place in the Icelandic bakery diaspora. And I love that Icelandic bakeries aren't flashy; they're sincere and focused on making great pastries and cozy experiences. So many of these favorites don't even have websites because they're more concerned with crafting perfect bread and authentic places in which to enjoy it.

The rest of the inclusions are based on extensive research into where the locals like to go for their bread, pastries, cakes, and other baked goods. Bakeries with 4 to 5 stars on Tripadvisor and Google Reviews were considered, and I prioritized those with Icelandic complements. It was fun to see that I agree with the popular opinions from locals, like Brau & Co being superior to the touristy and overpriced spots that get more Instagram screen time, and cinnamon being eternally better than chocolate. In the end, what grabbed my attention as a Nordic travel and food writer were the places with consistent ravings about the authentic or original offerings, the outdoor views or cozy interiors, kind service, rich coffee menus to go with the baked goods, and sustainable practices.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
From auto garage to woodworking shop to its current incarnation as a restaurant, the small building at 1200 Hickox St. has filled a variety of roles over the last three quarters of a century.

But for the four principal figures behind the newly opened Leos eatery, the building is also a place where they have learned to blend their talents, taking a collaborative approach to putting together a homestyle Thai/Malaysian restaurant that also boasts an ambitious wine and spirits program.

Leos has only been open since Aug. 7 and does not accept reservations. But it already appears to have built a strong following, with Zakary Pelaccio, one of the three partners in the venture, saying there typically is a line out the door for dinner service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There obviously was a huge, pent-up demand for this, theres no question in my mind, said Jonathan Boyd, another one of the partners.

It was Boyd and Pelaccio, longtime friends, who came together initially to launch Leos. Boyd, an accomplished designer and woodworker, owned the building, which originated as an auto garage in the 1950s. He had been operating his custom furniture studio, Boyd & Allister, out of it for several years.

But Boyd long had harbored a dream of opening a Southeast Asian eatery where he could feature the cuisine he had come to love and learned to cook as a veteran traveler to Thailand. He invited Pelaccio to have a look at the space, and his friend quickly saw the buildings potential.

We just decided to jump into it and push it along, said Pelaccio, a James Beard Foundation Awards-winning chef who had launched two celebrated Thai- and Malaysian-inspired restaurants, Fatty Crab and Fatty Cue, in New York earlier in his career before relocating to Taos, where he opened the natural wine bar Corner Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pelaccio said he had been impressed by Boyds passion and attention to detail, two elements he believed would translate well to running a restaurant.

Hes an all-around talented and bright guy who wanted to build out this space and execute his vision, Pelaccio said, noting the job Boyd did renovating the interior at Leos is every bit as worthy of attention as the food and beverage offerings.

To have this opportunity to put his work out there and have people come in and like it was exciting for me, as well, he said.

Final additions

Shortly afterward, Pelaccio brough his friend Ian Wolff, a noted cocktail specialist, aboard as another partner to run the bar, which he described as a front-and-center element in the operation. The final key addition was the hiring of Stella Achenbach as executive chef.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Achenbach had toured the space even before Pelaccio had, back when the idea for opening a restaurant was still taking shape in Boyds head. She, too, felt a strong connection to the former garage almost instantly, but she would have to wait until the other pieces came together before the opportunity to work there presented itself.

Nevertheless, It almost felt like I was destined to be a part of it, she said. It felt like the beginning of my being here in some capacity.

Achenbach, who already has built an extensive resume as a chef despite being just 23 years old, said she and Pelaccio quickly meshed. Pelaccio had built his expertise in Southeast Asian cooking by spending years working in restaurants there, while Achenbach had traveled extensively in the region, sampling its flavors and experiencing the nuances that came with its cuisine.

I think we really push each other in a fun way, she said. Hes been such an amazing mentor. This is the type of food I love to cook at home and learn more about.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, along with Boyd, they have crafted a menu they feel confident stands apart from the pack.

I think we are playing with Thai and Malaysian flavors in a way that is not typical of the American restaurant experience, that is not part of standard green curry, eggplant, American-Thai dishes, Boyd said. I think what were doing is underrepresented in this country and certainly in this community.

082025_GC_Leos002rgb.jpg

Isabella Mack makes one of Leos signature drinks a Malacca Junk at the new Thai and Malaysian-inspired restaurant and bar on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

The Leos experience is enhanced by a wine list curated by Pelaccio and the craft cocktails menu put together by Wolff, best known to local diners for developing the bar program at The Stakeout in Ranchos de Taos before joining Pelaccio at Corner Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I am diligently building out the wine program here, Pelaccio said, explaining the list leans strongly toward Eastern European wines, which match wonderfully with the food.

It also pairs well with rum and whiskey, he said, which is why Wolff has compiled an extensive selection of both for the bar. Rum plays an important role in many of Wolffs concoctions, including the Malacca junk, his variation on the Singapore sling, and the mai mai nevermind, a reimagined mai tai.

How the pieces fit

With so many accomplished and creative folks shaping Leos, the potential for conflicting visions to arise certainly seems possible. But that doesnt seem to have been the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We all have a collective vision, but we have lanes, Achenbach said, noting the building of well-defined communication channels between the four has helped head off any misunderstandings.

Pelaccio echoed that stay-in-your-lane philosophy and a willingness to yield to each other when necessary.

As much as were partners, its not a democracy, he said. Somebodys going to be in charge of some aspects of the business.

082025_GC_Leos003rgb.jpg

James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Zakary Pelaccio sits for a portrait in the patio of the new Leos, a Thai and Malaysian-inspired restaurant and bar, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That process of building a collective vision was aided by the deliberate pace that was taken in getting Leos open, Achenbach said, which allowed them to work together for an extended period and build a rapport before they served their first customer.

The goal is to work so well together we could know what each other is thinking at any given moment, she said of her relationship with Pelaccio in the kitchen. I think were getting there.

Boyd said he already has learned to trust Achenbach, Pelaccio and Wolff implicitly, believing their vision for Leos is aligned.

It hasnt felt like a fight, he said, smiling, which is really lovely.
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Critical care physician Jess Bunin, co-founder of All Levels Leadership, discusses the article, Civil discourse as a leadership competency: the case for curiosity in medicine. They challenge a core tenet of medical culture: the pressure to project certainty and always have the right answer. Jess argues that this fixation on knowing makes clinicians fragile and sabotages the ability to navigate difficult conversations on topics like racial equity and systems of power. The solution she proposes is civil discourse, which requires shifting ones identity from being correct to being curious. She emphasizes that providing psychological safety is a leaders primary responsibility in making this shift possible. The conversation provides actionable skills like active listening and perspective-taking, reframing them not as soft skills but as essential survival skills for a health care system strained by polarization and burnout.

Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nations largest health care hiring network, were your partner in shaping health cares future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers.

VISIT SPONSOR  https://kevinmd.com/careers

Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress  visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern.

VISIT SPONSOR  https://kevinmd.com/pattern

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST  https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD  https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome back Jess Bunin. Shes a critical care physician and co-founder of All Levels Leadership. Shes the co-author of the KevinMD article, Civil discourse as a leadership competency: the case for curiosity in medicine. Jess, welcome back to the show.

Jess Bunin: Thanks so much, Kevin. Thanks for having me.

Kevin Pho: All right, so whats this latest article about?

Jess Bunin: This latest article is about the importance of us learning to communicate effectively across our differences. I think weve done ourselves a great disservice by saying we cant talk about things like politics or religion. And so instead of getting to know each other, we create barriers between ourselves.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ill give you an example of how I got involved in this topic. I was working at an institution where students of two different interest groups were unable to communicate, even in professional contexts. It was one of our religious student groups and our LGBTQ student group, and I was asked to get engaged and involved and solve the problem. Originally, I thought this was a student problem and I was really blaming the students for their contribution to this. But I took it to a staff meeting, and we discussed it at length and we actually said, No, the problem is us. We are not doing a very good job of role-modeling civil discourse. We dont really know what civil discourse is, and so how can we expect our students to be communicating well across differences if were not showing them how to do that?

Kevin Pho: I think, of course, you point to a larger problem in society, right? In terms of what you read in the newspapers every day, I think that our society has certainly become more polarized, and were losing the ability to communicate with someone we dont necessarily agree with or someone with whom we have philosophical differences. Now, specifically in a medical setting, why is that a problem? Or how big of a problem is it if were not able to engage in civil discourse?

Jess Bunin: Its a huge problem at every level. Its a problem for the leadership of our institutions. Its a problem for our institutions of health care communicating with the government and communicating with the public, and its a problem in the exam room. As an example, if we are a strong believer in the importance of vaccination and we have a patient who is vaccine-hesitant, and we jump to showing them articles and telling them the data and what we think they need to know, were going to lose an opportunity to understand the perspective of the human in front of us, address their true concerns and fears, and come to an agreement where we move forward together as a team. Instead, weve created conflict between us and probably lost the trust of that patient.

Kevin Pho: So before we get to paths forward, of course, Im interested in hearing about what you think we should do about this. How did we get to this point in the first place, in your opinion?

Jess Bunin: Well, as I mentioned upfront, I do think that there have been a lot of topics where we have declared that these are things we just dont talk about in public spaces, and this has created this idea that its an us and them. I cant talk to someone who has a different religion than I do. I cant talk to someone across a political divide. I cant talk to someone who doesnt share my sexual orientation, whatever it may be. Weve created these barriers around what it means to communicate.

I think in health care specifically, and in health care leadership and academia, we are taught from day one that its very important to be right, to know what youre talking about, and to show you know what youre talking aboutthat youre the expert, that youre the boss, that youre making the decisions, and you have the right answer. Were not taught to step back and think maybe were wrong. And so weve taken to this idea of debate and conflict instead of effectively listening to each other. We try to change each others minds and bring people to our side with data, and it just doesnt work.

So thats a big part of this conflict, I would say. The other part is we have this idea that civility means politeness and decorum and not challenging anyone and not pushing boundaries, and its just not true. In my mind, civil discourse is a whole system whereby we have to develop psychological safety, we have to practice active listening, and we have to find some common ground between us, even if its a value that we start with and branch out from there. We have to be willing to rethink our beliefs and assumptions, and we have to be able to challenge people in a way thats going to build a relationship, not harm it. And Im not sure were very good at those skills with our patients or in our systems.

As an example, the data shows us over and over that, in general, providers interrupt their patients within 11 to 18 seconds of them trying to tell us whats wrong with them. Thats not nearly enough time. And I think if we watch people on rounds, its even less than that before folks are interrupting each other in a clinical space and within meetings. Were not listening, were not hearing what theyre saying. Were not hearing the meaning between the words. And so how can we have a conversation involving perspective-taking if we dont know what the other perspective is?

Kevin Pho: And when you say that we are not good role models, and that patients, students, residents, and interns are not seeing good role models engaging in civil discourse, are you seeing that across the health care spectrum, ranging from administrators and leadership to attending physicians?

Jess Bunin: I am. Im seeing it across the board. I dont think that this is a problem in any one group or one type of person or one leadership position. I think its across professions. I think this is an interdisciplinary process within the profession of medicine. I think in many aspects, once there is a differencewhether thats a difference between faculty and students, a difference between attending and resident, or a difference between nurse and physician, or in my context, military and civilianall of those areas, we put up barriers. Were afraid to share specific aspects of what we believe for fear of how the other person might take that.

And on the other side of that, individuals arent effectively creating the environment where they can sit and have the time to truly have deep conversations and listen to each other. I think time is one of our biggest barriers here, both in a clinical context in a 15- to 20-minute encounter with a patient, or in meeting scenarios. Often, were given a matter of minutes to brief slides or to tell a leader our concerns, and we dont make the time to sit down, ask hard questions, and understand the perspectives of those around us.

Kevin Pho: So lets get back to the anecdote that you shared with us earlier on where you were called in to mediate a dispute. So tell us how you navigated that and how you moved that scenario forward.

Jess Bunin: Yeah, thats a great question. So, after refocusing myself, after doing some rethinking myself about what the actual problem was, we decided to create a series of workshops called Community Building for Civil Discourse for all of the staff and faculty at our institution. This allowed us to take a full day away from clinical encounters, from research obligations, from administrative burden, and spend the day truly getting to know each other. The morning of that workshop was built around restorative justice principles of community building, and the afternoon was spent working on all of those skills of civil discourse that I listed for you and doing activities around all of them.

Like, what are your weaknesses in developing psychological safety in your context? Why are you not actively listening? Where are your strengths and weaknesses, and what can you do to build that skill? What does it mean to find common ground, and how can we do that across differences when it feels like were all at these opposite ends of this political spectrum and everything is black and white? When we sit down and talk about it, theres a lot of gray, and often thats actually where we are.

And then this idea of rethinking. I dont think its something weve ever been taught. I dont think its something thats comfortable to do. It requires a lot of humility, a lot of really examining the fact that maybe what Ive grown to believe my whole life may not be a fact. It may not be a big truth. And then finally, learning some skills and practicing them together as a group where individuals can say, Youve said something that hurt my feelings, but Id like to call you in and have a deeper conversation about that, as opposed to calling you out and shaming you for doing it. When we call people out, if theyre not interested in having a professional relationship with us any longer, they want to avoid us. But if we call them in, now weve created a colleague. Now weve created an ally, and I think thats where the power of this can be: creating allies across our differences where we can work together to solve big problems.

Kevin Pho: One of the things in your article that really resonated with me is that instead of trying to be correct, try to be curious instead. And I think that really is an important trait and characteristic of consensus-building. So talk more about that: trying to be curious rather than correct.

Jess Bunin: Yeah. We always say, Get curious, dont get furious, when we hear of something happening that seems incredulous to us. But again, Im going to go back to the fact that as providers, as physicians, were taught that it only matters to be correct. Were graded on multiple-choice tests. Were berated on rounds if we dont know the right answer. So were pretty sure that we have to have the right answer or were going to get in trouble. And so we dont take the time to ask for other perspectives. We dont take the time to explore what that might mean.

It takes time to do that. It takes time to avoid allowing yourself to make assumptions, and instead, stopping and saying, What dont I understand about this situation? How can I build my knowledge? How can I be more genuinely curious about all of the possibilities of what could be happening instead of making assumptions about what I think is happening? We do it about each other all the time. We make assumptions the second we meet or see someone because were embarrassed to ask them the right question. We dont know how to ask them in a respectful manner, or were afraid its going to lead to conflict. So we make assumptions, and then we choose to avoid someone or spend more time with them based on the signals our brain is telling us about whats comfortable and whats uncomfortable. Instead, we need to step back and say, Im going to stop my assumptions. Im going to ask the deeper, more important, curious questions. This is what allows people to be great leaders: to truly get to know all of the people around them by asking curious questions.

Kevin Pho: So give us some outcomes of some of these principles in action. You could relate it back to the original anecdote that you shared with us, or a common scenario like talking to a patient who has philosophical differences with you in the exam room. It could be vaccines, it could be politics. What are some positive outcomes from some of this consensus-building that weve been talking about today? What would that look like?

Jess Bunin: Yeah, so what were actually seeing is folks are having an increased sense of belonging. They feel like their voice is heard in the institution and that they can contribute. And I think belonging is really key. The other thing were seeing is an increased sense of hopefulness about the future of the institution. If we can have belonging and hope for the future, we can accomplish anything together. So those are the two big outcomes.

On a smaller scale, what Im actually seeing is people coming to me and saying, What would be a more restorative way to handle this? What would be the right questions to ask in this scenario? How can I bridge this gap? I had this conflict with a student. How can I bridge the gap so that we can move forward together and they dont feel isolated in my class? Things along those lines. I dont have broad ranges of numbers for how often thats happening, but Im hearing about it regularly, and I think thats where the change happens. And I think when we teach our students and our faculty to do that, now they can bring that into the exam room.

Ill give you an example. I approached a patient who was turned away from another emergency department while having a myocardial infarction. And I sat down and asked, What do you think are all the reasons that this happened to you? Can we talk about this? And she started crying and she opened up. She said, No ones ever stopped to ask me my perspective of what happened and why it mattered. And when we stop and ask those questions and work on active listening, I let her then speak for five minutes without interrupting her, which is sort of unheard of in health care.

Kevin Pho: Speaking of role models, I think that a lot of people in society take cues from our politicians, right? Speaking of a lack of role models, they just speak in absolutes, theyre so dogmatic, and really not practicing anything that were talking about today. So my question to you is, how difficult is it to implement some of these ideas that weve been talking about today? Tell me about that process. Obviously, this is not an overnight thing, but tell me some of the challenges people face to adopt some of this consensus-building.

Jess Bunin: Yeah, well, I would argue that a lot of grandstanding and arguing and not listeninga lot of what we see is not how people interact on smaller scales on a regular basis, and weve normalized that behavior as OK. And I think we need to move away from that, which is another conversation. But I think we can start at all levels, working on small instances of how to build this so that we can continue to practice it and continue to learn it. Because when we talk about the last pillar of civil discourse that I talked aboutthe conversational skills and the skills to challenge each otherpart of that is working on avoiding grandiose assumptions and hyperbolic language. As soon as we do that, we start excluding people, and they start tuning us out.

So if instead we can tone that down and again, start with the common ground, its a completely different conversation. It takes away the adversarial tension of a conversation right away. If we start at the same point, and I often tell people the best way to do that is to just share stories with each other, youll realize how much overlap youve had in life experiences, or the things you enjoy, or the way you experienced holidays or summer, or whatever the case may be. Even if theres no overlap in your personal experiences, you can often find overlap in your values, whether thats health care, whether thats the dignity of humans, whether that is trust, loyalty, or life. We can all find a value we agree on, and then decide where our opinions take us from there and why our life experiences have made us believe that. If we can have that conversation starting with common ground, we avoid hyperbole, we avoid aggravating language, and we can instead have a true, meaningful conversation where we hear each other.

Kevin Pho: Were talking to Jess Bunin, critical care physician and co-founder of All Levels Leadership. Today, the KevinMD article is Civil discourse as a leadership competency: the case for curiosity in medicine. Jess, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to share with the KevinMD audience.

Jess Bunin: The most important thing is that if you can learn these pillars of civil discourse, these skills work everywhere. They work in your marriage. They work with your children. They work in a clinic. They work in leadership boardrooms. They work between hospitals and board leadership. Its a universal skill thats worth taking the time to learn. And once we learn the language of how to do that and to challenge each other constructively, we can make a lot of progress, from developing trust in that clinical encounter to developing trust within our institutions.

Kevin Pho: Jess, as always, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight, and thanks again for coming back on the show.

Jess Bunin: Thanks so much for having me. Have a wonderful day.
While investigating everything from bizarre coincidences to ghoulish encounters, Sarah Knapton, our Science Editor, and Joe Pinkstone, our Science Correspondent, have found that apparently supernatural experiences tend to have perfectly rational explanations.

Now they want to help you out.

Every Sunday, theyll be demystifying your most bizarre personal stories, using science, psychology and a bit of common sense to find logic behind the madness  although sometimes a bit of mystery remains.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Today, our duo investigate a Moroccan mystery that had one holidaying reader scratching their head

I went on holiday to Morocco and booked to stay in a small privately owned riad with only four guest bedrooms in a small town.

On my first morning I went down for breakfast and friends who live in my small village in England were sitting there.

We had not discussed holidays beforehand and neither of us knew we were going to Morocco.

Sarah and Joe say:

Of all the riads, in all the towns, in all the world.

You dont tell us whether you were staying in Casablanca, but certainly the shock of running into old friends in Morocco was as much of a surprise as Ilsa sauntering into Ricks Cafe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It might seem baffling to bump into an old chum on holiday, but actually is quite common.

In fact, a survey carried out by Lastminute.com in 2014, found that three-quarters of Britons have encountered an acquaintance on their travels.

According to psychologists, it occurs because people we spend time with unconsciously shape our preferences, a phenomenon known as social influence.

We tend to hang out with people who share similar views, live in similar areas and have similar bank balances, so it is no surprise that we would also choose similar holiday destinations, however unwittingly.

It is why a well-heeled London banker is likely to spot his wealthy Westminster neighbour swishing down the slopes of Gstaad, while a young Brighton bohemian may run into their vegan dog groomer on a Goan breathwork retreat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Dr David Hodge, a lecturer in statistics and data analytics at the University of Glasgow, the odds of it happening to an individual are tricky to calculate and very person-dependent.

But about 10 years ago, stats guru Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter set up the Cambridge Coincidences Collection asking people to write in with their strange happenings.

Vacation-related coincidences were among the most common, at around 6.1 per cent, while meeting people in airports, or on public transport was 6 per cent

So our advice? Keep an eye out for acquaintances when travelling. It will help you to avoid these interlopers more easily.

Conclusion: Explicable

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Brief

Nearly 1,700 National Guard troops will deploy in 19 states to assist DHS with immigration enforcement.

The Pentagon said Guard members will perform clerical, transport and logistical tasks, not arrests.

The White House stressed the deployment is separate from President Trumps crime crackdown in Washington, D.C.

Nearly 1,700 National Guard troops are set to mobilize across 19 states in the coming weeks to support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with immigration enforcement, Pentagon officials confirmed to Fox News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The large-scale rollout, planned to run from late August through mid-November, is one of the most significant National Guard activations in recent years.

Documents reviewed by Fox News show deployments are scheduled in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Texas is expected to see the largest Guard presence.

What Guard troops will do

What we know

The Pentagon said Guard members will not be conducting arrests but instead will support ICE with case management, transportation, clerical duties, and logistical functions at processing facilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Their responsibilities may include collecting personal data, fingerprinting, photographing and DNA swabbing detainees in ICE custody so immigration agents can focus on enforcement.

Because the mobilization falls under Title 32 authority, troops will remain under the command of their state governors while coordinating directly with DHS. Unlike active-duty military, Guard forces under Title 32 are not restricted by the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of federal troops in civilian law enforcement.

What we don't know

It remains unclear exactly how many Guard troops will be assigned to each state or how long the deployments will last. Pentagon officials have said the timelines could vary depending on coordination with state governors and DHS needs.

President Donald Trump stands with National Guard members and law enforcement officials during a visit to a security operation in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Officials have also not detailed how frequently Guard members may be involved in detainee processing tasks such as DNA swabbing, or whether their roles could expand beyond administrative and logistical support as operations continue.

White House: Separate from Trumps crime crackdown

Dig deeper

The deployment comes as Trump has touted progress in his federal anti-crime crackdown in Washington, D.C., where more than 2,200 Guard troops and federal officers have been stationed in recent weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At least 465 arrests have been made in the capital since the operation began, according to officials. Trump has suggested Chicago and New York could be next.

"Were going to make it safe, and were going to then go on to other places," Trump told a group of agents and Guard troops at a D.C. patrol center Thursday.

But the White House emphasized the 19-state mobilization is not part of that crime crackdown.

"This isnt new nor is it tied to the Presidents efforts to address violent crime in D.C.," a White House official told Fox News. "DoD announced last month that National Guard troops would assist DHS with clerical support and other logistical tasks for processing illegal aliens at ICE facilities. It is separate from the federal interagency crime crackdown."

What's next

Most of the 19-state operations remain in the planning stage and will begin rolling out in early September. In Virginia, about 60 Guard troops will start training Aug. 25 and begin duty in September, state officials confirmed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Pentagon said it continues to coordinate with DHS and governors to determine the scope and duration of the deployments.

The Source

This report is based on Fox News reporting and information confirmed by Pentagon officials, the White House, and the Virginia National Guard.
ANDERSON, S.C. (WSPA)  A shooting occurred Saturday in Anderson, resulting in one person being airlifted to a hospital.

The Anderson Police Department responded to the incident that took place at the 200 block of Arlington Avenue. A victim was located with at least one gunshot wound at the scene.

Police reported that the individual was taken by Life Flight to Greenville for their injuries.

Their condition remains unknown at this time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers said a suspect has been taken into custody for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators are at the scene to gather evidence to determine the motive behind the case.

The shooting remains under investigation by the APD.

7NEWS will continue to 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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  One person is dead and three others are hurt after a shooting and stabbing in Kansas City, Missouri, police say.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, officers were sent to East 12th Terrace near Woodland Avenue on a reported shooting and possible stabbing around 4 p.m. When those officers arrived, they found a man with what police are calling unknown bodily trauma. That man was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Sunday, KCPD identified the victim as 39-year-old Victor Austin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Independence teacher hit with multiple child porn charges: DOJ

Also at the scene were two other victims: a juvenile with head injuries and a man with a gunshot wound. Both of those victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to KCPD.

Additionally, police learned that a fourth victim from the scene had gone to a local hospital after being stabbed. At this time, police say the woman is in serious condition.

KCPD detectives are now investigating the scene as a homicide. KCPD says that, at this time, no suspects are in custody.

Initial investigation revealed that an altercation between several people is what led to the shooting and stabbing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If anyone has any information, they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.

This is an ongoing investigation; FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
One person was sent to a hospital after a shooting in northeast Charlotte early Sunday morning, MEDIC said.

MEDIC responded to the scene at the 400 block of Lambeth Drive around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.

There, they found one person suffering from a gunshot wound. Officials said the patient was transported to a hospital to be treated for serious injury.

This is the second shooting on Lambeth Drive in just over a week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

READ MORE: 1 killed in overnight shooting in northeast Charlotte, CMPD says

On Aug. 17, police began a homicide investigation on the 300 block of Lambeth Drive after a 16-year-old was killed in a drive-by shooting.

Police have not yet released whether an arrest has been made in connection with the teens death.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: 1 killed in overnight shooting in northeast Charlotte, CMPD says
Thirty-four years on, Ukraines independence endures  even as Russias full-scale war puts its people to the ultimate test. Thats why Independence Day, marked on Aug. 24, is more than just a holiday for Ukrainians  it is a living testament to the courage, determination, and pride of a nation.

To truly understand Ukrainian independence, sometimes you have to look beyond the headlines of military battles into the lived experiences, cultural memory, and artistic expressions that have defined the countrys identity.

The Kyiv Independent has chosen 10 books that offer a window into Ukraines past and present, underscoring both the countrys complexities and the resilient spirit of its people. These works show that independence is not just a legal or political status  it is a deeply human experience, a story of community, how it engages with memory, as well as how it clings on to hope.

Survival as Victory: Ukrainian Women in the Gulag by Oksana Kis

Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalins rule, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were among those sent to gulags  forced labor camps  accused of crimes against the Communist state. Many of them perished due to harsh conditions, disease, and physical abuse. In this book, Ukrainian historian Oksana Kis highlights the experiences of Ukrainian women in the gulag, recounting how they fought not only to survive but to keep their cultural identity  which the Soviets tried to erase  alive.

The Voices of Babyn Yar by Marianna Kiyanovska

Some of the most horrific events of World War II unfolded on the territory of modern-day Ukraine, including the Babyn Yar massacre, where more than 33,000 Jews were killed over the course of a day. In total, an estimated 100,000 people from various ethnic groups were killed at the Babyn Yar ravine in Kyiv during the Nazi occupation. Ukrainian poet Marianna Kiyanovskas book pays tribute to those who perished, first and foremost, by honoring their memory and ensuring they are never forgotten.

The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine by Serhii Plokhy

In this authoritative history of Ukraine, historian Serhii Plokhy traces the nations journey from ancient times to the modern era, revealing how Ukraine and its people were shaped by their position at the crossroads of competing empires. The reader is introduced to pivotal figures from Ukrainian history who, amid political turmoil and upheaval, strove to preserve the country and forge a distinct national identity. Through their successes, failures, and  most importantly  their resilience, Plokhy illuminates the enduring story of a people determined to define themselves on their own terms.

The Ukrainian Night: An Intimate History of Revolution by Marci Shore

During the 20132014 EuroMaidan Revolution, also known as the Revolution of Dignity, Ukrainians took to the streets demanding democratic reform, forcing out pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. In her insightful book, historian Marci Shore brings to life the voices of those who took part in the revolution, capturing their hopes and fears, as well as the pain of the Russian annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts that followed soon after their hard-won victory.

Our Others: Stories of Ukrainian Diversity by Olesya Yaremchuk

Ukraine is seldom imagined as a multi-ethnic nation, yet Olesia Yaremchuks book is devoted to uncovering its rich diversity. Drawing on extensive research, Yaremchuk traces how Czechs, Slovaks, Meskhetian Turks, Swedes, Romanians, Hungarians, Roma, Jews, Liptaks, Gagauzes, Germans, Vlachs, Poles, Crimean Tatars, Armenians, and other groups came to settle in Ukraine  often as a consequence of shifting borders and historical upheavals. In doing so, she paints a portrait of a country defined as much by multiculturalism as by its enduring struggles against Russian aggression.

Vasyl Stus: Life in Creativity by Dmytro Stus

Ukrainian poet Vasyl Stus was a leading figure in the dissident movement known as the Sixtiers, and fiercely advocated for human rights under Soviet rule. His resistance cost him his life in a Russian penal colony in 1985. In this book, his son, Dmytro Stus, reflects on growing up with such a trailblazing father and how he came to fully appreciate his bravery only later in life. At its heart, the book explores the phenomenon of when someone close to you transforms from a man into a national symbol.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us

The Museum of Abandoned Secrets by Oksana Zabuzhko

Spanning more than half a century of Ukrainian history, Oksana Zabuzhkos novel follows three Ukrainian women whose lives are shaped by the shadows of the past. At its center is a journalist whose investigation into long-buried betrayals and disappearances uncovers the legacies of famine, war, and Ukraines struggle for independence. With unflinching insight and lyrical precision, the book illuminates how personal memory and national history intertwine, ultimately conveying that the story of a nation is inseparable from the lives of those who endure it.

Earth Gods: Writings from Before the War by Taras Prokhasko

One of Ukraine's most enduring and distinctive literary voices, this collection includes three of author Taras Prokhaskos early works, inviting readers into a world of Ukrainian literature defined not solely by Russias war. These three literary texts trace Ukraines cultural reemergence after its independence in 1991, its efforts to reclaim its place within the greater European context without foreign interference, and its ongoing struggle to preserve the qualities that make it singular, which means not just resisting external pressures but also the slow erosion of time.

Stalking the Atomic City: Life Among the Decadent and the Depraved of Chornobyl by Markiyan Kamysh

The world came dangerously close to catastrophe in 1986, when Soviet negligence at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant brought humanity to the brink of nuclear disaster. In its aftermath, the land around the plant, located in the north of Kyiv Oblast, was left frozen in time. Author Markiyan Kamysh, the son of a Chornobyl liquidator, grew up to become a stalker, one of those who devote their lives to sneaking into this forbidden zone. In this book, he meditates on the haunting ruins of Chornobyl, the lingering traces of vanished life, and the beauty that emerges in the wake of catastrophe.

The City by Valerian Pidmohylny

First published in 1928, Valerian Pidmohylnys novel follows a young villager who comes to Kyiv to study and gradually finds himself transformed by the rhythms and contradictions of city life. Set against a society caught between tradition and modernity, the novel explores the subtle shifts within the self. Though Pidmohylny was murdered during the Stalinist purges, his work remains as vital as ever, now recognized by literary scholars as an early precursor to Existentialist thought.

Note from the author:



Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading this article. There is an ever-increasing amount of books about or related to Ukraine, Russia, and Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine available to English-language readers, and I hope my recommendations prove useful when it comes to your next trip to the bookstore. If you like reading about this sort of thing, please consider supporting The Kyiv Independent.

Read also: 34 facts to learn about Ukraine this Independence Day





Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A few downpours can really put a dampener on a break. But what about a flood of seriously venomous sea slugs or a super-tornado?

The perils of Indias monsoon and the Caribbeans hurricane season are well documented, but it turns out there are plenty of other alarming events that it would be wise to avoid when booking a holiday  and some have even hit this summer.

Read on to see a round up of the most bizarre, disgusting or downright dangerous seasonal phenomena  involving insects, endless darkness and plenty of fires.

Summer

Sea slugs, Spain

August holidaymakers along the Costa Blancas seven-mile stretch of sand at Guardamar del Segura were recently banned from the beach due to the appearance of so-called blue dragons.

Blue dragon is a small slug that measures only about 2cm but can cause fatal stings - Biosphoto/Alamy

Delicately beautiful on the outside, these feathery sea slugs feed on poisonous creatures such as the Portuguese man owar, storing their venom in concentrated doses to use in their own stings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Encountering a blue dragon can be potentially fatal, as a sting can trigger a severe allergic reaction.

Until 2021, the species hadnt been spotted off Spain for more than 300 years, preferring warm waters in the Atlantic, Pacific or Indian Oceans, but there have been three high summer spates in the Costa Blanca since.

Sargassum season, Caribbean

Its not just hurricanes that hit the islands in summer: visitors also have to contend with stinky sargassum season. Prickly, and smelling like a cross between wee and rotten eggs, the green algae is having a particularly successful 2025. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance reported that April seaweed levels in the eastern Caribbean and Western Atlantic were more than double that of 2022, previously a record-breaking year.

Workers removing sargassum from the shore of Playa del Carmen beach in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico - Elizabeth Ruiz/ AFP

The explosion is thought to be fuelled by fertiliser run-off and warmer seas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Whats an inconvenience for tourists is a health threat for the permanent population: the toxic gases released by the algae can lead to respiratory difficulties so, when the problem is particularly bad, schools are evacuated. Meanwhile, reefs are smothered and fishermen find their livelihoods in jeopardy as rotting sargassum invades the shoreline.

Derecho season, America

Harder to forecast than tornados and hurricanes, derechos are extreme storms linked to fast-moving rain or thunder. According to the BBC, they must cause damage over more than 250 miles, sustain gusts of around 58mph along their full length and reach wind speeds of 75mph to qualify for the moniker.

A deadly derecho strikes central Kansas - James P Reed/Corbis

Though not exclusively American, they mostly happen between April and August in central and eastern parts of the country  and when one hits, it can trigger several others in a catastrophic chain of events.

In April 2025, a derecho ripped through the Midwest, killing three people and leaving thousands without power.

Meltemi wind, Cyclades

While Greek island-hopping is the definition of a chic summer holiday, sailors know to swerve the Meltemi wind, which can churn the sea around the Cyclades until it is whitewater rough. Blowing north between June and September (and most likely to hit between mid-July and mid-August), the winds have spawned several cautionary YouTube videos from sailors, and can also disrupt the ferries that plough the waters between the islands and from the mainland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those on boats often travel in the morning or late at night to avoid the worst of the wind, anchoring when the forecast is particularly bad. Meanwhile, onshore, visitors seek out sheltered beaches such as Agios Prokopios on Naxos or Monolithos on Santorini.

Typhoon season, Japan

August and September is peak typhoon season in Japan, bringing torrential rain and winds of up to 200 kph from the north Pacific.

Buildings in Chiba, Japan, lie in ruins after being hit by a tornado in October 2019

Theyre often at their worst on the balmy sub-tropical islands around Okinawa, where huge waves pound the coastline and strong winds hit land, causing landslides and flights and ferries to be cancelled.

But the storms can reach more-visited cities such as Tokyo, too. In 2019, planes and trains were cancelled and the authorities urged people to stay inside as millions were evacuated from their homes in the city during Typhoon Hagibis.

Flying Ant Day, UK

Dont think Britain is entirely free of its own weird weather events. Flying Ant Day, which could be anytime between mid-June to early September and  worse  actually stretches over several days, has proved enough of a nuisance for The New York Times to write a piece about it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The phenomenon, caused by the ants meeting in the sky to mate, may get more extreme in the future as temperatures soar too.

Winter

Acqua alta in Venice, Italy

Trying to escape summers tourist crowds? Winter brings another bother to Venice  the floods of the acqua alta (high water).

St. Marks Square in Venice regularly floods during alta acqua (high tide) events

Caused by particularly high tides and usually occurring between November and March, these fill low-lying landmarks such as St Marks Square, sending locals and tourists alike onto temporary elevated walkways so they can stroll above the waterline. Usually easy to manage, the acqua alta can occasionally be devastating.

In November 2019, the water was so high that it flooded 80 per cent of the city and damaged precious churches and monuments including Palladios Tablino, built in the 1560s as the sacristy for the Chiesa della Carita. The phenomenon is such a nuisance that theres an official app to keep track of it (hi!tide Venice).

Polar Night in Svalbard, Norway

The glaciers of this Norwegian archipelago draw visitors in search of polar bears and whales when summer rolls around. By mid-November theyll be hard to spot though, because the region is thrown into Polar Night. At this time of year, the sun never gets beyond six degrees above the horizon, plunging the area into perpetual darkness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Morning segues to night and back again, with no discernable difference. Locals use head torches to light their way along icy paths but mostly hunker down at home. For the tourists that do make the trip during winter, one incredible sight might make up for the blackout: the neon glow of the aurora borealis, visible when the sky is cloudless.

The Mistral, France

Marseille residents stay indoors when its famous wind hits (usually in winter and early spring). Blowing south through the Rhone Valley towards the Mediterranean, it brings chilly gusts of up to 100kph to Provence.

The Mistral can bring winds of up to 100kph in southern France, in ports such as Madrague - iStockphoto

At its most extreme, it can bring down trees, cause flight disruption and fan wildfires due to its dry nature: in early July 2025, gusts of 70kph helped propel one dangerously close to the edge of the city.

Some locals forecast the Mistrals arrival by nighttime scarlet skies and treat it with reverence: after all, the wind dries the grapes and blows away any cloud cover, ensuring precious vines get the sunshine needed for the best wine.

Stinger Season at the Great Barrier Reef, Australia (also early spring)

From November to May, a particularly poisonous stinger inhabits the warm, shallow waters of Northern Queensland. The box jellyfish comes with up to 60 venom-packed tentacles which really pack a punch: the unluckiest people to encounter them die from cardiac arrest caused by a reaction to stings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result, a public awareness programme urges swimmers to wear full-length wetsuits and swim at patrolled beaches  and its worked. Barrier Reef Australia figures suggest theres now one fatality every three or four years from box jellyfish stings, compared with 20-50 in the Philippines, where theyre just as prevalent.

Spring

Burning season, northern Thailand

During March, smog hides the view from the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai while residents don N95 masks to help them breathe. Its the heart of burning season, when farmers set fire to the surrounding fields in preparation for new crops (despite it being illegal in the country), adding an extra layer of pollution for three or four months at the beginning of every year.

A veil of pollution over Chiang Mai, Thailand in March 2024 - Anadolu

The air quality is often so bad that its spawned a profusion of Reddit threads from concerned tourists and ex-pats, whove experienced stinging eyes, headaches and sore throats.

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 13-year-old boy was shot and killed late Saturday at a gas station in Pico Rivera while waiting for his relative to get off work, and Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department homicide detectives are searching for the gunman.

The shooting was reported around 11:45 p.m. on Aug. 23 in the 8800 block of Whittier Boulevard, according to LASD. The victim, described only as a 13-year-old male, was pronounced dead at the scene.

KTLAs Omar Lewis reported from a 76 station near Rosemead Boulevard and Whittier Boulevard, where investigators worked through the night collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lieutenant Michael Modica said investigators had few details on the suspect, who ran away after shots were fired. Were early on in the investigative process right now. All I can say is that he fled the location he was last seen running away from on foot  there did not appear to be a robbery or an argument or anything prior.

The lieutenant added that the boy was likely at the gas station because his relative works there.

He does stay in the area while his relative is working, said Modica. He hangs out waiting for the relative to get off work.

Residents told KTLA theyre concerned following another deadly shooting days earlier at a different gas station on Washington Boulevard near Passons Boulevard, about two miles away. Investigators do not believe the two shootings are connected, and suspects in both cases remain on the run.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is no additional information available at this time, LASD added.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

Nancy Fontan and Omar 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 16-year-old was killed in a shooting on Aug. 23, according to police.

The Milwaukee Police Department said it's investigating the circumstances of the fatal shooting, which occurred around 9:14 p.m in the 3300 block of North 12th Street. The A 16-year-old victim was pronounced dead after sustaining a gunshot wound.

Police are seeking an unknown suspect related to the incident.

As of Sunday, Aug. 24, 93 people have died in homicides in Milwaukee, according to police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Data from the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission through Aug. 11 shows there have been 59 youth victims of fatal and nonfatal gun violence so far this year and 40 youth suspects.

The 16-year-old is at least the 16th homicide victim this year in the city under the age of 18, according to the commission data.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 16-year-old killed in Milwaukee shooting; police search for suspect
Cincinnati police say two men trespassed in Paycor Stadium overnight, with one accused of trying to steal a barbecue smoker.

Police arrested Kaleb Truong, 19, of Mason, and Alex Winegeart, 18, of Norwood, after a lengthy search around the Cincinnati Bengals' stadium Aug. 24, according to court records and radio traffic. Officers first responded to a call about two men jumping over a locked fence near one of stadium's entry gates from the security team around 2:30 a.m.

Officers said they established a perimeter around the stadium in an attempt to locate the two men, according to radio traffic. Around 3:30 a.m., they reported encountering one of the men.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Going to a Bengals home game? Check out Paycor Stadium's bag policy, parking, more

More: 'Like Groundhog Day': Hamilton County votes again to approve a new Paycor Stadium lease

Court documents say police encountered Truong trying to leave the stadium where officers were positioned. He ran back inside the stadium and officers deployed a K-9 unit. Truong was then arrested without incident.

Video footage shows Truong jumping over the fence and attempting to steal a barbecue smoker, according to the documents.

Court documents do not provide details that outline Winegeart's role in the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both men face felonious breaking and entering charges and remain in custody at the Hamilton County Justice Center. They are expected to be arraigned in Hamilton County Municipal Court at 9 a.m. Aug. 25.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police: Man accused of trying to steal smoker from Paycor Stadium
How AI helped a veteran feel seen in the U.S. health care system

A veteran came into my clinic with quiet frustration in his eyes. He was 100 percent service-connected and medically retired, struggling to survive in San Diego. He handed me a DMV disability formsomething that could save him hundreds of dollars in car registration fees. But another VA doctor had already refused to sign it.

The form asked whether his disability caused an impaired gait. It was vague. He had chronic back pain and limited mobility from service-related injuriesbut he didnt use a cane or walker. He also had post-traumatic stress disorder. His last doctor said he didnt qualify.

Now I had to decide.

I could see what the form meant, but also what it did. Bureaucratic ambiguity like this often alienates the very veterans were supposed to serve. When we split hairs, they walk away feeling dismissed and disrespected.

And theres more to gait than muscle and bone. PTSD affects balance, coordination, and motivation to move. Anxiety can change posture. Hypervigilance can make walking in public physically exhausting. This veteran didnt need a walker to be mobility-impairedhe was already living with the daily friction of chronic pain and mental illness.

I didnt have time to comb through policy manuals or call another colleague. I needed helpfast. So I turned to ChatGPT.

I typed in the forms language and the patients diagnoses. In seconds, the AI gave me a clear, structured explanation of how impaired gait might be interpreted, including clinical examples and reference points. It didnt tell me what to dobut it gave me language, clarity, and confidence. It fit seamlessly into my workno disruption, no delaysjust a quick tool to help me think clearly in a tight spot.

I documented my reasoning and signed the form.

A week later, the veteran sent me a secure message:

Thank you for taking the time to understand. You didnt just save me moneyyou made me feel like I mattered.

This wasnt about AI replacing my clinical judgment. It was about using AIquietly, unobtrusivelyto help me cut through red tape and advocate for someone who needed support.

We talk a lot about the promise of AI in health care. Heres a case where it delivered. No algorithm made the decision. But in the middle of a jam, with a frustrated veteran in front of me and a vague government form in my hand, AI helped me do the right thingquickly, confidently, and compassionately.

David Bittleman is an internal medicine physician.
NEED TO KNOW

Two men allegedly impersonated police officers and attempted to gain access to a Texas home on Aug. 22

They were fatally shot by the residents, who returned gunfire aimed at them

The suspects were wearing bulletproof vests, ski masks and badges around their necks at the time of the incident, police said

Two men were allegedly impersonating police officers and attempting to gain access to a Texas home  before they were fatally shot by the residents.

At around 11 p.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 22, the Houston Police Department (HPD) received a call about a home invasion attempt in Houston.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The caller explained that two masked men had been at their house "stating they were police and here to serve a warrant, HPD Lieutenant Khan said during a press conference, per KHOU 11.

The suspects were wearing bulletproof vests, ski masks and badges around their necks at the time of the incident, local outlet Click 2 Houston reported, citing investigators.

As suspicions began to arise about the authenticity of the men being police, the suspects shot the resident through the door of the house. Both men were then struck when the homeowner returned fire, the outlet reported.

Lieutenant Khan said the two men were pronounced dead at the scene, despite officers' CPR attempts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Right now, we dont have ages on the suspects, she added in the press conference, per KHOU 11. "They look to be younger, maybe at the most in their 30s."

Khan said the homeowners were not injured in the incident, and the suspects were ultimately unsuccessful in forcefully entering the property.

A child who was in the house was also unharmed, ABC 13 reported, citing the HPD.

Khan said in the press conference, per KHOU 11, that the homeowners "became suspicious because they had a Ring camera too, and the suspects were saying they had a warrant."

But, you know, its just two people, and theyre masked up, and no police cars, no lights or anything like that, she continued. So, they immediately became suspicious, and thankfully, no one else was hurt.

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.

Detectives have spent hours speaking to people within the neighborhood amid their ongoing investigation into the incident, Click 2 Houston reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The HPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on Sunday, Aug. 24.

Anyone with relevant information is being asked to contact Houston Police Homicide or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.



Read the original article on People
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Two missing children last seen near their foster home in California were found in Las Vegas Saturday afternoon, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

On Saturday, around 3:20 p.m., LVMPD Fusion Watch spotted a vehicle near Sahara Avenue and Paradise Road that was associated with an Amber Alert from California initiated two days prior.

The Amber Alert, initiated on Aug. 21, identified the suspect as 30-year-old Jackeline Hernandez-Torres, and the children as her 2-year-old son, Derek Alejandro Rodriguez-Hernandez, and her 10-year-old son, Jaden Hernandez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Aug. 21, at 1:30 a.m., the brothers were last seen walking away from their foster care home in the 300 block of South Virgil Avenue in Los Angeles. It was believed their biological mother, identified as Hernandez-Torres, took them from Virgil Avenue to the area of the 1500 block of East 52nd Street, according to LAPD.

Las Vegas Metro officers stopped the vehicle and detained the people involved. The two children are now safe, according to Las Vegas police.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said it is working with the Los Angeles Police Department as the investigation continues.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Two women were shot at a car meetup early Sunday morning, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.

It happened around 3:40 a.m. south of 36th Street near Steelcase Access. Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument that occurred at the meetup.

The two women ranged from 18- to 24-years-old, police said. Officers say they dont know if the women were the intended targets. Both women were said to be in stable condition and taken to a local hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police also said that a car at the meetup caught on fire. Officers suspect it was due to overheated tires.

News 8 visited the reported scene of the meetup and found tire marks, trash and what seemed to be the remnants of a fire in a large parking lot southeast of Helix Steel. The air smelled of stale beer and burnt rubber.

Tire marks and left over debris after a car meetup in the early morning on Aug. 24, 2025. Tire marks and left over debris after a car meetup in the early morning on Aug. 24, 2025. Tire marks and left over debris after a car meetup in the early morning on Aug. 24, 2025. Tire marks and left over debris after a car meetup in the early morning on Aug. 24, 2025.

Matthew Wodwarek works at a plant near the parking lot and says this isnt the first car meetup hes seen.

They meet up here every few weeks Crazy stuff. Loud music, Ive seen fireworks, Ive seen just awesome cars just getting toasted, probably mom and dads cars, Wodwarek said. It just gets trashed, the aftermath of the, you know, recklessness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wodwarek says that despite police intervention, the meetups move to other locations.

Oh, they call the cops all the time and you know they get here and they just scatter to another place. They already have another meeting place up, the next one they meet at, so they dont have to tell anybody, they already know. They got a little website they go to, Wodwarek said.

Its a topic of conversation at work too, which is how Wodwarek found out about the shooting.

You know people are scared to go out, gladhand lock their trailers because all the craziness out here.

Officers say the suspect is still at large.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Three pets were found dead after a house fire in Xenia Saturday evening, according to the Xenia Fire Division.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The fire occurred in the 200 block of Colorado Drive after 7 p.m.

As previously reported by News Center 7, an off-duty Xenia Township firefighter was in the area and saw the home on fire.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire throughout the house.

A woman was inside the house, but escaped.

Xenia Fire Division Lieutenant Corey Stroup told News Center 7 that medics treated the woman for a burn injury, but she did not go to the hospital.

The American Red Cross has been contacted to assist the woman.

Two pets remain unaccounted for, according to the fire division.

Xenia Fire Division Deputy Chief Travis Dill said the house appears to be a total loss, and damages are estimated to be around $200,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Ukraine is celebrating its 34th Independence Day on Aug. 24, 2025. To mark the occasion, weve asked the staff of the Kyiv Independent to share their favourite fact about Ukrainian history, culture, their hometown, or a famous Ukrainian  some of whom, you might be surprised to learn are from Ukraine. Read the list and see how many facts you already knew.

1. The geographic center of Europe is in Ukraine

A stone monument near the village of Dilove in Zakarpattia Oblast marks the spot officially recognized by Austro-Hungarian cartographers in 1887 as the geographical center of Europe. The geographical center of Ukraine is in Cherkasy Oblast, near the small town of Shpola (my hometown).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yana Zhuryk, membership growth manager

2. Cossacks created one of the earliest constitutions

Zaporozhian Cossack statesman Pylyp Orlyks 1710 Constitution is considered one of the earliest constitutions in the world. It was one of the first in Europe to establish separation of powers and democratic principles, and predated the U.S. Constitution by decades.

Anna Yakutenko, video production manager

3. Ukraine is one of just four countries that has given up its nuclear arsenal

Ukraine is one of four countries that has ever given up its nuclear arsenal. At the time of the signing of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraines nuclear arsenal was the third-largest in the world (after Russia and the U.S.). You can read more about Ukraines nuclear disarmament here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Olena Yermakova, head of research at KI Insights

4. Underground Odesa

When people think about Odesa, the first associations are usually the sea and the architecture, not the massive catacombs beneath the city. Odesas catacombs are far bigger than the catacombs under Paris. By some estimates, they stretch up to 2,500 kilometers, compared to 300 kilometers in Paris. These tunnels were mostly abandoned after World War II. Today, they still attract tourists and adventurers  one of my weird childhood memories is actually a school excursion down there. You can explore Odesa catacombs in our travel video series.

Tim Zadorozhnyy, news editor

5. Kryvyi Rih is over 100 kilometers long

Kryvyi Rih is known for being the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, but also for having a peculiar shape as Europe's longest city  its 126 kilometers (78) miles long.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Olena Yermakova, head of research at KI Insights

6. Kyiv is older than Moscow

The city of Kyiv was founded in the 5th century, while Moscow dates back to the early 12th century. Kyiv was the center of Kyivan Rus, one of the most developed states of medieval Europe.

Yana Zhuryk, membership growth manager

7. Donetsk was founded by a Welshman

The city of Donetsk was initially a settlement around a mine founded by a Welsh businessman named John Hughes. Many miners from South Wales went over to work in the mines, and the city was first called Hughesovka after Hughes.

Owain Jones, head of marketing

8. Theres a New York in Ukraine

There's a village of Niu-York (transliteration of Ukrainian spelling of New York) in Donetsk Oblast, now under Russian occupation. It was founded in the 19th century by German Mennonites, a Protestant religious community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kateryna Denisova, news editor

9. Ivano-Frankivsks unique town hall

The town hall in Ivano-Frankivsk is the only public building in Ukraine with a gilded top (an architectural feature mostly reserved for churches in Ukraine). Its also the only town hall in Ukraine built in the Art Deco style.

Zakhar Protsiuk, chief operating officer

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us

10. Ukraines oldest pharmacy

In Lviv, you can find an old pharmacy, founded in 1735. Its the oldest working pharmacy in Ukraine, and even though its partially a museum, you can still buy medicine there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Joseph Krochak, account manager

11. Kyivs heights

The tallest structure in Ukraine is the Kyiv TV tower, which is also the tallest free-standing lattice structure in the world. At 385 meters-high (1,263 ft), it is also one of Europes tallest structures. It was hit in a Russian attack in March 2022, but is still standing.

Dominic Culverwell, business reporter

12. And Kyivs depths

Kyivs Arsenalna metro station is the deepest metro station in Europe, located 105.5 meters (346 feet) below ground. Until 2022, it was also the deepest metro station in the world, but is now surpassed by a station in Chongqing, China.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Brooke Manning, senior community manager

13. The worlds longest apartment building

My hometown, the city of Lutsk, is home to the longest apartment building in the world. Built in the 1970s, its honeycomb design stretches for over 2.75 kilometers.

Yuliia Taradiuk, reporter

14. Ukraine has over 1,000 statues of one poet

There are 1,068 monuments of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraines national poet and hero, across the country. In total, there are 1,167 monuments of Shevchenko across the world.

Mykolaj Suchy, research analyst at KI Insights

Read also: 10 popular misconceptions about Ukrainian history, debunked

15. Ukrainian minerals

Ternopil Oblast is where you can find the worlds longest gypsum cave, known as the Optimistic Cave. Its Europes longest cave and is ranked among the top five longest caves globally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nadiia Pahava, communications manager

16. High jump

Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh holds the world record for the high jump. Mahuchikh broke the record in July 2024 by clearing a 2.10-meter jump. The previous record had been held for over 35 years.

Oleksiy Sorokin, deputy chief editor

17. Sunflowers and soil

Ukraine is the largest producer of sunflower oil in the world, and vast sunflower fields are the countrys national symbol. Ukraine is also one of the most fertile places on earth, with over 25% of the worlds black soil (known as chernozem).

Yana Zhuryk, membership growth manager

18. Ukraines own Stonehenge

Near my hometown of Rozivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, theres a fascinating archaeological site called the Stone Tomb. These ancient granite formations are covered with 45 thousand-year-old petroglyphs and are often called the Steppe Stonehenge for their mysterious and powerful presence. Today, this area is occupied by Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Andrii Melnyk, junior product manager

19. Donetsks salt mines

The Salt Mines in Soledar, Donetsk Oblast, are currently under Russian occupation, but were unique for their long system of mines. It had a hotel, spa, and a huge 28-meter-high concert hall, where the Donbas Symphony Orchestra once performed. In 2019, a charity jazz festival took place underground in the mines for the first time, featuring jazz improvisations and an exhibition of works by Ukrainian artists.

Anastasiia Chernova, junior community manager

20. Kherson Oblast has a desert

Oleshky Sands in Kherson Oblast is among the largest deserts in Europe, located 25 kilometers east of the city of Kherson. It has been under Russian occupation since 2022. In the south of Kherson Oblast, theres also Dzharylhach, a 42-kilometer-long sandbank, the largest uninhabited island in Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Daria Kolos, digital marketing manager

21. The Battle of the Kalka River

The first significant Mongol military engagement in Europe took place in south-eastern Ukraine in 1223. The historic Battle of the Kalka River marked the first encounter between the Mongols and the coalition of Kyivan Rus princes. I used to swim in this river as a child, not realizing that it had witnessed a decisive battle centuries ago.

Andrii Melnyk, junior product manager

22. Ukraine has eight UNESCO sites

Ukraine is home to eight UNESCO sites: St. Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv, Lviv's historic center, the Struve Geodetic Arc points, the Residence of the Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans in Chernivtsi, Odesas historic center, Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese in Crimea, the Wooden Churches of the Carpathians, and the primal beech forests of the Carpathians.

Danica Stanciu, head of fundraising

23. Ukrainian Venice

The small town of Vylkove in the Bessarabia region is known as the Venice of Ukraine, as it is located right on the Danube River and people use boats to travel from house to house. Locals also make borscht with a twist  with fish instead of meat.

Lisha Shmidt, junior donations manager

24. Zelensky once played Paddington Bear

Before becoming president, Volodymyr Zelensky was the voice of Paddington Bear for Ukrainian dubbing of the 2014 Paddington movie (and 2017 sequel Paddington 2).

Elsa Court, audience development manager

25. The Heart of Darkness connection to Zhytomyr

The author Joseph Conrad was born in present-day Ukraine, in Berdychiv in Zhytomyr Oblast, as Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski. During the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Berdychiv was synonymous with "the middle of nowhere"  there was an expression Pisz do mnie na Berdyczow (roughly: write to my address in Berdychiv) which, essentially, meant go [expletive] yourself.

Jakub Parusinksi, director of KI Insights

26. Sadomasochisms roots in Lviv

The writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose name gives us the term masochism, was born in 1836 in Lviv, when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Anna Belokur, social media manager and video host

27. A Ukrainian aviation pioneer

Born in Kyiv, Igor Sikorsky designed the worlds first commercially successful helicopter and also pioneered modern airplanes, including the first four-engine passenger aircraft. After emigrating to the U.S., he founded Sikorsky Aircraft, the company that still builds helicopters for presidents of the United States. In 2018, Kyiv City Council renamed Kyiv International Airport in honor of Sikorsky.

Joseph Krochak, account manager

28. The chief architect of the Space Age

Born in the city of Zhytomyr in 1907, Serhiy Korolev was instrumental in the Space Race for the Soviet Union. He led the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik, and the first human into space, Yuri Gagarin. Despite political repression and years in a Soviet labor camp, he revolutionized space engineering and is remembered worldwide as one of historys greatest space engineers.

Joseph Krochak, account manager

29. Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells, a popular Christmas carol, was written by a Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. You can read our article on the topic here.

Anna Yakutenko, video production manager

Read also: 10 books to better understand Ukraine on its Independence Day

30. The Ukrainian behind WhatsApp

WhatsApp was founded by a Ukrainian, Jan Koum. He was born in Kyiv and grew up in Kyiv Oblast before moving to California with his family as a teenager. You can read more about the Ukrainian roots of global companies here.

Lili Bivings, business editor

31. Ukraine was the first country to introduce a modern postal code system

While the U.K. was the first country to introduce a system of postal indexing, Ukraine was the first country to have a modern postal code, starting in 1932. Each city, town, and village had its own comprehensive number system.

Sofa Koretska, e-store project manager

32. Ukraine was the first country in the world to introduce legally recognized digital passports.

In 2021, as part of its digitalization push toward a paperless future, Ukraine enacted legislation granting digital passports the same legal status as physical ones  accessible through the government app called Diia (Action in Ukrainian). The app continues to evolve with new functionality and services. Among the most innovative additions is the worlds first fully digital marriage registration, introduced in 2024, which allows couples  now often separated by war  to marry via a video link.

Toma Istomina, deputy chief editor

33. Ancient glass

In Ukraine, the glassblowing technique of "guta glass" has existed since ancient times. Similar to Venetian glass, this beautiful type of glassware goes back to the times of Kyivan Rus. Modern Ukrainian brands like Gunia are now reviving the technology.

Nadiia Pahava, communications manager

34. Ukraine shaped modern documentary cinema

The 1929 film Man with a Movie Camera, directed by Ukrainian Dziga Vertov, is one of the most influential documentaries ever made. It used groundbreaking techniques for the time, such as split screens and slow motion, which earned it the title of the greatest documentary of all time by the British Film Institute.

Valeriia Snopkova, editorial projects producer

Read also: Ukraines struggle for independence

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Each week, manufacturers and regulatory agencies issue recalls for items that can pose risks to consumers.

These items can range from contaminated foods to defective products.

Here are five important food and product recalls you should watch out for this week, with information about what was recalled, why it was recalled and what you should do if you have a recalled product.

5 food and product recalls between Aug. 18 and Aug. 24

Item Detail Start Date Week of Aug. 18-24 Whos affected? People who purchased pepper jack and brie cheeses, fake Labubu dolls, frozen shrimp from Walmart and certain meat products Whats changing? See each specific food or product recall for more information What will happen? People will have to stop consuming or using the products, return them to their place of purchase, and/or throw the products out.

These fake Labubu dolls pose a dangerous safety hazard to children

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing an urgent warning to anyone who has purchased a fake Labubu doll because children could be at risk for this deadly safety hazard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The counterfeit Labubus, also known as Lafufus, are small and can easily break apart, causing a choking hazard to small children.

These fake Labubu dolls that come in plush figures and keychains are small enough for children to fit in their mouths, blocking their airways, according to the CPSC.

The dolls can also break apart easily, posing a choking risk.

The agency warned consumers not to buy the counterfeit toys and cease using them immediately.

To find out more about this recall, you can read our article about the subject.

FDA warning: Dont eat these potentially radioactive shrimp sold at Walmart

While not an official recall, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a warning to consumers about purchasing, cooking and eating certain Great Value brand frozen shrimp sold at Walmart.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The FDA issued the warning because of potential contamination with a radioactive isotope that can increase the risk of cancer.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted the FDA about the radioactive isotope, Cesium-137, after it was found in shipping containers at four U.S. seaports, according to the FDA.

The Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp in 2-pound bags distributed by Indonesias BMS Foods tested positive for the contamination.

The FDA is recommending a recall on certain BMS shrimp products even if they did not test positive.

While a recall hasnt been conducted yet, the FDA is working with distributors and retailers to recommend a recall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The following products are affected:

Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027

Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027

Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027

The products were sold in Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia, according to the FDA.

The FDA is advising people who might have raw, frozen shrimp in their freezers from Walmart that matches the descriptions to not cook or consume them and to instead throw them away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For more information about this warning, you can read our article.

USDA recalls 32K pounds of meat due to false inspection marks

Meat producer Sabrositos Hondurenos, LLC, in Edison, N.J., is recalling 32,000 pounds of various meat products because the meats failed to go through the federal examination process, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The agency said the recalled meat was falsely labeled with an establishment number that doesnt exist, EST. 1785.

The recalled meat includes the following pork chops, ribs and chorizo products:

Homestyle chorizo labeled OLANCHO Chorizo Suelto Olanchano SABROCITOS HONDURENOS (14-oz. vacuum-sealed packages)

Smoked pork chops labeled OLANCHO Chuleta Ahumada Olanchana SABROCITOS HONDURENOS (14-oz. vacuum-sealed packages)

Smoked chorizo labeled OLANCHO Chorizo Ahumado Olanchano SABROCITOS HONDURENOS (14-oz. vacuum-sealed packages)

Cased homestyle chorizo labeled OLANCHO Chorizo Olanchano Criollo SABROCITOS HONDURENOS (14-oz. vacuum-sealed packages)

Smoked BBQ spicy chorizo labeled OLANCHO Chorizo Parrillero SABROCITOS HONDURENOS (14-oz. vacuum-sealed packages)

Smoked ribs labeled OLANCHO Costilla Ahumada Olanchana SABROCITOS HONDURENOS (14-oz. vacuum-sealed packages)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No illnesses have been reported to date as a result of these products, but the USDA says these products are unsafe to eat.

These products were shipped to retailers and restaurants across the U.S.

For more information about this recall, you can check out the USDA notice here.

Brie cheese recalled due to potential listeria contamination

New York-based Brie cheese maker Fromi USA is recalling 12 cases of its Brie Royal Falcon cheese due to potential contamination with listeria, according to the FDA.

The product was distributed to two specialty cheese stores in Brooklyn, N.Y., between July 24 and Aug. 13.

The cheese was made from pasteurized cows milk and packed 2 units per case in a wooden box.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The product had a lot number of 615, according to the FDA.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after the foreign manufacturer of the cheese was notified by its health authority that the product had been contaminated.

Consumers who purchased the cheese are urged to return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.

To find out more about the recall, you can check out the FDA notice here.

More than 5.4K pounds of pepper jack, other varieties of cheese recalled due to listeria contamination

More than 5,400 pounds of pepper jack and other varieties of cheese from an Ohio-based distributor has been recalled due to potential listeria contamination, according to the FDA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The multiple cheese products from the Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op were recalled after testing by the company revealed the presence of listeria in their products.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The cheeses were distributed across Ohio between July 14 and Aug. 7.

The following products are being recalled:

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese  8 ounce packages, 5 pound loaves, 40 pound loaves (Lot Code 251661)

Copia Collective 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese  8 ounce packages (Lot Code 251661)

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op Horseradish Flavored Cheese  8 ounce packages (Lot Code 2524061)

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op Monterey Jack Cheese  8 ounce packages and 5 pound blocks (Lot Code 251672)

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op Monterey Jack Cheese  40 pound blocks (date code 7-16-25B)

Farmers Cheese  8 ounce packages and 5 pound blocks (Lot Code 251672)

Farmers Cheese  40 pound blocks (date code 7-16-25B)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Consumers are advised to throw out the cheeses or return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.

For more information about the recall, you can find the FDA notice here.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
California will ask voters this fall to decide whether to redraw the states congressional lines after its Democratic-controlled Legislature formally approved a sweeping redistricting plan on Thursday, a response to GOP-led efforts in Texas.

The plan, if voters give it the green light, could give Democrats five additional House seats, potentially nullifying the gains Republicans hope to get through Texas redistricting.

Here are five things to know about the Golden States redistricting plan:

What does the ballot measure say?

The measure approved by the state Legislature is set to go on a November special election ballot as Proposition 50, a proposed constitutional amendment named for the 50 states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Proposition 50 would, if approved by California voters in November, allow for the adoption of new congressional maps that were laid out in a separate bill passed by the Legislature, aiming to create five Democratic pickup opportunities.

The current districts, drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission after the last census, would be bypassed until the commission draws new boundary lines in 2031.

The text of the amendment proposal cites President Trumps call for Republican-led states to undertake an unprecedented mid-decade redistricting of congressional seats to rig the 2026 United States midterm elections before voting begins, pointing out efforts in Texas, Florida, Ohio and elsewhere.

It is the intent of the people that Californias temporary maps be designed to neutralize the partisan gerrymandering being threatened by Republican-led states without eroding fair representation for all communities, the resolution section reads.

How much support is there for redistricting?

Democratic leaders in and out of California have rallied support behind the redistricting effort.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, Newsom and Golden State Democrats will likely have to campaign to make sure the measure gets the majority vote it needs to pass.

Californias independent redistricting commission, which typically redraws lines once a decade, was a popular move  and experts predict voters will need clear assurances that bypassing it is temporary.

A Politico/Citrin Center/Possibility Lab survey taken earlier this month found that just 36 percent of California voters support returning congressional redistricting authority to the state Legislature, compared with 64 percent who back the independent redistricting commission  though the poll question notably didnt specify whether such a change would be temporary.

But a Politico/Citrin Center survey conducted last week found that while 70 percent of Democratic voters across the country think gerrymandering is never acceptable, 63 percent think California should nevertheless fight back against efforts in red states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite bypassing its commission for the temporary redistricting, the proposed measure text itself acknowledges that its California policy to support the use of fair, independent, and nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide and calls on Congress to pass federal legislation for a U.S. constitutional amendment that requires the system nationwide.

Which Republicans will be affected by the new maps?

Californias map proposal would give Democrats a chance at five more House seats in the Golden State, where they already hold 43 of 52 slots.

Rep. Kevin Kiley (R), who has proposed federal legislation that would ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide, would be one of the lawmakers most impacted. Kiley on Thursday claimed he was the No. 1 target and challenged Newsom to a debate on the merits of his proposal.

Rep. Doug LaMalfas (R) seat would jump from a district Trump won by double digits to one that would have gone to former Vice President Kamala Harris by more than 10 points, according to Cook Political Report. Rep. Ken Calverts (R) seat would be effectively replaced by a new Latino-majority seat in central Los Angeles County that could make for a strong Democratic pickup opportunity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Republican Reps. Darrell Issa and David Valadao would also be drawn into more competitive districts, though election analysts suggest both seats could still be tough for Democrats to flip.

Meanwhile, Democrats who saw tough fights in 2024 could get a boost for the midterms with safer lines.

Republicans hold a slim 219-212 majority in the House, and control of Congress could come down to just a few seats next November.

When and for how long would the maps take effect?

If voters approve the maps in the special election, theyll take effect ahead of next years high-stakes midterms and hold through the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections.

The maps, proposed in part by the Democrats House campaign arm, will effectively circumvent the independent redistricting commission until the end of the decade. After 2030, the power to redistrict would revert back to the independent commission, and the Golden State would resume redrawing its lines once a decade, in line with the U.S. census.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Advocates for the redistricting plan have stressed that its a temporary change, made necessary by the GOP efforts elsewhere.

Top Democrats have lauded Californias maneuvering.

Former President Obama told a Tuesday fundraiser for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee that  though he sees a long-term goal to end political gerrymandering in America  Newsom is taking a reasonable approach with the temporary plans, according to excerpts shared by CNN.

What are critics saying?

Opponents of the redistricting plan say it goes against the will of the voters, who approved the independent redistricting commission back in 2008 and 2010.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If we abandon the independent redistricting process that Californians created, we dont just lose a tool, we lose trust, said State Assembly member Greg Wallis (R) on Thursday.

Reform California is one group calling for a no vote on Proposition 50, arguing that the special election is a costly and unnecessary venture that would end fair elections in California.

An estimate by Assembly Republicans calculated that the venture would cost taxpayers more than $235 million, CalMatters reports.

During hours of debate over the legislative package on Thursday, Republicans also railed against the pace of action, which included a gut-and-amend process to move the material forward, and questioned who drew the maps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

California GOP legislators earlier this week filed suit with a petition asking the state Supreme Court to block action on the legislation, arguing that the sprint to vote on the legislation package violated the state constitution. The state court rejected that petition on Wednesday, allowing the efforts to move forward in the Legislature.

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is among the Golden State Republicans who have vowed to fight the redistricting effort by campaigning against the measure.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 five victims killed in a tour bus crash in western New York included a Columbia University student from China, three New Jersey residents and resident of India, authorities said Saturday.

Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City; Jian Mingli, 56, also of Jersey City; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; and Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India, were killed in the Friday incident, state police said.

The crash happened near Exit 48A on the eastbound I-90 around 12:40 p.m., as a driver with Staten Island-based M & Y Tour Inc. was taking 52 passengers and a tour guide from Niagara Falls to New York City.

A crash on Friday involving a tour bus on I-90 in upstate New York has killed and injured multiple people. WKBW TV | Buffalo, NY

The driver apparently got distracted, causing the vehicle to swerve and roll over in a ditch, officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It first veered left into the median and then moved right, back across the travel lanes, rolling over off the right hand shoulder of the highway, said National Transportation Safety Board member Thomas Chapman during a Saturday news conference.

THe NTSB is doing its own safety investigation, parallel to the law enforcement case being conducted by the New York State Police, he added.

The crash happened near Pembroke in Genesee County on a stretch of highway where the speed limit is 65 miles per hour.

NTSB investigators are looking at the drivers performance, possible mechanical issues, highway engineering and other factors. The bus was equipped with a data recorder that will help determine its speed, the official said.

The bus was returning to New York City from Niagara Falls when it crashed. AP

The driver reportedly go distracted which ultimately caused the crash. Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Investigators found a camera at the scene that is believed to be from the bus and could show them what was happening at the time of the crash, an official said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our human performance investigator is going to look at the driver, particularly fatigue, distraction and driver qualifications, said NTSB Senior Highway Factors Engineer Scott Parent.

Investigators had a chance to see the bus Saturday.

Its in bad shape, but it does appear to us that the bus was equipped with seat belts, Chapman said.

The state has a law requiring seat belt use on buses manufactured in 2015 or later; the bus involved in the crash was built in 2005, officials said.

Several medical choppers were used to airlift patients to hospitals. AP

Investigators had a chance to see the bus Saturday. Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

M & Y Tour Inc. failed a fifth of vehicle inspections 2022 and 2023, federal records show.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The company had a satisfactory safety rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2024, despite failing nine inspections out of 43 in the two prior years, the agencys records show. Almost all of the companys drivers passed background checks, the records show. The company operates nine vehicles with 20 drivers.

M & Y Tour was fined $15,000 in 2019 by the state Department of Environmental Conservation for generating hazardous waste at a Brooklyn property without properly storing or managing it, according to a report.

The business was ordered to clean up the area, according to WBEN.

Owner Dewen Su didnt immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
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 Pacific Ocean is home to some of the deepest points on the planet. In fact, four of the top six deepest spots in the world can be found in the Pacific.

The Pacific's basin is uniquely low, which is one of the reasons this ocean produces some of the world's greatest surf zones. This is because deeper water allows waves to travel faster, and with longer wavelengths, or distance between waves.

The same forces that produce some of the world's greatest surf zones, however, can also produce extremely destructive phenomena. Tsunamis can travel largely interrupted across the Pacific with little landmass to get in their way. The same is true for swells; a big, southern-angled swell from Tahiti will eventually land in Hawaii, some 2,800 miles away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At its deepest point, the Pacific Ocean can comfortably fit about 13 Burj Khalifas stacked, one on top of the othera depth that only a handful of people across history have seen. But what are the other unfathomably deep points of our oceans? Here's a list.

Molloy Deep, Arctic Ocean (18,210 Feet)

See that peak in the center of the blue area? If you dropped the Norwegian mountain Stetind in Nordland (height 4,567 feet) inside the Malloy Deep, you would only see the very tip sticking up.

In September 1972, a research vessel called the USNS Hayes discovered the deepest part of the Arctic Ocean and named it after Arthur E. Molloy, the research scientist who first observed this deep, underwater chasm. The Molloy Deep is located in the Fram Strait, between Greenland and Svalbard, about 100 miles to the west of the Svalbard archipelago.

According to geologists, the Molloy Deep has existed for more than 30 million years. It is located where the Mid-Atlantic Ocean ridge system takes a sharp plunge. A few years ago, while trying to visualize the hole's extreme depths, Norwegian researchers created a visual of what it would look like if the country's national mountain, Stetind in Nordland (height 4,567 feet), were dropped inside the hole. Only the very tip would be left peeking up.

Milwaukee Deep, Puerto Rico Trench, Atlantic (27,480 Feet)

The deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean is the Milwaukee Deep, which is located about 76 miles north of Puerto Rico. The trench was first discovered in 1939 by the USS Milwaukee, an Omaha-class light cruiser primarily used for patrolling the Atlantic and Pacific. The crew on board used echo sounding to estimate the depth of the trench, which was then named after the vessel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite its discovery more than 85 years ago, the first expedition to the trench's bottom didn't happen until 2018. American undersea explorer Victor Vescovo made a crewed descent as part of the Five Deeps Expedition, a yearlong endeavor to reach the bottom of each of the world's five oceans. A French submersible called Archimede had explored the Puerto Rico Trench in 1964, managing to dive to 27,200 feetnarrowly missing the trench's maximum depth.

Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, Northwest Pacific (31,590 Feet)

The Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, in the Northwest Pacific, is a whopping 1,300 miles long.

The Kuril-Kamchatka Trench stretches from Hokkaido in Japan to the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, a distance spanning more than 1,300 miles. This is one of the deepest trenches in the world, situated where the Pacific tectonic plate slides beneath the Okhotsk plate.



The trench was initially discovered in the 1870s as part of the Challenger expedition, a scientific program that made dozens of discoveries and laid the foundations for modern oceanography. This expedition was also responsible for discovering almost 5,000 new species of marine life.



Initially, the depth of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench was estimated to be 27,952 feet. Decades later, in 1953, a German-built research vessel serving the Soviet Union called the Vityaz used acoustic monitoring equipment to locate a deeper part of the trench. In 1954, the current name of the trench was formally proposed and adopted.

Emden Deep, Philippine Trench, Southwest Pacific (34,580 Feet)

The Emdem Deep is located along the 820-mile-long Philippine Trench, which extends from the central island of Luzon in the Philippines to Halmahera in Indonesia. At its widest point, the trench is about 18 miles across.

The Emdem Deep was first discovered in 1927 by the German ship Emdem. In 1951, the Danish ship Galathea explored the area further, documenting the marine life it found there. The deepest point is also referred to as the Galathea Deep, in honor of the work conducted by the Danish crew, and the two names are used interchangeably.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It wasn't until 2021, in a post-COVID world, that a manned crew dived into the Emdem Deep. Again, it was Victor Vescovo, along with Philippine scientist Dr. Deo Florence Onda, who made the first crewed submersible mission to the deep's floor. The descent took four hours and covered more than a mile of the seabed, but it turned out that there wasn't much to see; the two-man crew reported excellent visibility but little marine life. The ascent took another three and a half hours.

Victor Vescovo's name is synonymous with diving to the world's deepest places. Above, at the Five Deeps Expedition press conference at the British Museum, 2019.

Horizon Deep, Tonga Trench, Southwest Pacific (35,509 Feet)

It was only in 2019 that Horizon Deep was officially recognized as the second-deepest point on the planet, which speaks volumes about how little we understand about our big blue. Our deep-dive hero, Victor Vescovo, became the first human to make a solo mission to the bottom of the deepest point of Tonga's Trenchall as part of the Five Deeps Expedition.

Horizon Deep was first recorded in 1952 and was named after the research vessel that discovered it, the RV Horizon, from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. As for what was discovered down there, it was not a whole lot: flat, featureless sand with little detail and a lack of marine life. Explorers have noted the absence of other familiar deep-sea creatures like sea cucumbers in the Horizon Deep. It's believed that this is because the environment here is more fragile than other trenches, and that's before we consider the enormous pressure at these depths.

Related: Less Than 0.001% of the Sea Floor Has Been Seen by Humans

Challenger Deep, Mariana Trench, Western Pacific (36,070 Feet)

As far as scientists know, this is the deepest point in the world. The Challenger Deep, in the Mariana Trench, south of Japan, is so deep you could fit Mount Everest in there, with room to boot. The trench is cloaked in permanent darknessno light can penetrate this far downand the temperature is just a few degrees above freezing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 1960, Jacques Piccard and Lieutenant Don Walsh reached the bottom of the trench in a submersible. The descent took five hours, and the pair was able to spend only 20 minutes on the ocean floor. They were not able to take any images due to the amount of silt churned up during their passage, but they did manage to see some flatfish with the help of a light on the submersible. Up until this point, it wasn't known if any marine life could survive at this depth, and this expedition helped shape our understanding of deep-sea life.

Challenger Deep has been explored only three times by humans. The next expedition was by film director James Cameron in 2012, who made a solo dive in the Deepsea Challenger. The latest expedition was in 2019 by, you guessed it, Victor Vescovo on a solo dive, and he has since returned multiple times. This gigantic hole was named after the British Royal Navy Ship, HMS Challenger, that first sounded the depths of the trench in 1975.

Deep-sea explorer and Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron shows items he took on his deepest dive to theChallenger Deep in the Mariana Trench at an exhibition about his history-making deep-sea expeditions in Sydney on May 28, 2018.

Related: The Top 10 Biggest Waves Ever Surfed

This story was originally reported by Surfer on Aug 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Surfer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Texas Humane Heroes, along with Killeen Animal Services and a few other rescues, is working to find homes for about 65 dogs discovered in Coryell County on Friday.

Texas Humane Heroes said the pets came from a hoarding situation and were living in severe neglect. Many animals were malnourished and in need of care, according to the rescue.

To go to a property that was so overgrown and hazardous and see so many dogs, both in kennels, trapped in little sheds, and also running loose at the same time  it was a lot, said Christian Long, the director of communications at the Texas Humane Heroes.

Texas Humane Heroes said its helping with the rescue of about 65 dogs from a hoarding situation in Coryell County. (Photo: Texas Humane Heroes) Texas Humane Heroes said its helping with the rescue of about 65 dogs from a hoarding situation in Coryell County. (Photo: Texas Humane Heroes) Texas Humane Heroes said its helping with the rescue of about 65 dogs from a hoarding situation in Coryell County. (Photo: Texas Humane Heroes)

Volunteers and staff worked to set up kennels and supplies for the dogs, and Texas Humane Heroes said it welcomed 16 of the dogs to its shelter, which still need medical care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Long said the animals showed clear signs of neglect, including malnutrition, dental issues and matted fur.

They had all been experiencing varying levels of neglect, Long said. Generally just a lot of mats and clumped up fur and unkept conditions.

Long said staff will return next week to rescue more of the dogs. Coryell County is northwest of Temple, Texas.

This is an all-hands-on-deck effort and a tremendous strain on our resources, said Jayne Whisnant, chief development officer of Texas Humane Heroes. We want to help as many of these animals as possible, but we need the communitys support to make it happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Texas Human Heroes said the community can help by adopting or fostering a dog, which makes room for more animals at the shelter, or donate to support food and medical care. Visit its website for more details.

We reached out to the Coryell County Sheriffs Office about possible charges, but havent heard back.

According to the Texas Penal Code, animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor and punishable by up to a year in jail, a $4,000 fine, or both.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In July, the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2%, which is relatively low. In China, it was 5.2%, according to Trading Economics data. But, as in the U.S., younger workers in China are disproportionately impacted.

Don't miss

While 7.4% of Gen Z Americans remain unemployed according to Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for Chinese workers aged 16 to 24, the unemployment rate as of June was nearly double at a whopping 14.5%. Its perhaps little surprise, then, that some are turning to coworking spaces to mimic the job experience  even if theyre not actually making any money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In fact, young Chinese job seekers are paying to spend their waking hours in fake office setups run by Pretend to Work Company. It's a setup that's supposed to make people feel employed, minus the paycheck and an actual job, according to Fortune.

Why young Chinese job seekers are spending money on pretend work

At a cost of $4.20 to $7 per day, it might seem like renting out a desk in a coworking space isn't such an expensive prospect. And its a good way to get out of the house and be among likeminded peers  one benefit of working in an office.

But as Fortune reports, Chinese workers aged 16 to 24 typically only earn around $16,000 per year. As such, spending up to $35 to $49 per week to get the office experience is a costly endeavor  especially when there is no paycheck on the other end.

So why are young workers drawn to such spaces? For some, it's an opportunity to make friends, build connections and enjoy free lunch, snacks and drinks. But for others, it's a matter of motivation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you're paying to have a space to do work in, you may be more inclined to do actual work  even if you're not being paid. That work could come in the form of working on your own business, reaching out to companies that may be hiring, writing cover letters, or even hammering away at a freelance business to earn a little bit of money before a more permanent job presents itself.

Read more: Do you own rental properties in the US? These 6 hacks can help you boost your income and lower your tax burden

Are pretend workspaces an effective transitional solution?

Pretend work spaces in China are sometimes called a "transitional solution" for young people who can't find jobs. But are they effective?

It can be argued that if going to an office setting motivates people to actually be active job seekers, then yes, they're effective. However, for now, its impossible to know whether such spaces actually improve the odds of landing a job. And, for people who are just as motivated to look for work from home, there may be little point to spending money on an already-limited income just to rent a different desk under a different roof to do the same thing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It can be especially wasteful for younger job seekers to spend money on a coworking space, since they may be less likely than their older counterparts to have savings or some type of safety net. This holds true in China as well as the U.S.

In the U.S., 42% of Americans do not have an emergency fund, says U.S. News & World Report. Anyone who's struggling to find a job and doesn't have emergency savings should probably be cutting all unnecessary spending.

That said, while American job-seekers may not be patronizing pretend to work spaces in droves closer to home, that doesn't mean unemployed Americans of all ages shouldn't take advantage of the free resources that are available to them. This is especially true if they lack resources, such as a computer, at home. In the U.S., there are nearly 2,300 American Job Centers that offer job seekers access to resources such as:

Internet and phone service

Job training services

Career counseling

Practice interviews

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You can go here to find one near you.

Of course, theres something to be said for getting out of the house every day and conducting a job search from an office-like environment. If you can afford it, the mental health benefit may be worth the cost.

That said, in a 2024 iHire survey, around half of employment seekers said their job hunt was negatively impacting their mental health. So being in a room full of other unemployed people could go either way too; it could improve your outlook by having people who share your goals, or it could make you feel like your prospects are even bleaker because theres lots of competition. If you feel that the latter is more likely, aggressively job-hunting from home might be a better bet.

And while Americans may not yet share enthusiasm for faux offices, the two nations do have this in common: both the U.S. and China have a thriving gig economy  and in times of job scarcity, finding gig work might help job-seekers earn a bit of money even as they continue to search for something more permanent.

What to read next

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The Brief

A Gordon County deputy was at the entrance ramp at mile marker 317 on Interstate 75 south around 2:40 p.m. when a Mercedes nearly hit his patrol car, deputies said.

When they reached Fairmount Highway at Exit 312, the deputy tried to pull the car over, but the driver sped off.

The chase eventually reached the intersection of the bypass and State Route 53/Rome Road, where the driver crossed into oncoming traffic, going east in the westbound lanes.

Seconds after they crossed into the wrong lanes, the car hit another car, according to police. One person died, and three people were flown to a hospital.

GORDON COUNTY, Ga. - A police chase in Gordon County ended Saturday with a deadly crash.

What we know

A Gordon County deputy was at the entrance ramp at mile marker 317 on Interstate 75 south around 2:40 p.m. when a Mercedes nearly hit his patrol car, deputies said. The deputy began following the Mercedes, which was driving erratically and making rapid lane changes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When they reached Fairmount Highway at Exit 312, the deputy tried to pull the car over, but the driver sped off. Other deputies joined the chase, which at times reached more than 100 mph. The pursuit continued east on Fairmount Highway to the intersection with the State Route 53 Bypass near Blackwood. The driver then turned onto the bypass and headed back toward Calhoun, deputies said.

The chase eventually reached the intersection of the bypass and State Route 53/Rome Road, where the driver crossed into oncoming traffic, going east in the westbound lanes. Deputies said they did not follow the Mercedes into the wrong lanes, but within seconds it collided head-on with a Honda CR-V.

Both cars caught fire. Deputies tried to rescue the occupants of each vehicle.

One person died, and three others were injured. The survivors were flown by medical helicopter to area hospitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Deputies said the driver of the Mercedes has not been positively identified because of the severity of his injuries.

What's next

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash with assistance from the county coroner.

It was not immediately clear whether the person who died was in the Mercedes or the Honda. FOX 5 reached out to GSP for clarification.

The Source

Information in this article came from a release by the Gordon County Sheriff's Office.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  This week on New Mexico Crime Files, KRQE Anchors Dean Staley and Jessica Garate start with a crime that is all too common here in our state, DWI driving on the wrong side of the road. Back in April of 2022, a Farmington police officer received a report of a Toyota Corolla going over 100 mph coming his way. What he finds is an impaired 80-year-old George Platero driving down the wrong lane. The shocking fact we learned about this older mans record with DWIs and how he will spend what may be his final days.

Then, New Mexico State Police spot a suspect with warrants for aggravated battery and fleeing at a gas station. Thats when 40-year-old Pedro Griego realized the police had recognized him and decided to run. After swiping his partner with the getaway truck, drawing a single gunshot from police, he makes a run for it, taking officers on a chase down a highway and dirt roads.

Finally, the episode concludes with a burglary story from 2010. Paul Henry, Breana Gallegos, and Berandette Savedra successfully broke into a smoke shop by chaining and ripping off a security door; they didnt consider that it would be the same door that would lead the police right to them and the stolen goods.

About Crime Files

This is New Mexico Crime Files  Taking it from the streets, then to the courtroom, to finally answering where are they now?. Each week, KRQE News 13 anchors Dean Staley and Jessica Garate bring you the notorious, the unforgettable, and the unbelievable crime stories from the Land of Enchantment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
NEED TO KNOW

The San Antonio Public Library received a letter along with the overdue book that was checked out in July 1943

According to the writer of the letter, the book was checked out by their grandma



The book, returned from Oregon in good condition, is author Frances Bruce Strains Your Child, His Family, and Friends

An Oregon resident returned a library book  nearly 82 years after its due date  that was checked out in Texas in July 1943.

The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) recently revealed that it received a cheeky letter along with the overdue book, author Frances Bruce Strains Your Child, His Family, and Friends, this summer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The SAPL shared in a news release that the letters writer found the book while going through her late dads belongings and said that the dads mother checked out the book when the dad was 11 years old.



San Antonio Public Library/Instagram San Antonio Public Library checkout card San Antonio Public Library checkout card

When I noticed it was from the San Antonio Public Library, I decided to send it back to you, the person, whom the SAPL did not identify, told the library in the letter. [My grandmother] must have taken the book with her, and some 82 years later, it ended up in my possession.

I hope there is no late fee for it because grandma wont be able to pay for it anymore, the writer wrote jokingly.

Luckily, the library hasnt charged for overdue books since 2021, when it eliminated late fees to break down financial barriers to accessing library services and resources, the SAPL said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Your Child, His Family, and Friends book will be on display at the Central Library in San Antonio until the end of August.

San Antonio Public Library/Instagram Your Child, His Family, and Friends by Frances Bruce Strain Your Child, His Family, and Friends by Frances Bruce Strain

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 book will then be donated to the Friends of San Antonio Public Library for sale in the Book Cellar used book store.

Read the original article on People
It is unclear how the case will be treated within the legal system, as the statute of limitations does not go this far back.

Fifty-one years after the death of five-year-old Saar Goldstein was pronounced by authorities, ostensibly from drowning, the boys father, 88-year-old Asher Goldstein, arrived at the Eilat police station on Saturday and admitted that his son didnt die from drowning, but rather that he had killed him.

His arrest was extended at the Eilat Magistrates Court on Sunday until Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The child died in 1974 after seemingly drowning off the Migdalor Beach in Eilat. Police interrogators took testimony on Saturday from Goldstein, who named the precise date of the murder, and offered as an explanation that the boy had a brain injury that led to a lifelong movement and muscle disorder, and that he took mercy on him.

A news article from Yediot Aharonot dated April 15, 1974, noted that Goldstein suddenly noticed that his son was floating above the water. The father immediately pulled the boy out, and brought him to the Yoseftal Medical Center.

Goldstein himself is terminally ill, which he said is what convinced him to come forward with the truth now, to clear his conscience.

View of the Eilat Police headquarters, in Southern Israel, April 21, 2022. (credit: NOAM REVKIN FENTON/FLASH90)

Goldstein serves 11 years for killing his wife

About two years after the murder, in 1976, he killed his wife, Levana, staging it to look like a car crash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her body was found scorched inside his burnt car. At the time though, circumstances gave way to a reasonable suspicion that he was behind her death, including a metal rod that he used to fatally strike her across the head. He then drove her body from Eilat up through the Arava, where she was eventually found.

Goldstein was sentenced to life in prison in 1977. The Supreme Court rejected his appeal two years later, and he was sentenced to 16 years in prison, serving 11 of them.

What remains to be seen is how the case will be treated within the legal system, as the statute of limitations does not go this far back. However, if a new case is opened, it may have the opportunity to reach trial.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A major shakeup in Big Country politics unfolded in less than an hour Thursday morning. Texas House District 71 Representative Stan Lambert announced he would not seek re-election this November after four terms representing Taylor, Nolan, Jones, and Callahan counties.

District 71s Stan Lambert announces retirement from Texas Legislature

Before noon, two Abilene men stepped forward to announce their intention to run for that seat. Abilene City Council member and local attorney Blaise Regan announced his candidacy on social media, highlighting optimism, strength, and the signature West Texas work ethic as the pillars of his conservative Republican campaign. And political newcomer, Republican Joshua Ohlemacher, of Abilene, sent out a news release announcing his candidacy not long after.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

KTAB/KRBC reached out to Rep. Lambert and Mr. Regan for comment on these developments. However, Lambert declined to comment today as he was on the house floor all day for the current special session. Reagan was not able to respond to our request in time for this report.

Ohlemacher was able to speak, sharing a bit of his perspective and background.

My goal is to be a voice for individual liberty and then fiscal responsibility for the government that does exist, Ohlemacher said.

Abilene city councilman announces campaign for Texas House of Representatives

Ohlemacher, who has no previous public office experience, returned to Abilene with his wife and six children about a decade ago, having lived in Abilene between the ages of 13 to 16. He and his wife, who is originally from Merkel, decided to settle down in Abilene because it just felt like home. He now works at a Tye H-VAC business. His lack of political experience at any level is something hes received criticism for. While he acknowledges the challenge ahead, he says its a challenge he feels prepared to take on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are absolutely people who were working in law or on school boards or as county commissioners or mayors and city councils and things like that. But, I dont think, by any means, that its a prerequisite I think we just need people who have good ideas and who are principled and who are willing to be able to call something thats wrong, wrong, Ohlemacher shared.

Abilenian Joshua Ohlemacher joins race for Texas House District 71

Speaking on Lamberts record, Ohlemacher praised the long-time Texas Representatives resolve in the face of opposition on multiple occasions. Ohlemacher specifically mentioned Lamberts steadfast hold against Abbott and other republicans on the issue of School Choice or Vouchers, going on to say that the representatives seeming acceptance of the governors viewpoint recently felt like somewhat of a betrayal of Lamberts usually steadfast stance.

I appreciate his service. I think theres a lot to be said for standing up in the face of that pressure for 10 years When he ran in 2024, he was coming off of standing up to the Governor in 2023 on school choice. He got a bunch of primary money that came against him in the form of Liz Case, and he won. I was proud of that. Back in April, whenever he voted to pass school choice, I felt like there was a little bit of betrayal there, Ohlemacher expressed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two more candidates announce campaign for Texas House District 71

Ohlemacher emphasized the need for a strong Republican voice for West Texans, especially in a House with a Republican supermajority that often sees infighting without strong opposition from outside.

I think when we have a Republican super majority in the Texas House all the time, that its important to make sure that we have voices in there to keep them in check Im glad that we have that majority But I think sometimes, without having the threat of real challenge to that status quo, people can get complacent sometimes and be willing to maybe cross the line of what the people of this district really want I believe that the people who know whats right for Abilene live in Abilene. I think the people who know whats right for Sweetwater live in Sweetwater. Unless we have people who are willing to stand up and get involved, it doesnt get any better, said Ohlemacher.

This election will take place in November 2026. Also in the running are Taylor County rancher Liz Case and former Abilene City Council member and businessman Jay Hardaway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Abilene police have begun enforcement actions against businesses that missed compliance deadlines, citing potential violations of state and city regulations. The CBD House of Healing responded, emphasizing its commitment to compliance and transparency, while confirming a temporary pause in operations. Back in July, the Abilene Police Department notified local businesses that selling or displaying drug-related paraphernalia violated both the Texas Health and Safety Code and city zoning regulations.

Businesses were given written notice and 30 days to comply. On Saturday, Abilene police began enforcement.

Abilene police targeting businesses selling illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia

Officers served a search warrant at a business on the 3600 block of Catclaw Drive and confiscated thousands of illegal items and paraphernalia. The CBD House of Healing shared that this has caused a temporary hold on operations.

For years, we have been committed to providing safe and legal products while operating in full compliance with all state and local laws. In recent months, we have maintained an open dialogue with both the Abilene Police Department and the City Attorneys office to ensure transparency and compliance, the CBD House of Healing shared. CBD House of Healing stands by its commitment to responsible operation and full compliance with Texas law. We are confident that our transparent practices and good faith efforts will be confirmed as the facts come to light. We deeply appreciate the support of our customers and community and will continue to provide updates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
(NEXSTAR)  A pilot flying for Southwest Airlines was terminated after failing a field sobriety test only moments before he was scheduled to take off from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport earlier this year.

Footage of the incident, released by airport officials last week, shows the pilot being given a field sobriety test on the jetway. The video shows him being taken into custody by airport police after an officer told the pilot he detected signs  consistent with DUI.

The Employee was removed from duty immediately after the alleged incident and no longer is employed by Southwest Airlines, a spokesperson for Southwest wrote in a statement shared with Nexstar. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jazz band turns flight delay into viral moment

Even if a pilot suspected of being inebriated were to pass a field sobriety test, its quite possible the pilot would still be prohibited from flying. In order to safely operate an aircraft, the Code of Federal Regulations requires that pilots meet several standards for sobriety.

Civil aviation regulations under the FAA stipulate that pilots cannot operate a civil aircraft (1) within eight hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage; (2) while under the influence of alcohol; (3) while using any drug that affects the persons faculties in any way contrary to safety, or (4) while having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in a blood or breath specimen.

A representative for the FAA confirmed that pilots must meet all criteria to safely operate a civil aircraft. For instance, a pilot who exhibits a blood-alcohol level of only 0.01, but who consumed an alcoholic beverage less than eight hours ago, is still considered unfit to fly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The consequences for violating the above requirements can result in arrest, suspension or permanent revocation of a pilots license, among other penalties. Employers are also instructed to permanently preclude offenders from performing their previous safety-sensitive duties.

If a pilot should meet the above sobriety requirements, but is nevertheless found to have a blood-alcohol concentration greater than 0.02, they must still be removed from performing safety-sensitive functions (e.g., operating a plane) until they are considered more fit to do so, according to federal regulations.

The rules outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations are also considered by the FAA to be the minimum requirements concerning alcohol.

Ideally, total avoidance of alcohol should be a key element observed by every pilot in planning or accomplishing a flight, the FAA writes in its Alcohol and Flying Brochure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The agency also recommends that pilots do not drink alcoholic beverages in the 24 hours before flying.

This is especially true if intoxication occurred or if you plan to fly [Instrument Flight Rules], the brochure reads.

US flight attendants are fed up like their Air Canada peers. Heres why they arent likely to strike

The Southwest pilot who was taken into custody in Georgia, meanwhile, has since denied he was under the influence of alcohol during his arrest. His lawyer, speaking with The Independent last week, has alleged that officers administered the sobriety tests incorrectly and that the pilot had committed no crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A representative for the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport did not return a request for further information. A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines was unable to comment on legal matters.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Brief

African advocacy groups launched a campaign to replace the Mercator map with the Equal Earth projection.

The African Union endorsed the effort, saying the distorted map minimizes Africas global importance.

Experts say the Mercator projection, created for navigation centuries ago, has little use today.

On most world maps, Greenland and Africa look about the same size. In reality, Africa is so large that at least 14 Greenlands could fit inside it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That distortion, common on the widely used Mercator projection, is driving a campaign led by African advocacy groups and now backed by the African Union. Supporters say the way Africa is shown on maps affects how the world sees the continent of more than 1.4 billion people.

Africa appears too small on most modern maps

The backstory

The Mercator map was created in the 16th century by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator. It was designed to help sailors maintain straight-line courses at sea, but it also distorted the scale of landmasses  inflating areas near the poles and shrinking regions closer to the equator.

That means continents such as Africa and South America appear far smaller than they really are, while Greenland and Europe look larger.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By contrast, the Equal Earth projection, introduced in 2018, follows the planets curvature and shows continents in their correct proportions. But the Mercator projection is still common in classrooms and digital platforms. Google Maps switched to a 3D globe view on desktop in 2018, though the mobile app still defaults to the Mercator projection.

Groups campaign to replace the global map

The other side

Two African advocacy groups, Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, launched the "Change The Map" campaign in April. Their goal is to persuade schools first, then international organizations and media outlets, to adopt the Equal Earth projection.

Fara Ndiaye, co-founder and deputy executive director of Speak Up Africa, told the Associated Press the issue is about more than Africa alone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Correcting the map is not only an African issue. It is a matter of truth and accuracy that concerns the entire world," Ndiaye said. "When whole generations, in Africa and elsewhere, learn from a distorted map, they develop a biased view of Africas role in the world."

Ndiaye added that when non-Africans see a smaller version of the continent, it "minimizes its demographic, economic and strategic significance."

The African Union, a 55-member diplomatic body, endorsed the campaign on Aug. 14. It is the largest organization to sign on so far, and advocates called the move a milestone in the effort to reshape how Africa is represented globally.

Geographers say the Mercator projection is outdated

What they're saying

Mark Monmonier, a geography professor at Syracuse University, told the AP that the Mercator projection no longer has practical use.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It was a useful navigation tool in the 16th century, because it has straight lines, giving navigators a line of constant direction to sail along," Monmonier said. "But outside of that very narrow navigation application, there is no point in using it."

Monmonier said even newer map projections have limits, because landmasses are irregularly shaped. "When you put irregularly shaped areas on a flat paper, people are going to have a hard time accurately comparing the size of landmasses," he said, adding that bar graphs are often a better way to compare continent sizes.

The Source

This report is based on information from the Associated Press. Additional material was provided by Syracuse University.
NEED TO KNOW

Multiple passengers were removed from a British Airways flight from Italy to London on Aug. 11

The airline said this was due to a need to reduce the aircraft's weight amid extreme temperatures affecting air pressure

"Were sorry for the inconvenience this caused our customers," British Airways said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE

A British Airways flight was forced to remove several passengers before takeoff after the plane became too heavy.

On Aug. 11, the BA Embraer ERJ-190 was scheduled to fly from Florence's Amerigo Vespucci airport in Italy to London City Airport in England.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, multiple passengers had to be removed from the jet before takeoff due to extreme temperatures affecting air pressure," British Airways said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Due to the unique nature of the airfield with a short runway, extreme temperatures affect air pressure, so aircraft weight must be reduced, the statement said. Were sorry for the inconvenience this caused our customers and our teams worked hard to get them to their destination as quickly as possible.

David Bank/AWL Images/Getty Images British Airways taking off from Heathrow (stock image)

Around 20 passengers allegedly disembarked before the flight was able to take off, UK newspaper The Sun reported.

According to the outlet, the extreme heat in Italy at the time had risen to around 35C (95F), making the plane less dense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The change in air pressure meant that the jet needed more fuel to reach cruising altitude, adding more weight to the aircraft.

The pilot said people had to get off because of the extreme heat, a woman who was removed from the flight told The Sun. It was around 35 degrees and they needed extra fuel for the engine to run effectively.

Tim Graham/Getty Images News/Getty Images A British Airways plane (stock image)

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 staff said 36 would have to be unloaded, but only about 20 people had to get off in the end," the woman added, per the outlet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

British Airways told PEOPLE that the removed passengers were booked on the next available flight and provided hotel accommodation and transport.

Florence's Amerigo Vespucci airport did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Aug. 24.

Read the original article on People
ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE)  A Roswell student is accused of bringing an airsoft BB gun to his middle school. The Chaves County Sheriffs Office says they received a call about a student with an airsoft gun at Berrendo Middle School.

Roswell man accused of burning girlfriend before shooting and tasing her

Resource officers immediately made contact with the student and confiscated the gun. According to deputies, the student said he brought it to show his friends.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Deputies confirmed the student did not make threats to staff or students. Police say the student was not able to be placed in the Juvenile Detention Center due to a lack of space and was released to his parent.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that involved officers with the Tallassee Police Department.

According to ALEA, officers with the Tallassee Police Department responded to a domestic violence call in the 2900 block of Notasulga Road in Tallassee at around 3:05 p.m. on Friday. During the incident, an individual discharged a firearm, causing officers to shoot at the suspect. The suspect has been identified as Adam Davis, 38. Davis was taken to a hospital for treatment.

ALEA says that no officers were injured in the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued Davis with a federal detainer for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Davis also has pending charges for Domestic Violence.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional information is available. Findings will be turned over to the Office of the District Attorney Fifth Judicial Circuit when the investigation is complete.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A man is behind bars Saturday night after deputies say he held his neighbors at gunpoint, accusing them of stealing his other gun. According to a criminal complaint, 45-year-old Damien Hall accused his neighbors of stealing his gun.

When the victims assured him they did not take any firearms, Hall pulled out a different gun and pointed it at them until someone confessed. Deputies say when the owner of the apartment complex tried to confront him, he shot a round next to her ear.

4 teens accused of bringing guns to Albuquerque schools held in custody

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All occupants were uninjured, except the property owner, who is recovering in the hospital. Hall admitted to deputies that he pointed the gun at them as a scare tactic and had gone about things in the wrong way.

Hall is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Today, Tim Keller is giving his State of the City address, saying that Albuquerque is making a comeback. I want to give you the real state of our city: The truth is, Albuquerque is in trouble. Our families are worried, our neighborhoods are suffering, and the city we love is at a tipping point. Crime has reached record highs. Under Mayor Kellers leadership, families dont feel safe walking in their neighborhoods. Businesses are struggling under the constant break ins and vandalism. Too many of us wonder, What happened to the city we once knew? All these tent cities are taking over our parks, sidewalks, and neighborhoods, creating a waste land of lawlessness and filth. On day one of my administration, these tent cities come down. We will ensure our city is clean year round, not just during Balloon Fiesta. Our small businesses, the backbone of Albuquerque, are collapsing over crime, unmanaged homelessness, and failed leadership. These businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They provide jobs, opportunity, and hope. I will fight for them. No, Albuquerque is not making a comeback. Eight years under Tim Keller, the clock is running out. We dont need a Hail Mary, we need a new mayor. I promise you, if Im elected, we will fight back. Together, we will make our city safe, strong, and proud once again.

Darren White, mayoral candidate
Alina Habba  Donald Trumps former personal lawyer who, a court recently ruled, has been illegally serving as U.S. attorney in New Jersey  accused federal judges of a collusion against her.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann said last week that Habba is not lawfully holding the office of United States Attorney because the Senate has not confirmed her position, and the time limit during which she can serve as interim U.S. attorney without such confirmation expired on July 1. Late last month, because Habbas interim term was ending, New Jersey district court judges exercised their judicial power under the law and named Habbas second-in-command in the prosecutors office to serve as her replacement. Attorney General Pam Bondi then fired Habbas replacement and renamed Habba as acting U.S. attorney.

Habba is now saying those district judges did not have the authority to name her replacement, even though the U.S. code says: If an appointment expires under subsection (c)(2), the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What they dont understand is Article III [of the Constitution]. Judges do not pick the U.S. attorney for the state. The president, Pam Bondi  thats who picks it, Habba said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. They had a collusion, a plan. Im aware of it, and the DOJ is aware of it, and soon enough itll come out.

But Habba appears to be overlooking Article II of the Constitution that states the president can nominate officers of the U.S. by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate.

Habba also offered no evidence of collusion.

Habba additionally falsely claimed that Trump was rightfully voted in by a majority of Americans. Trump, in fact, did not win a majority of the votes, though he did win a majority of the electoral college and a plurality of the popular vote. Neither Harris nor Trump earned more than half of Americans votes in the 2024 election.

And even though the president has the right to nominate prosecutors, they must be confirmed by the Senate, per the Constitution. Habbas nomination is currently still in the Senate Judiciary Committee because the two New Jersey U.S. senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, are exercising their power to block a nominee in their home state by not submitting a procedural blue slip. The blue-slip policy incentivizes consultation between the White House and home-state senators on judicial nominees, ensuring that nominees are mainstream and well-suited to serve in their states, former Sen. Dianne Feinstein said in 2017, when she served as ranking member on the Judiciary Committee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So far, Republican Judiciary Chair Sen. Chuck Grassley has stood up to Trump and refused to push Habbas nomination forward without blue slips from Booker and Kim  despite Trump pushing him to bypass the blue-slip requirement. Even if Grassley did bypass the blue-slip process, GOP Sen. Thom Tillis has said he would block Habbas nomination.

Maybe theres a strategic calculation I just dont understand, Tillis said of the administrations desire to flout the blue-slip tradition. But I think it could be problematic for future Judiciary Committees, particularly when the Democrats have the gavel.

Habba on Fox expressed her frustration with Grassley and Tillis. I would say to Sen. Tillis and Sen. Grassley, you are becoming part of the issue, she said. You are becoming part of the antithesis of what we fought for four years.

Habbas short tenure as U.S. attorney for New Jersey was not without controversy. She indicted Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, claiming the congresswoman assaulted federal law enforcement officers while executing her constitutional oversight authority to visit federal detention facilities without advance notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

McIver has pleaded not guilty and called the charges purely political and part of a vindictive prosecution.

The indictment is skeletal, exaggerated, omits context, and the video evidence squarely contradicts much of it, a member of McIvers legal team said. McIvers attorneys also said that body cameras the officers wore back the congresswomans version of events.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone

Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Alina Habba is heaping more pressure on Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to revoke the chamber's blue slip tradition, which New Jersey's two Democratic senators wielded to stop her from getting a floor vote for the post of U.S. attorney in the state.

Trump had nominated Habba, whom he tapped on an interim basis in March, for the full-time appointment. But Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim used blue slips  which empower home-state senators to block U.S. attorney and District Court judge nominees  to keep her from advancing in the chamber.

And Grassley, despite pressure from the White House, isn't planning on curtailing that power anytime soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, Tillis, also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has said he'd serve as a check against anyone opposed by a home-state senator even if Grassley rescinded the procedure.

"This tradition that Senator Grassley is upholding effectively prevents anybody in a blue state from going through into Senate to then be voted on," Habba said on "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo." "Senator Booker and Senator Kim had absolutely every right to vote no for me for the U.S. Attorney position. But I had the right as the nominee to get if front of Senate and to be voted on, to be vetted. I never even got there."

But there remains little appetite in the GOP-led Senate to scrap the tradition, which Republicans have used in the past to influence judicial appointments at home with Democrats in the White House.

Habba's saga this year has been complicated. She was appointed acting U.S. attorney for the state, but, once the 120-day interim period expired, a panel of District Court judges declined to retain her, instead appointing Desiree Leigh Grace, her first assistant, to the interim position. Complaining about "rogue" judges, Attorney General Pam Bondi then fired Grace and Trump  who had previously nominated Habba to the post full-time  instead restored Habba's interim status, a maneuver that was immediately challenged as invalid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The result: Habba is currently holding her attorney post "not lawfully," U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann said last week, leaving open the possibility that any of the actions she has taken on the job since July 1 may be declared void. Shortly after that ruling, a District Court judge postponed the sentencing of a CEO prosecuted by Habba's office due to her involvement.

"The truth is it has nothing to do with the work that we're doing, it has nothing to do with the crime that we're stopping," she told Bartiromo. "It has to do with trying to prevent President Trump from continuing his agenda, and it has to stop. So I would say to Senator Tillis and Senator Grassley, you are becoming part of the issue. You are becoming part of the antithesis of what we fought for four years."
The Brief

Officers said the shooting happened at the Columns at Lake Ridge Apartments in the 3900 block of Lake Ridge Lane.

A man who lived in the complex made arrangements to meet two other men there to sell something he'd listed online.

One of the alleged robbers was shot, according to police. The other one ran away.

DUNWOODY, Ga. - Dunwoody police are investigating after an alleged attempted robber was shot, according to police.

What we know

Officers said the shooting happened at the Columns at Lake Ridge Apartments in the 3900 block of Lake Ridge Lane around 3:30 p.m. Saturday. A man who lived in the complex made arrangements to meet two other men there to sell something he'd listed online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the three men met, an attempted robbery took place. Then, gunfire was exchanged, according to police. One of the alleged robbers was shot. That person was arrested when officers arrived.

The other man left the scene and police are searching for him.

Nobody else was injured, according to police.

This story is developing. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.

The Source

Information in this article came from a release by Dunwoody police.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated his compatriots on Independence Day on Sunday, exactly three and a half years after the war began.

"We are building a Ukraine strong and powerful enough to live in security and peace," Zelensky said in an address shared on Telegram.

In the video, he is seen against the backdrop of Kiev's Independence Square. He said the imposing statue of liberty on the Maidan was also a symbol of the indestructibility of Ukraine, which has withstood Russia's war of aggression for three and a half years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky said the war had led to a new sense of self-worth among Ukrainians, who no longer relied on the goodwill of others but took their fate into their own hands and were ready to fight for their freedom.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kiev on Sunday to meet Zelensky. Canada is part of the so-called Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine and is also home to a large Ukrainian community.

"On this Ukrainian Independence Day, and at this critical moment in their nation's history, Canada is stepping up our support and our efforts towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine," Carney posted on X following his arrival.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also marked Ukraine's Independence Day by stressing Berlin's ongoing support for Kiev. "As the country marks Independence Day, we stand firmly by their side  today and in the future," Merz posted on X in German, English and Ukrainian.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen honoured Ukraine's fight for a "free, democratic and independent" country. "We are with you, for as long as it takes. Because a free Ukraine means a free Europe," von der Leyen wrote on X.

Western leaders have repeatedly emphasized their ongoing support for Kiev, particularly against the backdrop of a less clear position from Washington since US President Donald Trump re-entered the White House.

The Wall Street Journal reported citing officials that the Pentagon has for months been blocking the use of longer range missiles, such as the US-supplied ATACMS, for attacks on targets in Russia.

Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, last year lifted restrictions on the use of long-range missiles. Trump has made conflicting comments on the war.

Attacks continue amid uncertain diplomacy

Also on Sunday, Ukrainian drone attacks hit an oil refinery in the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga, setting it alight. Ten drones were shot down over the port, the governor of Leningrad region, Alexander Drozdenko, wrote on Telegram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another refinery was attacked in the Volga region of Samara, media reported. Around 20 explosions were heard in the city of Syzran, according to the independent portal Astra.

Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed the attack on an "industrial object" in a post on Telegram, but gave no further detail on the target or the damage caused.

Russian state news agency TASS reported that air defences had shot down a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant in the west of the country. The drone exploded when it crashed and damaged an auxiliary transformer, TASS reported.

Amid moves promoted by Trump for Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dampened expectations and said that a meeting of this kind needs thorough preparation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lavrov also repeated demands that would be difficult for Kiev to meet.

On Sunday, Zelensky received Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Kiev. Kellogg is seen as the US administration official that sympathizes with Kiev most strongly.
An American Airlines flight was diverted Saturday after a passengers device caught on fire.

American Airlines Flight 357, from Philadelphia to Phoenix, was forced to divert to Washington Dulles International Airport following reports of smoke from a customers device, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The plane landed safely around noon at Dulles, the FAA added. Emergency personnel met the plane and helped the 160 passengers and six crew members off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The device was quickly contained by crew members prior to landing," American Airlines told The Independent in a statement.

The airline declined to specify what type of device caught fire.

American Airlines Flight 357 on Saturday was diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport following reports of smoke from a customers device, officials said. (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Passenger Adriana Novello, 22, told ABC News that she was seated in an exit row and awoke to one of the flight attendants jumping on her seat to get the fire extinguisher.

"Then I started smelling smoke, and a lot of people on the plane were coughing," she said. "But I looked behind me, and what we could tell was that there was something on fire in the aisle."

It was not immediately clear what caused the device to catch on fire. The Independent has contacted the FAA for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The flight had taken off from Philadelphia at 10:49 before it landed just around noon, according to the airline.

In a statement, American Airlines said they were able to book customers alternative flights.

The FAA is investigating the incident.
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  An American Airlines flight destined for Phoenix was forced to land at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Saturday after a passengers device reportedly caught fire.

American Airlines Flight 357 landed safely at Dulles at around 11:50 a.m. after the crew reported a fire in one of the passenger rows, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Marylands first human case of West Nile virus confirmed for 2025

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a statement to DC News Now, an American Airlines spokesperson said smoke was spotted coming from a customers device and that the crew quickly contained it before landing.

We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this caused and thank our crew for their professionalism, the airline said in a statement.

Officials did not specify what kind of device the customer had or what caused it to begin to smoke. However, American Airlines said impacted passengers were accommodated on alternative flights.

Responders greeted the aircraft at Dulles, per standard procedure, to help passengers deboard the plane.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
A next-gen version of nuclear power is one step closer after two American companies announced a partnership to help bolster the safety of small modular reactor technology.

Dallas Innovates reported on the agreement between Fort Worth-based Paragon Energy Solutions and Oregon-based NuScale Power. NuScale holds the distinction of being the only SMR nuclear technology provider that has received design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Paragon, meanwhile, specializes in safety products like its CoreVision Neutron Monitoring System technology and Highly Integrated Protection System that will be incorporated into NuScale's SMR tech and forthcoming energy plants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NuScale is bullish about its future. Company CEO John Hopkins pointed to the Trump administration's recent supportive steps as well as approval of a 77-megawatt module as reasons for optimism, according to UtilityDive. The company expects to have a few customers finalized by the end of 2025.

Paragon says CoreVision will grant NuScale "reliable, accurate, and modernized monitoring and control of reactor power levels," per Dallas Innovates. The HIPS is tailored to SMRs and will safeguard instrumentation and control systems with reliable, cyber-secure protection.

Nuclear fission, while imperfect, holds several advantages over dirty energy. As Robert Hayes, an associate professor of nuclear engineering at North Carolina State University, detailed, it isn't completely safe, but its risk level pales in comparison to coal and other energy sources.

SMRs add energy flexibility to the nuclear fission mix, as they are smaller and more flexible. That provides an avenue for areas that don't have sites for large plants and adds efficiencies through a modular design.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The passive systems, low power and operating pressure, and decreased reliance on external power or human intervention increase safety margins and reduce the chances of unsafe radioactivity releases, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

They can also be paired with clean energy systems like wind and solar to kick in more prominently in times of lower power generation, per the IAEA. Still, there are concerns about their safety, as expressed by Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

That hasn't stopped a raft of projects in Canada, at universities in the U.S., and from aspiring companies.

NuScale CEO John Hopkins expressed confidence that the partnership will bear fruit soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Paragon will provide key monitoring and protection capabilities  as we prepare for near-term deployment and for bringing safe, always-on energy to users around the world," Hopkins declared.

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.










Bones and skin are all that is left of seven-year-old Mai Abu Arar.

The Palestinian girl is one of tens of thousands of children facing malnutrition in Gaza as Israels man-made famine deepens with the Israeli military stepping up its assault on Gaza City.

Mais mother, Nadia Abu Arar, says her child was once lively and joyous, but she is now fighting for her life after drastically losing weight.

The doctors told me that she isnt suffering from any disease or from any past condition. Theyre saying its all due to malnutrition and I havent seen any improvement in her situation at all, Nadia told Al Jazeera.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hunger has weakened Mai to the point that she can now only consume liquid food through a syringe.

Hisham Abu Al Oun, paediatric director at the Patients Friends Hospital in Gaza City, said Israel has been preventing the delivery of medicines to the enclave, which has made it challenging to treat patients suffering from malnutrition.

Potassium chloride is the easiest medication that any doctor can prescribe. We dont even have that. We have babies dying because we dont have it. Sometimes supplies come in, but unfortunately, very little, he said.





On Friday, a United Nations-backed hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), confirmed for the first time that more than half a million people are experiencing famine in northern Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At least 289 people, including 115 childre,n have died due to starvation in the enclave so far.

Israel has been imposing a suffocating blockade on Gaza, allowing only a small amount of food through airdrops and the United States-backed group GHF, forcing Palestinians to risk their lives to reach aid sites deep inside areas under control of the Israeli military.

On Sunday, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing hell in all shapes.

This will haunt us. Denial is the most obscene expression of dehumanisation, Lazzarini said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its time for the Government of Israel to stop promoting a different narrative + to let humanitarian organisations provide assistance without restrictions & allow international journalists to report independently from Gaza.

In its report, the IPC said Israels ongoing war has led to at least 1.9 million people being displaced twice as the Israeli siege resulted in a man-made famine.

Liz Allcock, a rights advocate with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), told Al Jazeera that hunger is affecting everyone in Gaza.

It plays out in the entirety of the [Gaza] Strip and on a daily basis. Its not only children, small children  It is also elderly people who are unable to get access to any kind of food. It is also healthcare staff, aid workers who are fainting on the job because they dont have enough sustenance to keep them going, she said.





Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly denied that people in Gaza are experiencing starvation, blaming aid agencies and Hamas for not delivering supplies to people in the territory.

The UN has said that despite the growing amounts of aid ready for delivery at crossings near Gaza, Israel has not granted aid agencies the necessary authorisation to deliver and distribute the assistance.
(Corrects reference to Trump's performance with Hispanic voters in 2024 election, paragraph 20)

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's push for Republican-led states to redraw their U.S. House of Representatives districts to protect their majority in next year's midterm elections could set the stage for Republicans to dominate the chamber in decades to come, political analysts and experts said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans hold a 219-212 House majority and Trump is looking to break the streak of midterm House losses for the sitting president's party -- as happened to him in 2018 and to Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022 -- by pushing states starting with Texas to aggressively redistrict.

Democratic states, led by California, have threatened to retaliate by redrawing their own districts for partisan gain, a longstanding feature of U.S. politics known as gerrymandering that has grown far more potent thanks to modern data analysis tools.

But Republicans hold the advantage, with control of the state legislatures and governorships of 23 states, compared with 15 for Democrats. Further, independent analysts say, population shifts could create as many as 11 new congressional seats in Republican Southern and Western states after the 2030 U.S. Census.

Democrats enjoyed 40 years of unbroken House control beginning in 1955 and ending in 1995 as conservative Southern Democrats defected to the Republican Party in earnest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The current redistricting battle has raised concerns about a new era of gerrymandering, with Republicans and Democrats jockeying for advantage and further dividing an already polarized nation.

"I feel like it's cheating," said Adam Kinzinger, a Trump critic and former Republican congressman who lost his Illinois seat to redistricting after the 2020 census. "Every time we break a norm in politics now, that norm never comes back. It'll be an avalanche of constant redistricting. I worry about that."

The Republican-controlled Texas state legislature last week passed a new map meant to provide five more Republican seats. The Democratic-led California legislature responded by proposing a map that would give Democrats five more seats, though the state's voters will have to approve that move in a November special election.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll this month found that most Americans oppose partisan gerrymandering, to the degree that many worry about American democracy itself being in jeopardy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FEW COMPETITIVE SEATS

Nonpartisan election analysts currently rate just three dozen of the nation's 435 House districts as competitive in the 2026 midterm elections, pushing the real contests to party primaries that select more partisan lawmakers less interested in compromise.

"That would be another way of saying that the will of the voters is not being reflected in the outcome of the election," said Thomas Kahn, acting director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University.

"If Republicans build institutional advantages, whether through fundraising ... or through gerrymandering, then essentially they will be creating a lock on the House. And I don't think that's good for democracy," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democratic strongholds including New York and California are already losing population to Florida, Texas, Idaho and other Republican-led states, a trend that many Republicans view as an endorsement of their party's policies.

"A lot of the voters who are moving from California - the Bay Area - to Austin or Dallas or Boise, Idaho, are the more conservative-leaning folks who want to live in a red state for a variety of reasons: cost of living, laws and regulations, how the state's run, business environment, stuff like that," said Will Kiley, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of the House Republicans.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 21% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats have considered moving to a different state where taxes are lower.

The U.S. Census data that underlies redistricting expectations shows that nearly all of the population growth in states such as Texas and Florida since 2020 has occurred in minority communities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Texas, which is expected to pick up three to four House seats after 2030 according to party redistricting committees, nearly 97% of newcomers are Hispanic, Black or Asian. In Florida, which could add two to four seats, the same groups account for more than three-quarters of the growth, U.S. Census data shows.

"What we know to be true is that growth is almost completely within communities of color. And those are the very communities that these changes are attempting to curtail," said Kareem Crayton, vice president at New York University's nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.

Minority voters have shifted toward Republicans in recent elections. Trump saw a 14 percentage-point improvement among Hispanic voters from his 2020 performance, though he still lost the demographic group overall to Democratic rival then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

The new congressional map unveiled by Texas Republicans at Trump's behest appears to cater to Hispanic voters. But Democrats say Republicans have eroded the group's electoral power in some Hispanic-majority districts by minimizing the number of voting-age Latinos and adding high-turnout white conservative communities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Partisan rancor in Congress has intensified since Trump began his second term in January, driving out moderate Republicans including Representative Don Bacon, who drew Trump's ire after disagreeing with the administration over proposed funding cuts and security gaps at the Pentagon. Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher, once seen as a rising Republican star, left office in early 2024 after a firestorm of criticism for opposing the impeachment of former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

"We have major issues to solve. We're not solving them," said former Representative John Duarte, who was rated the least conservative House Republican by Heritage Action for America before losing his California seat to Democrat Adam Gray last year. "We can do a lot. But right now, everyone's running away from the ball."

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell)
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  Animal Charity of Ohio hosted its third monthly adoption event for the summer on Saturday in Boardman.

During the event, the charity had adoption and foster applications available for anyone in attendance who was ready to take home a new friend once the application process was complete.

If you cant adopt or foster an animal, we completely understand, said Jane MacMurchy, Executive Director. We have events coming up, we have opportunities for people to come and volunteer. So, if its something that you cant do for specifically to bring an animal out of the shelter, then maybe you can come and join us at one of our events.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The past two adoption events this summer have resulted in 35 animals finding homes.

In July, the charity had 71 animals adopted or fostered. For August, so far, theyve had 39.

If you have a pet at home already, they also offer a meet and greet to make sure the animals will get along.

For more information on upcoming events in the area, you can visit Animal Charity of Ohios website or social media page.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
For the fifth time in 2025, a Milwaukee police chase ended in a deadly crash on Aug. 23, leaving one person dead and a suspect still at large.

Milwaukee Police observed a vehicle wanted in connection with a recent non-fatal shooting and attempted to stop the vehicle around 7:40pm in the 6000 block of West Meinecke Avenue. The driver did not comply and a police chase ensued.

The pursuit ended when the fleeing vehicle struck another car traveling on West Center Street. The driver who was hit suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspect fled on foot after the crash and was not apprehended by police.

The death marks the fifth fatal police pursuit in 2025

While police chases in Milwaukee are not rare, pursuits that end in death are, according to a 2024 city report.

Such pursuits have tragically ticked up in 2025, especially over the last two months, during which four police pursuits have resulted in fatalities.

The Aug. 23 death marks the fifth person to have been killed in five separate police chases. There were none in 2024.

The most recent incident is one of multiple where the person killed was a bystander.

On July 14, a 32-year-old man lost control of his vehicle and killed 55-year-old Lorenzo Martin at a bus shelter on West Fond du Lac Avenue. Prosecutors charged Charles Lamont Chipley Jr., who MPD said was traveling over 100 miles per hour, with first-degree reckless homicide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On July 29, Al-Mukhtar Abdullah Muhammad Sidiya, 28, was killed at the corner of North Humboldt Avenue and West Brady Street when a reckless driver attempting to escape police lost control of their vehicle. Cera A. Wilkerson, 22, was charged Aug. 1 with five felony counts, including operating a vehicle while fleeing an officer causing death and second-degree reckless homicide.

The location of the fatal Aug. 23 car chase was also the site of another fatal chase in 2020 that killed two people. Police were chasing a man wanted in a North Dakota homicide when the suspect crashed into another vehicle, killing a 20-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee car chase ends in fatal crash, the 5th such incident in 2025
Aug. 23Anthony S. ("Sam") Cordova Sam Cordova departed this earth one month shy of his 93rd birthday, on August 13, 2025. Sam's parents, Samuel and Juanita [Griego] Cordova, welcomed him into the world in 1932 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a cherished son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, friend, husband, and above all, a dad to many beyond his own kids. His humor, warmth, creativity, empathy, and curiosity enriched the lives of all who knew him. Sam was incredibly generous and loved to share meals, his love of art, his creations, and his time. Kindness to others was important to him. He had a gift for making people feel comfortable, welcome, and seen. If he just met you, he would look at you, repeat your name, and make sure you knew you were welcome at his home anytime. He was loved by everyone and will be deeply missed. Sam attended St. Francis Xavier Parish School, then St. Mary's High School, and upon graduation joined the U.S. Air Force. Most of his four-year enlistment was served in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1955. In late 1955, Rebecca ("Becky") Jiron and Sam met on a blind date. They married in June 1956 in Socorro, New Mexico, and soon started a family. In the fall of 1956, Sam enrolled at the College of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande (later changed to the University of Albuquerque). Sam started working for ACF Industries soon after graduating. Following this, he was employed by General Electric for three years. He then had a 20-year career at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, retiring in 1990. He was a lifelong creative and a self-taught artist. He began working with wood as a young boy and enjoyed many creative projects throughout the years. He built furniture; produced silk-screened hangings, wall art, and t-shirts; and constructed a porch, a greenhouse, and a playhouse. When landscaping with rocks, he created walkways and waterfall ponds. After retiring, he devoted his time to carving, starting with simple things, such as turtles, birds, letter openers, and walking sticks, then progressed to pigs, bears, whales, and coyotes. Sam advanced to carving human figures, including santos, as a result of his interest in Spanish religious culture. He then began painting retablos, carving bultos and carretas, and making crosses and nichos. He accomplished his goal of becoming a New Mexican Santero. Sam's work was displayed in several New Mexico galleries and shows, including both the summer and winter Spanish Market in Santa Fe for more than a dozen years. But he still wasn't finished being creative. He made wooden pendants (including crosses, hearts, wolf heads, and alien heads) and crafted leather bracelets, earrings, and keychains, which he gifted to family members and many friends. Sam was far too modest about his many artistic achievements. Preceded in death by Rebecca, his wife of 63 years, Sam Cordova is survived by his children: Isabel; Steve and his wife, Glenda Hogan; Mary Ann; Suzanne and her husband, Ron Marr; and Diana. Mass will be held on Monday, September 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5310 Claremont Ave. NE, with reception immediately following in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Parkinson's Foundation (https://www.apdaparkinson.org/).
This includes approximately 40,000 soldiers, air defense systems, and tanks being deployed to the area, according to the report.

Egypt is reportedly planning to reinforce its border with the Gaza Strip, London-based Qatari-owned Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on Sunday morning.

This includes approximately 40,000 soldiers, air defense systems, and tanks being deployed to the area, according to the report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Egyptian officials are concerned about the IDF taking over Gaza City and fear the humanitarian and military repercussions of any such invasion, the report added.

Officials said they expect one million Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City towards the southern areas of the Strip, according to the report, "opening the door to deliberate Israeli attempts to push these civilians toward the Egyptian border."

Cairo views this potential scenario as a direct threat to national security as it would cause a significant humanitarian and security burden to the Sinai area, an informed source told the outlet.

Egyptian soldiers stand in front of their tanks stationed on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing in Rafah on January 19, 2025; illustrative. (credit: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images)

Thus, Egypt is bolstering its forces in an attempt to send a message that they categorically reject displacement of Palestinians in the enclave and to warn against any security breaches on Egyptian territory, according to sources cited by the outlet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Egypt will remain a "firewall" against any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula, an official said.

Israeli threats of expanding its invasion coupled with right-wing Israeli factions expanding settlement projects has deepened regional tensions, a former Egyptian foreign ministry official told the outlet.

He also called for more stringent international action against Israel, whether via the United Nations Security Council, imposing economic sanctions, or mirroring world boycott, divestment, and sanctions policies taken against apartheid South Africa.

Egyptian FM calls mass displacement of Palestinians a 'red line'

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, said that any mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza was a "red line" in a Monday interview with CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We will not accept it, we will not participate in it, and we will not allow it to happen, Abdelatty told CNN, adding that displacement was a "one-way ticket for Palestinians to leave Gaza.

He also added that Cairo was working with different channels, with one objective, to alleviate the burden and suffering of Palestinians."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that his country was ready to temporarily host half a million Gazans who would be evacuated from the Gaza Strip, according to a March report by Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar.

According to the report, the Gazans would be allocated a city in the north of the Sinai Peninsula.

However, this was denied by Egyptian authorities, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed's latest report.
ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA)  Starting Sept. 1, a new Arkansas law will place tighter limits on what kinds of vape and tobacco products can be sold in stores and how they can be advertised.

Act 590 bans the sale of disposable vapes with nicotine unless they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), waiting for FDA review or tied up in an appeal. The states Tobacco Control agency will make a public list of allowed products by Nov. 1, according to the bill.

Stores that sell products not on the list could face fines, lose their permits or have items taken away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Local businesses to be impacted as Arkansas hemp ban nears

Currently, under 40 e-cigarette products have FDA approval, and most of them are produced by major tobacco companies.

The law also stops companies from packaging or advertising tobacco and vape products in ways that could appeal to kids. That means no designs that look like food, candy or cereal, and no cartoon characters or names like cake or candy.

Juul gets FDAs OK to keep selling tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes

Another part of the law makes it illegal to use tobacco or vape products at schools, childcare centers or health care facilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The FDAs searchable, up-to-date Tobacco Products Database allows users to determine whether a vape product is approved at the national level.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
CONNEAUT  Ashtabula Regional Medical Center President Leonard Stepp spoke to the Conneaut Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Friday at Conneaut Township Park.

Stepp talked about a number of issues, including challenges the hospital faces, projects it has undertaken and its contribution to the local economy.

In some circumstances, hospitals arent active members of chambers of commerce, he said in his speech. I think thats because most people dont really think of healthcare as a business, but it really is. Its a business of taking care of people  our family, our friends and our neighbors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A lot is happening at the hospital, Stepp said.

In late September, we will open our new endoscopy unit, which will allow us to double the amount of capacity, he said.

Last month, ARMC opened a new MRI suite. Old operating rooms will be used for the new endoscopy unit.

After his speech, Stepp took questions from chamber members.

Theres about four or five strategic projects were working on right now, he said. A lot it is about service offering, being able to expand more services in the community. Theres some services that got compressed since COVID that were looking at expanding again.

The hospitals cancer center has grown by 45% since the hospitals expansion in the late 2010s, Stepp said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were overrun. Space is not conducive to patient-centered care, he said. The pharmacy is at its capacity, and we continue to have high demand for oncology services.

Stepp said future ARMC construction projects may look at creating more space to deal with the issue. He said the hospital has been increasing staffing.

Were very fortunate to have signed a part-time oncologist, whos going to start in September, Stepp said in his speech.

The hospital has been working on remote services as well, Stepp said.

Were also looking at alignment opportunities with the Cleveland Clinic for things we can do over virtual technology, he said. Thatll keep a patient local. Maybe, we dont have to transfer that patient. We can remote that service in, still do all of the hands-on care, but still bring in some specialists to the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rural hospitals face a different and unknown landscape because of federal changes, Stepp said.

Were all waiting to understand more about the $50 billion thats been assigned to rural hospitals in the One Big Beautiful Bill, he said. $25 [billion] of it is going to be allocated to all 50 states. We have not heard from the state of Ohio what that process looks like, but were staying very close to it.

Stepp said ARMC will take advantage of any benefits available to it.

Were always just keeping our eyes forward and trying to meet these changes head on, and keep doing what we do, which is provide for the community, he said.
Advait Rajan is helping people help themselves.

The 19-year-old advocate and lifelong Arizonan keeps himself busy while studying his pre-med track at Arizona State University. In a single week, that can include running outreach for a refugee support group, helping students register to vote or volunteering his time to people surviving on the street.

Rajan was honored earlier this year at Tempes MLK Diversity Awards for his work in helping young voters get civically involved and supporting underserved communities. He was commemorated alongside educators and media organizations committed to realizing a more equitable society.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Advait Rajan embodies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through their unwavering dedication to equity, justice and inclusion," said Rabbanni FurQaan, presenter at the awards in January.

For Rajan, much of his efforts serving younger people are providing them with an outlet to make a change in their communities. He said hes learned that the answer for a lot of people is tapping into whatever issue they care about most.

Helping people partake in democracy

While the 18- to 25-year-old voting bloc is the largest of all voting groups, theyre also the least likely to vote. Rajan said hes personally seen some of his peers give up on the idea of voting, believing that one person cant create meaningful change.

Voting is a right that's enshrined to us by the U.S. Constitution and if we don't exert that right to vote or that right to be involved as a member of our community, how can we expect change? Rajan said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rajan worked alongside other volunteers at New Voters, a nonpartisan organization led by students across the country to boost young voter turnout in their communities. The group stayed busy last fall in preparation for the 2024 general election.

But initial studies show the issue is still an uphill battle, with young voter turnout falling in 2024 compared with the 2020 election cycle. Like many states, Arizona saw drops in registering new 18- to 19-year-old voters in 2024 compared with 2020, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

As Arizona regional coordinator, Rajan said the group interacted with thousands of potential young voters this past election cycle. Outside of registration drives, the group also works to fundraise and support research campaigns centered around young voters.

New Voters does not rally behind specific issues or push for a certain political party, but Rajan said hes strived to capture the ideas Gen Z voters are most passionate about in an attempt to get them to the polls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I think our generation is the activist generation, he said. We're best placed in the history of humanity to be the change that we want to see in the world.

Reaching Gen Z where they are

As a member of Generation Z, generally comprised of people from the ages of 13 to 28, Rajan is aware of the negative stereotypes people his age face when it comes to their level of concern for those around them.

To him, the issue stems from young people not having adequate outlets, as opposed to a lack of compassion.

Theres data to back up the idea, as well. While popular culture has increasingly portrayed Gen Z as aloof, social scientists at Indiana University found that empathy has risen in recent years close to levels seen in the late 1970s, according to a 2024 study.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The revelation comes after measures declined in 2008, showing that compassion among the general population remains fluid. Among the factors that impact it most are peoples lived experiences, social norms and how much people crave community, researchers said.

But Rajan said he remains concerned that his generation could lose connection with others through increased screentime and a drop in social behavior, but that volunteerism and bolstered community building will help prevent drops in compassion.

I think especially with going through the pandemic  our generation has become a little chronically online and just so sheltered from the real world, he said.

Living by Martin Luther King Jr.s intention

In receiving an award in commemoration of Kings own advocacy, Rajan said he started to think of all the ways his work tackles inequality. As an aspiring physician, he researches ways to bolster diabetes prevention among Hispanic and Latino families. As a volunteer, Rajan works with the University of Arizona Street Medicine team to provide health care to people living on the streets of Phoenix, who are often the most in need of professional medical care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is inequality on every level of our social stratosphere, Rajan said. I've tried to really work alongside that mission, and I really think Dr. King was an inspiration, and he kind of set the foundation for people fighting for what is right.

Currently in his third year of school at ASU, Rajan is working toward attending medical school after he graduates with a degree in biomedical sciences and public policy. Rajan said he wants to take what he has learned in his work as an advocate into his eventual medical career.

Health care, he said, is one of the most radical expressions of care.

It's not just, I can do these surgeries, I can do this and that. It's really being there for people who need it, Rajan said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How ASU student encourages empathy in his generation
Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate Social Justice Sunday at one of Atlantas most iconic churches.

Its in honor of the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Inside Big Bethel A.M.E. Church, theres much singing, praise dancing, and remembering.

Remembering August 28th, 1963: the day another great man, Martin Luther King, Jr., raised up a half mile from the church, spoke with uncommon eloquence for 17 minutes, as the nations Capitol dome loomed before him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A young Ambassador Andrew Young was there.

It was really one of the quietest, calmest, most peaceful demonstrations Id ever been in because everybody was really afraid this would turn violent, Young told Channel 2s Bryan Mims.

TRENDING STORIES:

Then the young orator from Sweet Auburn would veer from script to improvise the I Have a Dream speech.

His dream of letting freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia and every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Has the dream been fulfilled? Mims asked Young.

Overwhelmingly, but not completely, Young answered.

Young reflects on this last election.

Im not sure what it meant. For some, it meant turning back the clock. But overall, I think the nation has made, in cities like Atlanta, has made phenomenal strides, Young said.

As the pastor of Big Bethel A.M.E Church, Reverend Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine sees it, Black history itself is under siege. He points to the presidents attack on the Smithsonian museums as Exhibit A.

Its very important that the troops galvanize. That we organize and come together here at the city hall of Sweet Auburn, Augustine said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The Brief

The department said 74-year-old Allen Sales was found safe after being reported missing on Saturday.

He was last seen around 6 p.m. Friday but reported missing early Saturday by his caretaker.

ATLANTA - Atlanta police said an elderly man they had been searching for was found safe.

What we know

The department said 74-year-old Allen Sales was last seen around 6 p.m. Friday in the 3700 block of Wisteria Lane SW. His caretaker reported him missing to police around 10 a.m. Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The department described this as a critical missing case.

Police said Sales was found Saturday night. No other information was given.

The Source

Information in this article came from Atlanta police. It has been updated to show he was found.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) An arrest has been made in a stabbing that occurred on June 12, 2025.

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Ithaca Police Officers were called to the

300 block of West Green Street for reports of a dispute. When they arrived, officers found a victim suffering from stab wounds. The victim received immediate medical attention from members of the Ithaca Fire Department and was later taken to a regional trauma center for treatment.

Through the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Nazir Chisolm, 20, of Ithaca, NY.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On August 22, 2025, members of the Ithaca Police Department took custody of Chisolm in

Maryville, Tennessee, and transported him back to Ithaca to face charges. Chisolm has been

charged with Attempted Murder.



Chisolm was arraigned and is currently being held at the Tompkins County Jail until future court proceedings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ithaca Police Department by any of the following means:

Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245

Police Administration: 607-272-9973

Police Tipline: 607-330-0000

Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
A Richmond County woman has been sentenced to 22 months in federal prison for operating a ghost tax preparation business in Augusta, and defrauding the IRS.

Kim Brown, 40, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation and Filing of False Income Tax Returns.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we continue to pursue those who defraud the government, Margaret E. Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, said in a statement. Kim Brown stole money from taxpayers, and this sentence holds her accountable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Court documents show that Brown operated her tax preparation business from her home in Augusta in 2022.

TRENDING STORIES:

The justice department said she acted as a ghost preparer by failing to identify herself as a paid preparer on the tax returns she filed for her clients.

Brown fabricated income to qualify her clients for tax credits and claimed fake deductions to increase refund amounts, according to officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then, the U.S. Attorneys Office said she charged clients a fee based on a percentage of the tax refund and did not provide them with copies of their tax returns or review them before filing.

The fraudulent activities resulted in the U.S. Department of Treasury issuing $541,912 in false tax refunds.

Brown was ordered to pay back the money as restitution and serve a year of supervised release after her time in prison.

Not signing off on a tax return is just one of the signs someone is acting as a ghost preparer, said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]




Our Aug. 10 column, What happened to Haile Field, a lost Austin airport north of Hyde Park? generated considerable reader interest.

Taken from American-Statesman articles from the 1930s through the 1950s, the column included tales of deadly plane crashes and fanciful air shows, along with more mundane activities such as crop dusting and routine flight training.

References to other Austin lost airports in the cited articles, of course, sent me back into the records to see what else could be found.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead of tracking articles in the American-Statesman archives, this time I relied mostly on a remarkable website, Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields, put together by Paul Freeman and updated as recently as this month.

Freeman shares maps, action shots and aerial photographs, as well as brisk written records, for hundreds of abandoned or repurposed American airports. I selected a few of interest from the Austin area, leaving out for now Liberty Hill Airfield, Eagle Rock Ranch Airfield (Wimberley), San Marcos Municipal Airport, Kittie Hill Airport (Georgetown), Thompson Field (San Marcos), Lite-Flite Airfield (Manor), Luling Memorial Airfield and Guenther Field (La Grange).

University Airport

A May 19, 1940 photo shows an unidentified woman hand-propping an aircraft at University Airport. (Courtesy of Jeff Morrison).)





This one really interested me because I frankly had never heard of it before my research on Haile Field. Shocker: Some of the hangars still stand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Located northwest of Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, this field was owned and operated by the University of Texas. It opened five years before Mueller in 1925. The original operator for the commercial field, S.W. Ruff, oversaw two sod runways set in an L-shape and a cluster of support buildings.

Freeman publishes several maps, but its hard at first to determine exactly where the airport stood near Airport and North Lamar boulevards, not far from the Austin and Northwestern Railroad (now MetroRail) tracks. One aerial photo cites the field firmly north of Airport and east of North Lamar, which early on was called the Dallas Highway.

The University Airport closed in 1949, yet as late as 1960, one aerial photo showed most of its buildings still standing. Currently, a former three-arched hangar survives at 7121 N. Lamar Blvd. It serves as the stylishly renovated home of Red Velvet, a marketing agency.

Penn Field

This World War I-era training field just south of St. Edwards University has figured in several of our history columns. Its name has been preserved in the modern business development that preserves some of the old brick structures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Americans rushed into the air. Training fields popped up everywhere.

That same year, according to Freeman, The Austin Chamber of Commerce secured options on 1,700 acres south of Austin, some of which was part of the Blocker Ranch. Gen. George Squire, chief signal officer of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, deemed 150 acres suitable for a landing field; he approved the site in September 1917.

The field was named after Austin aviator Eugene Doak Penn, who died while training in Italy in 1918. The University of Texas took on the program for the School of Military Aeronautics, but no flights took off until 1918. UT added a radio school to the site. Volunteer labor, including students and Boy Scouts, cleared the field of remaining rocks and cornstalks.

In March 1918, UT bought the land and a railway track was laid to the site. Do any of those tracks survive? Was it ever connected to the Bergstrom Spur which ran along what is now Ben White Boulevard and which activists would like to convert into a hiking trail?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some of those Bergstrom tracks are in good shape near South Congress Avenue. At the other end of the line, alongside the American-Statesman newsroom at the Met Center, the tracks have been pulled out and the tree line is populated with wildlife.

Penn Field was short-lived. The war ended in November 1918. Subsequent uses have been Woodward Truck Body Company  partly destroyed by the 1922 tornado  Woodward Furniture Factory, and, in 2000, the sensitively adapted Penn Field office park at South Congress Avenue and Alpine Road.

Tim's Airpark / Austin Executive Airpark

According to the book Austin, Cleared for Takeoff by William Ragsdale, Theodore Timmerman purchased 250 acres of farmland northeast of Austin in 1956. Shortly thereafter, Jim Boutwell leased 20 acres to construct an airport.

The earliest depiction of Tims Airpark that Freeman could find was on a 1959 Austin Sectional Chart. It started with a single unpaved runway west of Dessau Road, but gained a paved one in the early 1960s. By 1970, the runways had been lengthened to 4,000 feet with a taxiway along the west side of the runway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The airport continued to grow and, by 1985, it had been named Austin Executive Airpark. During that decade, Red Baron Pizza biplanes stopped there regularly during promotional tours.

Austin Executive Airpark closed unexpectedly in 2000 and became a car racing facility for a while. These days, the field hosts an array of large industrial buildings.

It would be easy to confuse this former airpark with the similarly named Austin Executive Airport, a functioning public-use field at 6012 Aviation Drive off the 130 toll road. It was once known as Birds Nest Airport.

During my one visit in 2012 while reporting on aviation company executive Rene Banglesdorf, it was a pretty swanky joint. And this was before most of todays Austin billionaires  and their private planes  had moved to town.

Robert Mueller Municipal Airport

A 1995 aerial photo of Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. It closed in 1999. ( USGS)





In 1928, voters approved bonds to build Austin's first municipal airport, writes Freeman. The City Council purchased 340 acres for $60,785 on a site outside of the city selected by Army Lt. Claire Lee Chennault  later commander of World War II's storied Flying Tigers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The future Austin Airport, later renamed for a City Council member who had died, was slated for farmland 3.75 miles northeast of downtown, according to a 1929 Rand McNally map. The field officially opened Oct. 14, 1930 with a single runway, small terminal and bow-trussed hangar. Braniff International inaugurated the first commercial air service in 1936.

A second runway had been added by 1940, and a new terminal opened in 1942. Mueller served as one of four auxiliary airfields for Bergstrom Air Force Base during World War II.

During the 1950s, two much longer runways were added to the west side of the field. By 1956, Mueller could accommodate jet traffic, and in the 1960s, Mueller opened its new Jet Age terminal. Even in the late 1960s, Austin had only 15 to 25 flights a day provided commercially by Braniff, Texas International and Continental.

Traffic started to grow rapidly after deregulation in 1978. By the early 1980s, city leaders were looking for a new airport location. Many proponents backed a site near Manor, but the federal government came through by offering the former Air Force base that became Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, the high, flat land at Mueller, which closed in 1999, was slowly developed into a dense, walkable New Urbanist neighborhood anchored by Dell Childrens Medical Center.

St. Edwards Airport

This one is not recorded on Freemans website, but it pops up in the American-Statesman archives.

During its day, this airport stood off St. Elmos Road approximately one mile east of South Congress Avenue. That would put it about where St. Elmo Road hits Interstate 35.

This airport did not last much longer than Penn Field to its northwest. The American-Statesman reported on the spot 17 times from 1941 to 1949.

A May 6, 1946 article, for instance, relates the details of an air show at St. Edwards Airport; a Dec. 2, 1948 story reports on the Civil Air Patrol squadron located there; a March 11, 1949 display advertises Auto Aero Services, Inc.pilot training  The Friendliest Service in the Friendly City  there ($15 down, $15 a month).

Please send tips and questions for From the Archives to mbarnes@statesman.com.
Illegal dumping has been a serious problem in the United Kingdom for years, with millions of tons of waste being littered throughout the nation annually.

But luckily for authorities, one perpetrator managed to leave a clue behind that led investigators straight to her.

As reported by BBC News, Maryam Bi of Dewsbury, England, was caught illegally dumping in a nearby town after a letter addressed to her was discovered in a trash bag that she had improperly tossed away. Bi was also picked up by CCTV discarding a damp carpet on the side of the road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After being caught red-handed, Bi pleaded guilty to illegal dumping charges and was then fined the equivalent of about $1,200. BBC noted that Bi was initially fined the equivalent of around $540 but was hit with additional punishment after failing to pay.

Illegal dumping is known as fly-tipping in the U.K., referring to the act of tipping trash bins on the fly in order to evade capture. Between 2023 and 2024, there were over 1 million reported incidents of fly-tipping across England. Altogether, around 34 million tons of illegal waste are dumped annually.

The BBC reported in 2020 that there had been a rise in household waste being discarded by individuals posing as legitimate waste disposal contractors who went door to door in residential areas. According to the Environment Agency in the U.K., waste-related crime costs the economy in England an estimated 1 billion annually.

Kirklees councillor Amanda Pinnock explained that the community has begun to lose its patience with illegal dumpers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There's never an excuse for fly-tipping and our approach is that of zero tolerance towards anyone who thinks they can dump their waste anywhere in our towns and villages at will," Pinnock told the BBC.

Outside of far-ranging economic impacts, illegal dumping can significantly harm the environment by polluting land, water, and air. This not only creates added dangers to human populations, but it also negatively affects wildlife.

Improperly discarded trash can destroy ecosystems, contaminate drinking water sources, and even increase the likelihood of wildfires.

"Fly-tipping is unsightly, can cause vermin infestation and negatively affects our beautiful wildlife and environment. Every incident of fly-tipping is investigated with a view to ascertaining where it came from and taking enforcement action against offenders," added Pinnock.

Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? No way Definitely Only certain tools I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Authorities in Weymouth are investigating the unattended death of a man found Saturday afternoon inside a car parked outside a hospital.

Police went to South Shore Hospital at 55 Fogg Road at about 2 p.m. and began the investigation, according to the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office.

The mans identity was not released. Authorities are notifying the next of kin.

The Massachusetts Crime Scene Services Section also assisted with the response to the hospital, the district attorneys office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is scheduled to be performed on Sunday to determine the cause and manner of death.

More News

Read the original article on MassLive.
The Brief

Hennepin County hosted its second free walk-in vaccination clinic on Saturday.

The county will host three more clinics next week to boost vaccination rates before the start of the school year.

Childhood vaccination rates have been declining in Minnesota since the pandemic as more families seek exemptions.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Acknowledging that more families are falling behind on immunizations, Hennepin County is hosting free walk-in clinics so children can get vaccinated before the start of school.

What we know

Hennepin County hosted its second free walk-in clinic for uninsured and underinsured families who want to get their children vaccinated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The county will host three additional clinics next week.

It's an effort to boost immunization rates among school-aged children before the start of the new school year.

The push is part of a county and statewide effort to reverse a downward trend in immunization rates in Minnesota.

"Many children, teens, and young adults have fallen behind on immunizations," the county stated online. "Now is a good time to get caught up for school, sports, daycare, and more."

FOX 9 previously reported that the number of kindergartners in Minnesota who are fully vaccinated has been steadily declining since 2020 as more parents sought exemptions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a Facebook video, Hennepin County addressed misinformation and fears about vaccines that most health experts believe have contributed to declining immunization rates.

The University of Minnesota launched the vaccine integrity project to combat misinformation and respond to changing guidance and funding cuts from the federal government under the Trump Administration.

Vaccines protect children from diseases like mumps and measles.

Disease outbreaks across the country have also led to urgent calls from health officials to get vaccinated.

What you can do

Hennepin County will host free walk-in clinics for vaccinations through the first month of the school year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You can visit any of the sites below at the listed times:

Tuesday, August 26

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Meadow Lake Elementary school

8525 62nd Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428

Meadow Lake Elementary school map

Wednesday, August 27

2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Armstrong High School

10635 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55441

Armstrong High School map

Thursday, August 28

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Eisenhower Elementary Community School

1001 MN-7, Hopkins, MN 55305

Eisenhower Elementary Community School

Tuesday, September 9

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saint Anthony Village High School

3303 33rd Ave NE, St Anthony, MN 55418

Saint Anthony Village High School map

Wednesday, September 17

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

John B. Davis Education Service Center

1250 W Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411

John B. Davis Education Service Center map

Saturday, September 27

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Eden Prairie Library - Bluestem Room

565 Prairie Center Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Eden Prairie Library map

Wednesday, October 1
Within days of being released from jail after five months behind bars, Kilmar Abrego Garcia could be deported to Uganda soon.

Abrego Garcia, 30, was ordered to report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Baltimore on Monday, with a chance he could be deported to Uganda if he does not accept a plea deal, according to his attorney, Sean Hecker.

CASA, a Maryland-based immigrant and Latino advocacy organization, has planned a rally and vigil in front of the ICE office at 6:30 a.m. Monday, according to an announcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Of course, the Trump administration is not done, the announcement said. While this crisis has been unimaginably horrible, Kilmar and his family, through their faith in God, have fought back, and we will continue to fight with them.

Abrego Garcia, an El Salvador native and father of three who lived in Prince Georges County, was released from a jail in Tennessee on Friday after U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara D. Holmes ordered his release and return to Maryland under his brothers custody.

He was originally detained in a Salvadoran mega-prison for a mistaken deportation until June, when he was detained for human smuggling charges in Tennessee.

Abrego Garcias lawyer, Sean Hecker, moved to dismiss the smuggling charges as vindictive and selective prosecution. Court documents revealed the government offered Abrego Garcia deportation to Costa Rica if he pleaded guilty to the smuggling charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen said he met with Abrego Garcia Sunday morning, assuring him that he and others are fighting to prevent his deportation.

The federal courts and public outcry forced the administration to bring Abrego Garcia back to Maryland, but Trumps cronies continue to lie about the facts in his case and are engaged in a malicious abuse of power as they threaten to deport him to Uganda  to block his chance to defend himself against the new charges, Van Hollen said. As I told Kilmar and his wife Jennifer, we will stay in this fight for justice and due process because if his rights are denied, the rights of everyone else are put at risk.

After his release on Friday, a White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson, referred to Abrego Garcia as a criminal illegal alien, wife-beater, and an MS-13 gang member.

Its an insult to his victims that this left-wing magistrate intervened to put him back on the streets, she said. Abrego Garcia will be subject to ankle monitoring to ensure the safety of the American public until further action can be taken.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abrego Garcia was granted asylum and a withholding of removal by an immigration judge in 2019, which protected him from deportation because he would face gang violence if he returned to El Salvador.

After being deported to a Salvadoran prison in March, Abrego Garcia said he was psychologically tortured and beaten.

An official with the Trump administration admitted that his deportation in March was an administrative error. The U.S. government has contended that Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member.

Have a news tip? Contact Chevall Pryce at cpryce@baltsun.com.
Bangladesh and Pakistan, once bitter enemies after they split in 1971, agreed Sunday to bolster long-strained relations, including increasing trade.

But Dhaka said a key issue, of wanting an apology from Islamabad for atrocities during the war when East Pakistan broke away to form Bangladesh, remained "unresolved".

"The scope and possibility of doing good for the two peoples of our two countries is tremendous," said Islamabad's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the most senior Pakistani official to have visited Dhaka since 2012.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pakistan's military was accused of widespread atrocities during the 1971 war.

Hundreds of thousands were killed - Bangladeshi estimates say millions -- and many in Dhaka still demand Islamabad apologise for the killings.

Dhaka's foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said that the issue of an apology was not solved, but agreed to strengthen ties between the nations.

"We have reached a consensus that the pending issues must be resolved so they don't stand as obstacles in our relationship," Hossain told reporters.

Agreements were signed to deepen trade and economic ties, as well as boost cultural exchanges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Analysts say neighbouring India, which fought a four-day conflict with Pakistan in May, will be watching closely.

Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi turned icy in August 2024 after a mass uprising in Bangladesh ended the autocratic rule of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, prompting her to flee to India.

sa/pjm/jfx
For Patricia Sinay, one of the highlights of her life was serving on the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, which spent well over a year painstakingly plotting out the state's political boundaries.

"I got to witness democracy at its core," said Sinay, 58, who lives in Encinitas and works as a consultant in the world of nonprofits.

"There were 14 very diverse people who came at this work from different backgrounds," she said. "Some may have known more than others about redistricting. But by the end we were all experts and focused on the same thing, which was creating fair maps for the people of California."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, a good deal of that work may come undone, as voters are being asked to scrap the even-handed congressional lines drawn by Sinay and her fellow commissioners in favor of a blatantly gerrymandered map that could all but wipe out California's Republican representation in Congress.

Sinay, a Democrat, is ambivalent.

She understands the impetus behind the move, a tit-for-tat response to a similar Republican gerrymander in Texas, done at President Trump's behest to shore up the GOP's chances ahead of a perilous 2026 midterm election.

Read more: 'He's trying to rig the election.' Newsom bashes Trump as redistricting campaign kicks off

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I think what President Trump requested is absolutely abhorrent. I think that Texas doing this is absolutely abhorrent," Sinay said. "I do not support the actions of the current administration. I think that their actions are absolutely dangerous and scary."

But, she said, "I don't think this is the best way to stop what the administration is doing."

Sinay noted Republicans have more gerrymandering opportunities nationwide than Democrats, should political adversaries go that route, and she questioned the cost of California's Nov. 4 special election, which could run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

"There are too many people right now that are hurting that could use that money in much better ways," Sinay said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other commissioners disagree.

Sara Sadhwani, 45, a Democrat who teaches political science at Pomona College, spoke at Gov. Gavin Newsom's rally kicking off the gerrymandering effort and testified before the state Senate, urging lawmakers to put the matter before voters so they can give Democrats a lift.

"These are extraordinary times," Sadhwani said, "and extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

Trena Turner, a pastor in Stockton and fellow commissioner, said she's tremendously proud of the commission's work and believes its impartial approach to political line-drawing is a model the rest of America should embrace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But, she said, "I don't think we should be playing by individual rules, different rules from state to state," given what's taken place in Texas and the threat of GOP gerrymandering in other places, such as Florida.

"The voices that we need to speak up for now are not just our individual congressional districts," said the 64-year-old Democrat. "We need to speak up for the voices of our nation, for the soul of our nation."

Neal Fornaciari, a Republican who chairs the redistricting commission, said individual members are speaking strictly for themselves. (Though its map-making function was completed at the end of 2021, the commission remains in existence.)

Commissioners "are exercising their 1st Amendment right to free speech," said Fornaciari, 63, a retired mechanical engineer who lives in Shingletown, in the far north of California. But, he emphasized, "The commission is in no way involved in this redistricting effort."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He even declined to state his personal views on the Democratic gerrymander, lest someone mistakenly assume Fornaciari was speaking on the commission's behalf.

The body was created in 2008 when California voters approved Proposition 11, also known as the Voters First Act. Spearheaded by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the measure sought to bring balance to legislative races by taking redistricting away from lawmakers, who tended to draw the state's political lines to suit their interests and minimize competition.

Read more: Love it or hate it? Poll shows how Californians feel about Newsom's redistricting fight with Trump

In 2010, voters extended the commission's oversight to congressional races.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Consisting of 14 members, the panel is divided among five Democrats, five Republicans and four members with no party affiliation. More than 30,000 Californians applied for the positions.

The 14 who landed the job survived a grueling selection process, overseen by the nonpartisan state auditor, which involved detailed questionnaires, multiple essays and face-to-face interviews. The final lineup included a seminary professor, a structural engineer and an investigator for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Over the course of 16 months  and through days sometimes lasting 12 hours or more  commissioners produced 176 maps. They created district boundaries for 52 members of Congress, 120 state lawmakers and four members of the Board of Equalization, which oversees tax collection in California.

Commissioners worked for free, receiving no salary, though they did get a $378 per diem on days they spent in session.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It's a point of pride that no one sued to overturn the commission's work, a rarity in the highly litigious field of redistricting.

"Most of the time if you watched our meetings I doubt if you could have correctly guessed all our political affiliations," Russell Yee, a Republican commissioner, said in an email. "We approved our final maps unanimously. We proved that citizens can rise above political, racial, regional, and generational differences to do the public's work together in an open and successful manner."

(All commission meetings were open to the public, with proceedings livestreamed on the internet.)

Yee, 64, the academic director at a small Christian study center in Berkeley, said he was generally opposed to the Democratic gerrymandering effort "because two wrongs don't make a right. The ends do not justify the means."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, while Yee leans against Proposition 50, as the November ballot measure has been designated, he will "keep listening with an open mind."

Read more: How California's proposed redistricting map compares to current congressional districts

Even if voters crumple up and toss the congressional maps Yee and others drafted, none felt as though their labors were wasted. For one thing, they said, the other political boundaries, for state legislative contests and the Board of Equalization, will remain intact. And the congressional lines yielded a set of highly competitive races in 2020 and 2024.

"We've shown twice now that independent, citizen redistricting can work well even in a state as populous, demographically diverse, and geographically complex at California," Yee said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For her part, Sinay, the nonprofit consultant, is uncertain about Proposition 50.

One thing she wants, Sinay said, is reassurance "this isn't a permanent power grab" and that congressional redistricting will, in fact, revert to the commission after the next census, as Newsom and gerrymandering proponents have promised. Sidelining self-interested politicians is definitely a better way to draw political maps, she suggested, but ultimately it's up to voters to decide.

"I will definitely support whatever the people of California want," Sinay said.

Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak

Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol.

Sign me up.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating a string of shootings across the city early Sunday morning.

The first incident happened around 12:54 a.m. at the Broadmoor Plantation Apartments on Florida Boulevard. Officers found a victim suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The individual was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Just after 2 a.m., police were called to a hospital about a separate shooting on Highland Road. Investigators learned the victim was accidentally shot when another person in the vehicle reached into a purse. The victim is expected to make a full recovery, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Minutes later, around 2:05 a.m., officers responded to Club Emotions on North Acadian. Two people were shot. One person had non-life-threatening injuries. The other is in critical condition and was rushed into surgery. Police said one of the victims reported that he was driving nearby when gunfire erupted and that a bullet struck his vehicle.

Before 4 a.m., officers responded to the 3400 block of Plank Road, where a woman, Jonique Brown, 36, was found with multiple gunshot wounds after a large fight. She was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving measures were attempted.

Later that morning, at about 10:30 a.m., officers responded to a shooting on the 800 block of Bellhaven Trace Drive. Police said the victim, DAnthony Brown, 19, died from his injuries in the hospital.

All five investigations are ongoing. Police ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gov. Landry: Over 100 arrested in Baton Rouge operation targeting violent crime

Latest News

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
CATLETTSBURG An 18-year-old Boyd County student died in a single vehicle wreck Saturday night.

The driver of the vehicle was identified at Christopher Howie Wilks of Catlettsburg, according to a press release from the Boyd County Coroners office.

A preliminary investigate determined the vehicle was traveling on Friendship Road, near the intersection of Whites Creek Road, when it left the road and rolled several times before coming to a rest in a field. The vehicle caught fire during the accident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wilks was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroners office.

Wilks was preparing to start his senior year at Boyd County High School this week. The school will be open to provide services or counseling support.

The accident is under investigation by Kentucky State Police, the Boyd County Sheriffs Office and the Boyd County Coroners Office.
Aug. 23Bemidji Chamber Ambassadors recently congratulated Michelle Ruport on the opening of Borealis Baking Company, located at 419 Beltrami Ave NW.

The bakery offers pies, cinnamon rolls, pastries, brown butter chocolate chip cookies, handcrafted drinks and quick breakfast and lunch options. Specials include "Walking Waffles" on Saturdays and "High Rollin' Sundays," featuring a variety of fresh rolls.

Borealis Baking Company uses from-scratch recipes with no artificial dyes and as many local ingredients as possible, a release said.

The bakery's summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays, or until sold out.
The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.

No one doubts that our future will feature more automation than our past or present. The question is how we get from here to there, and how we do so in a way that is good for humanity.

Sometimes it seems the most direct route is to automate wherever possible, and to keep iterating until we get it right. Heres why that would be a mistake: imperfect automation is not a first step toward perfect automation, anymore than jumping halfway across a canyon is a first step toward jumping the full distance. Recognizing that the rim is out of reach, we may find better alternatives to leapingfor example, building a bridge, hiking the trail, or driving around the perimeter. This is exactly where we are with artificial intelligence. AI is not yet ready to jump the canyon, and it probably wont be in a meaningful sense for most of the next decade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rather than asking AI to hurl itself over the abyss while hoping for the best, we should instead use AIs extraordinary and improving capabilities to build bridges. What this means in practical terms: We should insist on AI that can collaborate with, say, doctorsas well as teachers, lawyers, building contractors, and many othersinstead of AI that aims to automate them out of a job.

Radiology provides an illustrative example of automation overreach. In a widely discussed study published in April 2024, researchers at MIT found that when radiologists used an AI diagnostic tool called CheXpert, the accuracy of their diagnoses declined. Even though the AI tool in our experiment performs better than two-thirds of radiologists, the researchers wrote, we find that giving radiologists access to AI predictions does not, on average, lead to higher performance. Why did this good tool produce bad results?

A proximate answer is that doctors didnt know when to defer to the AIs judgment and when to rely on their own expertise. When AI offered confident predictions, doctors frequently overrode those predictions with their own. When AI offered uncertain predictions, doctors frequently overrode their own better predictions with those supplied by the machine. Because the tool offered little transparency, radiologists had no way to discern when they should trust it.

A deeper problem is that this tool was designed to automate the task of diagnostic radiology: to read scans like a radiologist. But automating a radiologists entire diagnostic job was infeasible because CheXpert was not equipped to process the ancillary medical histories, conversations, and diagnostic data that radiologists rely on for interpreting scans. Given the differing capabilities of doctors and CheXpert, there was potential for virtuous collaboration. But CheXpert wasnt designed for this kind of collaboration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When experts collaborate, they communicate. If two clinicians disagree on a diagnosis, they might isolate the root of the disagreement through discussion (e.g., Youre overlooking this.). Or they might arrive at a third diagnosis that neither had been considering. Thats the power of collaboration, but it cannot happen with systems that arent built to listen. Where CheXperts and the radiologists assessments differed, the doctor was left with a binary choice: go with the softwares statistical best guess or go with her own expert judgment.

Its one thing to automate tasks, quite another to automate whole jobs. This particular AI was designed as an automation tool, but radiologists full scope of work defies automation at present. A radiological AI could be built to work collaboratively with radiologists, and its likely that future tools will be.

Tools can be generally divided into two main buckets: In one bucket, youll find automation tools that function as closed systems that do their work without oversightATMs, dishwashers, electronic toll takers, and automatic transmissions all fall into this category. These tools replace human expertise in their designated functions, often performing those functions better, cheaper, and faster than humans can. Your car, if you have one, probably shifts gears automatically. Most new drivers today will never have to master a stick shift and clutch.

In the second bucket youll find collaboration tools, such as chain saws, word processors, and stethoscopes. Unlike automation tools, collaboration tools require human engagement. They are force multipliers for human capabilities, but only if the user supplies the relevant expertise. A stethoscope is unhelpful to a layperson. A chain saw is invaluable to some, dangerous to many.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Automation and collaboration are not opposites, and are frequently packaged together. Word processors automatically perform text layout and grammar checking even as they provide a blank canvas for writers to express ideas. Even so, we can distinguish automation from collaboration functions. The transmissions in our cars are fully automatic, while their safety systems collaborate with their human operators to monitor blind spots, prevent skids, and avert impending collisions.

AI does not go neatly into either the automation bucket or the collaboration bucket. Thats because AI does both: It automates away expertise in some tasks and fruitfully collaborates with experts in others. But it cant do both at the same time in the same task. In any given application, AI is going to automate or its going to collaborate, depending on how we design it and how someone chooses to use it. And the distinction matters because bad automation toolsmachines that attempt but fail to fully automate a taskalso make bad collaboration tools. They dont merely fall short of their promise to replace human expertise at higher performance or lower cost, they interfere with human expertise, and sometimes undermine it.

The promise of automation is that the relevant expertise is no longer required from the human operator because the capability is now built in. (And to be clear, automation does not always imply superior performanceconsider self-checkout lines and computerized airline phone agents.) But if the human operators expertise must serve as a fail-safe to prevent catastropheguarding against edge cases or grabbing the controls if something breaksthen automation is failing to deliver on its promise. The need for a fail-safe can be intrinsic to the AI, or caused by an external failureeither way, the consequences of that failure can be grave.

The tension between automation and collaboration lies at the heart of a notorious aviation accident that occurred in June 2009. Shortly after Air France Flight 447 left Rio De Janeiro for Paris, the planes airspeed sensors froze overa relatively routine, transitory instrument loss due to high-altitude icing. Unable to guide the craft without airspeed data, the autopilot automatically disengaged as it was set to do, returning control of the plane to the pilots. The MIT engineer and historian David Mindell described what happened next in his 2015 book, Our Robots, Ourselves:

When the pilots of Air France 447 were struggling to control their airplane, falling ten thousand feet per minute through a black sky, pilot David Robert exclaimed in desperation, We lost all control of the airplane, we dont understand anything, weve tried everything! At that moment, in a tragic irony, they were actually flying a perfectly good airplane  Yet the combination of startle, confusion, at least nineteen warning and caution messages, inconsistent information, and lack of recent experience hand-flying the aircraft led the crew to enter a dangerous stall. Recovery was possible, using the old technique for unreliable airspeedlower the pitch angle of the nose, keep the wings level, and the airplane will fly as predictedbut the crew could not make sense of the situation to see their way out of it. The accident report called it total loss of cognitive control of the situation.

This wrenching and ultimately fatal sequence of events puts two design failures in sharp relief. One is that the autopilot was a poor collaboration tool. It eliminated the need for human expertise during routine flying. But when expert judgment was most needed, the autopilot abruptly handed control back to the startled crew, and flooded the zone with urgent, confusing warnings. The autopilot was a great automation tooluntil it wasnt, when it offered the crew no useful support. It was designed for automation, not for collaboration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The second failure, Mindell argued, was that the pilots were out of practice. No surprise: The autopilot was beguilingly good. Human expertise has a limited shelf life. When machines provide automation, human attention wanders and capabilities decay. This poses no problem if the automation works flawlessly or if its failure (perhaps due to something as mundane as a power outage) doesnt create a real-time emergency requiring human intervention. But if human experts are the last fail-safe against catastrophic failure of an automated systemas is currently true in aviationthen we need to vigilantly ensure that humans attain and maintain expertise.

Modern airplanes have another cockpit navigation aid, one that is less well known than the autopilot: the heads-up display. The HUD is a pure collaboration tool, a transparent LCD screen that superimposes flight data in the pilots line of sight. It does not even pretend to fly the aircraft, but it assists the pilot by visually integrating everything that the flight computer digests about the planes direction, pitch, power, and airspeed into a single graphic called the flight-path vector. Absent a HUD, a pilot must read multiple flight instruments to intuitively stitch this picture together. The HUD is akin to the navigation app on your smartphoneif that app also had night vision, speed sensors, and intimate knowledge of your cars engine and brakes.

The HUD is still a piece of complex software, meaning it can fail. But because it is built to collaborate and not to automate, the pilot continually maintains and gains expertise while flying with itwhich, to be clear, is typically not the whole flight, but in crucial moments such as low-visibility takeoff, approach, and landing. If the HUD reboots or locks up during a landing, there is no abrupt handoff; the pilot already has hands on the control yoke for the entire time. Despite the fact that HUDs offer less automation than automatic landing systems, airlines have discovered that their planes suffer fewer costly tail strikes and tire blowouts when pilots use HUDs rather than auto-landers. Perhaps for this reason, HUDs are integrated into newer commercial aircraft.

Collaboration is not intrinsically better than automation. It would be ridiculous to collaborate with your cars transmission or to pilot your office elevator from floor to floor. But in some domains, occupations, or tasks where full automation is not currently achievable, where human expertise remains indispensable or a necessary fail-safe, tools should be designed to collaborateto amplify human expertise, not to keep it on ice until the last possible moment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One thing that our tools have not historically done for us is make expert decisions. Expert decisions are high-stakes, one-off choices where the single right answer is not clearoften not knowablebut the quality of the decision matters. There is no single best way, for example, to care for a cancer patient, write a legal brief, remodel a kitchen, or develop a lesson plan. But the skill, judgment, and ingenuity of human decision making determines outcomes in many of these tasks, sometimes dramatically so. Making the right call means exercising expert judgment, which means more than just following the rules. Expert judgment is needed precisely where the rules are not enough, where creativity, ingenuity, and educated guesses are essential.

But we should not be too impressed by expertise: Even the best experts are fallible, inconsistent, and expensive. Patients receiving surgery on Fridays fare worse than those treated on other days of the week, and standardized test takers are more likely to flub equally easy questions if they appear later on a test. Of course, most experts are far from the best in their fields. And experts of all skill levels may be unevenly distributed or simply unavailablea shortage that is more acute in less affluent communities and lower-income countries.

Expertise is also slow and costly to acquire, requiring immersion, mentoring, and tons of practice. Medical doctorsradiologists includedspend at least four years apprenticing as residents; electricians spend four years as apprentices and then another couple as journeymen, before certifying as master electricians; law-school grads start as junior partners, and new Ph.D.s begin as assistant professors; pilots must log at least 1,500 hours of flight before they can apply for an Airline Transport Pilot license.

The inescapable fact that human expertise is scarce, imperfect, and perishable makes the advent of ubiquitous AI an unprecedented opportunity. AI is the first machine humanity has devised that can make high-stakes, one-off expert decisions at scalein diagnosing patients, developing lesson plans, redesigning kitchens. AIs capabilities in this regard, while not perfect, have consistently been improving year by year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What makes AI such a potent collaborator is that it is not like us. A modern AI system can ingest thousands of medical journals, millions of legal filings, or decades of maintenance logs. This allows it to surface patterns and keep up with the latest developments in health care, law, or vehicle maintenance that would elude most humans. It offers breadth of experience that crosses domains and the capacity to recognize subtle patterns, interpolate among facts, and make new predictions. For example, Google DeepMinds AlphaFold AI overcame a central challenge in structural biology that has confounded scientists for decades: predicting the folding labyrinthine structure of proteins. This accomplishment is so significant that its designers, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, colleagues of one of us, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry last year for their work.

The question is not whether AI can do things that experts cannot do on their ownit can. Yet expert humans often bring something that todays AI models cannot: situational context, tacit knowledge, ethical intuition, emotional intelligence, and the ability to weigh consequences that fall outside the data. Putting the two together typically amplifies human expertise: Oncologists can ask a model to flag every recorded case of a rare mutation and then apply clinical judgment to design a bespoke treatment; a software architect can have the model retrieve dozens of edge-case vulnerabilities and then decide which security patch best fits the companys needs. The value is not in substituting one expert for another, or in outsourcing fully to the machine, or indeed in presuming the human expertise will always be superior, but in leveraging human and rapidly-evolving machine capabilities to achieve best results.

As AIs facility in expert judgment becomes more reliable, capable, and accessible in the years ahead, it will emerge as a near-ubiquitous presence in our lives. Using it well will require knowing when to automate versus when to collaborate. This is not necessarily a binary choice, and the boundaries between human expertise and AIs capabilities for expert judgment will continually evolve as AIs capabilities advance. AI already collaborates with human drivers today, provides autonomous taxi services in some cities, and may eventually relieve us of the burden and risk of driving altogetherso that the drivers license can go the way of the manual transmission. Although collaboration is not intrinsically better than automation, premature or excess automationthat is, automation that takes on entire jobs when its ready for only a subset of job tasksis generally worse than collaboration.

The temptation toward excess automation has always been with us. In 1984, General Motors opened its factory of the future in Saginaw, Michigan. President Ronald Reagan delivered the dedication speech. The vision, as MITs Ben Armstrong and Julie Shaw wrote in Harvard Business Review in 2023, was that robots would be so effective that people would be scarceit wouldnt even be necessary to turn on the lights. But things did not go as planned. The robots struggled to distinguish one car model from another: They tried to affix Buick bumpers to Cadillacs, and vice versa, Armstrong and Shaw wrote. The robots were bad painters, too; they spray-painted one another rather than the cars coming down the line. GM shut the Saginaw plant in 1992.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There has been much progress in robotics since this time, but the advent of AI invites automation hubris to an unprecedented degree. Starting from the premise that AI has already attained superhuman capabilities, it is tempting to think that it must be able to do everything that experts do, minus the experts. Many people have therefore adopted an automation mindset, in their desire either to evangelize AI or to warn against it. To them, the future goes like this: AI replicates expert capabilities, overtakes the experts, and finally replaces them altogether. Rather than performing valuable tasks expertly, AI makes experts irrelevant.

Research on peoples use of AI makes the downsides of this automation mindset ever more apparent. For example, while experts use chatbots as collaboration toolsriffing on ideas, clarifying intuitionsnovices often treat them mistakenly as automation tools, oracles that speak from a bottomless well of knowledge. That becomes a problem when an AI chatbot confidently provides information that is misleading, speculative, or simply false. Because current AIs dont understand what they dont understand, those lacking the expertise to identify flawed reasoning and outright errors may be led astray.

The seduction of cognitive automation helps explain a worrying pattern: AI tools can boost the productivity of experts but may also actively mislead novices in expertise-heavy fields such as legal services. Novices struggle to spot inaccuracies and lack efficient methods for validating AI outputs. And methodically fact-checking every AI suggestion can negate any time savings.

Beyond the risk of errors, there is some early evidence that overreliance on AI can impede the development of critical thinking, or inhibit learning. Studies suggest a negative correlation between frequent AI use and critical-thinking skills, likely due to increased cognitive offloadingletting the AI do the thinking. In high-stakes environments, this tendency toward overreliance is particularly dangerous: Users may accept incorrect AI suggestions, especially if delivered with apparent confidence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The rise of highly capable assistive AI tools also risks disrupting traditional pathways for expertise development when its still clearly needed now, and will be in the foreseeable future. When AI systems can perform tasks previously assigned to research assistants, surgical residents, and pilots, the opportunities for apprenticeship and learning-by-doing disappear. This threatens the future talent pipeline, as most occupations rely on experiential learninglike those radiology residents discussed above.

Early field evidence hints at the value of getting this right. In a PNAS study published earlier this year and covering 2,133 mystery medical cases, researchers ran three head-to-head trials: doctors diagnosing on their own, five leading AI models diagnosing on their own, and then doctors reviewing the AI suggestions before giving a final answer. That human-plus-AI pair proved most accurate, correct on roughly 85 percent more cases than physicians working solo and 15 to 20 percent more than an AI alone. The gain came from complementary strengths: When the model missed a clue, the clinician usually spotted it, and when the clinician slipped, the model filled the gap. The researchers engineered human-AI complementarity into the design of the trials, and saw results. As these tools evolve, we believe they will surely take on autonomous diagnostic tasks, such as triaging patients and ordering further testingand may indeed do better over time on their own, as some early studies suggest.

Or, consider an example with which one of us is closely familiar: Googles Articulate Medical Intelligence Explorer (AMIE) is an AI system built to assist physicians. AMIE conducts multi-turn chats that mirror a real primary-care visit: It asks follow-up questions when it is unsure, explains its reasoning, and adjusts its line of inquiry as new information emerges. In a blinded study recently published in Nature, specialist physicians compared the performance of a primary-care doctor working alone with that of a doctor who collaborated with AMIE. The doctor who used AMIE ranked higher on 30 of 32 clinical-communication and diagnostic axes, including empathy and clarity of explanations.

By exposing its reasoning, highlighting uncertainty, and grounding advice in trusted sources, AMIE pulls the user into an active problem-solving loop instead of handing down answers from on high. Doctors can potentially interrogate and correct it in real time, reinforcing (rather than eroding) their own diagnostic skills. These results are preliminary: AMIE is still a research prototype and not a drop-in replacement. But its design principles suggest a path toward meaningful human collaboration with AI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Full automation is much harder than collaboration. To be useful, an automation tool must deliver near flawless performance almost all of the time. You wouldnt tolerate an automatic transmission that sporadically failed to shift gears, an elevator that regularly got stuck between floors, or an electronic tollbooth that occasionally overcharged you by $10,000.

By contrast, a collaboration tool doesnt need to be anywhere close to infallible to be useful. A doctor with a stethoscope can better understand a patient than the same doctor without one; a contractor can pitch a squarer house frame with a laser level than by line of sight. These tools dont need to work flawlessly, because they dont promise to replace the expertise of their user. They make experts better at what they doand extend their expertise to places it couldnt go unassisted.

Designing for collaboration means designing for complementarity. AIs comparative advantages (near limitless learning capacity, rapid inference, round-the-clock availability) should slot into the gaps where human experts tend to struggle: remembering every precedent, canvassing every edge case, or drawing connections across disciplines. And at the same time, interface design must leave space for distinctly human strengths: contextual nuance, moral reasoning, creativity, and a broad grasp of how accomplishing specific tasks achieves broader goals.

Both AI skeptics and AI evangelists agree that AI will prove a transformative technology-indeed, this transformation is already under way. The right question then is not whether but how we should use AI. Should we go all in on automation? Should we build collaborative AI that learns from our choices, informs our decisions, and partners with us to drive better results? The correct answer, of course, is both. Getting this balance right across capabilities is a formidable and ever-evolving challenge. Fortunately, the principles and techniques for using AI collaboratively are now emerging. We have a canyon to cross. We should choose our routes wisely.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Tim and Kelsey Drury said things appeared relatively normal at the beginning of their son Jacks life.

Jack was delivered at 33 weeks because Kelsey developed a pregnancy complication, but Kelsey said her son blew the doctors away with how quickly he caught up.

We were like, This is great, hes going to develop normally and everything, she said.

But as time went on, Jacks development started to plateau. He never crawled. He never built the strength to roll over. He had trouble with tummy time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At around 10 months old, Jack was enrolled in early intervention services to support his development. They signed him up for feeding therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. But no one knew exactly what was wrong, said Tim.

A lot of our specialists and care team that were looking at Jack were also befuddled as to what was causing his delays, because if you look at him, he didnt have any physical symptoms that would be associated with, for example, a type of muscular dystrophy. We brought him to some other specialists to look at his bone structure, and they said that nothing was wrong, said Tim.

When an occupational therapist suggested the couple see a neurologist, they visited the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures in Marlboro, where Jack underwent genetic testing.

The couple spent six excruciating months waiting for the results, bracing themselves for the worst, said Kelsey. Ultimately, she said, I dont think either of us could have prepared ourselves for this.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On July 2, shortly after their sons 2nd birthday, the Drurys got a life-changing diagnosis  Jack had infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy, a rare and fatal neurological disorder for which theres no cure or treatment. Right now, doctors can only help manage symptoms and support quality of life.

The first few days after that were spent in utter heartbreak and despair, said Tim.

Now, the couple is channeling their grief into the search for a treatment. In early August, they partnered with New Jersey-based nonprofit INADcure Foundation to launch Jacks Miracle Mission, an awareness and fundraising campaign that aims to raise funds for a gene therapy clinical trial that will give Jack, and other children like him, a chance at a future. As of Wednesday, their campaign has raised more than $545,000.

Children with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy often need assistive devices like the gait trainer that Jack is using here.

Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy is one of three types of PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration, a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the PLA2G6 gene. This means babies born with it initially appear healthy but as they get older  usually between the ages of 6 months to 3 years old  they start to have neurological issues, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the first symptoms are rapid, wobbly eye movements, floppiness in the head, body and legs, and an inability to sit, crawl or walk.

That can progress over the next several years as a persistent deterioration where they lose the ability to talk, walk and become very limited. Some kids even have difficulty swallowing and eating, so they wind up needing a lot of support, said Dr. Darius Adams, a clinical and biochemical geneticist whos medical director for the Jacobs Levy Genomic Medicine and Research Program at Atlantic Health.

Kids with the disorder often have weakened immune systems and are more susceptible to infections. Many children dont survive past 10 years old, said Adams, whos also the division chief of Goryeb Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism.

Its unknown exactly how many people in the world have the disorder. Its estimated to affect about 1 in 1,000,000, according to the Rare Genomics Institute, a non-profit organization focused on patients and families affected by rare diseases worldwide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its hard to know how many people have the condition because it requires sophisticated genetic testing to make a diagnosis, said Adams.

Its possible that in other area of the world where there isnt much accessibility to this type of testing, there could be kids who are undiagnosed, he said.

But getting genetic testing is just the first hurdle. Once parents have a diagnosis, theyre faced with the stark reality that there really is no treatment anywhere in the world, said Adams.

That was unacceptable to Leena Panwala, whose daughter Ariya was born in July 2014. The first year of her daughters life, things were really, really good, said Panwala, who lives in Fairfield.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then, when her daughter was about 15 months old, Panwala noticed Ariyas pupils shaking back and forth. That began their diagnostic odyssey, beginning with an ophthalmologist, then a neuro-ophthalmologist, a neurologist, a developmental pediatrician, and finally a geneticist at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said Panwala.

Leena and Anil Panwala with their daughters Ariya, 11, and Alaya, 7.

By the time Ariya was diagnosed with the terminal disease in September 2016, just two months after her 2nd birthday, she could no longer sit up independently or reach for toys. Today, she is 11 years old and requires round-the-clock assistance.

Panwala searched online for an organization that could help her navigate her new reality, but she couldnt find one focused solely on this one condition.

Its not really on anyones radar. Theres not enough research dollars that go into it, and that just didnt sit well with me. I needed to feel like I was doing everything in my power for my daughter and other kids like her, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She officially formed the INADcure Foundation in April 2017 with the ultimate goal of developing a gene therapy treatment. Gene therapy is a new area of science that involves using gene-targeted treatments for neurological conditions. Currently, about 40 cell and gene therapies are approved for use in the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

After years of searching for a biotech partner without success, INADcure decided to sponsor the development of a gene therapy treatment independently. The foundation assembled a team of scientists, researchers, and manufacturing experts to drive forward research.

It partnered with the Rare Genomes Project at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to publish a study calculating the prevalence of PLA2G6-associated disease, which had not been previously calculated. It collaborated with doctors at Baylor College of Medicine to study potential gene therapy treatments in mice. It also partnered with researchers at Oregon Health and Science University to create a set of best practices for care.

The goal of this research is to produce enough robust data to submit an Investigational New Drug application to the FDA. Panwala said the foundation hopes to submit an application by September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the same time, INADcure is also starting the manufacturing process for its clinical trial drug, which can take approximately six months.

Adams, a member of the foundations scientific advisory board, said INADcure is not only a fundraiser, but theyre functioning as a biotech company simultaneously, which is not the anywhere near the norm.

This is a model thats unheard of, but its out of necessity because weve gone to biotech and theyve repeatedly told us, Look guys, we feel for you, but theres no way we can justify the outlay to pull this off, said Adams.

If approved by the FDA, the foundation will move forward with a clinical trial hosted by Atlantic Health, with Adams as the principal investigator. However, an additional $2 million is needed to fund the clinical trial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Whether or not Jack gets to be part of the clinical trial, Kelsey and Tim said raising money for it has given them something they didnt have before  hope.

A lot of people have never heard of this before, said Tim. Its something thats impacting children globally, but where theres actually hope and potentially some work being done towards some therapy and cures, its all being done right here in New jersey, which is pretty remarkable.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
The chirping of birds echoed through a packed lecture hall in Hong Kong, though there wasn't a feather in sight.

Residents, some pressing the sides of their throats or contorting their bodies, imitated the rhythmic calls of the koel, brown fish owl and Asian barred owlet.

One donned elaborate headgear to mimic the yellow-crested cockatoo  a bird that is among the world's most endangered species. About a tenth of the 1,200 to 2,000 left call the financial hub's concrete canyons home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bob Chan, who took top prize at the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society's first-ever birdcall contest on Saturday, chose the tiny Eurasian Tree Sparrow, another longtime urban dweller.

"I saw other contestants giving their all ... and imitating very well," he said admiringly of his nearly 100 fellow participants, each judged on their rhythm and tone.

One judge, Hong Kong-based ecologist and ornithologist Paul Leader, told AFP he was thrilled the competition had gotten people like Chan thinking about the birds they share the city with.

"If people don't care about birds, how are you going to get them to protect them and conserve them?" he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I'm just happy to see people who have a genuine interest in birds and wildlife. That's a great start," he said of the event aimed at raising ecological awareness.

Despite its relatively small size, more than 580 types of birds -- about a third of China's total species -- have been recorded in Hong Kong.

That diversity is attributed to Hong Kong's status as a vital stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory birds, thanks to the city's varied habitats -- from wetlands and forests to shrublands and coastal areas.

In recent years, a mega-development plan in Hong Kong's north has raised concerns among environmentalists about the reduction of the wetlands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The government has said fears over the project's environmental impact are overblown.

But Tom Li, assistant research manager of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, told AFP the wetlands were a "critical issue" for birds in the city.

"Whether habitats like wetlands can be preserved over the next 10 to 20 years without being squeezed by large-scale urbanisation development" will be key to maintaining biodiversity, he said.

twa-bpu/cwl
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday afternoon.

According to the BPD, East Precinct officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Huffman Road on a report of a traffic accident shortly after 4 p.m.

When officers arrived at the scene, they observed a juvenile male lying unresponsive outside of a vehicle and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. They found a second juvenile male suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel pronounced the first juvenile male dead at the scene. The second victim was transported to UAB Hospital for treatment.

The BPD says the preliminary investigation revealed that multiple individuals may have met at the location for an undetermined reason prior to shots being fired. The motive behind the shooting is unknown at this time.

One suspect was taken into custody by BPDs Special Operations Bureau, and two individuals have been detained for questioning.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the BPD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Stay with CBS 42 for this developing story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A person sustained life-threatening injuries from a shooting that happened in Birminghams North Titusville neighborhood Saturday night.

According to the Birmingham Police Department, the shooting happened at about 9:07 p.m. around Kappa Avenue and Second Avenue South. There are no suspects in custody in connection to the case.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Bishop Museum is offering people the chance to experience The Art of Underwater Science.

Navigating Hawaiis Sky with Bishop Museum

On Thurs., Aug. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Bishop Museum opened a special preview of Explore EXCORE, its new ocean exhibit.

This exhibit has transformed the J.M. Long Gallery into an underwater theater.

The theater showcases rare ocean life and features places that most people have probably never seen before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its an exclusive exhibit as it serves as a scientific record of ocean creatures and reefs that may not be around forever.

Those who visit the exhibit will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoology Collection, which includes millions of specimens like coral, crab, and other sea creatures.

The Bishop Museum wants to help protect Hawaiis ocean by teaching people about invasive species.

It has been a part of Hawaiis story since 1889.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

For more information about the event, you can visit BishopMuseum.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 KHON2.
President Donald Trump has claimed that African-American ladies.. beautiful ladies are pleading with him to extend federal troop deployments to Chicago after the militarized takeover of Washington D.C.s streets this month.

They are wearing red hats, just like this one. But they are wearing red hats. African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying, Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please, he claimed Friday in the Oval Office.

I did great with the Black vote, as you know. And they want something to happen. So I think Chicago will be our next, and then we will help with New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, a Black personal trainer and conservative influencer in Chicago has told local news outlets that she believes that the president was referring to her and the MAGA organization she co-founded, in his remarks.

We knew he had been listening to us, Danielle Carter-Walters told the Chicago Sun-Times Sunday. When I saw it, I said, Oh wow. Weve been asking for it in our videos. Now hes doing it.

Danielle Carter-Walters says she believes Trump was talking about her and her political action group when he said Friday that African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying, Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please. (House Committee on the Judiciary | YouTube)

Carter-Walters also defended Trumps crackdown in D.C. "I mean, if you've got the National Guard right there, are you going to rob somebody right there in front of the National Guard? No, you're not," she told CBS Chicago.

The conservative influencer is co-founder of Chicago Flips Red, a small grass roots organization which appears to comprise of around half a dozen core members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However Carter-Walters has had national exposure. In April, she testified before Congress during a hearing on sanctuary cities.

Trump doesnt appear to have acknowledged Carter-Walters by name before.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump for listening to @FlipChicagoRed. We truly appreciate everything youre doing to Make America Great Again. P.S.-Please send in the Feds too! Carter-Walters posted on X after Trumps remarks.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Trump made the remarks about Chicago as he discussed reaction to his deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents in the capital. The president has declared the operation a success, though the largest spike in D.C. arrests has been for immigration-related violations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Pentagon is reportedly planning to deploy military personnel into Chicago as soon as September. Trump has insisted that he has the authority to conduct takeovers of American cities across states -- beyond the special jurisdiction of the District of Columbia.

The Pentagon has been making plans to occupy numerous cities, even as Guard troops in D.C. have largely resorted to milling around and taking selfies with tourists, according to the Washington Post.

Trump made the remarks about Chicago as he discussed reaction to his deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents in the capital. The president has declared the operation a success, though the largest spike in D.C. arrests has been for immigration-related violations. (AP)

After making his threats against Chicago on Friday, Trump spent some of the weekend leveling attacks at Lisa Cook, the only Black member of the Feds Board of Governors, as well as the only current Black governor of a state, Wes Moore of Maryland. On Sunday, he rejected an invitation from Moore to visit Baltimore in person.

Trumps ire has been particularly focused on cities in liberal jurisdictions with Black mayors, like Chicago, Baltimore and Washington D.C. Trumps threats to takeover Chicago were met with robust responses from Illinois governor, JB Pritzker, and prominent Black leaders in the Windy City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Illinois has long worked with federal law enforcement to tackle crime, but we won't let a dictator impose his will, Pritzker posted on X late Saturday.

If Trump wants to take his ego trip on tour, he picked the wrong city. Chicago doesnt bow down to kings or roll out the red carpet for dictators. As a Black woman from the South Side, I can assure you @realdonaldtrump, your political circus isnt welcome here, tweeted Julianna Stratton, the states lieutenant governor.

Chicagos mayor Brandon Scott also responded in an interview Sunday on MSNBC. "We're not gonna surrender our humanity to this tyrant, he said. The city of Chicago has a long history of standing up against tyranny-- resisting those who wishes to undermine the interest of working people. We're not gonna back down. We're not gonna cower. We're not gonna bend. We're not gonna break. We're Chicago."

Trump announced last week he had placed D.C. police under direct federal control and deployed about 800 National Guard troops to the city (Getty)

This is what weak men do to pretend theyre strong, added Kat Abugazelah, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump can't actually deploy National Guard troops with law enforcement powers to any U.S. state without the consent of the state's governor.

His deployment of the Guard was not restricted in D.C. because the detachment is directly under the presidents authority. Federal law only allows the president to federalize state detachments under specific circumstances, and with different authorities depending on the situation.

Washington D.C. residents are in near-unison with their opposition to the Trump takeover of the nations capital. A Washington Post/Schar School survey this week found that roughly 8 in 10 residents oppose the deployment of Guard troops and federal agents across the city.

Since the military have hit the streets, one person was hospitalized after an armored guard vehicle ran a red light and struck a civilian vehicle. Numerous small-scale clashes between residents and agents carrying out arrests, patrols and checkpoints are frequently being reported in neighborhoods.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A home in Geneva County was destroyed by a morning fire.

Firefighters responded to the home on Doug Mock Road in the Hacoda Community, near the Covington County line, at around 9:00 a.m.

When crews arrived on the scene, the home was already engulfed in flames and had collapsed.

Crews from the Samson Volunteer Fire Department, Samson Rescue, the Flat Creek Fire Department, and the Florala Fire Department

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No injuries have been reported.

Courtesy of the Samson Volunteer Fire Department Courtesy of the Samson Volunteer Fire Department Courtesy of the Samson Volunteer Fire Department Courtesy of the Samson Volunteer Fire Department

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
EAST PEMBROKE, N.Y. (WIVB)  A local volunteer firefighter shared the moments he worked with other first responders to rescue a woman who was pinned under the bus in Fridays crash on I-90 in Pembroke, which killed five people and injured many others.

The rescue crews are being called heroes, but they say they were just doing their jobs.

5 confirmed dead after tour bus rollover on I-90 in Pembroke

Hero? Nah. Just a guy trying to help, said David Olsen, a volunteer firefighter for the Indian Falls Fire Department. There were a lot of us and thats what it takes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Olsens actions, and the actions of many other first responders, saved lives after the tour bus crash, which involved a total of 54 people.

The Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments were one of the first to arrive on the scene.

Ive been an EMT since 83 and I was a police officer for 32 years, and Ive never come across anything like what we had Friday afternoon, said Edward Mileham Jr., the assistant chief of the Pembroke Fire Department.

There were six of us. We got there and there was a bus on its side, Olsen said. There were people who had been ejected from the bus, their belongings  a huge mess and obviously a huge problem we were never going to be able to deal with.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At least, not on their own. Backup then arrived from agencies across Western New York, including fire departments, EMS services and police.

Crews from all over, they were there from miles away showing up to help, Olsen said. The cooperation and help was amazing. It blew me away, more than I had ever seen.

Olsen came across a woman pinned under the wheels of the bus.

[We] started to dig with a shovel to try to dig underneath this person, Olsen said. She was underneath the rear wheel of the bus, trapped there, couldnt move. The Akron and Clarence fire departments, which are neighboring districts, showed up with equipment to brace the bus up and they really knew what to do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While one first responder kept the woman calm, a local towing company showed up with equipment to lift the bus as carefully as possible.

It wasnt on a flat, level surface and if you lift one side of the bus up, it slid, Mileham Jr. said.

Each time the bus was lifted a little bit, airbags were placed underneath to prevent it from collapsing.

Its a slow process, Olsen said. It was a half an inch at a time.

They were finally able to free the woman, pulling her out, alive.

She was able to say thank you and its something everybody enjoyed hearing, Olsen said.

The death toll could have been higher, if not for the first responders and emergency crews who stepped in to help.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With an aging population of volunteer firefighters in rural areas like Pembroke, Olsen worries that in a few years, help wont be this close.

Deceased victims of tour bus crash in Pembroke identified

In moments like these, minutes and seconds matter.

If you want to make the world a better place, you need to step up and take ownership of it and be a part of it, be a part of something bigger than yourself, Olsen said. There were a hundred people who believed in that out there that day. Theyre out there, and we need more.

Latest Local News

Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
GUTHRIE COUNTY, Iowa  The body of a swimmer was recovered from Diamondhead Lake in Guthrie County on Saturday evening.

According to the Stuart Fire Department, around 4:40 p.m., crews were called to Diamondhead Lake on reports of a 35-year-old male swimmer who went under the water but never resurfaced.

One injured during shooting in River Bend Neighborhood, DMPD investigates

Authorities say witnesses on the scene reported that the swimmer had gone beyond the roped-off swimming area and appeared to be struggling. Local agencies performed a preliminary search, which yielded no results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Midwest Regional Dive Team was called to assist in the search and arrived on scene around 6:25 p.m. The dive team located the body using sonar technology around 7:47 p.m. and was able to recover the body around 8:09 p.m.

The identity of the swimmer has not been released at this time.

Iowa News:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
EUREKA, Mo.  Missouri American Water has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for its customers in the Eureka area.

The advisory is due to a water main break, according to a statement from the water company.

The advisory began just after 9:30 a.m. Sunday and is expected to end around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Residents and businesses in the affected area are advised to follow the boil order until further notice. This includes bringing drinking and cooking water to a rolling boil for three minutes. The water is OK for bathing, washing, and other non-consumable uses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexicans gathered to celebrate their deep-rooted love for green chile at Expo New Mexico on Saturday. The Bosque Chile Fest took over Villa Hispana to celebrate bold flavors, locally produced green chile, and all things heat.

Big Jim Farms kicks off their green chile season

Im fascinated about making chile ristras, preserving the chile pepper for a longer period of time, rather than just roasting it, you can transform it into this decor for your house, and you would string it. It takes a lot of art, a lot of skill, but it has been passed from my dad on to my sisters and myself, said the owner of Chile Konnection, Francisco.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Organizers say the most popular variety of chile amongst New Mexicans is the extra, extra hot chile from Hatch, New Mexico.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  A Brooklyn man has been accused of multiple attempted carjackings, including one incident that led to an NYPD detective being shot, according to Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz.

Kevin Dubuisson, 28, was charged Sunday with numerous crimes for an alleged string of carjacking attempts in Queens on Friday.

More Local News

According to Katz, all of the events occurred between 8:40 and 9 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dubuisson, of Brooklyn, allegedly began by walking into a parked car at a Mobil Gas Station that had its engine running with the keys inside. An employee of the Mobil on Parsons Boulevard in Whitestone is said to have walked outside to tell Dubuisson to get out of the car.

An altercation led to Dubuisson leaving the car and the parking lot while flashing what appeared to be a gun from his waistband, according to Katz.

A second victim, a woman, said they saw him from across the street. The woman said Dubuisson walked up to her, threatened to kill her and appeared to grip the handle of a gun.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Minutes later, at the intersection of 22nd Road and Whitestone Expressway Service Road, Dubuisson walked up to another vehicle occupied by a man. He allegedly knocked on the window and told the driver to give him the car while holding something that looked like a crowbar.

The man ran out of the car with the key in his pocket, and Dubuisson gave chase. After several blocks, he caught up to the man and took his keys.

A NYPD detective saw this incident occur while on duty, but not in uniform. The detective then chased after Dubuisson.

In an attempt to escape, Dubuisson hopped in the car and backed into another vehicle, which knocked down a woman and her 87-year-old mother. The woman fractured her wrist, according to Katz.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The detective made a maneuver to try and stop Dubuisson by colliding vehicles. He and his partner then drew their weapons and ordered Dubuisson to stop the car. Uniform officers then arrived and approached Dubuisson with their guns drawn.

The detective then heard gunshots coming from their direction and was struck in the right hand and left leg. He was treated at a local hospital.

Dubuisson was then arrested and charged with assault, attempted robbery, grand larceny and menacing. He faces up to 32 years in prison if convicted, according to Katz.

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) held a roundtable at the Champaign Public Library on Saturday to discuss the Big Beautiful Bills impacts on Medicaid.

Budzinski said the bill would reduce Medicaid spending by $900 billion and leave 15 million Americans uninsured. The White House, however, said the bill protects seniors and eliminates waste and fraud.

Next step for major Central Illinois health network seeking change

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Susan Real  CEO of the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging  said its not so simple, adding many potential impacts are still up in the air.

I dont think lawmakers really understood that it will have to have an impact, Real said. Does that mean no more nursing home care, or a cessation of it, or a cost share of nursing home care or family members maybe having to help with the cost of nursing home care? And the cost continues to grow exponentially.

Real also said impacts will stem from the fact that nearly 70% of nursing home stays are paid for by Medicaid as well as many operating costs  which are crucial to maintaining long term care facilities.

Ten Central Illinois nursing homes have been identified as at risk as well, according to Budzinski.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
NEED TO KNOW

Builders discovered what officials now believe to be the remains of children while working on a property this month

Authorities announced that the builders came across the remains on Aug. 15, in a discovery that "caused quite a bit of discussion within the community"

"We are continuing our enquiries to establish the identity of the remains, including their age and how they died," a police official said

Builders working on a home stumbled upon human remains possibly belonging to children.

On Friday, Aug. 22, the Lancashire Constabulary announced the discovery of bones in Lytham, England. The agency said the findings "caused quite a bit of discussion within the community," and officials believe the remains were part of "an isolated historical burial."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police first learned that builders working on a home on Cleveland Road discovered what they "thought to be bones" on Saturday, Aug. 15, around 12:37 p.m. local time.

The remains have since been "confirmed to be human," according to police, who added that the bones "may be that of children."

Officials said they have removed the remains from the property and will continue to "attempt to identify who they" belonged to.

SWNS The Cleveland Road property in Lytham, England, where builders discovered human remains The Cleveland Road property in Lytham, England, where builders discovered human remains

Detective Inspector Andrew Crook of West CID called the findings an "incredibly sad discovery."

"We are continuing our enquiries to establish the identity of the remains, including their age and how they died," Crook said in a statement. Whilst we are keeping an open mind, I want to make it clear that we are not treating this as suspicious. We believe at this stage that the burial is a historic one."

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.

"We would like to thank the homeowners and contractors for their patience whilst our enquiries were ongoing at the property," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Photos from the scene, also shared by the Manchester Evening News and The Sun, show crime scene investigators in hazmat suits visiting the property, as a vehicle remained parked out front.

The Lancashire Constabulary, which did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for updated information on Sunday, Aug. 24, asked that anyone with information pertaining to the burial and discovery of the remains get in touch.



SWNS Investigator wearing a hazmat suit walks from Cleveland Road in Lytham, England, where builders found remains Investigator wearing a hazmat suit walks from Cleveland Road in Lytham, England, where builders found remains

The U.K. incident comes two months after a road construction crew in Arizona found human remains while working on a road-widening project.

At the time, the crew was doing excavation work, and the remains had been buried there for "well over 20 years, Pima County Sheriffs Department spokesperson Angelica Carrillo told local outlet KOLD.

Read the original article on People
Blog Archive: Aug 2025 (130) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
Editors note: Burn bans may change, and this information came from the Texas A&M Forest Service instantly. Please click here to email the updated burn ban.

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Six counties are under a burn ban as drought conditions begin to redevelop.

Texas A&M Forest Service has reported that the following counties are currently under a burn ban:

Runnels

Coleman

Brown

Callahan

Eastland

Knox

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meteorologists from BigCountryHomepage.com provided an update on the weather conditions, emphasizing the drought conditions.

Its important to continue paying close attention to burn bans and fire safety as we head into the end of summer. Drought conditions started to redevelop out east, and soils are continuing to dry out. While rain is in the forecast, it wont always reach everyone, leaving many areas vulnerable to fire danger, said KTAB Meteorologist Katalina Bell.

The Texas A&M Forest Service shared tips on how to extinguish a fire:

Never leave a campfire unattended; allow the wood to burn completely to ash if possible.

Pour water on all embers until the hissing sounds stop.

Stir the campfire ashes and water with a shovel.

Scape logs to remove embers.

Stir and make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
VU grad wins Fulbright grant

Micah Koppang, a 2025 Valparaiso University graduate, has been selected for a Fulbright scholarship.

Koppang, a Spanish major with a minor in political science who previously studied in Chile, is expected to go to the Asuncion metropolitan area of Paraguay to be an English teaching assistant from February to December 2026, according to a release.

Koppang is among a select number of U.S. citizens who earned opportunities to study, conduct research and teach abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as a record of service and leadership in their respective fields, the release said.

Low back pain subject of clinical trial

Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute has been selected as one of the 45 U.S. sites for a new clinical study evaluating the use of mesenchymal precursor cells (a type of stem cells) in subjects with moderate to severe chronic low back pain, a release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The study involves seven visits to Dr. Dwight Tyndalls office. Participants who complete all the study-required assessments can receive up to $1,575 as a reimbursement for time and travel for the study, the release said.

Those interested in seeing if they qualify for participation can contact Tyndalls office at 219- 250-5035. Information regarding the clinical trial and eligibility criteria can be found at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06325566).

Innovators announce 25 awards lunch event

Registration is open for the Purdue Northwest Society of Innovators 2025 Innovators Awards Luncheon, starting at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at Avalon Manor Banquet Center, 3550 E. Lincoln Highway, Merrillville, a release said.

Now in its 20th year, the annual awards focus on the spirit of creativity and ingenuity by discovering, honoring and celebrating innovators from across the seven-county region of Northwest Indiana, the release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The 2025 Innovators Awards winners will be officially recognized and inducted into the Society of Innovators during the event. Registration is open. Individual tickets are $50 and table sponsorships of 10 may be purchased for $600. Additional sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information and to register, visit www.pnw.edu/soi or contact Jason Williams at jawilliams@pnw.edu.

YWCA of NWI to host October gala

The YWCA of NWI will host its annual Circle of Friends Gala at 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana at 5400 W. 29th Ave. in Gary, according to a release.

Samantha Chatman of ABC 7 Chicago will again serve as the celebrity host. Keeping with Circle of Friends tradition, organizers will honor several individuals who have shown support to the YWCA of NWI and their community. The YWCA of NWI honor distinguished awardees including Judge Deidre Monroe, Circle of Vision Award; Shelice Tolbert, attorney, Women who Lead Award; Denise Dillard, Safe Futures Award and Susan Watkins, YWCA NWI Longevity Award.

In addition, organizers will present the Earline Rogers Trailblazer Award, in honor of the late former state senator and YWCA board member emerita, to Chelsea Whittington, CEO of C WHITT PR and longtime publicist for the YWCA of NWI.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tickets to the Circle of Friends Gala are available for purchase as well a variety of sponsorship opportunities which can be found at https://2025ywcanwicof.swell.gives/

Franciscan to host doula workshop in Crown Point

Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a DONA International Birth Doula workshop over two weekends in October, according to a release.

Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth. A doula may help communicate a womans birth plan, create a comfortable environment during delivery or simply provide the general support a family may seek during this pivotal time. A doula does not perform clinical tasks, the release said.

The $600 doula workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4-5 and Oct. 18-19 at Franciscan Health Crown Point, 12750 St. Francis Drive. Participants must be 18 years old or older and attend all four days of classes to receive a certificate of completion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Registration is available online and must be completed by Sept. 22. For more information, call 219-746-9134.

95 family farms honored with Hoosier Homestead Award

Longevity is paying off for family farms in Lake and Porter counties with the Hoosier Homestead Award.

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb presented 95 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture recently at the Indiana State Fair, a release said.

In Lake County, the Oldendorf farm, which was started in 1851, was honored for reaching its sesquicentennial. The Kuehl farm in Porter County, which was started in 1874, also received its sesquicentennial designation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership. Eight Indiana farms received the Bicentennial Award.

Merrillville preschool program accredited

The Merrillville Community School Corps. Preschool/Head Start Program has received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a release said.

The NAEYC Accreditation is the mark of quality in early childhood education, demonstrating that the preschool program meets rigorous standards in areas such as curriculum quality, teaching practices, family engagement and health and safety, the release said.

NAEYC accreditation is a voluntary process that involves a comprehensive review of program quality, including classroom observations, staff qualifications and program policies. Only programs that meet all of NAEYCs criteria are awarded accreditation, which is valid for five years. For more information, contact Christine Waugh

at 219-756-5940.

Kouts wins $10K national grant

The Kouts Volunteer Fire Department was among seven volunteer departments in Indiana to receive a $10,000 grant from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council, according to a release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Funding will be used for equipment to help keep the emergency personnel safe and protect their communities. Through this years Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, 150 departments in 44 states received the grant, including seven departments in Indiana.

In Indiana, other departments receiving the grant include: Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department, Austin; Manilla Volunteer Fire Department, Monroe Township Cowan Volunteer Fire Department, Muncie; Owen Township Volunteer Fire Department, Norman; Palmyra Fire Department and St. Anthony Volunteer Fire Department.

PNW awarded $1.8M fed funding

Purdue University Northwest has received $1.8 million in renewed federal funding that will support resources for first-generation and low-income students, as well as students living with disabilities, through its TRIO Student Support Services program, according to a release.

The program assists eligible PNW students with comprehensive services that support their college journeys through graduation and preparation for entering the workforce or graduate school. Approximately 200 PNW students are served through TRIO SSS at the university, the release said.
UPDATE: KaeRen Pullen is held in jail on a $500,000 bond. He is due back in court on Tuesday morning.

***

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A 21-year-old man faces charges of child abuse involving two toddlers, after bystanders heard the children scream, and others held the man until police arrived.

KaeRen Pullen is in jail, accused of beating a 1-year-old and 2-year-old at a gas station on Airways. He is charged with two counts of child abuse and neglect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police said officers were called and flagged down around 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the 2400 block of Airways Boulevard north of I-240.

Children hurt after man drives off during domestic dispute: MPD

Inside a laundromat, officers say bystanders were caring for two bruised and bloodied children, a 2-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl. Police said both were swollen, and the boy had blood flowing from his head.

Moesha Riley told police she and her mother heard children screaming, and saw Pullen dragging them into a Honda Civic.

I didnt know if he had a gun or not. I just wanted to get the kids to safety, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He didnt want to let the little boy go, so I started violently cussing him out and told him to put the effing baby down. I hurry up and grab the baby and I gave him to a woman.

A group of bystanders followed the man and took the children away from him. He ran toward a nearby apartment complex. Citizens told police where to find the suspect.

You could just tell he was out of it, he wasnt in his right mind, Riley said.

Video from the scene shared with WREG shows a man who appears to be Pullen on the ground in a parking lot, surrounded by a crowd. He is then handcuffed by the officer.

The video also shows the children being held by people inside the laundromat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was so many heroes out here yesterday, witness Shirley Anderson said.

Bystanders at a laundromat on Airways take care of a baby after a man allegedly beat two children in a car. (submitted video) Bystanders held the suspect at an apartment complex until police arrived (submitted) KaeRen Pullen

Usually people will keep on going, but this lot right here was full of grandmamas yesterday, she continued. You hear me? Grandmothers. They showed up and they showed out. We had a few kings that did what theyre supposed to do. They apprehended him and held him down and a little street justice until the police came. So, as a community, Im proud of Memphis right now.

Baltimore comedian killed in Southaven; suspect charged

Anderson said she got involved when she was driving in the area of Ketchum Road and Airways and heard a group of women yelling for help. One of the women managed to get the children away from Pullen, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She was pulling two babies out of this young mans arms. She managed to get the babies out of his arms and pass them back to the grannies. We locked the babies in this washer right here, she said.

Pullen allegedly told them the babies had fallen in the bathroom.

He said they fell off the sink in that bathroom. We dont think so because of all the bruises and neck swelling on both of the babies, Anderson said.

Carjackers spray chemicals at man, steal his car: MPD

The incident on Airways was connected to a situation that began about an hour earlier, when police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 3600 block of Mendenhall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A male suspect fled that scene in a Honda Civic with Wisconsin tags, with two children inside the car, police said.

He was found in the 2400 block of Airways with the two children, who police said were in critical condition.

Pullen faces a court date Monday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST, Calif.  A massive search involving more than a dozen agencies in Northern California successfully located a missing hiker who spent a few days without food or water.

According to the Placer County Sheriffs Office (PCSO), the hiker sent a text to 911 on Aug. 18 saying he was "lost in steep terrain without food or water."

Dispatchers were unable to reestablish contact with the hiker to learn more about his location. Soon after, deputies found the mans car at the Euchre Bar trailhead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Over 2,000 Illegal Marijuana Plants Removed From California National Park

Over the next two days, California Highway Patrol helicopters, PCSO drones, Mountain Rescue Teams and K9s worked to locate the hiker. On Aug. 20, when dive teams arrived to begin searching the American River area, the hiker was located at 11 a.m. along the shore of the river. The hiker was then picked up by helicopter.

A photo from a Placer County Sheriff's Office video showing the missing hiker along the American River.

"The hiker was tired, hungry, and thirsty.  but otherwise OK," PCSO said.

Video shared by the sheriffs office showed the hiker being safely delivered back to a less remote area.

According to the sheriffs office, more than a dozen partner agencies contributed resources to the hiker's safe return.





Original article source: California hiker found after days without food, water
In an evening social media post about a supremely partisan battle that could reshape American political power for generations, President Trump sounded ebullient.

"Big WIN for the Great State of Texas!!! Everything Passed, on our way to FIVE more Congressional seats and saving your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country, itself," Trump wrote, of the nation's most populous red state pushing a mid-decade redistricting plan designed to win more Republican seats in Congress and protect Trump's power through the 2026 midterms.

"Texas never lets us down. Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same thing," Trump wrote  nodding to a potential proliferation of such efforts across the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The next day, Gov. Gavin Newsom  projecting a fresh swagger as Trump's chief antagonist on the issue  stood with fellow lawmakers from the nation's most populous blue state to announce their own legislative success in putting to voters a redrawn congressional map for California that strongly favors Democrats.

"We got here because the president of the United States is one of the most unpopular presidents in U.S. history," Newsom said, couching the California effort as defensive rather than offensive. "We got here because he recognizes that he will lose the election, [and that] Congress will go back into the hands of the Democratic Party next November."

In the last week, with lightning speed, the nation's foremost political leaders have jettisoned any pretense of political fairness  any notion of voters being equal or elected representatives reflecting their constituencies  in favor of an all-out partisan war for power that has some politicians and many political observers concerned for the future of American democracy.

"America is headed towards true authoritarian rule if people do not stand up," Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, a Democrat from the Houston area, said Friday on a call with reporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Love it or hate it? Poll shows how Californians feel about Newsom's redistricting fight with Trump

The race to redistrict began with Trump, whose approval ratings have plummeted, pressuring Texas to manipulate maps to secure more House seats for Republicans so he wouldn't face a hostile House majority in the second half of his second term. It escalated when Newsom and other California leaders said they wouldn't stand idly by and started working to put a new map of their own on the November ballot  formally asking voters to jettison the state's independent redistricting commission to counter Trump's gambit in Texas.

Those two states alone are home to some 70 million Americans, but the fight is hardly limited there. As Trump suggested, other states are also eyeing whether to redraw lines  raising the prospect of a country divided between blue and red power centers more than ever before, and the voice of millions of minority-party voters being all but erased in the halls of Congress.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom answers questions on Thursday after signing legislation calling for a special election on a redrawn congressional map. (Godofredo A. Vasquez / Associated Press)

Of course, gerrymandering is not new, and already exists in many states across the country. But the bold, unapologetic and bipartisan bent of the latest redistricting race is something new and different, experts said. It is a clear product of Trump's new America, where political warfare is increasingly untethered to  and unbound by  long-standing political norms, and where leaders of both political parties seem increasingly willing to toss aside pretense and politeness in order to pursue power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump on the campaign trail promised a new "Golden Age," and he has long said his goal is to return America to some purportedly greater, more aspirational and proud past. But he has also signaled, repeatedly and with hardly any ambiguity, an intention to manipulate the political system to further empower himself and his fellow Republicans  whether through redistricting, ending mail-in ballots, or other measures aimed at curtailing voter turnout.

"In four years, you don't have to vote again," Trump told a crowd of evangelical Christians a little over a year ago, in the thick of his presidential campaign. "We'll have it fixed so good, you're not gonna have to vote."

'No democracy left'

The redistricting war has dominated political news for weeks now, given its potential implications for reshaping Congress and further emboldening Trump in his second term.

Sam Wang, president of the Electoral Innovation Lab at Princeton University, has studied gerrymandering for years, but said during the media call with Wu that he has never received more inquiries than in the last few weeks, when his inbox has filled with questions from media around the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wang said gerrymandering reached a high point more than a decade ago, but had been subsiding due to court battles and state legislatures establishing independent commissions to draw district lines.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defends his state's redistricting move while calling California's "a joke." (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

Now, however, the efforts of Texas and California are threatening that progress and pushing things "to a new low point," he said  leaving some voters feeling disenfranchised and Wang worried about further erosion of voter protections under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which he said the conservative Supreme Court may be preparing to weaken.

Wu said allowing politicians to redraw congressional lines whenever they want in order to "make sure that they never lose" sets a dangerous precedent that will especially disenfranchise minority voters  because "politicians and leaders would no longer listen to the people."

"There would be no democracy left," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That said, Wu drew a sharp distinction between Texas Republicans unilaterally redrawing maps to their and Trump's advantage  in part by "hacking" apart minority populations  and California asking voters to counteract that power grab with a new map of their own.

"California is defending the nation," he said. "Texas is doing something illegal."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday took the opposition position, saying Texas' new map was constitutional while Californias was "a joke" and likely to be overturned. He also hinted at further efforts in other Republican-led states to add more House seats for the party.

"Republicans are not finished in the United States," Abbott said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two legal experts on the call expressed grave concerns with such partisanship  especially in Texas.

Sara Rohani, assistant counsel with the Legal Defense Fund, or LDF, said her organization has been fighting for decades to ensure that the promises of the Voting Rights Act for Black and other minority groups aren't infringed upon by unscrupulous and racist political leaders in search of power.

"Fair representation isn't optional in this country. It's the right of all Americans to [have] equal voting power," she said.

That said, "voters of color have been excluded" from that promise consistently, both before and after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, and "in 2025, it's clear that our fight for fair maps continues," Rohani said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Major victories have been won in the courts in recent years in states such as Alabama and Louisiana, and those battles are only going to continue, she said. Asked specifically if her group is preparing to sue over Texas' maps, Rohani demurred  but didn't back down, saying LDF will get involved "in any jurisdiction where Black voters are being targeted."

Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said there are definitely going to be challenges to Texas' maps.

By their own admission, Saenz said, Texas lawmakers redrew their maps in 2021 in order to maximize Republican advantage in congressional races  with the only limits being those imposed by the Voting Rights Act. That means in order to gain even more seats now, "they have to violate the Voting Rights Act," he said.

Texas Republicans have argued that they are acting in part in response to a warning from the Justice Department that their current maps, from 2021, are unlawful. But Saenz noted that the Justice Department dropped a lawsuit challenging those maps when Trump took office  meaning any threats to sue again are an empty ploy and "clearly orchestrated with one objective: Donald Trump's objective."

Is there a legal case?

The fate of any legal challenges to the redistricting efforts is unclear, in part because gerrymandering has become much harder to challenge in court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2019, the Supreme Court threw out claims that highly partisan state election maps are unconstitutional. Chief Justice John G. Roberts said such district-by-district line drawing "presents political questions" and there are no reliable "legal standards" for deciding what is fair and just.

It was not a new view for Roberts.

In 2006, shortly after he joined the court, the justices rejected a challenge to a mid-decade redistricting engineered by Texas Republicans, but ordered the state  over Roberts' dissent  to redraw one of its majority-Latino districts to transfer some of its voters to another Latino-leaning district.

Roberts expressed his frustration at the time, writing that it "is a sordid business, this divvying us up by race."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some legal experts say the new Texas redistricting could face a legal challenge if Black or Latino lawmakers are in danger of losing their seats. But the Supreme Court conservatives are skeptical of such claims  and have given signs they may shrink the scope of the Voting Rights Act.

Read more: L.A. may land a new congressional seat. Is it already reserved?

In March, the justices considered a Louisiana case to decide if the state must create a second congressional district that would elect a Black candidate to comply with the Voting Rights Act, and if so, how it should be drawn.

But the court failed to issue a decision. Instead, on Aug. 1, the court said it would hear further arguments this fall on "whether the state's intentional creation of a second majority-minority Congressional district" violates the Constitution.

Justice Clarence Thomas has long argued it is unconstitutional to draw election districts based on racial lines, regardless of the Voting Rights Act, and he may now have a majority that agrees with him.

If so, such a ruling could squelch discrimination claims from Black and Latino lawmakers in Texas or elsewhere  further clearing the path for partisan gerrymandering.

Looking ahead

Given the intensity of the battle and the uncertainty of the related legal challenges, few of America's top political leaders are thinking to the future. They're fighting in the present  focused on swaying public perception.

In a YouTube Live video with thousands of supporters on Thursday, Newsom said Trump "doesn't believe in the rule of law  he believes in the rule of Don; period, full stop," and that he hoped it was "dawning on more and more Americans what's at stake."

Newsom said that when Trump "made the phone call to rig the elections to Greg Abbott in Texas," he expected Democrats to just roll over and take it. In response, he said, Democrats have to stop thinking about "whether or not we should play hardball," and start focusing on "how we play hardball."

On Friday, Newsom said he was very proud of the Legislature for moving quickly" to counter Texas, and that he is confident voters will support the ballot measure to change the state's maps despite polls showing a sluggish start to the campaign.

A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, conducted for The Times, found 48% of voters said they would cast ballots in favor of temporary gerrymandering efforts, though 20% were undecided.

Asked if he is encouraging Democratic leaders in other states to revisit their own maps, Newsom said he appreciated both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signaling that they may be willing to do just that.

"I do believe that the actions of [the California] Legislature will inspire other legislative leaders to ... meet this moment, to save this democracy and to stop this authoritarian and his continued actions to literally vandalize and gut our Constitution and our democratic principles," Newsom said.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
All UK airports should stop charging blue badge holders for being dropped off close to terminals, a disability charity has said.

Several people with blue badges got in touch with the BBC following news that more than half of the busiest airports had raised the so-called "kiss-and-fly" fees to as high as 7 in some cases.

Many airports already offer discounts or waive the fee for disabled drivers, but blue badge holders say the system is complex and inconsistent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Graham Footer, chief executive of Disabled Motoring UK, said some airports have "allowed greed to cloud their judgement", and argues people with disabilities should not have to pay the charge at all.

"Disabled customers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and not fleeced as soon as they arrive," he said.

Free drop offs

The BBC contacted the 20 busiest airports in the UK to confirm their policy on drop-off charges for blue badge holders.

London City does not charge drop-off fees for any kind of passenger.

Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Heathrow, Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester all charge a drop-off fee, but blue badge holders do not have to pay it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Luton, Glasgow, Belfast International, Belfast City, East Midlands, Aberdeen, and Southampton all charge blue badge holders the same as other passengers for using the drop-off spaces closest to the airport. But they also all offer separate free drop-off parking specifically for blue badge holders elsewhere.

For Glasgow and Aberdeen, this parking is only free if blue badge holders are being dropped off by family or friends - not if they are dropped off by taxi.

All airports offer free drop-off options further from the terminals for all passengers - not just blue badge holders - such as "park and ride" facilities where people can leave their car and take a bus to the airport.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bristol, Leeds Bradford, and Bournemouth all charge blue badge holders for drop off but allow them to stay for longer than other passengers at a lower fee.

Bristol charges 7 for 40 minutes, Leeds Bradford charges 7 for 60 minutes, and Bournemouth charges 5 for four hours because it said disabled passengers "may require more time".

Only Cardiff, Newcastle, and Stanstead charge the same fee with no discount at all.

Cardiff charges 3 for 10 minutes, Newcastle charges 5 for 10 minutes, and Stanstead charges 7 for 15 minutes.

Airports UK, which represents the industry, said that the best accessible drop-off for blue badge holders depends on the layout of the airport.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"No one option is ideal at all airports, so to optimise access at each airport the offer will necessarily be different," it said.

It advised passengers to check the airport's website before travelling to identify the best drop-off location.

'You have to jump through hoops'

Most of the airports that waive drop-off fees do so if a disabled driver shows their blue badge at the airport on the day.

However, for Heathrow and Liverpool, the exemption needs to be claimed online or on the phone either before or after travelling. Heathrow says its online process for confirming blue badges can take five days to complete, though it told the BBC it usually takes 48 hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

James Williams, 67, from London finds these services difficult to use.

"I am a blue badge holder and I have to pay because I am not computer literate," he says, arguing that "you have to jump through hoops to get this discount".

James Williams, a blue badge holder from London, says he ends up paying drop-off fees because he's "not computer literate" [James Williams]

Jonathan Cassar, 51, from London says the complex nature of online registration means that "disabled people who need to be dropped at terminal cannot be spontaneous as others can".

Heathrow said it had tried to make the blue badge registration process "as simple as possible" and advised anyone who needs registration urgently to get it approved over the phone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Liverpool said it had introduced online confirmation "to minimise abuse of the blue badge system".

'Not against principle'

Not all blue badge holders feel being charged for airport drop off is unfair.

Gordon Richardson, chair of the British Polio Fellowship Board, is a blue badge holder but says he is "not against the principle" of disabled people paying the same as non-disabled people.

He says what is most important is that the space is accessible and easy to use.

He urges blue badge holders to contact airports before travelling so that the airports can have the staff ready to help them and ensure they get their discount or free parking.

Many of the airports the BBC contacted said their blue badge policies had been drafted in consultation with disability groups and with special consideration for their needs.
The Village of Cambridge will launch a new concert series, Sounds of the Village, bringing free live music to College Square Park, a news release says.

(Sounds of the Village)

The series will debut with two concerts in 2025, with plans to expand into a full summer lineup beginning in 2026. The concert series will mainly focus on showcasing local and regional talent.

The inaugural shows will feature on Thursday, Aug. 28, Half Catholic and chrash, and on Thursday, Sept. 11, Jerm Theory and Zach Pietrini.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m., last about two hours, and are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and are welcome to bring their own food and drinks.

This is something Ive wanted to do for a long time, said John Taylor, a local music advocate who helped spearhead the project. College Square Park has been steadily improved over the past several yearsnew sidewalks, pavilion upgrades, lighting, landscaping, sound equipmentand now were ready to bring the space to life with live music.

Taylor credits the Village of Cambridge for investing in the park and supporting the idea of a permanent concert series. He also applauds Logan Meier, who will manage the series, calling this an important step toward making live music a sustainable part of life in Cambridge for years to come.

For more information or to get involved, contact the Village of Cambridge or visit the park during the events.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Aug. 24 that his country will provide Ukraine with drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles as part of an aid package worth over one billion Canadian dollars (more than $700 million), with deliveries expected in September.

Carney made the announcement during Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, where he had arrived earlier in the day.

According to Carney, the upcoming delivery is part of the support package Canada pledged earlier in June during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. It included two billion Canadian dollars ($1.5 billion USD) in military funding and new sanctions aimed at restricting Russias energy revenues and evasion tactics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I am proud to announce that over one billion of this sum will be directed to strengthening your arsenal through the supply of drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles, which will arrive next month," Carney said on Aug. 24 in Kyiv.

According to Carney, Canada will also allocate "tens of millions of dollars" for emergency medical aid, the construction of bomb shelters, support for local democracy, and Ukraines cybersecurity.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the celebration of Ukraine's 34th Independence Day in Kyiv on Aug. 24, 2025. (Courtesy)

Upon his arrival in Kyiv, Carney also congratulated Ukraine on its 34th Independence Day, noting that Canada was one of the first countries to recognize Ukraine as a sovereign country back in 1991.

"Since then, Canada and Ukraine have deepened our long-standing friendship, A friendship rooted in the shared values of peace, security, and democracy," Carney said in the video he posted on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Apart from Carney, the defense ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well as the U.K. Minister for Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, are also in Ukraine for Independence Day.

Kellogg's visit to Ukraine comes at a pivotal moment, as discussions over long-term security arrangements  and U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration  continue to evolve.

On Aug. 15, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska  welcoming Russia out of its geopolitical isolation.

Following the summit, Trump said he and Putin had "largely agreed" on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, he noted that both sides would have to "swap land"  a stance that raised alarm in Kyiv and across European capitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Trump-Putin summit was quickly followed by a high-level meeting in Washington between Trump, Zelensky, and other European leaders. During that meeting, Zelensky and his allies pressed for concrete security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a future peace agreement with Russia.



Read also: Ukraine will never be forced into compromise. We need a just peace  Zelenskys Independence Day address

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine will receive drones, ammunition and armoured vehicles from Canada as part of an assistance package worth more than CA$1 billion (over US$700 million) in September.

Source: a statement by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv

Details: Carney reiterated that during the G7 summit in June, Canada pledged an additional CA$2 billion (about US$1,45 billion) in military aid to Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said that over 1 billion of this amount would be directed towards strengthening Ukraines arsenal through the supply of drones, ammunition and armoured vehicles, which are expected to arrive next month.

It was also reported that Canada would allocate tens of millions of dollars for emergency medical aid, the construction of bomb shelters, support for local democracy and Ukraines cyber defence.

Carney stressed that his country will remain a reliable ally of Ukraine both in countering Russian aggression and in post-war reconstruction.

He noted that Putin can be stopped, that Russias economy is weakening, while the Alliance is growing stronger, more determined and more united.

Background: On 24 August, Carney arrived in Kyiv and took part in Independence Day celebrations.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Sunday to join President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day.

Carneys war-zone debut underlines Canadas role in the coalition of the willing, the European-led nations offering military support to Ukraine. It also plays to a 1.3 million-strong domestic constituency in Canada, which is home to the worlds second-largest Ukrainian diaspora.

Canadas support for Ukraine is unwavering, Carney said. We are with you every step of the way, in your fight to defend your sovereignty, and to realize your dreams for your country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The visit comes amid the now-stalled peace efforts by President Donald Trump, which Carney and other Western leaders have applauded. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Moscow is not ready at all for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet directly with Zelenskyy, something Trump tried to engineer when he hosted the Russian leader in Alaska.

During a ceremony in Sophia Square in Kyiv on Sunday, Carney said Putin is becoming more isolated as Russia's economy weakens. "I applaud the leadership of the transformative U.S. President Donald Trump in creating the possibilities for peace," Carney said.

Carneys arrival in Kyiv adds to a historic chain that connects Canada to the war-ravaged nation, from first welcoming Ukrainian settlers in 1891, to becoming the first Western nation to recognize Ukraine as a country in December 1991, to Ottawas now decade-old mission to lead the training of Ukraines military to repel Russian invaders.

Canada has granted sanctuary to 300,000 Ukrainians since Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine ignited the worst conflict in Europe since the Second World War.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Carneys European trip continues in Poland and Latvia this week, where he will meet Polish, Latvian and NATO officials, as well as Canadian Forces personnel in both countries.

On Tuesday, hell visit to Berlin to build out defense and energy ties with Europes largest economy. Canadian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson will continue that work in Berlin on Wednesday while Carney and Defense Minister David McGuinty visit NATOs Russia-facing Adazi Military Base on Latvias eastern border.

The base is where Canada leads a multi-national NATO brigade in its largest foreign military deployment. Canada has trained 45,000 Ukrainian troops through NATOs Operation Unifier, starting soon after Russias illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Training was relocated to Poland after Russias full-scale February 2022 invasion.

Carneys political meetings will include Polish President Donald Tusk, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In Poland, discussions will focus on the aerospace, defense and energy and nuclear sectors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Carney and the Cabinet ministers are eager to bolster economic cooperation and investment in defense and security as all NATO countries aim to reach the alliances new 5 percent of GDP spending target.

In Germany, the official said, Carney and Merz plan to announce they are working "to secure critical mineral supply chains and co-fund projects across a range of industries.

For most of August, Carney has worked mainly behind closed doors, holding calls with Zelenskyy and European allies, while Trump grabbed headlines hosting the likes of Putin in Alaska, and European leaders at the White House.

On Aug. 17, Carney emerged from a coalition-of-the-willing call with Zelenskyy to announce C$2 billion in new military support for Ukraine and the disbursement of a C$2.3 billion loan through a G7 loan acceleration mechanism.

The prime ministers office has also highlighted efforts to repatriate Ukrainian children seized by Russia since 2022. Canada also welcomes the new appeal to President Putin by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, to consider the plight of children in ending this war, the prime ministers office said.
The bell tower of Canadas parliament in Ottawa has been lit up in Ukraines national colours as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.

Source: Embassy of Ukraine in Canada on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: On the evening of 23 August, Canadas parliament was illuminated in Ukraines national colours, symbolising "the unity shared by Canadians and Ukrainians".

It was noted that the building of the Canadian prime ministers office, located across the street from parliament, was also illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

The building of the Canadian prime ministers office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in Canada

Background:

On the evening of 23 August, the buildings of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament were also illuminated with the colours of the Ukrainian national flag as a sign of support for the Ukrainian people.

The Ukrainian flag was raised in front of the European Commission headquarters to mark Ukraines Flag Day.

In addition, the building of Latvias Ministry of Foreign Affairs was decorated with Ukrainian flags and illuminated in blue and yellow to mark Ukraines National Flag Day and Independence Day.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has not ruled out the possibility that Canadian troops could be deployed to Ukraine as part of security guarantees under the Coalition of the Willing initiative.

Source: Carney at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Carney stressed that the core of any security guarantees is a strong Armed Forces of Ukraine and underlined the importance of training. He recalled that Canada has been involved in training Ukrainian troops since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Efforts are under way to develop various forms of security guarantees for Ukraine, the Canadian prime minister said.

Carney said Canada is working with allies and the Coalition of the Willing to define the terms of these security guarantees for Ukraine on land, in the air and at sea. He added that he would not rule out the deployment of military personnel.

Background:

On 24 August 2025, Canada announced it will fund a US$500 million package of US-sourced military equipment and ammunition for Ukraine under NATOs new Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.

During his speech in Kyiv, Carney said Canada will transfer more than CA$1 billion (over US$700 million) worth of weaponry to Ukraine as early as September.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  This past week, a new secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services was sworn in.

Capitol View host Roby Brock met with Janet Mann to discuss her new role in leading the charge in protecting the vulnerable, fostering independence and promoting better health.

Roby then talks with the Womens Foundation of Arkansas CEO Anna Beth Gorman about a new initiative opening in northwest Arkansas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Captain Tim Lee, who has died aged 88, was a distinguished navigating officer, fundraiser and opera lover; he was among the first officers to cross-train as both navigator and submariner.

When Lee was appointed to command the Tribal-class frigate Gurkha in 1976, the connection was deeply personal: his father had survived the torpedoing of Gurkhas wartime predecessor in 1942 and endured hours in the sea before rescue.

As her captain, Lee demonstrated exceptional skill during the Third Cod War, when Gurkha sustained only minor damage during a tense encounter with the Icelandic coastguard vessel Odin. The incident saw Odins port propeller disabled after a collision with Gurkha, forcing the Icelandic ship to return to port.

Lee: early in his career he dated the budding actress Susan Hampshire

Timothy Richard Lee was born on January 20 1937, was the son of Morton Henry Lee, a wartime naval officer and founder of the business known as Trumpers in Jermyn Street; he was later a prominent antique dealer and president of the British Antique Dealers Association.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At Hillside prep in Godalming, one of his classmates was Nikolai Tolstoy; he then attended the Nautical College, Pangbourne, and on to Dartmouth, where he won the Queens Sword.

Lees naval career began as a midshipman in the cruiser Newcastle, where he made a strong impression and was in Melbourne for the 1956 Olympics. Newcastle made a good cocktail party ship, he recalled.

Later, he dated the budding actress Susan Hampshire, who attended his 21st-birthday party. As a lieutenant in the frigate Troubridge in the West Indies, Lee was valued as a skilled officer and a delightful colleague. The ships name inspired the fictional HMS Troutbridge in the BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark, a point of amusement among his peers.

Lee with his Gurkha buglers

In 1960, Lee became flag lieutenant to Admiral Sir Manley Power, Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth. From 1961 he specialised in navigation, serving in the frigate Zulu in the Persian Gulf, in the days when the White Ensign was all that was needed to keep the peace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A milestone in Lees career arrived in 1966 when he was chosen as navigator for JRL Andersons recreation of Leif Ericssons voyage from Europe to North America. Sailing in Griffin, a 44ft cutter, they covered 4,000 miles using traditional navigation, an adventure recounted in Andersons books. Lee was, he said, a very wise navigator.

Lee served as navigator aboard the nuclear-powered submarine Valiant in 1967-68. We did some quite interesting surveillance manoeuvres involving the Soviet Navy, he recalled, but we werent ever in any danger. His time on Valiant included the first fully submerged passage by a British submarine from Singapore to the Clyde Approaches, completed in 19 days.

Lee on board Griffin, during the recreation of Leif Ericssons voyage from Europe to North America

Subsequent appointments included navigating the frigate Phoebe, the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, and as first lieutenant of the frigate Ariadne. After his command of Gurkha, Lee took on several shore-based appointments, including deputy commander in the Falklands and Director of Naval Intelligence, when he once boarded a Russian frigate undercover to gather intelligence. I put on the oldest clothes I could find, tried to pretend not to be a naval officer and went snooping around inside gun turrets and other places. It was fun.

Retiring to Stalbridge in Dorset, Lee was instrumental in fundraising for charities such as Help the Aged, contributed to local hospices, supported the sail training ship Astrid and chaired the North Dorset Scout District. His passion for opera led him to become principal fundraiser for Dorset Opera. After the sudden death of the companys founder in 2003, Lee ensured the continuity of a challenging Hungarian programme, embodying the mantra the show must go on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lee also led a campaign to save local libraries, championed local history publications, and self-published his memoir, Oceans and Operas (2024).

He married Susan Adams, nee Clarkson, in 1970; she survives him with their two sons.

Captain Tim Lee, born January 20 1937, died July 2 2025

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
It was just after 8 p.m. when Michael Waller pulled up to his home on a well-to-do block near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Waller, then 59, glanced at his phone to check his email. Within seconds, two men appeared on either side of his gray Mercedes waving Glock handguns.

The man on the passenger side opened the door and slammed his gun into Wallers right ear and scalp, knocking him out for a moment. When he came to, he was still strapped into his seat belt, blood flowing down the side of his head.

The gunmen ordered him out of the car and commanded him to throw his phone into the bushes. As they began to drive away, one pointed his gun at Waller and threatened to kill him on the spot  prompting Waller, battered and bloodied, to duck into an alley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These guys knew what they were doing, and they were so smooth about it, said Waller, a defense and foreign policy strategist at the Center for Security Policy, a conservative think tank. They seemed like real professionals.

Michael Waller sits in Stanton Park in Washington. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

The carjacking in August 2021 made no headlines. It was part of a crime wave that shook the city during the pandemic. Four years later, the capital is teeming with National Guard troops and federal officers called in by President Donald Trump, who also took over the Metropolitan Police Department after highlighting the recent attempted carjacking of an administration staffer.

The takeover has sparked a fierce debate over the state of crime in D.C. Whats beyond dispute is that carjackings exploded in Washington and several other major cities in the U.S. after 2019.

Its a particularly brutal crime, experts say, one that often causes lasting psychological damage. And while most types of crime that surged during the pandemic have since dropped off, carjackings are one of the few that have remained well above pre-pandemic levels in certain big cities like D.C., police data shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It became the crime of the pandemic, said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a D.C.-based organization of current and former law enforcement officials focused on improving policing. And the reason you still have it is because juveniles learned how to do it. That presents a lot of challenges for the justice system.

Pastor Kevin Simmons, who was shot during a carjacking in Milwaukee in 2023, stands next to the vehicle he was driving at the time. He said police arrested a 15-year-old in connection with his case. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal via USA Today Network)

The soaring number of young people who have engaged in carjacking is indeed one of the key factors that has driven the surge in the Washington area and beyond, according to interviews with more than a half-dozen police officials, criminologists and youth advocates.

Some of these perpetrators stole vehicles to use them to commit more crimes. Many others commit carjackings simply for the thrill of it, or to earn respect and attention on social media, according to police investigators and advocates who have spoken to the young offenders.

Many of those who were arrested in or around Washington were out of police custody in a day or two, the investigators and advocates said. In Wallers case, court records show that the men who were later arrested for being in the stolen car were not prosecuted at all  an outcome that those familiar with the system in D.C. said was not uncommon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Over the last 18 months, the carjacking numbers have fallen in the D.C. area. Sgt. Josh Scall, a supervisor in the carjacking unit in neighboring Prince Georges County, Maryland, said hes proud of the numerous arrests his unit has made in recent years, and the impact thats having on the crime rate. But even one carjacking is one more than he wants to see in his county.

Leslie Marie Gaines, 55, was killed in June 2024 when Kayla Kenisha Brown, 22, carjacked and crashed an SUV from MedStar Washington Hospital Center with Gaines still inside, police say. (Andrew Leyden / AP file)

People look at these numbers and they dont take a minute to realize, numbers are people, Scall said. These are people who were violently removed from their vehicle and are going to be psychologically changed for the rest of their lives.

We can parade that were not at 573, Scall added, referring to the record number of carjackings recorded in Prince Georges in 2023. But its still unacceptable in our books.

'Spiraled out of control'

Peter Newsham was entering his fourth year as the chief of Washingtons Metropolitan Police Department when Covid began to sweep across the country. Crime skyrocketed in D.C. and other major cities spurred by a perfect storm of factors, including school closures, mass layoffs and social unrest following the death of George Floyd.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I had never seen anything like it in my time in Washington, D.C., said Newsham, who joined the force in 1989.

Police Chief Peter Newsham runs an outdoor roll call to maintain social distancing in Washington during the early days of the Covid pandemic on March 24, 2020. (Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

Carjacking was among the crimes that rose the highest and the fastest. Newshams department was dealing with a staffing crisis, low morale and new legislation that reduced penalties for young offenders.

Even when investigators were successful in tracking down suspects, Newsham said, they were often right back on the street in a matter of days. That was especially true for those under the age of 18, who amounted to 65% of the 243 arrests the department made for carjacking in 2020 and 2021, according to police data.

These young people knew they could get away with it, he said. There was very little consequence, and it spiraled out of control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Roughly 150 carjackings took place in the district in 2019. In 2020 that number more than doubled to 360, according to police data.

Newsham left the department in January 2021 to become chief of police in Prince William County, Virginia. That year, the number of carjackings in D.C. rose to 424. It went even higher  to 484  in 2022.

But the next year was when the situation got really out of hand. A total of 957 carjackings  nearly three a day  were reported in D.C. in 2023, according to police data.

Lt. Scott Dowling, who leads the more than two dozen detectives in the Metropolitan Police Department carjacking task force, said a relatively small group of offenders helped drive the explosion in cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The same people were committing multiple, multiple, multiple offenses, Dowling said. In one case in 2023, a search warrant led to the arrest of three people suspected of carrying out roughly 50 carjackings and thefts, according to Dowling.

The carjacking trajectory in D.C. during the pandemic mirrored that of other major U.S. cities.

Evidence markers placed at the scene where a Rideshare driver was shot and wounded in a carjacking in Chicago in June 2024. (Kyle Mazza / NurPhoto via AP file)

Philadelphia went from 224 carjackings in 2019 to 409 in 2020. The numbers kept rising over the next two years  to 866 in 2021 and 1,311 in 2022.

In Chicago, carjackings rose from 603 in 2019 to 1,852 in 2021. The city experienced a slight dip in 2022, recording 1,649.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The numbers began to drop sharply in those cities and many others in 2023. Not so in D.C. or one of its closest neighbors  Prince Georges County.

Situated along Washingtons eastern border, the sprawling, 900,000-person county is more residential than the nations capital. It's home to the National Harbor and the main campus of the University of Maryland but also has pockets of low-income areas with high crime.

Sgt. Scall, the carjacking unit supervisor, said the volume of cases was so extreme in 2023 that he would go to bed with his phone in his hand.

We had some really bad incidents happen where we were surveilling for cars and we were shot at, Scall said. That happened three times. It was pure insanity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Scall said the stolen cars were rarely going to chop shops, where the perpetrators could make quick cash. It was far more common for people to steal cars for the thrill of it, to get recognition online or to use them to commit other crimes, he said.

Prince George's County police investigate the scene of a carjacking in National Harbor, Md. on Dec. 28, 2023. An unidentified off-duty police officer and two family members were carjacked, and the carjacker suspect fled in the officer's personal vehicle. (Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

And it wasnt just young people from poorer neighborhoods behind the crimes.

Theres no quintessential carjacker, Scall said. Weve done search warrants at million-dollar houses. It really crossed over financial lines.

The number of carjackings in Prince Georges County dropped to 368 in 2024, down nearly 40% from 2023. So far this year, there have been 113, which is roughly 50% fewer than the 250 recorded at this point in 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Scall attributes the drop to his units increased prowess in busting the carjackers.

If you do a carjacking in Prince Georges County, were usually closing it in a day or two, he said. Weve sharpened our skills. We know what to do. We know where to look.

But its not lost on Scall that the numbers this year are still trending far higher than the 93 recorded in 2019. He said policy shifts have helped keep repeat offenders off the street for longer than before, but he thinks the juvenile justice system is still playing catch up.

If they are a juvenile, I dont expect them to go to jail for 20 years, Scall said. But I think if you violently rob someone you should probably sit out for a little bit.

In D.C., 183 carjackings were recorded through July of this year. Thats about 40% fewer than the same period in 2024. But its already higher than the 152 incidents in all of 2019.

The case that got Trumps attention  the attempted carjacking of Edward Coristine, 19, better known by his online nickname Big Balls  took place in the early morning hours of Aug. 3. According to the police report, officers on patrol spotted about 10 "juveniles" assaulting Coristine, who worked under Elon Musk at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, before moving to the Social Security Administration. The officers managed to arrest two suspects  a boy and a girl, both 15.

A large American flag hangs near a sign that reads "Heal Fast Big Balls Thanks, Trump!" on a building near the White House on Aug. 7. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

Dowling said he believes new tracking software in cars, as well as new laws that raised penalties for gun crimes and thefts, helped to bring down the incidents of carjacking. But old-fashioned police work also played a significant role, he said.

My detectives are phenomenal, Dowling said. I often say that I dont get impressed very easily, but they impress me.

Helping teens

Jawanna Hardy, the founder of the nonprofit Guns Down Friday, has devoted her adult life to helping victims of crime and young people caught up in the criminal justice system in the D.C. area. That gave her an intimate glimpse into the factors driving the carjacking crisis.

As the pandemic took hold, children suddenly lost the structure that school brought. Many in lower income areas experienced losses far dearer to them, Hardy said.

A lot of my kids lost their grandparents, their strongest support system, during Covid, said Hardy.

Jawanna Hardy at her home in Washington. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

Video clips glorifying car thefts caught fire on social media. Hardy noticed that young people in different cities were boasting about their exploits.

Everybody had a name. They had a song, Hardy said. I could understand why the children were into it. It was exciting.

As the months went on, Hardy also noticed that the youths who were being brought to her for mentorship after getting caught up in the justice system were younger than she was used to seeing.

For some reason, the 15-year-olds were tearing the city up, she said. Id say 75% of the kids I was working with were 15 when they started committing these crimes.

When NBC News first reached out to Hardy last week, she was with a 15-year-old who had recently been arrested for stealing cars. He was one of the so-called Kia Boys, who had been using basic tools to break into the vehicles and start them.

I dont know what made me decide to do it, the teen said. There was just a freedom. Youre not supposed to be inside a vehicle, but its moving fast at your feet. I enjoyed feeling that rush.

Accounts like that sparked a light bulb moment for Hardy.

I realized we were addressing the violent piece, but we werent addressing the need to want to drive, she said.

So for young people who were at least 16, she began to help them navigate how to get a learners permit. It was clear they wanted to drive. Why not help them do it legally?

Thats what were doing right now, Hardy said. Were trying to get kids into the mindset of, I can get a license. I can get a car. I can do this the right way.

Bullets and a first aid kit that Hardy uses in demonstrations during "Stop the Bleed" classes she teaches to youths. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

Why have laws?

A day after Wallers Mercedes was stolen, Prince Georges County officers spotted it at a busy intersection 6 miles from his home. When they tried to pull the car over, the driver sped off, according to a police spokesperson. The Mercedes crossed into D.C. but crashed into another vehicle on a highway there.

D.C. police arrested the four occupants, one of whom had a handgun with an extended magazine, according to a police report on the incident. Investigators also recovered pills with labels indicating they were oxycodone, according to the report.

The suspects included two brothers, Davon Alston, 18, and Juvan Alston, 19. The two other suspects were 18 and 21. The four were booked on a range of charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, the police report says. (It does not make clear who was hit with the gun charge.)

For reasons unknown, federal prosecutors declined to bring charges, according to court records obtained by NBC News. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia did not respond to a request for comment.

Waller, for his part, knew that his car had been recovered and that some suspects had been arrested. A detective had asked him to participate in a virtual line-up, but Waller said it took him too long to identify the one gunman he got a decent look at, the one who had pistol-whipped him.

The neighborhood where Michael Waller was carjacked in 2021. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

Waller said he never heard back from the police or prosecutors. When NBC News informed him this week that the men in the car werent charged, Waller noted that he had no way of knowing whether the four were involved in the carjacking.

Even still, he was aghast.

Theyre literally letting criminals in a stolen car, who are escaping police, back on the streets, Waller said. Then why have laws?

Eleven months after the carjacking, a 17-year-old was shot dead outside a home in Southeast D.C. Two teenagers were arrested and charged with murder: the Alston brothers.

The stolen vehicle police say Juan Alston was in before a 17-year-old was shot in 2022. (Superior Court of the District of Columbia)

They have pleaded not guilty and their trials are slated for next year.

Police charging documents say a video posted to Instagram 30 minutes after the fatal shooting showed Davon Alston and a second person riding in a Mercedes that was believed to have been used in the shooting.

According to the documents, it had been carjacked about an hour earlier.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Police say carjackers sprayed a chemical agent in a mans face before pulling him out of his Ford Focus and stealing it.

Two women were seen the next day using the victims credit card at a Sams Club, police said.

The victim told police he and his neighbor had just parked their car in the area of Goodhaven Drive and Airways around 1 p.m. Thursday.

Driver drags cop during Memphis traffic stop: MPD

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A dark-colored sedan with two men and a woman inside pulled up behind his car. The two men got out, sprayed a chemical agent in his face, then pulled him out of the passenger seat of his car, he told police.

They got away in his Focus, with the sedan following behind.

Police released this photo of two female suspects using the victims credit card at a Sams Club.

Friday, two women were caught on surveillance video using the victims credit card at the Sams Club in the 7400 block of Winchester.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Generations of Minnesotans have grown up looking forward to their annual pilgrimage to the State Fair.

Every year, about 2 million fairgoers revel in its sights, sounds and smells, eating deep-fried food on a stick and wandering from exhibit hall to exhibit hall until their feet are sore.

The Great Minnesota Get-Together has changed much since it was first held in 1859. What began primarily as a chance for the states farmers to show off prized crops and livestock has evolved into a sprawling carnival that offers something for nearly everyone  while still retaining its agricultural roots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pioneer Press photographers have been documenting these changes for more than a century. This collection of images is just a sampling of their work over the years.

Related Articles
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The charge toward a 21-year-old man who was accused of organizing a street takeover in Austin in July 2023 was dismissed. This comes after he was convicted in an assault case that happened later that year, according to Travis County court documents.

The street takeover occurred at the intersection of South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road on July 29, 2023. Court records showed the breakdown of messages exchanged between the organizer, Jacobi Patrick Erickson, and another person in the days leading up to the events in Austin.

Arrest warrant issued for suspected organizer in July 2023 street takeover

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The case that Erickson was convicted in occurred in October 2023, according to court documents. The charge for that case was for assault causing bodily injury-family violence, court records said.

In exchange for a guilty plea, Erickson was given two years deferred adjudication. In addition to the deferred adjudication, court documents showed Erickson must also complete 80 hours of community service.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Brief

A 52-year-old Carol Stream man allegedly set fire to his own home, which caused an explosion and damage to his neighbors' houses.

Prosecutors said Eric Neuman allegedly placed multiple containers of gasoline and propane tanks inside the home and lit a flare in the garage.

He was arrested in downstate Mahomet, more than 100 miles south of Chicago, and charged with multiple crimes, including arson.

CAROL STREAM, Ill. - A DuPage County man allegedly set fire to his own home, which caused a large explosion and "severely" damaged his neighbors homes, local prosecutors said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Eric Neuman, 52, of Carol Stream, was charged with two counts of aggravated arson, a count of arson and criminal damage to property, according to the DuPage County States Attorneys Office.

Eric Neuman (DuPage County State's Attorney's Office)

A judge ordered Neuman to remain in jail as he awaits trial.

What we know

Prosecutors said around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, Carol Stream police responded to a home on fire in the 700 block of Hemlock Lane.

Investigators learned the home belonged to Neuman and his soon-to-be ex-wife, who had recently left the property.

Neuman allegedly placed around six containers of gas, about 40 gallons, throughout the house and two propane tanks in a rental car in the attached garage. He also spilled gas in the garage, lit a flare, and threw it in the garage, prosecutors said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspect also allegedly texted his wife threatening messages including, "That morning, I'll remove gas lines from the oven and dryer, after flooding the house with 15 gallons of gasoline. I'll also remove any flow restriction devices on said as lines. I'll turn the fireplace gas valve on full-tilt and then exit the house. It takes an oxygen to natural gas ratio of 5 - 15% to cause an explosion. When I finally ignite the trail of gasoline that leads to the back yard, I'm pretty sure I'll have"

Prosecutors added he also set the fire knowing that his neighbors, including children, were at their homes at the time. No injuries were reported.

Hours later, Neuman was arrested in Illinois State Police in downstate Mahomet, near Champaign, after a pursuit that began in the Bloomington/Morton area, prosecutors said.

What they're saying

"Intentionally setting fire to a residence in the early morning hours while the community is asleep, as alleged in this case, not only endangers the lives of countless residents, but also the lives of our first responders answering the call," said DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin, in a statement. "This type of extremely dangerous behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law."

What's next

Neumans next court appearance is set for Sept. 22.
The Brief

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in connection with the shooting death of a 31-year-old woman.

Gabriela Ochoa was shot and killed on Aug. 16 when two individuals tried to rob her in Bridgeport.

CHICAGO - A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest or charges in connection with the shooting death of a 31-year-old woman on Chicagos South Side earlier this month.

The backstory

Gabriela Ochoa was shot and killed in the 800 block of W. 27th Street in Bridgeport on Aug. 16, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two individuals tried to rob her before the shooting. Police said the shooter was seen traveling in a dark-colored sedan.

Area detectives are investigating the shooting death.

Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the indictment or arrest of the persons responsible. Witnesses can remain anonymous.

What you can do

To submit a tip, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-7867 or the Chicago police tip line at 833-408-0069.

Tips can also be submitted to CPDTip.com or emailed to TIPS@CookCountyCrimeStoppers.org.
The Brief

An argument between a victim and at least two suspects led to a shooting on Chicago's South Side Sunday morning.

The victim, a 24-year-old man, was taken to a hospital in good condition, police said.

CHICAGO - An argument on the citys South Side led to two gunmen shooting and injuring a 24-year-old man early Sunday morning.

The shooting happened in the 7600 block of S. Ingleside Avenue in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, according to the Chicago Police Department.

What we know

The 24-year-old victim was inside a Kia sedan when he was approached by at least two suspects who got out of an unknown car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The three got into a verbal altercation and the suspects took out a gun and fired shots at the victim, police said.

The gunmen fled the scene in an unknown direction.

The victim was shot in the back and leg. He was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital initially listed in good condition.

No offenders were in custody in connection with the shooting.

Area detectives are investigating.

What we don't know

Police did not provide a description of the suspects.
The Brief

A drowning incident happened at a community center in Philadelphia this weekend.

A child was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Further details have yet to be released.

PHILADELPHIA - A child is fighting for their life after nearly drowning at a community center in Philadelphia's Nicetown section this weekend.

What we know

Investigators say the child was rushed to the hospital after an incident at the Salvation Army Kroc Center on Saturday afternoon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The child is in critical condition.

The Kroc Center remains closed to the public as Philadelphia police investigate.

What we don't know

The age of the child has not yet been released, but initial reports suggest they could be between 2 and 5 years old.

The Source

Information from this article was provided by the Salvation Army and Philadelphia police.
Children in care are being allowed to transition without consulting an adult, a think tank has disclosed.

Policy Exchange claimed that children were at risk of being rushed into gender reassignment because local authorities across the country were in thrall to gender ideology.

A study by the think tank found that almost two-thirds of local authorities have no safeguarding policies in place to protect children in their care who question their gender, and eight councils allowed children to transition without speaking to an adult.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Children in care were eight times as likely as those growing up with their parents to be sent to the discredited Tavistock gender identity clinic, the report disclosed.

The report was backed by Baroness Morris, the former Labour education secretary, who said councils were failing in their duties to support gender-questioning children.

She said: The inconsistent and often misguided approach taken by some local authorities toward gender-distressed children in care is fundamentally at odds with societys core duty to safeguard its most vulnerable people.

The well-being and safety of children in care must never be compromised in deference to contested beliefs about gender identity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The report said there had been progress in major areas, including the Supreme Court judgment on the legal definition of a woman and the new ban on puberty blockers for young people. But that this had not filtered down to ensure adequate protection for gender-questioning children in care to ensure they were not improperly transed, and that proper safeguarding procedures were followed.

Instead, it claimed, local authorities had been parroting the controversial gender affirmative policies of activist organisations, commissioning them to provide training or integrating their principles into policies.

Data from freedom of information requests, collected by the think tank, revealed that 81 out of 129 local authorities with care responsibilities (63 per cent) could not provide a policy on their safeguarding processes for gender-questioning children in care.

Eight local authorities said they would allow children in care to transition without consulting any adult.

State failing some of the most vulnerable children

Meanwhile, 17 councils said they had been members of a diversity scheme run by the controversial LGBT charity Stonewall, while 12 had paid trans rights groups such as Mermaids and Gendered Intelligence to provide training.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The report also revealed that children in care were over-represented in referrals to the now-closed Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock Centre by 700 per cent.

And it found that children under the age of 10 were being supported to socially transition in care, often without appropriate safeguarding processes in place.

Only two council policies mentioned the Cass review, which said puberty blockers should no longer be given to children under the age of 18.

One councils policy argued that every child has the right to an identity and that the local authoritys role was supporting and affirming them, while another argued that a child in our care can choose to socially transition when they wish to.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a foreword to the report, Nimco Ali, a womens rights campaigner, said: This report from Policy Exchange is both timely and deeply concerning. It reveals that the state is once again failing, this time some of the most vulnerable children in its care: gender-questioning children.

Baroness Spielman, the former Ofsted chief, said: A loving and responsible parent does not always take what a child says about what they need at face value, and will say no or not yet when they judge that to be in the childs interests, even in the face of considerable pressure from the child.

But social workers are  understandably  less comfortable about saying no or not yet to children who have so clearly suffered already

Yet as the Cass review has so clearly shown, what may feel kind in the short term may be far from kind in the longer term.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Policy Exchange called on the Government to publish statutory guidance for local authorities on supporting gender-questioning children in their care.

They said councils must appoint at least one person who would be consulted in the event a child expresses the desire to socially transition.

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.
MANCHESTER, Conn. (WTNH)  Two children were injured Saturday night after the vehicle they were in collided with a building in Manchester, fire officials said.

Parker Street in Manchester where a car crashed into a condo, causing a large gas leak.

Minutes after 8:00 p.m., police say a vehicle left the roadway on Parker Street, crashed through a fence, and struck a condo on Jamie Lane.

Police say two children inside the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The impact of the crash severed two separate gas services, causing a significant gas leak that firefighters rapidly brought under control.

Four condo units, several decks and air conditioners were destroyed, but the building remains habitable.

Eversource and Connecticut Natural Gas also responded to mitigate the leak.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Khanh Vu and Ethan Wang

HANOI/BEIJING (Reuters) -Vietnam announced plans to evacuate more than half a million people and ordered boats to stay ashore, while the southern Chinese city of Sanya closed businesses and public transport on Sunday as both braced for an intensifying Typhoon Kajiki.

The storm is forecast to "brush past" the southern coast of China's island province of Hainan from Sunday evening before heading for Vietnam, China's National Meteorological Center said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As of 0900 GMT, the storm had gained strength, with winds reaching 166 kph (103 mph), according to Vietnam's national weather forecast agency.

It is likely to strengthen further with wind speeds as high as 180 kph, China's weather forecaster said.

Authorities in Vietnam plan to evacuate more than 586,000 people from the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Danang, where the typhoon is forecast to make landfall early on Monday, state media reported.

People in the projected path should not go outdoors after 1400 GMT on Sunday, and soldiers are standing by to help, the government said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Seven coastal provinces in Vietnam banned boats from leaving shore early on Sunday, Tien Phong newspaper reported.

Vietnam Airlines cancelled at least 22 flights to and from central cities on Sunday and Monday. Vietjet Aviation said it was cancelling or delaying flights but did not provide details.

China's Sanya, renowned for seafront resorts and sandy beaches, closed tourist attractions, shuttered businesses and suspended public transport.

'WORST-CASE SCENARIOS'

China's weather agency forecast heavy rainfall and strong winds in Hainan and nearby Guangdong province and Guangxi region, with areas in Hainan set to receive as much as 320 mm (12.6 inches) of rain from Sunday to Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sanya issued a red typhoon alert on Sunday morning - the highest in China's colour-coded warning system - and raised its emergency response to the most severe level, according to posts on the local government's WeChat account.

City officials convened a meeting on Saturday evening, urging preparations for "worst-case scenarios", the government said.

All classes and construction were suspended, and shopping centres, restaurants and supermarkets were closed from Sunday. Vessels have been ordered to stop operating in Sanya's waters.

Since July, record rainfall has lashed China's north and south in what meteorologists have described as extreme weather linked to climate change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Natural disasters including flooding and drought caused 52.15 billion yuan ($7.28 billion) in direct economic losses in China last month, affecting millions of people and leaving 295 dead or missing, data from the Ministry of Emergency Management showed.

The Vietnamese government likened the strength of Kajiki to that of Yagi, which battered the country less than a year ago, killing about 300 people and causing $3.3 billion of property damage.

($1 = 7.1651 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo in Beijing, Khanh Vu in Hanoi; Editing by Christopher Cushing, William Mallard and Andrew Heavens)
(KRON)  The California Highway Patrol seized nearly 160 pounds of methamphetamine and a handgun during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 in the Stockton area on Aug. 21, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP pulled over a 34-year-old man from Sacramento around 7:05 p.m. During the traffic stop, CHP K9 Nico tipped officers off to the hefty drug bust.

Thanks to the keen instincts of K9 Nico and the quick actions of our officers, another major threat was taken off the road, CHP Valley Division wrote on social media. The California Highway Patrol remains committed to keeping dangerous drugs and weapons out of our communities.

K9 Nico poses with the confiscated stash. (CHP) Officers seized roughly 160 pounds of meth during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 in San Joaquin County on Aug. 21, 2025. (CHP)

Search called off for missing swimmer at Aquatic Park

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The man was arrested and there are no outstanding suspects in the case, CHP spokesperson Sgt. Jeremy Wayland told KRON4.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
New Yorks mayoral election isnt the only heated race in the city.

Sides are already being drawn over who the next City Council speaker will be  as outside interests push candidates they think will best stand up to Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.

Julie Menin, who reps the Upper East Side, and Crystal Hudson, who reps swaths of Fort Greene, have emerged as the current leading contenders to take over for Council Speaker Adrienne Adamscome January, The Post has learned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Someone like Julie Menin running for speaker could be a moderating force, one source said.

The source noted that while Menin is a very progressive person in terms of social issues  who shares a lot of endorsements with Mamdani, like the heavyweight Hotel Trades Council  she would be seen as the adult in the room in terms of fiscal policy.

They arent explicitly pushing her, but it is well understood that she is the pick of the business community and could moderate the Mamdani agenda, the source said.

Mamdani, the frontrunner in the November general election, is already sure to have trouble getting concessions from Albany to pass his freebie-filled agenda, if elected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

His $10 billion agenda hinges on getting the state Legislature to raise taxes  an idea Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is up for re-election next year, has repeatedly slammed.

But beyond Albany, Mamdani will face additional challenges from more moderate members in the next council, political operatives said.

A source also noted that while the councils progressive caucus had a 35 member veto-proof majority at the beginning of Mayor Eric Adams administration, 15 members jumped ship over its calls to reduce the size and scope of the NYPD in 2023.

The NYC mayoral election isnt the only heated race in the Big Apple. Getty Images

The caucus now only has 17 members in its rank out of the 51 total city council members.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mamdani currently supports maintaining the NYPD headcount  but he previously called for defunding the police as an assemblyman.

If elected, he wants to create an eye-popping $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety whose staff would respond to mental health calls instead of cops.

The majority of the funds for the new department would be fueled from existing programs, but an extra approximately $455 million would also be needed, according to his campaign website.

The race for the next City Council speaker is heating up as well, with outside interests wondering who will best stand up to Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani. ZUMAPRESS.com

As soon as a community safety officer inevitably gets injured or worse by an emotionally disturbed person doing a job a cop used to do, that policing experiment has failed, said Ken Frydman, a longtime police union consultant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Everyone who does business with City Hall is thinking about a counterbalance as speaker to a Mayor Mamdani. Including unions, Frydman said.

To that end, Id advise police unions to get behind Julie Menin, not progressive caucus members Hudson, [Amanda] Farias, [Carmen] De La Rosa or [Christopher] Marte.

Hudson is a member of the progressive caucus.

The Post reports that Julie Menin and Crystal Hudson have emerged as the frontrunners to take over Adrienne Adams position come January. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

But one source noted she also has an establishment background working in city government and bested a DSA candidate with the endorsement of Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, in her 2021 race.

Crystal Hudson would be the perfect person to stand up to Mamdani. Shes really not that progressive, shes a moderate, but regardless it would be bad politics to challenge her, the source said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sources also pointed out that challenging the election of either Menin or Hudson as speaker, could create optics issues for Mamdani.

Could you imagine him fighting with a black woman? That will hurt him because hes not going to win that demographic, the source said.

Challenging a Menin speakership would be difficult, another source said, as she would be the councils first female Jewish speaker  a constituency where 60% said they would be less safe under a Mamdani mayoralty, one poll found.

Sources also noted that the speaker wont be officially selected for another five months, and lots could still change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They pointed out that Councilman Justin Brannan was one of the leading contenders at this point in time prior to Speaker Adams being tapped, but emphasized that there will be opportunity and pressure for a moderate to seize the gavel if Mamdani wins the November election.

The conclusion that Mamdani and the DSA have enough sway in the City Council to prevent a moderate from winning the speakership is wrong, one source said.

Speaker candidates have an institution constituency of 50. They will pick one of their own who they feel will best stand up to the other side of City Hall and preserve the council prerogatives.

When reached for comment, the Mamdani campaign pointed to a statement made at an earlier press conference.

I have deep respect for Council Member Hudson as well as for all council members across the board. My focus is winning this election in November.
DENVER (KDVR)  The city of Lone Tree held a paw-some birthday celebration for a team member with the Victim Services Unit of the Lone Tree Police Department.

The city posted to Facebook on Friday, which said that Mikey, the units therapy dog, celebrated his 6th birthday in August with a few of his best friends.

Free on Your TV  New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

Were so grateful to have Mikey as a part of our Victim Services Unit. His calming presence offers comfort and support to victims of crime, as well as to department and City staff during times of stress or crisis, said the city.

Mikey, a Victim Services Support Dog, celebrates his 6th birthday. (City of Lone Tree Government) Mikey, a Victim Services Support Dog, celebrates his 6th birthday. (City of Lone Tree Government)

The unit partners with the Parker Police Department and operates 24/7, which ensures that all reasonable efforts are made to inform victims of their rights, appropriate support services, information and advocacy, the city says on its website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The city also said that Mikey is supervised and managed by two staff members who serve as victim assistance advocates.

Mikeys 6th birthday was filled with his favorite things, including people and treats. The city also notes they were more than happy to celebrate him and all the great work he does.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Residents celebrated the history and impact of Clarissa Street in Rochester with another year of community-oriented fun on Saturday.

27 years following the first Clarissa Street Reunion in 1996, organizers continued to honor the enduring spirit, music, and history of the area through live music, local vendors, food, and activities for all ages. Featuring jazz, blues, and R&B stages, the sounds of performers filled the streets to remember the neighborhoods history as a space for musicians and the African American community in the 1950s and 1960s.

The Reunion is hosted by the Clarissa Street Legacy organization, which operates year-round to preserve and educate the Greater Rochester community on the story of Clarissa Street and Rochesters Third Ward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The legacy of Clarissa Street continues to make an impact, as scholarships for college students were also presented at the event.

Walking tours of influential landmarks and an exhibit at the Rundel Public Library were also available to attendees.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(NewsNation)  The captain of a shipping container was arrested in Seattle on Wednesday for allegedly operating the vessel while intoxicated.

On August 20, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound said they were notified by a Puget Sound Pilot onboard the MSC Jubilee IX that the captain was exhibiting signs of intoxication. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the vessel was coming from an anchorage near Everett, Washington and made it to Terminal 5 in the Port of Seattle without incident.

Baltimore ship explosion near Key Bridge site under investigation

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Agents with the Coast Guard Investigative Service administered a field sobriety and breathalyzer test to the captain upon arriving and found he had a blood alcohol content over six times the legal limit for commercial mariners. The captain was arrested and transported to the King County Jail, where charges were referred to the prosecutor for boating under the influence.

The MSC Jubilee IX is a 333-meter container ship operating under the Liberian flag. The vessel has resumed operations following a brief detainment by the U.S. Coast Guard until relief captain was found.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
DENVER (KDVR)  On Saturday, the Colorado House of Representatives passed six bills to address the states budget shortfall.

The special session was called after a $1.2 billion loss of revenue from changes in tax laws in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Democrats say the bills passed are a fix for what they call an unnecessary gap in the budget, while Republicans feel they werent given enough room to debate.

Free on Your TV  New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We passed a revenue package that closes corporate tax loopholes, which I think is the most responsible way to address the shortfall that we are experiencing, said Rep. Yara Zokaie.

Rep. Jarvis Caldwell tells FOX31 that the bills passed on Saturday hurt the average person.

Every single bill weve seen here come through during the special session has increased taxes on small businesses and on taxpayers, said Caldwell.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Republicans also expressed frustration over the use of two House rules by Democrats, which Republicans said cut short their chances to speak on behalf of their constituents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They used procedural rules that limit debate to only one hour for each bill, and theres 65 of us so thats less than a minute per representative, Caldwell said.

Another rule cut a separate discussion period entirely and called the House straight to a vote.

Zokaie said to FOX31 that the decision was made after she and others felt Republicans were not taking the talks seriously.

If they are not going to engage in a meaningful debate, then we are going to call the question and we are going to vote, Zokaie said.

Despite the disagreements between the parties, all six of the bills now head to the Senate for approval.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
The audience of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee listens as senators debate a bill to use state funds for Medicaid reimbursements for abortion providers on Aug. 21, 2025. (Photo by Delilah Brumer/Colorado Newsline)

The Colorado House of Representatives on Sunday passed a bill that would use state money to fund Medicaid reimbursements for reproductive health care providers, namely Planned Parenthood, that have recently faced federal funding cuts.

Senate Bill 25B-2 was approved in a party-line 43-19 vote, with Democrats in favor. It passed the Senate on Friday, during the ongoing special legislative session that is focused on raising revenue to soften the impact of recent changes to the federal tax code. The bill now goes to Gov. Jared Polis desk for his signature.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The bill was proposed in the wake of President Donald Trump signing the federal Republican tax break and spending cut law, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in July. That law prohibited Planned Parenthood from receiving federal Medicaid funds, including for services like sexually transmitted disease screenings and HIV-related treatments. Federal law already bars federal Medicaid money from funding most abortion services.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

SB-2 forces the state to step in. It would require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which administers the states Medicaid program, to use state funds to reimburse health care providers that are prohibited from receiving federal Medicaid reimbursements.

Jack Teter, the vice president of government affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said 991 appointments had to be canceled in the days after the federal law went into effect. The provision in the law that affects Planned Parenthood has been paused while a challenge to it moves through federal courts. But PPRMs operations are now in limbo, Teter said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are in the midst of a health care access disaster that began (when the federal law) was signed, Teter said.

The bills fiscal notes estimates it would cost Colorado a maximum of $4.4 million during the current fiscal year, which began on July 1.

Rep. Brandi Bradley, a Littleton Republican, called for lawmakers to vote down the bill during initial debate on the bill on Saturday afternoon. She spoke for about 30 minutes against abortion services and Planned Parenthood, and also argued that due to the state budget gap it would be unfair to spend money on Planned Parenthood.

Its weird how that works, Bradley said. We (the Republicans) cant have any fiscal notes, but wow, $4.4 million on this bad boy right here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Boulder resident Lilly Boyd, a single mother of three children, spoke to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in favor of the bill on Thursday. Boyd, who is enrolled in Medicaid, said a follow-up appointment she had scheduled with PPRM after receiving a medication abortion was canceled in July due to the recent federal law. Days later, Boyd experienced hemorrhaging and had to go to the emergency room, she said.

Youve heard that ensuring patients on Medicaid can return to Planned Parenthood is a matter of life and death, Boyd said. Please know this is not an exaggeration. For many people, myself included, that was the reality we faced following Planned Parenthood being kicked out of the federal Medicaid program.

More than 150 PPRM volunteers and reproductive rights advocates have come to the Capitol to support the bill over the course of the special session, according to Teter.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is an essential, irreplaceable piece of Colorados primary and reproductive health care system, said Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat and one of the bills sponsors.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
A Columbia University student was among five people killed Friday when a tour bus returning from Niagara Falls rolled over on a rural stretch of Interstate 90 of the New York State Thruway in upstate New York, according to authorities.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Columbia University said it is mourning the death of Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China, who was a student in New York City.

"This heartbreaking loss is felt deeply across our community," a spokesperson wrote in a statement. "We are in close contact with her family and offering them our full support.  Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family, friends, and all who have been touched by this tragedy."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The university said it is providing counseling and other resources to students who may need them.

First responders work to rescue victims at the scene of a tour bus that crashed and rolled over on the New York State Thruway in Pembroke on Friday.

Emergency Crews Respond To Tour Bus Rollover With Dozens Of Patients In New York

New York State Police identified the four other victims as: Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey; and Jian Mingli, 56, of Jersey City, New Jersey.

Read On The Fox News App

The tour bus, operated by Staten Island-based tour company M&Y Tour Incorporated, was traveling eastbound from Niagara Falls to New York City on Friday when it lost control just before 12:30 p.m., crossed over the median and flipped on the shoulder in Pembroke, about 40 minutes from Buffalo, according to state police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver, Bin Shao, 55, of Flushing, New York, had no signs of impairment and the tour bus had no signs of mechanical failure. Shao allegedly told police he was distracted at the time of the crash and over-corrected.

LifeFlight helicopters respond to a tour bus crash on the eastbound side of Interstate 90 near Pembroke, New York, Friday.

Heart-stopping Video Shows Helicopter Flip And Crash Near Michigan Waterfront Restaurant

Erie County Medical Center on Saturday confirmed a total of 21 patients from the crash were treated at the hospital.

Of the 21 patients, seven were discharged, three are in the observation unit pending discharge, six were admitted in stable condition, and five remain in the trauma intensive care unit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is unclear if any additional victims were taken to other area hospitals.

Rescue personnel work the scene of a tour bus that crashed and rolled over on the New York State Thruway Friday.

Mother And Son Arrested At Miami Airport After Fatal New Jersey Street Racing Crash And Escape Attempt

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told Fox News Digital on Friday it was sending a go-team to investigate. The bus was taken to state police barracks as evidence.

The New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriffs Office, Office of Homeland Security, NYS Thruway Authority, Erie County Emergency Management, Genesee County Emergency Management, Newstead Emergency Management, Genesee County District Attorneys Office, National Traffic Safety Board, and numerous EMS and fire companies assisted in the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Genesee County Fire Department, University of Rochester Medical Center and Kaleida Health did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.

Fox News' Henry Naccari contributed to this report.





Original article source: Columbia University student among 5 killed in New York tour bus crash after Niagara Falls visit
JANE LEW, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Jane Lew Lions Club Safety Fair returned for its 15th year Saturday afternoon at the Jane Lew Park, giving members of the community a chance to connect and interact with their local authorities.

The Lewis County Sheriffs Department was in attendance, along with the Jane Lew Fire Department and Lewis County EMS.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources also hosted an interactive wildlife exhibit for members of the community, and children had the chance to go into the firetrucks and spray the fire hose.

A child gets the chance to spray the firehose alongside a Jane Lew Fire Dept. Firefighter (WBOY Photo)

Safety Fair Coordinator and Jane Lew Lions Club member, Debby Walker, says this event is a great opportunity for members of the community, especially children, to come out and connect with local authorities and first responders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We think its very important to introduce them to our community helpers and to be able to feel comfortable going up to someone in law enforcement or a firefighter and speaking with them so that they feel comfortable with them, and if theyre ever in a position that they need services, then they will feel at ease with them, Walker said.

Several other community groups were also in attendance at this years fair.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
While Syrian officials report one senior leader was captured alive and another killed, uncertainty surrounds the outcome of the high-profile mission.

DAMASCUS - The northwestern Idlib town of Atme witnessed one of the largest airborne raids carried out by the US-led coalition this year, targeting a senior ISIS commander early Wednesday morning.

The US-led coalition, officially known as the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, was formed in 2014 after the extremist group seized large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria. Its mission is to dismantle ISIS through military operations, intelligence cooperation, and support for local forces. The coalition comprises 89 members, including the United States, European Union states, Turkey, and Arab countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. While the US provides the bulk of airpower and logistical support, other participants contribute troops, training, or humanitarian assistance.

Reports conflicted on whether ISIS leader killed or captured alive

The operation on Wednesday sparked panic among residents, while reports conflicted on whether the ISIS leader was killed or captured alive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Around 2 a.m., several military helicopters flew at low altitude over Atme before one landed near a house suspected of harboring a member of the group.

Adham al-Khatib, an eyewitness, told The Media Line that troops descending from the helicopters formed a tight cordon around the house and used loudspeakers to demand the surrender of those inside.

A building, where US forces took part in a raid that targeted a member of the Islamic State group, stands in Atme, Syria, August 20, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/KARAM AL-MASRI)

Ibrahim al-Qaddah, a Syrian military officer stationed in Idlib near the site, told The Media Line that the primary target was a commander known as Abu Hafs al-Qurashi, believed to have held a senior position in ISIS.

Al-Qaddah said coalition forces succeeded in capturing al-Qurashi alive, along with several women believed to be French nationals who were inside the house.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A Syrian security source, speaking to The Media Line, offered a different account, saying the raid killed a senior ISIS figure named Salah Nouman, nicknamed Ali, as he tried to flee.

Nouman had reportedly been living in the house with his wife, child, and mother. Gunfire during the raid killed him instantly, the source said.

These conflicting reports leave two possibilities: either coalition forces targeted different figures in simultaneous operations, or secrecy surrounding such missions caused confusion. In most cases, the identity of those targeted is confirmed only after investigations.

Abu Mohammed, a neighborhood resident, recalled the terrifying moments to The Media Line: We woke up to the sound of helicopters roaring above, louder than anything weve heard in years. Minutes later, there was intermittent gunfire and shouting through loudspeakers. At first, we didnt understand what was happening, but it quickly became clear that it was a major raid. Children were terrified, and women gathered in one room, afraid of stray bullets. It was a very difficult moment for everyone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

His testimony reflects the fear such operations cause among civilians, especially in densely populated areas like Atme, which hosts one of the largest displacement camps in northwestern Syria.

Since ISIS lost its last stronghold in eastern Syria in 2019, the groups capabilities have diminished, though small pockets and sleeper cells remain active in the Syrian desert and along the Iraqi border.

With pressure mounting in those areas, some ISIS leaders relocated to Idlib, a region controlled by multiple factions, making their movements harder to monitor.

Atme has witnessed several similar operations in recent years, most notably the 2022 US raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, keeping the town under constant international scrutiny.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As of this report, neither the US-led coalition nor the Pentagon has released a statement on the raid in Atme. US Central Command typically provides clarification within a few days, confirming the targets identity and the outcome.

Locals caught in the middle of US operation

Although the raid was a military operation, its greatest impact was humanitarian. Residents once again were caught in the middle of a confrontation beyond their control.

The roar of helicopters and bursts of gunfire terrified families, who feared their homes could turn into a battlefield.

Observers told The Media Line that the continuation of such raids shows the coalitions determination to pursue ISIS remnants deep inside Idlib, forcing the groups leaders to choose between surrender and being targeted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Whether the raid ended with the arrest of Abu Hafs al-Qurashi or the death of Salah Nouman, northwestern Syria remains a dangerous haven for ISIS leaders. Civilians continue to pay the highest price, living in constant tension and fear during each military operation.

The question remains: How long will Idlib be a hunting ground for ISIS leaders? And when will Syrians finally be free of a group that has plagued them for more than a decade?
Federal officials shared a social media post that incorrectly suggested that Connecticut state Rep. Corey Paris published details that doxxed ICE agents, which then triggered waves of harassment and threats against the lawmaker. Rep. Paris joins "PoliticsNation" to share his story for the first time.
Asked Sunday if he is considering a redraw of Marylands congressional districts, Gov. Wes Moore answered in the affirmative.

Yeah, and I think we have to, Moore told CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan during his appearance on Face The Nation Sunday morning.

Moore suggested President Donald Trump is responsible for the ongoing battle over congressional representation, which has seen Texas Republicans and California Democrats move toward redrawing maps to their advantage. He drew parallels between the GOPs redistricting strategy and Trumps call urging Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes to help overturn his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The President of the United States, very similar to what he did in Georgia  he called up a series of voter registrants and said I need you to find me more votes,' Moore said. Were watching the same thing now where hes calling up [state] legislatures and saying, I need you to find me more congressional districts.'

Redistricting efforts, which states typically undertake every 10 years in accordance with population shifts, are often subjected to legal challenges and gerrymandering  the term for manipulating district boundaries to favor one party.

When Brennan asked Moore if he was concerned that drawing new maps could backfire politically, the governor responded that the majority of congressional districts nationally are not competitive. He said redistricting is fundamentally about ensuring voters can choose their politicians, not the other way around.

If you look at the average win margin in our state, in so many states, the average win margin is upwards of 20% [or] 30%, Moore said. So that means we have so many gerrymandered areas, that we have to be able to add a measure of fairness in the way that its applied.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As just one of its eight House members is a Republican despite the Trump winning more than a third of the vote statewide last year, Maryland is already ranked as one of the countrys most gerrymandered states.

While it is not clear what new Maryland maps would look like, any plan pursued by Moore would likely cost Eastern Shore Rep. Andy Harris his seat, meaning all 10 members of the states congressional delegation  both senators and eight House members  would be Democrats.

________
CHICAGO (WGN)  Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the homicide of a 31-year-old woman on Chicagos Southwest Side.

Police say Gabriela Ochoa was confronted by two individuals who attempted to rob her in the 800 block of West 27th Street on Aug. 16 at around 8:40 p.m.

Area One Detectives are investigating and asking for the publics help. Authorities say the individuals are armed and dangerous and urged residents to not confront or approach them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-535-7867 or the Chicago Police Tip Line at 833-408-0069.

Additionally, tips can be submitted online at CPDTIP.com or by emailing TIPS@CookCountyCrimeStoppers.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 WGN-TV.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Cornell University announced financial cuts amid acute fiscal pressure, according to a statement from the school.

In an open letter from Cornell administration on Aug. 22, the school cited contractions in government funding, increases in employment costs and an uncertain and unprecedented federal landscape as reasons behind the budget cuts.

The announcement follows a June announcement regarding plans to review their expenses and restrict campus hiring for the 2025-2026 school year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this year, the Trump administration froze $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell on allegations of civil rights violations in the form of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The school is also rumored to be in the middle of a highly expensive settlement with the Trump administration after an anonymous source told Bloomberg News that Cornell is paying $100 million to settle a federal investigation into their handling (or lack thereof, as the White House alleged) of antisemitism and student protests against the Israeli governments brutality against Palestinians in Gaza.

The letter, signed by university president Michael I. Kotlikoff, said that the cuts were a necessity to ensure Cornells long-term financial viability. The letter lays out no specific plans as to what the university will cut from their budget.

You can read the full letter online here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has posted online a letter from his American counterpart Donald Trump, in which Trump congratulated Ukraine on Independence Day.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: On behalf of the American people, Trump extended his greetings and best wishes to Zelenskyy and "the courageous people of Ukraine as you celebrate 34 years of independence".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote from Trump: "The people of Ukraine have an unbreakable spirit, and your country's courage inspires many. As you mark this important day, know the United States respects your fight, honours your sacrifices and believes in your future as an independent nation.

Now is the moment to bring an end to the senseless killing. The United States supports a negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty and dignity."

Details: Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his greetings.

Quote from Zelenskyy "We appreciate your kind words for the Ukrainian people, and we thank the United States for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what is most valuable: independence, freedom and guaranteed peace. We believe that by working together, we can put an end to this war and achieve real peace for Ukraine."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Security guarantees for Ukraine: main focus and challenges in EuropeTrump talks

Background:

The Guardian reported that Trump intends to leave it to Russia and Ukraine to organise a meeting between their leaders, thereby stepping back from negotiations on ending the Russo-Ukrainian war for now.

Trump lashed out at his predecessor Joe Biden for not permitting Ukraine to attack Russia, saying that this took away Kyiv's chance of winning the war.

On 21 August, Trump said he would be able to assess the possibility of achieving peace in Ukraine "within two weeks"

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
CHICAGO (WGN)  A five-year-old boy died after a suspected accidental shooting in an apartment on the South Side of Chicago Sunday afternoon.

According to the Chicago Police Department, the incident occurred in the 4400 block of South Greenwood Avenue in the North Kenwood neighborhood just after 1:15 p.m.

The boy was inside the apartment when he sustained a gunshot wound to the head, police say. He was taken to Comer Childrens Hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pastor Donovan Price, who spent the afternoon with the family at the hospital, says the shooting was allegedly accidental.

Self-inflicted. Got a hold of a gun, which is just something we need to work on, Price said. Gun locks, gun boxes. When you have small children, you have to make a decision on how secure youre going to keep your weapons at all times.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

A weapon was recovered at the scene, police say. No charges have been filed at this time.

The incident is still 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 WGN-TV.
A large crowd of adults, teenagers and children stood, sang and prayed by the Joe Louis fist monument Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24, on Jefferson Avenue in downtown Detroit to support Ukrainian Independence Day.

More than 100 people showed up with Ukrainian flags and signs reading Support Ukraine to mark the 34th anniversary of Ukraines sovereignty and ongoing fight for peace. Several supporters arrived from Helping Hands for Ukraine  a nonprofit that helps provide supplies and aid to Ukrainians affected by the war with Russia. To cap off the rally, attendees sang Ukraine's national anthem and prayed for unity and peace amid the latest peace talks.

Olga Yakimenko, 63, who works for the nonprofit and help organize the rally, said she has family in Ukraine fighting hard to live.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theyre sleeping in, at night, at a shelter or in metros or the subway. Theyre not (doing) that great. Of course, their spirits need to be lifted sometimes, and thats all we can do, Yakimenko said.

She said its important for communities, primarily U.S. political leaders, to unite on supporting Ukrainians.

A large crowd gathers for a peaceful rally to support Ukraine on its 34th Independence Day at the Joe Louis fist in downtown Detroit, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.

Mitch Albom: President Trump's demand of gratitude from Ukraine only makes him look small

'God bless Ukraine': Trump sends Zelenskyy warm letter as he presses for Putin meeting

They need to support Ukraine more, they need to supply weapons and they will fight hard, Yakimenko said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alona Lysa, 27, was born in Kyiv and moved to metro Detroit when she was a child. She visited Kyiv about 10 years ago, taking in what she described as a beautiful culture experience surrounded in food, dancing and traditional textiles.

I loved seeing all the traditional singing from the elderly women in the villages, the beautiful embroidery everywhere, (and) the artwork in the larger cities everywhere was amazing,'' Lysa said. "Im really sad about the war and how its impacted every part of life there, Everybody in Ukraine is still expected to go to work every day, even if they get one hour of sleep because of the sirens and air raids. Oftentimes, theyll spend the night in their bathtubs due to that being the safest location for them with the bombs dropping. You live when you can live, and then you hide for your safety when you need to. Its a very big contrast within daily life and the juxtaposition of trying to live life to its fullest while being in that reality.

Lysa said she still has family members and friends living in the Ukraine who do not want to leave their homeland, while some have fled to Germany as refugees

Standing with Ukraine is standing with democracy itself. Americas continued support through financial aid is tremendously important for democracy everywhere. If Ukraine falls, whos to say what country is next? Lysa said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other supporters had different roots, but stood for the same cause.

Lana Shane, 50, of Russian descent, held a Stop Putin. Stop War sign. Shanes family is from Moscow and left in 2010 to pursue life in the West. Shane said she had few complaints about her familys daily life in Moscow. It was the feelings of suppression from fundamental rights, such as press freedom and the ability to speak out, she said.

I already felt like I dont have enough air to breathe in Russia. We left because of (President Vladamir) Putin, Shane said. We felt like we had to leave Russia because of our children. We felt like there were going to be more repressions. We didnt have a future there. But at that time, we had nice jobs, good salary, we were fine, but we felt like  we didnt have air to breathe.

Gulshara Bybliv, 61, was born in Kazakhstan and married a Ukrainian man, who died several years ago. She said its tough to watch her friends struggle through the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every minute it could be something flying on top of your building, then you dont know if Its going to land on your home, Bybliv said. We hope its gonna end soon. We hope theres gonna be peace there that will allow children the ability to sleep through the night, not being afraid of if something could happen.

Jefferson J Kaplan, 72, said he wants to see the war end in a favorable term for Ukraine.

Theres got to be a better way than doing this, calling out war thats happening right now, Kaplan said. If youre all about freedom and liberty, then you need to get behind these people and help support them. Its that simple.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ukraine Independence Day rally held by Joe Louis fist statue
A Guilford firefighter died following a crash on Interstate 95 in Guilford on Friday night, according to Connecticut State Police, and the town is mourning.

Police identified the man as 32-year-old Michael Terrio, of Killingworth; the Guilford Fire Department later said he was one of their own.

Police said Terrios 2025 Suzuki Gsx-r1000 R struck an SUV from behind while it was northbound near I-95s Exit 59. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. Terrio was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Guilford Fire Department said on Facebook that, it is with great sadness that the Town of Guilford and the Guilford Fire Department announce the passing of Firefighter Michael Terrio, an active member of our department.

On Friday evening Terrio was involved in a multi-vehicle accident, and despite the valiant efforts of medical personnel, he tragically passed away at the hospital, the department wrote.

Terrio was a dedicated public servant who committed himself to protecting the residents of Guilford. His loss is deeply felt by his fellow firefighters, colleagues across town departments, and the entire Guilford community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Michaels family during this unimaginable time, Guilford Fire Chief Michael Shove said, in the post. We ask the community to keep his loved ones in their hearts as we grieve the loss of a brother firefighter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Guilford Fire Department will have peer support services available to assist members and staff in coping with the loss. Details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared once they are finalized in coordination with the family, according to the department.

The Town of Guilford and Guilford Fire Department thank the community for its compassion and support as we honor the memory of Firefighter Michael Terrio.

The crash is still under active and ongoing investigation and anyone who witnessed or has any information about it is asked to contact Troop F at (860) 399-2100.
In a small kitchen hidden away in west London, Parbatee Sawh, who goes by the name Sarah, is frying dough to make doubles, a popular Trinidadian snack of flatbread filled with curried chickpeas.

It's the kind of dish she's previously made for the Notting Hill Carnival and indeed claims to be one of the first to introduce Indo-Caribbean cuisine to the event.

"I started selling rotis, aloo pie, dhal puri just out of my car," she says with a smile. "Then in the 90s I started distributing my Indo-Caribbean cuisine to the yearly event."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Originally from Trinidad, Sarah moved to Lewisham in 1972 to work as a nurse. Since then, she has become a regular at Carnival, serving up meals that reflect her heritage.

"I had noticed there was a real lack of Trinidadian food, even though the carnival has its roots in Trinidad," she explains.

"The Indian influence in some of the dishes reflects the island's diverse cultural heritage."

Doubles are a common street food of Indo-Trinidadian origin that consist of curried chickpeas served on two fried flatbreads [BBC]

These days, Sarah's daughters Christina and Leah Bedeau do most of the cooking for their stall Sweet Hand Cuisine, though the 72-year-old still gets involved.

"Caribbean cuisine is incredibly diverse," says Christina, whose father is from Grenada.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Growing up in west London, the 38-year-old says she often found her mixed Black-Indian identity hard for others to place - especially compared to visits back to Trinidad.

"In London during the 90s, there wasn't really a space for Indo-Caribbeans. People didn't know how to box me, and I'd get frowned upon by different ethnic groups, whereas in Trinidad the diversity is the norm," says Christina.

She also feels that while the food is loved, the deeper history is often overlooked.

"People don't always talk about how Indians came to the Caribbean in the first place. There isn't much awareness of indentureship. The dishes get celebrated, but the story behind them does not," she says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It's a perspective shared by Sophia Estelle Mangroo, who is another regular at Notting Hill Carnival.

"As a second-generation British Indo-Trinidadian whose grandparents came to the UK during the Windrush era, a moment often portrayed as Afro-Caribbean, I think it's vital to acknowledge that Indo-Caribbeans were part of that journey too."

Hailing from Tooting, she enjoys raising awareness of the Indo-Caribbean culture in London through her social media.

"I attend Carnival because it connects me to my heritage through music, dance and celebration," she adds.

An Indo-Caribbean music genre called chutney is also often played at Notting Hill Carnival, which according to Sophia, some people do not realise is an Indo- Caribbean rhythm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The British Journal of Ethnomusicology describes chutney as a vibrant fusion that blends Indian folk music with Caribbean calypso and soca.

But behind these lively rhythms and delicious dishes lies a deeper, often untold history of indentureship.

The Caribbean has always been a melting pot of culture and history. Among the African, Chinese and European waves of migration came the Indian populations.

A project by the National Archives highlighted how it started following the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, when the British Empire turned to India for cheap labour.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Between 1838 and 1917, more than half a million Indians were brought to work on sugar cane plantations across the British colonies.

Most came from northern India; Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal.

They signed contracts to work for three to five years in exchange for wages and, later, the choice between a return passage to India or land and citizenship.

Their journeys were long and often dangerous, with months spent in overcrowded ships under harsh conditions.

Many eventually settled in the Caribbean, in countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname, and formed tight-knit communities that preserved elements of Indian culture while they adapted to their new homes.

Same dish, different sides of the world

Christina recalls a moment when she met someone from Mauritius at a community event in London.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We both sat down with dhal puri and just laughed. Same dish, similar taste, but our parents had grown up on different sides of the world," she says.

According to writer and indentureship expert Gina Agnew, who is of Indo-Guyanese descent, this shared culinary heritage is no coincidence.

"Dhal puri, a flatbread made with seasoned ground chickpeas, was born out of necessity," she explains.

"It was created by indentured workers during the voyage itself. So you'll find versions of this dish not just in the Caribbean, but in places like Mauritius, Fiji, and South Africa - wherever Indians were taken under indentureship."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Indo-Caribbean story did not end in the Caribbean.

From the 1950s onwards, many Indo-Caribbean families, particularly from Trinidad and Guyana, migrated to the UK as part of the wider post-Windrush movement.

Encouraged to settle in Britain to help rebuild the country following World War Two, they arrived with hopes for better opportunities.

London quickly became a hub, with communities forming in areas including Ladbroke Grove, Southall, Harlesden and Brixton, bringing their food, music and culture with them.

It is in these neighbourhoods where the seeds of Notting Hill Carnival were also planted, and where the sounds and smells of Indo-Caribbean culture, such as sizzling doubles, still fill the streets today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As of 2021, there are an estimated 2.5 million people of Indo-Caribbean descent worldwide, Gina says.

In countries like Guyana and Trinidad, they represent up to 40% of the population and are the largest ethnic group in some areas.

Indian influence is deeply woven into the cultural fabric: from chutney music to dishes like dhal puri and chicken curry - or curry chicken, depending on who you ask - to festivals like Phagwah (Holi) and Indian Arrival Day.

Gina, who was involved in the National Archives project on indentured workers in 2023, notes that many descendants still struggle to trace their roots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"A lot of families simply don't know where in India their ancestors came from, but that's slowly changing," she says.

For Sarah, her daughters and Sophia, Notting Hill Carnival is not just about the food, music, or costumes - it is about honouring a legacy that spans continents, generations, and the resilience of people who made the Caribbean - and later London - their home.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

More on this story

Related internet links
The owner of the Daily Mail has called for a crackdown on Googles artificial intelligence (AI) after warning that early tests of the technology in search were causing web traffic to crater.

DMG Media has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) saying that the search giants AI overviews were leading readership from Google searches to fall by as much as 89pc.

The publisher, which also owns the i paper, Metro and New Scientist, has called for the competition watchdog to extend its proposed regulation for the company to its Gemini chatbot and the Google News service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Google has disrupted many web publishers business models in recent months by introducing AI overviews, in which answers generated by the companys artificial intelligence systems feature at the top of search results.

Web businesses are concerned that this will reduce the number of people clicking the list of links the company is best known for. They fear that the downturn will accelerate with the release of Googles new AI mode, which provides a much longer answer with less prominent links.

In a submission to the CMA, DMG said that the click-through rate  the number of Google searches that result in someone visiting the Mail website  fell from 25.2pc on regular desktop searches to 2.8pc when a user sees an AI overview, an 89pc drop. The drop was 87pc for mobile searches.

The company pointed to independent research backing up traffic slumps on this scale for the new AI mode.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Googles changes have been highly damaging to a range of publishers, though DMG Media noted in its submission that one of the strengths of the Daily Mail website is the large amount of direct traffic it attracts.

DMG Media also accused Google of prioritising links to YouTube  which the tech company owns  in its AI overviews, and rejected claims from Google that the feature leads to higher quality traffic. In fact, the publisher said visitors who came to the website from AI overviews spent less time on the Mails website.

The CMA is investigating whether it should class Googles search engine and AI features as having strategic market status, a designation meaning it could enforce changes such as giving publishers more control over how their content appears in results.

It may also intervene in negotiations between the company and publishers about licencing their content, with the CMA saying they can face challenges in securing fair terms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DMG, as well as other publishers, have called for Googles Gemini chatbot to also come under the CMAs purview.

In its own submission, Google said the CMAs actions create substantial uncertainty that hangs over our search business and necessarily weighs on decisions concerning our UK operations and plans for UK product launches.

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.
Welcome to the Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather. It's Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. Start your week with all the top weather news for the week ahead. You can also get a quick briefing of national, regional and local weather whenever you like with the FOX Weather Update podcast.

Newly-formed Tropical Storm Fernand is expected to strengthen east of Bermuda and could flirt with hurricane strength before an expected weakening trend, but thats not the only nuisance in the Atlantic Ocean that forecasters are monitoring.

Invest 99L is quickly approaching the Windward Islands and is expected to emerge over the warm waters of the Caribbean early this week, and it could become our next tropical depression.

This graphic provides an overview of the tropical Atlantic Basin on Aug. 24, 2025.

The U.s. faces a tale of two forecasts to start the week, as the West experiences an ongoing heat wave and a cold front pushing into the northern Plains will eventually bring a fall-like feel to more than 200 million for the eastern half of the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Sunday, nearly 100 million experienced below-average temperatures in the northern Plains and upper Mississippi valley. Minneapolis didnt even crack 60 degrees until mid-morning on Sunday. And early this week the cooler air from the Rocky Mountains will arrive in the Northeast.

This graphic shows the temperature department from average on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.

After a nearly nonexistent start to the monsoon season in the parched Southwest, flooding rain is expected to return as we close out the weekend and welcome a new workweek. And with some rising moisture levels and scorching temperatures, widespread thunderstorms are expected to develop daily during the afternoon hours across the Southwest.

The FOX Forecast Center said that as a ridge of high pressure shifts toward the Great Basin and Four Corners region, a surge of monsoonal moisture will push westward into more interior portions of the interior Colorado River basin.

While flooding is a concern, the rainfall will be beneficial for many cities across the region due to extreme and exceptional drought conditions.

This graphic shows the flash flood potential in the Southwest through Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.

One stray pup is safe and sound this week after wandering around rural Pennsylvania alone and with her head trapped inside a plastic jar. The dog was first spotted early Monday morning by a volunteer with the Canine Rescue of Central PA (CRCPA). At that point, the dog already had the jar stuck on her head.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

CRCPA officials believe the pup may have been abandoned by her previous owner. Left for a period of time to hunt and find food on her own, she found herself in a tricky situation.

Here are a few more stories you might find interesting.

Need more weather? Check your local forecast plus 3D radar in the FOX Weather app. You can also watch FOX Weather wherever you go using the FOX Weather app, at FOXWeather.com/live or on your favorite streaming service.





Original article source: Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Fernand to strengthen in Atlantic as millions face fall-like cooldown
Dallas Love Field has completed its 2025 Master Plan, identifying development needs to support future aviation demand.

Serving as a major hub for Southwest Airlines, Dallas Love Field (DAL) is owned by the City of Dallas and was the citys first airport. Now, officials are planning upgrades to keep up with rapid population growth. On August 20, the city announced the completion of the 2025 Master Plan: Love Whats Next.

Dallas Love Field has long been regarded as an airport that is easy to fly through, thanks to its relatively short walks, compact design, and inviting atmosphere, said Lauren Rounds, communications manager for City of Dallas-Aviation, in a statement to The Dallas Express. As we prepare to redevelop the facility, we keep those unique DAL elements at top of mind.

The master plan identifies short, medium, and long-term development needs up to 20 years out, according to its website. While the plan considers the airfield, support facilities, and general aviation development, it mainly focuses on the airport terminals and roadways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The plan is part of a larger project to increase the capacity of the airport  the Love Field Expansion Airport Program (LEAP). According to Rounds, LEAP will focus on expanding infrastructure like curb frontages, restrooms, concessions, hold room space, parking, rental car facilities, baggage systems, and roadways.

Design is projected to begin in 2026 following approval from the Dallas City Council, Rounds said.

Adjusting for Growth

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex added more than 177,000 residents from 2023 to 2024, reaching a total of 8.3 million, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. This made DFW Americas third-fastest-growing metro area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The airport currently only has 20 gates, but demand has outgrown the original projections, according to the Love Whats Next website. The development process for the plan began with an inventory in October 202, and is scheduled to conclude with an airport layout plan, documentation, and FAA approval by December 2025.

The FAA recommends airports complete new master plans every 7-10 years, but the most recent plan was from 2015, while the airport was still considering the $519 million Love Field Modernization Program. According to the newest plans website, the 2015 plan did not consider future terminal needs.

Officials are now pursuing the LEAP plan to address the airports most relevant needs. This is a transformative, multi-year capital improvement initiative, according to a City of Dallas press release.

The LEAP capital improvement initiative marks the most significant capital investment in Love Fields history, said Dallas City Manager Kim Tolbert in the press release. This initiative will help position the airport to meet rising passenger demand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, LEAPs financial feasibility is pending. Its projected schedule would include six years of construction, with 14 infrastructure development projects, the press release states.

Officials are focused on minimizing the impacts of construction to airlines and passengers, according to Rounds. She acknowledged the inconveniences, but said planning and preparation can keep them to a minimum.

The redevelopment will provide substantially higher levels of customer service to both the public and airport/airline staff, improved passenger experience through more comfortable gate areas, additional/new concession offerings, additional restrooms, new parking and rental car facilities, and higher resiliency from operational disruption, Rounds said.

The Love Field update must still clear several hurdles  including the city councils permission for the design process, and securing enough funding.
Commuters traveling through Frisco should brace for significant traffic disruptions as the Dallas North Tollway undergoes major lane and ramp closures from Monday, August 25, through Saturday, August 30.

The construction work, part of the North Texas Tollway Authoritys widening project, will affect multiple sections of the heavily traveled corridor. The closures come as crews work to expand the tollways capacity, a critical infrastructure upgrade for one of North Texas busiest roadways. With Friscos rapid growth showing no signs of slowing, the widening project aims to ease congestion that has plagued commuters for years.

Multiple southbound lanes will be affected throughout the week. From Monday through Thursday, drivers will encounter closed right lanes between Cotton Gin Road and Stonebrook Parkway, as well as from John Hickman Parkway to Warren Parkway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The southbound entrance ramp at John Hickman Parkway will also be closed during this period. Additional closures will impact the northbound right lane at Gaylord Parkway and the southbound right lane at PGA Parkway from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily through Saturday.

The construction zone extends beyond the tollway itself. Dallas Parkway will see its own set of lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the week, including the north-to-southbound U-turn lane at Panther Creek Parkway.

Both directions of Dallas Parkway will have left lane closures between Warren Parkway and State Highway 121. These closures support widening work, sign installation, final barrier preparation, and pavement marking placement.

Transportation officials urge drivers to exercise caution in work zones or seek alternate routes. The Waze navigation app can help commuters navigate around the construction areas in real time.

For the latest updates on lane closures and traffic conditions along NTTA roadways, drivers can visit the authoritys traffic updates page. The DNT widening project represents a major investment in North Texas infrastructure as the region continues its explosive growth.
BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A damaged utility pole has closed a road in Branford on Sunday, police said.

1 dead, 4 injured after car crashes into tree in Newtown

A utility pole on Leetes Island Road has been damaged and traffic is being routed onto Sawmill Road and Flatrock Road Extension.

The public is urged to avoid the area.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Dame Annette Brooke, who has died aged 78, was Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole from 2001 to 2015  the partys longest-serving female MP to date.

After 17 years as a Poole councillor, overseeing the councils enlargement to a unitary authority, at Westminster she proved quietly effective. In 2003 she was influential in the Ministry of Defences decision to award a medal to participants in the Suez campaign, having led a deputation of veterans to meet Sir Richard Wilson, Head of the Civil Service.

Her lobbying on equal access for disabled children led to the final Harry Potter book being released in Braille on the same day as the print version. She secured greater protection for the Dorset heathlands, and a change in the law to give greater rights to park home owners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Previously an economics teacher, Annette Brooke championed women setting up micro-businesses in the developing world. In 2002 she launched an all-party group on microfinance and microcredit, and in 2005 she met the Hollywood actress Natalie Portman to support the microfinance charity Finca International in helping the worlds poorest people become self-sufficient.

On the campaign trail with Charles Kennedy in 2001 - Andrew Parsons/PA

With her husband Mike, a geology teacher and fellow Poole councillor, she ran a family firm selling rocks and minerals for three decades.

She was born Annette Lesley Kelly on June 7 1947, the daughter of a bookbinder. As a child her ambition was to be the first female chancellor, an achievement that would fall to Rachel Reeves.

From Romford Technical School she read economics at LSE, then trained to teach at Hughes Hall, Cambridge. She taught economics and social sciences in schools and colleges in Reading, Aylesbury and Poole, and from 1971 was a tutor with the Open University for 19 years; until 1994 she was head of economics at Talbot Heath School for Girls in Bournemouth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Annette Brooke joined the Liberal Party in 1981, and was elected to Poole council in 1986. She chaired its planning and education committees, and was Mayor of Poole in 1997-98; and in the year before her election to Parliament she was leader of the Lib Dem group.

The Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency was created for the 1997 election, when the Conservative Christopher Fraser took the seat by just 681 votes from Paddy Ashdowns lieutenant Alan Leaman.

For the 2001 election, the Lib Dems put it third on their list of target seats, selecting Annette Brooke because of her high profile locally. When the election came  delayed for a month by the foot and mouth outbreak  she defeated Fraser by an even tighter 384 votes.

In 2015 with the then Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and Vikki Slade, who went on to become MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole in 2014 - James Gourley/Shutterstock

In the Commons she started on the Public Administration Select Committee. After a year Charles Kennedy appointed her a home affairs spokesman; in 2003 she was also made a whip, and the following year party spokeswoman on children. Holding her seat at the 2005 election with a majority of 5,482, she also became a spokeswoman on education and skills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Annette Brooke clung on at the 2010 election by 269 votes, one of the closest results nationally. When Nick Clegg took the Lib Dems into coalition with David Camerons Conservatives, she did not become a minister, instead joining the Speakers Panel of committee chairs.

From 2013 she chaired the Lib Dem Parliamentary Party until she stood down at the 2015 election. She was made a Privy Councillor in 2014.

The Conservatives regained Mid Dorset and Poole in 2015, though the Lib Dems would regain it in 2024. Out of Parliament, Annette Brooke stayed active in Dorset political life with her husband. Hosting a refugee family from Ukraine in 2022, she pressed for a change in the rules to make it easier for them to use in Britain the cars they had escaped in.

Annette Brooke was appointed OBE in 2013, and DBE in 2015. She is survived by her husband and their two daughters.

Annette Brooke, born June 7 1947, died August 20 2025

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Brief

A student was arrested for stabbing another student at Ryan High School in Denton.

Parents are concerned about a lack of transparency after learning about the incident from social media.

Denton ISD sent an email saying a student was in need of medical attention without specifying the stabbing.

DENTON, Texas - Some parents of students at Billy Ryan High School are upset that they learned a student was stabbed from social media instead of hearing it directly from Denton ISD.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now they are calling for more transparency from the district.

Denton ISD stabbing

Billy Ryan High School

What we know

Cristal Mendoza's daughter is a sophomore at the school.

On Friday, Mendoza received an email from Denton ISD, saying EMS was called for a student in need of medical attention. But it didn't share what caused the issue.

Denton ISD email

Denton police say Friday morning, a student stabbed another student.

The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect student was taken to the juvenile detention center for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

What they're saying

"To me, that made it sound like, oh, a kid had an asthma attack, you know, Im glad they got taken care of," said Mendoza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then she found out on social media it was much more serious.

"My concern was the lack of transparency from Denton ISD and Ryan High school in regard to what happened."

Mendoza isn't alone in her concern.

Josie Gonzalez's son is a freshman at Ryan High School. She was also upset when she found out what really happened.

"In my mind, as a parent, I think I really would have liked them to say, hey, this is what happened, this is how we are handling it, and this is how we plan to handle it in the future," said Gonzalez.

Billy Ryan High School

Both moms emailed the superintendent expressing their concerns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They also told FOX 4 that their students were left in the dark, too.

"So he had only heard ambulance, there was no notifications from the teachers. I get that maybe they were trying to keep the situation under control in a small area, but I think its important that the students know whats happening as well."

The moms wished their students would have been able to tell them something had happened, but a new state law that went into effect this school year bans cellphones inside the classrooms.

"If you want to take my childrens phone, I want full transparency. Period," said Gonzalez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And Mendoza plans to take her concerns to the school board.

"My biggest question to the school board is, what are you going to do to improve transparency with parents?"

What we don't know

FOX 4 reached out several times to Denton ISD asking for a statement about the incident, but they have yet to reply.

The identities of the students involved will not be released due to their age.

The Source

Information in this report came from parents at Denton ISD.
WASHINGTON, Okla. (KFOR)  A McClain County Sheriff deputys home was set on fire early Saturday morning.

McClain Co. Sheriffs Deputys home set on fire. (KFOR)

I just heard really loud popping and could see the red flashing lights through my window, and I looked out and the cars and the house were just up in flames, said Cameron Ward, neighbor.

The deputys house and vehicles were engulfed in flames by the time law enforcement responded to the scene. McClain County Sheriff Landy Offolter says the deputy called it in to dispatch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our deputy called into dispatch, said that his pickup had exploded and that somebody had tried to bomb his house, said Sheriff Offolter.

The sheriffs office said 28-year-old Austin Garrett Reeves intentionally set the cars on fire.

There was a suspect that covered some vehicles with gas and then set the gas on fire, and then that caught the house on fire, said Sheriff Offolter.

McClain Co. Sheriffs Deputys home set on fire. (KFOR)

Deputies said Reeves targeted this deputy the night prior to the fire.

He actually broke into my deputys personal car and stole some stuff out of it, said Sheriff Offolter.

Reeves was arrested that night, for the burglary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We found him here in town, hiding under some brush, and got him arrested and turned him over to Lighthorse Police, said Sheriff Offolter.

Austin Garrett Reeves, 28.

Reeves was turned over to the Lighthorse Police Department because he is a tribal member. After he was booked for burglary, he was later released.

Im trying to find out why, but I dont know. Havent been able to. The prosecutor for the Lighthorse declined to file charges on him on the burglary, said Sheriff Offolter.

After Reeves was released, he was able to make it back to Washington and reportedly set the deputys vehicles on fire.

Weve had an outpouring of support from the community that have made several donations, said Sheriff Offolter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sheriff Offolter got emotional during the interview.

Im kind of concerned about it. Not too happy, said Sheriff Offolter.

The McClain County Sheriffs Office is not the only department frustrated by this situation.

Johnston County Sheriff Gary Dodd shared McClain Countys post online, saying, This has to stop, and calling for accountability.

Love County Sheriff Andy Cumberledge chimed in too, saying in a Facebook post, this a Senseless tragedy that easily could have been avoided.

Im thankful my deputy and his family are safe, said Sheriff Offolter.

Im glad we caught the suspect, and I have found out since that the U.S. attorneys office and ATF theyre going to take it over. That makes me feel pretty good, said Sheriff Offolter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Reeves was located and arrested after a brief standoff in Norman.

McClain County Sheriffs Office posted on Facebook on Saturday evening, saying they have a lot of questions.

Adding local law enforcement and agencies within McClain County jurisdiction did not release the subject back into the public.

We should be able to reasonably expect those with jurisdictional authority, to protect all citizens from dangerous individuals and not release violent criminals without cause. Especially without communicating with involved agencies and more importantly, affected Victims. McClain Couny Sheriffs Office

News 4 reached out to Lighthorse Police to ask for information about Reeves being released, but we have not heard back.

McClain County Sheriffs Office says Reeves has been targeting other law enforcement in different areas for the last few weeks. They say the incidents were burglaries.

The sheriffs office has not released what other law enforcement personnel have been targeted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Reeves has served time for a felony DUI.

The deputy, his expecting wife, and toddler made it safely out of the home. At last check, they are looking for their dog, who they know escaped the home during this incident.

The father of the deputy told News 4 that he is grateful for the law enforcement response to this situation.

The name of the deputy and his family have not been released by the sheriffs office out of respect for their privacy.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family. The sheriffs office is also taking any donations they receive and giving them to the family.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
This article was originally published in Chalkbeat.

Despite the summer heat, Toyia Diab came out to the Summer on the Block at Pulaski Elementary-Middle School to learn what it had to offer the four grandchildren she had in tow.

The family made their way to about a dozen tables snaking around the lawn on the side of the school. Diab listened to staff from the Detroit school district detail all of its resources over the pulsing base of loud music.

Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

Diabs family was one of many the Detroit Public Schools Community District courted this summer as part of its efforts to retain families and boost enrollment. With the loss of more than 92,000 students in the last 20 years, district officials devote some of the summer break each year to getting word out about what the citys schools have to offer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This year, the district ramped up efforts. It sent 40 people to canvas communities and held 19 events to create excitement about the start of school  nearly double that of previous years. It also started new initiatives, such as putting up billboards around the city. In all, the school system budgeted around $3.5 million for marketing this year. School starts Aug. 25.

Though the district has done a fairly good job of recruiting new students in previous years, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti told school board members at a meeting earlier this month that the main challenge is keeping them.

As a result, this year the school system also has focused on reenrollment rates. Those numbers have become a metric the district uses to hold schools accountable, Vitti said, though he didnt share how many students the district typically loses during the school year.

We have emphasized  the need to improve customer service and parent engagement, so that parents feel more welcome, he said. And we fight harder to keep students at the schools that theyre at, rather than having more of an attitude of, Well, if you dont like it here, then you can find another school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sharlonda Buckman, assistant superintendent of family and community engagement, told Chalkbeat the district has seen a lot of good signs for this school year because of the number of people her office reached in the summer.

Its noticeable for me, and Ive been at this for a long time, she said. Well see what that boils down to, in terms of enrollment.

This year, Buckman said nearly 5,000 people went to the Summer on the Block events, parties held at schools that both serve as a vehicle to sell families on sending their kids to the district and connect them with free resources.

As a parent, you have to bring your kids to school every day in order to get the education that they need, Diab said at the Pulaski back-to-school event. But then youll find some schools, they just dont have enough resources to keep them interested to come to school, to stay in school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All of the districts summer efforts produced 532 leads on parents interested in enrolling their kids by mid-August. Around 80 of those students completed enrollment, according to the district.

Though initial enrollment numbers are up, officials say, the full impact of the districts efforts wont be known until the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Myriad factors have affected enrollment in DPSCD

Boosting student numbers has been among the districts top priorities for years.

The numbers of students attending schools are crucial for districts in Michigan, where school funding is tied to enrollment.

Now that COVID relief dollars are gone and the federal government has signaled it will not renew various other funding sources, districts are bracing to rely more on local money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A number of factors affected the districts enrollment over the years, including population declines in the city, lower birthrates, the states emergency management of the district, and the pandemic. The district also faces competition from Detroit charter schools, where around half of kids in the city go to school.

High student mobility rates, or the rate at which kids move to different homes, contribute to the districts difficulty in keeping children enrolled. Chronic absenteeism rates also have a direct impact on enrollment.

Enrollment in the district was more than 156,000 in the 2002-03 school year. Last year, it was 49,000.

When DPSCD was created and the school system began being phased out of emergency management in the 2017-18 school year, enrollment shot up to more than 50,800 from 45,700 during the 2016-17 school year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The district has struggled to move the needle much since, especially after drops during pandemic-era school closures and the years that followed.

At the beginning of this month, there were 50,890 students enrolled in the district, Vitti said at the board meeting.

We have about 1,400 more students than we did at the end of the year enrolled in DPSCD as of today, and about 500 more as compared to the first day of school, he said, adding that  enrollment is trending in a positive direction.

Early enrollment numbers for the district are usually higher than official headcounts made in October. The number of students recorded on Count Day is used by the state to calculate funding for districts.

Making the case for DPSCD face-to-face

Three days before the Summer on the Block at Pulaski, more than 20 people squeezed into a sun-filled classroom at the Detroit School of Arts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The group was contracted by the district to canvas homes in areas where attendance is low compared to the number of school-aged children living there.

This summer, the district sent canvassers to more than 78,000 homes to inform families about its schools and programs.

The group at the School of Arts was gathered to get their assignments for the day. They waited to pick up hand-out materials, including fliers listing Summer on the Block dates and pamphlets highlighting programs at application schools.

To get the energy up in the classroom before they headed out, the canvassers stood up to form a circle. Buckman, the assistant superintendent, asked them to share what they heard door-knocking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were getting a good response in terms of some of those students coming back to the district, said one woman.

Others expressed residents hesitations to open their doors or to give their contact information for the district to follow up with them.

Laura Gomez, who has been canvassing for three years, said through a translator that this summer has been different in southwest Detroit, which is home to many immigrant and newcomer families.

People in the neighborhood say they have seen more community members detained and deported in recent months, including a student at Western International High School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are some people that are really happy were going out to the houses because that way they dont have to leave their home because they dont feel safe, she said.

After the canvassers broke out into teams, they drove to the areas they were assigned to for the day.

Tanya Shelton and her son, David, arrived in the Crary St. Marys neighborhood in the northwest corner of the city.

Well ask them what school district are they in, and if they are interested in DPSCD, we give some information on it, she said as she made her way down a long block adjacent to the Southfield Freeway.

In her conversations with families, Shelton said the districts free school lunches piqued their interest. Other canvassers said parents were interested in learning more about the academic interventionists available to students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Most of the doors Shelton knocked on that day, though, went unanswered. She left the districts literature at dozens of houses.

Families weigh programming, academics, and transportation in selecting schools

At Pulaskis Summer on the Block Alexa Franco-Garcia saw more students signing up to attend the school than she has in past years.

Right now, I have three enrollment packets in my hand, so that means theyve completed enrollment, she said during a break from talking with families.

Another three parents left their contact information and said they would return the paperwork the next day.

Considering it was about 30 minutes into the event, that was a strong number, said Franco-Garcia, who works in the Office of Family and Community Engagement.

In her time working in the district, Franco-Garcia has learned what kinds of questions families ask: They want to know about the curriculum, extracurricular activities, and class sizes. They wonder whether their children will be supported in special education and if they will get a bus ride to school.

Most of the sign-ups at the Pulaski event were for kindergartners who were new to the district, Franco-Garcia said.

Enrolling early learners is one of the districts top growth strategies.

There were 457 students enrolled in prekindergarten by the beginning of August, according to the district, up about 10 compared to the same time last year.

Diab, the grandmother, brought four kids ages 5 to 12 out to learn more about the school. They heard about the districts community health hubs, parent academy, and mental health resources.

Teachers from the school gathered around a welcome table ready to answer questions as Principal Tyra R. Smith-Bell floated around talking with parents.

The fresh produce boxes, ice cream truck, free books, and kids activities also enticed more than 350 people to come  many more than in previous years, Buckman said.

Linn Flake was the first second-grader of the day to enroll at Pulaski, said Franco-Garcia. It would be his first experience at a neighborhood school, she added.

His mom, Roxanne Flake, chose DPSCD over the charter school Linn went to last year.

I just wanted a different start, she said.

The charter school didnt provide transportation, said Flake, which was an inconvenience because she doesnt currently have a car. But the Detroit school district offered bus service for Linn to Pulaski, the mother said.

Diab said she had more research to do before her family committed to Pulaski.

Were gonna come here and were gonna figure everything out  ask questions, all of that stuff, and then if its the right fit for them, then were gonna put them in, she said.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.
Detroit residents spoke with Fox News Digital this month about whether President Donald Trump or former President Joe Biden provided them a better life, and the results skewed toward the latter.

Not too far from Pontiac, Fox News Digital spoke with voters in the heart of downtown Detroit, the seat of deep-blue Wayne County that went heavily for Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020 and 2024.

Jayla, a graphic design intern currently in college, said that her life was better under Biden, who won Michigan narrowly in 2020 en route to ousting Trump from the White House.

President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.

Dr. Oz Touts Investment In Medicaid: 'I'm Trying To Save This Beautiful Program'

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Biden, especially with being a Type 1 diabetic. I think his medical plans have kind of served me for better, whereas on the other side, I've kind of been actually going through it as a college student," Jayla said.

"Of course, Trump!" Ronald, a native of Detroit suburb Livonia, told Fox News Digital.

Read On The Fox News App

"Just take a look at the economy. I don't want to go into the rest because you don't want to be canceled," Ronald said.

"I would say Biden," said Joseph, a Detroit native and quality management professional. "Although people like to bring up the fact that things are so inflated, it also is due to the nature where we are currently as a society."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mary, an educator, was accompanying Joseph while walking through downtown Detroit. She said that her life was better under Biden because her student loans were forgiven.

"I had like six figures of student loans. So that definitely was a big help for me financially," Mary said.

The Biden administration's cancellation of student debt drew praise from a Detroit resident.

Trump To Unveil New Maha Initiatives At 'Make Health Tech Great Again' White House Event

Josie, a Detroit native and social worker, raised concerns about Trump's changes to Medicaid through The One Big Beautiful Bill Act he signed into law last month.

"Biden, with the cuts that are happening to Medicaid and all of that stuff, it's making my work hard. It's impacting our community negatively, and a lot of people are going to need increased resources and all that, and we're having trouble finding even anybody, any social workers to do a job because there's no money," Josie said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

PJ, a clothing maker, said that his life was better under Biden.

"Biden by far. I'm not a fan of either of them. I have to go with Biden," PJ said.

"A lot of these politicians, they don't really care about us, so it's kind of like, it's the same thing under different people," he added.

Trump improved significantly on his showing in Wayne County in 2024 from four years earlier, as he captured Michigan and won the presidency over Harris. While he still lost the county by nearly 29 points, it was a far better showing than the 38-point defeat he took there in 2020, and he was able to more than make up the ground needed in the rest of the state.





Original article source: Detroiters largely stand by Biden over Trump when comparing presidencies
The Department of Homeland Security has not kept text message data from top officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, since April, according to a nonprofit watchdog group.

In a July 23 letter, Homeland Securitys public records office denied a request from nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight seeking records related to the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles in June, claiming that text message data generated after April 9, 2025, is no longer maintained.

American Oversight had requested all messages received and sent by DHS officials related to Donald Trumps deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops to the city in response to protests against immigration raids at several Southern California workplaces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The group also submitted a public records request on August 21, this time looking for text messages surrounding Floridas new immigrant detention center Alligator Alcatraz.

Within two hours, DHS reportedly responded to the nonprofit with a categorical no records determination and claimed it no longer has the capability to conduct a search of text messages.

The Department of Homeland Security claims that the agency has not kept records of text messages from top officials since April, according to a watchdog group (AP)

Under the Federal Records Act of 1950, all federal agencies are required to maintain all records that document government operations and transactions. Agencies are required to make these records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), though there are several exemptions.

The responses from DHS indicate officials have stopped maintaining internal communications, which would be a violation of federal law, according to American Oversight director Chioma Chukwu.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DHSs admissions are as alarming as they are unacceptable, Chukwu said in a statement. It appears the Trump administration has learned nothing from Signalgate about its obligation to retain the text communications of senior officials, and Secretary Noem is no exception.

American Oversight also noted the first instance of a public records request being rejected seemed to have happened around the time of Kilmar Abrego Garcias wrongful deportation.

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian national, was mistakenly deported to a notorious mega-prison in his home country in March. He was imprisoned inside the brutal Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, for nearly a month before he was moved to another jail and then abruptly returned to the United States in June to face a criminal indictment in Tennessee, despite Trump administration officials repeatedly stating that he would never be allowed back to the country.

DHS officials were engaged in significant internal discussions during this period about compliance with the Supreme Courts orders  including through text messages  raising serious concerns that the agencys failure to preserve or produce these records may have shielded critical communications from oversight and accountability, the nonprofit said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

American Oversight went on to slam the DHS for its new position, which they say suggests that critical records may not be preserved or accessible for lawful oversight, leaving the public in the dark about decisions with sweeping consequences for civil rights and public safety.

A senior DHS official told The Independent that American Oversights report was a non-story.

TeleMessage is not the exclusive means of preserving text data on Department-issued phones, nor is it the only way to meet the requirements of the Federal Records Act or the Freedom of Information Act, the official said. DHS has maintained and will continue to maintain records of phone data  including text messages  through established processes and systems.

It was not immediately clear what the official was referring to in terms of TeleMessage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A copy of American Oversights public records request indicated that the nonprofit requested text messages and messages on platforms like Signal, Slack, WhatsApp and other platforms.

This is a non-story. The premise is false and the speculation from experts is reckless, according to DHS.
DANVILLE  Starting a premium chauffeur business in rural Pennsylvania presented both a vision and a challenge for Danville-area resident and Warrior Run graduate Jamie Beachel, founder of Diamond Chauffeurs.

I spent almost 20 years working the familys dairy farm, Beachel said. And that allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom while my kids were growing up and in school.

When her kids grew older, the idea of branching out seemed appealing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ive always enjoyed helping others and working at a dairy farm I wasnt around a whole lot of other people, but I got to the point in my life where I just wanted to serve people, Beachel said. I couldnt see myself in an office cubicle. I want to interact with and meet new people.

Somebody mentioned to her about starting a limousine service.

At first I laughed it off, but the more I thought about it, I realized there was a need in this area for reliable, professional chauffeuring  Im not an Uber, not a taxi, she said.

Beachel wanted to go just beyond the driving, and a pick up and drop off, she said. I wanted to create a service where the client in the car knows they can relax. I try to personalize the experience as they are being transported. She once stopped during a trip when a client requested a coffee break along the way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont want this to be a cold taxi service. I want it to be more than that.

Beachel reached out to the Bucknell Small Business Development Center for help and they connected in 2024. She sought assistance in navigating the requirements of starting a business, including certification with the Public Utility Commission.

The SBDC guided Beachel throughout the process, helping her finalize application materials and strategize next steps to keep the business launch on track.

With the certification secured, Beachel turned to the SBDC for help refining her business plan, exploring financing options, and preparing for operational readiness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She also received help launching a Google Business Profile.

A connection with professional web design services, along with the SBDCs referral to the resources of the Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic at Penn State Law, helped her finalize key assets to support a successful launch.

I couldnt have done this without the SBDC, she said. I came into this with lots of questions. They always had the answers.

As sole owner, she incorporated as an LLC in May.

Diamond Chauffeurs offers clients a stretch limo Chevrolet Tahoe (seats six plus the driver) or a Lincoln van (seats four).

Im super excited about running the business, she said. I feel that at this point in my life, this is where I should be.

For more information, go to www.yourdiamondchauffeurs.com. There is also a Facebook and Instagram page.
As someone who researches slavery in the ancient Mediterranean world, especially in the Bible, I often hear remarks like, Slavery was totally different back then, right? Well, it couldnt have been that bad. Couldnt slaves buy their freedom?

Most people in the United States or Europe in the 21st century are more knowledgeable about the transatlantic slave trade, and live in societies deeply shaped by it. People can see the effects of modern enslavement everywhere from mass incarceration and housing segregation to voting habits.

The effects of ancient slavery, on the other hand, arent as tangible today  and most Americans have only a vague idea of what it looked like. Some people might think of biblical stories, such as Josephs jealous brothers selling him into slavery. Others might picture movies like Spartacus, or the myth that enslaved people built the Egyptian pyramids.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because these kinds of slavery took place so long ago and werent based on modern racism, some people have the impression that they werent as harsh or violent. That impression makes room for public figures like Christian theologian and analytic philosopher William Lane Craig to argue that ancient slavery was actually beneficial for enslaved people.

Modern factors like capitalism and racist pseudoscience did shape the transatlantic slave trade in uniquely harrowing and enduring ways. Enslaved labor, for example, shaped economists theories about the free market and global trade.

But to understand slavery from that era  or to combat slavery today  we also need to understand the longer history of involuntary labor. As a scholar of ancient slavery and early Christian history, I often encounter three myths that stand in the way of understanding ancient slavery and how systems of enslavement have evolved over time.

A Roman funerary relief of the Decii, a family of formerly enslaved people from the 2nd century. Husband and wife clasp their hands while their son, holding a dove, stands between them. The inscription names them as A. Decius Spinther, Decia Spendusa and A Decius Felicio. Werner Forman/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Myth #1: There is one kind of biblical slavery

The collection of texts that ended up in the Bible represent centuries of different writers from across the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, often in very different circumstances, making it hard to generalize about how slavery worked in biblical societies. Most importantly, the Hebrew Bible  what Christians call the Old Testament  emerged primarily in the ancient Near East, while the New Testament emerged in the early Roman Empire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Forms of enslavement and involuntary labor in the ancient Near East, for example  areas such as Egypt, Syria and Iran  were not always chattel slavery, in which enslaved people were considered property. Rather, some people were temporarily enslaved to pay off their debts.

However, this was not the case for all people enslaved in the ancient Near East, and certainly not under the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire, where millions were trafficked and forced to labor in domestic, urban and agricultural settings.

Because of the range of periods and cultures involved in the production of biblical literature, there is no such thing as a single biblical slavery.

Joseph sold by his brothers, 1636-1641. Found in the collection of the Musei Capitolini, Rome. Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images

Nor is there a single biblical perspective on slavery. The most anyone can say is that no biblical texts or writers explicitly condemn the institution of enslavement or the practice of chattel slavery. More robust challenges to slavery by Christians started to emerge in the fourth century C.E., in the writings of figures like St. Gregory of Nyssa, a theologian who lived in Cappadocia, in present-day Turkey.

Myth #2: Ancient slavery was not as cruel

Like Myth #1, this myth often comes from conflating some Near Eastern and Egyptian practices of involuntary labor, such as debt slavery, with Greek and Roman chattel slavery. By focusing on other forms of involuntary labor in specific ancient cultures, it is easy to overlook the widespread practice of chattel slavery and its harshness.

However, across the ancient Mediterranean, there is evidence of a variety of horrific practices: branding, whipping, bodily disfiguration, sexual assault, torture during legal trials, incarceration, crucifixion and more. In fact, a Latin inscription from Puteoli, an ancient city near Naples, Italy, recounts what enslavers could pay undertakers to whip or crucify enslaved people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Christians were not exempt from participating in this cruelty. Archaeologists have found collars from Italy and North Africa that enslavers placed upon their enslaved people, offering a price for their return if they fled. Some of these collars bear Christian symbols like the chi-rho (), which combines the first two letters of Jesus name in Greek. One collar mentions that the enslaved person needs to be returned to their enslaver, Felix the archdeacon.

Its difficult to apply contemporary moral standards to earlier eras, not least societies thousands of years ago. But even in an ancient world in which slavery was ever present, it is clear not everyone bought into the ideology of the elite enslavers. There are records of multiple slave rebellions in Greece and Italy  most famously, that of the escaped gladiator Spartacus.

Myth #3: Ancient slavery wasnt discriminatory

Slavery in the ancient Mediterranean wasnt based on race or skin color in the same way as the transatlantic slave trade, but this doesnt mean ancient systems of enslavement werent discriminatory.

Enslaved people in a stone quarry, detail from an Assyrian relief in the British Museum. DeAgostini/Getty Images

Much of the history of Greek and Roman slavery involves enslaving people from other groups: Athenians enslaving non-Athenians, Spartans enslaving non-Spartans, Romans enslaving non-Romans. Often captured or defeated through warfare, such enslaved people were either forcibly migrated to a new area or were kept on their ancestral land and compelled to do farmwork or be domestic workers for their conquerors. Roman law required a slaves natio, or place of origin, to be announced during auctions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ancient Mediterranean enslavers prioritized the purchase of people from different parts of the world on account of stereotypes about their various characteristics. Varro, a scholar who wrote about the management of agriculture, argued that an enslaver shouldnt have too many enslaved people who were from the same nation or who could speak the same language, because they might organize and rebel.

Ancient slavery still depended on categorizing some groups of people as others, treating them as though they were wholly different from those who enslaved them.

The picture of slavery that most Americans are familiar with was deeply shaped by its time, particularly modern racism and capitalism. But other forms of slavery throughout human history were no less real. Understanding them and their causes may help challenge slavery today and in the future  especially at a time when some politicians are again claiming transatlantic slavery actually benefited enslaved people.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Chance Bonar, Tufts University

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more:



Chance Bonar works at the Center for the Humanities at Tufts University, and is affiliated with their ongoing Slavery, Colonialism, and Their Legacies at Tufts University project.
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

A diver just stumbled upon a bounty of ancient coins off the coast of Italy.

Cultural ministers believe the that find could point toward an unknown lost shipwreck in the region.

The bronze and copper coins were originally minted in Rome.

A diver stumbled across the find of a lifetime off the coast of Sardinia when a stray shiny item loosened itself from the sea grass below. That metallic sheen turned out to herald a bounty of more than 30,000 bronze and copper coins minted in Rome during the fourth century.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The treasure found in the waters of Arzachena represents one of the most important discoveries of numismatic finds in recent years, Luigi La Rocca, director general of archaeology, fine arts, and landscape for the region, says in a translated statement from the Italian culture ministry.

Near the town of Arzachena, divers were trawling an area of sandy clearing near the beach that was also surrounded by seagrass. That one coin soon yielded tens of thousands of others, all in an excellent and rare state of preservation and dating back to between 324 and 340 AD. The ministry says that, thanks to the weight of the coins, there could be at least 30,000 of them and as many as 50,000. That would make this one of the largest ancient coin finds in the past few decades.

And, if were lucky, it may even point to a completely undiscovered hidden shipwreck.

The underwater makeup of the region has the potential to preserve a lost shipwreck, which could explain the finding of so many coins in one spot. While there is no news yet of a wreck being found, experts remain hopeful that one could turn up after further investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Right now, we will have to content ourselves with the excitement of the huge bounty of coins discovered littering the seafloor. The follis coinsfound in both bronze and copperwere used first by the Romans and then later by the Byzantine Empire.

When the divers first saw the coins, they contacted authorities and art protection squad drivers joined with the ministrys undersea archaeology department, firefighter divers, and border police divers to dig into the area. Alongside the coins, the divers also located walls of narrow-necked jugs with two handles, which also helped point experts towards the idea that a shipwreck may be nearby.

(The finding) highlights the richness and importance of the archaeological heritage that our seabed, traversed by men and goods since the earliest times, still guards and preserves, La Rocca said.

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Get the Issue

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Get the Issue

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Get the Issue

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Get the Issue

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Get the Issue

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Get the Issue

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Get the Issue





Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Get the Issue

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Get the Issue

You Might Also Like
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines Police Department, along with Polk County Medical Examiners, is investigating a death after a body was found on Saturday evening.

Body recovered from Diamondhead Lake Saturday evening

Officers responded near the Neal Smith Trail in Des Moines, north of Euclid Avenue, just after 6:30 p.m. According to police, a deceased adult male was located off the trail near a camp. There were no obvious signs to officers on the scene of traumatic injury or criminal action contributing to the death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The name of the individual has not yet been released at this time. Des Moines Police Department Detectives are investigating and more information will be shared when the department is able. Stay with WHO 13 News for the latest on the investigation.

Metro News:

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
On a stormy Monday in March, 1827, the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven passed away after a protracted illness.

Bedridden since the previous Christmas, he was ravaged by jaundice, his limbs and abdomen swollen, and every breath a struggle.

As his associates sorted through personal belongings, they uncovered a document Beethoven had written a quarter of a century earlier  a will beseeching his brothers to make details of his condition known to the public.

Related: DNA Casts Doubt Over Theory on What Killed Napoleon's Forces

Today it is no secret that one of the greatest musicians the world has ever known was functionally deaf by his mid-40s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was a tragic irony Beethoven wished the world understood, not just from a personal perspective, but a medical one.

The composer would outlive his doctor by nearly two decades, yet close to two centuries after Beethoven's death, a team of researchers set out to fulfill his testament in ways he would never have dreamed possible, by genetically analyzing the DNA in authenticated samples of his hair.

Watch the video below for a summary of the research:

YouTube Thumbnail

"Our primary goal was to shed light on Beethoven's health problems, which famously include progressive hearing loss, beginning in his mid- to late-20s and eventually leading to him being functionally deaf by 1818," biochemist Johannes Krause from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany explained in a press statement in 2023, when the results were unveiled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The primary cause of that hearing loss has never been known, not even to his personal physician Dr Johann Adam Schmidt.

What began as tinnitus in his 20s slowly gave way to a reduced tolerance for loud noise, and eventually a loss of hearing in the higher pitches, effectively ending his career as a performing artist.

For a musician, nothing could be more ironic. In a letter addressed to his brothers, Beethoven admitted he was "hopelessly afflicted", to the point of contemplating suicide.

It wasn't just hearing loss the composer had to deal with in his adult life. From at least the age of 22 he is said to have suffered severe abdominal pains and chronic bouts of diarrhea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Six years before his death the first indications of liver disease appeared, an illness thought to have been, at least in part, responsible for his death at the relatively young age of 56.

In 2007 a forensic investigation into a lock of what was believed to be Beethoven's hair suggested lead poisoning could have hastened his death, if not have been ultimately responsible for the symptoms that claimed his life.

Given the culture of drinking from lead vessels and medical treatments of the time that involved the use of lead, it's hardly a surprising conclusion.

This latest study, published in March 2023, debunks the theory, however, revealing that the hair never came from Beethoven in the first place, but rather an unknown woman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More importantly, several locks confirmed as far more likely to be from the composer's head demonstrate his death was probably the result of a hepatitis B infection, exacerbated by his drinking and numerous risk factors for liver disease.

As for his other conditions?

"We were unable to find a definitive cause for Beethoven's deafness or gastrointestinal problems," said Krause.

An authentic lock of Beethoven's hair, affixed to a letter dated 1827 and photographed in 2018 by American Beethoven Society member Kevin Brown. (Begg et al., Current Biology, 2023)

In some ways, we're left with more questions on the life and death of the famous classical composer.

Where did he contract hepatitis? How did a lock of woman's hair pass as Beethoven's own for centuries? And just what was behind his gut pains and hearing loss?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Given the team was inspired by Beethoven's desire for the world to understand his hearing loss, it's an unfortunate outcome. Though there was one more surprise buried among his genes.

Further investigation comparing the Y chromosome in the hair samples with those of modern relatives descending from Beethoven's paternal line point to a mismatch.

This suggests extramarital sexual activity in the generations leading up to the composer's birth.

"This finding suggests an extrapair paternity event in his paternal line between the conception of Hendrik van Beethoven in Kampenhout, Belgium in c.1572 and the conception of Ludwig van Beethoven seven generations later in 1770, in Bonn, Germany," said Tristan Begg, a biological anthropologist now at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It could all be a little more than a younger Beethoven bargained for, considering the fateful request he put to paper.

Never would he have dreamed of the secrets that were being preserved as his friends and associates clipped the hair from his body in the wake of that somber stormy Monday night in 1827.

This research was published in Current Biology.

An earlier version of this article was published in March 2023.

Related News
Three years ago, Lost Rivers Medical Center opened a day care. It was temporary at first, a result of petitions from employees who couldnt find any other child care options in Arco, Idaho, population 879. The original arrangement could only host six kids at a time, but 19 months later, in December 2023, the hospital opened a dedicated child care facility, serving up to 24 children.

CEO Brad Huerta faced questions about his choice to fund the space. Of all the things for one of the most isolated hospitals in the country to invest in, why day care? His answer was easy: It was the best option available to combat looming provider shortages.

Theyre acute everywhere, Huerta says of the shortages, but especially acute in rural areas. Areas like Arco, which is more rural than the definition of rural these days, and classified in the medical industry and by Huerta as a frontier area. The closest city, Idaho Falls, is about 70 miles away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When Huerta took over in 2013, he admits he was the third choice for the job. The top two candidates couldnt fathom living so isolated. Everyones about being rural until its time to be rural, Huerta says. And thats the same with doctors. Which means hes gotten creative about recruitment, from the day care to student loan forgiveness programs. Hes had to.

Medical recruitment and retention are major concerns that are becoming a problem everywhere. Specifically, a math problem: Older doctors are retiring, and medical schools arent producing enough new doctors to replace them as the American population ages. The Association of American Medical Colleges most recent report predicts a physician shortage of 86,000 nationwide by 2036, which could unleash longer wait times, reduced access and worse outcomes for patients.

The danger lurking in the widespread adoption of AI, telemedicine, texting platforms and other technological solutions is the further degradation of trust.

The way people receive care has already changed significantly, with the American Medical Association reporting private practice physicians are dwindling amid a rise in web-accessed and hospital-centered care that promises to reduce administrative burdens for doctors.

But technology could help fill the gap. Not only can it help  it will have to, says Dr. Joseph Kvedar, a Harvard Medical School professor and former president of the American Telemedicine Association. This shortage is already manifesting. And if we dont harness tech to do more work for us, were never going to get ahead of it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The key, he adds, will be using different technologies to supplement human-centered care and avoiding an overreliance on tech that further undermines the increasingly fragile trust between patients and providers.

I am a big believer that technology can augment what we do to make care better, adds Dr. Shivan Mehta, a gastroenterologist and Penn Medicines associate chief innovation officer. However, just because you throw technology at something doesnt mean its going to work well.

Risks and rewards

The job of doctor in the modern, Western sense can be traced to 1910, when educator Abraham Flexner published The Flexner Report, a book documenting the haphazard state of the nations medical schools. An outgrowth of Jacksonian America, populism painted universal medical standards as an unfair monopoly, unleashing a range of water healers, herbalists and other alternative practitioners to compete directly with medical doctors.

You could practice medicine if people believed you could practice medicine, says Mary Fissell, a medical historian at Johns Hopkins University. The Flexner Report wasnt perfect  critics point out that it codified racist and sexist practices that still impact patients today  but it also set the table for many rigorous medical education and certification standards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Out of Flexner, many medical education best practices were borne, drastically elevating standards of care. The way people became doctors, and the way patients accessed them, took a formal shape as supply grew to match demand  especially once Medicare was established in the 1960s.

Where doctors once visited homes, patients started traveling to offices more frequently. The Medicare program also funneled federal dollars toward residencies and medical specializations, which led to a boom in doctors to meet the new demand from patients. Today, though, the equation isnt working like it once did, leading to shortages. You could say, Fissell says, that that is in part the very long shadow of Flexner.

The link goes back to those rigorously enforced standards, which are made possible in part by federal funds. Between 1997 and 2021, though, those funds were fixed, effectively limiting the number of new doctors with an artificial cap. The American Medical Association supported this cap, believing that a doctor surplus would devalue medical degrees, until the problem became too big to ignore. Congress approved funding for additional residency slots in 2021, and again in 2023, with proposals to add even more in the years ahead. But for now, the supply is still drastically lagging.

We do not train enough physicians, Fissell says. There are not enough medical schools or residency places. With an aging population thats ever more likely to require ongoing access to health care, thats a problem. And for some places more than others. Doctors are unevenly distributed, Fissell says. There are fewer in rural areas, which worsens shortages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sophie Hofeldt, a pregnant woman in rural South Dakota, was born at a local hospital herself. But a May report from the Kaiser Family Foundation detailed how that local hospital  like many in rural America  had recently closed its birthing unit. Hofeldt was driving almost 100 miles for prenatal care, and would have to make that drive yet again to deliver her baby. She wanted her birth to be as natural as possible, but that meant difficult compromises.

People are going to be either forced to pick an induction date when it wasnt going to be their first choice, another pregnant woman told KFF, or theyre going to run the risk of having a baby on the side of the road.

Big promises, big questions

As an industry, health care thrives on volume and efficiency. Money is made based on the number of patients who come through the doors, so providers are highly incentivized to see as many patients as possible, as quickly as possible. This tends to result in a much more impersonal kind of care.

The old model where you would have a doctor for a long time, that would get to know you, Fissell says, for most people, thats just a complete fairy tale. Especially among younger people. A 2021 survey by Accenture, a tech consulting company, found that millennials and Generation Z are nearly six times more likely to switch providers than older Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Short-lived patient-provider relationships come with some interesting side effects. Wellness influencers are ascending as cheaper, accessible alternatives to traditional medicine. And trust in physicians and hospitals declined by 31 percentage points between 2020 and 2024 alone, meaning that nearly a third of Americans lost trust in doctors in a four-year span.

We have problems in our health care system and are hoping that AI is a panacea. A lot of the enthusiasm is because there arent other good options. Dr. Adam Rodman

At a time when medical literature is widely accessible, many people, empowered by services from WebMD to ChatGPT, are taking diagnoses into their own hands. To Fissell, its a modern echo of Jacksonian America, when medicine was more about belief than standards. Nowadays, though, the key to reversing the trend isnt new standards; its better access to the rigorous, scientific care landscape weve built in the last 100 years.

Thats where technology makes its biggest promises, starting with telehealth specifically. Its become a mainstay post-pandemic, offering doctors and patients a previously unimaginable level of flexibility.

According to a study released by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2021, over 80 percent of physicians in office-based settings used telemedicine for patient care, up from 16 percent in 2019. Telehealth can open doors for patients to receive specialty care that used to be limited by geography, while also requiring less of a time commitment; not having to drive to and from the office, plus wait while there, can be empowering and convenient. And research has shown it offers similar quality-of-life benefits for doctors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Telehealth can be especially helpful in isolated, rural areas, as long as those areas have reliable internet access and as long as insurance companies agree to cover it. It changes the access equation, says Kvedar, the telemedicine leader. But it also doesnt make medicine much more efficient  let alone more human  because youre still tying two people up in time, and theres only so much clinician time to go around. But other technical solutions could close that gap, too.

Kvedar envisions a future where remote monitoring becomes the norm, especially for rural communities. If a doctor treats 100 patients, and she can track their blood pressure and other vitals remotely, she can focus her time on the patients who need her the most. That way, limited access can be prioritized for the most vulnerable without leaving anybody out.

But no technology embodies both the potential and pitfalls of using tech to bridge health care access gaps as much as artificial intelligence. It provides a microcosm for what can go right when tech makes health care more accessible. And what can go wrong.

AI programs like DeepScribe and Abridge perform ambient listening by taking chart notes during appointments, thus freeing up providers to interact more directly with patients. Thats good for patients, who can see their providers face-to-face. Its also good for providers, who dont have to spend time between visits charting and can instead see more patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Adam Rodman, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School leading the schools work on generative AI, says thats exactly how AI  and technological solutions more broadly  can be leveraged effectively: as an extension of, rather than a replacement for, human treatment capabilities. As opposed to whats largely happening right now  which is smacking AI on a pretty dysfunctional system.

The danger lurking in the widespread adoption of AI, telemedicine, texting platforms and other technological solutions is the further degradation of trust. Not just because of potential privacy concerns, like potential data breaches and profiteering by revenue-driven tech companies. But also, in a more big-picture way, by making medicine less human than it should be.

Kvedar is right that technological solutions will have to be part of the solution to the physician shortage and resulting threats to access. But tech also cant solve the industrys issues alone. We have problems in our health care system and are hoping that AI is a panacea, Rodman says. A lot of the enthusiasm is because there arent other good options.

Tech stopgaps, human fixes

When Arcos lone pharmacist retired at 84, the town couldnt find a replacement. No one wanted to move there to take over. That led Huerta to establish a partnership with Idaho State University, whose students could staff Lost Rivers pharmacy under remote supervision from licensed pharmacists in Pocatello. Thanks to telemedicine, residents of Arco wouldnt have to drive 50 miles to the next closest pharmacy for their medications.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Similar programs already exist elsewhere. Project ECHO, for example, which started in New Mexico and has expanded to all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, connects rural primary care doctors with virtual continuing education and specialist consultations. If a rural Nevada doctor can treat heart problems locally, by consulting through Project ECHO with a cardiologist in Reno or Las Vegas, patients can avoid traveling to distant cities.

If towns in rural Nevada, or places like Arco, didnt have these kinds of programs, theyd almost certainly lose primary care entirely. It almost happened in Arco shortly after Huerta arrived.

Not only can technology help  it will have to. Dr. Joseph Kvedar

The hospital had declared bankruptcy and needed a $5.5 million bond measure to stage a comeback. In genuinely rural areas, genuinely critical access areas, a hospital is probably the only clinic you have access to, Huerta says. Its an issue that could become more widespread in metro areas, too, as the number of providers shrinks relative to the population seeking care.

At Lost Rivers, one long-term solution is working with staffing agencies. Every hospital, he explains, uses staffing agencies to broker access with, essentially, substitute doctors  that is, doctors who can fill in quickly when needed. These doctors, called locums, are exceptionally expensive. But long term, staffing agencies can match hospitals in need with doctors over time, and for much less.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A doctor at Lost Rivers, for example, might spend one week in Arco every month before returning home to Boise or Salt Lake City. But that doctor would come back again and again, month after month, meaning patients could build a relationship with that doctor.

I think this is the model of the future, frankly, Huerta says. But how long will that hold as the shortage worsens? Especially when, in Arco and beyond, access is already threatened in other ways.

Shifting regulations, like Idahos recent Medicaid cuts, make effective administration nearly impossible. Even Huertas pharmacy innovation was initially rejected by a state board. And private insurers present even greater obstacles.

The big thing killing health care, frankly, is the payers, Huerta says. The delay and denial of claims is standard practice. Their response to telemedicine perfectly illustrates why technology alone cant fix the access problem.

When telemedicine emerged, insurers refused to recognize it as legitimate. Why would I adopt telemedicine, Huerta asks, if Im not going to get paid for it? Eventually, they covered it at a reduced rate but excluded certain visits, like those related to mental health treatment. OK then, Huerta thought, whats the point of having psychiatrists on staff?

Thats why hes turned not just to technology for fixes, like the virtual pharmacy, but to human ones, too. Like the day care. So far, thats been enough.

For the first time in his tenure, Lost Rivers is fully staffed. Its turnover rate is dropping. And for that, Huerta credits not technological innovation but something with a pulse  something he tells people when hes trying to recruit them: This is the job youre going to look back on when youre old and retired and go, Man, I really did something with my life, he says. I made an important difference.

This story appears in the September 2025 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
This story was originally published on mynorthwest.com.

For most residents in Thurston County, Dec. 19, 2024, was an ordinary Pacific Northwest winter day  chilly, mostly cloudy, with brief sun breaks in the afternoon.

But for the Ping family, that day remains forever dark. Their 16-year-old son, Avery Ping, died that Thursday evening from a drug overdose, according to doctors. The moments and images from that day continue to haunt them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Home surveillance video footage appeared to show a drug transaction at the Pings home, court records stated. Avery approached a Toyota Prius at the end of his driveway, where he interacted with someone inside. Later that evening, video footage showed Avery outside the home with two other men. He appeared visibly impaired  stumbling, swaying, and speaking incoherently to a home security camera tracking his movements. Emergency crews were later seen arriving. Avery was transported to the hospital.

Avery believed he had purchased MDMA, or ecstasy, according to Averys family. However, they said medical staff told them Avery actually had a lethal dose of fentanyl in his system.

Averys family also told investigators the suspected dealer used Snapchat to sell drugs to their son and multiple other Olympia High School students. However, Averys story is far from isolated.

According to the Seattle-based Social Media Victims Law Center (SMVLC), similar tragedies unfold thousands of times each year. The group has filed more than 1,500 lawsuits against tech companies, including Snapchat, Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook), and TikTok  accusing them of driving a youth mental health crisis through addictive algorithms and platform negligence. The consequences, they argue in court documents, include deadly drug overdoses, self-harm, and even suicide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

SMVLCs work is also the focus of a documentary released in April, titled Cant Look Away: The Case Against Social Media, which dives into their emotional fight for grieving families and their journey from Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to the courtroom, to convince tech companies to modify their algorithms.

I think it resonates with every parent in America, SMVLC Attorney Matthew Bergman told KIRO Newsradio. Anyone who has kids experiences the consequences of social media addiction, and some of the parents experience very horrific consequences.

One of the lawsuits highlighted in the documentary includes a landmark suit against Snapchat. Bergman told KIRO Newsradio, during the discovery phase  which is the pretrial phase where both parties are allowed to seek information from one another  SMVLC has uncovered emails and documents that corroborate previous whistleblowers claims that Snapchat uses psychologists, neurologists, and operant conditioning, which is a method that modifies a users behavior through rewards and punishments.

They design platforms that are addictive to young people, Bergman explained. They know that their platforms are being used to facilitate drug deals, and they keep doing it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Pew Research, 95% of teens use social media, and a third said they are on it constantly. More than half of all teen girls report persistent sadness or hopelessness, according to the CDC.

The American Psychological Association and U.S. Surgeon General have both issued urgent warnings linking social media to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among youth.

In response, TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat have created robust safeguards for teenagers and parents to help them regulate the amount of time their kids spend on their platforms. In response to this story, all three tech companies sent KIRO Newsradio statements and links to those safeguards, which we have shared, in full, below.

However, Bergman argued, while the companies claim to support moderation, they do very little to actually enforce it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theyre trying to, on one hand, say you shouldnt use it too much, and on the other hand, provide products that are psychologically and neurologically addictive, Bergman said. If they just turn off the algorithms and show kids what they want to see, not what they cant look away from the mental health crisis that we would be seeing in our young people would not exist, and our kids would be healthier and safer, and wed be on a much better trajectory.

In January, the Olympia Police Department (OPD), along with a SWAT team, arrested a 33-year-old man for controlled substance homicide in the Ping case. While the case is still pending, court documents say it was clear the suspects Snapchat account was used for selling drugs.

In March, OPD sent a warning to families to beware of online, social media drug dealers targeting kids.

They put an emoji in the search title or put in drug dealer in the search title, and the app will use their location and let them know dealers within their location, Olympia Police detective Patrick Hutnik said. They pay with a Cash App and can have it delivered to their home.

The Ping family is scheduled to take part in a panel discussion after a free screening of the documentary  which is based on reporting by Bloomberg Media  at West Seattles Admiral Theater on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. Joining them will be SMVLC attorneys, policy experts, and a former Meta executive-turned-whistleblower. Here is a link for tickets to the screening.
The Brief

Petty Officer Jinchao "Patrick" Wei, 25, was convicted of six federal charges including espionage.

Prosecutors say he passed sensitive Navy ship information to a Chinese intelligence officer for $12,000.

Wei is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 1 and faces a lengthy prison term.

A 25-year-old U.S. Navy sailor has been convicted of espionage for passing sensitive military information to a Chinese intelligence officer while serving aboard the USS Essex in San Diego, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sailor, Jinchao Wei  also known as Patrick Wei  was found guilty of six counts including conspiracy to commit espionage, unlawful export of defense data, and conspiracy to export defense articles.

What prosecutors say the sailor gave China

According to the Department of Justice, Wei held a U.S. security clearance and worked as a machinists mate aboard the amphibious assault ship. Beginning in February 2022, he communicated with a Chinese intelligence officer who first posed as a "naval enthusiast" on social media.

Prosecutors said Wei:

Sent photos and videos of the USS Essex

Provided ship movement information and weapons details

Shared technical manuals and restricted documents from Navy systems

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The handler paid Wei about $12,000 over 18 months before his arrest in August 2023.

Evidence presented at trial showed Wei referred to the officer as "Big Brother Andy" and used encrypted apps, burner devices, and other secrecy measures to share information.

Even early on, Wei allegedly admitted he suspected espionage. Prosecutors said he told a Navy friend that the arrangement was "quite obviously f***ing espionage" but continued anyway.

What they're saying

"The defendants actions represent an egregious betrayal of the trust placed in him as a member of the U.S. military," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said. "By trading military secrets to the Peoples Republic of China for cash, he jeopardized not only the lives of his fellow sailors but also the security of the entire nation and our allies."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg called the case "a warning" to others in sensitive positions tempted by money.

The FBIs counterintelligence chief, Roman Rozhavsky, said China "continues to aggressively target U.S. military members" and urged personnel to report suspicious offers.

The backstory

Wei, a China-born naturalized U.S. citizen, enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Naval Base San Diego. Prosecutors said his espionage stretched from early 2022 until his arrest in August 2023 when he reported for duty.

A second sailor, arrested the same day, pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced to 27 months in prison for conspiring with a Chinese officer.

What's next

Wei was acquitted of one count of naturalization fraud but convicted on all espionage-related charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1 and could face decades in prison.

The Source

This report is based on information from the Department of Justice, FBI, and U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California.
As you likely know, Donald Trump sent nearly 2,000 National Guard troops to patrol the streets of Washington, DC last week.

Bloomberg / Getty Images

Some people believe Trump plans to send troops to every major city to suppress any resistance, in case he refuses to leave office in 2028. Even so, many citizens of DC are resisting, with one protester writing "Get The F**k Up Out Our House & Streets" on a sign.

Roberto Schmidt / Getty Images

Related: Uhhh, People Zoomed Into This Picture Of Donald Trump And Found A Scary Surprise

Despite the loud opposition, Donald Trump has threatened to use the same tactics in Chicago next, and his specific reason for choosing Chicago is going viral:

Trump: After we do this, we will go to another location and make it safe too. Chicago is a mess. That will probably be our next one after this. They are screaming for us to come. African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying "Please President Trump, come to Chicago, pic.twitter.com/lh97SsJ2UY  Acyn (@Acyn) August 22, 2025

Fox News / Twitter: @Acyn

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"After we do this, we'll go to another location and we'll make it safe also. Chicago is a mess. That'll be our next one after this."

The Bulwark / Via x.com

"The people in Chicago, Mr. Vice President, are screaming for us to come," Trump said to Vice President JD Vance.

The Bulwark / Via x.com

Related: "This Is Deeply Fascist": People Are Floored That This Banner Was Actually Placed On A Government Building In DC

"Yes, they are, sir," JD Vance responded.

The Bulwark / Via x.com

"They're wearing red hats just like this one...African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, 'Please, President Trump, come to Chicago. Please.'"

The Bulwark / Via x.com

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I did great with the Black vote, as you know....I think Chicago will be our next, then we'll help with New York."

The Bulwark / Via x.com

Related: Gavin Newsom Brought The Receipts After Trump Claimed He "Never Wrote A Picture" In Response To The Epstein Files, And It's Sooo Good

The clip has been seen by over 1.2 million people, and many, especially Black women, are voicing their reactions online:

"If Trump wants to take his ego trip on tour, he picked the wrong city," the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Juliana Stratton, said. "Chicago doesnt bow down to kings or roll out the red carpet for dictators. As a Black woman from the South Side, I can assure you @realdonaldtrump, your political circus isnt welcome here."

"I as an African American woman from Chicago said no such fucking thing. Stay the fuck away," another person wrote.

Related: Donald Trump Just Shared A Very Ominous Post, And People Are Calling It "One Of The Worst Statements Ever Made By A Sitting US President"

Another person pointed out that the vast majority of Black people and Black women voted against Trump in the 2024 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The demographic who hates him THE MOST is Black women," this person wrote. "We consistently reject him so he attacks us. Hes mocking and terrorizing Black women and I dont find it amusing at all. Its disrespectful and disgusting. Meanwhile, he probably has a Black nurse keeping him from deaths door."

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

Also in In the News: "I Am So Torn With What You Are Doing"  11 Posts From MAGA Business Owners Who Are So Close To Getting It

Also in In the News: "Can A Trump Supporter Explain": 49 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Month

Also in In the News: 19 Trump Voters Are Reacting To The Rumors That Trump Wants To Run In 2028

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
Its back-to-school season. When I was a kid it was a time of year full of eager anticipation.

Students would return from the summer sojourn decked out in new school clothes with a backpack full of fresh school supplies  are Trapper Keepers still a thing?  and the chance to make the new year better than the last.

I always loved school supplies. Pencil boxes, multicolor click pens and those notebooks with the little section dividers that would ensure this is the year I stayed organized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

New school supplies had a distinctive smell, they smelled like hope. Hope that I would apply myself this year; hope that Id take diligent notes in Earth Science; hope that I would do my homework at home and not on the bus. School in 2025 isnt quite so hopeful.

The Republican Party, the self proclaimed party of patriots, is awfully proud of what this nation has achieved while being openly hostile to the education system that helped us achieve it.

Rewriting textbooks and policing libraries to whitewash our complicated national history was just the start.

Then came the completely fabricated charges of indoctrination and grooming, the demonization of gender politics, and most recently, the war on nutrition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Why does the Republican Party hate school lunch programs?

They know were just feeding hungry kids, right? Its just cardboard pizza and tater tots. Why do they have to be so weird about everything?

The GOP declared war on free school lunch programs a few years back.

The justification was the same tired word salad about government handouts and bootstraps so often repeated to justify needless cruelty.

And guess what? They won.

Trumps signature Big Beautiful Bill drops the hammer on federal funding for school lunch programs. Huge cuts are coming and states that hadnt already taken efforts to ensure that students wouldnt go hungry are now left scrambling to fill the void.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Minnesota passed a law guaranteeing free school meals  kids get at least a healthy breakfast and lunch everyday.

The law went into effect for the 2023-24 school year and its going to cost the state a few hundred million dollars for the first couple years, money they should rightfully consider well spent.

Other states either didnt prioritize hungry kids or didnt think the federal government would be wicked enough to steal their lunch money. With the passage of the BBB, theyre looking at an empty tray.

So what happens when the cuts take effect?

Some states will surely step in to pick up the slack. Schools will do the same, where they can, on the district level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The harsh reality is that there is no possible way for locals to fill the gaping hole left by the cuts to federal funding. And, despite the best efforts of teachers administrators and concerned parents, kids will slip through the cracks and go to class hungry.

When the richest nation on the face of the earth sends its kids to school hungry and tells them to suck it up, something has gone terribly wrong with the American experiment.

Drew Sheneman has drawn political cartoons for The Star-Ledger since 1998. His work is syndicated nationally through Tribune Content Agency. Find him at Drew Shenemans Cartoon Cavalcade.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
A Florida Department of Transportation crew early Sunday painted the Pulse crosswalk back to black and white for a second time as supporters continued to try to restore the rainbow-colored crossing. Now, police agencies are monitoring the site.

Spectrum News 13, the Orlando Sentinels news partner, reported that the DOT repainted the crosswalk on Esther Street at South Orange Avenue after colored paint was used on the crossing on Saturday. Previously, supporters had been using chalk to draw back the rainbow colors, but rain washed that away.

A squad of Florida Highway Patrol and Orlando Police Department officers surveilled the dozen people who were using chalk on the rainbow crosswalk on Sunday. Advocates said it was an intimidation tactic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last week saw hundreds gather to repaint the rainbow crosswalk in chalk after state transportation officials removed it in the middle of the night without warning. The crosswalk was part of the states most significant sites for the LGBTQ community after the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting that killed 49. Despite pointed rhetoric about political rainbow crosswalks from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as a state ban on rainbow lights on bridges earlier this year, the Florida Department of Transportation said it was purely procedural.

Demonstrators began around 9 a.m. Sunday, through sprinkles of rain that washed away the chalk, to color the crosswalk and cover the sidewalk in drawings and phrases like FHP go away. By Sunday afternoon roughly four FHP trooper vehicles and three OPD cars were parked at the Dunkin Donuts next to the crosswalk. OPD told the group they could not impede traffic or they would risk arrest. Despite the threat, the group continued to use chalk on the crosswalk while FHP and OPD vehicles drove in and out keeping watch.

Its silly, said State Rep. Anna Eskamani, who was at the crosswalk in support. The amount of money and time being spent by the state on a crosswalk when theres so many better uses for it to fix potholes for example.

Eskamani said she wasnt intimidated and argued the state was making it political. She has received dozens of boxes of chalk in the mail from around the world in support and people on vacation from other states have stopped by to help, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Youre creating controversy over a sidewalk, Eskamani said. No one cared about it before you made it a deal.

For 34-year-old Robby Dodd this was personal. Dodd lost many friends during the 2016 shooting at Pulse. On Sunday he was at the site around 9 a.m. with a $25 box of 160 rainbow colored chalk from Amazon. He said FHP and OPDs presence is ridiculous.

It feels weird because there could be anything else they could be doing right now other than watching us color, Dodd said. I mean its chalk, itll wash away and we understand that too but meanwhile taxpayer dollars are putting state troopers and OPD out here.

Dodd said he will keep coming back to repaint the crosswalk for the memory of his friends.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This was kind of our second home in a way, Dodd said Theres no reason to take that crosswalk away, it was part of the memorial, other than political reasons.

Orlando isnt the only target in the state. On Friday the state ordered Fort Lauderdale to remove the section of a street near the beach painted in the colors of the LGBTQ+ progress pride flag, a location near what is widely known as the unofficial LGBTQ+ section of Fort Lauderdale beach.

Eskamani said the community will fight back and she hopes local leaders and local businesses will too.

I want to see our local governments fight back, Eskamani said. I think that theres plenty of opportunities to challenge some of these actions coming out of the state in court.
Chela Noori, the founder and president of the Afghan Women of France organisation, was recently able to travel across Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. She told RFI about the conditions in which she found women and girls living, under the oppressive regime.

RFI: How were you able to travel to Afghanistan?

Chela Noori: I travelled to Afghanistan with my British passport. I didn't need a visa because my country of birth on my passport is Afghanistan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I had never attempted to travel under the Taliban regime before. I didn't know if it would work out or not. In the end, it did. I had no problems at the airport. What I wanted to do was to assess the psychological and humanitarian situation by travelling around the country a little. I visited 15 cities and major provinces and I interviewed many women, but not just women. I also spoke to little girls, little boys, men... I wanted to get everyone's point of view.

What kind of restrictions did you encounter?

Officially, the burqa is mandatory, but in reality this is not always the case. I went there wearing a veil and a long black tunic, and many Afghan women were dressed like that. I was also always accompanied by a "mahram" [a male relative who acts as a chaperone].

Taliban mark fourth year in power in Afghanistan

Did you sense any resistance among Afghan women?

For me, resistance in Afghanistan comes from women  that's clear. Here in France, what we hear is that Afghan women are forbidden from leaving their homes unless accompanied by a mahram. But people said to me: "You know the character of Afghan women, they couldn't keep us all locked up at home."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So some manage to go out anyway, even if they don't have a mahram. The Taliban tolerate it, let's say. But the Amr bil-Maroof [the morality police], not at all.

Who are the Amr bil-Maroof?

There are lots of videos circulating on social media showing them beating women in public because they didn't wear their face coverings properly, for example. They find any excuse to reprimand them. There are also kidnappings.

I came face to face with them in Bamyan. I really wanted to visit Band-e-Amir Lake. They made us pay and let us in, but while my mahram was parking, I acted like a typical European and ran over to look because the place is so beautiful. I took out my phone and called my children. I wasn't paying attention and suddenly I realised that someone was talking to me. I saw one of these men looking at me with a murderous expression and repeating in a loud voice: "According to the Amr bil-Maroof, women are not allowed here."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Suddenly, my whole body started shaking. I told him I was with my nephew. But he repeated the same thing. You're not supposed to stand up to them, you're not supposed to talk to them. I turned around politely, and they followed me to the car.

A window into the hidden lives of Afghan women cut off from society

You weren't allowed to be outside alone as a woman, right?

It's not even just that  it's that all leisure facilities are off limits to women. I tested this everywhere, in Kabul, in Kandahar...

What was the state of mind among the women you met?

I interviewed about 15 young girls and women. The young girls are in a very bad way psychologically, because they are thinking, at 13, we will be banned from school, it will be over [since the return of the Taliban, girls are no longer allowed to go to school beyond primary level].

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They start crying because they have no future at all. People are thinking of marrying them off. Since there is no future, it's the only option for them. Those who were studying or working are all extremely depressed. They told me, look, we are at home all day, we get up, we cook, we clean... the only thing we can do is go out to do the shopping or visit each other. But apart from that, there's nothing else to do from morning to night. And since they're not allowed to go out, the children are all at home too.

Can they consider leaving?

All they dream of now is leaving. But it is very difficult to obtain a passport. Since 2023, Pakistan has been sending all Afghans back, and the visa that used to cost $800 (682) can now cost up to $5,000. Everything is being done to prevent Afghans from leaving the country.

Collective heroism: French film recounts evacuation amid Taliban takeover

Did you meet any women who have continued to work or study?

I haven't seen any women studying. Women who work, yes. Everywhere you look, it's women  because it's women who have to search women. At the airport too, at the immigration desk, it was women.

Children are suffering under this regime too, of course...

Yes, what struck me most were the children. Because we talk a lot about women, but very little about the youngest who are suffering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It's important to note that there are almost no jobs in Afghanistan. So all the adults are unemployed. I noticed that all the streets were spotless everywhere, and it's actually the children who clean them. I asked a few of them about this, and they explained that their parents weren't working, so they had to pay the rent. So they're out there working in the sun all day, without hats, without protection  for, let's say, 50 cents a day.

The humanitarian situation is dire. There are no jobs, so people live on credit. Everyone goes into debt to pay the rent, which is forbidden in Islam. And it's a vicious circle. So when the children manage to find a little work, they bring home money to pay the rent.

A window into the hidden lives of Afghan women cut off from society

And what did the men you met say about all of this?

I saw anger in the eyes of an impoverished father, who told me: "My dream was that my three daughters wouldn't have to struggle, that they would get an education and make something of themselves, that they wouldn't have to depend on a husband. But in the end, they'll become as dependent as my wife. I hoped they would become doctors and get a good education." And he started to cry.

Are people resigned to their powerlessness, or is there hope for them?

They say, if we lose hope, we will commit suicide. So we hope. We hope  but in the long term. Four years without being able to study is already a big loss in the long term. The message they wanted me to convey here is that we should put pressure on this regime to let them work, let them study.

You mentioned mental health, but physical health is also an issue. If girls can no longer be treated by male doctors and women are no longer being trained as doctors, soon there will be no one left to treat women.

Yes, it's a lost generation. There won't be any more female doctors. For now, there are a few who are still working. But in the long term, there won't be any more female doctors. Everything is being done to ensure that there are no more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Calls for France to recognise all Afghan women and girls as refugees

You went to Kabul, but also to other parts of the country, such as Kandahar, Jalalabad and Herat. Did you notice any differences between the capital and the provinces?

What's incredible is that I saw the same situation, the same atmosphere, everywhere I went. Whether in big cities, large provinces or small villages, it was the same thing. They have established a form of security  but the insecurity only existed because of them. When they took power, they established this form of peace through dictatorship.

You mentioned pockets of resistance. Did you see any other forms of resistance or solidarity among Afghan women?

Today, all beauty salons and hairdressers are closed. However, I noticed that there were still many lavish weddings taking place, so I asked about this. They explained that they were all going to one person's house to do their makeup. They are doing what they used to do, but hidden away at home. That is our form of resistance.

This article has been adapted from the original version in French.

Click here to read more about Afghan Women of France (in French).
One Millcreek yoga studio brought their practice to the bayfront on Sunday.

Dreaming Tree Yoga partnered with the Sheraton Erie Bayfront during the Tall Ships weekend to host a Yoga & Mimosas event.

Anchors aweigh! Tall ships arrive in Presque Isle Bay kicking off Tall Ships 2025

All skill levels were welcome for an hour-long flow on the rooftop of the parking garage with a view of the bayfront.

Afterwards, mimosas were provided by Social Spreads Events.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Downward dog takes new meaning at Gannon Universitys dog yoga class

Jess Fuda Daddio, owner of Dreaming Tree Yoga, said, In Erie, we have some beautiful spaces, and I think that this one is one of the best. And the reason is because of the water we see out here. We see the tower back here, birds flying, and the gentle wind. So I think that this is going to be amazing with the opportunity to practice yoga in this space.

Dreaming Tree is celebrating its 2-year anniversary this October.

To see what upcoming events they have, 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  A person was airlifted to a regional hospital following a rollover crash Saturday morning on I-57 in Shelby County.

At approximately 8:10 a.m., Illinois State Police Troop 7 and Neoga Fire and EMS responded to a single vehicle rollover incident on I-57 southbound at milepost 168.5. While on their way to the scene, Neoga Fire and EMS crews learned that the driver had exited the vehicle and was on the ground.

UPDATE: Coroner IDs woman killed in Decatur car vs. pedestrian crash

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to State Police, for unknown reasons, a Nissan Kicks went off the roadway and overturned several times.

Due to the severity of the accident and the drivers injuries, air medical support was requested. Neoga Fire and EMS units established a safe area for EMS to evaluate the patient and prepare them for air transport.

Fire crews then closed the interstates travel lanes to facilitate the helicopters safe landing. After the patient was handed off to Air Evac Lifeteam 145 out of Mattoon, the interstate was reopened, crews left the scene and the driver was airlifted to a regional hospital.

Neoga Fire and EMS units returned to their stations by approximately 9:46 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis Police officer held on while a man got back in his car and tried to drive away during a traffic stop before crashing into a pole, MPD said.

The driver, Martez Morgan, 35, allegedly had bags full of powder cocaine and crack cocaine in his pockets when the officer finally made the arrest.

A Memphis officer pulled Morgan over around 5 Saturday evening near Peres and Hollywood in North Memphis, after he noticed Morgan was not wearing a seat belt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Morgan was found to have a revoked drivers license during the traffic stop, police said. The officer asked Morgan to step out of the Honda Accord, which police say he did.

66-year-old man accused of pointing gun at deputies in Canada Road traffic stop

As the officer started to place Morgan in handcuffs, he allegedly bolted back to the car and drove it southbound on Bryan Street, with the officer still holding on to him. There was a brief physical altercation inside the car until it crashed.

Morgan is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, no drivers license, evading arrest, resisting official detention and several traffic violations, including violation of seat belt law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Records show he was booked into jail Saturday. No bond has been set.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A driver was hospitalized Friday night after crashing into an MBTA signal pole.

Transit Police say the collision occurred around 7 p.m. in the area of 700 Salem Street in Wilmington.

According to officials, the driver of a 2014 Chevy sustained a medical emergency and crashed through a jersey barrier then into the pole.

The driver was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

No further information was immediately available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Ukraine launched a large drone strike on Sunday that caused damage at a Russian nuclear power plant and a major fuel export terminal.

The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, located just 38 miles from the Ukrainian border, said in a statement Sunday that a Ukrainian drone was shot down just after midnight. But when it fell, it detonated and caused damage to an auxiliary transformer.

The plant said crews extinguished the blaze, but it caused damage to reactor No. 3 and decreased its operating capacity by 50%. It remains in operation while reactor No. 4 undergoes scheduled maintenance. Two others are operating without generating power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Radiation levels remain normal, the power plant said, and there were no deaths or injuries caused by the strike.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, said in a statement it was aware of reports that the Kursk facility had faced damage from military activity and that its monitoring had confirmed radiation levels remain normal.

Rafael Grossi, the agency's director-general, stressed that "every nuclear facility must be protected at all times."

The widespread drone strike also caused damage at a major fuel depot on the Baltic Sea hundreds of miles to the north, according to Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Russia's Leningrad region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Drozdenko said in a statement Sunday that Russia destroyed ten drones over the port of Ust-Luga. The wreckage of one of the drones caused a fire at a terminal operated by Novatek, Russia's second-largest natural gas producer behind Gazprom.

He added that, according to preliminary data, there were no casualties and later said that the fire had been extinguished.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday morning that some 95 drones were destroyed over its territories overnight.

The strike came on the day Ukraine commemorates its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. World leaders, including President Donald Trump, were quick to express messages of support for Ukraine on the holiday, which were shared to social media by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The people of Ukraine have an unbreakable spirit, and your country's courage inspires many. As you mark this important day, know the United States respects your fight, honors your sacrifices and believes in your future as an independent nation," Trump wrote.

"Now is the moment to bring an end to the senseless killing. The United States supports a negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty and dignity."

China's Xi Jinping praised bilateral relations with Ukraine while France's Emmanuel Macron penned a heartfelt letter expressing that, amid the war, Ukraine has "inspired the respect and admiration of all in its fight for freedom, independence and territorial integrity."

Meanwhile, peace talks between Zelensky and Vladimir Putin have stalled and the Russian president has signaled that he intends to fight on in Ukraine.
Russian air defenses intercepted a drone headed toward Moscow on Aug. 23, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. He said fragments of the drone were being examined on the ground. No casualties were reported.

The Kyiv Independent couldn't immediately verify these claims.

In response to concerns over airspace safety, Russias federal aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, temporarily suspended operations at multiple airports in major cities of the Volga and Central regions of European Russiaincluding Izhevsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Penza, Tambov, and Ulyanovsk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian officials often say these drone strikes are intended to degrade Russias strike capabilities and bring the consequences of the war closer to those supporting the Kremlins aggression.

Authorities in St. Petersburg, Russias second-largest city, also reported significant flight delays as a result. Several Russian airlines, including Rossiya and Pobeda announced they were adjusting their schedules in response to the airspace restrictions.

Separately on the same day, two windows were damaged while shooting down a drone over the "Ogni Zaliva" residential complex in St. Petersburgs Krasnoselsky district, Deputy Governor Yevgeny Razumishkin said via his Telegram channel.

St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov earlier reported that a drone had been intercepted in the Krasnoselsky district, with no injuries reported. Another drone was also reportedly downed in the city's Pushkinsky district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russias Defense Ministry said that 32 drones had been intercepted and destroyed over several central regions during a three-hour window.

The Ministry later reported that a total of 57 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over several central regions and over the Black Sea.

Drones were spotted and explosions were heard in the city of Stary Oskol in Belgorod Oblast, Pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Mash claimed.

The reports come as both U.S. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky advocate for a negotiated resolution to Russias war, now in its 12th year. However, past efforts at peace talks have repeatedly broken down due to the Kremlins ultimatums and rigid demands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky has continued to push for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin without preconditions, arguing that such a step could offer a real opportunity to bring the full-scale war to an end.

Read also: Ukraine marks flag day with symbolic action in Kursk region, regains control of Donetsk Oblast village

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editor's note: This is a developing story. More updates will be provided should they become available.

Drones struck a gas terminal in Russia's Leningrad region and an oil refinery in Samara region on Aug. 24, the Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported, citing local reports and footage of the attacks.

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed that Military Intelligence, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other defense forces are behind the strike on the Syzran oil refinery in Samara region, which "specializes in the production of gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other petroleum supplied to the Russian troops."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The Syzran refinery has a design capacity of up to 8.5 million tons of crude oil per year, accounting for around 3.08% of Russias total oil refining volume," General Staff wrote on Telegram.

The results of the attack are being clarified, the General Staff said.

A source in Ukraines Security Service (SBU) also earlier confirmed that the agency was behind the attack on the liquefied natural gas terminal in Leningrad region.

Russia trades oil and gas through this terminal with the help of a shadow fleet. Drone sanctions from the SBU reduce the inflow of foreign currency that Russia needs to wage war, a source in the SBU told the Kyiv Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed 95 Ukrainian drones were shot down over 13 regions, as well as occupied Crimea, on Aug. 24.

Ukrainian officials often say these drone strikes are intended to degrade Russias strike capabilities and bring the consequences of the war closer to those supporting the Kremlins aggression.

A large fire broke out at a Russian Novatek gas terminal located in the port city of Ust-Luga on the morning of Aug. 24, Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported. Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko claimed that 10 drones were shot down in Ust-Luga, adding that there were no casualties.

Ust-Luga lies on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland in Leningrad region, not far from the Estonian border and around 110 kilometers west of Russia's second major city, St. Petersburg.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another strike reportedly occurred in the Russian city of Syzran, Samara region, where local authorities claimed an "industrial facility" was under attack.

According to the Telegram channel Astra, a large fire broke out at the Syzran oil refinery following nearly 20 explosions that were heard across the city.

Following the attacks, several Russian airports, including Pulkovo at St. Petersburg, temporarily suspended operations, delaying over 60 flights.

Earlier on Aug. 23, Russian air defenses intercepted a drone headed toward Moscow, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. He said fragments of the drone were being examined on the ground. No casualties were reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine regularly launches long-range drone attacks on industrial and military facilities in Russia. Oil refineries, which fund and fuel Moscow's war machine, are frequent targets of these strikes.

The reports come as both U.S. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky advocate for a negotiated resolution to Russias war, now in its 12th year. However, past efforts at peace talks have repeatedly broken down due to the Kremlins ultimatums and rigid demands.

Zelensky has continued to push for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin without preconditions, arguing that such a step could offer a real opportunity to bring the full-scale war to an end.

Read also: Pentagon has quietly barred Ukrainian long-range strikes in Russia with US missiles, WSJ reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  Sunday, around 2:30 pm, Washington County Deputies, Washington County Emergency Management, Rescue, and Fire Services responded to the 4900 block of Hamburg State Park Road in Mitchell, Ga.

First responders were there investigating a boating incident with a drowning.

Approximately 4:30 pm, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Officials recovered the body of the missing boater.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The drowning victim has been identified as 24-year-old Brandon Still, Jr. of Warrenton.

Courtesy of the Washington Co. Sheriffs Office Courtesy of the Washington Co. Sheriffs Office Courtesy of the Washington Co. Sheriffs Office Courtesy of the Washington Co. Sheriffs Office Courtesy of the Washington Co. Sheriffs Office Courtesy of the Washington Co. Sheriffs Office Courtesy of the Washington Co. Sheriffs Office

Emergency personnel successfully rescued two of three young men that were stranded in the waters.

The Sheriff says Still and two others were fishing when the two boats the men were in capsized.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  An East Side traffic stop Wednesday for an alleged equipment violation turned into a significant drug bust.

According to Franklin County court records, the Ohio State Highway Patrol was conducting a traffic stop east of the intersection of East Livingston and College avenues in the Berwick area.

The OSHP called in the DEA to investigate when Kemar Campbell was found in possession of over 100 grams of cocaine and an undetermined amount of fentanyl inside his pants. Campbell was detained and charged with possession and trafficking in drugs, both first-degree felonies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Search warrants were later issued for multiple residences and storage facilities reportedly associated with Campbell. Police said the first search, at a storage unit on Gender Road near Canal Winchester, turned up over 100 grams of fentanyl, which were separated into multiple bags as if they were being prepared for distribution.

Numerous firearms were discovered at the Gender Road location, as well as a storage unit on Evanswood Drive in Columbus Woodward Park neighborhood. Additionally, large amounts of cash and a pistol were found at his residence in the Arena District.

Campbell, who admitted to the charges during an interview with police, has two prior drug charges from 1998 and 2004. He is facing two counts each of drug possession and drug trafficking, as well as one count of having weapons under disability.

He is due in court on Sept. 2.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Virginia Giuffre, the sex trafficking victim who accused the Duke of York of sex crimes, has reportedly written an autobiography which will be published posthumously later this year.

Ms Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke when she was 17, is said to have finished her memoir more than a year ago.

She died by suicide at the age of 41 in April, with her family calling her a fierce warrior who will always be remembered for her incredible courage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her book, called Nobodys Girl, will now be published in the US on October 21.

Virginia Giuffre holds a photograph of herself as a teenager, when she claimed she was raped by the Duke of York - Emily Michot/via Getty Images

The memoir, which is expected to detail Ms Giuffres experience at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, will place further pressure on the Duke, who made a multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement with his accuser.

The claims  of sexual abuse and rape  have never been tested in a court of law, and the Duke has vehemently and repeatedly denied them.

The Duke has already stepped back from public duty as a result of the fallout of his friendship with Epstein, and a television interview in which he denied meeting Ms Giuffre.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the night she said she had met him, he said he had been at Pizza Express in Woking with one of his daughters. His allies have claimed that a photograph of the Duke and Ms Giuffre together in London was falsified.

Ms Giuffre was one of the most high-profile victims of paedophile financier Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019, and Maxwell, a British socialite who is serving a 20-year prison sentence in the US for recruiting under-age girls.

The mother of threes memoir will be published by Penguin Random House, which also published the Duke of Sussexs memoir Spare, according to The Sun.

Sources told the newspaper publication was initially held back because of her health issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesman for Knopf, a division of Random House, confirmed they would be publishing the book despite Ms Giuffre previously having a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press.

Ms Giuffre was pictured as a teenager with the Duke of York, with Ghislaine Maxwell looking on. Prince Andrew has said he has no recollection of the photo being taken - US Department of Justice

The book is reported to feature more revelations about her time with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and their friends, including the Duke of York.

Ted Doughty, from the publishing house, did not give details of which Epstein associates feature in the book, but did say Ms Giuffre made no allegations of abuse against Donald Trump.

Jordan Pavlin, the editor-in-chief of Knopf, described the memoir as a raw and shocking journey and the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A US source said: Virginias family have seen her maligned in life and in death, and they feel very strongly that her whole story should be told.

The Duke has already stepped back from public life, no longer retaining royal patronages or honorary military roles, and appearing only on what the palace now describes as family occasions.

On Sunday, he did not attend church at Balmoral with the Royal family. The King, Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, the Princess Royal and Duke of Edinburgh all attended Crathie Kirk during the familys annual summer holiday.

The Duke of York, who has been staying with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, at Craigowan Lodge on the estate, was seen driving elsewhere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Duke and Duchess have come under significant pressure this summer, after an explosive biography by Andrew Lownie revisited details of their complicated finances and sexual exploits.

The new memoir, by Ms Giuffre, may cause further embarrassment for the Duke, despite the details of her allegations against him already being in the public domain.

A recent poll found that two thirds of Britons would like Prince Andrew stripped of his titles.

Maxwell pictured with Epstein - US District Court for the Southern District of New York

On Friday, the US Justice Department released transcripts of an interview it carried out with Maxwell in prison.

In the interview, Maxwell claimed Sarah, Duchess of York, tried to put the moves on Epstein.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said: I thought that Sarah was trying to put the moves on Jeffrey, if Im being honest, and I thought the whole thing was annoying and I was p----d off.

I think Sarah is the one that pushed that. And they met and hung out, I want to say two or three times that had nothing to do with me.

I wasnt communicating with Andrew, I wasnt in touch with him. And I know this because I was annoyed and I felt left out, and I felt disrespected and I was like, this is weird. I couldnt even imagine Epstein and Andrew together.

Spokesmen for the Duke and Duchess of York have not commented.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in the Netherlands on Saturday rejected a motion that would recognize an independent Palestinian state and measures that would sanction Israel.

The punitive measure would have banned the importation of products made in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and banned the Dutch government from buying Israeli-made weapons, Politico reported.

A majority of ministers voted to ask the Israeli government to allow journalists into Gaza and to apply "maximum pressure" on nations that condone the actions of Hamas leaders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has reported the deaths of about 61,000 Gazans after Hamas and other militants attacked and killed about 1,200 Israeli civilians and kidnapped another 250, about 50 of whom remain in captivity or have died inGaza.

The casualty figures reported by Hamas do not separate civilian deaths from Hamas deaths and have been challenged by Israel and others.

Saturday's vote came a day after Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on Friday night resigned to protest the government's refusal to sanction Israel over conditions in Gaza.

The resignations occurred after the Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification on Friday declared a famine in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Several members of the Netherlands' New Social Contract Party likewise resigned on Friday -- two months after the conservative Party for Freedom quit the Dutch government over differences arising from immigration concerns.

Party for Freedom leader Geert Wilders demanded that the government greatly reduce the number of immigrants allowed to enter the Netherlands and resigned from the government, along with other party members, in early June.

Snapelections are scheduled on Oct. 29, and a caretaker government is in place until a new one is formed after the October election.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Ground Floor Murals, a local street art duo, unveiled a new mural in East Village this Saturday. Spray painted onto a brick wall adjacent to Ace Uniforms, the piece pays homage to three cherished San Diego Zoo animals who died last week.

In the span of five heartbreaking days, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) announced the deaths of Kalluk the polar bear, Nicky the giraffe and Maka the gorilla.

Beloved San Diego Zoo polar bear Kalluk dies at 24

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kalluk, a 24-year-old polar bear, greatly exceeded the typical 15 to 18 year life expectancy of wild polar bears and had recently started showing signs of age-related illness. Brought to the San Diego Zoo with his siblings after being orphaned as cubs in 2001, he contributed to research on polar bear behavior and the impact of climate change on the species.

East Village mural honors recently deceased San Diego Zoo animal 24-year-old polar bear Kalluk (PHOTO: Muralist Paul Jimenez, Ground Floor Murals)

Kalluk the polar bear. (Credit: San Diego Zoo)

Nicky, a 28-year-old giraffe, was the matriarch of the San Diego Zoos giraffe herd, raising five calves in her lifetime and serving as an ambassador for her species. As the oldest Masai Giraffe in North America, she had been showing signs of her advanced age in the week leading up to her passing.

East Village mural honors recently deceased San Diego Zoo animal Nicky, a 28-year-old giraffe (PHOTO: Muralist Paul Jimenez, Ground Floor Murals)

Nicky, a giraffe at the San Diego Zoo, died at the age of 28. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Heartbreaking day for San Diego animal lovers: giraffe, polar bear die same day at zoo

Maka, a 30-year-old gorilla, was diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities at age five, but thanks to dedicated care from his wildlife health and care teams, he exceeded expectations. He helped numerous guests better understand the intelligence and gentleness of western lowland gorillas before dying from a cardiac event.

East Village mural honors recently deceased San Diego Zoo animal 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla Maka (PHOTO: Muralist Paul Jimenez, Ground Floor Murals)

The San Diego Zoo was hit with another tough loss Tuesday, announcing the death of a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla named Maka.

All of these creatures held a special place in the hearts of San Diegans and zoo-bound tourists alike. With their impact on the community, the pair behind Ground Floor Murals felt compelled to paint this.

Maka, gorilla at San Diego Zoo, dies at 30

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On their website, painters Signe Ditona and Paul Jimenez explain that community is important to their work. Both born and raised in San Diego, Jimenez and Ditonas work often reflects local icons. Their portraits of Padres players like Tony Gwynn, Joe Musgrove, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado can be found in an array of San Diego neighborhoods.

East Village mural honors recently deceased San Diego Zoo animals (PHOTO: Muralist Paul Jimenez, Ground Floor Murals)

Our public pieces are our cooperation to the neighborhoods generous enough to welcome us and provide for us a space to carry out our craft, the duos webpage states.

Passersby can reflect on the animals legacies in their community at the corner of Market and 17th Street. For more information on Grand Floor Murals work, visit their website or Instagram.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Cultural festivals reflect the times we live in, so it's natural that Edinburgh, home to the world's largest arts festival, should be a noisy mix of opinions.

Those first festivals - the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe - began in troubled times and today, it's no less turbulent with global issues like the invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Gaza war, climate change and identity politics shaping the conversation.

The festivals are also full of young performers, visitors and support staff who bring their own political views to the mix.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Having covered this festival for almost three decades, I know it's not for the fainthearted - this shouty, polarised place in August.

But it's always been this way.

Public indecency

In 1963, two artists were prosecuted for public indecency over an avant-garde show where a nude model was wheeled across the organ gallery of McEwen Hall.

Despite being acquitted in what was dubbed "Lady McChatterley", the show dominated the headlines for weeks and the Lord Provost lamented that it was a tragedy that three weeks of glorious festival should be ruined by "one squalid incident".

The city council was to produce two legendary self-appointed moral guardians whose campaigns to "clean up" the festivals were met with delight by the promoters of shows who saw it as a fast track way to sell more tickets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 1969, Councillor John Kidd complained about a scene in Christopher Marlowe's Edward II in which two men kissed.

A recording in London - James Laurenson as Gaveston and Ian McKellen as King Edward in Prospect Theatre Company's 1969 Edinburgh Festival production [BBC]

One of the actors was Sir Ian McKellen who said at a later festival appearance that he would never forget his name, nor the complaint that it was "disgusting" and "filthy".

Then came Conservative councillor Moira Knox, who from the mid 80s became a sort of Mary Whitehouse of the festivals.

She was the go-to person for any comment about perceived moral depravity in the festivals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A repeat customer for her wrath was American impresario Jim Rose, whose shows included extreme acts of piercing, regurgitation, chainsaw-juggling and "The Amazing Mr Lifto", who could lift weights with parts of his body you wouldn't normally see attached to heavy objects.

He frequently invited Ms Knox to express her opinions and always invited the media along too. She never took him up on his offer of a ticket to any of his shows, but the attention meant plenty of people did.

She was so lauded by promoters that they even set up "The Moiras" which were awarded to the most offensive show on the Fringe.

Offensive content

But while they both symbolised conservatism in a city which only allowed itself to let its hair down (and take its clothes off) for one month of the year, much of the modern controversy comes from the other end of the political spectrum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It began three years ago with Jerry Sadowitz. The comedian and magician had been performing his no holds barred act at the festival for decades.

But according to The Pleasance, they received "a number of complaints" about offensive content and cancelled the second of his shows.

Customers who had bought tickets for "Not for Anyone" were angry and confused.

The Pleasance received complaints over a show by Jerry Sadowitz [Jerry Sadowitz]

A year later, when he returned for two sell-out gigs at Queens Hall, another high profile appearance was about to be cancelled.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was due to headline the Edinburgh International Book Festival in 2023 in one of the biggest events they'd ever staged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But weeks before it was due to happen, she pulled out saying the festival's 20-year sponsorship arrangement with Edinburgh-based asset managers Baillie Gifford was destroying the planet thanks to their investment in fossil fuels.

As well as losing their keynote event, the row had reverberations for the book festival which is still being felt today.

Authors lobbied the festival to drop the Baillie Gifford money all together. Some staged walkouts of their events in 2023, and promised to up the protest the following year.

It had a domino effect with almost every book festival in the UK rejecting their sponsorship from Baillie Gifford.

Nicola Sturgeon was among the speakers at the book festival, pictured here with presenter and journalist Kirsty Wark [PA Media]

This year in Edinburgh, it left the book festival with a 300,000 funding gap which had to be plugged with a grant from the Scottish government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rather than embrace the debate, as they'd tried to do in previous years, the Edinburgh International Book Festival chose to avoid confrontation by programming former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's memoir but excluding The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht - a collection of essays by the campaigners who challenged her legislation for gender self identity.

That fear of conflict also spilled over into the National Library of Scotland which excluded the book from its centenary exhibition on the advice of a small group of activists who claimed it constituted "hate speech".

And over at Summerhall - an all year round venue with public funding, which has only narrowly survived redevelopment plans - not only did they shy away from conflict, they apologised to artists for allowing someone with gender critical views to have space in their building.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The fact that the person was Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, in a pre-booked event by the Herald newspaper, made the row even more controversial.

Summerhall indicated Kate Forbes would not be invited back due to her opinions on trans rights [PA Media]

The fact that all three of the aforementioned organisations are in receipt of public money is an important point.

Former SNP minister Fergus Ewing has already tabled a motion asking the Scottish government to insist that any arts body in receipt of public funds must undertake to honour freedom of expression under the law, or forfeit the grant.

At risk is Edinburgh's reputation for defending the most important aspect of any cultural festival - freedom of speech.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For all views, not just those deemed appropriate by one generation, one group, one special interest lobby.

Moira Knox may not have liked what she saw, but she understood that it was up to audiences to make up their own minds.

There are thousands of shows at the festivals. It's your choice what you see or what you don't.

But freedom of speech is at the very heart of these festivals.

As the two oldest, the International Festival and the Fringe, look towards their their 80th anniversary, it's important that they all unite to mount a staunch defence of that principle.
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday celebrated their 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and UAE Ambassador in Manila Mohamed Alqattam Alzaabi reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.

- Advertisement -

Over the past three years, both nations have signed approximately 22 agreements focusing on culture, energy transition, legal cooperation, government modernization, and security, His Excellency Alqattam said in a statement.

The UAE is home to more than one million Filipinos, whose contributions enrich every sector of society. The UAE remains committed to safeguarding welfare and strengthening the bonds between the two nations, he added.

The ambassador highlighted that the upcoming signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Program (CEPA) will further boost trade and investment in both countries.

Recent initiatives include the UAEs commitment of $20 million for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River and a $15-billion agreement between Masdar and the Philippines to develop renewable energy projects.
Something went terribly wrong in the spring 2025 legislative session, with the passage of a bill known as SB 180. The bill looked technical, but its impacts were major: In the name of storm recovery, Florida legislators made it far more difficult for communities to recover from storms  and, more importantly, to plan for sustainable, healthy growth.

If this was a mistake, it should be fixed. If it was deliberate  which is where the evidence is pointing  Floridians also need to take a good look at who theyre electing to the state Legislature. They should question any disconnect between campaign promises and actual votes, and make it clear that they are paying attention to who lawmakers are really serving.

Several nonprofit organizations are speaking up about this. One of the loudest: 1000 Friends of Florida, a respected smart-growth advocate that has earned respect from business leaders and environmentalists alike. This month, the group released a thorough legal analysis suggesting that SB 180 might be even worse than originally feared  and a clarion call to fix this very bad legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Commentary: SB 180 threatens Vision 2050 and local planning statewide

A Trojan law

On its face, this legislation purports to speed the way to recovery for communities hit by major storms, by making it easier to get permits and development approval in the aftermath of a hurricane or other natural disaster.

Thats noble enough  but largely unneeded. Many communities already agree to waive permit-application costs, reduce paperwork and even eliminate impact fees for construction related to storm recovery.

The real problem with this legislation, however, is that it blocks communities that have been impacted by storms from adopting any regulations that are more restrictive or burdensome than existing laws for two years after a storm. That would be bad enough, but the bill also uses a definition of storm-impacted communities thats written so loosely that it could apply to almost any county in Florida, pretty much in perpetuity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And its retroactive to August 2024  a date apparently chosen to invalidate Orange County residents votes last year to establish a protective rural boundary that keeps aggressive development from spilling into rural and agricultural areas.

Thats not all. Orange County updated its entire growth-management plan in early 2025  and since it changes land-use designations in some rural areas, it could be construed as more burdensome on developers. That plan, known as Vision 2050, was deemed invalid last month by the state. Thats bad enough  but things could get even more complicated if state officials decide the county discarded its old plan when it adopted the new one. If thats the case, it could leave Orange County with no comprehensive growth plan at all.

\What does that mean for local residents? The county could be forced to approve development in areas where roads, schools and other public services are already overstressed  leading to snarled traffic, portable classrooms and more.

Communities also might be forced to sign off on buildings in areas that are known to be flood-prone  homes, apartments and businesses that will then be bought by people who dont understand how vulnerable their investments are. Down the road, that could require billions of taxpayer dollars in flood control projects to protect buildings that never should have been allowed in the first place. And thats just to reduce the harm that would hit innocent human beings. It says nothing about the environmental havoc that could be unleashed if developers are free to pave any forest and pollute any stream.

Speak out or suffer

If Floridians dont demand change now, it may soon be too late. Over recent years, legislators have slowly choked the ability of Floridians to speak directly through the ballot box on issues that are important to them. The bar has been set so high that its nearly impossible for a citizen-backed initiative to make it to the statewide ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Legislators are also growing increasingly dictatorial about sweeping aside local ballot initiatives and growth management plans that let communities decide their own futures. Thats where the provisions of SB 180 hit their most alarming peak: If the bills language really is as bad as critics say it is, cities and counties could be stripped of the ability to say no to development at all. The interpretation of that language will most likely reside in the hands of judges across the state, presiding over lawsuits brought by developers who insist that SB 180 gives them leeway to sprawl across rural and forested acreage. The legislation stacks the deck in their favor  so much so that the only hope may be to prove that the bill is flat-out unconstitutional.

For decades, Floridians have said theyre worried about the impacts of runaway growth. They have watched as wild spaces were conquered and waterways were polluted by the toxic byproducts of urban development. Theyve mourned as trees were toppled to make way for housing developments and strip malls.

The concerns have only grown as Floridians see the effects of overdevelopment materialize. Black bears that once roamed forests now ramble through neighborhoods in search of trashcans. Springs once flowing with pure water are now contaminated with bacteria associated with human waste. Traffic on local roads has become so heavy that some areas grind to a standstill nearly every day. Manatees are starving from the scarcity of seagrass beds  killed off by sewage, fertilizer and road runoff generated by human occupancy.

At one point, predictions of that destruction seemed speculative. Now, its real. There can be no doubt that Floridas legislators understand the high cost  in billions of taxpayer dollars, in ecological devastation, in residents quality of life  that comes from unchecked, unwise growth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That didnt stop some lawmakers from claiming that they didnt understand the reach of SB 180  which cleared the Senate with just one no vote before sailing unanimously through the House. (Two local House members, Republican Paula Stark of St. Cloud and Democrat LaVon Bracy Davis of Orlando, did not vote.)

If thats the case, those legislators should lead the call to set things right. That means repealing SB 180 at the soonest possible opportunity  or, at the least, undoing those parts that would gut the ability of cities and counties to prepare for future growth.

Floridas leaders know how perilous this states future could be, as storms grow more violent and frequent, and floodwaters rise higher. But theyre unlikely to take action if residents dont hammer them with the message that they know how dangerous this legislation is. The forces behind SB 180 have gambled that Floridians dont care about the inner workings of government. This is the chance to prove them wrong  possibly one of the last chances Floridians will have. It cant be wasted.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Executive Editor Roger Simmons and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com
People throwing eggs and riding around on the top of vehicles are among a host of anti-social behaviour issues affecting a seafront car park, police have said.

Cleveland Police said there had been regular complaints about nuisance drivers in Redcar's Majuba car park.

Problems also included vehicles performing dangerous manoeuvres, horns blasting and deliberate backfiring, all into the early hours of the morning, a force spokeswoman said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The force said it was working with the council to clamp down on such behaviour and penalty notices would be handed out to those responsible.

'Come for egg fight'

Nearby residents reported late night vehicle noise, such as stationery cars revving their engines, as an issue, the force said.

Other complaints included a man balancing on his car roof accompanied by a traffic cone, the spokeswoman said, for which a 20-year-old man was given a ticket as well as words of advice.

The following night, officers were called out after people from two vehicles were seen throwing eggs at each other and other cars.

All the drivers were spoken to by police with some freely admitting they'd come to the car park for an egg fight, the spokeswoman said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cleveland Police said such incidents were in breach of the local authority's public space protection order (PSPO), which could result in a 100 fixed penalty notice being issued.

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

Related internet links
Emine Erdogan, the wife of the Turkish president, has appealed in a letter to Melania Trump to advocate for the children in the Gaza Strip.

She expressed her confidence that the US First Lady would extend her compassion for the children killed in the Ukraine war to the thousands of children killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the letter published by the Anadolu state news agency on Saturday.

Erdogan refers to a letter that Melania Trump addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In it, she called for the protection of children in the Ukraine war, according to the US broadcaster Fox News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Emine Erdogan has now urged her to write a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call for an end the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Erdogan's letter is dated Friday.

Relations between Turkey and Israel are tense. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan frequently launches sharp verbal attacks on Netanyahu.

Erdogan condemned the October 7, 2023 attack on the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian militant Hamas organization and other radicals but subsequently described Hamas as a "liberation organization."
A fresh renewable energy project in Australia could bring 1 gigawatt of wind power and 1.5 gigawatt-hours of energy storage capacity to the grid, according to Machine Maker.

Envision Energy has signed an agreement with FERA Australia that will result in the creation of wind turbines coupled with storage, grid-forming power conversion systems, and a hybrid power plant controller. This pilot project will be going live in the Victoria region.

FERA already has wind farms operational across the area in Seymour, Koyuga Nanneella, Triabunna, and Wombellano.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Partnering with Envision Energy marks an exciting milestone in our pursuit of large-scale renewable projects in Australia. Integrating wind power and energy storage in a hybrid project will constitute an excellent model for future initiatives," said FERA board member Sebastiano Falesi.

"The rapid advancement of renewable energy projects is crucial for supporting Australia's transition to zero-carbon energy. Envision's cutting-edge technology and deep global expertise assure us that we have a reliable partner capable of helping us achieve new standards in performance and reliability."

More broadly, Australia is heavily ramping up its wind energy supply. A $990 million wind farm is due to go live in 2029, while the Southern Hemisphere's largest wind farm is set to go online in Victoria in 2027. All told, renewables are powering 46% of Australia's grid, and the government is aiming for 82% by 2030 with aggressive investments.

This is an important transition to make, given Australia's historical reliance on coal. Fossil fuels, especially coal, contribute loads of atmospheric pollution, which exacerbates destructive weather patterns such as floods and droughts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Displacing coal and these negative side effects will take large-scale renewable energy projects like the one Envision and FERA are working on.

"This partnership is a significant step in demonstrating the potential of hybrid wind and storage solutions to reshape Australia's energy landscape," said Envision Senior Vice President Kane Xu, per Machine Maker. "We are proud of the confidence FERA Australia has shown in our technical expertise, and we are excited to deliver projects that will set new standards for clean and flexible energy."

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.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  With the first week of classes done for students at Parkland College, just being there is an accomplishment for some. After experiencing homelessness, five students are starting a new chapter in their lives.

It was a tough road getting here, but determination and support kept these students focused on achieving their goal of going to college.

New reproductive health laws championed by U of I students signed

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I finally came to the point on the day, you know, that I was arrested where enough was enough, student Elizabeth Campbell said. I thought that life was for me, and I was just so exhausted. Just mentally drained, I couldnt handle any more.

When she went to C-U at Home, she discovered their partnership with Parkland.

I was homeless for about three or four years, Campbell said. I too was addicted to drugs.

Campbell is now starting her second semester studying social work.

They have been really supportive and, like, a good foundation so that I could do what I wanted to do, said Parkland student James Thomlinson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

New reproductive health laws championed by U of I students signed

He is a part of the Support for Workforce Training program, also known as SWFT. Thomlinson is a recovering addict who dropped out of school at a young age.

I became a different person, and thats why Im here, Thomlinson said. Im trying to become a different person. Its a lot of change. And like I said, the SWFT program has been very acclimating too.

He said his first week of classes were challenging, but also amazing. Both students said the kindness from everyone is whats helping them chase their dreams.

I really enjoy it here, Thomlinson said. I like it here, its a very, very good place. Theyre very helpful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There was always someone there to help me, Campbell said. You know, literally every person has helped me along the way.

Thomlinson is going to school to get his certificate in the automotive industry, and is also looking to finish his associates degree. Campbell is also going to school for her degree, but wants to work for a place like C-U at Home to help others who may be going through the same challenges she faced.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
It all started with Joe Burrow's rumored new girlfriend.

That's what kicked off my interest in a months-long investigation that resulted in my coworker and me identifying five different South American gangs that burglarized affluent homes across Cincinnati's suburbs.

I'm Bebe Hodges, and at the time, I was an Enquirer breaking news reporter. I worked closely with our courts reporter, Kevin Grasha, to get the story behind the thefts committed by highly skilled burglars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Here's how we did it.

You might recall that last December, Burrow's Anderson Township home was burglarized while he was in Arlington, Texas, beating the Dallas Cowboys. While reading a police report, I discovered that Olivia Ponton, IMG model and influencer, reported the break-in.

My interest was piqued. Could Burrow have a new love interest? (Yes, I need a hobby besides following celebrities' romantic lives.)

Kevin Grasha and I covered the subsequent indictments of the men who burglarized Burrow's home: three men from Chile.

We had heard rumors about Chilean nationals coming to the United States on tourist visas and burglarizing homes in wealthy neighborhoods. Could this be true? And the Burrow burglary be related? The seed was planted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kevin got a tip that there were multiple Chileans charged with burglary in Hamilton County. He attended the sentencing hearings for two of them  Tamara Ruiz-Saldias and Jeremy Linai-Martinez. Through that, he learned another member of the gang was being prosecuted in Michigan for multiple burglaries.

Burrow's burglars made up the first gang we identified. This was our second gang.

We requested a transcript of a preliminary hearing in Michigan, which revealed in-depth details on how the gang executed the heists. Meanwhile, we asked local police departments if South American burglars had hit their communities.

They gave us hundreds of pages of documents detailing incidents over the last three years. And we identified two more gangs, bringing the total to four.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We found an affidavit connected to the cases. And we spoke to a sheriff, police officials, victims, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to glean information the documents couldn't give us.

We started to piece together the puzzle of how these gangs operate.

And past our deadline even, we identified a fifth gang, and had to update the story.

While I can't answer whether Burrow and Ponton are official, I can tell you how an international crime ring stole millions of dollars from homes in the Midwest for years.

And, hey, that counts for something, right?

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How The Enquirer exposed the South American theft ring in Cincinnati
NEW YORK (AP)  A posthumous and unsparing memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, will be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf said Sunday.

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice is scheduled for release Oct. 21, the publisher confirmed to The Associated Press. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, had been working on Nobody's Girl with author-journalist Amy Wallace and had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book, according to Knopf. The publisher's statement includes an email from Giuffre to Wallace a few weeks before her death, saying that it was her heartfelt wish the memoir be released regardless of her circumstances.

The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders, the email reads. It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Giuffre had been hospitalized following a serious accident March 24, Knopf said, and sent the email April 1. She died April 25.

In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODYS GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices, she wrote to Wallace.

In 2023, the New York Post had reported that Giuffre had reached a deal believed to be worth millions with an undisclosed publisher. Knopf spokesperson Todd Doughty said that she initially agreed to a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press, but moved with acquiring editor Emily Cunningham after Knopf hired Cunningham as executive editor last year.

Giuffre had stated often that, in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epstein's sex-trafficking ring and exploited by Britain's Prince Andrew and other influential men. Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell in 2019 in what investigators described as a suicide. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in late 2021 on sex trafficking and other charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Andrew had denied Giuffre's allegations. In 2022, Giuffre and Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement after she had sued him for sexual assault. A representative for Andrew did not immediately return the AP's request for comment.

Nobodys Girl is distinct from Giuffres unpublished memoir, The Billionaires Playboy Club, referenced in previous court filings and initially unsealed in 2019. Through Doughty, Wallace says she began working with Giuffre on a new memoir in spring 2021.

Giuffre's name has continued to appear in headlines, even after her death. In July, President Donald Trump told reporters that Epstein had stolen Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida where she once worked. She had alleged being approached by Maxwell and hired as a masseuse for Epstein. Maxwell has denied Giuffre's allegations.

Doughty declined to provide details about the Epstein associates featured in Nobody's Girl, but confirmed that Giuffre made no allegations of abuse against Donald Trump, who continues to face questions about Epstein, the disgraced financier and his former friend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Knopf's statement says the book contains intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, Maxwell and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their out-of-court settlement in 2022. Knopf Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jordan Pavlin, in a statement, called Nobody's Girl a raw and shocking journey and the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free.

Giuffre's time with Epstein is well documented, although her accounts have been challenged. She had acknowledged getting details wrong, errors she attributed to trying to recall events from years ago. In 2022, she dropped allegations against Alan Dershowitz, saying in a statement at the time that she may have made a mistake in identifying the famed attorney as an abuser.

'Nobody's Girl' was both vigorously fact-checked and legally vetted, a Knopf statement reads.

Giuffre's co-author on her memoir, Wallace, is an award-winning magazine and newspaper reporter whose work has appeared in The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications. She has also collaborated on two previous books, Pixar co-founder Ed Catmulls Creativity, Inc. and former General Electric CEO Jeff Immelts Hot Seat.
A Friday morning FBI raid on Trump nemesis John Boltons home will only add to a laundry list of stunts designed to pull MAGAs attention away from the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to Trump biographer Michael Wolff.

Hours before federal agents swarmed Boltons Washington, D.C. office and Maryland home, the former Trump national security adviser ripped the MAGA figureheads flop summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Bolton returned to his Bethesda, Maryland, home Friday following its search by the FBI. / Tasos Katopodis / REUTERS

In an interview with CNNs The Source guest host Brianna Keilar, Bolton alleged that Putin had rolled Trump away from threats of sanctions as he continues to wage his war on Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Of course, the Russians want to slow-roll this [negotiation process], said Bolton. Theyre hoping the whole thing will go away as they successfully slow-rolled Trumps efforts during the first six months.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. For Trump, says author Michael Wolff, Epstein is a problem. It could in fact be a mortal problem. / Patrick McMullan via Getty Image

Yet on The Daily Beast podcast, Wolff alleged that any distraction away from the Epstein files is only temporary, as their contents could blow up in Trumps face in two major ways.

Epstein is a problem. It could in fact be a mortal problem, Wolff said. Congress has insisted on seeing some aspects of these so-called Epstein files Theres two questions: What are they going to get? And actually, a continuing question never answered is what is in these files?

Wolff predicts there will be depositions from the many, many women who have accused disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, with most of that material already made public.

Trump has faced continued scrutiny over his once close ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. / Davidoff Studios/Getty

Then there will be the FBIs own investigation of those women, Wolff said. And its not all of those women, its the women that they have chosen for whatever reason to investigate or vet, you might say.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Wolff, the FBI investigations of these women and challenges to their credibility could spell trouble for Trump. From the MAGA point of view, to complicate the story in any way is a box that the administration does not want to open, he said.

Wolff said that for him, what was even more curious was the Department of Justices 2019 decision to break its 2007 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein.

Wolff added, This is a complicated deal, but a big deal, because such agreements are very rarely broken. If the justice departments breaks them, who would ever agree to them?

Ghislaine spoke to DOJ Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for two days last month. Blanche represented Donald Trump at his criminal trial in 2024. / Polak Mathieu/Getty Images

Wolff surmised that what could have caused them to break such a deal in Epsteins case was Epstein beginning to spill on his associates, including Trump. Wolff alleged that several people in the Southern District of New York had been investigating Trump at the time, and had been fired in Trumps second administration for this reason.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Did they break this non-prosecution agreement in the hope of of leveraging Jeffrey Epstein to deliver evidence about Donald Trump? Thats just another aspect of whats going to be in these files and quite likely a key area that the President Trump White House does not want exposed, Wolff said.

The Department of Justice, led by Pam Bondi, on Friday released tapes of its two-day interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. / Eric Lee/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

The Department of Justice, led by Pam Bondi, on Friday released tapes of its two-day interview with Epsteins procurer of underage girls, Ghislaine Maxwellnow 63 and serving her 20-year prison sentence in much more cushier digs thanks to her cooperation with the feds.

Among a laundry list of secrets and lies, Maxwell claimed that no Epstein client list exists. She added, Theres no list of people getting massages. I dont have I can barely recall all the people. I can barely recall. I struggle to recall actual people that I met.

The Trump administrations decision to close its investigation into Epstein has inadvertently drawn fresh attention to President Donald Trumps past friendship with him. / Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

Yet Wolff asserted that there is still much more to uncover after the FBI raided Epsteins house and took computers and other devices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Obviously, the emails are there. Those emails will likely implicate a vast number of other people who have not yet been connected to Jeffrey Epstein, said Wolff, adding that those emails will also expose who Jeffrey Epstein was talking to on a frequent daily basis in the second Trump administration.

He added, And of course, one of the things that he was talking to them about was Donald Trump.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung has repeatedly ripped author Michael Wolff in his comments to the Daily Beast. / DREW ANGERER / AFP via Getty Images

In a response to aforementioned Epstein claims, as well as claims that Trump raged over fat Black women, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung characterized Wolff as a lying sack of s--t in a statement to the Daily Beast.

Cheung called Wolff a fraud who 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.

New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Follow our new feed on your favorite podcast platform at beast.pub/dailybeastpod and subscribe on YouTube to watch full episodes.
The family of one of Jeffrey Epsteins most outspoken survivors is outraged by the Justice Departments decision to release the transcripts of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanches interview with convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly alleged that she was abused at the hands of Epstein, Maxwell, and high-profile alleged associates including Prince Andrew, died by suicide, age 41, in Australia earlier this year.

Her immediate family has said the DOJs decision to release hundreds of pages and hours of audio from the interview on Friday has given Maxwell a platform to rewrite history.

Donald Trump and Ghislaine Maxwells social lives overlapped for years. / Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

The content of these transcripts is in direct contradiction with felon Ghislaine Maxwells conviction for child sex trafficking, the family said via a spokesperson in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During DAG Todd Blanches bizarre interview, she is never challenged about her court-proven lies, providing her a platform to rewrite history.

Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail for the sex trafficking of minors in 2022, was moved to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas following her cooperation with Blanche in what was widely seen as part of a sweetheart deal.

Giuffres family said the decision to move Maxwell sends a disturbing message that child sex trafficking is acceptable and will be rewarded.

In the documents released by the DOJ, Maxwell describes President Donald Trump as a gentleman in all respects and only friendly in social settings with the man accused of creating a vast network of underage victims to sexually exploit.

Ghislaine Maxwell outside her E. 65th St. Manhattan townhouse in 2015. / New York Daily News via Getty

Trump and his administration have repeatedly attempted to distract from the renewed interest in the release of documents pertaining to Epstein and his associates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This travesty of justice entirely invalidates the experiences of the many brave survivors who put their safety, security, and lives on the line to ensure her conviction, including our sister, the Giuffre family continued in their statement.

Maxwells lawyers have said they would welcome a presidential pardon for her crimes. Trump has said that, while he is allowed to do so, its not something he has thought about.

The Department of Justice serves the people of the United States. We continue to call upon the DOJ to do its job by investigating and holding accountable the many rich and powerful people who enabled Ghislaine Maxwells and Jeffrey Epsteins crimes, Giuffres family said.
Erik Menendez's daughter, Talia, insisted the fight is not over after her adoptive father and her uncle, Lyle Menendez, were denied parole for the 1989 murders of their parents.

Extremely saddened that the parole board failed once again with a whole different commissioner, Talia wrote via her Instagram Story on Friday, August 23. Mentally torturing these 2 by forcing them to relive the trauma they have endured for 10+ hours just to tell them no and to try again in 3 years. You all can judge me for being angry. Im standing 10 toes for our family.

Both Erik and Lyles bids for freedom were rejected in two separate hearings this week. The brothers were convicted in 1996 on two counts of first-degree murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty, and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Talia has become one of the Menendez brothers most vocal supporters, especially as they appeared before a parole board with allegations of being physically, emotionally and sexually abused by their parents. (Erik adopted Talia after marrying her mother, Tammi Saccoman-Menendez, while imprisoned in 1999.)

Breaking Down Erik and Lyle Menendezs Family Guide  Including Who Does and Doesnt Support Them

In her response to the parole boards decision, Talia insisted that the fight for her fathers freedom would continue despite the latest legal setback.

We will not stop until they are free, she vowed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Talia referenced her family feeling let down time and again when their hopes were the highest theyd ever been about the possibility of Erik and Lyle being released.

Watching your family get older and older, with no violence while incarcerated, things start to change, she wrote. This is deeper than the surface level. Enough is enough.

Talia also called out celebrities whod previously supported the Menendez brothers parole efforts for not commenting on the result of the hearings.

Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Where are the celebrities that were advocating for them???? Its been WAY TOO QUIET, she complained on Thursday, August 23.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She mentioned that the only star whod checked in on her family was actor Cooper Koch, who played Erik in the Netflix true-crime drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

The only one that I can say has been checking in on my family is Cooper and we absolutely adore him, she wrote. To the ones that went to the prison without any background checks to film their show but are staying quiet now. You despise [sic] me beyond measure. Just say your views are down and keep it PUSHING.

Talias mother, Tammi, expressed similar frustration in a statement where she branded the parole decision as a complete setup and an injustice. The Menendez family released a more measured statement on Friday in which they acknowledged their disappointment.

Monsters Star Cooper Koch Reveals Erik Menendezs Reaction to Resentencing Amid Parole Delay

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While we respect the decision, todays outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for, the Menendez family members said. But our belief in Erik remains unwavering and we know he will take the Boards recommendation in stride. His remorse, growth, and the positive impact hes had on others speak for themselves. We will continue to stand by him and hold to the hope he is able to return home soon.

Us Weekly has reached out to California Board of Parole Hearings and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for comment.

Prior to last weeks hearings, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman publicly called for both Erik and Lyle to remain incarcerated.

The Menendez brothers have never fully accepted responsibility for the horrific murders of their parents, instead continuing to promote a false narrative of self-defense that was rejected by the jury decades ago, he said in a statement on Wednesday. We have consistently opposed their release because they have not demonstrated full insight into their crimes or shown that they have been fully rehabilitated, and therefore continue to pose a risk to society.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
SEOUL  South Korea fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers that briefly crossed the heavily fortified border earlier this week, Seoul said Saturday after Pyongyang accused it of risking uncontrollable tensions.

South Koreas new leader Lee Jae Myung has sought warmer ties with the nuclear-armed North and vowed to build military trust, but Pyongyang has said it has no interest in improving relations with Seoul.

- Advertisement -

Seouls military said several North Korean soldiers crossed the border Tuesday while working in the heavily mined Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.

The incursion prompted our military to fire warning shots, Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, adding the North Korean soldiers then moved north of the de facto border.

Pyongyangs state media said earlier Saturday that the incident occurred as North Korean soldiers worked to permanently seal the frontier dividing the peninsula, citing a statement by Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol.

Calling the event a premeditated and deliberate provocation, Ko said Seouls military used a machine gun to fire more than 10 warning shots towards the Norths troops, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area where a huge number of forces are stationing in confrontation with each other to the uncontrollable phase, Ko said.

The last border confrontation between the arch-rivals was in early April when South Koreas military fired warning shots after around 10 North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the frontier.

North Koreas military announced last October it was moving to totally shut off the southern border, saying it had sent a message to US forces to prevent any misjudgment and accidental conflict.

Shortly after, it blew up sections of the unused but deeply symbolic roads and railroad tracks that connect the North to the South.

Ko warned that North Koreas army would retaliate against any interference with its efforts to permanently seal the border.

If the act of restraining or obstructing the project unrelated to the military character persists, our army will regard it as deliberate military provocation and take corresponding countermeasures, he said.

Under Lees more hawkish predecessor, relations between the two Koreas had sunk to one of their lowest points in years.

After Lees election in June, he pledged to pursue dialogue with the nuclear-armed North without preconditions, saying last week his government will take consistent measures to substantially reduce tensions and restore trust. AFP

Even so, South Korea and the United States began annual joint exercises on Monday aimed at preparing for potential threats from the North.

Lee described the drills as defensive and said they were not intended to heighten tensions.

North Korea  which attacked its neighbor in 1950, triggering the Korean War  has long been infuriated by such exercises between the US and the South, decrying them as rehearsals for invasion.

Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Pyongyang was again accusing Seoul of pursuing a dual approach with its latest outburst  calling for dialogue while in its view raising military tensions.

Pyongyangs leader Kim called earlier this week for the rapid expansion of the Norths nuclear weapons capability, citing the ongoing US-South Korean military exercises that he claimed could ignite a war.

His powerful sister has since said Seoul cannot be a diplomatic partner of the North, and that Lee is not the sort of man who will change the course of history. AFP
When will British travellers to the European Union and wider Schengen Area need to apply in advance for an online permit? The short answer is: not before 2027.

EU officials had originally confirmed that the much delayed entry-exit system would take effect on 10 November 2024.

From that date, it was thought that every UK traveller entering the Schengen Area would need to be fingerprinted and provide a facial biometric. (The requirement will not apply to British visitors to Ireland, in the European Union but outside Schengen.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the deadline was missed. Now the European Union says EES will start to be rolled out from 12 October 2025 with completion by 9 April 2026.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) can only function once the Entry/Exit System is fully working.

It is due to launch six months after that. The EU says Etias will launch in the final quarter of 2026  some time from October to December.

But for at least another six months the Etias will be optional. So you will not need one before April 2027 at the earliest.

What is Etias?

British travellers and those from all other third-country visa-free nationals (as the UK chose to become after Brexit) will need provide information in advance so that frontier officials know more about them on arrival  and to identify people who the EU wants to keep out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Etias, the next step in tightening frontier controls, is a online permit system that is similar to the US Esta scheme. It will cost 20 (17) and is valid for three years, or until the passport reaches three months to expiry, whichever comes first.

UK nationals are required to have a valid Etias travel authorisation if they travel to any of the European countries requiring Etias for a short-term stay (90 days in any 180-day period), says the EU.

Its key function is to verify if a third-country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen Area.

The zone covers almost all of the EU (apart from Ireland and for now, Cyprus) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. By the time Etias begins Cyprus is likely to be a Schengen area member.

When will I need one?

Here is the timeline of the essential roll-out:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

12 October 2025: EU Entry/Exit System starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But the biometric elements  face and fingerprints  will not be mandatory for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped.

December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.

January 2026: By now, member states should operate the Entry/Exit System  with biometric functionalities  at a minimum of half of their border crossing points. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience double red tape: providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well.

9 April 2026: Roll-out of Entry/Exit System should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.

October 2026 (or later): Etias may finally come into play.

The EU says: Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.

But required is not exactly correct. It will be only on a voluntary basis initially. The European Union says the launch of Etias will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months.

The EU says: For travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their Etias travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those conditions are basically the existing requirements for passport validity:

Issued no more than 10 years earlier on the day of entry to the European Union.

Valid for at least three months on the intended day of departure from the EU.

The earliest, therefore, that any British traveller or other third-country national will need an Etias is April 2027.

Once the transitional period is over, a further grace period of at least six months will apply on a one-time only basis to British travellers who turn up without an Etias.

The European Union says: There is an exception: only those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an Etias provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an Etias travel authorisation.

The grace period will last at least six months.

How will I apply for an Etias?

At the heart of the system is an Etias website. An app will follow (any apps that currently purport to be official EU Etias apps are imposters).

Travellers will be required to submit personal information including name, address, contact details in Europe and passport data. They must also state an occupation (with job title and employer). Students must give the name of their educational establishment.

The applicant must give details of any serious convictions in the past 20 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Travellers must also provide the reason for their journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc), specify the Schengen Area country they will first arrive in, and provide the address of their first nights stay. That looks as though it could pose a problem for tourists who like to make plans as they go along. In fact, the European Union helpfully points out that you are not bound to stick to that nominated location: Once you have your travel authorisation in hand, you can change your plans.

As with the US Esta, after you have been admitted once and have returned home, you can enter again without updating such information online.

The fee is 20 (17) for all applicants aged 18 to 70. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, they need not pay.

What happens to the information?

Every application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as a dedicated Etias watch-list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.

In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?

Yes. If you are suspected of one or more of the above offences, but in fact have led a blameless life, you will be allowed to argue your case. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.

How far in advance must I apply?

The aim is for an Etias to be granted in most circumstances within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.

If an application is flagged (ie there is a hit with one of the databases) the prospective visitor may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The European Union says: We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.

If I get an Etias, must I print anything out?

No. The frontier guard will get all the information they need from the passport you used to apply for your Etias.

Will my Etias be checked before departure to the EU?

Yes. Most British travellers to Europe will have their Etias status checked by the airline, as currently happens with travel to the US (Esta), Canada (eTA) and many other countries.

Airlines are obliged to ensure passenger comply with the immigration rules of the destination. A couple of them made a complete mess of it when the post-Brexit passport regime took effect, and invented their own rules.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To try to avoid a repeat, I have written to the airlines representative body to try to ensure that they are fully aware of the optional nature of Etias during the transitional and grace periods before it becomes mandatory.

Is Etias a visa?

This answer to this common question depends on your interpretation of semantics. Officially, it is exactly the opposite of a visa. Europe says that Etias is a pre-travel authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers. It is a similar concept to the UK ETA, the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.

But Etias requires visitors to:

Apply in advance

Provide substantial personal information

Pay money

Be issued with a permit to cross a border.

So I contend it amounts to a normal persons understanding of a visa.

Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?

No. Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry, says the EU.

All travellers arriving at the border are still subject to border checks and border guards will refuse entry to those who do not meet the entry conditions .

As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason, with the Etias permission rescinded.

Must I apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?

No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport reaches three months before expiry, whichever is the earlier. (Note also that British passports must not be over 10 years old on the day of entry to the European Union.)

Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?

No. Ireland is not in the Schengen Area, and the Common Travel Area  incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands  transcends European Union rules.

If I have a visa for study or work, or a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?

No.

How are people without internet access supposed to apply?

They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.

Just remind us about the 90/180 day rule?

This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.

As an example of what it means: if you were to spend the first 90 days of 2025 (January, February and almost all of March) in the Schengen area, you would not be able to return until late June.

Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?

No. Work on strengthening the European Unions external border was already under way before the UK referendum on membership in June 2016. Initially British officials participated in plans for the entry-exit system.

Neither the EES nor Etias would be relevant if the UK was still in the EU. But the nation voted to leave the European Union and the UK government negotiated for British travellers to be classified as third-country nationals  triggering extra red tape.

Will Etias be the next online scam?

Yes. As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed.

But according to Frontex  the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which is implementing Etias  there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic 20 (17).

Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted. One imposter site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.

Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.

Frontex also warns about the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.
Postal services in Europe and around the world plan to halt shipping merchandise to the U.S. as the Trump administrations end of the de minimus tariff exemption goes into effect.

The de minimus exemption allowed international carriers to ship goods valued under $800 to the U.S. without paying any duties.

The White House announced the end of the exemption weeks ago, linking it to fentanyl and other illicit drugs coming into the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DHL, Europes largest shipping provider, said in a statement on its website Friday that "Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the U.S." effective immediately.

Trump Announces Tariff Investigation Into Furniture Imports To Restore Us Manufacturing

DHL, Europes largest shipping provider, said Friday that "Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the U.S." effective immediately.

The end of the exemption goes into effect Aug. 29.

Read On The Fox Business App

DHL said its restrictions on packages would be temporary, explaining they were necessary because of "new processes required by U.S. authorities for postal shipping, which differ from the previously applicable regulations."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The company continued, "Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out."

Postal services in Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Austria, France and Belgium have similarly said they plan to pause shipments to the U.S.

The U.K.s Royal Mail has also temporarily paused shipments, according to the BBC.

Outside of Europe, Asian countries like Singapore and Thailand said they would also hold off on shipments until theres more clarity on the new rules.

President Donald Trump announced the end of the de minimus tariff exemption last month.

Canada Lifts Tariffs On Some Us Goods To Resume Trade Talks

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The halt underscores the sweeping disruption caused by President Trumps decision to eliminate the de minimis threshold, which previously allowed low-value parcels to enter the US without customs duties," Thailand Post said in a statement on its website. "The exemption, capped at US$800 per person per day, facilitated millions of small packages from around the world entering the US smoothly."

Australia Post said it has paused transit on a handful of packages from other countries bound for the U.S.

"We have been working hard with US authorities and international partners to adapt our services to meet the new US de minimis requirements so UK consumers and businesses can continue to use our services when they come into effect," the Royal Mail said.

A Royal Mail postbox in London.

The U.S. ended the de minimus exemption for China in May.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The White House said at the time that many Chinese-based shippers hide illicit substances, including synthetic opioids, in low-value packages to exploit the de minimis exemption.

The administration said that the amount of de minimus shipments coming into the U.S. has increased from 134 million to 1.34 billion between 2-15 and 2024, according to the Financial Times.

It has also helped Chinese-based fast fashion companies like Temu and Shein, which ship directly to customers.

FOX Business has reached out to the White House and DHL for comment.





Original article source: European, Asian postal services to halt shipments to US after end of de minimis tariff exemption
The European Council building has been illuminated in the colours of Ukraines national flag as a sign of support for the Ukrainian people.

Source: European Council President Antonio Costa on X (Twitter)

Quote: "Dear people of Ukraine, tonight, the Europa Building shines in your national colours  blue and yellow  as a symbol of our steadfast support for you."

Details: Costa added that on the eve of Ukraines Independence Day, Europe honours the courage, resilience and European future of Ukrainians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He also shared a photo of the Europa building lit up in blue and yellow, ending his post with the words: "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine!)

The Europa building.

Photo: Antonio Costa

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The end of an exemption on tariff duties for low-value packages coming into the United States is causing multiple international postal services to pause shipping as they await more clarity on the rule.

The exemption, known as the  de minimis" exemption, allows packages worth less than $800 to come into the U.S. duty free. A total of 1.36 billion packages were sent in 2024 under this exemption, for goods worth $64.6 billion, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agency.

It is set to expire on Friday. On Saturday, postal services around Europe announced that they are suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid confusion over new import duties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy said they will stop shipping most merchandise to the U.S. effective immediately. France and Austria will follow on Monday.

The U.K.s Royal Mail said it would halt shipments to the U.S. on Tuesday to allow time for those packages to arrive before duties kick in. Items originating in the United Kingdom worth over $100  including gifts to friends and family  will incur a 10% duty, it said.

Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out, DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, said in a statement.

The company said starting Saturday it will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A trade framework agreed on by the U.S. and the European Union last month set a 15% tariff on the vast majority of products shipped from the EU. Packages under $800 will now also be subject to the tariff.

The U.S. duty-free exemption for goods originating from China ended in May as part of the Trump administrations efforts to curb American shoppers from ordering low-value Chinese goods. The exemption is being extended to shipments from around the world.

Many European postal services say they are pausing deliveries now because they cannot guarantee the goods will enter the U.S. before Aug. 29. They cite ambiguity about what kind of goods are covered by the new rules, and the lack of time to process their implications.

Postnord, the Nordic logistics company, and Italys postal service announced similar suspensions effective Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the absence of different instructions from US authorities ... Poste Italiane will be forced, like other European postal operators, to temporarily suspend acceptance of all shipments containing goods destined for the United States, starting August 23. Mail shipments not containing merchandise will continue to be accepted, Poste Italiane said Friday.

Shipping by services such as DHL Express remains possible, it added.

Bjorn Bergman, head of PostNords Group Brand and Communication, said the pause was unfortunate but necessary to ensure full compliance of the newly implemented rules.

In the Netherlands, PostNL spokesperson Wout Witteveen said the Trump administration is pressing ahead with the new duties despite U.S. authorities lacking a system to collect them. He said that PostNL is working closely with its U.S. counterparts to find a solution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you have something to send to America, you should do it today, Witteveen told The Associated Press.

Austrian Post, Austrias leading logistics and postal service provider, stated that the last acceptance of commercial shipments to the U.S., including Puerto Rico, will take place Tuesday.

Frances national postal service, La Poste, said the U.S. did not provide full details or allow enough time for the French postal service to prepare for new customs procedures.

Despite discussions with U.S. customs services, no time was provided to postal operators to re-organize and assure the necessary computer updates to conform to the new rules, it said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

PostEurop, an association of 51 European public postal operators, said that if no solution can be found by Aug. 29 all its members will likely follow suit.

___

Anderson reported from New York. Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris; Costas Kantouris in Thessaloniki, Greece; Stephanie Lichtenstein in Vienna; Brian Melley in London and Molly Quell in Amsterdam contributed to this report.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
A top press officer who was fired by the State Department last week after pushing back on the governments aggressive language regarding Israel and Palestinians now says his ouster is contributing to a chilling effect within the department, particularly among colleagues who share his concerns.

In his first interview since his firing, Shahed Ghoreishi told Democracy Now that while the State Department gave no explanation for his exit, the incident followed several disputes in which department officials condemned Ghoreishi for characterizing U.S. positions on Gaza to include what the former press officer said was humanity and empathy.

I believe that basic U.S. interests and human decency were important in my role, Ghoreishi told the outlet Friday. And last week, I think three events from Sunday, Monday and Tuesday built up to aggravate the radical ideologues at the State Department and in Embassy Jerusalem to lead to my firing.

Related: JD Vance Schooled Over Clueless Historical Claim: Does He Know Anything?

Ghoreishi had been serving as a press officer since September 2024, and in January moved to draft official language and talking points specifically about the U.S. governments position on Israeli-Palestinian affairs.

Shahed Ghoreishi was fired from his position as a press officer for Israeli-Palestinian affairs at the U.S. State Department after he pushed for language expressing condolences for journalists killed by Israel. pic.twitter.com/J41At1vBni  Democracy Now! (@democracynow) August 22, 2025

On Aug. 17, Ghoreishi suggested that language around Israels recent killing of high-profile Palestinian journalist Anas al-Sharif and his five colleagues should include mourning for the loss of journalists and condolences to their families. According to the ex-press officer, the department immediately said it cannot give condolences because Israel has accused al-Sharif of being a member of Hamas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I have an issue with relying on Israelis for every intelligence and comments. So we should be able to pause and evaluate things, Ghoreishi told Democracy Now. If they had said, Hey were gonna wait 48 hours and confirm, thatd be one thing. But immediately deferring to the Israelis is highly problematic.

On Aug. 18, State Department leadership rejected a line drafted by Ghoreishi in a press release about Israels plan to violently force nearly a million Palestinians out of Gaza City. The line read, We do not support forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, a message previously used by President Donald Trump and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

On Aug. 19, Ghoreishi pushed back against an effort to officially refer to the occupied West Bank as the biblical Judea and Samaria, a name used by many Israelis and Zionists. The Washington Post reported that the effort was largely led by David Milstein, a top adviser to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Ghoreishi was still able to cut the line, keeping the previously approved West Bank as official State Department language.

Related: Trump Apparently Has A New Bruise And Karoline Leavitt Has An Explanation

In a general sense, the civil servants there are doing their job. They know their role, they recognize the administration theyre under and the prerogative, he said. But at the same time, people are aware that, especially in the press context  being empathetic, a bit more empathetic, just at least showing concern, is just basic press advice. And so people are concerned about the aggressive language.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And now when someone like Milstein and the secretarys office clamp down and fire someone like me, that puts a chilling effect on people who might give that advice, that we need to call this out or be more empathetic or try to deliver things with a bit more human decency, he added.

After his firing, the Iranian American was targeted by right-wing figure Laura Loomer, who accused him of not being loyal enough to the Trump administration and its Middle East policies. Tommy Pigott, the State Departments deputy spokesperson, said the department has zero tolerance for employees who leak confidential deliberate emails or information. Ghoreishi called the accusations baseless.

More on Politics

Trump Threatens 'Sloppy' Former Pal In Off-The-Rails Sunday Night Rant

Trump's Latest Outrage: A Lot Of People Are Saying Maybe We'd Like A Dictator

Jasmine Crockett Asks MAGA 1 Question On GOP Future And Gets A Shocking Answer

Read the original on HuffPost
In July and August 2025, posts claimed an ex-CIA whistleblower alleged that the National Security Agency audited the 2024 presidential election and found that former Vice President Kamala Harris actually won.

The claims stem from an article published by a Substack account called This Will Hold on July 31, 2025. However, Snopes did not find any documentation or other evidence proving that such an audit occurred. No credible news outlet had reported on it, and the Substack article did not offer proof that it took place.

Snopes reached out to the NSA for comment on the veracity of the Substack article's claims and did not receive a response. This Will Hold also did not respond to our questions about its report and the alleged audit.

The Substack article identified a person by the name of Adam Zarnowski as the ex-CIA agent who was involved in the audit. However, Snopes could not independently verify Zarnowski's employment with the CIA or his alleged involvement in such an NSA audit.

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's 2024 election victory, unsubstantiated claims that his opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris, was actually the rightful winner and that the election was "stolen" from her circulated widely on social media.

In July and August 2025, a new rumor related to election integrity gained traction online. Posts claimed (archived here and here) an ex-CIA whistleblower alleged that the National Security Agency (NSA) audited the 2024 presidential election and found that Harris actually won.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For example, a Facebook post (archived) on Aug. 13, 2025, read:

Here's exactly what an ex-CIA whistleblower reportedly said about the compromised 2024 elections: "In December 2024, I was personally involved in an NSAauthorized forensic audit of the 2024 election. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz wonby a wide margin. Trump lost dramatically. There are multiple layers of complexity to this coverup, including transnational organized crime syndicates that extend far beyond the United States and our elections. To that point, I work in the human trafficking sector, which intersects with the stolen election(s) and has ties to Trump and Epsteinnot to President Biden, Vice President Harris, or Governor Walz, but to the Democrats and other allied interests responsible for burying the audit." Adam Zarnowski, ex-CIA agent,and author of Jormungandr

*Unfortunately the CIA won't confirm he was an employee.

Scores of Snopes readers emailed us and searched our website for information about the alleged ex-CIA whistleblower's purported account of the alleged NSA audit.

The claims stem from an article (archived) published by a Substack account called This Will Hold on July 31, 2025.

According to the article, a person named Adam Zarnowski, who was identified as an ex-CIA agent, alleged that he was "personally involved in an NSA-authorized forensic audit of the 2024 election." That audit supposedly revealed that Harris won the 2024 presidential election "by a wide margin" while Trump "lost dramatically," Zarnowski was quoted as saying.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, Snopes did not find any documentation or other evidence proving that such an audit occurred. No credible news outlets had reported on it, and the Substack article did not offer proof that it took place at the time of publication.

Here's what we know about the the Substack article's claims and Zarnowski's background:

NSA audit concluded Harris won, Substack report alleges

The online claims about an ex-CIA whistleblower alleging the NSA conducted an audit that found Harris won the 2024 presidential election stem from a Substack article (archived) published on July 31, 2025, titled, "Ex-CIA Whistleblower: 'The NSA Audited The 2024 Election, Kamala Harris Won.'"

Zarnowski, who was named as the alleged whistleblower, was quoted as saying:

In December 2024, I was personally involved in an NSAauthorized forensic audit of the 2024 election. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz won  by a wide margin. Trump lost dramatically. There are multiple layers of complexity to this coverup, including transnational organized crime syndicates that extend far beyond the United States and our elections. To that point, I work in the human trafficking sector, which intersects with the stolen election(s) and has ties to Trump and Epsteinnot to President Biden, Vice President Harris, or Governor Walz, but to the Democrats and other allied interests responsible for burying the audit.

However, the article offered few details about the alleged audit's findings and provided no verifiable proof that it actually took place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the article, Zarnowski "laid out pieces of an intricate network of bad actors and covert operations behind transnational organized crime and the stolen 2024 election."

"Some of his disclosures confirmed long-held suspicions; others were shocking, exposing connections between organized crime, political operatives, and global power brokers," the article continued. The article didn't offer any concrete evidence to back up these supposed connections or the alleged "network of bad actors and covert operations."

The article claimed Zarnowski said "none of his revelations are classified," and that he has "full authorization to speak and is prepared to testify under oath."

However, the article did not say that Zarnowski had already testified. It's also worth noting that if the information wasn't classified, other media outlets likely would have reported on it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The article also alleged that Zarnowski helped the NSA collect data for the supposed audit, though it didn't offer any details on what kind of data was involved or how it was obtained.

The article then appeared to link electronic voting machines and changes to election software to claims of election fraud. It's unclear how this information was connected to the supposed NSA audit. Additionally, there's no credible evidence to support claims that faulty voting machines or election software rigged the election in Trump's favor, as the article suggested.

Snopes reached out to the NSA for comment on the veracity of the Substack article's claims and will update this article if we receive a response. We also sent our questions about the alleged audit to This Will Hold via Substack and did not receive a response by the time of publication.

What we know about Zarnowski's background

At the time of publication, Snopes could not independently verify Zarnowski's employment with the CIA or his alleged involvement in an NSA audit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Zarnowski's Substack bio and LinkedIn profile, he has worked on cases involving human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence and crimes against children for organizations that aren't affiliated with the federal government.

Both his bio and the Substack article also listed him as the author of a book titled "Jrmungandr: A Study in Global Human Trafficking." The Substack article suggested that Zarnowski's book detailed allegations of election fraud. However, Snopes didn't find any evidence to support that claim.

We searched an archived version of Zarnowski's book for the term "NSA" and found a footnote mentioning a forensic audit of the 2024 presidential election. But the comment within the footnote appeared to be speculation rather than a factual report. It read, in part:

It would be very interesting, and unfortunate, if there had been an NSA-authorized forensic audit of the 2024 presidential election showing Kamala Harris, not Donald Trump, to be the winner  an audit which the Democratic Party itself scuttled.

In a message to Snopes sent via Substack, Zarnowski suggested this statement was meant to be sarcastic, writing, "I would suggest that even you yourself has mistaken sarcasm for mere 'speculation,' having missed key figures and references." However, he did not expand upon those references and figures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zarnowski also did not provide Snopes with any definitive proof that he worked for the CIA or participated in an NSA audit. Instead, he said a woman with a group called the Common Coalition verified his service with the CIA "to a degree that I am admittedly a bit uncomfortable with." Zarnowski went on to say:

I certainly welcome the public's skepticism when it comes to extraordinary claims. In fact, having been met with such questions was a welcome and refreshing change from what I and many have witnessed in society over the years. Make no mistake, a lot of my claims are absolutely extraordinary. However, there is much more included in the book than has been acknowledged to date.

In sum 

There's no evidence that an NSA audit concluded Harris actually won the 2024 presidential election.

The rumor originated from a Substack article that did not offer documentation or other proof to substantiate its claims. The article also quoted a self-identified former CIA agent, but his employment with the agency and any involvement in an alleged NSA audit remained unverified at the time of publication.

Additionally, there's no credible evidence to support claims that faulty voting machines or election software rigged the election in Trump's favor, as the article suggested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For further reading, Snopes previously investigated claims that a lawsuit was challenging the results of the 2024 general election in Rockland County, New York.

Sources:

This Will Hold. "Ex-CIA Whistleblower: 'the NSA Audited the 2024 Election, Kamala Harris Won.'" Substack.com, This Will Hold, 31 July 2025, thiswillhold.substack.com/p/ex-cia-whistleblower-the-nsa-audited?r=57k1uv&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Substack. "This Will Hold." Substack.com, substack.com/@thiswillhold. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Substack. "Adam Zarnowski." Substack.com, substack.com/@adamzarnowski. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Zarnowski, Adam. "Jrmungandr: A Study in Global Human Trafficking: Internet Archive." Internet Archive, 20 July 2025, archive.org/details/jormungandr_azarnowski/page/n429/mode/2up?q=NSA. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
By Cassandra Garrison, Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas

BUENOS AIRES/CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday reported the first human case in the United States of travel-associated New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, from an outbreak-affected country.

The case, investigated by the Maryland Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was confirmed by the CDC as New World screwworm on August 4, and involved a patient who returned from travel to El Salvador, HHS spokesman Andrew G. Nixon said in an email to Reuters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier, Reuters reported that beef industry sources said last week that the CDC had confirmed a case of New World screwworm in a person in Maryland who had traveled to the United States from Guatemala.

Nixon did not address the discrepancy on the source of the human case.

"The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low," he said.

The U.S. government has not confirmed any cases in animals this year.

The differing accounts from the U.S. government and industry sources on the human case are likely to further rattle an industry of cattle ranchers, beef producers and livestock traders already on high alert for potential U.S. infestations as screwworm has moved northward from Central America and southern Mexico.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The government's confirmation of a screwworm case comes just over a week after U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins traveled to Texas to announce plans to build a sterile fly facility there as part of efforts to combat the pest.

The USDA has estimated a screwworm outbreak could cost the economy in Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle-producing state, about $1.8 billion in livestock deaths, labor costs and medication expenses.

An executive of the industry group Beef Alliance sent emails last week to about two dozen people in the livestock and beef sectors, informing them that the CDC had confirmed a human case of screwworm in Maryland in a person who had traveled to the U.S. from Guatemala, according to a source, who asked not to be identified, and who shared the contents of the emails with Reuters.

Beth Thompson, South Dakota's state veterinarian, told Reuters on Sunday that she was notified of a human case in Maryland within the last week by a person with direct knowledge of it. CDC deferred questions to Maryland on a call with state animal health officials, Thompson said. We found out via other routes and then had to go to CDC to tell us what was going on, she said. They werent forthcoming at all. They turned it back over to the state to confirm anything that had happened or what had been found in this traveler.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another source said that state veterinarians had learned about a human case in Maryland during a call last week with the CDC. A Maryland state government official also confirmed a case.

A spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

WHAT ARE SCREWWORMS? Screwworms are parasitic flies whose females lay eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. Once the eggs hatch, hundreds of screwworm larvae use their sharp mouths to burrow through living flesh, eventually killing their host if left untreated.

The maggots' feeding is similar to a screw being driven into wood, giving the pests their name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Screwworms can be devastating in cattle and wildlife, and rarely infest humans, though an infestation in either an animal or a person can be fatal.

Treatment is onerous, and involves removing hundreds of larvae and thoroughly disinfecting wounds. But infestations are typically survivable if treated early enough.

The emails from the Beef Alliance executive said that due to patient privacy laws, there were no other details available about the positive human case of screwworm. The person was treated and prevention measures were implemented in the state, the email said.

A livestock economist at Texas A&M University was asked to prepare a report for Rollins on the impacts to industry of the border closure to Mexican cattle, according to the emails, a measure that has largely been in effect since November to prevent the arrival of screwworm to the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The CDC was required to report the positive New World screwworm case to both Maryland health officials and the Maryland state veterinarian, one of the emails said, adding that the CDC also notified other agriculture stakeholders.

"We remain hopeful that, since awareness is currently limited to industry representatives and state veterinarians, the likelihood of a positive case being leaked is low, minimizing market impact," the beef industry executive wrote.

A representative for the Beef Alliance did not respond to requests for comment.

IMPACT ON BEEF AND CATTLE FUTURES

Livestock traders and beef producers have been on edge about the potential for cases in cattle as prices have already hit record highs because the U.S. cattle herd is at its smallest size in seven decades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A human case and the lack of transparency around it could present a political challenge for Rollins. The USDA has set traps and sent mounted officers along the border, but it has faced criticism from some cattle producers and market analysts for not acting faster to pursue increased fly production.

Rollins first announced plans for a sterile fly facility at Moore Air Force Base in Edinburg, Texas - near where a production facility to combat screwworm operated during the last major outbreak 50 years ago - in June, saying that the facility would take two to three years to come online. A spokesperson for the USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mexico has also taken efforts to limit the spread of the pest, which can kill livestock within weeks if not treated. The Mexican government said in July that it started to build a $51 million sterile fly production facility in the country's south.

The sole operating plant is in Panama City and can produce a maximum of 100 million sterile screwworm flies each week. The USDA has estimated that 500 million flies would need to be released weekly to push the fly back to the Darien Gap, the stretch of rainforest between Panama and Colombia.

Screwworms have been traveling north through Mexico from Central America since 2023. They are endemic in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and countries in South America, according to the USDA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mexico reported a new case about 370 miles (595 km) south of the U.S. border in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, in July. The USDA immediately ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry, after previously halting imports in November and May.

The U.S. typically imports over a million cattle from Mexico a year to fatten in feedlots and process into beef.

Screwworms were eradicated from the United States in the 1960s when researchers began releasing massive numbers of sterilized male screwworm flies that mate with wild female screwworms to produce infertile eggs.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison in Buenos Aires, Tom Polansek in Chicago and Leah Douglas in Washington. Additional reporting by Heather Schlitz in Chicago and Jarrett Renshaw in Washington. Editing by Emily Schmall, Diane Craft and Sonali Paul)
Experts have urged swift action to address the impact of plastic additives on declining sperm counts and fertility rates worldwide, The Guardian reports.

What's happening?

Earlier this month, a sixth round of United Nations-convened talks to address the plastics crisis fell apart.

Since 2022, countries have worked to reach an agreement on a legally binding plastic treaty facilitated by the U.N. Plastic production relies on fossil fuels, and oil-producing nations, such as the United States, have resisted proposed caps on manufacturing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As tense treaty negotiations persisted, a second, perhaps seemingly unrelated, issue remained in the news: rapidly dwindling fertility rates.

In June, the BBC covered a report from the United Nations Population Fund, concerning "an unprecedented decline" in rates of reproduction. It focused in part on socioeconomic challenges to birth rates, but scientists say these aren't the only contributing factors.

Shanna Swan, a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City, has been investigating links between environmental conditions and reproductive issues for years.

She told The Guardian that a notable decline in sperm counts can be attributed "largely, but not entirely  to toxins in the environment that have the ability to interfere with steroid hormones."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With such chemicals found in many plastics, the publication noted that average sperm counts have fallen "at a rate of about 1% a year for the past 50 years," with human fertility more broadly shown to be "diminishing at a similar rate."

Swan emphasized that sperm counts haven't been dropping steadily, though  the decrease has appeared to be accelerating.

"If you looked at all of the studies going back to 1973 you [would] see a 1% per year decline. But if you look at studies published after 2000, you see an over 2% decline," she explained.

Why is plastic pollution a concern related to fertility?

In the UNFPA's June report on fertility rates, the organization emphasized global instability and the rising cost of living as two factors influencing voluntary reproduction. It also identified "fear for the future," including climate concerns, to be a reason cited by 19 percent of survey respondents as figuring into family planning decisions.

Meanwhile, environmental issues seem to be playing another role in the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Swan noted that additives used to soften plastic (phthalates) and harden it (bisphenols) are known endocrine disruptors. "Phthalates lower testosterone and the bisphenols increase estrogen," she told The Guardian. Past research from Swan and her colleagues also found that prenatal exposure to phthalates could impact the development of the male reproductive tract, leading to lower sperm counts later in life.

"When you see that total sperm count going down worldwide, what I believe is you're seeing an important effect of early exposure to these chemicals," she concluded.

What's being done about it?

As a part of its fertility report, the UNFPA recommended improving equitable access to "comprehensive reproductive health services," which could include care that takes environmental research and factors into account.

And while the U.N.'s plastic treaty efforts have yet to result in an agreement, contacting lawmakers to demand action that curbs plastic production globally is one way to address the issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Consumers voting with their dollars can help too. At an individual level, using less plastic and replacing one's most-used items with plastic-free alternatives could reduce direct exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

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.
An impromptu beaver release in southwestern England is going unexpectedly well, according to the Bradenton Herald.

In 2024, a beaver was released in the Helman Tor conservation area outside of usual repopulation processes. While this "beaver bomb" was not part of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's plans, recent trail camera footage showed that the beaver is successfully rearing offspring. This is a great sign for the viability of the habitat and the individual.

Trail cameras are vital tools for monitoring animal population health, especially among species that are elusive or few in number. The technology allows researchers to get accurate data without disrupting natural behaviors. That data, in turn, can inform protection measures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Beavers were locally extinct, or extirpated, in the United Kingdom from the 16th century until the early 2000s. Hunting for furs, food, and oils was a primary driver of population decrease. Since then, beaver repopulation efforts have been active and producing great results.

For example, reintroduction in Devon has produced enough beavers to help with both flood and drought conditions. Beaver dams can retain water for use during drought conditions and stem the tide during a downpour.

Beavers earned protected status in the U.K. in 2022. Additional federal guidelines for reintroductions were provided this year.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been happy to see this unplanned local action going well and will continue to support beaver populations in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"While we don't condone the way beavers arrived at Helman Tor in 2024, it's hard not to celebrate the birth of kits," said Cornwall Wildlife Trust Director Cheryl Marriott. "The beavers are already transforming the landscape in remarkable ways, and this is just the beginning. To build a healthy, genetically diverse population in Cornwall, we need more beavers in more places. That's why our approach of managed, licensed releases is more important than ever."

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Video surveillance from Welsh conservationists has captured the first fleeting glimpse of a severely endangered shark since 2021, according to the Guardian.

Thanks to underwater cameras planted by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, the world can see footage of an angel shark  a species close to extinction.

According to the WWF, the species' population has declined by 80% in 45 years and has been classified as "critically endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dr. Sarah Perry, marine conservation and research manager at WTSWW, told the Guardian, "We were thrilled to record an angel shark in Cardigan Bay, a rare and exciting encounter." It's also significant, as the return of a species is a good sign regarding the ecological health of an area.

The organization's wildlife video monitoring isn't just for observation but for protection. Camera footage helps analyze existing wildlife population numbers and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This method provided awesome footage of a wolverine family in Alaska.

Sadly, the angel shark's population numbers have suffered because of slow reproduction, difficulty adapting to ocean floor life, and habitat loss.

One of the biggest threats to the angel shark is the industrial fishing practice known as trawling. This method drags a large net or trawl along the ocean floor, capturing anything it catches, including unwanted species and sensitive habitats like seagrass and coral reefs. According to NOAA Fisheries, many sea turtles, pilot whales, and dolphins are also susceptible to entanglement in these lines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Guardian also reported that environmental groups warn that the angel shark could disappear from the United Kingdom's waters without proper intervention. The loss of any species can disrupt the ecosystem and food chain. Angel sharks help keep their prey populations in balance and prevent other species from overgrazing seagrass beds.

Effective environmental management requires concerted effort from the government, commercial businesses, and individuals. Anyone can discuss climate issues with family and be mindful of what companies they support.

Participation in an open UK government consultation to ban trawling in marine protected areas is a chance for concerned citizens to take local action to help the angel shark and other endangered local marine species.

These combined efforts help more animals, rare trees, and plants survive as part of a balanced food chain, which is also vital for humans. Thus, everyone can enjoy a planet that'll thrive, be cleaner, cooler, and safer for the future.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has pleaded for compliance with international law and UN Charter principles as no viable order is possible without these rules.

The plea came in a message that the King addressed to the 82nd session of the Institute of International Law, which opened proceedings Sunday at the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat.

The Monarch pointed out that Morocco has always based its external action on a legalistic, structured approach grounded in compliance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. No viable order is possible without rules. My countrys diplomacy is firmly based on that conviction, said the Monarch in the message that was read out by the Institutes President Mohamed Bennouna.

However, the king explained, no major progress can be made in isolation. International dynamics are not just balancing games between states. They are based on values, on consensual principles and on institutions that are capable of properly shaping cooperation and making sure these principles can withstand the test of time.

The monarch who recalled that Africa had to wait for more than four decades to host a session of the Institute that is since the Cairo session in 1987  commended the Institute of International Law as a fervent advocate for the peaceful settlement of disputes, a position anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter, which has, over time, been able to listen to the world, to open itself up to diversity, and to accommodate all cultures, all sensitivities.

Since it was created in 1873, the Institute of International Law has been more than just a witness to the deep changes affecting the world. It has been an astute observer, a resourceful analyst, a standard-setter and a strong voice for the legal conscience of the world, the Monarch stated, recalling that the Institute has been carrying out its mission with an admirable perseverance and that the Nobel Peace Prize it was awarded in 1904 is a recognition of the masterly work performed in serving international law.

The King pointed out further that the institutes 82nd session in Rabat is taking place at a time when international law is being strongly challenged by violent headwinds. The world is changing ever rapidly, certainties are being battered, landmarks blurred, alliances called into question; international law  now challenged in its very capacity to regulate international relations  is too often abused, the monarch said.

The Rabat session agenda features a number of burning issues, including the question of pandemics. These global crises affect not only peoples health, but also the fundamental principles on which the world is founded.

Given the tensions between national sovereignty, on the one hand, and international cooperation, on the other, between security imperatives and the need for solidarity, a systemic crisis does more than just disrupt the established order. It also lays bare its flaws and accelerates change, stated the King who urged the Institute members to keep in mind that their mission today is to identify these deep changes, not simply to understand the recent past, but also to sketch out the broad outlines of a more resilient system of international law  one that can also rise to the challenges of the future.

May Morocco be, therefore, a source of inspiration for you. May Rabat be a forum for exchange and emulation, and may this 82nd Congress be the one that puts international law back where it belongs: not a part of a disenchanted utopia, but rather a lighthouse shining through mist, stated the King.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Hundreds of kids got a boost in confidence as Faded Barber Lounge hosted its fourth annual back-to-school event in Chicopee.

Western Mass. students excited to take on new school year

Lines of parents and their kids waited for their turn for a free haircut or braiding service on Sunday, as 20 local barbers volunteered their time to make a child smile. There were also plenty of backpacks that kids got to fill with free school supplies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Community leader and Faded Barber Lounge owner Ricardo Diaz took the reins during this event. He said that what started as a small gesture has blossomed into a community celebration.

A haircut is more than a haircut, Diaz said. Its sending these kids back with a boost of confidence, self-esteem, and just going to school looking good and feeling good.

Diaz said that close to 2,000 kids attended this years event. Local sponsors included Chicopee Public Schools, the Chicopee Police Department, and the Chicopee Fire Department.

For more information about the business and future events, visit fadedbarberlounge.com.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
CHICAGO  The U.s. faces a tale of two forecasts to start the week, as the West experiences an ongoing heat wave and a cold front pushing into the northern Plains will eventually bring a fall-like feel to more than 200 million for the eastern half of the country.

Just in time for the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the FOX Forecast Center is tracking a pattern change from a low-pressure system out of Canada, with a trailing cold front moving into the Great Lakes and the central Plains.

Already on Sunday, nearly 100 million experienced below-average temperatures in the northern Plains and upper Mississippi valley. Minneapolis didnt even crack 60 degrees until mid-morning on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Early in the week, the cooler air will arrive in the Northeast. With this front, the Northeast will have some showers to contend with to start the week Monday.

Parts of northern Minnesota saw morning lows in the 30s, prompting a Frost Advisory from International Falls to West Cook.

Oklahoma City is forecast to barely hit 70 degrees on Tuesday as the central and southern Plains dip to as much as 20 degrees below average.

By Wednesday, record-cold high temperatures are possible, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

How To Watch Fox Weather

According to Noaas Climate Prediction Center, this dramatic temperature swing will bring below-average temperatures through the end of August and into the first week of September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This weather change happens just in time for the start of meteorological fall on Sept. 1, but astronomical fall doesn't begin until Sept. 22.





Original article source: Fall-like cooldown incoming for over 200 million in central, eastern US this week
It may be impossible to travel back in time, but the throngs of people who traversed a narrow, bumpy gravel lane to enter the Dreibelbis Historic Farm in Richmond Township on Saturday would say otherwise.

On a bright late-summer day, owners of the farmstead that predates the American Revolution put out the welcome mat for visitors eager to step back in time.

The Pennsylvania German Farm Festival drew a big crowd of visitors to the 180-acre property south of Virginville for a living portrait of Berks Countys rural past.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hosted by the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society, the festival celebrated the everyday skills, traditions and stories of Pennsylvania German farm families. It also spotlighted the Native American presence along Maiden Creek, where the farm is situated on what was once the largest Lenape village in Berks.

The event featured open-hearth cooking, quilting, blacksmithing, childrens games, horse-drawn wagon rides and period music. Visitors could get an up-close look at how farmers plowed before the advent of engines. While no plowing was demonstrated, an ox (a castrated steer) was tethered next to a display of a wooden yoke and plow.

Inside the brick farmhouse, built in the 1860s, costumed guides led visitors through the kitchen, parlor and cold cellar, while outside, interpreters shared the stories of Civil War soldiers, Revolutionary War militia and early settlers.

David Ray of Tilden Township portrays Mouns Jones, one of the first settlers in Berks County, during the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Preserving a family legacy

For Mark Dreibelbis, president of the historical society, the festival is personal and historical. His ancestors have owned the property for nearly 250 years, making it the second-oldest continuously owned family farm in the county.

Previous owners of the farm approached the family in the 1990s to raise money for its upkeep, Dreibelbis said. They had moved into a nursing home and knew how much the farm meant to the family, so they didnt want to sell to a developer who would surely turn it into a housing development.

Mark and his wife, in conjunction with the Berks County Conservancy, now Berks Nature, formed the nonprofit to acquire and preserve the property.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The unique thing, Dreibelbis explained, is theres never been a sale (a prior sale), so all the antiques, artifacts, pots, pans, quilts, ice harvesting equipment  everything was here.

Its just like put a sign out, open the door, so that was part of it. Its like once you come down that bumpy lane, youre back in time.

This year, the festival added a tour of the farmhouse cold cellar. Volunteer interpreter Ealine Stone, dressed in 1810 attire, explained how farm families stored vegetables before refrigeration.

Theyd pack potatoes and carrots into dirt on shelves, keeping the cellar at about 50 degrees, she said. It was their way of keeping food fresh all winter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jakob Wiswesser plays country and bluegrass banjo at the Music Eck during the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

A crossroads of cultures

The farms location holds archaeological significance.

David Ray, founder of the Hawk Mountain Chapter of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, portrayed settler Mouns Jones, who traded peacefully with the Lenape in the early 1700s.

This was the largest Indian village in Berks County, right along the creek, Ray said, gesturing toward the tree line. It was like a highway for native Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ray and his group, including a Native American woman, displayed their collection of furs, arrowheads, and other artifacts, and answered questions from visitors.

The historical society has cataloged more than 10,000 artifacts unearthed at the site, many of them tied to Lenape life.

Aron Duncan of Kempton helps his daughter Emmy, 4, with a corn shucking crank during the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Filling a gap in tradition

Dreibelbis said the 2025 festival drew more interest than usual, partly because the long-running Kutztown Folk Festival was not held this summer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In past years weve had nearly 1,000 visitors, he said, and with the weather and publicity this year, we knew this would be a big year.

Visitors strolled the grounds and watched demonstrations while volunteers in period clothing explained everything from butchering techniques to the art of spinning.

The Virginville Grange kept guests fed with traditional fare.

A pony cart was one of the attractions during the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Visitors find connections

Among those attending were Herb Farnsler of Lehigh County and Tim and Kathleen Litzenberger of Bucks County, members of the Lehigh County Model A Ford Club. They arrived in vintage cars and said the trip was as much about history as automobiles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The preservation thats been done here and made available to the public is excellent, said Kathleen Litzenberger, 81. We grew up with some of this, and the younger generation should know it too.

Her husband, Tim, called the homestead an authentic living-history museum.

Its rare to see 150 years of history intact in one place, he said. Its like the family went to sleep, left everything as it was, and now its been reopened for all of us.

Debra Bauer of Fleetwood spoons out some homemade sauerkraut samples during the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Volunteers keep history alive

The festival, now in its 13th year, relies heavily on volunteers.

Volunteers are the mainstay of the place, Dreibelbis said. A lot of dedicated people that are interested in history and really step up to work all summer long getting ready in that hot humid weather, so its nice to have like-minded people.

Its a work in progress, he said.

The society plans to continue expanding programming with more nature trails, archaeological exhibits and farm demonstrations in coming years.

Stephen Burholder of Fleetwood, left, and Tom Spaar of Hereford drive a horse drawn wagon ride during the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
California-based native plant farms are leading the way in showing how native seed farming promotes biodiversity restoration after wildfires.

Thanks to seeds from Rancho De Las Flores, forest land hit by the Los Angeles fires of 2025 is ablaze with perennial flowers, according to Civil Eats. The farm continues to support initiatives to plant native grasses and wildflowers beyond the state.

Wildfires not only damage trees but also degrade soil quality. Research on Peruvian forest fires, published in the journal Trees, Forests and People, has shown that such events lead to an increase in the soil's acidity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the same time, fire lowers soil's water retention and nutrient-circulating capacities.

National Interagency Fire Center data shows that wildfires ravaged 8.9 million acres of land in the U.S. in 2024.

NASA observed that rising temperatures and lower rainfall have heightened wildfire activity worldwide. More than just affecting the soil, fires release harmful carbon pollution, the amount of which has increased by 60% from 2001 to 2023, per NASA data.

Through Rancho De Las Flores and the affiliated Hedgerow Farms, communities can revive charred land with native plants suitable to their localities. Native seeds inherently adapt to local conditions, so they thrive better than non-local varieties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As California's largest native seed farms, they deliver truckloads of cleaned seeds to partners on multi-year contracts. These farms also collaborate with other organizations on government-led projects.

Their seeds have aided not only fire-hit forests in the state, but also other types of land needing revegetation. They include abandoned farmlands and wetlands hit by habitat loss due to urbanization.

Oregon's Klamath River Basin is one such beneficiary. Around 500 acres of land where four dams once stood has become home to over 40 species of native, drought-resistant plants, according to the Yurok Tribe.

"Native vegetation is the foundation of a healthy ecosystem," members of the tribe said, per Civil Eats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The National Academies noted that only 25% of America's nursery industry consists of native plants. As more growers like Rancho emerge, deteriorating habitats can improve their resilience or survival.

Native seeds with deep roots help restore the soil's healthy structure. This makes land less prone to erosion. Native plants also invite pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which are crucial for crop production.

The two farms are increasing their production in response to the rising demand for native seeds. In the San Joaquin Valley, their tarweed, phacelia, and saltbush seeds will help rejuvenate abandoned dairy farms.

Meanwhile, there are plans to plant irises and cinquefoils on the beach cliffs near Gleason Beach. Aside from using native seeds, adopting practices like growing your own food and exploring plant-based food options can further support eco-friendly agriculture.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.








A pair of second-generation pecan farmers worry that their future is grim after weather events fueled by the changing climate have led to a year of total crop failure at their orchard in Texas.

What's happening?

Texas news station KXXV spoke with Gail and Mark Blanpied, who own Rascoe Pecans.

"Those pecans, I don't know what it was about my dad planting, but they are the best pecans I've ever tasted," Gail said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The orchard has been a local fixture for decades, selling pecans online and at farmers' markets. And until recently, it's been a breeze.

"It's great for pecans. It's super sandy, loamy, wonderful soil," Gail told KXXV.

But now, severe storms have led to major loss and total crop failure.

"We had two years of drought here in a row, and that followed that horrible freeze," Gail said. "We lost about 50 trees totally to drought, completely dead, and then another 80 are super stressed. It is sad, and a lot of people love the pecans, so it's hard."

Why is weather's impact on agriculture so concerning?

While the Rascoe Pecan crop may seem like a small example, similar issues have been playing out with staple crops around the world. For example, crops of potatoes, coffee, cucumbers, vanilla, and cocoa everywhere from Pennsylvania to China to Mexico have all been impacted by precipitation and temperatures outside of their growing range.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These shortages drive food prices up for consumers, whether they're buying the produce directly or shopping for items made with these increasingly expensive ingredients. And officials worry that without major changes, the issue will get worse.

Gas pollution, the direct result of human activity like transport and manufacturing, has been warming the planet's atmosphere at unnatural rates for decades, contributing to extreme weather events like heat waves, severe storms, and droughts.

What's being done to protect our food supply?

Scientists are racing to engineer hardier plants, such as drought-resistant lettuce or wheat, that they hope can help stem the tide of food shortages.

For their part, many farmers have been returning to lower-impact growing methods, such as using natural fertilizers instead of chemicals. These have the dual benefits of minimizing pollution while keeping costs low.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every effort made to scale back pollution, whether on a governmental or a personal level, can help build a future where extreme weather doesn't threaten crops. These efforts could include anything from taking the bus instead of driving to buying fewer fast fashion items to upgrading to a heat pump in your home.

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.




You might not think about bees when you're buying cucumbers or berries, but they're behind nearly every bite. Now, a wave of colony collapses in Texas is threatening the bees we rely on and the food supply they help sustain.

What's happening?

Texas farmers are seeing major declines in their honeybee populations. According to Food & Wine, commercial beekeepers across the state have lost around two-thirds of their colonies in the past year.

A survey by Project Apis m., a nonprofit focused on honeybee research, found that beekeepers across the U.S. lost more than 60% of their colonies last year, totaling $635 million in financial damages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"If you take a commercial beekeeper with 500 hives  they're looking at about 60% losses," Texas beekeeper Dennis Taylor told Texas News Channel 6 Now. "That's going to be borderline as to whether they recover."

Texas plays a huge role in the U.S. food system. It's the fourth-largest agricultural state, growing over 600 specialty crops, including cucumbers, melons, squash, and berries. Many of these are heavily dependent on pollinators to produce fruit.

Why is the bee collapse concerning?

Bees pollinate roughly one-third of everything we eat. Without bees, farmers would face increased challenges and rising food prices, particularly for fresh produce.

"A decline in bee populations could lead to lower yields, increased costs for growers needing to rent managed pollination services, and potentially higher prices at grocery stores," said Dr. Tracy Ellis, an entomologist at FarmSense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ellis points to multiple overlapping factors, but varroa mites "continue to be the utmost challenge for beekeepers," she told Food & Wine. These parasites feed on bee larvae and spread deadly viruses.

Nutritional deficiencies caused by habitat loss, a lack of pollen diversity, and extreme weather events in Texas also disrupt food resources for bees and other pollinators.

This isn't just a Texas problem, either. California, the nation's largest agricultural producer, relies on Texas-bred bees to help pollinate almond crops, which are 100% reliant on pollinators.

Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste? Grocery stores Restaurants Individuals The government Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

"In some cases, I think we're going to lose beekeeping companies," said Geoffrey Williams, an agriculture professor at Auburn University.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And because pollinators are "very mobile," as Ellis says, a crisis in one region can quickly ripple outward, threatening food systems across countries and even continents.

What can I do to help bees?

Although the crisis might feel distant, there are ways to support pollinators right from your backyard or grocery cart.

Ellis recommends planting "flowering trees, shrubs, and native plants to provide safe forage and habitat for honey bees and local pollinators." And if you want to go a step further, skip the chemical pesticides, which can severely harm already vulnerable bee populations.

You can also shop smarter at the grocery store by choosing seasonal produce and reducing food waste. Supporting local, sustainable farmers also promotes long-term bee health, and you can further help by advocating for stronger environmental policies and donating to organizations like Project Apis m.

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.
NEED TO KNOW

A 34-year-old father died at a national park on Aug. 23

Stephen Queen was attempting to pick up a plastic bottle when he suffered a fatal fall

The man was remembered by family as an environmentalist who was "passionate about the climate"

A father fell to his death as he was attempting to pick up a plastic bottle at a national park.

Stephen Queen, 34, suffered a fatal fall at Morialta National Park in Adelaide, Australia, on Saturday, Aug. 23, around 12:30 p.m. local time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The South Australia Police (SAPOL) were called to the park following "reports a man had fallen," authorities said in a statement. Despite the response from "numerous emergency services," the victim  from the suburb of Tranmere  died at the scene.

"Police are investigating the circumstances of [the] death. At this stage, it is not believed to be suspicious," SAPOL said. "Police will prepare a report for the coroner."

Stephen's family later identified him as the victim while speaking with Australia's Nine News. They remembered him as both a loving father and an environmentalist who was "passionate about the climate."



Witnesses also recalled the tragedy to the outlet, recalling that the man fell down a ravine near Deep View Lookout before authorities arrived. One witness said a woman approached him to ask for help.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"She said she just met with this man in class and she just for the first time went out with him and this thing happened," witness Aliman Tazudin said. "She said her friend doesn't like littering and because he saw a bottle over the fence so he tried to go over the fence and right after that he fell down."

Park goer William White told Nine News that "a bunch of firetrucks and police vehicles" were on site following the man's fall, prompting the park to be closed for several hours afterward.

Katherine Queen, Stephen's sister, told Nine News their father called her to notify her of the "terrible accident" the following day.

"No one can believe it. He was so young, so full of energy," she said in an interview, also shared by 7 NEWS Adelaide. "He was passionate about climate, he was passionate about our society, and of course, he would be trying to get litter off the ground."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Katherine recalled that her brother  who visited the conservation park every week  was a man who "could talk to anyone about anything," liked learning about "different cultures" and loved coffee.

Stephen wanted to have a career in environmental science, per Nine News. "I want to make sure he had a lasting impact, because I know he would want that," his sister said.

As for Stephen's 8-year-old daughter, Katherine explained, "Everything he did was for her."

National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further information on Sunday, Aug. 24.

Read the original article on People
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A family is calling for answers after a father of five was killed in a hit-and-run crash.

David Pierce of Byhalia, Mississippi was killed just before midnight last Sunday at Lamar and American Way.

His brother, Chris Pierce, says David was killed when he got out of his car to help a stranger, a man who was passed out in a car in the center lane. He says they used flashlights to alert other cars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Baltimore comedian killed in Southaven; suspect charged

When David and another brother went to check on the man, Chris says a dark gray Nissan Armada flew down the street, trying to beat a yellow light, and hit David, leaving him unconscious on the ground.

David would later succumb to his injuries in the hospital.

According to Chris, when the driver who was passed out in his car heard the noise, he woke up and drove away.

Dashcam footage shows the Nissan Armada speeding past David Pierces vehicle. David Pierce (courtesy family)

The Pierce family has dashcam footage and are doing everything they can to track down the SUV, including knocking on the doors of local businesses looking for surveillance footage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chris is unhappy with how the Memphis Police Department is handling the case, saying if he were killed on scene, they would have already found the man.

It broke me, but Im gonna tell you, I really havent been able to grieve. I shook today, I shook today, Chris said. I aint been able to grieve because Im so mad at the Memphis Police Department. Six days, this guys been on the street with the ability to do the same thing he did to my brother to everybody else.

Chris says doing the right thing and checking on someone in need shouldnt cost you your life.

Ive seen so many people say you shouldnt help people in Memphis, you shouldnt help people. You shouldnt change your heart just because of where youre at. You should not have to change have to change who you are just because of where youre at, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Man accused of raping woman, robbing her of $3 in her home

And as six days have gone by since his brothers death, Chris is doing everything he can, knocking on doors and looking for surveillance footage to try to get justice for the brother that meant the world to him.

He always took care of me when I was young, Chris said. He was the guy I went to on the weekend and hang out with and to hunt and fish. He took care of me, and he didnt deserve this, so Im here fighting for him.

If you have any idea who was driving the dark gray Nissan Armada, please call the Memphis Police Department.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The body of a man who went missing Saturday at Eagle Mountain Lake after his boat overturned was recovered on Sunday, Aug. 24, Tarrant Regional Water District officials said in a news release.

TRWD law enforcement officers recovered the mans body at about 3:25 p.m., according to the release.

The recovery took place near Crest Point on the southeast portion of the lake, in the area where the 50-year-old father had been reported missing and was believed to have drowned about 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The body has been taken to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office for official identification.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens and the Eagle Mountain Fire Department assisted in the recovery efforts, TRWD officials said.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time, TRWD officials said in the release.

Children were rescued following a boating accident

TRWD officials said they received a call at about 5 p.m. Saturday reporting two children who were floating in the lake and screaming for help. A nearby boater rescued the kids and reported the incident, officials said.

An investigation found that the children had been on the lake in a small watercraft with their father when the boat overturned, TRWD officials said Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fort Worth police and Texas Game Wardens helped with the search.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, officials said.

This is a developing story. For the latest updates, sign up for breaking news alerts.
A federal judge has ordered the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to give equal access to facilities for a Christian after-school program after the district repeatedly denied the group space on its campuses.

The case was brought by Child Evangelism Fellowship of NorCal, Inc. (CEF), which sponsors Good News Clubs  weekly programs that provide Bible lessons, songs and activities for children, free of charge and with parental permission. CEF alleged that OUSD refused access to four school campuses over a two-year period.

On Aug. 15, 2025, U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. issued a preliminary injunction requiring OUSD to allow Good News Clubs the same access as secular after-school groups. The judge found the district engaged in unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and violated CEFs free speech rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the court document, OUSD gave a variety of reasons for rejecting CEF's request, from lack of available facility space to not wanting to endorse "evangelism on our campus." OUSD also denied CEFs attempt to become an official "community partner" on the basis of the groups religious nature.

Supreme Court Rules Wisconsin Unconstitutionally Discriminated Against Christian Charity

Gilliam rejected these arguments, noting that Good News Clubs meet after school hours, are voluntary, not school-sponsored and open to any student. The court emphasized that OUSD allowed secular groups like the Girl Scouts, Berkeley Chess School and Girls on the Run, but denied CEF solely due to its religious viewpoint.

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The judge ordered both parties to submit a joint case management statement by Sept. 16 and appear at a case management conference on Sept. 23.

The ruling echoes the 2001 U.S. Supreme Court case Good News Club v. Milford Central School, which held that public schools cannot exclude religious groups from facility use when secular groups are allowed. The high court said such exclusion amounts to unconstitutional discrimination against religious viewpoints.

Parent Groups, Religious Liberty Experts Hail Scotus Upholding Parents Rights In Lgbtq Books Case

Liberty Counsel called the federal court ruling a "great victory" for parents and students in Oakland public schools.

CEF is represented by Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit legal organization, which said it will now seek a permanent injunction to ensure long-term equal access for the Good News Clubs in Oakland schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver praised the ruling:

"This is a great victory for Child Evangelism Fellowship, parents, and the students in Oakland public schools. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities," he said in a press release. "Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a biblically based education that includes moral and character development. Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school."

The skyline of Oakland, California, on an overcast day, Jan. 8, 2019.

An OUSD spokesperson gave Fox News Digital the following statement:

"Oakland Unified School District supports the right of inclusive, non-discriminatory groups to have access to public lands such as public school property for the exercise of their first amendment rights to assembly and free expression. As long as such groups go through the proper channels to rent District facilities, pay the going rate, take care to preserve the integrity of the grounds, and do not overstay their rental period, members of our community are welcome to use district facilities outside of school hours, and at times and in ways that do not otherwise hinder the education process for Oakland students. We welcome all groups to apply to use our facilities."





Original article source: Federal judge orders Oakland schools to allow after-school Christian clubs equal access
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

When Luigi Mangione was arrested for the alleged murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in December 2024, public reaction shocked observers. Far from universal condemnation, many people expressed support. This was especially true among younger people, with polls showing 41% of young adults viewed the murder as acceptable.

So what leads the average person to justify extreme violence? Our recently published research, in the special issue "Understanding violent extremism" in the journal Psychology of Violence, locates the answer in one increasingly widespread phenomenon: workplace burnout.

Mangione's manifesto cites "corruption and greed" as a source of frustration, a sentiment that resonates widely amid growing dissatisfaction with modern work environments. Recent research shows that broader patterns of systemic frustration and perceived corruption are associated with burnout.

Our study, which took daily surveys from over 600 employees, suggests burnout may quietly fuel worrying attitudesspecifically, the potential justification of violent extremismtowards the perceived source of their distress.

The burnout to extremism pipeline

In our study, employees made daily notes of their burnout symptoms, emotional states, and violent extremist attitudes. On days when employees felt more burnt out, they reported significantly more sympathy toward extremist ideas, such as justifying violence against perceived injustices.

The daily grind of burnout produced negative feelings of fear, sadness, shame, and guilt. To alleviate these negative feelingsand regain a sense of purposesome individuals appeared to find extremist ideologies more appealing.

This phenomenon can be explained through the combined lens of three established psychological theories. The first is General Strain Theory, which suggests that daily frustrations lead to violent extremism through the experience of negative emotions.

The second is the existential model of burnout, which links burnout to a failed existential quest when meaningfulness in work disappears.

Last is Significance Quest Theory, which argues that when the sense of personal significance is eroded in people's everyday lives, they might look elsewhere, including to radical beliefs, to restore meaning.

In combination, these ideas, particularly the existential and Significance Quest models, suggest that burnout reflects a failed search for meaningone that may drive individuals toward violent extremism as a means of restoration. General Strain Theory further contributes by emphasizing the emotional path involved in this process.

Why burnout matters

Our study does not suggest that individuals experiencing burnout will inevitably engage in extremist violence. Rather, it demonstrates how everyday experiences of burnout can subtly shift individuals toward violent extremist attitudes, thereby normalizing the acceptance of violence.

This distinction is critical and is emphasized in the two-pyramids model, which differentiates between radicalization of opinion and radicalization of action. While the link between the two may be weak, radicalization of opinion alone can pose a serious threat to democracies and open societies by eroding social cohesion and fostering polarization. For this reason, it warrants focused study in its own right.

Today, workplace burnout is alarmingly common, affecting approximately three in four employees. This means a huge portion of the workforce experiences the emotional strain capable of fueling extremist ideas.

While the vast majority will never resort to violence, a society that becomes increasingly tolerant of extremist attitudes risks normalizing destructive behaviors and undermining both democratic values and workplace cohesion. Moreover, even if only a small minority ultimately engage in violence, the consequences can still be profound.

Organizational support can help

Our findings also reveal an effective form of protection: perceived organizational support. Employees who felt that their organizations genuinely valued their contributions and cared about their well-being were less likely to gravitate toward extremist ideologies, even when experiencing burnout symptoms.

However, there's a critical caveat to this: organizational support is most effective at mitigating the harmful effects of burnout before negative emotions take hold. Once employees have crossed that emotional threshold, additional support alone has limited power to prevent the escalation towards violent extremist attitudes.

Employers therefore hold the key to addressing burnout before it escalates into something more serious. Organizations must proactively invest in burnout prevention, not merely as a health initiative, but as a vital strategy for preserving stability, both in the workplace and in society at large.

This means promoting fairness and transparency in the workplace, ensuring employees feel recognized and valued, training managers to identify early signs of burnout and respond proactively, and establishing open, safe channels for employee feedback.

Concerns about fairness don't stop at the office door. Broader perceptions of injustice in society may also fuel extremist sympathies, especially when individuals are already mentally exhausted. For instance, efforts to pursue the death penalty against Mangione to serve President Trump's political agenda may deepen perceptions of systemic unfairness, which will only exacerbate radical views.

The broader implications

Burnout is more than just workplace exhaustion or disengagement. It signals a deeper and more dangerous existential vulnerability. A workplace that ignores employee burnout doesn't just risk lower productivityit creates a breeding ground for ideological radicalization.

As both workplaces and societies confront a surge in extremist sentiment, including support for violent acts framed as resistance to corporate greed, it is crucial that we learn to recognize the underlying psychological triggers. Burnout is one of them, and employees don't just need support to do their jobs betterthey need it to maintain a sense of meaning, stability, and connection in their lives.

A burnt-out mind will seek meaning wherever it can find it. If the workplace fails to offer that, extremist ideologies are often ready to fill the void, with consequences that reach far beyond the office walls.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Aug. 24Mistaken identity? Or transnational terrorist threat?

Federal officials last week in Albuquerque contended a Venezuelan national charged with possession of ammunition was identified as a member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang  an organization targeted by President Trump for deportation to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

The facts before U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Garcia told a different story.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The crime boiled down to a single .45-caliber bullet investigators found in a room that Orleans Fernandez-Monserrat had been renting for several months earlier this year in Albuquerque.

Fernandez-Monserrat told investigators after his arrest that he found the bullet at a construction site where he worked, stuck it in his pants pocket and inadvertently set it on his dresser drawer. He pleaded guilty to the charge in June.

A federal pre-sentence report provided to the judge inserted language tying him to the terrorist gang, citing information from the Homeland Security Investigations.

But the 31-year-old had no gang tattoos, no weapons, no violent criminal history and no evidence was presented to show he was ever in the gang. And, though he is from Venezuela, he vehemently denied being part of the terrorist organization.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The facts presented led Garcia to impose the shortest sentence allowed  the five months and 27 days Fernandez-Monserrat had already served while waiting for his day in court.

Fernandez-Monserrat was to be immediately deported, but where the U.S. government will take him was unclear. There was no telling whether the gang label would follow him.

"I offer an apology to the United States and to Your Honor," said Fernandez-Monserrat. "Lastly, I would like to be sent to any other country that is not Venezuela."

Fernandez-Monserrat's attorney, Erlinda Johnson, said the pre-sentence report never mentioned her client as finding the bullet at his worksite and was based on hearsay. She asked the judge to remove the mention that her client was identified as a member of TdA, as the gang is known.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Mr. Fernandez requests this Court direct the U.S. Probation Office and the government to remove all references to gang membership as such a reckless label may prove detrimental to Mr. Fernandez's very existence and human rights," she stated in a written objection.

In court Wednesday, she stated that the reason "we felt strongly about it ... is this could potentially affect Mr. Fernandez in his removal (from the U.S.) proceedings.

"Many Venezuelan men have been labeled by the U.S. government as members of the TdA simply because they are young Venezuelan males and have had brushes with the law."

Many Venezuelan males identified as members of the gang by social media posts and everyday tattoos have been sent by the U.S. to El Salvador's notorious prison, El Cecot, known for its human rights abuses, Johnson stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Garcia said it wasn't material to his sentencing decision, but went ahead and instructed U.S. Probation employees to excise mention of the alleged gang affiliation from the report.

Johnson said in court records that her client had been an idealistic college student in Venezuela in 2016 when "he was compelled to leave his homeland following his participation in protests against Venezuela's narco-dictator, Nicholas Maduro."

"Only someone who has lived under or experienced a repressive regime can understand that being forced to flee one's homeland is a heart-wrenching decision not taken lightly," Johnson wrote in the sentencing memo. He and his girlfriend fled to Colombia, and he was granted protected status and allowed to remain. There, the couple had two children.

He eventually immigrated to the United States to earn enough money to improve the lives of his new family and was granted temporary admission to the U.S. through the Calexico port of entry. An acquaintance offered him a temporary place to live in Las Cruces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He then moved to Albuquerque after that acquaintance introduced him to other Venezuelans who had moved to the city, the memo stated.

Fernandez-Monserrat had a connection with some of the individuals who would eventually become targets of a criminal investigation, the memo stated. But, Johnson said, he maintains he wasn't involved in or aware of any such alleged criminal activity.

Fernandez-Monserrat found work with a painter, who allowed him to live in an apartment he was remodeling, in exchange for lower wages. Eventually, he and a girlfriend rented a room from another Venezuelan and lived there for two months before agents with Homeland Security came calling, the memo stated. A search of the apartment turned up the lone bullet in his room.

In a written response, the U.S. Attorney's Office refuted the claim that his case was another example of the government's recent trend to arbitrarily label young Venezuelan men as members of the gang.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Trembley told the judge, "We're not here to provide evidence (about the alleged gang membership). This is not an allegation that's come out of thin air."

He stated that there has been a year-long investigation of the TdA in Albuquerque and elsewhere, and the government has developed several cooperators who identified Fernandez-Monserrat as a member of the gang.

Asked whether the U.S. Attorney's Office has prosecuted against any TdA gang members in New Mexico, spokeswoman Tessa DuBerry responded in an email, "At this time, no other Tren de Agua members have been identified in publicly available documents."

Garcia said during the sentencing hearing that when he read in the pre-sentence report that the government was "prosecuting someone for literally possessing one bullet, I was surprised and questioned whether it was an efficient use of government resources."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Garcia added that in sentencing Fernandez-Monserrat, he could only deal with the federal charge that applied and given it involved only a single bullet, he would impose the prison time Fernandez-Monserrat has served to date.

Fernandez-Monserrat hoped to be deported to Colombia until it was safe to return home to Venezuela, said Johnson.

After the hearing, Johnson said she hoped he would be returned to Colombia, but she added, "I fear for this young man."
The crosswalk, which previously served as a tribute to the Pulse victims from the 2016 shooting, has been a controversial issue over the past week.

The choice to replace the tribute with a regular crosswalk has sparked controversy among community members.

Droves of protesters came to voice their opinion and repainted the tribute. Many others used chalk art on the sidewalks surrounding the crosswalk in tribute to the victims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, the Florida Department of Transportation repainted the crosswalk area overnight.

Protests continue to pop up regarding the issue, which has escalated to the point that law enforcement officials have reportedly become involved.

Reports indicated an FHP trooper is currently monitoring the scene, as confirmed by Channel 9 photographers who captured a trooper at the scene.

Channel 9 will keep following this story and will provide updates on the situation as soon as they become available.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Brief

A U.S. Army Medevac Unit honored the Tampa Bay Area with a Final Formation flight.

Black Hawk helicopters flew a flight plan in the shape of a heart around the region where they were stationed.

The unit's rotary-wing assets will be inactivated in September 2026 as a part of the Army Transformation Initiative.

TAMPA - Since the late 1970's the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter has been a part of the United States Army as a tactical transport aircraft and evacuation system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

G Company (MEDEVAC), 5-159th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) is a U.S. Army Reserve Aviation Unit that is based here in Tampa at MacDill Air Force Base.

The unit operated Black Hawks in situations both in war and peacetime. This week, they took their final flight as the rotary-wing assets are being inactivated.

US Army Medevac Unit photo

The backstory

That Final Formation Flight for the U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers of G Co. 5-159th MEDEVAC took place on August 18th as the unit departed from MacDill AFB.

For the Unit, known as the Devil Ray Dustoff, this flight was an emotional tribute to their homebase of the Tampa Bay area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The significance for me and I'm sure a lot of the other ones, as you can tell, this was some of our last flight," shared Staff Sergeant Richard Sanders, "One last flight if you look at the map, the map was etched out into a heart, so we flew around the Tampa Bay area in the shape of a heart, so that was our last hoo-rah for individuals, especially those who were flying in the back."

Final Formation Flight Plan

According to the Army, the flight was a last showcase for the unit and the Tampa community, expressing gratitude for the enduring support throughout the units service.

That service included deployments to active war zones such as Iraq during the Global War on Terror. These Medevac Units were a means of bringing medical teams into the kinetic environment hot zones to rapidly transport the wounded to safety for emergency medical treatment.

"We transport medical personnel to and from the battlefield wherever they need to go, we do critical care transport," said Staff Sergeant Sidney Tran. She serves as a Flight Medic within the Unit.

US Army Medevac Unit

One of the goals of the Army is to get each unit to operate with a closeness, like a family where everyone knows their role and the person beside them so well that everything clicks. But how do you say goodbye to family?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Were very tight-knit. A lot of people have been with this unit for a very long time," said Chief Warrant Officer Parker White, who pilots one of the Black Hawks in the Unit. "We do a great job of being close to each other, especially when were in this cockpit because we need to be a close group of people to perform at the high operation level that we do."

For CWO White, the job was never work.

"This is one of the greatest dreams Ive ever had was coming into the army and becoming a pilot," he admitted. "When I joined the first time, in basic training, I saw some Black Hawks flying overhead, and I said thats the job I wanna do. I know exactly where Im going."

Now CWO White and other pilots in the Unit will be heading to other Units. He will be heading to the Maryland Guard as a pilot for their Medevac Unit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Reserve Aviation is shutting down unfortunately," said SSGT Tran. "I am going to the National Guard. Im going to continue my career as a flight medic."

The flights over the Tampa Bay Area were the last big formation flights for this company. The pilots got this last chance to fly with each other for the very last time.

"I knew the day was coming, but then whenever the day actually happens, its kind of bittersweet," admitted SSGT Sanders, "Therell be some tears shed afterwards, but its been a good road, it's been a good road."

READ: Cupcake Crawl in Tampa doubles as birthday celebration for child battling leukemia

What's next

According to the release, the Army Reserve Aviation Commands rotary-wing assets will be inactivating and divesting in accordance with Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) EXORD 222-25 effective September 15, 2026. Soldiers who are full-time will be reassigned as a part of their continued active-duty status. Those on reserve can remain in the reserves but will similarly be reassigned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Black Hawk aircraft will be retired and/or repurposed for other Federal Agencies as assets within the government.

CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube

The Source

This story was written based on the Final Formation Flight news release and personal interviews with members of the U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers of G Co. 5-159th MEDEVAC Unit.
Fire brigades in north-east England have warned they would be among the hardest-hit nationally if "incomprehensible" funding proposals were to be approved.

Changes put forward as part of the government's Spending Review would lead to "real and significant cuts" across the country, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Both Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB) said without adequate funding, difficult decisions about provisions "may become unavoidable".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it was working to ensure crews had the resources needed.

The NFCC said fire authorities nationally would be left facing a total real-terms cut in grants of more than 100m - a step it said would "undermine their ability to keep communities safe".

'Worst-hit region'

Calling the proposals made as part of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 "incomprehensible", the organisation claimed fire and rescue services could "not continue to be expected to deliver more with less".

TWFRS confirmed it had worked with the NFCC to asses the potential impact and found services in the North East "would, as far as we can determine, be amongst the worst affected and impacted".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesman said: "We will always do our best to work hard for communities, but this needs adequate funding for day-to-day services as well as ensuring we can invest in our staff, fire stations and other essential equipment and facilities."

Councillor Phil Tye, chairman of the body which governs TWFRS, said any changes must not leave the brigade "in a more vulnerable position".

"The North East would, under the current funding proposals, see further budget reductions and a disproportionate adverse impact comparative to most other areas of the country in terms of spending power and real terms funding," he added.

North East brigades say they may have to look at what services they can afford to offer [Getty Images]

CFB said it also acknowledged the concerns raised by the NFCC and that it "fully supports the call for a funding model that reflects the real and growing demands placed on the fire and rescue service sector".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Describing itself as operating in one of the most-deprived areas in the country, the brigade said it "faces unique and complex challenges, from high levels of deliberate fire-setting to significant industrial risks".

It warned: "These pressures continue to grow, yet current funding levels do not adequately reflect the scale or nature of the risks we manage daily.

"Without fair and sufficient funding, difficult decisions about service provision may become unavoidable."

In response, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it understood the challenges fire brigades faced and it was "determined to deliver better public services".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesman said: "To support our brave firefighters who work tirelessly to keep communities safe, standalone fire and rescue authorities will receive an increase of almost 70m next year.

"We continue to work closely with the sector to ensure fire and rescue services have the resources they need."

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

More on this topic

Related internet links
Shall we play a game?

With California threatening to meet Texas in a nationwide redistricting fight, the possibility of strike-counterstrike scenarios between red and blue states is evoking Cold War vibes. No, its not the nuclear simulation nightmare faced by Matthew Brodericks character in War Games (1983)  in this East-to-West escalation of tensions, the driving force is control over the U.S. Congress.

To that end, Democratic and Republican lawmakers in at least half a dozen states are openly wielding the threat of mid-Census redistricting to add politically sympathetic seats in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its 2025s nuclear option.

Behind the front lines of this war over control of the House for the last two years of Donald Trumps presidency stand Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Californias Gavin Newsom  aiming their partisan ballistic missiles at each other like John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962.

The timing of this redistricting push  which reportedly stems directly from pressure put on Republicans in their respective states by Trump  is far from coincidental. Trump spent the first six months of his second term watching a bitterly divided House GOP caucus battle over his Big, Beautiful Bill and only narrowly averted a government shutdown in March thanks to their razor-thin majority.

He wants to close out his legacy in an easier fashion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So, with the House up for grabs in 2026, Trump is increasingly desperate to stave off a Democratic takeover, in line with traditional historical patterns for mid-presidential term elections. A Democratic-controlled House could cause more headaches for Trump than it did during his first term, when he faced an impeachment push and repeated investigations into his administration. Election forecasters currently rate the chamber as a toss-up.

The House of Representatives has 435 members. Right now, Republicans hold a 219-212 margin, and four seats are vacant; three were held by Democrats, one by a Republican. The presidents party has tread a thin line for months attempting to pass legislation, with Democrats largely unwilling to cross party lines and Republicans uninterested in making overtures to their foes.

Typically, redistricting takes place after the beginning of the decade, following the completion of the U.S. Census. The constitutionally-required count of every person living in America determines how many congressional districts each state will be allocated in the lower chamber. Individual district lines are then drawn by state leaders, with population shifts and other factors sometimes leading to two incumbents fighting for one seat.

A mid-decade redistricting is rare, and typically only occurs when a court throws out the existing congressional maps for being improper in some regard. Because Texas, California and other states considering these measures do not have the backing of new Census data, they will not add (or subtract) seats from their respective totals.

President Donald Trumps push to get Texas congressional districts redrawn to favor Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections for Congress has spurred on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to launch a political counterstrike in California. (Getty)

And the battle seems to have done what Trumps actions alone in his first eight months could not  activate younger Democratic members of the House and Senate despite the sluggishness of their veteran party leadership. Its also given the term-limited governor of California a battle upon which to raise his national profile, and revamp his image, for an expected 2028 run at the presidency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last week, several Democrats who fled Texas to hold up a redistricting effort in the state legislature returned and were prevented from leaving again as Republicans pushed forward with their own plans. The Texas legislature on Wednesday passed the measure in an 88-52 vote along party lines. It now awaits Abbott to sign the plan into law.

Newsom, in kind, unveiled a plan to subvert his states independent redistricting commission as an emergency response to any redrawing of congressional maps in Texas or any other GOP-led state. His plan, which would utilize a ballot measure, would be voted on by Californians in a special election this November. California lawmakers voted mostly along party lines Thursday to approve that legislation calling for the special election and Newsom quickly signed it.

But lawmakers in other states are considering similar measures. Theres also Ohio  which already redrew congressional maps after the 2020 Census, without bipartisan support, and must draw them again as the maps expire under Ohios state constitution. The expiring maps replaced a GOP effort to redistrict in an explicitly partisan fashion after the 2020 Census, an effort that was thrown out by Ohios Supreme Court in a scathing opinion.

The Independent spoke to experts in states where leaders are pushing these redistricting efforts, including some of the politicians driving the story. What we found is that state leaders from both parties will face real challenges joining the fight, but could still play consequential roles  especially given the Houses slim margins.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Heres what 2026 (or, in some cases, 2028) could look like if this fight goes nuclear on a nationwide scale:

Texas and California

The main battlegrounds for any nationwide redistricting fight, Texas and California are also unique laboratories for gerrymandering.

Theyre the two most populous states in the country, with plenty of land and people to move around into congressional districts. The two states are also solidly red and solidly blue, respectively, giving each party a chance to gain several seats.

Texas began the debate over mid-decade redistricting in June, when it was first reported that Trump had begun pressuring state leaders. Texas GOP congressional delegation met that month to discuss the possibility, which required Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session. Abbott wasnt officially on board until July, when he agreed to call a special session and begin the redistricting process at Trumps behest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans in the state believe they can net up to five congressional seats for their side. Vince Perez, a member of the Democratic caucus who joined in breaking quorum to delay the maps passage, told The Independent that it was up to the courts to stop the maps (which he calls blatantly racist) from going into effect. The new GOP-friendly maps passed the Texas legislature on August 21, but will face a Democratic-led court challenge.

The implications of this is that there will be decades and future generations of children in my community, that is 80 percent Latino, and millions of Latinos that look just like them throughout the state, in San Antonio and in other places where they will grow up, in a society where the government basically says your your vote or your presence here in Texas is one-third the value of somebody else  just on the basis of the color of their skin, Perez said.

And it's going to have implications for the types of policies that our government is going to propose, said Perez.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California now threaten to drag in other states as a regional redistricting fight goes national (AP)

In California, Newsom is going tit-for-tat. A proposed map released last week targets five GOP-held congressional seats currently occupied by Reps. Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, Ken Calvert, Doug LaMalfa and David Valadao. The governors plan would zero-out GOP gains made in Texas. But should Republicans escalate, it could get worse for their colleagues who are already essentially an endangered species in the deep-blue bastion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are currently nine GOP members of the California congressional delegation. Justin Levitt of Loyola Marymount University said that number could potentially drop to zero.

California changes its constitution all the time, said Levitt, who was a White House senior policy adviser under the Biden administration. This thing that put the commission in was a constitutional change, and if voters are mad enough at what Texas is doing, they can change the constitution again.

I think if California voters chose, they could make their congressional delegation from California 100% Democratic, he continued. All nine seats.

Newsom announced after Texass maps passed that California Democrats were pushing ahead with a plan to put a ballot measure suspending the states independent redistricting commission to voters in November.

The Democratic counter strike

While California is the only state pulling the trigger on redistricting immediately, governors of three other states led by Democratic majorities are waiting in the rafters to see what happens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Governors JB Pritzker of Illinois, Wes Moore of Maryland and Kathy Hochul of New York have all signaled varying degrees of interest in joining the fray.

In some ways, Hochul even took things a step further than Newsom by calling on lawmakers in her state to work on a plan to abolish New Yorks independent redistricting commission altogether, rather than temporarily subverting it as California is attempting to do.

New York state Assemblyman Micah Lasher is one of those lawmakers attempting a different path. He spoke to The Independent about an amendment hes pushing to allow the legislature to redraw district lines for the 2028 cycle without the commissions input.

There are seven Republicans in the states congressional delegation. Four Republican members already control districts with double-digit GOP advantages (according to Cook Political Report ratings ), suggesting that Republican support is already concentrated there. The remaining three Republicans, especially Rep. Mike Lawler, could be in trouble if Democrats make their districts any more competitive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If we allow red states like Texas to draw their congressional lines whenever and however they like, and blue states hold themselves to a higher standard, the Republican Party will cement permanent one-party control of Congress. We will cease to have competitive elections for Congress. We will have Russia-style elections for Congress, said Lasher.

That is why there is so much urgency about the need for blue states to fight fire with fire, he said, echoing a sentiment uttered by Newsom last week.

Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois signaled his willingness to keep redistricting open as an option, but his state maps are already largely gerrymandered to minimize GOP representation as much as possible (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In Illinois and Maryland, the math for Democrats is much less favorable.

David Moon, majority leader for the Maryland House of Delegates, is pushing a bill that would immediately reopen Marylands eight congressional districts for new boundaries if and only if Texas or another state triggered the process first, he told The Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Maryland has just one Republican member of Congress, Andy Harris, whose district is consolidated on the Eastern Shore and parts of north Baltimore. More residents of that latter region could be lumped into Harriss district if Democrats were truly keen to pick up a seat there.

Moon added that he hoped Congress would intervene and prevent a national redistricting fight from breaking out.

In Illinois, Republican support is already pushed far enough to the margins where experts say that flipping more seats  even with Gov. Pritzkers cooperation  would be extremely difficult.

Gov. Kathy Hochul took possibly the most extreme step of any Democratic governor in response to Texas: shes calling for her states independent redistricting commission to be dissolved (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The way the maps are written, [Democrats] have a 14 to three advantage. And if you look at the maps they are, I mean, its preposterous, some of the districts[and] no one really says much otherwise, explained John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.

He credited Pritzkers public statements around willingness to join California to the governors political ambition, rather than a realistic view of his chances of success.

I think part of what's going on here is presidential ambitions playing out in the early phase, said Shaw. If Newsom is saying, I'm going to go in and change California's districts, you know, I think others who are on the White House, including Governor Pritzkerfelt maybe a reflexive need to say, well, yeah, we'll consider that in Illinois as well.

Republican redistricting arsenal

There are two GOP-controlled states where lawmakers are now facing the same kind of pressure from Trump to find him breathing room in the lower chamber of Congress. In Florida, those efforts would likely be overseen by onetime rival Ron DeSantis, the states Republican governor whose national ambitions sputtered out in 2024 but have been continuously nurtured ever since.

Missouri is also on the list. Like Maryland, its no swing state and is home to an isolated minority  in this case its Black Democrats, whose political representation is confined to the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas.

Breaking up those districts without diluting red ones to a dangerous degree (for a Republican incumbent) would be difficult, said Matthew Harris, an associate professor of political science at Park University. He explained that Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleavers seat, centered in Kansas City, would be the GOPs most likely target.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is calling for his state to look at redistricting this year, while also suggesting that Florida should pick up more total seats from the U.S. Census. (AP)

There was talk about trying to go to a seven-Republican seat, one-Democratic seat map [after the 2020 Census]. It didn't really get a lot of traction, said Harris. You might be trying to draw a 7-1 map, but if it's a bad year for the GOP, and I think there are some signs that 2026 might be, then maybe you try to draw a 7-1 map, and what you actually do is end up with another 6-2 map or even a 5-3 map, if you're creating more competitive districts from what are now really safely Republican seats.

Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on August 21 that Missouri was in  presumably meaning that the state legislature will take up redistricting in September.

In Florida, Democrats have struggled to regain any sort of traction after their party experienced a major statewide collapse. On August 7, the GOP state House speaker announced the formation of a select committee to look at redistricting. Complicating the task for Florida Republicans: the state Supreme Court just voted to uphold a new map in July, and strict constitutional provisions on partisan gerrymandering passed in 2010 curb politicians behavior.

Almost anybody, when you look at it from the big picture, the intention is clear, said Aubrey Jewett, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida school of politics. They're trying to create more Republican districts, but they can't come right out and say that, so they have to lean on some of these other potential reasons.

DeSantis has grumbled that his states district lines are malapportioned, and suggested that Florida could add to its total congressional seats if Donald Trump is successful in his push for a new Census that would supposedly exclude undocumented immigrants for the first time  something, which if it actually occurred, would have further effect nationwide.

We have 28 now, we might have 29, 30, 31, maybe. Who knows?
ROSELAND, La. (AP)  A fire at an automotive supply plant in Louisiana was 90% contained Sunday, but a mandatory evacuation order remained in place as crews tried to address remaining flames, law enforcement officials said.

The fire at Smittys Supply just north of the town of Roseland ignited Friday after an explosion at the facility sent flames into the air and black smoke billowing over the surrounding rural area. No injuries have been reported.

Everyone within a one-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of the plant was ordered to evacuate. The order remained in place at noon Sunday, state police said. During a press conference Saturday, police urged residents to minimize their contact with soot from the fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Louisiana State Police wrote in the update Sunday that all air monitoring for contaminants has shown either non-detectable readings or levels well below health-based or actionable thresholds.

Response crews were removing structural debris and addressing covered hotspots. Environmental response efforts were ongoing in the Tangipahoa River and surrounding waterways.

Smittys Supply delivers high performance lubricants and automotive parts, including oils, brake fluid, power steering fluid and antifreeze, according to the companys website. Local officials said the plant employs about 400 people.

Roseland, which is home to about 1,100 people, is roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Baton Rouge.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -A fire at Russia's Novoshakhtinsk refinery was burning for the fourth day on Sunday after a Ukrainian drone strike, the acting governor of the region said.

A fire was reported at in Novoshakhtinsk on Thursday. The refinery there sells fuel mainly for export, and has annual capacity of 5 million metric tons of oil, or around 100,000 barrels per day.

Yury Slyusar, the acting governor of the Rostov region, said he had a meeting in Novoshakhtinsk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The fire area at the Novoshakhtinsk oil products plant has now been reduced," he said on Telegram. "Since August 21, firefighters have been fighting a fire at the oil products plant... that was damaged as a result of an enemy attack."

He said 412 people and 150 different pieces of equipment were being used in the emergency response, including fire fighting trains.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
A dog named Finn is safely back with his family after firefighters in Ventura County freed him from a precarious spot under a shipping container in Ojai.

The rescue happened Friday evening, after Ventura County Fire dispatchers received a call at about 7:45 p.m. reporting an animal in distress, according to a post from the department on X.

When crews arrived, they found Finn wedged beneath the large metal container. Using heavy rescue equipment, including holmatro lifting bags typically employed in vehicle or structural rescues, firefighters carefully raised the container enough to pull him out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Finn was unharmed during the ordeal and was quickly reunited with his owners, Ventura County Fire said.

Disturbing video shows an animal control officer handling dog with excessive force

Finn, the dog who became trapped beneath a shipping container in Ojai before being rescued by firefighters. (Ventura County Fire) Ventura County firefighters pulled together their resources, and heavy rescue tools, to save Finn, a dog trapped beneath a shipping container in Ojai. (Ventura County Fire) Ventura County firefighters pulled together their resources, and heavy rescue tools, to save Finn, a dog trapped beneath a shipping container in Ojai. (Ventura County Fire) Ventura County firefighters pulled together their resources, and heavy rescue tools, to save Finn, a dog trapped beneath a shipping container in Ojai. (Ventura County Fire) Ventura County firefighters pulled together their resources, and heavy rescue tools, to save Finn, a dog trapped beneath a shipping container in Ojai. (Ventura County Fire)

Your VCFD firefighters are proud to serve the dynamic needs of our community, the department wrote.

Officials noted the incident as an example of the wide range of emergencies firefighters are called to handle, from structure fires and medical calls to rescues involving pets.

KTLA has reached out to Ventura County Fire for additional comment but has not yet heard back.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Red Cross assisting woman after fire destroys Xenia home

UPDATE: 9:00 p.m.

The American Red Cross is helping a woman after a fire destroyed a Xenia home on Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Xenia firefighters responded just after 7 p.m. to the 200 block of Colorado Drive on reports of a house fire.

An off-duty Xenia Township firefighter was in the area and saw the home on fire, according to Corey Stroup, Xenia Division of Fire Lieutenant.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire throughout the house.

A woman was inside the house, but escaped.

Medics treated her for a burn injury, but she did not go to the hospital, Lt. Stroup told News Center 7s Malik Patterson.

The American Red Cross has been contacted and will assist the woman with housing for the night.

Several departments, including Xenia Township, Bellbrook, Beavercreek, and Spring Valley Township, assisted.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The first study of its kind to compare cardiovascular risk in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in both men and women shows that younger men with T2D have worse mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes than those with T1D, whereas for women of all ages, almost all outcomes are worse for T1D than for T2D.

The study, by Dr. Vagia Patsoukaki, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, and colleagues, is presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (1519 September).

CVD is the leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide and individuals with T1D or T2D are at greater risk compared to the general population. While previous research has extensively explored the impact of diabetes on CVD, no studies have directly compared CVD risk between T1D and T2D within each sex.

This new research aims to systematically compare CVD risk in T1D and T2D separately for men and women, identifying potential disparities in risk factors, disease progression, and clinical outcomes.

Diabetes patients aged 1884 years on the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR) with established T1D or T2D were included in a longitudinal cohort study from January 1, 2016, with five-year follow-up until December 31, 2020.

The authors analyzed time-to-first event for heart attack (myocardial infarction [MI]), heart failure (HF) as a primary diagnosis, stroke, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, and all-cause mortality using data from the National Patient Registry (NPR) and Cause of Death Registry (CoDR).

Statistical modeling, adjusted for age and diabetes type, was performed separately for males and females, with results provided as Hazard Ratios (HR). Age groups (<50, 5059, 6069, 70 yr) were stratified, and overall MI, HF, and stroke risk was analyzed as all CVD.

A total of 404,026 diabetes patients were included (38,351 T1D; 365,675 T2D), with 233,858 males (56%) and 170,168 females (42%). Males with T2D under 50 years had a 51% higher risk of all CVD, a 2.4 times increased risk of MI, and a 2.2 times increased risk of HF than T1D males.

Above 50 years, the risk of T1D becomes higher than T2Dfor men aged 5059, there was a small, non-significant trend toward higher CVD risk in T1D compared with T2D (around 3%). However, by ages 6069, this trend became significant: men with T2D had a 22% lower risk of heart attack than those with T1D.

Men over 70 years with T2D had a 26% lower MI risk than those with T1D, but no significant differences in other outcomes.

In individuals under the age of 50, the risk for all CVD was significantly higher (by 51%) for T2D males compared to T1D males, however for females under 50, there was an observed trend to higher risk for those with T1D, though not statistically significant.

Females over 50 with T2D had lower CVD and MI risks than T1D. In the 5059 age group, risk was 25% lower for all CVD and 41% lower for MI. Between 6069 years, the risk was lower by 27% for all CVD and by 47% for MI in T2D compared to T1D. In individuals older than 70 years and T2D, the risk was lower by 17% for all CVD and by 44% for MI compared to T1D of the same age.

Similar trends in women across all ages combined were observed for CV mortality (34% lower) and all-cause mortality (19% lower) for women with T2D than T1D, significantly for those over 50 years of age. Specifically, in ages between 5059 the risk was lower by 38% and 18%, in ages between 6069 by 30% and 15%, and in ages over 70 by 31% and 17%, for CV mortality and all-cause mortality, respectively.

Dr. Patsoukaki explains, "Women with type 1 diabetes often develop the disease at a young age, so they live with it longer, which increases their lifetime risk of heart and blood vessel problems. They may also lose some of the natural protection women usually have against heart disease, and often receive less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular disease than men.

"In contrast, younger men with type 2 diabetes tend to have more risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and unhealthy lifestyles. Their diabetes is often more aggressive, and they may be diagnosed later, making their early outcomes worse. Even though being female is generally protective, in T1D that protection is weaker, possibly due to longer exposure to high blood sugar."

After adjusting for established risk factors, female sex was protective in both diabetes types overall by 35% for all CVD, when analyzing females vs. males, considering the whole study population together, independent of diabetes type. Similarly, being female with either diabetes type versus being male lowered the risk for MI by 39%, for CV mortality by 34% and for all-cause mortality by 31%.

These risk factors included cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar control, kidney function, smoking, body weight, physical activity, education, and how long a person has had diabetesand adjustment helped to isolate the effect of biological sex on health outcomes.

The data show that being female was linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death compared to being male. Dr. Patsoukaki explains, "This is likely due to natural biological differences, particularly at younger ages. For example, women generally have some hormonal protection, especially from estrogen, which supports healthier blood vessels. They also tend to carry fat in ways that are less harmful to the heart and often have more favorable cholesterol profiles."

Interestingly, this protective effect of being female was seen in both types of diabetes, but it was less pronounced in women with type 1 diabetes compared to those with type 2. This may be because women with type 1 diabetes are often diagnosed early in life, resulting in many more years of exposure to high blood sugar levels, which can gradually damage the heart and blood vessels and reduce the natural advantage that women typically have.

This finding also highlights the importance of more effective and intensive management of modifiable risk factors, such as HbA1c and blood pressure, in women with type 1 diabetes, in order to further lower their risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. At the same time, men with diabetes should also remain a key focus, as they are generally at higher risk for these outcomes.

In the age and sex-adjusted model, women with T1D had worse outcomes than those with T2D, most likely due to having diabetes from a younger age, meaning longer exposure to high blood sugar and a higher total disease burden over time.

However, after adjusting for multiple risk factors, like age, blood sugar levels (HbA1c), kidney function, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes duration, T2D showed a higher underlying cardiovascular risk than T1D for both sexes.

Dr. Patsoukaki explains, "This is because type 2 diabetes often clusters with more damaging risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and inflammation, which make it more dangerous when all else is equal."

In a further analysis based on the same cohort, the authors found that the duration of the disease plays a critical role regarding the findings in a fully adjusted analysis. Individuals with T1D have the disease for much longer compared to T2D.

When the duration of disease is removed from the model, T2D appeared to be a stronger risk factor for all the studied outcomes compared to T1D. This apparent reversal is explained by diabetes duration. In this cohort, people with T1D had lived with the disease much longer on average (24 years) than those with T2D (9.2 years).

Including duration in the models therefore shifts part of the excess risk to T1D, reflecting the long-term damage caused by decades of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) rather than an immediate effect of T1D itself.

When duration is removed from the analysis, the underlying risk factors typical of T2Dsuch as obesity, high blood pressure, and inflammationbecome more apparent, making T2D seem more hazardous in the short to medium term.

Dr. Patsoukaki explains, "In other words, type 1 diabetes carries a high lifetime risk due to prolonged exposure from a young age, while type 2 diabetes carries high inherent risk because of its clustering with other damaging factors. These findings highlight the need for early and aggressive risk factor management in type 1 diabetes, and continued intensive prevention in type 2 diabetes.

The authors conclude, "Younger males with type 2 diabetes had higher CVD and mortality risks than those with type 1 diabetes. In contrast, females of all ages and with type 1 diabetes had significantly higher risk compared to type 2 diabetes for almost all outcomes. A similar trend was found in men over 60 for heart attacks. While female sex was generally protective, this was less pronounced in type 1 diabetes.

"These findings highlight key sex differences in cardiovascular risk between diabetes types, facts that can guide clinical risk assessment and management."

More information: EASD 2025, Abstract 47: V. Patsoukaki, et al. Sex differences in risk for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: a direct comparison of type 1 with type 2 diabetes patients in a nationwide register-based study. drive.google.com/file/d/142UE1  8ZY/view?usp=sharing

Provided by European Association for the Study of Diabetes
ANDOVER, Pa. (WHTM)  Firefighters from six counties and three states battled a barn fire in Fulton County on Friday.

The fire broke out around before 11 a.m. Friday on Owl Creek Road in Licking Creek Township.

The Needmore Volunteer Fire Co. said they were assisted by crews from Bedford, Huntingdon, and Franklin counties in Pennsylvania, Washington County in Maryland, and Morgan County in West Virginia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A photo shared by the Franklin Fire Co. in Franklin County showed smoke pouring from the barn.

Needmore Fire thanked those that assisted on the fire.

Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices

If youre a member of one of these communities, thank your local fire department members for their sacrifice and service to a community that wasnt even theirs, the company said. We greatly appreciated the assistance.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Relatives of the first Kent Police officer to be killed on duty more than 150 years ago have attended a rededication of his grave.

Israel May died on 24 August 1873 after being beaten with his own truncheon in Snodland.

Tommy Atkins, a well-known adversary of PC May's, was sentenced to 20 years for killing him.

Richard Weeks, PC May's great-great-great-nephew, was the guest of honour at the ceremony at the All-Saints Church in Snodland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's always a good idea to remember the past  both the sad and the triumphant," he told the BBC.

"He was the first of many police officers who have given their lives in the course of duty."

The grave has been restored through funding from the Kent Police Benevolent Fund.

Pam Mills, a volunteer at the Kent Police Museum and police historian, said that she sought funds from the force after noticing PC May's grave had become "really dirty and unkempt".

She said the grave now looked "absolutely beautiful".

"It's completely humbling to see people come out today to pay their respects," she added.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story
NEED TO KNOW

Fishing captain Tyler Feijoos gold bracelet flew off while he was throwing bait during a boating excursion on Aug. 14

He posted a call for help on Facebook, and two divers responded

The divers were able to recover the bracelet, a family heirloom, at the location that Feijoo earlier marked on his GPS

A Tampa, Fla., fishing captain initially thought a sentimental gold bracelet given to him by his father was lost forever when it came off his wrist and fell into the water during an excursion last week  until two divers were able to recover it from the ocean floor.

It was just an ecstatic moment, man, Tyler Feijoo, the captain, told CBS affiliate WTSP, saying of the divers, I owe them lifetime."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Thursday, Aug. 14, Feijoo and his first mate Ty Colby  both of whom operate fishing charter company Keep on Reeling  were on their vessel scouting locations when they came across some mahi, WTSP and The Miami Herald reported. That was when Feijoo started throwing bait.

"When I did it, I just watched the bracelet do a perfect circle and just go straight in the water about 70 miles out, Feijoo recalled to WTSP.

He was immediately distraught and turns ghost white, Colby told the Herald of the moment Feijoo lost the bracelet  described as an 18K gold Cuban link chain with diamonds that weighed about 10 ounces. We kind of sat there for a while in silence.

Feijoo told WTSP that he wore the bracelet, a family heirloom, every day. Despite losing the item, he immediately recorded where the bracelet fell into the water on his GPS in the hopes that it might later be recovered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Facebook, as the Herald reported, Feijhoo put out a call for help: Need expert divers. I lost a very sentimental item today offshore and offer a $5,000 reward if found. I have it marked and should be a easy find!! 160 ft is the depth I will pay for your time and expenses if youre able to try!

The post caught the attention of divers Chad Tripp and Dalton Conrad. On Friday, Aug. 15, the group ventured out to the marked location 70 miles offshore and 170 feet deep, WTSP reported.

We dropped down a marker ball and Tripp went down first. He came up with a big Hogball he said was lying in the sand, which meant to him the bracelet should also be exposed in the sand and not under it, Colby told the Herald.

Later, after the boat was repositioned, Conrad went in next with an underwater scooter. Forty-five seconds later, he resurfaced. Colby recalled, He then pulled up his sleeve and said, You guys looking for this? We went nuts!

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.

Aside from feeling ecstatic upon the recovery of the bracelet, Feijoo told WTSP that the group proceeded to have fun fishing. He also said that he will never wear jewelry while out fishing again.

They made it look easy, Colby said of Tripp and Conrads efforts, per the Herald.

PEOPLE contacted Feijoo for additional comment on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Read the original article on People
FORSYTH, Ill. (WCIA)  Five men were arrested in Forsyth during a two-day human trafficking demand suppression operation carried out by Illinois State Police this week.

The operation was conducted by State Polices Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Group on Aug. 21-22 in Macon County. This operation focused on identifying people looking to engage in commercial sex acts.

UPDATE: Coroner IDs woman killed in Decatur car vs. pedestrian crash

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result of the operation, these five men were arrested and charged with the following:

58-year-old Thad E. Olson of Bloomington  Charged with: Traveling to meet a minor (Class 3 Felony) Solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 Felony)

34-year-old Robert W. Danbury of Decatur  Charged with: Indecent solicitation of a minor (Class 3 Felony) Traveling to meet a minor (Class 3 Felony) Solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 Felony)

54-year-old Benito Rojas-Martinez of Urbana  Charged with: Indecent solicitation of a child (Class 3 Felony) Traveling to meet a minor (Class 3 Felony) Solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 Felony) Grooming (Class 4 Felony)

54-year-old Luke V. Nguyen of Peoria  Charged with: Indecent solicitation of a child (Class 3 Felony) Traveling to meet a minor (Class 3 Felony) Solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 Felony) Grooming (Class 4 Felony)

69-year-old David R. Martin of Bethany, Iowa  Charged with: Solicitation of a child (Class 3 Felony) Traveling to meet a minor (Class 3 Felony) Solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 Felony) Grooming (Class 4 Felony)



This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by State Police aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. The following agencies partnered to carry out this operation:

The Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group

East Central Illinois Drug Task Force

North Central Narcotics Task Force

Task Force 6

Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group

ISP Zone 4 Special Agents

ISP SWAT

ISP Intelligence Support Unit

ISP Division of Patrol  Special Operations Group-Central

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Macon County States Attorneys Office also provided support during the operation.

Felon wanted out of LeRoy captured in El Paso following two-week manhunt

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will, State Police said in a press release. ISP continues its multifaceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with its ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations.

State Police is also warning Illinois residents that the signs of human trafficking are often subtle. To learn more about these signs, visit Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information, visit humantraffickinghotline.org or email isp.crimetips@illinois.gov.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
ICE is intensifying its crackdown on migrants living in the U.S. with the Trump administration announcing it will review visas of all 55 million foreigners currently in the country. Plus, ICE has threatened to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda following his refusal to accept a plea deal, which his attorneys have slammed as "intimidation." Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar joins The Weekend to discuss.
Ukrainian forces regained control of the village of Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) announced on Aug. 24.

Novomykhailivka is located in the region's Pokrovsk District, currently the hottest sector of the front line. Russian forces occupied the town in April 2025.

In a joint operation between HUR's Artan unit and the Third Assault Brigade's 2nd Assault Battalion, Ukrainian forces "drove out the occupiers and regained control of the settlement of Novomykhailivka," the agency reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The operation reportedly "took the occupiers by surprise." Russian forces lost "about a company of personnel" and had to transfer reserves from other areas of the front, HUR claimed, citing intercepted communications.

"Our flags are returning to where they belong," the agency said.

0:00

/

1

The joint operation involved coordination among intelligence, assault troops, heavy equipment, and drones, HUR reported. Its success resulted in an improved tactical position for Ukrainian units fighting in the area.

The agency's announcement coincided with Ukraine's Independence Day, which the country is celebrating for the fourth time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the same day, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian troops had liberated three other villages in Donetsk Oblast: Zelenyi Hai, Mykhailivka, and Volodymyrivka.

When Russian forces gained control of Novomykhailivka in April, Ukraine's 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade called the battle for the village "one of the largest graveyards of enemy equipment of the Russian-Ukrainian war."

The settlement lies around 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Russian-occupied Mariinka. During Ukraine's last census in 2001, Novomykhailivka had a population of 1,400.

Russia has continued to intensify its ground offensives in eastern Ukraine, concentrating the bulk of its forces in the Pokrovsk sector in an effort to seize the key logistics hub. With no ceasefire in sight, Russia's advances in the region help strengthen Moscow's hand in possible peace negotiations as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a deal to end the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Kremlin's plan for peace reportedly involves Ukraine withdrawing all its forces from Donetsk Oblast, ceding the entire region to Russia in exchange for frozen battle lines on the other sectors of the front.

Read also: 34 facts to learn about Ukraine this Independence Day

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Flat Fire, which started Thursday about 3 miles west of Lake Billy Chinook, has exploded to around 18,000 acres, is 0% contained and has prompted a variety of evacuation levels in two counties..

The Oregon State Fire Marshal invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to send more resources to help battle the blaze. As of Saturday afternoon, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said resources and fire personnel are working around the clock to fight it.

Flat Fire  Facebook page from Jefferson County Sheriffs Office

Flat Fire  Facebook page from Deschutes County Sheriffs Office

Level 3 Go Now evacuations are in place for everything east of SW Lower Bridge Road up to the Deschutes River on the Crooked River Public Lands Two.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Level 2 Be Set evacuations are in place for everything west of SW Lower Bridge and north of the Deschutes River, officials said.

The entire Crooked River Ranch is at a Level One Get Ready evacuation, with CR 10N and CR11 still in Level 2.

Hottest day of the year expected in Portland

All other evacuation levels in Jefferson County put in place Friday still remain in effect.

Jefferson County officials urged people in those areas to use this time to load large animals. Currently, they can be housed at the Jefferson County Event Complex but you must remain with your animals 24/7 at this time.

Additionally, Highland Baptist is set up as an evacuation site for people at 3100 SW Highland Ave, Redmond, officials said, urging people to check on the elderly and the vulnerable in your neighborhoods.

Deschutes County

Deschutes County has an extensive list of Level 3 evacuations:

Between Wilt Rd MP 4 West to Stevens Canyon North to the County Line

Whychus Canyon Estates south to Camp Polk Rd

Both sides of Wilt Road north to the Deschutes/Jefferson County line

Areas North and West of Holmes Road, North of milepost 5 to Lower Bridge Rd

All of McKenzie Canyon Rd

Panoramic Estates off of Camp Polk Road

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Levels 1 and 2 evacuations are also listed on the Deschutes County/Flat Fire Facebook page.

Additionally, large animals have been offered shelter at Kerley Horse Center in Powell Butte.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Fleenortown area of Lee Co. under Boil Water Notice

JONESVILLE, Va. (WJHL)  The Fleenortown community of Lee County, Virginia was placed under a Boil Water Notice on Sunday following a water line break in Jonesville.

A news release from the Lee County Public Service Authority (PSA) said the Town of Jonesville, which supplies water to the Fleenortown system, issued the boil notice.

Unprecedented: ICE arrests more than 4,000 across Virginia in just 6 months

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Town of Jonesvilles social media, its main water line reportedly suffered a break on Main Street, and as of Sunday morning, staff were working to make repairs.

The Lee County PSA said Fleenortown area residents should boil any water for consumption until further notice.

Photo: Lee Co. PSA

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Beadle County Emergency Management received a report of flooding at Lake Byron Sunday morning.

According to a post from Beadle County Emergency Management, homes were threatened due to the flooding. A sand bagging operation was conducted to limit damage to property.

Volunteers from the Lake Byron community, and the fire departments of Huron, Cavour, and Wolsey worked together to lay down sandbags and minimize damage.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
As villagers carried out the bodies of two children, soaked in mud, the large crowd looked impassive.

They had gathered in a small village in the Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a flash flood washed away several houses, trapping dozens underneath the rubble.

Some of them watched on as the dead children were taken away, others continued their conversations, and the rest - along with a few rescue personnel and soldiers - kept searching for survivors with their tools and bare hands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There were no tears, there was no panic. But there was anger.

For many villagers it was the fact that the floods came with no warning.

"Why didn't the government warn us sooner?" was the overwhelming sentiment.

But there was also rage at a perceived lack of support from local officials.

"We need the right equipment to carry out this rescue," Arif Khan, who was helping dig out the bodies, told us.

"There were about 15 houses here, we need an excavator."

Arif Khan was one of many helping in rescue efforts [BBC]

Although emergency teams and the military were there to help, the equipment Arif had been begging for was trapped a few hundred metres away, unable to get through a flooded road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The ambulances, medicines and excavators are very much on the way," Nisar Ahmad, the commissioner for the Mardan District, told us. But they were still not able to reach the village due to the scale of the flooding. Throughout the day, the villagers continued removing the debris, as well as the bodies.

Scenes like this are not new in Pakistan. Since June alone, monsoon rains have killed about 800 people across the country.

In 2022, monsoon rains killed about 1,700 people, which cost Pakistan $14.9bn (11.1bn) in damages and $16.3bn in recovery and reconstruction needs, according to the World Bank.

So if history is repeating itself, why can't Pakistan better protect itself from the onslaught of floods?

Rescuers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa clawed through rubble by hand to find survivors [BBC]

Paying a big price for 'international sins'

Pakistan's geography makes it extremely vulnerable to climate change - with the country having to contend with not just heavy monsoon rains, but extreme temperatures and drought. Its melting glaciers have also created new lakes at risk of glacial outbursts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These trends are getting worse because of climate change, according to Dr Syed Faisal Saeed, chief meteorologist at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

"Monsoon rains are likely to increase in the coming decades, so this issue is not a one year fix," he says.

Yet, this is a bitter pill to swallow for many, given Pakistan contributes less than 1% of the global greenhouse gas emissions.

There is a feeling that it is paying a big price for "international sins", says Dr Amjad Ali Khan, a member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's National Assembly, who advises the chief minister on climate issues. His province is where most deaths have been recorded during this year's monsoons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a sentiment shared across the political spectrum. The former federal climate minister, Senator Sherry Rehman, recently argued "when lives are lost in the Global South, when rivers burst their banks, and when livelihoods vanish, there is no real money for climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan".

Some argue the country wrestles with how to spend its own money.

Climate resiliency will likely always contend with other priorities - such as defence - as this year's federal budget has shown.

Amid an overall reduction in spending, the budget for the Ministry of Climate Change was slashed to about $9.7m (7.6m). Defence spending was hiked up to about $9bn (6.93bn).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ms Rehman slammed the cuts, and argued they send the wrong message. When the budget was announced, she asked: "If we are not seen investing in our own resilience, why would others support us?"

Some of the worst episodes of flooding happened in rural, mountainous regions [BBC]

The Ministry of Climate Change's budget doesn't reflect climate funding in Pakistan, argues Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an expert in climate risk management.

Under its agreement with the IMF, the federal government also earmarked more than $2bn more in climate-related spending. Yet, Mr Sheikh says it includes some existing projects, such as dams and hydropower.

He says the budget aside, there are more than 1,000 unfinished development projects across sectors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With no short-term fix to the impacts of climate change, early warning of these extreme weather events is a priority for the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Extreme weather events such as cloudbursts are hard to predict in advance. They're caused by a sudden updraft in humid, moist air, which leads to a heavy and localised burst of rain. These have wrecked villages in recent days.

But Dr Saeed has said while these can't be predicted days in advance, the general conditions that can lead to a cloudburst can be identified.

"When the PMD warns of heavy rainfall, all the districts should start preparing," says Dr Saeed, though he does acknowledge that the PMD needs to improve its system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I'm not saying it's perfect."

As part of an initiative with the World Bank, the PMD is procuring new radars and automatic weather stations, as well as working to improve its short-term modelling.

A bigger challenge is getting the word out. Some of the worst episodes this summer happened in rural, mountainous regions, where network connectivity is very poor. A weather app or social media accounts won't do these communities much good.

PMD is trialling new methods to get around this, alongside the United Nations Development Programme.

From the capital Islamabad, the PMD can trigger sirens installed in glacial valleys in northern Pakistan that are vulnerable to extreme flooding from glacial lake outbursts. But officials acknowledge this is not a silver bullet, as the damage this year has shown.

Laws that go ignored

Part of the reason is that the most vulnerable communities live by riverbeds. While several laws such as the "River Protection Act" - which prohibits construction within 200 ft (61m) of a river or its tributaries - have been passed, people not only haven't moved, they've also continued building in these areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"You would be erasing villages," says Dr Khan, adding that people have been living along these rivers for decades and the law is impossible to implement.

Dr Khan argues lawmakers did not consider the culture of these communities which revolve around tribal elders, and that jirgas - tribal councils - should have been consulted to convince people to move.

He also argues it's "next to impossible" if alternative housing and shelters aren't funded and built for these communities.

Building laws are violated in urban areas as well. Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi was recently paralysed by flooding, with officials forced to declare a public holiday to deal with the aftermath.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So far, about 30% of deaths from this year's monsoon season are from houses collapsing, according to the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

"Nobody follows the laws. Every street is becoming congested," Dr Yasmeen Lari, an expert in climate-resilient architecture, said.

Karachi is also a victim of its poor drainage system.

Though the city has hundreds of them, they have either narrowed or been blocked by illegal construction.

The housing minister of Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, says finding space to create new ones has been a challenge, and when they've tried to remove shops or buildings that cover them, their attempts have been blocked in court.

Saeed Ghani added that a new, more punitive law was in consultation to close legal loopholes, as well as hold officers of the Sindh Building Control Authority liable, should they approve construction that violates regulations.

Pakistan's geography makes it extremely vulnerable to climate change [BBC]

Natural disasters amid political upheaval

If this reveals the cost of fragmented governance, there have been efforts at the federal level to try to secure more help from the international community.

Pakistan's struggling economy has relied on several international bailouts. Successive governments have made it a priority to seek international support for its climate programmes.

They have secured funding from the World Bank and the United Nations, in addition to loans from the International Monetary Fund over the years.

A landmark moment was at the COP27 climate summit. The 2022 floods were fresh in the minds of the attendees, and the devastation had affected 33 million people. Pakistan and others pushed to establish the Loss and Damage Fund to help countries hit by climate disasters.

Domestically, there have been afforestation plans to restore natural flood barriers. In 2023, the government launched a "National Adaptation Plan" aiming to create a nationwide roadmap.

But it remains to be seen how this will all develop in practice, in a country which has seen so much political upheaval and changes in government.

At the end of most conversations, whether with officials, climate experts, or the frontline victims of these extreme weather events, there is a certain hopelessness. "Poverty is the worst thing," Dr Lari says.

Without enough money, whether from the international community, the federal government or provincial budget, it is hard to execute the solutions they've all preached.

A better early warning system, new homes on safer land, climate-resilient infrastructure  all these take funding and any progress so far hasn't prevented the hundreds of people killed this year.

"Everything is top-down," Dr Lari explains. She says there has been too much reliance on governments, without enough results. If Pakistan does not have the means to fund these solutions, she argues, it should focus on educating the population and creating a "poverty escape ladder" at the grassroots level.

She points to her work in thousands of villages, sharing knowledge of climate-resilient homes, food security and tree planting.

In the meantime, this year's monsoon season is not over - and neither is the sense of loss and grief.

Back in the village in Swabi district, a funeral was taking place for those found, only a few metres away from a rescue operation.

Prayers were chanted in unison, as the country prepared for warnings of more heavy rains, and more danger they are struggling to protect against.
When Hurricane Helene forced a rural Tennessee hospital into a dramatic rooftop evacuation last September, its top executive vowed to rebuild the damaged facility as he watched the rescue unfold from a washed-out bridge.

That promise is now in peril because of the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine said a prayer as he ordered more than 50 medical providers and patients at Unicoi County Hospital to go to the roof as floodwaters from the nearby Nolichucky River suddenly surged on Sept. 27, 2024. Hours later, he and state lawmakers watched from the damaged bridge as helicopter crews rescued survivors from the inundated hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We drove over to the bridge to see it with our own eyes, and it was devastating, Levine recalled in an interview with POLITICOs E&E News. Literally driving back, I said, 'We are going to rebuild this thing, and we are not going to abandon this community.'

But that was before President Donald Trump pressed Congress in July to pass his big tax and spending law, which slashed more than $1 trillion from health care programs and could lead to an estimated 11.8 million people losing their health insurance. It also included cuts to whats known as the provider tax, which nearly all states use to increase Medicaid payments to hospitals, in part to help them fund services in rural communities where providing care may not otherwise be financially possible.

By one estimate, the laws tax cuts could force more than 300 rural hospitals to close. In Erwin, Tennessee, it may mean Unicoi Hospital never reopens, leaving the county without any hospitals or emergency rooms.

This is going to be a bloodbath if something isnt changed, said Levine, a Republican who once led Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis health care transition team. The issue isnt just about Unicoi and whether it reopens, it will be about how many hospitals we can even keep open.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The White House did not respond on the record to requests for comment.



The Tennessee hospital was nearly new when Helene destroyed it. When it opened in 2018, it replaced an aging facility nearby that was built in 1953 and had basically run out of money, said Levine, who previously served as CEO of the Mountain States Health Alliance.

Located in a 500-year floodplain, the new hospital was constructed on the high-point of its property, at the same elevation as Interstate 26. Ballad Health paid for new levees to help protect it.

That little hospital was cash-flowing on its own, people were using it, people were proud of it, and then Helene happened, Levine said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The levees were no match for the 1-in-5,000-year rainfall event recorded along the Nolichucky River, which rose rapidly over two days after Helene made landfall. The river overran its banks, washed out the interstate and almost reached the roof of the hospital.

Emergency managers warned Ballad to evacuate the hospital around 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 27, but the floodwater rose so quickly that ambulances couldnt reach the facility. The state sent rescue boats to evacuate the facility about an hour later, but the rescuers became trapped at the hospital as the flooding intensified, rendering it an island surrounded by rushing floodwater and debris.

Fifty-four patients and staff clamored to the roof amid high winds and heavy rain. They waited for hours, until finally being rescued by Virginia State Police helicopter crews. Everyone at the hospital survived, though more than a dozen people died in the flooded river.

Levine, who had previously led health agencies in Florida and Louisiana, has worked through 14 hurricanes as a health care executive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Id never seen anything like what we saw in Helene, he said.

In the months since, Ballad has taken steps toward rebuilding the hospital. The company found a new location outside the flood zone, and is trying to secure the property. In February, the state of Tennessee and the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved $9.8 million to help fund the hospitals construction, which Ballad has estimated would cost $50 million.

Irreparable harm

Then came the One Big Beautiful Bill.

An initial House version of the legislation would have frozen provider taxes at current rates  allowing states to continue collecting federal money. But the Senate incrementally lowered the taxes, from 6 percent to 3.5 percent by 2032. Those rates became law. The law also reduces the amount of those taxes that states can pay to hospitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Before final passage, some Republican senators expressed concern that the cuts might hurt rural hospitals. That resulted in the creation of a $50 billion fund for those facilities that would be dispensed between 2028 and 2032.

On the day the Senate passed the legislation, the president of the American Hospital Association, Rick Pollack, said he was deeply disappointed by the vote.

It will force hospitals to make service line reductions and staff reductions, resulting in longer waiting times in emergency departments and for other essential services, and could ultimately lead to facility closures, especially in rural and underserved areas, Pollack said.



The measure will have a big impact at Ballad, which owns about 20 hospitals across Appalachia, all of which serve rural or low-income communities and rely on the provider tax to stay afloat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ballads annual operating income is about $30 million, said Levine, who estimates that the company will lose $25 million in the first two years of cuts to the provider tax and state directed payments. By 2032, it could lose $125 million annually, he said.

That could push Ballad to close several hospitals, a scenario that threatens to have bigger effects on delivering health care to low-income communities than Helenes flooding.

So, if youre trying to decide to spend $50 million of capital to rebuild a hospital that may have to be closed in three years, its an illogical decision, Levine said.

The rural hospital fund established in the law wont offset those losses, Levine said, noting that the $50 billion will be spread across 50 states over five years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It doesnt really solve the problem, Levine said. Its a problem that Congress has to lock arms and solve.

Hospitals will close

Many congressional Republicans expressed concern about the Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill before ultimately voting for it. That includes Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who wrote an op-ed in The New York Times in which he said that slashing health insurance for the working poor  is both morally wrong and politically suicidal.

If Congress cuts funding for Medicaid benefits hospitals will close, he wrote. Its that simple.



Two weeks after he voted for the bill, Hawley introduced legislation to repeal changes to the provider tax and other Medicaid provisions that were enacted under the new law. Hawleys proposal is supported by the American Hospital Association.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) and Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), who are chair and vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, have also said they are looking for a solution. Both voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill, and both serve districts that have Ballad hospitals. During a visit to one Virginia facility in July, Harshbarger vowed to work and make sure that we get the hospital in Unicoi.

We just have to figure out what are the steps to get there and where is the funding coming from, she told a local television station.

A spokesperson for the House energy subcommittee did not respond to requests for comment.

For his part, Levine is lobbying lawmakers to pass legislation like Hawleys, while deciding what to do in case they dont.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Levine said he doesnt fault lawmakers for voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill, which he noted fulfills campaign promises on immigration and taxes.

I understand that, Im not critical of people for that, Levine said. Its fair that they wanted to keep their promises, but it doesnt mean you cant come back and solve this particular problem.

Currently, Ballad is trying to decide what are the services the community needs right now, and whether Ballad can risk spending money to build the Unicoi hospital without any guarantees that the provider tax and state directed payments will be restored.

Ballad is also exploring whether it could open an emergency department in Erwin, Tennessee, in lieu of fully rebuilding the hospital, but its unclear if FEMA funding could be used for that purpose.

I can be a loyal Republican and advocate for my region at the same time, and there is no way these people in Congress voted for this knowing it will harm rural America to not come back and fix it, Levine said. My advocacy is to please do it sooner than later, because we have to make capital decisions right now.
The Brief

Texas and California are redrawing congressional maps to favor their parties, escalating a partisan arms race.

Florida may be the next battleground, with Governor Ron DeSantis advocating for map changes.

A Florida amendment passed in 2010 prohibits redistricting in Florida to favor a particular party or candidate.

FLORIDA - Texas has passed a new congressional map that adds five Republican-leaning districts, aligning with former President Trumps call for more GOP seats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Californias Governor, Gavin Newsom, announced plans to counter this by creating five new Democratic districts in California.

Governor DeSantis has suggested Floridas map may need adjustments due to population growth (again, the state constitution bans partisan gerrymandering).

What we don't know

It is uncertain whether Florida lawmakers will push the boundaries of the states redistricting amendment when the legislature reconvenes, how aggressively courts will enforce Floridas ban on partisan map-drawing if challenged, or whether Congress or the president could call for a mid-decade census.

Timeline

Early 1800s: "Gerrymandering" coined after Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry drew distorted districts to help his party.

2019: U.S. Supreme Court rules partisan gerrymandering is outside federal court jurisdiction, setting the legal justification Texas will later use to redraw maps for the specific purpose of benefitting the Republican party.

2025: Texas Republicans approve a map favoring the GOP. California Democrats retaliate by pursuing their own map changes (pending results of an upcoming election)

2025: Florida Republicans consider new changes, setting the stage for another fight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As parties polarized, red states tilted more Republican, and blue states tilted more Democraticopening the door to more aggressive map-drawing.

President Donald Trump: "I got the highest vote in the history of Texas and we are entitled to five more seats."

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA): "The idea the president is entitled to five seats should sicken everyone."

State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-FL): "This is purely about a power grab by the Republican Party."

State Rep. Todd Hunter (R-TX): "The Supreme Court says we can use politics and partisanship to do congressional redistricting."

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL): Argues changes are needed to reflect population growth and "raw deals" in census counts. "I think the state is malapportioned, so I do think it would be appropriate to do a redistricting here."

Terri Ann Lowenthal, Census Consultant: "This country has never taken a mid-decade census The law is very clear, it cannot be used to reapportion Congress or to redraw congressional district lines."

READ: FDOT denies St. Pete's request to keep several street murals on roadways

Why you should care

Congressional maps will help decide which party controls the U.S. House in 2026 and beyond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Floridas map could determine the balance of power in Washington, especially in tight midterm elections.

Minority representation may be at risk if Florida redraws districts meant to amplify diverse communities.

By the numbers

5 seats: Texas Republicans added to benefit the GOP.

5 seats: California Democrats now seek to add to counterbalance Texas.

1 seat: Florida gained in the last census, though DeSantis argues it should have been at least two.

5 years: Until the next national census, unless Congress authorizes one sooner (an unlikely scenario).

Big picture view

The clash over redistricting underscores the deep partisan divide in American politics. What began as a tactical move in Texas has triggered responses in California and possibly Florida, setting the stage for a nationwide battle over the shape of political power itself.

CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube

The Source

Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Craig Patrick.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A man registered in Florida as a sex offender was found with stolen property and drugs in Lancaster County early this morning.

According to the West Lampeter Police Department, on August 24, at approximately 1 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 100 block of Willow Valley Square when he encountered a male individual dressed in womens clothing standing near a U-Haul vehicle in a parking lot.

Police say the officer confronted the individual, who produced a Florida identification card, and was identified as Charles N. Ressler, a registered sex offender from Florida.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News Alerts

Upon checking the U-Hauls registration, the officer discovered it had been reported stolen from Green Cove Springs, Florida. Police say the officer searched the U-Haul and found that Ressler was in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Police add that Ressler admitted to the officer that he was currently residing in the Willow Street area. He was taken into custody and charged with receiving stolen property, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and driving without a license, per police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ressler was transported to Lancaster County Prison, where he awaits his preliminary hearing on August 29 at 1:30 p.m.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  In this weeks edition of East Texas In Focus, KETKs Nolan Hoffman sat down with U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Tyler to discuss issues like tariffs, the Jeffery Epstein Files and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

IN FOCUS: Tyler ISD, Longview ISD superintendents discuss heading back into school

On President Donald Trumps tariffs, Moran said that in the long term they would become a tax on Americans but that he believes theyve already had benefits in the short term by bringing foreign nations to the bargaining table.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ive said for a long time now that long term the tariffs are really a tax on the consumers, Moran said. Thats an economic point that I think is is pretty clear in my mind. Short term, as a negotiation strategy, I dont I dont mind that the presidents doing that. In fact, youve seen great success. Youve seen Europe come to the table and renegotiate and get back to, a level playing field.

Nolan asked Moran about the ongoing controversy surrounding the federal governments files on Jeffery Epstein, the financier and child sex offender who died in 2019. Moran called for the full release of the Epstein files, explaining that during his time as Smith County Judge he worked to be as transparent as possible in order to foster public trust.

Ive called for the full release of the Epstein files. I think transparency is critical to restoring trust and accountability, and not just the federal government, but any level of government, Moran said. Thats how we, behaved ourselves here at the county level when I was here and at the city level, and I expect the same at the federal level.

Rep. Nathaniel Moran discusses war in Ukraine, quorum break in state house

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Moran said that once the House of Representatives reconvenes after the summer there will eventually be a vote to release the files to the public.

Theres too many of us up there that say, look, weve been calling for the release of these files. Weve got to weve got to be consistent, Moran said. Weve called for the release of the files during the Biden administration. I think weve got to be consistent and call for the release of the files also, during the Trump administration. You cannot reverse your position simply because of your political affiliation.

On the topic of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Moran applauded Trump for meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in person at their recent summit in Alaska.

I appreciate the fact that President Trump is going to sit down with him face to face, Moran said. Because I think thats going to help to communicate how serious President Trump is about achieving peace in the region there in Europe and how, Putin needs to back off of what hes doing presently and to put a pause on all that he intends to do even in the future, because, frankly, I dont think he intended to stop with Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russian attack on western Ukraine hits an American factory during the US-led push for peace

On the issue of conflict in the Middle East, Moran said that the United States strikes against Irans nuclear sites were critical in order to protect Israel and the United States from terrorism.

These strategic attacks we made on the Iranian nuclear sites were critical. For years, people have been saying, look, theyre getting too close to a nuclear bomb. That would have been, devastating not just to Israel, but to the United States, because we know their appetite for destruction, those terrorist appetites for destruction, was not just set on Israel, but it was really the United States, Moran said. Thats who they wanted to get to and so it was critical that we actually, could conduct those strikes and in doing so, we sent a message across the Middle East that we want peace. We mean business when we say, do not pursue this nuclear threat and frankly, we need to continue to stand with our, our ally in Israel.

Moran was part of a group of U.S. congress members who recently visited Israel and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Moran said the visit reaffirmed his support for Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We sat down with, with folks on both sides of the issue, both the Arabs and the Israelis, to talk about pathways to peace and what are obstructing those pathways to peace presently, Moran said. So getting that firsthand experience really gave me the the ability, I think, to come back and firmly say more and more, weve got to stand with Israel. Weve got to eradicate the Hamas terrorist, the Hezbollah terrorists, who the terrorists that dont desire peace for any peoples in the region.

Nolan asked Moran what the United States could do about the recent outbreaks of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza. Moran blamed Hamas and the United Nations for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The primary entity responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is Hamas. Theyre the ones that can walk away from this war tomorrow. They can hand over the hostages, and it can all be over and peace and stability could start to be ushered back into that region but they dont want to do that. So Hamas is the is the entity at fault, Moran said. Now, the problems with getting more humanitarian aid into Gaza right now, I lay that also at the feet of the United Nations and Hamas, because the United Nations is not allowing for security forces to accompany those food drops and those medical drops away, they need to, they are not vetting the people that are involved inside in the medical communities.

What is a famine and who declares one?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Associated Press has reported that Netanyahu denied the existence of hunger in Gaza. Israels account on X called a recent report on famine in Gaza a forgery, stating that There is food in Gaza.

Moran said that Israel wants this problem solved and that theyre trying to do whats right while the world is watching but that the United Nations is standing in the way.

Israel wants it solved. They know its a problem from a humanitarian standpoint. They know that the world is watching. Theyre trying to do whats right, Moran said. We met with the commander of the IDF that is in charge of that humanitarian aid going into the Gaza border, stood there, looked at the Gaza border, and heard the reports of the amount of food thats sitting on the border, waiting to go in, but cannot go in, frankly, because the United Nations and its associated affiliates are standing in the way of the true processes that need to happen for the people to receive the aid they need.

In Nolans full interview with Moran they also discussed immigration at the southern border, recent tax cuts and more. Check out this weeks episode of East Texas In Focus in the video at the top of this article to view their full discussion.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Bryan Kohberger saw a news article about a white Hyundai Elantra having been identified as a suspect vehicle in the Idaho student murders and immediately panicked, according to the forensic team that analyzed his phone.

"I think the vehicle was a huge stress point for him, because he had registered it to park there," said Jared Barnhart, who along with his wife Heather works at the digital forensics firm Cellebrite. "He had a PDF download of like a list of Hyundai Elantras for the university, you know, and you can see this long list of cars."

Kohberger was attending Washington State University, just 10 miles from the crime scene adjacent to the University of Idaho, and had been pulled over driving near both campuses in the weeks before the murders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Idaho Murder Documents Reveal Victim's Stalking Fears And Kohberger's 'Inappropriate Behavior' At School

The car was still on his mind in the hours before his arrest, according to the Barnharts.

"If you weren't the bad guy, you wouldn't care, but he was scrambling, and he thought the police were on him," Jared Barnhart told Fox News Digital. "And they were. They were at that point."

Read On The Fox News App

Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves, as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and two other housemates in Goncalves' final Instagram post, shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death.

According to phone data reviewed by the Barnharts, Kohberger did the following during the late-night hours of Dec. 29, 2022:

Bryan Kohberger Called His Mom While Returning To Idaho Murder Scene The Next Day, Expert Reveals

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kohberger searched for the phrases "wiretap" and "psychopaths paranoid"

He read an article about how police were still searching for the suspect vehicle

He visited the Moscow Police Department website and checked the latest press release on the case

He "immediately" looked up an auto detailing shop

Within 10 minutes, he was shopping online for another car

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.

Bryan Kohberger Pleaded Guilty To Idaho Student Murders, But These Key Questions Remain Unanswered

"Literally the pressure of, 'Oh, look, they're really talking about my car,' caused...within 15 minutes of behavior, him trying to clean it and get rid of it," Jared Barnhart told Fox News Digital. "Just not normal."

At around 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 30, police swarmed his parents' house and arrested him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police found a Ka-Bar sheath at the crime scene that had Kohberger's DNA on it, which led them to his parents' house in the Poconos with help from the FBI and state-of-the-art techniques called investigative genetic genealogy.

Moscow, Idaho, detectives released this stock photo of a white Hyundai Elantra and said they were interested in speaking with the occupant(s) prior to Kohberger's arrest.

But detectives have maintained that even if they didn't have the sheath, they would have found Kohberger by hunting down leads connected to the suspect vehicle, which appeared on surveillance cameras coming and going from the crime scene.

Last month, after his lawyers failed to convince a judge to throw out key evidence and have the potential death penalty taken off of the table, Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.

All but Kernodle are believed to have been asleep at the start of the 4 a.m. home invasion attack.

He received four consecutive sentences of life without parole, plus another 10 years.





Original article source: Forensic team reveals Kohberger's panicked phone activity before Idaho murders arrest
If you were enjoying a well-deserved two-week Caribbean vacation, what could possibly inspire you to return home early from that vacation? Ill tell you what brought one person back.

First, a little history about the Respect Diversity Foundation. The inspiration behind this nonprofit foundation came about because of two incidents in the 1950s. In 1957, a 6-year-old Oklahoma boy learned that his parents were Holocaust survivors. For 5 years, his parents endured the worst of hatred, bigotry and antisemitism.

The second incident happened a year later in August 1958 while his father was watching the evening news. There was a story that enraged his father and kept him following the story for several days until he had a day off. The young boys parents then took him to a park in their hometown of Ponca City. His father showed him two different water fountains that day in the park. One for Whites only and one for coloreds only. They then got back in the car and drove to the bus station where his parents proceeded to show the boy the nice Whites only waiting section. Then they took him to the back of the bus station to the coloreds only waiting area with broken chairs and no ceiling fans, on this hot August day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The boys father looked at him and said, I want you to always remember what weve shown you today. This is why you dont have any grandparents, or lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. Because people looked at Jews as being different and inferior human beings.

Mike Korenblit and sit-inner Ayanna Najuma for the 67th anniversary march and reenactment of the Oklahoma City sit-ins at Frontline Church and Kaiser's Grateful Bean Cafe, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. In a guest column, Korenbilt recalled how former Gov. George Nigh interrupted a Caribbean vacation to present Clara Luper with a humanitarian award.

What his father saw on the news that first night, that so bothered him, was the story of 13 young Black kids, ages 7 to 16, and their adult supervisor, Clara Luper. They walked into Katz Drug Store in downtown Oklahoma City and ordered 13 Cokes. They were refused service because of the color of their skin. That incident started the Sit-In Movement, which would change the course of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and United States history.

The mother and father were Manya and Meyer Korenblit. That young boy was me. These two incidents planted the seed for me to help create a better world through learning about and understanding others.

Forty-two years later, those two incidents came together, and the Respect Diversity Foundation (RDF) was founded. RDF is an educational foundation with a speakers bureau that includes human and civil rights activist, Holocaust educators, historians, authors, educators, musicians, visual artists and more. These speakers go into schools from pre-kindergarten through universities, civic organizations, government agencies, churches and other religious organizations to promote understanding, acceptance and respect through communication, education and the arts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For 15 years, RDF inspired students to collaborate on artwork that they entered in the annual exhibit. Art by thousands of students filled huge galleries at Science Museum Oklahoma for 2 months each year. Many of the art collaborations were inspired by Clara Luper, a member of the RDF Speakers Bureau, who over the years spoke to tens of thousands of students.

More: Don't tell me Oklahoma was never racist. Jim Crow was Senate Bill 1. | Opinion

At several of RDFs annual galas, we honored a trailblazer who made a difference in Oklahoma and beyond. In 2009, we invited former Gov. George Nigh to present our Humanitarian Award to Luper. His assistant explained that, unfortunately, he was on a two-week Caribbean vacation and would not be able to attend.

I asked Gov. Nighs assistant to inform the governor in hopes that he might send a letter or telegram of congratulations. Two days later, I received a call from his assistant informing me that the governor had changed his plans and he was flying back from the Caribbean early so that he could present the award. Nigh later informed me that the reason he wanted to make sure he made that presentation is because during his long political career and after, he had never thanked Luper publicly for what she did for Oklahoma City, for our state and for our country. His talk was one of the most powerful and inspiring talks you can imagine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I asked a question at the beginning of this article. And now you know what inspired Gov. Nigh to return early from a relaxing Caribbean vacation. The inspiration for his early return was the mother of the Sit-In Movement, Clara Luper.

Michael Korenblit

Michael Korenblit is co-founder of the Respect Diversity Foundation.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former Gov. Nigh ended a 2009 Caribbean vacation early. Why? | Opinion
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  James Richard Russell III, former candidate for Arkansas governor, announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026, seeking to unseat Republican Sen. Tom Cotton.

The official announcement will be made on Aug. 27, 12:00 p.m. in the rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol, according to a news release.

In his announcement, Russell highlighted accountability and transparency as priorities for his campaign. He said he supports policies addressing economic and social equity, including issues affecting race, gender and sexual orientation, and programs for veterans and working families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I am running for U.S. Senate to replace Tom Cotton because Arkansas deserves leaders who are accountable to their constituents, not just to their donors, Russell said in the release. We need leaders who push for legislation and tax structures that benefit the working class and increase economic mobilitynot more rubber-stamp politicians mired in the past and beholden to the status quo.

Candidate Hallie Shoffner announces challenge for Sen. Tim Cottons seat

Russell previously ran for governor in 2021, running a campaign largely funded through grassroots contributions.

Russell is a lifetime member of the Democratic Black Caucus and has backed organizations including Arkansas Renters United, PRISM and Young Democrats of Arkansas, as well as programs serving under-resourced students and families in Marshallese and immigrant communities, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russell and his wife, Wendy, run a mental health clinic in Little Rock. He served in the Arkansas Army National Guard and has experience in healthcare credentialing, compliance and disaster preparedness.

Another Democrat, Hallie Shoffner of Newport, has also announced her candidacy against Cotton. Shoffner is a sixth-generation farmer and founder of Delta Harvest, an organization focused on supporting local food infrastructure and Arkansas farmers.

For more information on Russells campaign, visit www.russellforar.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Volodymyr Mykolaienko, former mayor of Kherson, has been freed after being held in Russian captivity since his abduction in April 2022.

Source: MOST, a Kherson new outlet, citing a source in the Office of the President of Ukraine and Mykolaienkos relatives; Suspilne Kherson, a local branch of Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, citing Hanna Korshun-Samchuk, a niece of Mykolaienko

Details: The former mayor has been released in a 146-for-146 exchange of prisoners, MOST said, citing a source in the Ukrainian Presidents Office. The information was also confirmed by Mykolaienkos relatives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mykolaienko's niece told Suspilne that he was released on 24 August. She said his wife had heard from him by phone, and the first thing the former Kherson mayor said was Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine). She added that she has not yet spoken to Mykolaienko personally and is waiting until she is allowed to do so.

"It was just a very brief message that he had been released on Ukrainian territory, thats all. My sister and I received a call from his wife, and all the relatives have been informed," Korshun-Samchuk said.

For reference: According to MOST, Mykolaienko joined Ukraines Territorial Defence Forces at the outset of the Russian occupation. He later began to receive proposals to collaborate directly from the now-deceased collaborator Kyrylo Stremousov, but he accepted none of them. The proposals eventually escalated into threats, he told the outlet.

Russian forces abducted him on 18 April 2022. Initially, he was held in Kherson, as shown in propaganda-style videos in which he appeared. He was then most likely transferred to Crimea or Russia. Until the end of November 2022, his fate remained unknown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross later confirmed that Mykolaienko was being held in Russian captivity.

In May 2025, information came to light that Mykolaienko had refused a 2022 prisoner swap so a gravely ill POW could be released. Following this, the Russian side excluded him from the exchange lists.

Volodymyr Mykolaienko served as mayor of Kherson from 2014 to 2020.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
(FOX40.COM)  A former motel has been transformed into permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

 Video Above: New developments shared on the growing homeless encampment in Arden-Arcade area

On Thursday, city, county and state officials celebrated the opening of Powells Landing located on 25 Howe Avenue, officials said. What was formerly the Rodeway Inn is now 69 studio apartments with services for formerly homeless adults.

With $3.2 million in HHAP-4 funds I fought to secure, this permanent supportive housing will give unhoused neighbors the mental health care, job training, and stability they need to rebuild their lives, Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra said.

Image: The City of Sacramento

The development was funded by the California Department of Housing and Community Developments Homekey program, which covered property acquisition and renovation costs, the City of Sacramento said. The City of Sacramento also contributed funding from the states Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

HOST program saves man from long-term homelessness

Hope Cooperative, a local nonprofit that provides housing and mental health services, owns and operates Powells Landing. The supportive housing will also provide residents with access to behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, and life-skills training, the City of Sacramento said.

Thank you to our partners, Hope Cooperative, and SHRA who helped make this possible. Together, were getting more people off the streets and into housing, Guerra said.

Residents qualification is determined by their adjusted gross income, which must not exceed 30 percent of Sacramento Countys area median income, according to the City of Sacramento.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
George Santos is lamenting how his current reality behind prison bars is a far cry from the lush lifestyle that he was previously afforded.

The disgraced former congressman says his "dignity has been violated" in jail as he particularly bemoans the state-issued polyester jumpsuit he must wear.

George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in jail after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in August last year.

George Santos Opens Up About Prison Life

Ron Sachs - CNP / MEGA

George Santos has made headlines again for his weekly jailhouse diary in which he laments the sorry conditions of his confinement in a federal prison in New Jersey, and how his "dignity has been violated."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In "My Life Behind Bars," the former politician whines about his new job in the prison kitchen as well as the "fluorescent yellow  state-issued polyester" jumpsuits he, alongside other inmates, must wear.

"I went from standing at the pinnacle of power and prestige, attending galas, navigating multimillion-dollar fundraisers in glittering Manhattan apartments and Long Island mansions, to the rock bottom of federal confinement," Santos wrote in the diary, per the New York Post.

The Former Politician Was Sentenced For Wire Fraud And Identity Theft

Rod Lamkey / CNP/ MEGA

Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023 and was subsequently handed a 7-year jail term, which he's currently serving at the medium-security FCI Fairton prison in Fairfield Township.

The 37-year-old former drag queen pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud for swindling donors to fund his campaign for Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Authorities accused him of lying that he had $250,000 in donations so that he could qualify for the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Young Guns" program.

Prosecutors noted that he also took advantage of elderly donors and charged debit cards without authorization for frivolous expenses, including Botox treatments, OnlyFans purchases, jaunts to Atlantic City casinos, French fashion attire, and more.

George Santos Says He Has 'Encountered' Different 'Characters' In Prison

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

In his entries, Santos seemingly lambasted the kind of people he'll now be relating with throughout his sentence.

"From day one, I've encountered characters who could populate a novel. Within hours of my arrival, a man walked right up to me, no hesitation, and said, 'You're the congressman, but you can call me the senator,'" he recalled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"That was my welcoming committee," he wrote.

The Former Drag Queen Wants To 'Prove' That This Is Not His 'Final Chapter'

Rod Lamkey - CNP / MEGA

Over in prison, Santos has a close confidante in the person of his former campaign fundraiser, Sam Miele.

Miele was sentenced to one year and a day in jail for impersonating a high-ranking congressional aide while raising campaign funds for Santos, and that makes the former congressman remorseful.

"Sam is a very smart guy who got caught up in the hurricane of my very public unraveling, and seeing him here reminded me just how many lives were altered when my world collapsed," he wrote, per the New York Post.

Meanwhile, Santos is not ready to throw in the towel just yet and is looking to the future with hope of a possible reemergence to affluence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Today, instead of discussing campaign strategy in penthouses and estate living rooms, we find ourselves reflecting on the past while lying on prison bunks," he noted in another entry. "We talk openly about our so-called 'fall from grace,' but we also talk about rebuilding, about the future, about proving that this is not our final chapter."

Donald Trump Remains Mute About A Possible Pardon For George Santos

Rod Lamkey - CNP / MEGA

Santos has often claimed that he has been privately approaching President Donald Trump for a pardon, but the billionaire politician seems to be unaware of any such arrangements.

"He lied like hell, I have to tell you. And I didn't know him, but he was 100% for Trump. I might have met him, maybe, maybe not, I don't know," Trump previously told Newsmax host Rob Finnerty.

As he took note of Santos's prison sentence, which he quips is "a long time," Trump said, "Nobody has talked" to him about a possible clemency for the fabulist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"But he was a congressman, and his vote was solid; it sounds like a lot. You know, you could blame the other side for not checking him out," Trump added, referencing the series of scandals Santos was involved in.

"You could say the media misses. Everybody missed it. They found out about it after the election was won," he added.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Jeff Bergeron announced that four people were arrested after a series of vehicle burglaries early Thursday morning left residents missing firearms, cash, and personal belongings.

Deputies responded to 12 burglary reports in neighborhoods between Rosedale Road and U.S. 190. At least 15 firearms, along with money, a laptop, a passport, and other valuables, were stolen from unlocked vehicles.

An investigation led detectives to a suspect vehicle in Lafayette Parish, where they arrested Samaya Charles, 17, of Lafayette. Police searched Charles home and car. WBRSO said they found a stolen gun from West Baton Rouge and clothes that matched what was seen in a video.

Photo courtesy of the West Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office.

Charles was booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center and charged with:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

10 counts of principal to aggravated burglary.

Two counts of principal to simple burglary.

One count of obstruction of justice.

On Saturday, with the help of the St. Martin Parish Sheriffs Office, deputies executed a search warrant at a Breaux Bridge home. WBRSO said three more suspects were arrested, and 10 firearms were found, including three confirmed stolen from Vermilion, St. Martin, and West Baton Rouge parishes.

Quaylon Mouton, 17, faces 10 counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of simple burglary.

Two juveniles, aged 15 and 16, also face aggravated burglary and simple burglary charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The investigation is still ongoing, and more arrests are expected.

Latest News

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
PARIS (AP)  France's foreign ministry officials met Monday with a representative of U.S. ambassador Charles Kushner after the American diplomat was summoned over his letter to French President Emmanuel Macron alleging the country did not do enough to combat antisemitism.

Monday's meeting took place after Paris rejected Kushners criticism as unacceptable and announced it had summoned him. Since the diplomat was absent, French officials met with the embassys No. 2 in his stead.

The summoning of the ambassador is a formal and public notice of displeasure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During Monday's meeting, French officials denounced the letter as interference in France's internal affairs and said it presented a view that did not correspond to the reality of authorities' fight against antisemitism, according to a French diplomatic official who spoke under condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Sunday evening said it stood by Kushner's comments, adding: "Ambassador Kushner is our U.S. government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role.

Kushner, a real-estate developer, is the father of President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The French foreign ministry, in its statement, said France firmly rejects these allegations from Kushner and that French authorities have fully mobilized to combat a rise in antisemitic acts since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, deeming the acts intolerable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the letter, released late on Sunday, Kushner writes that public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence and endanger Jewish life in France.

Kushner urges Macron to act decisively: enforce hate-crime laws without exception, ensure the safety of Jewish schools, synagogues and businesses ... and abandon steps that give legitimacy to Hamas and its allies.

Kushners allegations violate international law and the obligation not to interfere with the internal affairs of another country, the French ministry said, and, They also fall short of the quality of the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States and of the trust that must prevail between allies.

The dustup follows Macron's rejection this past week of accusations from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that France's intention to recognize a Palestinian state is fueling antisemitism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

France is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe, with an estimated 500,000 Jews, the third-largest Jewish population in the world after Israel and the United States. Thats approximately 1% of the national population.

The diplomatic discord comes as French-U.S. relations have faced tensions this year amid Trump's trade war and a split over the future of U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon. France in particular has objected to the U.S. push to wind down the peacekeeping operation known as UNIFIL, with a vote on the issue set for the end of the month by the U.N. Security Council.

France and the U.S. have also been divided on support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, but the split has eased with Donald Trump expressing support for security guarantees and a warm meeting with Macron and other European leaders at the White House last week.

Trump at the end of his first term as president pardoned Charles Kushner, who pleaded guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations.

His son Jared is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trumps eldest daughter, Ivanka.

____

Price reported from Washington, D.C.
By Jake Davidson and Cory Rothbort

Criticism of Israel  like criticism of any government  is protected speech. But antisemitic intimidation is not.

New Jerseys proposed antisemitism bill, A3558, draws that line.

Recent commentary about A3558 has sparked public debate  but also confusion. Some critiques conflate advocacy with analysis, and legal terms with rhetorical ones.

In moments like these, clarity matters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey (JBAR) is a voluntary affinity group of attorneys committed to justice, equity, and the rule of law.

We represent thousands of Jewish lawyers and allies across the state. We believe in fierce debate and in bright lines  especially when it comes to protecting both free speech and vulnerable communities.

A3558 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism  a noncriminal guide used by the U.S. State Department, the European Union, and dozens of democratic governments. IHRA includes a critical safeguard:

Criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It also lists context-dependent examples: Holocaust inversion, collective blame of Jews, denying Jewish self-determination, or applying double standards only to Israel.

RELATED: This proposed N.J. law threatens free speech in its definition of antisemitism

A bare allegation of genocide does not automatically trigger any of these examples.

The amended version of A3558, which unanimously passed the Assembly State and Local Government Committee in July 2025, is noncriminal guidance that:

Creates no new crimes

Creates no speech code

Provides a uniform standard for identifying antisemitic intimidation

It explicitly protects the right to criticize Israel like any other nation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Calling a governments conduct genocide, war crimes, or ethnic cleansing is core political speech in the United States. It only becomes unlawful if it morphs into true threats, incitement, or harassment.

A3558 cannot change that. What it can do is help administrators and law enforcement name antisemitic intimidation when it occurs.

Under IHRA, A3558, and the First Amendment, the sentence Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is protected political speech  unless it crosses into specific antisemitic manifestations.

Some recent analysis misrepresents IHRAs scope, cherry-picks advocacy reports, and ignores complicating evidence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For example, the ICC has pursued war-crimes charges against both Israeli and Hamas leaders. That is not the same as genocide. The International Court of Justice has not made a genocide finding. Allegations are not adjudications.

Genocide has a precise legal meaning: the intentional destruction of a people, in whole or in part, as such.

That standard has been met in the Holocaust, Rwanda and Bosnia. Applying it broadly to Israel  while ignoring Hamas explicit calls for Jewish extermination and its deliberate use of civilians as shields  strips the word of its gravity and insults the memory of true genocides.

Bias is not disqualifying  but undisclosed bias can obscure clarity. When writers present unequivocal conclusions, readers deserve transparency about declared alignments and political commitments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats not censorship  its context.

New Jersey already defines racism, homophobia, and bias intimidation. Yet despite a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, we have no definition of antisemitism. That gap leaves Jewish families vulnerable.

A3558 fills that gap. It aligns with 37 U.S. states, 98 local jurisdictions, the federal government, the EU, the UK, Germany, France, Canada, and even the Global Imams Council. In none of these places has free speech vanished.

Debate thrives. Protest continues. Academic inquiry flourishes. What has improved is clarity.

If we can name racism, then surely we can name antisemitism too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Naming antisemitism doesnt silence debate. It doesnt criminalize dissent. Free speech is protected. Harassment is not.

The IHRA definition does not suppress dialogue it clarifies when expression crosses into unlawful intimidation. Thats not censorship. Thats constitutional guardrails in action.

In moments of heightened public discourse, its essential that commentary be accompanied by context, and that advocacy be distinguished from analysis.

When the worlds oldest hatred mutates before our eyes, the last thing our institutions should do is blur the line between debate and defamation.

A3558 restores that line. New Jersey should uphold it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assemblymember and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Roster.

Jake Davidson and Cory Rothbort are co-chairs of the Advocacy Committee for the Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey (JBAR).

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
FORT SCOTT, Kan.  Freeman Health System said Friday it has met significant milestones on its way to opening a hospital in Fort Scott.

The six-bed emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital is on track to open at the end of 2025.

Freeman officials said they learned Aug. 18 that the hospital at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. successfully passed the critical life safety physical plant survey, which was conducted July 23. The survey is a comprehensive assessment of the medical facility to ensure it meets standards and regulations related to fire and life safety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is the first of three surveys the hospital must complete, Anita Walden, chief administrative officer for Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, said in a statement.

The passing of that first survey now triggers the second required survey, which is the state licensure survey, she said.

That is a formal evaluation conducted to ensure a health care facility complies with state laws and regulations regarding the provision of care, patient safety and overall operations.

Officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have received notification that the hospital has passed the life safety survey and are now ready for the licensure survey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are currently awaiting notification from KDHE of when they will be onsite to perform the survey, Walden said. Our hope is this survey will take place in the next few weeks.

The hospital also must pass a credentialing survey conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Weve been hearing from multiple community leaders, businesses and residents about their eagerness to see us open, and I can promise you we are working diligently to make that happen, Walden said in a statement. We just appreciate the communitys support and their patience as we near opening day.

Mark Brown, a Freeman doctor and Kansas native, has been named medical director over Freeman Fort Scott Hospitals emergency department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I myself grew up in rural Kansas and know how important access to quality health care and especially emergency services can be, he said. I spent over 20 years of my career in medicine, working as a paramedic in rural Kansas. I have seen firsthand how rural hospitals and rural emergency departments can make a positive impact on patient outcomes.

Before becoming a physician, he served the Kansas community as a flight paramedic, often transporting critical patients, according to Renee Denton, Freemans Chief Executive Officer of Rural Hospitals.

Brown will also serve as medical staff president.

Fort Scott has been without a hospital since 2018, and a dedicated emergency room since late 2023.
ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW)  Community support continues to pour in exactly one month to the day from the ambush-style attack that claimed the life of a Lorain police officer and wounded two others.

On July 23, Officers Phil Wagner, Peter Gale and Brent Payne were all shot on a dead-end street in Lorain. Wagner lost his life. Gale and Payne are both still recovering.

St. Theodosius Church insurance company issues lawsuit

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since then, numerous Northeast Ohioans have found ways to show their appreciation and offer a helping hand. Saturday was no different when a Back The Blue flash tattoo event was held at Distilled Ink Tattoo in Elyria.

Josh Ison is the owner. He had the idea and reached out to Jennifer Storm, who has family in law enforcement, to get him connected with the right people to hold the event and donate all profits back to the families of officers Wagner, Payne and Gale.

Theyre just normal, everyday people like you and I, and theyre just doing their job. You know what I mean? When that happened to them, that was a cowardly act, Ison said. I really just did it to bring a little positivity to the community, man, we need it.

Tattoos without color were offered at $60, and tattoos with color and shading were offered at $120. There were also basket raffles with items donated from businesses in the community and a 50/50 raffle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I-Team: Another Cleveland police officer in suspected OVI crash

Amanda Post, who helped organize the event, was very happy to see a good turnout. She told FOX 8 News they had people show up just to donate and not get a tattoo.

Its really great that as a community were pulling together and doing this for our police officers, she said.]

Jennifer Storm said that through all of the tattoo sales and raffles, they raised $6,705 to give to the families of the officers.

She added that the family that won the 50/50 raffle donated their winnings right back.

The Amherst Jersey Mikes also donated 20% of its Saturday sales to the cause.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A Belfast funeral director is trying to save lives by helping people improve their mental health.

Brian Elwood has created a organisation called The Big Dander to promote mental wellbeing through walking and talking.

In his day job as a funeral director he has seen the devastation around suicide and wants to help people cope better with the problems they face.

Brian has been nominated in the BBC's Make A Difference Awards 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It started off as an idea that I had just before Covid and it has expanded into large numbers of people who meet every year to do long walks," Mr Elwood said.

"The Big Dander reaches out to people, it gets people to walk and talk.

"Every time that we have a Big Dander, there are counsellors that we employ to come and talk with you, walking and talking.

"There's not enough mental health charities, and that's why The Big Dander became an entity of its own.

"If it saves one life, it works."

After being told he had been proposed for an award, Mr Elwood said he felt "overwhelmed".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's an honour to be nominated for anything, but it's certainly not why we did it," he said.

"The Big Dander is for other people. All I get out of it is the gratification that I'm helping someone  and I like walking, I like meeting people, and I like talking."

Mr Elwood has been in the funeral business in Dunmurry for 37 years, and has always walked to help his own mental health.

He has been nominated in the Active Award category.

It recognises an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The danders started along the Antrim coast, but this year the long-distance walk went from Portrush to Muff in County Donegal.

Long and short walks are organised, and there is also a 24/7 online support platform with access to trained counsellors.

Day trips are arranged for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing transport and meals at no cost.

Who are the other finalists?

Other finalists in the Active Award category are:

Jennifer Smyth

She founded Jenn's Gym, Northern Ireland's first gym specifically designed for people with neurological conditions and disabilities.

After sustaining a spinal cord injury at 16, Ms Smyth used her recovery experience to create an accessible gym facility near Londonderry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The gym provides specialised equipment for rehabilitation and fitness.

Peter Dolan

He founded the Run for Enda foundation in memory of his son, promoting community fitness and road safety awareness.

He leads regular training sessions, supports runners of all abilities and promotes inclusion for deaf participants.

The initiative has expanded internationally, with a new branch in Melbourne.

Mr Dolan also campaigns for sentencing reform in Northern Ireland.

Ann McBrien

The lead organiser of Belfast's 5k Your Way  Move Against Cancer, a monthly event encouraging cancer patients and their families to walk or run 5km at Ormeau Park.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ms McBrien, who lives with advanced breast cancer, is also a volunteer with Friends of the Cancer Centre and previously participated in a clinical trial promoting physical activity during cancer treatment.

What is BBC Make a Difference?

Make a Difference is a BBC initiative seeking to recognise and celebrate members of the public who make life better for others where they live.

Since February, BBC teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been asking audiences to nominate the unsung heroes in their local communities who do amazing things.

Finalists have been selected by a panel of judges in each of the eight categories ahead of the Northern Ireland final in September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The categories are:

* The Volunteer Awards

* The Young Hero Award

* The Great Neighbour Award

* The Active Award

* The Animal Award

* The Green Award

* The Fundraiser Award

* The Community Group Award

Overall winners from each category will be announced live on BBC Radio Ulster's Vinny and Cate show on Friday 26 September.
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Learning how to become a landowner has never been easier in Walton County.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its partners hosted their first-ever Panhandle Landowner Assistance Expo on Saturday.

All landowners in the Florida Panhandle were welcome to come out and learn at no cost.

FWC representatives were stationed at over 55 booths with information about technical assistance and cost-share opportunities for landowners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Owners could also have their questions answered by the experts at the landowner panel. The goal is to help landowners meet their goals and expand their land management network.

Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist Edward ODaniels says the event brings a wealth of resources to one place.

The question has always been, who can I talk to about certain management practices on my property? And a lot of its been handing business cards and giving phone numbers and forgetting here. This is an issue that is the idea of what I wanted to do is try to bring everybody together that I could under one roof, and in this case, a little bit outside of the roof as well. Bring them together, bring the landowners with the multiple agencies, groups, organizations, and everything that I could to get people together and working together, Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist Edward ODaniels said.

ODaniels says more than 400 people came out to the Walton County Fairgrounds to learn and make connections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The FWC hopes to make the Landowner Expo an annual event going forward.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
A virtual meeting of the G7 foreign ministers will take place on Sunday 24 August.

Source: a statement by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by European Pravda

Details: On the occasion of Ukraines Independence Day, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed his countrys full support for Kyiv in achieving a just and lasting peace, with full respect for Ukraines sovereignty and in close coordination with the US and European partners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote: "In this regard, Tajani will participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers virtual meeting, convened by the Canadian Presidency at 14:00 today. This will also serve as an opportunity to take stock of the follow-up from the Leaders meeting in Washington on 18 August and to discuss the prospects for peace in Ukraine."

Details: It should be noted that this refers to a meeting in Washington attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Tajani also instructed that the facade of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs be illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. The Colosseum will also be lit up.

Background: On 24 August, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trumps Special Envoy for Ukraine, are visiting Kyiv.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Galesburg Firefighters once again will ask for help to Fill the Boot for MDA

The Galesburg Fire Departmentis shows continued support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as its members kick off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign.

Continuing a 71-year tradition of giving strength to the MDA community, Galesburg Firefighters will hit the streets with boots in hand, asking pedestrians, motorists, and passersby to donate to MDA on Friday, Aug. 22; Friday, Aug. 29;, and Friday, Sept. 5 at various intersections throughout the city.

We are thrilled to be working with the Galesburg Fire Departmentfor another year of Fill the Boot to help provide the funds needed to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility, said MDA Director of Firefighter Partnerships Heather Miller. The dedication of these firefighters to MDAs mission is unwavering, spending countless hours both with Fill the Boot and MDA Summer Camp to care for the kids and adults in Galesburg and Knox County. We know that their devotion to our families will make this years drive a success.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Funds raised through the Galesburg Fill the Boot event in 2025 will fund research for promising treatments and therapies and provide families with the highest quality care from the best doctors and medical teams in the country at some of the largest nationwide network of multidisciplinary care centers, including the MDA Care Center at SIU MED in Springfield,,Illinois.

The MDA Resource Center, MDA Community Education and Access programming is also supported by funds raised from the MDA-IAFF partnership and ensures no one goes through their journey with neuro-muscular disease alone.

Donations also help send Illinois kids to the best week of the year at MDA Summer Camp at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center in Hudson, Illinois  all at no cost to their families.

Galesburg Fire Department strives to help support MDAs efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuro-muscular diseases.

MDA and IAFF Partnership

The partnership between the IAFF and MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by resolution to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organizations unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. As MDAs largest national and top fundraising partner, they have raised more than $700 million for MDA to date. MDA is grateful for the hundreds of thousands of IAFF members across America who have participated in Fill the Boot campaigns over the last 71 years and joined in its mission to empower people living with neuromuscular diseases to live longer, more independent lives.

Galesburg Fire Department donation link

You can donate here anytime. The Fill the Boot campaign currently features Galesburg Firefighter Pedigos CrossFit challenge, which will count towards the GFD campaign. He has raised $975 of his $1,500 goal.

About the IAFF

The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 340,000 full-time professional firefighters and paramedics in more than 3,500 affiliates. IAFF members protect more than 85 percent of the population in communities throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement



About Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuro-muscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDAs mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more, visit 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Related video: Redistricting War: Gov. Newsom Fills Void Missing In Democratic Party, 2028 Party Leader?

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is hitting a number of early-voting and swing states to pitch voters on how the Democratic Party should reset, fueling speculation hes eyeing a 2028 bid.

Gallego, whose Senate victory last year was seen as a rare bright spot for Democrats, was most recently in New Hampshire and Iowa. Despite downplaying the idea that he might run in the next presidential cycle during an event in the Granite State, his travels have only spurred chatter over the first-term senator.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But while members of the party see Gallego as a rising star within the party, he still faces the tall task of building his national profile in the shadow of higher-profile figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

Part of me wants to say, Well, you know, a sitting senator running for president whos been in office less than two years has no chance, said Arizona Democratic consultant Adam Kinsey.

But then I remember that I worked for Barack Obama back in 2007 and heard a lot of that same rhetoric, and he rose above it, he added.

Gallego has seen his star rise in recent months after he defeated Kari Lake, now senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, in a tight contest to succeed former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Arizona Democrat, who had previously represented a Phoenix-area House seat for a decade, was among a handful of Senate Democratic candidates who won their contests in key battleground states despite former Vice President Kamala Harris falling short in each of them.

The first-term senator has been frank about his prescriptions for the Democratic Party, including urging members of his party to meaningfully engage with Latino and Hispanic voters, focus on the middle class and give reasons for key voting blocs like young men to vote for the party.

Were just not ever going to be as cool as some of these Republicans, its just not, Gallego said an interview with The Hill in May about how the party could win back young men. And honestly, even when we try, we look very fing fringe doing it, right?

But what about, like, really calling to them and trying to give [them] a vision of a future that they get excited about?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gallego further positioned himself within the national conversation after traveling to several notable presidential primary states this month, including attending the Iowa State Fair and a Politics & Eggs event, which is hosted by the New England Council and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College  both mainstays for anyone seriously considering a White House run.

The Arizona Democrat seemed to downplay the idea during his visit in the Granite State that he might run in 2028, saying at the Politics & Eggs event, I dont know where my future goes. I dont see it happening, noting his growing family.

I know I have a message, I know this message helps and if Democrats can use it, we can win, he added.

His team maintained that his focus amid his travels has been on supporting his party even as his stops in Pennsylvania, Iowa and New Hampshire have raised questions about his next moves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ruben is traveling to listen, learn, and support Democrats on the ground  not to talk about 2028, Gallego chief of staff Raphael Chavez-Fernandez told The Hill in a statement.

His focus is on making sure the party is delivering for working families today and building strength for the elections ahead.

Democrats are reading the tea leaves nonetheless, suggesting hes at least considering a potential presidential bid. Members of the party who have seen Gallego during his early state visits said theyve come away impressed with him, noting hes engaging and comes well prepared.

You could see that he had done some homework, said Iowa state Sen. Matt Blake (D), who accompanied Gallego when the senator visited the state fair.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our conversation focused on whether the impacts of tariffs  how that was impacting the ability for us to export our soybeans and our corn, Blake said. And he was very interested in what those impacts were having on our economy here in the state.

Scott Merrick, who worked on Sen. Amy Klobuchars (D-Minn.) and former President Bidens 2020 campaigns in New Hampshire, attended the Politics & Eggs event on Friday, saying he appreciated how Gallego could take issues that impacted voters in one state and apply them to the Granite State.

Merrick said he wanted more clarity from the senator about New Hampshires status as the first-in-the-nation primary after asking Gallego about it directly. Merrick said he gave a nod to the Granite State, noting it has independents and rural voters  the kinds of voters Gallego said the party would need in order to win back the House in 2026, for example.

So he kind of gave a nod to New Hampshire but stopped short of saying that New Hampshire should be the first-in-the-nation primary, Merrick said. So hopefully when he comes back, we can get him to answer that a little bit more directly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The taller task ahead for Gallego, however, will be convincing Democrats that he could be their next leader  just months out from his first Senate election and coming at a time when the party is looking to hit the reset button after a disappointing November election.

He needs to both make sure that he is the standard-bearer for what the Democratic message moving forward is, and he also needs to be the person that is defining himself in a way that  breaks out from the pack, Blake said.

A number of Democrats tend to invoke Obama when they talk about Gallego. The former president only served in the Senate for a few years before catapulting to the highest office in the country. And while Democrats are enamored with their governors in California, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and beyond, the party hasnt nominated one as their candidate since 1996.

Liz Minnella, a Democratic fundraiser, said she first crossed paths with Gallego during the 2024 election cycle at a fundraising event in the northern Chicago suburbs, hailing his appearance as incredible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But she said that Democrats these days needed a fighter like Newsom, noting its just a completely different battlefield than in 2008.

He seems really measured and analytical and has a keen understanding of the way voters think. He has great foreign policy experience. He seems to work really well with colleagues, Minnella said of Gallego.

I wish we still lived in that movie version of United States politics. But its not the West Wing anymore, she added. Its like  its worse than Veep.

Arizona Democrats are also not discounting the fact that they could see both of their senators running for the highest office in the country, both of whom are military veterans but have starkly different resumes and lanes for appeal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who was on Harriss short list for running mates in 2024, has evaded questions around 2028 and has traveled to notable states like South Carolina and Michigan with his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.).

Gallego opted against running for Senate during the 2020 cycle, looking to avoid a bitter primary against Kelly at the time. But the two could be on a collision course in a few years  something that Democrats in the Grand Canyon State dont mind at all, even if it means several cycles of Senate elections all over again.

Boy, if we had to go through that, then that means some positive things have happened, said Jim Pederson, a former Arizona state party chair who calls both men friends.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(WHTM)  On This Week in Pennsylvania, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity makes her pitch for why voters should elect her governor in 2026.

State Senator Scott Martin also joins the program to discuss the states ongoing budget impass.

Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the weeks biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

This Week in Pennsylvania

Check your local listings for weekly air times.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Talks in Cairo and Doha revive ceasefire hopes, but Israel focuses on hostages and security, while Palestinians stress political unity.

A new ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas, now under discussion in Cairo and Doha, is drawing attention for its resemblance to the so-called Witkoff plan floated earlier this year.

Both US and Qatari officials have suggested the latest initiative is almost identical to that earlier framework, yet the months-long deadlock over hostages, prisoners, and Gazas future governance continues to block progress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Witkoff plan, named after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, envisioned a phased release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a temporary halt in fighting, expanded humanitarian aid, and talks on Gazas long-term governance. It also proposed partial redeployment of Israeli forces to buffer zones, stopping short of a full withdrawal.

Israel entered negotiations after Hamass October 7 massacre, which killed some 1,200 people in Israel and saw more than 250 hostages seized, including women, children, and elderly civilians. Israeli officials argue that any deal must be judged in that light, emphasizing Hamass responsibility for the wars continuation.

The original framework, although never implemented, was considered the most detailed ceasefire blueprint since the war began. It collapsed in the spring amid mutual recriminations, Israel said Hamas added new demands, while Hamas accused Israel of negotiating in bad faith.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with hostage posters seen behind him (Illustrative). (credit: Flash90/Erik Marmor, Reuters/Evelyn Hocstein/Pool)

The current proposal closely mirrors that model but with tweaks. Observers question whether these adjustments will suffice to break the impasse, Hamas has reportedly accepted the plan, or whether entrenched political and military stances will continue to stall progress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

From Israels perspective, Hamass acceptance does little to ease fears that the group could exploit a lull in fighting to rebuild tunnels, restock weapons, and resume rocket fire.

Dr. Gershon Baskin, Middle East director for the International Communities Organization and co-director of the Alliance for Two States, described the revisions during an interview with The Media Line: The two main differences are the number of Palestinian prisoners that Israel will have to release, with the new proposal being fewer than in the original. And the second difference is about redeployment:  [Israel would retreat] about one kilometer deep inside Gaza.

Baskin noted uncertainty over whether this perimeter would cover the whole border or only limited areas such as the Philadelphi corridor or Rafah crossing. Hamas has demanded Rafah be opened for transit, something Israel would allow only under international supervision.

Israeli officials counter that such mechanisms have failed before, pointing to the collapse of the 2005 Rafah agreement, and accuse Hamas of using border openings to smuggle arms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Though the structure remains similar, staged hostage returns, prisoner swaps, humanitarian access, Israels central concern is the lack of guarantees that Hamas will not regroup.

David Mencer, spokesman for the Prime Ministers Offices public diplomacy directorate, told The Media Line: The government is interested in a full deal that releases every one of the hostages. Were no longer pursuing any partial deal. Were no longer going to dance to Hamas tune.

Likud MK Amit Halevi added that Hamas acceptance of the plan is a dirty game. He said: They use the hostages only as a tool, like a weapon. That is why we should be very suspicious about the current positive answer of Hamas.

Both versions of the plan involve highly uneven exchanges. According to Baskin, Israel would release roughly 200 Palestinian prisoners, all of them serving life sentences or long terms for killing or attacking Israelis, in return for 10 living hostages. For the remains of 18 or 19 hostages, Israel would hand over the bodies of 180 or 190 Palestinians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its pretty gruesome, he remarked. He added that Israel also appears willing to free more than a thousand Gazan detainees, calling it no big deal given how many are already in custody.

The deal also envisions 600 humanitarian trucks a day carrying food, fuel, and medicine. Hamas insists that aid be distributed by international organizations rather than the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

From the Palestinian side, Dr. Sabri Saidam, deputy secretary general of Fatahs Central Committee, said the issue is less about numbers than political meaning. We support the immediate cessation of hostilities, as Israels military campaign is nothing short of an attempt to eradicate Palestinian identity and existence, he told The Media Line.

He emphasized that reconstruction, the return of Palestinian Authority administration to Gaza, and a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict in line with international resolutions are the only way forward. He also urged international recognition of Palestine not be delayed, warning this could give Israeli ministers room to block future statehood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Halevi dismissed that view, saying Hamas itself controls the pace and terms of negotiations. The fact that Hamas actually controls the dynamic of the negotiation and the dynamic of the war is a horrible situation, he said.

The August proposal has been presented as a partial 60-day arrangement. Baskin said Hamas initially resisted, preferring a comprehensive deal to end the war and release all hostages within days, but accepted the framework under pressure from Egypt, Qatar, and the US.

Netanyahu insists on a 'full deal'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, has insisted publicly on a full deal. Baskin called this misleading, saying Netanyahu only wants such a deal after Hamas surrenders. And Hamas is never going to surrender.

Mencer reiterated Israels stance: There is simply no justification whatsoever for Hamas holding onto our people. Zero. It is outrageous, a crime against humanity to hold these people, and there is no reason why they should not be released right now. Israel has emphasized that the continued holding of hostages, many of them civilians, violates international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Halevi said Israels cabinet has shifted its war aims toward firmer control of Gaza: The cabinet decided that the target of the war should be total security control of Israel over Gaza. That is a game-changer.

Israeli officials insist that reconstruction without disarming Hamas would enable the group to reconstitute its military wing, as happened after previous wars in Gaza.

Halevi also criticized the US-backed approach, saying: The problem with the American approach, like Witkoffs, is that they do not understand the Middle East and the radical Islamic way of thinking. Hamas looks at Witkoff as a useful guy to keep negotiations alive. They are laughing at us.

International pressure remains contested. Baskin argued that beyond rhetoric, little has been done to constrain Israels actions. Israel can do what it wants. The only one right now who could stop Israel is President Trump. Our history in this conflict shows that Israel basically has impunity to do whatever it wants, but we need to follow international law, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

US President Donald Trump recently reaffirmed that Hamas must be dismantled, writing on social media: Hamas needs to be destroyed and the hostages need to come home.

Mencer dismissed suggestions of friction with Washington. The president and the prime minister are working extremely closely together. Theres never been a closer relationship between them, he said.

Saidam called for a stronger international stance. The role of the international community cannot be limited to condemnation alone. There must be a proactive stance, including a total halt to the provision of arms to Israel, he noted.

Looking beyond the ceasefire, Saidam urged Palestinian political consolidation. Achieving Palestinian national unity is essential, in accordance with previously agreed understandings. Adherence to the Palestine Liberation Organization and its international commitments remains the cornerstone of our struggle, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Baskin, meanwhile, maintained that real progress will require a generational change of leadership. Only after we change our leaderships in Israel and in Palestine, we have to get rid of the triangle of Netanyahu, Abbas, and Hamas to move on, he said.

He added that Hamas should present a credible package if it hopes to alter international perceptions. What Hamas needs to do is present a comprehensive proposal for ending the war. That proposal should include the release of all 50 hostages within 24 to 48 hours, Israeli forces redeploying outside Gaza with an agreed security perimeter, and Rafah placed under an international inspection mechanism like the 2005 agreement. The US may back this plan, he said.

Hamas should also commit to no longer governing Gaza and instead accept a civilian technocratic administration. But the future governance of Gaza still looks unclear, since Gazans will never fully accept Fatahs rule, but Hamas is not trusted either right now, he concluded.

The Israeli government has repeatedly stressed that no agreement will be accepted without the unconditional release of all hostages and the dismantling of Hamas military infrastructure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Defense Minister Israel Katz said: There can be no illusions, Israel will not agree to any arrangement that allows Hamas to survive as an armed power. Our responsibility is to bring every hostage home and ensure that Gaza never again serves as a launching pad for terror against our people.

Felice Friedson and Gabriel Colodro contributed to this report.
According to COGAT, Mu'amar is suffering from a genetic illness called Fanconi syndrome, which could lead to muscle and urinary tract weakness.

The Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on Sunday evening published evidence documenting that a Gazan toddler featured on the front page of the UK's Daily Mirror suffered from a genetic disease.

The Daily Mirror's front page alleged that three-year-old Karim Ali Fouad Abu Muamar's malnourished appearance and frail physical condition stemmed from what the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared last week to be a famine in the Gaza Strip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The front page featured a photo of the child, along with a headline describing a call from Holocaust survivors to "end aid catastrophe" and "stop starving Gaza's kids."

Gazan child Karim Ali Fouad Abu Muamar's diagnosis from the European Hospital (credit: COURTESY)

Gazan child suffers from Fanconi syndrome, not malnutrition

According to COGAT, Mu'amar is suffering from a genetic illness called Fanconi syndrome, which could lead to muscle and urinary tract weakness. The rare kidney disorder is hereditary, with COGAT noting that the disease also affected other members of the child's family.

A report from the European Hospital in Gaza recovered by COGAT shows Mu'amar's diagnosis as a 10-month-old infant.

"The terrorist organization Hamas continues to spread false narratives as part of a deceptive propaganda campaign," COGAT said, accusing foreign media outlets of "serving as their platform without any examination or verification."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last month, revealed that a Gazan child with a genetic disorder, whose photo went viral over claims of starvation, had been evacuated from the Gaza Strip in June and is receiving care in Italy.

Five-year-old Osama al-Rakab, along with his mother and brother, was evacuated through the Ramon airport on June 12. Tragic images rightfully stir strong emotions, but when theyre misused to fuel hatred and lies, they do more harm than good, COGAT wrote in a statement.

Dont let compassion be exploited for propaganda. Check the facts before parroting blame.
The decision by the municipality was met with some condemnation by Israeli officials.

Israeli ministers on Sunday strongly condemned reports of a ruling made by the Tel Aviv Municipality requiring dozens of synagogues in the city to sign a new contract that includes a clause stating that they must operate "without distinction of gender or faith."

The municipality stated that "there is no concern" about synagogue operations changing in the city. The clause in question is inaccurate and has changed over recent years. The non-discrimination clause was introduced several years ago and applies to all municipal-public institutions in the city, the municipality explained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Over 400 synagogues operate in Tel Aviv-Yafo and will continue to thrive. There is no concern that their activities or character will change. Its all baseless nonsense, the municipality underscored.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi described the officials behind the decision-making as "damned, wicked people," adding, "Throughout generations, enemies from home and abroad have risen against Judaism, all the axes and pitchforks that were raised against it were swallowed up and became as if they had never existed."

"The Tel Aviv Municipality is trying to restore the appearance of Dizengoff Square from Yom Kippur of 2023," Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said. "While Arab prayers are held at the Dolphinarium without interruption, and while mosques are not required to sign any declaration, synagogues and worshippers in the first Hebrew city feel like a persecuted minority."

Ruins of an old synagogue in Florentin, Tel Aviv on Febuary 6, 2017. (credit: SEBI BERENS/FLASH90)

The Union of Community Rabbis also condemned the municipality's decision, describing it as "deliberate harassment, under the guise of a legal ruling," and that it's an "unequivocal decision to harm the sanctities of Israel, and to deliberately hinder the steps of the God-fearing public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We are sharply considering our steps and examining how we can stand against [Mayor] Ron Huldai's decrees. We can guarantee one thing: tradition will be preserved, and we will not give in under any circumstances to attempts at abuse. The people of Israel are alive, and we invite the public to join the regular prayers in the synagogues and reinforce this clear statement."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the municipality "declared war on Judaism. To harm synagogues, the heart of the identity and tradition of the Jewish people, is a shame and disgrace and crosses every red line.

"I demand that the Tel Aviv Municipality immediately stop this dangerous and despicable move. We will not lower our heads, we will not remain silent, and we cannot turn the Jewish state into a 'state of all its citizens' on the backs of the synagogues."

Synagogues to face eviction proceedings?

Synagogues that do not sign the contract issued by the Tel Aviv Municipality are "expected to face eviction proceedings," according to a released statement penned by Justice Minister Yariv Levin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There are approximately 130 synagogues, most of which have existed since before the establishment of the state," the statement continued. "Some were built on land allocated by the municipality but have not yet been registered, and now the municipality is seeking to impose a draconian and unprecedented contract on them, which seriously harms the faith and lifestyle of synagogue worshippers.

"What's the next step? Require synagogues to serve pork at Kiddush? Turn on the microphones on Shabbat? How far will the persecution of Jewish identity in Tel Aviv go? How come a similar shocking directive hasn't been issued for the city's mosques?"
In his campaign ad, he rhetorically asks, Why are we funding endless wars, bombing children?

Graham Platner, a retired US Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, launched his primary campaign on Tuesday to unseat incumbent Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Platner, dubbed the Maine Mamdani, posted on social media on Thursday, There is a genocide happening in Palestine.

In his campaign ad, he rhetorically asks, Why are we funding endless wars, bombing children?

Platner is running on a platform of universal healthcare, housing affordability, and ending US involvement in foreign wars.

US SENATOR Bernie Sanders arrives for a news conference on blocking offensive weapons sales to Israel, at the Capitol last year. Israeli action,s which he warned would lead to catastrophe, have, in fact, contributed to stability, the writer argues. (credit: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

Similar to Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanderss rhetoric, Platner has argued repeatedly since launching his campaign, There is a war going on in this country, and the oligarchy and the fascists are winning right now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Platner, on his website, says Maine is becoming unaffordable because we have a government by, of, and for billionaires, who are building a billionaire economy that none of us can afford.

Zohran Mamdani, widely favored to win New York Citys mayoral seat in November, won his Democratic primary on a similar platform, as an outspoken critic of Israels war in Gaza, also labeling it a genocide.

Omar Fateh, also an outspoken critic of Israel, is challenging Jewish Minneapoliss two-term incumbent mayor Jacob Frey, who is viewed as a moderate Democrat. He is running on similar campaign promises as Mamdani and Platner.

Platner disillusioned with America's 'failed' foreign policy, endless wars

After serving four tours overseas as a Marine, Platner decided to focus on serving his local community in Maine, feeling deeply disillusioned with Americas failed foreign policy and endless wars, according to his campaign website. He has since worked as an oyster farmer in his hometown, Sullivan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When I joined the Marine Corps, I joined up because I really, truly believed in the American project, NBC News quoted him as saying. I wanted to fight for something I loved and that I thought was good in Iraq and Afghanistan. I watched both failed policies, failed strategies, and failed tactics being used over and over and over again.

He serves as a harbor master and planning board chair. Other Democrats running in the primary include Jordan Wood, a former chief of staff to former California Democrat Rep. Katie Porter, and David Costello, who ran against Independent Sen. Angus King last year.

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Democrats would need to flip four seats to have a majority.
Donald Trump promised his supporters he would be their "retribution" if elected. Now, his retribution presidency is playing out as the FBI has searched the home of Trump critic John Bolton citing concerns of classified documents. Conservative lawyer George Conway joins The Weekend: Primetime to discuss what he saw firsthand at Bolton's home.
Conservative attorney and longtime Trump critic George Conway says his presence outside John Boltons home during the FBIs Friday dawn raid was purely by chance.

Conway, who lives in the same upscale Bethesda, Maryland neighborhood as President Donald Trumps former national security adviser, said Saturday he stumbled on news of the raid online.

I found out about it basically because [FBI Director] Kash Patel had been talking about it, and people were talking about it on social media, Conway, who is the ex-husband of former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, told MSNBCs The Weekend: Primetime.

Bolton returned to his Bethesda, Maryland home Friday following its search by the FBI. / Tasos Katopodis / REUTERS

The Friday morning raid was said to be part of an ongoing federal probe into whether Bolton potentially mishandled classified documents.

George Conway live streams on his phone outside the home of the former White House national security adviser John Bolton as it is searched by FBI members, in Bethesda, Maryland, Aug. 22, 2025. / Tasos Katopodis/Reuters

Living just 10 minutes away, Conway decided to head over. By the time I got to John Boltons house, there was already a crowd of media and neighbors and onlookers there. So, I just found out about it like everyone else. Its just that I know where he lives because I live around here and Ive driven my daughters to and from their friends house by driving by his house.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The conservative lawyer stressed that he had no inside knowledge of what investigators were looking for. We have no idea whether theres anything in there that is ultimately could provide evidence against John Bolton, he said.

Im sure that theyre pulling out anything that would be related to his work at the White House. And then theyre going to have to review it to see whether theres anything in there that would constitute evidence of a crime.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago is seen in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2025. / Carlos Barria / REUTERS

He added that agents were likely gathering materials for later review, comparing it to the search of Trumps Florida Mar-a-Lago estate.

That search, executed in 2022, led agents to seize thousands of federal records, including more than 100 marked classified. Trump was indicted in 2023 but the case was dismissed last July after a Trump-appointed judge ruled that the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutional.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Explaining the volume of documents taken from Boltons home, Conway said: They dont have time to read everything at the house.

Theyre just collecting things that fit possibly the general description, and as what happened at Mar-a-Lago. And then they have to focus in on what materials could possibly be relevant, he said. I doubt that John Bolton, being the careful lawyer that he is and the fastidious person that he is, had anything like what Donald Trump had in his basement.

Bolton didnt appear to be at home during the raid. A longtime foreign policy hawk, he served as national security adviser from 2018 to 2019 and has often criticized Trump. In an appearance on the Daily Beast podcast on Monday, he blasted Trump as the worlds worst negotiator.

Conways surprise cameo at the Bolton raid also played out online. On X, he temporarily renamed himself George Action News Conway and joked about live-streaming the scene.
The Brief

The Georgia Department of Defense said plans are in the early stages for the deployment.

The large-scale rollout, planned to run from late August through mid-November, is one of the most significant National Guard activations in recent years.

A spokesperson said Gov. Brian Kemp is communicating with the Trump administration on securing the border.

ATLANTA - A Georgia Department of Defense spokesperson says it has been asked to provide support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of a plan to deploy National Guard troops in 19 states. FOX News first learned of the deployment of up to 1,700 troops from Pentagon officials.

Local perspective

The Georgia Department of Defense said plans are in the early stages for the deployment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The Georgia Department of Defense has been asked to provide logistical and clerical support to the Department of Homeland Securitys U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts in executing its immigration law enforcement mission. The use of GA DODs military personnel would directly enable ICE to dedicate more trained agents to its core law enforcement activities. The GA DOD has a long history of partnering with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure the safety and security of our communities," said a spokesperson.

Georgia Gang panelist Brian Robinson says it will be interesting to hear from Governor Brian Kemp.

"Kemp is the kind of voice that would be helpful to the White House nationally if he came out and said, Hey, I'm cool with using the National Guard in this capacity," stated Robinson. "I would say he would also make national news if he said something else too. His is a voice that is very important. He is the head of the Republican Governors Association."

FOX 5 reached out to Governor Brian Kemp's office and received a statement back that said, "The Governor remains in active communication with the Trump administration on how to best support their work securing our nations border and safeguarding its citizens."

Big picture view

The large-scale rollout, planned to run from late August through mid-November, is one of the most significant National Guard activations in recent years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Documents reviewed by FOX News show deployments are scheduled in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

Texas is expected to see the largest Guard presence.

What we don't know

It remains unclear exactly how many Guard troops will be assigned to each state or how long the deployments will last. Pentagon officials have said the timelines could vary depending on coordination with state governors and DHS needs.

The Source

Information in this article came from FOX 5's Brittany Edney speaking with the GA DOD, Robinson and Kemp's office. It also includes reporting from FOX News.
The government has a duty to ensure the secure use of digital products, according to the head of Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).

"As Germany's cybersecurity authority, our aim is not only to make people and organizations aware of dangers on the internet, but also to actively protect them," BSI President Claudia Plattner told dpa.

As an example, she cited the influence wielded by the manufacturers of digital products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The makers of devices ranging from smartphones to smart thermostats can have access to sensitive user data, Plattner noted.

"It is the duty of the state to enable the secure use of all these products, many of which are currently manufactured outside of Europe," she said.

Data privacy is rated particularly highly in Germany, due to a history of state surveillance, at times hampering the country's digital progress.

"However, this does not mean that we at the BSI consider European digital sovereignty to be unattainable," Plattner added, rejecting reports along those lines.

Rather, she stressed that the BSI was taking a two-pronged approach, aiming at strengthening the European market and local digital industry, while ensuring non-European products are technically adapted or integrated for secure use.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The more trustworthy products are available, the more confidently we can make decisions - and the more secure the digital future will be," Plattner said.

To this end, the BSI was collaborating closely with national, European and international manufacturers as well as open-source communities, she added.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz marked Ukraine's independence day on Sunday by stressing Berlin's ongoing support for Kiev in its defence against Russian aggression.

"As the country marks Independence Day, we stand firmly by their side  today and in the future," Merz posted on X in German, English and Ukrainian.

The conservative politician said Ukrainians were "most courageously defending themselves against Russia's attacks."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"They are fighting for our liberal order in Europe, and for a just peace," he added.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed hope that the independence celebrations would give the people of Ukraine "new courage to stand up to Russian aggression."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also honoured Ukraine's fight for a "free, democratic and independent" country.

"We are with you, for as long as it takes. Because a free Ukraine means a free Europe," von der Leyen wrote on X.
German firefighters helping to tackle the wildfires ravaging much of Spain have been redeployed to the northern Castile and Leon region after a successful deployment further south, Spanish media reported on Sunday.

The Spanish authorities have despatched them to La Bana, a village north of the Portuguese border, where the flames have been approaching. Some 330 residents have already been evacuated, according to a report in the Leonoticias newspaper.

Public broadcaster TV-Sender RTVE has reported that 14 fires are still burning countrywide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Previously, 67 German firefighters along with 21 vehicles had been battling fires in Jarilla in Extremadura to the south. Spanish police published a video showing them in Puebla de Sanabria on the way to La Bana.

The situation has eased to some extent, according to the authorities, partly as a result of an end to an extreme heatwave with temperatures soaring well above 40 degrees Celsius.

The current situation is worst in the north-west, where the German firefighters will help their Spanish counterparts until Tuesday.

This month, Spain and Portugal have experienced the worst wildfires in years, with at least eight people dying. According to initial estimates from the European Forest Fire Information System, around 6,840 hectares have been destroyed.
The German army is making "great progress" towards combat readiness, according to army chief Lieutenant General Alfons Mais.

However, Mais warned that a military stand-off or an attack could occur before the troops have had sufficient time to prepare, in comments to dpa.

"We must be aware that if the alarm goes off, it could hit us in a suboptimal state or at a less than optimal time. The commanders need to prepare mentally for this," said Mais, who is retiring in September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He stressed that, in addition to equipping the troops, he was concerned with the question of "mindset" - meaning the attitude required for the soldiers to defend their values.

His advice was to turn to the example set by Bundeswehr soldiers who have been awarded the military's Cross of Honour for bravery.

"I believe that our soldiers all know what to expect. And we see that. In conversations with the young people, I see that they have become much more serious," Mais said. "Someone who signs up for the Bundeswehr today knows there is war in Europe."
The German army is making "great progress" towards combat readiness, according to army chief Lieutenant General Alfons Mais.

However, Mais warned that a military stand-off or an attack could occur before the troops have had sufficient time to prepare, in comments to dpa.

"We must be aware that if the alarm goes off, it could hit us in a suboptimal state or at a less than optimal time. The commanders need to prepare mentally for this," said Mais, who is retiring in September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He stressed that, in addition to equipping the troops, he was concerned with the question of "mindset" - meaning the attitude required for the soldiers to defend their values.

His advice was to turn to the example set by Bundeswehr soldiers who have been awarded the military's Cross of Honour for bravery.

"I believe that our soldiers all know what to expect. And we see that. In conversations with the young people, I see that they have become much more serious," Mais said. "Someone who signs up for the Bundeswehr today knows there is war in Europe."

Lessons from Afghanistan

To date, 33 soldiers have received the cross. One of them is Sergeant Major Jan Hecht, who received the award for his actions while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2009.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"When courage in a specific situation is added to bravery, then we have people who are able to perform exceptionally, people who in a special situation put themselves on the line to protect their comrades and to rescue them from danger, or to complete the task in hand in the face of great resistance," Hecht says.

There is no time to think in situations like this, and soldiers have to fall back on their training without having to consider what they are doing, he adds.

"There is a certain kind of determination that you need to survive in a situation like that. If you do not have this determination, you could hesitate, and that could be to your disadvantage," Hecht says.

Domestic threats are different

Mais notes that the Bundeswehr's recent foreign deployments, where troops are barracked in secure camps, provide little guide when it comes to defending Germany itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Deployment scenarios have changed fundamentally more than 40 months after Russia invaded Ukraine, he notes. "Effectiveness comes ahead of cover, as there will be no second winner," Mais says.

A combat-ready German brigade is being stationed in Lithuania, and the practicalities of a German security guarantee for Ukraine are being debated.

In the event of an attack on the Russian military  and also for credible deterrence  determination is needed alongside rearmament. Germany's deeply civil society will struggle to cope, the general believes.
German police are intensively searching for a 40-year-old suspect two days after a fatal shooting in the western town of Menden.

There are no clues as to the whereabouts of the man, who could be armed, a police spokesman said on Sunday.

The suspect, whose photo and full name have been published, allegedly shot two men following an argument in a residential area on Friday.

A 45-year-old German man died, while a second victim, a 49-year-old Turkish citizen, was airlifted to a specialist clinic by rescue helicopter. By Saturday, he was no longer in a life-threatening condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspect holds Serbian and Montenegrin nationality, according to the public prosecutor's office in the nearby town of Arnsberg.

When asked if he might have fled in the direction of Serbia, the police spokesman said: "Anything is possible."
Ukraine's post-war security guarantees need to be backed by a wide range of states reaching beyond Europe, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday.

Speaking at a government open day in Berlin, Wadephul said it was important for the United States to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine, but that others were needed as well. He said around 30 countries had indicated their readiness, including Japan.

Security guarantees that "closely approach what a NATO membership means" were needed, the foreign minister said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We cannot expect Ukraine to seriously consider territorial concessions if it does not at the very least receive a security guarantee from as many states as possible to the effect that the rest is then secure," Wadephul said.

This would not pose any risks for Russia, he said, expressing the hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be convinced to strike a deal backed by security guarantees. This could then be a basis for a return to peace in Europe, Wadephul said.

He stressed that Ukraine had to be in a position to defend itself and to receive support from its guarantors in the event of an end to hostilities. A peace agreement could not be a dictated peace at Ukraine's expense, he said.

Wadephul appealed to Putin to cease hostilities and negotiate. "Otherwise, he must continue to count on our clear resistance alongside Ukraine," he said.
A Rottweiler bit and mauled a 2-year-old girl in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night, city fire rescue officials said.

Fire Rescue officials responded to the 1700 block of SW 24th Street about 8:15 p.m., spokesperson Frank Guzman told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Two people brought the child to rescue personnel. She had sustained numerous injuries from the dog attack, according to a press statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The toddler was rushed to the trauma center at Broward Health Medical Center, where her current condition is unknown, Guzman said.

Animal Care investigators say the girls bite injuries were so severe that the dog required confiscation by the shelter, meaning the owner must give up total ownership of the dog, likely for euthanasia, the spokesperson said. The owner turned over the Rottweiler for that investigation but did not wish to surrender the dog, the spokesperson added.

The Pam Rock Act, which passed the Florida Legislatures 2025 session and took effect July 1, mandates euthanasia for dogs that kill humans or cause severe injuries. Dog owners can file an appeal to stop the euthanasia while the investigation is ongoing.

Phillip Valys can be reached at pvalys@sunsentinel.com or X/Twitter @philvalys
Global mail carriers suspended parcel deliveries to the US in the face of uncertainty over new duties on low-cost packages.

US President Donald Trump last month ordered the end of the de minimis provision, which allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the US duty-free.

The loophole was closed for China and Hong Kong in May, and is set to go worldwide Friday, sparking concern over a lack of information over how it will be enforced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

International postal carriers from Germany to New Zealand to South Korea have halted most US-bound packages.

The demise of de minimis compounds the challenges facing US importers; many businesses have so far resisted raising prices, and arent keen to do so this holiday season, Supply Chain Dive wrote.
When lightning sparked a small fire amid the stately ponderosa pines on the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon last month, national parks officials treated it like a good thing.

Instead of racing to put the fire out immediately, as was the practice for decades, they deferred to the doctrines of modern fire science. The prevailing wisdom says the American West was forged by flames that nourish the soil and naturally reduce the supply of dry fuels.

So officials built containment lines to keep the fire away from people and the parks historic buildings and then stepped back to let the flames perform their ancient magic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That strategy worked well  until it didn't. A week later, the wind suddenly increased and the modest, 120-acre controlled burn exploded into a megafire, the largest in the United States so far this year. As of Saturday, the blaze had burned more than 145,000 acres and was 63% contained.

The fire jumped our lines on Friday, July 11, said a still shaken parks employee who was on the front line that day and asked not to be named for fear of official retaliation. By 3 in the afternoon, crews were struggling to hold it, the employee said through a hacking cough, attributing it to smoke inhaled that chaotic day.

By 9 p.m., there was nothing we could do. Embers were raining down everywhere and everything that could burn was burning, the employee added.

Whether the Dragon Bravo fires escape from confinement was due to a colossal mistake, incredibly bad luck, or some tragic combination of the two, will be the focus of multiple investigations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the fact that it happened at all, and especially in such a public place  on the rim of one of the worlds most popular tourist attractions, with seemingly the whole planet watching  is already a nightmare for a generation of biologists, ecologists, climate scientists and progressive wildland firefighters who have spent years trying to sell a wary public on the notion of good fire.

Stephen Pyne, a prolific author and renowned environmental historian at Arizona State University, summed up their collective anxiety, saying, I hope one very bad fire wont be used to destroy a good policy.

But the magnitude of the setback for good-fire advocates  especially at a time when federal officials seem actively hostile toward any ideas they view as tree-hugging environmentalism  is hard to overstate.

On July 10, the day before the wind changed, the fire had been burning sleepily for a week without any apparent cause for alarm. The park service confidently posted on social media that it was no threat to public safety or the developed area of the North Rim and that the "fire continues to be managed under a confine and contain strategy, which allows for the natural role of fire on the landscape."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Less than 48 hours later, some 70 buildings, including guest cabins, park administrative offices and employee housing units, had been reduced to ash.

One was the Grand Canyon Lodge, originally designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood with a Spanish-style exterior. It was completed in 1928, and then burned down four years later. So Underwood redesigned the structure, creating a more rustic lodge out of the original stonework, perched on the very edge of the canyon. Admirers claimed it had one of the most serene and awe-inspiring views in the world.

By July 12, it was a smoldering ruin.

In the days that followed, tourists on the South Rim of the canyon, and social media viewers around the globe, watched in awe as the fire grew so big and hot it created its own weather, sending pyrocumulus clouds billowing hundreds of feet into the air and dense smoke streaming down into the idyllic canyon below.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the spectacle raged, and word spread that officials had initially let the small fire burn for the good of the environment, Arizonas top politicians demanded explanations.

Both of the states Democratic senators called for investigations, and Gov. Katie Hobbs, also a Democrat, took to X to demand intense oversight and scrutiny of the federal governments decision to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer.

The people of Arizona deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park, Hobbs added.

Tourists take photos as smoke and a pyrocumulus cloud rise at sunset from the Dragon Bravo fire at the Grand Canyon as seen from Mather Point near Grand Canyon Village, Ariz., on July 28. (Jon Gambrell / Associated Press)

Smoke from the Dragon Bravo Fire, seen from the Desert View Watchtower on the Grand Canyon South Rim, on August 11, 2025. Mikayla Whitmore/For The Times

Tourists at the Desert View Watchtower on the Grand Canyon South Rim, August 11, 2025. Mikayla Whitmore/For The Times

Those tough questions are predictable and fair, said Len Nielson, the staff chief in charge of prescribed burns and environmental protection for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. He hopes investigators will be able to identify a specific failure  such as a bad weather forecast  and take concrete steps to prevent the next disaster.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But I hope we dont overreact, he said, and turn away from the notion of good fire. Lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

The logic behind intentionally igniting fires on wild land, or simply containing natural fires without attempting to extinguish them, is based on the the fact that fires have long been part of the West's landscape, and are deemed essential for its ecological health.

Before European settlers arrived in the American West and started suppressing fire at every turn, forests and grasslands burned on a regular basis. Sometimes lightning ignited the flames; sometimes it was Indigenous people using fire as an obvious, and remarkably effective, tool to clear unwanted vegetation from their fields and create better sight lines for hunting. Whatever the cause, it was common for much of the land, including vast tracts in California, to burn about once a decade.

That kept the fuel load in check and, in turn, kept fires relatively calm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But persuading private landowners and public officials that its a good thing to deliberately start fires in their backyards is a constant battle, Nielson said. Even when things go right  which is 99% of the time, he said  smoke can drift into an elementary school or an assisted living facility, testing the patience of local residents.

It took three years to get the necessary permits for a modest, 50-acre prescribed burn in Mendocino County early this year. The goal was to clear brush from the roads leading out of a University of California research facility so they could be used as emergency exits in the event of an actual wildfire. The main obstacle? Nearby vineyard owners worried the burn would make their world-class grapes too smoky for discerning wine lovers.

Fire danger was still "very high" in Fredonia, AZ, near the Grand Canyon's north rim, on August 12, 2025. Mikayla Whitmore/For The Times

The welcome center at the entrance of the Grand Canyon's north rim was still wrapped to protect it from fire on August 12, 2025. Mikayla Whitmore/For The Times

So the amount of damage control and cajoling it will take to keep things on track after the disaster in Arizona is enough to make a good fire advocates head spin.

Its always a roll of the dice, Nielson acknowledged with a sigh. Wind, in particular, is hard to predict, and getting harder with federal cuts to the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If they werent getting accurate weather predictions in Arizona, that would be a really big deal, Nielson said.

Riva Duncan, a retired fire chief for the U.S. Forest Service and vice president of the nonprofit Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, also pointed to federal cuts as a possible contributing factor, specifically the job cuts at the forest and parks service orchestrated by President Trumps Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year.

Although actual firefighters were spared from the firings, and were not eligible for buyouts, crucial support people were let go, including meteorologists and people who specialize in predicting fire behavior.

So we have fewer people running models, giving forecasts and telling firefighters on the ground what they can expect, Duncan said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A National Park Service spokesperson did not respond to questions about the weather forecast, but a review of National Weather Service data and fire weather forecasts issued by NOAA showed only light winds predicted before the flames jumped the containment lines.

Timothy Ingalsbee, another former Forest Service firefighter and the executive director of the nonprofit Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology, said the federal firefighting workforce has been shrinking for years due to an inability to recruit new employees for the remote, grueling work.

But losing so many experienced people this year created a huge and sudden brain drain, he said.

It hasn't helped that this part of Arizona has been struck by severe drought in recent years, with the period from July 2020 to June 2025 being the fifth-warmest and fourth-driest on record, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources . In this harsh and remote landscape, the lack of rain has dried up both the desert chaparral and the ponderosa pines and other conifers that occupy the higher elevations of the Grand Canyons North Rim  creating a landscape that was primed to ignite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For Ingalsbee, it seemed reasonable to him to let some of the land burn, especially the steep terrain inside the canyon. "Thats really, really gnarly ground. Why put your people at risk?

But he was shocked by photos he saw of shrubs growing right up against the windows of the lodge, which is an invitation for disaster during a wildfire. At some point that glass shatters with the heat and pulsing flame, and then youve got pandemonium.

Pyne said its still too soon to say whether the federal workforces downsizing and whimsical firings had anything to do with the Dragon Bravos fires disastrous escape. But he cant help wondering why the people in charge didnt see it coming.

Trees burned along the road leading to the Grand Canyon's North Rim on Aug. 12. (Mikayla Whitmore / For The Times)

The Southwest depends on late summer monsoons to replenish moisture in trees and plants, making them less likely to burn. Every large fire in the region, he said, occurs in the hot, dry period leading up to those monsoon rains.

The Hermits Peak fire in New Mexico in 2022, which started with a controlled burn that got out of control and exploded to more than 300,000 acres, becoming Exhibit A for what can go wrong, began in the lead-up to the monsoon, Pyne said. So did several lesser-known fires that escaped in the Grand Canyon over the years, he said.

And the monsoon was already behind schedule this year when officials decided to let the Dragon Bravo fire burn.

Maybe they knew something I dont, Pyne said, but my sense is that the odds were really against them.

Pyne, who spent 15 years on a fire crew in the Grand Canyon, has a personal interest in the outcome of the pending Dragon Bravo investigations. Though he doesnt want a bad fire to destroy a good policy, he said, he also doesnt want officials to claim they were following a good policy to justify bad decisions.

Was letting this fire burn within the range of acceptable risks? Pyne asked. That seems like a very legitimate line of inquiry.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado Gov. Jared Polis reminded residents on Saturday about the presence of Japanese beetles, calling the insect first introduced to Colorado in the early 1990s a problem.

Japanese beetles, which are considered an invasive pest, were introduced into the eastern United States more than 100 years ago before moving west by way of nursery stock sold in trade and on its own from plant to plant.

The invasive pests have known infested areas in the Front Range and were discovered in Mesa County in the summer of 2022, according to the state, which said it works to educate homeowners in the Grand Junction area about the detection of the Japanese beetles and how to set up traps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Coloradans sign petition to put limits on use of neonicotinoid-coated seeds

The state warns that precautions must be taken to keep Japanese beetles from further spreading into noninfested areas of Colorado, including by monitoring plants and turf for their presence.

The Colorado Nursery Act also aims to help slow the progression of the insect and prevent new state introductions by prohibiting the sale of plants containing Japanese beetle adults or larvae in the root zone.

A Japanese beetle quarantine was also adopted in 2010 to prevent new Colorado introductions and was later expanded to include the counties of Pueblo, El Paso, Douglas, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Denver, Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Weld and Larimer, to prevent spread from known infested areas in the Front Range to locations in eastern Colorado and the West Slope.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The insects start emerging out of the soil early to mid-June and are typically most active through July and early August, depending on soil temperature, according to Denver-based pest control service OBEX Pest Defense.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said there is no emergency and President Donald Trump is "attempting to manufacture a crisis" after reports that the federal government may deploy the National Guard to Chicago to address crime in the city.

"The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention," the governor said in a statement on Saturday.

This comes after Trump's move to boost the presence of federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to reduce crime. Hundreds of federal agents and National Guard troops have been deployed to the streets of D.C. as part of the federal takeover of the district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, Trump says Chicago could be his administration's next target for a federal crackdown on crime.

National Guard Roll Out In 19 States Not Linked To Trumps Crime Crackdown, Wh Says

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said there is no emergency and President Donald Trump is "attempting to manufacture a crisis."

The Pentagon has planned a military deployment to Chicago for weeks, which could include mobilizing a few thousand National Guard troops next month, according to The Washington Post.

Read On The Fox News App

"The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority," Pritzker said. "There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The governor also accused Trump of "attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families."

"We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois," he continued.

Chicago Mayor Calls Trump's National Guard Deployment Plan 'Uncoordinated, Uncalled-for And Unsound'

President Donald Trump says Chicago could be his administration's next target for a federal crackdown on crime.

Democrat Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said the report that Trump is preparing to deploy federal troops in Chicago "proves what we all know: he is willing to go to any lengths possible to create chaos if it means more political powerno matter who gets hurt."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"As Lieutenant Governor and throughout my career, Ive fervently fought for the reformation of our criminal legal system and under the Pritzker-Stratton administration, weve made tremendous progress," she said in a statement. "Crime in Chicago is declining and theres absolutely no rationale for this decision, other than to distract from the pain Trump is inflicting on working families with his dangerous agenda."

"Illinois, Governor Pritzker and I are here to stand for your rights, your freedoms, and will protect you against whatever storms of hate and fear come our way," she added.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, also a Democrat, earlier said "unlawfully deploying the National Guard to Chicago has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement when we know that trust between police and residents is foundational to building safer communities."

"An unlawful deployment of the [National Guard] would be unsustainable and would threaten to undermine the historic progress we have made," Johnson said in a statement on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The mayor also cited data showing that homicides, robberies and shootings have dipped significantly in the past year.





Original article source: Gov. Pritzker says Trump trying to 'manufacture a crisis' as admin plans National Guard deployment to Chicago
Singapore has announced a new, tougher stance on vape products in the island nation, including potential jail time for violators, Bloomberg reported.

"So far we've treated vaping like tobacco  at most we impose a fine, but that's no longer enough," Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during a national address. "We will treat this as a drug issue and impose much stiffer penalties."

The crackdown on vapes comes amid increased public awareness about the health risks and environmental impacts of vaping products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While experts say that further research is needed to fully understand the effects of vaping, evidence has shown that vaping presents a number of serious health risks, especially to young people, pregnant people, and fetuses.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, vape products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine has a negative impact on brain development that continues until age 25.

Nicotine also is toxic to fetuses and is associated with significant health risks in pregnant people.

Despite the known risks of nicotine, the largest health concerns surrounding vaping might involve what is unknown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In addition to nicotine, vape fluid has been found to contain cancer-causing chemicals, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals such as tin, nickel, and lead, all of which can be extremely harmful to human health, per the CDC.

Singapore will particularly target vapes found to be laced with, or contaminated by, dangerous additives.

In particular, officials say that one-third of the vapes seized in Singapore contain etomidate, which is used medically as a sedative but which can also cause hallucinations and organ failure, Bloomberg reported.

Singapore planned to reclassify etomidate as an illegal drug with penalties on par with cocaine, per Bloomberg.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In addition to the health risks, vape products also cause environmental harm. From manufacture to disposal, single-use vapes in particular generate large amounts of waste and pollution; many vape products contain lithium-ion batteries.

A 2023 review of the scientific literature found that the manufacture and disposal of vape products have a number of negative environmental impacts, including water contamination, air pollution, and the introduction of harmful chemicals and other substances into ecosystems.

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.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, pictured at center, was released from jail in Putnam County, Tennessee on August 22, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

NASHVILLE The Trump administration may deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he rejected a last-minute deal to remain in jail, plead guilty to human smuggling charges and be deported to Costa Rica, a legal notice filed Saturday by his attorneys said.

The behind-the-scenes ultimatum bolsters claims that Abrego is the target of selective and vindictive prosecution by the government after he contested his wrongful deportation to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador prison in March, Abregos lawyers wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abrego was released Friday to await trial in January on human smuggling charges in Tennessee and returned to Maryland, where the sheet metal apprentice lives with his wife and children. His wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March has brought ongoing scrutiny to the Trump administrations immigration crackdown tactics. Abrego has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

In a deal offered by the government late Thursday, it promised to deport Abrego to Costa Rica where he could live freely if he remained jailed until Monday, pleaded guilty to the Tennessee human smuggling charges and served the sentence imposed by the court, his attorneys wrote. The government of Costa Rica had agreed to take him, the filing said.

Abregos attorneys informed the Acting U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire, who is prosecuting the Tennessee case, they would of course, communicate the governments proposal to Mr. Abrego but declined to agree to a demand that he remain incarcerated until Monday.

Abrego was released shortly after 2 p.m. Friday from a detention facility in Putnam County, Tenn. Within minutes of Abregos release, a representative of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, informed his attorneys they intended to deport him to Uganda and ordered him to report to the agencys field office in Baltimore, his attorneys wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The only thing that happened between Thursday  Costa Rica  and Friday  Uganda  was Mr. Abregos exercise of his legal entitlement to release under the Bail Reform Act and the Fifth Amendment, his attorneys wrote.

Government officials again, late Friday evening, informed Abrego he has until first thing Monday morning to accept a plea in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica or else that offer will be off the table forever.

There can be only one interpretation of these events: the (Department of Justice) and ICE are using their collective powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety, or rendition to Uganda, where his safety and liberty would be under threat, Abregos attorneys wrote.

Attorneys for Abrego have already filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against him, calling the case a clear example of selective and vindictive prosecution by the Trump administration in legal filings last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The ultimatums offered by the Trump administration serve to underscore Abregos allegations that it is acting with vindictiveness towards him, their latest legal filing said.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security are obviously working in lockstep to coerce Mr. Abrego into accepting a guilty plea in his criminal case, holding over his head the prospect of possible indefinite detention  or worse  in a country halfway across the world, the attorneys wrote. It is difficult to imagine a path the government could have taken that would have better emphasized its vindictiveness.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia accompanied by his attorney. Was released from thee Putnam County Jail on August 22, 2025. Photograph by John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout 2025

NASHVILLE The Trump administration may deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he rejected a last-minute deal to remain in jail, plead guilty to human smuggling charges and be deported to Costa Rica, a legal notice filed Saturday by his attorneys said.

The behind-the-scenes ultimatum bolsters claims that Abrego is the target of selective and vindictive prosecution by the government after he contested his wrongful deportation to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador prison in March, Abregos lawyers wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abrego was released Friday to await trial in January on human smuggling charges in Tennessee and returned to Maryland, where the sheet metal apprentice lives with his wife and children. His wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March has brought ongoing scrutiny to the Trump administrations immigration crackdown tactics. Abrego has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

In a deal offered by the government late Thursday, it promised to deport Abrego to Costa Rica where he could live freely if he remained jailed until Monday, pleaded guilty to the Tennessee human smuggling charges and served the sentence imposed by the court, his attorneys wrote. The government of Costa Rica had agreed to take him, the filing said.

Abregos attorneys informed the Acting U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire, who is prosecuting the Tennessee case, they would of course, communicate the governments proposal to Mr. Abrego but declined to agree to a demand that he remain incarcerated until Monday.

Abrego was released shortly after 2 p.m. Friday from a detention facility in Putnam County, Tenn. Within minutes of Abregos release, a representative of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, informed his attorneys they intended to deport him to Uganda and ordered him to report to the agencys field office in Baltimore, his attorneys wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The only thing that happened between Thursday  Costa Rica  and Friday  Uganda  was Mr. Abregos exercise of his legal entitlement to release under the Bail Reform Act and the Fifth Amendment, his attorneys wrote.

Government officials again, late Friday evening, informed Abrego he has until first thing Monday morning to accept a plea in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica or else that offer will be off the table forever.

There can be only one interpretation of these events: the (Department of Justice) and ICE are using their collective powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety, or rendition to Uganda, where his safety and liberty would be under threat, Abregos attorneys wrote.

Attorneys for Abrego have already filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against him, calling the case a clear example of selective and vindictive prosecution by the Trump administration in legal filings last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The ultimatums offered by the Trump administration serve to underscore Abregos allegations that it is acting with vindictiveness towards him, their latest legal filing said.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security are obviously working in lockstep to coerce Mr. Abrego into accepting a guilty plea in his criminal case, holding over his head the prospect of possible indefinite detention  or worse  in a country halfway across the world, the attorneys wrote. It is difficult to imagine a path the government could have taken that would have better emphasized its vindictiveness.

113

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is escorted into a waiting car after his release from the Putnam County Jail on Aug. 22, 2025. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

This story originally appeared on Tennessee Lookout.

NASHVILLE The Trump administration may deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he rejected a last-minute deal to remain in jail, plead guilty to human smuggling charges and be deported to Costa Rica, a legal notice filed Saturday by his attorneys said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The behind-the-scenes ultimatum bolsters claims that Abrego is the target of selective and vindictive prosecution by the government after he contested his wrongful deportation to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador prison in March, Abregos lawyers wrote.

Abrego was released Friday to await trial in January on human smuggling charges in Tennessee and returned to Maryland, where the sheet metal apprentice lives with his wife and children. His wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March has brought ongoing scrutiny to the Trump administrations immigration crackdown tactics. Abrego has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

In a deal offered by the government late Thursday, it promised to deport Abrego to Costa Rica where he could live freely if he remained jailed until Monday, pleaded guilty to the Tennessee human smuggling charges and served the sentence imposed by the court, his attorneys wrote. The government of Costa Rica had agreed to take him, the filing said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abregos attorneys informed the Acting U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire, who is prosecuting the Tennessee case, they would of course, communicate the governments proposal to Mr. Abrego but declined to agree to a demand that he remain incarcerated until Monday.

Abrego was released shortly after 2 p.m. Friday from a detention facility in Putnam County, Tenn. Within minutes of Abregos release, a representative of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, informed his attorneys they intended to deport him to Uganda and ordered him to report to the agencys field office in Baltimore, his attorneys wrote.

The only thing that happened between Thursday  Costa Rica  and Friday  Uganda  was Mr. Abregos exercise of his legal entitlement to release under the Bail Reform Act and the Fifth Amendment, his attorneys wrote.

Government officials again, late Friday evening, informed Abrego he has until first thing Monday morning to accept a plea in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica or else that offer will be off the table forever.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There can be only one interpretation of these events: the (Department of Justice) and ICE are using their collective powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety, or rendition to Uganda, where his safety and liberty would be under threat, Abregos attorneys wrote.

Attorneys for Abrego have already filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charges against him, calling the case a clear example of selective and vindictive prosecution by the Trump administration in legal filings last week.

The ultimatums offered by the Trump administration serve to underscore Abregos allegations that it is acting with vindictiveness towards him, their latest legal filing said.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security are obviously working in lockstep to coerce Mr. Abrego into accepting a guilty plea in his criminal case, holding over his head the prospect of possible indefinite detention  or worse  in a country halfway across the world, the attorneys wrote. It is difficult to imagine a path the government could have taken that would have better emphasized its vindictiveness.

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.
The government is planning an overhaul of the asylum appeals system as it tries to cut the number of migrants staying in hotels while they await a ruling.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was taking practical steps to end unacceptable delays, with a new body, staffed by independent adjudicators, to be established.

The government has been under increasing pressure to reduce its reliance on asylum hotels, with demonstrations held across the UK over the weekend being the latest in a series of protests over the policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In response, the Refugee Council told BBC the best way of "getting fewer appeals is getting decisions right first time".

Ministers have pledged to end hotel use in this Parliament - but 32,000 asylum seekers are still housed in them.

Cooper said that, while initial decisions on asylum applications had been sped up, there had been "unacceptable delays" when people who were turned down decided to appeal.

It currently takes on average just over a year for an appeal to be heard and 51,000 cases are still awaiting a decision.

During this time, failed asylum seekers are accommodated at the taxpayer's expense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To tackle this, a new panel of independent adjudicators will be appointed to deal with appeals, something ministers believe will act more swiftly than the courts.

The government has promised to give more details about how it will speed up cases in the autumn.

The Conservatives have said the asylum system is in chaos, while Reform UK has argued for the mass deportation of those who arrive by illegal or irregular routes.

Imran Hussain of the Refugee Council told the BBC that reducing appeals was necessary, but reducing mistakes was "the fastest way of getting the appeals backlog down".

He claimed that about half of people get their original decision overturned through appeal because "the decision was found to be flawed in some way".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's really important that, when we're talking about these life-and-death decisions on asylum, there is judicial oversight, so the courts can intervene if the law isn't being kept to," he said.

The past week has seen rising frustration over where asylum seekers are housed.

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered in parts of England including Bristol, Liverpool and London, as well as in Mold in Wales, Perth in Scotland and County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Police stepped in to keep opposing groups separated in many places where anti-racism campaigners mounted counter-demonstrations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There were at least 15 arrests across the UK on Saturday, including a 37-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in Bristol. Eleven arrests were made in Liverpool.

Demonstrations continued on Sunday, with protesters gathering outside a Holiday Inn in Birmingham, where they were seen peering through hotel doors and scaling a nearby lamp post.

Police also guarded of the entrance to the Britannia Hotel in London's Canary Wharf, where around 20 protesters congregated.

Epping, in Essex, has been a focal point for protesters since July, with thousands of people demonstrating outside the Bell Hotel after a resident asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Tuesday, the High Court granted the council a temporary injunction to block asylum seekers from being housed in the Bell Hotel, after it argued that the hotel had breached local planning controls by changing its use, resulting in events that were a public safety risk.

Those currently in residence must be moved elsewhere by 16:00 on 12 September.

The government is seeking the right to appeal against the High Court ruling.

Cooper said the government was committed to closing all asylum hotels but that it needed to happen in "a properly managed way".

A number of other councils are reportedly considering taking legal action following the ruling, including Tory-controlled Hillingdon, which currently houses 2,238 asylum seekers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch published an open letter urging Conservative council leaders "to take the same steps if your legal advice supports it", while Reform UK's Nigel Farage wrote in the Telegraph that councils controlled by his party would do "everything in their power" to follow Epping's lead.

According to figures published by the Home Office earlier this week, 131 of more than 300 local authorities in the UK currently house asylum seekers in "contingency accommodation", primarily made up of hotels.

Of those 131 areas, 74 are fully or partially led by Labour, 30 by the Liberal Democrats, 19 by the Conservatives, nine by the Green Party and one by Reform UK.

The Home Office has said it will continue to use Napier Barracks in Kent to house asylum seekers until the end of the year. The site has a maximum occupancy of just 328.

More on this story
Masaoki Sen, a 15th-generation grand master of the ancient Urasenke School of Tea and spiritual architect of Hawaiis tea culture, died Aug. 14 in Kyoto, Japan. He was 102.

Sen had been hospitalized since injuring his hip in a fall three months ago and died after developing breathing problems, Urasenke officials said.

Born April 19, 1923, in Kyoto, the eldest son of 14th-generation Urasenke Grand Master Sen Soshitsu XIV, Masaoki Sen attended Doshisha University before being drafted into the Imperial Navy during World War II, training as a pilot. He volunteered for service as a kamikaze pilot but was never sent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Spared from death, and open about his wartime experiences and anger toward Japanese leaders who sent young pilots on their suicide missions, Sen spent the rest of his life using chadothe Japanese Way of Tea to foster reconciliation and mutual understanding across cultures and to promote peace.

His motto, Peacefulness through a bowl of tea,  was the foundation of his personal journey of cultural diplomacy, which included performing ceremonies in teahouses and elsewhere, community outreach programs, and the embrace of chado as a living tradition of peace, mindfulness and mutual respect.

When we take a bowl of tea in our hands, we give gratitude that we are the beneficiaries of many kindnesses,  Sen wrote. Through chado, we realize the mutual dependence of our existence.

Former Hawaii first lady Jean Ariyoshi described Sen as a hero of world peace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the 15th-generation Grand Tea Master of the Urasenke tradition, his teachings and compassion touched generations here, and his legacy will continue,  Ariyoshi said in a message expressing condolences to his family.

Sen came to Hawaii for the first time in 1951 and helped shape the cultural landscape here for more than seven decades. Mark Levin, director of the University of Hawaii at Manoas Center for Japanese Studies, said Sens most lasting legacy lives in the personal connections he made with tea practitioners, war veterans, students, the university and the community members who found meaning and serenity in his teachings.

Levin first met Sen just four years ago, but my impression was it was a love fest between the local community, particularly the Japanese American community here, and him from the beginning,  he said. Coming out of his wartime experience, he had a mission to help build bridges for peace. He traveled around the world.

When we talk about tea, were not talking about a beverage. Were talking about a cultural practice that is centered around a bowl of tea,  Levin said. A lot of Japanese architecture comes from the tearoom. The aesthetic of the tearoom, the implements and the food that is served in conjunction with a tea ceremony. He took this Japanese set of precepts around the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Levin noted that Sens ties to Hawaii included formal tea ceremonies sharing his message of peace and reconciliation at the USS Arizona Memorial, Kawaiaha o Church, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Iolani Palace and Lahaina, Maui.

Sen also nurtured local teahouses and cultural organizations, including the Chado Urasenke Hawaii Association, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2021.

Sen was the 15th lineal descendant of Sen no Rikyu, the 16th-century tea master from whom the Urasenke line descends. In keeping with Japanese tradition, his name changed from Masaoki Sen to Sen Soshitsu XV when he succeeded his father as grand master, or iemoto, of Urasenke, one of Japans three main schools that teach the tea ceremony, in 1964.

When his oldest son succeeded him as Soshitsu Sen XVI in 2002, his name became Sen Genshitsu.

Complete information on his survivors was not immediately available.
Movers and shakers in Israeli society

Australia is not denying entry visas to all Israeli officials or ex officio.

Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israels special envoy for combating antisemitism, is due to arrive in Australia this week for a Q&A session on global antisemitism. She will discuss Israels strategy on how to combat antisemitism and will focus on how Jewish communities around the globe can work together to eliminate this scourge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It helps that Cotler-Wunsh is a brilliant orator who is well known throughout much of the Jewish world and beyond, and happens to be the daughter of internationally acclaimed fighter for human rights and former Canadian justice minister Irwin Cotler. She, too, is a political creature and is a former member of Knesset.

Her visit to Sydney is under the auspices of the Zionist Council of New South Wales.

Hadassah to honor influential ambassadors in Jerusalem

 IF YOU say the name Barbara Goldstein or Barbara Sofer in Hadassah circles, be it in Israel or the US, there will be no need to explain who they are. Barbara Goldstein, who has been so much a part of Hadassah since her youth, missed her own engagement party to the late Cantor Morty Goldstein because she was busy at a Hadassah event.

Barbara Goldstein and MK Oren Hazan (credit: HADASSAH)

Morty didnt mind being a Hadassah husband and was supportive throughout their marriage. Barbara Goldstein has long been Hadassah Israels ambassador at large, and, before that, represented Hadassah, the Womens Zionist Organization of America, in the executive bodies of various Zionist organizations and accompanied Hadassah missions in Israel, Poland and elsewhere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Barbara Sofer, who is well known to Jerusalem Post readers through her column in the papers Friday Magazine, has for many years served as director of public relations for HWZOA. In that capacity, she has made films, written articles and spoken at numerous events in Israel and across the US.

In travels with her husband, Gerald Schroeder, an internationally renowned physicist, teacher, lecturer and author, she always manages to put in a good word for Hadassah medical centers in Jerusalem  one in Ein Kerem and the other on Mount Scopus.

Both Barbaras will be honored on Tuesday, September 9, at a gala dinner at the Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, where they will be presented with Hadassah Israels highest award  Builder of Jerusalem  in recognition of their extraordinary dedication, leadership, and contributions to Hadassah Israel and to the Hadassah community at large.

Both women are frequently described as inspiring.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Also in line for recognition at the event are longtime Hadassah supporters and activists Annabelle Yuval and Miriam Zefania.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Mount Scopus to purchase additional equipment for the treatment of wounded soldiers and victims of terrorism.

Hebrew-speaking Catholics meet pope in Rome

 VATICAN NEWS recently published an article by Fr. Pawe Rytel-Andrianik and Karol Darmoros about a group of Hebrew-speaking Catholics who went from Israel to Rome to receive a blessing from Pope Leo and to pray for peace.

While some of its members had previously met with Pope John Paul II and various senior members of the Vatican, this was the first time they came together as a vicariate to meet the pope.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Everyone in the group lives in Israel and speaks Hebrew.

We are happy that we could meet the Holy Father. I told him that we are Hebrew-speaking Catholics, we have seven communities in Israel, and we ask him not to forget us, said the groups leader, Fr. Piotr Zelazko, patriarchal vicar of St. James for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Israel.

The Holy Father welcomed the pilgrims with a smile and an open heart, he said. It was the culmination of our pilgrimage. The pope blessed us and spoke with us. It was an incredibly moving encounter. Abi, one of the pilgrims, said he felt at home in Rome. We are 100% Israelis and 100% Catholics, and we pray for peace, he said. Another pilgrim, Nadav, stressed that the roots of the Church are in the Holy Land. Our patron, St. James, was a Jew and spoke Hebrew. We are a sign of hope, and we pray for peace in the Holy Land between Israelis and Palestinians, he affirmed.

The group was photographed proudly standing behind an Israeli flag, which two of its members held from corner to corner, but the flag was absent in photos with the pope.

Israel faces cultural threats but chess takes the spotlight

 EUROVISION IS still nine months away, but certain countries are already threatening to withdraw if Israel is permitted to compete. Austria, which will next year host the spectacular event, and Israel are on relatively good terms, but the final decision as to whether Israel can stay is with the EBU, which runs Eurovision irrespective of the host country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel is facing a number of cultural threats and boycotts. The International Harp Contest, which was supposed to take place in Jerusalem in December, was canceled due to low registration and rescinding of participation by artists who had registered for fear of tainting their musical reputations by appearing on stage in Israel.

But not everyone has that attitude.

Harps may be out in Jerusalem in December, but chessboards will be in.

The Israel Chess Federation, which is this year celebrating its 90th anniversary, has announced that an international chess tournament will take place in Jerusalem from November 30 to December 3, and will feature 12 of the top international chess players, including the reigning world champion, international grandmasters, and members of Israels national team. This event is not just a tournament, but a cultural celebration with a clear message that Israel is here, said ICF CEO Gil Borochovsky. The event is co-hosted by ICF, the Culture and Sport Ministry, and the Jerusalem Municipality.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar is a chess enthusiast who shares in the excitement of ICF chairman Dr. Zvika Barkai that global media focus on Israel in December will be on conquests of a different kind.

Chamber music festival to showcase Strauss and Ravel

 EVEN THOUGH the Harp Contest has been put in mothballs, the 27th Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival will take place on September 913 at the YMCA, across the road from the King David Hotel. The artistic director, Elena Bashkirova, who is also a first-class pianist and who will play during the festival, is happy that this years program will include two important anniversaries  the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss and the 150th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Ravel.

Other performing artists include baritones Thomas Bauer and Thomas Hampson, string instrumentalists Noga Shaham, Katrin Spiegel, Astrig Siranossian, Christoph Poppin, Nitzan Bartana, Fedor Rudin, Madeleine Carruzzo, Sharon Cohen, Matan Noussimovitch, Kaori Yamagami, Hanan Meltzer, Ivan Karizna, Tatiana Samouil, Latica Honda-Rosenberg, Boris Brovtsym, Mark Karlinsky, Band oris Brovtsyn; pianists Yulianna Avdeeva, Alexander Melnikov, Anna Keiserman, and Amit Dolberg; clarinetist Pablo Barragan, horn player Bar Zemach, flautist Roy Amotz; oboist Nick Deutsch; and bassoonist Mor Biron. Prior to the concerts on September 9, 11, 12 and 13, Gaby Shefler will perform on the carillon.

The total program offers great musical variety  something for everyone, from the classics to something a little more modern.

Joan Collins still dazzling at 92

 VETERAN AWARD-WINNING actress, author, columnist, and philanthropist Joan Collins must have the most incredible DNA. Collins, 92, who claims that she has never undergone cosmetic surgery other than a couple of Botox jabs, is still one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood despite her advanced age. Born in London to a Jewish father and an Anglican mother, she is still working, and her next on-screen appearance will be as Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee for whom Edward VIII gave up the throne.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Todays royals probably dont give it much thought, but were it not for Wallis Simpson, Elizabeth would never have ascended the throne to become Britains longest-reigning monarch, and her son would not be King Charles III.

At the time of her death in 2022, Elizabeth had been queen for 70 years, surpassing the record of her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who had reigned for 63 years.

Collins, who is currently vacationing in the south of France, released photographs of herself in a sexy white swimsuit and bright, strawberry-colored, wide-brimmed hat. She displayed barely a sign of wrinkles, no varicose veins, and legs that would still attract a wolf whistle. Lucky lady.
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP)  New data shows that great white sharks are spending more time in the chilly waters off New England and Canadas Atlantic coast.

That means boaters, beachgoers and fishermen who spend time in the northern waters are learning to live with the predators made famous by the movie Jaws 50 years ago. Sightings of the sharks are up in places like Maine, where they were once very rarely spotted.

Scientists link the white shark sightings to increased availability of the seals the sharks feast on, and say beachgoers are generally very safe from shark bites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Heres a breakdown by the numbers.

93 great white sharks identified off Maine from 2020 to 2024

The Maine Department of Marine Resources has been monitoring great white shark activity in the Gulf of Maine since 2020. The department has said it intends to use the data to better understand white shark distribution off the states coast.

Nineteen unique white sharks were recorded in 2024 on 47 unique dates, the department reported.

2 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in Maine waters since 1837

The first recorded fatal shark attack in Maine happened in 2020 when a great white shark killed 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach off Bailey Island.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shark experts describe fatal shark bites as exceedingly rare, in Maine and everywhere else.

Nearly 2.5-fold increase in detection of white sharks off Nova Scotia

The number of white sharks detected off Halifax, Nova Scotia, increased about 2.5 times from 2018 to 2022, according to a paper published in May in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series. Even farther north, the number detected in the Cabot Strait that separates Nova Scotia and Newfoundland increased nearly four times over, the paper said.

8 shark species known to live in Maine waters

In addition to the great white shark, at least seven other shark species live in Maines waters. They are the basking shark, porbeagle, blue shark, sand tiger shark, common thresher, shortfin mako and spiny dogfish.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Most of these sharks pose a very minimal threat to humans and some are harmless.

949 unprovoked shark attacks in recorded human history since 1580

The International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History keeps a record of documented shark attacks. While the great white shark holds the record for most documented attacks on humans, the totals are still very low.

The white shark has been the source of 351 documented unprovoked shark attacks, and 59 of those have been fatal, the International Shark Attack File has reported.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Nearly a year after Multnomah County advanced plans for a new Gresham homeless shelter, officials are weighing the proposals impact on the public.

Gresham City Councilor Cathy Keathley held a listening session centered on the future of Cook Plaza on Thursday. County officials purchased the property, which previously served as an Oregon employment office, in December 2022. The Board of Commissioners approved plans to remodel the building as an East County Homelessness Resource Center later in September 2024.

Threat to our community: Convicted child kidnapper on the loose after fleeing from Washington County court

Renderings of proposed East County Homelessness Resource Center (Courtesy Multnomah County)

The project is expected to cost $8.4 million. It would offer drop-in day services, as well as a 24/7 shelter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon issued a 90-day pause on the construction earlier this spring, making way for officials to hear more public feedback.

Cook Plaza has already been used as a severe weather shelter multiple times. Keathley told KOIN 6 that Gresham is absolutely committed to providing resources to its homeless community, but the city offers seven other shelters  some of which have openings.

She also noted the propertys proximity to an elementary school and location in the Rockwood neighborhood.

Craphole cities: Donald Trump Jr. suggests father should patrol Portland, Seattle

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve invested so much in revitalizing the Rockwood community, and concentrating shelters there is just not going to help our efforts, Keathley said. We have our own homeless services team We dont agree with what the county says Greshams homeless needs. We think it should be in an area that needs it. Fairview, Troutdale and Wood Village have homeless people that need those services and theres no shelters in those areas.

According to Keathley, Commissioner Jones-Dixon  a former Gresham councilor  has released a report that advises the county against going forward with the new homeless shelter. The full Multnomah County board is expected to vote on the proposal at a later date.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
EBENSBURG, Pa.  A gun-rights rally held Friday by the Pennsylvania Gun Rights and Gun Owners of America groups outside the Cambria County Courthouse morphed into a critique of state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township, and his voting record.

Several speakers, including other state representatives, took turns at the microphone claiming that Burns voted against constitutional carry  the concept that state laws do not prohibit citizens who legally own handguns from carrying openly or concealed without a permit  and does not support gun owners rights.

Burns pushed back Friday after the rally against the speakers criticism and pointed to what he said is his long record of supporting gun rights in the state legislature.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The comments at the Ebensburg rally were made against the backdrop of a large sign that read, Its time for Frank to go, and other signs bearing Burns photo and claiming he was guilty of voting down constitutional carry in 2025.

We need to make sure were holding politicians accountable, said state Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-Lawrence, one of several speakers who said that Cambria County is full of pro-gun residents.

There were about 25 people who flanked the speakers Friday and about 14 people in the audience.

A key talking point during the rally was Burns procedural vote related to House Bill 464 of 2025-26, a piece of legislation that proposed lifting the statute of limitations for two years to allow victims of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits against alleged abusers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In May, Burns voted to uphold a chair ruling that struck down a floor amendment regarding constitutional carry, brought by Bernstine, that was found to be in violation of House rules.

Bernstines amendment was a proposal to ratify the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow gun owners to carry handguns without a concealed carry permit, CNHI state reporter Eric Scicchitano reported at the time.

Scicchitano reported that Burns said at the time his vote wasnt about the merits of constitutional carry, which he said he supports, but was necessary because the proposed amendment went against House rules and the Pennsylvania Constitutions single-subject clause.

Burns shared the same message in a May Facebook post, and he reiterated that stance Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I never voted against constitutional carry, and I never voted against the people of my districts gun rights, he said.

Burns also said he has a nearly two-decade-long track record of supporting gun owners and was endorsed by the GOA during the last election.

Bernstine and others at the rally disagreed with his assessment. They also extensively criticized what they said is his support for state House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, whom they framed as a far-left liberal.

State Rep. Dallas Kephart, R-Clearfield, also faulted Burns and criticized his record not only on guns, but also on marijuana legalization and raising the minimum wage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kephart, whose district includes part of northern Cambria County, said he attended the rally to represent his constituents and as the state Second Amendment Caucus chair.

Kephart said residents of Cambria County and others in his district represent conservative values such as gun rights, and constitutional carry is important to them. Thats why he offered criticism of Burns and his vote against the amendment, Kephart said.

Kephart alleged that Burns has voted for multi-issue bills in the past, such as Senate Bill 106 from the 2021-22 session, and saw no reason for his colleague to vote against the proposed amendment to House Bill 464.

According to state voting records, Burns did vote in favor of Senate Bill 106, which involved no constitutional right to taxpayer-funded abortion; matters of the lieutenant governor; and election audits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kephart said if Burns does support constitutional carry, then he should vote with state Republicans to pass legislation.

Burns invited Republicans to vote with him instead and noted his sponsorship of a bill to enact constitutional carry for which he is circulating a memo to gain co-sponsors.

Each of these groups should be supporting my legislation, Burns said. Instead, they want to make it political.

Other speakers included Firearms Owners Against Crime President Jim Stoker; Executive Director of Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania Therese Hollen; and Citizens Alliance CEO Cliff Maloney. Stoker said Burns needs to resign or switch parties, and Maloney pledged the gun groups would unseat the longtime representative.

Republican state Reps. Marc Anderson, Scott Barger and Wendy Fink were also among those in attendance to support the rally.
Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley condemned the Trump administrations decision to take a 10 percent stake in Intel.

Biden was wrong to subsidize the private sector with the Chips Act using our tax dollars. The counter to Biden is not to lean in and have govt own part of Intel, Haley, who was the UN ambassador during President Trumps first term, said in a Saturday post on social platform X. This will only lead to more government subsidies and less productivity. Intel will become a test case of what not to do.

The president confirmed the deal between the U.S. government and the mega chipmaker on Friday, writing that the U.S. paid nothing for these Shares, and the Shares are now valued at approximately $11 Billion Dollars.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a great Deal for America and, also, a great Deal for INTEL. Building leading edge Semiconductors and Chips, which is what INTEL does, is fundamental to the future of our Nation, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

Earlier this month, the president called for the companys CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign, shortly after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote to Intel about concerns with Tans ties to China.

Earlier this week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that part of the reason for striking the deal with Intel is to potentially move some chip manufacturing to the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We cannot rely on Taiwan, which is 9,500 miles away from us and only 80 miles from China. So, you cant have 99 percent of leading-edge chips made in Taiwan. We want to make them here, Lutnick said while on CNBCs Squawk Box.

One of those pieces is it would be lovely to have Intel be capable of making a U.S. node or a U.S. transistor, driving that in America, Lutnick stated.

Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), a libertarian-minded GOP lawmaker, criticized the effort to secure 10-percent a stake in Intel as a terrible idea and a step toward socialism.

The administration has gotten support from self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No. Taxpayers should not be providing billions of dollars in corporate welfare to large, profitable corporations like Intel without getting anything in return, Sanders said in a statement on Friday.

If microchip companies make a profit from the generous grants they receive from the federal government, the taxpayers of America have a right to a reasonable return on that investment, the Vermont senator added.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Hamas has issued a call to Muslims in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem to make their way to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and flood it with prayer amid calls from Israeli settlers to intensify raids on the holy site.

Haroun Nasser Al-Din, a member of Hamas' political bureau, said in a statement Saturday that recent calls by Israeli settlers for increased raids on the mosque constituted a "dangerous escalation" between Israelis and Palestinians.

Nasser Al-Din cautioned Israeli settlers against such incursions and asked Muslims not to leave the holy site vulnerable to settler groups.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Quds News Network, a Palestinian youth news agency, reported Sunday that Israeli settlers pointed loudspeakers toward the mosque to drown out the call to Maghrib prayer.

Israeli forces also cut off electricity to the old city in preparation for settlers to storm the Al-Buraq Mosque in Jerusalem, a different structure within the same compound in Jerusalem's Old City, the Quds News Network reported.

Earlier this month, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is in charge of the Israeli Police, marched with a group of Israeli settlers up the Temple Mount to the mosque under police guard, where he led them in a prayer.

He shared footage of himself in front of the mosque in a post on social media in which he condemned what he called "horrific videos" released Hamas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I say that it is precisely from here, from the Temple Mount, the place where we have proven that it is possible to exercise sovereignty and governance, that we must send a message," Ben-Gvir said.

"We must ensure that the entire Gaza Strip is conquered, declare sovereignty over the entire Gaza Strip, remove all Hamas members, and encourage voluntary emigration. Only in this way will we bring back the hostages and win the war."

Settlers again raided the mosque to perform Talmudic rituals last week under the protection of Israeli Police, the Palestinian state-run news agency WAFA reported.

Ben-Gvir himself has ascended the Temple Mount multiple times since he was sworn in as minister in December 2022, enflaming tensions ahead of the Israel-Hamas war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is located at the Temple Mount, the highly contested holy site for Muslims, Jews and Christians. The site, also known as Haram al-Sharif, is under the management of the government of Jordan and Jewish religious law prevents visiting the site.

In April 2023, Israel said Muslims had barricaded themselves inside of the mosque and constituted a "dangerous mob" who were "radicalized and incited by Hamas and other terrorist groups." Raids at the site led to the arrest of hundreds of people and "irreparable damage" to the site, Palestinian officials said at the time.
HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB)  An 11-month-old from Hamburg who was denied a life-saving brain surgery by his familys insurance company had the surgery this week and is doing well.

This comes after the insurance company reversed the denial, and now, with the surgery finally in the rearview mirror, the parents remain hopeful that the worst is finally behind their family.

After months of fighting to get their baby the surgery, the parents of 11-month-old Cam Casacci can now breathe a sigh of relief. The seven-and-a-half-hour-long procedure went off without a hitch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Known as a hemispherectomy, its the most complex and invasive of all surgeries to treat severe epilepsy.

Born in September 2024 to Alyssa and Brad Casacci, Cam was the child theyd always wanted. However, within hours of Cams birth, their world would be turned upside down. Doctors informed them that he had suffered a very large stroke on the left side of his brain, resulting in seizures.

They did an MRI on this 1-day-old baby and kind of confirmed the worst  that he had a very large stroke on the left side of his brain and the seizure activity was secondary to that injury to his brain, Alyssa said.

The next few months would be an uphill battle. Cam kept on fighting as his family did what they could to deal with his condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Through all the needles and medications, they remained hopeful that a solution would be found to save their son. They found it in the form of a specialized surgeon in Pennsylvania.

The doctor, a neurosurgeon at UPMC Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh, came highly recommended and agreed to do the surgery, but the insurance company, Independent Health through New York State Medicaid, denied the surgery because it was out of network. They would later reverse that decision after the Casaccis advocated for their son.

In a statement at the time, Independent Health said this was an important case and that theyve been actively communicating with the State Department of Health, adding, Medicaid members receive services from in-network providers; however, given the rare nature of the procedure requested, the department has granted us flexibility to approve the procedure at the facility requested without further appeal or delay.

Cam underwent the surgery on Wednesday and is now doing great.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were hoping this is the first step into a long seizure-free life, Brad said. Seven and a half hours is a long time and its our little baby, and youre nervous and we picked out this doctor  this is the one we trusted to put his brain in this doctors hands.

Now that the surgery is over, Cam still has a long way to go with recovery, but the Casaccis remain hopeful that this was the first step to a seizure-free life for their baby boy.

Well pick back up with our neurologist and theyll keep monitoring everything that has to do with his brain and hopefully we get good results as time goes on, Brad said. Well see how it goes, but things are going in the right direction.

As patients all across the country, including pediatric ones just like Cam, are denied important, potentially life-saving procedures, the Casaccis hope their story inspires others to fight for coverage, especially when its for ones child.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres many, many others out there who are fighting for health care coverage and what they need to successfully live their life, Brad said. Wed like to pay it forward and help out other people who are in a similar journey, whether theyre a child or themselves, so Id like to think that, if this brings light and helps someone out, great.

After news broke of their fight for coverage, countless people stepped up to help and donated to their GoFundMe account which is just shy $2,000 of their $100,000 goal.

Latest Local News

Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Deep in the Everglades, in a patch of swamp surrounded by snakes, alligators and relentless mosquitoes, Florida has opened a makeshift detention center that critics say is unlike anything the country has seen before. Detainees there are being held out of view of the federal system, cut off from lawyers and families, and in conditions that advocates describe as both unlawful and dangerous.

This facility has already become a disaster in the first few weeks of its operations, with mounting reports of disease, wrongful removals and people being denied all kinds of basic rights, said Spencer Amdur, a staff attorney with the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project.

The site, hastily built on land prone to flooding, has been nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz. Immigrants rights groups  including the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Florida, the Community Justice Project and the National Immigrant Justice Center  filed a federal lawsuit Friday, arguing that the state has no authority to run what amounts to its own immigration jail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Amy Godshall, a legal fellow with the ACLU of Florida, argued that Florida has poured hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars into the project only to strip detainees of fundamental rights. Not only have the conditions been abhorrent, but the detention itself is unlawful, she said. Families cannot even find out where their loved ones are.

At the center of the lawsuit is Floridas reliance on what are known as 287(g) agreements. The program, created by Congress, allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with federal immigration authorities. Under these agreements, local officers can perform certain immigration enforcement tasks  but only in very limited circumstances and always under close supervision from federal officials.

Family demands answers after ICE agents fire shots at their vehicle

In practice, that usually means checking the immigration status of people who are already in local custody for other reasons, such as after an arrest. It does not give states the power to build or operate their own detention centers, nor does it allow them to hand off immigration duties to private contractors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

People are being held without charge, cut off from their attorneys and made invisible in the immigration system, said Godshall.

The lawsuit also alleges that officers working at the detention center lack proper training, sometimes receiving only a few hours of online instruction compared with the weeks of in-person preparation required of federal agents. That gap, advocates argue, has compounded mistakes and worsened the risks for those inside.

Mark Fleming, associate director of litigation at the National Immigrant Justice Center, called the detention site truly unprecedented, pointing to what he described as a dangerous lack of oversight. The lack of accountability and resulting deprivation at this remote and inhumane detention camp in the Florida Everglades is exactly why Congress has made it unlawful, he said.

A court ruling this week temporarily halted further transfers of detainees to the Everglades site, but those already inside remain there, according to the groups behind the lawsuit. For now, the future of Alligator Alcatraz will be decided in federal court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. - Harjinder Singh, the semi-truck driver accused of making an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike that then caused a deadly crash, will remain in the St. Lucie County Jail while his court case proceeds.

Florida judge Lauren Sweet denied bond to Singh on Saturday morning, telling him through an interpreter that he was considered to be an unauthorized alien and a substantial flight risk. Singh kept his head down and did not talk during his hearing, according to a video of the proceeding which was shared via the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page.

According to the sheriff's office, Singh, who was previously charged with vehicular homicide, was also charged with manslaughter.

DHS: Singh's brother also arrested

Harneet Singh, 25, who is the brother of Harjuinder Singh, was arrested earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on charges of vehicle homicide. DHS said in a news release that Harneet Singh was a passenger inside the semi-truck when the crash happened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DHS also said that Harneet was an undocumented immigrant from India. He was arrested on Aug. 18 and would remain in custody pending removal proceedings, DHS said. DHS said that Border Patrol encountered Harneet in May 15, 2023, and alleged that he was released by the Biden Administration. Specific details on that encounter were not revealed in the news release.

FHP: 3 killed by 18-wheeler that made illegal U-Turn in Florida

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened shortly before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, in the northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike near mile marker 171 in Fort Pierce, Florida.

FHP said the driver of the semi-truck  identified as Harjinder Singh  attempted to make an illegal U-Turn at an "Official Use Only Turn Around" near mile marker 171.

The semi was in the outside lane. The minivan with three people inside was in the inside lane.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the semi made its U-Turn, it blocked all the northbound lanes and the minivan was unable to avoid crashing into the semi's trailer, FHP said in its report. The minivan began wedged beneath the trailer, FHP said.

All three people inside the minivan were killed, FHP said. Two died at the scene and a third person died at the hospital.

What we know about the victims inside the minivan

Driver: 30-year-old man from Florida City, Florida

Passenger: 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, Florida

Passenger: 54-year-old man from Miami, Florida

The Source

Several agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, have released details on the Florida Turnpike crash investigation. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Lt. Governor Jay Collins have also shared statements or made remarks about the ongoing investigation. On Saturday, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office shared video from Singh's court hearing.
The Brief

Nandjui Sitan was charged with Injury to a Child.

Documents say the suspect struck his stepdaughter with a pole after making her do a handstand.

Authorities say he was seen chasing after her and making threats.

SPRING, Texas - A man in Spring is facing charges for allegedly injuring his 11-year-old stepdaughter, according to court documents.

Harris County: Man accused of injuring stepdaughter

What we know

Nandjui Sitan, 29, has been charged with Injury to a Child. Court records say the incident happened on August 15, and Sitan has since posted his $7,500 bond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Allegedly, the incident started when Sitan's 11-year-old stepdaughter drew on her hands with a marker. Court records say the Sitan told the girl to wash the marker off, then she spilled nail polish remover.

As punishment, Sitan allegedly made the victim do a handstand until she fell. She ended up falling a few times, then Sitan reportedly struck her with a metal pole, leaving visible injuries.

According to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office, witnesses saw the stepdaughter run for help while Sitan chased and threatened her.

Records say Sitan is due in court for the charge on Sept. 15.

What we don't know

No other information is available at this time.

The Source

Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office and court records from the Harris County District Clerk's Office.
GRUNDY, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 07: Patients have their blood pressure checked and other vitals taken at a intake triage at a Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile dental and medical clinic on October 07, 2023 in Grundy, Virginia. More than a thousand people were expected to seek free dental, medical and vision care at the two-day event in the rural and financially struggling area of western Virginia. RAM provides free medical care through mobile clinics in underserved, isolated, or impoverished communities around the country and world. As health care continues to be a contentious issue in America, an estimated 29 million Americans, about one in 10, lack coverage. An estimated 27 million people  or 8.3 percent of the population of America- were uninsured, according to a report from the Census Bureau. This rate is considerably high in rural and poorer parts of the country. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A combination of Trump administration policies will make health care coverage more expensive for people who purchase plans from health insurance marketplaces  and rural residents will be hit the hardest, according to a new analysis.

Researchers from the Century Foundation say Trump administration policies  especially its refusal to ask Congress to extend Biden-era tax credits that are set to expire at the end of this year  will boost out-of-pocket premiums by 93% in the 32 states that allow the federal government to operate their Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces. New rules and tariffs will have a smaller impact.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rural county residents in those states will see an increase of 107%, while residents of urban counties will pay 89% more, according to the analysis by the Century Foundation, a left-leaning research nonprofit.

Insurers participating in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces are proposing a median premium increase of 18% for 2026  the biggest jump since 2018 and 11 points more than the growth from 2024 to this year. That bump would come on top of the increase resulting from the expiration of the tax credits and the other policy changes.

About 2.8 million people who are enrolled in marketplace plans in the 32 states live in rural counties, including 776,000 adults between the ages of 55 to 64 and more than 223,000 children, according to the Century Foundation.

Rural residents tend to be older. They may be more likely to have chronic illness at the same time, said Jeanne Lambrew, director of health care reform at the foundation. It costs more, both because they have somewhat greater needs and less access to health care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The researchers calculated that average annual premiums for rural residents will increase by $760  28% more than the expected average increase for urban residents. States where rural enrollees are expected to see the highest cost increases are Wyoming ($1,943), Alaska ($1,835), and Illinois ($1,700).

Many of the states with a large number of rural residents have chosen not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, meaning many people who earn between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level, between $15,650 and $21,597 for an individual, get their coverage from an insurance marketplace, Lambrew said.

Of the seven states where 10% or more of rural residents are enrolled in marketplace plans (Alabama, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming), only two  Nebraska and North Carolina  have expanded Medicaid.

State officials in Pennsylvania recently advised residents who use the marketplace that they should closely examine the plans that are available.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This year, even more than previous years, Pennsylvanians should consider shopping around to find the best plans to meet their individual needs, at a price that makes sense for their current financial situation, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said in a statement released at the beginning of this month.

Lambrew said the increases will force many people to forgo insurance altogether.

Its harmful for those individuals in terms of their own health and life expectancy. Its harmful for our providers, because theyre now dealing with people who are sicker and in the wrong settings, and its kind of expensive for our society, Lambrew said.

We know health insurance matters, so having these large potential increases on uninsured Americans is distressing.

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.
A high-speed chase on I-75 Southbound ended in a deadly crash on Saturday, when a Mercedes collided head-on with a Honda CRV near Calhoun, Georgia.

The pursuit began when a deputy sheriff observed a Mercedes driving erratically and nearly striking his patrol car at the Exit 317 entrance ramp in Gordon County.

The chase continued as the Mercedes sped away, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour, and eventually drove into oncoming traffic on State Route 53, crashing into another car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident started at about 2:40 p.m. when the deputy sheriff was on I-75 Southbound. The Mercedes made rapid lane changes and was chased to Exit 312 and onto Fairmount Highway.

The driver of the Mercedes aggressively ran from deputies, leading them on a chase that continued onto State Route 53.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The chase ended when the Mercedes driver crossed into oncoming traffic, striking a Honda CRV head-on. The crash resulted in one person dead and two severe injuries.

Emergency services, including Fire/Rescue and EMS, responded quickly to the scene, and three people were airlifted for medical treatment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver of the Mercedes, who was also severely injured, has not been identified.

The Georgia State Patrol, along with the County Coroner, is investigating the crash.

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The Brief

A swimmer went missing Saturday near the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Fort Sheridan, prompting a multi-agency search by Highland Park officials.

Despite sonar technology, an underwater rover, drones, and dive teams, the swimmer was not recovered; strong Lake Michigan currents forced officials to end the search.

The swimmers identity has not been released, and police continue to investigate the incident.

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - Due to the speed and strength of Lake Michigan currents, Highland Park officials ended the search for a missing swimmer who was last seen in Lake Michigan near Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Fort Sheridan on Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sonar technology and an underwater rover were deployed and unable to recover the missing swimmer.

The backstory

Around noon on Saturday, officials received a report of a distressed swimmer struggling in the water. A bystander tried to help but wouldn't reach the individual due to the strong currents.

The Highland Park Fire Department water rescue team are currently looking for the swimmer. Highland Police are using a drone to assist with the search.

During the search, a member of the dive team was briefly reported missing, before they were found unharmed.

The identity of the swimmer has not yet been released.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police are investigating the incident.

Dive teams searched until 6 p.m. Saturday. They resumed the search at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.

The Source

Details for this story were provided by Highland Park officials.
The startup Fonzi offers a different approach to job hunting for software engineers.

Fonzi connects candidates with employers and requires companies to disclose salaries upfront.

Traditional recruiting is often slow and inefficient, Fonzi's CEO told Business Insider.

Frank Bardelli knew right away that his recent job hunt was going to be different.

After the software engineer posted on LinkedIn a couple of months ago that he was looking for a role, he didn't hear from former colleagues with offers to come work with them again, as he had during past searches.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It was very different, and definitely drier than I've seen it be in many years," Bardelli told Business Insider.

So, when he heard from a recruiter at Fonzi, which matches engineers with startups and tech companies, Bardelli was intrigued.

He completed a profile and applied to what Fonzi calls Match Day, the process through which employers can meet with candidates. Three of the 14 participating companies offered Bardelli interviews. That allowed him to sidestep a protracted job search and many of the headaches that go along with it, he said.

For many in tech, layoffs and sluggish hiring have translated to job searches marked by seemingly endless rounds of applying. Letting an employer come to you likely offers an appealing alternative.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That's the hope of Yang Mou, Fonzi's cofounder and CEO. He told Business Insider that the existing traditional recruiting process is inefficient and "broken for both sides."

Mou said this results in candidates spending a lot of time trying to determine whether a company is a good fit. When candidates do land interviews, he said, they often repeat themselves in similar conversations with multiple employers.

 The ultimate guide to getting a job: Recruiters, job seekers, and execs reveal top tips

 The hidden power of applying quickly to your dream job

Employers, for their part, are "getting flooded with applicants," Mou said. "You put up a job post, you get 1,000 applicants in 24 hours."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To try to make the whole process more palatable, Mou said, Fonzi takes candidates who know what they want in a new role and connects them with employers that have real jobs and "sane hiring processes."

"They're not going to drag it out for three months," he said, referring to employers.

Committing to a minimum salary

Companies seeking talent through Fonzi are required to commit to minimum salaries upfront so that candidates don't have to go through rounds of interviews only to learn that the pay won't cut it.

Mou said engineers must complete a "very selective" application process before being matched with an employer. Part of that involves a brief exchange with Fonzi's AI interviewer. The agent can handle complex conversations, including understanding the candidate's technical work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Talking to an AI agent, Mou said, can be helpful for busy engineers who might want to wait until after the workday to complete that part of an application.

"It has infinite patience," he said. "You can ramble for 15 minutes and it won't cut you off."

Fonzi combines the AI interview with candidates' resumes, additional details on their work histories, and personal preferences such as where they want to work and for what type of company. A Fonzi recruiter then talks by phone with those who appear to be a good fit. From there, Fonzi invites top candidates to take part in Match Day and assigns each candidate a recruiter to work with during the job search.

The conversations with the recruiter help to identify important attributes, Mou said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Are they a capable communicator?" he said. "Would you want to work with this person?"

The discussions also help reveal more than what's on someone's resume, said Bec Bliss, a recruiter who is Fonzi's head of talent.

"Getting folks to talk about what they love, what they're good at, what they want to be doing turns them into the full, 3D candidate instead of a sheet of paper," she told Business Insider.

Each month, Fonzi AI has Match Day for engineers seeking in-person and hybrid roles in the New York area and for remote roles in the US. The company plans to offer in-person and hybrid roles in San Fransicso in October and other cities after that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fonzi is free for job seekers and charges a fee of 18% of the base salary if a company makes a hire. Because the business model is only about three months old, the company hasn't released stats on how many workers employers have hired.

'Happy to have any matches'

For Bardelli, the lackluster job market meant that after leaving a prior role, he expected to have to brush up on his interviewing and networking skills instead of relying on the network he'd built up over about 20 years in tech.

"I was hitting the market cold," Bardelli said.

Networking, many recruiters insist, is still one of the best ways to find a job and get past the screening software that so many job seekers hate. Yet, if there's not much hiring going on, the search can be tough even when you're plugged in, as Bardelli is.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"A lot of people were like, 'Yeah, hiring has kind of dried up at our company,'" he said, referring to comments he heard from industry colleagues.

Ultimately, Bardelli settled on an employer he connected with through Fonzi and started his new role this month.

He said that going into the process with Fonzi, he wondered whether employers would like what he had to offer, though he was optimistic.

"I thought my skills were relevant enough that maybe I'd get a match or two," Bardelli said. "I was very happy to have any matches at all."

Do you have a story to share about your job search? Contact this reporter at tparadis@businessinsider.com .

Read the original article on Business Insider
Aug. 23A historic trackside hotel in Las Vegas is moving full steam ahead to its next chapter as new owners prepare to take charge.

The Castaneda Hotel  a two-story, roughly 36,000-square-foot hotel built in Las Vegas, New Mexico, in 1898  is under contract to be sold to new owners after hitting the market earlier this year, current owner Allan Affeldt told the Journal.

Affeldt, who owns the 22-room hotel alongside his wife, artist Tina Mion, will transfer the property to married couples and local entrepreneurs Dennis and Annette Lucero and Carlos and Patricia Lopez in a sale that will close in November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"(These are) local families, really deep roots in Las Vegas, so we're really delighted about that," Affeldt said. "It's just time for me to move on to other projects."

Affeldt, a developer and historic preservationist who owns numerous hotels and properties in New Mexico and Arizona, bought the hotel in 2014, along with the Plaza Hotel and several other buildings in Las Vegas.

He and Mion have been visiting New Mexico for more than 20 years, drawn to the state because of its hub of "Harvey Hotels"  hotels built by Fred Harvey, a mid-19th-century entrepreneur who pioneered a string of hotels and restaurants along the Santa Fe Railway. Harvey has since been referred to as the "Father of Western Hospitality," according to the Denver Public Library.

"A hundred years ago, the Fred Harvey Company was like Hilton or Hyatt or Marriott. It was the first national hotel company in the United States," Affeldt explained. "He was a really big deal."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Castaneda Hotel is one of two Harvey Hotels in Las Vegas, Affeldt said. It was Harvey's first trackside hotel and the earliest Harvey property built in a Mission Revival style, becoming a "prototype of nearly all future Harvey properties," the hotel website says.

Affeldt was visiting the Montezuma Castle, Las Vegas' other former Harvey Hotel later turned into United World College-USA, when its owners told Affeldt he should restore the Castaneda, which had fallen into disrepair and had been closed for decades. Affeldt was hesitant at first due to the rough condition of the property.

"The building was completely ruined. From the lobby, you could see light two floors up through the attic. It was literally falling apart," Affeldt said.

But something about the property and its history resonated with the owners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Eventually, they got me at a weak moment," Affeldt said with a laugh. "I'm interested in historic preservation and economic development. I'm not so much interested in the hotel and restaurant business. What I love is saving these little buildings and putting them back to use."

And that's exactly what he and Mion did. They put millions into property renovations, rebuilding everything from the roof to the second floor to the foundation and installing all new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

"It's basically a new building in the old shell," Affeldt said.

The hotel reopened for the first time in decades in 2019 and has stayed busy since then, Affeldt said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ready to pass the project on to a longer-term operator, the owners listed both the Castaneda Hotel and Plaza Hotel for $3 million and $4.5 million, respectively, Affeldt said. They were hoping to sell them both in one fell swoop, but when the local offer for just the Castaneda came in, it was too good to pass up, Affeldt said.

The Lucero and Lopez families are no strangers to the Castaneda or a transformation project. With backgrounds in electrical and general contracting, Dennis Lucero and Carlos Lopez were a part of the team that renovated and restored the Castaneda. Annette Lucero and Patricia Lopez also work in the contracting businesses.

The group is behind the transformation of another local property  an early 1900s structure just a block from the Castaneda. They restored and reopened the property as a restaurant and event hall called Buffalo Hall and Coyote Cafe BBQ in 2022.

Inspired by the historical importance of the Castaneda property and the work that Affeldt put into it, the group jumped at the opportunity to purchase it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The property is amazing. The money's been spent," Carlos Lopez said. "It's 99% done. Allan did a great job with it."

The main project the group has its sights set on is opening a new restaurant and bar in the Castaneda. The property had a food and beverage operator up until the end of last year, when their lease expired. Affeldt decided not to bring in someone new since he would be placing the property up for sale.

Dennis Lucero said the property's kitchen, bar and dining area are "second to none in Northern New Mexico." The group plans to fill it with offerings that appeal to both locals and visitors. They want it to be a place where everyone feels at home, Patricia Lopez said.

The specific concept and type of offerings are still in the works, but Dennis Lucero said they hope to showcase the area's regional cuisine with local ingredients and talent while tying in the property's history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The property, built just one mile east of Old Town Las Vegas, has a long and interesting history, including the time it hosted former President Theodore Roosevelt, who was passing through the area during his first Rough Riders Reunion in 1899, Affeldt said.

Affeldt said the property has been featured in numerous films, including "Red Dawn."

The property's history is the "most important thing about the hotel," said Patricia Lopez, who even held her graduation party at the hotel in the '90s. The group hopes to preserve the hotel's historic character while bringing in a fresh air of excitement and liveliness to the space, Annette Lucero added.

"Everybody just says that it's really nice that it's landing in local hands, and we feel really good about that," Carlos Lopez said. "The hotel, it's in everybody's DNA in Las Vegas."

Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Albuquerque Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.
History was made this weekend.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made his first overseas trip for bilateral diplomacy, with stops in both Washington DC and Tokyo. But unlike his predecessors, Lee didnt visit the United States first. Instead, his first stop was Japan  South Koreas former colonizer.

Following a bilateral summit between Lee and Japans Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Tokyo and Seoul issued their first joint statement in 17 years; pledging deeper cooperation on AI, trade, and denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. They also announced plans to launch a joint task force to tackle shared challenges, including aging populations and declining birth rates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But what stood out most from this summit wasnt what was signed. It was the shared smiles and warm words between the two leaders.

This is our second meeting, and I feel as if we are close friends, South Koreas Lee said about his Japanese counterpart.

The striking shift in tone  from enmity to friendliness  is impossible to ignore.

Japans colonial occupation of Korea, which lasted over three decades in the first half of the 20th century, has long cast a shadow over relations. In 2023, Lee criticized his predecessor for attending a landmark summit with Japan, calling him a puppet of Tokyo.

But since taking office two months ago, Lee has struck a more pragmatic tone. On August 15  South Koreas Liberation Day from Japanese rule  he referred to Japan as an indispensable partner for economic growth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This recent thaw in relations isnt just about diplomacy  its largely a reflection of whats going on west of the Pacific.

Both countries are now navigating a volatile relationship with Washington, where US President Donald Trumps unpredictable foreign policy has thrown once-stable alliances into question. Hes imposed tariffs, demanded greater defense spending, and pushed both nations to pay more for hosting US troops. Now, South Koreas once-ironclad alliance with the US, long a mantra of the State Department, is far from sturdy.

The problem is that Trumps erratic and transactional diplomacy is unnerving for everybody, Jeffrey Kingston, a professor of Asian Studies at Tokyos Temple University, told CNN.

I think after the betrayal of Ukraine, I think a lot of Americas allies are wondering what does an American security guarantee really mean?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Japan, Russias invasion of Ukraine is often seen as a cautionary tale. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida famously warned: Ukraine today could be East Asia tomorrow. Both Tokyo and Seoul are increasingly anxious about North Koreas growing nuclear arsenal and its deepening ties with Russia in its invasion of Ukraine  where North Korean soldiers are gaining the advantage of firsthand battlefield experience.

Another looming concern for Japan and South Korea is a potential conflict over Taiwan. With China stepping up military activity near the island, fears are rising that tensions could spiral into conflict, right on their doorstep. Should that happen will the US step in? Or, as seen during the recent Alaska summit, might Trump, or a future US President, try to strike a deal with an autocratic leader  without Taiwan in the room?

Beyond security concerns, Trumps trade war has also rattled both economies.

While Japan and South Korea have each signed deals to delay the worst tariffs, tax hikes on auto parts, steel, and aluminium are hitting hard in economies built around the auto and tech industries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the same time, both leaders must carefully manage ties with Beijing, the top trading partner for both countries. While neither embraces Trumps confrontational stance toward Xi, they must still navigate Washingtons demands without compromising their economic interests.

Having already met Trump face-to-face, Ishiba may have offered Lee advice on how to manage the presidents mercurial style. During a February visit to the White House, the Japanese leader flattered Trump, saying: I was so excited to see such a celebrity on television. Though Ishibas tone shifted after months of tariff pressure and mounting domestic criticism over the lack of a signed deal. Trump, he later said, is not a normal person. Hes someone who changes the rules.

One early obstacle in this budding partnership with South Korea may be Ishibas likely resignation. The prime minister is under mounting pressure domestically to step down after his party lost its majority in both houses of parliament.

If he does step aside, it will be critical that he passes this rare spirit of cooperation to his successor  to ensure the newfound goodwill between the nations continues to grow.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Brief

The Hmong 50 Festival is hosted by the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent and Steve Thao Productions.

Organizers say, "This festival is a heartfelt thank you to America and the resiliency of the Hmong elders and veterans who brought the Hmong community here."

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter was in attendance.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - On Saturday, many in the Twin Cities Hmong community gathered in St. Paul to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their arrival in the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

READ MORE: Hmong community group slams recent deportations

Hmong 50 Festival at the Minnesota State Capitol

Big picture view

The Hmong 50 Festival had the look and feel of a street fair outside the Minnesota State Capitol.

A variety of Hmong attire, food, and music were on display throughout the day.

What they're saying

"Its a big deal for us that weve been here half of a century already," Ge Yang told FOX 9.

What you need to know

The event is happening on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until about 8 p.m.

What's next

Sundays schedule includes a fashion show with Hmong designers, and "a demonstration of Sepak Takraw and many artisan and craft making merchants with Hmong inspired products."
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  After four years serving up coffee, custard, and hugs in Southeast Roanoke City, Chriss Coffee and Custard is getting ready for a move.

Employees hosted a celebration on Saturday, August 23, to reflect on their time spent at Riverdale Industrial Park, ahead of the final day of business there on August 30.

The move takes the popular coffee spot to Roanoke Countys historic Starkey School, just a stones throw away from where co-owner Chris Woodrum grew up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The months and years go by fast, said Woodrum. Im so excited for the new Chriss Coffee and Custard at the Starkey School building.

The gentleman that owned it, specifically wanted us to have that as a Chriss Coffee and Custard, said Woodrums mother Beth, who co-owns Chriss with her son. He called us and asked if we wanted to buy the building.

In addition to moving the shop closer to its roots, the new space will allow for an expansion of LovABLE services, which is run by Beth Woodrum. LovABLE provides training programs and employment opportunities for young adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities.

The opportunity [at Starkey School] is going to be tremendous for us and the growth well be able to have is going to be just outstanding, said Beth Woodrum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

New Roanoke yoga studio offers parents, guardians special way to connect with their kids

The move is the latest change in a year full of them for Chriss Coffee and Custard, which lost its mobile truck in the April fire at fellow Riverdale resident Noke Van Company.

In the months since, Chriss has acquired a new trailer, which will be the only version of the restaurant during the time span its 9th Street location closes and the Roanoke County location opens in January.

We look at the tragedies, but then how God has turned that around and used it for our growth and potential and have us be able to shine and continue growing our mission, said Beth Woodrum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As excited as she and Chris are about what the future holds, they know they will be leaving a part of their hearts in Roanoke City when they close up shop August 30.

Its been amazing here, and just this past week I got a little emotional because this has been home, said Beth Woodrum.

Its the space where the community was introduced to Chriss mission, with a cup of coffee and a warm hug.

[Chris] just has such a compassionate heart, and just wants to do everything he can for his friends, said Beth Woodrum. And were just so thankful for the community being our friends.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
GRAY, Tenn. (WJHL)  A longstanding eatery in the Gray community of Washington County, Tennessee, announced it will permanently close on Aug. 29.

A post by the Hot Dog Corner on Saturday said the community is invited to visit for its last week of service, although some menu items may not be available.

The business thanked its patrons for helping it achieve more than three decades of operation, having been open on Bobby Hicks Highway in Gray since 1993 under the original name, Hot Dog Hut, and later changing its name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The full post by the Hot Dog Corner can be found below:

It is with heavy hearts that we share that this Friday, August 29th, will be the final day for the Hot Dog Corner. It has been a true pleasure to serve this community over the years, and we will deeply miss all of you who have supported us, shared a meal with us, and become like family. Wed love to see you during our last week of service. Please note that some menu items may not be available as we wind down. This Wednesday, our special will be BBQ chicken with 2 sides  available until sold out. Thank you for the memories, the laughter, and the love.  The Hot Dog Corner

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
***Watch the CBS 42 Weather Live streaming weather channel for 24/7 LOCAL weather and forecast information.

Sunday: A cold front will move into Alabama from the north, triggering scattered showers and storms with downpours. It will be hot and humid, with highs in the upper 80s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Next Week: Major changes are on the way for our weather. The cold front will cross Alabama on Monday, bringing noticeably lower humidity and below-average highs in the upper 80s along with plenty of sunshine.

A second cold front will deliver reinforcing cooler, less humid air on Tuesday. It will be mostly cloudy with a few showers, and high temperatures will struggle to reach the 70s. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy and unseasonably cool, with lows in the upper 50s to 60.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

High pressure will build across the Southeast U.S. for the rest of the week. Wednesday and Thursday will be mostly sunny, with highs 5-10 degrees below average, reaching the lower to middle 80s. Lows will range from the upper 50s to mid-60s each night.

Another cold front is expected to arrive on Friday and persist into the weekend, bringing partly cloudy skies with a chance of showers each day. Highs will stay below the 90 average, ranging from the lower to mid-80s, with lows in the 50s and 60s.

Tracking the Tropics:

Tropical Storm Fernand has formed in the Atlantic, south of Bermuda. It is expected to track north for a few days and then turn northeast. It will be over warm water for a few days, where it could develop into a weak hurricane. Then it will weaken as it moves over cooler water. This is not a threat to the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Invest 99L is a tropical wave moving west toward the Caribbean. A short-lived tropical depression could form soon before the system battles strong wind shear once in the Caribbean.

Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team:

Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes, Meteorologist Alex Puckett, and Meteorologist Jacob Woods.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
The Brief

John Martin Dixon, who was on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List, has been charged in connection with a teen's shooting in July.

Emmanuel Menchaca, the victim, was shot outside his home on July 17.

The Menchaca family is urging Dixon to take responsibility for his actions; a $3,000 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest.

HOUSTON - UPDATE: FOX 26 Houston has learned that the suspect, John Martin Dixon, who was wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the shooting of a teen, is now in custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to court records, Dixon was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail on Monday.

-----------------

A Houston family is anxiously awaiting the arrest of their neighbor, John Martin Dixon, who allegedly shot their son.

Dixon has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and police are seeking public assistance in locating him.

John Martin Dixon

What we know

On July 17, Emmanuel Menchaca was returning home from work when he was allegedly shot by Dixon.

Emmanuel was burying his guinea pig with his younger brother when the shooting occurred outside their home.

The shooting took place on July 17, but charges were not filed until August 9, when a warrant for Dixon's arrest was issued.

What we don't know

The motive has not been confirmed.

What they're saying

Andrea Menchaca, Emmanuel's mother, expressed her distress:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Its been really hard as a mother because, as a mother, you would do anything you can to protect your children and, unfortunately, this is out of my hands right now."

Andrea Menchaca shared her disbelief:

"Not expecting to be shot by your neighbor. Someone that he had no confrontation with, no issues whatsoever."

Reflecting on the incident, Emmanuel said:

"I think what really traumatized me was ever since that happened, the feeling that I need to be aware of my surroundings no matter where I am. I dont really feel safe at all."

Andrea Menchaca criticized the investigation, having waited weeks for an arrest since the charges were filed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I see it going nowhere. I think the ball was dropped since day one."

Despite the trauma, Emmanuel is grateful for a second chance at life.

"Im extremely grateful ever since that happened. That opened my eyes. Now I gotta make everything count."

As Emmanuel begins college in San Antonio, Andrea Menchaca expressed her desire for Dixon to take responsibility.

"I ask you that you turn yourself in because what you did was wrong. You need to take ownership; you need to be responsible for what you did."

What you can do

John Martin Dixon is currently on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive List. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to Dixon's arrest.

The Menchaca created a GoFundMe to help support Emmanuel's recovery journey.

The Source

FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia spoke with the Menchaca family and obtained information from court documents.
The IDF put its failure to shoot down the missile down to some other still unidentified human or technical failure.

An investigation by the Israel Air Force on Sunday found that the ballistic missile launched by the Houthis on Friday night contained cluster munitions, the first time during the war that they have used this category of weapon.

On the one hand, such a weapon tends to have a less harmful impact if it achieves direct hits as opposed to a classic ballistic missile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the other hand, however, this kind of missile has a higher chance of causing at least some minor harm because it splits into many parts that can have many impacts. The IDF admitted that it failed to shoot down the missile due to an unidentified human or technical failure, not because the missile contained cluster munitions.

However, it is possible that there are some instances where the IDF would need to shoot down this type of ballistic missile at an earlier point to avoid it breaking up and impacting Israel.

The Arrow 3 air defense system, used for the first time on November 9, 2023, to intercept a missile fired at Eilat by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. (credit: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE)

The Arrow 2 and 3 defense systems  used to shoot down such missiles  do have the capacity to strike them at different and earlier points where necessary, but sometimes a first interceptor misses. With a classic ballistic missile, shooting it down with a later second interceptor will have the same outcome, whereas with cluster munitions, it may sometimes be too late.

On Friday, the IDF said the Houthi missile that triggered sirens across central Israel likely fragmented mid-air, but it was unclear if this was planned by the terrorist group or a defect in the missile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Magen David Adom said that there were reports of shrapnel impacting a house in the central Israeli moshav of Ginaton, landing in the houses backyard. As a result of the missile launch, loud booms were heard around Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. The IDF said it made several attempts to intercept the missile.

Iran's use of cluster bombs during the war with Israel

During the 12-day Israel-Iran War in June, Tehran occasionally used cluster bomb warheads with smaller explosives attached in its attacks on the Jewish state. According to an initial investigation then, when Iran used cluster munitions, the missile would split into several smaller bombs, somewhere around seven kilometers above the ground, each of which had an impact of an eight-kilometer radius.

Each one of the smaller bombs carried around two kilograms of explosives. The cluster bombs were used in an Iranian attack on Azor in Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
The Houthis' use of cluster munitions in a ballistic missile attack was confirmed by the IDF on Sunday.

It now appears that a Houthi ballistic missile launched against Israel on Friday contained cluster munitions. This also appears to be the first time the Iranian-backed Houthis have used this type of missile against Israel. Iran has long utilized the Houthis to test new missile and drone technology.

This could be another example of Iran using the Houthis, or the Houthis developing more missile types locally, based on a similar Iranian missile that uses cluster munitions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Houthis appeared to confirm that they are attempting to use new missiles in a statement broadcast by their military spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Yahya Saree, who announced a qualitative military operation targeting Lod Airport in the occupied Jaffa area with a hypersonic ballistic missile of the Palestine-2 type. He claimed that the missile successfully hit its target after penetrating the Israeli defense systems.

UAEs Al-Ain News noted, Media reports in Israel indicated that authorities suspect the Houthis used a fragmentation missile previously used by Iran in the 12-day war. This was later confirmed by the IDF on Sunday.

Israel retaliated for the attack on Sunday, one of more than half a dozen long-range raids Israel has carried out against the Houthis in the past year.

Israeli strikes in Houthi-controlled Sanaa in Yemen, August 24, 2025. (credit: screenshot via X/ section 27a copyright act)

The Houthis have launched several dozen ballistic missiles at Israel since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The reports about possible cluster munitions in the recent missile attack have been circulating for two days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-owned outlet based in Beirut, claimed on Sunday that Israel carried out several airstrikes against an oil company station on al-Satin Street in Sanaa, along with attacks on the Haziz power station in the south of the city. The Saudi al-Hadath channel also reported from its sources that Israel attacked the capitals secretariat building in Tahrir Square in central Sanaa.

The Houthis claim that the Israeli attacks will not deter them and they will continue targeting Israel. The Houthi Political Bureau Member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said, the Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices, according to al-Akhbar media in Lebanon.

The Houthis claim their Friday attack caused major confusion among Israeli forces, forcing millions of settlers into shelters and suspending airport operations. They asserted that they also targeted Ashkelon and Tel Aviv using drones.

Al-Masirah claimed that Houthiss increasing use of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, along with advanced drones, has shifted the balance of power in regional waters, creating serious concern within US and Israeli defense establishments. Analysts now describe the conflict as one of the most significant maritime confrontations since World War II, with implications far beyond the Red Sea.

Houthis claim 'major strategic and symbolic victory' over US Navy in Red Sea

The Houthis also believe they have scored a major strategic and symbolic victory over the United States in the Red Sea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Houthis have claimed to use new missile technology in the past.

Last week, a separate report by al-Masirah noted, Recent Yemeni strikes deep inside Israeli-occupied territories using hypersonic missiles have raised alarm among Israeli and US defense experts, exposing vulnerabilities in multi-layered defense systems long promoted as a protective shield.

The Houthis claimed that hypersonic missile technology marks a turning point, moving the threat from a theoretical concern to an operational reality. Missiles traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 13 and executing advanced maneuvers have reportedly outpaced interception systems such as Arrow 2, Arrow 3, Davids Sling, and US-made THAAD, SM-3, and SM-6.

The Houthis also believe that US and Israeli air defense systems failed to intercept these types of missiles during the 12-day war with Iran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Iran called that conflict True Promise 3.

The Houthis claim that Iran highlighted gaps in radar detection and interception capabilities. Israeli officials have since announced plans to accelerate the development of new systems, including Arrow-4 and advanced radar technologies in cooperation with US firms.

This bragging by the Houthis is typical. Their media frequently claims they have pierced Israeli air defenses. However, there is not much evidence for their claims. This is why the use of a cluster munition warhead would be important.

Ynet reported on Saturday that Shortly after Fridays launch, senior Houthi official Nasruddin Amer released a video  the authenticity of which could not be confirmed  purporting to show the missile breaking apart in midair. He claimed the footage demonstrated the weapon splitting into several missiles over Israeli skies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a follow-up post, Amer said the clips clearly show the missile reaching its target, disproving enemy claims of interception, and called the incident a failure of Israels layered missile defense system.

Iran's use of cluster munitions in June's Israel-Iran war

In June, Reuters noted that Iran launched a missile at Israel on Thursday that scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties, the Israeli military and its Washington embassy said, the first reported use of cluster munitions in the seven-day-old war.

Iran is believed to have used at least three missiles with cluster munitions out of the 500 it launched in the 12-day war. Human Rights Watch said Irans usage of these types of missiles is a violation of humanitarian law.

For nearly a decade, Iran has used Yemen as a live-fire laboratory, honing its drone and missile capabilities via its Houthi allies. What began as ideological support for the Houthi insurgency evolved into a full-scale weapons testing program  with real-world consequences for regional stability.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Irans involvement in Yemen is not just about empowering proxies; its about refining weapons platforms under battlefield conditions. From the Qasef-series drones to the long-range Shahed 136 UAVs that first appeared in Yemen in 2020 and precision-guided cruise missiles, many of these systems were first seen in the hands of the Houthis before appearing elsewhere. Iran exported Shahed 136s to Ukraine after sending them to Yemen.

The Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen offers Iran a launching pad.

Here, weapons have been tested against targets such as cargo ships in the Red Sea, radar systems in Saudi Arabia, or US Navy vessels. Each strike likely helps refine Houthi guidance systems, adjust payloads, and stress-test command-and-control links.

The information is then sent back to Iran. This test-bed strategy has ripple effects. It allows Iran to field test its arsenal without direct confrontation, and the Houthis gain new weapons.
Were now 44 days away from the Davenport city primary election. with four candidates in the race for mayor.

The top two qualify for the Nov. 4 general election. Jason Gordon and Judith Lee were the first two in the race. Todd Pirck became the third candidate.

Jim Huiskamp launched his campaign a little more than a week ago. Now host Jim Niedelman gets to know him better.

Huiskamp was born in Keokuk, moved to Rock Island when he was 5 and graduated from Alleman High School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hes highly educated, with a bachelors degree in philosophy and sociology from Regis University in Colorado. He earned a masters degree in secondary education from Western Illinois University, and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.

Huiskamp put his degrees to use in public education and finance. He worked in the Keokuk School District as a high school special education teacher and a middle school geography and history teacher.

He left education for a 20-year career with Blackhawk Bank and Trust, the last 10 years as the companys president and CEO.

I think the accountability issues are really stemming from the building falling down, and then also the situation with the big payouts . People are very disappointed, Huiskamp said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To hear more of what Jim Huiskamp has to say, click on the video.

Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEED TO KNOW

The Metro Nashville Police Department was alerted to "skeletal remains" in a wooded area off Dickerson Pike on Friday, Aug. 22

Police located a human skull around 100 feet away from the "severely decomposed" remains

An investigation has been launched to determine the identity of the victim and the circumstances of how they got there

A human skull has been found not far from where a woman discovered a headless body in Nashville.

At around 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 22, police responded to a call from a woman who came across a severely decomposed grouping of skeletal remains in a wooded area behind a McDonalds in Dickerson Pike, the Metro Nashville Police Department announced in a press conference, per Fox Nashville.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Homicide Unit detectives dispatched to the scene found a human skull that was "in a deep state of decomposition" around 100 feet away from the remains, closer to the McDonalds parking lot, police spokesperson Brooke Reese said in the press conference.

It is unclear at this point who this person is, how this person got there, so those circumstances are under investigation at this time, Reese said. Homicide Unit detectives as well as our CSI team are out here trying to work through those details.

Authorities are now trying to determine the identity of the victim and how long they were at the location.

It is not yet known if the human remains and skull belong to the same person, Reese stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It doesnt appear that anyone is living in the woods where the remains were discovered, Reese said in the press conference, while adding that it's also unclear from the decomposed state of the remains how the body arrived at the location.

Given the heat, the woods and the nature of how this person was found, it's extremely difficult for officers to see and for our CSI team to photograph and capture, the police spokesperson said.

Getty Nashville Police car Nashville Police car

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.

No weapons were found at the location, per the police press conference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its pretty gory. Thats crazy. I dont even know what to say, local worker Tom Keesee told local outlet WSMV following the discovery. We live in a big city. I dont want to say killings are normal, but a headless body, thats the next level."

The Metro Nashville Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Aug. 24.



Read the original article on People
About 300 people, including members of local faith communities and dozens of other residents, both white and people of color, marched through downtown Olympia early Saturday evening in support of immigrants and immigrant rights.

They began gathering at Temple Beth Hatfiloh shortly before 6:30 p.m., then marched west on Eighth Avenue, continued north on Capitol Way, turned left onto Olympia Avenue, then stopped and gathered again at Percival Landing Park near the citys waterfront.

The walk for immigrant justice as it was termed was organized by the Faith Network for Immigrant Support, which includes a number of Olympia area faith groups, including Temple Beth Hatfiloh and St. John/San Juan Episcopal Church.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As they walked through downtown, some held signs that said, Stop ICE raids, Our communities deserve decency, No more deportations, and ICE is Inhumane.

The reference to ICE refers to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement branch of the federal government, which under the Trump Administration, has become controversial for its process of detaining and deporting immigrants. Some say sufficient due process is not being exercised in those incidents.

Before hundreds of people embarked on the march Saturday, Temple Beth Hatfilohs Rabbi Seth Goldstein addressed the crowd.

I am here, as I know many of you are, because our spiritual teachings and our values compel us to be here because we know that the commandment to love your neighbor knows no borders, and the commandment to welcome a stranger is stronger than walls, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So let us say loud and clear to those who are in fear, who feel targeted, to those who feel othered, who are hidden by force or hiding for safety: We will not remain indifferent, Goldstein said. We see you. We are with you, and we will protect you, and we say to those who seek to do harm, who promote policies of xenophobia and hate and intimidation and to implement these policies and carry out these arrests, you will not succeed. You will not succeed.

Resident Lori Doron was among the many who gathered outside the temple before the march began.

Why do I want to be here? Well, because were all immigrants, and we need each other, and theres certainly no reason to perpetuate this superstition of separation, she said.

More immigrants detained

Some carried signs of support for Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, an area resident and Army veteran detained by ICE on Thursday during a citizenship interview, according to several media reports, including KING 5 News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ICE records show Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, who emigrated from Pakistan and has lived in the United States for 25 years, was taken into custody at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, KING 5 reported.

Chaudhry is a member of the Olympia chapter of Veterans for Peace, according to the report.

Olympia City Councilman Clark Gilman, who attended Saturdays event, cited Chaudhrys case as another reason to be there.

For me, tonights walk for immigrant justice and prayer vigil is especially important as we have an active member of our own community detained the night before last at the detention center, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Janet Waggoner, lead pastor and evangelist at St. John/ San Juan Episcopal Church in Olympia, spoke in support of another area man named Fernando Rangel Saucedo, who she said has been in detention since early June.

Hes somebody whos been in this country, a faithful husband and father and lead construction worker for 20 years, she said. And so we are just hoping that he can continue to parent his daughter, who is a U.S. citizen.

Its important for me to be here because we have a community of love and acceptance, a community that seeks freedom and justice for all, and I am here with many members of our congregation, not only Spanish-speaking and English-speaking, but also we have members who are descendants of folks from Africa and Asia, and so we stand together for love and peace, Waggoner said.

Originally from El Salvador

Mabel Thackeray, who took part in the march, came to this country from El Salvador when she was 18. Today she is a licensed mental health professional who works for North Thurston Public Schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I belong to many organizations, and my goal is to show and humanize who we are and what we contribute to society, she said.

The new school year is about to begin, she added, and although students of color are excited to return to school, theres also some fear, she said.

Now more than ever we need to create that safe space for them, Thackeray said.

At Percival Landing Park, a number of people spoke, including Kathy Baros Friedt, a member of the Hispanic Roundtable. She, too, expressed her concern about Chaudhrys detention.

Many of you know him, she said. While being compliant with his (citizenship) hearing date, he was abducted and taken immediately to the detention center, with no notice to his wife and two children and supporters that were waiting for him.

Friedt added: You are not walking alone in this fight.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The Huntsville Police Department said it is investigating a shootout that happened in a shopping center parking lot on University Drive on Saturday.

According to HPD, the shooting happened at the 4700 block of University Drive at about 4:30 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found that two businesses with people inside had been hit by gunshots. A third business had also been hit, but there were no people inside.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

HPD said one person arrived at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

HPDs says its preliminary information shows that a fight happened between people outside the businesses, which escalated to a shootout.

A member of HPDs Violent Crimes Unit responded to lead the investigation.

This is a developing story, and News 19 will provide updates when more information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
NEED TO KNOW

Carra Samantha Luke, a nurse and mother of two, was found dead in her home after allegedly being stabbed multiple times in a bedroom on Aug. 23

Her husband, Shane Scheikowski, has been charged with one count of murder and one count of entering dwelling with intent

Luke's family issued a statement, saying she was a remarkable woman who touched countless lives with her warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness

The family of a woman allegedly stabbed to death by her husband has issued an emotional statement, remembering her as "remarkable."

Carra Samantha Luke, 48, was found dead in her home in Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday, Aug. 23, after allegedly being stabbed multiple times in a bedroom, according to Australian newspaper The Courier-Mail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her husband, Shane Scheikowski, 52, has been charged with one count of murder and one count of entering dwelling with intent, per the outlet.

An Aug. 23 police report from Queensland Police said emergency services were called to the residence around 12:30 a.m. local time. The victim was located unresponsive with critical injuries and was subsequently declared deceased at the scene," authorities said.

A police update on Sunday, Aug. 24, stated that a 52-year-old man, known to the woman, has been charged in relation to the homicide investigation, and the suspect is due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, Aug. 25.

Carra Samantha Luke

The family of Luke, a nurse and mother of two, issued a statement obtained by The Courier-Mail, saying she was a remarkable woman who touched countless lives with her warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lukes family also remembered her as a devoted mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunty and friend who gave love so freely that everyone who knew her felt like part of her family.

The familys statement continued: Through her compassion and gentle spirit, she carried the power to comfort, encourage, and uplift others, leaving behind memories that will be cherished forever.

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.

They added that Luke filled every moment with care and an open heart. The family also said her dedication to being a nurse was a true reflection of who she was.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even in the midst of her own struggles, she found the strength to tend to the needs of others, embodying selflessness in every sense. Her legacy is not only in the countless lives she healed, but in the love and light she brought to the world each day, the family said.

Though we grieve her passing deeply, we celebrate the beautiful soul we were so fortunate to know, and we carry her spirit forward in the kindness we show to one another, they added, before asking for privacy and respect during this difficult time.

Getty A police car in Australia (stock image) A police car in Australia (stock image)

Luke was employed at Nundah Doctors Surgery at her time of death. She had worked there for 20 years, according to a statement the medical clinic shared on its website.

"A most empathic and caring human being, nurse, mother, and friend Carra has been with us for 20 years and was the heart and soul of the practice. She has cared for her patients and helped through the most difficult times with the greatest professionalism and dedication," Nundah Doctors Surgery said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"She is irreplaceable, and we will miss her every day. She will always remain in our hearts here at the practice. To all our dear patients and friends of the practice, thank you for your support, care, and love," the clinics statement continued.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Read the original article on People
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is holding a two-day hiring event in Arlington next week as the Trump administration moves to expand the agencys ranks.

The career expo, scheduled for August 26 and August 27 at the Esports Stadium Arlington, will focus on recruiting deportation officers and general attorneys, according to ICEs Eventbrite listing. The listing said candidates could receive same-day job offers at the event, which is billed as a chance to step into public service and join what the agency describes as mission-driven careers in law enforcement and legal services.

The agency posted on X on August 19 that the event will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first day and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second. ICEs Eventbrite said attendees should bring a resume and, if applicable, military or academic records. A Real ID-compliant form of identification is required for entry. Parking costs $10.

ICE needs deportation officers and general attorneys! Join us at our upcoming hiring event at the Arlington Expo Center in Arlington, Texas.  Aug. 26, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT | Register: https://t.co/JzbAespQ5O  Aug. 27, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT | Register: pic.twitter.com/vZr5JEnMp4  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) August 19, 2025

The agency claimed that benefits for new hires could include up to $50,000 in recruitment incentives, $60,000 in student loan repayment for federally backed loans, and additional overtime and retirement packages. Deportation officer applicants are also required to undergo a background check and medical clearance process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The hiring event comes as Trumps administration pushes for a significant buildup of ICE. Earlier this month, The Dallas Express reported that more than 100,000 people had applied for ICE positions after Trump announced an initiative to hire 10,000 new agents. The expansion is funded under what the administration has called the One Big Beautiful Bill.

In Arlington, ICE officials said they are seeking candidates ranging from experienced professionals to recent graduates. Legal applicants must show proof of good standing with a state or territorial bar, while deportation officer candidates may substitute education for experience with the proper transcripts.

ICE has faced heightened scrutiny in North Texas in recent weeks. As The Dallas Express reported on August 15, federal immigration officers have carried out a string of arrests in the Dallas area, prompting debate over the extent of cooperation between local police and federal agents.

The Dallas Express reached out to DPD and Arlington PD to ask if either agency was providing security or otherwise planning to support the conference, given numerous attacks on immigration officers in recent months. DPD directed DX to Arlington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An Arlington PD spokesman said the department was prepared. The Arlington Police Department is aware of the upcoming U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement career expo at Esports Stadium Arlington. As with any large event taking place in our city, Arlington police officers will be present to help ensure the safety of attendees and the surrounding community, Media Relations Officer Tim Ciesco.

Although Ciesco said he could not share details, he added, Our priority is maintaining a safe and orderly environment for everyone.

The Arlington expo is the latest step in what Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons previously described as a call for Americans to serve at ICE and defend the Homeland.
The decision, by IDF Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth took place to achieve better security oversight of the area of Al-Mughayir, near Ramallah.

The military on Sunday issued a defense of IDF Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluths decision last Thursday to clear a massive number of trees to achieve better security oversight of the area of Al-Mughayir village near Ramallah.

Bluth, as part of his role, is responsible for IDF activity in the West Bank.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Palestinians and the outlet Haaretz have claimed that Bluth did not act only out of narrow security considerations, but also out of some attempt to deter Palestinian terror through collective punishment, citing his statements about making problematic villages pay for the actions of terrorists coming from those villages.

Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken on Sunday went as far as to call Bluth a war criminal whom the International Criminal Court should stop and arrest.

The IDF responded that the massive tree removal took place both in order to catch the terrorist from Al-Mughayir who, on Thursday, shot a Jewish Israeli civilian in the head near the Malachi Hashalom area, northeast of Ramallah, as well as to improve the ability of security forces to intercept such terrorists in advance, following multiple incidents along the Alon Corridor roads.

Tzeela Gez, the pregnant woman wounded in a terror attack and succumbed to her wounds, May 15, 2025. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)

In May, Palestinian terrorists murdered Tzeela Gez, a 30-year-old mother of three, in a drive-by shooting on Route 446 near Peduel junction in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria (West Bank).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That terrorist cell perpetrated a number of terror attacks in the area.

The Palestinian terrorist who murdered 14-year-old Binyamin Ahimeir In April 2024 came from the Al-Mughayir area.

The Jerusalem Post understands that this terror attack also impacted the decision regarding clearer oversight in the Alon Corridor area.

Besides those incidents that are reported and are among the most deadly terror incidents  the Post understands that there has also been  often unreported  regular rock throwing from the area, with the rock throwers often using the trees for cover to approach the road and then escape.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Further, the Post understands that the IDF believes that the existence of the tree area facilitated, for terrorists in the area, the development, transport, and placing of improvised explosive devices, as well as lighting fires to cause danger to Israeli civilians in the area.

Various West Bank terror attacks in recent weeks

There have also been a variety of other terror attacks in recent weeks in other parts of the West Bank.

Nevertheless, it is unusual for the IDF to uproot that many trees after one or even multiple terror attacks in an area.

In past years, multiple terror attacks from one area would more likely lead to a temporary closure of the village and a large number of arrests in the village.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Villagers are claiming that every house was inspected and many ransacked without a specific justification.

But the harsher treatment of those trees falls in line more with Bluth and the governments new policy in the West Bank of destroying portions of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur-al Shams after those areas have repeatedly been the source of terror attacks.

While Israel received significant global criticism for these moves, the IDF, however, noted that there has been an 85% drop in terror since the start of 2025.

Around January this year, the IDF adopted the policy of destroying portions of Jenin viewed as hosting the most significant volumes of terror cells started.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is unclear how international legal officials will treat these new strategies used by Israel.

Some ICC officials have suggested adding alleged crimes by the IDF in the West Bank into their cases against Israel, but to date, all the alleged charges have been related to Gaza.
Soldiers seized RPG missiles, IEDs, Kalashnikov-type rifles, and a large amount of ammunition, with all weapons confiscated by soldiers.

IDF troops from the 474th Brigade in the 210th Division arrested and interrogated terror suspects and raided weapons depots in southern Syria, the military said Sunday.

Soldiers seized RPG missiles, IEDs, Kalashnikov-type rifles, and a large amount of ammunition.

The IDF added that all the weapons were confiscated by soldiers.

Following intelligence gathered in recent weeks, soldiers, along with field investigators from Unit 504, apprehended and questioned several suspects in the area, the military said.

Israeli military raids in southern Syria, including outposts from Assad's regime

The IDF has conducted several raids in southern Syria in recent months since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last week, the military raided several command outposts on the slopes of the Mount Hermon Summit that belonged to Assad's regime.

More than 300 weapons were located and confiscated by Israeli troops.

Those in the area suspected of being involved in the smuggling and trade of weapons from Syria to its neighboring country, Lebanon, were detained and questioned by the IDF.
Many idyllic villages in the Alps that have existed for centuries could vanish entirely as a new threat looms.

What's happening?

The BBC reported that the devastating landslide that wiped the 800-year-old village of Blatten off the map in May is unlikely to be the last. The village of Brienz has also been evacuated due to the risks of a landslide, per Swiss Info.

Rising global temperatures are causing Switzerland's roughly 1,400 glaciers and permafrost to melt at an unprecedented rate. The landslide that destroyed Blatten was caused by the loss of ancient ice at the Birch glacier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident is leading to difficult questions about the future of these old mountainside settlements because of the exorbitant cost of clearing and repairing the damage.

Why is glacier melt such a concern?

The planet-heating emissions of dirty energy are causing the world's glaciers to melt at an unsustainable rate and making devastating landslides more common but unpredictable. According to the Associated Press, up to two-thirds of all glaciers could be lost by the end of the century.

A similar problem exists in the so-called "third pole" in the Himalayas. The loss of permafrost is leading to the overflow of glacial lakes, which are unleashing devastating floods. About 2 million people live in areas at risk of a glacial lake outburst flood. In both the Alps and the Himalayas, it's a case of upgrading infrastructure to help mitigate the risks.

Boris Previsic of the University of Lucerne explained the importance of being more prepared to the BBC, but that might not be enough.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We have always also to consider evacuation," he said. "You can't hold back the whole mountain."

What's being done about glacier loss?

One short-term measure being used is geotextiles. A study found they reduced melt by 350,000 cubic meters, but they're just too expensive and impractical to use at scale.

The study's authors determined "a hypothetical application to the larger scale shows that saving Alpine glaciers by technological solutions is neither achievable nor affordable."

Ultimately, the problem extends far beyond the Alps. It's a multifaceted issue that requires long-term thinking, like raising public awareness and accelerating the adoption of clean energy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While Switzerland has made some progress in reducing its pollution footprint, there's still much the wealthy, landlocked nation can and should do.

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.
Armed with colourful oars, rowers pack into long boats in western Indonesia, paddling furiously in front of race crowds swelled by the viral success of a young boy famous for his dancing at the front of the traditional vessels.

The annual Pacu Jalur race on Sumatra island culminates on Sunday, with officials estimating as many as 100,000 more spectators this year because of 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha's dance moves on the fast-moving boats.

"I came to watch Pacu Jalur because I wanted to film and show the festival to the world," Australian tourist Duncan McNaught told AFP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I think the guys who row are crazy. They're awesome. I'm just looking forward to it."

A 20-second clip of Rayyan dancing on the boat has racked up millions of views on social media.

Sports stars including Formula One's Alex Albon and MotoGP's Marc Marquez imitated his moves in their own videos, swirling their hands then swinging their arms back and forth.

The viral dance craze has drawn visitors from across the country and world to the Kuantan river in Sumatra's Riau Province.

Indonesian national Yuyun Kurnia, 38, travelled from the Sumatran city of Medan, a 17-hour drive away, to watch Pacu Jalur after learning about it online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"After it went viral on social media, I want to see Pacu Jalur directly," she told AFP, adding that it was "amazing" to watch the race in person.

Last year, the race drew 1.4 million visitors and more than $2.5 million to the local economy, according to the tourism ministry.

This year, 1.5 million spectators are expected, with a significant influx of foreigners, Riau tourism agency head Roni Rakhmat told AFP.

Officials believe revenue could jump to as much as $4.6 million on the back of increased per-person spending.

- 'Super cool' -

Pacu Jalur dates back to the 17th century, according to a local government website, when residents transported goods and people using traditional wooden long boats called "jalur".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The boat evolved to be used for races, now held every August.

Residents said they were happy the young boy's celebrity had drawn more eyes to the race.

"I think it's super cool that a kid his age managed to create a personal branding through Pacu Jalur. Through his dances, he has introduced Pacu Jalur to the entire world," 18-year-old Naysila Ayunita Sari told AFP.

The event transformed a stretch of the Kuantan river, with tents and umbrellas lining the riverbank.

Some spectators plunged into the river to get a close-up look at the race.

The boat dancer's precarious role on the front tip of the boat is meant to encourage the oarsmen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"That kid standing and dancing on a boat, that's not easy at all," said 35-year-old resident Frima, who goes by one name like many Indonesians.

"If you ask me whether I'm brave enough to try... the answer is no."

- 'Grateful' -

More than 220 teams, mostly representing local villages or districts, took part in this year's races.

They are competing for combined prizes of around 900 million rupiah ($55,000), Roni said.

Authorities are using the increased exposure to improve the event's organisation and the cleanliness of the river, according to Roni.

Police and the military were moving to stop illegal gold mining near the stretch of river before the race to reduce pollution, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Compared to previous years, there weren't any foreigners watching Pacu Jalur. Now there are," he said.

For locals like Frima, who have watched the race since childhood, the new interest in the race is beyond their imagination.

"I never would have thought that all eyes are on this small place on the western side of Riau," he said.

"I'm grateful Pacu Jalur is now known worldwide."

str-dsa-mrc/jfx/dhw/cwl
Before last week, Mayor Adams was already scrambling to push past the corruption concerns swirling around his candidacy.

But Thursdays unsealing of four different bribery indictments ensnaring Ingrid Lewis-Martin and Jesse Hamilton, two of Adams most trusted political confidantes, marks a setback for the mayors effort to try to wash his hands of corruption concerns ahead of Novembers election, experts told the Daily News. His opponents were quick to seize on the moment as emblematic of failed leadership.

I think the people who have supported him until this point will stay with him, but if you were on the fence, I think youre looking elsewhere, Basil Smikle, a political strategist who used to serve as the executive director of New Yorks Democratic Party, said when asked how he thinks the new indictments will impact the mayoral race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those on-the-fence voters are seen as critical for Adams to have any sort of path to a second term in City Hall.

Polls have consistently placed Adams in third or fourth place in Novembers election, far behind Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani and also trailing independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.

Adams poor standing in the polls has so far been seen by many as linked to his own federal corruption indictment, which was quashed by President Trumps Justice Department this spring as part of a controversial deal that led many to believe Adams is beholden to Trump. Several of his key aides resigned after being ensnared in federal probes. And, more recently, several NYPD officials, including Adams own former interim police commissioner Tom Donlon, have filed lawsuits accusing the mayor of allowing the police department to become a haven for corruption.

The new Lewis-Martin indictments are only likely to exacerbate concerns about corruption and mismanagement in Adams City Hall, including among the business community, which has recently shown signs of being willing to financially back his reelection bid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One New York business executive who has contributed to Adams campaigns told The News that members of the donor class are, since Thursday, uneasy about the fact that the mayor allowed Lewis-Martin to come back and work on his reelection bid despite corruption concerns swirling about her. Her arrest this past week was her second round of corruption charges.

We are used to the corruption and the scandals, its part of the package, but what Im hearing now is concern about how bad the campaign is being run, and the potato chip thing isnt helping, the business executive said, a reference to how another embattled Adams campaign aide, Winnie Greco, ham-handedly gave a potato chip bag stuffed with cash to a reporter from the news outlet The City last week.

The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid angering Adams, said the fresh indictments could drive some business honchos to Andrew Cuomo, whos also running as an independent in Novembers election after losing Junes primary to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee seen as the favorite to become the next mayor.

Cuomos the only place thats left, the exec said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran New York political strategist whos working on several pro-Adams and anti-Mamdani super PACs in this election, acknowledged the latest Lewis-Martin indictments could hurt the mayors standing with some donors. However, he discounted the idea that would result in donors flocking to Cuomo instead, arguing the ex-governor isnt especially well liked among the business community at the moment, either, following his big primary loss to Mamdani.

Theyre both wounded, Sheinkopf said of Adams and Cuomo.

By contrast, Sheinkopf said the new Lewis-Martin scandal unquestionably helps Mamdani.

Both candidates were quick to jump on the indictments as a chance to remind voters of the corruption allegations that have continued to dog the Adams administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani said Adams first term has amounted to a resuscitation of Tammany Hall-style politics.

Mark Twain said that history doesnt repeat itself, but it rhymes, and here we are, just a stones throw away from Tammany Hall, and we see that rhyme taking place with Eric Adams becoming a living, breathing testament to a continued legacy of corruption in this citys politics, Mamdani said Friday, speaking in Union Square Park, feet away from the infamous headquarters of the Tammany Hall organization that ruled city politics in the early 20th century.

Cuomo weighed in as well.

I dont believe that Mayor Adams can credibly ask New Yorkers to give him four more years, Cuomo said Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont think he has performed well, and I think that the series of corruption cases against the mayor are damning. And then on top of that was the deal he made with President Trump, where he saved his own hide by turning his back on New Yorkers. And to me, that is inexcusable.

In his first public remarks about the new indictments, Adams on Friday offered a full-throated defense of both Lewis-Martin and Hamilton, saying he wishes them the best and that he only knows them as dedicated public servants. But speaking at City Hall, he also acknowledged mistakes have happened during the course of his administration.

We have not always gotten it right, he said, but we have never stopped being dedicated to the people of this city.

The new indictments, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office, alleged that Lewis-Martin, her adult son, Glenn Martin II, Hamilton and three business people engaged in several years-long bribery schemes. All six defendants pleaded not guilty, including Hamilton, who resigned from his senior administration post hours after his arraignment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lewis-Martin is accused of using her powers as Adams chief adviser at City Hall to pressure municipal agencies, like the FDNY, the Department of Buildings and the local public hospital system, to do favors for her alleged benefactors, including securing them migrant shelter contracts and fast-tracking property permits. Her alleged crimes played out more or less over her entire tenure at City Hall, starting in March 2022, just weeks after Adams became mayor, and spanning through at least November 2024, according to prosecutors.

Hamilton and Martin II conspired in the schemes by helping advance Lewis-Martins pressure campaign, prosecutors allege.

In exchange, the alleged bribers, Queens businessman Tian Ji Li and TV production moguls Tony and Gina Argento, showered Lewis-Martin, her son and Hamilton with cash and other forms of gifts. According to prosecutors, the bribes amounted to at least $75,000, though some of them werent monetary in nature, such as a guest appearance on Hulu show Godfather of Harlem that the Argentos secured for Lewis-Martin after she helped them derail a bike lane project in northern Brooklyn they disliked.

In his Friday remarks, Adams defended the Argentos, who are big donors to his campaigns, as great New Yorkers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They are beautiful people, and they really care about the city of New York, he told reporters.

The latest bombshell indictments come on top of a separate set of corruption charges Lewis-Martin and her son were indicted on in December 2024 alleging they took $100,000 in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking building permits for two real estate investors.

Shortly before the December 2024 charges dropped, Lewis-Martin resigned as Adams chief adviser. Her resignation dealt a major blow to Adams, who had already months earlier seen a long list of top advisers, including his schools chancellor, police commissioner, first deputy mayor and deputy mayor for public safety, resign after being ensnared in federal probes. Those investigations have not led to charges.
Before last week, Mayor Eric Adams was already scrambling to push past the corruption concerns swirling around his candidacy.

But Thursdays unsealing of four different bribery indictments ensnaring Ingrid Lewis-Martin and Jesse Hamilton, two of Adams most trusted political confidantes, marks a setback for the mayors effort to try to wash his hands of corruption concerns ahead of Novembers election, experts told the Daily News. His opponents were quick to seize on the moment as emblematic of failed leadership.

I think the people who have supported him until this point will stay with him, but if you were on the fence, I think youre looking elsewhere, Basil Smikle, a political strategist who used to serve as the executive director of New Yorks Democratic Party, said when asked how he thinks the new indictments will impact the mayoral race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those on-the-fence voters are seen as critical for Adams to have any sort of path to a second term in City Hall.

Polls have consistently placed Adams in third or fourth place in Novembers election, far behind Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani and also trailing independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.

Adams poor standing in the polls has so far been seen by many as linked to his own federal corruption indictment, which was quashed by President Trumps Justice Department this spring as part of a controversial deal that led many to believe Adams is beholden to Trump. Several of his key aides resigned after being ensnared in federal probes. And, more recently, several NYPD officials, including Adams own former interim police commissioner Tom Donlon, have filed lawsuits accusing the mayor of allowing the police department to become a haven for corruption.

The new Lewis-Martin indictments are only likely to exacerbate concerns about corruption and mismanagement in Adams City Hall, including among the business community, which has recently shown signs of being willing to financially back his reelection bid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One New York business executive who has contributed to Adams campaigns told The News that members of the donor class are, since Thursday, uneasy about the fact that the mayor allowed Lewis-Martin to come back and work on his reelection bid despite corruption concerns swirling about her. Her arrest this past week was her second round of corruption charges.

We are used to the corruption and the scandals, its part of the package, but what Im hearing now is concern about how bad the campaign is being run, and the potato chip thing isnt helping, the business executive said, a reference to how another embattled Adams campaign aide, Winnie Greco, ham-handedly gave a potato chip bag stuffed with cash to a reporter from the news outlet The City last week.

The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid angering Adams, said the fresh indictments could drive some business honchos to Andrew Cuomo, whos also running as an independent in Novembers election after losing Junes primary to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee seen as the favorite to become the next mayor.

Cuomos the only place thats left, the exec said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran New York political strategist whos working on several pro-Adams and anti-Mamdani super PACs in this election, acknowledged the latest Lewis-Martin indictments could hurt the mayors standing with some donors. However, he discounted the idea that would result in donors flocking to Cuomo instead, arguing the ex-governor isnt especially well liked among the business community at the moment, either, following his big primary loss to Mamdani.

Theyre both wounded, Sheinkopf said of Adams and Cuomo.

By contrast, Sheinkopf said the new Lewis-Martin scandal unquestionably helps Mamdani.

Both candidates were quick to jump on the indictments as a chance to remind voters of the corruption allegations that have continued to dog the Adams administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani said Adams first term has amounted to a resuscitation of Tammany Hall-style politics.

Mark Twain said that history doesnt repeat itself, but it rhymes, and here we are, just a stones throw away from Tammany Hall, and we see that rhyme taking place with Eric Adams becoming a living, breathing testament to a continued legacy of corruption in this citys politics, Mamdani said Friday, speaking in Union Square Park, feet away from the infamous headquarters of the Tammany Hall organization that ruled city politics in the early 20th century.

Cuomo weighed in as well.

I dont believe that Mayor Adams can credibly ask New Yorkers to give him four more years, Cuomo said Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont think he has performed well, and I think that the series of corruption cases against the mayor are damning. And then on top of that was the deal he made with President Trump, where he saved his own hide by turning his back on New Yorkers. And to me, that is inexcusable.

In his first public remarks about the new indictments, Adams on Friday offered a full-throated defense of both Lewis-Martin and Hamilton, saying he wishes them the best and that he only knows them as dedicated public servants. But speaking at City Hall, he also acknowledged mistakes have happened during the course of his administration.

We have not always gotten it right, he said, but we have never stopped being dedicated to the people of this city.

The new indictments, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office, alleged that Lewis-Martin, her adult son, Glenn Martin II, Hamilton and three business people engaged in several years-long bribery schemes. All six defendants pleaded not guilty, including Hamilton, who resigned from his senior administration post hours after his arraignment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lewis-Martin is accused of using her powers as Adams chief adviser at City Hall to pressure municipal agencies, like the FDNY, the Department of Buildings and the local public hospital system, to do favors for her alleged benefactors, including securing them migrant shelter contracts and fast-tracking property permits. Her alleged crimes played out more or less over her entire tenure at City Hall, starting in March 2022, just weeks after Adams became mayor, and spanning through at least November 2024, according to prosecutors.

Hamilton and Martin II conspired in the schemes by helping advance Lewis-Martins pressure campaign, prosecutors allege.

In exchange, the alleged bribers, Queens businessman Tian Ji Li and TV production moguls Tony and Gina Argento, showered Lewis-Martin, her son and Hamilton with cash and other forms of gifts. According to prosecutors, the bribes amounted to at least $75,000, though some of them werent monetary in nature, such as a guest appearance on Hulu show Godfather of Harlem that the Argentos secured for Lewis-Martin after she helped them derail a bike lane project in northern Brooklyn they disliked.

In his Friday remarks, Adams defended the Argentos, who are big donors to his campaigns, as great New Yorkers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They are beautiful people, and they really care about the city of New York, he told reporters.

The latest bombshell indictments come on top of a separate set of corruption charges Lewis-Martin and her son were indicted on in December 2024 alleging they took $100,000 in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking building permits for two real estate investors.

Shortly before the December 2024 charges dropped, Lewis-Martin resigned as Adams chief adviser. Her resignation dealt a major blow to Adams, who had already months earlier seen a long list of top advisers, including his schools chancellor, police commissioner, first deputy mayor and deputy mayor for public safety, resign after being ensnared in federal probes. Those investigations have not led to charges.

_____
Damascus is still trying to crack down on ISIS threats, and fund people who have returned from displaced persons camps. The gov't wants to focus on issues closer to home, such as Israel, and Sweida.

Negotiations over the future of Syria continue to face hurdles on multiple fronts. A member of the Negotiation Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) told North Press in Syria on Saturday that the last two meetings, which were supposed to be held in Paris, were canceled by the Syrian transitional government.

Meanwhile, United States Syria envoy (and US ambassador to Turkey) Thomas Barrack arrived in Israel on Sunday and met Israels prime minister and other officials. Among the topics that Barrack is likely focusing on is the issue of Syria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For instance, Al-Arabiya reported that Israels Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer held talks with Syrias Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Paris on Tuesday on security arrangements in southern Syria, two Syrian sources familiar with the meeting said.

Paris is also the site of the talks regarding Syrian unity between the AANES and Damascus. The AANES is the civilian side of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF is Kurdish-led and was a main partner force of the US in the defeat of ISIS.

SDF leader Mazloum Abdi met with Syrias transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa in March. They agreed to a roadmap toward unity that was supposed to take place throughout the year and see eastern Syria integrate into a Damascus-led Syria.

A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with people in Sweida, on July 17, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Orhan Qereman)

As such, the SDF, with some 80,000 or more trained fighters, was supposed to integrate into the new Syrian security forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, since the high hopes in March, both Damascus and the AANES have held back from fulfilling the concept of integration or unity. While the US and others have backed unity, there are concerns that the government in Damascus cannot control its own security forces.

A massacre of Alawites in Latakia in March and attacks on Druze in July illustrate the challenge. Israel has been backing the Druze, essentially turning Sweida, south of Damascus, into an autonomous region. The SDF see the attacks on the Druze as foreshadowing attacks on the Kurds in the future.

In early August, France 24 noted that a Syrian government official said Saturday that authorities would not participate in planned talks in Paris on integrating the Kurdish semi-autonomous administration into the Syrian state and demanded future negotiations be held in Damascus.

The report said that The move came a day after the Kurdish administration, which controls swathes of the north and northeast, held a conference involving several Syrian minority communities, the first such event since Islamists overthrew longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now North Press, which is close to the AANES, noted that Sanharib Barsoum, co-chair of the Syriac Union Party and a member of the negotiating committee in northeastern Syria with the Syrian transitional government, explained that this cancellation gave the guarantor parties the impression that the obstacles came from Damascus, contrary to what had been promoted that it was the Autonomous Administration that was stalling or obstructing progress.

Barsoum added that the timeframe set  by the end of the year  has now become very tight, but what matters is that we achieve a number of agreements that can build confidence and pave the way toward broader accords.

The practical solutions that are needed are not coming to fruition as fast as hoped. However, members of the AANES and SDF remain open to talks.

A report on social media from eastern Syria noted that talks between Damascus and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria are still ongoing. Despite challenges, dialogue remains the only path to resolve pending issues and ensure stability. The AANES continues working on solutions that protect the interests of the NES [Northeast Syria] population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, the AANES remains adamant that they want a decentralized system in Syria, meaning they dont want a totalitarian Damascus. Federal structures or other systems that enable some autonomy for eastern Syria are important going forward.

Recognition that Sweida may need some autonomy

This comes as there is also recognition that Sweida, the Druze heartland in southern Syria, may also need some form of autonomy. Damascus will not want to agree to this as it will see such autonomy as not enabling the unity it wants to see. This creates a potential clash on several fronts. Turkey likely will not want eastern Syria to retain much autonomy either.

An August 22 report by North Press noted that Fawza Yusuf, co-chair of the AANES negotiation committee, emphasized on Friday that decentralization and the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army are 'fundamental and non-negotiable issues.

She stressed the continuation of dialogue with the Syrian government, despite existing disagreements. Yusuf added that early meetings concentrated on simpler files to build trust, such as the continuation of the al-Sheikh Maqsoud and al-Ashrafieh agreements, as well as the formation of committees for exams and for security, military, and economic matters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She noted that a planned meeting between the Afrin committee and its government counterpart after Eid al-Fitr had not yet taken place, while education exams were postponed for 15 days and later conducted successfully, North Press noted.

Damascus is dealing with other issues at the moment. It is still trying to crack down on ISIS threats and work to fund people who have returned from displaced persons camps. Part of Syria lies in ruins. The battles in Sweida with the Druze led to an additional 100,000 people being displaced, according to various reports. It has also led to destruction that Syria cannot afford.

Damascus wants to focus on issues closer to home, such as Israel and Sweida. As such, integrating eastern Syria may not be top of the list for Damascus at the moment.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Detectives are investigating a potential self-defense motive behind a deadly shooting in Antioch early Sunday morning.

The shooting was reported just before 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24 outside of an apartment in the 2100 block of Century Farms Parkway.

2 injured in shooting at apartment complex in South Nashville, police say

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the preliminary investigation indicates 22-year-old Jerrion Phillips had been involved in a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend. Phillips reportedly left and returned to the apartment complex when a resident, described as a 23-year-old man, tried to intervene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During the encounter, Phillips allegedly restrained the 23-year-old, who wounded Phillips. Authorities said Phillips was brought to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died.

Officials said Homicide Unit detectives interviewed both the 23-year-old and Phillips ex-girlfriend at MNPD Headquarters.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

However, police announced Sunday evening that no charges have been filed against the 23-year-old amid the ongoing shooting investigation.

No additional details were released about this incident.

 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.

For anyone in a crisis, help is out there. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
DES MOINES, Iowa  As the Iowa DNR nears the end of its weekly testing period, 17 Iowa state beaches were placed on the swimming not recommended list.

More than 50 food trucks serving global cuisine at Des Moines festival

According to the Iowa DNRs website, the 17 beaches were found to have E. Coli levels higher than the states standard. The affected beaches are listed below:

Backbone Beach in Delaware County

Beeds Lake Beach in Franklin County

Big Creek Beach in Polk County

Brushy Creek Beach in Webster County

Clear Lake State Park Beach in Cerro Gordo County

Crandalls Beach in Dickinson County

Emerson Bay Beach in Dickinson County

George Wyth Beach in Black Hawk County

Lacey-Keosauqua Beach in Van Buren County

Lake Ahquabi Beach in Warren County

Lake Darling Beach in Washington County

Lake Macbride Beach in Johnson County

Lake Manawa Beach in Pottawattamie County

Pine Lake South Beach in Hardin County

Pleasant Creek Beach in Linn County

Prairie Rose Beach in Shelby County

Union Grove Beach in Tama County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Several of these beaches have been under a swimming not recommended advisory for several weeks due to persistent high E. Coli levels. Advisories will be in place until the levels drop below the state standard.

For more information about the advisories and other state beach testing results, visit the DNRs website. The website is updated every Friday with the most recent test results.

Iowa News:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
Iraida Martinez Roman, the younger sister of Monsignor Agustin Roman  remembered as the spiritual father of the Cuban exile and the first Cuban bishop in the U.S. Catholic Church  died in Miami at age 83.

Her life was defined by faith, hard work and an unbreakable bond with her renowned brother, whom she served as confidante and caretaker for decades.

The cause of death was a stroke, her daughter Ileana Martinez said. She died on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Ermita de la Caridad, the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba and a symbol of the exile community  a sanctuary whose construction Iraida quietly but decisively helped to support.

Childhood in rural Cuba

Born on July 19, 1942, at the familys Casas Viejas farm in San Antonio de los Banos, Iraida grew up in a humble countryside home where she learned the values of sacrifice and family unity.

The family lived modestly but surrounded by affection. Among her most treasured childhood memories was a rag doll  a precious gift in a household where toys were scarce. During afternoons of play beneath the mango trees and beside the cane fields, her older brother watched over her as a guide and protector, assuming responsibility for his siblings from an early age.

Portrait of the Roman family taken in the early 1950s in San Antonio de los Banos. From left to right: Nivaldo, Juana Maria, Agustin (in seminary attire), Rosendo and Iraida.

She attended a Catholic school run by nuns in San Antonio, where she was formed in discipline, simplicity and prayer. Those early lessons shaped her strong character, deep devotion and the faith that later sustained her through the hardships of exile.

Exile and family separation

The Cuban Revolution split the familys life in two. In 1967, Iraida left the island with her children but without her husband, Jorge Luis Martinez, who had been sentenced to prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her older brother, already a priest and later auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami, played a key role in helping the family escape Cuba. Through countless letters, petitions and efforts with consulates, Father Roman moved heaven and earth to secure safe passage for his sister and nephews.

She left with her children and a heavy heart. Thirteen years passed before her husband was able to reunite with the family in Miami in 1980 during the Mariel exodus. By then, the children hardly knew him.

In Miami, the family settled in Little Havana. Iraida worked tirelessly in sewing factories and from home making silk shirts before her life became intertwined with the Ermita de la Caridad, where she assisted in the kitchen, cared for the rectory, did the priests laundry and prepared meals for spiritual retreats.

Iraida Roman Martinez, to the right of Monsignor Agustin Roman, with family and community members during the ceremony naming Most Rev. Agustin A. Roman Way in Miami-Dade County, a tribute to the beloved Cuban bishop of the exile community.

Cuban historian Julio Estorino described her as a humble woman of great faith whose life revolved around Monsignor. He recalled how, in the Roman household, newsletters were edited and letters drafted to members of the Cofradia de la Virgen de la Caridad, a lay Catholic association devoted to Cubas patron saint, to raise funds for the shrines construction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She also played a quiet but crucial role in organizing the first pilgrimages of Cuban municipalities, annual gatherings in which exiles from each town of the island came together at the shrine to honor their patron saint and traditions, supporting the effort that gave life to the spiritual home of Cuba in exile.

A second mother to Monsignor Roman

Her daughter described her as a second mother to Monsignor. She accompanied him during hospital stays, organized his home, cooked for him and cared for him with complete devotion. Our life revolved around him and the Ermita. It was a sacrifice, but also a privilege, Ileana said.

She extended that care to the entire family, especially to her brother Nivaldo, who died in 2015, and whom she cared for until the end. Years earlier, in 2012, the death of Monsignor Agustin Roman had deeply shaken the Cuban exile community.

A nun consoles Iraida Roman Martinez, sister of Monsignor Agustin Roman, during the funeral services on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, following Monsignor Romans passing.

To those who study the history of Cuban exile, Iraida embodied the silent strength of that story  the woman who, behind the scenes, upheld the mission of the beloved bishop, Father Jose Luis Menendez recalled in his funeral homily.

Last years and legacy

In her final months, Iraidas health declined. She spent her last week at Jackson Memorial Hospital surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren  which her family described as a grace that allowed her to say goodbye to all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She was given the chance to say farewell, her daughter said.

She is survived by her children, Ileana Maria and Jorge Luis; her grandchildren Veronica, Angelica, Eduardo, Christy and Melissa; and five great-grandchildren. Her husband, Jorge Luis Martinez, died in 2018.

Her legacy lives on in the memory of those who knew her as a devoted mother, a woman of faith and the inseparable sister of the bishop who forever marked the history of Cuban exiles.

El Nuevo Herald editor Daniel Shoer Roth with Iraida Roman Martinez during the research for the biography Agustin Roman: Pastor, Profeta, Patriarca, published in 2015 by the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity.

A true saint: Sister Hilda Alonso, pioneer of the Daughters of Charity in Miami, dies at 101

She led the effort to build Miamis Our Lady of Charity shrine and connected exile Cubans
Ex-Military Intelligence officer warns of looming confrontation as Syria pushes for 1974 deal with Israel.

IDF Col. (res.) Dr. Jacques Neriah, a former senior officer in Military Intelligence, warned on Sunday of an impending second round against Iran, saying Hezbollah operatives had been instructed to distance themselves from their phones in recent days.

There is a sense that a war is coming, that Iranian revenge is in the works. The Iranians will not be able to live with this humiliation for long, he told Udi Segal and Anat Davidov on 103FM.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If the reports are true and there will be a meeting between the two leaders, this is huge news. We dreamed of this, we wanted this, and now it is coming true before our eyes.

Recent talks between Israel and Syria on a political agreement

Neriah also addressed the recent talks between Israel and Syria regarding the renewal of a political agreement.

In different circumstances, this would have been the headline across all Syrian media. Who hasnt dreamed of a peace agreement with Syria? Because of the circumstances that have developed on the ground, we will probably reach a security agreement. The Syrians want to return to the 1974 disengagement agreement. As proof that they are serious, they are intercepting Hezbollah weapons shipments and preventing the terrorist organization from rebuilding its strength.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa standing atop Mount Qasioun, overlooking the fall of Damascus, December 9, 2024. (credit: Wikimedia Commons/Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic)

This stems from a convergence of interests. The Syrians want the Israeli front to remain quiet. There is a strategic move here, where Syria, under the rule of [Ahmed] al-Sharaa, has managed to break the chokehold that Iran tried to place around Israel. The fall of Bashar al-Assad led to the collapse of Hezbollah as a regional force. Iran views the al-Sharaa regime as something that needs to be toppled, he added.
Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) should be banned as a terrorist organisation, nearly three quarters of Labour voters believe.

Only one in 20 (five per cent) opposed the proscription of the IRGC, a move backed by Labour when it was in opposition but which it has so far failed to deliver.

Three quarters of Labour voters regarded the IRGC as a threat to Britains national security, according to the poll of more than 1,500 adults by JL Partners.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It follows disclosures by the intelligence agency MI5 that the security services and police have foiled at least 20 Iran-linked assassination and kidnap plots in the UK in the last two years.

Backbench Labour MPs and senior Tories urged Sir Keir Starmer to bring forward legislation to deliver on the partys commitment to ban the IRGC.

Jon Pearce, Labour MP for High Peak, said: The British public are rightly under no illusions about the nature of the Iranian regime. It is clearer than ever that the IRGC poses a threat to the safety and security of everyone in Britain.

After 14 years of the previous government dithering and delaying, we have made important progress towards our manifesto commitment to proscribe state-based groups like the IRGC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now we need to bring forward legislation to ban Tehrans terror army as swiftly as possible, which this polling shows will have the overwhelming support of Labour voters.

What on earth is holding us back?

Lord Arbuthnot, former chair of the defence select committee, said: With MI5 telling us that they have foiled at least 20 state-sponsored attacks by Iran in the UK, what on earth is holding the Government back from proscribing the IRGC?

The IRGC sponsors terror around the world, as well as in Hamas and Hezbollah. They kill people in Iran and are trying to do so in the UK, while their drones kill civilians in Ukraine.

What more do we need to know? What more does it take to get the UK to take effective action against them?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As an alternative to proscription, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has backed proposals by the Governments adviser on terrorist legislation for new laws to give ministers powers to proscribe state agencies.

Anyone helping or benefiting from a banned state intelligence agency would face up to 14 years in jail under the proposals drawn up by Jonathan Hall KC, the Governments independent reviewer of terrorism legislation.

He also recommended new criminal offences of inviting support for state agencies like the IRGC or displaying their flags or insignia in public, replicating powers used against terrorist groups such as Hamas and Al Qaeda.

The poll, commissioned by the Iranian Front for the Revival of Law and National Sovereignty, showed two thirds of the British public overall (65 per cent) backed proscripton of the IRGC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More than half (51 per cent) believed that the Governments financial sanctions had proven insufficient to stop the IRGCs threat in the UK.

Some 46 per cent did not have confidence that the UK authorities were doing enough to detect and counter IRGC-linked activities in the UK.

Two thirds (67 per cent) of Britons would approve of the UK cutting ties with Iran. This rose to 72 per cent for Labour voters.

The Iranian Front was founded by Vahid Beheshti, a political activist and journalist who has staged a protest for more than 900 days outside the Foreign Office.

He said: For 46 years, the Islamic Republic of Irans survival strategy has been to export instability to the West  from hostage-taking and facilitating Russias brutal war on Ukraine to exporting its deadly extremist ideology into British society.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With over 70 per cent of people concerned about the threat of the IRGC to the UK, it is unmistakably clear that the British public has had enough  especially Labours own voters.

Its time that the Government woke up and delivered on its commitment to ban the vile IRGC as a terror group.



The British people are clear: We must ban the IRGC

By Vahid Beheshti

Its not often you see such decisive polling responses. The British public has been unhesitant in expressing its belief that Iran poses a threat to the UK, with 71 per cent concerned about Irans vile Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps activities here at home.

The British people arent stupid. Theyve heard how MI5 has thwarted at least 20 assassination and kidnapping plots in the last couple of years. The alarming rise in extremism and radical Islamist ideology pedalled by the IRGC in British schools and places of worship hasnt gone unnoticed. Nor has the IRGCs dissemination of misinformation on social media and interference in the UKs democratic processes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Public confidence in Britains authorities to counter this threat appears shaky, and an overwhelming majority deem as insufficient the Governments strategy of restricting its response to the IRGC to financial sanctions.

There should be little surprise then that 65 per cent of Brits support the proscription of the IRGC as a terror group, while a mere 5 per cent of Brits oppose it.

If this still isnt enough for the Prime Minister, he should spare a thought for the views of his all-important 2024 voters. An extraordinary 74 per cent of Labours voters want the IRGC to be banned, and it wont be lost of them that the party had loudly campaigned for exactly that before entering 10 Downing Street.

Proscription would harm diplomatic relations with Iran

The Government hasnt listened to the hundreds of cross-party parliamentarians who have repeatedly called for the IRGC to be banned, but it can ill-afford to dismiss the unmistakable concerns of it owns voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The same old tired lines are already being readied inside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Proscription would harm diplomatic relations with Iran, allegedly.

Well, it would be hard to keep a straight face while arguing that the current status quo serves us well.

Parliaments own Intelligence and Security Committee recently released a landmark report which dismissed this notion out of hand. The public clearly doesnt give it much truck either, with over 70 per cent of Labour voters saying that they actively want the UK to sever ties with the fundamentalists of Iran.

Threat of Tehran

I have seen first-hand the threat of Tehran. A fatwa  religious death warrant  was issued against me recently because my campaign for freedom and democracy in Iran was deemed an imminent threat to the Islamic Republic and its Supreme Leader.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The IRGCs henchmen operating across the UK will be looking to make good on the sinister any means necessary instruction.

Ive already been threatened with beheading by a man outside the Foreign Office  police found him carrying a large blade  and my personal security has been increasingly heightened. Ive also been subject to calls in Iran for the British authorities to extradite me to Iran.

The Iranian diaspora will take heart from the fact that more than three-quarters of the public is concerned about Irans attacks on British-Iranian pro-democracy campaigners.

Not only that, but the public want the British Government to actively support us. There is also clear revulsion at the regimes repression of women and minority groups, its imposition of the death penalty for homosexuality, and its thirst for public executions.

No-brainer ban

I echo the British publics call for the Government to stand with pro-democracy movements in the interest of the UKs own national security, if not in solidarity with the long-suffering Iranian public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is precisely why the Iranian Front for the Revival of Law and National Sovereignty was recently launched. Weve already been successful in bringing people from across Irans diverse ethnic, religious, cultural and political divides to prepare a legal framework for democratic transition in Iran.

The public has awoken to the Iranian regimes threat to decency, humanity and the UKs own security, but the Governments head remains in the sand. If banning Palestine Action was the right thing to do for national security  and it undoubtedly was  then it is a no-brainer to ban an organisation that poses a threat many magnitudes greater.

Vahid Beheshti is the founder of the Iranian Front for the Revival of Law and National Sovereignty

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.
Iran is prepared to significantly reduce its uranium enrichment to prevent Britain reimposing United Nations sanctions, The Telegraph has been told.

Iranian officials said Tehran was willing to soften its hardline stance to avoid further military strikes from Israel and the United States.

Ali Larijani, the newly appointed secretary of Irans supreme national security council, is leading efforts to convince the clerical regime to lower uranium enrichment to 20 per cent purity, down from 60 per cent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The current enrichment level is approaching the roughly 90 per cent purity required for nuclear weapons development, raising international concerns about Irans nuclear ambitions.

Britain, France and Germany have threatened to reimpose crippling economic sanctions, lifted in 2015, unless the Islamic Republic begins negotiations to renew nuclear talks by the end of August 2025.

Credit: Reuters

The snapback clause in the 2015 nuclear deal expires in October, pressuring Europeans to act before they lose the opportunity to rein-in the regime.

Under the snapback mechanism, any party can declare Iran in violation and restore the sanctions. Once the snapback clause expires, new sanctions would need UN approval and could be blocked by China or Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action provided Irans economy crucial relief from nearly a decade of trade and banking restrictions in exchange for limits on its nuclear enrichment programme designed to prevent weapons development.

The potential return to 20 per cent enrichment would be a significant step back from Irans current capabilities but would still exceed the 3.67 per cent limit established under the 2015 deal.

A senior Iranian official told The Telegraph: Larijani is trying to convince the system to reduce the level of enrichment to avoid another war.

Hes concerned that without lowering it or meeting some of the Wests demands, the system will face another major challenge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said Mr Larijani wanted to reduce enrichment to 20 per cent but faced opposition, primarily from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

However, the official said the regimes leadership appeared willing to comply and re-engage with Western powers.

Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, reappointed the 68-year-old Mr Larijani to a position he previously held from September 2005 to October 2007.

He served as one of the Ayatollah Khameneis representatives on the council and led Irans nuclear negotiations with world powers.

During Mr Larijanis first tenure, Irans nuclear case was referred by the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) to the UN Security Council, less than six months after he assumed the role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, as he returns to the position, the same three European nations are prepared to refer Irans nuclear file back to the security council if diplomatic progress stalls.

Iranian missiles on display at a rally to mark the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 - Saman/AFP via Getty

On Friday, Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, spoke on the phone to his French, German and British counterparts to discuss avoiding the reimposition of the UN sanctions, and agreed to meet them next week.

European concern has grown since Tehran cut off all co-operation with the IAEA following the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June.

That left the international community further blinded to Irans programme and the status of its uranium stockpile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After Fridays call, a statement released on Mr Araghchis behalf criticised the countries legal and moral qualifications to threaten the sanctions, but insisted talks would continue.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, just as it acts authoritatively in self defence, has never abandoned the path of diplomacy and is ready for any diplomatic solution that guarantees the rights and interests of the Iranian people, the statement said.

The internal pressure on Irans leadership shows there are divisions within the regime over how to engage with the West.

Khamenei, 86, faces mounting pressure from within his own ranks to choose between nuclear ambitions and regime survival.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He has made only two public appearances since Israels June military strikes on Iranian targets and has been notably absent from public view in recent weeks.

The Ayatollah Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, making one of his few public appearances in recent months, on June 4 - Anadolu via Getty

Irans reformist coalition has called for suspending uranium enrichment in return for lifting US sanctions, while also advocating domestic changes.

Hardliners have attacked the reformists, saying they play on the enemys side.

They hit us, we rebuild

At a press conference this month, Irans president unravelled months of diplomacy and triggered a political crisis that exposed rifts in the countrys leadership.

If we dont talk, what should we do? Do you want to fight? Mr Pezeshkian asked. They hit us, we rebuild, and theyll hit us again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The remarks sparked a backlash. IRGC officials questioned his judgment, conservative newspapers accused him of weakness, and social media lit up with calls for impeachment.

Analysts say the episode highlights how vulnerable Mr Pezeshkian has become one year into office, as hardliners increasingly view his foreign policy as naive and harmful to Irans interests.

The strongest rebuke came from within the security establishment. Aziz Ghazanfari, deputy political chief of the IRGC, warned that repeated verbal mistakes could endanger national security.

Foreign policy is not a place to state every reality, Ghazanfari wrote on the IRGC-affiliated Bassirat website. The dangers of careless remarks by senior officials fall first on their own governments.

Ballistic missile drills

Khamenei holds ultimate authority over Irans political, military and ideological matters, including foreign policy and national security. The president and parliament operate under his influence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, Irans defence ministry has been conducting ballistic missile drills in what appears to be a demonstration of military readiness amid the diplomatic tensions.

Brig Gen Rahim Safavi, a senior advisor to Khamenei, emphasised Irans military posture in recent statements.

He said: We are now in a state of war, and there is a possibility that this situation could collapse at any moment.

Safavi added that Iranian military officials believed that whoever wants peace must be prepared for war, and the best method of defence is attack.

Iran gave away a pearl and received candy

Mr Larijanis current diplomatic approach contrasts with his earlier hardline stance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In October 2003, Hassan Rouhani agreed as Iranian president to temporarily suspend uranium enrichment following visits by three European foreign ministers to Tehran. Mr Larijani, then head of state broadcasting, was critical, saying: Iran gave away a pearl and received candy from the West.

A political science professor at a university near Tehran said the regime was at a critical juncture, torn between keeping domestic supporters satisfied and engaging with the West.

He said: That is difficult  they have never been able to do both at the same time, and now its even harder.

Many believe that engaging with the West is equivalent to losing a preemptive strike against us.

But the reality is they have no other option but to find a way to survive. That could mean reducing enrichment levels, though perhaps only as a way to buy time.

In the past, they were trying to advance  now they are simply trying to get back to where they were before the US strikes.

The regimes domestic political calculations have become increasingly complex as hardline factions view any concessions to the West as capitulation, while pragmatic voices argue that continued defiance could lead to the regimes collapse.

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.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled out political agreement with the United States under President Donald Trump in an address broadcast on state television on Sunday.

The problems were insoluble and no longer concerned mere allegations against Iran, such as supporting terrorism and the violation of human rights, but the US now demanded obedience and capitulation, Khamenei said.

"The Iranian people will oppose this abhorrent demand with full determination," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump had also "incited" Israel and supported it in attacking Iran to force political change, but both had been surprised to find that Iran had defended itself with dignity, Khamenei said.

Iran's supreme leader, who has the final say in all strategic matters, has seldom appeared in public since Israel attacked nuclear targets across the country in June. Observers believe he has been hiding in a bunker to avoid an Israeli attempt on his life.

Khamenei maintains that Iran prevailed in the brief war, even though important nuclear and military facilities were damaged or even destroyed.

The status of talks with the US on Iran's nuclear programme remains unclear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Reformers, including President Massoud Pezeshkian and his government, have not ruled out a resumption, but hardliners in parliament are strongly opposed to continuing negotiations, after the US dropped so-called bunker buster bombs on key Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day war.

Observers believe that Khamenei is not fundamentally opposed to talks, but rejects Trump's conditions.

If the talks are not resumed, Iran faces increased sanctions that could hit its already devastated economy. A renewed Israeli attack remains a possibility. Meanwhile the country faces energy and water shortages that could lead to unrest, observers believe.
The outspoken Belfast rap crew are bringing their mix of beats and politics to France, undeterred by official disapproval over their support for Palestine and condemning Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Irish rap group Kneecap are set to take the stage outside Paris on Sunday, performing at the Rock en Seine festival in Saint-Cloud despite mounting controversy, funding cuts and calls for their slot to be cancelled.

The trio, who blend political edge with swaggering humour, have never shied away from provocation. Known for backing the Palestinian cause and their outspoken criticism of Israel, they have turned concerts into political arenas as much as musical ones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One member, Liam OHanna  stage name Mo Chara  is currently facing a British terror charge after allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag during a London show last November.

In June, he used the Glastonbury stage to declare: Israel are war criminals.

More recently, Kneecap were barred from Hungary and missed their planned performance at Budapests Sziget Festival  a decision widely seen as a nod to Hungarys close ties with Israel.

Still, the controversy has not slowed them down. The group have already played in France twice this summer  at Eurockeennes in Belfort and at Cabaret Vert in Charleville-Mezieres  without incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kneecap rapper in court on terrorism charge over Hezbollah flag

Festival under pressure

Rock en Seine organisers faced a political storm after refusing to drop Kneecap from the line-up.

Local authorities in Saint-Cloud pulled their 40,000 subsidy, while the wider Ile-de-France region also cancelled its funding for the 2025 edition.

Yet the festival, with a budget of around 16 to 17 million, remains financially solid.

Director Matthieu Ducos struck a optimistic tone, telling journalists: We are confident that the group will perform in the correct manner.

Kneecap are scheduled to hit the stage at 6:30pm local time  a slot the organisers have no intention of scrapping.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Interior Minister Retailleau calls for 'extreme vigilance' during Jewish holidays in France

Tensions in France

The show takes place against a tense national backdrop. Since the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing war in Gaza, France has wrestled with rising concerns over antisemitism.

Jewish groups have strongly objected to Kneecaps appearance.

Yonathan Arfi, head of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), accused the group of desecrating the memory of French victims of Hamas and Hezbollah.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has warned police to remain alert to any comments of an antisemitic nature, apology for terrorism or incitement to hatred during the concert.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

France rejects Netanyahus antisemitism claim over recognition of Palestine

From Belfast to the world

Hailing from Belfast, Kneecap channel Irish republican themes and local slang into a swaggering rap style that has won them a cult following.

Even their name is a provocation: it refers to the notorious punishment shootings, or kneecappings, carried out by republican paramilitaries during the Northern Ireland conflict.

More than a quarter-century after the Good Friday Agreement, Kneecaps blend of Irish identity, political theatre and dance-floor energy continues to stir debate.

Love them or loathe them, their brand of rebellious performance has carried them from the streets of Belfast to Glastonburys Pyramid Stage, and now onto one of Frances most prestigious summer festivals.
The Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Ali Larijani, is the leading official to lower the country's uranium enrichment to 20% purity, down from 60%.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to reduce its uranium enrichment significantly to prevent the United Kingdom from reimplementing UN sanctions on the country, Iranian officials claimed, The Telegraph reported Sunday.

The officials added that, to avoid any possible future military strikes by the US or Israel akin to what it endured in June, Tehran is "willing to soften its hardline stance."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Ali Larijani, is the leading official to lower the country's uranium enrichment to 20% purity, down from 60%, the report added.

Larijani is trying to convince the system to reduce the level of enrichment to avoid another war," a senior Iranian official told The Telegraph, adding that his initiative in lowering it to 20% was met with opposition from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), but that they're willing to re-engage with Western powers.

Previous talks of uranium enrichment

In December of last year, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told Reuters that Iran had been "dramatically" increasing the amount of uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% of weapons-grade that it is able to produce.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi against backdrop of an Iranian missile. (credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS, REUTERS/LISA LEUTNER)

A Financial Times report from earlier this month stated that the Islamic Republic will also face sanctions by the E3 - France, UK, and Germany - should they fail to resume nuclear talks with the international community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his French, British, and German counterparts agreed on Friday to resume talks, with the three European countries saying they could re-activate United Nations sanctions on Iran under a "snapback" mechanism if Tehran does not return to negotiations on a deal to curb its disputed uranium enrichment program.

Shortly before The Telegraph report, a former IDF senior officer in Military Intelligence, Col. (res.) Dr. Jacques Neriah warned of an impending second round against the Islamic Republic.

Reuters and 103FM contributed to this report.
Israel has completely destroyed more than 1,000 buildings in the Zeitoun and Sabra neighbourhoods of Gaza City since it started its invasion of the city on August 6, trapping hundreds under the rubble, the Palestinian Civil Defence says.

The agency said in a statement on Sunday that ongoing shelling and blocked access routes are preventing many rescue and aid operations in the area.

Emergency workers continue to receive numerous reports of missing people but are unable to respond, while hospitals are overwhelmed by the toll of the attacks, it added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are grave concerns about the continued incursion of Israeli forces into Gaza City, at a time when field crews lack the capacity to deal with the intensity of the ongoing Israeli attacks, the Civil Defence said.

There is no safe area in the Gaza Strip, whether in the north or south, where shelling continues to target civilians in their homes, shelters, and even in their displacement camps.

Israeli tanks have been rolling into the Sabra neighbourhood as Israel moves to fully occupy Gaza City, forcing close to 1 million Palestinians there southwards.

The Civil Defences assertion appears to confirm fears that Israel is planning to fully demolish Gaza City, as it did in Rafah, a campaign that rights advocates say could be aimed at removing all Palestinians from Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At least three people, including a child, were among the latest victims killed in an attack on a residential apartment on al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City, according to a source in the enclaves emergency and ambulance department.





The area, where famine has been declared, has been under relentless Israeli bombardment over the last several weeks. Residents reported explosions echoing nonstop through the neighbourhoods, while several buildings were also blown up further north, in the ravaged Jabalia refugee camp.

At least 51 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza on Sunday, including 27 in Gaza City and 24 aid seekers, medical sources told Al Jazeera.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gazas Ministry of Health said eight more people died of Israeli-induced hunger as starvation in the enclave intensifies, raising deaths from malnutrition to 289 people, including 115 children, since the war began.

Israeli forces have been routinely opening fire on hungry Palestinians as they attempt to secure meagre aid parcels at the controversial, Israeli and US-backed GHF sites.

Impossible to stay alive

Commenting on the worsening humanitarian situation, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), said that famine is the last calamity hitting Gaza, where people are experiencing hell in all shapes.

Never Again has deliberately become again. This will haunt us. Denial is the most obscene expression of dehumanisation, Lazzarini wrote on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that it was time for the Israeli government to allow aid organisations to provide assistance, and for foreign journalists to be allowed into the enclave.

Gazas Ministry of Interior warned against Israeli plans to forcibly displace residents from Gaza City and the northern governorates, urging people against leaving their homes despite heavy bombardment.

The ministry called on residents to remain in their communities, or if threatened, to move only to nearby areas rather than relocate to the south.

We urge citizens and displaced persons residing in Gaza City not to respond to the occupations threats and terrorism, and to refuse to be displaced and move to the remaining areas of the central and Khan Younis governorates, it said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is no safe place in any of the governorates of the Gaza Strip, and the occupation commits the most heinous crimes daily, even bombing the tents of displaced persons in areas it falsely claims are humanitarian or safe.





Al Jazeeras Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah, said Palestinians are nonetheless fleeing areas in Gaza City under intensive Israeli air strikes and also attacks by quadcopters.

We met a couple of these families, and they said that it was [nearly] impossible for them to stay alive as they were fleeing and quadcopters were opening fire on whatever was moving in that area, Khoudary said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some Palestinians made it safely and were able to flee, but others were trapped in those areas and are unable to leave, she added.

Leading rights groups and UN experts have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Israel has carried out air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in response to the group's missile attack on Friday which Israel said carried cluster munitions.

The Israeli operation targeted a military complex housing the presidential palace, a fuel depot and power stations.

Four people were killed and 67 injured, Houthi officials said.

The Israeli military said the Houthi strike had been the first use of such bombs by the Iran-backed Houthis during the current conflict with Israel, local media and the AP reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Israeli military is reportedly investigating why it was unable to intercept the missile carrying the munitions, which are banned by more than 100 countries.

The retaliatory operation on Sanaa was overseen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, with the Israeli government publishing a photograph showing the prime minister at the command centre in Tel Aviv.

"Anyone who attacks us - we attack them. Anyone planning to attack us - we attack them. I believe the entire region is learning the power and determination of the State of Israel," the prime minister said afterwards.

After Friday's attack, the Houthis released a video showing bombs dispersing mid-air.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told media on Sunday that one such bomblet had landed on the yard of a home in the central Israeli town of Ginaton, causing light damage.

The IDF investigation centres on why the missile delivering the bombs was not intercepted before they had been dispersed, according to Israeli media.

Cluster munitions are a method of dispersing large numbers of tiny bomblets from a rocket, missile or artillery shell that scatters them in mid-flight over a wide area.

They are intended to explode on impact but a significant proportion are "duds", meaning they do not explode initially. This happens especially if they land on wet or soft ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They can then explode at a later date on being picked up or trodden on, killing or maiming the victim.

[BBC]

The Houthis have controlled much of north-western Yemen since 2014, when they ousted the internationally-recognised government from Sanaa, and sparked a devastating civil war.

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have regularly launched missiles at Israel and attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.

The rebels are supplied by Iran, which also used cluster bombs during its 12-day confrontation with Israel in June.
The woman, whose name hasnt been shared, is a resident of northern Israel who chanted the slogan with spirit and blood, we redeemed Gaza."

A 61-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of incitement to violence during the Tel Aviv protests that happened over the weekend, Israel Police said.

The woman, whose name hasnt been published, is a resident of northern Israel who chanted the slogan with spirit and blood, we redeemed Gaza."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These types of messages were part of the reason why, even though the competent authorities legally approved the protest, Israel Police ordered the event stopped and for attendees to disperse.

The statement from the Tel Aviv Police Department also added that the protest was stopped out of fear of disrupting public order.

ISRAELIS once again poured into the streets and city squares across the country on Sunday, such as those pictured in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan to expand the IDF offensive in Gaza has been met with widespread condemnation by the international community and hostage families. (credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images)

Activists set Shabbat table on fire during a protest

Demonstrators advocating for an immediate hostage deal held a Shabbat reception on Tel Aviv's main highway on Friday, blocking both directions of the Ayalon and setting a Shabbat table on fire in a dramatic protest.

The police quickly extinguished the fire, and the protesters dispersed.

According to the organizers, the protest was intended to prevent the government from turning away from another opportunity for a deal.

Uri Sela contributed to this report.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Lili Bayer

CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli planes and tanks pounded the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza City overnight Saturday to Sunday, destroying buildings and homes, residents said, as Israeli leaders vowed to press on with a planned offensive on the city.

Witnesses reported the sound of explosions non-stop overnight in the areas of Zeitoun and Shejaia, while tanks shelled houses and roads in the nearby Sabra neighbourhood and several buildings were blown up in the northern town of Jabalia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fire lit the skies from the direction of the explosions, causing panic, prompting some families to stream out of the city. Others said they would prefer to die and not leave.

The Israeli military said on Sunday that its forces have returned to combat in the Jabalia area in recent days, to dismantle militant tunnels and strengthen control of the area.

It added that the operation there "enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning to operate in these areas."

Israel approved a plan this month to seize control of Gaza City, describing it as the last bastion of Hamas militants. It is not expected to begin for a few weeks, leaving room for mediators Egypt and Qatar to try and resume ceasefire talks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday vowed to press on with the offensive on the city where famine has been declared, which has raised alarm abroad and objections at home. Katz has said that Gaza City will be razed unless Hamas agrees to end the war on Israel's terms and release all hostages.

Hamas said in a statement on Sunday that Israel's plan to take over Gaza City showed it wasn't serious about a ceasefire.

It said a ceasefire agreement was "the only way to return the hostages", holding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for their lives.

The proposal on the table calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza and of 18 bodies. In turn, Israel would release about 200 long-serving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Once a temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that would include the return of the remaining hostages.

On Thursday, Netanyahu said that Israel would immediately resume negotiations for the release of all 50 hostages - of whom Israel believes around 20 are still living - and an end to the nearly two-year-old war but on terms acceptable to Israel.

'HUNGRY AND AFRAID'

Around half of the enclave's two million people currently live in Gaza City. A few thousand have already left, carrying their belongings on vehicles and rickshaws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I stopped counting the times I had to take my wife and three daughters and leave my home in Gaza City," said Mohammad, 40, via a chat app. "No place is safe, but I can't take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire."

Others said they will not leave, no matter what.

"We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home," said Aya, 31, who has a family of eight, adding that they couldn't afford to buy a tent or pay for the transportation, even if they did try to leave. "We are hungry, afraid and don't have money."

A global hunger monitor said on Friday that Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine that will likely spread. Israel has rejected the assessment and says it ignores steps it has taken since late July to increase aid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Sunday, the Gaza health ministry said eight more people died of malnutrition and starvation in the enclave, raising deaths from such causes to 289 people, including 115 children, since the war started. Israel disputes fatality figures by the health ministry in the Hamas-run strip.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen burst into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.

Israel's military offensive against Hamas has since killed at least 62,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry, left much of the territory in ruins and internally displaced nearly its entire population.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Lili Bayer and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by William Maclean and Ros Russell)
Israel bombed Houthi rebel targets in Yemens capital on Sunday, including a military site near the presidential palace.

The attacks by the IDF, which also included strikes on the Asar and Hizaz power plants, came after the Houthis fired a multi-headed warhead at Israel for the first time on Friday.

The use of the munition presents a new challenge for the Israeli defence system, which up until now has successfully repelled most of the Houthis attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sundays attacks sent huge fireballs into the sky over Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, as the IDF said it had struck a significant electricity supply facility for military activities for the Houthis.

Houthi rebel targets were hit in Yemens capital - Xinhua/Shutterstock

The strike on the power plants damages the production and supply of electricity for military purposes, the IDF said, adding that the use of the plants constitutes further proof of how the Houthi regime uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

The strikes killed six people and injured 86 others, a Houthi spokesperson said on X.

The two sides have been engaged in fierce attacks since Israel declared war on Hamas after the October 7 massacre.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked vessels in the Red Sea in what they describe as acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

They have also frequently fired missiles towards Israel, most of which have been intercepted. Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the vital Hodeidah port.

An Israeli air force official told The Telegraph that an initial operational review of the Houthi missile fired on Friday had determined that it most likely contained several sub-munitions which were intended to be detonated upon impact.

This is the first time that this kind of missile has been launched from Yemen. However, it is important to note that the IDF Aerial Defense Array is capable of dealing with munitions of this kind, the official said.

A fire ball rises from the site of the Israeli air strike - Stringer

The warhead was Iranian-made and contained three separate warheads, each containing cluster munitions, according to Israeli defence experts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although it was successfully shot down, its use represents a serious escalation  one that may have to be dealt with by preemptive strikes on Iran, say military Israeli strategists.

Two power plants were among the targets in Yemen - YAHYA ARHAB/Shutterstock

Firefighters try to extinguish the flames following the strike - Anadolu

The new multi-headed missile poses a serious challenge to Israels prized air defence system because of the need for more interceptors to shoot it down  eight instead of two  costing tens of millions of dollars.

Yemen has previously served as a testing ground for Iranian weaponry, said an Israeli defence expert with detailed knowledge of Fridays strike.

In this case, [the] warhead was composed of submunitions: three warheads ... alongside another component in the warhead consisting of dozens of cluster bombs that disperse upon impact with the target.

The smoke could be seen from streets away from the strike - Anadolu

They added: This is a game-changing weapon in the context of the conflict with Israel, where the primary challenge is penetrating the air defence system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Typically, intercepting a ballistic missile requires at least two interceptors. In the case of a missile with a separable warhead, Israel would need to launch approximately eight interceptors to destroy an Iranian warhead that has split. Now, multiply that by salvos of dozens of missiles.

During the recent Israel-Iran exchange, Israel is thought to have run low on interceptor missiles and had to rely heavily on US support to defend against the Iranian attack. Even then, a good number of Iranian missiles got through, striking civilian and military infrastructure.

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 security source confirmed to the 'Post' that Israel is carrying out airstrikes in Sanaa in response to Fridays missile launch by the Houthis toward Israeli territory.

The Israeli air force on Sunday afternoon struck the Yemeni Houthi capital of Sanaa in response to Fridays ballistic missile strike by the Houthis on Israel, The Jerusalem Post confirmed from security sources.

The strikes, which included more than 10 aircraft flying over 2,000 kilometers for five-and-a-half hours total and dropping around 35 munitions, targeted an area near the presidential complex, electric power stations, and sites where the Yemen-based terrorist group may keep ballistic missiles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shortly after, the Post received confirmation in an on-background statement, and the Defense Ministry put out a photo of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Air Force Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Omer Tishler managing the attack from Air Force Headquarters.

The IDF added that the presidential palace in the Sanaa area is located within a military site from which Houthi forces operate.

In the past, most Israeli counter attacks have been against the Houthi port city of Hodeidah in order to grind their economy and their ability to resupply weapons to a halt. However, the IDF has also struck before in Sanaa, especially several times at the countrys international airport there.

Israeli strikes in Houthi-controlled Sanaa in Yemen, August 24, 2025. (credit: screenshot via X/ section 27a copyright act)

Israeli counterattacks sought to halt Houthi economy, ability to resupply weapons

In the past, most Israeli counterattacks have been against the Yemeni Houthi port city of Hodeidah in order to grind their economy and ability to resupply weapons to a halt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, the IDF has also struck before in Sanaa, especially multiple times at the country's international airport there. Some of the sites being hit are expected to widen the extent of electricity shortages in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

If these sites are new, hitting them will harm the Houthis ballistic missile capabilities more significantly, making it one of the first achievements of a new emphasis on wider intelligence collection within Yemen.

The Post has learned that there is a strong push by Israeli intelligence to better understand ways to reduce the Houthi threat, but also that it is playing catch-up after mostly ignoring Yemen until this war, or even deep into the war when it became apparent that US pressure would not stop the terrorist groups attacks on Israel.

The strikes killed four people and injured 67 in a "near-final toll", a Houthi health ministry spokesperson said on X.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has said it will seek to buy two more Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tankers from the United States, as it invests in its fleet of in-flight refueling tankers, heavily utilized in the recent campaign against Iran, as well as for other long-range combat missions and domestic ones. While Israel has already committed to buying four KC-46s, it currently relies on a dwindling fleet of veteran Boeing 707 tankers. The 12-day war against Iran earlier this year, in particular, led to questions about Israeli Air Force (IAF) aerial refueling capacity, and the U.S. government was forced to deny that it had provided additional tanker support for the operation.

The fifth and sixth [KC-46] refueling aircraft will strengthen the IAF  the IDFs long-range strategic arm  enabling it to reach distant theaters with greater force and scope, said Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, director general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, earlier this week.

A Boeing rendering shows an Israeli Air Force KC-46 refueling an Advanced F-15 variant. Boeing

Baram was announcing re-equipment plans that also include additional armored vehicles and first-person-view (FPV) drones. The KC-46 acquisition is set to move forward once approval has been granted by Israels Defense Procurement Ministerial Committee. Valued at a reported $500 million, the tanker deal will be funded through U.S. financial aid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The new aircraft will be equipped with Israeli systems and adapted to the Israeli Air Forces operational requirements, the Israeli Ministry of Defense added.

Ido Nehushtan, president of Boeing Israel, told Breaking Defense that the company takes pride in its longstanding partnership with Israel, a relationship that dates back to the nations establishment. The KC-46A tanker aircraft will provide the worlds most advanced multi-mission aerial refueling capability to the IAF.

Back in 2020, the U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of eight KC-46As to Israel, with the entire package having an estimated price tag of $2.4 billion.

The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability, the U.S. Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said at the time. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A year later, Israel formally approved plans for its first order of KC-46s. Israel reportedly also inquired about whether it could take delivery of its first pair of KC-46s from a lot the U.S. Air Force had already contracted Boeing to build. This would allow the IAF to get these aircraft earlier than would otherwise be possible.

Finally, in 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Boeing a $930-million contract for the first four KC-46s for Israel, with deliveries due before the end of 2026.

Its unclear to what degree Israels procurement timeline for the KC-46 has been affected by the types well-publicized problems in U.S. service, but the move to increase the purchase signals confidence in the program and will be a boon for Boeing as it seeks further foreign sales for the type.

By the time the first IAF KC-46s arrive, they are expected to be fitted with the next-generation version of the critical Remote Vision System (RVS) that has proven so challenging to perfect. Ironically, the Israeli 707s that the KC-46 will replace have long used a locally developed RVS that has apparently proven very effective, and which you can read more about here and here.

A view of the RVS in the 707 Reem. IDF screencap

Meanwhile, theres no doubt that the IAF badly needs a successor for its 707 fleet, these aircraft being known locally as the Reem (oryx in Hebrew).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Todays Reem fleet first entered service in 1979, with then-newer 707-300 airframes replacing previous 707-100s. These aircraft were acquired from commercial airlines before being modified locally for aerial refueling. The conversion was done by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Additional airframes were acquired and upgraded to tankers as recently as the 2010s, but the most worn-out examples are already being retired.

An Israeli Air Force Boeing 707 tanker demonstrates refueling hookups with F-15 fighters over Hatzerim Air Base. JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

In addition to aerial refueling, the IAFs 707s have a critical role as a command-and-control station and communications node. The aircraft carries a satellite communications suite to provide critical, secure beyond-line-of-sight communications with appropriately equipped tactical aircraft like the F-15 and F-16, and command centers far away. This is also highly important for long-range strike operations. The reference to the KC-46 being fitted with Israeli systems and adapted to the Israeli Air Forces operational requirements may well be a reference to similar C2 and communications modifications.

As of today, Israel is understood to have no more than seven 707 tankers in service, with satellite imagery of Nevatim Airbase dating from late last year showing five examples visible there.

Five Israeli Air Force 707 tankers on the Nevatim Airbase flight line, as of December 2024. Google Earth

This means that the Reem is more valuable to the IAF than ever, especially for its long-range strike capabilities, a point underscored by recent Israeli operations in the Middle East.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As well as the campaign against Irans nuclear program, codenamed Operation Rising Lion, which involved round-trip flights of around 2,000 miles, the IAF has flown other high-profile long-range attacks against targets across the region, since Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, attack. This has included raids against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Footage From the Refueling Aircraft on the Way to Strike Houthi Military Targets in Yemen



The Israeli Air Force's refueling aircraft have been operating in all arenas in the war, providing fighter jets with flexibility in strikes and aerial operations at any distance.



Yesterday pic.twitter.com/o8TRNAtC8l  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) September 30, 2024

The demand for tanker capacity to support these operations, as well as other assignments and routine and training activities, led to speculation that the U.S. Air Force might be assisting Israel in this regard.

In the wake of the 12-day war with Iran, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a flat-out denial that it provided any such support for the IAF during the conflict.

A U.S. Air Force spokesperson stated the following in response to TWZs inquiry into the matter:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. Air Force routinely conducts training operations alongside allies and partners within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The Israeli Air Force routinely participates in these exercises and operations at various levels; however, U.S. aerial refueling platforms do not conduct in-flight refueling operations with the IAF.

An Israeli Air Force 707 tanker during refueling operations with F-35I fighters. Israeli Air Force

There are still claims that the U.S. did in fact provide some tanking during the 12-Day War. Regardless, provided the USAFs denial is fully accurate, it makes the IAFs ability to sustain a high tempo of operations and achieve significant effects over such great distances all the more remarkable.

Meanwhile, it remains undeniable that the U.S. military has an unmatched ability to provide Israel with tanking capacity, if there were a plan to do so. With KC-46 deliveries continuing, and with the Pegasus looking to be on track for further U.S. orders, under what has been termed the bridge tanker requirement, the aircraft is increasingly becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Forces tanker fleet.

With Israel now moving to grow its KC-46 orders, this should speed the process of retiring the fast-aging 707s and providing much-needed modernization for the Israeli Air Forces aerial refueling capacity.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
CAIRO (AP)  Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen s capital days after the Houthi rebels fired a missile toward Israel that its military described as the first cluster bomb the rebels had launched at it since 2023.

The Iranian-backed Houthis said multiple areas across Sanaa were hit on Sunday, while the Houthi-run health ministry said at least six people were killed and 86 others were wounded, seven of them in critical condition.

The rebels' Al-Masirah satellite television reported that a strike hit an oil facility owned by the country's main oil company, which is controlled by the rebels, and video on social media showed a fireball erupting at the plant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israels military said it struck the Asar oil facility and the Hizaz power plant, which it called a significant electricity supply facility for military activities, along with a military site where the presidential palace is located.

Sanaa residents told The Associated Press they heard explosions close to a closed military academy and the presidential palace. They saw plumes of smoke near Sabeen Square, a central gathering place in the capital.

The sounds of explosions were very strong, said Hussein Mohamed, who lives close to the presidential palace.

Ahmed al-Mekhlafy said he felt the sheer force of the strikes. The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered, he told the AP by phone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months, saying they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.

Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, vowed to continue attacks on Israel, writing on social media that our military operations supporting Gaza wont stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted."

The Israeli strikes were the first to hit Yemen since a week ago, when Israel said it targeted energy infrastructure it believed was used by the rebels.

The latest strikes follow the Houthis' claim of launching a newly equipped missile toward Israel on Friday, targeting the countrys largest airport, Ben Gurion. There was no reported damage or injuries. Israels military said it fragmented mid-air after several interception attempts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An Israeli Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, called Friday's projectile a new threat  a cluster munition, meant to detonate into multiple explosives on impact.

The use of cluster bombs makes interception more difficult and represents additional technology provided to the Houthis by Iran, the official asserted.

The official also said over 10 Israeli fighter jets carried out Sunday's strikes.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel continues to impose an air and naval blockade, without details. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised remarks that the rebel group is paying a heavy price for its aggression.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Houthi attacks over the past two years have upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of global goods passes each year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 commercial and naval ships with missiles and drones.

The rebels stopped the attacks during this year's brief ceasefire in Gaza and later became the target of a weekslong airstrike campaign ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In May, the United States announced a deal with the Houthis to end the airstrikes in return for an end to attacks on shipping, although the rebels said the agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel.

Last month, the Houthis said they would target merchant ships belonging to any company that does business with Israeli ports, regardless of nationality, as part of what they called a new phase of operations against Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In May, Israeli airstrikes hit the Sanaa airport in a rare daytime attack that destroyed the terminal and left craters in its runway. At least six passenger planes were hit, including three belonging to Yemenia Airways, according to airport authorities.

___

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Metz from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
An Israeli hospital that has achieved a breakthrough in cultivating kidneys in laboratories is seeking funding, including from China, to advance into clinical trials, according to the project's lead researcher.

Sheba Medical Centre, in collaboration with Tel Aviv University, said it had successfully grown a synthetic 3D organ culture, or organoid, that was the first to survive beyond 34 weeks, marking a significant milestone in regenerative medicine. Previous attempts had not exceeded four weeks, according to Benjamin Dekel, director of Sheba's paediatric nephrology unit and Stem Cell Research Institute.

The innovative potential of kidney organoids is substantial, according to Dekel. They allow researchers to model kidney diseases, facilitating a better understanding of their underlying mechanisms and enabling timely interventions. Furthermore, drug tests can be conducted on human-like kidney organoids instead of relying solely on lab tests performed on mice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"I'm very, very optimistic about the path forward," Dekel said. "It doesn't involve cell transplantation, [but rather] the molecules [the organoid] secretes." The biomolecule secretions possess properties that could help repair injured kidneys, he added.

Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Handout alt=Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Handout>

Dekel is now focused on translating lab success into medical treatments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"While we are making significant progress in understanding how these cells repair injured kidneys, translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications takes time," he said.

"Once we have a clear understanding of which cells to use, the biomolecules they secrete, and how they aid in kidney repair in adults, we can begin moving towards clinical translation."

Dekel recently returned from Beijing, where he delivered a talk titled "urine is gold" at the Institute for Regenerative Biology and Medicine under the Chinese Institute for Medical Research. He addressed potential solutions for chronic kidney disease, including an introduction to kidney organoid science for disease modelling.

When asked about potential collaborations with China, Dekel said, "We have a huge interest in Chinese and Hong Kong biotech companies, and I also think they have an interest in tackling problems such as chronic kidney diseases. We are open to commercialisation."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I'm a translational scientist, but I see that if you want to bring it to the clinical phases, you need commercial money and you need the big bucks," said Dekel.

A study published in the Clinical Kidney Journal found that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in China rose significantly from 6.7 per cent in 1990 to 10.6 per cent in 2019, totalling 150.5 million cases.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Israeli military has bombed the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Israeli and Yemeni officials say, as tensions in the region continue to escalate amid Israels war on Gaza.

The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV said the attack on Sunday targeted an oil facility and a power plant in Sanaa. Israel said it also targeted a presidential palace in the Yemeni capital, which it claimed is located on a military complex.

At least 10 people were killed and 92 others were injured in the attacks, according to health officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This crime adds to the series and criminal record of the Zionist enemy and to the systematic violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces against civilians and civilian objects in our Arab and Islamic nation, Yemens health ministry said in a statement on Monday.

These attacks constitute war crimes, as they directly targeted civilians and caused casualties, in addition to the destruction of civilian facilities unrelated to military objectives.

(Al Jazeera)

The Israeli strikes came two days after the Houthis claimed a missile launch against Israel  part of a campaign that the Yemeni group says aims to pressure Israel to end its atrocities and siege in Gaza.

The attacks were carried out in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the state of Israel and its citizens, including the launch of surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles towards the countrys territory, the Israeli military said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al Masirah cited a Houthi military official as saying that the groups air defences were able to neutralise most of the Israeli enemy aircraft participating in the aggression and forced them to leave.

Following the attack, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz: Today we bombed the presidential palace of the Houthis. For every missile they fire at Israel, the Houthis will pay compound interest.

Katz vowed to bring a plague of darkness and gloom upon Yemen, even threatening to target its firstborns quoting from Jewish scripture.

His comments follow previous statements by Israeli officials calling for the total destruction of Palestinians and describing them as the biblical people of Amalek.





Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed plumes of fire and smoke rising above Sanaa after the Israeli strikes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Houthis were quick to reiterate on Sunday that the Israeli attacks will not deter the groups military operations in support of Palestinians.

The Israeli aggression against Yemen will not discourage us from continuing our support for Gaza, no matter the sacrifices, Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said in a statement.

The issue is settled for us: either eternity in heaven or eternity in hell.

Abed al-Thawr, an official in the Houthi Defence Ministry, said Israels claims that it attacked military targets on Sunday are lies. He said Israel bombed civilian infrastructure to make Yemenis suffer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al-Thawr told Al Jazeera that the presidential palace hit on Sunday has long been deserted. So, what Israel is doing is barbarism, he said.

The Houthi-dominated Government of Change and Reconstruction in Sanaa also called the Israeli attack a war crime that aims to hurt Yemenis and create a fake victory by showing columns of smoke above Sanaa.

The aggression proves that the Israeli enemy, with American support, is waging an open war against the Arab and Muslim nation, it said in a statement.





Hamas also condemned the Israeli strikes on Yemen, calling them a blatant violation of Arab sovereignty and international law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian group said Israels fascist aggression was aimed at deterring Yemen from backing Palestinians.

Hamas praised the Houthis stance, describing it as courageous, and called on all Arab and Muslim countries, and all free forces to join what it called a collective effort to end the occupation.

Israel has been bombing Yemeni power plants and ports for a month. But Sundays attack came shortly after the Israeli navy struck a power station in Sanaa last week.

On Friday, the Houthis said they launched a hypersonic missile and two drones at Israel, vowing to stand with Palestinians until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted.
Within this total, the biggest shortage is in central Israel, with a shortage of 726 teachers, followed by Tel Aviv at 467, and then southern Israel at 145.

Israels education system faces a staff shortage of 1,539 teachers ahead of the upcoming 2025 school year, Education Ministry statistics on Sunday revealed.

As of this Sunday, the shortage of teaching staff stands at 1,539 teachers out of a potential pool of approximately 200,000 educators in the entire system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Within this total, the biggest shortage falls in central Israel, with a shortage of 726 teachers, followed by Tel Aviv at 467, and then southern Israel at 145.

In Jerusalem, there is a shortage of 64 teachers; in the West Bank, 56; in Haifa, 55; and in northern Israel, 26.

The Education Ministrys data only refers to school teachers and does not include kindergarten teachers, counselors, or special education staff.

Children head back to school in Katzrin after closures caused by the IsraelIran conflict, June 25, 2025. (credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)

The ministry said it was in the process of collaborating with school principals and regional recruitment centers for mapping and placement efforts.

Efforts to reduce the teaching shortage include expanding the employment of retirees, retraining academic graduates, regional reinforcements, and targeted placement in needed subjects.

Previous warnings that school year opening would be delayed

Earlier in August, Education Minister Yoav Kisch (Likud) warned that the start of the upcoming school year may be delayed due to unresolved funding issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While speaking at the Knessets Education Committee meeting, Kisch underscored that the budget issues stemmed from the Finance Ministry and National Security Ministry not having finalized funding for school security.

Without providing security for educational institutions, we will not begin the school year, Kisch said at the meeting.

Keshet Neev contributed to this report.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM)  An Ithaca man was arrested for attempted murder following an investigation into a stabbing that took place at the beginning of June in the City of Ithaca, according to a release from the Ithaca Police Department (IPD).

Nazir Chisolm, 20, of Ithaca, was arrested on the charge of attempted murder, the release stated.

Chilsoms charge stems from an investigation into an incident that occurred on Thursday, June 12, around 9:45 p.m., where officers were called to reports of an altercation at the 300 block of West Green Street, the release explained. When officers got to the scene, they found a person with stab wounds, the release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Colorado man arrested in South Dakota after making bomb threats toward Epiphany School in Sayre

Medical attention was immediately provided on scene by members from the Ithaca Fire Department to the person with stab wounds, the release stated. The person was then taken to a regional trauma center for further treatment, the release noted.

Through further investigation, Chilsolm was declared to be the individual who committed the crime, the release said.

Chilsom was then found and arrested in Maryville, Tennessee, with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Blount County Sheriffs Office, and was handed over to officers from IPD on Friday, Aug 22, the release said. IPD officers then took Chilsom back to Ithaca, where he will face his charge, the release explained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chilsom was processed in court and is currently being held at the Tompkins County Jail, awaiting further court action, the release noted.

Anyone with information that could help officers in the investigation is asked to contact the IPD by any of the following means:

Dispatch: 607-272-3245

Administration: 607-272-9973

Tipline: 607-330-0000

Anonymous Email Tipline: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
It wasnt long ago that the death of an important figure among the Christian right would have been big national news. These were people held in high esteem by the political establishment, credited with electing Republican politicians to high office and protecting the nations moral character. But when the Family Research Councils Dr. James C. Dobson  one of religious rights most influential figures  died last week, it wasnt much of a story, even in right-wing media.

You would think conservatives would have at least given him a proper memorial. After all, President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement would never have come to power without Dobson and others like him. But now that they have a full-fledged demagogue and cult leader running the country, it appears the American right is no longer interested in conservative Christian leaders of yesteryear.

Charismatic preachers with devoted followers have long been a mainstay of American life. Its one of our defining characteristics. But there was a time when their importance, along with the activists who peddled their ideas, rivaled those of politicians themselves. Billy Graham and his crusades, Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network, and Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority were, among others, prominent figures in the conservative movement and helped shape American politics for more than 50 years. But Dobson was one of the most instrumental  and effective  of those leaders in cultivating the culture war we are still dealing with today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dobson grew up in the fundamentalist Church of the Nazarene, one of those extremely conservative evangelical faiths that dont allow dancing or dating, and remained a devoted adherent his entire life. But he was an ambitious type who saw the possibilities of combining his Christian faith with something a bit more modern: The field of psychology. This led him to earn a PhD from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he went on to serve as a professor for over a decade. But he came to national prominence in 1970 with the publication of his book Dare to Discipline.

The timing was propitious. Baby boomers were charging through American society at warp speed, challenging the prevailing morals and mores  and terrifying large numbers of Americans, who felt that the fabric of the nation was unraveling. His book was little more than a permission slip for corporal punishment, something a good many people believed was sorely lacking in the homes and the schools of all those young people with their long hair, loud music and fragrant pot. Dare to Discipline was a big hit, and its sequel, The Strong-Willed Child, was even bigger.

Dobson believed children to be little performers who manipulate adults and need to be tamed. It wasnt enough, he thought, to simply spank them; they had to be spanked until they lost their will to protest. In The Strong-Willed Child there is a very famous and horrific description of his beating of the family dachshund named Siggy (for Sigmund Freud) when he refused to go into his crate:

I had seen this defiant mood before and knew there was only one way to deal with it. The only way to make Siggie obey is to threaten him with destruction. Nothing else works. I turned and went to my closet and got a small belt to help me reason with Mr. FreudI hit him again and he tried to bite meThat tiny dog and I had the most vicious fight ever staged between man and beast. I fought him up one wall and down the other, with both of us scratching and clawing and growling and swinging the belt.

This was how the great conservative Christian psychologist recommended people behave toward the innocent people and creatures who depended upon them. It was truly sick stuff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dobson entered the political scene around the same time as Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority, in the late 1970s. His schtick, though, was a little different. While Dobson was a far-right evangelical, he wasnt a preacher. His fame as an author was such that he was soon ready to get into media full-time, and he started Focus on the Family as a parachurch organization that openly combined his family psychology practice with evangelical religion and politics. Dobsons radio show was heard daily on stations all over the country and it tilled the ground for what later became right-wing hate radio. Many years before Rush Limbaugh became a household name, James Dobson was spewing patriarchal vitriol across Americas airwaves.

He pushed creationism, religious home schooling, anti-pornography and gambling  the whole wish list of the Christian right. But he spent most of his energy excoriating LGBTQ people and feminists, particularly those who advocated for abortion rights. Over the years, his show became more and more explicitly partisan as Republicans embraced the Christian right as their most important organizing faction. Millions of people heard Dobsons call.

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.

During the 1980s, along with a couple of other conservative psychologists, he created the Family Research Council to be a sort of evangelical think tank that would write and recommend public policy, steeped in Christian fundamentalist values, to Republican candidates and elected officials. By the 2000s Dobson was a kingmaker in the GOP and was feted by every Republican politician who coveted his endorsement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An entire generation of conservatives grew up in households that were under the influence of Dobson and his beliefs. Day after day, they heard him on the radio and were indoctrinated into the hard-right culture war mentality that still pervades the Republican Party.

But todays Christian right has been usurped by Trump and his MAGA believers, a quasi-religious cult of personality devoted to the president. Dobson himself became an enthusiastic supporter. Sure, many MAGA voters still consider themselves to be Christians, and some no doubt attend church. But they have shown remarkable flexibility when it comes to the morality of their new leader, and while their culture war continues, its not explicitly religious anymore. Now its all about fighting the woke left, which refers to the same enemies  LGBTQ people and feminists mostly, along with Black and brown people who simply want to acknowledge their presence in American society  as before. Except for a few lone holdouts like House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sounds like a voice from the past when he brings it up, these days theres nary a peep about the Bible in GOP politics. Then again, how can there be with such a mendacious, felonious, libertine as their standard bearer?

James Dobson spent many years at the pinnacle of social power and political influence in America. He lived to see Roe v. Wade overturned in 2022, which would have made him happy, and the right still hates the same people he hated, so there was probably some satisfaction in that. But on his death, the religious right was no longer the political powerhouse that it was during his heyday. Trump is now the GOPs messiah  and Christian leaders like Dobson paved the way for his ascension. You have to wonder if, at the end of his life, Dobson realized whose work he had really been doing all those years.

The post James Dobson ignited the culture wars  and changed US politics appeared first on Salon.com.
Vice President JD Vance fumbled some very textbook facts of world history while talking foreign policy on Sundays Meet the Press.

During the interview, the Yale Law School alum defended President Donald Trumps decision to entertain Russias terms for a peace deal with Ukraine by claiming all wars end in compromise.

Related: Jasmine Crockett Asks MAGA 1 Question On GOP Future And Gets A Shocking Answer

Asked by host Kristen Welker if forcing Ukraine to cede its Donbas region would signal Russia, or other world powers, could skirt the consequences of illegal land grabs, he said, If you go back to World War II, if you go back to World War I, if you go back to every major conflict in human history, they all end with some kind of negotiation.

Vances examples were flat wrong.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

World War II ended with the unconditional surrender of Germany and Japan in 1945, two years after Italys fascist regime folded.

By then, Germanys industrial centers had been decimated and Adolf Hitler had killed himself in a bunker beneath Berlin. Japan yielded after the Allies deployed a pair of nuclear bombs, killing hundreds of thousands.

World War I technically concluded with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, but at that point Germany was already defeated, having lost the Western Front and its kaiser, and had virtually no leverage at the negotiating table.

Related: JD Vance Names Exact Moment Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Went 'Off The Rails'

The agreement left Germany owing the Allies billions, limited its military to a mere 100,000 men, and forced it to cede 10% of its European territory as well as all its colonies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Elsewhere during the conversation, Vance tried to claim that Russia had made significant concessions, like generously agreeing not to install a puppet regime in Kyiv and (maybe) promising not to invade again in the future.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Vice President JD Vance is defending the federal government's investigation into former national security adviser John Bolton, as Democrats slam the FBI's search of his home last Friday as a politically targeted attack.

But Vance also made it clear he couldn't say what Bolton might have done.

"I'll let the FBI speak to that," Vance told NBC's Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday on "Meet the Press." "Classified documents are certainly part of it. But I think that there's a broad concern about, about Ambassador Bolton. They're going to look into it. And like I said, if there's no crime here, we're not going to prosecute it."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bolton, who served as Trump's top national security official for 17 months during the president's first term before parting ways in September 2019, emerged as a key critic of the president in recent years. The two sides clashed over a tell-all memoir Bolton published in 2020, which the Trump administration Department of Justice sued to block due to his purported use of classified material.

The acrimony has only increased. "There will be celebrations in the Kremlin" if Trump is elected, Bolton told MSNBC's Jen Psaki during the presidential campaign last February. More recently, he panned a proposal by the president to end the war in Ukraine and told POLITICO that Trump "thinks he and Putin are friends."

Trump, in turn, ended Bolton's government security detail  granted to protect from an assassination threat by Iran  just after returning to the White House in January. He also revoked Bolton's security clearance, specifically calling out the memoir.

And he called his former adviser "a real sort of a low life" when asked about the FBI search on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The investigation has drawn the attention of yet another Trump rival also facing legal scrutiny from the president's Justice Department. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told Welker in an interview airing Sunday that the investigation "is clearly retribution."

"What the president is trying to do here is very systemic and systematic, and that is anyone who stands up to the president  anyone who criticizes the president, anyone who says anything adverse to the president's interests  gets the full weight of the federal government brought down on them," Schiff told Welker. "So if you're John Bolton, you get your home seized."

But Vance insisted that the FBI's investigation was legitimate and free of any political interference.

"If there is a crime here, of course, Ambassador Bolton will get his day in court," Vance said. "That's how it should be. But again, our focus here is on did he break the law? Did he commit crimes against the American people? If so, then he deserves to be prosecuted."
US Vice President JD Vance has said he hopes that Russias war against Ukraine can be ended within six months, "hopefully not beyond" that.

Source: Vance in an interview with NBC, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Vance said he is optimistic about US President Donald Trumps "energetic diplomacy".

Quote: "We have a president who is engaging in energetic diplomacy to try to stop the killing. Thats as it should be, I think the American people should be proud of it, and whatever the outcome of this is, whether the war ends in three months or six months, or hopefully not beyond  but maybe we should be proud that we have a president who is trying to stop the killing."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Vance acknowledged, however, that there are "hills and valleys" in negotiations.

Quote: "We sometimes feel like weve made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, hes been very frustrated with the Russians. And were going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close; I dont think its going to happen overnight."

More details: Vance added that whether the killing stops will depend on whether the Russians and Ukrainians can find some middle ground.

Background:

In recent days, Western countries have once again intensified discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine, which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said will consist of two levels.

European officials are also discussing a plan to send British and French military personnel to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement. Around 10 countries are ready to provide troops.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Ghislaine Maxwell has cast doubts about the way and manner in which her former associate Jeffrey Epstein died.

The disgraced financier died by suicide in a New York federal prison in 2019, but Maxwell thinks it was due to an "internal situation" in prison.

The Donald Trump administration continues to receive so much heat about how they're handling the situation, especially after his former ally, Elon Musk, claimed that the president was on the Epstein list.

Ghislaine Maxwell Thinks Jeffrey Epstein Died Due To An 'Internal Situation'

US DOJ/ MEGA

Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell has broken her silence on the controversies surrounding the death of the disgraced financier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Friday, August 22, the Department of Justice released 300 pages of transcripts and audio recordings of Maxwell's conversation with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, where she voiced her disbelief that her late confidante died by suicide.

Maxwell's meeting with Blanche happened in July over the course of 2 days, with both of them discussing her knowledge about Epstein's crimes as well as her opinion about his death.

Maxwell speculated that an "internal situation" within the correctional facility was to blame for his death.

"In prison, where I am, they will kill you, or they will pay  somebody can pay a prisoner to kill you for $25 worth of commissary," Maxwell said, per People Magazine. "That's about the going rate for a hit with a lock today."

Ghislaine Maxwell Says It's Possible Someone On The Outside Wanted Him Dead

DCJS/MEGA

Maxwell, who's currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking ring, was then asked if she thought somebody on the outside would have wanted Epstein's death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She noted that while it is "of course" possible, she didn't "see it" happening.

"But I don't know of any reason why, and I don't believe in the blackmail or in any of this, I don't think Epstein had a hit on like that," she continued. "If it is indeed murder, I believe it was an internal situation."

Questions have been raised about the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death over the years.

However, Maxwell noted that she didn't have any firsthand information about the possibility that someone had Epstein killed to "silence" him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I do not have any reason to believe that," she said.

"And I also think it's ludicrous, because if that  I also happen to think if that is what they wanted, they would've had plenty of opportunity when he wasn't in jail," Maxwell further explained. "And if they were worried about blackmail or anything from him, he would've been a very easy target."

The Convicted Sex Offender's Jailhouse Changed

PLF/Capital Pictures / MEGA

The recent development comes after the convicted child sex trafficker was moved into a minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas. She was handed a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of procuring minors for Epstein to abuse.

Maxwell had been serving her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee in Florida, after which she was moved to the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan, a minimum-security facility for women in Bryan, Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the website of the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), FPC Bryan is described as a facility with "dormitory housing, a relatively low staff-to-inmate ratio, and limited or no perimeter fencing," as opposed to the "double-fenced perimeters" at FCI Tallahassee.

According to People Magazine, a spokesperson didn't comment on the reason why she was moved but said that custody status is determined by "the level of security and supervision the inmate requires, any medical or programming needs, separation, security measures to ensure the individual's protection, and other considerations, including proximity to the individual's release residence."

Ghislaine Maxwell Claims Jeffrey Epstein And Donald Trump Were Only 'Friendly'

MEGA

Elsewhere in the transcript, Maxwell noted that she never saw Trump and Epstein in a compromising situation amid the backlash that has trailed the president's administration about the way they're handling the case.

There have been increased calls from the public for Trump's administration to release the document about the case, which purportedly has names linked to the late offender, with the pair having links to the same social circle back in the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, Maxwell spoke glowingly of the president in her chat with Blanche, calling him a "gentleman in all respects" and describing him as "friendly" with Epstein, even though she didn't know how they met.

Epstein's Right-Hand Woman Emphasized That Trump 'Never Inappropriate With Anybody'

MEGA

Maxwell seemingly stressed that Trump was never "inappropriate" with people during the times she encountered the billionaire.

"I certainly saw them together, and I remember the few times I observed them together, but they were friendly," she said. "I mean, they seemed friendly."

She noted that she only saw both of them in a social setting, not in private settings.

"I actually never saw the president in any type of massage setting," Maxwell said. "I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects."
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday slammed President Donald Trump's statement that he might deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, as the White House flexes federal power in the name of fighting crime.

"We should continue to support local law enforcement and not simply allow Donald Trump to play games with the lives of the American people as part of his effort to manufacture a crisis and create a distraction because he's deeply unpopular," Jeffries told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union."

Trump told reporters last Friday he was weighing sending troops to Chicago and New York, after federalizing Washington's police department and bringing in the National Guard in mid-August.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Almost immediately, Illinois Democrats responded with force.

"An authoritarian power grab of major cities," Gov. JB Pritzker called the move in a Friday post on X, placing it as the sole item on a list of "things People are NOT begging for" and needling Trump for his administration's handling of the Epstein files. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said on X that deploying the national guard could "inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement" and "threaten to undermine the historic progress we have made" in fighting crime.

Democrats are skeptical of the president's motivations, since crime in major cities  including Chicago  has been on a notable decline since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Guard troops detailed to the nation's capital were authorized to carry service-issue weapons last week, and several Republican states have sent their own National Guard members to join the ones already dispatched to D.C. The Washington deployment will continue "for a while," Trump said Thursday, even though nearly 80 percent of residents told a poll they oppose the president's actions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jeffries pushed back on the notion that Democrats' opposition to Trump's national guard deployments meant the party isn't serious about maintaining law and order, and accused the president of "exacerbating" the national mental health crisis that has contributed to violence.

"As Democrats, we want safer communities," he told Bash. "We want to continue to make sure that crime can go down as it's doing in Chicago, in New York, in Washington, D.C., and other places. And to do that, we should support local law enforcement. We should make sure that the flood of guns into these communities is cut off."
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch demurred Saturday when asked if shed run for mayor in four years.

Im not a politician. Im a public servant, said Tisch, 44, who received a rousing welcome from the roughly 100 people at the Southampton hotspot 75 Main, per an attendee who called her reception tremendous.

People think shes doing a terrific job as police commissioner, the source said.

When asked whether she will run for NYC mayor in four years, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said shes not a politician, Im a public servant. Obtained by NY Post

The commissioner, who was introduced at the breakfast by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, spoke for nearly 30 minutes minutes and touched on a range of Gotham-centric topics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said she opposed President Trump bringing in the National Guard or troops to patrol New York City.

Violent crime is at record lows, Tisch said as she cited Gothams low murder rate this year, among other stats.

At the breakfast on Saturday, Tisch also said she opposed President Trump bringing in the National Guard or troops to patrol New York City. Stephen Yang for the New York Post

The NYPD is the best police department, the best trained, she added.

She said some rhetoric at protests is disgusting and deeply offensive but added that the NYPD has to respect freedom of speech.

And she said she loves her job as police commissioner as she did her prior stint as commissioner of the Department of Sanitation.

The roughly 100 attendees were either backers of former Governor Andrew Cuomo or Mayor Eric Adams, but mostly had frontrunner Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani on their mind.

People are grappling with how to deal with Mamdani, the source said.

The breakfast series is co-hosted by WABC radio owner and grocery mogul John Catsimatidis

Her father, James Tisch, also attended.
Aug. 23Jimmie Glenn Jimmie Wayne "The Colonel" Glenn, 84, beloved son, brother, husband, father and mentor was called to his eternal resting place on August 18, 2025. He was born to Jim and Alice (Gore) Glenn in Cotton Center, TX. Graduating from Midland High School in Midland, TX, he set out for Albuquerque, NM to attend the University of New Mexico. Upon graduating with his Bachelor's degree he then enlisted in what he considered to be most elite branch of the United States military-THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORP!! He served in Vietnam and several other conflicts. After an illustrious 38-year career in the USMC he retired with the full rank as Colonel. In addition to his distinguished military career, he served as an elected New Mexico State Corporation Commissioner. When his term ended as State Corporation Commissioner he then went on to serve as the President of the New Mexico Retail Association. He loved driving through the mountains of New Mexico, enjoying the vibrant colors of fall. Among other things that he loved doing was being able to talk with people and help others whenever he could. It did not matter if it was just having a cup of coffee with a fellow vet, donating to someone in need or to an organization such as the Simper Fi Foundation. He is survived by his wife Phyllis Smith-Glenn, daughter Chamaigne (Brian) Scamman, son Shannon Glenn, son Jeff (Karen) Connors, brother Bobby Glenn, sisters Dell (John) Sloman and Elaine Wingfield; his grandchildren Emily (Joe) Castaneda and Spencer Scamman and many nieces, nephews, friends, and family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Dickie Glenn and Tommy Glenn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made "In Memory of Col. Jimmie Glenn, USMC" to the Semper Fi and America's Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside CA 92057, or online at TheFund.org. A celebration of life will be held at The El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque, on August 31, 2025, from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m. where family and friends will be sharing their "Jimmie/The Colonel" stories and memories. OORAH!! Simper Fi!
This is what happens when we elect a man without a moral center to be president of the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump had the red carpet rolled out for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin has been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court  and for that reason rarely travels outside his country to visit anywhere other than authoritarian regimes.

That Putin has been charged with such crimes seemed not to trouble the U.S. president at all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Perhaps that is not surprising, given that Trump himself was convicted on 34 felony counts by a jury of his peers not long before he returned to the White House.

That did not seem to bother 49.85% of the voting public.

Nor was the fact that he was out on bail in four different jurisdictions when he was reelected president a deal breaker for his supporters.

This absence of any sort of moral consideration, much less moral calculation, largely explains why Trump thought it acceptable for a president of the United States to publicly embrace a tyrant who launched an unprovoked war on a much smaller neighbor and has spent more than three years slaughtering women and children in that country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its clear that the U.S. president wants to translate Russias unjust war into terms he, a supposed real-estate magnate, can understand.

He, like Putin, wants to make the war about land, not about the people living on that land. Trump does not want to talk about children who have been slaughtered outright, orphaned or abducted and transported to Russia without their parents.

Instead, he wants to focus on having Ukraine surrender some of its land to the invader, turning fundamental questions of good and evil into a real-estate transaction.

That doing so will only encourage a war criminal such as Putin to attempt other such land grabs with similar losses of human life does not seem to occur to Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because the U.S. president lacks a moral center.

This is also why he had a fixation on whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wore a suit for meetings in the Oval Office. Rather than focusing on the moral or human implications of the war in Ukraine, Trump turns every occasion or exchange into an episode about him and how he is perceived.

In 2018, Trump famously chided now Gov. Mike Braun  then on his way to the U.S. Senate  for wearing a blue dress shirt to a joint appearance here in Indiana.

Trump thought Brauns more casual appearance indicated disrespect.

He either didnt know or didnt care that Braun had made the blue button down a symbol of his campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats because he made the appearance about him, rather than about winning a seat in the Senate.

Similarly, when Zelenskyy and other European leaders came to meet with Trump following the presidents obsequious meeting with Putin, Trumps attention wasnt on figuring out how to end the brutal loss of life in Ukraine and restore both peace and justice in that troubled land.

No, once again it was on Zelenskyys attire.

If Trump knows or cares that Zelenskyy dresses the way he does as a show of solidarity with his suffering troops and people, the American president never shows it.

Such displays of empathetic understanding seem beyond him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because the U.S. president lacks a moral center.

He can prostrate himself before and embrace a murderous thug like Putin while chiding a genuine patriot such as Zelenskyy because fundamental questions of right and wrong are beyond this presidents comprehension.

Everything is filtered through the warping, altering prism of his own rapacious need for self-aggrandizement.

Putin is willing to disingenuously flatter Trump, so the U.S. president kowtows to him  even if it means violating sacred American principles in the process.

Zelenskyy speaks honestly to the U.S. president about the evils of Russias homicidal invasion and is treated with scant respect by Trump, even though the Ukrainian president is leading his nation in an uphill fight in the preservation of values Americans once held dear.

Trump can and does betray both a brave people fighting to govern themselves and core American beliefs without a second thought.

Because the U.S. president lacks a moral center.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Washington County/Johnson City Emergency Management Agency reported flooding in the Hales Chapel and Oak Grove areas following flash flooding in the area.

The agency said in a social media post that at least two homes are flooded and that residents were escorted to safety. No injuries were reported.

According to the post, the Red Cross is providing support to those impacted by the flooding. The agency said it is keeping in close contact with TEMA.

Stay weather aware and have a plan for your family. Remember: Turn Around, Dont Drown  never drive through flooded roads! Call 911 only for emergencies. Washington County/Johnson City Emergency Management Agency

More rain will be possible as the weather continues through the night. Click here for Storm Team 11s latest update.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
The state of Kansas invests more than $60 million annually to hire contract nursing staff to work at state psychiatric hospitals in Larned and Osawatomie, but the financial boost hasnt closed job vacancy gaps exceeding 33% at both facilities.

Kansas legislators on a special committee exploring contract nursing recently shared disappointment with results of years of stopgap appropriations to hire temporary nurses provided by private companies. The state also has devoted resources to raising salaries and providing bonuses to encourage state-employed nurses to remain at the hospitals.

Lawmakers expressed skepticism Kansas would ever have enough people to fill vacancies at state hospitals serving involuntarily committed or criminally charged individuals with mental health issues, as well as sexually violent offenders detained at Larned after serving prison sentences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In my experience, were not going to build this staff to take care of the number of people that are out there right now, said Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican who chairs the Legislatures interim health committee. Prove me wrong, because I want to be wrong.

Carpenter suggested consideration be given to transferring about 100 patients from Larned to other locations so staffing levels could be sustained without contract nurses. In 2027, Kansas is scheduled to open a new 104-bed state psychiatric hospital in Sedgwick County.

Expenditures at Larned State Hospital for nursing contract labor increased from $5.9 million in 2019 to $8.6 million in 2021, $43.1 million in 2023 and $46 million in 2025. At Osawatomie State Hospital, contract costs surged from $233,000 in 2019 to $3.2 million in 2021, $16 million in 2023 and $15.4 million in 2025. The job vacancy rate at Osawatomie stood at 35.5%, while the rate at Larned was 33.5%.

Ive been incredibly disappointed on how thats worked, Carpenter said.

Contract labor not answer

Scott Brunner, deputy secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said the agency used state tax dollars to bring in dozens of registered nurses and licensed practice nurses to care for patients who generally had complex medical needs. Some require one-on-one care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To keep our bed count open at the levels that they are, he said, we have to have enough staff to make sure patients are safe.

He said the starting salary for a registered nurse at the state hospitals was about $40 per hour. The state paid companies providing contract registered nurses $90 to $100 per hour to take on the same responsibilities, with the nurse receiving approximately two-thirds of the total.

We certainly dont think contract labor is a solution, Brunner said. Its a way of addressing the need to keep beds open and keep patients moving through the system.

He recommended the Legislature pass House Bill 2237, which is hung up in the Senate, to place in state law the ability of state agencies to award employee bonuses in amounts up to $10,000 per year. He urged lawmakers to keep funding cost-of-living and market-rate adjustments to salaries so state hospitals could compete with the private sector for labor. The existing budget for contract nurses needs to be sustained, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In addition, Brunner suggested the state expand college scholarships for nurses, consider providing nursing students with financial support in exchange for post-graduation employment agreements and provide training opportunities for experienced nurses to advance their careers.

Increase the salaries

Ashley Byram, superintendent of the Osawatomie hospital, said only half of the facilitys RNs, LPNs and mental health technicians were state employees.

Heres the split between state employee and agency contract workers at Osawatomie: RNs, 16 state and 16 private; LPNs, three state and 13 private; and mental health techs, 39 state and 33 private.

She said Osawatomie contract nurses were asked what it would take for them to accept state employment. The nurses werent interested in signing bonuses or housing allowances, she said, but were keen to earn salaries of at least $50 per hour. The average RN at Osawatomie has been paid $44 per hour, or $59 per hour when benefits were included.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I would increase the salaries, Byram said. Its the current wage gap between agency and state positions that is our primary obstacle.

If the Legislature prohibited payment of contract nurses to staff the Osawatomie hospital, she said, the facility had enough nurses to make use of 43 beds. She said 116 beds at Osawatomie would be closed if contract nurses were removed and replacements werent hired.

Lindsey Topps, superintendent at Larned, said the hospital averaged 400 patients with more than half the total in a sexual predator treatment program.

We have, I say, no fat on campus, Topps said. Weve maximized the amount of residents or patients to the RNs and LPNs in order to provide safe and good patient care as well as follow the regulations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Here is the breakdown between state employees and contract laborers at Larned: Registered nurses, 17 state and 38 private; LPNs, nine state and 27 private; mental health workers or CNAs, 194 state and 179 private.

Topps said debate by the Legislature about reducing contract nursing labor should take into consideration the aggressive, disruptive, suicidal and homicidal conduct of people at Larned. She said most community-based health facilities didnt have the staff or facilities to deal with individuals who ended up at the state hospital.

We have some of the most severe mentally ill individuals in the state of Kansas, Topps said.

Its not translating

During the 2025 legislative session, the House and Senate didnt approve financing for new spending on contract nursing at the two state hospitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sometimes we set aside money because that feels good and we think thats going to to do something, said Sen. Beverly Gossage, a Republican from Eudora.

Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, said the state had a handful of initiatives designed to develop a Kansas pipeline of nurses who could fill jobs at state hospitals. She said the state spent millions of dollars so 2,700 high school students could take courses required to become a certified nursing assistant. She said only one-third of those students became CNAs.

Were paying to fill that pipeline, but its not translating, she said. It doesnt appear like (its) actually reducing the demand and getting to the root of the problem. It doesnt seem to be making the impact it should or we would hope it should.

This story was originally published by the Kansas Reflector.
Shane Schaffer, the chief executive officer of the Kansas City, Kansas-based pharmaceutical company Cingulate, is on leave after he was accused of strangling and hitting a woman he was in a relationship with earlier this month, newly-released court documents show.

Schaffer, 51, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a felony, in Johnson County District Court for the Aug. 9 incident.

The accusations from earlier this month mirror those made in another alleged domestic violence incident in September last year involving the same woman. That matter also resulted in an aggravated domestic battery charge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As part of a plea agreement, in January, Schaffer pleaded no contest to a count of endangering, a misdemeanor, and a judge placed him on probation for one year. Following the new charge this month, he has posted a $7,500 bond for an alleged probation violation and a $50,000 bond for the new battery charge, according to court records.

Cingulates board said Aug. 15 it was placing Schaffer, the companys chairman and CEO, on administrative leave in connection with ongoing legal matters unrelated to the company and its operations.

The companys chief financial officer, Jennifer Callahan, was named as interim CEO, and board member Jay Roberts was appointed executive chairman.

Aug. 9 incident

Prairie Village police officers were called to a home Aug. 9 on a domestic disturbance call involving Schaffer and the woman, who allegedly told police Schaffer choked and hit her, according to a probable cause affidavit released to The Star.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Schaffer, who had lacerations on his forearms, face and neck, allegedly told police he got into a verbal and physical altercation with the woman, police said.

He said earlier in the evening, the two had been at a bar before they left separately. He got home around midnight, and when she arrived, she began to yell at him and scratch him, he said. He said she left on her own and told him she was going to tell the neighbors.

He showed an officer some video from a security camera in which the woman could be seen on the front porch telling him he was a Psycho Larry (expletive) Junior for slapping and punching her, according to court documents.

The woman could be heard on the video saying, Im gonna go tell them, because you (expletive) hit me for no reason, a police corporal wrote in the affidavit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Schaffer later declined to show police other clips, according to court documents.

The woman alleged Schaffer followed her outside and dragged her back inside the house.

Once inside the house he put her on the couch and began strangling her with one hand while hitting her with the other, the corporal wrote, relaying the womans account of the incident. She said that this lasted for about a minute and at one point he told her, I will snap your neck and kill you. She stated she was able to get him off by kicking him and running out the door.

The woman declined medical attention, police said.

Schaffers attorney, Brandan Davies, didnt respond to a request for comment Friday. Previously, he told The Star Schaffer had done nothing wrong.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We trust that the justice system will work in this case and ultimately the truth will come to light, he said previously.

September 2024

In the Sept. 23, 2024, incident, police were called after the woman ran shirtless to a neighbors residence with her head covered in blood, according to a probable cause affidavit.

She told police that while she and Schaffer were driving back from the airport earlier, he became agitated and shoved her head into the glass and struck her repeatedly, according to court documents. An argument continued at the house, and the woman alleged Schaffer struck her multiple times in the face and abdomen.

She said she fought back and scratched at Schaffer, leaving marks on his face and arms. At one point, she fell down some stairs and injured herself further, according to court documents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When she told Schaffer she was leaving, ...he told her she wasnt going anywhere and grabbed her by the shirt, which she pulled out of before running out of the house, a police sergeant wrote. The woman allegedly told police he struck her and placed her in a chokehold for about 20 seconds.

I was choking, and I couldnt breathe, she said. I thought I was going to die.

The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Schaffer allegedly told police the two had been drinking and that, I love her to death, but she got super drunk. She started (expletive) attacking and gave a swing at me and fell down the stairs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prior to Schaffers plea to the misdemeanor charge, Davies, Schaffers attorney, argued his client had acted defensively.

Defendant and the alleged victim got into an argument, ultimately leading to police interaction, he wrote in court documents. At all times during the argument and any ensuing physical contact, Defendant was not the aggressor and acted in self-defense.
Republican governors are vying for billions of immigration enforcement dollars from the GOPs megalaw, as state-federal partnerships emerge as a key strategy in the Trump administrations rapid expansion of migrant detention capacity.

The Trump administration has already announced deals to establish detention facilities in Florida, Indiana and Nebraska, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has signaled more announcements are coming  pointing to Floridas Alligator Alcatraz as the model for quickly launching detention sites at airports and jails across the country.

In Louisiana, state and federal officials have discussed a deal to fund the renovation of parts of Angola, the nations largest maximum-security prison, to hold detainees, according to an administration official, who like others for this story were granted anonymity to discuss the plans. ICE officials have looked at a few private, vacant prisons in Oklahoma to potentially hold detainees, a state official told POLITICO. And in Texas, the massive soft-sided tent structure at Fort Bliss  Lone Star Lockup  opened last weekend under a Defense Department contract.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the Trump administration rushes to spend the $170 billion for border and immigration enforcement in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and meet aggressive White House targets for arrests and deportations, red-state governors are eager to pitch in  and grab a piece of the new funding authorized in the legislation. State officials are working with the Trump administration to secure detention contracts, but also to help fund costs that come with certain arrangements, called 287(g) agreements, that allow local and state law enforcement to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Theres no question that if youre a Republican governor, youre looking for ways to do this cooperation there, said Ken Cuccinelli, who served as Trumps deputy of Homeland Security during the first term. Theyre literally willing to pay for you to flex your public safety muscles in your own home state. I mean, are you kidding? Wheres the downside?

Coordination with Republican governors will be a crucial component of ICEs high-speed build-out, an unprecedented effort that has already spurred lawsuits and drawn accusations of mistreatment and cruelty in detention facilities across the country. And the partnerships underscore the Trump administrations increasing reliance on soft-sided facilities and vacant prisons and structures that require little construction  an effort designed to intensify President Donald Trumps deportation campaign.

Most projects are competing for a piece of the $45 billion carved out for detention capacity in the OBBB Congress passed last month. Its enough money to increase ICEs detention capacity by 80,000 beds, according to DHS.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We want to empower governors and states to help ICE in the mission and help our local leadership to be able to conduct this mission at such a large scale, ICE deputy director Madison Sheahan said in an interview. Alligator Alcatraz or the Speedway Slammer, as well as other governors that are very interested in being part of this mission, is really a huge opportunity for us  to maximize, not only as a force multiplier in the bed space sense, but also  work with state and local law enforcement to share intel.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, after opening Alligator Alcatraz earlier this summer, announced this month that his state was opening a second detention site at a shuttered prison that he christened Deportation Depot  both projects that tap into funding in the Federal Emergency Management Agency shelter program. In Indiana, Noem touted an agreement with Gov. Mike Braun to expand ICE detention space by 1,000 with its Speedway Slammer at Miami Correctional. And this week, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said he and Noem had agreed to use an existing minimum security prison work camp  dubbed Cornhusker Clink  to hold migrants awaiting deportation.

DHS has been eager to tout the agreements, which remain in early stages. Noem announced Indianas Speedway Slammer before a contract had been finalized, according to the administration official, and state officials said Nebraskas agreement is also being negotiated.

In Florida, theres been confusion over whether Alligator Alcatraz is a federally operated facility or run strictly by the state government  a crucial question that emerged in court hearings this month. Questions also remain about plans for facilities in Indiana and Nebraska, though both states have contended they will assist the federal government with enforcement, including with state law enforcement and national guard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Working with Republican governors allows the federal government to move faster and is more cost-efficient, Sheahan said. And for red state officials, there are a number of incentives  including a political messaging opportunity on public safety and crime.

I know that that was a big topic: What is this going to cost the states to work with the Trump administration? When the reality is, as we lower those crimes and remove these people  to me, I look at it as a great investment for the safety of our citizens, said Tim Tipton, Oklahomas commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. And if you do a good job, and you remove the criminals, then youre going to see benefit from it.

While Republicans argue that working with the Trump administration provides both public safety upsides and economic opportunities for their states, the partnerships have also drawn scrutiny and public outcry. Protesters have plagued the detention sites, and Alligator Alcatraz has faced accusations of inhumane conditions and limited access to legal counsel for detainees.

The Florida facility is facing several lawsuits, including one for concerns about legal access and another that alleges the mass detention site violates environmental laws and threatens the Everglades ecosystem. A suit filed Friday evening challenged the states authority to detain people at the detention facility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thursday night, in the case that challenges Alligator Alcatraz on environmental grounds, a federal judge ruled that the states and the Trump administration cant add more detainees to the current population, and must move toward dismantling the facility  a decision Florida has already appealed.

This is not going to deter us, DeSantis said Friday. Were going to continue working on the deportations, advancing that mission.

And beyond the pushback, questions remain about the longevity of the Trump administrations massive investment in the immigration system. Many states appear to be negotiating shorter-term contracts  anything beyond the presidents term may not have the funding, said Scott Shuchart, a senior ICE official during the Biden administration.

I have to think that some of these states understand that Congress is fickle on this stuff, Shuchart said. And I dont know if ICE is ever going to go back to 40,000 beds, but the idea that its going to stay appropriated at this level, indefinitely, I wouldnt count on that just as an investment matter.
GENEVA  Geneva High School Principal Michael King was named Ohio High School Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators Tuesday.

The award was announced by Geneva Area City Schools in a Thursday release.

King said he does not know how he was nominated for the award, or by whom.

I know a great deal of amazing principals, and to be chosen was pretty fantastic, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Geneva Area City School District Superintendent Paul Lombardo said he is excited a district administrator got the award.

Im really proud of him, he said.

The release said King has been dedicated to the school, the district and its students the whole time hes been high school principal, leading initiatives at GHS to work with gifted students, special education, student behavioral support and project-based learning.

Those initiatives resulted in outstanding improvement in student achievement and earned his building the Momentum Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In July, the district announced King was given a regional award from OASSA, putting him in the list of finalists for state high school principal of the year.

According to the release, this year is the first time there was an expanded selection process for the award, which divided Ohio into ten regions.

GACS is part a region that includes schools in Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, Trumbull, Portage, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

King said he had to fill out a three to four page questionnaire after he was selected as a finalist.

The OASSA will recognize King during an award breakfast at its fall conference, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I didnt earn this [award] by myself, King said.

He credits a very supportive staff and great student body for the award.

I couldve never gotten the award without the people I work with, he said. Its truly a team effort.

King has a career in education that spans over a decade, the last three years of which have been spent as GHS principal, he said.

Geneva is a fantastic place to be and the award that we all worked on shows that, he said.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  Tyrell D. was a self-described dysfunctional, combative, counterproductive, unappreciative person with substance-abuse problems who was shot, stabbed and incarcerated multiple times.

Previous attempts at rehab were not successful, so he entered Peniel Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center.

And Tyrell D. testified Saturday during the facilitys annual graduation ceremony about how he is now clean and how his life has changed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im learning how to love myself, he told the audience. I never knew how to do that the correct and proper way.

The man, in his early 30s, emphasized: I know who I am now. I know who God is developing me into being.

Tyrell D. was one of four people to graduate from Peniels Christian-based program this year. They spent 13 months in treatment, living on the campus in the Tanneryville section of West Taylor Township.

This is payday for us, said the Rev. Durean Coleman, Peniels executive director. Graduation is the biggest day of the year for Peniel. Its when we get a chance to celebrate with the men and the women who have come through the program, been through the rigors of treatment, dealt with the issues that they were facing, and gotten healing from those issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And now were sending them back out, prepared to stand as productive citizens in society, productive leaders in the groups where they live, and productive family members in the families that theyre going back to.

The event was a blend of a graduation ceremony and a religious service, featuring prayers, speeches, music of praise, and sermons.

Pennsylvania Church of God Bishop J. Shea Hughes described the gathering of graduates, family members, friends and supporters as a huge milestone.

This is a place of hope, Hughes said. Its a place of rebuilding. Its a place of putting broken pieces back together again. So today is a significant day for that because theyve completed this process.
A brush fire in Kunia reported at about 11 a.m. this morning that resulted in Kunia Road being closed has been nearly completely contained, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

The fire near an intersection with Plantation Road drew the response of 20 HFD units operated by 60 personnel, HFD said.

By 1 :25 p.m. the fire that spread over an estimated five to seven acres had been 95 % contained and the road has been reopened, according to the agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No evacuations were ordered, and no injuries or damage to structures were reported.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is planned.

See more :

4 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.

Having trouble with comments ? .
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Ukrainian attacks on the Kursk unclear plant create a threat to nuclear safety, Alexander Khinshtein, the regional acting governor said on Sunday.

"They are a threat to nuclear safety and a violation of all international conventions," Khinshtein wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

A drone attack on the Kursk nuclear plant on Sunday damaged an auxiliary transformer and led to 50% reduction in the operating capacity at unit three of the plant, the plant's press service said.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
In a major move to uplift the fishing community in the Kuttanad region in Kerala, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs, George Kurian, has announced a new pilot project aimed at boosting livelihood opportunities for fish farmers. This was decided at a consultative meeting held at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi. Under the new initiative, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, will take proactive steps to implement a range of modern and traditional aquaculture practices to revive economy based in Kuttanad. These include integrated fish farming, cage fish farming, the sustainable "one fish one paddy" initiative, and biofloc fish farming. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying added in a release that as part of the project, Fish Farmers Producers Organisations (FFPOs) will be formed to empower local communities and streamline operations. "Enhancing livelihood for the region's farmers is the primary goal of the initiative", Minister George Kurian said. Under the pilot project, extensive training programmes will be conducted to equip farmers with the necessary skills in aquaculture and other related practices. The project will also encourage startups to enter the sector, focusing on essential post-harvest activities such as processing, cleaning, packing, and fish trade, thereby creating new employment opportunities and adding value to the produce. Given the diverse aquatic environments of Kuttanad, the project will be divided into separate fresh and brackish water farming initiatives, catering specifically to the distinct conditions of Upper and Lower Kuttanad. Expertise of premier research institutions, including ICAR research institutes, central agencies, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) will be explored to provide technical and scientific support. The Union Minister of State pointed out that a detailed project report will be prepared immediately to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the initiative, which is expected to bring significant and sustainable economic benefits to the Kuttanad region. Former Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Fisheries Development Commissioner Dr Mohammed Koya, CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George, and CMFRI Principal Scientist Dr Imelda Joseph also spoke while representatives from various research institutes, government agencies and KVKs presented their views on the occasion. (ANI)
Ukraine conducted the 68th prisoner-of-war exchange with Russia on 24 August, Ukraines Independence Day.

Source: statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Details: Under the Istanbul arrangements, Ukrainian service members returned home and eight civilians were freed as part of the swap. Most had been held since 2022.

The released fighters are representatives from nearly all branches of Ukraine's defence forces: Air Assault, Air Force, Navy, Territorial Defence, National Guard, and State Border Guard Service. All are privates or non-commissioned officers, and most had been held in Russian captivity for more than three years.

A released Ukrainian soldier

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Photo: President's Office

The service members who have returned home defended the city of Mariupol and the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and fought on the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kyiv and Sumy fronts.

Dmytro Khyliuk

Photo: President's Office

Two Ukrainian journalists were also brought back from captivity: Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush, who had been unlawfully held by the Russians since 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Among the civilians released are Serhii Kovalov, a medic from the Hospitallers volunteer battalion who saved the lives of defenders and civilians during the siege of Azovstal, and Volodymyr Mykolaienko, former mayor of Kherson, who refused to collaborate with the Russians.

Freed Ukrainian soldiers

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Photo: President's Office

The Ukrainian authorities thanked the United Arab Emirates for help in arranging the release of civilian hostages.

Background:

Reports indicate that Volodymyr Mykolaienko, the former mayor of Kherson who was abducted by Russia in April 2022, has been freed from Russian captivity.

On 24 July, the heads of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations at the talks in Istanbul announced an agreement to exchange over 1,200 prisoners of war from each side.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)  A series of Labor Day protests opposing President Donald Trump and his political movement are scheduled across the country on Monday, Sept. 1, including in Chillicothe, Maryville and St. Joseph.

Organized by a coalition of labor, community, and social justice groups, the nationwide #SolidaritySeptember rallies aim to call out what organizers describe as an authoritarian shift in U.S. politics, attacks on workers rights, and anti-immigrant policies.

In Chillicothe, protestors will gather from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of Southern Bank on Washington Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The St. Joseph rally will take place at the same time at the intersection of the Belt Highway and Frederick Avenue. Several union representatives and local advocates are scheduled to speak.

In Maryville, protestors will rally from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Wal-Mart Drive and South Main Street.

All three events are expected to remain peaceful. Organizers encourage participants to bring their own signs or borrow from a limited supply. More information and optional signups are available at mobilize.us/mayday
Labour is facing a fresh clash with Elon Musks X over a Home Office-backed scheme seeking to tackle early warning signs of online extremism.

Executives at X have bristled at a voluntary code of conduct being developed by the Violence Prevention Network, a new scheme set to be endorsed by the UK Government that seeks to tackle terrorism and radicalisation.

The Violence Prevention Network has been in talks with the Home Office and tech giants to agree to guidelines for rooting out would-be terrorists from their social media posts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But X has fired a warning shot over the programme after meeting with organisers, claiming it would lead to curbs on freedom of expression.

The company claims the code would be parallel and duplicative to Britains flagship Online Safety Act  which already polices the internet  and would force companies to take down more posts.

X provided few details on the scheme itself, which has yet to be formally announced by the Home Office.

The spat over the Violence Prevention Network is the latest pushback from X to counter what it sees as heavy-handed state policing of its social media platform.

Vocal critic

Mr Musks business has been among the most vocal critics of the UKs Online Safety Act, the flagship tech laws which threaten companies with billions in fines for failing to protect children and remove illegal posts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

X warned the rules were leading to government overreach and forcing over-censorship of online posts so companies can avoid fines.

Under the Violence Prevention Network proposals, tech giants would be expected to warn users about the risks of Islamic or far-Right radicalism, proactively contacting them with messages or pop-ups.

The Home Office has been in talks with technology businesses and the Network has proposed a voluntary code of conduct, which it hopes the industry will sign by January next year.

The code would be intended to intervene before a person engages in criminal activities that need police action. Potentially dangerous individuals could ultimately be referred to Prevent, the Governments counter-terrorism scheme, in certain cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jonathan Russell, a former adviser on extremist groups to Meta and director at the Violence Prevention Network, said the measures would not be aimed at taking down online posts of censorship and would be entirely voluntary for the industry.

He said the aim was for tech giants to codify guidance on proactive and innovative ways to prevent violent extremism and terrorism.

A report into Britains Prevent scheme was launched after a series of violent attacks, including by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana - MERSEYSIDE POLICE/AFP

The network said tech giants collected valuable signals that could detect possible extremists, including people who had broken their rules multiple times or users who were sharing or following posts from known extremists.

The effort comes in the wake of a report into Britains Prevent scheme after a series of violent attacks by individuals, including the Southport killer Axel Rudakubana, who had been flagged to the programme.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rudakubana was referred to Prevent but dismissed from the scheme due to a lack of clear terrorist ideology.

Mr Russell added the programme would be intended to work with the tech industry to identify early warning signs of violent behaviour and divert individuals towards preventative support.

The Home Office was contacted for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
In the car park of a Holiday Inn Express in the West Midlands, they stood in clusters. Men and women, draped in  or clutching  England or Union flags, perhaps 150 in total, observed by a small number of police.

Just over a year ago, the migrant hotel in Tamworth was the site of violent disorder, when petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown at officers following the spread of disinformation about the murder of three children in Southport. Today, the scenes were more peaceful, the greatest disturbance a white-haired woman of a certain age tunelessly bellowing Rule, Britannia!, to a smattering of applause.

In the coming weeks and months, Tamworth in Staffordshire could see a clash of sorts between the Labour-run local council and the Labour Government. After the High Court granted Epping Forest council in Essex a temporary injunction to shut down a migrant hotel, the Bell, over alleged planning breaches, ministers are braced for legal challenges from other local authorities. The ruling followed the councils argument that the hotel had become a public safety risk after protests nearby.

Around 150 protesters gathered outside a Holiday Inn Express housing migrants in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on Saturday - Andrew Fox

Tamworth Borough Council is among the local authorities now considering their legal position in light of the Epping Forest decision, which the Government plans to appeal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Holiday Inn Express in the Staffordshire market town has been used by the Home Office to accommodate asylum seekers since 2022. Those gathered outside it today want them gone  and hope the council will follow in Epping Forests footsteps.

Were trying to make our voice heard, says Liam, 22, who does not want to give his full name. [Prime Minister Keir] Starmer says were smashing the gangs, but whats he actually doing about it? Everyone here can agree there is absolutely nothing wrong with legal, vetted migration, but people are worried about the unknown factor.

How many of them are terrorists? asks Jacqueline Bostock, 73, attending her first ever protest. We dont know. Thats what bothers me.

She adds: Im not racist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Several demonstrators cite concerns about asylum seekers perpetrating violence against women and girls. But womens rights groups have warned that the issue of womens safety has been hijacked.

This week, more than 100 organisations wrote to the Prime Minister urging the Government to stop far-Right groups from weaponising violence against women and girls for a racist, anti-migrant agenda.

In Tamworth, Chloe Cantwell, 25, has an England flag draped around her shoulders, over a T-shirt bearing the words British Patriot.

We want our country back, she says. Were sick of them. They need to go back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She describes Tommy Robinson, the far-Right activist, as an inspiration [who] needs to be knighted, adding: Obviously theres going to be people who think youre racist, but its not about that.

She and others at the protest voice their support for Advance UK, the party Robinson has joined.

Not everyone present is from the town itself. Garry Bennett, 72, has come from Wolverhampton to show his support for the locals in their fight against this lot.

Garry Bennett, 72, from Wolverhampton, joins Tamworth protesters, voicing support for Britain First and concerns over migrant accommodation - Andrew Fox

He also voices support for Britain First, a far-Right party, and says his own town is lost to immigration.

He worries about importing sex offenders, adding: Its got nothing to do with race or faith, its about common decency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The gathering in Tamworth is one of a string of protests around the country on Saturday, with some towns and cities seeing clashes between rival groups outside migrant hotels.

Abolish Asylum System demonstrations were organised in Bristol, Exeter, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Horley in Surrey and Canary Wharf in central London. The campaign group Stand Up To Racism staged counter-demonstrations at some locations.

In Bristol, counter-protesters chanting refugees are welcome here were separated by a wall of police from anti-migrant demonstrators.

Outside the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Horley, on the border of West Sussex and Surrey, around 200 anti-immigration protesters draped in St Georges and Union flags clashed with about 50 Stand Up To Racism supporters, who chanted: No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

From the other side of the street came the response: No theyre f---ing not.

Given the precedent set in Epping Forest  where protests were triggered after an asylum seeker resident of the Bell Hotel was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl  there has been speculation that the legal decision could have a byproduct: it might encourage further unrest, which councils could then cite in future legal challenges over the use of hotels.

A number of councils across Britain have indicated they will now look to the courts to close asylum hotels.

Tamworth borough council, which Labour took control of in 2024 for the first time in 21 years, has moved to reassure residents that it is listening to their concerns and taking them seriously.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I understand the strong feelings within our community regarding the use of the Holiday Inn [Express] to house those seeking asylum, says Cllr Carol Dean, leader of Tamworth council.

[F]ollowing the temporary High Court injunction granted to Epping Forest District Council, we are closely monitoring developments and reviewing our legal position in light of this significant ruling.

When the Home Office first began using the hotel in 2022, Tamworth explored legal avenues to challenge it, but this was not pursued at the time, as temporary injunctions granted in other cases nationally were not ultimately upheld by the courts.

The situation at Epping Forest represents a potentially important legal precedent, and we are carefully assessing what this might mean for our circumstances here in Tamworth, says Cllr Dean.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We fully recognise that the UK Government has a statutory duty to accommodate people seeking asylum. However, we have consistently maintained that the prolonged use of hotel accommodation may not represent the best approach  either for our local community or for the asylum seekers themselves.

The council would not be drawn on whether local unrest caused by the use of hotels to accommodate migrants might form part of any potential future attempt to seek an injunction.

Hotels have increasingly been used to house asylum seekers since 2020, sparking protests and legal debate in towns like Tamworth - Andrew Fox

Hotels have been increasingly used to accommodate asylum seekers since 2020, when the Conservatives were in government. Labour has committed to ending the practice by 2029 and building new accommodation.

But the process needs to happen in a properly managed way, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Government is working to do it as part of an orderly, planned and sustained programme that avoids simply creating problems for other areas or local councils as a result of piecemeal court decisions or a return to the kind of chaos which led to so many hotels being opened in the first place, she said this week.

Meanwhile, those in Tamworth have varying views on the best way forward. I think the Government should be abolished. And the monarchy, says a 58-year-old man at the protest who gives his name as Darron.

Im not paying my council tax until this lot are gone.

By mid-afternoon, it is the protesters who have gone, and the hotel car park is empty again, except for two police vehicles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But in Tamworth, as elsewhere in the country, the tensions have not been dispelled.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Brief

Two men were found injured after a shooting in Minneapolis on Friday afternoon.

Another man reported being injured from the same shooting later that night.

No arrests have been announced, and all men are expected to survive.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minneapolis police are investigating a shooting on Lake Street that left three men injured.

Minneapolis shooting injures 3 men

What we know

Minneapolis police said they responded to a reported shooting just after 2 p.m. on Friday near the intersection of Lake Street East and Stevens Avenue South.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers then found two men with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Both men were then taken to the hospital.

Later in the day, just after 9:30 p.m., a third man reported he was struck by gunfire from the same incident. The man reported he initially didn't know he was hit, but had someone call 911 when he realized he was wounded.

No arrests have been made.

What we don't know

Details on what may have led to the shooting have not been released.

The Source

This story used information shared by the Minneapolis Police Department.
Since April, New Yorks state-funded home care program has been in upheaval. That month, the $9 billion program was taken over by the company Public Partnerships LLC, which became responsible for managing the care of the hundreds of thousands of elderly and disabled New Yorkers who use it.

Home care workers and patients have consistently struggled to navigate PPLs bureaucracy, reporting unreturned calls, missed paychecks, malfunctioning software, and other issues. Thousands of people have left the program entirely.

On Thursday, New York lawmakers held a hearing trying to get to the bottom of the chaos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They did not get the answers they were looking for. Over the course of more than four hours, the main witnesses at the hearing spent most of their time dodging or declining to answer questions from the dozen assembled state senators.

We hardly got any information, said Senator James Skoufis, who chairs the Investigations Committee. 80 percent of it was a complete waste of our time.

The two key witnesses were Patty Byrnes, a vice president at PPL, and Commissioner James McDonald of the state Department of Health, which oversees and funds the program.

Senator Lea Webb asked McDonald how the state is ensuring that PPL performs the services that the state is paying it for. McDonald responded that there are accountability mechanisms, but declined to list any.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its in the contract, and Im not sure if that part of the contract is public, so Im not sure I can give those examples, McDonald said.

Skoufis asked Byrnes if she could guarantee that PPL will remain solvent for the duration of its five-year contract with the state.

Im not sure. I am not the one to be able to make that statement, but at this time, we are solvent, Byrnes responded.

Speaking to reporters, Skoufis said that next steps are unclear, but that, You can be sure that this is not the end of the conversation.

New York Focus has been reporting extensively on the changes in the home care program, with a particular focus on the low-quality health benefits that PPL is offering to its employees. The main health insurance plan the company is offering does not cover basic services like specialist visitors or hospital care, and is paid for by mandatory deductions from workers paychecks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To offer the plan, PPL partnered with health insurer Leading Edge Administrators, which has a history of revoking patients insurance and refusing to pay their doctors.

Several lawmakers expressed dismay about the health plan.

I can give one of your employees a packet of Band-Aids, and thats better primary care coverage than theyre getting from PPL, Skoufis said to Byrnes, the PPL vice president. How do you reconcile that with your statement that you work with empathy and compassion for your employees?

Byrnes responded that the company is providing what we are obliged to do under law.

When Senator Rachel May asked Byrnes if she would take a job with the health insurance that PPL is offering to home care workers, she did not address the question.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During his testimony, Health Commissioner McDonald said that he shared lawmakers worries about PPLs health insurance.

I think the challenge on PPL is to address the insurance concerns. I think its a very legitimate concern, he said. Ive had a conversation with them more than once about this.

Later during her testimony, Byrnes said that PPL hopes to offer workers higher-quality health insurance in 2026.

We are in the process of talking to brokers about what we can do to provide better services as we go into the next open enrollment period, she said.

New York Focus has also raised the question of whether PPL and Leading Edge may be illegally holding on to some of the money they deduct from workers paychecks to pay for health benefits. By law, those funds can only be spent on health benefits, and may not be retained by the companies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Senator Gustavo Rivera, who chairs the Health Committee, asked if PPL is following this law. Byrnes said that PPL is not retaining the money, but said that due to pending lawsuits against PPL, she couldnt provide any further details.

The lawmakers werent the only ones who couldnt get answers. Following Byrnes testimony, New York Focus directed several questions to Byrnes and another representative of PPL who was present at the hearing. Both refused to speak.
Congress is considering changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act that would reduce protections for vulnerable marine mammals.

Environmentalists say these changes would threaten the survival of manatees and North Atlantic right whales.

What's happening?

As Star News Online reported, federal protections under the Marine Mammal Protection Act are at risk. This act has been helping marine mammals thrive since 1972, yet Congress may scale it back under the Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"For more than 50 years it's worked to protect marine mammals in the U.S., and that reflects the views of the American people that these animals need that extra level of protection," said Dr. Andrew Read, a marine biologist at Duke University.

If Congress passes the proposed changes, the permit review process would be shortened, prioritizing economic exploitation over the welfare of marine life.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is making environmental agency cuts, sparking concern that there won't even be enough staff to properly review permit applications before approving them.

Why are marine species protections important?

Numerous species would suffer in their natural habitats if federal protections were eliminated or reduced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One example is the manatees that are fleeing northward from Florida as temperatures rise to uncomfortable levels and boating activity intensifies. Another example is the North Atlantic right whale, which migrates from winter breeding grounds along the southeastern U.S. shore to summer feeding areas in New England and Canada.

These whales are especially susceptible to human-induced death due to unsafe boating speeds and fishing equipment. There are approximately just 370 North Atlantic right whales left in existence today.

What's being done to protect marine animals?

The proposed changes to the Marine Mammal Protection Act are only in discussions at this point. However, the House of Representatives plans to take a vote on the issue in the near future.

In the meantime, conservation leaders and environmental researchers are sharing what they know with Congressional members and explaining why reducing the act's protection is a bad idea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You can play a part by supporting organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund and using your voice on issues that matter to you.

Opponents of the proposed changes say that the act could stand to be updated and modernized. However, eliminating the act's primary protections is harmful for both political and environmental policy.

Fortunately, governments also have the power to approve positive legislative actions and improve conservation efforts rather than taking a step backward.

When you vote for pro-climate candidates, you help move legislation in the right direction to protect biodiversity and vulnerable species that need our help.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You can also help spread public awareness about threats to marine life and other conservation topics by educating yourself about the issues and discussing what you learn with family and friends.

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.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on a tour in the Gaza Strip, August 5, 2025. (photo credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY)

Katz added that the leaks "weaken the hand of our soldiers and give false hope to our enemies."

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday morning that he takes leaks coming from the closed security forum very seriously, as they "harm Israel's securty and give a distorted impression regarding the IDF's activities in Gaza."

Katz added that the leaks "weaken the hand of our soldiers and give false hope to our enemies. The prime minister and I, in accordance with what we were authorized to do by the security cabinet, approved the IDF's plans in Gaza and [we] also praised them."

Former IDF Military Intelligence Directorate chief's comments last week

Katz made these statements days after leaked recordings were released Friday night of former IDF Military Intelligence Directorate chief Aharon Haliva for a second time on Channel 12, where he said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ignored warnings to better prepare for the possibility of war before October 7 occurred, and had no interest in listening to intelligence assessments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is not for the head of the Intelligence Directorate to decide whether he would meet with the prime minister," he said.

Defense Minister Israel Katz with IDF soldiers in the West Bank; illustrative. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X/ISRAEL KATZ)

The first leak of recordings of Haliva heard him saying, "For every person that died 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."

Maariv Online contributed to this report.
MOSCOW (AP)  At least one person was killed on Sunday in an explosion at a prominent retail building in central Moscow, emergency services said.

The blast happened on the third floor of the Central Childrens Store shopping mall, on Lubyanka Square.

Emergency services said the blast was caused by a gas cylinder, according to the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency.

Two of the injured were hospitalized, Moscows Department of Health said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

City mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the incident was likely caused by a technical malfunction of equipment.

The building was evacuated following the explosion.

Russias Investigative Committee has opened an investigation into the incident.
More than 20 hospitals and health systems have temporarily or indefinitely rolled back transgender care for minors and some young adults this year amid threats of federal investigations and cuts to government funding, an NBC News analysis found.

Twelve hospitals have announced they have discontinued or will discontinue puberty blockers and hormone therapy for trans patients younger than 19. Four announced they are no longer providing transition-related surgeries to those patients; one said it discontinued gender-affirming care for teens; and four said they temporarily stopped transgender care for those under 19 after an executive order from President Donald Trump in January but resumed after a judge blocked part of the order in March.

In addition to those 21 hospitals, another five have removed webpages dedicated to trans care for minors from their websites this year  one said it is still providing trans care to minors, one would only say it continues to comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and three did not respond to requests for comment. And separately, a health center in Iowa stopped providing hormone therapy to trans adults due to a Trump order that prohibits federal funds from being used to promote gender ideology, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The changes have come as hospitals attempt to comply with state laws, which in many instances prohibit discriminating against trans people in medical care, as well as federal guidance, which in recent months has threatened to revoke hospitals federal funding or charge them with civil or criminal penalties if they continue to provide trans care to patients younger than 19.

A testosterone prescription used for gender-affirming care in 2023. (Rory Doyle for The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

Patients and families affected by these changes in care have described the effects as devastating.

One Florida mom, who asked that her name not be published due to fears that she could face harassment or be targeted by the federal government, recently bought one-way tickets to Berlin so she and her 15-year-old trans daughter could move there next month. The mom has acquired a language-learning visa, and her daughter will be able to live with her because she is a minor.

When her daughter first sought access to transition care, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis administration and state Republican legislators were trying to ban it, so in September 2021, the teen and her dad started driving 11 hours to Alabama every few months so she could access care at the University of Alabamas gender clinic. Then, in August 2023, a court allowed a care ban to take effect in Alabama. Last July, they began flying to Washington, D.C., to receive care at Childrens National Hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last month, the hospital announced in a message on its website that in light of escalating legal and regulatory risks to Childrens National, our providers, and the families we serve, we will be discontinuing the prescription of gender-affirming medications effective Aug. 30.

The mom said even if she could find another doctor in the U.S. for her daughter, she fears the family might have just one visit before the government steps in again.

Where can we go? she said. Growing up, we were always told that America is the greatest country in the world, and now were having to flee so that my child can get the health care she needs, and for our safety.

These threats are no longer theoretical

Since 2021, 27 states have enacted measures prohibiting access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy and/or surgeries for trans minors as part of a wider effort to restrict trans rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Supporters of the legislation say the care has not been adequately studied, can have harmful long-term effects and that minors cannot actually consent to it. However, doctors who treat trans youth say puberty blockers and hormone therapy have been provided to minors who are not trans for decades to treat other conditions, such as precocious puberty. In addition, nearly all major medical associations in the United States support access to transition-related care for minors and oppose restrictions on it, with the American Medical Association calling government restrictions a dangerous intrusion into the practice of medicine.

A study published earlier this year in JAMA Pediatrics found that less than 0.1% of adolescents in the U.S. with private insurance in the United States are trans and are prescribed puberty blockers or gender-affirming hormones. A 2024 study published by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the rate of teens ages 15 to 17 undergoing gender-affirming surgery was 2.1 per 100,000.

The remaining states where care is legal  particularly California, Colorado, Oregon, Illinois, Washington, Connecticut and Pennsylvania  have seen an influx of out-of-state patients, with some parents of trans minors even relocating their families to those states to maintain care for their kids.

Parents of trans youths have seen those states  and hospitals such as the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which is home to one of the nations oldest gender clinics  as safe havens.

An emergency room nurse at Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows a lanyard decorated with pronoun pins and buttons during a protest against the closure of the hospital's trans youth clinic on July 3. (Jae C. Hong / AP)

However, in January, the Trump administration began targeting providers of trans care, including an executive order that sought to bar federal funding from going to medical schools and hospitals that provide such care to people younger than 19. In March, a federal judge blocked that part of the order, and some hospitals resumed treatments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But then, in April, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo that said the Justice Department would investigate doctors who provide transition care to minors under existing laws, including laws against genital mutilation. In July, the DOJ sent subpoenas to more than 20 doctors and clinics that provide such care. A subpoena sent to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, which was made public Monday as part of a legal filing attempting to block the investigations, requested the names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, addresses and parent/guardian information of all patients who were prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy.

The Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission have also taken action to restrict care, both for minors and adults.

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles mentioned all of these actions and more in a June 12 letter to hospital staff detailing its decision to close the Center for Transyouth Health and Development, which has been running for three decades, effective July 22.

The letter, which a spokesperson for the hospital shared with NBC News, described an HHS review published in May dismissing current evidence-based care protocols and standards of care while promoting alternative best practices for the treatment of pediatric gender dysphoria. The HHS review included dozens of references to CHLA and the Center for Transyouth Health and Development, the letter said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Taken together, the Attorney General memo, HHS review, and the recent solicitation of tips from the FBI to report hospitals and providers of [gender-affirming care] strongly signal this Administrations intent to take swift and decisive action, both criminal and civil, against any entity it views as being in violation of the executive order, this hospitals leadership wrote. These threats are no longer theoretical. The federal government has already cut off hundreds of millions of dollars from U.S. academic and research institutions for noncompliance with executive orders, often with little to no warning.

Help the FBI protect children. As the Attorney General has made clear, we will protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of gender-affirming care.



Report tips of any hospitals, clinics, or practitioners performing these surgical  FBI (@FBI) June 2, 2025

Earlier this month, more than a dozen states, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, sued the Trump administration to block investigations into doctors and hospitals who provide gender-affirming care to minors.

The complaint argued that the federal government was trying to institute a national ban on such care when Congress has not passed one, violating the 10th Amendment by trying to usurp the power of states that have not passed bans. It also argued that hospitals were being forced to either defy the federal threats or comply and violate state laws against discrimination in medical care.

Taylor Rogers, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement at the time that Americans support Trumps efforts to stop the despicable mutilation and chemical castration of children, using inflammatory language to describe transition care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The President has the lawful authority to protect Americas vulnerable children through executive action, and the Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue, Rogers said.

Protesters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2023. (Jose A. Iglesias / Miami Herald via Getty Images file)

Robin Maril, an assistant professor of constitutional law at Oregons Willamette University, said the Trump administration is attempting to restrict access to transition care through guidance issued by regulatory agencies. That guidance tells doctors and hospitals exactly how the government is going to go after them, Maril said.

Hospitals are weighing losing all federal funding, which could force them to close, Maril said, or standing up to the Trump administration.

To stand up to the Trump administration at this point would result in kids losing care for all sorts of things, Maril said.

Thats just not fair

The climate created by the administrations policies, the investigations and the legal battles have been surreal for Dr. Kade Goepferd, the chief education officer at Childrens Minnesota and a pediatrician in the hospitals Gender Health Program, which has not ceased or paused trans care for minors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Goepferd, who uses they/them pronouns, said their patients parents are scared, and the kids dont understand why their friends can access any health care when needed, but they might not be able to access this specific type of care because theyre trans.

They feel very singled out, Goepferd said. The teenagers feel a lot of hopelessness. The younger kids feel a lot of fear for what their future may or may not be like.

Dr. Kade Goepferd. (Sarah Wilmer for NBC News)

Goepferd said they have several patients who have moved or plan to move out of the country due to the increasingly restrictive care landscape for trans youth, and the number of out-of-state patients they see has increased over the last few years. The clinics waitlist for a first appointment is about six months.

They said one of their greatest concerns is that we are tying the ability of transgender young people to access care they need, and the ability of their parents to make medical decisions for them, to the general publics ability to understand who they are and what their medical care is.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats just not fair, they said. We dont do that with other areas of medicine. We rely on medical guidelines and expertise to make decisions. So were treating essential health care for transgender youth as exceptional in some way, and what I wish people knew more than anything is that it is not. I provide this type of health care the same way I provide any other type of health care.

The waiting room at the Children's Minnesota Specialty Center, where Dr. Kate Goepferd's Gender Health Program is located. (Sarah Wilmer for NBC News)

As for the Florida mom, she said that as soon as her daughter could talk she would point to Daphne in the cartoon Scooby Doo and say, I that girl. A psychiatrist said the child was persistent, insistent and consistent in her gender for years, and they have supported her and spent at least $7,500 on travel to access care in other states.

But now, she said, it feels like theyre out of options, and shell be flying to Berlin with her daughter in September and leaving her three other children in the States with their dad.

It was like a nice fantasy that I would live in Europe one day, but then it became this absolute necessity, and I have to leave my other kids, and I dont even know how to explain how fearful I feel and how heartbreaking this is, she said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Piramal Finance has partnered with BLS E-Services, a digital service provider, to enhance access to formal credit for individuals and MSMEs across rural and semi-urban India. Through this collaboration, customers in Tier 2, 3, and 4 locations will be able to access a range of financial products--including home loans, unsecured business loans, used car loans, and personal loans--via BLS E-Services' trusted network of more than 144,000 touchpoints nationwide. Jairam Sridharan, Managing Director, Piramal Finance Ltd, said, "Our partnership with BLS E-Services allows us to tap into their strong nationwide network across regions and open new financial opportunities. We're excited to take this initiative forward, support more families and small businesses in achieving their goals, and contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of Bharat." "Through this partnership, we aim to serve the masses and cater to the financial needs of underserved MSMEs. The objective is also to empower village entrepreneurs by providing them with access to finance, ultimately creating a more financially inclusive society nationwide. We're expanding our business model to reach the most remote and underserved areas, driving financial inclusion in line with the government's inclusivity goals," said Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman, BLS E-Services Ltd. Piramal Finance will leverage the 'phygital' model and the local presence of BLS E-Services centres. This partnership will help new borrowers and marginalised groups, promote financial inclusion, and drive steady growth in credit provision. Customers can conveniently submit loan applications at nearby centres with minimal paperwork, enhancing access to financial services. With this partnership, we aim to reach over 1 million of the unserved rural population by 2030, added Aggarwal. The RBI's Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India for FY 2023-24 notes a steady rise in credit growth beyond metro areas. Rural India's share of outstanding bank credit increased from 6.7 per cent in 2019 to 7.8 per cent in 2024, while semi-urban areas grew from 10.5 per cent to 13.8 per cent. Private banks are also expanding their rural footprint--44 per cent of all new branches opened in FY24 were in rural and semi-urban locations. The report also highlights a notable shift in banking expansion trends. Private sector banks, which were traditionally focused on metropolitan markets, are now increasingly establishing a presence in rural India. In FY24 alone, private banks opened 66 per cent of all new branches, with 44 per cent of these located in rural and semi-urban areas. The RBI noted that this expansion is being supported through a growing network of physical bank branches and banking correspondents, further strengthening financial inclusion in underserved geographies. (ANI)
MOSCOW (Reuters) -At least one person was killed on Sunday when a gas cylinder exploded in an iconic Moscow toy shop, state news agencies reported.

The blast occurred at the Central Children's Store, known by most Russians as the "Detsky Mir" toy shop. It is located on the Lubyanka square near to the headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB.

"Sadly, according to preliminary information, as a result of the incident, there is a death and some people have been injured," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The toy shop building, which also houses a number of restaurants, shops and a cinema, has been evacuated, Russian news agencies reported.

The Mash Telegram channel said that a helium cannister exploded.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
The arrests were made following intelligence received at around 7 p.m., which led to the deployment of police forces "Team Tequila," the Shin Bet's counterterrorism squad, N12 reported.

At least two suspected terrorists were arrested by Israel Police on Sunday evening in northern Tel Aviv and transferred to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for further investigation.

The suspects were caught in a manhunt after suspicion arose that they had planned to carry out a terror attack in the city, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspects are Palestinians illegally residing in Israel.

The Tel Aviv port at night time, October 16, 2019 (credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)

The arrests were made following intelligence received at around 7 p.m., which led to the deployment of police forces "Team Tequila," the Shin Bet's counterterrorism squad, N12 reported.

According to N12, one of the suspects, from Nablus, decided to carry out an attack, but at this stage, it is unclear whether he was armed.

This is a developing story.
BROUSSARD, La. (KLFY)  Broussard-based PPE manufacturing operations, SafeSource Direct, announced their immediate suspension of operations that left 541employees across Lafayette and St. Martin parishes without jobs.

Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) CEO, Mandi Mitchell, said they have teamed up with St. Martin Parish Economic Development Authority, the City of Broussard, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to help displaced employees find other opportunities in the region.

While we are saddened to have received this news from SafeSource executives, we are encouraged by the response from other local employers who have begun to express interest in offering opportunities to the talented individuals who will be affected. Mitchell said. This situation reinforces the importance of supporting domestic manufacturing capabilities, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare supplies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

SafeSource Direct, launched in 2021 as a joint venture with Ochsner Health System, has been protective equipment (PPE) supply chain. According to their website, SafeSource Direct shared what lead to this decision and their mission for the future.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

KLFY Daily Digest

Like many in our industry, we have faced significant market challenges and made the difficult decision to suspend PPE manufacturing operations until market conditions improve. SafeSource said. We are continuing construction of the NBR facility. We are deeply proud of what has been built and grateful to all those who contributed to our mission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

LEDA and the St. Martin Parish Economic Development Authority said they will connect displaced workers with comparable job opportunities at other local employer and previously scheduled regional job fairs.

We are in discussions regarding the possibility of hosting a specialty job fair to connect SafeSource employees with local manufacturers who can utilize their specialized skills and experience

Any employers interested in hiring more workers are asked to contact LEDA at jobs@lafayette.org.

Latest news

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
An 18-year-old Boy Scout from Middlesex County has never encountered a merit badge he didnt want.

Christopher A. Jones Jr. of Monroe recently completed a six-year quest to secure all 139 merit badges offered by the Boy Scouts of America, according to his family.

It takes 21 merit badges, earned by completing a set of tasks in a subject area, to become an Eagle Scout, the highest attainable rank in scouting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jones did that nearly seven times over. He went on a five-day camping trip in Utah, learned how to play the bugle, built four benches for a local park and volunteered at food shelters, among other accomplishments.

His pursuit of merit badges took him to Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks.

Backpacking really opened my eyes to a whole new world of adventures, Jones told NJ Advance Media.

He is a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 3 of Middlesex District.

Jones falls within perhaps the most elite category of Boy Scouts. Less than 1% percent attain all merit badges that were available to them upon signing up for the organization, said Scott Armstrong, director of Scouting America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The total number of merit badges has fluctuated over the decades, with some subjects being phased out or added.

This Eagle Scout with my 27 merit badges is humbled, Armstrong said when informed of Jones accomplishment.

Jones joined the Boy Scouts in the 6th grade and persisted through the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began the following year.

His family members, including his father, Chris Jones, were cheering him on all the way.

He had a vision to get all merit badges. He finished it, his father said.

Christopher Jones secured his 139th and final badge as a high school senior just a few weeks before his 18th birthday in June, which was the deadline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jones graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison.

He said that the backpacking merit badge, which involved several multi-day trips, was the most challenging.

Others, such as scuba diving, introduced him to skills that he said he will continue to use outside of scouting.

Theres just so many different merit badges, he said.

He said the scholarship merit badge was the easiest, as it focused primarily on writing an essay and getting a supportive letter from his schools principal.

Finding the time to complete all 139 required attention to organizing.

I made a plan for each one, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jones said he still found time for other activities, including working as a lifeguard at the Old Bridge Family YMCA.

He will be attending Fordham University as a pre-med student this fall.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
To the editor: In light of the news that L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis intends to run for Congress should California create a new district, it is important to highlight a serious concern ( L.A. may land a new congressional seat. Is it already reserved?, Aug. 21).

Solis has a distinguished career of public service at the local, state and federal levels, and I admire her many achievements. At the same time, she now has her name on a wide range of taxpayer-funded facilities across L.A. County: two schools in East L.A., a park in Baldwin Park, the new Hilda L. Solis Aquatic Center in West Puente Valley and even the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village for people experiencing homelessness.

The schools, park, pool and housing development are community resources meant to serve residents, not to promote the political brand of any one official. If Solis is considering another run for office, it may be time for her to remove her name from these facilities and remove the incumbency advantage that echoes the Donald Trump style of branding everything with his name.

Adam Bray-Ali, Alhambra

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In Memory Of Ira E. Bud Haynie

GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  Ira Bud Haynie, former Grimes County judge, has passed away peacefully at his home in Richards. His family said he was surrounded by loved ones. Arrangements are pending with Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home.

Haynie was a central figure in Grimes Countys leadership and history. He followed Judge Larry Snook in office after Snooks term ended in 1994. During his time as county judge, Haynie worked to maintain stability while also helping to preserve the countys historic character.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2002, Haynie sought another term in office. He ran as the incumbent in the Democratic primary for county judge, where the runoff election was decided by a single vote. Haynie lost to challenger Paul Shiflett. Shortly before the general election that year, Shiflett died, leaving the county with an unprecedented vacancy and challenge at the ballot box.

Judge Haynies tenure is also remembered for the restoration of the Grimes County Courthouse in Anderson. His wife during that time, Joy, worked with the Texas Historical Commission to secure grants for the preservation project. Completed in 2002, the restoration returned the courthouse to its original 1894 condition and stands as a lasting testament to their shared commitment to local history.

Key moments in his public service included assuming the role of county judge in 1994 after Judge Larry Snooks tenure, guiding county leadership and community development through the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, running for re-election in 2002 and losing the runoff by a single vote, and celebrating the completion of the courthouse restoration later that same year.

Away from public life, Haynies family was central to his world. His wife, Carole Ann Haynie, passed away in 2012. An obituary at the time from Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home noted her marriage to Judge Haynie in 2005. Together, they shared years of family life and community service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Judge Haynies passing marks the close of a significant chapter in Grimes Countys history. His family has asked the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers as they move through this time of loss. Funeral arrangements will be announced when they are finalized.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A bill that that could prevent the public viewing potential misconduct records from law enforcement agencies is sparking some concerns over transparency.

Senate Bill 15 in the second special session aims to create a department file  separate from the traditional personnel file. The department file would include:

Any letter, memo, or document not included in the personnel file

Records of alleged misconduct where there was insufficient evidence to sustain the charge

Other internal communications about the specific license holder

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Texas Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, and nine other Texas state senators were authors on this bill. There were three more Texas state senators who were co-authors.

Executive Director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Kelley Shannon worries that this bill would hide information that should be available to the public.

Theres the potential for records of all sorts to be placed off limits to the public and to be kept in a secret file, Shannon said. The public, the community, needs to be able to watch over its law enforcement departmentssee whats going on, ask questions. If you dont have information, you cant do that effectively.

KXAN reached out to the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT), a police union in support of SB 15. CLEAT provided a Memorandum of Support document to KXAN, which stated that this bill would ensure that no officer is treated differently based on which agency they work for when it comes to confidentiality.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

SB 15 passed on the floor of the Senate last Tuesday and was heard in its respective House committee on last Friday, where it also passed.

The bill will be placed on the calendar to be debated and voted on in the Texas House. The Calendars Committee, which decides when such bills are being discussed, is meeting Sunday and Monday to determine when that will happen.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PATRICK BARB: St. Paulite launches his debut novel Abducted, in which police sergeant Stacy is working her first case, the abduction of a young boy from his bedroom.

The case goes cold until 19 years later when Stacy is on the verge of retirement. The young man has been found, but he has changed. And things about his story dont add up. Stacy is skeptical of the official narrative and dives deep into investigating a case that has haunted her for decades. The authors published works include dark fiction collections and novellas. He also runs the monthly interview column in Shortwave magazine. His 2023 short story The Scare Groom was selected for Best Horror of the Year Volume 16. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul.

LAUREN STRINGER: Painter, writer, picture book illustrator and set designer launches her picture book An Abundance of Light: A Story of Matisse in Morocco, capturing the light and shadows in the city of Tangier, which captivated Matisse in 1912-13 and inspired an outburst of radical abstraction in his paintings and sculptures in the years that followed. 5 p.m. Tuesday, Groveland Gallery, 25 Groveland Terrace, Mpls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NICOLE WELLS: Presents Its All About Astrology. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. A portion of the days proceeds will support purchases for the Womens Prison Book Project.

Related Articles
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP)  Cute and adorable Welsh corgis, widely known for their association with the British royal family, are in fact a breed of passionate racers.

That's at least according to the 120 teams from around Europe taking part in the Corgi Race Vilnius, in Lithuania's capital, which drew an international bunch of furballs and their owners from countries including Poland, Latvia, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Thousands of Lithuanians gathered in the capital's largest park on Saturday and Sunday to watch the events  a solo sprint, a contest for the mightiest voice," costume challenges, and group racing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The event is set to culminate on Sunday with the so-called World Corgi Meetup, where dogs in Lithuania will be connected via a live broadcast with their peers in the United States, Ireland and Poland.

This is so much fun and great emotion for the entire family, something bright that many people are craving for these days, said retired teacher Janina Stoniene, who attended the race with her three grandchildren. The children said they admired the costume challenge as dogs were dressed in eye-catching outfits like Batman, a princess or an airplane.

A corgi named Amigo, sporting a factory-themed costume complete with two tiny chimneys and Fur Factory lettering, was named the proud winner of that contest.

Another called Mango, whose owners are from Lithuania, was the champion of the solo race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So this is a mango, like a fruit mango, and we are participating (for the) second time in Corgi Race 2025," said Ignas Klimaika, a proud corgi lover from Vilnius. Last year we didnt manage to end the race perfectly. We had a really good training. We had trained every day, but this year we decided we just go without training, just to participate, just to enjoy all the lots of corgis, he said.

But this year, Mango won the racing competition, while his owners screamed and waved to try to inspire him to triumph.

"He knows what he did and hes really proud of himself, said Ignas, who is already planning for 2026.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Aug. 23 described renewed efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine as "the first 200 meters" of 10 kilometers.

"Yes, we have taken the first steps. But I will say it figuratively, we are at a distance of 10 kilometers and have passed, maybe, the first 200 meters, no more. But in any case, we are moving in the right direction," Merz said at a congress of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.

U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to broker a peace deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine following failed attempts months earlier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. leader met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15 and then met President Volodymyr Zelensky alongside European leaders in the White House days later.

Merz noted that Russia's position continues to make reaching a peace deal difficult, describing the process as a "difficult" task.

"(T)he leadership of Germany and the European Union has not yet made more diplomatic efforts than in the last three weeks," Merz said, emphasizing progress has been made before.

"Let no one say today that we are only discussing arms supplies," he added as Ukraine and its allies work on security guarantees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Aug. 19, Merz said that Zelensky and Putin could meet within the next two weeks.

"The American president spoke with the Russian president and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks," Merz said.

Trump has said he plans to host a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting consisting of the three leaders if talks go well.

Zelensky said on Aug. 18 that he will directly discuss territory with Putin in potential peace talks, as Ukraine calls for unconditional negotiations.

Read also: Once a top backer, Poland fades from Ukraine peace talks amid domestic turmoil

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Actor Randeep Hooda attended the Wade Asia event, an architecture event which celebrates the women-led development in design, architecture, art, and engineering at Yashoobhoomi Delhi on Saturday. At the sidelines of the event, Randeep Hooda praised the Wade Asia event, calling it a great function to celebrate the women architects of the nation. While talking to mediapersons, the actor said, "It's a beautiful place and such a big function is taking place here. And here, women architects and designers are being celebrated. On a large scale, women's power and women architects are being celebrated all over the country. More than 10,000 projects have been completed in the country." Meanwhile, the 'Jaat' star recently opened up about his upcoming projects, giving subtle hints about the films in the pipeline. "I am currently in the stage where I have to choose. And that is what gives me the fire in my belly to do the next," he told ANI, in reference to his next releases. Randeep Hooda has been on a busy slate lately, including 'Operation Khukri', which is based on the real-life events of 2000, when 233 Indian Army soldiers were taken hostage by rebel forces in Sierra Leone, West Africa. It was followed by a subsequent high-risk mission. Hooda will be seen in the role of Major General Pal Punia, then Company Commander of the 14th Mechanised Infantry, who played a key role in navigating the tense standoff and the rescue operation of the soldiers. Earlier this year, Randeep Hooda Films and Rahul Mittra Films acquired the exclusive film rights to the operation. The actor will also reunite with his 'Extraction' director Sam Hargrave for the upcoming action-thriller 'Matchbox' alongside John Cena. Based on the iconic Matchbox car line, the film tells the story of a group of childhood friends who reunite to prevent a global disaster. Randeep Hooda was last seen in the film 'Jaat' alongside Sunny Deol in the lead role. (ANI)
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  On Saturday, the International Museum of Dance is honoring the life, legacy, and cultural impact of Jock Soto, a Dine and Puerto Rican ballet dancer, born and raised in the Land of Enchantment. Before he became one of the first Indigenous principal dancers with the New York Ballet, Soto danced with his mother. I used to hoop dance with my mother when I was between three and 10, explained Soto.

Ballet came a little later for him when he watched American ballet dancer Edward Villella perform on the Ed Sullivan Show. Soto says Villellas profound technique and masculinity when he danced drew him in. I went to my mom. I remember soon after that, and I said, Mom, I wanna do this, I wanna do ballet,' he emphasized.

Santa Fe Indigenous Center installs Indigenous Little Free Library

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With the help of his mother, Josephine, he was able to receive ballet scholarships to be taught by the best choreographers. Still, Soto quickly realized something: I was the brown boy, you know, and everybody else was white and skinny and thin. And I didnt have the typical body for ballet.

Those differences are what propelled him forward, pushing him to some of the most prestigious stages in the world. And after a remarkable 24-year career, hes back home in Eagle Nest, New Mexico, helping future dancers have that same opportunity through his scholarship fund.

I think is a special thing, and its something that I was lucky to have. So Im trying to continue that kind of thing for dancers who want to be professionals, said Soto.

The Moving Memories Scholarship Fund ensures that underrepresented dance histories are honored, preserved, and amplified by providing annual financial support to at least one indigenous dancer to continue ballet training.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
MADISON, Ala. (WHNT)  On Saturday afternoon, dozens of people gathered together to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day in Madison.

It was August 24th, 1991 when Ukraine became an independent country from the Soviet Union. With an ongoing war against Russia, where Ukraine is defending its independence, event organizers say it is important to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day.

Vietnam veterans receive a long-awaited welcome home

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We really value our independence, its so important to us, especially now, when Ukraine is fighting for its freedom, organizer and volunteer Yuliya Keener said.

She told News 19 that Ukrainian Independence Day hits close to home for her, because she lost family members in the fight.

Its very important, especially for me personally because my grandfather and great grandfather literally fought for independence for Ukraine during Soviet times, Keener said.

Keener said that the Ukrainian community across North Alabama is strong. She said the freedoms that Ukrainian people are celebrating today are why they continue to fight against Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We want to have our land, we want to have freedom of speech, we want to live peacefully and happily, she said.

 Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App

Saturdays event included the singing of both the United States and Ukrainian national anthems, songs, poems, and words of encouragement.

Were happy to support each other and were happy to support Ukraine, Keener said.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has now gone on for more than 1,200 days.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Rose Carter, executive director of A.C.T.I.O.N., celebrated her retirement on Saturday.

A.C.T.I.O.N. (Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods) is a community of diverse leaders committed to raising awareness and seeking solutions to overcome poverty, racism, and social injustice, according to their Facebook group.

Carter, who has dedicated years to serving the community, received a key to the city of Youngstown during Saturdays event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

My parents, 82 years ago, didnt think they could have children. They thought I was a tumor, and when they realized I was going to be born, they gave me back to the Lord to serve, and thats what I did from nursing to community work, said Carter.

With her own foundation, The Carter Group, in conjunction with the Anthony Spano foundation, Carter is not done working in the community.

Shes active and engaged, but I think the biggest word I could use for her is caring, said Mayor Jamael Tito Brown. She really cares for her community and the people she works for.

Tristan Hostetter contributed to this report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
If you're trying to find out what a restaurant has to offer, you might look up its menu, or go to its Facebook page. Hell, you could call and ask.

But that's all demode. Why not query an AI chatbot, a piece of software notorious for inventing facts out of the tokenized ether of the internet, and treat its answer like the word of God?

Here's why: because you'd annoy the hell out of the restaurant. Just ask the beleaguered owners of the Montana eatery Stefanina's Wentzville, who are begging their customers to stop using Google's infamously shambolic AI Overviews to check up on its specials, First Alert 4 reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Please do not use Google AI to find out our specials. Please go on our Facebook page or our website," the restaurant wrote in a weary Facebook post. "Google AI is not accurate and is telling people specials that do not exist which is causing angry customers yelling at our employees."

"We cannot control what Google posts or says," the post added, "and we will not honor the Google AI specials."

AI chatbots and other large language models remain incredibly prone to hallucinating, which is the industry euphemism for generating plausible-sounding misinformation. Google's AI Overviews have been mocked for being especially wonky, including for its recommendation that you should put glue on pizza.

But evidently, many remain unaware of the inherent unreliability of these tools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Eva Gannon, whose family owns the restaurant, told First Alert that Google's AI kept telling customers about deals that weren't real and even made up entire menu items. In one example, the Google AI claimed that Stefanina's was offering a large pizza for the price of a small one.

"It's coming back on us," Gannon told the local station. "As a small business," she reiterated, "we can't honor a Google AI special."

The restaurant isn't the only business to be affected by Google's AI blunders. In June, a solar firm in Minnesota sued the tech titan for defamation, claiming that the AI Overviews told customers damaging lies about the company that hurt its business. In one case, the AI allegedly fibbed that the solar firm was facing a lawsuit for deceptive sales practices  which was in no way true.

Flubs like these suggest that we shouldn't be trusting AI tools to inform us about the world or control our decision making, but this is exactly what their creators want us to do with them: carry out mundane tasks and inquiries, ranging from planning your schedule to formulating dinner plans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Google, for example, is running an entire ad campaign for its Search app's AI Mode, which beats you over the head that you should "Just Ask Google" before doing literally anything.

On Thursday, the search giant announced that the AI Mode can now help make restaurant reservations for you.

More on AI: Elon Musk Fans Are Brutally Mocking Him for Incessantly "Gooning to AI Anime"
Guest Opinion. The emerging technology of artificial intelligence suggested that soon we would all be losing our jobs. The Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America first recognized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could take their identities and do their jobs, and negotiations to protect them were intense. Some suggest physicians and lawyers will soon be out of a job with AI. News like the student at MIT who dropped out because we will all be dead due to AI before she can graduate promises sensational headlines. For now, humans are still needed and AI is still not replacing us, but lets revisit some of the ideas of UBI (Universal base income) and how much our identities are tied with our occupation.

A Brookings study in 2019 concluded that [A]pproximately 25 percent of U.S. employment (36 million jobs in 2016) will face high exposure to automation in the coming decades (with greater than 70 percent of current task content at risk of substitution). A clear signal that there will not be enough jobs to go around. Andrew Wang has a solution. Wang brought the idea of universal basic income (a monthly payment to everyone in America from the government) to the center of his platform in his run to be the Democrat Presidential nominee. These two dynamics set the stage to converge the loss of jobs with the proposal just to pay people to stay home. Add to this fire, the unexpected accelerate, the Great Resignation of 2021 where the quit rate reached an all time high in November 2021.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Andrew Wangs proposal for a Universal Basic Income is a titillating concept for futurists who see no need for an advanced society to spend their days toiling away in jobs that artificial intelligence can do as good or better. Futurists imagine former workers will turn to art and the humanities, philanthropy and music with all this extra time.

Some have pointed to Finland where in 2017 they did the first and only trial of a UBI nationwide study among a sample of the population for two years. The object of the study was how it affected employment after the end of the trial. The conclusion was that it did not have much effect. But the experiment is hailed as a demonstration of how UBI can work, despite the outcome.

Like most political proposals, none of the unintended consequences are considered. Most of the work is focused on economics and how a government can afford to implement UBI, what the economics will be for GDP and other financial aspects of such a plan. Little to no work has been done on the psychological effect of losing an occupational identity.

We have to ask what will this void of meaningful occupations mean for humans?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The very first punishment was to work for your food until death, after the fall of man. Genesis 3:19 tells us, By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. A grime reminder that we are being punished, but is work punishment? Those who have found work that is so enjoyable for them that it isnt like work are truly fortunate (I count myself among those.) While not everyone is happy with their work, everyone has their identity tied to their work to some degree.

From the beginning of time occupations have been closely tied to identity, in fact, surnames that came about in Europe often identified a family by their occupation - Baker, Cook, Smith, Archer, Barber, Carpenter, Farmer, Fisher, Forester, Shoemaker, Tanner, Weaver, Gardner to name just a few. So occupational identity is still attached to those families to this day. If we named people for their occupations today, we might have surnames like Programmer, Advisor, Consultant, Driver, Designer or Engineer. But whether we have official surnames or not, identity is connected to our professions and occupations.

So what do we know from science about the psychology of work? The last meaningful book on the psychology of occupations was published in 1956, which finds that occupational choice may be taken as an indication of some aspects of self-image.

Lets take a quick look at the science we do have on the negative effects of losing ones job or occupation: A meta-analysis of ninteen studies on the relationship of work to suicide rates found that there is a distress effect as a result of job loss, and evidence that distress improves on regaining employment. In the U.S. a study showed that depressive symptoms were associated with job loss, but with one major mediating factor -occupational status. With the disappearance of occupations, that mediating factor will disappear, increasing the depressive effect found in these studies. Alcohol consumption increases with job loss, and drug overdoses increased significantly during the pandemic (but factors of isolation as well as job loss could also be attributable). One study showed that opioid deaths increased by 2.7% with the loss of 1,000 trade jobs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other studies show that slow and incremental job loss has less of an effect on distress. But the same could be said for the proverbial frogs in the pot of water, oblivious to the fact that the water is imperceptably being slowly brought to a boil? The end result is not pretty for the frog.

Universities are the research centers for what lies ahead. Research also relates to what Universities teach. What will universities prepare you for? Likely not much will change except professional schools like engineering, medicine and law may be altered to reflect the new reality. Teaching basic human knowledge in the arts, humanities and science will be important to understand the world around us, just as it is today. Universities can still serve as the bridge to adulthood because the need for that will not change. With university tuition being free in the new world order, there is no pressure to select the right major to make the most money. But then what?

What happens to the graduates that are now prepared to understand the world around them, yet are prepared for no job? Were they taught how to select a life of music and art and philanthropy? Why would they not select a life of crime? A UBI cannot completely kill the entrepreneurial spirit.

Graduates from universities and non-graduates will have the same lifetime expected incomes, so do universities eventually lose their importance for societal status? Almost inevitably.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What new identities will emerge if a UBI is the solution to joblessness? Wife, husband, mother, father, grandmother? Even those identities are closely intertwined with being the breadwinner(s) for the family, as the essential support for food and shelter.

Using the Seven Generations principle, we ask how this policy will affect seven generations. We look back at the previous three generations, our current generation and three future generations as we ask this question. We have looked back and work and occupation is indisputably tied to identity and self-worth. We look at today, and the convergence of artificial intelligence job replacement, political push to institute a universal basic income, and the pandemic effects that led to the Great Resignation suggests we are at a turning point in human society. Looking ahead, three generations are the decades ahead when this transition will take place. The next three generations are critical and this is the time when study and planning for such a transition might produce a better future, rather than throwing money at the future with a simplistic UBI that ignores the effect of identity and self-worth entangled with our occupations and professions.

Have we managed to become so advanced that we have escaped the first punishment to work for our food until death? Indicators are that a move to UBI will likely be more of a leap from the frying pan into the fire  perhaps a hellish outcome, if we do not give this serious study and thought before embarking on a utopian scheme lacking any scientific support.

[This article includes material from an article I wrote for unintended consequences in 2022.]

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To read more articles by Professor Sutton go to: https://profvictoria.substack.com/

Professor Victoria Sutton (Lumbee) is Director of the Center for Biodefense, Law & Public Policy and an Associated Faculty Member of The Military Law Center of Texas Tech University School of Law.

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
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The U.S. Department of Justice has given over $3.3 million to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE). This funding will help fight violent crimes against women and improve victim services statewide.

According to the DOJ, $2.47 million comes from the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. This program helps law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim services. It focuses on cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Convicted sex offender in Louisiana agrees to be castrated by state: reports

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

$908,000 comes from the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program. The DOJ said this program funds rape crisis centers and nonprofits that support victims of sexual assault.

This follows a summer of violence in the Baton Rouge area, including several deadly shootings involving women, one of which is being investigated as a domestic murder-suicide.

Latest News

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Theres a story in the Christian Scriptures that fascinates me: The new itinerant preacher is ready to begin his ministry along the dusty byways of his native land, but there is an official act that must be performed first. The preacher needs to be baptized, immersed in the muddy water of the Jordan River.

When the preacher from Galilee approaches the riverbank in Judea, his cousin, the baptist, sees him coming and says, Uh, no way. I cant baptize you. You are the holy one. You must baptize me. The preacher looks at his cousin, clears his throat and says, We must each do our part to fulfill the prophecies which have been written about us.

With this sorted out, the man wearing garments of camels hair and a leather girdle welcomes the god disguised in a people suit who walks up to him. The preacher is ready to begin the enormous, complicated and risky job that he has been asked to do on behalf of the whole of humanity  a job that would ultimately mean immeasurable suffering and an ignominious death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What a moment, right? Where is his family? Who will stand with him for this momentous event? There is no mention of his mother or his father. Is he all alone in this staggeringly difficult moment? Is there no one to say, Im with you. You can depend on me.

He is lowered into the water. He is baptized like hundreds of others  just one more in a long line of supplicants. But wait! The crowd looks up as the heavens are opened and a radiant dove gracefully descends, circles the assembled throng, pulls in her wings and settles on the preachers shoulder. The crowd is mesmerized. Murmuring, they ask, What can this mean?

And just when it seems that the afternoon can get no stranger, those gathered are surprised by a voice of unusual clarity, volume and power, saying, I love you, my son, and I am exceedingly proud of who you are.

So, his father is with him after all. And his father knows just what he needs to hear at this life-defining moment. The itinerant preacher who is stepping out on the hardest job ever undertaken by humankind needs to hear what every child needs to hear from a parent: I love you, and I am proud of you.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even Jesus, the son of God, needed the reassurance that he was loved and cherished by his father.

How much more do our children need to hear that from us? It costs us nothing, takes only a few seconds of our time and yet finds its place deep within the childs heart  squirreled away to be taken out and examined when things get tough; when they are taking a deep breath and stepping out into unknown territory; when they have been given a dauntingly difficult assignment.

Im not alone. Someone loves me. Someone is proud of me.

That itinerant preacher went on to merely set the world on fire. Throughout his rigorous undertaking of the task assigned to him, he knew two things: his father loved him, and his father was proud of him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What can your child imagine, dream, hope and accomplish with the gift of your belief, trust, confidence and, yes, love? With these gifts, children can be one-of-a-kind, original, bright-eyed evangelists for good in the world.

Bunny Stevens lives in Modesto, her hometown, and has served on The Modesto Bee Community Advisory Board. She is the opening courtesy clerk at the Safeway supermarket on McHenry Avenue and an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. Reach her at BunnyinModesto@gmail.com
LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP)  A Ludlow business held a back-to-school event, making sure kids who stopped by were ready for their first day.

Local artists display creations at Pioneer Valley Art Festival

Smooth Innovators Barber Shop & Spa hosted its back-to-school event on East Street on Sunday. Employees provided food, haircuts, school supplies, and raffle prizes to guests in attendance.

Its amazing, Im glad that they chose us, said Smooth Innovators owner Richard Rodriguez. Its great to see all the young kids leave here happy with their fresh cuts and their school supplies and having the chance to win prizes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The event ran from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visit smoothinnovators.com to learn more about the business.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Lyle Menendez, 57, was denied parole Friday by a California board, a day after his younger brother Erik was also rejected in his bid for release from the San Diego prison, where the two have spent nearly 35 years.

On Thursday, parole commissioners told Erik Menendez that despite strong family support, his conduct in custody  including repeated cellphone violations  showed he remained unwilling to follow rules.

Contrary to your supporters beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner, commissioner Robert Barton said, describing his behavior as selfish and disturbing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The panel ordered Erik to remain incarcerated for at least three more years. The decision left him visibly shaken, even as he listened intently to Barton, who added: Two things can be true. They can love and forgive you, and you can still be found unsuitable for parole.

The hearings for both brothers were the closest they have come to release since their life sentences were reduced in May, making them eligible for review.

The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, inside the familys Beverly Hills mansion on Aug. 20, 1989.

Prosecutors argued they killed to gain access to a multimillion-dollar inheritance, while defense attorneys contended they acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father. The jury sided with prosecutors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After the killings, the brothers embarked on a spending spree, purchasing luxury cars, watches, trips abroad and, in Lyles case, a New Jersey restaurant. They were arrested in 1990, after Erik confessed to his therapist.

At Thursdays hearing, Barton underscored the brutal nature of the crime, particularly the execution-style killing of Kitty Menendez.

The killing of your mother especially showed a lack of empathy and reason, he said. I dont know that Ive ever had rage to that level, ever.

Nearly 35 years later, the Menendez case remains etched in American memory as one of the most sensational parricide trials of the 20th century. Fridays ruling means both brothers remain behind bars, their supporters calls for forgiveness once again unanswered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In a twist dripping with irony, Trump Burger co-founder Iyad Abuelhawa, who legally adopted the name Eddie Hawa, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The arrest underscores how the very political identity he built his business on has now put him at the mercy of the immigration policies he publicly celebrated.

Abuelhawa, 55, was arrested on June 2 for violating a 2009 deportation order, and ICE has said he will remain in custody due to his criminal record and immigration status. His past includes a 2005 conviction for administering fake flu vaccines at a health fair, targeting over 1,600 people, including Exxon Mobil employees. His attorneys say he is suffering from diabetes and heart disease and has been denied proper medical care in detention. ICE disputes those claims, saying detainees receive adequate treatment.

This is the second arrest involving the Trump Burger franchise. His former partner, Roland Beainy, the more public face of the chain, was detained in May over alleged visa violations and a suspected sham marriage. Together, the pair now face a tangled web of legal battles, including ownership disputes, eviction proceedings, and allegations of business mismanagement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The story of Trump Burger began in 2016 with the Hawas Trump Cafe in Bellville, Texas  a pro-Trump establishment that openly celebrated the president and marketed itself as a patriotic destination. Abuelhawa, a Muslim immigrant from Israel, and his wife reframed their business to support the president while capitalizing on the MAGA brand.

By 2020, the enterprise had rebranded as Trump Burger, expanding across the Houston area with MAGA-themed merchandise, satirical menu items and a media-friendly persona that drew regional attention. The restaurant became a symbol of immigrant entrepreneurship embracing a conservative political identity, but behind the facade, legal troubles, internal conflict and immigration enforcement loomed.

Abuelhawas detention highlights a striking political irony: the very immigration policies and enforcement priorities championed by the Trump administration and celebrated by the franchises owners, now ensnared them. What once was a bold expression of political loyalty has become a liability, showing how symbolic alignment with a political movement does not provide immunity from legal realities.

The case also underscores the tension between public image and private reality. While Trump Burger marketed itself as a patriotic and business-friendly establishment, the owners past legal troubles, immigration violations, and ongoing health concerns reveal a far more complicated story. Abuelhawas attorneys warn that his serious medical conditions are worsening in ICE custody, raising questions about the human cost of strict enforcement policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ultimately, the saga of Trump Burger serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of political branding. A business built on symbolism and ideology can quickly become entangled in the very structures it celebrates, blurring the line between public support, legal accountability, and personal vulnerability.

The post MAGA immigrant loyalist detained under policies he cheered appeared first on Salon.com.
Taking to the Instagram handle, Mohanlal shared the news with a poster of his character in 'Hridayapoorvam'. Calling it a "censor clean" movie, the superstar announced that the film will be making its way to theatres on August 28, 2025.

The film is directed by Sathyan Anthikad.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNpv1Tuy5vg/?

The makers of Mohanlal starrer 'Hridayapoorvam' have released the teaser of the film recently. The film marks the reunion of the superstar and director Sathyan Anthikad after almost 10 years.

'Hridayapoorvam' also stars Malavika Mohanan, Sangeeth Prathap, Sangita, Siddique, Nishan, Baburaj, Lalu Alex and Janardhanan in prominent roles.

The teaser opens on a humorous note, featuring a scene where a college student expresses his admiration for actor Fahadh Faasil to Mohanlal.

Mohanlal's character, however, seems less than amused, pointing out that there are several senior actors deserving of praise, but the visitor insists Faasil is the best, much to his displeasure.

The story of the film is penned by Akhil Sathyan, while the screenplay & Dialogues have been penned by Sonu TP. The music of the film is composed by Justin Prabhakaran.

The film is produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas. The movie is slated to hit theatres on August 28, 2025.

Meanwhile, Mohanlal recently confirmed the release date of his film 'Drishyam 3'. (ANI)
One of Donald Trumps closest allies sucked up to the president on national TV on Sunday, falsely claiming record approval numbers despite polling showing sinking support.

Rep. Byron Donalds made the unfounded claim on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo as he railed against the Democrats for being more concerned about power here in the United States than making sure that the United States remained the number one economic and military power on the globe.

They dont have any ideas, no policy about how they are going to improve the lives of the American people, the Florida congressman said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is why Donald Trump is riding high with all-time-high approval numbers from his time in public office because he is getting the job done and delivering for the American people.

Rep. Byron Donalds is running for Florida governor in the 2026 election. / Reuters/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades

The congressman, who is running for Florida governor in the 2026 election, was parroting Trumps claims from late July that his approval has soared significantly.

They have hit 90%, 92%, 93%, and 95%, in various polls, and are all Republican Party records, the president bragged on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed Aug. 18 found Trumps approval rating at 40 percent, matching the lowest level of his current term. The figure was unchanged from late July, and had fallen 7 points from January, when it was 47 percent. The six-day poll surveyed 4,446 U.S. adults and carried a margin of error of about 2 percentage points.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., / Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS

The poll showed significant weaknesses among Hispanic voters, with only 32 percent approving of Trumps performance, the lowest level this year. On issues, approval was mixed: 42 percent on crime and 43 percent on immigration. More than half of respondents54 percent, including one in five Republicanssaid Trump was too closely aligned with Russia during his attempts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump has frequently dismissed negative polling.

On April 28, he blasted polls from The New York Times, ABC News and The Washington Post on Truth Social, slamming them as fake news organizations publishing fake polls and even suggesting the publications should be investigated.

The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.
Comedian Bill Maher praised California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) social media strategy of trying to out-stupid President Trump.

Gavin Newsom is now trolling Trump. Ive never seen a Democrat do this. I think its very funny hes imitating Trumps exact style, Maher said Friday during his Real Time With Bill Maher show.

This is Newsom: And he will fail as he always does, sad. And I, the peacetime governor, our nations favorite, will save America once again. Many are calling me the, you know, Gavin Newsom, many say the most loved and handsome governor, Maher added, reading a post Newsom made on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Newsom and his communications team have tried to mimic Trumps rhetoric and social media persona in recent days, writing social media posts in all caps and borrowing some words the president uses, like beautiful.

I feel like Gavin has grasped the essential thing about American culture in this day and age. Dont try to outsmart people, Maher said. You have to out-stupid them.

Some Democratic strategists have welcomed Newsoms strategy as the Democratic Party looks to bounce back from losses in November and build up some momentum going into the 2026 midterms. Others, who are close to the administration, said the governors attempts are not landing.

If he wanted to get under President Trumps skin, it didnt work, one Trump ally told The Hill this week. I think everyone around here viewed it as comical.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lets face it, theres only one Trump, the person added.

Vice President Vance, during an interview with Fox Business, argued that the idea that Newsom is somehow going to mimic Donald Trumps style, I think that ignores the fundamental genius of President Trumps political success, which is that hes authentic.

He just is who he is. You got to be yourself. You actually got to talk to people about the issues, Vance added. I dont think its that complicated.

Earlier this month, Newsom described his efforts as a no regrets strategy, telling The Hill that he has to fight fire with fire to counter the Texas GOPs push, blessed by Trump, to redraw Congressional lines ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The president shot back at Newsom on Wednesday, writing that the California governor is way down in the polls.

Hes viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California, the president added. I will save California!!!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Selma, an asylum seeker from Angola, moved to Texas at the start of the pandemic and then to Maine in January 2022. She fears persecution if she returns because of a family members involvement in a human rights group.

As a Christian, I was praying, and then God just gave me direction, which was Maine, she said.

She joined a nondenominational Christian church in Portland right away, and she and her two children have been regular attendees ever since. After President Donald Trumps inauguration in January, her 12-year-old daughter asked if it was still safe to go to school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As immigration enforcement efforts have increased dramatically this year, many migrants have also reckoned with whether its safe to go to places of worship, whether theyre congregants or faith leaders like one Westbrook pastor detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month.

In one of his first acts in office, Trump rescinded a policy that essentially barred ICE agents from making arrests at sensitive locations like churches, hospitals and schools. A coalition sued the Department of Homeland Security over the policy in February, arguing it violated religious freedom. A judge declined to block the policy, citing a lack of evidence that churches were singled out as special targets for immigration enforcement.

Faith leaders are preparing for the possibility of enforcement regardless, and several other lawsuits have been filed on similar grounds, including one in late July with a New England plaintiff.

Michel Tshimankinda, a Westbrook man who founded a church in South Portland, has been in ICE detention in New Hampshire since Aug. 14, according to the Portland Press Herald. He wasnt arrested on church property, but his detention has shaken his family and congregation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tshimankinda was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and first came to the U.S. from Botswana in 2016 on a temporary visa, according to ICE. In a statement to The Monitor, an ICE official said that Tshimankinda showed a disregard for U.S. immigration laws after overstaying his visa by nine years, and was apprehended during targeted enforcement operations in Portland.

The Department of Homeland Security has said officers would need secondary supervisor approval before carrying out enforcement at sensitive locations like churches. In a statement to the Religious News Service in late July, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin wrote that the agency expected such enforcement to be extremely rare.

There have been at least 10 instances of federal agents carrying out immigration enforcement activity on or immediately near church grounds this year, the Religion News Service reported in early August.

Selma, whom The Monitor is identifying by her first name because of safety concerns, said the fear among Maines immigrant communities is widespread. But she has requested asylum and has a work permit and a Real I.D., so she has decided to keep attending church services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

My living in fear is not going to solve nothing, she said. Every morning, I pray that God protect me and protect all of us, because we can do nothing about it.

Whether there is anything to be done is a pressing question for Maine churches and other places of worship. A number of churches have reported declining attendance due to fears of ICE agents showing up, and have seen congregants turn to online services instead.

In this climate, faith leaders are working to set up protocols for interacting with federal agents and ensuring immigrants know their rights. Some are also participating in an initiative to create a hotline and document ICE activity across the state, set to launch this fall.

A climate of fear

ICE made 142 arrests in Maine through July 28 this year, an increase from 102 over the same time period last year, according to the Deportation Data Project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Several faith leaders that cater to immigrant-heavy congregations declined to speak to The Monitor about how theyre dealing with the threat of immigration enforcement, citing concerns for their parishioners' safety.

The ACLU of Maine has a checklist for interacting with ICE at a place of worship that offers several recommendations, including establishing a response team and training staff to deescalate the situation and get the agents identifying information. They recommend requesting to see a warrant, and then verifying that it was signed by a judge and that it specifies the names of people under arrest and areas to be searched.

The group also instructs faith leaders to designate public and private areas of the building and to deny access to private areas, politely but firmly, unless a warrant specifically permits entry. According to Luminus, an immigrant advocacy group, sanctuaries are generally considered public spaces, while areas that require keys or a staff member to enter are considered private areas.

Bishop Nathan Pipho of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) said ministers from across the 160 churches in the synod, including 15 in Maine, have reported declining attendance among immigrants following Trumps inauguration. Many of the ELCA churches have made new immigrants a focus of their ministry, and the sharp drop in immigration this year has impacted their work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The New England Synod is one of several plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security aimed at stopping the administration from carrying out immigration enforcement at houses of worship.

The lawsuit argues that such enforcement impedes religious freedom by creating an atmosphere of fear among worshippers. Pipho said the threat of enforcement has not only impacted religious services but also the number of immigrants seeking social services such as food pantries that operate out of churches.

We support comprehensive immigration reform; we support thoughtful dialogue on immigration, Pipho said. Immigration is a complex issue which is not served by scapegoating and striking fear into immigrant communities.

Even churches without large immigrant congregations are feeling the impacts. First Parish Congregational Church of Gorham has run a transitional housing program for asylum seekers since 2023, converting second-floor space into rooms for four families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lead minister Christine Dyke says the program has made immigration a more personal issue for church members. They listen to particular things in the news. Theyre listening because theyre doing the same kind of thing I am, she said. Is this gonna affect our people? Thats what they call them  these are our people now.

Since November 2023, the church has hosted more than 25 families, mostly from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Initially, most people stayed for an average of three months, but as the housing market in Maine has tightened the stays have increased to six months or longer.

Dyke said she and other church leaders have created a plan in case federal immigration officers show up on church property. Congregation members know how to respond, Dyke said, and the goal is to keep residents safe while following the law.

Everyone in the transitional housing has claimed asylum and is known by ICE, but Dyke said they still fear that legal status may be ignored or revoked on short notice. The Trump administration has already stripped the legal status of more than 500,000 immigrants who were previously approved for humanitarian parole and instructed them to self-deport, and recently revoked more than 6,000 student visas.

ICE Watch

Jake Fahey, faith-in-action coordinator for First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland, is one of more than 40 faith leaders across the state working with the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition (MIRC) on rapid response to immigrants needs. He estimates that roughly ten faith leaders are also helping MIRC to develop an initiative to track ICE enforcement across the state, with a particular emphasis on quelling rumors and verifying real activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The group plans to launch a hotline this fall, where immigrants can fact-check information and get connected with resources, said Hunter Cropsey, MIRCs senior program and community engagement manager. The program will initially focus on southern Maine, with plans to expand later.

Several statewide denominations including the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, the Unitarian Universalists, Reform Jewish congregations and the Bahai community plan to support the ICE Watch initiative once its more developed, Fahey said.

One key element will be to send out verifiers, trained volunteers who will go to communities to document ICE agents actions when called. Verifiers in similar neighborhood programs nationally confirm officers identities during enforcement actions before sharing information with residents in the area, sometimes by going door to door.

The goal is to combat rumors and ensure people understand their rights if approached by federal agents. Verifiers will not disrupt ICE operations, Cropsey said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres a lot of really deep enthusiasm among faith-based groups and other folks from a volunteer perspective, and a deep enthusiasm for immigrant community members and leaders for this type of service, Cropsey said. The hotline will rely on multilingual volunteers to manage the phones, and MIRC hopes to offer post-detention support for community members, as well.

Fahey is helping to build out a network of volunteers for the initiative, including through churches. Churches are uniquely positioned to mobilize around social issues, Fahey said, because people are already gathering to develop their views on morality and justice.

The level of hate and injustice that not only this administration but the general powers-that-be have demonstrated through the tactic of deportation and fear and harassment, it just strikes deeply for many people, but particularly those of faith, Fahey said. They have an access to community engagement that I think is declining in this country, which is like a place to really go and wrestle with and invite action.

Cropsey described faith-based organizations as engaged supporters of MIRCs mission. The organization lists nine faith groups as members of the coalition, including the Maine Council of Churches, the Congregation Bet Haam Tikkun Olam Council and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, including its Hispanic Ministry. Churches have been especially helpful in providing volunteers and monetary support for immigrants, Cropsey said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For church leaders like Rev. Reba Delzell, pastor at Williston-Immanuel United Church in Portland, supporting immigrants is a Biblical imperative. Her church hosts two congregations of Congolese and Sudanese immigrants, and she said at least the Congolese congregation has had a drop in attendance since January.

I read scripture, the message over and over again is you welcome the stranger, Delzell said. You take care of those who have needs greater than your own. You walk with people. You give what you have to help others, and for me, thats the commandment  when we welcome the stranger who is in the form of an immigrant, we are carrying out that commandment.
St. George Municipal School District superintendent Mike Felton thought long and hard about opting into a Maine Department of Education program to have public school districts provide special education services to qualifying three- to five-year-old children.

Now, as the first year of the program comes to an end, he says that although there were bumps in the road, hes glad he opted in.

We want to get kids in the door and invest in them as young as possible, said Felton. Every year you wait, it becomes harder and more expensive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This past year marked the first of a four-year plan to transition the provision of special education services, including speech, physical and occupational therapy, for three- to five-year-old children with disabilities from the Maine Department of Educations Child Development Services to the states public schools.

As the 17 public school districts around Maine that participated look back on their first year and another 34 prepare to join them at the start of the coming school year, the mood is one of cautious optimism.

While school districts were able to provide services to all eligible children, they were at times met with significant challenges, including receiving more than twice the number of students the state told them to expect.

Failing to provide adequate services can snowball through a life, said Maine Developmental Disabilities Council executive director Nancy Cronin. A childs first five years are crucial for development, and if a child doesnt receive appropriate support during the preschool years, it can be difficult to catch up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Under federal law, states are required to ensure all children can successfully participate in the public education system. For young children with disabilities, that means providing them with the resources they need to participate in preschool with their peers and enter Kindergarten prepared to learn alongside their classmates.

But in recent years, Maine has fallen short of that charge. CDS  which remains responsible for providing services to the majority of the states eligible preschoolers  has been failing to provide disability services, leaving kids on waitlists for months, and, in extreme cases, over a year.

You would see these kids every day who needed help and werent getting it, said Janet Schoff, the director and head teacher at Learning Tree Preschool in York County and a child care provider of 42 years. The waiting was excruciating.

Teachers at Learning Tree helped where they could.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Us teachers will step forward and fill any shoes for any child, said Schoff. But we have a whole class who is also worthy of our time and guidance, so we cant give one child with extreme needs all the time and energy they require.

High demand

Education leaders from York to Penobscot County who opted into year one of the program said that overall, the transition went well, but the shift was not without its challenges. Districts ended up with far more students than expected, rural school districts had trouble finding enough staff and transportation proved to be a constant puzzle.

Its a bigger undertaking than was presented to us a year ago, said Kittery superintendent Eric Waddell. But we expected it wasnt going to be as easy as it sounded early on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Knowing that families fed up with CDS had been finding alternative ways to get their kids early intervention services, educators expected there would be more preschoolers eligible for support than had been relayed to them by the DOE. But they didnt expect the figure to be more than double.

The state told the 17 school districts to plan for 189 students. Instead, there were 437.

chart showing the number of Maine preschoolers receiving special education services in public schools for the 2024-25 school year. As of July 1, 2025, 385 of the 437 three to five year olds receiving special education services in the first cohort had gone through the evaluation process and were categorized as follows: 198 in speech and language, 76 with autism, 74 with a developmental delay, 17 with a different health impairment, 13 with multiple disabilities, 3 with hearing impairment, two with emotional disturbance, one with intellectual disability and one with a specific learning disability.

In St. George, the additional children meant they needed to add an extra preschool classroom halfway through the year. In Kittery, the district planned to receive 11 eligible preschoolers. By the middle of the school year, they had 34.

It was a shock, said Waddell.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Districts experienced other growing pains, too.

At the start of the school year, the Guilford School District had trouble getting services to kids across the towns 36 square miles, leading to delays. And, unable to hire enough therapists, the district opted to provide some speech services online, according to the districts special education director Nicki Greene.

At the same time, teachers had to get additional certifications and become accustomed to tasks not usually elementary school job descriptions, including potty-training kids and changing diapers.

I have staff that will do whatever it takes, said St. George School District special education director Jessica Berry. If we didnt, it would be a problem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite these challenges, school districts were successful in their primary task  providing all eligible students with services within the legally allotted timeframe.

This is in stark contrast to CDS, which served more than 7,000 children last year and reported long waitlists for several services, including more than 800 waiting for speech therapy and more than 500 waiting for occupational therapy, according to data from the DOE.

Challenges ahead

Many of the school districts that joined the pilot felt they were ready, with robust pre-K programs, close connections to local preschools and staff with the capacity and enthusiasm to take on a new project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But thats not the case for every school district. Many dont have full-day pre-K programs or pre-K at all. Some have yet to implement full-day Kindergarten.

And skepticism about whether the state will continue to foot the entire bill is making some superintendents reluctant to engage.

Cronin, of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, said she was glad to hear that many schools in the first cohort were successful, but is worried there hasnt been enough centralized planning to ensure other districts, especially those with fewer resources, have the same experience.

The system is desperate for change, but there still isnt a strong pathway to make that change happen, said Cronin. There are all kinds of issues that havent been addressed. We havent solved issues of space and transportation, or made it easier for schools to find ed-techs and teachers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Without solving these underlying issues, Cronin said she wonders why school districts are expected to better serve the states preschoolers with disabilities than CDS did.

Are we moving toward a system that is better? she asked.

The Department of Education doesnt have a magic wand to solve problems, including the workforce shortage, said Sandy Flacke, deputy director for the departments Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education. But by using community relationships, support from the department, lessons learned from the pilot year and resources like teletherapy, shes hopeful that the new system will be more efficient and effective than CDS, she said.

Flacke said the department is working hard to support school districts that will take on this responsibility in the coming years and will have check-ins with the second cohort of schools at least once a month and host multiple informational sessions for schools planning to join in the third and fourth years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We want to be able to provide them with tailored support and guidance, said Flacke.

Funding uncertainty

The 2024 legislation that set this transition into motion mandates the Maine Department of Education pay for 100 percent of reasonable and necessary costs for school districts to provide services to preschoolers with disabilities.

Last year, the state held up its end of the bargain, shelling out over $7 million for everything from toys to ed-tech and teacher salaries.

But some are worried that increasing costs as more school districts join and shifting priorities at the federal level could change the equation.

School leaders are concerned that if the DOE backs away from its funding obligation, the burden would fall to property taxpayers, some of whom are already reluctant to support school budget increases.

It would be catastrophic to have to absorb these costs, said Waddell.

The DOE, however, said the law is clear that 100 percent of preschool special education costs will be paid by the state.

The state committed $39 million to preschool special education for this fiscal year.

One way the DOE is working to keep costs down is by billing MaineCare. As part of Medicaid, the federal government partially funds MaineCare, including paying for around 74 percent of costs for moderate and low-income children enrolled in the program. As 50 percent of Maine children have MaineCare coverage, this could provide savings for the state.

However, only one of the 17 schools billed MaineCare last year. And $1 trillion in federal Medicaid cuts could change what is eligible for reimbursement.

The DOE is working with the states MaineCare office on billing for eligible children receiving support services and the DOE is encouraging, although not mandating, school districts to bill MaineCare, said Flacke.

Despite the challenges and concerns about the future, participating school district leaders see this transition as necessary and said they are glad they have begun the process.

You do see incredible growth with the three and four-year-olds. Its amazing how fast they grow and learn, said Felton. Resource-wise, its going to be a heavy lift. But I get why we want to do it.
Story originally published at mynorthwest.com

Washington school districts are cracking down on cell phones in class.

The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) stated in a news release Thursday that 75% of districts will have a policy in place this fall. More than half of schools will limit phones during instructional time, while about a third will require devices to be put away all day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Young people receive hundreds of cell phone notifications each day and check their phones more than 100 times each day, according to a 2023 study by Common Sense Media.

Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said phones are disrupting learning, and schools need to protect classroom focus.

Our educators, parents, and families are seeing, on a daily basis, how students learning is disruptedrepeatedlyby their smart devices, Reykdal stated in the release. As an education system, we have a responsibility to protect the learning environment, removing disruptions and ensuring our policies are updated regularly to address emerging needs.

Several districts, like the Northshore School District, have already announced cell phone regulations.

Washington school district announces cell phone policy

In June, the Northshore School District said it would have a new cell phone policy during the 2025-26 school year, aiming to reduce distractions and address behavioral concerns such as cyberbullying and student altercations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Under the new policy, personal mobile devicesincluding smartphones and smartwatcheswill be prohibited in early childhood programs, elementary, and middle schools. Students in those grades will be expected to leave their devices at home or keep them turned off and stored throughout the entire school day if brought to school.

Bill introduced to regulate cell phones in Washington schools

However, conversations surrounding cell phone use at schools are not new. In January 2024, a bill was introduced in Olympia that would ban Washington students from using phones during the school day.

Before the bill was announced, some Washington public school districts had already executed a phone ban, including the Peninsula School District (PSD) in Gig Harbor. Within the Reardan-Edwall School District in Eastern Washington, which banned phone use in 2023, students are only allowed to use phones during lunchtime and breaks from class.

In June 2024, Seattles Hamilton International Middle School announced a new policy, requiring students to place their phones in a locked pouch. They would still be able to hold onto their devices, but they wouldnt be accessible until the end of the school day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The school already had a cellphone policy in place called away for the day, meaning cell phones should not be visible or used at school, but was having trouble enforcing it.

Some parents were against the idea of the students needing to lock their phones away for the day, saying they wont be able to get in touch with their kids during an emergency.

However, of the schools with a policy in place, 61% reported that their community is satisfied with the new approach, according to OSPI.
Self-described democratic socialist New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani announced on Saturday a scavenger hunt across the city with a campaign video that appears to take aim at his opponent, Mayor Eric Adams, amid recent alleged scandals surrounding Adams' inner circle.

The clip  posted to Mamdani's X account with the caption "game on"  begins with a camera following along a trail of potato chips that leads to Mamdani, who is sitting on a bench eating from a bag of Herrs Sour Cream & Onion ripple chips.

Former Top Adams Adviser, Donors Charged In Bribery Case As Cuomo Mocks With Chips Stunt

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The video, which had garnered more than 30,000 likes by Saturday afternoon, follows just days after Winnie Greco, a former aide to Adams, was accused of trying to hand a reporter from news outlet THE CITY a wad of cash hidden inside a bag of the exact same brand of potato chips.

Zohran Mamdani, shown speaking to supporters at an event in Prospect Park, took to X on Saturday to announce a scavenger hunt that he plans to conduct in the city on Sunday.

"Hello, my friends. I have to come clean," Mamdani says while munching on the bag of chips. "I have something to hide. Many things, in fact, because we're doing a scavenger hunt."

Ex-adams Aide Allegedly Tried To Give Reporter A Wad Of Cash Hidden In A Potato Chip Bag

Read On The Fox News App

Mamdani's scavenger hunt across New York City begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, and participants will solve a series of clues tied to the city's history  each of which will lead them to the next location. The first clue will be shared in a video on Sunday morning, and the final stop will feature a surprise, Mamdani said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"At the final stop, you'll find a special surprise  not a wad of cash," Mamdani said in the video, seemingly taking another jab at his rival.

The clip ends with Mamdani bending down to sweep up potato chips scattered across the sidewalk.

Cuomo, Adams Trade Shots Over Who Should Drop Out In Race Against Mamdani For Nyc Mayor

"While New Yorkers struggle to afford the most expensive city in America, Adams administration is too busy tripping over corruption charges to come to their defense," Zohran Mamdani campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec told Fox News Digital in an email. "New Yorkers deserve a mayor who is focused on them, not stuck in courtrooms. As for the video, we think it speaks for itself."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Just one day after THE CITY exposed Greco about the alleged potato chip incident, a handful of folks from Adams' inner circle, including one of his former top advisors, were indicted in their own alleged bribery scandal.

The Manhattan District Attorneys Office announced on Thursday four indictments alleging a pay-to-play scheme and other charges against several Adams associates  including a former top adviser, her son, two political donors, and local business owners.

Eric Adams did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News Digital's Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.





Original article source: Mamdani seemingly takes swipe at scandals surrounding Eric Adams in new video: 'I have something to hide'
A man in his 20s has died in a motorcycle crash on the Isle of Sheppey.

The man was riding a black Suzuki DR-Z400 in convoy with another bike when he became unseated from his motorcycle, Kent Police said.

The man received medical treatment but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash in Leysdown Road, Leysdown, between the junctions of Kingsdale Court and Danes Drive, at about17:50 BST on 23 August is urged to contact the force.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

Related internet links
NEED TO KNOW

An Italian climber died on a Kyrgyzstan mountain after he attempted to help a fellow climber who broke her leg and was trapped near the summit

Luca Sinigaglia, 49, died on Aug. 15 from prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels and hypothermia at Pobeda Peak on the Chinese border

He was trying to help his friend Natalia Nagovitsyna, 47, after she fell and broke her leg on Aug. 12

An Italian climber died on a Kyrgyzstan mountain after he attempted to help a fellow climber who broke her leg and was trapped near the summit.

According to The Times and the Daily Mail, 49-year-old Luca Sinigaglia of Milan died on Aug. 15 from prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels and hypothermia at Pobeda Peak (meaning Victory Peak, or Jengish Chokusu in Kyrgyz), located at around 24,406 feet in the Tian Shan mountain range on the country's border with China.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Luca had summited the peak several times in an attempt to bring supplies, including a tent, food, water and a sleeping bag, to his friend, Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsyna, 47, after she fell and broke her leg on Aug. 12.



The outlets reported that Luca died after he did not make it to the peak, around 2,000 feet from where Nagovitsyna was stuck.

Getty Pobeda Peak, located in the Tien Shan range in Kyrgyzstan. Pobeda Peak, located in the Tien Shan range in Kyrgyzstan.

Luca's body was recovered from an ice cave, where he had collapsed from exhaustion, according to The Times. Doctors said he probably died from cerebral edema, or an excess of fluid in the brain, the outlet reported.

He carried out an act of great courage. He would never have left anyone behind, and especially not Natalia, with whom he had survived an experience that made them very close, said Lucas sister, Patrizia Sinigaglia, per The Times. It was an action to be proud of that unfortunately did not allow him to return to us. But that was Luca.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Italian climber was also joined by German mountaineer Gunther Siegmund in the rescue operation. Siegmund later climbed to safety, according to The Times.

Rescue efforts by several agencies, including the Russian Mountaineering Federation and Kyrgyzstans Ministry of Emergency Situations, have been underway in an attempt to save Nagovitsyna for nearly 13 days, according to The Times and CNN.

CNN reported that a surveillance drone last spotted Nagovitsyna on a ridge near the top of the mountain on Tuesday, Aug. 19, and she was believed to be alive at the time. Officials have not yet shared whether they believe her to still be alive.

Luca Sinigaglia/Instagram Luca Sinigaglia. Luca Sinigaglia.

According to the Daily Mail, a final attempt to climb to Nagovitsyna was aborted about 3,600 feet from where she is trapped on Saturday, Aug. 23, as weather conditions have worsened. A helicopter from the Kyrgyzstan Defense Ministry crashed in a previous attempt to rescue Nagovitsyna, the outlet reported, and experts are now uncertain that they will be able to find the Russian climber in the -9 degree weather and high winds that may have shredded her tent.

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.

Alexander Pyatnitsyn, vice president of the Russian Mountaineering Federation, told The Times that it "will be almost impossible to save her," although three Italian rescuers are still planning to charter a private helicopter in an attempt to reach Nagovitsyna.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres a three-kilometer-long ridge, and it takes at least 30 people in such a situation to rescue a person from there," Pyatnitsyn said.

The Times reported that Luca and Nagovitsyna first met in 2021 while climbing Khan Tengri in the same mountain range. Luca, who worked as a cybersecurity expert, helped Nagovitsyna and her husband, Sergei, descend off the mountain. Sergei later experienced a stroke and died from the incident.

After that, they spoke often, agreeing every so often to meet up on some mountain around the world, Luca's sister said of the two, before remembering her brother as someone who wouldn't leave a friend behind.

"He has performed an act of great courage," she added to the Italian outlet Ansa. "We can hold on to this knowledge. He would never have left anyone behind."



Read the original article on People
The Brief

Police said the man broke into a BP gas station on Walt Stephens Road around 3 a.m. Thursday.

About an hour later, the man broke into a restaurant on Brentwood Parkway, according to police.

Anyone with information on the burglaries is asked to call Stockbridge police or contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta.

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. - Stockbridge police are asking for help finding a man who allegedly broke into two businesses on the same night.

What we know

Police said the man broke into a BP gas station on Walt Stephens Road around 3 a.m. Thursday. About an hour later, the man broke into a restaurant on Brentwood Parkway, according to police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The department said he might have been driving an older-model Toyota RAV4.

What you can do

Anyone with information on the burglaries is asked to call Stockbridge police or contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta.

The Source

Information in this article came from the Stockbridge Police Department.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  A man was arrested after allegedly giving abortion-inducing medicine to a pregnant mother without her consent.

Emerson Evans, 31, of Normal, has been arrested for intentional homicide of an unborn child, Bloomington police spokesman Bryce Janssen said.

He said that at approximately 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, the Bloomington Police and Fire departments went to a home on a report of a pregnant person having a medical emergency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was learned that Evans had allegedly given abortion-inducing drugs to the victim without her knowledge or consent, Janssen said. The victim experienced medical complications and suffered a miscarriage, resulting in the loss of her pregnancy.

He said Evans was later found and arrested. He remains in custody at the McLean County Jail.

This remains under investigation by the Bloomington Police Department and the McLean County Coroners Office.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
Taking to his Instagram handle, the actor shared a video in which he was seen walking with director Vivek Agnihotri while dressed as Mahatma Gandhi.

The actor is set to play the role of Mahatma Gandhi in 'The Bengal Files' as per the trailer of the film.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNugXZdRCsw/?

After the slew of controversy during the trailer launch of 'The Bengal Files' in Kolkata, earlier this month, the director Vivek Agnihotri has unveiled the much-awaited trailer of the film on his social media handle.

Two-time National Award winner Vivek Agnihotri is returning to the big screens after his superhit film, 'The Kashmir Files', which starred Anupam Kher in the lead role.

With another bold representation of the unforgettable past of India, Vivek Agnihotri has unveiled the trailer of 'Bengal Files', which narrates the tale of the alleged "Hindu Genocide" in West Bengal during the Direct Action Day in 1946.

The film explores communal violence in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, including events like the 1946 Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots of 1946, a Hindu genocide.

The trailer opens with a monologue stating the situation of Bengal before the Partition. The trailer features strong performances of Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi and Darshan Kumaar.

The video also showcased brutal killings during the riots between Hindus and Muslims in Calcutta (Kolkata). In one of the scenes, an actor described Bengal as the "lighthouse" of India, showcasing its strong resistance to the Partition of Bengal.

The film is slated to release in theatres on September 5, 2025. (ANI)
LEBANON, Pa. (WHTM)  A man was arrested after allegedly firing a shotgun at a Lebanon nightclub.

Lebanon City Police say the incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning at a nightclub in the unit block of North 9th Street in the city.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News Alerts

Upon investigation, police learned that Melvin Robles, 57, of Lebanon, was removed from the establishment due to behavioral issues inside. Police say that while Robles was being removed, he threatened to return later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Robles allegedly fired a shotgun at the front door of the establishment, and an individual sustained a minor injury, police said, adding that the injury was caused by shattering glass, not a gunshot wound.

Robles was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact Detective Derek Underkoffler or submit a tip through Crimewatch.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
ALTOONA, Iowa  A man was arrested on multiple charges after police say he shared messages and photos with a detective posing as a minor.

27-year-old Ethan James Wilson, from Hills, Iowa, was arrested by the Altoona Police Department and charged with,

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor  Cause to Engage in Act

Grooming

Enticing a Minor Under 16

Telephone Dissemination of Obscene Material to Minor, 1st Offense

Wilson initiated contact via text message with a detective who was posing as a 15-year-old minor on social media, according to court documents. Authorities state that Wilson was informed that he was conversing with a minor on multiple occasions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Man accused of taking missing Iowa teen to North Carolina home now facing kidnapping charge

Court records state that during the text conversations, Wilson sent an image of an exposed penis, requested nude images from the minor, and conversed about the different types of sexual acts he wished to perform with them.

Wilson also sent images that match his drivers license, according to court records. Wilson then attempted to meet the minor at Prairie Meadows Casino to engage in sex acts, court documents state.

According to court records, cameras captured Wilson at the casino, and Wilson sent an image of himself in a vehicle belonging to a family member at the casino.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Court documents state the incidents took place between June and August 2025. Wilson was taken in by the Altoona PD and was booked into the Polk 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 who13.com.
FALMOUTH, Ky. (FOX 56)  A man has been indicted in connection with an early August death investigation in Pendleton County.

According to a Saturday news release, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) was asked to help the Pendleton County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) investigate on Aug. 3 after a woman was found dead on Old 3L Highway.

An initial report showed that David OHara, 54, had gone to another residence and claimed that a woman named Donna Gibson was dead at a different home on the same highway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A PCSO deputy reportedly went to the home OHara had mentioned and found Gibsons body inside. KSP was then notified, and investigators were sent.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

State police wrote that on the night of Aug. 3, OHara was arrested in connection with unrelated warrants and lodged in the Grant County Detention Center. As the investigation unfolded, he was indicted on charges of:

Murder

Tampering with evidence

Second-degree persistent felony offender

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The indictment warrants were reportedly served to OHara at the jail. He is due to appear in court on Sept. 3. According to court records, he is forbidden from contacting Gibsons family or owning a gun.

The investigation into Gibsons death remains ongoing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police are investigating after a man was apparently stabbed to death in a wash near Flamingo and Maryland.

According to police, officers were called to the area around 9:35 p.m. Friday for reports of two men fighting.

The specific area where the fight occurred was in the wash near Algonquin Drive and Viking Road.

Las Vegas Metro Police said when officers arrived, they found a man lying on the ground with apparent stab wounds. That man was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The other male had reportedly fled the scene.

The homicide section of LVMPD is investigating what happened, while the Clark County Coroners Office will release any information identifying 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 KLAS.
The Brief

A man is dead after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a utility pole in Houston.

The crash occurred early Saturday morning in the 1100 block of Durham Drive.

Police believe the man was traveling at a high speed, and his name has not been released.

HOUSTON - A man is dead after apparently losing control and crashing his vehicle early Saturday morning in Houston.

Houston fatal crash

What we know

The Houston Police Department responded to the incident around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. It happened in the 1100 block of Durham Drive at Nett Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The vehicle, driven by a man believed to be in his late 30s to mid 40s, appears to have lost control before striking a utility pole.

HPD says the vehicle was traveling at a high speed at the time.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

What we don't know

The name of the driver has not been released.

The Source

Information in this report came from the Houston Police Department.
The Brief

A North Texas man wanted on felony warrants for child sexual assault and drug possession was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The 31-year-old was a passenger in a vehicle crossing the Del Rio International Bridge when he was stopped.

A biometric check confirmed he had an outstanding felony warrant from the White Settlement Police Department and another from the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office.

DEL RIO, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry arrested a North Texas man on Thursday who was wanted on felony warrants for child sexual assault and drug possession.

Man from White Settlement arrested at border

What we know

Victor Morales, 31, was a passenger in a vehicle crossing the Del Rio International Bridge when he was referred for a secondary inspection, according to a news release from the agency.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A biometric verification check confirmed he had an outstanding felony warrant for the aggravated sexual assault of a child from the White Settlement Police Department and a separate felony drug possession warrant from the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office.

What they're saying

"Our frontline CBP officers continue to maintain their vigilance and late this week apprehended a traveler wanted on two separate felony warrants for sex and drug-related charges," said Port Director Liliana Flores.

The Source

Information in this article is from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A 17-year-old was convicted in both adult and juvenile courts for an armed robbery he committed the year before with two people, the Marion County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

Jordan Hall Fernandez pled guilty to charges of unlawful use of a firearm as an adult, then admitted to a charge of first-degree robbery with a firearm in juvenile court, MCDA added.

Portland teen arrested after fire at own home, faces attempted murder

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fernandez was also on parole from the Oregon Youth Authority at the time of the robbery, so he additionally faced a probation violation.

For his conviction as an adult, Fernandez was sentenced to five years at the Department of Corrections. On the robbery charge, he was ordered placement at a closed custody youth correctional facility under the Oregon Youth Authority, MCDA said.



This is an appropriate outcome, Marion County Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy said. It accounts for the seriousness of the offense with an adult conviction, which will prohibit him from possessing firearms in the future, but it also provides the defendant with the rehabilitative services of the Oregon Youth Authority. Furthermore, it avoids an incredibly costly, lengthy and complicated waiver proceeding for Marion County taxpayers.

Driver facing DUII after truck crash into Southeast Portland storage facility

One of the other individuals involved in the robbery, Barry Johnson, pled guilty to first-degree robbery and felon in possession of a firearm on June 30. His sentencing hearing is seat for Sept. 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The third involved was a minor who was convicted in juvenile court for first-degree robbery with a firearm. He was also committed to the Oregon Youth Authority.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a passionate appeal urging Americans to support Gaza, enraging her usual MAGA allies.

The far-right congresswoman has repeatedly denounced Israels ongoing war in Gaza in the wake of Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Last month, she labeled the war a genocide, breaking with her Republican colleagues in Congress.

The Republican Congresswoman wrote a lengthy post on X on Saturday asking how Americans would feel if the United States was bombed day and night because of something horrific our government did, killing and injuring adults and children, while the rest of the world didnt come to its aid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is what is happening to Gaza where in spite of what we have all been told, many innocent people and children are being killed and they are not Hamas, Greene wrote Saturday morning.

Does Hamas deserve it? Yes. Do innocent people and children deserve it? No, she continued. The innocent people in Gaza did not kill and kidnap the innocent people in Israel on Oct 7th.

Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calls for compassion for Gaza and for the U.S. to stop funding a genocide (AP)

Just as we spoke out and had compassion for the victims and families of [October 7], how can Americans not speak out and have compassion for the masses of innocent people and children in Gaza? the GOP firebrand wrote. Is one type of innocent life worthy and another type of innocent life worth nothing?

The United States has sent nearly $18 billion in military assistance to Israel since October 7. More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, Gazas Health Ministry reported last month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont know about you, but I dont want to pay for genocide in a foreign country against a foreign people for a foreign war that I had nothing to do with, Greene concluded. And I will not be silent about it.

Just 15 minutes after Greene posted her post on X, far-right activist Laura Loomer commented: Why are you advocating for GAZANS to come to the US? How is Islamic immigration America First?

Last week, Loomer celebrated the State Departments decision to halt visitor visas for people from Gaza  including temporary visas for privately funded medical care  after she posted a series of videos of flights carrying people from Gaza to the United States and demanded that whoever approved their visas be fired.

The videos, showing children arriving in the country for medical treatment, were posted from HEAL Palestine, a nonprofit that delivers urgent and long-term support to Palestinian children and families. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas that allow people to enter the country temporarily, including for medical treatment, according to the State Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other X users seemed to agree with Loomer.

You have lost my support, one person responded to Greene. Another called her an idiot.

More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped by famine, according to a recent analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a group of international organizations on which the United Nations and aid agencies rely to monitor global hunger crises.

Laura Loomer, who last week celebrated the State Departments decision to stop visitor visas for people from Gaza, criticized Greenes take (Getty Images)

Last month, Greene slammed Florida Republican Rep. Randy Fine, who is Jewish and one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel in Congress, after he repeatedly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should be starved. He has previously suggested Gaza should be "nuked and must be destroyed while labelling a fellow member of Congress a Muslim terrorist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Release the hostages. Until then, starve away, he wrote.

Of the starvation in Gaza, Fine said: This is all a lie anyway.

I can only imagine how Floridas 6th district feels now that their Representative, that they were told to vote for, openly calls for starving innocent people and children, Greene posted in response.

Its the most truthful and easiest thing to say that Oct 7th in Israel was horrific and all hostages must be returned, but so is the genocide, humanitarian crisis, and starvation happening in Gaza, she added. But a Jewish U.S. Representative calling for the continued starvation of innocent people and children is disgraceful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Loomer again responded to Greene, writing: There is no genocide in Gaza.

Her words echo those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who last month claimed that there is no policy of starvation in Gaza and there is no starvation in Gaza.

The next day, President Donald Trump pushed back, stating that the region is suffering from real starvation and you cant fake that.

Greene has repeatedly broken with her party in recent weeks, including her opposition to Trumps recent artificial intelligence executive order and her call for the Trump administration to release the so-called Epstein files.

I don't know if the Republican Party is leaving me, or if I'm kind of not relating to the Republican Party as much anymore, Greene told the Daily Mail earlier this month. I don't know which one it is.
The war of words between Donald Trump and Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland escalated Sunday with the president threatening to send National Guard troops to Baltimore to attempt to reduce crime, and the first-term governor suggesting Trump was peddling outdated racist tropes he referred to as blissful ignorance to score political points.

The tit-for-tat comes as the Trump administration is looking to expand the use of military personnel to the streets of Democratic-run cities which he often describes as crime-ridden, including the use of more than 2,000 National Guard troops in Washington. It also comes days after Moore issued a challenge to Trump by formally inviting him to the state to take part in a public safety walk next month.

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I walk the streets of Maryland with him, Trump wrote on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns. Wes Moores record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime  I will send the troops, like whats being done in nearby D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Also, I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge. I will have to rethink that decision, Trump later added, referring to the deadly March 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that killed six people after it was struck by a massive cargo ship.

Moore defended his efforts to reduce crime down since he took office in 2023.

He argued the homicide rate in the state has dropped more than 20 percent, adding the last time the homicide rate was this low in Baltimore City, I was not born yet, pointing to statistics that show the citys 68 homicides through the first half of the year are the fewest in 50 years.

The reason that I asked the President to come and join us is because he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance  these tropes and these 1980s scare tactics, Moore said in an appearance on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When host Margaret Brennan pointed to FBI statistics showing Baltimore with the fifth most instances of violent crime per capita and the fourth highest murder rate, Moores retort was that we have work to do. Moore looked to cast blame on the president for cutting violence prevention funding and engaging in performative politics. He also played up his own military service in Afghanistan, contrasting it to Trump who has been criticized for dodging the draft during the Vietnam War.

As someone who actually deployed overseas and served my country in combat, to ask these men and women to do a job that they're not trained for is just deeply disrespectful, Moore said, reiterating he would not deploy the Maryland National Guard, which he oversees. The members of our National Guard are trained up to be able to address things like emergency situations, situations where you need, where you need a surge of supports for traumas and disasters that are happening within individual jurisdictions. That is not this, and this is a direct deflection that the President is authorizing.

Moores invitation to tour Baltimore comes days after Trump on Thursday promised to patrol the streets of the District of Columbia with Metropolitan police and military personnel. But after addressing officers and military personnel who delivered hamburgers and pizza, no patrol was carried out and he returned to the White House.

Earlier this month when announcing Liberation Day in D.C. Trump listed Baltimore and other cities run by Black Democratic mayors, including Chicago, Oakland, Los Angeles and New York as places that are so far gone and crime-infested that federal intervention would be a consideration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Washington Post on Sunday reported the Pentagon has been for weeks planning a military deployment in Chicago.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott seemed to reject the idea of federal troops in his city, but on Friday called for additional resources for the citys ATF, DEA and FBI field offices, as part of a list of commitments the city wants to see from the Trump administration.

Otherwise, if Trump wants to roll into Baltimore purely to stage a photo op and spew racist narratives about Black-led cities, I speak for the vast majority of our residents when I say: We are not interested.


A member of the National Guard arrives at the Guards headquarters at the D.C. Armory on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Gov. Henry McMaster has deployed 200 S.C. National Guard troops to Washington D.C. to restore law and order even though South Carolina itself has one of the highest murder rates in the nation.

McMaster and state leaders should deal seriously with South Carolinas own longstanding violent crime issues before they try to solve Washingtons problems.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And theres no need to deploy the S.C. National Guard. Just deploy common sense.

The S.C. Guards mission in Washington is a bad idea. National Guard units are not trained to police American streets.

The state-based Guard has two main duties: responding to natural disasters and mobilizing, when needed, in time of war, according to the guards website.

The guard assists local and state authorities in disasters such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires. The guard also plays a role in search and rescue operations, and in riot control. And it can be called up if the country is at war.

Its certainly true that the guard has been used for other purposes  such as the 250 South Carolina guard troops currently at the southern border  but the question remains whether guard troops are qualified to be street police. Using them as police risks blurring the line between military and civilian authority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Most Americans, like the Founding Fathers, are wary of a militaristic intervention on U.S. soil in peacetime. Local Washington D.C. officials, of course, did not request military support and appear to have been completely ignored. This undermines democratic governance and home rule in a city that already lacks full statehood representation.

Local officials and residents argue that the troops are a response to a manufactured crisis, with some residents reporting that they feel unsafe.

South Carolina Democrats are right also that the state shouldnt send out our National Guard troops when they might be needed here during hurricane season.

At best, sending the S.C. Guard to Washington is a waste of resources; at worst, it poses a danger to residents of the district and our own guard troops.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

South Carolina should butt out of this misguided crusade in Washington.

Weve got plenty of crime problems right here at home, including the seventh-highest murder rate in the nation (tied with Arkansas), with 11.3 homicides per 100,000 people. In overall violent crime, South Carolina ranked ninth in 2023 when including Washington, D.C., in both rankings.

The first duty

The homicide rate has fallen nationwide and in South Carolina over the past few years  a hopeful trend.

But it remains near-historic highs.

McMaster said he deployed the troops to Washington to restore law and order and ensure safety for all who live, work, and visit there, according to reporting by S.C. Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those are fine sentiments from McMaster, but a governors first duty is to protect the citizens of his own state.

In recent years, at least four South Carolina counties  Dillon, Lee, Allendale and Hampton counties  exceeded Washingtons 2024 murder rate, according to the state Department of Public Health.

These counties and all of South Carolinas counties dont need militaristic intervention but rather sustained support and partnership.

It begins with listening to South Carolina law enforcement. Advocates have expressed alarm over historic staffing shortages in South Carolina law enforcement. Helping police departments and sheriffs office reach a full-staffing level would be a vital step in reducing violent crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead of cutting taxes every year, McMaster and state lawmakers should invest in more funding not only for local law enforcement but also for mental health and substance abuse programs.

State leaders also need to focus on South Carolinas notorious gun violence problem.

Firearms account for more than 80% of homicides in South Carolina.

A lot can be done to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. One study based on 25 years of evidence found that states with universal background checks had homicide rates 15% lower than states without them.

South Carolina also needs safe storage laws and meaningful red flag laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Red flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection order laws, allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. Attempts to introduce red flag laws in South Carolina have so far failed.

State lawmakers also should finally close the so-called Charleston loophole that allowed Dylann Roof to purchase a gun that he used to murder nine worshipers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015.

A comprehensive 2019 study from Boston University found that universal background checks, permit requirements, may issue laws (where local authorities have discretion in approving who can carry a concealed weapon), and laws banning people convicted of violent misdemeanors from possessing firearms are, individually and collectively, significantly able to reduce gun-related deaths.

Sending National Guard troops to Washington makes for eye-catching political theater but reducing South Carolinas high violent crime rate requires something far more challenging: a serious and sustained commitment by principled state leaders to proven anti-crime solutions.
by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad

When the internet first entered homes in the 1990s, parents worried about their children stumbling onto inappropriate websites, being targeted in online chatrooms, or spending endless hours glued to screens. Schools held workshops about stranger danger online, and families installed early filters to keep kids safe. Those concerns were real, but they pale in comparison to what parents now face. Large Language Models like ChatGPT or Gemini have only added to the headaches that parents have to deal with since these models are interactive, persuasive, and adaptive. They can role-play, remember details across conversations, and mimic the tone of a trusted friend. In other words, they are not only something on the internet; they can feel like someone. For children, who are still developing critical thinking skills, that makes them uniquely vulnerable. The risks parents once worried about i.e., exposure to inappropriate content, manipulation by strangers, time lost to screens, still exist. But LLMs combine all of those threats into a single, highly convincing package.

The dangers are not abstract, earlier this month, leaked documents revealed that Metas AI chatbots, during internal testing, allowed romantic or sensual conversations with children. The same documents showed bots providing false medical information and racially biased arguments. Although Meta described these as errors, the public outcry was fierce. Parents were rightly horrified at the idea that an AI could potentially encourage inappropriate behaviors with their children. This was not an isolated incident, the popular AI companion app Replika was investigated after parents reported that the chatbot engaged in sexually explicit conversations with underage users. Italys data protection authority banned the app temporarily, citing risks to minors emotional and psychological well-being. These scandals underscored how easily AI systems could cross lines of safety when children were involved. In 2023, Snapchat rolled out My AI, a chatbot integrated into its app. Within weeks, parents reported troubling exchanges. Journalists discovered that the bot gave unsafe responses to teens role-play scenarios, including advice on meeting up with strangers and discussions of alcohol use. The company scrambled to add parental controls, but the episode revealed how quickly child users could push chatbots into uncharted dangerous waters.

One should keep in mind that children are not miniature adults, they lack the maturity, judgment, and critical distance needed to navigate complex digital relationships. When an LLM speaks confidently, children often interpret it as authoritative, whether it is right or wrong. This makes them more susceptible to misinformation and bad advice. They also have difficulty distinguishing reality from simulation. If an AI can seamlessly act like a teacher, a peer, or a pretend sibling, kids may not understand that the interaction is with a machine. For example, surveys of teens using Replika and Snapchats My AI found that many referred to the bots as friends or confidants, showing how easily emotional bonds form. Perhaps most concerning is the ease with which AI can influence emotions. A chatbot that offers sympathy, encouragement, or flirtation can create dependence in ways that are hard for children to resist. These controversies demonstrate that certain boundaries must never be crossed when children interact with AI. LLMs should never be permitted to offer medical or therapeutic advice to children, especially on sensitive topics like self-harm, anxiety, or body image.

There is significant evidence that AI systems, with their conversational nature, can manipulate children for commercial gain. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, is illustrative. The FTC alleged that the company used dark patterns, design tricks that exploit human psychology, to manipulate players, including children, into making unintended in-app purchases. As an example, they used inconsistent button layouts, making it easy to accidentally buy items with a single click, and often locked accounts when parents tried to dispute fraudulent charges. Similarly, research from organizations like the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and UNICEF highlights the dangers of persuasive technology that can be amplified by conversational AI, which is capable of building a rapport and trust with a child, making them even more susceptible to commercial nudges to buy products, extend screen time, or give up personal data.

Where do we go from here? There is of course need for regulation and legislation. There has been some progress on this front: COPPA in the United States restricts data collection from children under 13, but it was written long before AI chatbots existed. Italys decision to ban Replika for minors showed how national regulators can act swiftly, but piecemeal action is not sufficient. Comprehensive child safety standards for AI, covering content filters, age assurance, and independent audits may be needed. Big Tech needs to be proactive in this domain. Snapchats quick addition of parental tools after the My AI scandal shows that change is possible, especially if there is sufficient public outcry. However, it was reactive, not proactive. AI firms should bake child safety into their designs, not patch problems once they explode in headlines. Filters, whitelists, and refusal mechanisms must be rigorously tested with child-specific red-teaming before release.

There are solutions but vigilance is needed. Researchers are already building child-focused LLMs trained only on vetted, age-appropriate data. Such systems redirect sensitive questions into safe, educational answers. Age assurance techniques, combined with multi-layered filters, can dramatically reduce risks. But these safeguards only work if companies prioritize them over engagement metrics. These measures are necessary but not sufficient. Educating children by the usage and risks of LLMs need to be part of the curriculum. Talking openly with children about what AI is, and what it is not, can help kids understand that chatbots are not real friends. Setting limits on screen time, supervising younger users, and encouraging skepticism are all essential. Just as parents once taught children to be cautious with strangers online, they must now teach them to be careful with friendly machines.

The subtler risk is emotional. In some surveys, many teens describe AI companions as like boyfriends or best friends. For a lonely child, that may feel comforting, but it can crowd out opportunities to build real-world relationships. Machines that never argue, never misinterpret, and never set boundaries are seductive, but they are also deceptive. Over time, reliance on AI companions could reshape empathy, resilience, and identity. One may ask, why would some companies take risks with child safety? Because engagement drives profit. Replikas most devoted users were those who formed deep emotional attachments. Snapchats My AI boosted app activity. Even when scandals broke, companies often benefited from the publicity. Unless strong regulation and consumer pressure force a shift, corporations will continue prioritizing growth over childrens well-being. Different regions are experimenting with solutions: Europe has taken a precautionary stance, embedding childrens rights into privacy and AI laws. The regulatory landscape in the US remains fragmented, with federal rules focused on data and states experimenting with age-appropriate design codes. China imposes strict content controls on AI for minors, while Japan has emphasized parental responsibility. These varying approaches show the lack of consensus, but also the growing recognition that children cannot be treated as ordinary users of AI.

This of course does not mean that the use of LLMs should be banned outright in the lives of minors. There are many benefits to their usage e.g., chatbot designed like a digital librarian, eager to explain, guide, and encourage creativity, but firmly refusing unsafe topics. Instead of pretending to be a peer or a romantic partner, it would identify itself clearly as an AI helper. Parents could see summaries of conversations without intruding, and teachers could trust it as a supportive learning tool. Such systems would however need to be designed not only by engineers, but by psychologists, child development experts, and ethicists. Childhood experiences shape a lifetime. If children grow up trusting unsafe AI companions, the damage could be long-lasting. It could range from trauma to distorted social development. Yet the potential upside is also there. With the right safeguards, AI could democratize education, support children with disabilities, and encourage creativity in ways never before possible.

While much of the public conversation around child-focused AI is in its infancy, my own family has lived with it for nearly a decade. Almost a decade ago, I began building a simulation of my late father, my childrens grandfather, so they could know him through stories, conversations, and his manner of speaking. What started as a deeply personal experiment has grown into a long-running AI companion in our household. My children have grown up with this digital presence, which offered them continuity, comfort, and a sense of connection to someone they otherwise would not have known. That decade of lived experience, raising children alongside an AI companion, offers a glimpse into both the extraordinary possibilities and the subtle risks of these technologies long before they entered the mainstream. There are many lessons to be learned, we should remember that large language models are not toys, and children are not their test subjects. Parents, educators, regulators, and commercial organizations must all act together. Parents should stay informed and talk openly with their kids. Educators should help students develop digital literacy. Regulators should set clear standards for child-safe AI. And companies must accept that childrens well-being is more important than growth metrics. If we get this right, AI could become a trusted ally in raising the next generation. If we get it wrong, we risk handing over our childrens imaginations, relationships, and safety to machines that were never designed with them in mind. The challenge is making sure that child protection comes before profit and speed. Lets not try to move fast and break things when children are involved.
Actor Tannishtha Chatterjee, on Sunday, revealed that she was diagnosed with stage-4 oligometastatic cancer 8 months back. Taking to her Instagram, she shared an update with her fans along with a series of pictures. The first photo showed Tannishtha with her head shaved, sitting on a sofa and smiling with confidence. In the next picture, she was seen enjoying quality time with her industry friends, including Divya Dutta, Lara Dutta, Shabana Azmi, Vidya Balan, and others. She wrote in the caption, talking about her struggle, "So the last 8 months have been incredibly difficult- to put it mildly. As if loosing my father to Cancer was not enough. 8 months back I got diagnosed of stage 4 oligo metastatic Cancer." However, she emphasised that this post "is not about Pain. Its about love and strength.""It can't get worse than this. A 70yr old mother and 9 year all daughter .. both totally dependent on me. But in the darkest moments, I discovered an extraordinary kind of love, the kind that shows up, holds space, and never lets you feel alone," she added. The ace star continued that she found amazing friends who supported her during her tough time, "I found it in my amazing friends and my family, whose unwavering support, brought , genuine smiles to my face, even on the hardest days. In a world racing towards AI and robots, it's the irreplaceable compassion of real, passionate humans that is saving me. It is their empathy, their messages, their presence - their humanity - that is bringing life back." She concluded with, "Cheers to female friendships, the sisterhood that showed up for me with fierce love, deep empathy, and unstoppable strength. You know who you are - and I am endlessly grateful." https://www.instagram.com/p/DNueNRf4iQb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Reacting to her post, Konkona Sensharma wrote in the comment section, "You are just incredible and inspiring!! Love you" Dia Mirza also praised her, saying, "We love you Tan Tan. You are our very own warrior princess" Abhay Deol commented, "Sending you love Tan." Sandhya Mridul posted, "Ohhh Tiger Tan! We got you. And you had us you khaleesi! Love only always (eyes on Pulitzer pls)" On the work front, she is known in the West for her performance in the British film Brick Lane (2007), the film adaptation of Monica Ali's best-selling novel of the same name, for which she was nominated best actress at the British Independent Film Awards. Her other notable roles have been in Academy Award-winning German director Florian Gallenberger's film Shadows of Time, starring Prashant Narayanan, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Irrfan Khan and Tillotama Shome. (ANI)
Natasha McCants of Brown Deer was just 45 when she heard the words that upend a life: You have cancer. For her, it wasnt only the diagnosis that shook her world  it was watching her teenage daughters process it. Ma, you cannot die. If you die, I probably would die too, her oldest told her. Natasha recalls that moment as the turning point when she knew: Okay girl, you have to fight this.

Her story is powerful, but its no longer unusual. Cancer is showing up earlier in women across Wisconsin.

For decades, we thought of cancer as a disease of aging. Medical training emphasized that it was more common in people over 60. But that assumption no longer reflects reality. Data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shows a striking shift: in 2010, women under 50 in Southeast Wisconsin were 49% more likely than men to develop cancer. By 2022, that gap had widened to 58%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This mirrors a troubling national trend. According to the American Cancer Society, women under 50 are now 82% more likely than men their age to be diagnosed with cancer. Breast cancer, thyroid cancer, melanoma, cervical and ovarian cancers, lymphoma, even lung cancers  all are rising in younger women.

Letters: Millions for ballroom while healthcare, food aid, federal services are cut

In my own surgical practice, I am seeing breast cancer patients in their 30s and 40s  women balancing young children, careers, and family obligations  suddenly forced to put everything on hold to fight for their lives. Their journeys look very different from those of older patients. Yet our systems, policies, and research pipelines are still designed for an era when cancer was mainly a disease of aging.

Three ways we can help women facing cancer at younger ages

If we want to serve women like Natasha  and the growing number of younger women in Wisconsin facing cancer  we need to act urgently. Here are three places to start:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Risk assessment by age 25. Most agree mammograms should start at 40 for average-risk women. But many women have genetic, familial, or environmental risk factors that call for earlier screening. Thats why every woman should undergo a breast cancer risk assessment by age 25.

In my own practice, Ive made risk assessments a priority  because too often, the women I meet wish someone had talked with them sooner. For Southeast Wisconsin, where cancer is hitting younger women harder, this urgency cant be overstated. Know your risks.

Establish national standards for supportive care. Cancer treatment is more than surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Younger women need fertility counseling, support for raising children during treatment, help returning to work, and long-term survivorship programs. These are not luxuries; they are essential for decades of life after cancer.

Expand research on younger women. Despite the rising numbers, women under 50 remain underrepresented in clinical trials. We need research that reflects their biology, treatment responses, and survivorship. Cancer centers like City of Hope, located on the border between Wisconsin and Illinois, are uniquely positioned to lead in this space.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Letters: Wisconsin must expand Medicaid, health care access for families like mine

Too many young women still hear, Youre too young to have cancer, only to face delays in diagnosis. That mindset is outdated  and dangerous. If we want to change outcomes, we need to change assumptions.

Natasha is fighting for her daughters and for her future. She deserves a system that recognizes her reality, not one built for another generation. The women of Southeast Wisconsin deserve that too.

We cannot wait any longer. The future of Wisconsins young women depends on what we do today.

Carolyn Bhakta, M.D., is a surgical Oncologist and Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Chicago.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mindset that cancer is a disease of aging must change | Opinion
A cattle operation in Cebolla, the Philmont Scouting Ranch and Training Center in Cimarron and a family farm in Deming are New Mexicos three finalists for this years Leopold Conservation Award.

The award  named after conservationist Aldo Leopold, who helped establish the first national wilderness in the Gila  recognizes farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in conservation and land management. It is given to agricultural producers and landowners in 28 states.

New Mexicos awardee, who will be announced this fall, will receive a $10,000 prize. Last year, the recipients were Dick and Megan Lanford of Lanford Livestock, who run cattle outside of Truth or Consequences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This years finalists were announced earlier this month.

It is always a joy to see how applicants are stewarding New Mexicos land, ecosystems, and communities that inevitably help make our state more vibrant and resilient, said Leah Ricci, interim executive director of Quivira Coalition in a news release about the state finalists. Quivira and New Mexico Coalition to Enhance Working Lands are proud to support this award and the farmers and ranchers who live and embody Aldo Leopolds land ethic.

Meet the finalists here:

Hibner Ranch, Cebolla

When people ask Charles Hibner how many acres or cows he owns, the pastor at Rincon Blanco Cowboy Church often replies: None.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont own any cows [or any acres], because God owns everything, Hibner said. But hes trusted me to be a steward, and I want to be the best steward I can for his sake.

image000001 2.jpg

Verna and Charles Hibner, of Hibner Ranch in Cebolla. A retired soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Charles Hibner grew up on a ranch in the area. The finalist for the Leopold Conservation Award has been using bushhogging, discing and intentional grazing practices to allow grasses to recover and promote soil health.

Hibner, a retired soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, ranches in Cebolla with his wife, Verna, on a mix of private and public lands. He has  or stewards  around 260 mother cows and yearling heifers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hibner grew up on a ranch in the area and always wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps but realized to succeed he would need a good education first. He got a degree in soil science from New Mexico State University.

Thats where he met his wife, who he holds responsible for his success. The couple ultimately saved enough to buy a small ranch in Charles Hibners hometown in 1985. Seven years later, Hibner bought his dads cattle and took over his Bureau of Land Management lease. In 2002, he bought the ranch he grew up on from his siblings.

Shes very thrifty; Im not, Hibner said of his wife. So I have everything because of her.

The Hibners have tackled several land management projects, including building dams to prevent erosion and to collect rich, silty soil, and using discing and bush-hogging to reduce Wyoming big sagebrush overgrowth. The practices essentially replicate the historic role of fire on the landscape, Hibner said. They also bring mulch to the surface, boosting soil health.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Much of the area is planted with crested wheatgrass, Hibner said  a great grass, but not native. When he does discing projects, Hibner reseeds with a mix of native grasses, which he said all contribute to the soil.

Over the years, Hibner has dramatically increased the number of pastures on his ranch, practicing holistic grazing to give the grasses a chance to recover and preventing overgrazing. The proof is in the pasture  Hibner said rotating his cattle has resulted in a lush grass cover, even in drier years.

Every time they see me, theyre ready to do what I want them to do because I see them so often, and they know Im going to take them on to a better pasture, Hibner said. Every time.

For his work in land management, Hibner won the Land Steward Award from the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts in 2019, the Rangeland Stewardship Award from the Bureau of Land Management in 2022 and a John Stencel Leadership Award from Rocky Mountain Farmers Union in 2023. He is also a New Mexico Healthy Soil Working Group Soil Health Champion and was a finalist for the Leopold Conservation Award last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A lot of this land up here is in pretty deteriorated condition, Hibner said. ... [Its] a lot of work to try to improve it, but I dont mind the work.

Ranching never gets old, Hibner said.

Theres always something new every day, its always exciting to me, Hibner said. My best job I ever had.

Philmont, Cimarron

Since its first camping season in 1939, more than 1 million scouts and other visitors have participated in programs on the 140,000-acre Philmont Scouting Ranch and Training Center in Cimarron.

The cow-calf operation is home to 250 head of Hereford cows and approximately 100 bison, almost 300 horses and 75 burros, whose lineage dates back to the gold mining days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

cito creek crew.jpg

A crew works on a watershed restoration project at Philmont Scout Ranch and Training Center. The Cimarron ranch is a finalist for the Leopold Conservation Award.

The ranch practices rotational grazing, which allows pastureland to recover before being grazed again. By grazing the pasture intensely, then giving the land a rest, the cows and horses will eat all the plants, not just their favorites, said Dave Kenneke, director of ranching and conservation at Philmont. That can include invasive species.

If you go to a buffet table, the shrimp and steak disappears first, then the broccoli might be left, Kenneke said. Its kind of the same way with your grazers. They have their favorites, and if you practice that rotational grazing, they will knock them back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The ranch also removes invasive plants mechanically, and Kenneke said each year, the weeds are getting pushed back more and more.

tree planting instruction.jpg

Philmont Scouting Ranch and Training Center staff show participants how to plant young trees as part of a restoration project. The Cimarron ranch is a finalist for the Leopold Conservation Award.

Responsible land management has always been a part of Philmont, which requires each participant to put in three hours of conservation work.

But those practices took on a different urgency after the 2018 Ute Park Fire. Of the approximately 37,000 acres that burned, the majority were on Philmonts property. Trails were washed out by the subsequent flash flooding. The ranchs center was taken out. Operations were severely limited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It really kind of gutted the ranch, Kenneke said.

In the years since, the ranch has proactively thinned and reduced fuel loads in the mountain and forestland, which makes up the majority of the property. Staff has also been installing structures to collect stormwater for livestock and wildlife to drink, which can also serve as fire mitigation if the need arises. Eventually, Kenneke would like to return fire to the landscape through prescribed burns.

Just this year, the ranch has been able to open up trails and a staff camp that had been shut down since 2018 in the burned areas. The forest is starting to recover, with the help of scouts replanting trees to speed recovery.

The scouts are also helping with watershed restoration projects, including installing beaver dam analogs on Bonita Creek and Cimarroncito Creek to raise the water table. The effects were almost instantaneous, Kenneke said, and not limited to the water system at Philmont  the benefits ripple through the region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its critical to make sure younger generations have a connection to the land, Kenneke said. The Illinois natives first experience at Philmont was as a scout.

Kids were all involved with that, Kenneke said. ... They learned those techniques and the importance of conservation and different conservation practices, and are able to take that knowledge back to their home, wherever it might be across the country.

Viramontes, Deming

Digging up earthworms is a favorite activity for the kids at the Viramontes family farm in Deming.

Its a testament to Viramontes Farms regenerative agriculture practices  worms are a sign of healthy soil.

The worms arent the only sign. Honeybees, once a rarity, now frequently set up hives around the farm. Spiders weave lace over the chile crop. There are ladybugs galore.

But Cole Viramontes attributes the surface-level successes to the hidden world below the soil surface.

IMG_0266.jpeg

Cayden Viramontes enjoys the fields at Viramontes Farms in Deming. The family farm, a finalist for the Leopold Conservation Award, uses a ground up approach to farming by focusing on soil biology.

Plants rely so much on the little things in the ground that you cant see unless you have a microscope, Viramontes said.

Its good news for the approximately 800-acre farms crops, which include chile and onion: Healthy soil means healthy plants and, ultimately, healthy people, Viramontes said. The family farm won second-best chile in the 2021 New Mexico Chile Taste-Off, hosted by the New Mexico Chile Association and New Mexico Certified Chile.

Viramontes and his father, Raymond Viramontes, started the ground up approach after their chile crop started suffering from verticillium wilt, a fungal disease that affects plants root systems.

Chile plants would appear thirsty, Viramontes said, then slowly wilt and dry out as the fungus choked their root systems. Each year, they could expect to lose between 20% and 30% of their chile crop to the disease, creating a financial and labor burden.

So the father and son duo did what they do best: experimented. Thats how the family farm started dabbling with chile in the first place, transitioning from commodity crops like cotton, sorghum and beans to chile and onions in the 1980s, and how the elder Viramontes reduced water use by switching from flood irrigation to drip irrigation in the 1980s and 1990s.

To improve the soil biology, the family started planting cover crops, or crops not grown for profit, to keep the sun from baking the soil and keep the underground ecosystems moving.

02565E84-F488-4877-BA74-C3FB6999A912.JPG

Watermelons are transplanted at Viramontes Farms in Deming. The family farm, which grows a variety of crops including chile, onions, pumpkins and hay, is a finalist for the Leopold Conservation Award.

It worked. Not only did the crops benefit, but Viramontes said, the practices have dramatically reduced the need for insecticides.

As a kid on the farm  doing the grunt work  Viramontes said he never thought he would follow in his fathers footsteps. Now, hes inspired by his dads drive to make the land better.

We want to make sure that what we take, were putting back double, Viramontes said. Whether my kids take it over, or somebody else in the future takes the farm, I want to make sure that its in better shape than the way I got it.
Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has boasted of ending either six or seven wars -- a matter of much dispute -- and has been pushing with mixed success to bring peace to Ukraine.

One hotspot not yet on his second-term radar has been North Korea, despite Trump's unusually personal diplomacy during his first term when he met leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump could find a chance to pivot on Monday as he welcomes to the White House South Korea's new President Lee Jae Myung, an advocate of outreach with the North.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump, who did not secure a deal on Ukraine during an August 15 summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has an "appetite for big news," said Victor Cha, a top advisor on Asia to former president George W. Bush.

"Having the Alaska summit not go as well as he wanted may make the president much more interested in seeing this meeting with South Korea come off very well," said Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Trump had expressed striking fondness for Kim after their three meetings, once offering that he and the young totalitarian "fell in love."

But Trump could find a new Kim this time, one emboldened since their diplomatic love affair.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

North Korea, one of the most sanctioned and isolated countries, has cashed in with Russia by supplying more than 10,000 troops plus weapons to Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, according to Western and South Korean intelligence.

"If there is one reason why North Korea's not interested in any of these dialogues with the South Koreans and the Americans, it's because of all they're getting from Russia," Cha said.

Former US president Joe Biden also offered dialogue with North Korea, albeit among lower-ranking officials, but Pyongyang rebuffed him.

- Cautious start for Lee -

Lee won election in June after a leadership gap due to the impeachment of his conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol for briefly imposing martial law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The transition was awkwardly timed as Trump was taking office, although the new South Korean administration managed to secure a deal similar to other US allies on tariffs.

Lee, a former labor lawyer, hails from the left but paradoxically may share more common ground with Trump than South Korea's conservatives on some issues.

Lee and Trump have both in the past questioned the US military commitment to South Korea, where some 28,500 US troops are stationed.

But since taking office, Lee has stressed consistency, including by going ahead with joint exercises with the United States that angered North Korea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a highly symbolic step, Lee traveled before Washington to Japan, reaffirming his commitment to a three-way alliance despite the South Korean left's historic criticism of Japan over colonial history.

His trip comes as tensions spike on the Korean peninsula, with Pyongyang on Saturday test-firing two new air defense missiles, according to the country's state news agency.

Earlier in the week, South Korean troops fired warning shots at several North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily militarized border separating the two countries.

- 'Nuclear power' flexes -

North Korea has always refused to get rid of its nuclear program, a stance likely only to have hardened following US and Israeli bombing of Iran's sensitive sites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since January, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have both broken precedent by calling North Korea a "nuclear power," although it did not appear they meant to recognize its right to nuclear weapons.

Lee has spoken of a three-step approach of freezing, reducing and then dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program.

Rachel Minyoung Lee, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Korea program, said that Lee's stance "likely will resonate with President Trump, who is keen to engage North Korea."

"From the South Korean government's point of view, getting the Trump administration's buy-in on its North Korea policy would be a big diplomatic win, as it would not only put the two countries on the same page but also decrease the possibility of Seoul being sidelined from US efforts to engage North Korea," she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But she doubted North Korea would back diplomacy with an ultimate goal of denuclearization, phased or not.

"It has no reason to be receptive to such a proposition given that the geopolitical situation is working in its favor and it sees longer-term opportunities in its relationship with Russia," she said.

sct/sst/acb
(FOX 5/KUSI)  A fiery spectacle lit up the skies over California and Nevada Thursday night, as a brilliant fireball streaked through the atmosphere  capturing the awe of more than 100 eyewitnesses and sparking a wave of reports to the American Meteor Society (AMS).

The Nexstar Media video above explains the difference between a meteor, meteoroid and meteorite

The meteor made its dramatic appearance at precisely 8:12 p.m. Pacific Time on Aug. 21, flashing across the sky like a cosmic flare. According to AMS data  combined with footage from publicly accessible cameras  the fireball first ignited 49 miles above the Central Valley, between the farming towns of Firebaugh and Kerman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Traveling at a blistering speed of 33,000 mile per hour, the meteor carved a glowing path across 84 miles of sky, heading slightly southeast. Its journey ended high above the western slopes of Sequoia National Park, where it disintegrated 28 miles above the forested region of Red Fir, AMS reported.

How California students can get free entry to 54 state parks

According to witness reports submitted to AMS, the fireball was seen as far north as Reno, Neveda and Beckwourth, California. It was also seen much further south with submissions from Palm Springs and even Los Angeles.

A map of its flight path can be seen below:

(Credit: American Meteor Society)

Experts say this was a sporadic fireball  a lone traveler from space, not tied to any active meteor shower  making the event all the more surprising and unique.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No impacts were reported, and the meteor burned up safely in the upper atmosphere. But for those lucky enough to look up at just the right moment, it as a dazzling reminder of the universes unpredictable beauty.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
The identity of a Cahokia Heights man accused of robbing a woman of her purse and stealing her car from a library and carjacking another woman at a drug store was uncovered through a three-month police investigation by Metro East Auto Theft Task Force agents.

Talbot D. Dunn, 20, of the 400 block of Range Lane, has been charged in connection with the violence the two women endured.

The first offense Dunn is accused of committing occurred on April 26 on the parking lot of the Cahokia Heights Public Library in the 100 block of Park Drive. The second crime Dunn is charged with committing occurred on May 15 on the Walgreens parking lot in the 1200 block of Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The first victim, a 74-year-old woman, told St. Clair County sheriffs deputies the suspect forcibly took her purse as she exited the Cahokia Heights Library building on Park Drive, said Lt. James Hendricks of the sheriffs department.

The woman went back into the building to call police. And, when she returned to the outside to talk to police, she noticed her vehicle had been stolen, Hendricks said.

Dunn was charged Thursday by St. Clair County States Attorney Jim Gomrics office with robbery, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated vehicle hijacking and aggravated battery. He is currently being held in the St. Clair County Jail.

Court records do not list a defense attorney for Dunn. A detention hearing has not been scheduled for him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The second incident in which Dunn is charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking occurred on May 15 in the 1200 block of Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights

A 69-year-old woman had parked her 2025 Hyundai in a handicapped spot in front of the Walgreens store.

The victim told police, she was attacked, pushed to the ground and her car keys were forcibly pulled out of her hands, Hendricks said.

The suspect fled from the reported location in the victims car, Hendricks said.

The vehicular hijacking case was taken over by the Metro East AutoTheft Task Force the same day. The following day, May 16, task force agents located the vehicle that had been taken from the Walgreens parking lot in the 800 block of East Fifth Street in Cahokia Heights behind a residence, Hendricks said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While working on the aggravated vehicle hijacking case, agents with the task force learned about the robbery and stolen vehicle incident that happened at the Cahokia Heights Public Library and they began investigating that case.

Through an extensive investigation from May to August, investigators linked the same suspect to both incidents, Hendricks said.
HERMOSILLO, Mexico (AP)  A judge in Mexico said boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will stand trial over alleged cartel ties and arms trafficking but could await that trial outside of detention, the boxer's lawyer said.

Chavez's lawyer, Ruben Fernando Benitez Alvarez, confirmed that the court imposed additional measures and granted three months of further investigation into the case. He described the claims against his client as speculation and urban legends" following the court hearing on Saturday in the northern Mexican city of Hermosillo.

If convicted, Chavez  who took part in the hearing virtually from a detention facility  could face a prison sentence of between four and eight years, Alvarez said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chavez, 39, who had been living in the United States for several years, was arrested in early July by federal agents outside his Los Angeles home for overstaying his visa and providing inaccurate details on an application to obtain a green card. The arrest came just days after a fight he had with famed American boxer Jake Paul in Los Angeles.

Since 2019, Mexican prosecutors have been investigating the boxer following a complaint filed by U.S. authorities against the Sinaloa Cartel for organized crime, human trafficking, arms trafficking and drug trafficking.

The case led to investigations against 13 people, among them Ovidio Guzman Lopez  the son of convicted drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman  along with some collaborators, hitmen and accomplices of the criminal organization. Guzman Lopez was arrested in January 2023 and extradited to the U.S. eight months later.

Following the inquiry, the Federal Attorney General's Office issued several arrest warrants, including one against Chavez.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said Chavez was wanted since 2023 in Mexico, but that he wasnt detained because he spent most of the time in the U.S.

The hope is that he will be deported and serve the sentence in Mexico, Sheinbaum said in July.

The boxer, who is the son of Mexican boxing great Julio Cesar Chavez, was deported by the U.S. on Aug. 19 and handed over to agents of the Federal Attorney Generals Office in Sonora state, who transferred him to the Federal Social Reintegration Center in Hermosillo.

The high profile case come as the Trump administration is pressuring Mexico to crack down on organized crime, canceling visas of notable Mexican artists and celebrities and ramping up deportations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chavez has struggled with drug addiction throughout his career and has been arrested multiple times. In 2012, he was found guilty of driving under the influence in Los Angeles and was sentenced to 13 days in jail.

He was arrested last year for weapons possession. Police reported that Chavez had two rifles. He was released shortly afterward upon posting $50,000 bail, on the condition that he attend a facility to receive treatment for his addiction.
SUNFLOWER COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said troopers are investigating two fatal crashes.

One crash occurred on Highway 448 in Sunflower County just before 10:00 p.m. on August 23, 2025. Troopers said a 2020 Ram 1500 was traveling east on the highway when it collided with a 2023 Hyundai Elantra that was traveling west.

Man arrested for firing shots into Columbia home

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MHP officials said the driver of the Hyundai, 33-year-old Martez L. Duncan, of Southaven, received fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver and the passenger of the Ram were transported to local hospitals with injuries.

The second crash occurred near the intersection of U.S. 61 and Laughlin Road in Cleveland just after 10:00 a.m. on August 23, 2025. Troopers said a 2012 Chrysler 300 was traveling south on the highway when it collided with a pedestrian, who was identified as 51-year-old Terry L. Ramiz, of Cleveland.

According to officials, Ramiz received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Chrysler was not injured.

Both crashes remain under investigation by MHP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Over two days next week, former Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctors fight to get his job back begins in earnest.

Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read case, made headlines for the derogatory text messages he sent about Read during the investigation into the death of her boyfriend, John OKeefe. He joined the State Police in May 2014 and was assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorneys office in September 2019.

Proctor was relieved of duty on July 1, 2024  the same day Reads first trial ended in a mistrial  and was then suspended without pay a week later. In each of his last two years as a full-time trooper, Proctor earned more than $102,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The State Police fired Proctor on March 19 of this year, a decision he quickly appealed to the Civil Service Commission. The full hearing on Proctors appeal begins on Aug. 26 and continues on Aug. 27. The hearing will then pick back up in late October.

Heres what to know ahead of the hearings.

Why was Proctor fired?

A state police trial board determined Proctor violated a pair of department regulations: unsatisfactory performance and alcoholic beverages.

The unsatisfactory performance charge against Proctor was tied directly to the Read case. The trial board, which held three days of hearings on the case against Proctor, determined he sent derogatory, defamatory, disparaging and/or otherwise inappropriate text messages about a suspect in a homicide investigation between Jan. 29, 2022, and Aug. 17, 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On a text thread with his superiors, Proctor joked about going through Reads phone for naked photos. He also repeatedly mocked Reads medical conditions, telling a group chat of friends from high school she had a leaky balloon knot. Proctor also called Read a whack job [expletive] and said he wished she would kill herself.

The board also determined Proctor provided sensitive and/or confidential information about a homicide victim, potential witnesses and/or potential investigative steps to non-law-enforcement personnel during his investigation.

Proctor created an image that he was biased in his dealings with a homicide suspect, the trial board found, adding he brought himself and the state police into disrepute.

In the early stages of his investigation, Proctor told his friends the owner of the home OKeefe was found outside of wouldnt catch [expletive], noting he was a Boston cop, adding that there will be some serious charges brought on the girl, meaning Read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zero chance she skates. Shes (expletive), Proctor added.

The board also determined Proctor violated State Police regulations when he and Canton Police Detective Kevin Albert got drinks during a cold case investigation on Cape Cod.

Alberts brother, Brian, owned the home where OKeefe was found outside in January 2022. The connections between Proctor and the Albert family were highlighted by Reads lawyers throughout both trials, where they argued Proctor conspired to frame Read.

There was no finding by the trial board that Proctors investigation was compromised.

What is Proctors case?

Proctor is pursuing his appeal on two grounds: that State Police did not have just cause to fire him and that he was treated differently from other troopers in a similar situation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a filing with the Civil Service Commission obtained by MassLive through a public records request, Daniel Moynihan, one of Proctors lawyers, claimed Proctor was kept on full duty for months after his superiors learned of the text messages on his personal phone. Proctor testified before a federal grand jury in February 2024, which marked the first time he was confronted with the messages.

Immediately after that, Proctor claims, he told his supervisor, Det. Lt. Brian Tully, about the messages. Tully informed his supervisor, and eventually, Proctor was called into a meeting with the State Police general counsel.

Proctor wasnt notified he was the subject of an internal affairs investigation until April 2024.

He has also claimed he had a right to privacy for the texts he sent on his personal phone, which included those about the investigative steps and many of his derogatory messages about Read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is no Massachusetts State Police policy, rule or regulation governing the personal cellphones of troopers or any of its employees, Moynihan wrote in a filing submitted to the commission.

The State Police does not claim that the investigation into Read was compromised, as Reads defense lawyers did during her trials.

Does Proctor have a chance?

A pair of experts MassLive spoke to both said they saw a path for Proctor to get his job back.

Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge, said the State Police caved to public pressure and scapegoated Proctor.

Proctors firing further damages the already-tattered reputation of Massachusetts State Police Discipline, Lu, an adjunct professor at UMass Lowell, said in March. This is out of proportion to previous discipline for the same infractions, and suggests to troopers that they are subject to the whim of politics, not a fair discipline process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

How can we expect police to be fair to people on the street when they themselves are treated unfairly, he said.

The State Police never disciplined Proctor before he was relieved of duty in July 2024.

That fact could well aid Proctor in his appeal, said Maureen Boyle, a professor at Stonehill College and a longtime crime reporter.

If this is a one-and-done, this does not seem like this should be a career-ending situation, she said.

What Proctor has said

Proctor gave interviews to both 20/20 and Dateline, which aired after Read was acquitted following her retrial, which ended on June 18.

In those interviews, he admitted the texts he sent about Read were regrettable, but denied taking part in any kind of conspiracy. Instead, he said he was caught up in the moment, investigating the death of a fellow officer, who was roughly his age.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He addressed one message head-on: where he told his sister he wished Read would kill herself, saying in the interview that the comment was in jest.

Its a figure of speech, Proctor said, and he didnt mean it literally.

In the interview with 20/20, Proctor also addressed his dismissal from the State Police. He recalled dropping to his knees and lying on his lawn after hearing the news that he had been relieved of duty on July 1, 2024, the same day Reads first trial ended with a hung jury.

But he also said he didnt know of any other trooper punished for personal texts, let alone fired.

The civil service hearings

Only the issue of just cause will be raised at the August hearing dates, when State Police will call their first and only witness, Det. Lt. Kevin Dwyer. Dwyers direct examination by a lawyer for the State Police will take place on Aug. 26, and Moynihan will cross-examine him the following day, Aug. 27.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then the case shifts to Proctor on the issue of disparate treatment. Its not clear how many witnesses Moynihan will call to bolster his case on that issue. Those hearings are set for October 21, 22 and 23.

Each hearing day will be presided over by a hearing officer. In Proctors case, civil service commissioner Angela McConney will oversee the hearings.

Thus far, the commission has denied all five discipline and layoff appeals that have come before it in 2025. Since January 2006, 77% of such appeals have been denied, according to the commission.

Most appeals are decided within 15 weeks. In Proctors case, that could mean it may well not be until 2026 that a decision is handed down on his future.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If the commission decides Proctors termination was unjust, it could award him back pay.

Commission decisions can be appealed in one of two ways: either by filing a motion for reconsideration with the commission or by bringing the appeal to a superior court judge.

More coverage of Michael Proctor

Read the original article on MassLive.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Aug. 20, 1920, is a big date in American history. It marks the day Tennessee ratified the 19th Amendment, giving women across the country the right to vote.

While Tennessee was the 36th state to approve the law, triggering the three-quarters majority needed to amend the Constitution, Michigan was among the first. Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan each ratified it on June 16, 1919.

Michigan wasnt just on the front lines of womens voting rights: It also was home to one of the few women who managed to vote between the American Revolution and the constitutional amendment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her name was Nannette Gardner. Her story isnt well known, but it shows how at least one woman was able to take the system built to subdue her voice and use it to her advantage.

MEET NANNETTE

Nannette Ellingwood was born in 1828 in New Hampshire. Historians say she was raised in an abolitionist family and they helped African Americans fleeing slavery reach freedom in Canada. She kept that passion with her as an adult and was an outspoken advocate for ending slavery and advancing rights for women.

At some point, she made the move to Detroit. When she was 26 years old, she married a man named Miles T. Gardner, a well-to-do seedsman who owned a nursery and a large tract of land. Historical writer Amy Probst noted in Bentley Historical Librarys semiannual magazine that Gardners wealth put (Nannette) in a position to devote more means and time to both abolition and suffrage.

Unfortunately, Miles Gardner died in 1867, leaving his wife not only widowed with two children, but also with a nursery to manage and a giant tract of land that required annual taxes. Both a blessing and a curse, those assets ultimately paved the way for her to make a bit of history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ceiling shattered: Anna Bissell broke barriers as Americas first female CEO

As Probst noted, the U.S. Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens, but a lot of the minutiae is vague. It left room for state governments to shape laws to their liking. And unlike the chaotic years of the American Revolution, when there were many instances of women being allowed to vote, the new government was formed to be led by men and only men.

The 14th Amendment, which helped pick up the pieces from the Civil War, was written explicitly to include language that only granted males the right to vote. Michigans constitution, passed in 1835, didnt help either. It was amended several times in the ensuing decades, but voting rights for women had yet to make the cut. As of 1871, the state only granted the right to vote to every male citizen over the age of 21 as long as they met residency requirements.

By law, Nannette Gardner was a land-owning taxpayer with no representation. So she took up the challenge and on March 25, 1871, she went to City Hall in Detroit to register to vote along with her good friend and fellow advocate Catharine Stebbins. Their registrations immediately caught the attention of the local board of inspectors, which scheduled hearings to rule on whether the two women should be allowed to vote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The legacy of Eva McCall Hamilton, Michigans 1st woman in state legislature

Days later, Gardner and Stebbins got their chance to make their case. According to Probst, the women argued that language from the 1st and 14th amendments, even though they explicitly said male, should qualify them as citizens of the country and guarantee their right to vote.

Notably, the two women represented themselves in the hearings, instead of hiring male lawyers to speak for them.

They argued with eloquence and approached their respective boards as equals, Probst wrote.

It appears the board understood the disparity in the laws in the way they are written, but couldnt blow the doors open to allow women to vote. They ultimately ruled against Stebbins because she had a husband who could vote on behalf of her interests. Since the widowed Gardner did not, the board, led by Alderman Peter Hill, voted 12-6 to keep her on the voting rolls.

ELECTION DAY

Though Stebbins was denied a ballot, she and her husband still escorted Gardner to the polls on Election Day. Details of that day have survived thanks to a journal entry from Gardners 13-year-old daughter, Sarah. (The journal was included when Nannette Gardners collection of papers was donated to the Bentley Historical Library.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

How tragedy led to Michigans first lady lightkeepers

After Ma had deposited her vote she presented Mr. Hill a beautiful bouquet which was placed on the table near the box, Sarah Gardner wrote.

The inscription read, To Peter Hill, Alderman of the Ninth Ward of Detroit. By recognizing civil liberty and equality for (women), he has placed the last and brightest jewel on the brow of Michigan.

Nannette Gardner, the first woman to legally vote in the state of Michigan, wrote an editorial to the Detroit Tribune lambasting their coverage. (Courtesy University of Michigan/Bentley Historical Library)

The election was just another ho-hum decision for Detroit, but it was a banner day for the womens suffrage movement. According to Sarahs journal, days after the big vote, celebrated suffragette Susan B. Anthony visited with the Gardners on her way to and from another stop in Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

(Anthony) said that she could not rest contented until she had slept under the roof of the house of the first woman that had voted under the 14th and 1st Amendments, Sarah wrote.

The story made headlines across the country. Gardner had no issue calling out newspaper editors who she believed misrepresented her story. A news clipping held in the librarys collection shows a letter she wrote to the Detroit Tribune in the week following her historic vote.

I regret that the truth spoils the pretty stories that appeared in your newspaper concerning the vote given by me, she wrote.

In another letter to the Detroit Post, Gardner wrote that she could not comprehend how a woman expressing a choice among a few candidates for office should have caused such a commotion  (when) tens of thousands of vicious, ignorant and worthless men do the same thing yearly without a word of comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Learn about Grand Rapids women legends through walking tour

According to Probst, Gardner continued to advocate for the womens suffrage movement, befriending Anthony and fellow Michigander Sojourner Truth. Her story was also mentioned in the History of Woman Suffrage, a detailed volume edited by Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage.

Gardner remarried in 1873, but was again widowed the following year. She and her daughter eventually settled in Ann Arbor. She died in 1900 at 71 years old. Online records show Gardner is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York, the same cemetery as Anthony.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
The Brief

Kemonte Jefferson, 19, is accused of shooting another person at a gas station on Milwaukee's northwest side.

The crime happened on Friday, Aug. 15 near 91st and Silver Spring.

Jefferson told investigators the shooting victim had been threatening to kill him.

MILWAUKEE - A 19-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of shooting and wounding another person at a gas station near 91st and Silver Spring. The accused is Kemonte Jefferson,  and he faces the following criminal counts:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Second-degree reckless injury

Possession of a firearm by a felon

Shooting at 91st and Silver Spring

What we know

According to the criminal complaint, Milwaukee police were dispatched on Friday night, Aug. 15 to investigate a shooting complaint near 91st and Silver Spring Drive. When officers arrived on the scene, they made contact with a person who was shot and wounded. That person was taken to Children's Wisconsin for treatment of a gunshot wound.

Scene at 91st and Silver Spring

Investigators recovered security camera footage at the gas station and "observed an individual, later identified as the defendant Kemonte Jefferson, standing near the checkout counter with a handgun tucked under his armpit," the complaint says. The defendant said hello to someone who came into the store. While he was doing that, a second person, the shooting victim, walked into the store "holding a firearm in his hands pointed down. Video footage shows the defendant almost immediately shooting (the victim) in the upper body at least once, and then turning and at least pointing it at a second individual as he runs out of the gas station," the complaint says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Police later interviewed the shooting victim. He stated when he got to the gas station, "he took a gun with him that was under the driver's seat of the car and he held the gun in his hand. He took the gun because he felt that he needed protection. (The shooting victim) stated he held the gun in his hand because otherwise someone might try to rob him for the gun," the complaint says. The shooting victim told police he knew the man at the counter as "Baby D." The victim said he did not know why "Baby D" shot him and "believes that Baby D mistook him for someone else or that Baby D had a problem with someone that he knows," the complaint says.

Interview with defendant

What they're saying

During an interview with police, Jefferson acknowledged shooting the victim. The complaint says he and the victim "have been arguing recently about the defendant disrespecting a female (the victim) knows as well as the defendant disrespecting a group they are both affiliated with." The defendant stated since then, the victim "had been repeatedly messaging him on Instagram threatening to kill him," the complaint says. Jefferson told police "the victim swung open the gas station door with his gun in his hand and the victim had a look on his face as if he wanted to kill him. The defendant stated he immediately shot the victim before the victim could shoot him," the complaint says.

What's next

Court records show Jefferson's bond was set at $75,000 on Saturday, Aug. 23. He's due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 29.

The Source

The information in this post was provided by Wisconsin Circuit Court Access as well as the criminal complaint associated with this case.
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Jal Shakti and Railways V Somanna has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to rename Tumkur University after His Holiness Sri Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamy of Siddaganga Mutt. In his letter, the minister highlighted the saint's lifelong contributions to education and social service and said renaming the university would be a fitting tribute to his legacy. "In relation to the above matter, His Excellency Sri Siddaganga Mutt Sri Sri Dr Shivakumar Mahaswamy has helped thousands of families from all walks of life in the state by providing free education, accommodation, and Dasoha and has led them all to progress academically. By naming Tumkur University after such a great saint, respect should be paid to the venerable one. That is why they kindly donate to Tumkur University. I request you on behalf of the people of Tumkur district to take necessary action regarding the renaming of Sri Shivakumar Mahaswamiji University..." the letter reads. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he will join Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's 'Voter Adhikar Rally' in Bihar on August 29. "Rahul Gandhi ji took out a yatra in Bihar. I am going to join it on 29th August," CM Siddaramaiah told reporters here. The Chief Minister also announced that International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq will inaugurate the world-famous Dasara Mahotsav on September 22, 2025. "Winner of the International Booker Prize 2025, Banu Mushtaq, will inaugurate the world-famous Dasara Mahotsav on 22nd September 2025. Vijaya Dashmi will be celebrated on 2nd October. He (Union Minister Rajnath Singh) has also been invited," he added. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived in Jamalpur on Friday as part of the sixth day of the ongoing 'Voter Adhikar Yatra,' which seeks to raise concerns over alleged voter fraud. CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the yatra is focused on addressing issues of vote theft and the alleged inaction of the Election Commission, despite the submission of evidence pointing to fake voter entries. (ANI)
The Brief

The Minnesota State Fair hosted 153,988 visitors on Friday.

There were 171,233 visitors on the second day of the fair in 2024, setting the current record.

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota State Fair had fewer visitors on its second day this year compared to the past couple of years.

READ MORE: Minnesota State Fair: Opening day attendance down from 2024

Minnesota State Fair attendance

By the numbers

There were 153,988 people who passed through the gates of the Minnesota State Fair on Friday, according to numbers from the fair's website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a drop from the 171,233 people who visited on the second day of the event in 2024, which remains the highest attendance record for the fair's second day.

There were 164,741 people who visited the fair on the second day in 2023.

What's next

Saturday is 4-H Day at the Minnesota State Fair, which could draw more crowds, along with cooler weather that is keeping the air crisp and comfortable.

The Source

This story uses information from the Minnesota State Fair website and past FOX 9 reporting.
The Brief

An 85-year-old woman who was missing for weeks was found dead in Superior, Wisconsin.

Juanita Mae Rosa was reported missing from Hinckley, Minnesota, on Aug. 4.

Authorities have not released information on the cause of death.

HINCKLEY, Minn. (FOX 9) - Authorities have found the body of an 85-year-old woman who was reported missing from Hinckley, Minnesota, on Aug. 4.

READ MORE: Search continues for missing 85-year-old Pine County woman

Missing 85-year-old woman found dead

What we know

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) reported that Juanita Mae Rosa was found dead in a rural area of Superior, Wisconsin, on Friday, Aug. 22.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rosa went missing just days after turning 85.

The family tells FOX 9 that she was at breakfast with her two sons, then went home to take a nap. Thats the last time she was seen.

Rosa's granddaughters described her as a typical grandma  someone with a good sense of humor, who loved her grandchildren.

What we don't know

Information on the cause of death was not shared.

The Source

This story uses information shared by the Minnesota BCA and previous FOX 9 reporting.
MONTROSE, Colo. (KREX)  On Wednesday, the Montrose County Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month to recognize the importance of financial and emotional support from parents and the community for the well-being and health of children.

With the proclamation, Montrose County will also join the State of Colorado in honoring the dedicated work of 710 child support professionals across the state during the month.

Whereas this month we salute those parents who support their children and honor the 10 child support professionals of Montrose County who collected more than $3.95 million for families of Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel Counties in 2024, stated the proclamation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That means that lots of kiddos are being supported by the parents that need to be supporting them and I appreciate all the work done by [our] Child Support Department, said County Commissioner Sue Hansen.

Montrose County wishes to educate families about the availability of child support services and to continuously enhance the services that the state provides with innovative initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of all family members, continued the proclamation.

The Child Support Program, which has collected over $8.9 billion for Colorado families since its inception, will mark 2025 as its 50th anniversary, underscoring the programs significant impact on generations of children and parents.

Montrose County is committed to the health and well-being of all children in our community, said the Board of County Commissioners. We commend the parents who support their children and the professionals who work tirelessly to ensure families receive the support they need and deserve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For more information about Montrose Countys child support services, visit montrosecounty.net.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
More than 100 people have been arrested while attending Notting Hill Carnival, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The force said of the 140 arrests around the annual west London festival, 15 had been on suspicion of assaulting officers, one of whom needed hospital treatment for injuries to their hand.

Hundreds of thousands peacefully attended the Children's Day Parade on Sunday, marking the most colourful day of the carnival, which celebrates Caribbean culture. An estimated two million people attend across Sunday and Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dancers in bright costumes filled the streets as music filled the air, while rows of stalls offered fragrant jerk chicken, curry goat and rum punch cocktails.

For the majority of carnival-goers Europe's largest street party will have been a joyful family-friendly experience.

Of the arrests made, police said 105 were made at the event itself while 35 were made nearby.

There were 52 arrests for drug-related offences, 21 for suspected possession of an offensive weapon, four for sexual offences, and two for robbery.

The Met said 13 of the arrests were made after the suspect was identified using live facial recognition technology which had not been used at the festival since 2017 after first being used in 2016.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The force said on Friday it had arrested 100 people ahead of the start of the carnival, which resulted in 21 people being recalled to prison.

It also seized 11 guns and more than 40 knives.

About 7,000 officers are being deployed across the capital over the bank holiday weekend to police the carnival.

Music was stopped at 15:00 on Sunday for a 72-second silence to commemorate the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as people who have died at the carnival in recent years and Kelso Cochrane, whose murder in 1959 became the catalyst for the event.

Update 25 August:

This article has been amended to correct statements regarding Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology. The article previously stated that 2025 was the first year LFR was used at Notting Hill Carnival. This has been corrected to state that it was used in 2016 and 2017.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A reference to the use of LFR drones has also been removed.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

More on this story
Vietnam has ordered more than 586,000 people to be evacuated ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Kajiki.

The storm is already packing winds of 166km/h (103mph) and is expected to strengthen further before making landfall early on Monday, weather forecasters said.

People from the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Da Nang have been ordered to leave their homes. Flights have been cancelled and boats told to stay ashore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The storm is skirting past Hainan in China, where the country's weather agency said up to 320mm (12.6in ) of rain was forecast.

BBC Weather says Typhoon Kajiki is expected to weaken as it moves inland into Vietnam, but still lash the country with winds of 200km/h and expected rainfall of 300-400mm.

Storm surges of 2-4m (6.6-13ft) are also expected.

Authorities have told people in the projected path not go outdoors after 14:00 GMT on Sunday. Soldiers have been deployed to help, they said.

"The situation is extremely dangerous and not safe for any vehicles or structures such as tourism or fishing vessels and aquaculture raising facilities," AFP news agency quoted officials from the ministry of agriculture and environment as saying.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vietnam Airlines cancelled at least 22 flights to and from central cities on Sunday and Monday.

Officials fear the storm could be as devastating as Yagi in September last year - a deadly typhoon which killed hundreds of people across the region, including 300 in Vietnam alone.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  More New Mexico students are eating school-provided lunches, but a new report highlights both the benefits and the rising costs of keeping the program running.

A recent evaluation takes a look at how New Mexico kids are using the states free lunch program. In 2023, the Healthy Universal School Meals law was passed requiring all public and charter schools in the state to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income. After two years, the state says more kids are eating those free meals.

Participation gains were greatest among less poor students who would not have previously qualified for free or reduced meals, said Ryan Tolman, Legislative Finance Committee evaluator. Presenters found an increase in students eating those lunches, 10% in Albuquerque and a 14% increase in Rio Rancho.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Albuquerque Public Schools addressing HVAC concerns ahead of school year

However, costs have increased to provide those meals; while the federal government reimburses some of those free meals, the state has to cover the rest. The state is essentially paying for students who do not qualify for these free reduced reimbursement rates, said Tolman.

The report also says some schools are having trouble meeting quality standards. We find that charter schools and smaller districts in particular have faced challenges with food program costs, kitchen infrastructure, staffing limited access to food vendors, said Tolman. Recommendations include setting up a statewide tracking system for meal quality and food waste.

Senator Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, who supports the program, made a comment of wanting to see it progress. Please be as proactive as humanly possible because we want to make sure this does not slow down. Weve made this decision to do it, said Padilla.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Legislative Finance Committee is expected to review formal recommendations later this year, including proposals for new accountability systems for schools and upgrades to school kitchen facilities.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Aug. 23CANTON  St. Lawrence County grand juries recently indicted a Morristown resident over a machete incident and separately, Canton, Ogdensburg and Canadian residents on drug charges.

Andrew W. Mason, Jr., 50, of Morristown, was indicted Aug. 21 one one count third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts second-degree menacing. On April 3 in Norfolk, he allegedly possessed a machete with the intent to use it as a weapon and allegedly menaced two people with it. He is represented by attorney Aaron Edwards.

Alexander Herbert, 36, of Ottawa, Ontario was indicted Aug. 14 on one count each of third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. On March 8 in Massena, he allegedly possessed a narcotic drug with intent to sell and scales. He is represented by the St. Lawrence County Public Defender's Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sam Parker, 48, of Ogdensburg, was indicted Aug. 21 on one count each of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. On March 5 in Gouverneur, he allegedly illegally possessed a loaded firearm. He is represented by attorney Benjamin Johns.

Corby Jock, 39, of Canton was indicted Aug. 14 on one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. On June 23 in Massena, he allegedly possessed 1/8 of an ounce or more of a narcotic drug. He is represented by attorney Stephen Buzzell.

The grand jury on Aug. 14 also returned three sealed indictments.
Russia and Ukraine conducted another exchange of prisoners of war on Sunday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated his country's Independence Day alongside allies.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the two sides handed over 146 soldiers each. In addition, it said eight residents of the western Russian region of Kursk were released.

"Our people are coming home," Zelensky wrote on Facebook, thanking the United Arab Emirates for mediating in the exchange.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Ukrainian president sent a message of support to his compatriots to mark Independence Day, exactly three and a half years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the smaller neighbour.

"We are building a Ukraine strong and powerful enough to live in security and peace," Zelensky said in an address shared on Telegram.

In the video, he is seen against the backdrop of Kiev's Independence Square. He said the imposing statue of liberty on the Maidan was also a symbol of the indestructibility of Ukraine.

Zelensky said the war had led to a new sense of self-worth among Ukrainians, who no longer relied on the goodwill of others but took their fate into their own hands and were ready to fight for their freedom.

Allies promise sustained support

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kiev on Sunday to meet Zelensky. Canada is part of the so-called Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine and is also home to a large Ukrainian community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"On this Ukrainian Independence Day, and at this critical moment in their nation's history, Canada is stepping up our support and our efforts towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine," Carney posted on X following his arrival.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Zelensky, Carney said Canada was planning to deliver a major arms package to Ukraine.

The Canadian government said the package, which was first announced at the G7 summit in June and is planned for delivery in September, was worth 2 billion Canadian dollars ($1.4 billion), and would include armoured vehicles, drones, ammunition and medical supplies.

Carney also indicated that Canadian troops could participate in securing a peace agreement with Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Several countries have already agreed to station troops in the country to prevent renewed Russian aggression in the event of an agreement to end the war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also marked Ukraine's Independence Day by stressing Berlin's ongoing support for Kiev. "As the country marks Independence Day, we stand firmly by their side  today and in the future," Merz posted on X in German, English and Ukrainian.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen honoured Ukraine's fight for a "free, democratic and independent" country. "We are with you, for as long as it takes. Because a free Ukraine means a free Europe," von der Leyen wrote on X.

With or without Washington

Western leaders have repeatedly emphasized their ongoing support for Kiev, particularly against the backdrop of a less clear position from Washington since US President Donald Trump re-entered the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a report on Satuday, the Wall Street Journal cited officials saying that the Pentagon has for months been blocking the use of longer-range missiles, such as the US-supplied ATACMS, for attacks on targets in Russia.

An approval process by the Department of Defense had prevented Ukraine from using ATACMS since the middle of last year, the officials said.

Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, last year lifted restrictions on the use of long-range missiles.

But Zelensky seemed unfazed by the news during his press conference with Carney, saying he sees no need for talks with the United States on the issue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We are using our domestically produced long-range weapons," he said. "We haven't discussed such things with the US recently; that was in the past."

Ukraine has recently stepped up its own drone construction programme and unveiled a new missile, called Flamingo, which is said to have a range of up to 3,000 kilometres. This would put targets far beyond Russia's Ural Mountains within reach of Ukrainian weapons.

The missile is still in the testing phase, but Kiev wants to acquire a larger arsenal of such weapons by the end of the year.

As Washington pushes for an end to the war, Zelensky also received Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Kiev on Sunday. Kellogg is seen as the US administration official that sympathizes with Kiev most strongly.
Most California voters strongly disapprove of the Trump administrations immigration enforcement policies and believe that raids in the state have unfairly targeted Latinos, according to a new poll.

The findings, released Sunday, reflected striking emotional reactions to immigration enforcement. When voters were asked to describe their feelings about news reports or videos of immigration raids, 64% chose rage or sadness "because what is happening is unfair."

Among Democrats, 91% felt enraged or sad. Conversely, 65% of Republicans felt hopeful, "like justice is finally being served."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Such divisions were consistent across 11 questions about the administration's overall immigration strategy and specific aspects of the way enforcement is playing out in the state, with divisions along partisan lines. The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll was conducted for the Los Angeles Times.

Read more: Love it or hate it? Poll shows how Californians feel about Newsom's redistricting fight with Trump

Democrats almost unanimously oppose President Trumps tactics on immigration, the poll showed. Most Republicans support the president, though they are not as united as Democrats in their approval.

"It was essential to show the strength of feelings because Democrats are strongly on the negative side of each of these policies," said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Berkeley IGS Poll. "That struck me. I don't usually see that kind of extreme fervor on a poll response."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The poll found that 69% of respondents disapprove of the way immigration enforcement is being carried out in the state.

Among Democrats, 95% disapprove, as well as 72% of voters with no party preference or others not affiliated with the two major parties, whereas 79% of Republicans approve.

The poll was completed online in English and Spanish from Aug. 11-17 by 4,950 registered voters in California.

A question that showed the least unified support among Republican voters asked respondents whether they agree or disagree that federal agents should be required to show clear identification when carrying out their work. The question comes as immigration agents have carried out raids using face coverings, unmarked cars and while wearing casual clothing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some 50% of Republicans agreed that agents should have to identify themselves, while 92% of Democrats agreed.

G. Cristina Mora, IGS co-director and a sociology professor at UC Berkeley who studies race and immigration, helped develop the poll questions. She said the poll shows that Republican voters are much more nuanced than Democrats. They also split on questions about due process, birthright citizenship and immigration enforcement in sensitive locations.

"Republicans are much more fractured in their thinking about immigration across the state," Mora said.

Mora said she developed the question about agent identification in response to the recent bill led by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) that would require immigration officers to display their agency and name or badge number during public-facing enforcement actions, similar to police and other local law enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Padilla also spearheaded a letter last month to Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons seeking information about the agency's policies regarding the identification of agents while on duty. ICE has justified the tactics by stating that agents are at risk of doxxing and have faced increased assault on the job.

"The public has a right to know which officials are exercising police power, and anonymous enforcement undermines both constitutional norms and democratic oversight," Padilla and 13 other Democrats wrote in the letter.

Another poll question that garnered mixed support of Republicans asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statement, ICE agents should expand immigration enforcement into schools, hospitals, parks and other public locations.

Among Republicans, 53% agreed with that statement, though fewer than 1 in 3 agree strongly. Meanwhile, 94% of Democrats disagreed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shortly after Trump took office, his administration rescinded a 2011 memo that restricted immigration agents from making arrests in sensitive locations, such as churches, schools and hospitals. Since then, agents have been filmed entering locations that were previously considered off limits, putting immigrant communities on edge.

Schools in Los Angeles reopened this month with "safe zones" in heavily Latino neighborhoods and changed bus routes with less exposure to immigration agents. An 18-year-old high school senior, Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz, was walking his familys dog in Van Nuys when he was taken into federal immigration custody.

Mora said the varied responses illustrate how California Republicans view the Trump administration's immigration tactics with "degrees of acceptability." They might feel strongly that immigrants with violent criminal histories should be deported, she said, but the takeover of MacArthur Park, when a convoy of immigration agents in armored vehicles descended there in a show of force, or the enforcement actions outside of public schools "might have been a step too far."

Mike Madrid, a GOP political consultant who wrote a book about how Latinos have transformed democracy, said the split among Republicans is consistent with national polling. The trend is problematic for Trump, he said, because it means he is losing big swaths of his base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This is becoming viewed as overreach more than it is immigration control," he said. "The idea sets a frame for it, but the actual implementation is widely unpopular."

Republicans were largely united in response to other questions. Asked about the Trump administration's proposal to do away with birthright citizenship  which confers citizenship to all children born in the U.S. regardless of their parent's legal status  67% of GOP respondents approved, and most of them strongly approved. By contrast, 92% of Democrats disapproved, and as did seven in 10 respondents overall.

Mora said she was surprised by the fact that Latinos didn't stand out as substantially more opposed to Trump's actions than voters of other racial and ethnic groups. For example, 69% of Latino voters said ICE raids have unfairly targeted Latinos, just five percentage points higher than the 64% of white non-Latino voters who agreed.

"You would imagine Latinos would be through the roof here, but they're not," Mora said. She said this reminded her of research around the tendency for Latinos to individualize their experiences instead of seeing them as racially unjust.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Broadly, 72% of Latinos disagree with the way the Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws in California, while 25% approve and 3% have no strong opinion.

Among Latino voter subgroups, older men and third-generation (or beyond) women are the more likely to support the way immigration enforcement is being handled in California, with 38% of Latino men over age 40 in agreement compared to 11% of Latinas ages 18-39, although among both groups majorities disapprove.

Madrid said that's consistent with national polling showing a decrease in support for Republicans among Latinos after record gains in the last presidential election. The question, he said, is whether Trump's approval ratings among Latinos could regress substantially enough to flip control of Congress in the midterms.

"We're not there yet," he said.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  A Spotsylvania County mother and her boyfriend are facing charges after they allegedly killed her 3-month-old baby last November.

22-year-old Angela Holloman and her boyfriend, 29-year-old Andrew Phillips, were indicted on charges of homicide, abuse/neglect of a child resulting in serious injury, and child endangerment/cruelty in connection with the death of Hollomans 3-month-old son, Asher Holloman.

It all started on Nov. 16, 2024, when deputies responded to the 12600 block of Orange Plank Road for a 3-month-old infant reportedly experiencing respiratory distress, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office (SCSO).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Once on the scene, medics rushed Asher to Mary Washington Hospital.

Responders tried to save him, but he died.

American Airlines flight makes emergency landing at Dulles after passengers device catches fire: officials

Detectives from the SCSOs Child Victims Unit immediately opened an investigation. The Office of the Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy, ruling Ashers death a homicide.

As a result, deputies arrested Holloman and Phillips, who are both being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Asher Holloman, the sheriffs office wrote in a post on social media. We share in the communitys sorrow over this tragic loss of innocent life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
The operation was carried out jointly by the 68 Battalion BSF, 176 Battalion BSF, and the Water Wing, with support from local patrol boats.

The search covered the adjoining creek areas and was supported by fast patrol boats.

Earlier, the Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended a senior officer of the Bangladesh Police while he was attempting to illegally enter Indian territory in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, top government officials said.

The infiltrator, whose identity was not shared considering the ongoing investigation, was caught near Hakimpur Border Outpost between 6 pm and 7 pm.

"The officer was intercepted by BSF troops during routine patrolling. On searching him, the force recovered some identity documents, confirming that the intruder was a senior Bangladeshi Police officer," the officials told ANI, requesting anonymity.

The intruder was immediately detained and later handed over to the West Bengal Police for further questioning.

Officials said this is one of the rarest occasions when a Bangladeshi Police officer has been caught while trying to enter Indian soil illegally.

The India-Bangladesh border, stretching over 4,096 km, is one of the longest international borders in the world and has often witnessed cases of infiltration, smuggling, and illegal crossings. West Bengal accounts for nearly 2,217 km of this stretch, making it a sensitive zone for security agencies.

North 24 Parganas, where Saturday's arrest took place, has remained particularly vulnerable due to its dense population, riverine terrain, and proximity to urban centres.

Officials say the region has often been exploited by smugglers, touts, and sometimes even organised groups attempting to cross over illegally.

Officials said investigations are underway to ascertain the reason behind his entry into Indian territory and whether he was acting independently or on behalf of a network.(ANI)
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A motorcyclist has died following a crash in southwest Wichita.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before 11:30 p.m. Friday on Interstate 235 near West Street. Troopers say Jess Chavez, 51, of Wichita, was heading north on the interstate when, for an unknown reason, he left the roadway.

Sedgwick County adds bigger stop signs at dangerous intersection

Chavezs Harley Davidson entered the median, struck the guardrail, throwing Chavez off the bike and into the guardrail and a fence. Chavez came to rest in the roadway, while his bike continued traveling, crossing the southbound lanes, crashing through a fence, and finally stopping on Bolin Drive, just west of the interstate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers say he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A motorcyclist was killed Saturday night after colliding with a car in Hartford, police said.

The collision occurred just after 8:00 p.m. on Maple Avenue.

Investigators say Luis Jiminez Flores, 26, of Hartford, was found in the roadway with his blue Yamaha YZ250 motorcycle after colliding with a white Lexus RX330.

Suffering from life-threatening injuries, Flores was rushed to Hartford Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Lexus and its operator were found on Bushnell Street.

Hartford polices e Crime Scene Division is leading this investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  Mount Galbraith Park in Jefferson County is open after it closed briefly on Sunday due to a fire.

Jefferson County Parks and Open Space said in a post on X just after 10 a.m. that the park was closed until further notice due to a fire. At 11:45 a.m., the park was reopened.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Mount Galbraith Park is located just off Golden Gate Canyon Road and is home to several popular hiking trails.

The Jefferson County Sheriff told FOX31 that it was a small fire and said crews were working to get the fire under control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There were no evacuations and no structures were threatened.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A Labour MP says she has received "threats of death and violence" since another MP claimed she was "misleading the public" over her stance on a national grooming gangs inquiry.

Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley, said she had been the subject of "misogynistic abuse" and "deeply offensive claims" after a video was posted on social media by Robbie Moore.

Moore, the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, condemned threats of violence against elected politicians or anyone in public life and said his video raised "legitimate concerns" over Dixon's position.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dixon said the video had been reported to the police and an investigation was under way. The BBC has contacted West Yorkshire Police for comment.

The video claims Dixon had "dismissed the need for a national inquiry", citing the fact she voted against a Conservative amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill proposing such a review.

It also claimed she had tried to "undermine" Moore's call for an inquiry to focus on grooming gangs in Bradford.

In a statement posted on her website, Dixon said: "It is irresponsible behaviour for an MP of any party to put out such blatant misinformation about a colleague.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This is particularly true in the current climate, where politicians are under heightened security threats, and in the light of the tragic murders of two colleagues from both sides of the House of Commons in recent years."

Dixon accused Moore of spreading "misleading information online" and inflaming "hatred" against her.

She said: "We must always put victims and survivors first when it comes to tackling the horrific crime of child sexual exploitation - this issue should never be used to make personal attacks based on party politics."

In January, Dixon was one of 364 MPs who voted against the Conservative amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which called on the government to set up a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dixon said she had voted against the amendment because the way it had been proposed would have "effectively killed the Bill".

She said she was "shocked" by Moore's claim she would oppose a Bradford District focus, pointing to a letter sent to constituents on 6 August, in which she wrote that if a local inquiry was needed "this is something I and the Local Authority will fully support".

Robbie Moore has been MP for Keighley and Ilkley since 2019 [House of Commons]

Responding to Dixon's statement, Moore said the video was "not a personal attack" and urged constituents to watch the full clip.

He said: "I have had armed police in my house at 3am in the morning as a result of receiving threats to life myself, and know exactly how it feels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The video raises legitimate concerns about the MP for Shipley's public position on a grooming inquiry in Bradford.

"I have been fighting for an inquiry since being elected in 2019 and have been clear that this is not a political issue.

"The fact that the MP for Shipley does not and, from her public comments today, still does not unequivocally support a focus on Bradford in this national inquiry is both a newsworthy and legitimate concern."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Related stories
A Ukrainian journalist who was held incommunicado by Russia for more than three years has been released on Sunday as part of the latest prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv.

For more than three years, Dmytro Khilyuk, 50, was one of the thousands of Ukrainian civilians detained in Russia, something illegal under international law.

Khilyuks elderly parents had no information about his whereabouts but kept campaigning for his release, attending meetings with politicians in Ukraine and abroad, going to protests and tirelessly writing to Russian authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A video from the exchange on Sunday released by Ukrainian authorities showed Khilyuk calling his mother just moments after crossing into Ukraine.

I knew you cared about me and worried about me. Mum, dont cry. Ill be home soon, he can be heard saying.

Khilyuk and his father Vasyl were detained by Russian troops while attempting to get basic supplies during the occupation of their village, Kozarovychi, north of Kyiv. While Vasyl Khyliuk was released a few days later, Dmytro disappeared without a trace.

Moscow repeatedly denied holding him, despite numerous accounts from fellow prisoners placing him in detention facilities in Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Russian Investigative Committee and the Russian Prison Service in Bryansk both officially informed the Khyliuks lawyer in December 2022 and January 2023 that he was not in Russia and that they had no information about him.

Halyna and Vasyl Khyliuk look at a picture of their son Dmytro in their home in Kozarovychi, Ukraine. - Ivana Kottasova/CNN

This note is the only letter Halyna and Vasyl Khyliuk received from their son Dmytro since his detention more than two years ago. - Ivana Kottasova/CNN

CNN visited Khilyuks parents in 2024, shortly after Moscow finally admitted that Dima  as his parents call him  was in Russian custody.

All his parents had from Dima directly was a short, handwritten note dated April 2022, in which he told them he was alive and well and which the Khilyuks did not receive until August that year.

According to Khilyuks lawyer, he was never charged or convicted of any crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Khilyuk was among eight civilians released on Sunday, sharing photos of the group on his official Telegram channel.

Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs said the eight civilians were released alongside soldiers and other security force members. It said all of the released were are privates and sergeants and almost all spent more than three years in captivity.

Ukraine did not say how many people were included in the exchange. The Russian Defence Ministry said earlier on Sunday that 146 Russian servicemen were returned from Ukraine in exchange for 146 Ukrainian prisoners of war, adding that eight Russian civilians from the Kursk region were also returned.

Kyiv has not commented on the claim that Russian civilians were included in the exchange. Previously, when Russian civilians were released from Ukraine, Kyiv said they were Russian saboteurs and collaborators.

Rare moment of hope

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskys Chief of Staff, said that former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko was also released on Sunday. Yermak said Mykolayenko spent more than three years in Russian captivity, having refused to be exchanged in 2022, insisting that a critically ill fellow prisoner be released first.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Speaking on Sunday, Mykolayenko said that he has seen nothing but bars and concrete in recent years.

He described Sunday as his second birthday and said: It is a wonderful coincidence that my mothers birthday is tomorrow. Mum, I love you very much. She is 91 years old  I did not know if I would find her alive and well.

The Ukrainian government said another journalist, Mark Kaliush, was also freed on Sunday, as was Serhiy Kovalyov, a medic who treated injured soldiers and civilians during the siege of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.

Their release marks a rare moment of hope for the families of Ukrainians detained in Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Kyiv, at least 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are known to be detained in Russia, although the real number is likely to be much higher.

Some 37,000 Ukrainians, including civilians, children and members of the military, are officially recognized as missing.

Many have been detained in occupied territories, detained for months or even years without any charges or trial, and deported to Russia. They include activists, priests, politicians and community leaders as well as people who appear to have been snatched by Russian troops at random at checkpoints and other places in occupied Ukraine.

Some 30 Ukrainian journalists are currently detained in Russia, most without ever being charged or convicted of anything, according to Ukraines Institute of Mass Information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The detention of civilians by an occupying power is illegal under international laws of conflict, except in a few narrowly-defined situations and with strict time limits.

There is no established legal framework for the treatment and exchange of civilian detainees in the same way there is for prisoners of war.

CNNs Victoria Butenko and Olga Voitovych contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Western Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott on Thursday granted a defense motion to reschedule the murder trial for the man charged with killing a University of Georgia Law School student 24 years ago.

The trial for Edrick Lamont Faust is now scheduled for two weeks beginning on Jan. 26. Lott had originally scheduled the trial for late October.

Faust, who turns 50 in two weeks, is charged in a 12-count indictment with the murder, rape, and assault on Tara Baker at her home in east Athens on Jan. 19, 2001. She was a first-year law school student.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More: Suspect in 2001 slaying of UGA law student Tara Baker returns to court, trial date discussed

The case became known as a cold case for more than two decades until DNA evidence led authorities to file charges in May 2024 against Faust, who once lived in the same neighborhood as Baker, but was never identified as a possible suspect.

Fausts attorney, Ahmad R. Crews of Atlanta, sought the continuance of the trial, saying he has not had time to examine the massive volume of evidence presented to him through a discovery motion. He noted, for example, there were 25,752 files in 1,614 folders, along with other evidence amassed by law enforcement over the years.

Western Circuit District Attorney Kalki Yalamanchili did not oppose a continuance of the trial as he acknowledged the case file is the largest Ive ever worked with.

Tara Baker was slain in January 2001 in Athens.

Crews also attempted to have the state provide paper copies of digital files, saying he had priced this and it came to $15,000 for one set of copies and $30,000 for two, something he said his law firm could not afford.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lott refused to order the motion but agreed to provide Faust with a computer so the defendant could read the files during his incarceration at the Athens-Clarke County Jail.

Lawyers are expected to bring pretrial motions to the court in November, with Lott telling the lawyers she wanted to move the case at an efficient pace before trial.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Murder trial in UGA law student's death moved to January 2026
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Classical musicians and instrument makers are warning of a looming crisis ahead of a U.S. meeting in September on Brazil's push to ban most international trade in Paubrasilia echinata, also known as Pernambuco, the tropical hardwood used in professional violin bows that has been endangered for decades due to centuries of overharvesting.

Brazil in June formally asked the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, to transfer Pernambuco from Appendix II to Appendix I, the treaty's highest level of protection, records show. Delegates will decide at the Nov. 24-Dec. 5 conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in the Federal Register that it would hold a public meeting on Sept. 10 to develop U.S. positions on CoP20 agenda items, including species proposals such as Brazil's pernambuco uplisting. Written comments are due Sept. 17.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Steven Cundall, who runs the Texas-based Luthier Shop, was one of dozens of people and organizations who submitted public comments over the weekend. The violinmaker said in his comment that he would rather support strengthening protections under Appendix II rather than elevating it to an Appendix I listing.

Cundall said this would allow for expanded conservation efforts and heightened protections while avoiding the significant impact an Appendix I listing could have on the music industry, collectors, musicians, orchestras, and management authorities.

"Most antique bows as well as modern bows cannot be certified proving that they are not illegal according to the pending status change," Cundall further explained in a Facebook post.

"String instrument musicians, collectors, quartets, orchestras, luthiers, bowmakers or anyone with uncertified Pernambuco bows will not be able to travel with their bows outside of their countries without fear of having their bows confiscated by customs authorities in CITES member nations."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He suggested that the sale or resale of any Pernambuco bows could be prohibited in the same manner as elephant ivory.

"Bows made of Pernambuco, Brazil's national tree, are without equal," Yo-Yo Ma said in a statement published by the International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species.

"I urge musicians and the public to join the call for conservation and sustainable use of this precious species-there is work to be done and the world of music can play an important role."

The fight has been years in the making. Pernambuco was first listed under CITES protection in 2007, which allowed trade but regulated it with export permits to ensure the wood was legally sourced and that trade would not endanger the species.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since 2007, finished bows already outside Brazil have been essentially exempt, as musicians could travel and trade without paperwork. But Brazil has renewed calls for stricter controls since 2022.

In February 2023, CITES started requiring permits for finished bows exported from Brazil for the first time. Bows already abroad remain exempt from re-export permits. An Appendix I listing would go further.

In their public comment, the pianist for the Boston-based musical group called the Pernambuco Chamber Ensemble said the orchestra raises funds and awareness for conservation efforts and "certainly" supports Appendix II protections.

"But it is not reasonable to require document over 250 years of bows," they wrote. "And obtaining CITES permits would create unworkable restrictions on travel for musicians."
SpaceX delayed a planned test flight for its Starship megarocket by 24 hours until Monday, saying it needed time to troubleshoot problems, in the latest setback for Elon Musk's behemoth after a series of explosive failures.

The recent problems have led some observers to doubt whether the world's biggest and most powerful launch vehicle will be capable of taking humans back to the Moon -- or achieving Musk's dreams of colonizing Mars.

The rocket had been scheduled to blast off on its tenth flight from the company's Starbase in southern Texas at 6:30 pm local time (2330 GMT) on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, around 15 minutes before lift-off, SpaceX scrubbed the flight, which is a relatively common event for space launches.

"Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems," it said on X.

Musk later posted on the same platform that a "ground side liquid oxygen leak needs to be fixed."

SpaceX said it had rescheduled the launch for "as soon as" the same time on Monday, though it cautioned that the timing was still "dynamic and likely to change."

Road closures nearby Starbase indicated that Tuesday had also been cleared for a potential attempt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The hour-long mission had planned to put the rocket's upper stage through a series of trials before the lower stage booster splashed down in the Indian Ocean.

- String of explosions -

Starship is central to billionaire SpaceX founder Musk's ambition of colonizing Mars, while NASA is counting on a modified version to return Americans to the Moon.

However, the rocket's upper stage -- which is the spacecraft intended to carry crew and cargo -- has exploded in all three previous test flights in 2025.

Two of the failed tests sent debris raining down over Caribbean islands, while the other reached space before breaking up. Then in June, another upper stage exploded on the ground during a "static fire" test.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The 403-feet (123-meter) rocket is designed to eventually be fully reusable, but the company has not yet managed to get the upper stage to deliver a payload to space or return to the launch site.

After an investigation into the previous failed flight in May, SpaceX said it would "intentionally stress the structural limits" of the upper stage, in the hopes of sounding out a successful return.

SpaceX has succeeded in catching the lower stage booster with giant "chopstick" launch tower arms three times, but the tenth flight will not attempt the feat.

The company's "fail fast, learn fast" ethos has long been credited with its remarkable track record, giving the US company a commanding global lead in launches thanks to its Falcon rocket family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the Starship setbacks have raised doubts over whether the company can repeat that success with easily the biggest rocket in history.

- 'Lot of pressure' -

Dallas Kasaboski, a space analyst for consulting firm Analysys Mason, told AFP before the rescheduled launch that the recent failures were beginning to take the sheen off SpaceX's golden reputation.

"I think there is a lot of pressure on this mission," he said. "We've had so many tests and it hasn't proven itself reliable -- the successes have not exceeded the failures."

Will Lockett, a former engineer turned commentator, went further, arguing on his Substack newsletter that the rocket's failure to deliver a payload to orbit yet suggested "the concept of Starship is fundamentally flawed."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Musk, the world's richest man, has staked the company's future on Starship, planning to eventually retire its current generation of rockets and spacecraft in favor of the new system.

Even if the tenth test eventually succeeds, formidable technical hurdles remain -- from making the system fully and rapidly reusable at low cost to proving it can refuel super-cooled propellant in orbit, a prerequisite for deep-space missions.

Still, SpaceX is pressing ahead, increasing the frequency of launches despite criticism from environmental groups over ecological impacts.

bur-dl/jgc/mjw/tc
This week features a full week of shows at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand, as well as its many free stages.

Though, if wandering around the fairgrounds with 150,000 or so companions isn't your cup of tea, there are arena shows around town and plenty of concerts that offer something starkly different than what's on the fair's stages.

That includes another week where music lovers can say their farewells to Palmer's Bar, a tribute to Thelonious Monk, and a hardcore punk showcase hosted by Extreme Noise Records.

Advertisement Advertisement

Here are the concerts you can catch around the Twin Cities during the week of Aug. 25.

Los Lobos

Monday, Aug. 25, and Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Minnesota State Fair's Bandshell stage

Churning out Latin-infused rock-and-roll for around a half-century, Los Lobos continue to entertain fans with a borderless blend of styles, pulling from Latin music traditions as well as rockabilly, doo-wop, R&B, blues, and rock.

On Monday, over at Palmer's Bar, KFAI's Cyn Collins is hosting a solid lineup of local groups that includes Fletcher Coulee, Alpha Consumer, Valet, and J. Prufrock's Roll-Pant Serenaders. To be honest, I don't know that last group, but their excellent, T.S. Eliot-referencing name is worthy of a love song.

Related: 15 concerts to catch on the Minnesota State Fairs free stages

Hank Williams Jr.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

Advertisement Advertisement

Hank Williams Jr. is bringing his family traditions to the State Fair with Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives opening the evening. It's the once-edgy country star's first appearance at the fair in more than 30 years.

Ozomatli

Wednesday, Aug. 27, at The Dakota

The Los Angeles-based sextet is marking its 30th anniversary with a tour that brings its genre-blending, up-tempo songs to The Dakota. The outspoken group, which still features six founding members, mixes in Latin music, funk, reggae, and other genres into its groove-laden and danceable music.

The Avett Brothers

Friday, Aug. 29, at Minnesota State Fair Grandstand



Advertisement Advertisement

The arena-sized folk rockers, led by brothers Scott and Seth Avett, make their Grandstand debut on Friday. Their pop-tinged bluegrass ensemble puts on an infectious show that will be a nice palate cleanser to the deep-fried wares available around the fairgrounds.

While we're just mentioning two of the Grandstand shows, there are concerts nightly. The lineup includes The Turtles (Aug. 25), Def Leppard (Aug. 26), Daryl Hall (Aug. 28), Nelly and Ja Rule (Aug. 30), and the Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest (Aug. 31).

Deftones with Phantogram

Friday, Aug. 29, at Target Center

The Deftones formed in the early '90s and exploded in popularity with the mid-'90s releases of Adrenaline and Around the Fur. They separated themselves from the burgeoning nu-metal and rap-rock movement three years later with White Pony, a sonically dynamic album that continues to influence younger generations of musicians.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the intervening years, they've managed to continue solidifying themselves as a band that has a mastery over their sound. They've leaned into experimental and shoegaze tendencies while never giving up the heaviness of Stephen Carpenter's guitars, even on the just-released private music.

Straight No Chaser: An Evening of Thelonious Monk

Friday, Aug. 29, at Berlin

The Downtown Minneapolis jazz club hosts an homage to a singular voice in jazz. (That's too narrow. A singular voice in music would be more apt.) The show features an ensemble that includes drummer Joey Van Phillips, saxophonist Chris Thomson, and bassist Chris Bates, with Kavyesh Kaviraj sitting on the piano bench with some big shoes to fill.

Extreme Noise presents LiFE and Blazing Eye

Saturday, Aug. 30, at The Cedar Cultural Center

Advertisement Advertisement

The volunteer-run punk record shop is back at The Cedar after its run of 30th anniversary shows last year. Saturday's lineup is headlined by the long-running Tokyo-based crust punk outfit LiFE. This will be the first time they've toured in the U.S., per The Cedar.

They're not the only group playing Minneapolis for the first time, however. Despite performing for more than a decade, it's the first Twin Cities gig for the L.A.-based Blazing Eye. They're joined by Destruct (a group that played one of the record shop's anniversary shows last year and has a split with LiFE), Alement, HOPE?, and Giallo.

Related: Just announced concerts: Yung Gravy, Gully Boys, Dijon

Concerts on Monday, Aug. 25:

Concerts on Tuesday, Aug. 26:

Related: Movies to see this week: 'Fear and Loathing,' 'High and Low'

Concerts on Wednesday, Aug. 27:

Concerts on Thursday, Aug. 28:

Related: Live Nation reveals first look at 'Mystic Lake Amphitheater', which will be largest in MN

Concerts on Friday, Aug. 29:

Concerts on Saturday, Aug. 30:

Concerts on Sunday, Aug. 31:

Related: Horror movies, positivity, and digging in the dirt: Mark Mallman discusses his new album, 'Magic Time'

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN Lifestyle section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A 34-year-old New Jersey man died after his vehicle crashed into a parked truck in Jackson Township on Saturday morning, police said.

The crash occurred on Metedeconk Trail at 6:27 a.m., said Jackson police Chief Matthew D. Kunz.

Ricardo Pantle-Grande, of Jackson Township, was pronounced dead at the scene, Kunz said.

No other injuries were reported.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com.
One person died and two others were injured after a man allegedly attacked a family in Nagchauri village under the Mishrauliya police station area, as per the UP Police. Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) Prashant Kumar said the injured, a mother and daughter, were taken to the hospital, while the father died at the scene. Efforts are being made to apprehend the accused Mukesh and others involved in the incident, and a case has been registered. Prashant Kumar told ANI, "This evening, we received information that a person named Mukesh has stabbed three people in Nagchauri village under the Mishrauliya PS area and injured them. On reaching the spot, we saw that two people were injured, a mother and a daughter. They were immediately sent to the hospital in an ambulance. But the father, Ramkala, who is 45 years old, died on the spot. An FIR has been registered on the basis of the statement received from the family. And efforts are being made to catch Mukesh and others involved in the incident." Meanwhile, in a joint operation by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Fatehpur Police, a murder accused was injured during an encounter on Thursday night, police said. According to Superintendent of Police, Gramin Jhansi, Arvind Kumar, the murder accused has been identified as Deepak, alias Pradeep. He was charged with a murder case and had a reward of Rs 25,000 on him. The police officials have recovered weapons from his custody, and further investigation is to proceed after interrogation. "In a joint operation by the SWAT team and Fatehpur Police, an encounter broke out with a miscreant. The miscreant sustained a bullet injury to his leg and has been hospitalised. His name is Deepak, alias Pradeep. He was wanted in a murder case and had a reward of Rs 25,000 on him. Weapons have been recovered from him. Further investigation will proceed after interrogation," Arvind Kumar said in a statement. (ANI)
By Scott Millard

Imagine youre a working family with school-aged children, dreaming of buying a home in a community where opportunity exists, for you and for your kids.

Now imagine that dream slipping further out of reach, not because of your effort or income, but because your state government made a terrible choice.

Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature recently diverted $150 million from the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund to cover other state expenses. This critical fund was created specifically to help build affordable homes for families whose incomes make homeownership difficult, if not impossible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cutting the Affordable Housing Trust Fund isnt just disappointing  its economically shortsighted.

For many nonprofit builders, especially those working on smaller community-scale developments, this fund is the only source of support available. These are the kinds of projects that can be built quickly and cost-effectively, seamlessly fitting into local neighborhoods, that protect working families from displacement and homelessness.

At a time when municipalities across New Jersey are creating new plans to meet affordable housing needs over the next decade, strong state investment could not be more critical. Without consistent, reliable funding from the trust fund, many shovel ready projects, including those led by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other community -based developers, risk being delayed or lost altogether.

New Jersey is one of the most expensive states in the nation, largely due to high housing costs. At a time when the need for affordable housing is more urgent than ever, our elected officials should be doing everything in their power to expand, not reduce, the supply of affordable homes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is a vital tool in creating stronger, more economically resilient communities. It provides essential grants to nonprofit developers like Habitat for Humanity affiliates, which partner with public and private funders to build safe, affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families.

Without these funds, housing production will slow and families across the state will suffer. Without these funds our working class  those who are our teachers, our civil servants, our police and fire fighters  cannot live in or near the communities they serve.

Weve seen the consequences before.

When previous administrations raided the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, construction across the state slowed significantly and thousands of new housing units were lost forever. If the Legislature does not act now to restore this years $150 million allocation, we risk repeating history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The stakes couldnt be higher. New Jersey needs an estimated 250,000 new housing units just to begin closing the affordability gap. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, hundreds of thousands of families across the state are already living in housing insecurity.

Fully funding the trust fund could finance the construction of hundreds of desperately needed homes this year. In fact, Habitat for Humanity affiliates in New Jersey alone have 148 shovel ready homes in need of funding, homes that now may never be built.

Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates are uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. We work with towns and cities to help meet their affordable housing requirements under New Jerseys Fair Housing Act. We build homes that fit seamlessly into communities and give working families a real chance at stability and success. But this is not possible without the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

We urge the governor and Legislature to honor their commitments. Lawmakers who claim to support affordable housing must return to Trenton and restore the $150 million in the FY2026 budget for new affordable home construction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investing in housing that is affordable isnt just good policy, its good stewardship. Every dollar spent helps build stronger, more stable communities where families can put down roots and thrive.

We urge state leaders to reverse these cuts and recommit to a housing future that includes everyone.

New Jersey families are counting on it.

Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assemblymember and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Roster.

Scott Millard is CEO of the Passaic County Habitat for Humanity, writing on behalf of the Habitat for Humanity New Jersey Affiliate Coalition.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is proposing changes to the states Fish Code that would affect fishing regulations from 2026 through 2030.

The proposed changes include:

Removal of the three-week preseason closure to fishing on all trout-stocked lakes and ponds.

Addition of 23 new trout-stocked waters to the spring trout stocking program, and removal of two waters.

Addition of one fish species to the potentially dangerous fish species list.

Modify existing season, size, or creel limits for several fish species.

Change waters managed as Lunker Bass Lakes and the warmwater Conservation Regulations.

Modify Trophy Trout Lake regulations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the large conference room at the NJFW Central Regional Office, Assunpink Wildlife Management Area 1, Eldridge Road, Robbinsville.

The DEP is accepting public comments on the proposed changes through Oct. 16. To send comments electronically, click here, or send hard copy to:

Amanda Parker, Esq. ATTN: DEP Docket No. 07-25-07NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 402401, East State Street, 7th Floor,Trenton, NJ 08625-0402.

For more information, visit the NJDEP Fish & Wildlifes website.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
A Nahant man has been seriously injured after authorities responded to a water incident on Short Beach.

According to Nahant Police Chief Timothy Furlong and Fire Chief Austin Antrim, crews responded to Nahant Short Beach around 3:22 p.m. to reports of a person in distress in the water.

An initial investigation revealed that the individual was riding an apparent surfboard-like water toy before he was found in the water.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A passerby brought the man, a 57-year-old Nahant resident, to the shore, where an off-duty Cambridge Firefighter and an off-duty nurse began life-saving measures.

Once first responders arrived at the scene, they took over providing care to the man, who was later transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
South Carolina Republican. Rep. Nancy Mace cancelled a speech in her home state after only a small crowd decided to show up, according to a report.

Event organizers had urged people to RSVP in advance to hear Mace discuss protecting parental rights at an event hosted by far-right group Moms for Liberty in Horry County on Thursday, warning that seating is limited.

That didnt appear to be a problem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the event kicked off, just eight people were in the room, My Horry News reported.

The gubernatorial candidate didnt take the stage to deliver remarks, but a member of Maces team emerged, chatted with the event organizer, and told reporters that Mace would take their questions and then meet with the attendees individually, the outlet reported.

South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace canceled a speech in her home state after just eight people showed up, according to a report (Getty Images)

At least 100 people were expected to attend, according to the outlet.

The Independent has requested comment from a spokesperson for Mace.

Despite the low turnout, the congresswoman boasted to reporters about how she was dominating the polls in South Carolinas race for governor, ABC News 4 reported. She announced her run earlier this month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Horry County makes presidents. Horry County elected Donald Trump, and theyre a big part of the state, Mace said at the event. We're winning by double digits everywhere, but particularly with folks who support the president.

Last month, before she launched her campaign, a survey by South Carolina Policy Council found that Mace led with 16 percent of GOP-identifying voters.

More recently, her team published findings from a poll, conducted this month among 600 Republican voters, that shows Mace leading the five-way contest with 25 percent.

The poll found that 83 percent of respondents had heard of Mace. She has made recent headlines for her attacks on transgender Americans, including her colleague, Delaware Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Rep. Ralph Norman are also running to lead the state.

Mace texted the results of the poll to Trump, My Horry News reported. The president then shared the results on his Truth Social account.

Although she was once a vocal critic of the president following the Capitol attacks on January 6, 2021, the pair have since seemed to patch things up. Trump endorsed Mace for her 2024 re-election to Congress and Mace returned the favor by endorsing him for his 2024 presidential run. This month, she openly asked for his endorsement for governor, going so far as to describe herself as Trump in high heels.

"I'm just saying I've done a lot for the president, and if you talk to him, I would really like his support for governor," she said at an event earlier this month, ABC News reported.
A former military base which houses asylum seekers in Kent, which had been due to close in September, may now stay open until December.

The Home Office confirmed it is considering extending its use until the end of the year, despite previous concerns about poor living conditions.

The site in Folkestone has continued to accommodate asylum seekers since 2020, despite being described by a judge as "squalid" four years ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Guardian reported earlier this month that the site would remain open beyond September.

Successive governments have grappled with how and where to house asylum seekers while their applications are being considered.

Napier Barracks is one location the government uses for "contingency accommodation", which can be used when space in regular asylum seeker housing is in short supply.

Napier Barracks has a maximum capacity of 328, while at the other former military site used to house migrants - Wethersfield airfield in Essex - it is 1,245.

The government has increasingly relied on hotels to provide temporary accommodation. There are currently 32,000 asylum seekers being housed in hotels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But a High Court judgement earlier this week barred the use of a hotel in Epping to house asylum seekers - potentially paving the way for similar legal action over other hotels.

The Home Office says it is working on identifying cheaper and more appropriate sites for asylum accommodation.

A High Court judgement in 2021 found the accommodation at Napier Barracks was inadequate, following a fire and Covid outbreak at the site.

Mr Justice Linden said the barracks were overcrowded with "filthy" facilities and contained "detention-like" settings for men.

Despite the Home Office saying that improvements had been made by the following year it still faced calls from MPs for it to be closed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In March this year the government said the barracks would cease housing asylum seekers in September.

A spokesperson said the ministry was continuing "to fulfil our statutory obligations and deliver our commitments to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation, and end the use of asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament".

The announcement comes after the home secretary announced an overhaul of the asylum system aimed at cutting the number of people being housed in temporary accommodation while awaiting an asylum ruling.

Yvette Cooper said a new body of independent adjudicators would fast-track decisions on appeals, which currently take just over a year on average to be heard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During this time, asylum seekers whose applications have been unsuccessful are accommodated at the taxpayers' expense.

The government's pledge to end its reliance on hotels to house migrants follows protests across the UK over their use.
A Defense Department official with knowledge of the planning told NBC News that National Guard troops in D.C. will be armed beginning Sunday. A majority of the troops will be carrying M17 pistols, their service-issued weapon, but, according to the official, some may be armed with M4 rifles. The authorized purpose and the rules of force are primarily for self-protection.
Gantz's steep decline can be traced to June 9, 2024, when he resigned from the government after issuing an ultimatum a month earlier demanding that Netanyahu present a post-war plan.

For a brief moment after October 7, Benny Gantz  then head of the National Unity Party  seemed poised to inherit the mantle of national leadership. Less than a year later, he is teetering on the edge of political oblivion.

This trajectory  from national savior to political casualty  illustrates a harsh Israeli political truth: decency is rarely rewarded. Or, more bluntly, nice guys seldom finish first.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And Gantz, by most accounts and judging from his actions over the years, is a decent man and a patriot  both his political allies and his opponents have said as much. But what he has in decency, he lacks in charisma, decisiveness, and political acumen.

Those missing traits have led him from being champion of the polls on November 11, 2023  when the weekly Maariv survey gave him 43 seats, more than triple the 12 his party won in the last election  to falling below the 3.25% electoral threshold, were elections held today  again according to a Maariv poll.

In that November 2023 poll, 52% of respondents said he was more suited to be prime minister than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Today, his name is rarely even listed as an option when pollsters ask about suitability for the premiership. As late as March 2024, Gantzs party was polling at 36 Knesset seats, double Likuds tally at the time. A year ago, he still stood at 21 seats. Today, his projected number is zero.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet minister Benny Gantz during a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv , Israel , 28 October 2023. (credit: ABIR SULTAN/POOL)

That collapse explains his dramatic appeal Saturday night to Yesh Atids Yair Lapid and Yisrael Beytenus Avigdor Liberman to join him in forming a unity government with Netanyahu  one the prime minister has not publicly sought  to free the hostages and pass legislation conscripting the haredim (ultra-Orthodox). Gantzs idea was for a six-month unity government that would also set a date for elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Predictably, there were no takers. The other opposition parties, with elections required by October 2026 but almost certain to be held earlier, dismissed it as a desperate gambit that would throw the prime minister a lifeline. Netanyahu himself showed little enthusiasm, and his right-wing coalition partners, fearing the move would dilute their influence, lobbied hard against it.

So what happened? How did Gantz soar like a rocket two years ago, only to fall like a rock today?

He soared following October 7 because he did what the public, reeling from the trauma of the Hamas attack, wanted: he joined Netanyahu in forming an emergency government. His decision at the time was not met with cynicism, as if he were trying to save his own political skin, but with relief. He looked statesmanlike, embodying sobriety and calm when the country desperately needed it. He represented military experience and centrist moderation during a national emergency.

Gantz once represented the face of national unity to many

For many, Gantz became the face of national unity: the former general who put political considerations and his fraught past with Netanyahu aside for the good of the country. His conditions were clear  that far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich be excluded from the war cabinet. The cabinet was instead made up of Netanyahu, Gantz, his ally and fellow former chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot (who has since left the party), and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant. His numbers skyrocketed to 43 seats. The country rewarded him for being the responsible adult in the room.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

His steep decline since then can be traced to June 9, 2024, when he resigned from the government after issuing an ultimatum a month earlier demanding that Netanyahu present a post-war plan.

When Netanyahu failed to do so, Gantz pulled his party out. In retrospect, it was a monumental political error with unintended consequences.

While he couched the move in moral terms  accusing Netanyahu of preventing us from progressing to real victory and of prioritizing politics over all else  it backfired. By leaving, Gantz lost the ability to moderate policy from within while failing to topple the government, which continued in its pre-October 7 constellation of 64 MKs.

Gantz had hoped his departure would spark early elections. It did not. The coalition rallied around Netanyahu, the opposition failed to lure away Likud defectors, and Netanyahu emerged more dependent on Smotrich and Ben-Gvir than before  precisely the outcome Gantz had tried to prevent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the public, the move was also not received well. Some faulted him for not leaving sooner; others castigated him for leaving while the war was ongoing. What was meant to be a principled stand became instead another example of Gantzs poor timing. A Maariv poll on June 6, just before his announcement, gave him 27 seats. Two weeks later, that same poll gave him 23, a drop of nearly 15%.

Even when his numbers were sky-high, there was always the lingering question: what did Gantz actually stand for? His entire political career has been built on being the centrist alternative, above the fray and beyond ideology.

But as the conflict dragged on and Israelis demanded sharper answers, his cultivated ambiguity became a liability. Was he pressing  like Netanyahu  for total victory in Gaza, or was he looking for a ceasefire to free the hostages?

Did he align with the hostage families who were willing to compromise, or with those saying only military pressure would do the job? Gantz straddled these divides with vague calls for responsibility and unity. To the Left, he seemed too hawkish, to the Right too cautious, and to the middle as someone afraid to take risks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Soon, allies began jumping ship. Gideon Saar left with three MKs, portraying Gantz as too weak and unfit for the moment. Then Eizenkot followed.

His political fortunes were also not helped by the fact that soon after he left the government, the overall tide of the war began to shift: Israel killed Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Yahya Sinwar in Rafah, as well as Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. It then exploded beepers in the hands of thousands of Hezbollah members, a central act in the overall decapitation of the Lebanese terrorist organization.

The former military chief prevented himself from being able to share the credit for all of those military successes.

Part of Gantzs problem is also structural. Unlike the Likud or the haredi parties, Gantzs parties  and they have changed names over the years  have never had a deep base or organizational machinery.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Likud, even at its lowest point after October 7, was still polling 18 seats  its hardcore constituency intact. Gantzs party, by contrast, was always a vehicle built on his personal popularity. That worked when he first burst onto the political scene in 2018, and it worked again in 2023 when the public saw him as the responsible adult in wartime.

But once that shine wore off, there was nothing underneath to hold voters. And he hemorrhaged them, shedding the support of roughly 1.5 million Israelis in less than two years  again, assuming the polls are accurate.

Gantzs Saturday night call for unity  framed as a way to save the hostages and pass a haredi draft bill, although he didnt spell out how this move would achieve either  was widely interpreted as a last-ditch attempt to regain relevance, if not an act of outright desperation. The harsh political truth is that what Gantz lacked was not decency, but strong political instincts  the kind his chief rival, Netanyahu, has in abundance.

Gantzs trajectory is a cautionary tale about the harsh nature of Israeli politics. He rose when the public longed for unity, but fell because he never translated that quality into leadership that could endure beyond the moment. In a system that rewards cunning over courtesy, maneuvering over moderation, and survival over sincerity, he never stood a chance.
Connecticut might be a small state, but U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy is among the Democratic Partys most outspoken and visible anti-Trump fundraisers in the country.

In addition to making speeches in Republican-held districts in seven states during the past five months, Murphy has created a new political action committee that has raised about $1.5 million in Democrats bitter battle against Republican President Donald J. Trump. The American Mobilization PAC has already disbursed more than $500,000 to seven groups fighting to protect Medicaid and mobilize students and young voters in the effort.

This is an exceptional moment in America, Murphy told The Courant in an interview. Trump is presenting the biggest threat to our democracy in our lifetime, and I think that every leader at the national level has a responsibility to try to stand up in a national mobilization against Trumps corruption and his attempts to destroy our way of life. Normally, political figures are raising money for themselves, getting ready for their next election, and putting money in the bank and holding it. That doesnt seem appropriate right now. So, instead Im raising money to spend on mobilization all over the country right now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since announcing the effort in June, Murphy has sent money to seven groups in battleground states and beyond, including Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

His efforts have gotten Murphy onto Trumps radar screen including his recent commentary about Trumps summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Murphy said on NBCs Meet The Press that the meeting was a disaster and a failure because it did not lead to a ceasefire or sanctions for the Russian invasion. Those comments prompted Trump to respond that Murphy, who has been sporting a beard in recent months, is very unattractive (both inside and out!) in an insult-filled post.

Now, the President of the United States is personally attacking me on the social media platform he owns, Murphy said to supporters in a text message. Its an unhinged rant calling me lightweight and stupid. He even called me unattractive  a clear sign Ive got his attention! Look, if a wannabe king wants to use his failed state media site to attack me, thats fine. I can take it.

Larger operations like the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, known as the DCCC, have raised far larger sums of money, but Murphy is gaining widespread attention from Trump and others as a constant presence on major national cable networks such as CNN and MSNBC. He is also spreading the word on social media with 1 million followers on the former Twitter and nearly 350,000 friends on Facebook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Murphys strategy is to not wait for the 2026 Congressional elections. Instead, he says Democrats must fight now against Trump to stop his momentum. Democrats can always raise money later for the 2026 elections, he has said.

On 9th Walk Across CT, U.S. Sen. Murphy encounters something new: intense fear

The Trump regime is overwhelming the American people with chaos, with lies, and with illegal actions, because they want us to believe we are powerless, Murphy said online in seeking money for his American Mobilization PAC. But thats the biggest lie of them all. History has shown us mass mobilization beats a would-be autocrat. So now, we need to take the next steps. Mobilization needs infrastructure, it needs organizers, and we can build this together.

Future speculation

Since Murphy, 51, has stepped to the forefront of national opposition to Trump, speculation has increased on whether he will eventually run for president. Murphy has repeatedly denied that he is running in 2028 and instead says that he already has his dream job in the U.S. Senate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But that has not stopped the speculation.

Former state Democratic chairman John F. Droney says he believes that Murphy is raising money in order to increase his national profile and eventually run in the future for president.

Hes always believed  and he can tell me Im wrong  that he should be and will be president of the United States, Droney said. I think thats what hes working for. Who knows? The way this party is and this country is, he could become president of the United States.

Regarding the potential candidates, Droney added, Bernie Sanders could never get it. Elizabeth Warren couldnt get it. But this guy could possibly get it. Hes a good speaker. He looks good. Hes a U.S. senator. He can raise money. Hes a legitimate potential candidate. His drawback is he comes from too small of a state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A longtime supporter of then-U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman in the partys moderate wing, Droney said that the Democratic Party has become more liberal in recent decades and has paved the way for progressives like Murphy. As a result, Murphy is in tune with the mainstream of his party.

Longtime political science professor Gary Rose agrees with Droney that Murphy could eventually run for the nations highest office.

Every move he makes is calculated to elevate his profile as a national figure, Rose told The Courant in an interview. Now you see him on TV often as Trumps principal critic. He also has IOUs because he has supported a lot of people, too.

Looking ahead, Rose said, I would be surprised if he is not thinking about the presidential election. Its going to be a wide open fight [in 2028]. He has the right message, the right characteristics, the right background, and the experience that could put him in the forefront of candidates for the Democratic nomination. I cant say that hes necessarily their top guy, but he would be in the running, for sure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Murphy has already gained a national profile on gun safety legislation when he helped negotiate the most far-reaching, bipartisan gun law in the past three decades.

Gun control is a big issue to Democrats, Rose said. That resonates really well with a lot of Democrats in primaries.

Murphys television strategy of being available frequently is revealing for Rose.

I see him all the time on TV now. All the time, Rose said. Whenever somebody wants to critique Trump, including the recent meeting he had with Putin, theres Murphy. Hes on all the time, and that tells me a lot. It really does because he has a safe seat here in Connecticut. Hes not on TV and raising all this money to hold onto his seat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the same time, Rose said he believes that Murphys recent change in appearance, which started after he won re-election in 2024, is not particularly helpful.

I think he could do something with that beard that hes been growing, Rose said. I dont think thats going to get many votes. He doesnt look good with it.

Rose added, I know he got divorced or hes separated. But thats not an issue. Who cares? Trumps been divorced, and Reagan was divorced, too. Thats not even an issue any more.

When Murphy had a lower profile in the past, Rose pegged him as a politician to watch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Several years ago, I said I am convinced that Chris Murphy has his eyes on the big prize, and I still to this day feel that way, Rose said. I know that Trump is getting a lot of accolades lately, but by 2028, the country could be a little tired, and there could be some Trump fatigue out there. People may be looking for a new face with a new message. Maybe it could be Chris Murphy. I would never say that he could not win.

Murphy would follow in a line of nationally known Connecticut lawmakers who ran for president even if they did not get very far. U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd ran for president but fared poorly in Iowa and dropped out. Lieberman ran for vice president on the ticket with Al Gore in 2000 and then ran for president in 2004 before dropping out after a mediocre outcome in New Hampshire.

Rose then named two Democratic governors from relatively small states who became president.

Jimmy Carter. Jimmy who? Rose said. Youve got Bill Clinton, the governor from Arkansas. Are you kidding? Hes going to take George Bush on? And look what happened. I would never write Murphy off at all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A three-term U.S. senator and longtime public official who has won numerous elections, Murphy is keenly aware of the speculation.

I just think all of our energy right now has to be directed at saving our democracy, Murphy responded. It would be silly at some level for anybody to be making plans to run in 2028 when Trump is essentially signaling that he wants to destroy the Constitution and install himself in power permanently.  That is where all of my energy is going.

Murphy added, I understand how the speculation game works, but I dont think Id be doing my job and I dont think Id be representing the people of Connecticut if I wasnt engaged in this national work to try to stop the destruction of our democracy.

Republican pushback

While Democrats are strongly in favor of Murphy, Republicans have another view. They say that Murphy is distracted by national ambitions and spending time out of state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Youre not going to see Chris Murphy in Connecticut, said state Republican chairman Ben Proto. I think Chris Murphy is running for something else. I wouldnt be surprised if he was interested in taking [New York Sen. Chuck] Schumers job as the Democrat leader after the 2026 elections. I think Schumers done. I think youre going to see him running around the country. Hes doing it now in states that have competitive races or races that he can help make competitive for the Democrats.  Hes trying to be something else to help move himself up a political ladder.

Proto added, Unless hes going to plan on another walk along roads he hasnt been on in a long time, I dont think youre going to see him in Connecticut.

As Murphy has become a more prominent critic of Trump, more Republicans have pushed back against him.

In an opinion column earlier this year that was titled, Democrats New Spokesman Might Be The Biggest Gift They Could Give Trump, conservative author John Loftus said that Murphy is pretty much the male version of [Hillary] Clinton and embodies everything that has made the Democratic Partys brand unpalatable in the Trump era. Elitist career politician? Check. Pedantic user of the notorious d-word, democracy? Check.

Loftus added, Murphy may be making the rounds on YouTube and political podcast shows to reach younger voters, which is smart, but hes hawking the same old Joe Biden/Harris platform that cost Democrats dearly in 2024: We are the actual populists, and we are going to protect you from fascists and save American democracy. 

In the latest development, Murphy blasted Trump over the FBIs raid Friday of national security adviser John Boltons home as part of a long-running probe over whether Bolton, an outspoken Trump critic, had leaked classified information.

What is happening is bone-chilling, Murphy told The Courant. Trump is using the official powers of his office to try to bully people into silence, whether its criminal investigations, arrests, or the pulling of security clearances. His campaign to try to punish his critics is fundamentally unconstitutional and anti-democratic. We cannot let this become normalized, and we cant let it push any of us into silence. Our country is quickly turning into something other than a democracy if we allow this president to bully and harass the people who criticize him.

Murphy added that the FBI raid on Boltons house seems like bread-and-butter totalitarianism to me.

American Mobilization

Announced in early June, American Mobilization is focusing on helping citizen-led, local grassroots protest efforts in the battle for protecting Medicaid and organizing young voters, Murphy said.

Seven groups have already received $525,000 in key states, including battlegrounds where the presidential race is decided. These include the Committee to Protect Health Care that works with nurses and doctors to defend Medicaid in Michigan, Utah, and Louisiana. Money also went to the key battleground state of Pennsylvania for Project 26, a group that organizes college students and other young people in the pushback against Trump. The Georgia Youth Justice Coalition for Action also organizes students to become activists in a similar way. Funding has also been sent to South Dakota because Trump is not working for them, Murphy said.

Depending on the size of the contribution, the money is allocated in several ways. For the larger contributors, the first $5,000 goes to the PAC, while the next $3,500 would go to Murphys campaign for a potential primary in 2030 and then another $3,500 for the general election in 2030.

Overall, the PAC had planned to raise and spend $2 million by the 2026 elections, which are less than 15 months away. The total, though, could be adjusted upward.

Its been more successful than I would have thought, Murphy told The Courant. Theres a lot of grassroots enthusiasm.

A separate campaign fund known as Friends of Chris Murphy had $10.26 million in cash on hand as of June 30, according to federal election records.

Rose, the longtime professor, said that Murphy has moved into the upper echelon of the Democratic Party in the anti-Trump effort with national figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been criticizing Trump constantly on issues like the rewriting of the congressional maps. After Texas made the first move to change the political boundary lines in order to help Republicans, Newsom and California Democrats countered by moving to alter their maps, too.

Murphy has moved into a much more pronounced presence, compared to some of the others, Rose said. Hes up there with Newsom and others. I think he is.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Sunday is the perfect day to celebrate National Waffle Day, as it is the anniversary of the first waffle iron patent issued.

LIST: Get ready for The Big E Fairs 2025 food lineup

A waffle is a leavened batter or dough, and when cooked between two patterned plates, the dough bakes in the waffles characteristic, uniform, impressed surface. Depending on the type of batter or iron that is used, the resulting waffle will vary by consistency, size, shape, and flavor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The National Day Calendar states that Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York, received his patent for the waffle iron on August 24th, 1869.

Waffle irons and waffles originated around the 14th century, as an anonymous husband penned the first known waffle recipe as a set of instructions for his wife. Le Menagier de Paris states that each of the four recipes began:

Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour, and mix. Then fill, little by little, two irons at a time with as much of the paste as a slice of cheese is large. Then close the iron and cook both sides. If the dough does not detach easily from the iron, coat it first with a piece of cloth that has been soaked in oil or grease.

Maptitude mapping software infographic of waffle restaurants by state for August 24 National Waffle Day





Maptitude Logo

Caliper, HERE. Maptitude mapping software.

Top spots for waffles in western Massachusetts

Yelp has put together a list of the top spots to get a waffle in western Massachusetts:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Jonnelle Wieder is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Like a lot of Native American people, she relied on Medicaid  for herself and daughter Oakleigh McDonald  before she lost coverage in 2023.(Tommy Martino for KFF Health News)

ST. IGNATIUSJonnell Wieder earned too much money at her job to keep her Medicaid coverage when the COVID-19 public health emergency ended in 2023 and states resumed checking whether people were eligible for the program. But she was reassured by the knowledge that Medicaid would provide postpartum coverage for her and her daughter, Oakleigh McDonald, who was born in July of that year.

Wieder is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana and can access some health services free of charge through her tribes health clinics. But funding is limited, so, like a lot of Native American people, she relied on Medicaid for herself and Oakleigh.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Months before Oakleighs 1st birthday, the date when Wieders postpartum coverage would come to an end, Wieder completed and returned paperwork to enroll her daughter in Healthy Montana Kids, the states version of the Childrens Health Insurance Program. But her paperwork, caught up in the lengthy delays and processing times for applications, did not go through.

As soon as she turned 1, they cut her off completely, Wieder said.

It took six months for Wieder to get Oakleigh covered again through Healthy Montana Kids. Before health workers in her tribe stepped in to help her resubmit her application, Wieder repeatedly called the states health department. She said she would dial the call center when she arrived at her job in the morning and go about her work while waiting on hold, only for the call to be dropped by the end of the day.

Never did I talk to anybody, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wieder and Oakleighs experience is an example of the chaos for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries caused by the process known as the unwinding, which led to millions of people in the U.S. losing coverage due to paperwork or other procedural issues. Now, tribal health leaders fear their communities will experience more health coverage disruptions when new federal Medicaid work and eligibility requirements are implemented by the start of 2027.

The tax-and-spending law that President Donald Trump signed this summer exempts Native Americans from the new requirement that some people work or do another qualifying activity a minimum number of hours each month to be eligible for Medicaid, as well as from more frequent eligibility checks. But as Wieder and her daughters experience shows, they are not exempt from getting caught up in procedural disenrollments that could reemerge as states implement the new rules.

We also know from the unwinding that that just doesnt always play out necessarily correctly in practice, said Joan Alker, who leads Georgetown Universitys Center for Children and Families. Theres a lot to worry about.

The new law is projected to increase the number of people who are uninsured by 10 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The lessons of the unwinding suggest that deep trouble lies ahead for Native Americans who rely on Medicaid, according to Alker.

Changes to Medicaid

Trumps new law changes Medicaid rules to require some recipients ages 19 to 64 to log 80 hours of work or other qualifying activities per month. It also requires states to recheck those recipients eligibility every six months, instead of annually. Both of these changes will be effective by the end of next year.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated in July that the law would reduce federal Medicaid spending by more than $900 billion during the course of a decade. In addition, more than 4 million people enrolled in health plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are projected to become uninsured if Congress allows pandemic-era enhanced premium tax credits to expire at the end of the year.

Wieder said she was lucky that the tribe covered costs and her daughters care wasnt interrupted in the six months she didnt have health insurance. Citizens of federally recognized tribes in the U.S. can access some free health services through the Indian Health Service, the federal agency responsible for providing health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But free care is limited because Congress has historically failed to fully fund the Indian Health Service. Tribal health systems rely heavily on Medicaid to fill that gap. Native Americans are enrolled in Medicaid at higher rates than the white population and have higher rates of chronic illnesses, die more from preventable diseases, and have less access to care.

Medicaid is the largest third-party payer to the Indian Health Service and other tribal health facilities and organizations. Accounting for about two-thirds of the outside revenue the Indian Health Service collects, it helps tribal health organizations pay their staff, maintain or expand services, and build infrastructure. Tribal leaders say protecting Medicaid for Indian Country is a responsibility Congress and the federal government must fulfill as part of their trust and treaty obligations to tribes.

Lessons Learned During the Unwinding

The Trump administration prevented states from disenrolling most Medicaid recipients for the duration of the public health emergency starting in 2020. After those eligibility checks resumed in 2023, nearly 27 million people nationwide were disenrolled from Medicaid during the unwinding, according to an analysis by the Government Accountability Office published in June. The majority of disenrollments  about 70%  occurred for procedural reasons, according to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

CMS did not require state agencies to collect race and ethnicity data for their reporting during the unwinding, making it difficult to determine how many Native American and Alaska Native enrollees lost coverage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The lack of data to show how the unwinding affected the population makes it difficult to identify disparities and create policies to address them, said Latoya Hill, senior policy manager with KFFs Racial Equity and Health Policy program. KFF is a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

The National Council of Urban Indian Health, which advocates on public health issues for Native Americans living in urban parts of the nation, analyzed the Census Bureaus 2022 American Community Survey and KFF data in an effort to understand how disenrollment affected tribes. The council estimated more than 850,000 Native Americans had lost coverage as of May 2024. About 2.7 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives were enrolled in Medicaid in 2022, according to the council.

The National Indian Health Board, a nonprofit that represents and advocates for federally recognized tribes, has been working with federal Medicaid officials to ensure that state agencies are prepared to implement the exemptions.

We learned a lot of lessons about state capacity during the unwinding, said Winn Davis, congressional relations director for the National Indian Health Board.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nevada health officials say they plan to apply lessons learned during the unwinding and launch a public education campaign on the Medicaid changes in the new federal law. A lot of this will depend on anticipated federal guidance regarding the implementation of those new rules, said Stacie Weeks, director of the Nevada Health Authority.

Staff at the Fallon Tribal Health Center in Nevada have become authorized representatives for some of their patients. This means that tribal citizens Medicaid paperwork is sent to the health center, allowing staff to notify individuals and help them fill it out.

Davis said the unwinding process showed that Native American enrollees are uniquely vulnerable to procedural disenrollment. The new laws exemption of Native Americans from work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks is the bare minimum to ensure unnecessary disenrollments are avoided as part of trust and treaty obligations, Davis said.

Eligibility Checks Are Complex and Vulnerable to Error

The GAO said the process of determining whether individuals are eligible for Medicaid is complex and vulnerable to error in a 2024 report on the unwinding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The resumption of Medicaid eligibility redeterminations on such a large scale further compounded this complexity, the report said.

It highlighted weaknesses across state systems. By April 2024, federal Medicaid officials had found nearly all states were out of compliance with redetermination requirements, according to the GAO. Eligible people lost their coverage, the accountability office said, highlighting the need to improve federal oversight.

In Texas, for example, federal Medicaid officials found that 100,000 eligible people had been disenrolled due to, for example, the state systems failure to process their completed renewal forms or miscalculation of the length of womens postpartum coverage.

Some states were not conducting ex parte renewals, in which a persons Medicaid coverage is automatically renewed based on existing information available to the state. That reduces the chance that paperwork is sent to the wrong address, because the recipient doesnt need to complete or return renewal forms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But poorly conducted ex parte renewals can lead to procedural disenrollments, too. More than 100,000 people in Nevada were disenrolled by September 2023 through the ex parte process. The state had been conducting the ex parte renewals at the household level, rather than by individual beneficiary, resulting in the disenrollment of still-eligible children because their parents were no longer eligible. Ninety-three percent of disenrollments in the state were for procedural reasons  the highest in the nation, according to KFF.

Another issue the federal agency identified was that some state agencies were not giving enrollees the opportunity to submit their renewal paperwork through all means available, including mail, phone, online, and in person.

State agencies also identified challenges they faced during the unwinding, including an unprecedented volume of eligibility redeterminations, insufficient staffing and training, and a lack of response from enrollees who may not have been aware of the unwinding.

Native Americans and Alaska Natives have unique challenges in maintaining their coverage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Communities in rural parts of the nation experience issues with receiving and sending mail. Some Native Americans on reservations may not have street addresses. Others may not have permanent housing or change addresses frequently. In Alaska, mail service is often disrupted by severe weather. Another issue is the lack of reliable internet service on remote reservations.

Tribal health leaders and patient benefit coordinators said some tribal citizens did not receive their redetermination paperwork or struggled to fill it out and send it back to their state Medicaid agency.

The Aftermath

Although the unwinding is over, many challenges persist.

Tribal health workers in Montana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota said some eligible patients who lost Medicaid during the unwinding had still not been reenrolled as of this spring.

Even today, were still in the trenches of getting individuals that had been disenrolled back onto Medicaid, said Rachel Arthur, executive director of the Indian Family Health Clinic in Great Falls, Montana, in May.

Arthur said staff at the clinic realized early in the unwinding that their patients were not receiving their redetermination notices in the mail. The clinic is identifying people who fell off Medicaid during the unwinding and helping them fill out applications.

Marlena Farnes, who was a patient benefit coordinator at the Indian Family Health Clinic during the Medicaid unwinding, said she tried for months to help an older patient with a chronic health condition get back on Medicaid. He had completed and returned his paperwork but still received a notice that his coverage had lapsed. After many calls to the state Medicaid office, Farnes said, state officials told her the patients application had been lost.

Another patient went to the emergency room multiple times while uninsured, Arthur said.

I felt like if our patients werent helped with follow-up, and that advocacy piece, their applications were not being seen, Farnes said. She is now the behavioral health director at the clinic.

Montana was one of five states where more than 50% of enrollees lost coverage during the unwinding, according to the GAO. The other states are Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. About 68% of Montanans who lost coverage were disenrolled for procedural reasons.

In Oklahoma, eligibility redeterminations remain challenging to process, said Yvonne Myers, a Medicaid and Affordable Care Act consultant for Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Services. Thats causing more frequent coverage lapses, she said.

Myers said she thinks Republican claims of waste, fraud, and abuse are overstated.

I challenge some of them to try to go through an eligibility process, Myers said. The way theyre going about it is making it for more hoops to jump through, which ultimately will cause people to fall off.

The unwinding showed that state systems can struggle to respond quickly to changes in Medicaid, leading to preventable erroneous disenrollments. Individuals were often in the dark about their applications and struggled to reach state offices for answers. Tribal leaders and health experts are raising concerns that those issues will continue and worsen as states implement the requirements of the new law.

Georgia, the only state with an active Medicaid work requirement program, has shown that the changes can be difficult for individuals to navigate and costly for a state to implement. More than 100,000 people have applied for Georgias Pathways program, but only about 8,600 were enrolled as of the end of July.

Alker, of Georgetown, said Congress took the wrong lesson from the unwinding in adding more restrictions and red tape.

It will make unwinding pale in comparison in terms of the number of folks that are going to lose coverage, Alker said.

This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
After being stuck for over six months, the Centre has given clearance to the Defence Ministry and Mazagaon Dockyards Limited to begin negotiations for the deal to buy six submarines to be built in India with German support under 'Project 75 India.' The Defence Ministry had selected state-owned MDL for building six submarines with Air Independent Propulsion systems with German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems as its partner in January. Speaking to ANI, Defence officials said, "The Centre has now given clearance to the Defence Ministry and the MDL to begin negotiations for the project, and the process is expected to start by the end of this month." The Centre took the decision after a very high-level meeting, including top defence and national security functionaries, who discussed the roadmap and future of the country's submarine fleet, they said. The Defence Ministry and the Indian Navy are expecting to conclude contract negotiations in the next six months and get final approval for it. Through the contract, the Defence Ministry aims to develop indigenous capability for designing and manufacturing conventional submarines within the country. The government is also exploring ways to accelerate the submarine building process. The Indian Navy is looking to buy six advanced submarines with the ability to stay underwater for three weeks under Project 75 India, and the German AIP would allow it to do so. The Indian industry is also working on building two nuclear attack submarines, where private sector giant Larsen and Toubro would play a big role, along with the Submarine Building Centre. Against the backdrop of the rapid modernisation of the Chinese Navy, the Indian government has cleared numerous submarine projects, including both nuclear and conventional ones. However, India must rapidly develop the desired capabilities to counter both China and Pakistan in its area of interest. The Indian Navy is likely to phase out around 10 of its submarines in the next decade and would require their replacements in the same timeframe. (ANI)
Russia is not at all stringing President Trump along, Vice President JD Vance insisted to NBCs Meet the Press with Kristen Welker in an interview published Sunday.

Vance sat down with Welker for a lengthy interview and one of the first topics the NBC host tackled was ongoing war in Ukraine.

More from TheWrap

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I had the opportunity to speak with the Russian foreign minister, Welker began. He says as of right now theres no meeting planned between President Putin and President Zelensky, and he added there needs to be an agenda first saying This agenda is not ready at all.'



At that Welker then asked Vance point-blank, Are the Russians stringing President Trump along?

No. Not at all. I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict, Vance said. Theyve actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. Theyve talked about what would be necessary to end the war.

Though he admitted Russian officials havent been completely there yet, he said the U.S. is engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith and trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and the Ukrainians to find a middle ground to stop the killing.

Vance continued, I think what the president has tried to do here is try to engage in very aggressive, very energetic diplomacy because this war is not in anyones interest. Its not in Europe or the United Statess interest. We dont think its in Russia or Ukraines interest to keep going. So were going to keep on pushing for a diplomatic solution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite Republican insistence to the contrary, the Aug. 16 meeting between Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin has been largely seen as a failure for the United States. It is painfully clear that Trump is doing this to boost his tough guy image with his base. But that is going to be a challenge, John Oliver told Last Week Tonight viewers.

Because it is a tough sell for the man who was friends with a child sex trafficker, brought about this mess  an image of the Jan. 6 insurrection appeared onscreen at this moment  and on Friday got steamrolled by a bloodthirsty warlord, to convince Americans that he is keeping them safe, when I would argue, if anyone is making things too dadgum dangerous in this country, its probably fking him right now.

As if his assessment of Russias intentions was not enough, Vance also offered a history lesson of sorts.

If you look historically, whenever you have a complicated war with a lot of death and destruction, it kind of goes in fits and starts. There are hills and valleys to the negotiation, Vance said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We sometimes feel like weve made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, hes been very frustrated with the Russians. And were going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close, he added.

Vance notably admitted the goal may not be to stop the killing  but to make sure the two countries find middle ground.

Watch the full Meet The Press interview in the video above.

The post NBCs Kristen Welker Asks JD Vance Point-Blank if the Russians Are Stringing Trump Along | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Nearly 1,000 nurses at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh have unionized, marking the largest nurse union election in recent Pennsylvania history.

The nurses voted 402 to 305 in favor of joining Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania, according to a release from SEIU.

My coworkers and I are absolutely overjoyed to finally win a union voice for our patients, our profession and our community, said Jenna Berry, a registered nurse at the Magee Womens Cancer Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Voting took place on Tuesday and Saturday, with ballots counted late on Saturday.

I enthusiastically congratulate Magee nurses on winning their union election, and strongly urge UPMC to accept their decision, said U.S. Congresswoman Summer Lee.

Nurses, elected officials, patients and community members plan to gather Tuesday at Zulema Parklet, across from UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, to celebrate the unionization and urge UPMC to begin contract negotiations.

Around 60 advanced practitioners at Magee, including nurse practitioners and midwives, will vote in a separate union election Sept. 6 and 9.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Magee nurses are the first nurse employees of UPMC to form a union, SEIUs release says.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Nearly 300 unwanted firearms are now off the streets following a gun safety event hosted by the San Diego County Sheriffs Department in East County over the weekend.

Held Saturday at the La Mesa Civic Center, the event drew steady participation from the public, resulting in the collection of 270 firearms, including handguns, rifles, shotguns, and assault weapons.

In exchange, participants received gift cards valued at $100 for standard firearms and $200 for assault-style weapons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The event also offered free gun cable locks to anyone requesting one, aiming to promote safe storage for those who choose to keep firearms in their homes.

Fiery crash on I-15 in Temecula kills 4, including teens

All turned-in firearms will be processed. If any are found to be stolen, authorities will attempt to return them to their rightful owners. Weapons connected to crimes will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. All other firearms will be legally destroyed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sheriffs office organized the event in partnership with the La Mesa Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Division of Adult Parole Operations , Sycuan Tribal Police Department, and the San Diego County District Attorneys Office.

Officials also thanked the community for showing up in force.

If you missed the event, you can still turn in unwanted firearms year-round at any sheriffs station or law enforcement agency. For safety, place the firearm in the trunk of your car and follow deputies instructions upon arrival.

For more information or to find your nearest station, call the sheriffs non-emergency line at 858-868-3200.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
It is still far from clear when and if Netanyahu will finally give the order to move the operation forward on a large scale.

It seems as if for weeks now, the world has been waiting for an imminent hostage exchange and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas or an imminent invasion by the IDF of Gaza City (after multiple prior invasions).

But neither has happened.

So what is happening?

First of all, the IDF has been attacking and clearing Hamas and Palestinian civilians from portions of northern Gaza bordering on Gaza City, such as Zeitun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The military first attacked and cleared Zeitun of Hamas terrorists in the fall of 2023 and has returned there multiple times since.

What is different in Israel's next Gaza takeover?

What would be different this time  if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eventually greenlights the invasion plans as leaked to the media  would be Israel taking control over Gaza City itself to try to hold it.

People are seen outside the area of Al-Ahli hospital where hundreds of Palestinians were killed in a blast that Israeli and Palestinian officials blamed on each other, and where Palestinians who fled their homes were sheltering amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, in Gaza City, October 18, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED AL-MASRI)

The air force has also increased strikes against Hamas in recent weeks, whether in the Gaza City area or other areas.

The IDF has been in touch with hospitals and other central civilian authorities in Gaza to prepare and coordinate a mass evacuation of around a million Gazan civilians from the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Hamass Health Ministry, dozens of Gazans were killed over the weekend, though as usual the ministry does not distinguish between Hamas terrorists and innocent civilians.

Still, recent percentages for the IDF have been likely the worst since the start of the war in the ratio of civilians to terrorists harmed.

For much of the war, various military officials said off-record that a rate of 60% civilians harmed to 40% terrorists harmed seemed broadly accurate and would have put Israel in a good place compared to other countries that had to fight terrorists in urban areas with the systematic use of human shields.

But this was at the stage when the IDF was sometimes killing thousands of Hamas terrorists per month or even per week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In contrast, in the last half year, the army has said it had killed just over 2,000 Hamas terrorists. This during a time in which the Hamas Health Ministry has alleged that there have been around 11,000 Gazans killed, which would be about an 85% to 15% civilian-to-terrorist ratio.

On the flip side, Israel is hard at work setting up new tent areas and makeshift medical intake areas to handle the planned mass movement of Palestinian civilians out of Gaza City.

The IDF has shown numerous examples of Hamas exaggerating or downright inventing non-existent mass civilian casualty incidents, but it has not tossed Hamass estimates completely out the window and has declined to provide its own estimated civilian casualty tally  something which it always did in prior conflicts in Gaza.

Concurrently, tens of thousands of reservists have either already been called up for a new round of duty or will be in the first week of September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In this way, Israel so far has been punished globally for daring to move and potentially endanger a large number of Palestinian civilians again, punished domestically for calling up large numbers of reserves as the war wages on into the end of the second year, and receiving none of the concrete benefits of actually eliminating Hamas forces in any large number.

Netanyahu did pocket a potentially significant benefit over a week ago when Hamas finally agreed to another temporary ceasefire for another partial hostage deal, something it had held off from agreeing to for months, until the Gaza City invasion began to look more real.

But the prime minister  at press time  had not even seriously discussed accepting the deal, which he desperately wanted in July, such that there has been no bankable achievement to date.

Meanwhile, there is no ongoing battle between two opposing groups: those Israeli officials who want to rush the invasion of Gaza City to gain some of the benefits of killing more Hamas terrorists and putting more direct pressure on Hamass few remaining surviving leaders, and those who want to draw out the pre-invasion phase for weeks or months to reduce any possibility of risk to Israeli soldiers, Israeli hostages, or Palestinian civilians.

It is still far from clear when, and if, Netanyahu will finally give the order to move the operation forward in a large-scale manner and what benefits will arise from it, compared to the costs.
(WFRV)  On this weeks Newsmaker Sunday, Tom Zalaski is joined by Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels to discuss everything Manitowoc has to offer northeast Wisconsin.

Our tour of northeast Wisconsin continues on this weeks edition of Newsmaker Sunday! This time, we head to the Lakeshore for a visit to the City of Manitowoc.

Newsmaker Sunday: Neenah Mayor Jane Lang

Tune in to Newsmaker Sunday every Sunday at 7:30 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
It looked like a scene from a movie or video game, Rob Glinski said.

A tour bus, heading back to New York City after a trip to the American side of Niagara Falls, was swerving between lanes on the New York State Thruway when it crashed just after noon on Friday.

The bus driver got distracted and lost control, officials said, overcorrecting and rolling over on the interstate, near the town of Pembroke, about 40 miles east of Niagara Falls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Glinski said it was like someone had taken a snow globe and shaken it. He thought about the more than 50 passengers onboard, many of whom might not have been wearing seat belts.

First responders swarmed the area to help the passengers, some of whom were ejected or trapped. Many of the passengers, some from China and the Philippines, spoke little English, so along with the ambulances and the tow trucks, translators were brought in to help police sort out what happened.

So many people were hurt and some of them are smaller than me, maybe 4 or 5 years old, Zihan Lnfu, 8 years old, told CNN affiliate Spectrum News Rochester.

Five people were killed in the crash, including a Columbia University student from China. At least 47 of the passengers on the bus were taken to four regional hospitals for treatment for critical and minor injuries, including head and internal injuries and broken bones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gao Gao Yu, who had been on the bus with her father, said some passengers began climbing out of the windows to get out. She told Spectrum News Rochester she had no shoes and there was glass everywhere.

Gao Gao Yu speaks to CNN affiliate Spectrum News Rochester. - Spectrum News Rochester

Yu said she saw a guy who had a really bad cut on his head who couldnt move, and a family of five, including a one-year-old in a car seat, sitting behind the bus driver.

Glinski, who had been driving in his truck, said everyone behind him started braking after the bus crashed.

It was almost like you went in slow motion, he said.

He pulled over and ran to help passengers who were thrown from the bus. A nurse and several doctors who had been driving on the I-90 when the bus jumped into action as well, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They came through very organized, they placed numbers and color-coded cards down on the ground, and the medics attended those people in accordance to the numbers that were placed out, and it was totally calm, Glinski said.

Glinski, 57, came across a young woman who had been traveling with her parents and uncle.

I looked at her arm, her arm was just a mess, he said.

He took his Under Armour shirt off, and used it as a tourniquet, tying it under the womans armpit as tight as he could.

The tour bus is towed away for investigation Friday. - Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle/USA Today Network/Imagn Images

Glinski said he waited with her until she was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital.

The Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, the only adult level-one trauma center for Western New York, received 21 patients. On Sunday, an official with the hospital said 11 people had been discharged, with another expected to be released. All of their other patients have been deemed medically stable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Six victims were brought to the University of Rochester Medical Center by air and ground ambulance, said hospital spokesperson Scott Hesel. Two are being treated for critical injuries and four are medically stable, including one pediatric patient, he said.

Kaleida Health said in a statement to Spectrum News Rochester it received 20 patients, including four adults in good condition to Buffalo General Medical Center, 11 adults and two children to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and three children  one in serious condition  to Oishei Childrens Hospital. Most of the patients were in good or fair condition and at least one of those adults has been discharged, the health care network said.

Additional patients were taken to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, according to state police.

Powell Stephens, who drove by the crash on his way home to Medina from Buffalo, said the scene was heartbreaking. There was a lot of people embracing each other. It looked like people were breaking down, Stephens told CNN affiliate WHAM

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

People who saw the aftermath of the wreck said glass and peoples belongings were scattered on the highway.

We were lucky to survive, Yu said.

CNNs Mark Morales, Karina Tsui, Emma Tucker and Rebekah Riess contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  At least 76 hostages, including children, have been freed after Nigerias military targeted militants with precision airstrikes in the countrys northwest, local authorities said.

The airstrikes were launched on targets around Pauwa Hill, located in the Kankara area of Katsina state, in the early hours of Saturday, Nasir Muazu, the states commissioner for internal security, said in a statement. The air assault was launched in a manhunt for a notorious kidnapper.

The rescued hostages include some of those kidnapped during an attack on a mosque in Unguwan Mantau that led to the death of at least 50 people, the commissioner said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, it was regrettably noted that one child tragically lost his life during the ordeal, Muazu said.

In recent months, there has been an uptick in attacks on communities in the northwest and north-central regions of Africas most populous country, where farmers often clash over limited access to land and water. An attack last month in north-central Nigeria killed 150 people.

The conflict has become deadlier in recent years, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are taking up more sophisticated arms.

The commissioner said the air assault is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal hideouts, weaken their networks and put an end to the cycle of killings, kidnappings, and extortion that have plagued innocent citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The West African country is also dealing with an insurgency in its northeast region that has resulted in the death of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 2 million others, according to the United Nations.

Also on Saturday, separate airstrikes in the northwest of Nigeria killed 35 militants in a targeted attack.

Despite the efforts by the government of President Bola Tinubu to curb jihadi attacks, the militancy has persisted.
NEW YORK  Health officials in New Jersey are urging locals to stay up to date with the MMR vaccine and be on alert for symptoms after a NJ Transit rider tested positive for measles.

The case involved a Hudson County resident who was infected after close contact with a confirmed measles case in a non-New Jersey resident, the state Department of Health announced in a news release.

The potentially infectious individual, who has not been identified, traveled on public transportation from Aug. 13 to 15, leading officials to warn fellow riders of potential exposure to the highly contagious virus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anyone who traveled on the following routes and stations during the specified times may have been exposed:

NJ Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, 8th Street, Bayonne to Hoboken branch: 9-11:30 a.m. and 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15;

8th Street Light Rail Station in Bayonne: 9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15;

PATH Newark on the World Trade Center Line: 9:15-11:45 a.m. and 5:45-8:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15;

Exchange Place Station in Jersey City: 9:15-11:45 a.m., and 5:45-8:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15.

Measles symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually appears within three to five days after other symptoms begin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Health officials warned that, if infected, exposed individuals could develop symptoms as late as Sept. 11.

They urged residents to ensure theyre up to date with their measles vaccine  given as part of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot  which is 97% effective at preventing the disease after two doses administered at least 28 days apart.

As of last Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there had been a total of 1,375 confirmed cases reported across 41 states in the U.S. so far this year. It marks the highest number of measles infections in more than 30 years, despite the virus being declared eliminated in 2000.

In New Jersey, seven individuals have tested positive for the virus in 2025, though officials say theres no known ongoing community spread in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In New York City, there have been nine confirmed cases and seven others in the state outside of NYC.

A recent peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that measles vaccination rates among U.S. children fell after the pandemic in nearly 80% of more than 2,000 counties with available data.
The Brief

A Washington Post report says the Pentagon has been planning a September deployment of several thousand National Guard members to Chicago, though no official request has been made to Illinois.

Gov. JB Pritzker strongly rejected the idea, accusing President Donald Trump of politicizing the military and vowing to protect Illinois sovereignty and residents.

Pritzker said Illinois has not requested federal intervention, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has not yet commented on the reported plan.

CHICAGO - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have responded after reports say the Pentagon plans a military deployment to Chicago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This comes one day after President Donald Trump said that Chicago could be next in his administrations effort to crack down on crime.

What we know

According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon has planned a military deployment to Chicago for weeks. It could include mobilizing a few thousand members of the National Guard in September.

Pritzker said in a statement, "The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention.

The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority. There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families.

We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois."

Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he's causing families.



We'll continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans.  Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 24, 2025

Johnson released a statement on Sunday afternoon, saying:

"We are in active communication with our counterparts at the County and the State as we prepare for any potential unconstitutional military deployments to Chicago. The Governor, the Cook County Board President, and I are in complete alignment: Chicago is not calling for a military occupation of our city. We are currently evaluating all of our legal options to protect the people of Chicago from unconstitutional federal overreach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Chicago, we have effectively reduced all forms of violent crime by doing what works: constitutional policing, violence prevention, and investing in our communities. This past year alone, we have seen a more than 30% reduction in homicides, a 35% reduction in robberies, and an almost 40% reduction in shootings. We need to keep building on this work.

No matter what happens, the City of Chicago will not waver. We are Chicago. We will not bend or cower, and we will never break."

RELATED: Trump says Chicago could be next for National Guard crime crackdown

According to Joe Ferguson, President of the Civic Federation of Chicago and formerly Chicago's Inspector General, said that it would be illegal to send in the National Guard for law enforcement purposes. However, there are a few exceptions to that act, including insurrection and a few other federal statutes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We're living in an age in which what is happening out of Washington is irrespective of whether something as a matter of tradition and general understanding of the law would appear to be unlawful or unconstitutional," Ferguson said. "The administration in Washington takes action first and litigates second."

What they're saying

"Tonights reporting from the Washington Post that President Trump is preparing to deploy federal troops in Chicago proves what we all know: he is willing to go to any lengths possible to create chaos if it means more political powerno matter who gets hurt.

"As Lieutenant Governor and throughout my career, Ive fervently fought for the reformation of our criminal legal system and under the Pritzker-Stratton administration, weve made tremendous progress. Crime in Chicago is declining and theres absolutely no rationale for this decision, other than to distract from the pain Trump is inflicting on working families with his dangerous agenda.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Illinois, Governor Pritzker and I are here to stand for your rights, your freedoms, and will protect you against whatever storms of hate and fear come our way." Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

"What President Trump is doing in DC is purely political theater. His actions are creating chaos and sowing fear rather than making our nations capital safer, and now he says Chicago will be his next target. Chicago is a beautiful, vibrant city with people from all walks of life, which I see firsthand all the time. While there is more work to do, violent crime in the city has significantly declined in recent years. These unprecedented threats and manufactured emergencies from President Trump are nothing more than a power grab to distract from his disastrous policies like ripping 17 million people off their health care and raising costs for Americans. We should be focusing on proven bipartisan solutions to continue to reduce violent crime rather than using our brave men and women in uniform for political purposes."  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

The Source

Details for this story are from the Washington Post and X.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Ken Martin is in the fight of his life.

The low-profile political operative from Minnesota, just six months on the job as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is charged with leading his party's formal resistance to President Donald Trump and fixing the Democratic brand.

I think the greatest divide right now in our party, frankly, is not ideological, Martin told The Associated Press. The greatest divide is those people who are standing up and fighting and those who are sitting on the sidelines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were using every single lever of power we have to take the fight to Donald Trump, he said of the DNC.

And yet, as hundreds of Democratic officials gather in Martins Minneapolis hometown on Monday for the first official DNC meeting since he became chair, there is evidence that Martin's fight may extend well beyond the current occupant of the Oval Office.

Big Democratic donors are unhappy with the direction of their own party and not writing checks. Political factions are fragmented over issues such as the Israel-Hamas war. The party's message is murky. Key segments of the Democratic base  working-class voters and young people, among them  have drifted away.

And there is deep frustration that the Democratic Party under Martin's leadership is not doing enough to stop the Republican president  no matter how tough his rhetoric may be.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are no magic fixes, said Jeanna Repass, the chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, who praised Martin's performance so far. He is trying to lead at a time where everyone wants it to be fixed right now. And its just not going to happen.

At this week's three-day summer meeting, DNC officials hope to make real progress in reversing the sense of pessimism and frustration that has consumed Democrats since Republicans seized the White House and control of Congress last fall.

It may not be so easy.

Confidence questions and money trouble

At least a couple of DNC members privately considered bringing a vote of no confidence against Martin this week in part because of the committee's underwhelming fundraising, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation who was granted anonymity to share internal discussions. Ultimately, the no confidence vote will not move forward because Martin's critics couldn't get sufficient support from the party's broader membership, which includes more than 400 elected officials from every state and several territories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, the committee's financial situation is weak compared with the opposition's.

The most recent federal filings reveal that the DNC has $14 million in the bank at the end of July compared with the Republican National Committee's $84 million. The Democrats' figure represents its lowest level of cash on hand in at least the last five years.

Martin and his allies, including his predecessor Jaime Harrison, insist it's not fair to compare the party's current financial health with recent years, when Democratic President Joe Biden was in the White House.

Harrison pointed to 2017 as a more accurate comparison. That year, the committee struggled to raise money in the months after losing to Trump the first time. And in the 2018 midterm elections that followed, Harrison noted, Democrats overcame their fundraising problems and won the House majority and several Senate seats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These are just the normal pains of being a Democrat when we dont have the White House, Harrison said. Ken is finding his footing.

Martin acknowledged that big donors are burnt out after the last election, which has forced the committee to turn to smaller-dollar donors, who have responded well.

Money will not be the ultimate determinant in this (midterm) election, Martin said. Weve been making investments, record investments, in our state parties. ... We have the money to operate. Were not in a bad position.

Gaza debate could get ugly

While Martin is broadly popular among the DNC's rank and file, internal divisions may flare publicly this week when the committee considers competing resolutions about the Israel-Hamas war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One proposed resolution would have the DNC encourage Democratic members of Congress to suspend military aid to Israel, establish an arms embargo and recognize Palestine as a country, according to draft language reviewed by the AP. The measure also states that the crisis in Gaza has resulted in the loss of over 60,000 lives and the displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians "at the hands of the Israeli government."

The DNC leadership, led by Martin, introduced a competing resolution that adds more context about Israel's challenges.

One line, for example, refers to the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis and notes the number of Israelis killed in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Martin's version calls for a two-state solution, but there is no reference to the number of Palestinians killed or displaced, nor is there a call for an end to military aid or an arms embargo.

Meanwhile, another proposed resolution would reaffirm the DNC's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Many Democrats, businesses and educational institutions have distanced themselves from DEI programs after Trump and other Republicans attacked them as Democrats' woke policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ultimately, Martin said the party needs to focus its message on the economy.

Theres no doubt we have to get back to a message that resonates with voters, he said. And focusing on an economic agenda is the thing that brings all parts of our coalition and Americans into the conversation.

We have work to do for sure, he added.

Presidential prospects on the agenda

The DNC is years away from deciding which states vote first on the 2028 presidential primary calendar, but that discussion will begin in earnest at the Minneapolis gathering, where at least three presidential prospects will be featured speakers: Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Martin said the DNC is open to changes from the 2024 calendar, which kicked off in South Carolina, while pushing back traditional openers Iowa and New Hampshire. In recent days, Iowa Democrats have publicly threatened to go rogue and ignore the wishes of the DNC if they are skipped over again in 2028.

The DNC's Rules and Bylaws committee this week is expected to outline what the next calendar selection process would look like, although the calendar itself likely won't be completed until 2027.

Were going to make sure that the process is open, that any state that wants to make a bid to be in the early window can do so, Martin said.
The Coordination Committee of All Districts Bar Association has resolved to continue and intensify the ongoing strike from Monday. Delhi District courts' lawyers are on strike since Friday, protesting against a notification issued by the LG related to deposition of cop at Police Stations. A meeting of the Coordination Committee was held on Saturday. During the meeting, it was decided to continue to completely abstain from work on Monday, in all District Courts of Delhi, against the notification of August 13, 2025, issued by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi. The committee stated that this notification has been issued in defiance of the circular of July 15, 2024, issued by the Union Home Secretary. The lawyers' body said that the notification is against the public at large, and there shall be a demonstration also on 25.08.2025 outside all the court complexes of Delhi to make the public aware. The committee has also decided that the public prosecutors and officials of ED and CBI, including Naib Courts, shall also not be allowed to appear in the courts. It is also said that if the notification is not withdrawn by Monday, lawyers shall be compelled to intensify the protest, including gherao of LG house. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) are supporting the strike. Advocate Tarun Rana, Secretary of the New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) and Additional Secretary General, Coordination Committee, said that the strike will continue on Monday and will be intensified. There will be a protest outside every court complex. The legal fraternity has united in opposition to a recent notification issued by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on August 13, 2025. The notification designates police stations as venues for recording depositions of police officials via video conferencing, a move that has sparked widespread condemnation across the legal community. In response to the directive, all district courts in Delhi observed a complete shutdown on August 22 and 23, 2025. The strike, initiated by the Coordination Committee of All District Bar Associations of Delhi, saw lawyers abstaining from both physical and virtual appearances, effectively halting judicial proceedings across the capital. (ANI)
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)  A local non-profit teaming up with local businesses to raise money for cancer research.

Happy2Help beer is benefiting the non-profit Paceline in partnership with the Savannah River Brewing Co. with a beer that launched Saturday.

Paceline is a peer-to-peer fundraiser that raises money for cancer research.

Every year they host a community fundraising event called PaceDay where participants will run, walk or ride.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its about wellness, its about healing, its also meant to mimic and imitate something difficult like getting cancer treatments like infusions. Sometimes the rides or the walks are kind of long so the exercise and the prep for that is very similar to the prevention that you go through in trying to treat and prevent cancer, said Ian Mercier, President and Ceo of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation.

The idea for these companies to partner together came from 3 childhood friends. Adam Fulmer, the Head Brewer at Savannah River Brewing Co., Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman, founder of Happy, and Ian Mercier the President and Ceo of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation.

Ill take credit for it being my idea, but I brought absolutely nothing else to the process, Leonard was kind enough to provide the branding which everyone is very familiar with, Happy is what we want people to be when their overcoming cancer, Mercier said.

Mercier tells me not only is the beer good, but seeing everyone come together for one mission is even better.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Adam Fulmer has created this incredible beer thats strawberry blonde sort of summery, fruity, it tastes wonderful and its delicious and the fact that were all here celebrating this at the same time and raising funds for cancer through Paceline, you cant do anything any better than that, Mercier said.

All proceeds from purchasing the beer will go directly to Paceline.

Happy2Help beer will be available at major retailers, grocers and package stores in the CSRA while supplies last.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
The town of Bloomfield was surprised when a $100,000 state grant it was promised for its successful summer jobs program failed to arrive. It was stunned when it learned the money had been quietly transferred to a new nonprofit now the subject of a federal investigation.

Bloomfields missing $100,000 had been quietly redirected, by an opaque transaction at the state Legislature, to the Society of Human Engagement and Business Alignment, known as SHEBA, the new nonprofit at the center of the grand jury investigation into the disbursement of tens of millions of dollars of state grants.

SHEBA was created and is operated by Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin, a close friend of state Sen. Douglas McCrory, an influential legislator and powerful voice in the distribution of government grants, particularly in Hartford where nonprofits play a vital role across the citys economically distressed north side. McCrory represents north Hartford and parts of adjacent Bloomfield and Windsor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since founding SHEBA in 2022, Cicero-Hamlin has collected more than $3 million in government grants and consulting fees, according to a variety of records. Among the services SHEBA offers are job training and placement for minorities.

Both McCrory, 59, and Cicero-Hamlin, 52, are subjects of the months-long federal investigation, according to grand jury subpoenas reviewed by the Courant, one of which seeks all documents concerning any personal or non professional relationship between the two. They have declined to discuss the matter. Subpoenas are requests for information; they are not accusations.

Last week, FBI agents were in Bloomfield asking questions about the on-and-off financing in 2023 for the towns jobs training program, known as Summer Bridge.

Town Manager Alvin D Schwapp Jr. acknowledged the funding interruption in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For the past four years, Bloomfields Summer Bridge Program has provided valuable workforce development opportunities for our youth, helping to prepare the next generation for careers and future success, Schwapp said..

While the Town anticipated receiving $100k in state funding to run the program in the summer of 2023, those funds did not materialize. Recognizing the importance of this initiative, the Bloomfield Town Council was able to provide partial funding to ensure the programs continuity and preserve this critical resource for our communitys young people.

The Summer Bridge program was created to provide part time jobs and training to high school students and began operation in 2022 through the efforts of Town Councilor Anthony Harrington. The towns partner in the program was Goodwin University in East Hartford, which provided the training component and, during year one, space on its campus.

When it began, the program involved a commitment of at least two years, according to a variety of officials. McCrory arranged a $100,000 grant through the state Department of Education for year one and promised to arrange state financing for a second year, an official involved in the program said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Legislators like McCrory are able to quietly direct money to favored groups or projects through earmarks, which allow them to spend outside the normal budgetary process and without the transparency normally involved in government spending decisions.

With year one of Summer Bridge judged a success, plans were made for a second during the summer of 2023, for another $100,000. With McCrorys assurance that he would again arrange for the state to provide financing, Harrington said he obtained commitments to participate from Goodwin and Capitol Workforce Partners, a regional workforce development organization.

None of the participants in year two realized that, while the program was underway, the $100,000 that was supposed to pay for it was being allocated elsewhere.

The transfer of funds was set in motion by a letter from state Sen Catherine Osten, co-chair of the Legislatures Appropriations Committee, instructing the state Department of Education to move the $100,000 earmarked for Bloomfield to SHEBA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Osten said last week that her letter was written in response to a routine legislative spending request, one of many prepared by staff and placed before her. She said the letter was based on an address list showing where money should be directed.

These are normal things that we have going on every year, Osten said. Legislative staff prepared the list. These are programs that need clarification. It is not unusual for this to happen. Most legislators, Doug included, dont contact me. I get a list from staff that are working to put everything together. I never heard about Bloomfield.

Ostens letter set in motion a flurry of email correspondence among education department employees who were under the impression that the transfer of money to SHEBA was to be carried out quickly and that McCrory had taken an interest. In addition to holding a Senate leadership position, McCrory is co-chair of the education committee.

Sounds like it is on the fast track, one email said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Said another: FYI  Senator McCrory may follow up on this as he has called Laura already.

The transfer also started an email correspondence between Bloomfield and Goodwin, which had realized it wasnt being paid for its participation in the summer jobs program. Bloomfields chief operating officer had taken the position that since SHEBA had the $100,000, it should pay the bill.

On August 31, 2023, Bloomfield COO William Guzman told Goodwin, I have spoken with Kathy Demsey, Chief Financial Officer for the State Department of Education who informed me that the recipient of the $100,000 State grant to pay for the invoiced amount is the Society of Human Engagement and Business Alignment (SHEBA).

Again, the Bloomfield Public Schools is not the fiduciary of the grant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In its marketing materials, SHEBA describes itself as a minority and women-owned full HR support service for entrepreneurs and candidates seeking job placement.

We are focused on supporting those impacted by socio-economic and cultural challenges, the organization says on a website. Our goal is to align our clients needs with the talents and skills of diverse candidates and consultants.

Calculating how much money SHEBA has received in state grants since beginning operation in 2022 has proven difficult because of the number of state agencies disbursing an array of grants. In some cases, nonprofits are given millions in grants with the expectation that they will in turn distribute money to other nonprofits.

The $100,000 SHEBA received from the education department in the summer of 2023 means it has received at least $3.5 million in state money and is approved for another $1 million, according to figures provided by the Department of Economic and Community Development, a primary conduit for distribution of grant money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Of the money SHEBA has already received, $500,000 was for consulting fees on human relations in 2022 and 2023 by the Blue Hills Civic Association, another nonprofit underwritten by state grants.

Blue Hills paid SHEBA $250,000 a year, at $280 an hour in both years. Among other things, SHEBA was paid to evaluate salaries paid to the 33 Blue Hills employees, provide management and leadership training, train the board of directors and update the employee handbook, according to a former senior Blue Hills official and a review of records.
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN)  2 lives in 1 lifetime, a nonprofit organization, held its 4th annual Unity Day Saturday.

The nonprofit focuses on giving back to those who are recovering from any kind of substance use. If they are recovering, they provide support by offering mentorship, food, clothes, transportation, or anything else to help them bounce back and become productive.

The organization wanted to bring the city together  holding an event with several counseling vendors, inflatables, food, and snow cone trucks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The organization also honored those who support the organization, such as DPD Captain Rachel David and Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba.

The founder of the organization says she wants to provide an outlet for those who may be depressed.

You dont ever know if people are at their jumping off point, and something as simple as a smile or saying hello can change a persons whole life, Felisha Chambers said. I hope people will take from this event that we need to be giving, we dont need to be jealous of a persons success or what they have going on, we need to serve God. 

Chambers said she wants to thank everyone who helped with the event, and they are ready to do it again next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
The Brief

A FOX 5 crew saw police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at a townhome complex on Pine Oak Drive around 11 p.m. Friday.

The GBI said it was assisting Norcross police in processing the crime scene.

Officials said a man has been charged with malice murder in the case.

NORCROSS, Ga. - The Norcross Police Department said detectives are investigating a domestic-related homicide that happened Friday night.

What we know

A FOX 5 crew saw police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at a townhome complex on Pine Oak Drive around 11 p.m. Friday. The GBI said it was assisting Norcross police in processing the crime scene.

Officials said a man has been charged with malice murder in the case.

What we don't know

No names have been released.

The Source

Information in this article came from Norcross police and the GBI.
POWNAL, VT. (WWLP)  A North Adams man was arrested in Vermont in connection with driving 90 mph in a posted 50 mph zone.

AIC softball holds Prospect Day for youth athletes

Vermont State Police said that last Thursday, August 21, at approximately 11:49 p.m., troopers were in Pownal conducting traffic enforcement on Route 7. A vehicle was observed traveling southbound at 90 mph in a posted 50 mph, and the troopers conducted a traffic stop.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver of the car was identified as 20-year-old Sean Mullen of North Adams, Mass. He was issued a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint for speeding, fining him $599.

Mullen was charged with Negligent Operation and is scheduled to appear in Vermont Superior Court Bennington Criminal Division on October 20.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
HATTERAS ISLAND, N.C.  A major roadway that connects North Carolinas Outer Banks reopened on Saturday after days of closures triggered by flooding from Hurricane Erin.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation spent hours clearing sand and debris from N.C. Highway 12, which is now deemed safe for travel.

A storm surge of upwards of four feet, in combination with a new Moon, produced significant overwash along the barrier islands, flooding the highway, especially during times of high tide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dare County lifted its mandatory evacuation order for Hatteras Island and instituted a staged reentry process to allow residents, property owners and business operators to return before visitors are permitted.

Priority 2 and Priority 3 groups, which include residents and business employees, were allowed back on the island beginning Saturday at noon, with all reentry restrictions set to expire on Sunday, when tourists can return.

Watch: Worst Of The Monster Waves Slamming East Coast From Hurricane Erin

The reopening includes areas such as Rodanthe, Salvo and the village of Hatteras, which rely heavily on the summer tourism season.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

State officials encouraged visitors to check with hotels, rental companies and campgrounds, as some sites may have adjusted reservations.

Governor Josh Stein toured Dare County on Friday to assess the effects caused by Hurricane Erin and spoke about the impact.

"While Hurricane Erin remained offshore, flooding and high winds impacted roadways along the Outer Banks, and the closure of NC 12 means that small businesses have had their livelihoods cut off during peak season," said Stein. "I am thankful to the emergency officials and first responders for their tireless work to prepare for and respond to this storm, and I am confident they will work quickly to ensure folks safe return."

The highway is frequently impacted by hurricanes, noreasters and even high-tide cycles, which cause overwash and temporary closures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

South Carolina Rattled By Earthquake Swarm

Transportation officials cautioned that drivers may still encounter floodwaters, especially since a frontal boundary remains draped over the region, leading to enhancements of showers and thunderstorms.

"Standing water on roadways may be saltwater, which is very damaging to vehicles. Proceed with caution, and drive slowly to reduce the risk of damage. If you encounter NCDOT personnel, please give them plenty of room to continue working to clear the roads," staff with Dare County stated.

Additionally, the threat of rip currents is expected to remain elevated for much of North Carolina and the East Coast into next week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hundreds of rescues were reported in the days before Erin made its closest pass to the U.S., before the storm system accelerated off into the northern Atlantic, where it became post-tropical on Friday.

Officials have not released a damage estimate for costs associated with cleanup and recovery along the North Carolina coast, but previous similar events have run into the millions of dollars.





Original article source: North Carolina highway reopens following Hurricane Erins coastal flooding, erosion
The Brief

The incident was reported near Northcrest Drive and West Rayford Road.

An unknown male allegedly asked a juvenile if they wanted to get into his vehicle.

The suspect is only described as a white, brown-haired male in a red Ford sedan.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Harris County authorities are looking for a suspect who allegedly tried to lure a child into his vehicle on Sunday morning.

Harris County crime: Attempted child abduction

What we know

The incident was reported on Auburn Bend Drive, near Northcrest Drive and West Rayford Road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Authorities say a 12-year-old was approached by an unknown male who asked if the child wanted to get in his vehicle.

"The 12-year-old did not make any contact with the suspect, just took off on his bike and the vehicle fled the scene at that time," said Captain Aaron Strain with the Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

He says the child is back home safe with his family.

Investigators say the suspect is a white male with brown, shoulder-length hair in a red Ford sedan.

The constable's office shared a photo of a possible suspected vehicle.

The Harris County Pct. 4 Constable's Office shared this photo of a possible suspect vehicle.

What we don't know

The suspect is unknown at this time and investigators are working to get a positive identification on his vehicle.

What you can do

If you have any information about the incident, you're asked to call Precinct 4 Constables Office.

Neighbors react

What they're saying

"Oh, it's scary, especially when it's right in front of my house. I have a 12-year-old daughter myself," said one neighbor who wished not to be identified.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Protect your kids, be on the lookout for the bad guys because they're out there, they're everywhere," said another neighbor anonymously.

The Source

The information in this article comes from the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
LONDON -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of two newly developed types of missiles, state media reported, launches that came as the United States and South Korea held their annual military drills to the south.

The two missiles tested on Saturday were designed to target aerial threats, including attack drones and cruise missiles, the Korea Central News Agency reported on Sunday.

State media reported few details on the projectiles, other than describing them as "improved" versions, saying they were "based on unique and special technology."

Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP - PHOTO: This photo provided Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, by the North Korean government shows the test-firing of a new anti-air missile at undisclosed location, North Korea on Aug. 23, 2025.

MORE: North Korea pledges to 'unconditionally support' Russia's war in Ukraine

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The launches came days after the Monday start of "Ulchi Freedom Shield 25," joint military exercises that are ongoing in South Korea. Those training exercises, which include live-fire drills, were scheduled to run through Thursday.

The U.S. State Department in announcing that the drills had begun said they were intended to reaffirm "the ironclad commitment between the U.S. and South Korea to defend their homelands."

A North Korean military official described those exercises as destabilizing for the Korean Peninsula, accusing the United States and South Korea of "the destruction of balance of power in the region."

Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP - PHOTO: In this photo provided Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, supervises the test-firing of two types of new anti-air missiles at undisclosed location, North Korea.

MORE: South Korea begins removing loudspeakers at North Korean border

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesperson for the Korean People's Army told Rodong Sinmun, a state-owned newspaper, that the "reckless" drills were being run by "warmongers," adding that the exercises were pushing the Korean Peninsula into "extreme tension."

North Korean state media published on Sunday an image of Kim meeting with military officials, along with several images of missiles in mid-air. It was not immediately clear where the missile tests had taken place.

As the drills began on Monday, Kim was touring a North Korean naval destroyer, KCNA reported. He reportedly said during that visit that the U.S.-South Korea drills could "ignite a war" and that North Korea should push for a "rapid expansion of nuclearization."
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- North Korea has test-fired two missiles newly designed to protect against aerial attacks, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, state media announced Sunday.

The supreme leader oversaw the missile tests along with multiple members of the Workers' Party of Korea and military officials, the Korea Central News Agency reported. The outlet said the missiles have "superior combat capability" and a "fast response" to attacks from aerial targets such as drones and cruise missiles.

The testing came less than a week after Ulchi Freedom Shield 25, joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, ABC News reported. The annual training exercises began Monday and were expected to end Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The training was expected to include live-fly events with U.S. F-35A and F-35C Lightning II aircraft as well as space-related elements, the Defense Department said. The Pentagon said the exercises work to strengthen the agencies' response capabilities.

"Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 underscores the continuing military partnership between the U.S. and South Korea and is implemented in the spirit of the Oct. 1, 1953, mutual defense treaty," the Defense Department said in a post Thursday.

"It continues to reinforce the role of the alliance as the linchpin for regional peace and security, reaffirming the ironclad commitment between the U.S. and South Korea to defend their homelands."

Hours before North Korea's missile test, U.N. Command confirmed the South Korean government fired warning shots at about 30 North Korean soldiers who crossed the Demilitarized Zone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

South Korean "forces issued several warning broadcasts in an attempt to notify the soldiers that they had crossed the [Military Demarcation Line], but they did not respond to the broadcasts," a spokesperson for the U.N. Command's Military Armistice Commission said in an email to Yonhap News Agency.

South Korean "forces then fired warning shots in a designated warning shot area to compel the [North Korean] soldiers to return to the north side" of the demarcation line.

Yonhap said the North Korean military has been working to fortify the border with South Korea since April 2024, adding barbed wire fences and anti-tank barriers near the Demilitarized Zone.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test-firing of two new air defence missiles, state media said Sunday, after Pyongyang accused Seoul of fomenting tensions on the border.

The test-firing, which took place Saturday, showed that the two "improved" missile weapon systems had "superior combat capability", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The KCNA report did not explain the new missiles in any detail, only that their "operation and reaction mode is based on unique and special technology". It also did not specify where the test had been conducted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets," KCNA said.

Photos released by KCNA showed air defence missiles soaring into the sky and the flash of the purported interception of an incoming projectile.

Kim is pictured listening to a briefing by a military official, a pair of binoculars sitting next to him on his desk.

The North Korean leader separately communicated an "important task" for the defence science sector to carry out before a key party meeting, the report added.

South Korea's military said Saturday it had fired warning shots at several North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily militarised border separating the two countries earlier in the week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

UN Command put the number of North Korean troops that crossed the border on Tuesday at 30, Yonhap news agency reported Sunday.

Pyongyang state media quoted Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol as saying the incident was a "premeditated and deliberate provocation".

"This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area where a huge number of forces are stationing in confrontation with each other to the uncontrollable phase," Ko said.

- Ukraine lesson -

Analysts say Pyongyang appears to be accelerating the development of air defence missiles aimed at countering drones, citing the KCNA report that specifically mentioned "drones and cruise missiles".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The North is bolstering air defence missiles against low-altitude flying drones and cruise missiles," said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

The development of such air defence missiles attests to "Pyongyang's recognition of the necessity to enhance its capabilities... based on lessons it learned" fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine, he added.

South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have said the North sent over 10,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024 -- primarily to the Kursk region -- along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems.

Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, Seoul has said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

New South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sought warmer ties with the nuclear-armed North and vowed to build "military trust", but Pyongyang has said it has no interest in improving relations with Seoul.

bur-kjk/cwl
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday addressed public grievances at 'Janta Darshan' held in Gorakhpur. Chief Minister Adityanath walked up to each attendee, patiently hearing their concerns and assuring them of justice. He directed officials to ensure prompt redressal and reaffirmed the government's commitment to prosperity for every household and justice for all. Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Gorakhpur has become a symbol of the new India and the new Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the city's progress, including the reduction of encephalitis cases, improved safety, and the reopening of the fertiliser factory. Speaking at the inauguration of new convention centres, CM Yogi said, "...This is the new Gorakhpur of new India and new Uttar Pradesh. About 12-15 years ago, when people from Gorakhpur had to go somewhere, they had to hide their identity. There was a crisis of identity. Till eight years ago, thousands of people used to die due to encephalitis in this season. But now there is no disease, and the causes of the disease have been found and treated..." He added, "Now the goons cannot pose a threat to the safety of daughters and businessmen...The previous governments had closed the fertiliser factory. Today, the fertiliser factory of Gorakhpur has started. This shows that development has taken place." Chief Minister Adityanath inaugurated the 'Kalyan Mandapams' (convention centres) in Gorakhpur. BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan, was also present at the event. Earlier in that day, CM Yogi attended the 42nd conference of the Uttar Pradesh Judicial Services Association and emphasised that for the country to achieve good governance, justice must be "accessible" and "swift". Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister expressed pride that the Allahabad High Court is the country's largest high court in terms of sanctioned strength of judges and also has the highest working strength among all high courts. He said, "In its 102 years of history, the Uttar Pradesh Judicial Service Association has achieved many accomplishments. The judicial officers present here are a testament to unity, mutual cooperation and professional efficiency. I extend my warm greetings to you all on this occasion. It is a matter of pride that the country's biggest high court is located in our state." (ANI)
North Korean state media has said two new air defence missiles have been fired in a test overseen by the country's leader Kim Jong Un.

The weapons had "superior combat capability" and used a "unique technology", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without adding details.

The launches, carried out on Saturday, "proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets" including drones and cruise missiles, KCNA said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The test comes hours after South Korea confirmed it fired warning shots on Tuesday at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating the countries.

United Nations Command said about 30 North Korean troops crossed the heavily-fortified border between the north and south, Yonhap News Agency said.

Pyongyang responded by accusing Seoul of a "deliberate provocation".

South Korea and the United States have been conducting large-scale joint military exercises in the region since Monday.

US President Donald Trump is due to meet South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung at a summit on Monday in Washington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The newly-elected South Korean president had campaigned on improving inter-Korean ties.

However, Kim's sister has since rebuffed efforts towards reconciliation made by Lee's government.

Kim also earlier this month condemned the US and South Korea's joint military drills, describing them as "most hostile and confrontational".

The North Korean leader vowed to speed up his aim to increase the country's stash of nuclear weapons.

In January, North Korea claimed to fire a new intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead, which it said "will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Senior South Korean officials have raised concerns about North Korea receiving Russian missile technology in exchange for sending troops to back the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Shin Wonsik, national security adviser for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, said last year that Seoul had found Moscow provided missiles and other equipment to help reinforce the air defense network for Pyongyang, the capital.

Whether the latest missiles fired by North Korea involved any Russian technology was unclear.

North Korea is one of the world's most repressive totalitarian states, with Kim and his family ruling the hermit nation for decades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

South and North Korea have been divided since the Korean War ended in 1953.

They did not sign a peace treaty and therefore have remained technically still at war ever since, although it has been years since either side shelled the other.
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Police said a missing North Providence teenager has been found.

The 16-year-old girl was reported missing after last being seen Friday.

The department thanked everyone who shared posts about her missing on social media.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

Follow us on social media:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
Norway has allocated about 7 billion kroner (about US$695.7 million) for Ukraines air defence.

Source: statement from the Norwegian government, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The air defence systems will be delivered from Germany to Ukraine.

"Together with Germany, we are now ensuring that Ukraine receives powerful air defence systems. Germany and Norway are working very closely together to support Ukraine in its fight to defend the country and protect the civilian population against Russian air attacks," said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Norway and Germany are financing two Patriot systems, including missiles for them. In addition, Norway is contributing to the purchase of air defence radars from German manufacturer Hensoldt and air defence systems from Kongsberg.

"Air defence is also crucial for protecting military units and infrastructure. Now, together with Germany, we are further stepping up our efforts," said Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik.

Background:

The US and NATO have launched a new mechanism for providing American weapons to Ukraine  the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which envisages funding through contributions from other Alliance members.

The Netherlands has prepared a 500 million package under PURL, including components and missiles for the Patriot air defence system.

Sweden, Norway and Denmark will jointly allocate about US$500 million.

Latvia has announced a contribution of at least US$2 million, though the final figure is still under discussion.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Anh-Thu Nguyen, 44, died in a plane crash in Greenwood, Indiana, on July 30. About a month later, the National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report, revealing new details about the crash.

Nguyen was on the second leg of her journey to become the first Vietnamese woman to complete a solo flight around the world when her plane suddenly fell out of the sky shortly after she took off from the Indy South Greenwood Airport.

A photo of Anh-Thu Nguyen, 44, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Greenwood, Indiana.

Her plane crashed on a hill near a small creek behind a Circle K gas station, less than a mile away from the airport. She was the only person killed in the crash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The NTSB report revealed new details, but it did not provide any information regarding what may have caused the crash.

On July 30, 2025, Nguyen was planning to travel from Greenwood to Quakertown Airport in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, which was about a 640-mile trip, according to the NTSB preliminary report.

There were a few clouds in the sky that morning, with the temperature sitting at about 86 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the report.

At 10:45 a.m., Nguyen took off in her Lancair IVP airplane from runway 19 at the Indy South Greenwood Airport. After takeoff, her plane began to climb in a left turn.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

About 30 seconds later, data captured by surveillance-broadcast systems on board showed that Nguyen was decreasing in her turn, when the plane suddenly began to rapidly descend to the right.

Frank Williams, a witness to the crash, said the airplane was quietly spiraling as it fell from the sky.

The total duration of the Nguyens flight was about 1 minute and 30 seconds, according to the NTSB preliminary report.

Plane data showed that the engine was fully activated and steadily running throughout the duration of the flight, according to the NTSB preliminary report.

More: Small airplane crash near I-65 in Greenwood leaves pilot dead

An aviation professor explains how the NTSB conducts investigations

Cary Grant, a professor in the aviation department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, spoke with IndyStar a few days after Nguyens crash to explain the National Transportation Safety Board's approach to investigations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There won't be anything about what caused the crash in the preliminary report. It's just the facts," said Grant.

It may be two years before the NTSB releases its full report, he said.

A photo of Cary Grant, a professor in the Aviation department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

"The full report takes a while because the NTSB is evaluating several factors."

The NTSB usually has a team that evaluates the training qualifications of the pilot, the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident, and air traffic control, among other possible factors, Grant said.

The NTSB also evaluates each part of the plane to determine if there may have been a point of failure on the plane, and in some cases, the NTSB will invite third parties like the Federal Aviation Administration or the manufacturer of the plane and engine to help with its investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Grant did not provide an opinion on what may have caused Nguyen to crash.

He expressed concern that Nguyen's plane may not have had sophisticated flight data recorders, as they are not required to have them installed.

"But now with modern glass panel displays and instruments, there's a lot of information that can be forensically pulled off the data chips that are on board the airplane," Grant said.

"While they are not designated as flight data recorders, they are recording conditions of the airplane at that time."

Who was Anh-Thu Nguyen?

Nguyen, a 2015 Purdue graduate, wanted to inspire other Asian women to become pilots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She started Asian Women in Aerospace and Aviation Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, in 2018 and became the chief flight instructor at Dragon Flight Training Academy in Georgia.

Nguyen was born in Vietnam, moving to the United States when she was 12 years old. She received a bachelor of science in math and a master's in aeronautics and astronautics engineering from Purdue University. She received a doctoral degree in aeronautics and astronautics engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

"As an Asian woman, I faced many obstacles and challenges to get to where I am today, especially adapting to a new culture, language, and life in the United States. I wanted to give back and inspire the next generation," she told Purdue University.

Nguyen originally conceived the idea of becoming the first Vietnamese woman to complete a solo flight around the world in 2019, but due to a number of issues, her plans were pushed back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On July 27, 2025, Nguyen officially started the journey when she flew out of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, toward Indiana.

On July 30, before Nguyen left the Greenwood airport, she posted an update about her journey on social media.

"I just completed the first leg of my solo flight around the world," she said. "This is more than just a flight. It's a mission to inspire the next generation of Asian female pilots and aerospace engineers and STEM professionals."

About Anh-Thu Nguyen: Woman who died in Indiana plane crash was trying to fly solo around the world

Noe Padilla is a Public Safety reporter for IndyStar. Contact him at npadilla@indystar.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NTSB releases preliminary report about Greenwood, Indiana, plane crash
Protecting rare or endangered species is a vital step in keeping ecosystems' biodiversity thriving.

A recent ban has been passed in Punjab, India, that will help protect rare birds and some other vulnerable species.

According to The Express Tribune, illegal hunting of falcons and quails has led to population decline. Now, the strict "zero-tolerance" policy will seek legal repercussions for offenders of the ban, as well as landowners who permit illegal hunting on their property.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the Wildlife Ranger meeting where the ban was discussed, the importance of rangers holding the public accountable was made clear.

"All field officers and staff were instructed to maintain full vigilance at all times during the hunting season. All deputy chief Wildlife Rangers were directed to submit daily reports on violations and enforcement actions," The Express Tribune reported.

Around the world, government-enforced protection of endangered species is playing a key role in maintaining biodiversity.

In Illinois, declining gray fox numbers resulted in an indefinite ban on hunting them. Meanwhile, attempts have been made to ban outrageous hunting tactics like intentionally hitting animals with snowmobiles or luring bears using human food.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While there is usually backlash in the wake of hunting laws like these, the bans are intended to protect struggling species whose disappearance could upset the entire food chain.

The Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department released a statement on Facebook regarding the new hunting rules, adding, "Hunting is only legal for specific species, in designated areas, and during the specified season, with a valid permit from the Wildlife Department. "

The Parks Department statement added, "Following these rules ensures hunting is sustainable and responsible."

To do your part in protecting rare species, you can support climate causes or organizations focused on endangered or vulnerable animals. Plus, if you are into hunting, you can pay close attention to the regulations affecting your area, ensuring you do not cause harm to vulnerable wildlife populations.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A Texas city of over 100,000 people is asking its citizens to conserve water.

College Station, widely known as the home of Texas A&M, has introduced a new irrigation rebate program to "encourage water conservation" during peak summer usage and proclaimed July to be "Smart Irrigation Month" at a recent city council meeting, according to KBTX.

What does this mean in practice? Well, the rebate program is set to offer local homeowners a rebate of 50% of the cost of smart irrigation equipment  up to $500. More information and an application form for the rebate can be found on the city's website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"A single-family home in the winter months might use around 5,000 gallons of water a month, maybe up to 7,000 gallons," says Jennifer Nations, the city's Water Resource Coordinator. "A single irrigation system, once cycled, when it goes through all of the zones, can use that much in a cycle."

As Texas is frequently one of the hottest and driest states in the U.S., conserving water during the summer months is becoming more of a necessity and could literally save lives.

The state has been seeing an increasing number of heat-related deaths in recent years, and while they are not all going to be avoidable, imposing restrictions on those who would ordinarily take more than their share through showers, sprinklers, and other outlets, by proxy denying others access to water in the process, is a huge step forward.

States like California and cities like Tehran, Iran, and Des Moines, Iowa have employed similar tactics as the effects of climate change have worsened of late.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the case of College Station, no formal drought proclamation is imminent yet. But officials are still encouraging caution and warning citizens against complacency after getting some rainfall.

Brazos County Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Ware said: "That really gives people a false sense of security: You know, I can get half-an-inch of rain one day, and the next day, the winds are high and the temperature's high and that vegetation, that moisture is going to go away."

Do you take steps to conserve water at home? All the time Usually Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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.
An Ohio police officer is accused of OVI after he allegedly crashed into a sheriffs office vehicle, according to our CBS affiliate WOIO-19 TV.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The crash happened around 1 a.m. at the intersection of Alger Road and Lakewood Heights Boulevard in Cuyahoga County.

WOIO-19 reported that a Cleveland police officer hit a Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Department (CCSD) sergeants patrol car.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sergeants patrol car had all of its lights activated and was blocking traffic for the entrance ramp of Interstate 90 westbound for construction when the crash happened.

Brian Brunner, a Cleveland police officer, allegedly drove a truck through the intersection and crashed into the patrol car, according to WOIO-19.

Brunner was arrested; however, charges are pending.

WOIO-19 obtained the following statement from the Cleveland Police Department.

We confirm that a Cleveland Police Officer was involved in a motor vehicle accident this morning and was arrested by the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office on suspicion of OVI. In accordance with standard procedure and in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement, Officer Brunner has been placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of the case. The Divisions Inspections Unit will be monitoring the matter. Brunner has served with the Division since 2018 and is currently assigned to the 5th District, Cleveland Police Department Public Information Officer Sergeant Wilfredo Diaz said.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ is making another run at using a state tobacco settlement investment portfolio to put his stamp on social and cultural issues at publicly traded companies.

At Russ behest, the Board of Investors of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust voted 3-1 on Wednesday, Aug. 20, on shareholder proposals regarding abortion pills, Chinese investments, diversity programs and avoiding so-called gender ideology activism.

After an hour-long presentation and discussion, the board selected 10 publicly traded companies it intended to target with shareholder proposals in 2026. Among the companies are Boeing, Starbucks, Chipotle, computer chip giant NVIDIA, Visa and Mastercard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russ said the more immediate goal was to engage the companies in the changes recommended under the shareholder resolutions. If companies make changes without it going to a shareholder vote, then the effort would be a success, he said.

As we counterbalance whats going on to protect these investment portfolios, its really good for everybody, from a financial standpoint, from a fiduciary standpoint, Russ said. Were trying to get them back to neutral, and if you only have pressure from one direction, its pretty impossible to get it to neutral.

The latest effort comes after shareholders for several companies gave the boards proposals less than 1% of the vote at annual meetings earlier this year. Russ teamed up with Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group, and proxy advisory firm Bowyer Research Inc. to make that initial foray into shareholder activism.

The shareholder activism is the latest example of formerly staid elected state treasurers offices launching into culture-war issues and efforts against environmental, social and governance goals. A network of conservative think tanks and groups have provided research, letters to companies and talking points for the efforts. Among them are the State Financial Officers Foundation and Heritage Action for America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jerry Bowyer, with Bowyer Research, again recommended the issues and companies for the board of investors new round of shareholder proposals. He said the proxy advisory system used by pension funds and investment funds such as TSET takes advantage of passive boards and gives too much power to what he called activist investors agitating for changes in corporate policies.

The 10 companies targeted also included communications equipment maker Qualcomm Inc., cosmetics company Estee Lauder, Amazon and drug distributor McKesson. The proposals ask the companies to compile reports on possible risks on DEI and ESG policies, as well as new hot-button issues. For example, the ones targeting Visa and Mastercard ask how they are cracking down on processing payments for AI-generated child pornography. The one for Estee Lauder asks why the company excludes religious organizations from its employee gift-matching program.

Bowyer said the resolution targeting McKesson over its distribution of the abortion drug mifepristone put the company under greater scrutiny from regulators after the U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision turning abortion back to the states. He suggested that the drug, which was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2000, was unsafe. Bowyer said retailers served by McKesson, such as Costco, Kroger and Walmart, were putting themselves at reputational risk.

Theres also a fiduciary obligation in the sense that if you sell an abortion drug to a woman, its roughly $200 in revenues, and the child is never born, Bowyer said. If youre a retailer, for instance, like Costco, youre losing something like $10,000 in revenues from that child being a customer. In other words, you can sell mifepristone once for $200, or you can sell diapers and Pedialyte and Vicks and tricycles for the next 10 years, which is worth more than just paying for mifepristone once.

Oklahoma a trailblazer on anti-DEI efforts

Bowyer called Oklahoma a trailblazer for the TSET Board of Investors efforts in sponsoring shareholder resolutions. He said they are helping to tip the balance away from company executives and back to shareholders. Bowyer likened it to adult supervision of wayward executives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Proposals of this type get very low vote counts, Bowyer said. Theyre not designed to win vote counts. For the most part, the blue states are very highly engaged on these issues, and so they vote against these proposals because they like ESG and DEI. Present company excepted, the red states are not paying attention.

Much of Bowyers presentation focused on potential legal and reputational risks for the companies if they dont adhere to changes under the shareholder resolutions. He said the corporate policies he highlighted dont align with Oklahomas economy or values.

The goal is not to force your way on to the ballot, Bowyer said. The goal is to have a constructive conversation where they do whats right for shareholders, which in your case, is to go back to neutral on politics and stay focused only on shareholder value.

John Waldo, the lone board member to vote no, said he preferred to engage the companies directly before sponsoring shareholder resolutions. He was particularly concerned with targeting Boeing, a longtime Oklahoma employer. He also worried about how to define Oklahoma values.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im not disagreeing that theres exposure, and Im glad you brought it up, said Waldo, an appointee of state Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd. But I think its a better practice to at least advise the team or get other inputs before we tell Boeing the reports that we want them to do. What happens is it becomes a press release, as weve seen in the past.

Board member Aaron Ackerman, an appointee of Gov. Kevin Stitt, said he didnt think the proposal would upset Boeing or the other companies. Instead, he said they may welcome it as a counter to proposals from other shareholders. Ackerman joined Russ and board member Debbie Mueggenborg in voting yes on the 2026 slate of proposals.

If theyre only getting pressure from activist groups, this gives them a leg to stand on to do things that they from a business standpoint would want to do anyway, Ackerman said. I dont see it as offensive where its going to make Boeing mad at TSET or want to pull out of Oklahoma.

Anti-ESG resolutions surge

TSETs board of investors targeted five companies this year, including Amazon, Google, Lululemon and Netflix, claiming they prioritized politics over profits. In response, the companies said the shareholder proposals were unnecessary, intrusive and ignored corporate governance systems already in place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A review of the 2025 proxy season found anti-ESG proposals surging, but with minimal shareholder support.

Around 100 anti-ESG proposals were submitted at S&P 1500 companies this year, up slightly from 2024, said the July report from consultants EY. Average support for these proposals continues to hover at just 2%, which is less than the 5% support threshold required for resubmission after the firstyear vote.

Alliance Defending Freedom paid for the travel, hotel and conference expenses for Russ and his chief of staff, Deputy Treasurer Jordan Harvey, at its summit in Orlando, Florida, in July, according to the latest Oklahoma Ethics Commission disclosure reports. Alliance Defending Freedom represented the TSET Board of Investors free of charge when companies tried to reject shareholder proposals earlier this year.

Russ is chairman of TSETs five-person board of investors, which sets the investment policies and certifies earnings from the $2 billion trust fund for projects and grants. It is a separate entity from TSETs board of directors. At Wednesdays meeting, the board certified earnings of $140.59 million in fiscal year 2025, which ended June 30. That compared to 2024 earnings of $86.84 million.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

Paul Monies has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2017 and covers state agencies and public health. Contact him at 571-319-3289 or pmonies@oklahomawatch.org. Follow him on Twitter @pmonies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma treasurer makes another attempt to change corporate policies
One person was flown to a hospital and three others were injured in a three-vehicle crash on Cape Cod Sunday morning, according to police.

Orleans police were notified of a head-on crash between two vehicles at 191 Route 6A around 8 a.m., the police department said in a press release. Police and firefighters responded and found that three vehicles had crashed in two separate collisions, and that all involved vehicles had stayed at the scene.

One person was flown by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, police said. Ambulances from Harwich, Eastham and Brewster  as well as Orleans  responded to the scene, and three other people involved in the crash were taken to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Photos of the scene shared to social media showed two light-colored pickup trucks involved in the crash.

A regional Cape Cod crash reconstruction team is investigating the collisions, police said. Anyone with information about the crashes is asked to call Orleans Police Officer Carly Stevens at (508) 255-0117 or cstevens@orleanspd.com.

More News

Read the original article on MassLive.
Authorities arrested a suspect accused of a shooting in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood on Saturday night.

According to Boston Police, officers responded to Harambee Park following reports of a person shot around 7:54 p.m.

The victim was transported to an area hospital with injuries that arent considered to be life-threatening.

Police say they arrested a suspect and recovered a gun.

The name of the suspect and the charges they are facing were not made available by police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No further information was immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on Sunday welcomed the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling it a historic step towards eliminating corruption. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to eradicate corruption, no matter who the corrupt individual is. This is such a historic bill that even if the Prime Minister is arrested for 30 days, he would have to resign from his post. Delhi has witnessed this pain; in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers committed the sin of running Delhi from jail. This decision by the Prime Minister is far-reaching and strikes at the heart of corruption..." Mishra told ANI. Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Bill provides for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister or any other Minister in the central or a state government, if he is arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal offences. Two more bills with similar provisions in Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir were also introduced in the Lok Sabha. The three bills have been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for examination. Opposition parties have opposed the move. Earlier on Saturday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju questioned the conduct of the Opposition during the discussion on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Parliament, stating that an "understanding" had been reached beforehand to maintain order in the House. In an interview with ANI, Rijiju explained that such an amendment demands careful settlement and orderly conduct in the House. Asked about whether the Centre had discussions with the Opposition on the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill beforehand, the Union Minister said, "Everyone had agreed after prior discussion (to maintain the order of the House)... Constitutional amendment passes with two-thirds majority, and the House has to be in order. The Speaker told the members that when the Home Minister presents the bill, no members will come into the well... This was agreed to. As soon as the House began, TMC MPs jumped into the well. Started throwing papers. Congress's Venugopal also started tearing papers. What happened to the understanding?" The Parliamentary Affairs Minister further alleged that the Congress MPs and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs had disrupted the proceedings during the introduction of the bill on the 'directive' of the party's top leadership. He said, "I don't want to blame the Congress MPs. They have to work as their leaders ask them to. TMC's Mamata Banerjee orders her MPs from Kolkata, then they are compelled (to create ruckus) here... They say something, but they get different orders from above, and the ruckus begins." Stating that the Constitution Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha is "revolutionary" and the Opposition should have welcomed it, Rijiju said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to be exempt from its provisions which entail removal of PM, CM and Union and state ministers if they are jailed for serious offences. Rijiju said that PM Modi told the cabinet that the recommendation is to keep the Prime Minister out of this bill, but he did not agree. He said PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. Rijiju also said the people in the country are welcoming the provisions of the Constitution Amendment Bill, and the opposition parties would have welcomed it too if they "had kept ethics at the centre." "PM Modi told the cabinet that the recommendation is to keep the prime minister out of this bill, but he did not agree. PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. The PM is also a citizen, and he should not have special protection. Most of the CMs are from our party. If they do something wrong, they have to leave their position. Ethics should also mean something. The Opposition would have welcomed this bill had they kept ethics at the centre," he said. (ANI)
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines Police Department is investigating after one person was injured during a shooting in the River Bend Neighborhood.

According to the DMPD, just before 7:30 p.m., patrol officers and DMFD rescue personnel responded to a report of a shooting with a victim in the 100 block of University Avenue.

Man faces charges for allegedly sharing explicit content with detective posing as minor

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

First responders arrived on scene and located an adult male who had sustained a gunshot injury. The man was transported to a Des Moines hospital, where care is ongoing; his condition is unknown.

Police say the scene is secure and there is no indication of ongoing danger to the neighborhood.

The Des Moines Police Department has opened 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.
One person was killed and two others were hospitalized after a Vermont Knolls shooting on Saturday night, authorities confirmed.

LAPD said officers responded to the 600 block of West 80th Street around 9:30 p.m. for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon shooting. They arrived to find three people suffering from gunshot wounds.

Paramedics responded to treat the victims and pronounced a 35-year-old man dead at the scene.

At least one person was killed and two others injured after a shooting in Vermont Knolls. August 2025. (Citizen.com) At least one person was killed and two others injured after a shooting in Vermont Knolls. August 2025. (Citizen.com) At least one person was killed and two others injured after a shooting in Vermont Knolls. August 2025. (Citizen.com) At least one person was killed and two others injured after a shooting in Vermont Knolls. August 2025. (Citizen.com)

In addition, a 58-year-old man was rushed into surgery and his condition was not immediately known, and a 57-year-old man was listed in stable condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No suspect description was available. Detectives have not determined a motive, and its unknown if the shooting is gang-related. No further details were released.

Photos from Citizen.com show a palm-lined South L.A. block sealed off with yellow tape as neighbors look on. Multiple LAPD cruisers and a Los Angeles City Fire Department ambulance crowd the street outside an apartment building, its courtyard lit by red and blue emergency lights.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
As Republicans look to flip House seats through redistricting in Texas and other red states, they have a pickup opportunity in what was once deep blue North Jersey, without having to redraw any lines.

In the states heavily Hispanic 9th Congressional District, the Democrat who was widely thought to be a shoo-in won by just five points last year, and President Donald Trump narrowly won the district after losing it the last two cycles. Yet, even amid talk of New Jersey becoming a purple state, just two Republican candidates have stepped forward to run in the district.

By contrast, in the one Republican-held seat Democrats have a realistic opportunity to pick up, in Central Jerseys 7th District, Democrats are practically falling over each other to challenge two-term Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Nine Democratic candidates  including several with a proven ability to raise funds and made-for-campaign bios like former Navy Black Hawk pilot, physician and climate scientist  have declared their candidacies with nearly a year to go before the primary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democrats in New Jersey feel like the stakes are existential  literally existential  in these midterm elections, said Hunterdon County Democratic Chair Tom Malinowski, a former 7th District representative whom Kean ousted in 2022. Im not sure Republicans feel quite as strongly.

Trumps remarkably narrow six-point loss in New Jersey last year was widely seen as a sign one of the bluest states in the nation was turning purple. And there are other indicators that Democratic dominance is fading in the state. Since the 2020 election, Republicans have shaved Democrats' statewide voter registration advantage from more than 1 million to 864,825. And in the 2021 election, Republican Jack Ciattarelli  yet again the GOP nominee for governor this year  came within just three points of ousting Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

But presidential elections turn out more lower-propensity voters than midterms. And wealthier suburban districts like the 7th have had higher turnout than the more working-class 9th. Candidate recruitment and fundraising are some of the few tangible measures of where the political winds are blowing. And in New Jerseys 2026 House races, Democrats are so far dominating on both fronts.

Republicans are calling the 9th a swing district. Theyre talking about a potential investment, said Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. But I think they understand theyre not going to get the turnout theyre looking for in a midterm. I think its a different kind of priority than the 7th District, where turnout is not going to be as dependent on the presidential race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The heavy interest from Democrats seeking to oust Kean is reminiscent of the blue wave 2018 midterms, when Democrats flipped four New Jersey Republican-held House seats. Back then, seven Democrats lined up to run for the 7th District seat  and that was when the district boundaries made it slightly easier for Democrats to win it.

Even in South Jerseys 2nd District, where Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew won reelection last year by 17 points, three Democrats have filed to run in 2026  more than Republicans in the 9th District. The same goes for North Jerseys 11th District, where three Democrats have already filed with the FEC to replace Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor, in case she wins the governorship this November and vacates the seat.

In the 9th District, Republican Billy Prempeh is running again in his fourth straight campaign for the seat since 2020, and just one other Republican has so far come forward: Rosemary Pino, a councilmember in Clifton. No one else has even teased a candidacy yet to take on Democratic freshman Rep. Nellie Pou, though Republicans are optimistic other candidates will emerge.

While national Republicans POLITICO spoke to had yet to commit to any candidates, Prempeh  who narrowly lost in 2024  believes he can be their man.I feel supported by the Republican Party. I think they see the same things that I see: This district is very winnable. I think Im making the right choice, he said in a phone interview.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Prempeh, never a strong fundraiser, has barely raised anything for his next race. His last campaign finance report, filed mid-July, showed a balance of negative $634.

We ran that race with under $50,000, while my opponent spent close to $500,000 against me, Prempeh said. Im very good at running a race, even with small resources.

Pino, as a Hispanic woman, could be a demographic ideal for a Republican candidate in the district. But shes already demonstrated vulnerability. Shortly after she declared her candidacy, Prempeh pointed out that a group she led last year endorsed Pou against him.

Passaic County GOP Chair Peter Murphy, whose county makes up much of the district, said that its a tempting target for Republicans and that he sees more candidates emerging, including from next door in Bergen County. I really do believe more Republicans are going to be coming out of the 9th district. I think youre going to see a lot more coming. By the primary I could see four or five, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, Republicans are pointing to Central Jerseys 7th District race as a potential mess, while noting Pou in the 9th District could face her own primary challenge.

Many of the Democratic candidates in the 7th live just outside the district, including until recently Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy Blackhawk pilot and the first to declare (she moved into the district this summer, her campaign said).. So far, she has captured the most attention from national Democrats. But several rivals have already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, and Republicans warn that in such a large primary, the candidates will work to drag the field to the left, hurting the eventual nominees chances in the general election.

Bennett said she felt called to run. I cant explain it any other way that a switch flipped in my brain, and I told my husband, I have to run for office now, she said. I really love this country. I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution.

Republicans see Pou as a potentially weak incumbent, never having had competitive general elections during her time in the state Legislature and already facing buzz about potential primary challengers, including from the mayor of Paterson, by far the largest city in the district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kean, by contrast, is a two-term incumbent with a family name that goes back generations in New Jersey. His father, Tom Kean Sr., is the states most popular former governor.

Whoever prevails will be wearing the progressive crown, completely broke and too battered to even compete against Rep. Tom Kean Jr., said Maureen OToole, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Harrison Neely, a campaign consultant for Kean, said the field is a clear signal of Democrat party chaos and disarray. They cant unite behind a candidate because they have no organization, no vision and nothing to offer.

In addition to Bennett, the 7th District field includes: Tina Shah, a medical doctor; Michael Roth, a former top official at the Small Business Administration; businessman Brian Varela; former Summit councilmember Greg Vartan; criminal justice professor Beth Adubato; attorney Valentina Mendoza; and little-known Michael Garth. Megan ORourke, a former Biden administration climate scientist, became the latest to declare her candidacy this month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democrats see echoes of the 2018 Democratic wave, when seven candidates filed to run in the districts primary. Eventually, the field narrowed down to three, and the nominee  Malinowski  ousted Leonard Lance that November after 10 years in Congress.

Recent polling shows Trump is unpopular in New Jersey  between 11 points and 18 points under water, according to two recent polls. Still, thats more popular than he was at this point in 2018.

The 7th and 9th Districts both encapsulate a shift in the Democratic and Republican coalitions. The wealthier, suburban and whiter 7th has many traditional Republican voters who began shifting left after Trumps first election. Thats in contrast to the more working-class, Hispanic-plurality 9th, which has recently moved towards Republicans.

But so far, the signs point to a tough time flipping the 9th District in a midterm, said Rasmussen, the Rebovich Institute director.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans realize that their success in the 9th depends on presidential-level turnout that theyre not going to get in 2026, he said. They could get it again in 2028, although presumably Trump isnt going to be on the ballot.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misstated Democratic candidate Rebecca Bennett's residency status. She moved into the 7th Congressional District this summer, according to her campaign.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  One person was critically injured in a Sunday morning wreck near Little River, Horry County Fire Rescue said.

Crews were sent to the area of North Highway 57 and Frank Gore Road just before 5 a.m. for a single-vehicle crash where one person was transported to an area hospital.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the vehicle  a 2015 GMC Sierra  travelled off the right side of the road then struck a culvert and mailbox before coming to rest in a ditch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No further information was immediately available.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
A man in his 50s was unaccounted for after a boat capsized off Salisbury Beach on Saturday afternoon.

State police became aware of the capsized boat shortly after 4 p.m., and troopers, along with the agencys marine unit, Air Wing helicopter, the U.S. Coast Guard and the local harbormaster, attempted to rescue the two people onboard.

Authorities rescued the owner of the boat and brought him to a Boston hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A second person remained unaccounted for Saturday evening.

Rescue efforts were paused at 7:20 p.m. due to weather conditions, while field patrols continued on land, according to state police.

Authorities did not identify the two people.

More News

Read the original article on MassLive.
People familiar with the crime statistics in Washington immediately challenged President Donald Trumps assertion that crime in the capital was out of control and thus warranted him sending in the National Guard. So the president responded on social media that D.C. gave Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety. This is a very bad and dangerous thing to do, and they are under serious investigation for so doing! Sure enough, Trumps Department of Justice is now investigating whether the districts Metropolitan Police Department manipulated crime data to make rates appear lower than reality.

It is true that a police commander, Michael Pulliam, was placed on paid administrative leave in May after allegations that he wrongly altered crime statistics in his district, and its true that the police union there has claimed that supervisors regularly direct arresting officers to take a report for a lesser offense instead of felonies. Trump-aligned legal groups have filed FOIA requests citing alleged manipulation and a settlement with a former police sergeant who sued over misclassifying offenses. But it is highly unlikely that manipulation explains the districts reported drop in crime. Because violent crime is down in big cities across the country.

And its absolutely absurd for Trump to hold up 2023 statistics and say as he did at an Aug. 11 news conference that Washingtons murder rate is higher than we can find anywhere in the world. In 2023, Washingtons murder rate wasnt even the highest in the United States, as reports show that at least six U.S. cities were worse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When leaders make unfounded claims about data manipulation, the entire statistical infrastructure on which democracy depends is destroyed, and democracy experts characterize Trumps use of false crime claims as following the authoritarian playbook, where autocrats and demagogues use false claims of crime and disorder as pretexts to declare a permanent state of emergency and to suspend the rule of law. Congressional Democrats warned of a soft launch of authoritarianism after Trumps announcement, and NPR pointed out that civil rights leaders have warned that Trumps actions in D.C. are another beta test for nationwide authoritarian control and a testing ground for what they might attempt in any other jurisdiction.

Ive been in law enforcement more than four decades and served in leadership roles at the local, state and federal levels. Contrary to the presidents claims of manipulation, the evidence supporting the reliability of current crime reporting systems is  well, the only word for it is overwhelming.

The United States has two major crime measurement systems: the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and  the gold standard  the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. The UCR employs multiple validation layers through its Crime and Law Enforcement Statistics Unit, which initially review[s] the data to determine adherence to UCR policy, conformance to UCR definitions and principles, and consistency with established statistical methodologies. Before entering the national database, staff use specialized edit functions to ensure that the data meet the established standards, and, when errors are found or suspected, they obtain verification from submitting agencies.

Expert analysis by the highly regarded nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice notes that attempts to cast doubt on the reliability of the numbers dont hold up and that the FBIs annual report is the most complete estimate of national statistics available. The 2023 report, for instance, incorporated data from more than 16,000 local police agencies covering some 94% of the population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Independent verification is vital to assuring accuracy. Thus, the UCR and the NCVS serve as a check and balance against each other. According to the Council on Criminal Justice, both sources present similar long-term crime trends and much of the difference between the two sources stems from variations in methodology, rather than inaccuracies in the data.

As if all this were not sufficient reason to trust FBI and NCVS statistics, the FBI conducts quality assurance reviews to identify strengths and weaknesses in an agencys reporting methods, thereby helping the agency to improve the accuracy of its crime data and assess the validity of an agencys crime statistics.

But what about the District of Columbia specifically? Violence has been falling after a 2023 spike. Homicides fell 32% in 2024 and another 12% in 2025, while carjackings dropped 37% in 2025 despite Trumps claims that they tripled. The DOJ itself reported in January 2025 that violent crime for 2024 in the District of Columbia is down 35% from 2023 and is the lowest it has been in over 30 years.

Theres no way to manipulate crime statistics down to that level.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Who profits from Trumps latest big lie? The answer is obvious: those who are invested in undermining trust in the conduct of law enforcement, the rule of law and the home-rule government of the majority-Black and majority-Democrat District of Columbia.

The Trump administration is reaping a bumper crop of manipulation and lies sprouted from seeds that have been sown for years. Experts warn that the decades-long effort in the conservative movement to undermine trust in key institutions creates dangerous vulnerabilities, as people must believe the health advice that they are getting from the CDC and other government agencies and receive (and trust) accurate information from major news organizations.

Democracy can survive only on a solid foundation of the rule of law, which requires community trust and community buy-in. In D.C. today, local residents, particularly young people, report feeling unsafe due to the federal takeover, with college students saying were afraid to go out because were afraid, one wrong step, one wrong move, off the crosswalk and Im getting flagged down for something.

The greatest monument to American democracy is not the Statue of Liberty or the Washington Monument or the U.S. Capitol and certainly not the White House. It is the legions of nonpartisan professional civil servants whose expert statistical and analytical stewardship accurately conveys the true state of the union from one day to the next. Their work is a thermometer of our national health. The instrument is not rigged or compromised, but it is fragile and demands our faithful and vigilant protection.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The checkout line is where American dreams crash into American paychecks. Beneath the sterile glare of fluorescent lights, surrounded by shelves stacked with promises, ordinary Americans reach not for what they want, but for what they can afford.

And they do it again and again and again.

The woman ahead of you examines two identical-looking coffee makers. One bears a small Made in USA sticker and costs $89. The other, manufactured somewhere in Asia  most likely China  rings up at $29. She holds the American-made model for a moment, reading the label twice. Then she sets it back on the shelf and takes the cheaper one. Her face says it all. What looks like apathy toward American jobs is nothing but cold, merciless math  the difference between putting dinner on the table and making excuses to the kids.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No wonder support for Made in America has fallen from 60 percent to 50 percent in just two years. That 10-point drop is more than a shifting consumer taste; its a national ideal smashing up against everyday reality. For generations, the phrase carried real weight. It was pride forged into steel, stitched into seams, etched into every surface. Then it slipped.

Made in America stopped standing for quality and started standing for cost. Corporations learned they could slash expenses by shipping jobs overseas while keeping profits bloated. Consumers got cheaper goods, shareholders pocketed richer dividends, and American workers got pink slips. Still, the romance lingered.

Americans havent stopped loving the idea of supporting domestic manufacturing. Theyve simply run out of cash to afford their patriotism. The average American has barely anything in savings. Tens of millions of citizens cant cover a $1,000 emergency without incurring new debt, and yet they are told to spend $3,000 on a Made in America iPhone. That tension feeds straight into politics.

The political divide over Made in America reveals an economic reality that runs deeper than partisanship. Sixty-six percent of Republicans say they prefer domestic products compared to 42 percent of Democrats. Tragically, the voters shouting loudest for Made in America are the very ones priced out of it. Working-class families who wave the flag for domestic industry still stock up at Walmart, Dollar General and Amazon  not out of disloyalty, but out of a need for basic survival. Their shopping carts dont betray their values  they betray the brutal reality of living paycheck to paycheck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They love the idea of buying American, and why wouldnt they? Their parents and grandparents did precisely that  cars, appliances, tools, clothes. A Maytag washer ran for 20 years. A Ford pickup lasted for decades if you looked after it. Made in America once meant durability and quality. Back then, nobody wanted Made in China because Americas output was so superior stronger steel, better engineering, standards that spoke for themselves.

But those days are long gone, and tariffs wont bring them back. Slapping taxes on imports doesnt revive craftsmanship; it just punishes families already on the edge. The single mother still cant buy the American-made winter coat. The only change is that the Chinese version now costs $40 instead of $35.

Real solutions would dig into why American manufacturing lost its edge, and how to restore value, not just raise prices. That means cutting through the regulatory maze that adds thousands of dollars to production costs. It means rewriting a tax code that rewards companies for moving operations offshore. It means reviving vocational education, so the trades that built the country arent abandoned in favor of paper degrees for jobs that dont exist.

Most fundamentally, it would acknowledge that Americans cant buy American-made goods unless they earn American-level wages. You cant rebuild factories while workers scrape by on service pay. You cant revive industrial towns when their residents rely on food stamps and part-time retail jobs. Without wages that can support a family, Made in America is just a label on products nobody can buy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The tragedy isnt that Americans choose foreign goods over domestic ones. Its that theyve been forced into a position where supporting their own economy requires sacrificing their familys welfare  where patriotism becomes a luxury and loving your country means choosing between heating bills and American-made shoes.

Walk down the empty Main Streets of Pennsylvania or Ohio, and youll see the truth written on every storefront. Boarded-up factories, once proud employers, now stand as monuments to offshoring. Families scrounge at dollar stores because everything else is out of reach. Young people leave for cities, not because they want to, but because theres no work at home.

To make Made in America truly great again would mean more than empty promises or taxing imports. It will come only when American workers earn enough to buy what they build, when factories compete through excellence instead of protection, when patriotism and practicality finally pull in the same direction. Until then, Americans will keep facing that quiet heartbreak at the checkout counter. They will keep choosing their children over their country, because decent people, when forced into that cruel choice, always put love of family above love of flag.

The real question isnt why Americans wont buy American. Its why America wont pay Americans enough to afford American-made goods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

John Mac Ghlionn is a writer and researcher who explores culture, society and the impact of technology on daily life.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Aug. 23It was a little ironic that Texas Democrats came to New Mexico last month to wallow and wail about congressional redistricting.

After all, state District Judge Fred Van Soelen found in October 2022 the New Mexico Republican Party and other plaintiffs  that included Roswell Mayor Tim Jennings, a Democrat  had made a "strong, well-developed case that (New Mexico's new congressional map) is a partisan gerrymander created in an attempt to dilute Republican votes in congressional races in New Mexico."

However, the Clovis judge ruled the radically different map that upended decades of political balance and the tradition of north-south oriented congressional districts didn't violate our state Constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The congressional map adopted by New Mexico House and Senate Democrats in a special session in December 2021 also ignored months of work by a newly created Citizen Redistricting Committee that was designed to limit partisan influence over the drawing of political boundaries. The Citizen Redistricting Committee, chaired by retired New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward Chavez, presented three proposed congressional maps for state lawmakers to consider, none of which were adopted because the redistricting commission's recommendations weren't binding.

The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the new congressional map and ended the state's tradition of having a heavily Democratic northern district that included Santa Fe, another based in Albuquerque that leaned Democratic but was within reach of Republicans, and a third rooted in southern New Mexico that leaned Republican but was within reach of Democrats.

Our high court said the redistricting plan enacted by Democratic state lawmakers succeeded in substantially diluting votes of their political opponents, but that the changes fell short of "egregious" gerrymandering.

Somehow, carving the most conservative region of New Mexico into three congressional districts, dividing Hobbs between two congressional districts and Chaves County between three, and splitting Albuquerque in two was less than "egregious" to our Supreme Court justices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the gerrymandering squabble made a lot of news in New Mexico, it didn't rise to the national level, in part because New Mexico Republicans didn't flee the state to block a vote. It wouldn't have done any good, anyway. The New Mexico House and Senate require only a majority of members elected to reach quorums, whereas the Texas House requires two-thirds.

The delegation of seven Texas House Democrats met July 29 with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham behind closed doors to build alliances with high-profile "friends." The governor, who signed our gerrymandered congressional map into law in December 2021, had to feel like the cat who ate the canary during the hour-plus meeting.

"After meeting with Texas lawmakers today, I share their concerns about redistricting and the assault on fair representation," the governor had the gall to say. "These dedicated state legislators are understandably doing everything possible to remind states everywhere that this isn't how democracy is supposed to work."

Well, it's how Democrats practiced democracy in New Mexico in 2021, although admittedly it wasn't a mid-decade redistricting like Texas Republicans are attempting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I was in the bubble of a nakedly partisan gerrymandering decades ago as an intern in the Indiana House of Representatives. Democrats, who held a slim majority in the Indiana House in 1991 and who occupied eight of Indiana's 10 congressional seats at the time, hired a mathematician from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to redraw Indiana's legislative and congressional maps. He worked in a private room right down the hall from my office and his door was always closed and locked.

However, as an intern, I could go see him on behalf of one of the House Democrats for whom I worked and ask for the latest maps. To say the process was secretive would be an understatement. Only Democratic interns and top House Democrats knew what was going on behind the MIT guy's door on a daily basis. His maps would ultimately be adopted in a bitterly divided second special session that poisoned the political well in Indiana for years to come. Sound familiar to New Mexico?

Redistricting commissions, formed to keep like-minded communities together, prioritize communities of interest, protect marginalized groups, and not favor political parties or incumbents, just haven't worked.

For example, California Democrats held a 34-19 majority over Republicans in the U.S. House after the 2010 election. In 2012, the first election using congressional maps drawn by a newly formed California Citizens Redistricting Commission, California Democrats increased their margin in the U.S. House to 38-15.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Today, of California's 52 House members, 43 are Democrats and nine are Republicans.

Now, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants more. He is encouraging a voter referendum in November that would allow California legislators to override their state's nonpartisan redistricting commission and redraw congressional maps mid-decade. However, it's going to take some gerrymandering gymnastics for California Democrats to improve upon a 43-9 majority.

Of Illinois' 17 House members, 14 are Democrats and three are Republicans. There's not much more Illinois Democrats can do to tip the scales.

All 21 of New England's U.S. House seats are held by Democrats. There's nothing more New England and New Mexico legislators can do to add congressional Democrats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gerrymandering has completely shut out Republicans in several states. Democrats hold every U.S. House seat in the multi-member states of Connecticut (5-0), Hawaii (2-0), Maine (2-0), Massachusetts (9-0), New Hampshire (2-0), New Mexico (3-0), and Rhode Island (2-0).

To be fair, GOP gerrymandering has shut out Democrats in several states, too. Republicans hold every U.S. House seat in the multi-member states of Arkansas (4-0), Idaho (2-0), Iowa (4-0), Nebraska (3-0), Montana (2-0), Oklahoma (5-0), Utah (4-0) and West Virginia (2-0).

Now, Republicans in Texas and elsewhere are trying to catch up on gerrymandering in an unusual mid-decade redistricting.

It would appear we are entering a gerrymandering arms race. Republicans are much better positioned because Democrats have over recent decades already expended most of their gerrymandering ammo for political gain.

Jeff Tucker is a former Opinion editor of the Albuquerque Journal and a member of the Journal Editorial Board. He may be emailed at jtucker@abqjournal.com.
Aug. 23Switching to public power is no panacea

Stephen Fischmann's endorsement of public control of PNM ("New Mexico should use permanent funds to buy PNM," Aug. 17 Sunday Journal) should be met with deep skepticism. The battle between private and public power has persisted for more than 100 years. The combatants on one side like Fischmann want more government involvement for different reasons  local control (sometimes labeled "energy democracy"), lower rates, advancement of a sustainable energy agenda, social justice and so forth. More broadly, some in this group mistrust corporate power and capitalism in general  for example, profits just fill the pockets of Wall Street and serve no social purpose.

The combatants on the other side oppose government overreach in operating an electric power system  public ownership means cronyism, misconduct and waste. Governments can't even adequately provide basic services; how can we then trust them to run a complex power system that requires sophisticated technical skills when politics will dominate their decisions?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In my opinion, these polarized views distract from the real issue. The nature of political debates these days is that each side distorts reality to accommodate their agenda. Taking a position on public power should come only after understanding how different each class of utility behaves, which depends on the incentives and constraints they face. For example, the evidence points to public entities setting prices that maximize their political support, rather than consumer welfare.

My main conclusion: Switching to public power, or even studying it, would miserably fail a cost-benefit test by being the wrong solution to whatever problem advocates of public power claim to exist. I would therefore outright reject switching from private to public power as a viable policy action to grapple with whatever problem its advocates identify: It is extremely costly and arduous.

Kenneth Costello

Santa Fe

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Public utility would benefit state residents

I am writing this letter in support of the column by Stephen Fischmann published in the Aug. 17 Sunday Journal: "New Mexico should use permanent funds to buy PNM."

In that column, Fischmann mentioned that the world's largest private equity firm, Blackstone, is currently in negotiations to purchase the parent company TXNM energy. Apropos this possible acquisition, the journalist Matt Taibbi famously described the investment bank Goldman Sachs as "a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money." The same description applies to Blackstone only multiplied tenfold. No private equity fund should be allowed anywhere near a public utility, which is bound by law to operate in the public interest. That is not how private equity works.

The best way to assure that Public Service Company of New Mexico operates in the public interest is to have it owned and operated by the public. The precedent for this already exists in the form of rural electricity cooperatives. The model works, and the people of New Mexico should take the bold step of adopting it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Robert Goldstein

Albuquerque

Leniency for driver will cause unsafe roads

A reckless driver plows into a highway work site, killing a construction worker and fleeing the scene. This guy gets off with an 18 month suspended sentence followed by probation  not even a felony conviction ("Driver sentenced in the death of highway worker," page A4 of the Aug. 19 Journal). There is no mention of revoking or suspending the offender's driver's license.

This extreme leniency sends a clear message that dangerous motorists have carte blanche to speed blithely along, putting lives at risk. The judge and attorneys who agreed to this travesty ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Janet Goldstein

Socorro

Protecting the CDC shouldn't be political

As a family practice physician, I have relied for decades on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help my patients live healthier lives. Their evidence-based information has guided me in recommending vaccination schedules, alerting families to outbreaks across the country and advising travelers on how to stay safe abroad. The CDC's research allows me to provide timely, accurate and life-saving advice.

That is why I am disturbed by the recent attacks on this vital institution. The shooting at the CDC building, the disbanding of the vaccine advisory board and the firing of experienced clinicians are not just assaults on an agency  they are assaults on the health of every American. Equally troubling are the slashing of budgets for the CDC, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation; the abrupt termination of scientific grants; and the misinformation coming from Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These changes will make it increasingly difficult for physicians like me to provide quality care. More broadly, they threaten the overall health of our society. Science and medicine cannot flourish when research is defunded, expertise is dismissed and evidence is drowned out by misinformation.

I urge my patients, my colleagues and all members of our community to speak up about these draconian changes before it is too late to reverse them. Protecting the integrity of the CDC and other scientific institutions is not a political issue  it is a matter of public health, safety and trust.

Frank Lonergan, MD

Albuquerque

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Giving to panhandlers perpetuates problem

Having just spent a week on the East Coast, it was so refreshing to see the absence of panhandlers on city street corners. No one had their hand out for money. I was never approached in parking lots by someone claiming they ran out of gas, and could I just give them a few dollars to help get them get on their way? Upon returning home, the reality of the omnipresent panhandlers on nearly every corner hit me front and center. We have a major problem here in Albuquerque with panhandling, but it is solvable.

The reason panhandlers are out there on street corners in this heat, or in the cold during winter months begging for money, is because it is profitable for them. Enough well-intentioned Albuquerqueans roll their windows down and give them a few bucks, and in doing so we make it worth their while to stay out there with their hands out. We are perpetuating the problem.

Those of us who do this have the misconception that we are making their day by helping them, when in reality we are only enabling their dependency. I urge you to please resist the temptation to give them anything short of a burrito or a bottle of water. Instead, donate to a nonprofit that provides services for these folks, as it is much more effective and your dollars will go way further. If everyone, and I mean everyone, quit giving them money, the problem would go away. It's really a very simple fix.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Robert Ferguson

Albuquerque

Theater of the absurd in Texas and California

In the 1960s I was a fan of the theater of the absurd. This genre presented plays that brought ideas to the absurd level to illustrate the absurdity of those ideas.

An example of this genre was Eugene Ionesco's "Rhinoceros." In this play people allow themselves to be turned into rhinoceroses because others are turning into rhinoceroses and they are afraid of not conforming.

Ionesco grew up in Romania as the Nazi Party was gaining power and he saw rational people turning into Nazis.

Well, thank you Texas and California politicians for illustrating the absurdity of allowing politicians to draw their own districts. Maybe now people in New Mexico and elsewhere will recognize this absurdity and demand independent redistricting commissions.

Richard Mason

Rio Rancho
Recently, President Trump issued an executive order entitled Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry. Its text suggests that the real title should be Making commercial space great again.

Ars Technica has a good rundown about what the executive order is intended to do. It is intended to accomplish three things.

First, it instructs Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who happens to also be the interim NASA administrator, to streamline or even eliminate environmental and other regulations related to space launches. The idea is to accelerate launch license approval.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The provision is of particular interest to Elon Musks SpaceX. The company has been busy developing its Starship rocket by testing it, noting how the test failed, using the failure to enhance the rocket for the next test, and repeating.

Unfortunately, government regulations have compelled the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct exhaustive accident investigations that have taken weeks, even months, before SpaceX is allowed to fly again.

The situation has been a source of constant frustration, especially since the Human Landing System version of Starship is crucial for returning astronauts to the lunar surface before the Chinese get there.

Next, the executive order will eliminate duplicative reviews for spaceport development. It will also limit state regulators ability to enforce rules concerning the operation of space ports particularly relevant for the California Coastal Commissions efforts to interfere with SpaceX operations at Vandenburg Space Force Base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Finally, it will give the Commerce Department authority to oversee what is referred to as novel space activities. These activities can be everything from asteroid mining to space-based manufacturing.

The executive order should expand the number and cadence of space launches in the United States, creating wealth and jobs as well as lowering costs for both government and private customers. Important to an administration whose slogan is America first, the order should make American space launch providers more attractive than foreign providers.

As beneficial as the executive order is, it does have its critics.

The environmental lobby is especially irate. Jared Margolis, a senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, issued a statement to Ars Technica, saying the reckless order puts people and wildlife at risk from private companies launching giant rockets that often explode and wreak devastation on surrounding areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A piece in Gizmodo noted that environmental groups have sued the FAA previously when the SpaceX super heavy rocket Starship suffered a mishap that damaged a surrounding wildlife habitat, claiming the regulatory agencys oversight of commercial space launches was inadequate. Even so, SpaceX fixed the specific problem in that case, which has not since recurred.

The easiest way to protect the surrounding environment at the SpaceX launch facility at Starbase would be to shut it down and not launch anymore. Since that is not an option if the U.S. is to remain a space power, a balance has to be found between developing the SpaceX Starship and protecting the environment. The Trump executive order is an attempt to do just that.

Unfortunately, after the executive order is fully implemented, the environmental groups who have been incensed at giant rockets being tested are not going to accept things as they are. They are going to run to the courts.

Injunctions, appeals, and appeals of the appeals, will follow as night follows day. Once again, months will be added between tests of launch vehicles like the Starship as litigation proceeds apace, grinding its way slowly through the court system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Congress can step in by passing legislation that codifies the need to balance the requirements for a vibrant space launch industry and protection of the environment.

The Kennedy Space Center is next to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Yet NASA was able to launch men from it to the moon, operate the space shuttle, serve as a commercial spaceport and preserve that refuge without jumping through legal and regulatory hoops. Commercial space ports like SpaceXs Star Base can do likewise if allowed to.

Had the kind of environmental litigation that has bedeviled the development of SpaceXs Starship existed in the 1960s, NASA would not have beaten the Soviets to the moon. If things are allowed to continue as they are, we may not beat the Chinese back to the moon, with all that implies  which Eric Berger at Ars Technica now thinks is likely.

Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled  Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?  as well as  The Moon, Mars and Beyond  and, most recently,  Why is America Going Back to the Moon?  He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, resumed their 'Voter Adhikaar Yatra' on its eighth day in Bihar's Purnea district on Sunday. The two leaders rode motorcycles during the 'Yatra', which seeks to highlight alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The Yatra will pass through Panchmukhi Mandir, Forbesganj Road, Hope Hospital Chowk, Rambagh, Kasba Bazaar, and Zero Mile before reaching Araria, where Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, CPI (ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, and Vikassheel Insaan Party founder Mukesh Sahani are scheduled to address a press conference at 11.30 am. On Saturday, while addressing supporters in Katihar, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of "manipulating institutions" and "media" to hide the voices of the poors. Raising the slogan "Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd," the Congress leader told the gathering, "This is not your media. 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd'. Now watch TV in the evening. You will not see this slogan. You will not see it anywhere. You will not see this crowd because this is a crowd of poor people. It is a crowd of labourers, a crowd of farmers...We must not let votes be stolen." Tejashwi Yadav, speaking at the same event, launched an attack on the BJP-led Centre over corruption. "So far, these officers and the corrupt government have taken Rs 4,000 crore only for getting residential certificates and caste certificates. The people of the BJP will use this money in elections. That is why corruption is increasing continuously," Yadav said. He added, "We will work to give a corruption-free, crime-free government." The 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', covering 1,300 km across 20 districts, has been launched by the Opposition parties in protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which they claim is an attempt at vote chori (vote theft). The march will conclude in Patna on September 1. Bihar Assembly elections are due later this year, though the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced the schedule yet. (ANI)
One of President Trumps latest executive orders aims to attack states powers to file climate cases against oil companies. It is more than just an environmental setback  it is a direct assault on states ability to hold polluters accountable.

At a time when rising seas, raging wildfires and record-breaking heat make the climate crisis impossible to ignore  last year alone was the hottest on record  the presidents move aims to cut off one of the few legal avenues left for demanding corporate responsibility in contributing to the climate crisis.

However, in an ironic twist, a new front in the climate fight may emerge  not from environmental champions, but from many of the Republican attorneys general who have long ignored the reality of climate change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Across several states, Republican attorneys general led by Texass Ken Paxton (R), have launched a lawsuit against major asset managers such as BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard, alleging antitrust violations tied to their environmental, social and governance or ESG investment practices. As far-fetched as it may sound, these lawsuits accuse the financial giants of investing in coal companies as part of a conspiracy to restrict coal production, which would lead to higher prices and make coal less attractive to end consumers.

Their goal is clear: to intimidate asset managers and others in finance out of climate-conscious investing.

Yet these lawsuits may have an unintended consequence, opening a legal window into the inner workings of the coal industry.

At the heart of their legal argument is that asset managers colluded with coal companies to restrict coal production, meaning the coal firms themselves are likely to be directly pulled into the case through the discovery process. And discovery will finally put sunlight on the coal companies own internal communications, dark-money funding efforts and strategy memos, among other materials. The findings will provide a solid road map outlining the coal companies decades-long efforts to obstruct the energy transition, fund climate disinformation and pressure regulators to maintain the status quo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although we have had some snapshots into their tactics, environmentalists have long suspected that the true depth of fossil fuel industry interference in addressing climate change goes far deeper than what has been reported. Now, litigation intended to punish climate-minded investors might help prove it.

If these lawsuits move forward, they will hopefully expose the very tactics that have kept America hooked on outdated and polluting energy sources. Transparency, even when born of political theater, can be a powerful accelerant for public pressure and future legal accountability.

To be clear, this is no reason to cheer on this latest chapter in the Republican Partys shortsighted crusade against sustainable investing. The attacks on ESG principles are regressive and rooted in political posturing, even if most voters think they are folly. But amid the wreckage of Trumps climate rollback, there is a glimmer of possibility. Sometimes the most unexpected cracks in the system let the truth shine through.

Trump may be trying to protect polluters from liability through his legally questionable executive orders, but some of his partys own lawsuits could actually help expose them instead. For climate advocates, its a reminder: the fight for our planet will be waged in legislatures, courtrooms and, occasionally, in the very legal battles meant to undermine it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Michael Dorsey, Ph.D., is a member of the Club of Rome and a former board member for the Sierra Club. Pallavi Phartiyal, Ph.D., is vice president of programs, policy and advocacy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
After watching Americas small business innovation programs get gamed by foreign adversaries and corporate welfare recipients, Ive seen enough. The Small Business Innovation Research program was designed to fund the next generation of American innovators; the engineers in garages across America, the defense tech startups, the genuine small businesses with breakthrough ideas. Instead, were subsidizing research that ends up in Beijing while a handful of SBIR mills pocket hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.

Sen. Joni Ernsts (R-Iowa) recently released report exposes the stunning scope of this problem: six of the 25 programs largest recipients had clear links to China yet still received nearly $180 million from the Pentagon in 2023 and 2024 and this is after due diligence systems were supposedly in place. Meanwhile, the top 20 SBIR mills  companies consuming the programs resources  have received $3.4 billion in Phase I and II contracts, often producing little more than policy white papers. Meanwhile genuine American, 1 a.m. in the garage startups struggle to get funding or wade through the bureaucracy.

This isnt just waste  this is a national security crisis masquerading as an innovation development difficulty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

From my work with defense technology companies, I have witnessed this dysfunction firsthand. Foreign-backed entities arrive with sophisticated applications, complex education, prior knowledge and professional-grade documentation thats completely disproportionate to their supposed startup status. They represent themselves as small American companies despite being connected to vast international networks, carefully structuring ownership just below detection thresholds.

Meanwhile, the actual American innovators  the four-person garage band of knuckle-bangers with genuine breakthroughs  face an impossible maze of paperwork and competition from entities with unlimited backing. The program has become the opposite of what Congress intended. It is corporate welfare for the connected and well-funded, instead of innovation fuel for emerging American businesses.

Beijing has weaponized Americas open innovation system against us. China announced a $138 billion government-backed venture fund in March 2025, specifically targeting quantum and AI startups, areas where Small Business Innovation Research funding has been substantial. The state-led, enterprise-driven model allows Chinese entities to bid strategically for U.S. intellectual property while American companies face market constraints.

The pattern of self-allowed subjugation of our technology is clear: foreign entities use American partners as nominal owners, develop technology with U.S. taxpayer funding, then commercialize innovations overseas. We are literally funding our own technological displacement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ernsts Innovate Act addresses these problems with targeted reforms that the program desperately needs.

It ends corporate welfare. The bill establishes lifetime caps on how much Small Business Innovation Research program funding each company, including affiliates and subsidiaries, can receive. No more companies creating new limited liability corporations every few years to circumvent limits while genuine startups get frozen out.

It also stops foreign exploitation. The legislation creates consistent due diligence standards across all federal agencies, requires comprehensive disclosure of funding sources and decision-making authority, and implements a 10-year lookback period to catch historical relationships that current rules miss.

It also protects American intellectual property. Perhaps most importantly, the bill includes 10-year clawback provisions for intellectual property sales to countries of concern. If federally funded research ends up benefiting adversaries, taxpayers can recover their investment, with penalties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It provides real accountability. The reforms focus the programs funding on companies actually producing commercially viable technology for American markets, not endless research that never leaves the lab.

This isnt partisan politics, its basic competence. When China is spending $55 billion on research and development in 2025 while were letting our innovation programs get exploited, every month of delay costs America competitive advantage.

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs expire on Sept. 30. Congress has a narrow window to implement these critical reforms before reauthorization becomes more of a crisis than our innovation units. Ernst is actively negotiating bipartisan support, but time is running short to get the Innovate Act passed.

We dont need another study or another hearing. Ernsts report provides the evidence. The Innovate Act provides a solution. What we need is congressional action before the programs expire in five weeks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

American innovation built the modern world, but only when we funded actual Americans.

The Innovate Act ensures taxpayer dollars fuel American job creation, American commercialization and American competitive advantage.

Its time to stop funding Chinas Golden Age and start securing our own.

Tyler Beaver is principal at Executive Strategies, a Washington-based firm working with defense technology companies and small businesses navigating federal programs.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
When a government starts deciding which stories museums can tell, it is not protecting history. It is rewriting it.

When the Trump White House announced its plans to review the Smithsonian (which includes 21 museums, research centers, an arboretum and a zoo), that statement, to some, may have sounded bureaucratic or even harmless. It is neither. When governments police museums, they are not simply policing exhibitions. They are policing imagination itself.

Philippe de Montebello, an art curator who previously directed the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 31 years, once called museums the memory of mankind. If that is true, then to manipulate museums is to manipulate who we believe we are. Control the memory and you control the future.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This countrys story has always been a contradiction. Slavery alongside freedom. Erasure alongside invention. Art carries what is too heavy for language to hold. And museums, at their best, give us the full picture rather than the flattering one. That independence is not ornamental. It is as vital to democracy as the freedom of the press.

History shows us what happens when governments demand that museums perform loyalty. Nazi Germany weaponized them. So did the Soviet Union.

Federal interference in cultural and civic life has a long precedent. When President Woodrow Wilson took office in 1913, he systematically resegregated federal workplaces that had been integrated since Reconstruction and sidelined or dismissed Black employees, calling such moves beneficial and in the best interest of both races. But not only did he impose segregation in federal government offices, the Smithsonian Institute Archives reports Wilson pressured the institution to impose Jim Crow but that its partial autonomy from the federal government allowed it to resist these pressures.

In 1929, during Herbert Hoovers administration, that partial autonomy gave two Smithsonian commissioners, the Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes Jr. of the Washington Cathedral and Dr. Emmett J. Scott of Howard University, just enough meaningful space to resist the Jim Crow restrictions established by Wilson and bring in American Negro Artists, a traveling exhibition of 51 works by 27 Black painters and sculptors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even so, to protect white patrons sensibilities, American Negro Artists was relegated to a dimly lit foyer. Yet, its impact was profound. By centering Black artistry, the show subtly challenged prevailing racial hierarchies and asserted that African American culture belonged in the national story. Thousands attended, with African American visitors making up the majority, which proved that even under constraints, museums can expand public imagination and reshape political narratives. Indeed, when left free to follow scholarship rather than political mood, museums can expand imagination, challenge hierarchies and strengthen democracy.

Constraining museums does not protect the public. It impoverishes us. In 1995, the Smithsonians Enola Gay exhibition was gutted after political backlash over its depiction of the human cost of the atomic bomb. In 2010, Congress pressured the institution to alter its groundbreaking LGBTQ+ exhibition Hide/Seek. Now, the Trump administration wants to impose Americanism as a litmus test. The word may sound patriotic to some people, but its meant to function like a leash.

I know this pressure personally. In July, I announced my decision to keep my exhibition American Sublime from being installed at the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery after the attempted censorship of my painting Trans Forming Liberty, which presents the Statue of Liberty as a Black trans woman. The gallery informed me that it had concerns about that painting.

Trans Forming Liberty" by Amy Sherald. (Kelvin Bulluck / Amy Sherald)

As I said in a statement at the time, While no single person is to blame, its clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role. This painting exists to hold space for someone whose humanity has been politicized and disregarded. I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Though a spokesperson from the Smithsonian disputed my claim that my work was being policed, multiple incidents since then  including mentions of Trumps impeachments being removed from an exhibit on presidential impeachments and his complaint last week that the Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL and focuses too much on how bad Slavery was  help make my point. It became clear during my exchanges with the gallery how quickly curatorial independence collapses when politics enters the room.

Imagine if your own family history were edited this way. Imagine if someone erased moments from your life simply because they provoked discomfort. That is what happens when politics rewrite museum walls. Memory itself becomes conditional.

This is not about wall text or gallery placement. It is about whether we protect our collective capacity to imagine. When governments control imagination, they control possibility. Once that is lost, democracy has already surrendered more than it realizes.

Museums are not stages for loyalty. They are civic laboratories. They are places where we wrestle with contradictions, encounter the unfamiliar and widen our circle of empathy. But only if they remain free.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If they do not, we lose more than exhibitions. We lose the public spaces where imagination takes a stand against power. And when that happens, the stories we inherit and the futures we can envision will no longer be our own.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to live in a police state?

Well, you can check that box off your bucket list.

Were there.

This week demonstrates that dire truth to a degree predicted by few if any of those who warned of what Trump would do should he return to office. I know. Last summer, I participated in a series of scenario exercises about what a second Trump Administration would look like. It was a process involving a broad range of former senior U.S. government officials and experts.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media wearing a hat that reads,

While the general thrust of Trumps authoritarian power grab was predicted, the scope of what Trump has actually done was not anticipated nor was the lack of resistance to his actions. Indeed, many of those present, some quite well known, pooh-poohed the idea Trump would go so far.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I truly hope they are tortured with regret. Because it is underestimating the inherent malevolence of Trump on his revenge tour that has gotten us to where we are today.

This past week has contained so many examples of steps the Trump Administration has taken to transform our government into a weapon designed to serve their grievances, hatreds and fears that it is hard for the casual observer to track them all. Indeed, after seven months, it is clear that approach is a central part of the regimes strategy. Relentless infringements on rights, attacks on the law, restructuring of the government to attack rather than serve the people are perpetrated daily.

Gretchen Smith Bolton, wife of the former White House national security adviser John Bolton, stands in front of Bolton's house as it was searched by FBI members on Friday. / Tasos Katopodis/Reuters

Think back to the past few days.

We have seen the MAGA occupation of Washington, D.C. expand. Red states have surged national guard troops into the nations capital. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered that many of those troops be armed. J.D. Vance and Stephen Miller held a press event at Union Station celebrating the invasion of the city as a bold step to fight crimeeven though crime rates in the city have fallen. Donald Trump went on a ride along himself and then promised Chicago would be next on the list of blue cities that would face an illegal red invasion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton saw his home and office raided by the FBI. The administration of the president who kept classified documents stored in a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago asserted that it was because Bolton may have mishandled secret materials himself. But everyone knew better. Bolton was a critic of Trump, being targeted just like so many othersfrom James Comey to John Brennan to Miles Taylor to Olivia Troyehave been harassed and targeted.

Dozens of former senior officials have seen their security clearances stripped away, more this week at the behest of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Indeed, all critics of Trump are targets. The head of the Defense Intelligence Agency was fired by Secretary of Defense Hegseth this week. His apparent crime? Overseeing an agency that let the truth be known about the failure of Trumps vaunted bombing mission against Iran to achieve the results of which Trump had prematurely boasted.

In New York, attorney general Letitia James has been harassed by Ed Martin, the Department of Justice official whose job it is to pervert the mechanisms of our legal system, to torment those who have stood up to Trump and told the truth about him. The degree to which DoJ has been retooled into a Department of Retribution is clear on many levels. While the blame for this lies heavily with the Supreme Court which cleared the way for this in a devastatingly misguided ruling last year, look to the hostility to the principles on which our legal system was built of those now in charge of it.

Trump claimed this week that he was the nations chief law enforcement officer. Attorney General Pam Bondi did not challenge this despite the fact that she by statute holds that distinction. Meanwhile, conspiracy theorist turned FBI Director Kash Patel announced that his agency would redirect its focus away from many of the complex cases it once addressed so it could support a more Trumpian agenda. In that vein, it was also announced that the requirements for joining the FBI would be relaxed. The move mimicked a similar initiative by ICE.

President Trump with Pam Bondi (third from right) and Kash Patel (second from right), at the August 11 press conference where he announced his DC takeover. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Why lower standards? Given the directions of the agencies involved it can only be concluded that these are DEI programs for the kind of white supremacist, right-wing extremist thugs that are needed to fulfill Trumps vision of a national police force serving as his muscle, to enforce his will.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Once upon a time in Germany, the police forces of Prussia were put under unified leadership loyal to the new ruling partys leader and instructed to go after his political enemies, as well as those from ethnic groups deemed undesirable. The new organization was called the Geheime Staatspolizei, a name that was shortened to Gestapo.

No one can watch the masked thugs that patrol American streets today, men who refuse to identify themselves or their organizations, who regularly violate the legal rights of those they are victimizing, who send people without due process to modern day concentration camps and hellhole prisons around the world and not be reminded of Hitlers enforcers or Stalins or those in any other dictatorship. Their contempt for judges, the judiciary and the rule of lawheard again this week from Trump and Bondionly underscores the fact that we now live in a country in which the rule of one man, one mob, is pushing aside any semblance of the judicial values that once at least ostensibly guided this country.

The average observer might have been distracted by such actions by other events of the week just pastthe decision by the state of Texas to try to rig future elections, the announcement that the administration would try to rewrite American history as it is presented in our national museums, the announcement of the review of the legal status of the 55 million people who hold visas in our country.

Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump on April 19, 2025, in Cocoa, Florida. / Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / Getty Images

But rather than be boggled by it all, it is important that people see the connections between each and every one of these actionsall clearly part of an authoritarian agenda that is gaining momentum and impact daily.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The assaults on our system, values and citizens have become so incessant that it has become impossible to rationalize them all, for the media to normalize what is going on, or for the Democratic Party establishment to just write strongly-worded letters about each instance of the demolition of our democracy.

Which raises the question, what is to be done? Can anything be done? In the short term, the answer must be to use what tools remain to fight backeven at the risk of becoming the targets of the next wave of retribution. Use the courts. Speak out. Take to the streets. Record the actions of the administrations thugs and share the videos of what is happening. Work hard to try to maintain enough of democracy to regain some control of some aspects of our government as soon as possible.

And when that control is achieved, do not make the mistake of the last administration, of pundits or experts who took this threat too lightly. There must be consequences. Those who seized and warped and debased our system must pay a price for it. The illegality of their actions must be met with real penalties or they will take it as acceptance of such tactics and the American experiment in democracy will be permanently over.

Isnt that just another form of retribution, you might ask? But the answer is no. There is another word for it if we do what is right in a way that is consistent with our laws and our true national interests. And that is justice.
Orange County commissioners will question Visit Orlando budget during upcoming meeting

During its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Orange County leaders are expected to question Visit Orlando about how the organization spends it $100 million annual budget. Some of those questions will come from documents Visit Orlando says are inaccurate.

The team that created those documents said it took them two weeks to go through Visit Orlandos expenses, and they did it because they think Visit Orlando is getting too much money.

You have too much money on the balance sheet and so thats another concern that we have, Tom Callan said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The father-son team of Matt and Tom Callan made the report from data on Visit Orlando they obtained from Orange Countys previous audit. They say it shows improper spending on luxury items and unauthorized lobbying that they want the county to crack down on.

Visit Orlando leaders say the teams reports are riddled with errors, but they havent yet produced specifics to counter the Callans math.

However, they did say items categorized as lobbying actually arent, and items categorized as waste are the cost of doing business.

We look at opportunities when our budget is growing. Are there new markets? Is there new market share to get for our community?, said Visit Orlando CEO Cassandra Menaj.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its contributing to the $95 billion per year that tourism pours into Central Florida, lowering tax bills, they say, by $7,000 per household.

Were ready to get back to our focus and our mission, which is to drive visitation for the benefit of this community, Menaj said.

The Callans say theyre doing what county leaders shouldve done a long time ago by putting independent eyes on Visit Orlandos budget.

Visit Orlando appears it would do just as well with the results at $75 million versus $108 million, and thats kind of the point were making., Callan said.

Visit Orlando leaders say they see this as a chance to be transparent and show theyre adjusting based on the recommendations of Orange Countys audit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Callan is Commissioner Mayra Uribes personal attorney and the attorney and board chair of her husbands charity.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A male killer whale at a closed marine zoo is being sexually stimulated by his trainers to stop him inbreeding with his mother.

Marineland Antibes shut in January but managers, the French government and animal rights activists have not agreed on where or how the orcas should be rehomed.

The closure comes ahead of a French law taking effect in December, which bans the use of whales in marine zoo shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The impasse means the pair - Wikie, 24, and her 11-year-old son Keijo - are still being kept in their pools and being cared for by their trainers at the facility in southern France.

Last week the activist group TideBreakers obtained overhead footage showing two trainers standing at the edge of a pool next to Keijo as he lies upside down.

One trainer holds on to a flipper as the other stimulates the whale, who can be seen writhing about in the water.

Wikie can be seen in an adjacent pool facing towards where her son is being held. Keeping them in separate pools permanently is considered harmful to their wellbeing as orcas are sociable animals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The footage was taken on 12 August and managers at Marineland tell BBC News the action was necessary as Keijo is reaching adolescence and has increasingly strong sexual urges.

"In order to avoid inbreeding with his mother, but also to prevent them from fighting and injuring each other, Marineland decided to sexually stimulate Keijo [to relieve him of his] tensions."

Managers add: "Although spectacular, this is natural and totally painless for the animals."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The French ecology ministry, which must approve where the orcas are rehomed, say they were informed by Marineland that Keijo is being stimulated once a month and that a veterinary expert has been consulted about the process.

Valerie Greene, a member of TideBreakers who worked at SeaWorld Orlando for a decade, tells us the stimulation of Keijo for sexual relief is unusual.

"As a former killer whale trainer, I've never seen this behaviour performed for anything other than attempting semen collection for use in artificial insemination."

Wikie, swimming with Keijo in 2011, needs to be moved out of Marineland Antibes [AFP]

Female orcas kept captive in marine zoos can be artificially inseminated to breed more calves, which can later be used to attract more visitors and perform in shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This was quite common until the last decade when laws were passed in countries, including France and the US, banning several breeding practices.

However, breeding laws in Japan are less strict and activists believe marine zoo managers there may be interested in purchasing orca semen after the country's only male orca, Earth, died on 3 August.

'Perverse new low'

Just over a week after his death, Marineland's trainers were seen stimulating Keijo.

Greene adds: "Keijo is inbred, so it's even more concerning that his semen might be used for breeding of captive orcas." Keijo's mother and father are half-siblings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Managers at Marineland deny this was why Keijo was stimulated. They add the sale of semen is prohibited and any export would need authorisation from the French government.

The French ecology ministry say Marineland have also told them there is no intention to collect and export orca semen for breeding purposes.

"Regardless of the reasoning, it's sad that this is a priority when Keijo desperately needs to be rescued because his environment is unsafe," says Greene.

"The notion that trainers are providing sexual relief to an orca... is a perverse new low in the captivity industry's morally bankrupt practices."

How did we get here?

November 2024: Ecology minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher rejects an application from Marineland to move the orcas to a marine zoo in Japan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

January 2025: Marineland Antibes holds its last show before closing down. Activist groups call for the orcas to be moved to a proposed whale sanctuary in Canada, but this is rejected by the ecology ministry.

February 2025: Pannier-Runacher releases a video on Instagram saying she would speak to colleagues in Spain, Italy and Greece about creating a European sanctuary together.

April 2025: An application to move the orcas to Loro Parque is made - something Pannier-Runacher describes as a temporary measure - but it is rejected by Spanish scientific authorities in April.

Since then there have been no significant developments as to where the pair might end up and no European sanctuary site has been developed for them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There have also been mounting concerns about the conditions at Marineland and whether it is safe for Wikie and Keijo to remain there.

Two weeks ago Pannier-Runacher released another Instagram video in which she tried to allay fears about the orcas' welfare and said regular inspections of the pools were taking place.

Katheryn Wise, wildlife campaign manager at the charity World Animal Protection, who has been monitoring the situation, tells us: "It is fair to say that the passivity of the French government when it comes to enabling alternatives for these animals, and communicating with organisations involved in developing professional sanctuary alternatives, is insufficient and is leading to unnecessary delays [in rehoming them]."

Rehoming animals after the closure of a zoo is often difficult, particularly for larger animals which require bigger facilities and higher levels of care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When Living Coasts, a marine zoo in Devon, announced its closure in 2020, managers warned they might have to euthanise animals for whom they could not find new homes. Eventually places were found for all of them.

After Orsa Predator Park in Sweden shut in 2022, some of their polar bears did not find new homes until the following year. Two of the bears were transported to Suffolk but one died shortly after arriving.

Following a request by a French court, an expert assessment is being carried out of Marineland's facilities and whether the orcas, and a dozen dolphins also still housed there, should be moved.

The French ecology ministry told us: "A task force set up by the ministry is working, under the aegis of the environment ambassador Barbara Pompili, to define a coordinated strategy at the European level for the care of orcas and dolphins, particularly those at Marineland."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For Marketa Schusterova, a videographer who co-founded TideBreakers, the situation for Wikie and Keijo is bleak.

She says: "We have been advocating for a temporary tank to be built and expedited until a sanctuary is ready, but we're worried that we are past that point. Time is running out."

More Weekend Picks
CRESSON, Pa.  Mount Aloysius College nursing student Trinity Henry received an upgrade in housing for her junior year, and shes thrilled  not only because of the space, but also because she views the new home as a potential springboard for her post-graduation life, she said.

Instead of a typical residence hall like some of her classmates, Henry and three other suite-mates are now living in a new modular unit at Laurel Woods, a community development located across Admiral Peary Highway from the Cresson-area school.

I walked in and my jaw dropped, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She was overwhelmed by the size of the two-bedroom home complete with a full kitchen, living room and laundry furnished by the Mount. Henry said she thought living off-campus her junior and senior year would be enjoyable, but what the college has provided her is beyond expectations, she added.

Mount Aloysius College | College Enrollment

Mount Aloysius College junior nursing student Trinity Henry, of Shirleysburg, stands near one of the school's new modular off-campus housing units at Laurel Woods, a community development, in Cresson on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

She was one of more than two dozen upperclassmen at Mount Aloysius who moved into the six off-campus housing units for the 2025-26 term, which starts Monday, as college officials work to accommodate growing enrollment that has led to a lack of space in residence halls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were overflowing with students, Mount Aloysius President John McKeegan said.

Mount Aloysius Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life Jacob Yale worked with Laurel Woods to expand housing. He commended the property company for working with the college, stating this has been a great partnership with potentially more to come.

They want to work with us down the road as we grow, Yale said.

Mount Aloysius College | College Enrollment

Mount Aloysius College Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Life Jacob Yale (right) stands in the kitchen of one of the school's new modular off-campus housing units at Laurel Woods, a community development, in Cresson on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. At left, Mount Aloysius College junior nursing student Trinity Henry, of Shirleysburg, offers a tour to the schools Vice President of Student Affairs Amy Cotner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The community development has provided six new units for the college to use, and Yale said the cost for students is on par with on-campus housing. According to the schools website, housing and varying meal plan bundles range from about $5,400 to roughly $7,300 per semester.

Yale said there is space for about 500 students in the Mounts residence halls of St. Gertrudes, St. Joes, Misciagna, McAuley, and Ihmsen, and those are at capacity.

Some rooms had to be converted to triples to accommodate the influx in students.

McKeegan said the fall semester is the fifth straight year of full-time domestic student growth for the Mount.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that there is a 6% increase in full- and part-time returning students  748  compared to last year, with estimates of new full- and part-time student numbers being more than 460. Final numbers for enrollment wont be available until October, officials said.

According to college data, excluding College in High School program students, the total enrollment for 2021 was 1,106, while the estimate for 2025 is 1,210  a 9.4% increase.

Additionally, the ultrasonography and nursing programs have experienced significant growth. There are 116 students  33 new  in ultrasonography and 410 students  27 new  in nursing.

Amy Cotner, the new vice president of student affairs, credited the increases to the Mounts local support thats naturally included at the school, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are the springboard for students who want to be in this region and want to make a difference in this region, McKeegan said.

Mount Aloysius College | College Enrollment

Mount Aloysius College President John McKeegan discusses enrollment growth during an interview at the school in Cresson on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

He credited the excellence of Mount faculty and staff, as well as their commitment to the schools mission, for the success being experienced.

McKeegan also lauded the planning of former administrators, faculty and board members to allow for financial opportunities to upgrade and renovate residence halls on campus and the ability to acquire off-campus housing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Henry said she thought it would be really cool to live in the new units and is thrilled by the opportunity. She noted the benefits of having a full kitchen and getting to practice routines for post-college life, such as chores and cooking.

Henry noted the benefits of being a short walk from campus as well.

Additionally, Henry said, shes excited because shell be able to stay in the unit during the coming summer while she participates in nursing clinicals, and doesnt have to uproot her life and possibly move to another unit for her senior year.

She joked that she expects some of her friends will be jealous of her new housing.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The mother of Oxford high school shooter Ethan Crumbley asked the Michigan Court of Appeals this week to throw out her involuntary manslaughter convictions.

Both Crumbley parents were convicted on four counts of involuntary manslaughter in separate jury trials and sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. It marked the first time in the U.S. that parents were convicted of manslaughter for a shooting their child conducted. Since then, Jennifer Crumbley has called it a sham prosecution by a cheating prosecutor.

The February 2024 sentencing came after their son Ethan shooting and killing four classmates at Oxford High School in 2021. Prosecutors claimed both parents were grossly negligent with gun and ammunition storage. They say both parents missed opportunities to stop the tragedy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jennifer Crumbleys attorney says the case was off the rails from the start.

We have discovered documents proving that the prosecutor engaged in an orchestrated smear campaign, paid for with taxpayers money, and made secret deals with witnesses to testify for the prosecution, wrote appellate attorney Michael Dezsi.

Their appeal claims that the prosecution was inconsistent as it charged Ethan Crumbley as an adult, while prosecuting his mother for a lack of action controlling her minor child. Meanwhile prosecutor Karen McDonald from that case says the claims are meritless and headline seeking.

In June, courts found that prosecutors did suppress evidence, but the violation wasnt severe enough for a new trial. After that ruling, McDonald said it was time to focus on the victims instead of the Crumbleys.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
When Left-wing councillors in Birmingham ordered the removal of English and British flags that local people had hung on lampposts, many tax-payers were understandably indignant. Their ire grew when councillors in Londons Tower Hamlets followed suit. And then, to cap it all, police in Worcestershire announced an investigation into the painting of the St Georges Cross on local roundabouts. Why on earth were the powers that be treating patriotism  or at least, British patriotism  as some sort of crime?

Happily, however, it seems that some good may yet come of this apparent revulsion towards our national flags. Because Ben Thornbury, a 20-year-old man from Malmesbury in Wiltshire, has had an ingenious idea. Hes taken to painting the St Georges flag across the potholes on his local roads. His reasoning is simple but brilliant. If the council wishes to get rid of the flags, he explains, it will finally have to get rid of the potholes, too.

What an excellent plan. I do hope it succeeds. Because if so, we could use it to transform our country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Think about it. If youre tired of your rubbish not being collected regularly enough, simply leave your bins on the pavement with a Union flag stapled to each one. Your horrified council will have them all removed immediately.

People who wish to preserve our countryside can take inspiration from Mr Thornbury, too. If their neighbouring fields and hills are disfigured by wind turbines, they could try spray-painting each one with a giant St Georges Cross. The council will have the turbines torn down in no time. Opponents of ugly new rural housing developments could have a go, as well. A quick spot of patriotic graffiti across every door and wall, and the bulldozers will be round before you know it.

Personally, Im hoping the same plan can also be used on human beings. Like millions of other commuters, Im sick of the selfish louts who ruin everyone elses journey by blasting dreadful music out of their phones at top volume. Train staff never do anything about it. But perhaps if I bring along a lipstick pinched from my wifes make-up box, and use it to scrawl a big red cross on the louts face, hell be thrown off at the next stop.

With any luck, the ploy could even work on children who are noisy in restaurants. If their useless, over-indulgent parents fail to shush them, dont worry. Draw a Union flag on some Post-It notes, stick one to each of their backs, and the little brats will be in borstal before your starter arrives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The possibilities are endless. The one Im most eager to try, however, is as follows.

Dale Vince, the multimillionaire Left-wing eco tycoon, recently adorned the front of his green energy companys HQ in Stroud with a giant Palestine flag. Local residents have complained  but hes refusing to take it down.

I think I know how to get it removed. All Ill need is a pot of white paint and a pot of red

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.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has held talks with top Bangladeshi officials and politicians, including the foreign affairs adviser, Touhid Hossain, as the two South Asian nations aim to reset relations amid Dhakas fraying ties with India.

Dar flew to Bangladesh on Saturday, the most senior Pakistani official to visit Dhaka since 2012, with Islamabad calling it historic and a significant milestone in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations.

Relations between Dhaka and Islamabad have been easing since a mass uprising in Bangladesh ousted Sheikh Hasina as prime minister last August, prompting her to flee to New Delhi. Hasina was considered more pro-India.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dars visit comes days after the two nations reportedly eased visa restrictions for travel between them.

Pakistan and Bangladesh are expected to sign several agreements, including on trade, on Sunday. The two countries began sea trade last year, expanding government-to-government commerce in February.

The two sides discussed ways to promote economic and commercial cooperation, with a special focus on enhancing trade and promoting connectivity, Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X after Dar and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met Bangladeshs commerce adviser, Sheikh Bashiruddin, on Sunday morning.

There are also plans to begin direct Dhaka-Karachi flights, with local carriers seeking approvals, Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pakistans Foreign Ministry said Dar will also meet Bangladeshs interim leader, Muhammad Yunus.

Addressing a news conference at the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka on Saturday, Dar underscored his countrys strong desire to forge a cooperative and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh.

Bangladeshs Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam (R) receives Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (L) at the Dhaka airport [Handout/Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AFP]

Active and stronger

The top Pakistani diplomat also met Bangladeshi political delegates, including those from the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which opposed the breakup of Pakistan to establish Bangladesh in 1971.

We discussed how to further enhance relations with the brotherly Muslim state [Pakistan] in the coming days and how to make the regional alliance [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] more active and stronger, Jamaat-e-Islamis deputy leader Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, told reporters after the meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dar also met leaders of the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), which led last years uprising, as well as the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

On Friday, top military commanders from both countries met in Pakistan.

A day earlier, Pakistani Minister Khan held talks in Dhaka, where he agreed to set up joint commissions to boost trade and investment.

Pakistans military was accused of widespread atrocities during the 1971 war, when East Pakistan broke away to form Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands were killed  Bangladeshi estimates say millions  and many in Dhaka still demand Islamabad apologise for the killings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After 1971, Bangladesh leaned heavily on India, which almost encircles the country of 170 million people.

However, Yunus has demanded that India hand back Hasina, who continues to refuse to attend her trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity.

Dhaka accused India this month of backing Hasinas now-outlawed Awami League party, charges that New Delhi rejected, saying it does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from its soil.
"Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has left from the GTC helipad in Dehradun to meet the disaster-affected people at the relief camp in Kulsari and to conduct a field inspection of the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the disaster-affected areas in Tharali, Chamoli," read the statement from the CMO.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Dhami will first reach Kulsari, where he will meet people staying in relief camps, and later conduct a field inspection of ongoing rescue and relief operations in the Tharali region of Chamoli.

The visit comes amid intensified relief efforts in the district, where teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local administration are engaged in evacuating stranded residents, distributing relief material, and restoring essential services.

Dhami has earlier directed officials to ensure prompt rehabilitation of affected families and to maintain adequate supply of food, water, and medical aid in relief camps.

Apart from this, six people injured in the cloudburst that struck Tharali of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district late Friday night were airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, on Saturday for advanced treatment, officials said.

A team of doctors at the institute is attending to them.

According to officials, the cloudburst in Toonri Gadera of Tharali tehsil left one person dead and another missing, while several others sustained injuries. Debris from the downpour swept into Tharali market and nearby areas, damaging houses, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's residence, and burying vehicles and shops.

Rescue teams from NDRF, ITBP and SSB remain deployed in Tharali as the search continues for the missing person. (ANI)
Parliamentarians from United for Ukraine (U4U), a global parliamentary network, have issued a statement in support of Ukraine.

Source: text of the statement obtained by European Pravda

Details: A delegation of MPs from this informal network, which includes parliamentarians from 30 countries, has arrived in Ukraine on a solidarity visit to mark the countrys Independence Day.

The MPs stress that there is only one obstacle to peace and only one root cause of this war: Vladimir Putin and his imperialist obsession.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote from the statement: "We underline that any ceasefire or peace agreement negotiated without Ukraine and European allies at the table  one that fails to guarantee Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, is in contradiction to Ukraines Constitution, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and  overall  international law and its principles, lacks effective and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, undermines Ukrainian aspirations to become member of transatlantic family,  will not bring peace but will instead embolden Russia."

More details: They stress that genuine peace requires a full and unconditional ceasefire, including, but not limited to, the immediate cessation of all strikes on civilian sites and critical infrastructure. This must be accompanied by transparent, reliable monitoring and verification (preferably led by the US/Europe) to ensure this does not become another frozen conflict.

The MPs also called on parliaments worldwide to urgently adopt resolutions refusing to recognise any temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian, either de jure or de facto, and rejecting any restrictions on Ukraines sovereignty or on its domestic and foreign policy, including its choice of alliances.

In addition, the signatories call for the first negotiating cluster in Ukraines EU accession talks to be opened at the start of September.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This first step must be followed by the opening with Ukraine of all the six negotiating chapters by the end of this year, and defining 1 January 2030 as the target date for Ukraines membership in the EU if all conditions are met," the statement reads.

They also add that Ukraines accession to NATO is an important guarantee of lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe.

The statement was signed, among others, by Zygimantas Pavilionis, deputy chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee; the head of United for Ukraine (Lithuania); Marko Mihkelson, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee (Estonia); Rihards Kols, Member of the European Parliament, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, member of the U4U steering committee (European Parliament); Thomas Erndl, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, spokesperson on international policy and security for the CSU in the Bundestag (Germany); Johannes Koskinen, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee (Finland); Liliana Tanguy, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, vice-president of the French delegation to PACE (France); Darren Mott, Baron Mott OBE, member of the House of Lords (United Kingdom); Pablo Hispan, head of the EPP group in the Council of Europe; Ina Coseru, chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy and European Integration (Moldova).

In March 2022, lawmakers from 28 countries created the informal United for Ukraine network to coordinate initiatives to support Ukraine in response to Russias armed aggression.

The visit by the MPs was announced the day before.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A wildfire in Northern California has grown to nearly 7,000 acres, prompting evacuations in Napa County, forestry officials announced Sunday.

The Pickett Fire, which was sparked Thursday in Calistoga, was 6,803 acres as of midday Sunday with 11% containment, according to a status report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Twenty-four hours earlier, the blaze was about 4,700 acres with 7% containment.

Cal Fire said much of the new growth occurred near the eastern edge of the wildfire. There's been no confirmed damage to any structures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officials ordered evacuations for areas near Calistoga, west of Pope Valley Road. Evacuation warnings were also issued for threats to life and/or property.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District also issued an air quality advisory in Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties due to smoke from the Pickett Fire. The advisory was in place through Monday. The smoke could be dangerous to older adults, children and pregnant people, as well as those with heart problems.
CHARLOTTE (PINPOINT WEATHER)  We are tracking more sunshine Sunday, but also a slightly higher chance of a shower or storm later this afternoon and evening.

Temperatures are starting in the 60s this morning, and with more sunshine today, highs will climb into the mid-80s this afternoon.

A cold front will approach the region later today, allowing for a few more clouds this afternoon and a low-end shower or thunderstorm chance. Not expecting a washout, but have the poncho handy for the Charlotte FC game this evening, and have the rain gear handy for any other outdoor plans late today.

Behind todays cold front, we will be tracking some refreshing air. Anticipate humid conditions remaining in place for tonight, with temperatures falling back into the 60s. It will be a quiet morning for Charlotte-Mecklenburg County School students who will be back out at the bus stop Monday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We will still experience high temperatures in the mid-80s on Monday, but the humidity will be dropping throughout the day, which will make for a pleasant start to the new school year and work week.

High temperatures will be in the 70s and lower 80s through the middle of the week, and we will remain dry as well. Overnight low temperatures during that period will fall into the upper 50s and lower 60s, leading to delightful mornings.

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW: Sign up here for QC News Alerts and get Severe Weather Updates sent straight to your inbox

Although there will be a slight warmup into the mid-80s by Labor Day weekend, the overall pattern looks to remain cooler than average to begin the month of September.

Tracking the Tropics

Tropical Storm Fernand formed Saturday evening, but it will be a fish storm and will be no threat to land. There is another disturbance that will be moving into the Caribbean Sea by Monday. It has a medium chance of tropical development and is no threat to the Queen City News viewing area at this time.

MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM

Tracking the Tropics

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Members of the Professional Staff Union at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will rally Wednesday, as they push for wage increases and better benefits in their contract after more than a year of negotiations.

With the fall semester near, some unionized college and university staff are still negotiating contracts. The Republican checked in with unions at a selection of higher education institutions up and down the Pioneer Valley about the status of their contracts  and whether changes with the federal government are having an impact on their talks.

Todays report offers details on current labor issues at local colleges and universities.

Community colleges throughout the state, including Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College

ENROLLMENT: HCC had 4,200 students last fall, and STCC had 5,447.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NEGOTIATION HIGHLIGHTS: Bargaining is ongoing for a contract that covers adjunct faculty at the states 15 community colleges. A separate contract for other professional staff at the colleges will be ratified soon  though theres still frustration about pay.

DETAILS: Negotiations for a contract covering adjunct faculty at community colleges across the state have stalled, said Claudine Barnes, president of the Massachusetts Community College Council, the union that represents faculty and professional staff at the colleges.

A separate contract that covers full-time faculty and professional staff, and a portion of part-time faculty, is about to be ratified but theres still broad frustration over pay, Barnes said. The union negotiates with the Department of Higher Education and representatives from the community colleges. The union initially asked for a 70% wage increase to bring pay up to par with those at community colleges in California and correct what Barnes said is a longstanding lagging pay problem, but the union received 3.5%.

We are pleased to have reached a tentative, one-year agreement with the Massachusetts Community College Council that includes a 3.5% salary increase, a spokesperson for the Department of Higher education said in a statement. This agreement recognizes the important contributions faculty bring while also meeting budget criteria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Before that 3.5% raise, the average faculty salary at the states community colleges was about $68,000, according to an analysis the Massachusetts Teachers Association commissioned. When adjusted for the cost of living, that was ranked last compared to the peer states the study examined.

One of the other challenges, because of the money, is that most of the (full-time) faculty and staff  have to have other employment because they cant afford to live in Massachusetts, Barnes said.

The Department is committed to continuing to work with the union and higher education stakeholders on improving faculty recruitment and retention, the DHE spokesperson said, as well as larger efforts by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to reduce the cost of living for all residents of Massachusetts.

The state will soon take a deeper look at pay at community colleges. A salary study of positions at community colleges is being funded through the recently passed state budget.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those issues come amid growing interest in community college. Last year, the state made community college free regardless of age or income for those who dont already have a bachelors degree. The state saw a 14% boost in students at community colleges last year, bucking a trend of decline, according to Gov. Maura Healeys office.

The new program is absolutely amazing, Barnes said, but she says theres not enough staff to do it justice.

Everybody is overworked and overburdened, said Barnes, who in addition to serving as council president works full-time teaching U.S. history and political science at Cape Cod Community College.

Thats a sentiment shared by Renae Gorman, Springfield Technical Community Colleges chapter president for the multi-college council.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are global issues that we discuss as part of our contract, she said. But with issues specific to STCC, unit members can vent to college management on a monthly basis, but we cant ensure just and fair treatment to be reflected in our contracts, said Gorman, who is also a professor of physical therapy.

We feel heard but not always listened to, she said.

A spokesperson for Holyoke Community College said the school doesnt comment on contract negotiations and directed questions to MCCC. A spokesperson for Springfield Technical Community College did not return requests for comment. The states Department of Higher Education didnt provide comments.

University of Massachusetts Amherst

ENROLLMENT: 31,726 undergraduate and graduate students as of fall 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NEGOTIATION HIGHLIGHTS: Two unions at UMass Amherst have been negotiating their contracts for over a year. The Professional Staff Union Unit A has been pushing for 13 months and the New England Police Benevolent Association has been going back and forth with the university for 18 months to agree to increased wages.

DETAILS: Andrew Gorry is the co-chair of Professional Staff Union, which is made up of a Unit A  comprised mostly of members from UMass Amherst and UMass Boston  and a Unit B, which is made up of non-exempt supervising staff. Unit A has been negotiating its contracts since July of last year and working and being paid under previous agreements. The units represent a wide range of staff positions, Gorry said.

It will be the end of bargaining when we reach a fair agreement, and when professional staff can be paid equitably with other staff workers. We are looking for better treatment, said Gorry. Unit B recently reached an agreement with the university.

The unions contracts are determined and approved by the governor, he said. Its interesting, employees in the private sector can negotiate their salary with their employer but the public sector has financial limitations due to these parameters agreed upon by the governor, said Gorry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As part of the wage negotiations, Gorry said the union is trying to get a planned increase each year as part of a step schedule.

The contract negotiations, ongoing for more than a year, will only reach the end of bargaining when both sides can agree on the terms, said Gorry.

The Professional Staff Union, frustrated by the lack of a new agreement with the university, will hold a rally this week to help settle their contract, following a similar rally of the University Staff Association last month.

This year, the university administration is offering a 0.5% increase in salary, but it doesnt compare to what other units are getting, Gorry said. We want to be treated the same so that we can afford to stay here. Our work should be recognized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

David Ortiz, president of the UMass Amherst chapter of the New England Benevolent Police Association, said it has been negotiating with the university for 18 months on its contract.

The university moved for a third-party mediator to help the negotiation process in July, he said. A major sticking point are body worn cameras, Ortiz said.

Were not against the cameras themselves, they are a valuable tool, he said. Their request for the implementation of body worn cameras is as though our behavior requires cameras.

In an email, Ortiz explained there has been a low number of sustained complaints against (UMass Police Department) officers since November of 2022 and claims the departments administration wants to use camera footage to discipline employees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The university is holding state offered wages hostage over the (body-worn camera) issue despite looming University budget cuts due to federal funding cuts for research, he said in an email.

The university, he said, also wants to secure additional language changes.

Emily Gest, a spokesperson for UMass Amherst, said in an email that the university has settled contracts with most of its unions over the past few months. Contracts are not related to federal funding changes, she said.

The administration will continue to meet and bargain in good faith in accordance with all state and federal laws, UMass said in a statement, in response to questions from The Republican. The university has met with the PSU bargaining team 29 times since June 2024 in an effort to reach a fair agreement. Since late 2023, the university has met with [police union] 22 times as well as two mediation sessions in an effort to reach a fair agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another mediation session with the police union is scheduled in September.

Mount Holyoke College

ENROLLMENT: 2,178 undergrads, according to the college website.

NEGOTIATION HIGHLIGHTS: Unions representing food service and housekeeping staff both taking strike authorization votes this month.

DETAILS: Rich Sugrue, a cook at Mount Holyoke College, said a colleague who works with him in dining services regularly donates plasma to make extra money. Others have second jobs, he said.

Higher pay is a sticking point in contract negotiations for the union that represents Sugrue and those he works with.

Service Employees International Union 32BJ represents the union, which has two contracts at the college: one that covers about 70 custodians, tradespeople, and groundskeepers and another covering about 100 dining hall workers, said Kevin Brown, executive vice president of SEIU 32BJ.

The contracts expired at the end of June and were extended through July, Brown said.

Union members voted earlier this month to authorize a strike, meaning the bargaining committee can now decide to call a strike.

After the strike vote there was some significant movement by the college but were not there yet, Brown said of negotiations. At this point a strike is likely, he said.

Sugrue, a member of the unions bargaining committee who has worked at the college for nine years, said wage increases are the primary concern for members. With pay increases in the past being percentage-based, he says the pay gap between people like dishwashers and cooks has grown too large. The problem exacerbates and the disparities widen, he said.

They also want an employer-paid legal fund for free legal services. That would cover immigration legal services. One of Sugrues coworkers has a green card, for example. Its not necessarily an assurance youre safe  given recent news, he said. To have this protection in place to have legal representation paid for in immigration cases would be not just a pleasant benefit to have but a lifesaving benefit for some members, he said

Union members have access to free legal consultation which is helpful but typically a phone call, Sugrue said.

The college said its been negotiating since March. We remain committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement, a spokesperson said in a statement. We deeply value and recognize the contributions of all of our employees. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with Local 32BJ in the hope of reaching a resolution as quickly as possible.

Another union that represents about 25 housekeepers on campus is also negotiating with the college. Its an overwhelmingly female workforce. And really what weve been focusing on is living wages, said Patrick Burke, president of United Auto Workers 2322.

The union has been negotiating since early this year, and until recently its been slow, Burke said. This month, union members voted to authorize a strike, which is simply saying they are voting to allow our bargaining committee to call for a strike if its necessary, Burke said.

The college didnt immediately respond to follow up questions about negotiations with the housekeeping staff union.

Smith College

ENROLLMENT: 2,549 undergraduate students as of 2024.

NEGOTIATION HIGHLIGHTS: A new union for library workers bargaining for their first contract, and food service employees and housekeepers working under an expired contract

DETAILS: At the end of June, the contract for the union representing dining and house keeping staff expired. Were currently in the middle of negotiations now, said Mitch Daniels, president of the union and a catering chef who has worked at the college for five years. The contract talks started in April, he said. We are not satisfied with their offers.

The union, represented by Service Employees Local 211, has about 140 members, Daniels said. We are a foundation of the school, he said.

The union has been offered some wage increases, but its not enough, Daniels said. Just living in the Pioneer Valley, he said, Its expensive here. The closer you get to Northampton it gets outrageous. Members also want to see lower health care costs, Daniels said.

So far, Daniels hasnt seen much movement at the table, he said I think they are deferring blame to the administration in Washington  the difficulty that is creating within their realm, he said.

The College is confident fair agreements will be reached and remains committed to good-faith negotiations, a spokesperson said in an email about negotiations with both unions. Out of respect for the formal bargaining process, the College will not provide further comment at this time.

In spring of 2024, library staff won their union election and formed the Smith College Libraries Workers Union.

Weve been bargaining ever since, said Xochitl Quiroz, a member of the bargaining committee. Were at the point where were feeling the fact that weve been bargaining for over a year. Compensation has been a main sticking point for the unions roughly 45 members, Quiroz said.

High turnover was one motivation for forming the union, said Quiroz, an engagement and humanities librarian who has worked at the college for about two years. Pay is another. Its difficult to live, some of us, [on] the salary we get, she said.

Both unions are part of Smith Labor United, an informal collective of unions on campus.

Its been very good to work together and create a coalition, Daniels said.

Read the original article on MassLive.
The Brief

A pedestrian was critically injured in a car accident in Dallas on Saturday night.

The crash happened at the intersection of South Hampton Road and West Illinois Avenue.

The driver remained at the scene, and police are currently investigating the cause of the accident.

DALLAS - A pedestrian was critically injured in a car accident Saturday night in Dallas, police said.

Oak Cliff Pedestrian Crash

What we know

The incident happened at 9:10 p.m. at the intersection of South Hampton Road and West Illinois Avenue. According to a preliminary investigation, a vehicle struck a person at the location.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dallas Fire-Rescue took the victim to a local hospital in critical condition. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

What we don't know

The identity of the pedestrian has not been released.

No further details were immediately available.

The Source

Information in this article is from the Dallas Police Department.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WHTM)  A Pennsylvania man will spent 15 years in federal prison for his role in a string of 7-Eleven robberies.

Rubiel Perez, 31, of Allentown, was sentenced earlier this week to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised released.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said he had faced robbery charges in connection with an armed robbery spree in the Lehigh Valley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He pleaded guilty in March.

Perez was accused of robbing three 7-Eleven convenience stores in the Lehigh Valley in March of 2023.

Federal authorities say he stole $937 from the 7-Eleven on Union Boulevard in Allentown on March 28.

Three times in two days, Rubiel Perez pointed his gun at store clerks and made them fear for their lives, said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. Prosecuting violent offenders is a priority for my office. We will not permit criminals to prey on the people in our communities.

The next night, he tried to rob two other 7-Elevens in the valley  one on South 4th Street in Allentown, stealing $150, and another on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices

In 25 hours, Rubiel Perez robbed three 7-Eleven stores, threatening the employees lives at gunpoint, said Shannon Hamm, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. Stopping violent criminals who terrorize our communities like Perez is a primary ATF mission.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The planning, in the works for weeks, involves several options, including mobilizing at least a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September, the Post reported.

The Pentagon is working on plans to deploy the US military to Chicago as President Donald Trump says he is cracking down on crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.

The Defense Department planning, in the works for weeks, involves several options, including mobilizing at least a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September, the Post reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Chicago is a mess," Trump, a Republican, told reporters on Friday, deriding its mayor as he continued his attacks on cities run by Democratic politicians. "And we'll straighten that one out probably next."

The Pentagon said in a statement late on Saturday: We wont speculate on further operations. The department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel."

The White House did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment on the Post report.

A homeless person sits on a bench in a park, ahead of the presidential inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Washington, U.S., January 18, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Marko Djurica/File Photo Preview)

JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois, which includes Chicago, said in a statement the state had received no outreach from the federal government on whether it needed assistance. He said there was no emergency warranting a National Guard or other military deployment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families," Pritzker said.

A spokesperson for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Friday Johnson said the city had grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops.

"The problem with the President's approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for and unsound," the mayor said, adding that over the past year, homicides in Chicago have fallen by more than 30%, robberies by 35% and shootings by almost 40%.

National Guard deployed to Washington

At Trump's request last weekend, the Republican governors of three states said they were sending hundreds of National Guard troops hundreds of miles to Washington, DC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The president has portrayed the nation's capital as a city awash in crime, although Justice Department data shows violent crime hit a 30-year low last year in Washington, a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress.

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.
The U.S. has quietly implemented a review process giving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authority to bar Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia with American missiles, effectively blocking strikes for months, the Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 23.

The unannounced high-level Defense Department approval process has prevented the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against targets inside Russia since the late spring, an unnamed official said.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Aug. 21 said that Ukraine had "no chance of winning" if not permitted to attack Russia and criticized former U.S. President Joe Biden for not letting Kyiv "fight back, only defend."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite this, Trump has previously said he disagreed "very vehemently" with the previous White House administration's decision to permit Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russia with U.S. weapons.

The review mechanism was developed by the Pentagons policy undersecretary, Elbridge Colby, and oversees Ukraine's use of American-made weapons and European weapons, which rely on U.S. intelligence and components, WSJ reported.

In addition to the review process for missile strikes, a rating system has been reportedly implemented to assess whether the U.S. has enough stock of a particular weapon. Red, yellow, and green categories were introduced by Colby to help decide what weapons may be supplied to Ukraine.

The new review process applies to the British long-range Storm Shadow missiles due to its reliance on U.S. targetting data, a British offical and two U.S. officials said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On at least one occasion, Ukraine has planned to use ATACMS against a target within Russian territory but was denied approval, two U.S. officials said.

Ukraine last received a shipment of ATACMS authorized by the former White House administration in the spring, unnamed U.S. officials told WSJ.

Despite Trump's recent remarks that Ukraine can not win the war against Russia without fighting back, U.S. officials have said Trump's statement does not signal a policy change. Trump may change his mind and permit expanded offensive operations against Russia, one senior White House official told WSJ.

Kyiv has proposed buying U.S. weapons worth $90 billion as part of security guarantees, as Ukraine and its allies aim to maintain interest from the White House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The proposal aims to secure U.S. security guarantees and cement Washington's long-term commitment to Ukraine by tying Kyiv's defense needs to a boost for American industry.

The plan would reportedly be financed by Ukraine's European allies, which would fund the purchase of U.S. weapons.

Ukraine first received shorter-range versions of ATACMS in the fall of 2023. In the spring of 2024, the U.S. began supplying upgraded models with a range of up to 300 kilometers. At the time, Kyiv was only permitted to deploy these missiles against targets in occupied Ukrainian territory.

Read also: Once a top backer, Poland fades from Ukraine peace talks amid domestic turmoil

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Pentagon has been planning a potential military deployment in Chicago for the past several weeks.

According to officials who spoke with the Washington Post, troops could be deployed to the third-largest U.S. city as early as September. The report noted that Trump administration officials were weighing a mission like the one carried out in Los Angeles in response to days of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. That action sent 4,000 members of the California National Guard and several hundred Marines to the city.

The insiders shared that the idea of sending several thousand active-duty members of the military to the Windy City had been broached, but seemed unlikely. The Department of Defense declined to comment when reached by the Post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump has repeatedly touted the idea of sending federal troops into Democrat-controlled cities, alleging that local leaders arent doing enough to curtail crime. The president recently took control of Washington, D.C.s police force and deployed the National Guard in the capital. Speaking to reporters on Friday, he praised the ongoing efforts in D.C. and turned his eyes toward Chicago.

Chicagos a mess, Trump said. And well straighten that one out probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough.

Responding to the comments in a post to X, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that hes made no requests for federal intervention.

The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority. There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the [Illinois National Guard], deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders, he wrote. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his administration had grave concerns about the possible deployment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The problem with the Presidents approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound, he shared.

The post Pentagon readies plans to deploy troops in Chicago following Trump DC takeover: report appeared first on Salon.com.
Four days after confirming that it was creating a new medal for troops deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border, the Department of Defense released the first look for the award.

The Pentagon released the first look at the new Mexican Border Defense Medal today. The release follows the establishment of the new award, outlined in an Aug. 13 memo by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The award goes to troops deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border supporting operations by Customs and Border Protection. The new medal replaces the Armed Forces Service Medal, which had been authorized for the same mission in 2019.

The Aug. 13 memo was posted on military social media accounts last week but the Pentagon only confirmed its authenticity on Aug. 18. No design details or images of the award were released at the time. Hegseth posted on X on Aug. 22 that the new Mexico Border Defense Medal would be the same mold, same ribbon as the 1918 Mexican Border Service Medal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And the design shared by the Pentagon really is identical, with the same yellow and green-stripped ribbon and pattern on the actual metal. The Mexican Border Service Medal, which was issued to troops on the United States side of the border between 1916-1917. A similarly named Mexican Service Medal was issued for service members who took part in military operations inside Mexico between 1911-1919.

The new medal is bronze. As with the 1918 medal, it has a Roman gladius on the front side, with the words For Service on the Mexican Border inscribed on it.

Per Hegseths memo, the new award is available to troops permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to units deployed to missions supporting Customs and Border Protection for at least 30 consecutive or nonconsecutive days. They must also have deployed within 100 nautical miles of the border or in American waters as much as 24 nautilus miles from it, per the Department of Defense.

Top Stories This Week

News Marines investigating social media post that appears to mock potential recruit By Jeff Schogol News Pentagon fires heads of Navy Reserve, Naval Special Warfare Command By Nicholas Slayton News 4,500 Marines and sailors deploy to Caribbean for anti-cartel mission By Nicholas Slayton

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Troops and veterans who already got the Armed Forces Service Medal can apply to get the Mexican Border Defense Medal in its place, but cannot have both. In order of precedence the new Mexican Border Defense Medal comes after the Korea Defense Service Medal, but before the Armed Forces Service Medal. There are currently approximately 7,500 service members deployed along the southern border, with a fifth of them being National Guardsmen.

The medal and the expanded operations come after President Donald Trump declared an emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border in January. Since then the Department of Defense has increased operations and deployments, as well as created national defense areas around military bases, allowing military personnel to briefly detain people for trespassing.

According to the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry and Defense Logistics Agency are working to expedite the creation of the medals and rolling them out to eligible service members. Its not clear when troops or veterans will start receiving them.
by Laurence Peterson

I think it was the news presenter and commentator Krystal Ball of Breaking Points who uttered this perhaps unfortunately vernacular but certainly correct characterization of the outrages being perpetrated against the Palestinian people, especially, but not exclusively within the uniquely abused Gaza Strip. The statement is true in a double sense: what remains of kind of feeling of benevolence to all our fellow human beings may have become so widely eroded, especially amongst the falling ranks of the truly powerful, that those of us who continue to refer to such a term will inevitably encounter serious confusion; or any conception of a unitary standard guiding our thoughts and intuitions regarding how we should think of, and behave towards, the species as a whole may become simply inapplicable in the light of incontrovertible events.

When I say uniquely abused, what can I mean? We all know of situations throughout the world today, and which regularly punctuate human history, even of the most recent sort, which strain comprehension to even begin to contemplate in terms of their obscene cruelty: Sudan, Congo, Myanmar, Syria just a few years ago, Liberia and Sierra Leone at the turn of the millennium, and Rwanda and the Balkans ten and more years before that. Some of these have become widely or more-or-less uncontroversially recognized as genocides. In this piece I would like to suggest a few reasons why I think of Gaza as unique, and to encourage readers and everyone else to do everything in their power to resist and end the intolerable situation there.

The first reason I find the situation to be uniquely awful consists in the assertion that Gaza may provide the first instance in human history in which a genocide is being made unnecessary by an ethnic cleansing. The fact that Gazas exceptionally dense, rapidly growing population has been so thoroughly and increasingly controlled, within an almost incomprehensibly tiny space, by the Israeli authorities for decades, on all geographic sides, has rendered this population especially vulnerable to a kind of mass destruction and repeated, forced population transfers the like of which world has perhaps never seen before, involving people actively deprived of all the necessities of lifewater, clean or otherwise, food, sanitation, air uncontaminated by debris and ordnance, medical supplies and personnel (the latter seemingly targeted by the Israeli military), communications, energy supplyall the while. The Israeli authorities have made no secret of their attempts to relocate masses of Palestinians from mass-refugee camps in isolated parts of Gaza into countries like Egypt, and even war-devastated nations like Sudan, and to encourage Palestinians with the means to do so to emigrate. If this isnt ethnic cleansing, I dont know what is; and if the Israeli government is allowed to get away with it, that will pre-empt any more intense form of genocidal activity that might be required if a large enough Palestinian presence were somehow to remain in Gaza, and Israel followed through on achieving the military and political goals it has been implementing with such determination for close to two years now, anyway.

And this, of course, is why the sentiment, most recently conveyed by Senator Lindsey Graham, that what is happening in Gaza cannot be a genocide, because Israel is militarily capable of committing a genocide in a single day, is so ridiculous. Israels government is relieved of this alternative precisely because it has unique means of getting Palestinians to migrate out of Gaza, especially given the increasingly-evident reality that death by extreme violence or starvation is the only option to leaving. Grahams theological coda to the effect that withdrawal of support for Israel will induce God to pull the plug on us is interesting: God will yank our chain.

Of course, none of this could take place unless the Israeli governments actions in Gaza were not utterly protected and promoted by The United States and not only its allies, but powerful bystanders like Russia, India, Turkiye and China (not to mention the regional powers like Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and all the rest, except perhaps Iran). But the clearly indispensable partner in war crime is America, ruled by both Republican and Democratic administrations. But here is where what I believe to be another important distinction applies. And here I must reluctantly resort to psychological analysis, always exceptionally suspect in political analysis. But, if anywhere close to true, the distinction may rightly provide us with reasons to view the situation in Gaza as uniquely horrible.

Under President Biden, the Netanyahu-led government of Israel, which includedand continues to includeinternationally sanctioned war criminals in its highest posts, like Itamar Ben Gvir as Minister of National Security, and Bezalel Smotrich at the finance ministry, no less, clearly stated intentions involving mass destruction of the Palestinians and their way of life in Gaza, and the Biden administration supported Israel almost unconditionally regarding its treatment of Gaza. But it always seemed as though Biden was doing so due to a long-standing loyalty to the state of Israel and a particular view of the Zionist project. He also has been suspected of a keen aversion to the Palestinian people and their cause. Under President Trump, any such affective impulse has been reduced utterly to a question of convenience. Trump seems to have no particular affinity for the Israelis, except inasmuch as expressions of such serve to consolidate his Christian fundamentalist support base and sustain or increase contributions from important Republican donors. Nor does he seem to show any specific animosity towards the Palestinians, outside perhaps, of calling Biden and other opponents bad Palestinians for equally political reasons. So, Trumps willingness to green-light the continuing and, indeed, intensifying slaughter in Gaza appears to be motivated simply and completely by indifference: he couldnt be bothered to make any attempt to stop the mass atrocity. This, to me, suggests the existence of a depravity amongst the powerful unique in my lifetime, anyway.

And that brings me to the last reason I will mention in this piece, one that has been made many times before, but is not mentioned often enough. The American-led post-World War II order made much in its propaganda and even in reality of a commitment to universal human rights that organically included at a least highly publicized prohibition of genocide or ethnic cleansing as an integral part. That an American-sponsored state createdin however a haphazard wayprecisely in response to a genocide can participate, in anything that smacks of ethnically-based mass violence, speaks of a moral or civilizational rot of a special kind. Only a much more vigorous resistance can deliver us from its seemingly inevitable spread.

***

Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.
Congress leader Harish Chaudhary has accused the BJP of deflecting from key issues like vote theft following Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's recent remarks on the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. He emphasised Congress's internal democracy, praising party leaders for inclusive leadership. Chaudhary accused the BJP of engaging in "politics of deflection" amid ongoing discussions about alleged vote theft while praising the leadership of Congress- its President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said, "They are doing the politics of deflection. Today, the whole country is talking about vote theft. In the BJP, no one has the right to think and speak, but in Congress, everyone has the right to think and speak internally within the Congress. Our Kharge ji and Rahul Gandhi ji are running the Congress by taking everyone along." The reaction comes after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, saying that his own party MPs "get uncomfortable" when he speaks in Parliament and are apprehensive that he will do "anap-shanap baatein" and the party will have to bear the consequences. Rijiju alleged that Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, "does not listen to his own party members." "Rahul Gandhi kuch bolte hain, unke saare MPs bahot uncomfortable ho jaate hain. Wo darte hain ye anapshanap baatein karenge, uska khamiyaza party ko bhugatna padta hai...(When Rahul Gandhi speaks, his MPs get uncomfortable what nonsense he will speak, the party will have to bear its consequences," he said. Rijiju alleged that Congress does not have any interest in parliamentary discussions. He said many Congress MPs and parliamentarians of other parties came to him and said they were not able to raise issues concerning their constituencies with the two Houses getting repeatedly adjourned. "They don't believe in debate and discussion in the Parliament. Many MPs of the Congress and other parties came to me and said that because the Parliament is not running, they are able to present the concerns of their constituencies. If the Parliament does not run, the loss is for the Opposition. The government will pass the bills in the national interest. But it is not good if the bills are passed without discussion. We believe in discussion... The loss is for those who have to ask questions," the Union Minister said. "If Rahul Gandhi cannot speak or he does not know how to speak, that does not mean that others should also not be allowed to speak." "With folded hands, we have requested the Congress party to participate in the discussion. There are many members of Congress who can speak well and are also knowledgeable. They will face issues if I name anyone... If Rahul Gandhi cannot speak or he does not know how to speak, that does not mean that others should also not be allowed to speak," he added. Rijiju noted that in a parliamentary democracy, the Parliament belongs to the Opposition, as they can seek answers from the government. "The government is liable to answer. The Opposition has to ask questions. What would the government do if the ones who are supposed to ask questions ran away? We have been asking them not to cause a disturbance. My throat got sore because I had to shout and ask the Opposition not to create a ruckus," he said. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced continuous disruptions during the monsoon session over the opposition's demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. With both the Houses witnessing repeated adjournments due to disruptions throughout the session, which concluded on Thursday, the productivity of Lok Sabha was about 31% and that of Rajya Sabha was about 39%. In the Lok Sabha, discussions could happen for only 37 hours out of the total available 120 hours and in the Rajya Sabha, discussions took place for 41 hours and 15 minutes. A total of 15 bills were passed by Parliament during the session. (ANI)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Pentagon is working on plans to deploy the U.S. military to Chicago as President Donald Trump says he is cracking down on crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.

The Defense Department planning, in the works for weeks, involves several options, including mobilizing at least a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September, the Post reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

"Chicago is a mess," Trump, a Republican, told reporters on Friday, deriding its mayor as he continued his attacks on cities run by Democratic politicians. "And we'll straighten that one out probably next."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Pentagon said in a statement late on Saturday: We wont speculate on further operations. The department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel."

Asked for comment, the White House referred to Trump's statement on Friday.

JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois, which includes Chicago, said in a statement the state had received no outreach from the federal government on whether it needed assistance. He said there was no emergency warranting a National Guard or other military deployment.

"Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families," Pritzker said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesperson for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Friday Johnson said the city had grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops.

"The problem with the President's approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for and unsound," the mayor said, adding that over the past year, homicides in Chicago have fallen by more than 30%, robberies by 35% and shootings by almost 40%.

At Trump's request last weekend, the Republican governors of three states said they were sending hundreds of National Guard troops hundreds of miles to Washington, D.C.

The president has portrayed the nation's capital as a city awash in crime, although Justice Department data shows violent crime hit a 30-year low last year in Washington, a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

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.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by William Mallard and Lincoln Feast.)
ST. LOUIS  The Peoples Community Action Corporation hosted its annual community resource fair, but this year, the mission was different.

This years fair was solely focused on helping families impacted by the May 16 St. Louis tornado.

The event was hosted at the Betty Jean Kerr Peoples Health Center, near the corner of Delmar and Goodfellow.

Large crowds gathered, and organizers handed out essential items, food, and gift cards, while offering free health screenings to people in need.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from around the world sent messages of support to Ukraine on Aug. 24, the nation's Independence Day.

This year's holiday marks Ukraine's fourth Independence Day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

"The people of Ukraine have an unbreakable spirit, and your country's courage inspires many," Trump said in a letter of support posted to social media by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"As you mark this important day, know the United States respects your fight, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an independent nation."

Trump's words of support arrive amid the White House's latest push to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Trump met with Russian President Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15, after which he said the two leaders "largely agreed" on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump then held talks on security guarantees with Zelensky and European leaders in Washington on Aug. 18.

In his Independence Day letter, Trump reiterated his support for a peace deal that "safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Now is the moment to bring an end to the senseless killing. The United States supports a negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty and dignity," he said.

Read also: 34 facts to learn about Ukraine this Independence Day

Despite the flurry of high-level meetings in recent days  and the seismic shift in U.S. foreign policy represented by Putin's red-carpet welcome in Alaska  there has been no marked progress towards peace in Ukraine.

Russia continues to refuse a ceasefire and has been reluctant to set up a meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said there were no plans for such a meeting, doubling down on Moscow's refusal to accept Zelensky's legitimacy as president.

In his Independence Day address, Zelensky said Ukraine would not be "forced into a compromise" with Russia but would fight for "a just peace."

Zelensky also published Independence Day messages of support from other leaders around the world, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg also visited Kyiv on Aug. 24 to celebrate Independence Day and discuss options for postwar security guarantees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold prisoner exchange on Independence Day

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A teenager is in custody after allegedly firing a gun at a high school on the same day he was suspended.

A 15-year-old boy who faces serious charges, including aggravated discharge of a firearm, Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria said.

At 2:23 p.m. on Aug. 22, police went to the 2400 block of West Wiswall Street, which is near Manual High School, after ShotSpotter picked up four gunshots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Peoria police arrest juvenile after gunshots detected near Manual High School

Echevarria said the teenager had been suspended earlier in the day and later returned to the school with a gun and fired multiple rounds, striking the high school building.

He said they dont believe that he was aiming at anyone, but instead, only at the structure.

The suspect was arrested within minutes and no one was reported injured, Echevarria said.

As Chief, I could not be prouder of the men and women of the Peoria Police Department for their swift actions, and I thank the school staff for working closely with us. To the parents and families who waited anxiously while we secured the school. I understand your fear, and I thank you for your patience and trust, Echevarria said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
A man was flown to a trauma center Sunday after an electrical explosion in Ellwood City.

According to the Ellwood City Fire Chief Rick Meyers, around 11 a.m. crews responded to Ellwood City Forge on Commercial Avenue for a reported electrical explosion.

One worker suffered burns from the explosion and was flown to a hospital. Another worker was taken to a nearby hospital for an evaluation.

The power was turned off at the whole facility and the rest of the employees were sent home.

Firefighters were on scene for about an hour.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
This method of breaking down food waste produces a biodegradable plastic, and it could change the world.

A fifth of the planet's food is thrown away before it's eaten  that's 1 billion meals a day, according to the World Food Programme.

Billions of pounds of food end up in landfills, releasing planet-warming gases such as methane and carbon dioxide as it decomposes.

To make the process more difficult, billions of tons of plastic clog the same landfills  and plastic never breaks down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our trash heaps grow higher and higher, but a team of researchers at Binghamton University in New York made something that could fix food waste and our plastic problem.

The research team, led by Ph.D. student Tianzheng Liu, used bacteria fermented food waste to create a biodegradable polymer for plastic.

It wasn't easy. Liu told Interesting Engineering: "Cultivation of the plastic-producing bacteria was hard, because at the beginning I didn't have experience with bacteria fermentation for producing biopolymer. At every move, I felt like something was not what I expected."

Our planet's plastic problem isn't an easy fix, but researchers around the world are working to develop sustainable alternatives. Bioplastics can be made from all sorts of organic materials, such as barley starch, and they can completely and quickly decompose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Biodegradable plastic will change the world. Plastic pollutes waterways, harms animals, disrupts ecosystems, releases chemicals, and even invades your body.

To protect our planet, our wildlife, and our bodies, plastic needs to go. You can make a difference by using less plastic in your day-to-day life  avoid single-use plastic water bottles, food containers, and cutlery, and opt for sustainable, reusable alternatives.

Binghamton professor Sha Jin, who worked alongside Liu, is excited to see where this process will go.

"We can utilize food waste as a resource to convert into so many industrial products, and biodegradable polymer is just one of them," Jin said, per Interesting Engineering.

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.
In February 1975, less than a month after being sworn in, Arizonas 14th governor, Raul Castro, met with 25 Phoenix businessmen at the Arizona Biltmore to discuss challenges the fast-growing city was experiencing.

Eugene Pulliam, publisher of The Arizona Republic newspaper, had been talking with bank executive Walter Bimson and Richard Snell, an attorney, about needing to address rising crime, education deficiencies and transportation issues.

He encouraged selected leaders to meet, writing: This is probably one of the most important letters you have ever received because the immediate future of Phoenix may depend on the response to this challenge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More than 50 years later, the commitment to addressing challenges by the engagement of greater Phoenix community business leaders that began as the Phoenix 40, lives on as Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL).

Our mission is to help the broader community

Today, 125 business executives  women and men, leading many of Arizonas most significant enterprises  work together to address the regions needs and challenges to promote high quality of life and economic prosperity for Arizonans.

We do not serve any specific business interest. That role is competently filled by chambers of commerce and sector-focused organizations with their essential advocacy.

Opinion: Phoenix made a plan for its future. The results are mixed

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead, our mission is to address systemic issues that uplift and improve the entire community. Our distinction has always been an extended mission and dedication of service to the greater good.

Arizona and the Phoenix metro region are significantly different than in 1975 when the Phoenix 40 was founded. The metro population then was under 1.2 million people. Today, we are home to 4.8 million people.

GPL has evolved from those 'Phoenix 40' days

Three and a half million new Arizonans over 50 years means just about every aspect of life has evolved and changed.

The same can be said for our organization. In the early 1990s, while former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo was board chair, the Phoenix 40 changed its name to Greater Phoenix Leadership and actively sought to grow and diversify its membership.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was a smart and necessary move.

After 9/11, in early 2002, GPL commenced a focus on education from preschool through post-secondary that remains.

And in 2020, the organization added issues related to community infrastructure and social impact to the portfolio of member engagement, reflecting members interests and growing needs across the region.

While remaining a private organization that carefully identifies and selects accomplished business leaders for membership, our visible roster of members has evolved from the Phoenix 40 tradition of the past.

Our members work quietly behind the scenes

Most of our members are active with other community organizations and boards, an important factor for new member consideration as it broadens our understanding of community needs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prior to my leadership involvement with GPL, I served as chair of Ballet Arizona and currently am on the Downtown Phoenix Inc. and Banner Health Foundation boards of directors.

Other GPL members regularly organize support behind the scenes. I know several who secured COVID-19 testing, vaccination capacity and locations, brought Afghan refugees to Arizona and helped lead numerous community initiatives identified as critical to the growth and success of the region.

Opinion: What won't change, even as Phoenix grows

Whether leading regional transportation and education funding campaigns over the decades, addressing housing attainment needs, working for a vibrant and successful downtown, helping shape and pass bond programs for arts and culture assets, or supporting K-12 and higher education investment as an economic development driver and workforce plan, we are always eager to partner and collaborate with elected officials and other business and community organizations to help get the job done.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We wont be in many photos, and we rarely issue a news release. We simply lead, support and help when and where needed.

GPL focuses on pragmatic solutions

One might assume that a group of business leaders are monolithic in philosophy and approaches to public policy, but GPLs membership today comprises leaders with different views and political affiliations.

We focus on pragmatic solutions to benefit the greater good, knowing that when the community is strong, businesses will succeed and the economy will grow for all.

Members take seriously the impact our positions and involvement will have on the broader community and nearly 350,000 Arizonans who are employed by the organizations we lead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As we looked back over the 50-year history of our organization, we learned much about how to plan for an even more impactful future.

We are observing the 50th anniversary of our founding as much more than a walk down memory lane. Its a strong catalyst for discerning how we will better answer the call to serve this wonderful place we call home.

Ken Van Winkle is 2024-2026 board chair of Greater Phoenix Leadership and managing parter of Womble Bond Dickenson. Reach him at boardchair@gplinc.org.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Greater Phoenix Leadership has had a strong 50 years | Opinion
The Brief

American Airlines Flight 357 had to make an emergency landing at Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.

The plane was on its way to Phoenix from Philadelphia, and 160 passengers were onboard.

The plane made the emergency landing "following reports of smoke from a customers device."

PHOENIX - Officials with American Airlines say a plane that was headed to Phoenix had to make an emergency landing at an airport in the Washington, D.C. area on Aug. 23.

What we know

Per a brief statement, Flight 357 took off from Philadelphia, and landed safely at Washington Dulles International Airport following reports of smoke from a traveler's device.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The device was quickly contained by crew members prior to landing," read a portion of the statement.

Dig deeper

According to American Airlines officials, there were 160 passengers and six crew members onboard the plane.

"Per procedure, emergency personnel met the aircraft," read a portion of the statement. "Our team worked quickly to reaccommodate customers on alternative flights."

What they're saying

"We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this caused and thank our crew for their professionalism," the statement reads.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Flat Fire, which started Thursday about 3 miles west of Lake Billy Chinook, has grown to nearly 22,000 acres, is 0% contained and has prompted a variety of evacuation levels in two counties.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to send more resources to help battle the blaze on Friday.

As of Sunday morning, Oregon state fire officials say they hope to get the fire lined as their task forces and strike teams work to contain the fire on its southwest corner  all the while monitoring any potential spread near Crooked River Ranch by the Deschutes River.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Runners overcome scorching temps in challenging Hood to Coast relay

Our firefighters are working under critical weather conditions and some very challenging terrain. Were going to continue the aggressive firefighting that local resources and partners started, added Aaron Whiteley, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team 3 Incident Commander.

The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office) The Flat Fire in central Oregon, August 23, 2025 (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office)

Officials say the fire is currently threatening 3,938 homes and 801 personnel are working to fight it.

As of Sunday morning, Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations remain in effect under the direction of both the Deschutes County and Jefferson County Sheriffs Offices.

An evacuation map for the Flat Fire with road closures highlighted in yellow, Aug. 24, 2025. (Deschutes County Sheriffs Office)

The most up to date information can be found on their Facebook pages below:

Flat Fire  Facebook page from Jefferson County Sheriffs Office

Flat Fire  Facebook page from Deschutes County Sheriffs Office

Additionally, the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office says there are four main road closures:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wilt Rd closed at Camp Polk Rd

Panoramic Dr closed at Camp Polk Rd

Goodrich Road is closed north of Hwy 126

Holmes Rd closed north of Fadjur Ln

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ondrej Kohut, left, of the Legio X Gemina Coh II, Roman era military historical group with members from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, has his Roman soldier outfit adjusted by colleague Ludovic Kohut in Poiana, Romania, Saturday, July 12, 2025, during the Getodava historical reenactment festival. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday termed the inauguration of a two-day All India Speakers Conference in the national capital as a "historic day for the Indian democracy." The Delhi CM further hailed Vittalbhai Patel, the first elected president of the Central Legislative Assembly and said he must have envisioned that Indians would sit in assemblies as true representatives of the people under the flag of independent India. "Today is a historic day for our democracy. A hundred years ago, during the British era, for the very first time, an Indian of native origin became the Speaker of this Assembly complex. That moment must have ignited the first spark in the hearts of Indians--that even under British rule, an Indian could raise his voice and bring it to the floor of the House. Vitthalbhai must have envisioned that one day, when India attained independence, Indians would sit in such Assemblies as true representatives of the people under the flag of free India, guided by the Constitution, and shaping policies for the welfare of the nation and its citizens," Chief Minister Gupta said in her address to the gathering. The Delhi CM asserted that no one criticised the decisions of Vittalbhai Patel as he laid the foundation of making India as "Mother of Democracy". "No one ever criticised the decisions of Vitthalbhai Patel. It was he who laid the foundation for making India the "Mother of Democracy. An exhibition showcasing the glorious saga of his life has been set up here, and his invaluable contributions are being shared with every citizen," the Chief Minister said. CM Rekha further lauded Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating that he presents himself as "voice of democracy" in the parliament. She mentioned that Shah has given Lok Sabha a new dimension and is consistently working with dedication to safeguard democracy. The Delhi CM stressed that the Union Home Minister presents himself in the House as the voice of democracy. "He has given the Lok Sabha a new dimension. The laws brought forward in the Monsoon Session to strengthen transparency in politics empower the entire House to take decisions in the interest of the people and the nation, ensuring India moves forward. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is consistently working with dedication to safeguard democracy and lead it ahead," she added. The two-day conference at the Delhi Legislative Assembly began today with Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurating the event. The valedictory session will be presided over by Honourable Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. As per the Delhi CMO, a special postal stamp dedicated to the life and parliamentary contributions of Vithalbhai Patel was released. An exhibition and documentary on his life story are scheduled to be showcased. The stamp is entitled "The Glorious Saga of Vithalbhai Patel", the exhibition will remain open to the public from August 26 to August 31. (ANI)
FILE - Ira Gavriluk holds her cat as she walks next to the bodies of her husband, brother, and another man, who were killed outside her home in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, April 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fueled by hot and dry conditions, the Pickett fire in Napa County grew over the weekend, becoming the largest in the region this year as it spurred evacuations while threatening homes and vineyards.

The blaze broke out Thursday and was burning north of the town of Calistoga. As of Sunday evening, it had scorched 6,800 acres and was 11% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. No injuries have been reported and no structures have burned, officials said, but about 100 people are under an evacuation order.

Dusty Martin, Cal Fire incident commander, said that although the "footprint of the fire" remained stable throughout the day Sunday, "there's a lot of work" before the blaze will be contained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Crews were battling the blaze in "steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain," added Steve Chapman, operations section chief, requiring firefighters to make an arduous trek in hot, smoky weather to reach the fire lines. "It takes a long time to walk in," Chapman said.

Adding to the challenges, a "thermal belt"  a pocket of hot air that persists and fuels fire activity at night  is expected to affect the area over the next few days.

Still, officials said crews had been successful so far at holding the fire, and some people who had been ordered to evacuate were allowed to return home. Napa County Sheriff Oscar Ortiz said officials had opened a shelter for evacuees, but "nobody showed up."

During a Sunday morning video update, Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Operations Chief Jeremy Pierce said that, although the fire had grown, he was "confident" about the coming period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Firefighters from around the region streamed into the county to help in the operation, and as of Sunday evening more than 2,000 people were battling the blaze, including 140 engines, 20 hand crews and 10 helicopters, according to Cal Fire's website.

The Pickett fire was among several burning in parts of California under a spell of hot and dry summer weather.

The National Weather Service on Sunday said there were "elevated fire weather conditions through at least Monday for a high potential of plume-dominated fire behavior over the mountains and interior" in California.

Plume-dominated fires shoot huge plumes of smoke into the air, which collapse on themselves and create unpredictable winds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Unseasonable heat causing severe conditions in SoCal, new wildfires starting to burn

The "elevated" conditions were a downgrade from Saturday, when the service issued a red flag warning for portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Angeles National Forest reported Sunday that several lightning fires had been knocked down. They included a quarter-acre burn south of Quail Lake, as well as a fire by Table Mountain near Wrightwood. Crews were fighting another small fire near Manker Flat by Mt. Baldy.

The Little fire in Kern County, which broke out Friday and reached 300 acres by Saturday, was 2,537 acres on Sunday evening with no containment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More fires were reported Sunday, including the Garnet fire in Fresno County, the Look fire in Tulare County, the Sky fire in Lake County and the 1-1 fire in Lassen County. All were less than 1,000 acres, with zero containment, according to Cal Fire.



Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Pierce County deputies arrested a 29-year-old man Thursday after he crashed a motorcycle in Parkland and then tried to hide in a nearby garage, according to the Pierce County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies said the incident began around 2 p.m. on Aug. 21, when the motorcyclist was seen speeding, running stop signs, and weaving through traffic near 104th Street East and Vickery Avenue East.

The rider collided with another vehicle in the intersection, was thrown from the bike, and then ran away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After the crash, the motorcycle continued on, smashing through a fence before coming to rest on a front porch.

Deputies said the suspect ran into a nearby neighborhood and begged residents to hide him, telling them he had guns and couldnt be caught by police.

Neighbors pointed deputies to a backyard where the man was found trying to hide inside a garage.

Deputies searched a backpack he had been carrying and found two pistols, one of which had an extended magazine and was reported stolen.

Investigators also reported finding numerous small baggies, a large quantity of drugs, and various bills in different denominations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Probable cause was established for delivery of a substance in lieu of a controlled substance.

In addition, deputies said the man had felony warrants and was driving on a suspended license.

He now faces multiple charges, including:

Burglary in the first degree

Two counts of hit-and-run

Two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm

Possession of a stolen firearm

Driving while license suspended in the third degree

Reckless driving

Carrying firearms without a concealed pistol license

Possession of a large-capacity magazine

The Pierce County Sheriffs Office said no one else was seriously injured in the crash and credited deputies and neighbors for quickly helping contain the situation.
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  Three Pine Tree ISD students were recognized last week for winning the statewide 2025 Texas School Safety Center Art Contest.

Pine Tree ISD assistant principal named most outstanding in Region 7

The annual art competition invites Texas high schoolers and middle schoolers to create art about school safety by creatively responding to questions like What is the biggest problem you and/or your peers experience at school? What does a safe school look like to you? Or, what does your safe place from stress and worries look like?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pine Tree ISD High School students Theone Frederick, Eva Vizueth and Jezibella Martindale were each recognized as winners of the contest for their own creative takes on the prompts.

Theone Frederick and her chalk pastel piece called Drowning in Grades, photo courtesy of Pine Tree ISD. Drowning in Grades, photo courtesy of Pine Tree ISD. Eva Vizueth and her chalk pastel piece called See my Thoughts, photo courtesy of Pine Tree ISD. See my Thoughts, photo courtesy of Pine Tree ISD. Jezibella Martindal and her Prismacolor pencil piece called Burnt, photo courtesy of Pine Tree ISD. Burnt, photo courtesy of Pine Tree ISD.

By earning statewide recognition, these students highlighted the importance of school safety while representing Pine Tree ISD with distinction, Pine Tree ISD said.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Shane Gorman was 18 when he lost his dad in the Piper Alpha disaster.

David was a safety officer on the oil platform, which stood about 120 miles (193km) north-east of Aberdeen.

He was one of 167 men who died after a gas explosion tore the facility to pieces in July 1988, in what remains the world's worst offshore oil and gas accident.

The trauma of that loss has shaped Shane's life, inspiring him to follow David in trying to make the industry safer for those who work in it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a new BBC Scotland series telling the story of the disaster and its aftermath, Shane - who had joined the Army shortly before the explosion - explains why he later decided to pursue a career offshore.

"I just felt that this is what I need to do," he says. "It was right for me. I went as a safety officer, which is what my dad used to do. He was always talking about keeping people safe. That was his calling.

"I'd always wanted to figure out what this was, this thing that took my dad away from me. What is it? What contributed to it being such an enormous disaster?

"As it turns out, it's a catalogue of things that have to line up. Just the perfect storm."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The last photo of David and Shane was taken just five days before the disaster. It shows father and son, arms around one another, enjoying a drink and marking a special occasion.

"It was a kind of farewell party or a good luck party for me going down to the army," Shane says.

"I was 18-and-a-half and he was 41 then."

They said goodbye for the final time at a railway station, before Shane set off to begin basic training.

"My dad and my mum took me up to Edinburgh Waverley and my dad shook my hand," he says. "I remember him shaking my hand and saying 'go to it'."

David Gorman (right) toasted his son Shane's departure to join the army just five days before dying in the Piper Alpha disaster [Shane Gorman]

Within days, everything changed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While he was going through his basic training, Shane did not get access to newspapers or watch TV.

He says: "You're in the army. It was my lieutenant, my commanding officer, who came in and said: 'You have to go home. Now.'

"They gave me a train warrant and took me to Darlington train station in a Land Rover and just dropped me off.

"Of course, I'm still none the wiser to what's going on. And I'm really confused about why I'm being sent home."

That was when Shane learned what had happened to Piper Alpha, the platform his dad had been working on.

"I went into the newsagent to buy a can of Coke and a Mars bar or something and the papers were just covered," he says. "Metal sticking out of the sea, headlines. Reporting of the amount of people that had died.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"And honestly, I just knew right then that he was dead and wasn't coming back. I just knew it straight away.

"I just wept the whole way up on the train. And I'm 18 years old and I was comforted by two old ladies.

"I don't even think I managed to tell them why I was so upset. Maybe I did, I don't remember. It was kind of blank from there on in."

Piper Alpha had been operating in the North Sea since 1975 [PA Media]

The Piper oilfield lies about halfway between Scotland the west coast of Norway. It was discovered in 1973 and production started in December 1976.

Piper Alpha was installed over the field in 1975. A fixed platform, it was attached by permanent legs to the seabed 472ft (144m) below the surface of the North Sea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Designed to simultaneously drill and produce oil, it was operated by the UK arm of Occidental Petroleum, a US company with interests across the globe.

It was modified to produce gas as well as oil and, at its peak, the platform is said to have accounted for about 10% of the oil production of the entire North Sea.

That all ended on the night of 6 July 1988.

What happened to Piper Alpha?

The events which led to the explosion began with a leak from pipes connected to a pump. A safety valve had been removed from the pipes for maintenance.

A communications failure on the platform meant work was being done at the same time on the pump itself. When the pipe work from which the safety valve had been removed was pressurised at start-up, gas began leaking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Soon after, the gas ignited, causing an explosion which set off the oil. The heat ruptured a gas pipeline from another installation, producing a fireball that engulfed Piper Alpha.

Fire spread and the effects were devastating. Explosions ripped through firewalls and engulfed much of the platform, including the control room and accommodation blocks - which were meant to be fireproof and safe.

Less than two hours after the initial explosion the platform, its supporting structure weakened by the intense fires, began to buckle and collapse.

First cranes, then the drilling derrick and finally the accommodation modules fell into the sea. They were filled with workers who had sought sanctuary from the inferno.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Of the 226 men on board, 165 died, along with two rescuers.

The 61 who survived had managed to make it off the platform and into the sea, where they were picked up by a small flotilla of vessels.

Of these men, five had jumped 175ft (53m) from the helicopter deck.

Those who had made it off Piper Alpha were taken to hospital in Aberdeen, but it took months to account for the casualties.

David Gorman was among those whose bodies were missing.

Shane says: "The information that we had was my dad was missing, presumed dead. Weirdly, the last time my dad was seen he was holding a door open for people to get through in the accommodation."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The accommodation blocks were raised from the seabed towards the end of 1988. David's body was not among the 87 found inside.

"My dad was one of the ones that was never found," Shane says.

"There was an acceptance that we wouldn't find his body, which takes its toll as well because it's not just to get a death certificate, it's not really about that... it's just the fact that there's no closure."

David was one of 30 Piper Alpha victims whose remains were never recovered.

What was left of the platform was toppled into the sea in March 1989.

What went wrong on Piper Alpha?

The official inquiry, chaired by the Scottish judge Lord William Cullen, opened in November 1988 in Aberdeen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The BBC series recreates the often harrowing testimony of survivors, rescuers and experts as they pieced together the events of the night and the aftermath.

The inquiry sat for 180 days over 13 months. Lord Cullen's final report, published in November 1990, was scathing about Occidental's management of the platform, its communication systems, attitude towards the safety of workers, and the overall industry and government oversight of conditions in the North Sea.

Nearly four decades on, and with the benefit of 13 years working offshore, Shane remains appalled by what he learned about the circumstances of his father's death.

"I don't think on that night they had any plausible or practical way to fight a fire like that. You cannot fight a fire like that. You have to turn off its fuel and that didn't happen," he says.

"They didn't have authority from management to stop pumping even if they could blatantly see that there was a massive disaster happening in front of their eyes. It appears that there was a fear that if they had shut down, they would lose their jobs."

Shane Gorman, now 55, works as a safety consultant in the North Sea oil and gas industry [BBC Studios Productions/Tom Hayward]

Shane is especially angered by the lack of public announcements to evacuate the platform, a failure which was catastrophic for the workers that night.

"That just never came. Most people just had to fend for themselves and try and find their own way off the platform," he says.

"I honestly thought that it was an absolute disgrace. Cullen's report discovered a systemic failure, cultural failure, a kind of flippancy towards safety led from the top down.

"How it was allowed to happen? I'm not sure. But it was."

The memorial to the Piper Alpha disaster stands in Aberdeen's Hazlehead Park. It depicts three offshore workers and carries the names and ages of the 167 dead.

What happened that night in July 1988 changed the UK oil and gas industry forever.

Lord Cullen made 106 recommendations covering the way the industry and government operated the sector. A protracted period of industrial unrest and protest from workers helped press for change.

In the 37 years since, there have been no major safety emergencies in the North Sea.

The Piper Alpha memorial stands in Aberdeen's Hazelhead Park [Alamy]

Occidental is said to have paid survivors and the families of the dead $220m in compensation. The insurance claims for the damage came to about $1.4bn.

In May 1991, Occidental sold its UK oil and gas business to the French company Elf for $1.35bn.

Two months later, Scotland's most senior law officer, Lord Advocate Peter Fraser, said there was insufficient evidence to establish the cause of the disaster or any criminal liability.

He announced no criminal charges would be pursued against any individual or the platform's operators.

Shane Gorman continues to work as a safety consultant in the North Sea oil and gas industry, carrying on the work his dad died doing.

He says: "Piper Alpha ought to be a lesson to us all not to be complacent and not allow greed and money to rule over people and safety.

"I think that that's the message. People are more important."
Gantz has entered two unity governments under Netanyahu in the past. The last time was after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman rejected Blue and White Party head Benny Gantzs proposal to join him in forming a temporary hostage redemption government, calling it a pitiful show and a waste of time during a Sunday morning interview on KAN Reshet Bet.

Gantzs proposal called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid), and Liberman to join forces in forming a temporary "hostage redemption government" for six months that would have focused objectives, which Gantz listed during a press conference on Saturday evening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Netanyahu has yet to respond to the proposal, while Lapid has not added any additional statements since his interview with Channel 12 on Saturday evening, where he criticized the possibility of Gantz joining Netanyahus government for the purpose of a hostage deal.

Liberman strongly criticized the proposal on Sunday morning, claiming that it isnt a move meant to save the hostages, but to save Gantz, during the KAN interview.

Further slamming Gantz, he called the proposal a pitiful show. I saw a tired, frightened, terrified man begging for his life, crawling, and hitching a ride on the most sensitive issues.

DEMONSTRATORS CALL for the release of the hostages and an end to the Israel-Hamas War, in Tel Aviv this week. Israel will survive its external enemies; the greater question is whether we will overcome our internal divisions, says the writer. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Liberman said during the interview that about an hour before Gantzs press conference, he received a phone call from him that he had chosen to ignore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I didnt answer him, Liberman said.

I dont belittle Gantz, I pity him. Likud doesnt take him seriously. Netanyahu has proven that for him, there are no security considerations, Liberman added.

Gantz responded to Liberman directly on Sunday afternoon. "Avigdor, let's not start comparing our qualities or what each of us has done for the country," he wrote on X/Twitter.

"I am not afraid, not intimidated, and not tired. I am determined. I suggest that you look the people of Israel in the eye and, instead of empty slogans, say how you propose to move forward," he continued.

"Don't worry about me, worry about the hostages, worry about the soldiers, worry about all the people of Israel and whether they support you or not," he wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gantz also made a statement on Sunday morning, standing by his proposal, regardless of coalition disapproval.

Even if the coalition refuses, well be able to look ourselves in the mirror and say that we truly tried everything, Gantz wrote. He also underscored the importance of using political power to save the hostages.

Gantz's proposal lists goals for the government

Gantzs proposal listed primary goals that the government would focus on, which included securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and passing the controversial haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft law.

Gantzs proposal also included moving elections up, to take place after the objectives were complete in the spring, rather than in October 2026 as is currently scheduled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli (Likud) commented on Gantz's proposal on Sunday morning, stating that he doesn't shut the door on him, and doesnt join in mocking him, on KAN Reshet Bet.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) called on coalition faction leaders to "make it absolutely clear: Gantz is not entering the government, during a Sunday morning statement.

"We achieved results without Gantz in Iran. We achieved results without Gantz against Hezbollah. We achieved results on various fronts," Ben-Gvir continued.

"If we want to achieve results in Gaza, Benny Gantz must not enter the government," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"His perception is what led to the misconception and the situation we are in," Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu (Otzma Yehudit) said. "If he wants to join the government, he should first apologize and stick to the government's line of Hamas eradication. Its important that Netanyahu be surrounded by good people, not those with messianic delusions about peace."

Gantz has entered two unity governments under Netanyahu in the past. The last time was after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.

However, Gantz then left the coalition due to disagreements with the prime minister, claiming that Netanyahu was preventing Israel from moving forward to a real victory in the war.

Youve been deceived twice. Why would you go in again? Do you want to be deceived a third time? Lapid said during his interview with Channel 12.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gantz addressed anticipated criticism of the move and dismissed claims that his initiative was politically motivated during the Saturday night press conference.

He said that the proposal was solely for the purpose of rescuing the hostages and not to "save Netanyahu."
NEED TO KNOW

American Airlines flight 357 from Philadelphia to Phoenix was forced to divert on Saturday, Aug. 23

A passenger's device reportedly caught fire mid-flight and was seen smoking

All 160 customers and 6 crew members "landed safely" at Washington Dulles International Airport, ABC News reported, citing the airline

An American Airlines plane heading to Phoenix was forced to divert after reports of a fire mid-flight.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, American Airlines flight 357 had departed from Philadelphia for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport when a passenger's device was seen smoking, WUSA and ABC News reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Having been diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, the 160 passengers and six crew members on board "landed safely" at around 11:50 a.m. local time, per the outlets.

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty An American Airlines plane in 2019 An American Airlines plane in 2019

Emergency personnel reported to the aircraft after landing. The type of device and reason for smoking have not yet been disclosed.

"The device was quickly contained by crew members prior to landing," an American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement, per ABC News.

American Airlines did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional information on Sunday, Aug. 24.

Passenger Adriana Novello, 22, told ABC News that she was asleep in her exit row seat when she was awakened to one of the flight attendants reaching over her for the fire extinguisher.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Then I started smelling smoke, and a lot of people on the plane were coughing," she said. "But I looked behind me, and what we could tell was that there was something on fire in the aisle."

An airline spokesperson told Fox News that the passengers and crew onboard the aircraft deplaned normally. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority added that the incident did not impact flight operations at the airport.

No arrests or injuries were disclosed, according to the outlet.

FlightAware shows that the flight had departed Philadelphia around 10:50 a.m. local time. Due to the diversion, passengers were booked onto alternative flights, The Independent reported, citing American Airlines.

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 incident comes almost a month after American Airlines passengers at Denver International Airport were forced to evacuate a plane when the landing gear caught fire shortly before takeoff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The flight was set to depart for Miami International Airport on July 26 when it encountered "a mechanical issue involving an aircraft tyre and flames" on the aircraft, the airline said in a statement to PEOPLE.

"All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team," the airline continued.

There were 173 passengers and six crew members on board the aircraft when the incident occurred. One passenger was transported to the hospital with a minor injury, American Airlines confirmed to PEOPLE.

Read the original article on People
A plane full of Russian tourists bound for St Petersburg made an emergency landing in Tallinn on the morning of 24 August.

A plane full of Russian tourists bound for St Petersburg made an emergency landing in Tallinn on the morning of 24 August.

Source: Postimees, an Estonian news outlet, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The plane, operated by Egypts AlMarsia Universal Airlines, landed in Tallinn at 05:33, said Margot Holts, Head of Communications and Marketing at Tallinn Airport. The flight was en route from Sharm el-Sheikh to Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The aircraft was diverted to Tallinn because it was unable to land at Pulkovo due to a temporary closure," she added.

Pulkovo Airport was closed following an overnight Ukrainian drone attack that damaged several sites on Russian territory, causing fires at the port of Ust-Luga and near the Kursk nuclear power plant.

The aircraft departed Tallinn at 11:08 and continued on to St Petersburg.

Holts said that passengers and crew were not permitted to leave the plane while it was at Tallinn Airport.

Background:

In February, a Russian plane flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to Kaliningrad was forced to make an emergency landing in Poznan, Poland, due to adverse weather conditions, after Warsaw Airport refused permission to land.

Russian media reported that passengers were not allowed to disembark or to eat or drink.

Polands border guard service confirmed to the W Poznan portal that no one had been permitted to leave the aircraft. The plane left Poznan the following morning.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
(KRON)  A plane made an emergency landing in Wilder Ranch State Park, north of Santa Cruz Saturday.

A pilot successfully landed the plane in a grass field after the plane lost power over Scotts Valley, according to the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit.

Person rescued after 50-foot fall in San Francisco

A plane made an emergency landing in Wilder Ranch State Park, north of Santa Cruz on Aug. 23, 2025. (Cal Fire) (Cal Fire)

Thankfully, they made a safe landing in an open field, Cal Fire said.

The pilot and a student passenger were not injured. The plane landed undamaged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
FROSTBURG  A Frostburg man was arrested early Sunday after he allegedly robbed an E. Main Street convenience store.

Frostburg City Police said Ronald Dewain Smith Jr., 36, entered the store about 3:15 a.m., pointed a handgun at staff and customers and stole cash and other items before fleeing on on foot.

Smith was identified during investigation, police said, and arrested at a private residence. Evidence of the crime was reportedly found at that location.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Smith was being held Sunday in the Allegany County Detention Center on charges of armed robbery, robbery, first-degree assault (three counts), second-degree assault (three counts), prohibited person/felon in possession of a firearm and other charges. He was awaiting a bond hearing.

Frostburg police was assisted by the Frostburg State University Police Department, Maryland State Police, Allegany County Sheriffs Office and the Allegany County C3I Unit.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday in a fresh attack on the Election Commission of India and the BJP, calling the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll in Bihar, an "institutionalised way" of stealing votes. Addressing a press conference in Araria in Bihar during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', the Congress leader alleged a partnership between the ECI and the BJP. "In Bihar, SIR is an institutionalised way for vote theft. Lakhs of voters' names were deleted; the Opposition is complaining, but the BJP has not complained even once because there is a partnership between the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner and the BJP," Rahul Gandhi claimed. He said that the Opposition will not allow the BJP and the Election Commission to steal elections in Bihar. "Yatra is successful and people are joining organically. It is clear that crores of people in Bihar believe in our claim of vote theft, which is why you can see this response. Election Commission's work is to give the correct voter list, which they did not do in Maharashtra, Haryana and Karnataka" Gandhi said. "Our pressure is to change the Election Commission's behaviour. We will not allow this to happen in Bihar. You stole elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, and in Karnataka, we showed that there was a vote theft," he said. When asked about the allegations of 'misguiding' the public and tarnishing the image of the poll body, Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at the ECI for not sending an affidavit to Union Minister Anurag Thakur, when he alleged 'vote theft' in Opposition-ruled constituencies. He said, "I kept data for Mahadevapura in front of the Election Commission. There have been no answers to those questions. I was addressing the press conference when the EC asked for the affidavit. A few days after that, Anurag Thakur did a similar press conference. I do not know who gave him the idea. But EC did not ask for an affidavit from him. We said the same thing." "The media knows who the Election Commission is standing with. If they were neutral, an affidavit would have been sent to Anurag Thakur as well," he added. Earlier today, Congress MP Gandhi, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, resumed their 'Voter Adhikaar Yatra' on its eighth day in the State's Purnea district. The two leaders rode motorcycles during the 'Yatra', which seeks to highlight alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise in the state. The 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', covering 1,300 km across 20 districts, has been launched by the Opposition parties in protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which they claim is an attempt at vote chori (vote theft). The march will conclude in Patna on September 1. (ANI)
Detroit police are searching for information involving the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy Saturday night on Detroit's northwest side.

The teenager was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head at a playground in the 14800 block of Monte Vista Street, near the Adams Butzel Complex, at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 23, police reported. The teen was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries, police said.

The Detroit Police Department's homicide division is investigating the incident. No suspects are currently in custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-SPEAKUP (773-2587) or the Detroit Police Homicide Department at 313-596-2260.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit police investigate fatal shooting of 16-year-old boy
New police officers in Scotland are being given English classes to improve their reading and writing amid concerns about the standard of recruits.

The classes for probationary officers include guidance on taking down statements, writing reports, and clearer speech for everyday English.

The training is provided in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Services Division and Semper Scotland  the staff network that represents ethnic minority officers in Police Scotland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Information detailing the cost of the classes is not held by the force, The Herald reported.

The classes have been introduced as concern about the standard of younger officers has grown following a drop in applications to join the force.

Applications to join Police Scotland have fallen by 1,273 in the past two years and an increasing number of officers are resigning.

Liam Kerr has called on the Scottish Government to give Police Scotland the resources it needs - Ken Jack/Getty Images

Liam Kerr, the Scottish Tories shadow justice secretary, said: With officer numbers down significantly, there is concern among high-ranking and senior officers about the standard and calibre of candidate coming through.

While it is crucial that the force reflects modern society, Scots will be concerned that taxpayer money is being spent on these courses and will feel an acceptable level of English should be achieved prior to qualifying as an officer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The SNPs sustained underfunding of Police Scotland continues to have serious consequences, and it is time they recognised the reality facing the force and give them the resources they need.

In June 2023, around 50 officers attended a workshop called English for Speakers of Other Languages, The Herald reported.

The same class was run in November that year and four more times in 2024.

In May of this year, a pilot workshop for officers in their probationary period provided guidance on taking statements and clearer speech for everyday English, the force revealed following a Freedom of Information request.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

David Threadgold, the head of the Scottish Police Federation, warned in March that a drop from 17,496 officers in 2013 to under 16,000 by 2024-25 had led to fewer officers facing a heavier workload.

The figures are disputed by Police Scotland.

The force has said it will recruit 1,300 officers in 2024-25, the highest number ever in a single year, leading to scepticism surrounding the quality of those new recruits.

Supt Steven Duncan, head of operational training, said: All police officer applicants are subject to the same high standards to be selected for recruitment.

Under the Police Service of Scotland Regulations, all candidates must be sufficiently competent in spoken and written English and undertake an assessment to demonstrate this prior to entering the service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We want people from all backgrounds and experiences to see policing as a potential career, and it is important that our people represent and reflect the communities we serve.

These voluntary workshops were offered to officers, where English is not their first language, to help build confidence when dealing with different dialects and local colloquialisms in a range of operational policing scenarios.

The chief constable has been clear that strengthening and protecting front-line policing is a priority for Police Scotland. Our recruitment pipeline is healthy and we welcomed 100 new recruits to Police Scotland in July with an additional 138 expected in September.

We are planning on recruiting a total of 780 officers over this financial year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: We welcome Police Scotlands efforts to strengthen diversity and inclusion with a workforce reflective of the communities it serves.

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.
Update

PARK CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A suspect is in custody after a man fired shots from within the Park City Gun Club and fled from officers in a vehicle Sunday morning, according to the Summit County Sheriffs Office.

At around 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, Summit County deputies responded to an alarm activation at the Park City Gun Club, located on Forestdale Drive. Upon arrival, they heard what they believed to be gunshots from inside the building.

Deputies then witnessed multiple shots being fired from inside the building toward outside. A man exited the building and got into a vehicle. Deputies attempted a traffic stop but the suspect fled, leading to a pursuit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspect fled to the area of Trailside Bike Park, where he crashed. He then refused deputies commands to surrender, leading to a SWAT standoff that lasted around an hour and twenty minutes.

The suspect, a male in his forties and a Utah resident, ultimately surrendered and was taken into custody, a press release from the Summit County Sheriffs Office states. Fortunately, no law enforcement officers were seriously injured during the incident.

One deputy sustained minor injuries, possibly from a bullet ricochet or flying debris while outside the gun club, police said. Law enforcement did not fire any shots during this incident.

The shelter-in-place order has been lifted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No further information is available at this time.

Original Story

PARK CITY, Utah (ABC4)  The Summit County Sheriffs Office has issued a shelter-in-place order for residents in Park City as law enforcement responds to an active situation.

Law Enforcement is responding to an incident in the area of Trailside Park, the sheriffs office posted on Facebook. This is an active situation involving a potentially armed individual. All residents in the area are urged to shelter in place and report any suspicious persons in the area to 911 immediately.

The public is urged to stay away from the area of Trailside Park  a sprawling park located at 5715 Trailside Dr., Park City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Latest headlines:

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The Political Beat breaks down the race District 6

Krista Bokhari is running for the District 6 seat in Charlotte after her husband, Tariq Bokhari, left the position earlier this year for a job as the number two in President Trumps transportation administration.

Bokhari is competing against Sary Chakra in the Republican primary for District 6, which covers the Park Road, Myers Park, and SouthPark areas.

Chakra did not respond to Channel 9s request for an interview.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I honestly never thought of myself as the front person. But then I started realizing, why not me? Krista Bokhari said, highlighting her decision to run for office.

Bokhari has expressed concerns about crime in Charlotte, noting that there were 59 murders by the end of June. She argues that the city needs to address these issues more transparently and effectively.

The 2025 Political Beat Primary Candidate Guide

The campaign also touches on a past controversy involving a settlement with CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, related to a text exchange with Tariq Bokhari. Krista Bokhari criticized the citys handling of the settlement and the dismissal of an ethics complaint against her husband.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If Bokhari wins the primary, she will face Democrat Kimberly Owens in the November election.

>> In the video at the top of the page, watch The Politcal Beats full interview with Krista Bokhari.

(WATCH BELOW: District 3 candidates discuss top issues at Charlotte Douglas)
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Experts from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service have reported that pork prices are expected to stay within record levels as the holidays approach.

Pork giant Smithfields CEO touts growth outlook, minimizes threats from deportations, bird flu

AgriLife Today reported on Tuesday that average pork prices in stores were at the highest point of the year in July. Julys average price was $5.01 per pound which was up from $4.92 per pound in July of 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Supplies remain tight as U.S. pork production has edged lower due to reduced sow numbers, despite gains in productivity per litter, AgriLife Extension livestock and food marketing economist and professor David Anderson Ph.D. told AgriLife Today. Consumers should expect higher prices this fall because production is about the same as last year and were not seeing expansion in the herd. Without more production, prices are going to stay high.

Anderson said that part of why prices are so high is because of reduced exports of U.S. pork following recent tariffs. According to AgriLife today, last year saw the United States exporting an average of 38 million pounds of pork to China every month but for May that figure was down to just 4 million pounds.

Mexico continues to be our strongest partner, while Chinas demand has dropped significantly due to trade barriers, Anderson said. Those shifts ultimately feed back into the U.S. market and help explain why prices remain firm across most cuts.

For East Texas, AgriLife Today noted that hay production has continued despite declines in rainfall leaving livestock in fair to good condition. The publication did note that Armyworms and Bermuda grass stem maggots have been reported in East Texas pastures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anderson expects pork prices to stay high ahead of the peak demand for pork during November and December.

Unless we see a meaningful increase in production, high prices are here to stay into early next year, Anderson said.

To learn more about pork conditions in other parts of the state, visit AgriLife Today online.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
NEW YORK  A posthumous and unsparing memoir by one of Jeffrey Epsteins most prominent accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, will be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf said Sunday.

Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice is scheduled for release Oct. 21, the publisher confirmed to The Associated Press. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, had been working on Nobodys Girl with author-journalist Amy Wallace and had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book, according to Knopf.

The publishers statement includes an email from Giuffre to Wallace a few weeks before her death, saying that it was her heartfelt wish the memoir be released regardless of her circumstances.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders, the email reads. It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness.

Giuffre had been hospitalized following a serious accident March 24, Knopf said, and sent the email April 1. She died April 25.

In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODYS GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices, she wrote to Wallace.

In 2023, the New York Post had reported that Giuffre had reached a deal believed to be worth millions with an undisclosed publisher. Knopf spokesperson Todd Doughty said that she initially agreed to a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press, but moved with acquiring editor Emily Cunningham after Knopf hired Cunningham as executive editor last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Giuffre had stated often that, in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epsteins sex-trafficking ring and exploited by Britains Prince Andrew and other influential men. Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell in 2019 in what investigators described as a suicide. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in late 2021 on sex trafficking and other charges.




President Trump is doubling down on his crackdown on crime in major cities. After highlighting the deployment of more than 2,200 National Guard members in Washington, D.C., he singled out Chicago as the next city he plans to make safe.

While he acknowledged that no concrete steps have been taken yet, Trump warned: Well go in and well straighten out Chicago, just like we did D.C.

Both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson hit back at Trump in comments Friday, with the governor accusing the president of attempting to create chaos.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are many things the federal government could do to help us reduce crime and violence in Chicago, but sending in the military is not one of them, Johnson added.

The threat comes as part of a broader plan to send Guard troops to more than a dozen states. We take a closer look at the rollout below.

Why is Trump zeroing in on Chicago now?

Trump has long painted major U.S. cities like Chicago as unsafe and lawless. In his 2017 inaugural address, he spoke of American carnage in urban areas, pointing to crime and poverty, particularly in places led by Democrats. Now, that theme has carried into his second term  and escalated.

On Friday, Trump called Chicago a mess, insisting its residents are screaming for help  and going so far as to suggest that members of the citys Black community want him to step in. African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please, he said Friday. One of the women he appears to be referencing is Danielle Carter-Walters, a fitness trainer and co-founder of the Trump-supporting group Chicago Flips Red. Carter-Walters has publicly called for the National Guard to patrol Chicagos streets. We knew he had been listening to us, she told the Chicago Sun-Times, noting that she and her small group have been asking for it in our videos  and, she believes, their voices are now reaching the Oval Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While no date has been set, The Washington Post has reported that a deployment could come as soon as September.

Its no secret that the Windy City has struggled with violent crime: In 2024, the citys violent crime rate was about 540 per 100,000 residents, compared with a national average of roughly 359 per 100,000. Still, homicides and shootings have steadily declined in recent years and continue to fall in 2025.

There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the National Guard. JB Pritzker

That drop is part of a broader national trend. FBI data shows that, as of April 2025, violent crime was down 6.6 percent and property crime down 11.2 percent compared with the same period in 2024.

Yet the push to deploy troops isnt only about crime. The Pentagons planning comes as the Trump administration pressures state and local officials to help ramp up immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently sent letters to more than 30 cities and states  from California to Minnesota  demanding they end their sanctuary policies, which limit local cooperation with federal authorities.

How are Democrats responding?

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called Trumps move an abuse of authority, insisting, there is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the National Guard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a lengthy thread Friday, the Democratic governor also accused Trump of trying to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts  all to create a justification for further overreach.

Pritzker wrote in another post, We dont play those games. Our commitment to law and order is delivering results.

The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority.



There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the @IL_Natl_Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders.  Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 24, 2025

Top Democrats have echoed that concern. Appearing on CNNs State of the Union Sunday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Trumps threats to crack down on Chicago without a state request an effort to manufacture a crisis and create a distraction. Democrats also point to the bigger picture: National crime rates have been falling, making Trumps framing of urban lawlessness even more suspect.

Jeffries pushed back on the notion that Democrats opposition to National Guard deployments meant the party isnt serious about safety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As Democrats, we want safer communities, he told CNN. We want to continue to make sure that crime can go down as its doing in Chicago, in New York, in Washington, D.C., and other places. And to do that, we should support local law enforcement. We should make sure that the flood of guns into these communities is cut off.

Can Trump legally deploy the National Guard to Chicago?

Recent events have once again reignited the national conversation about the presidents power to deploy troops inside the U.S.

We have a tradition in the United States, which is more a norm than a law, that we want law enforcement to be conducted by civilians, not the military.

Ordinarily, a states governor controls its National Guard. But under Title 10 of federal law, the president can federalize the Guard and deploy troops even over a governors objections. Title 10 lays out the organization and powers of the Armed Forces and permits presidential orders if there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the government. Trump invoked this authority during protests in Los Angeles in June, citing incidents of violence and disorder tied to ICE operations. That move triggered a legal challenge: Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials argued the orders violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits U.S. troops from engaging in civilian law enforcement. A federal judge agreed, but the ruling was ultimately put on hold by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Title 10 isnt the only option available. A president can also invoke the Insurrection Act to send active-duty troops into U.S. cities for law enforcement, but doing so would be politically explosive and likely to raise concerns at the Pentagon. Trump publicly floated the idea in 2020 after George Floyds murder in Minneapolis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both laws are more than a century old and rarely tested in modern times. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 was meant to prevent the federal government from using the military as a domestic police force after Reconstruction  a shift that, in practice, cleared the way for segregation in the South. We have a tradition in the United States, which is more a norm than a law, that we want law enforcement to be conducted by civilians, not the military, national security law expert William Banks told the AP. That principle, reinforced in National Guard training, gives the law its weight even with limited use.

Still, the boundaries remain blurry, with no authoritative precedent on exactly where the lines are  which is why, as Georgetown law professor Steve Vladeck noted to the AP, the militarys own interpretation has carried so much weight over the years.

Why is Trump mobilizing the National Guard in 19 states?

The Trump administration reportedly plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 Republican-controlled states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia, in the coming weeks. Texas is expected to see the largest deployment, while most states would receive only a modest presence.

According to Fox News, the troops will support the administrations Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, along with other law enforcement priorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, the White House insists the effort is unrelated to Trumps push to extend Washington, D.C.s federal crime crackdown in major cities like New York. Trump also suggested sending troops to Baltimore after a spat with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who has pointed to falling crime rates and accused the president of using racially charged scare tactics for political gain.

Whether this proves to be a temporary show of force or the start of a broader, longer-term presence remains unclear.

The post President Trump Eyes Chicago For Next Federal Crackdown appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
A Princeton man was arrested on child pornography charges.

According to a release from Illinois State Police, on February 1, 2024, ISP Special Agents executed a residential search warrant at a home in the 300 block of S. Vernon St. in Princeton, based on a cyber-tip that a resident was engaged in internet crimes against children. Officials seized evidence, and extensive forensic examination was required.

James Paranto (Illinois State Police)

On August 18, 2025, the Bureau County States Attorneys Office issued an arrest warrant for the charges, and the Bureau County Sheriffs Office and Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 Special Agents arrested James Paranto, 38, for three counts of possession and dissemination of child pornography (Class X felony).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Illinois Attorney Generals Office High Tech Crimes Bureau and the Princeton Police Department assisted with the investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
British children are accessing outlawed puberty blockers through an EU loophole, The Telegraph can reveal.

Evidence seen by The Telegraph suggests children are having online consultations with EU doctors and then flying to the Continent with their parents to get injections of the maximum six-month dose of the drugs, which were indefinitely banned across the UK by Wes Streeting.

The method and logistics of circumventing the law are being promoted by Anne Health, a private trans clinic run by Susie Green, the former chief executive of Mermaids, the trans charity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The company is registered in London but is not regulated by a medical body, with medical staff based abroad.

Following The Telegraphs investigation, the Government has pledged to take action against the irresponsible and dangerous practice.

A spokesman said they were aware of the concerning practices raised and are reviewing what more can be done to protect children and families from exploitation.

Testosterone prescriptions

Anne Health has also prescribed cross-sex hormones such as testosterone to under-16s, according to parents using the service, which is legal in the UK, but not recommended by the NHS and now subject to a government review.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Doctors based in Dublin, Ireland, and Madrid, Spain, are understood to be among those being used by the clinic to prescribe puberty blockers to children, working with known pharmacies to dispense the drugs.

The hormone blockers have been banned in the UK since May 2024 following the landmark review into trans healthcare for under-18s by Baroness Cass, which found gender medicine had been built on shaky foundations and that there was remarkably weak evidence to support their use in children with gender dysphoria.

The drugs stop the onset of puberty by suppressing hormones vital to body and brain development and were designed for children beginning puberty too early.

An independent report by the Commission on Human Medicines found that there was currently an unacceptable safety risk to children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anne Health was founded by Ms Green, 57, and Lizzie Jordan, 43, an entrepreneur and sexual health advocate, in July 2024.

It has been specifically called out by NHS England in guidance, which said GPs must not enter shared-care agreements  such as taking on prescribing responsibilities  with Anne Health or GenderGP, another unregulated private provider, because they were actively undermining the law and the Cass review.

In messages seen by The Telegraph, Ms Green seeks out parents online who are concerned about their gender-questioning children and guides them on how to access puberty blockers using her private clinic without breaking the law.

In one she talks about medical tourism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In another, Ms Green tells a parent she can get blockers for their 15-year-old child.

We have a legal route for you to do so. However, as your daughter is 15, the endocrinologist we refer you to may suggest other options too. They come with side effects so need careful monitoring but we make sure all of that is done so your daughter is as safe as possible, she said.

You and your daughter will meet the doctor personally online as part of the plan if you decide to go with us. Also happy to chat with anyone with absolutely no obligation.

The source of the messages and identity of parents have been anonymised in order to protect their identities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ms Green took her own child  born male  to the US to access puberty blockers and then to Thailand for cross-sex surgery for their 16th birthday.

In response to a query about the legality of bringing the drugs back into the UK from the EU, Ms Green had previously explained to a parent that it was legal as long as they come back on your childs person and they have a valid EU prescription with them.

The clinic had been advising parents on how to administer the banned drugs to their children, but is understood to have stopped since that became illegal. That happened when the ban went from being temporary to permanent, and administering the drugs was classed as a form of supply.

Ms Green has also encouraged parents seeking to get the drugs from Ireland to act fast in case of a ban there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That route may close soon so I would suggest going quickly because they have told us they will not dispense if a ban drops regardless of the date of a prescription, a message seen by The Telegraph reads.

Dr Louise Irvine, the co-chairman of the Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender, said the prescribing of puberty blockers for the purpose of preventing normal puberty in gender-questioning children is banned in the UK for good reason  they risk serious harm and have no evidence of benefit.

She called on the Government to act promptly to protect children from this abuse, including strong measures to prevent importation and criminal sanctions.

Ms Green has been accused of exploiting vulnerable children, with desperate parents spending thousands of pounds on accessing the drugs through Anne Health.

A spokesman for Bayswater Support Group, which supports more than 600 families with trans-identifying children, said: Decisive action is long overdue to protect children from unscrupulous private providers who make no secret of their intention to exploit any loophole available to continue supplying puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Children and their families are being exploited at their most vulnerable rather than getting the care they deserve.

Anne Health charges a 200 joining fee for a youth membership for under-18s plus a 150 monthly membership fee on a 12-month contract, at a total cost of 2,000 for one year, before any drugs or travel is paid for.

The membership fee includes blood tests, consultations, and therapy, the company says. A prescription for a three-month injection is likely to cost 600 a time.

The company says it now has 23 employees and claims to be helping nearly 600 people access life-saving gender-affirming care after one year in operation.

Shocking evidence

Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at human rights charity Sex Matters, said The Telegraph had unveiled shocking evidence that proponents of puberty blockers are guiding parents and children to circumvent UK law in order to gain access to these dangerous drugs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its the duty of the GMC to act when UK-licensed medical professionals are acting outside the spirit, if not the letter, of the law, she said.

Doctors facilitating access to banned drugs from abroad  particularly for children  would not be tolerated in any other context.

Dr Alice Hodkinson, co-founder of Biology in Medicine, a doctors campaign group, said: Parents believe they are doing the right thing, but they are being tragically misled. If you block the natural process of puberty, you miss a window of opportunity to enter adulthood.

Preventing puberty will limit brain development and will lower IQ. Children will lose their future sexual function and never know what they have lost.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ms Green was dismissed as the chief executive of Mermaids in 2022 over a loss of trust in her leadership.

The Charity Commission launched an inquiry into the charity days after the 57-year-old quit, following an investigation by The Telegraph that revealed teenagers as young as 13 were being given chest binders against their parents wishes, and that it was wrongly promoting puberty blockers as safe and reversible.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: Advising parents how to circumvent health regulations put in place to protect children is irresponsible and dangerous.

Getting medicines from anywhere other than from legitimate sources significantly increases the likelihood of it being fake or dangerous, and there is no legal or safe way of administering or monitoring these drugs in the UK.

We are aware of the concerning practices raised and are reviewing what more can be done to protect children and families from exploitation. We urge parents to consult their GP and not allow these rogue operators to put their children in danger.

Anne Health said: We are actively helping families to support their children to access lifesaving medication that has been banned despite the well-documented benefits for trans and non-binary youth.

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.
Theres growing questions about why FBI agents searched the home and office of President Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton. Anthony Coley and Tara Setmayer join The Weekend to discuss the cost of being a Trump critic.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday emphasised the importance of maintaining the dignity and respect of the Speaker's post, stressing that both the government and opposition must ensure proceedings are conducted strictly according to House rules. He warned that historically, assemblies that lost their dignity faced "dire consequences." Union Minister Shah made these remarks while inaugurating the two-day All India Speakers' Conference at the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Shah stated that the All India Speakers Conference provides an opportunity for leaders to work towards increasing the dignity and respect of the post of the Speaker. "It is an opportunity for all of us to work towards increasing the dignity and respect of the post of the Speaker. We should strive to offer an unbiased platform to raise the issues of the people of our country. An unbiased argument must be done by the government and the opposition. We must ensure that the functioning of the House is carried out as per the rules of the respective House... In our 13000-year-long history, whenever the assemblies have lost their dignity, we have had to face dire consequences," the Union Minister said. Shah commemorated the centenary of Vitthalbhai Patel's appointment as Speaker of the Central Assembly. Patel was appointed the President of the Central Legislative Assembly (Speaker) on August 24, 1925 and was the first Indian to hold the position of Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly. He said, "Today is the day when the legislative history of the country began, and we are present in the same House where it began. On this day, the legislative history of India began with the great freedom fighter, Vitthalbhai Patel, becoming the Speaker of the Central Assembly. And today, all the Speakers, Deputy Speakers and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council who run the legislatures of the country are present here. So, in a way, the entire legislative system that has created a golden history and which is working towards a golden future is present in this historic House today." "It is a matter of pride for all of us that today we all have gathered on the occasion of completion of 100 years of Vitthalbhai Patel becoming Speaker of Central Assembly... When we talk about Vitthalbhai Patel, the people of Gujarat, proudly say that the state had given two brothers Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who worked day and night with Mahatma Gandhi for country's independence and Vitthalbhai Patel, who laid the foundation of India's legislative traditions and made it possible for today's democracy to work," Shah added. Before addressing the event, Union Minister Shah also paid tribute to Vithalbhai Patel, India's first elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly. The Central Legislative Assembly was the lower house of the bicameral legislature of British India, established by the Government of India Act 1919. (ANI)
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of using racist language and committing criminal damage after a video of St George's crosses being painted on homes was widely viewed on social media.

It shows two shirtless men painting red crosses on the white walls of flats above a row of shops in Basildon, Essex.

While a third person films their work and a young girl watches, racial slurs are heard being shouted as a woman wearing a head scarf walks past with a child.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Basildon Council's Labour leader Gavin Callaghan welcomed the patriotic spirit of those hanging England flags throughout the borough, but warned against criminal damage and said: "Racism has no place in Basildon."

The row of shops off Whitmore Way includes a convenience store, a pharmacy and food outlets including an Indian restaurant, a Chinese takeaway and a burger bar.

'Disgraceful'

Essex Police confirmed a 33-year-old man, from Basildon, was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

That followed "multiple reports" from the public about the video.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He has been questioned and released on bail while investigations continue.

Ch Insp Paul Hogben said: "Regardless of anyone's thoughts or views, causing damage by applying paint to people's properties is clearly a criminal offence.

"Aside from that simple fact, some of the language directed towards a member of the public in this incident was disgraceful.

"I'm confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county.

"We've received numerous reports in relation to this matter and it's only right that we acted upon them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We always work to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Essex."

Basildon is one of many places around the country to be covered by St George's flags in recent days, and the flag has also been a common sight at protests outside hotels being used to house asylum seekers.

Gavin Callaghan, leader of Basildon Borough Council, said there was a "big difference" between "flying a flag and vandalism" [BBC]

The trend was acknowledged by council leader Callaghan in a statement, issued on Saturday afternoon.

"This week we've seen a large number of England and British flags put up across our borough," he said.

"I think it's fantastic to see our flag flying proudly. It shows the pride that so many people feel in our country and our community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I have been clear with officers at Basildon Council that we will not be taking down any flags.

"The majority have been fixed to streetlamps, which are Essex County Council's responsibility, and it will be for them to decide if they stay up or not. Personally, I hope they do.

"But I want to be clear as well: there is a big difference between flying a flag and vandalism. Painting on people's shops or council buildings isn't patriotism, it's criminal damage.

"That isn't the way to show love for your country. You're not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You're not protecting your child's future by racially abusing a passer-by.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Racism has no place in Basildon."

The statement also cited the video specifically.

Callaghan added: "The video circulating of men painting a St George's flag on the shops on Whitmore Way wasn't just about a flag, it was laced with vile racist abuse aimed at a mum and her young child.

"That is totally wrong and must be called out."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related stories

Related internet links
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Railroad Museum was spooky over the weekend, hosting their second annual Spirits of the Round House paranormal convention.

Guest speakers shared their experiences with paranormal activity, accompanied by several paranormal investigators. The event featured a variety of art vendors, handcrafted items, and tarot card readings for attendees to enjoy.

At the end of the night, the organizers planned to investigate the railroad museum for any signs of paranormal activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Story continues below

You dont have to be a believer, said event organizer Cathy Pullis. But out here in the railroad museum, the workers are still here; they definitely want everybody to know that theyre here. Theyre not scary by any means, but they definitely let us know that theyre here. We just want to bring it to the public and just have fun with it.

The event also had a VIP ticket that allowed visitors to explore the entire site on their own or in a group setting and spend the night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Rain, flooding risk to increase in the Rockies and southern Plains this week

Hot and dry weather has been the theme in the Plains lately, but a shift in the weather pattern will send rain to parts of the region this week, sparking the risk of flooding.

The first of two potential episodes of flooding will continue through Tuesday, with heavy rain and thunderstorms from eastern Colorado through the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles into Kansas and Oklahoma, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Youman said.

Rain and thunderstorms initially developed in Colorado and northern New Mexico before moving eastward into Kansas, Oklahoma and the northern Texas Panhandle late Sunday night. Those storms will then advance into eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas before falling apart later on Monday.

AccuWeather.com

Although most areas will have 1-2 inches of rain, one location with the possibility to receive more than 2 inches of rain would be on the state line between Kansas and Oklahoma. A second area could be along Interstate 25 from Denver to Pueblo, Colorado. This would be due to moisture ascending into the higher terrain, producing more lift in the atmosphere and causing more efficient rainfall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+

More downpours can develop on Tuesday, extending from portions of the Texas Panhandle to western Arkansas.

A second and potentially longer-lasting and more significant flood threat may begin on Wednesday. This is when flow from both the Pacific and the Gulf will enhance the rainfall. In addition, multiple rounds of rain are expected.

While some of the same locations will be targeted, the overall area will be larger. Places farther to the east that may have little to no rainfall through Tuesday may get drenched later in the week.

AccuWeather.com

Areas that have rain and thunderstorms over the course of multiple days will have the highest risk of flooding. Furthermore, there will be another factor that may raise the flooding potential.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This heavy rain threat combined with local soil moisture levels well below the historical average can result in less efficient absorption and more runoff, which can increase the flash flooding risk," cautioned Youman.

As the calendar flips from August to September, drier air may move into the region. At the very least, this would reduce the coverage and intensity of rain. It is also possible that Labor Day is dry in much of the region that will be drenched to end August.

AccuWeather.com

Rain and storms may return after the holiday, but it should not be to the same magnitude as what is expected this week.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
The Brief

Protesters added the rainbow design after FDOT crews had recently repainted the crosswalk. This marks the second time the state has had to repaint it since Wednesday.

The crosswalk honored the 49 lives lost in the 2016 nightclub shooting.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The rainbow crosswalk in downtown Orlando near the site of the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting  at the time, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history  was repainted black overnight, a day after people defiantly re-painted it in rainbow colors. People were back at the crosswalk appearing to use chalk to color over the black paint.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The federal government and the state of Florida have both issued new rules and standards in 2025 regarding crosswalks, seeking to remove alleged artwork or designs that are viewed as politically charged or distracting, and replace them with a uniform black-and-white-style crosswalk. Some officials and LGBTQ+ advocates see the move as the latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community.

Photos: Orlando crosswalk painted black against; advocates ready with chalk

When was the Pulse rainbow crosswalk installed?

The crosswalk, near Orange Avenue and Esther Street, was originally installed in 2017, a year after 49 people were killed, and 53 people were hurt after a gunman opened fire inside the LGBTQ-friendly nightclub. At the time, state, county, and city officials approved the rainbow crosswalk, which has been widely seen as a memorial to those killed on June 12, 2016.

Protesters added the rainbow design after FDOT crews had recently repainted the crosswalk. This marks the second time the state has had to repaint it since Wednesday.

It also comes after years-long planning and advocacy to build a permanent memorial at the Pulse site collapsed after the OnePULSE Foundation crumbled amid questions about its leadership, goals, budget, and finances. The City of Orlando ultimately bought the Pulse nightclub property and has hired a firm to build the permanent memorial  which is expected to be completed in 2027.

Crosswalk safety or political messaging?

United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for the removal of certain crosswalk designs the administration deems politically charged and distracting. Duffy said the designs are distracting to drivers and detract from the core mission of driver and pedestrian safety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork," Duffy said.

DeSantis shared his thoughts in a post on X on Thursday, posting, "We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes."

Roads are for safety NOT political messages or artwork.@USDOT will hold every state receiving federal dollars accountable to that.



Thank you @GovRonDeSantis for standing firm on this issue! https://t.co/tMWellNnIO  Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) August 22, 2025

FOX 35 News reached out to FDOT for a comment last week and we received this response:

"As the state highway department, it is the duty of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways and transportation systems. That means ensuring our roadways are not utilized for social, political, or ideological interests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Earlier this year, the Department completed a months-long process of updating the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) with input from representatives of state and local governments. This update included a prohibition on non-uniform traffic control devices, such as pavement markings on state and local roads.

"In June, FDOT notified all local governments of these updates and revised provisions of Florida Statutes that give the Department authority to withhold state funds for noncompliance. This was followed by similar policy updates from USDOT Secretary Duffy.

"Last week, local governments not in compliance for local roads began receiving notifications to bring their roadways up to state standards to ensure locals govern themselves accordingly.

"In addition to ensuring all local governments comply, FDOT completed a review of all state-maintained roadways and is now correcting pavement markings not in compliance. That includes street art previously installed on state right of way, such as the intersection of Orange Avenue in question.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Transportation infrastructure is for the movement of people and goods. In this case, while the crosswalk has been restored to its proper form, local efforts are underway to construct a permanent memorial on adjacent properties funded by the State of Florida. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is false."

"No amount of black paint can silence the 49 or erase our commitment to honoring all people." State Rep. Anna V. EskamaniWhat they're saying

"The rainbow crosswalk at Pulse was created to honor the 49 lives stolen because of a mass shooting at the nightclub. A place of tragedy and remembrance, but one also of love and resilience. When activists repainted it in rainbow colors, they were reaffirming that legacy," Rep. Eskamani said in a statement. Eskamani has also announced her intention to run for Orlando mayor.

"FDOTs decision to cover it in black paint is not only a waste of public money and time. Its an erasure of memory, of visibility, and of the love Orlando continues to show in the face of hate. No amount of black paint can silence the 49 or erase our commitment to honoring all people."

List of Orlando crosswalks FDOT identifies as noncompliant with new rules

The Pulse Memorial crosswalk is not the only crosswalk in Orlando that FDOT has identified as noncompliant. FDOT has directed the city to correct at least 18 other decorative crosswalks or intersections by Sept. 4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

S. Rosalind Ave at E. Jackson St  (Crosswalk)

Church St at S. Rosalind Ave  (Crosswalk)

Magnolia Ave at E. Concord St  (Crosswalk)

Orange Ave at Concord St  (Crosswalk)

N. Orange Ave at E. Central Blvd  (Paver intersection)

S. Orange Ave at E. Pine St  (Paver intersection)

S. Orange Ave at Church St  (Paver intersection)

Summerlin Ave at Washington St  (Crosswalk)

Amelia St at N. Hughey Ave  (Crosswalk)

Amelia St at Ronald Blocker Ave  (Crosswalk)

Amelia St at Chatham Ave  (Crosswalk)

Amelia St at Putnam Ave  (Crosswalk)

Livingston St at N. Hughey Ave  (Crosswalk)

Central Blvd at N. Eola Dr  (Crosswalk)

W. Kaley Ave at S. Division Ave  (Crosswalk)

Corrine Dr at East End Ave  (Crosswalk)

Laureate Blvd at Benavente Ave  (Bike Symbol)

Laureate Blvd at Kellog Ave  (Bike Symbol)

The Source

The information in this article comes from statements and remarks from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida Department of Transportation, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, State Rep. Anna Eskamani, public records, and FOX 35 reporting.
RAMONA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Republican Representative Darrell Issa introduced a Bill that could rename the Ramona post office after boxer Archie Moore.

Issa introduced H.R. 4982 at the Ramona MMA Center.

Champion boxer Archie Moore held the Salt Mine Training Camp in Ramona, and after he retired, he created the Any Body Can Youth Foundation, according to Representative Issas office.

The ABC foundation serves innercity youth, according to its Instagram page.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ramona played an integral part in [Archie Moores] life. On behalf of the entire ABC Youth Foundation, Billy Moore, president and CEO of Any Body Can Youth Foundation, said in part.

The Archie Moore Memorial credited Issa for recognizing Archies legacy.

Decades ago, Archie Moore embraced Ramona, and now, Ramona, indeed America, has the opportunity to acknowledge Archies remarkable life, said Dan Summers, chairman of the Archie Moore Memorial.

The Bill will next need to pass the House of Representatives.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Roughly a week after Florida's 2025 Python Challenge wrapped up, wildlife officials are asking the public to search for another snake. Just for very different reasons.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission seeks the public's assistance in documenting the elusive rainbow snake, which has not been spotted in over five years.

We need help from Floridians and visitors to better understand where rainbow snakes still occur in the state, Kevin Enge, Research Scientist with FWCs Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, said in an Aug. 18 press release. Every sighting report gives us valuable data about their current distribution and helps us assess the health of the species in Florida.

What is the rainbow snake? What does it look like?

The rainbow snake, scientifically known as Farancia erytrogramma, is a semi-aquatic reptile that primarily feeds on American eels, a prey species that has also declined in Florida waters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the FWC, rainbow snakes are iridescent black or violet blue with three red stripes, and their lip and chin scales are yellow with violet spots.

Adults can reach up to 3 to 4 feet long.

How rare is the rainbow snake?

Rare Rainbow Snakes are a nonvenomous species whose population has declined in recent decades.

These snakes are considered super rare by the FWC, last spotted in February 2020. FWC spokesperson Jonathan Veach told USA TODAY that it is possible there were other rainbow snake sightings in Florida since then, but either "they weren't reported or we never learned of them."

Their numbers have dwindled due to habitat loss, loss of food source and cases of snake fungal disease.

Are rainbow snakes venomous?

No, rainbow snakes are nonvenomous.

Where is the rainbow snake found?

The FWC says the rainbow snake is usually found in or near water, including rivers, springs and brackish marshes. The Florida Museum adds that rainbow snakes are found throughout the Panhandle and in parts of the northern peninsula along the St. Marys River drainage, St. Johns River drainage, and Suwannee River drainage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The FWC notes that one South Florida subspecies was historically found in Fisheating Creek in Glades County, adding that "location is more than 150 miles south of the nearest known population in Lake County, but hasnt been documented since 1952."

How to report a rainbow snake sighting

The FWC is requesting that anyone who spots a rainbow snake report the sighting to the commission online.

"Photographs are especially helpful in confirming sightings and can be included when you submit your sighting online," the commission said. "By sharing sightings, the public can play an important role in conserving this unique species."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Rainbow snakes not boa in Florida, FWC asks public to search for snake
The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.

If Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, wins this falls election, he will occupy the most powerful executive position of any American socialist. At the moment, the closest contenders are two mayors in California and a county executive in Maryland. No wonder, then, that American socialists have begun to dream big.

Earlier this month, the Democratic Socialists of America, of which Mamdani is a member, held its biannual convention in Chicago, attended by 1,500 members. There, the organization pledged to build a broad left-labor coalition and draft a socialist candidate to run for president in 2028.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Why shouldnt they? Mamdanis primary campaign in New York showed that an appealing socialist candidate with a strong economic message could generate voter enthusiasm. Nor is Mamdani the first: Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez remain popular with the Democratic base, and just this year they brought out tens of thousands of supporters with their Fighting Oligarchy tour. According to a recent poll, 67 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of all Americans under 30 years old view socialism favorably. And with 85,000 members, the DSA is already the countrys biggest leftist organization, larger even than the Communist Party during its heyday in the 1940s.

But such numbers dont add up to much political power in a country of 340 million. The DSA counts only three representatives in Congress and no senators (Sanders is sympathetic but has never been a member). For the average voter, even 10 years after Sanderss historic presidential run, American socialists are simply not a distinct, recognizable political force. And the reasons for this failure were entirely manifest at the meeting in Chicago: A significant part of the organization doesnt share its traditional concept of an electoral path to socialism.

[Michael Powell: The mainstreaming of Zohran Mamdani]

Little about this convention suggested a mass political movement intent on winning elections and coming to power. Mamdani, AOC, and Sanders were absent, and so was their welcoming, practical political style. In fact, the DSAs national leadership has voted not to endorse AOC, and many in the organization are now actively hostile to her. Some even put forward a resolution at the convention to formally censure her for her tacit support of Zionism, on the grounds that she had supported the funding of defensive Iron Dome weapons for Israel, said that Israel had a right to self-defense, and failed to support Palestinian resistance in a media interview. (The resolution never reached a vote.) The mostly young and white crowd hardly discussed Donald Trumps presidency (a motion that urged such discussion was voted down early on) and seemed to consist of a consortium of activists, many of them focused on single issues. Some were preoccupied with protesting the conventions lack of a masking mandate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Many of the resolutions passed at the convention would have been nonstarters for national politicians such as Sanders or AOC. One pledged for the DSA to be a fighting anti-Zionist organization that would endorse only candidates who supported the BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) movement against Israel. (This would disqualify Sanders.) The resolution further called for any DSA member opposing BDS or affiliated with the liberal Jewish organization J Street to be expelled, along with anybody who believes that Israel has a right to defend itself. Moreover, some incidents at the convention cast serious doubt on the DSAs commitment to the democratic part of its title. For example, the convention rejected an amendment to a resolution declaring that the DSA stood against all governments that engage in the repression of democratic rights.

These were not the politics of the DSAs visionary founder, Michael Harrington. A Marxist who died in 1989, Harrington called for solidarity with leftist movements around the world but also staunchly opposed authoritarianism. Many in todays DSA dont have time for him. In response to a post on X affirming Harringtons opposition to Stalin and Mao, the DSAs chapter in Worcester, Massachusetts, posted a video of an attendee at the convention shouting, Fuck you, Mike Harrington! The Worcester chapter celebrated that the organization had put more communists in leadership, making it the largest org of socialists, antizionists, and commies.

This is not rhetoric or politics that could win elections in America. But to understand the discrepancy between the politics on the DSA convention floor and that of Americas most popular socialist politicians requires a brief history. Harrington founded the DSA in 1982 on the ashes of the Socialist Party of America, which had imploded a decade earlier, and the new party drew on the remnants of the youth- and student-led New Left of the 1960s. Unlike other American socialists, who would spend decades trying to establish an alternative to the duopoly of Democrats and Republicans, Harringtons DSA was lodged within the Democratic Party and sought to build a base for the left inside of it. The strategy of the far-leftists produced little more than an alphabet soup of avowedly socialist organizations that rarely surpassed a few hundred members. The DSA, too, was a tiny organization of little political account for many decades. But when American socialism finally got its lucky break in 2016, it did so because Sanders ran in the Democratic Party primary, not because socialists launched another quixotic third-party campaign. A surge of popularity for democratic socialism took the DSA, within a year or two, from an organization of roughly 6,000 people, with an average age of about 67, to one with more than 30,000 members, and an average age of 33.

The infusion of new blood overwhelmed the organizations leadership and suggested a need for some overhauling of its earlier mission. Some of the newcomers, including the young contributors and reading clubs gathered around the journal Jacobin, attempted to update Harringtons Cold Warera socialism. But the wave of new members also included an inchoate collection of activists, and the organization swiftly became a big tent for all manner of leftist tendenciesincluding many that lacked any commitment to Harringtons democratic tradition, some even holding that elections were a capitalist-state apparatus that socialists should not use to come to power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The DSA today has about two dozen internal factions (called caucuses), but its politics can really be divided into two broad wings. There is a mass-politics wing (grouped in the Socialist Majority and Groundwork caucuses), which seeks to elect socialists as Democrats and build a national organization that connects with the average American. Opposing it is a sectarian wing whose extremist politics have little to do with any notion of democratic socialism. The latter includes Red Star, a self-avowed Marxist-Leninist caucus that openly supports Hamas and emphasizes the role of the vanguard in organizing the revolution. Whereas the likes of Sanders have long lauded the New Deal, this group condemns that model as extending concessions to the white working class to secure their loyalty to the capitalist state. Similarly, it faults the Green New Deal that Sanders and AOC have championed for failing to articulate a clear commitment to dismantling the settler-colonial and American imperialist projects. Another caucus, Marxist Unity Group, calls for the DSA to free itself from the Democratic Party and fight to overthrow the Constitution, in an effort to destroy every institution that denies the people an authentic popular democracy, abolishing the Senate, the Electoral College, the Supreme Court, and the independent presidency.

The differences between these two broad groups are not academic, and they have had real-life consequences. Under the pressure of the sectarian wing, the DSA refused to endorse Joe Biden or Kamala Harris in the past two presidential elections. In November 2023, the sectarians in the DSA leadership argued that a second Biden term would be no different from a second Trump term. A few months later, when the mainstream wing wanted to commit the DSA to work to defeat Trump in the 2024 election, without endorsing the Democratic nominee, the sectarians voted even that proposal down.

[Michael Powell: Why older socialists are quitting the DSA]

Most DSA members dont belong to any caucuses and dont play an active role in the organization. But since 2023, the organizations leadership has been effectively controlled by the sectarian wing, which won a majority in that years convention. As anybody with experience in politics can tell you, committed sectarian activists who show up to enough meetings can capture leadership positions and convention delegates without necessarily representing the organizations actual membership. At the 2025 convention, the mainstream wing tried to pass a resolution for the leadership to be elected on the basis of one member, one vote, as opposed to being voted in by delegates to the convention (who are, in turn, elected by the DSAs local chapters). The sectarian wing opposed and defeated the resolution. The Chicago convention elected a 27-member leadership of which the sectarian wing controls about 12 seats. The mainstream wing has about nine seats, and the rest fall somewhere in the middle. The convention also reelected the partys two co-chairs, one belonging to Groundwork, the other to Red Star.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The two wings are able to share power this way because the DSA is extremely decentralized. The organization barely exists as a nationwide project. Instead, each branch does its own thing. By far the largest branch is the one in New York City, which has more than 11,000 members and is controlled by the mainstream wing. More than 80 percent of its membership in the Bronx and Queens voted to endorse AOC. The sectarian wing tends to dominate in smaller cities where it pursues a variety of projects. Such factionalism effectively prevents the DSA from adopting any unified strategy.

The problem is not new on the left. Harrington himself once complained about a vocal, and regularly televised, fringe of confrontationists, exhibitionists, and Vietcong flag wavers who could plausibly be dismissed as freakish, or sinister, or both. Democratic socialists who seek to run mass campaigns and attain power with elections are now encumbered by sharing an organization with confrontationists who hold fundamentally antidemocratic beliefs. If they wish to build a political force capable of coming to power, they must first decide who their allies are.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
As the UN is declaring famine in Gaza City, Gazans tell The Media Line that Hamas is responsible for the lack of food.

The UN is preparing a declaration of famine in Gaza City, holding Israel responsible for the humanitarian crisis under its revised criteria, in spite of footage and testimony that Hamas is looting aid and manipulating media coverage.

The Media Lines reporter has been speaking to Gazans throughout the war. The following is a sampling of their responses. TML was also in Gaza City and witnessed a large amount of humanitarian aid available, including an abundance of food, but offered at exorbitant prices.

The situation for those living several miles away in the refugee camps has been complicated by the lack of access to food available in other areas.

Who is to blame in Gaza?

Gazans described Hamas looting aid and reselling it. First of all, we have no food, no water, none of lifes basics. And second, we never see any of the aid that comes in, Ibrahim Atta Hawila of Jabalya said. Hamas takes the aid. They dont want anyone else to be in control. They seize it, store it in warehouses, keep what they want, and hand us lentils.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ali Khamis al-Tanini, also from Jabalya, expressed grief over the loss of three grandchildren as the crisis continues: We cant find food. I have heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. I can manage a day or two without food, but the children cant. This little girl cant eat, cant even stand; she hasnt had anything. Why did Hamas leave us with nothing while they eat lamb and beef?

Palestinians in Gaza at the food market amid war with Israel. (credit: VIA THE MEDIA LINE)

He added, Hamas did this to us. We cant even find a bite to eat. Not even lentils - the merchants have hidden those and everything else.

Others voiced the same anger. Ahmad Fayad told The Media Line that his young daughter had gone 10 days without milk. I hold Hamas responsible. Theyre the ones who brought us to this point. I blame Hamas, and I also blame the Arabs - and even the Jews.

Nema Abu Saleh said, Others are eating and stealing, while we sit here with nothing. I blame Hamas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He continued, Let them release the hostages and stop dragging us into their problems. What do they want from us? Our homes are already destroyed.

From Gaza City, Abdul Rahim Bakr pointed out that Hamas was engaged in oppression, heavy taxes, forced collections, the killings, the masked gunmen, and their acts of terror. He added, Hamas doesnt have enough men, so they pay mercenaries to steal the aid and block American assistance. They grab the shipments meant for schools, then use the stolen aid money to pay salaries.

Where do Gazans want to go?

Many declared they want to leave Gaza altogether for at least a chance for a better situation. Ibrahim Atta Hawila, from Jabalya refugee camp said, Let me leave right now. Ill only come back when someone other than Hamas controls this land. Regarding Israel and Hamas, Hawila said, They are both killing us.

I swear, Ill migrate anywhere, even Somalia, al-Tanini said. The Somalians live better than us now. Even if Somalia is targeted, Id still rather go there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added, I swear, even if the Jews ruled us again but gave us a decent life like before, we would accept it.

Bakr commented, Everyone wants to leave, because Hamas is the cause of all this destruction.

Who do the Palestinian people want to lead Gaza after the war

When asked who should lead Gaza, several pointed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

One Gazan resident told The Media Line, We want President Abu Mazen back in Gaza. I appeal directly to him to take charge. Before 2006, life was better.

He explained, As a Gazan, Ive suffered 18 years of Hamass rule. I had a workshop that was destroyed because of them. Now I demand the Palestinian Authority return - with one law, one leadership and one legitimate weapon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bakr expressed a desire for a unified leadership to govern both the West Bank and Gaza: We want one leadership to govern Gaza the day after this war - institutions, like in the West Bank. We want to resist the occupation with the presidents method: decisions, pens, cameras - nothing but peaceful resistance.

COGATs response to Gaza famine allegations

Bakr concluded by urging Gazans to rise up: Those who fight are starving us, robbing us, killing our children, bringing the Israelis here and giving excuses to both Israel and Hamas. People must unite against Hamas.

Following a declaration of famine in Gaza City by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system (IPC), Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories released a detailed rebuttal in the form of a counter-report.

COGAT emphasized that more than 10,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since May and that the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed over 2.2 million relief packages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It cited recent steps to alleviate the crisis, including daily humanitarian pauses and expanded airdrops, while accusing international aid agencies of failing to deliver supplies efficiently. COGAT also released an infographic showing average food prices in Gaza and downplayed the impact of an earlier 11-week closure of aid crossings, which it referred to only as a temporary closure.

COGATs report is intended to offset pervasive media coverage by major outlets, including the BBC and the New York Times, falsely accusing Israel of using starvation tactics against the Gazan population.
As a 24-year-old recent college graduate, I often hear my Gen Z peers express a deep sense of hopelessness about climate change. But as someone who has been studying and working on climate solutions for the past four years, I feel the opposite. I don't feel discouraged; I feel inspired  because I've seen the ideas, innovations, and people driving real progress.

I grew up in a mountain town in Idaho, experiencing firsthand the realities of climate change  from erratic weather patterns to increasing summertime wildfires and smoke. Yet despite the uncertainties and daunting headlines, I remain optimistic. Not because the challenge has gotten any smaller or less urgent  it hasn't  but because our ability to meet it continuously grows.

I remember sitting in an auditorium at what was then the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management at the Department of Energy headquarters in D.C., listening to my peers present their summer research. I was blown away by the range of solutions already in development to address the climate crisis  from scientific breakthroughs and new technologies to creative policy approaches.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That moment made me realize we already have so many of the pieces we need to solve the climate crisis  it's just a matter of putting the puzzle together. In that auditorium, there was more innovation, energy, and opportunity to contribute to solutions than there were reasons to dwell in doom and gloom.

Things we once considered theory are now tangible realities. One area I'm particularly enthused about is carbon dioxide removal  physically taking carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it long-term in the ocean or underground.

Though not a substitute for rapidly reducing emissions, carbon removal still serves a crucial role in meeting global climate targets and is the only means to address the carbon that we've already put into the atmosphere from 200-plus years of burning fossil fuels. We now have a growing set of measurable, scalable, and effective ways to remove carbon  now the question is how fast we can implement them at scale.

When I talk about the concept of carbon offsetting, people often meet my enthusiasm with skepticism. Historically, carbon markets have struggled with issues of quality and integrity. Some offsets were tied to projects that would have happened anyway, offering little to no additional climate benefit. Others lacked transparent accounting, making it difficult to prove the claimed carbon reductions were real, measurable, or permanent. Additionally, there has often been little to no direct connection between those purchasing offsets and the actual practices or effects on the ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There's no doubt that early carbon markets made mistakes. Today's carbon markets are learning from those missteps with new standards that are grounded in science and independently verified  to ensure that each ton of carbon removed is truly additional, durable, and accurately accounted for. This includes subtracting all emissions associated with the project itself, like energy use and transportation, from the total so that only the net carbon removal is credited.

This skepticism fades when I frame these carbon removal activities in a local context. When I shift the conversation to how various stakeholders in a community can work together to minimize waste, develop innovative end-of-life uses for materials, reduce fire risk, support local farmers, and remove greenhouse gases in the process, the response is overwhelmingly positive.

With the billions of tons of carbon removals needed to reach climate goals, carbon removal needs to move beyond an abstract concept occurring in places disconnected from the communities they ultimately serve.

To make this move, to scale these solutions, carbon removal must be made tangible, visible, and relevant. I am optimistic that when these efforts are grounded in and supported by communities, they can scale as practical tools.

I am optimistic about a future where carbon removal is integrated into communities. Two methods that I'm particularly excited about for their ability to integrate into existing infrastructure or processes occurring in the Mountain West are biochar and enhanced weathering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both innovations tap into community-rooted approaches while using existing waste streams and infrastructure to deliver tangible benefits. Talking about these technologies and seeing them implemented in real-world settings makes you wonder why we haven't been doing this all along.

Biochar

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating organic waste (such as low-quality timber or waste wood) in a low-oxygen environment. Not only does this process sequester carbon for hundreds to thousands of years, but the resulting material also improves soil health, enhances water retention, and reduces nutrient runoff.

Imagine a world in which fire prevention efforts  clearing waste wood, removing low-quality timber, and managing trees infected and dying from bark beetle diseases  are in step with durable carbon removal. Better forest management practices can go hand-in-hand with carbon removal, reducing transportation emissions and costs, creating a value-added product that increases soil resilience to drought.

Now imagine this scheme occurring across the country. Community-supported biochar projects put carbon removal on display for locals and deliver tangible environmental and climatic benefits from the ground up.

Enhanced weathering

Enhanced weathering accelerates a natural geologic process where silicate- and carbonate-bearing rocks  such as basalt or limestone  react with carbon dioxide and convert it to bicarbonate. Bicarbonate is a stable, non-harmful form of carbon that eventually washes into the ocean, where it can remain stored for thousands of years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead of rock weathering occurring over centuries or millennia, this process is enhanced, or sped up, by using finely ground rock powders. Basalt and limestone are abundant, and the powdered material is often a byproduct of existing operations.

Diverting this waste material from an existing quarry, mining, or aggregate operation to agricultural fields, lawns, roads, or even ski slopes, allows for this reaction to proceed, sequestering carbon as the rock powder weathers and delivering vital mineral nutrients back to the soil.

In addition to removing carbon from the atmosphere, enhanced weathering also raises soil pH, reduces synthetic fertilizer needs, improves soil health, reduces acidity, and even boosts crop yields. These co-benefits translate into meaningful economic and ecological resilience, thus improving farmer livelihoods. Enhanced weathering directly benefits the regions where it's implemented.

Putting it all together

Biochar and enhanced rock weathering's ability to deliver measurable climate impact while improving local soils, livelihoods, and ecosystems makes them some of the most compelling tools we have at our disposal today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When I think about urgency or involvement in climate solutions such as these, I equate it with fighting wildfires. When a fire ignites in a dry forest, it intensifies and burns.

If you had the tools, the technology, the team, or even just the motivation or hope to begin putting it out, would you sit back and watch it spread? Or would you do everything in your power to lessen its impact and reduce the damage it could cause? In this context, the answer feels obvious.

My home, along with many others, would have been lost without the collective effort of firefighters and the broader community in 2007, when a roaring wildfire tore through our town. Just as putting out wildfires can feel small or incremental on the ground, like applying fire retardant or creating fire breaks, those efforts collectively save entire towns.

So too can climate solutions feel modest in the moment, yet have far-reaching impacts when scaled and coordinated. Each act, whether small or gradual, contributes to a broader response and can be the catalyst for something greater. In the face of a crisis, we have two options: to stand by, or to unite, rally those around us, and make progress  even if it seems small in the broader global context.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As someone working and building in this space, I thrive on the possibility that my colleagues, collaborators, academics, institutions, and the broader community can help amplify what we're doing  what we are ambitious to accomplish  and in doing so, help initiate that ripple and inspire others to believe that progress is both possible and worth fighting for.

And for that, I'm optimistic. Though there's quite a ways to go, carbon removal is a tool in the broader portfolio of solutions we have at our fingertips to reimagine what the future can look like. Carbon removal can be community-oriented, tangible, and a part of everyday operations.

Lizzy Vanderkloot is an entrepreneur and co-founder of a climate startup working to translate carbon removal research into practical, community-driven solutions. She has held roles across the carbon removal space, including with CREW Carbon at Yale University and Lithos Carbon, where she contributed to research and innovation in climate technologies. She was selected as a Mickey Leland Energy Fellow with the U.S. Department of Energy, where she conducted research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Lizzy holds a degree in Earth and Climate Sciences from Middlebury College and is a published author on enhanced rock weathering

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.
African nations are calling for the world map to be redrawn to show the greatness of the continent.

The African Union has said most maps skew the size of land masses, making Africa seem much smaller compared with other countries and continents.

The 55-nation bloc has thrown its weight behind campaigners who argue that the distortion leads to a downplaying of the scale and importance of the continent, as well as making America and Europe look larger than they are.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Mercator projection, which has been in use since the 16th century and is one of the worlds most common maps, makes Africa look comparatively small as it inflates land masses further from the equator.

That means that Greenland looks almost the same size as Africa when, in reality, it is smaller than the Arabian Peninsula. Africa is 14 times larger.

The African Union is backing the Correct the Map campaign to promote the 2018 Equal Earth projection as an alternative, because it shows the continent as it really is: vast, powerful, and central to our world.

Campaigners want this map to be used by international bodies like the United Nations, as well as in classrooms and in the media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The campaign says: In a world where size is often equated with power, misrepresenting Africas true scale reinforces harmful misconceptions about its geopolitical and economic significance.

You could fit the United States, China, India, Japan, Mexico and much of Europe into Africa and still have land to spare.

Yet, most of the world continues to favour this distorted [Mercator] map, misrepresenting Africas scale and diminishing its significance.

The African Union believes that adopting a map to better show the size of the continent will give Africans and those around the world a greater idea of its importance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One official said: If Africa is seen in its true size, I think from a continental perspective, Africans will be able to see the greatness of the continent and be able to see how vast it is.

It also believes that the move would give the international community a better insight into the trade and transport difficulties that the continents enormous distances pose.

Age-old map-making problem

Nick Millea, a map curator at Oxfords Bodleian Libraries, said all maps produced distortions because it was impossible to accurately plot a globe onto a flat surface.

The Mercator projection was introduced in 1569 by Gerardus Mercator, the Flemish cartographer. It went on to be widely adopted because it was good for navigation, with a straight line on the map meaning a straight course in the real world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A form of the map has gone on to be the standard for online mapping. However, the Mercator was poor for showing the relative sizes of landmasses.

Mr Millea said: Its the age-old problem of trying to project a spherical object onto a flat surface: you cant do it. Something has got to give to come up with an image.

When it comes to area, [the Mercator projection] doesnt work. When it comes to direction, it does.

Such trade-offs in making maps mean that the Equal Earth projection has its own flaws and warps the shape of continents even if it accurately reflects surface area.

Organisations like Nasa and the World Bank said they have already adopted the Equal Earth map for some uses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jervin Naidoo, a political analyst at Oxford Analytics, said: The distorted representation of Africas size could lead to an underestimation of the continents vast economic potential.

By accurately depicting Africas true scale, the campaign aims to reshape global perceptions, encouraging more informed investment decisions.

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.
RJD leader Manoj Jha on Sunday accused Union Minister Kiren Rijiju of misleading the public after the Parliamentary Affairs Minister's recent statement that took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Jha also alleged that the authority of the central government's was weakening. "Who is he fooling?... Everything is under the control of Prime Minister Modi, not a single agency has courage to act, even when they know the truth..Are you unaware of the Supreme Court's remark regarding the ED, that you are turning into a political party? Your throne is shaking, a wave is rising against you across the country... We have seen many ministers whom you kept in jail for years, months, and then they came out unscathed," he said. Earlier in an exclusive interview with ANI, Rijiju stated that PM Modi had told the cabinet to keep the Prime Minister out of the Constitution Amendment Bill, but he disagreed. He said PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. Rijiju also said the people in the country are welcoming the provisions of the Constitution Amendment Bill, and the opposition parties would have welcomed it too if they "had kept ethics at the centre." "PM Modi told the cabinet that the recommendation is to keep the prime minister out of this bill, but he did not agree. PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. The PM is also a citizen, and he should not have special protection. Most of the CMs are from our party. If they do something wrong, they have to leave their position. Ethics should also mean something. The Opposition would have welcomed this bill had they kept ethics at the centre," he said. "The monsoon session of the Parliament was successful from the nation's point of view and a failure from the Opposition's point of view. The government also thinks that it was a success. However, it was not well, as far as discussions are concerned, because important bills were passed. Any government brings bills to save itself... PM Modi is a prime minister who went against the recommendation and put the PM in the category that even if the prime minister commits any corruption, then he has to go to jail and leave his position. Any position, whether CM, PM or Union Ministers, cannot be above the law. What objection does the Opposition have? The nation is welcoming this revolutionary bill," he added. The Constitution Amendment Bill provides for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister or any other Minister in the central or a state government, if he is arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal offences. Two more bills with similar provisions in Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir were also introduced in the Lok Sabha. A Joint Parliamentary Committee will examine the three bills. Opposition parties have opposed the bills. (ANI)
Preserve refugee programs

As humanitarian crises intensify, with nearly 3 million refugees in urgent need of resettlement this year, the United States must uphold its role as a global leader in protection. Instead, recent actions have weakened our commitments. In January, the administration suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, halting new arrivals and shutting down the Welcome Corps sponsorship initiative. Even after a court ordered some processing to resume, thousands remain in limbo.

Meanwhile, the Office of Refugee Resettlement cut assistance from 12 to just 4 months, leaving families without adequate support. Now, the administration is considering a drastic admissions cap of only 40,000  prioritizing white South Africans  compared to the 125,000 goal set previously.

Refugee policy should be based on vulnerability, not race. Restoring a robust resettlement program is not only a humanitarian necessity but also an affirmation of American values.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alexis A. Cortes, Tacoma

Online learning growing

As we approach National Online Learning Day on Sept. 15, its important to recognize the growing role of virtual education in Washington state. At Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA), weve supported K12 students statewide with full-time, tuition-free online learning for more than a decade, long before the pandemic made it a household term.

Families are increasingly choosing online options that offer flexibility, personalized academic support and a safe, inclusive learning environment. A recent survey found over 60% of parents considered switching schools last year, many of them exploring online alternatives.

Online learning is not one-size-fits-all. From career prep to individualized learning pathways, WAVA helps students thrive and prepare for the real world, whether they live in Seattle or rural Pierce County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Educational choice matters. Lets continue to support learning models that meet the diverse needs of Washington families.

Marion Boyce, Tacoma

Support animal welfare advocates

As a voter, as an advocate or as someone who loves animals, its important to know whether our elected officials are taking steps to protect the companion animals and wild species of Washington State from harm.

Humane World Action Fund (formerly Humane Society Legislative Fund) has just published its first Humane Scorecard for Washington State, revealing the votes cast by each legislator on key animal welfare initiatives during the 2025 legislative session. This year, lawmakers came together to ban the use of iconic species like elephants and bears in circuses, upgrade a variety of animal cruelty laws to crack down on animal abusers and achieve two powerful protections introduced by Rep. Mari Leavitt  thanks to her leadership, good Samaritans may now rescue a person or a pet in danger from a locked vehicle, and emergency shelters can now welcome companion animals during disasters. Each of these four lifesaving new laws went into effect on July 27.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Champions like Rep. Leavitt can only continue their fight for animals with the support of voters. As candidates campaign for your vote, refer to their scores on the 2025 Humane Scorecard, and encourage them to cast pro-animal votes for those without a voice.

Stephanie Hillman, Seattle

Should we change our charter?

Every 10 years, we have the opportunity to review and make adjustments to our Pierce County Charter (our countys governing constitution). Its not glamorous, but it is important.

Im supporting Justin Leighton for the Charter Commission because I know he is super organized and efficient, open to new ideas, and will keep the Commission on track and on time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Justin has past experience with the Tacoma City Charter, with redistricting, and numerous other civic committees and commissions. I trust his judgment and know that he will handle this work competently and completely.

Evelyn Fielding Lopez, Tacoma
NEED TO KNOW

Kendall Rae Johnson, a 10-year-old from Georgia, received a full-ride scholarship from South Carolina State University

She is the youngest USDA-certified farmer in the nation

Its not every day you meet a 10-year-old who talks about microorganisms, crop counts and longhorn cattle. Shes remarkable, SC State President Alexander Conyers said

South Carolina State University surprised a pre-teen girl from Georgia with a full-ride scholarship during her recent visit to the college campus.



Kendall Rae Johnson, 10, received a giant scholarship check, valued at $83,800, while meeting SC State President Alexander Conyers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After he presented the young Atlanta resident with the check  which covers tuition, fees as well as room and board  she excitedly jumped out of her chair and yelled, Thank you, as seen in a SC State video.

We were genuinely inspired by Kendall Raes focus and maturity, Conyers said in a news release. Its not every day you meet a 10-year-old who talks about microorganisms, crop counts and longhorn cattle. Shes remarkable.

The girl is the youngest USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) certified farmer in the country, and because of her knowledge and interest in farming, she earned SC States 1890 Agriculture Innovation Scholarship, which is intended to recruit, retain, train and graduate a career-ready workforce for the agriculture and ag-related industries.

Johnson, who began growing collard greens at 3, now farms on about an acre of land that has been passed down in the family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I like helping the community out with fresh fruits and vegetables, she told SC State, adding that this includes peaches, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, beets, carrots, tomatoes and okra. I also like to travel and learn different farming techniques and how other people do it.

Johnsons parents, Ursula and Quentin, joined her in Orangeburg for the visit to SC State, which is a historically black college and university (HBCU).

Read the original article on People
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Morris Banks was a photographer at KOIN from 1980 to 1994. Largely self-taught, he broke the story of LA gangs moving into Portland in the 1980s by going out on his own time and providing the visual evidence.

His fearlessness and initiative caught the attention of the reality show Cops, then CBS News, where he worked for more than 30 years.

He took dangerous assignments all over the world, including the Middle East and Africa before he retired in the early 2000s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Morris just happened to be visiting KOIN in 1996 when a gunman took over the KOIN Tower. He put himself in the line of fire to shoot the most compelling video of the siege.

Morris died last week near his home in North Carolina, reportedly of heart failure.

He was just days away from his 72nd birthday.

Watch the full video in the player above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
As summer temperatures force residents in New England to crank up their air conditioners, the use of solar energy appears to have helped take the heat off regional power grids.

During the dog days of summer, millions of people usually attempt to find relief from the scorching heat in any way that they can. That usually means turning to air conditioning, which can often lead to a surge of electricity usage, sometimes resulting in the occasional regional blackout.

In a recent report from the Acadia Center, the use of behind-the-meter solar likely helped prevent a potential loss of power June 24, when much of the region saw temperatures soar above 100 degrees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Five-plus gigawatts of BTM solar helped the region's power grid ride through one of the hottest days of the year, which tested the grid's reliability with the highest peak demand in several years," the report read.

Solar power has long been one of the best ways to save money on home energy while helping to lower planet-heating pollution. By making the most out of the sun's energy to generate electricity, solar power reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, which are major contributors to the continued rise of the global temperature. You can check out EnergySage's free tools to access quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes.

As noted by Canary Media (via EcoWatch), the installation of residential battery storage can play a major role in taking the pressure off vulnerable energy grids. Solar energy storage systems are able to store excess electricity generated by solar panels for later use. They enhance energy independence by providing power during nighttime, cloudy days, and especially during power outages.

Peter Sterling, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont, emphasized the significance of battery storage systems during the June 24 heat wave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Green Mountain Power has proven that by making these upfront investments in batteries, you can save ratepayers money," Sterling told Canary Media (via EcoWatch). "It's something I think is replicable by other utilities in the country."

With the benefit of EnergySage's free services, the average person can receive nearly $10,000 in incentives for solar purchases and installations. EnergySage offers a helpful mapping tool that even shows the average cost of a home solar panel system as well as more detailed information on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, it can help you get the best price for rooftop solar panels and take advantage of all of the incentives that could be available to you.

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.
(Reuters) -The World Health Organization said a staff member was released on Sunday more than four weeks after being detained in Gaza by Israeli forces.

"Extremely relieved that our colleague, detained since 21 July in Gaza, was released this morning," agency Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X. He reiterated a call for protection of all WHO staff and personnel, and health and humanitarian workers.

In July, the United Nations agency said the Israeli military had attacked its staff residence and main warehouse in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During that time, the WHO said that two of its staff members and two family members were detained by Israeli forces. Three were later released, while one staff member remained in detention.

Last week, a global hunger monitor determined that famine has struck an area of Gaza and would likely spread over the next month, an assessment that could escalate pressure on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

The WHO describes the health sector in Gaza as being "on its knees", with shortages of fuel, medical supplies and frequent mass casualty influxes.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru, Editing by William Maclean)
In July, the United Nations agency said the Israeli military had attacked its staff residence and main warehouse in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah.

The World Health Organization said a staff member was released on Sunday, more than four weeks after being detained in Gaza by Israeli forces.

"Extremely relieved that our colleague, detained since 21 July in Gaza, was released this morning," agency Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X. He reiterated a call for protection of all WHO staff and personnel, and health and humanitarian workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In July, the United Nations agency said the Israeli military had attacked its staff residence and main warehouse in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah.

During that time, the WHO said that two of its staff members and two family members were detained by Israeli forces.

Three were later released, while one staff member remained in detention.

Meals are prepared for health workers at Al-Aqsa Hospital, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza, in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released March 18, 2024. (credit: World Health Organization (WHO)/Handout via REUTERS)

Global hunger monitor declares famine in Gaza

Last week, a global hunger monitor determined that famine had struck an area of Gaza and would likely spread over the next month.

Israeli officials condemned the report as false, arguing that it was spreading blood libel against the Jewish state.

Unbelievably, the IPC twisted its own rules and ignored its own criteria just to produce false accusations against Israel: the IPC changed its own global standard, cutting the 30% threshold to 15% for this report only, and totally ignored its second criterion of death rate, solely to serve Hamass fake campaign, the Foreign Ministry wrote.

The WHO describes the health sector in Gaza as being "on its knees", with shortages of fuel, medical supplies, and frequent mass casualty influxes.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Republicans are plowing forward with plans for redistricting in several other states now that Texas is poised to approve its newly redrawn maps.

The Lone Star State kicked off the redistricting arms race when Republicans in the state Legislature agreed to move forward with rewriting their congressional lines at the insistence of President Trump.

Now, as Democrats in California look to counter Texas with their own redistricting plan, the GOP is setting its sights on states from Florida to Indiana to Missouri, signaling a new phase of the fight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres not much more Democrats can do at this point, which is kind of part and parcel of the Republican reason behind doing this, said Missouri Republican strategist Gregg Keller. The question is whether or not we are going to unilaterally disarm as a party in the face of what they have done.

Texas may have been the start of this years escalating redistricting battle, but its far from the end. National attention swung to the Lone Star State after Trumps call on Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to take the rare but not unprecedented step of calling a special legislative session to conduct mid-decade redistricting.

With as many as five likely pickup opportunities in the proposed map for next year, Texas Republicans are better positioned than those in any other state to increase their partys chances of holding control of the House.

But if California voters approve a ballot measure to let the state Legislature redraw its map for the rest of the decade, Democrats could also pick up as many as five additional seats there in the midterms. That raises the stakes for states that may only be able to add on one or two extra seats but could prove critical to next years election results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Florida is the other state potentially comparable to Texas in terms of pickup opportunities.

Republican strategist Ford OConnell said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) originally wanted to try to have the GOP pick up more seats during the most recent redistricting process but faced some resistance. But a ruling from the Florida Supreme Court upholding the current map along with advocacy from Trump should embolden DeSantis to pick up those extra seats this time.

OConnell said he could imagine Republicans trying to pick up somewhere between one and five seats, most likely targeting Democratic Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz, for example.

He noted California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) calls for Democrats to fight fire with fire in response to Texas, but he said that is what Republicans are doing in response to previous Democratic gerrymanders in states like Illinois and Massachusetts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DeSantis has been consistently behind mid-decade redistricting, and the membership of a redistricting committee will be announced next month.

The overall takeaway is DeSantis wanted to do more back in the beginning of the redistricting here in 2020, OConnell said. Now, because of that court decision and the political reality at the moment, hes going to be able to do what he thinks should have been done in the beginning.

Ohio, another red state, is in its own category, as it is required to redistrict ahead of the midterms under state law because the current map passed along party lines without the necessary supermajority. But in practice, Republicans stand to gain from that process just as they do with other states redistricting by choice.

The process will get started in the fall and could net the GOP two or three currently Democratic-held seats, jeopardizing at least Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who has served in Congress for decades, and Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ohio Republican strategist Mark Weaver said Kaptur and Sykes are already in competitive districts without the lines being redrawn. But their districts could end up much more conservative-leaning after a new map is in place.

He said even if its only a few seats, that number could be critical to determining which party will win control of the House. The chambers split has been razor-thin for the past few sessions of Congress.

Every state matters when it comes to a House majority thats this close, Weaver said.

The Trump administration has been pushing this strategy strongly, looking for chances anywhere it can get.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A source close to the White House told The Hill that the pressure is on Republican governors to take similar steps to Texas after Abbotts seeming success. They said former President Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder (D) have raised money to push for gerrymandering quietly in past years, but Trump doesnt do things in the shadows.

Hes just come out and made it pretty direct, they said.

While most GOP leaders in the key states appear to be on board with Trumps position, Indiana has been a bit of an exception, with a few Republican lawmakers in the state Legislature coming out against redistricting. The current congressional breakdown is seven Republicans and two Democrats, and some are eyeing picking up one more seat.

Indiana state GOP lawmakers are set to come to D.C. this coming week for a meeting with the White House. The meeting was set weeks ago, before Vice President Vance visited the state to discuss redistricting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An invitation for the meeting does not explicitly mention redistricting and says the discussion will instead focus on ways to enact Trumps agenda at the state and local level.

One Trump ally told The Hill that the White Houses message to state lawmakers on redistricting will be, You want the America First agenda to continue? This is the best way to make sure it happens. And oh yeah, this is legal and right.

Some Trump allies have also talked about the potential of primary threats against state lawmakers who do not fall in line, another sign the White House is looking to use its full political might to get as many states as possible to act.

We will support primary opponents for Republicans in the Indiana State Legislature who refuse to support the team and redraw the maps, Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, posted on the social, platform X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans expressed confidence that the efforts would generally go through.

Keller said some murmurs of Missouri redistricting started a few months ago, but everything changed when Trump became personally involved, calling Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) to urge him to go forward.

The issue is likely to come up next month during a veto session of the Legislature, when lawmakers discuss any vetoes they want to try to override but will also have a chance to advance a new map. The target of the effort is expected to be Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), from the Kansas City area.

That would leave just one Democratic House member in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The composition of our legislature for Republicans is not quite as conservative, and certainly not as anti-establishment, as where Republican voters in the state are, Keller said. However, when the president and the White House got involved in this, everyone kind of hopped to pretty quickly. Conservative and moderate Republicans as well as  even moderate Republicans are largely going to fall in line.

As further evidence of the administrations interest, the White House and Republican National Committee are reportedly working together to draw the new map.

And in one possible data point on the effectiveness of the pressure campaign, Indiana state Rep. Craig Haggard (R) had initially expressed skepticism about redistricting and whether his constituents want it, only to change course and declare his support for it days later.

Republicans also said they expect members to be on board even if that requires some safer Republican districts to become somewhat less safe in the interest of adding more seats to the total.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If youre in a red state, the red folks may have hand-wringing behind closed doors, but theyre not going to walk out there and say X, Y and Z, one Republican said, adding everyone understands what the mission is.

Alex Gangitano and Brett Samuels contributed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The rescue of an experienced mountaineer has been called off in Kyrgyzstan nearly two weeks after Natasha Nagovitsina, 47, broke her leg not far from the summit of the countrys tallest mountain, according to reports.

Nagovitsina, a Russian climber who garnered fame four years ago after she refused to leave her husband after he suffered a stroke, has been stuck at 22,965 feet on Victory Peak since Aug. 12, according to the Daily Mail. Despite her efforts, her husband died.

The summit of Victory Peak, in the Tian Shan Mountain Range on the border with China, is 24,406 feet. Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, is 29,032 feet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Olympic Hero Laura Dahlmeier Severely Injured, Missing After High-altitude Rockfall

The suspension of the rescue mission comes days after an Italian climber named Luca Sinigaglia died while attempting to help Nagovitsina, Italian newspaper, LUnione Sarda, reported.

Sinigaglia died of hypothermia on Aug. 15, after making it up to where Nagovitsina was stuck, giving her a tent, sleeping bag, food, water and a gas cooker, the Daily Mail reported.

Read On The Fox News App

Other attempts to save her both via climbing and twice with a helicopter have failed, including an effort in a defense ministry helicopter that crashed. The crash left four injured, according to the London Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tragedy Strikes At Popular National Park As Climber Meets Fatal End On Mountain

The final attempt to rescue Nagovitsina was abandoned some 3,000 feet below where she is after the weather took a turn for the worse.

Rescue leader Dmitry Grekov said he didnt think Nagovitsina could still be alive, according to the Daily Mail.

"I think not, because she has been there since 12 August  count how much time has passed," he said. "It is unrealistic. It is unrealistic to survive at such an altitude."

Vicotry Peak is within the Tian Shan Mountain Range.

A drone that flew over where she was sheltering confirmed she was alive as of Tuesday, but there was no sign of life when the drone flew over on Thursday as temperatures sunk as low as minus 9 degrees Fahrenheit, The Times reported.





Original article source: Rescue effort halted for stuck climber on treacherous mountain after climber dies trying to help her: reports
Residents in an area of Kent are being asked for their thoughts on the possibility of a new parish council being set up.

A community governance review for Margate has been launched by Thanet District Council (TDC).

The authority said Margate was currently the only town or village in Thanet without a parish council, as all services for the town are provided by either TDC or Kent County Council (KCC).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Parish councils have the power to raise money through local council tax, known as a precept, which pays for the delivery of services including parks and play areas, adding to those provided by the district or county council.

They can also own land and buildings, be consulted on local planning applications, and manage some local public services including grass cutting, street lighting and allotments.

Feedback can be submitted until 17:00 BST on 28 September.

After the survey closes, the findings will be reviewed and TDC will decide whether to create a new parish council.

If the plan goes ahead, detailed proposals will be developed and a second consultation will take place between November 2025 and January 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is expected that a final decision will be made in March 2026 and if a new parish council is approved, it could be formed in May 2027.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story

Related internet links
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)  A weekend reenactment gave people a firsthand look at history that occurred during the American Revolutionary War on Sunday.

Many reenactors dressed up as figures to showcase the Battle of Newtown, from Saturday, Aug. 23, through Sunday, Aug. 24.

Paul Perine, event chairman, explained to 18 News that in 1778, the Iroquois and loyalists conducted raids in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania and Cherry Valley and Mohawk Valley of New York. In 1779, according to Perine, General George Washington ordered General John Sullivan to conduct a punitive expedition to remove the Iroquois from the American Revolutionary War and then culminated with the Battle of Newtown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hidden Landmarks: Newtown Battlefield State Park

Attendees got a chance to interact and learn about the history of the battle through campsites set up in relations to the Continental Army, British Soldiers, Native Americans, along with demonstrations. People who volunteered in the event shared that it helps observers engage with how the battle took place and familiarize themselves with the setting.

Josiah Romano, who volunteered in the reenactment for the first time, said, Its our history. This is part of that track towards how we gained our independence.

Newtown Battlefield State Park to expand thanks to grant

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Perine mentioned the next reenactment of the Battle of Newtown will run in 2027, from August 28 through August 29.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat reacted sharply to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's recent statement regarding Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, expressing his disappointment and terming the BJP leader's comments as misguided. Bhagat criticized the BJP for disrespecting the Indian national flag and siding with the British historically, accusing them of suffering from "Nehruphobia" and "Gandhiphobia." "His party disrespected Tiranga and never hoisted it at their headquarters. They even sided with the British. Nothing is more paradoxical and absurd than this. They are affected by Nehruphobia and Gandhiphobia. They live in a strange frustration," Bhagat said. Bhagat also suggested that Rijiju seems to be distracted by "James Bond movies." The Congress MP quipped, "It seems that Kiren Rijiju is currently watching James Bond movies. Regarding what he said about Rahul Gandhi, it saddens me that a central minister would make such a statement about someone whose entire family has sacrificed themselves for the country." Bhagat criticized the BJP for disrespecting the Indian national flag and siding with the British historically, accusing them of suffering from "Nehruphobia" and "Gandhiphobia." "His party disrespected Tiranga and never hoisted it at their headquarters. They even sided with the British. Nothing is more paradoxical and absurd than this. They are affected by Nehruphobia and Gandhiphobia. They live in a strange frustration," he said His reaction comes after Parliamentary Affairs Minister on Saturday said that Rahul Gandhi's own party MPs "get uncomfortable" when he speaks in Parliament and are apprehensive that he will do "anap-shanap baatein" and the party will have to bear the consequences. Rijiju alleged that Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, "does not listen to his own party members". "Rahul Gandhi kuch bolte hain, unke saare MPs bahot uncomfortable ho jaate hain. Wo darte hain ye anapshanap baatein karenge, uska khamiyaza party ko bhugatna padta hai...(When Rahul Gandhi speaks, his MPs get uncomfortable what nonsense he will speak, the party will have to bear its consequences," he said. Rijiju alleged that Congress does not have any interest in parliamentary discussions. He said many Congress MPs and parliamentarians of other parties came to him and said they were not able to raise issues concerning their constituencies with the two Houses getting repeatedly adjourned, . "They don't believe in debate and discussion in the Parliament. Many MPs of the Congress and other parties came to me and said that because the Parliament is not running, they are able to present the concerns of their constituencies. If the Parliament does not run, the loss is for the Opposition. The government will pass the bills in the national interest. But it is not good if the bills are passed without discussion. We believe in discussion... The loss is for those who have to ask questions," the Union Minister said. He added, "If Rahul Gandhi cannot speak or he does not know how to speak, that does not mean that others should also not be allowed to speak." "With folded hands, we have requested the Congress party to participate in the discussion. There are many members of Congress who can speak well and are also knowledgeable. They will face issues if I name anyone... If Rahul Gandhi cannot speak or he does not know how to speak, that does not mean that others should also not be allowed to speak." Rijiju noted that in a parliamentary democracy, the Parliament belongs to the Opposition as they can seek answers from the government. "The government is liable to answer. The Opposition has to ask questions. What would the government do if the ones who are supposed to ask questions ran away? We have been asking them not to cause a disturbance. My throat got sore because I had to shout and ask the Opposition not to create a ruckus," he said. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced continuous disruptions during the monsoon session over the opposition's demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. With both the Houses witnessing repeated adjournments due to disruptions throughout the session, which concluded on Thursday, the productivity of Lok Sabha was about 31% and that of Rajya Sabha was about 39 per cent. In the Lok Sabha, discussions could happen for only 37 hours out of the total available 120 hours and in the Rajya Sabha, discussions took place for 41 hours and 15 minutes. A total of 15 bills were passed by Parliament during the session. (ANI)
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Three more giant troll sculptures were unveiled Sunday in Rhode Island communities.

A bus tour and ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held for the new sculptures in North Kingstown, Arcadia Management Area in Richmond, and East Providence.

The artist, Thomas Dambo, then spoke about the sculptures at East Providence High School.

RELATED: Giant trolls have a message for humans about protecting the planet

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The states first two trolls, named Erik Rock and Greta Granit, are at Ninigret Park in Charlestown. Those sculptures marked the beginning of whats being called the Rhode Island troll trail.

Thomas Dambos giant troll sculpture on the East Providence waterfront (Carl Sisson/WPRI-TV)

Thomas Dambos giant troll sculpture on the East Providence waterfront (Carl Sisson/WPRI-TV)

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

Follow us on social media:

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
EXCLUSIVE - New Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Joe Gruters outlined his mission as he took over steering the GOP's national party committee.

"The midterms are ahead, where we must expand our major majority in the House, in the Senate, and continue electing Republicans nationwide," Gruters said as he addressed committee members moments after being unanimously elected chair at the RNC's summer meeting, held this year in Atlanta, Georgia.

Gruters, a state senator and RNC committee member from Florida, who, until his election as chair on Friday, briefly served as the national party committee's treasurer, is a longtime ally of President Donald Trump. His move to the RNC chairmanship cements Trumps dominance over the GOP as it prepares for midterm battles next year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And a month ago, Trump endorsed Gruters to succeed now-former RNC chair Michael Whatley, who stepped down as he runs for the Senate in battleground North Carolina in the blockbuster race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis.

Longtime Trump Ally Takes Over As Chair Of Republican National Committee

Joe Gruters (right) and Michael Whatley at the Republican National Committee's summer meeting.

The ascension of Gruters to RNC chair is the latest sign of Trump's complete control over the national party committee.

Read On The Fox News App

"This is the president's party. This is the president's vision, overall. The party fully embraces the president," Gruters said as he and Whatley stood for an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump Backed Rnc Chair Jumps Into Blockbuster Senate Battle

Whatley, who Trump picked to steer the RNC a year and a half ago, noted that "we have transformed the RNC, basically the way that President Trump has transformed the Republican Party."

Gruters has been a major Trump supporter dating back to the president's first campaign for the White House. Gruters served as Florida co-chair Trump's 2016 campaign.

Donald Trump cuts short an introduction by Joe Gruters, the-chairman of the Republican Executive Committee of Sarasota County, before Trump was presented as its Statesman of the Year, in Sarasota, Florida, on Aug. 26, 2012.

The Democratic National Committee, taking aim at Gruters following his election as chair, claimed that "Gruters and Trump will have a lot to bond over while they turn the Republican Party into even more of a personal propaganda machine for Trump."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans swept back to power last November, with Trump winning the White House, the GOP retaking control of the Senate and holding onto their fragile majority in the House.

But looking ahead to next year's midterms, when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses House and Senate seats, the GOP will be defending their congressional majorities.

Rnc Chair Says Big Beautiful Bill Front-and-center In Gop's Midterm Push

A key part of the RNC's strategy going forward is Trump.

"We're gonna ride the president all the way to victory in the midterms, and we are going to win big," Gruters emphasized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Asked about the top three items on his to-do list as he takes over as RNC chair, Gruters said, "number one, it's still election integrity. That's the most important thing, protecting the vote. And it's about winning the midterms."

"It's about going back to the fundamentals of registering voters and turning our voters out," the new chair added.

Joe Gruters, who is taking over as Republican National Committee chair, speaks at the RNC's summer meeting on Aug. 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Gruters also highlighted Trump's sweeping GOP-crafted domestic policy bill, which the Republican majorities in Congress passed this summer along near-party lines.

"It's our agenda," Whatley said in a Fox News Digital interview last month, as he pointed to the massive tax cuts and spending bill that Trump signed into law on July 4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The measure is stuffed full of Trump's 2024 campaign trail promises and second-term priorities on tax cuts, immigration, defense, energy and the debt limit.

It includes extending the president's signature 2017 tax cuts and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay.

By making his first-term tax rates permanent  they were set to expire later this year  the bill will cut taxes by nearly $4.4 trillion over the next decade, according to analysis by the Congressional Budget Office and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The measure also provides billions for border security and codifies the president's controversial immigration crackdown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And the new law also restructures Medicaid  the almost 60-year-old federal program that provides health coverage to roughly 71 million low-income Americans.

The changes to Medicaid , as well as cuts to food stamps, another one of the nation's major safety net programs, were drafted in part as an offset to pay for extending Trump's tax cuts. The measure includes a slew of new rules and regulations, including work requirements for many of those seeking Medicaid coverage.

Democrats, for months, have repeatedly blasted Republicans over the social safety net changes. And they've spotlighted a slew of national polls conducted both before and after the measure was passed into law, that indicate the bill's popularity in negative territory.

But Gruters sees the new law as campaign ammunition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Every single Democrat in Congress voted for a tax increase on average everyday Americans," Gruters argued. "And that big, beautiful bill has something for every single American, whether you're working class, whether you're a small business owner, everybody benefits, and we're going to be able to ride that bill all the way to victory."





Original article source: New RNC chair Joe Gruters vows to 'ride the president all the way to victory' in midterms
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Teen Action and Support Center (TASC) will host its first Alternatives to College Night on Friday, Aug. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event will bring together local trade, technical, and beauty school representatives, giving teens and parents a casual, drop-in chance to explore posthigh school options beyond college, according to a news release.

Alternatives to College Night will take place at The Hub, 1194 W. Walnut Street in Rogers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Razorback legends to host Walmart meet-and-greet in Fayetteville

Community partners supporting the event include Pak Home Realty, NWACC Certificate Program, Arkansas Workforce Connections, Brightwater, Career Academy of Hair Design, Arkansas College of Electricity, Academy of Professional Cosmetology, Frisco Tattoo, State Farm, NWTI, Trailside Yoga and the Rogers Fire and EMT Department.

Founded in 2005, TASC serves teens 1319 in Benton and Washington Counties and operates three locations: The Hub and Restore Counseling Center in Rogers, and The Station in Springdale.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Rosie O'Donnell called for Lyle and Erik Menendez to be freed from prison following their latest parole denial.

The former View cohost shared a message in support of the convicted murderers via Instagram on Saturday, August 23, after the Menendez brothers lost a bid to be paroled for the 1989 killings of their parents Jose and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez.

Free the Menendez brothers, ODonnell, 63, wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Erik and Lyle were both denied parole in separate hearings last week. While they were convicted on two counts of first-degree murder in 1996, they have always maintained that they acted in self-defense because of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from their parents.

Rosie ODonnell Reveals How Often She Speaks to Lyle Menendez in Prison

ODonnell bonded with Lyle after he wrote her a letter of thanks in the 1990s for defending the siblings during an appearance on Larry King Live. The two started speaking on the phone in 2022 when they were connected by Lyles wife, Rebecca Sneed.

Speaking to Variety, ODonnell recounted the emotional experience of traveling to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego to meet both brothers in person for the first time in 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I saw Lyle and gave him a hug, she recalled. Then Erik came over to me, hugged me, and whispered in my ear, Thank you for loving my brother. It was very, very moving to me.

The Daytime Emmy Award winner grew so close to Lyle that she credited him with helping her feel safe enough to trust and be vulnerable and love a straight man for the first time in her life.

Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Eriks daughter, Talia Menendez, previously hit out at the Menendez brothers celebrity supporters for not reacting more vocally to the parole denial.

Where are the celebrities that were advocating for them???? Its been WAY TOO QUIET, she wrote via Instagram on Thursday, August 23.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Talia singled out Cooper Koch, who played Erik in the Netflix true-crime drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, as the only celebrity whod checked on the family since their legal setback.

The only one that I can say has been checking in on my family is Cooper and we absolutely adore him, she claimed. To the ones that went to the prison without any background checks to film their show but are staying quiet now. You despise [sic] me beyond measure. Just say your views are down and keep it PUSHING.

Celebs Who Have Been Outspoken About Their Support  and Even Advocated  for the Menendez Brothers

Talias mother, Tammi Saccoman-Menendez and the brothers attorney Mark Geragos both outright condemned the parole boards decision, while a family statement released on Thursday was more measured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While we respect the decision, todays outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for, the Menendez family said in a statement. But our belief in Erik remains unwavering and we know he will take the Boards recommendation in stride. His remorse, growth, and the positive impact hes had on others speak for themselves. We will continue to stand by him and hold to the hope he is able to return home soon.

Us Weekly has reached out to California Board of Parole Hearings and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for comment.

Prior to last weeks parole hearings, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman rejected calls for Erik and Lyle to be freed.

The Menendez brothers have never fully accepted responsibility for the horrific murders of their parents, instead continuing to promote a false narrative of self-defense that was rejected by the jury decades ago, he said in a statement on Wednesday. We have consistently opposed their release because they have not demonstrated full insight into their crimes or shown that they have been fully rehabilitated, and therefore continue to pose a risk to society.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
France's foreign ministry said Sunday it would summon the US ambassador after he criticised the government for what he said was its insufficient action against antisemitism in a letter to President Emmanuel Macron.

The letter from Charles Kushner, dated August 25 but leaked to the media on Sunday, echoed Israel's criticism of France days earlier, which provoked a sharp response from Paris.

Kushner's letter to Macron noted that Monday was "the 81st anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris, which ended the deportation of Jews from French soil" under Nazi German occupation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He wrote: "I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it...

"In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized," he added.

While "antisemitism has long scarred French life", the ambassador argued that hatred of Jews "has exploded since Hamas's barbaric assault on October 7, 2023," which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

"France firmly refutes these latest allegations," said a foreign ministry statement in response, hours after the letter's contents were made public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The allegations from the ambassador are unacceptable."

The ministry said the 1961 Vienna Convention meant ambassadors were not permitted to interfere in a country's internal affairs. Kushner would be summoned to the foreign ministry on Monday, it added.

- 'Anti-Zionism is antisemitism' -

His remarks tally with those made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Tuesday accused Macron of fomenting antisemitism, saying it had "surged" in France following the French president's announcement last month that he will recognise Palestinian statehood.

Macron's Elysee office was quick to hit back at Netanyahu, calling the Israeli leader's allegation "abject" and "erroneous".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But like Netanyahu, Kushner denounced Macron's criticisms of Israel over the war in Gaza and his planned recognition of a State of Palestine. Such moves, he said, "embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France".

"In today's world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism -- plain and simple," the ambassador added.

"Surveys show most French citizens believe another Holocaust could happen in Europe. Nearly half of French youth report never having heard of the Holocaust at all.

"What are children being taught in French schools if such ignorance persists?," the letter read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

France is home to Western Europe's largest Jewish population at around half a million people, as well as a significant Muslim community sensitive to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Both communities have reported a spike in hate crimes since Israel's retaliatory offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the besieged coastal strip.

Macron's announcement that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September drew a swift rebuke from Israel at the time.

With the move, France is set to join a list of nations that has grown since the start of the Gaza war nearly two years ago.

France is among at least 145 of the 193 UN members that now recognise or plan to recognise a Palestinian state, according to an AFP tally.

mra/jj/sbk
Russia launched 72 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight on Aug. 24, the country's Independence Day, the Air Force reported.

Ukraine shot down a total of 48 drones, while a missile and 24 Shahed attack drones struck 10 locations, the Air Force said, without specifying the targets.

According to the report, the attacks were launched from Russias Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Apart from the overnight attack, Russian troops also continued targeting Ukrainian cities over the past day, killing three and injuring at least three more, according to local authorities.

One person was killed in a Russian strike on Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.

Another person was killed in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast, according to local Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Two more people, including a child, were injured there.

Russian troops also hit Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones and guided aerial bombs, killing a 47-year-old woman, Governor Serhii Lysak said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Sumy Oblast, a Russian airstrike injured a 45-year-old man, the region's military administration reported. A total of 36 settlements were under attacks there, the authorities said.

Over the past 24 hours, two people were injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Russian troops carried out a total of 478 attacks on 11 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, using drones, artillery, and air bombs, Fedorov said.

Russia also attacked Kharkiv Oblast with two guided aerial bombs and seven drones over the past day, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. There were no casualties, according to him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read also: Pentagon has quietly barred Ukrainian long-range strikes in Russia with US missiles, WSJ reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(NewsNation)  Ukrainians are marking their Independence Day Sunday with daily drone and missile attacks from Russia amid the ongoing three-year war.

President Donald Trump and other world leaders sent a letter of support to Ukraine on its Independence Day, which marks 34 years since Ukraine broke from the Soviet Union. Russia was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union.

Now is the moment to bring an end of the senseless, senseless killing. The United States supports A negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine from threats over series, safeguards, Ukraine, sovereignty, and dignity, Trump said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russia signals slow-walk on Trump deal with Ukraine

Zelenskyy posted a letter he received from Trump on social media.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to that, writing, We appreciate your kind words for the Ukrainian people, and we thank the United States for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what is most valuable: independence, freedom, and guaranteed peace.

We believe that by working together we can put an end to this war and achieve real peace for Ukraine, he continued.

Whereas two weeks ago, it appeared a path to peace was possible with President Donald Trump meeting separately with both countries presidents, Russian forces are continuing their advance. The Kremlin claimed two more communities in the Donetsk region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Frontlines with Robert Sherman: Will Putin and Zelenskyy meet?

Trump has said he wants a bilateral meeting between Russia and Ukraine before a trilateral involving the U.S. Nothing is on the calendar for a bilateral summit.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with NBC, said, There is no meeting planned, and Im not challenging this, but you cannot, I think, understand what I am saying. Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy. When the agenda would be ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would continue to fight for its freedom "while its calls for peace are not heard," in a defiant address to the nation on its independence day.

"We need a just peace, a peace where our future will be decided only by us," he said, adding that Ukraine was "not a victim, it is a fighter".

He continued: "Ukraine has not yet won, but it has certainly not lost."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky's remarks came after Moscow said Ukraine had attacked Russian power and energy facilities overnight, blaming drone attacks for a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region.

The Ukraine government's Centre for Countering Disinformation said it had been reported that the shooting down of a drone allegedly caused the fire.

The centre blamed Russia for "spreading manipulations" and said Russia accusing Ukraine of "allegedly carrying out targeted strikes" on the power plant "are typical methods" of Russian propaganda.

There were no injuries and the fire was quickly extinguished, the plant's press service said on messaging app Telegram. It said the attack had damaged a transformer, but radiation levels were within the normal range.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was aware of reports regarding the fire, but could not independently confirm them. Its director general said "every nuclear facility must be protected at all times".

The IAEA has repeatedly called on both Russia and Ukraine to show maximum restraint around nuclear facilities in the war.

Also on Sunday, Russia and Ukraine both confirmed a prisoner swap had taken place, with 146 soldiers on each side being exchanged.

Russia's defence ministry also said eight people from Russia's Kursk region, which was partially occupied by Ukraine for several months, had been handed over and would return home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky said those returned by Russia included soldiers, border guards and civilians, most of whom have been in captivity since 2022.

He also said journalist Dmytro Khilyuk, who was "kidnapped in the Kyiv region" at the start of the war, was coming home.

Independence Day celebrations were held in Kyiv, as the country marked its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney took part in the celebrations, and stood beside Zelensky at St Sophia's Cathedral as he addressed the crowd:

"I want to say something very simple and important: Canada will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said drones, ammunition and armoured vehicles, part of a $2bn Canadian dollars (1bn) military package, would be delivered to Ukraine as early as September, Ukrainian media reported. The deliveries would make up more than half of a support package he announced in July.

Also present was US envoy Keith Kellogg - whom Ukrainian media reported was awarded the Order of Merit, first degree by Zelensky during the ceremony.

After Zelensky thanked him and US President Donald Trump for their support, Kellogg could be heard telling Zelensky: "We're going to make this work".

The Ukrainian president published a letter he received from Trump on X, which congratulated Ukraine on 34 years of independence and said "now is the moment to bring an end to the senseless killing".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky thanked the US for "standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine".

"We believe that by working together, we can put an end to this war and achieve real peace for Ukraine," he added.

Servicemen raised a Ukrainian flag in the capital Kyiv as independence day celebrations began [EPA]

Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, wrote on Telegram early on Sunday: "On this special day - Ukraine's Independence Day - it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by us."

Meanwhile, Zelensky shared a letter from King Charles sending the people of Ukraine his "warmest and most sincere wishes".

"I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people," the King writes. "I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky said the King's "kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war".

The UK government also said Ukrainian flags would appear above Downing Street in recognition of the anniversary.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that British military experts will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers until at least the end of 2026, with an extension to Operation Interflex - the codename given to the UK Armed Forces' training programme for Ukrainian recruits.

Norway announced on Sunday that it would contribute about 7 billion kroner (514m; $693m) of air defence systems to Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Together with Germany, we are now ensuring that Ukraine receives powerful air defence systems," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.

The two nations are funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar.

Also on Sunday, Ukraine and Sweden announced they had agreed to joint defence production, with Sweden's defence minister saying it would "boost Swedish rearmament and meet the needs of Ukraine's armed forces".

Pal Jonson wrote on X: "Ukraine will share and provide technology for its factories in Sweden and defence materiel co-produced in Sweden will be exported to Ukraine."

In Ukraine's Independence Square, people pass a makeshift memorial to Ukrainians killed defending the nation [Reuters]

On Saturday, Russia said its forces in eastern Ukraine had seized two villages in the Donetsk region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russian forces have been advancing very slowly, and at great cost, in eastern Ukraine and now control about 20% of Ukraine's territory.

A full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched by Russia in February 2022.

There has been intense diplomacy over the war this month, with US President Donald Trump meeting his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August.

The summit was billed as a vital step towards peace in Ukraine. However, despite both leaders claiming the talks were a success, Trump has since shown growing frustration publicly over the lack of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The US president has said he is considering either hitting Russia with further economic sanctions or walking away from peace talks.

"I'm going to make a decision as to what we do and it's going to be, it's going to be a very important decision, and that's whether or not it's massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or we do nothing and say it's your fight," Trump said on Friday.

Zelensky has repeatedly called for an unconditional ceasefire and his European allies have also insisted on a halt in fighting.

He has accused Russia of "doing everything it can" to prevent a meeting with Putin to try to end the war.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Putin was ready to meet Ukraine's leader "when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all", accusing Zelensky of saying "no to everything".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov tried to defend his countrys assault on Ukraine under sharp questioning from Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, with Welker eventually asking, Either the Russian military has terrible aim or you are targeting civilians. Which is it?

This week, Russia escalated its attacks in Ukraine, Welker said today at the start of the interview. Just this week. Russia bombed an American-owned factory near the Hungarian border. Ive spoken to people who, frankly, see that as a slap in the face to President Trump, to the entire peace process. Isnt it?

Lavrov said that Russia never, ever  deliberately targeted any sites which are not linked to military abilities of Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is an electronics factory though, sir. This is an electronics factory. Ive spoken to people on the ground there. It builds coffee machines, among other electronics. This is not a military site, Welker responded.

Trump has told the press he expressed displeasure to Putin over the drone attack on the American-owned plant. I told him Im not happy about it, Trump said Friday. And Im not happy about anything having to do with that war.

Trump and Putin recently met at a summit in Alaska, but no tangible progress toward peace appears to have come from the meeting, despite the administrations attempts to spin it as a success.

The president said on Friday that he would know more about progress toward a Ukraine-Russia agreement in two weeks. Over the next two weeks, were gonna find out which way its going to go, and I better be very happy, he said. (Trump loves to claim that complex, intractable problems will be solved in two weeks.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Under Welkers questioning, Lavrov stood firm in his stance that somehow an American-owned factory was producing equipment for Ukraine.

I understand that some people are really naive and when they see a coffee machine in the window, they believe that this is the place where coffee machines are produced, he said. Our intelligence has very good information, and we target only  as I said  either military enterprises, military sites or industrial enterprises directly involved in producing military equipment for Ukrainian army.

But Welker continued to press. Mr. Foreign Minister, here are the facts: Close to 50,000 civilians have either been killed or injured in this war, she said. Russia has hit maternity wards, churches, schools, hospitals, a kindergarten just this past week. So either the Russian military has terrible aim or you are targeting civilians. Which is it?

Look, look, NBC is a very respectful structure, and I hope you are responsible for the words which you broadcast, Lavrov said, getting testy. I ask you to send us or to publicize the information to which you just referred because we never targeted the civilian targets of the kind you cited. You might be mixing, you know, the information because it is a fact that quite a number of churches were purposefully hit by the Ukrainian regime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lavrov continued by asking for proof. Welker said that we have reporters on the ground whove seen it with their own eyes.

Russias assaults on civilians appear to be escalating. According to the United Nations, this past June saw the highest number of civilian casualties in the three years of the ongoing conflict. Two hundred and eighty-six civilians were killed, while another 1,674 were injured, the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) in Ukraine said.

The U.N. has documented a total of 13,883 civilian deaths, including 726 children, since the war began. Another 35,548 civilians have been injured, including 2,234 children.

Whether you are in a hospital or a prison, at home or at work, close to or far away from the frontline, if you are in Ukraine today, you are at risk of getting killed or injured by the war, Danielle Bell, head of HRMMU, said. The risk is significantly higher than last year and it continues to rise.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone

Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Russia launched drones and a missile into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, the air force in Kyiv said, as the country kicked off independence day celebrations marking the anniversary of its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 72 drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile into the country in its latest overnight barrage, of which 48 drones were intercepted or suppressed. The missile and 24 drones impacted across 10 locations, the air force said.

On Sunday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office published a statement to mark 34 years of independence, in which Zelenskyy said the previous 1,278 days of war with Russia constitute the country's "war for independence."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine marks its independence day amid U.S.-led efforts to end Russia's full-scale invasion of the country, which began in February 2022 and followed nearly a decade of cross-border aggression and land grabs by Moscow.

Sean Kilpatrick/AP - PHOTO: The Independence Monument is pictured as Ukrainian flags blow in the wind in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 23, 2025.

Zelenskyy posted to social media to share a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump, in which the American leader said that the Ukrainian people "have an unbreakable spirit, and your country's courage inspires many. The United States respects your fight, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an independent nation."

"Now is the moment to bring an end to the senseless killing," Trump continued, calling for a "negotiated settlement that leads to a durable, lasting peace that ends the bloodshed and safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty and dignity."

Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his letter. "We appreciate your kind words for the Ukrainian people, and we thank the United States for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what is most valuable: independence, freedom, and guaranteed peace," Zelenskyy wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We believe that by working together, we can put an end to this war and achieve real peace for Ukraine," he added.

MORE: Russia launches largest attack of August on Ukraine after Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

Ukraine continued its own long-range attacks on Russia overnight, according to Russia's Defense Ministry. Russian forces shot down 95 Ukrainian drones over 14 regions during the latest exchange, the ministry said in a Sunday morning statement.

At least one drone was shot down on approach to Moscow, local officials said, with at least six shot down over the Leningrad region and St. Petersburg, according to the Defense Ministry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two people were injured by drone attacks in the western Russian region of Bryansk, according to local authorities, with damage reported to homes and cars.

There were reports of explosions related to drone attacks at the Syzran oil refinery in Samara region, as well as a fire at the Novatek gas terminal at the port of Ust-Luga, west of St. Petersburg.

Sources inside the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told ABC News that drones struck the Ust-Luga port, targeting the Novatek gas facility.

The SBU previously struck Ust-Luga in January 2025. The terminal handles Russian oil and gas exports including via the country's so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers used to evade international sanctions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The SBU described Saturday night's attack as "a gift for Russia on Ukraine's independence day."

Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters - PHOTO: Ukrainian servicemen practice firing an anti-tank weapon during training in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on Aug. 23, 2025.

Russia's federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya, reported temporary flight restrictions at at least 11 airports across Russia, including in Pskov, Saratov, Volgograd and St. Petersburg.

In the western Kursk region, officials said a downed Ukrainian drone caused a fire at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. "Upon impact, the drone detonated, resulting in damage to an auxiliary transformer," the plant's press service wrote on Telegram.

The statement said that radiation levels were normal and there was no immediate danger.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a post to X that its Director General Rafael Grossi stressed that "every nuclear facility must be protected at all times."

ABC News' Natalya Kushnir, Anna Sergeeva and Dragana Jovanovic contributed to this report.
, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday emphasised the importance of legislature, stating that if parliament or assemblies do not function properly, then it will itself raise questions on democracy. While addressing the first All India Speakers Conference in New Delhi Rijiju further termed the parliament and assemblies as "focal points" of the democracy and stated that their proper functioning is very important. "In a Parliamentary democracy, Parliament and Assemblies are the focal points... If the Parliament and assembly do not function properly, questions will be raised on democracy. The functioning of the Parliament and Assembly, and that too vibrantly, is very important," Rijiju said. The Union Minister said that Opposition has the right to question the decisions of the government but they cannot obstruct the functioning of the country. He further stated that parliament is meant for debates, as when many open-minded people sit together, then there is bound to be a conflict. "If there is no conflict in the Parliament, then where will it be? So many different-minded people have come together, and there is bound to be conflict. This doesn't mean that they will obstruct the functioning. I said yesterday that there is a difference between opposition and obstruction. Opposition is the right of the members but they cannot obstruct the functioning of the country," he said. The two-day conference at the Delhi Legislative Assembly began today with Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurating the event. The valedictory session will be presided over by Honourable Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. As per the Delhi CMO, a special postal stamp dedicated to the life and parliamentary contributions of Vithalbhai Patel was released. An exhibition and documentary on his life story are scheduled to be showcased. The stamp is entitled "The Glorious Saga of Vithalbhai Patel", the exhibition will remain open to the public from August 26 to August 31. (ANI)
Listen to Juliana read this article

Javier Gallardo likes to start his morning watching a classical music programme on television - it is part of his routine, and puts him in the right mood for the day before going to work driving trucks.

But one Monday in June, he turned on the television and, instead of music, the screen was filled with images of a warzone. A news report was playing on a channel he had never heard of.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"What's happening?" he asked himself. After 20 minutes, he turned it off. "I couldn't connect with it."

A green logo at the bottom corner of the screen showed the letters: "RT". Searching online, he found that this was a Russian channel.

Javier lives in Chile. It is alleged that Telecanal, a privately-owned TV channel in the country, has handed over its signal to Russian state-backed news broadcaster RT, formerly Russia Today.

The US, UK, Canada and EU have imposed restrictions on RT [Photo by YURI KADOBNOV/AFP via Getty Images]

The country's broadcasting regulator has opened sanction proceedings against Telecanal for a possible violation of broadcasting law, and is waiting for the channel's response.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Telecanal did not respond to request for comment.

Viewers, meanwhile, were left confused.

"I got upset," admits Javier. "They didn't announce anything beforehand, and I couldn't understand why."

Over the last three years, the Russian state-backed news channel RT and news agency and radio Sputnik, have expanded their international presence; between them, they now broadcast across Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

This all coincides with bans in Western countries.

In 2024 US authorities sanctioned some RT executives, including Margarita Simonyan [Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP]

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sweeping restrictions were imposed to RT's broadcasting in the US, UK, Canada and across the European Union  as well as by major tech companies  for spreading disinformation about the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This culminated in 2024, when US authorities sanctioned RT executives - including its editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan - for alleged attempts to harm "public trust" in the country's institutions.

It came amid accusations of the Kremlin orchestrating a widespread campaign to interfere in the presidential election. RT denied involvement.

Yet elsewhere, RT's influence has only expanded.

Since 2023, RT has opened a bureau in Algeria, launched a TV service in Serbian, and started free training programmes aimed at journalists from Africa, Southeast Asia, India, and China.

The broadcaster has also announced it will open an office in India. Sputnik, meanwhile, launched a newsroom in Ethiopia in February.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All of this coincides with an apparent weakening from the Western media in some regions. Thanks to budget cuts and changing foreign policy priorities, certain outlets have downsized and even withdrawn from parts of the world.

Two years ago, the BBC closed its Arabic radio service in favour of its digital-based service - which provides audio, video and text-based news content. It has since launched emergency radio services for Gaza and Sudan. That same year Russia's Sputnik started a 24-hour service in Lebanon, occupying the airwave vacated by BBC Arabic.

Meanwhile, the US government-funded international broadcasting service Voice of America has cut most of its staff.

"Russia is like water: where there are cracks in the cement, it trickles in," says Dr Kathryn Stoner, political scientist at Stanford University.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The question that remains, however, is, what is Russia's endgame? And what does this apparent creeping of media power in those regions mean in an age with a shifting world order?

'Not all crazy conspiracy theorists'

"[Countries outside the West are] very fertile territory intellectually, culturally, and ideologically [because of their] residual anti-American, anti-Western, and anti-imperial sentiments," says Stephen Hutchings, a professor of Russian Studies at the University of Manchester.

Russian propaganda, he argues, is also spread smartly: its content is calibrated to cater to specific audiences, even if it means adopting different ideological stances in different regions.

RT is a Russian state-backed news broadcaster [KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images]

Take the perception of RT. In the West it is often seen as a "Russian state actor and propagator of disinformation," he says. In other parts of the world, however, it is often regarded as a legitimate broadcaster with its own editorial line.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This makes viewers susceptible to believing it - "not all crazy conspiracy theorists who naively fall for disinformation".

This is how Dr Rhys Crilley puts it. He is a lecturer in international relations at the University of Glasgow, and believes that RT's coverage of the world can appeal to broad audiences - "people who are rightly concerned about global injustices, or events that they perceive the West to be involved in perpetrating".

'A very careful manipulation'

On the surface, RT's international site looks like a standard news website and it reports some stories accurately. "[It's] a very careful manipulation", argues Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, senior lecturer in Politics and International Studies at The Open University, who wrote a book on RT with Prof Hutchings, Dr Crilley and others.

She and other colleagues analysed RT's international news bulletins covering a period of two years between May 2017 and May 2019, and concluded that its curation of stories (what it chose to cover and what it left out) fitted certain narratives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For example, the researchers found that social unrest was prioritised as a topic to report on when it happened in European countries, whereas one of the frequent preferences in the coverage of Russian domestic affairs was the country's military exercises.

The broadcaster also makes explicit false claims, such as portraying Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 as a peaceful "reunification", denying clear evidence of military involvement. It has systematically denied evidence of Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in 2022.

'Russia is like water: where there are cracks in the cement, it trickles in,' says Dr Kathryn Stoner, political scientist at Stanford University [SERGEI BOBYLYOV /AFP via Getty]

RT has also published stories with commentators blaming Ukraine for shooting down Malaysia airlines flight MH17 in July 2014. (The UN aviation body has concluded that the Russian Federation is responsible for the downing and international investigators found that a missile system transported from Russia to occupied eastern Ukraine had been used by Russians and pro-Russian separatists to hit it.)

What was striking was the view of audiences on this coverage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Between 2018 and 2022, the researchers interviewed 109 people who watched RT in the UK before it had its licence to broadcast revoked by media regulator Ofcom. Dr Chatterje-Doody says she observed that many said they felt that "RT is biased" but that they had the tools to discern what was truthful from what was not.

However, based on her research, she warned: "[The audience] is not necessarily aware of the precise ways in which RT is biased and where the dishonesty of the coverage comes from."

Why Russia has renewed focus on Africa

Russian state media's biggest recent expansion is in Africa, according to Prof Hutchings.

In February, Russian authorities travelled to Ethiopia for the launch of a new editorial centre for Sputnik. Sputnik already broadcasts across parts of Africa in English and French languages, and has expanded to include Amharic, one of the official languages of Ethiopia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

RT has also reoriented its French-language channel to target French-speaking African nations, along with redirecting funding from projects in London, Paris, Berlin and the US to the continent, according to RT's editor-in-chief.

Prof Hutchings says Russian state media's biggest recent expansion is in Africa [MLADEN ANTONOV /AFP via Getty]

Last year Russian state media claimed that RT had seven bureaux in Africa, although this cannot be independently verified.

Many Africans already have friendly views towards Russia - anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist sentiment, together with the legacy of Soviet support for liberation movements during the Cold War made it relatively common.

With this new focus, Russia hopes to undermine Western influence, build support for its actions, and build economic ties, argues Dr Crilley.

Inside RT's course for African reporters

When RT launched its first online course aimed at African reporters and bloggers, the BBC's Global Disinformation Unit joined it to find out more.

"We are one of the best in fact-checking and have never been caught distributing false information," RT's general director Alexey Nikolov told students.

One lesson examined how to debunk misinformation. The instructor stated a chemical weapons attack in the Syrian city of Douma in 2018, by the Russian-backed Assad regime, was a "canonical example of fake news", ignoring findings of a two-year investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirming the attacks were carried out by the Syrian Air Force.

More from InDepth

The host also dismissed the mass killing of Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces in the Ukrainian town of Bucha in 2022, calling it "the most well-known fake". (This, despite overwhelming UN and independent evidence blaming Russian forces.)

Speaking to those who took part after the course, many seemed unperturbed by this - some told the BBC they believed RT was a standard international TV broadcaster, comparable to CNN or Al Jazeera.

When we interviewed an Ethiopian journalist in December 2024, they echoed RT's claims by calling the Bucha killings a "staged event". Their social media profile picture was a photograph of Putin.

A journalist from Sierra Leone acknowledged the risks of misinformation and disinformation but, at the time, added that every media institution has its own "news value and style".

From the Middle East to Latin America

In the Middle East, Russian state media like RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic are tailoring their coverage of the Israel-Gaza war to appeal to pro-Palestinian audiences, according to Prof Hutchings.

Elsewhere, including in Latin America, RT is also attempting to expand its reach.

RT is available for free in 10 countries in the region according to its website. Argentina, Mexico, and Venezuela are among them. It's also on cable television in 10 other countries.

Offering international news in Spanish in free-to-air television is "part of its success," says Dr Armando Chaguaceda, a Cuban-Mexican historian and political scientist, who is a researcher from the think tank, Government and Political Analysis (focused on civic education and the promotion of democratic culture).

RT is available for free on TV in 10 Latin-American countries, according to its website [REUTERS/Dado Ruvic]

And although RT has been banned on YouTube around the world, since March 2022, it still creeps its way onto the platform in some places.

In Argentina, 52-year old carpenter Anibal Baigorria records TV reports from RT and uploads them to his YouTube channel, along with his reactions.

"Here in Buenos Aires the news focuses too much on the city," he argues. "RT gives an overview of all the places in Latin America and, of course, global news."

"Everyone has the right to decide what they believe is true."

Understanding the impact

Ultimately, it's difficult to quantify the impact of Russian state-backed media around the world.

RT claims to be available to more than 900 million TV viewers in more than 100 countries and says its content attracted 23 billion online views in 2024.

But, as Dr Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, professor of communication at the University of Copenhagen, points out: "Availability is not meaningful measure of audience size."

He also argues that the 900 million viewers figure is "extremely unlikely" and describes online views as a vague and easily manipulated metric.

Dr Chatterje-Doody agrees that assessing the direct impact is hard. But she points to one case which might suggest some success for Russia. In Africa's Sahel region, which extends from Senegal eastward to Sudan, Russia has played significant military roles "with relatively little public resistance", even considering the challenging landscape. (It has entrenched itself by supporting military juntas in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.)

Another narrative that has stuck has been Russia's justification for the invasion of Ukraine. Russia has long framed Nato's eastward expansion and Ukraine's growing ties with the alliance as a key reason for its full-scale invasion, claiming it posed a "security threat" and that Russia acted in "self-defence". Though widely debunked in the West, this false claim lingered across the Global South.

It is difficult to quantify the impact of Russian state-backed media around the world [Misha Friedman/Getty Images]

"The idea is a pretty well-received narrative, especially in academic circles, in Mexico and in Latin America in general," says Dr Chaguaceda of the Nato expansion argument.

Some Global South leaders have been hesitant in condemning the Russian war against Ukraine. In the first UN General Assembly vote after the full-scale invasion in 2022, an overwhelming majority of countries condemned the war, but 52 countries either voted against the resolutions, formally registered their abstention, or refrained from voting. Among them, Bolivia, Mali, Nicaragua, South Africa and Uganda.

Some Global South leaders have been hesitant in condemning the Russian war against Ukraine [RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images]

Dr Crilley has his own take on what Russia's endgame is.

"[The Kremlin is trying] to reduce Russia's relative isolation on the world stage by portraying Russia as a fellow victim of 'Western' aggression and a defender of the Global South."

The risk, he warns, "is that RT and other Russian disinformation efforts prey on and exploit the weaknesses of liberal democracy, while normalising Russia's aggression in Ukraine, and presenting Russia not as an authoritarian state but as some sort of benign power in global politics."

Asked for a response to the allegations raised in this article, RT said: "We are indeed expanding around the world."

They declined to comment further on specific points.

Sputnik did not respond to requests for comment.

Ultimately, Prof Hutchings believes we should all be concerned about Russian state activities - particularly in the context of the future of the global world order and democracy.

He believes the West is taking its "eye off the ball" by cutting media funding and "leaving the field open to the likes of Russia Today."

"There's a lot to play for and a lot to lose And Russia is winning ground - but the battle is not lost."

Top image credit: MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty

BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that Russian forces had captured a new settlement inside Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, but Ukraine's top commander said Kyiv's troops had made gains elsewhere, recapturing three villages in eastern Donetsk region.

After failing to advance on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early weeks of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops have focused on the eastern Donbas region, announcing almost daily the capture of new villages.

Reuters could not independently verify battlefield reports from either side.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Sunday, the Russian Defence Ministry announced the capture of Filia, a village inside Dnipropetrovsk region, which is not one of the four regions Russia illegally annexed seven months after invading its smaller neighbour. Ukraine made no acknowledgement that the village of Filia had changed hands.

Moscow says it has been making inroads into Dnipropetrovsk region. But Ukrainian forces have been pressing to recapture villages in the Donetsk region - the focal point of the Russian advance - and to prevent any further movement into Dnipropetrovsk.

Ukraine's top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, wrote on Telegram that Kyiv's forces had retaken the villages of Mykhailivka, Zelenyi Hai, and Volodymyrivka.

Zelenyi Hai, whose recapture was announced in a military statement on Saturday, lies next to Dnipropetrovsk region, while the other two villages are near the town of Pokrovsk, the focus of heavy fighting for months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Syrskyi described conditions near Pokrovsk, seen as one of the Russian military's priority targets in the region, as "truly difficult. The enemy has been concentrating its main efforts on this sector. But we have to hold the line."

Ukraine's HUR military intelligence agency said in a statement that it had staged a joint operation with a military unit to recapture another village - Novomykhailivka, south of Pokrovsk.

In Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, a Russian artillery strike killed a woman in the town of Kupiansk and wounded two residents.

Kupiansk was captured by Russian troops in the early weeks of the war and retaken by Ukrainian forces later that year, but has come under fierce Russian attack in recent months.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Jan Harvey, Rod Nickel)
In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independents Anna Belokur breaks down Mondays meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which came just a few days after Trumps Aug. 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The days following both meetings were marked by large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine which killed over 30 civilians.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia and Ukraine each sent back more prisoners of war on Sunday in the latest in a series of exchanges that has seen hundreds of POWs released this year, the two sides said.

Large-scale prisoner exchanges were the only tangible result of three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul between May and July.

They remain one of the few areas of cooperation between the two countries since Russia's offensive began in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"On August 24, 146 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled" by Kyiv, the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram.

"In exchange, 146 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were transferred" to Ukraine, it added. Ukraine did not confirm any figures for the release.

Russia also said that "eight citizens of the Russian Federation -- residents of the Kursk region, illegally detained" by Kyiv were also returned.

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region in August last year, seizing hundreds of square kilometres of territory in a setback for the Kremlin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russia deployed thousands of troops from its ally North Korea as part of a counterattack, but did not fully reclaim the region until April.

Among the Ukrainians released on Sunday were "two Ukrainian journalists, Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush," Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement on Telegram.

"They were illegally detained by the occupiers in 2022 and 2023," the statement added.

Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed their release, saying they had been "targeted for their journalistic work".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"RSF calls for all those responsible for their abductions and the abuse they suffered in detention to be identified and brought to justice," RSF told AFP, adding: "The 26 Ukrainian media workers still held by the Kremlin must be released".

Also freed was former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko, "who spent more than three years in captivity," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's aide, Andriy Yermak, wrote on X.

"In 2022, he was on the list for return, but Volodymyr voluntarily refused to be exchanged in favour of a seriously ill prisoner with whom he was sharing a cell in a Russian prison," Yermak said.

bur/sbk
NBC's "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker pressed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeatedly Sunday on whether he acknowledged Russia had invaded Ukraine, as Lavrov accused the NBC host of wanting something to "sell" during her show.

"Did Russia invade Ukraine, Mr. Foreign Minister? Did Russia invade Ukraine?" Welker asked Lavrov.

Welker also pressed Lavrov whether he believed Ukraine had a right to exist, before she pushed the Russian foreign minister to acknowledge that Russia had invaded Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Russia started [a] special military operation to defend the people who [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and his predecessor did not consider as humans," Lavrov said. "They called them being suspicious. You should, look, you should really  I understand that you need something to sell today  but if you are raising and touching up on such serious things, my suggestion is to take a look at the history of Ukrainian development after the coup in 2014."

NBC host Kristen Welker speaks during "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov applauds at the Brics Summit on July 6, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Zelenskyy Outlines Peace Demands Before High-stakes White House Meeting With Trump

Welker noted it was a yes-or-no question and asked again, "Do you acknowledge Russia invaded Ukraine?"

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I said to you that we started special military operations," Lavrov replied. "To protect the people whom the regime declared terrorists and enemies and whom the regime was bombing."

Welker then asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted peace, to which Lavrov responded, "Yes."

The NBC host also asked what he would say to U.S. lawmakers who believe Russia is stringing along President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders met for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump Envoy Says Putin Made 'Robust' Concessions During Alaska Meeting Talks On Ukraine

"It is not for the lawmakers or for any media outlets to decide, you know, what President Trump is motivated by," Lavrov said. "We respect President Trump because President Trump defends American national interests, and they have reason to believe that President Trump respects President Putin because he defends Russian national interests, and whatever they discuss between themselves is not the secret. We want peace in Ukraine. He wants, President Trump wants, peace in Ukraine. The reaction to Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives, and what they were doing after Washington, indicates that they dont want peace," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump met with Zelenskyy and other European leaders at the White House earlier this week, just days after meeting with Putin in Alaska, and said he has roughly two weeks to determine how the U.S. will proceed in the ongoing negotiations.

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

Trump told reporters on Friday that he would have a better sense of whether a deal that ends the conflict is feasible and what kind of actions the U.S. should take moving forward on negotiations in the coming weeks.

"We'll see what happens. I think over the next two weeks, we're going to find out which way it's going to go," Trump said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's going to be a very important decision," Trump said. "And that's whether or not it's massive sanctions or massive tariffs, or both. Or do we do nothing and say, It's your fight'?"





Original article source: Russian foreign minister accuses NBC host of wanting something to 'sell' during tense Ukraine exchange
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has explained that when he arrived in Alaska wearing a sweater that appeared to have "USSR" written on it, he did not mean that Russia wants to restore the Soviet Union.

Source: Lavrov in an interview with NBC

Details: On 15 August, Lavrov arrived at a hotel in Anchorage, where talks between the US and Russian leaders were taking place that day, in a sweater with "USSR" in Russian written on it. The interviewer from NBC asked him whether he had been trying to signal that Russia wants to bring back the USSR.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote from Lavrov: "No. We were born in the Soviet Union. President Putin repeatedly stated that those who are not sorry [about] what happened to the Soviet Union, they don't have a heart, but those who want to restore the Soviet Union, they don't have any brains. This is an absolutely correct statement...

To remember and to cherish what happened in your life [many years ago] is not the same as to try to take over militarily each and every place." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda doesn't recognise Putin as president  ed.]

Details: The NBC interviewer also asked Lavrov about a Russian strike on a US civilian business in Mukachevo, a city in Zakarpattia Oblast in Ukraines west, on 21 August. She said she had spoken to people on the ground who confirmed that the business was an electronics factory that manufactured, among other things, coffee machines.

Quote from Lavrov: "Some people are really naive, and when they see a coffee machine in the window, they believe that this is the place where coffee machines are produced. Our intelligence has very good information, and we target only  as I said  either military enterprises, military sites or industrial enterprises directly involved in producing military equipment for Ukrainian army."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More details: Later, when he was asked to clarify whether he was confirming that the strike on the factory was deliberate, Lavrov said he had not confirmed that the incident took place and he had never heard of it.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview Sunday that Ukraine has the right to exist but added a caveat to that right related to territory.

Mr. Foreign Minister, let me ask you about something that President Putin said in June. He said, quote, I consider the Russian and Ukrainian people to be one nation. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours, NBC Newss Kristen Welker said on NBCs Meet the Press. Does President Putin believe that Ukraine has a right to exist?

No, this is not  this is not true. Ukraine has the right to exist, provided it must let people go, Lavrov responded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The people whom they call terrorists, who they call species and who  during a referendum  several referenda in Novorossiya, in Donbas, in Crimea, decided that they belong to the Russian culture and the government which came to power as a result of the coup was determined as a priority to exterminate everything Russian, he added.

In 2022, referendums to become a part of Russia occurred in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Russian state media stated at the time, according to NPR, that the regions seemed to largely back annexation in the votes.

The Trump administration has pushed for an end to the war in Ukraine in President Trumps first few months back in office. The president recently met with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a matter of days.

Vice President Vance also said in his own Meet the Press interview Sunday that security guarantees for Ukraine will not include American boots on the ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The presidents been very clear. There are not going to be boots on the ground in Ukraine, but we are going to continue to play an active role in trying to ensure that the Ukrainians have the security guarantees and the confidence they need to stop the war on their end, Vance said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not have the legitimacy required to sign legal documents with Russia.

Source: Lavrov in an interview with NBC, a video of which has been posted by Russian media

Quote: "We recognise him [Zelenskyy  ed.] as the de facto head of the regime. And in that capacity, we are prepared to meet him.

But as for signing legal documents... When we get to the point where we will be signing documents, there must be a clear understanding on the part of everyone that the person who will sign these documents has legitimacy. Under the Ukrainian Constitution, Mr Zelenskyy does not currently have it."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Lavrov also said that a meeting between Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy is not currently planned, but that Putin is willing to meet once an "agenda" has been prepared, which "is not ready at all".

Quote: "We cannot hold a meeting just so that Zelenskyy has a good picture and can say: 'Look, I am legitimate'. Legitimacy is another issue. Because, regardless of when such a meeting might take place, and it must be very well prepared, the question of who will sign an agreement on Ukraines side is a very serious matter."

Background:

On 20 August, Lavrov said that security guarantees for Ukraine should be provided not only by the US, the UK, France and China, but also by Russia itself.

In response, Zelenskyy said: "Ukraine needs security guarantees so that we, our children and grandchildren know clearly that Russia will not attack us. These are security guarantees against the aggressor Because the aggressor is Russia."

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Ukraine only "has the right to exist" if it renounces the territories where Russia staged sham referendums on annexation.

Source: Lavrov in an interview with NBC

Quote: "Ukraine has the right to exist, provided it must let people go. The people whom they call terrorists, whom they call species, and who during several referenda  in Novorossiya, in Donbas, in Crimea  decided that they belong to the Russian culture."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Commenting on his own remark that Russia should also take part in security guarantees for Ukraine, Lavrov said: "I never said that Russia must have a veto on security guarantees. But security guarantees must be subject to consensus."

He added, "If you believe that Russia being marginalised in the discussions on security issues on our borders, that this is something which is natural and normal, then I'm sorry, something is wrong with the philosophy of your channel."

Background:

On 23-27 September 2022, Russia staged sham referendums on joining Russia in the occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, later declaring that between 87% and 99% had voted for annexation.

A few days later, Putin signed an "agreement on accession to Russia" for the occupied Ukrainian territories and declared that henceforth their residents would be Russian citizens.

On 21 June 2025, Putin said Moscow insists that Kyiv recognise the results of the "referendums" held in autumn 2022 in the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" (essentially Russian-backed terror organisations), and in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, after which the occupied Ukrainian territories were labelled "Russian".

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russia will build a nuclear facility with two reactors on its eastern shore, aiming for operations to begin in 2033, reported World Nuclear News.

The government approved plans for the Primorskaya facility in Primorsky Krai, a territory neighboring China and North Korea. Officials selected an area near Fokino as the probable site.

Construction on the first reactor is slated to begin in December 2027, and completion is expected in 2033. The second reactor is scheduled to come online in 2035.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Each reactor will generate 1,000 megawatts of power. The facility demands two 500-kilovolt power connections. Each will be 200 kilometers long and connect to the regional grid.

Nuclear fission splits atoms to release energy, producing electricity without the carbon pollution that comes from burning coal or gas. While this technology generates radioactive waste requiring careful storage and handling, it makes far fewer air pollutants than traditional power plants.

The new facility aims to boost economic growth in Russia's eastern territories. According to Rosatom, the project will "give a powerful impetus to the social and industrial development of the region as a whole, provide thousands of new jobs for the local population for the long term, increase tax revenues to the budget and will promote the activation of private business and entrepreneurship."

"The final choice of the site and its justification will be carried out during the development of the justification for investments in the construction of the Primorskaya NPP," Rosatom stated in its announcement. Community forums discussing the site will happen before the year's end.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This project fits into Russia's larger energy strategy. The country plans to add 30 gigawatts of nuclear capacity through approximately 40 new reactors by 2042.

While nuclear fission creates electricity with lower carbon output than coal plants, experts point to concerns about rushing new reactor designs into service. Union of Concerned Scientists member Edwin Lyman has cautioned that newer reactor technologies need thorough testing before widespread deployment, according to previous reporting.

The Primorsky Krai government also signed an agreement last year to study potential sites for maritime-based nuclear units off its shores, about 250 miles from Japan.

"An additional 30 GW of electricity and about 40 units" must be constructed "in a short period of time, some 17-18 years," Alexei Likhachev, who leads Rosatom, said at an economic forum in St. Petersburg.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A 24-year-old man was allegedly stabbed following an altercation with the accused's brother in northeast Delhi's Harsh Vihar area, police said on Sunday. The victim has been identified as Amit Saini (24), son of Dinesh and a resident of Behta Hazipur village in Loni, Uttar Pradesh. Police said that after receiving information about the incident, a team reached the spot and learnt that the injured had already been shifted to GTB Hospital by a PCR van. A forensic team inspected the scene and collected evidence. Later, Saini approached Harsh Vihar police station and stated that on the evening of August 22, he had an altercation with one Aman. While returning, Aman's brother Karan allegedly intercepted him near the main road at B-Block, assaulted him, and fled the spot. A case under Sections 118(1) and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Harsh Vihar police station. Police said teams have been deployed to trace the accused. Further investigation is underway, they added. More details are awaited. Earlier on Thursday, the Delhi Police detained the younger son of the middle-aged couple, namely Siddarth, in the Maidan Garhi triple murder case. He was absconding after the incident. According to Delhi Police, the main suspect, Siddharth, has been apprehended from a Metro Station. He is being interrogated. Prima facie, it has surfaced that he wanted to kill his family members and later commit suicide. A gruesome triple murder was discovered in a residence when neighbours alerted the police to a foul odour emanating from the house on August 21. Upon investigation, authorities found the bodies of Prem Singh, 45-50, and his son Hrithik, 24, in a pool of blood on the ground floor. The body of Rajni, 40-45, was discovered on the first floor with signs of restraint. The couple's younger son, Siddharth, 22-23, was missing and was being sought by the police. (ANI)
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a joint news conference with India's Foreign Minister at Zinaida Morozova's Mansion in Moscow on August 21, 2025. Credit - Alexander Zemlianichenko AFP via Getty Images

Russias Foreign Minister said on Sunday there were no plans for a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, dealing a setback to President Donald Trumps peace efforts.

Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all, Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with NBC News Meet the Press.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A meeting between Zelensky and Putin had been a key aim of Trumps following his talks with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, aimed at negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.

Trump said following the meeting that the U.S. had begun arrangements for a face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the warring nations. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself. Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years, he posted on Truth Social.

Read More: Putin Got Three Major Wins From Trump in Anchorage, But the Talks Arent Over

Lavrovs comments suggest President Trump may have miscalculated the momentum of peace talks overall between the two nations. Lavrov said that Russia desires peace, despite Russia launching some of its most aggressive strikes against Ukraine in weeks on Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We want peace in Ukraine. President Trump wants peace in Ukraine, Lavrov said. The reaction to the Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives and what they were doing after Washington, indicates that they don't want peace.

Trump and Putin failed to reach a peace deal in the war during their meeting, although he claims that it is extremely productive.

Trump had originally set an August 8 deadline for Putin to end the war in Ukraine or face heavy sanctions, but he has since shifted this deadline. On Friday, Trump said he would give Russia a couple of weeks before imposing consequences.

But Ill know in two weeks what Im going to do, Trump told reporters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Monday, Trump met with Zelensky and European leaders, promising Ukraine that he would join Europe in providing security guarantees to Kyiv. In recent weeks, Trump has seemingly prioritized an approach to peace more aligned with Putin namely, pursuing a full peace deal between the two nations, rather than the ceasefire that Ukraine has called for.

Lavrov's interview aired on Sunday, Ukraines Independence Day. Zelensky marked the day with a speech in Kyivs central square in which he called for a just peace, a peace where our future will be decided only by us.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
One person was killed and another nine were injured as a result of Russian strikes in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Aug. 23.

The casualties took place in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast's Synelnykove district, where seven houses and a bus were damaged as a result of Russian strikes.

Russian KAB aerial bombs and drones were used against targets in the district, causing fires that have since been extinguished, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak said in a post to Telegram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Nikopol district was targeted by first-person-view (FPV) drones and artillery operated by Russian forces. As a result, a gas pipeline and a power line were hit.

Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

Russia regularly strikes civilian infrastructure in cities across Ukraine as it continues to wage its war.

Meanwhile, Russian FPV drones have been documented routinely targeting and hunting down civilians in Kherson.

Russia launched a wave of missiles and drones targeting cities in western Ukraine, far from the front line, on Aug. 21, killing at least one and injuring 26. The attack caused fires at a large electronics plant in Mukachevo, with damage also reported in other cities, including Lviv.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to broker a peace deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

The U.S. leader met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15. He then met President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House days later.

Trump has said he plans to host a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting consisting of the three leaders.

Read also: After scandal, Ukraines presidents office chief seeks to restore trust by tapping veterans

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 72 UAVs on the night of 23-24 August. Ukraines Air Force reported that 48 of the drones had been shot down or jammed.

Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram

Details: A missile and 24 UAV strikes were recorded at 10 locations.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published on Sunday that a group of nations including United Nations Security Council members should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security.

Reuters reported last week that President Vladimir Putin is demanding that Ukraine give up all of the eastern Donbas region, renounce ambitions to join NATO, remain neutral and keep Western troops out of the country, three sources familiar with top-level Kremlin thinking told Reuters.

Lavrov told NBC News' "Meet the Press" that Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump had discussed the issue of a security guarantee for Ukraine and that Putin had raised the issue of the failed Istanbul discussions of 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At those discussions, Russia and Ukraine discussed Ukraine's permanent neutrality in return for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, and other countries, according to a copy of a draft agreement seen by Reuters in 2022.

Lavrov told NBC that a group including Security Council members should guarantee Ukraine's security. The group could also include Germany and Turkey and other countries, Lavrov said.

"And the guarantors would be guaranteeing the security of Ukraine, which must be neutral, which must be non-aligned with any military bloc and which must be non-nuclear," Lavrov said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the foreign ministry.

Lavrov also made it clear that NATO membership for Ukraine was unacceptable for Russia, that Russia wanted protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine and that there was a territorial discussion to be had with Ukraine.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Ros Russell)
This will mark the second official meeting between Sa'ar and Rubio, following the latter's February visit to Israel.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar is slated to depart on a diplomatic visit to the US on Sunday night, Sa'ar's office confirmed.

During his visit, Sa'ar will meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who issued an invitation for the visit.

This will mark the second official meeting between the two diplomats, following the February visit of Rubio to Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rubio is also acting as the Trump administration's National Security Adviser.

Sa'ar is also slated to meet with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, whom he hosted in Israel in May following the murder of two employees at the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (L) greets US Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem (R) at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, May 26, 2025. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X)

During Noem's visit, Sa'ar thanked her for DHSs intensive investigation as well as her longstanding support for Israel. He also thanked US President Donald Trump for showing great commitment to fighting terrorism and antisemitism, following the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.

Sa'ar to meet leaders of Jewish, Christian US Zionist orgs.

Sa'ar is also due to meet with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and AIPAC leadership and will host a reception for Jewish community leaders and Christian friends of Israel, his office added.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Demonstrators across California, including in San Diego, are protesting Senate Bill 79, legislation that would allow developers to build large-scale apartment complexes near major transit stops.

Opponents say the bill, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would give developers more access to single-family neighborhoods while doing little to address affordability. The measure, which narrowly passed the Senate earlier this year, is scheduled for a vote in the Assembly next month.

San Diego residents protest proposed 14-story apartment complex

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In San Diegos Linda Vista neighborhood, homeowner Lorri Freitas said she fears the bill will change the character of her community.

Its a really lovely single-family neighborhood, very walkable, everybody walks their dogs. People know each other, Freitas said. But there are more and more of these [units] popping up and there is no parking. These are congested streets.

Freitas said new housing projects are being built right above her home, which she believes will take away privacy while offering little benefit to longtime residents. People are outraged. They are very upset about this. They get no say  its like density bombs are being dropped in their backyard.

The protests, including a rally this week in Clairemont organized by the group Neighbors for a Better California, have drawn residents who argue the bill prioritizes developers over communities. Critics say the legislation would allow apartment buildings up to seven or eight stories tall near major transit stops, while offering only a small number of affordable units.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

San Diego parents rally against Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025

No longer should we just build, baby, build exclusively in the form of luxury skyscrapers that drive prices even higher, said Charlie Nieto of the Pacific Beach Town Council. That creates plenty of units, to be sure, but not the kind that San Diegans like myself can actually ever call home.

Senator Wiener has defended the proposal, saying it would put housing near public transit to improve affordability, reduce pollution and cut commute times.

But Geoff Heuter, chair of Neighbors for a Better San Diego, said the approach is flawed. Transit-oriented is you put something 500 feet away, 800 feet away. You dont put it a half-mile as the crow flies over a canyon or a freeway and say thats transit-oriented development.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Freitas remains skeptical. I think its all about greed. They are in it to make a profit. They say theyre making housing more affordable, but its not really affordable, she said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  For the second year in a row, San Diego County has seen a significant drop in overdose deaths, according to new data released by the San Diego County Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Taskforce (SUOPT).

The Nexstar Media video above explains the different schedules of drugs

In 2024, 945 people died from drug overdoses, a 21% decrease from 2023 and 25% drop from the countys 2022 peak. That equates to a rate of 27.2 deaths per 100,000 residents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While health officials welcomed the downward trend, they cautioned that the numbers still reveal serious and persistent disparities among different demographic and geographic groups. Heres a breakdown of who is most affected:

Men died at nearly three times the rate of women (40.9 vs. 13.3 per 100,000)

Black residents suffered the highest overdose death rate at 68.6 per 100,000

Adults aged 45-64 were the most affected age group, followed by those 25-44

Approximately 30% of overdose deaths involved individuals experiencing homelessness

Fiery crash on I-15 in Temecula kills 4, including teens

While overdose deaths are down, historical data show emergency departments were stretched at the height of the crisis. Heres a deeper look at that data:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2021, San Diego County saw the highest number of overdose-related ER visits in five years

Males visited ERs for overdoses at more than double the rate of females

Black residents experienced a 167% spike in opioid-related ER visits between 2019 and 2023nearly three times the countywide increase

Among youth under 18, ER visits due to opioids rose 81% between 2019 and 2023, though peaked in 2021

Law enforcement data also shows evolving patterns in drug trafficking and arrests, as follows:

Federal methamphetamine charges dropped 60% from 2020 to 2024

Fentanyl-related federal prosecutions decreased 30% from 2022 to 2024

However, local fentanyl prosecutions doubled in that same period

Methamphetamine-related arrests peaked in 2021, making up 13% of all arrests, before falling back to 2020 levels



Several regions across San Diego County recorded overdose death rates well above the county average:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Central San Diego: 103.0 per 100,000

Mountain Empire: 96.9

Palomar-Julian: 53.3

Lemon Grove: 49.8

Pauma: 49.2

SUOPT says it will continue working with public health officials, community organizations, and law enforcement to address gaps in care, improve prevention strategies and save lives.

Community members who want to get involved or seek support are encouraged to visit the countys Substance Use Resources page or reach out to local health providers.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A San Francisco lawyer says a landlord has the right to only allow "MAGA voters and Israel supporters" to attend an open house.

"From the tenant perspective, there isn't a violation here of California or federal law because political orientation is not a protected class," Joseph Tobener, a partner at Tobener Ravenscroft and tenant rights lawyer, told Fox News Digital on Thursday.

"So things that it might touch upon that are protected class would be ethnicity, source of income, religion," he added. "So there's some things that skirts around, but the words were such that they are all political orientation, which isn't a protected class and not a violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act in California. Now, with that said, I think what rubs people the wrong way is that we have a new housing shortage in San Francisco because of the AI boom."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mamdani Zings Cuomo In Rent-stabilized Housing Spat During Anti-trump Tour Stop

A San Francisco lawyer says a landlord has the right to only let "MAGA voters and Israel supporters" to an open house.

The San Francisco Standard reported Tuesday that Alexander Baran, 48, owns a two-bedroom apartment in Sunnyside and had listed it on Zillow, which has since been taken down.

The listing, which went up Aug. 5 and was removed on Sunday, allegedly said that "Only MAGA voters and Israel supporters are invited" to the open house.

Read On The Fox News App

When the San Francisco Standard went to visit Baran to speak to him about the listing, he allegedly said, "Get the f--- away from here. Dont make me repeat myself."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tobener, the tenant rights lawyer, said that the City by the Bay is "about a month into a major housing crisis where people are lining up 20 deep for a unit to try and get one unit or showing up and the unit's already rented."

Cuomo Proposes 'Zohran's Law' To Protect Rent-stabilized Housing From The Wealthy

Joseph Tobener, a tenant rights lawyer, said that the City by the Bay is "about a month into a major housing crisis where people are lining up 20 deep for a unit to try and get one unit or showing up and the unit's already rented."

The concern that people have, he said, is landlords rejecting people that need housing due to their political views.

"Landlords have a lot of power right now. And so I think that's the concern from the tenant perspective," Tobener said. "Everybody should get a fair shake regardless of their political orientation. Everyone should be able to get access to housing. Housing is a fundamental right. Everyone needs housing. Everyone needs a roof over their heads. And so are we gonna start down this road where only certain people from certain political leanings can get access to certain housing."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To change the law and make political affiliation a protected class, Tobener said that the California state legislature would have to add political affiliations to the Fair Employment and Housing Act as a protected category.

That move, he said, would certainly be challenged and likely end up in the Supreme Court.

"I've been doing tenant rights law for 30 years and this will be the third tech boom in San Francisco, and it's a boom and bust city. It always has been since the Gold Rush and what we have right now is this major AI boom with a lot of people wanting to come work here," Tobener said.

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

To change the law and make political affiliation a protected class, tenant rights lawyer, Joseph Tobener, said that the California state legislature would have to add political affiliations to the Fair Employment and Housing Act as a protected category.

According to the Zumper National Rent Report, "San Francisco led the nation in annual rent growth, with one-bedroom rent up 13.3% and two-bedrooms surging 16.3%."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"First it was the dot-com boom, then it was a social media boom, and now it's the AI boom, and you're getting this circumstance where landlords have a lot of power," Tobener added. "There are a lot of people clamoring for one unit and, you know, we want to make sure that landlords don't, you know, step across the line. And housing is accessible to everyone regardless of, you know, what they think about the political climate."

Fox News Digital reached out to Baran for comment but did not immediately receive a response.





Original article source: San Francisco lawyer says landlord has right to accept only MAGA voters and Israel supporters to open house
A 61-year-old inmate died while receiving medical care in the Union County jail on Saturday, Sheriff Eddie Cathey said.

Gregory Faircloth became unresponsive as jail medical staff examined and treated him just before 4 a.m., Cathey said.

Life-saving measures were immediately administered, and he was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, the sheriff said on social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Faircloth was in custody since Aug. 12 and was assigned to the medical unit due to multiple pre-existing medical conditions, Cathey said.

Per standard procedure, the sheriff said, he asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to conduct an independent investigation.

No foul play is suspected, the sheriff said.

Cathey said he and his office extend their condolences to Mr. Faircloths family and recognize the professional response of the detention and medical personnel involved.

This is a developing story.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) went after Republicans on Sunday for their redrawing of congressional maps in Texas as his own state is undertaking an effort to do the same.

Democrats offered the legislation in the last session to eliminate the gerrymander in every state. We supported, I think to a person, Schiff told NBC Newss Kristen Welker on Meet the Press. Republicans, I think almost to a person, maybe to a person, opposed that. Its very clear what party wants to do away with gerrymandering.

But it was interesting to me when you asked JD Vance, Hey, if your agendas so popular, why are you trying to gerrymander Texas, a state that is already gerrymandered to elect Republicans? And he didnt try to defend the presidents agenda, Schiff added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Schiff claimed President Trump was one of the most unpopular presidents in history and that his agenda was unpopular, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

So, of course, the only way they feel they can survive the midterms is by redrawing the lines in Texas. California is not going to stand for this. We will fight fire with fire. Dont poke the bear, he continued.

Early Saturday, the Texas state Senate gave its approval on a new congressional map, sending the legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign into law prior to next years midterms.

The vote made it through the upper chamber via an 18-11 party-line vote, as expected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court shot down a petition filed by state Republican legislators looking to halt Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) plan to redistrict the Golden States congressional map.

Petitioners have failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief at this time under California Constitution article IV, section 8, a brief order posted to the docket states.

The Hill has reached out to the Republican National Committee, the White House and Vice President Vances office for comment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu (Jitendra) Patwari on Sunday hit out at Union Minister Kiren Rijiju over his recent remarks on the Constitution Amendment Bill. Patwari called Rijiju's statement an excuse and mentioned that before the 130th amendment bill, numerous laws were enacted under the Lokayukta but people are still asking why it hasn't been introduced until now. He stated that a Rajasthan minister has been given punishment in Rajasthan and PM Modi is still silent on the issue despite visiting the state so many times. "These are all just excuses. Before this, numerous laws were enacted under the Lokayukta, but people are still asking why it hasn't been introduced until now. A Bihar minister has been given punishment in Rajasthan, and PM Narendra Modi visited Bihar so many times. That person, Jinesh Mishra continues to be a Minister. He should be removed from his position," he said. Earlier on August 23, Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated that the Constitution Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha was "revolutionary" and the Opposition should have welcomed it. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to be exempt from its provisions, which entail removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister and Union and state ministers if they are jailed for serious offences. In an interview with ANI, Rijiju said that PM Modi told the cabinet that the recommendation is to keep the Prime Minister out of this bill, but he did not agree and refused to give an exception to the prime minister. Rijiju also said the people in the country are welcoming the provisions of the Constitution Amendment Bill and the opposition parties would have welcomed it too if they "had kept ethics at the centre." "PM Modi told the cabinet that the recommendation is to keep the prime minister out of this bill, but he did not agree. PM Modi refused to give an exception to the prime minister. The PM is also a citizen, and he should not have special protection. Most of the CMs are from our party. If they do something wrong, they have to leave their position. Ethics should also mean something. The Opposition would have welcomed this bill had they kept ethics at the centre," he said. "The monsoon session of the Parliament was successful from the nation's point of view and a failure from the Opposition's point of view. The government also thinks that it was a success. However, it was not well, as far as discussions are concerned, because important bills were passed. Any government brings bills to save itself... PM Modi is a prime minister who went against the recommendation and put the PM in the category that even if the prime minister commits any corruption, then he has to go to jail and leave his position. Any position, whether CM, PM or Union Ministers, cannot be above the law. What objection does the Opposition have? The nation is welcoming this revolutionary bill," he said. The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to remove a Central or State Minister who is facing allegations of corruption or serious offences and has been detained for at least 30 days. Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Bill provides for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister or any other Minister in the central or a state government, if he is arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal offences. (ANI)


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

In 2015, a paleoanthropology team discovered jaw remains of a roughly 42,000-year-old Neanderthal in France.

Over the next several years, the team, led by Ludovic Slimak, found more of the Neanderthals remains and began to analyze its genome.

Despite its proximity to other groups of Neanderthals and the eras modern humans, the lineage of the specimen, dubbed Thorin, found by Slimak managed to stay totally isolated from groups of other early beings.

There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something, says Thorin Oakenshield in J.R.R. Tolkiens beloved fantasy novel The Hobbit. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For example, in 2015, paleoanthropologist Ludovic Slimak made a remarkable discovery at Grotte Mandrin, a cave in Rhone Valley, France. He and his team had been working the area since 1998 to find remnants of humanitys prehistoric forbearers, and after 17 years, they certainly found something: a piece of a jaw belonging to a Neanderthal.

As the years went on, more and more remains of this Neanderthal were discovered. I began to find {remnants of the Neanderthal's jaw} in 2015, Slimak told the New Statesman in 2022, but each year we find one tooth, or one fragment of bone. Slimak determined that this particular Neanderthal lived 42,000 years ago, towards the end of that species time on this planet.

As such, he named the Neanderthal Thorin after the Tolkien character. Thorin in the Hobbit is one of the last dwarf kings under the mountain and the last of its lineage, Slimak told the website IFLScience. Thorin the Neanderthal is also an end of lineage. An end of a way to be human.

To confirm his suspicions about Thorins age and attempt to glean more information about not just when but how this particular specimen lived, Slimak and his colleagues had Thorins genome analyzed. The results, published in the journal Cell Genomics, show that Thorins lineage managed to stay isolated from the rest of the Neanderthal population, in spite of the fact that other groups lived nearby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nearly a decade before ever finding Thorin, Slimak had already theorized that any Neanderthals who had resided in the Rhone Valley would have been different from those in the surrounding areas. His assessment, at that point, was based on the stone tools found at various sites, noting that those in the Rhone Valley didnt reflect the newer tool-making style found at other locations.

It turns out that what I proposed 20 years ago was predictive, Slimak told the publication Live Science. The population of Thorin had spent 50 millennia without exchanging a single gene with the classical Neanderthal populations. The analysis showed that Thorin had high genetic homozygosity, which indicates inbreeding in the lineages recent past. It also offers no evidence of interbreeding with modern humans of the time.

Everything must be rewritten about the greatest extinction in humanity and our understanding of this incredible process that will lead Homo sapiens to remain the only survival of humanity, Slimak said in assessing what this discovery means. How can we imagine populations that lived for 50 millennia in isolation while they are only two weeks walk from each other? All processes need to be rethought.

Find the Perfect Men's Health Training Program for You

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shop Now

Photo credit: COURTESY DAVIDSON; ANDRE L. PERRY

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shop Now

Photo credit: Hearst Owned

Shop Now

Photo credit: COURTESY DAVIDSON; ANDRE L. PERRY

Shop Now

You Might Also Like
We've heard of GMOs, but this is ridiculous.

Scientists at the Medical Research Council's Laboratory of Molecular Biology say they've engineered a bacteria whose genetic code is more efficient than any other lifeform on Earth.

They call their creation "Syn57," a bioengineered strain of E. coli  yes, the same bad boy that can make you extremely sick if you eat an undercooked hot dog  which uses seven less codons than all life on earth. A codon, put simply, is a three-letter sequence found in DNA and RNA which delivers instructions for amino acids, a fundamental "building block" of life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For the past billions years or so, all known life on earth has used 64 codons. Scientists cracked the code detailing which codons corresponded to which amino acids  mapping the standard genetic code, in other words  in 1966, revealing only 20 total amino acids.

Intriguingly, they realized, evolution hadn't resulted in perfect efficiency, since some of the codons were clearly redundant. It raised a tantalizing possibility: was there room to trim some of the fat, engineering a more efficient organism from scratch?

First they just needed a proof of concept. In 2010, a team 24 researchers detailed the steps taken to create the world's first synthetic bacteria cell. Though it was  and still is  an astonishing feat, taking some 15 years to complete, the faux-cell was still only a faithful recreation of the stuffy ol' 64 codon version.

Then, in 2019, genetic researchers at Cambridge University were able to chip off at that natural redundancy and rework an E. coli strand down to 61 codons  demonstrating without a doubt that life can function with less than the tried-and-true 64. The incredible feat was heralded at the time as the "most ambitious attempt at a completely synthetic form of life" to date.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And now they've gone even further. To make Syn57, the researchers went through the painstaking processing of altering over 101,000 lines of genetic code  first in theory, then in practice.

Unlike the synthetic bacteria from 2010, according to the New York Times, advances in DNA synthesis mean that genetic researchers can now construct genomes from scratch, avoiding some of the redundant codons from the start.

"You can start exploring what life will tolerate," Akos Nyerges, a synthetic biologist at Harvard told the newspaper. "We can finally test these alternative genetic codes."

Nyerges was on one of the teams engaged in the race to build Syn57, which was ultimately won by the team at Cambridge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We definitely went through these periods where we were like, 'Well, will this be a dead end, or can we see this through?'" said Medical Research Council researcher Wesley Robertson, one of the authors of the Cambridge study.

The result of their back-breaking experimentation?

"Life still works," Robertson told the paper.

More on life: Scientists Puzzled by Giant Ancient Life Forms
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Its back-to-school season and students celebrated move-in day on Saturday at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

Nearly 900 new residential students, including first-year and transfer students moved into their dorm rooms at SCSU.

When does school start? See Connecticut back-to-school dates for 2025-26

Many students were excited to start their college careers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im looking forward to making new friends and joining more groups and stuff to become more social so itll be a good year, Paige Wilks, a freshman, said.

Some said the transition may be difficult.

It was difficult because leaving family and all that, but getting to know people on campus early is also pretty good, Tristan Bricker said.

Others are looking forward to starting a new chapter in their lives.

Im super excited to just move into my new room and just live a new life, Im excited, Ariya Peoples said.

Returning students come back on Monday before classes start on Tuesday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  The San Francisco Fire Department called off its search for a missing swimmer at Aquatic Park Saturday.

The swimmer was last seen around 10:15 a.m. Saturday, according to SFFD. Rescuers searched San Francisco Bay and the shoreline but were unable to find the missing swimmer.

The search for the missing swimmer has been suspended, SFFD said. After searching over an hour, nobody was found.

Rescuers searched San Franciscos Aquatic Park for a missing swimmer on Aug. 23, 2025. (SFFD)

Sinkhole damages cars near Golden Gate Park

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The public was initially asked to avoid the popular swimming hole during the potential rescue mission. As of 4:11 p.m., the search has concluded.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A vehicle was recovered from the Cumberland River Saturday during the search for a missing Rutherford County man, but officials said the finding is unrelated to the ongoing search efforts.

Metro authorities responded to reports of a possible drowning or water rescue around 1 p.m. Saturday near Cleeces Ferry Boat Ramp when they recovered a vehicle from the Cumberland River. Officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed that there was no body inside the vehicle.

Two injured after accident at a gender reveal, police say

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The discovery was made during an ongoing search for a missing Rutherford County man. Doug Bishop, who works with the nonprofit United Search Corps, had come to Middle Tennessee to search for 68-year-old Danny Brown, who was reported missing on August 17. A 2022 Dodge 5550 belonging to Brown, owner of Ace Towing, has also been reported missing.

(Photo: WKRN)

Browns family contacted Bishops team after the GPS in Browns truck stopped working near Briley Parkway and he never returned home.

[Its] completely out of the norm, Bishop said. His family is very worried. The detective out of Rutherford [County] is very concerned in regards to this case and were in the area doing some various different searches. Were also trying to eliminate the fact that him and/or his vehicle were not dumped into the Cumberland River.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

United Search Corps has been operating in Nashville for several days, using sonar equipment to search the Cumberland River and other areas where tips have come in. While searching on Saturday, the team located a vehicle covered in algae beneath the waters surface.

Woman accused of leading police on pursuit after shoplifting incident in Mt. Juliet

This is something that typically happens on our searches, Bishop said. We tend to find things that were not looking for. We find people that were not looking for. This car is just the residual effect of us being out here searching and Metro PD came out and they care about the environment.

The MNPD said the vehicle recovered Saturday appeared to have been in the Cumberland River for some time and was not related to Browns disappearance. Authorities are continuing to investigate his disappearance, and anyone who has seen Brown or his truck has been asked to contact law enforcement immediately.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bishop has traveled across the U.S. for six years to help families find missing loved ones. The nonprofit relies solely on donations and frequently works with area law enforcement agencies during searches. If you would like to donate to the organization, you can follow this link.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A Seattle City Light employee has filed a federal lawsuit alleging years of harassment, retaliation, and contract violations by the utility and its leaders after she reported being raped by a supervisor and later became a whistleblower in a high-profile workplace misconduct investigation, according to newly filed court documents.

The complaint, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, names the City of Seattle, Seattle City Light, and four leaders at the utility: CEO Dawn Lindell, Director Brian Belger, Crew Chief David Maxfield, and Crew Chief John Hansen.

KIRO 7 News has chosen not to name the plaintiff, as she is the victim of an alleged sexual assault.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The plaintiff accuses the utility of violating her civil rights, discriminating against her because of her gender, retaliating after she reported misconduct, and breaching a 2022 settlement agreement meant to protect her.

According to the lawsuit, she began working for City Light in 2005 and became a cable splicer apprentice in 2008.

In 2011, after being promoted, she was pressured to join coworkers at a BUY celebration, a long-running initiation tradition.

At the gathering, the lawsuit says, she was given so much alcohol she could not get home on her own.

According to the lawsuit, her supervisor at the time drove her to his home and raped her while she was incapacitated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She told investigators she stayed quiet because she feared she would not be believed in what she described as a good old boys club culture, and because she feared retaliation from her supervisor, who continued to harass and intimidate her for years afterward.

She later learned he may have been arrested on a jobsite the year before on unrelated sexual assault allegations, though she could not confirm the rumor.

The complaint alleges that when she sought help in 2014, telling Director Belger she had been raped and requesting to work on a different crew, Belger promised she would not be assigned to him.

According to the lawsuit, Belger did not report the allegation, in violation of City Light policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2019, she disclosed the rape to another crew chief, who praised her for moving forward rather than reporting it.

Neither man took further action.

By 2021, she said she faced renewed harassment, including her alleged rapist filing multiple baseless grievances against her and rifling through her personnel file without permission.

When she finally reported the assault to Seattles People and Culture division, an independent attorney investigated.

In January 2022, investigator Tara Parker concluded there was evidence that the supervisor had sex with the plaintiff while she was unable to consent.

The report found her account credible and corroborated by supervisors who believed she was truthful and afraid of him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It also noted the workplace culture discouraged reporting misconduct, and confirmed he intimidated and bullied her.

Later that year, she filed a tort claim and reached a confidential settlement with City Light.

The agreement promised career protections, advancement opportunities, and a safe work environment.

But she alleges City Light quickly breached the agreement by leaking the settlement details to coworkers, who confronted her about the payout.

After the settlement, City Light launched a sweeping investigation into its Network division.

A 20-page report released in March 2025 described a workplace steeped in heavy drinking, intimidation, and misogyny.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators found female employees were demeaned, hazed, groped, and pressured into giving alcohol to supervisors to secure fair treatment.

One woman said she had to physically distance herself at worksites to escape unwanted touching.

The report also found management tolerated or participated in the behavior, and some crew chiefs abused their authority to exploit women.

She was interviewed several times during the two-and-a-half-year investigation and was deemed credible.

But, according to her lawsuit, her identity as a whistleblower was leaked, leaving her vulnerable to harassment and ostracism from colleagues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After the findings were shared with the Seattle City Council in April 2025, she says retaliation intensified.

Her calls were ignored, her work was sabotaged, and male coworkers spread false allegations that she engaged in inappropriate behavior.

On May 8, 2025, she filed a new tort claim alleging retaliation, discrimination, breach of contract, and constructive termination.

Minutes later, she was placed on administrative leave after being accused of sexually harassing a coworkerallegations she says were fabricated by male colleagues aligned with those disciplined in the investigation.

She has since lost more than $40,000 in wages and says she cannot return to City Light due to the hostile environment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her lawsuit seeks damages under federal civil rights law, the Washington Law Against Discrimination, and common law claims of negligence, constructive termination, and emotional distress.

She is also suing for breach of the 2022 settlement, alleging City Light failed to uphold its promises of protection and confidentiality.

Her attorneys argue the utilitys actions left her emotionally traumatized and effectively forced out of her job.

The suit requests a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees, and other relief.

KIRO 7 News has reached out to Seattle City Light for comment.
SYRACUSE, N.Y (WSYR-TV) Thunderstorms swept through parts of Central New York Sunday afternoon with damaging wind, large hail, and heavy rain. Winds at the Syracuse International Airport in Syracuse gusted to 56 mph just after 4:00 pm, and just shy of half an inch of rain fell. Parts of the New York State Fairgrounds sustained damage.

Courtesy of Maddie Mustion

Courtesy of Maddie Mustion

Courtesy of Maddie Mustion

Courtesy of Kate Thornton

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courtesy of Kate Thornton

Courtesy of Linda Lamanna

Courtesy of Linda Lamanna

Courtesy of Matt Scaccia

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courtesy of All Points RV

Courtesy of All Points RV

Courtesy of Tom Esterguard

Courtesy of Caitlin Jesgarzewski

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courtesy of Kate Thornton

Courtesy of Dan Mainville

Courtesy of Dan Mainville

Courtesy of Dan Mainville

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courtesy of Dan Mainville

Courtesy of Dan Mainville

Courtesy of Theresa Cittadino

Courtesy of Theresa Cittadino

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courtesy of Theresa Cittadino

Courtesy of Chris Schafer

Courtesy of Chris Schafer

Courtesy of Chris Schafer

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courtesy of Chris Schafer

Courtesy of Chris Schafer

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Women and children walk on land between Daraa and Sweida, Syria, July 17, 2025. (photo credit: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters)

Ex-DHS agent Tim Ballard is hailed by some as a hero and viewed by others as a controversial figure. During a recent trip to Syria, he took part in efforts to rescue children trapped in the conflict.

Tim Ballard, who spent over a decade as a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security and worked undercover for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, is hailed by some as a hero and viewed by others as a controversial figure. I spoke with him about his recent trip to Syria, where he took part in efforts to rescue children trapped in the conflict.

Asked what led him to enter Syria under such dangerous conditions, Ballard explained that his work focuses on the worlds most vulnerable. We watch for when children are being beat up, and we dont care. Ethnicity, religion, creed, nationality  we dont care, it doesnt matter, he said. Too often, these days, children are getting beat up and slaughtered, and no ones reporting it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He described how the operation developed unexpectedly. Weeks earlier, his team had been working in Latin America when fighting escalated involving Iran. I just sent two of my guys. I said, Just go, he recalled. Those contacts, he said, connected them with IDF folks, humanitarian-minded folks who were already in the region.

A short time later, violence in Syria erupted. Christian and Jewish cities just get terrorized, Ballard said. Babies being thrown off of roofs, sex slave markets, 200 kids immediately disappear Beheadings and rapes, its horrifying.

Ballard drew on his previous experience running operations in northern Iraq between 2017 and 2019, when the Islamic State (IS) was targeting Yazidi and Christian communities. The pattern, he said, was tragically familiar.

Felice Friedson and Tim Ballard. (credit: THE MEDIA LINE)

So we jumped on a plane, got the call on Sunday, jumped on a plane, and just came out, Ballard said. Thats what we do. We come out, and we know once we get there, God will give us the rest. And thats exactly what happened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ballard described coordinating with the IDF and visiting the Druze community before going to Syria. He said, The very first thing we did was  to understand the Druze people, understand what their philosophy is, what their foundation is, why this is happening, why they're being targeted.

We just visited every Druze village and city in Israel. And they're beautiful.

He described the close bond the Druze-Israelis feel to their country. Ballard noted, You wouldn't expect  the way the Western media is telling it  is they love Israel, and Israel loves them. They are soldiers in the IDF, the Druze, right? They're represented in the Knesset.

People don't even realize 20% of the Knesset is minority represented. It's a pluralistic society, very much so. And I just found that so interesting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Everywhere we went, the IDF showed up to escort us to the next village, to the next village. And they would take us to the Druze leaders, and they would hug and drink coffee and tea. I'm like, you guys love each other.

Ballards pleasant introduction to the Druze was followed by harrowing scenes of slaughter and brutality in Syria, and he says he feels its his duty to inform the world.

So I just put out horrific footage, and it broke my heart to do it, but I had to show them this is happening.

Ballard said the violence he is witnessing is documented daily by contacts in Syria. Were getting footage every day. We have assets on the ground in Sweida, and theyre sending us every day, he explained.

Images of forced conversion in Syria

Ballard recounted a disturbing image of a forced conversion: I just saw this horrific image yesterday of a jihadist forcing this sweet old Christian woman to convert in exchange for life-saving medical treatment that she needed. I mean, its gross.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Asked whether the violence had subsided after reports of a massacre, Ballard rejected that perception. The true picture is, yeah, the mass slaughtering, which was just the most horrific thing you can think of, he said. Theyre animals. Theyre not even humans.

He listed the abuses he says continue to occur: Sex slavery, child slavery, child rape, beheadings, everything, tossing babies off roofs. I have all the footage.

According to Ballard, what began as mass killings has shifted into a new stage of suffering. That major slaughtering  theyre now in phase two, which is to starve them out, he said. We killed who we could, and now were going to starve them out. Theyve poisoned or destroyed their water supply. They have no means of getting regular provisions in.

He described the situation as a siege designed to break communities. And so its now just let them die, and thats whats going to happen if we dont start getting things.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ballard said trying to understand what is going on in southern Syria is somewhat complex right now, because everyones lying and offering different versions of the story.

He said the only certainty was the identity of the perpetrators. It was jihadist, political Islam, whatever you want to call it, he argued. Its not a religion. Ill tell you that much. He called it a gross ideology that glorifies killing infidels and thrives on violence.

Role of Syrian forces in protecting civilians?

He raised questions about the role of Syrian forces, wondering aloud whether they had gone to protect civilians but then got too excited with jihad. He asked, Whats the president doing right now? but added that he preferred not to speculate further, explaining that its best not to talk too much about that because I dont want to lock anybody in.

According to him, the timing of his appeal was striking. Just two hours before he made his first public plea, US President Donald Trump had tweeted about the Abraham Accords. I was not working in collusion  people are going to think we were because we are friends  but he didnt know we were out here, the speaker said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said Trumps involvement gave him the opportunity to push his message. He told leaders, Guys, listen, you want peace? Theres no peace through raping children and tossing them off roofs. Theres no peace through beheading women and raping them and creating child sex slave markets. There is peace through trade and commerce. Choose the trade and commerce path, choose the Abraham Accords.

The speaker said he hoped that moment will give everyone the opportunity to do the right thing and give them a pretense to do so.

Ballard and Friedson discussed the million-dollar question the world is facing now: whether to trust and build up Ahmed al-Sharaa and propose an extension of the Abraham Accords, amid questions about whether he is capable of stabilizing Syria. Another question is US involvement, even though Americans have wanted to stay out of wars.

Ballard said, Its difficult because you say, who is President al-Sharaa? Hes made overtures to the West that he wants to align with the West. He added that it would be preferable for him to choose that path rather than align with some other guys in the East.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He warned against calls for al-Sharaas removal, saying that if you think, you know, oust him, who will replace him? It could be even worse. He described the issue as a very difficult, sensitive question that President Trump has to determine what to do and how to maneuver.

Ballard emphasized that he and his organization did not want to become entangled in politics. We just dont want to get in the way of that by getting too political because were not politicians. At the end of the day, were just trying to rescue kids, he said. According to him, politics only matters because it gets in the way of us rescuing kids. Their goal, he explained, was to adapt to conditions and find a way around whatever situation we have politically to rescue Gods children. And thats what were doing right now.

Ballard recounted three encounters with children that he said defined his mission. The first, he explained, was a young girl who died while he held her. I dont know if anyones actually watched a child die, he said. Die in pain and nothing you can do. Its probably the worst thing on earth or hell to have to watch and helpless. And the mothers right there.

The second child survived but suffered catastrophic injuries. Ballard said her family had been gunned down by jihadists, and although she was shot in the face, she lived. Her whole face is gone, he said. She keeps asking us, can you call my dad? I miss my dad. He added that rescuers have not shown her a mirror and that she hasnt processed. She doesnt know what death is, so she doesnt understand that theyre not coming back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He contrasted these horrors with a final encounter he described as providential. While carrying a 2-month-old Druze infant into a medical tent near Sweida, he said the babys reaction stunned both him and nearby Israeli soldiers. She locked eyes with me for probably four minutes straight, and she starts smiling, Ballard recalled. Here Im thinking Im here to comfort her, but shes actually comforting me.

The moment, he said, gave him hope and renewed purpose after witnessing such devastation. Shes telling me theres hope, Ballard explained. You guys got me out. You can get the other ones out too. He called the childs survival a gift from God to tell us its going to work, and said the experience inspired the next stage of their operations.

Syrias prewar population of 23 million was cut nearly in half by displacement, leaving behind numerous orphans. Ballard described the numbers that convey the horrific picture.

Ballard drew on his past experience in the region. He recalled his time in northern Iraq during the Syrian civil war, when minority Christians and other groups  were flooding into Erbil. He said his work with Syria goes back years and remains part of the same conflict.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He emphasized the scale of the crisis. The numbers are significant. There are 700,000 Druze people in Syria. Theres about 200,000 in Israel itself, he said, adding that he had fallen in love with these people for their courage and devotion. They will stand and die for Christians or Jews or anybody. Thats who they are.

According to Ballard, hundreds of thousands are at risk. Seven hundred thousand are on the verge of death right now by starvation or other means, he warned. And the jihadis  theyre animals  so they could activate again at any time and go in and do what they want. He said they were seeking a political solution but would continue their rescue efforts regardless.

Even if only one child could be saved, Ballard said it would be worth the effort. If we spend $1 million and get one kid out, I will be 1,000% satisfied, he said. He explained that he looks at the children as if they were his own. What would I do for my child? I would empty my bank account. Id sell my house. Id sell my anything. And so you have to look at these children like that, and its worth it.

Ballard stressed that once children are rescued and receive medical care, they remain under protection. Once they come into our sphere, they never leave, he said. He explained that his team specializes in aftercare and has lots of options for long-term placement.

Whenever possible, he said, the goal is to keep the children with their families. But he noted that options vary  some may remain in Israel, while others might one day return to a peaceful Syria or be relocated elsewhere. To illustrate, he pointed to past operations: We rescued over 10,000 Yazidis and Christians out of northern Iraq, and we had to move. Their villages were leveled, so we took them to Australia. He recalled repeatedly calling officials until Australia agreed to take them in. Beautiful Australia. Who would have thought? They brought them all in. They have these beautiful villages, and theyre living productive lives.

According to Ballard, this commitment extends to every child. We wont stop until we find them homes  homes where they can be happy and thrive, he said. He praised the resilience of the people they rescue, describing them as very industrious people who are assets to any country. They work hard. They believe in God. Theyre good people. Theyre great people to have in your country.

I then asked Ballard about the film The Sound of Freedom, based on his work rescuing children from trafficking and exploitation. The film opened to critical acclaim as well as controversy. In addition, Ballard battled allegations of sexual impropriety from the organization he founded, Operation Underground Railroad. Ballard denied the accusations, saying that they were prompted by those who wanted to interfere with his work.

He recalled being told that $10 million had been spent to destroy him, warning that it would look like a bag of bricks. Within weeks, he said, defamation campaigns hit him from multiple directions  his church, the media, and politics. It was a mass extortion campaign, he said, adding that friends turned on him under threat of lawsuits.

His wife, he explained, immediately came to his defense, only to be targeted herself. She was accused of sexual assault just days later, something Ballard called a warning tactic. Rather than retreat, the couple decided to face the storm together. Theres no one more God-fearing than my wife on the planet, he said, crediting her with strengthening his resolve.

He described the lawsuits and media coverage as lawfare, designed to break him down. They win if I die, he said. Instead, he insisted he would survive to continue his mission of rescuing children. He pointed to an upcoming docuseries and a sequel to Sound of Freedom that, he said, would expose those behind the attacks.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ballard said he thought he had lost everything, including the organization he founded. Yet he argued that the experience brought him closer to God and his family. When youre stripped down naked and destroyed, and you only have God  you get it in abundance, he said. He compared the ordeal to the biblical story of Job and predicted that those who targeted him would ultimately lose everything.

Ballard then shared his personal journey. From childhood, he believed he was meant to fight for others, wearing a Superman cape every day of my life. After 12 years working in government, he said bureaucracy and jurisdictional limits pushed him to strike out on his own. The story of that decision is dramatized in Sound of Freedom. He credited his wife with giving him the courage to stay in Colombia when he was ordered home, telling him, I will not let you jeopardize my salvation by not doing this.

He described the toll of constant controversy, arguing that child rescue is inherently a spiritual battle. He recalled adopting two Haitian children after a 2014 operation, saying their new lives give him daily proof that change is possible. They would be dead or trafficked right now, he said. Seeing them thrive, he added, fuels him to keep rescuing children in places from Syria to Brazil.

Asked for a final message, Ballard urged people to see the world through the eyes of a child. He said he carried no ones water but God and children and pleaded for honesty in how global conflicts are reported. When you lie about whats happening in Israel, when you lie about whats happening around the world, you make our job harder to rescue kids, he said. He called for unity around one simple truth: Kids shouldnt be raped. Kids shouldnt be beheaded.

Ballard encouraged people to follow his teams next operation in Latin America, promising, Youre going to see a crazy op happen.
Self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has sent greetings to the people of Ukraine on Independence Day.

Source: Lukashenkos press service

Quote: "Living side by side in peace and harmony has long been the destiny of the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples.

Close coexistence has established unbreakable blood ties between our peoples, reinforced by a shared historical fate, common Christian values and sincere friendship.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No matter how external forces try to pull us in different directions, Belarus remains open to Ukrainians. We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation and constructive dialogue with our southern neighbours.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish the citizens of Ukraine to find their own answer to todays challenges, and your multinational country  peaceful skies, solidarity and truly independent development."

Why this matters: Belarus is a "union state" of Russia and has been providing its territory for Russian troops from the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was from Belarusian territory in February 2022 that the offensive on northern Ukraine, including Kyiv and Chernihiv Oblasts, began.

Throughout the war, Russian forces have used Belarusian military airfields and training grounds, as well as launched missiles on Ukrainian targets from Belarusian territory.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
GREENVILLE, MS  Angel Chavez-Heras, a 35-year-old man from Moundville, Alabama, was sentenced Friday to more than 27 years in prison for enticing a minor in Northern Mississippi.

Court documents show Chavez-Heras solicited explicit content from a 14-year-old victim and traveled more than two hours to assault the minor.

Records show Chavez-Heras used various online applications to solicit sexually explicit photos and videos from the minor, who was located in Pontotoc.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Agents also discovered that Chavez-Heras had engaged in similar behavior with other minor victims, and charges in other jurisdictions will be pursued separately.

This sentence is a message to anyone who would think about traveling to the Northern District of Mississippi to prey on children  you will go to prison for a very long time, said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner.

Chief Judge Debra Brown imposed a sentence of over 27 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for Chavez-Heras.

He will be required to register as a sex offender upon release and pay damages to the minor victim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The case began with a concerned parent reporting an unknown person contacting a child on social media to the Pontotoc Police Department.

This department will do everything in our power to protect our kids from those who would abuse or exploit them, said Pontotoc Police Chief Bob Poe.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Pontotoc Police Department conducted the investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A bridge over the Sahar Khad river near the Jammu-Pathankot Highway in Jammu and Kashmir's (J-K) Kathua has been damaged after the river began flowing in spate due to continuous rains in the region. The incident has disrupted traffic on the highway, a key arterial route. Local administration teams are monitoring the situation closely. The Jammu region has been experiencing intense monsoon showers for the past few days, causing rivers to swell, triggering landslides, and disrupting normal life in low-lying and hilly areas. Earlier, seven people lost their lives and 11 others were injured in a cloudburst that struck Kathua district in Jammu & Kashmir on August 17. The sudden deluge triggered massive landslides and flooding, causing the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage to infrastructure. Reacting with urgency, Army relief columns with an Engineer detachment were immediately pressed into action to the worst-affected regions of Jhor Khad and Bagra villages. A cloudburst during the Machail Mata Yatra on August 14 led to flash floods that killed at least 55 people in Kishtwar. Following the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on August 19 that it might be impossible to find anyone survivors. He said that the disaster took place due to a cloudburst rather than a breach of glacial lakes. "Finding the missing persons alive now looks nearly impossible. In these circumstances, we will try to retrieve as many bodies and hand them over to their loved ones. According to the information we have received so far, the disaster that happened in Kishtwar was due to a cloudburst and not a glacial lake breach," Abdullah told reporters. (ANI)
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office announced deputies were investigating remains believed to be more than 50 years old in a remote central Arizona ghost town.

On Aug. 18, the Sheriff's Office said a tractor grading the desert floor in an area near Cleator, a ghost town about an hour and twenty minutes north of the Phoenix area, unearthed a wooden casket with human remains inside, according to a YCSO social media post.

While deputies initially expected a typical crime scene, they quickly learned the remains were old, estimated to be anywhere between 55 and 85 years old.

A screenshot from a video depicting discovery of an over 50 year old casket and human remans near a central Arizona ghost town by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.

Part of the casket that broke off during the excavation helped YCSO determine the discovery was not a routine death investigation but rather a remnant of the area's history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Sheriff's Office is working with local historians at the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott to identify the remains and uncover the history behind the burial, according to YCSO.

The Sheriff's Department shared the news on Facebook with a photo slideshow of the discovery, with a narration provided by Sheriff David Rhodes.

Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Yavapai County Sheriff's Office investigate body buried in ghost town
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A man is dead in connection with a shooting in Baton Rouge on Sunday, Aug. 24.

The Baton Rouge Police Department identified the victim as DAnthony Brown, 19.

Authorities confirmed Brown was in critical condition after a shooting was reported on Bellhaven Trace Drive. The call came in around 10:20 a.m. Sunday. As officers arrived at the scene, they were flagged down by a driver.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Brown was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

During the investigation, police learned that Brown was sitting on his porch with another person when he was shot by unknown suspect(s).

A possible motive is unknown.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 225-344-7867.

Latest News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  One person was injured in a shooting on Saturday night, Aug. 24, near the intersection of North Murray Boulevard and Platte Avenue, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).

CSPD reported that when officers arrived at the 500 block of Murray on reports of a shooting, they found one victim on the ground who had gunshot wounds that were not life-threatening. American Medical Response (AMR) and the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) tended to the victims injuries before taking them to the hospital.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell

According to CSPD, officers found several shell casings on the ground. The number of suspects and the cause of the shooting are unknown. The CSPD Assault Unit took over the investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Shreveport Police have arrested a woman for allegedly being under the influence during a deadly crash.

Community gathers for somber memorial, candlelight vigil for LaBriesha Patterson

According to the SPD, 22-year-old Victoria Jones has been arrested in connection with the death of 41-year-old Kendrick Williams. The victim died after colliding with Jones at the intersection of Tate Street and Broadway Avenue on Saturday, August 23, just after 5:00 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jones was driving a black Toyota Camry southbound on Broadway Avenue shortly before she collided with Williams, who was driving a blue Suzuki motorcycle. The victim was taken to Ochsner LSU Health Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Jones was not injured in the incident, but she was taken for breath and blood tests. It was determined that she was impaired at the time of the crash.

Jones has been arrested for vehicular homicide, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
The Sinn Fein president says the party will announce in September whether it will run a candidate in the upcoming Irish presidential election.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Mary Lou McDonald insisted the party was not split in its decision on whether or not it will run a candidate or if it will support another candidate from outside the party.

McDonald once again would not confirm or deny whether she herself will be running, insisting that "all options are on the table".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The election for a new Irish president has to be held before 11 November.

'Really interesting and lively discussion'

The Sinn Fein leader was in west Belfast on Sunday to speak at a hunger strike commemoration event.

She defended the party's decision to hold back on making any announcement.

"I wanted us to take time to thoroughly examine what our options are and to involve as many people as we could in the discussion," McDonald told BBC News NI.

She said there had been "really interesting and lively discussion across the party" and as the summer comes to an end they are at the point where they are going to "have to make a call on that".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We'll do that collectively, we'll do it having listened very carefully to our grass-roots and then we'll have a decision in September," she said.

McDonald said the summer break is the reason why it has taken Sinn Fein so long to make a decision, insisting that the party still has time.

"It's very important that whoever becomes president recognises that they have a duty to Irish citizens everywhere, here in the north of Ireland, and that that duty is taken seriously so it's going to be an interesting campaign," she added.

"We will be participating in it, the question just is - in what way."

How do you become president of Ireland?

To run for the office of President of Ireland, you have to be an Irish citizen and aged over 35.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You also have to be nominated.

In order to formally contest the election, an individual needs the backing of either 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) or four of the 31 local authorities.

Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as the ninth president in 2011, when he took over from Mary McAleese, and was re-elected in October 2018.

Higgins is not eligible to stand again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms.

McAleese is the only president to come from Northern Ireland.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Sisters Gina and Destiny Henry, known for their unshakeable bond, love for family, style and determination were laid to rest Saturday.

The homecoming service also celebrated the life of Ginas son, 5-year-old Jayceon.

The close-knit family died during an arson attack on the West Side in June.

I mean, they had fun. They enjoyed life. They were great moms and we have to remember them in a positive light, Rev. George Smith Jr., a cousin of the sisters, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

West Side apartment fire being investigated as possible arson as death toll climbs to 4

On Saturday morning, family and friends helped console each other at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church where they said their final farewells to Gina, Destiny and Jayceon.

Destiny had a light in her. Well, both of them did. They had a light in them that was so bright, Smith said. Jayceon, like I said before, he had swag and he was just a cool little guy.

Loved ones described Gina, 32, and Destiny, 28, as sister by birth, but best friends by choice who were inseparable.

During the early hours of June 26, the sisters and Jayceon were killed when a fire, that prosecutors said was set intentionally, engulfed the Austin apartment they shared.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another resident, identified as 76-year-old Brad Cummings, also died.

SEE ALSO: Man charged in deadly West Side fire appears in court

I just thank God for the time we had with them. They were beautiful people, Smith said.

According to prosecutors, 23-year-old Lontray Clark allegedly set the fire after he got upset over seeing a picture on Snapchat of a woman he previously dated and a friend of his who lived in the same building as the Henrys.

Clark faces multiple arson and murder charges and, according to court records, pled not guilty during his arraignment on Aug. 18.

The fire also left several residents injured, including Gina and Destinys mother who lived with them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now its time for us to throw our arms around her and were just here for her, Smith said.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Destinys son Kyle is now home from the hospital after being critically injured in the fire.

Bound together by love, Gina, Destiny and Jayceon leave behind a world of memories for their loved ones.

I miss my cousins. They were beautiful people, Smith said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
An American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Phoenix made an emergency diversion to Washington-Dulles airport Saturday, after smoke was reported coming from a passenger's device.

American Airlines flight 357 landed safely in Washington, D.C., after the device was contained by crew members, according to an airline spokesperson.

Flight 357 was carrying 160 customers and six crew members, according to American.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Passenger In Custody After 'Direct Threat' To Airplane Shuts Down Seattle Airport Runways

Per procedure, emergency personnel met the aircraft, the spokesperson said.

It is unclear what led to the smoking device.

Read On The Fox News App

It is unclear what led to the smoking device, though officials did not note any arrests.

American Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Landing After Engine Starts Smoking

Customers and crew deplaned normally, the spokesperson said.

No arrests or injuries were confirmed.

The American Airlines flight landed safely in Washington, D.C.

American Airlines Plane That Caught Fire Had Engine Parts Installed Incorrectly, Ntsb Finds

"We appreciate the professionalism of our crew and thank our team who are working to get our customers to their destination as quickly as possible," the airline wrote in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority told Fox News Digital there were no impacts on flight operations at Dulles International.

Fox News' Leah Crawley contributed to this report.





Original article source: Smoke from unknown passenger device forces emergency landing of American Airlines flight to Washington-Dulles
Local needs

Was the exit of Texas Democratic state representatives leadership or theatrics? I believe the latter. Gov. Greg Abbott can call as many special sessions as he wants. The Democrats cannot stay away forever. They have families, careers, property and ultimately responsibilities to their constituents. Now that the new map has passed the House, they can then move on to more important issues such as flood relief and early flood warning systems. The people in Kerrville are in limbo and at risk.

It was time for Democrats to come home and take their lumps. Midterm reapportionment is wrong but inevitable. Other blue states may try to offset the losses. Meanwhile, it is time to address critical needs in Texas.

- Charles Andrews, Fort Worth

Not leadership

I am alarmed at the effort to deliberately damage minority Texans voting power. Im represented by Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and the 30th Congressional District will be affected dramatically if the proposed U.S. House map is signed into law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I do not respect any of the Republicans involved in this process: not any of the state House or Senate members, nor Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick or Attorney General Ken Paxton. Their collective machinations are the peak of deliberate efforts to reduce minority influence in state politics. It is the exact opposite of sober, moral civic governance, both self-directed as well as following the orders of President Donald Trump.

- Christopher Currie, Grand Prairie

Whose home?

Since when have state representatives been allowed to take up residency in the Capitol? What House rule specifically addresses who can or cant take residency in Capitol office buildings?

- Curtis McJunkins, North Richland Hills

American dream

I believe that each and every human being has intrinsic value to Jesus. Ones societal value in American culture today, however, is often based on their work. Consequently, immigrants are treated as a disposable and replaceable commodity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What if Jensen Huang, an immigrant to the United States at the age of 9, had been treated as expendable and not allowed into America? His company, Nvidia, which is at the forefront of artificial intelligence and employs countless Americans, would not exist. And his American dream would not have occurred, as he became one of the richest and most influential people in the world.

- Brent Neuenfeldt, Fort Worth

Past models

I came of age in the 1960s. Under Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Richard Nixon, the U.S. pushed the boundaries to explore space, science and technology and improve international relations, justice and our national identity. Petty, all-encompassing xenophobia grounded in fear that the Trump administration promulgates is unworthy of America and of Americans.

- Paul R. Schattman, Arlington
Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

Support our leader

Our country is more divided ideologically than ever in our history. More than division, the pure hatred for our president by the radical left of the Democratic Party is even more disturbing. You would think that American citizens regardless of party affiliation would wish for the president to be successful. If the president is successful, then America is successful. Why wouldnt every American want that?

No to new logo

Im not a fan of the Cracker Barrel logo. The redesigned restaurant interior is kinda tolerable, however, retaining the original logo on signs and billboards to stay connected to the companys origin, tradition and decades of customers would have made more sense. The new CEO was apparently struggling to make her mark and justify her existence but she failed miserably on this score.

Help, please

Would the Gulfport police stop drivers in the mornings from using the turning lane as a through lane southbound from Pass Road to U.S. 90. Maybe you could put up barriers like Hattiesburg. Thanks a million.

Tax increase?

To the mayor and city council members of Biloxi, I say no to a property tax increase. I suggest you trim the budget if there is a shortfall. Why must citizens always make up the budget shortfall? I will not vote for any city official that supports a tax increase. I am sure you can find some excessive spending to cut from the budget.

Amtraks return

I havent seen any comments about parking in Gulfport or Biloxi for overnight trips to NOLA. Any designated areas, grab any available spot, or just ride-share only to the station?

Welcome back

I, for one, am thrilled with Amtraks return to the Coast. Im looking forward to taking a trip to New Orleans without having to fight the interstate traffic.

Nobody asked

News flash to Kamala Harris: The nation was eyewitness and suffered through the Biden administration on many levels. There is absolutely nothing you could have possibly written in your book that would be new, interesting or enlightening about your failed presidential campaign.

His-story

President Trump is giving the Smithsonian museum 120 days to soften its tone on slavery. I saw this coming from Day 1 with his attack on diversity, equity and inclusion. Trump has scrubbed the names of black Americans from military ships and bases replacing them with names of confederate commanders. He is attempting to eliminate PBS and NPR. And now his focus is on national museums. Its just the beginning. Dont be surprised if our governor cancels history in our own Civil Rights Museum. Sadly, this will be welcome to many of his followers.

Living wages

Open your eyes. Sanctuary Democrat cities and states demand a living wage. Yet they hold on to illegal immigrants so as not to pay such wages.

Walk of shame

Pay attention people. Yes, President Trump rolled out the red carpet. But Vladimir Putin had to park his plane about a block away and then Putin had to walk that distance past our state-of-the-art fighters. Yes, he got to ride in the Beast. It just rubbed it in more of what a real presidential limo is like and not his Russian Checker Cab. No, this was not being friendly. This was rubbing it in, American style. It was Putins walk of shame. Next time look at the whole picture.

Why they love him

Trump supporters dont measure what he does for them. They measure what he does against others they dont like. This is why they believe he is successful.

Trumps salvation

Ive been praying for Donald Trumps salvation for quite some time now. I heard him say recently that he is interested in getting through the pearly gates. However, he thinks that is accomplished by something he can do to earn salvation, as one might earn a Nobel Peace Prize. In John 14:6, Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. To become a Christian, we must ask forgiveness for our sins and profess Jesus as our Savior. There are no special rules for anyone, not even presidents.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.
(KRON)  A South Bay candy store that sells the viral Dubai pistachio chocolates is opening a new location. San Jose Candy Kitchen & Creamery is set to open a second location in the Great Mall, according to the malls website.

The downtown San Jose dessert shop has an abundance of handmade and homemade chocolates, including chocolates and fudge. Per the candy stores website, Candy Kitchens English toffee, nut clusters, praline, chews and creams are made in-house.

This candy store and creamery has everything a sweet tooth needs, including nougat, cookies, brownies, mousse cake, milkshakes, sundaes and cheesecake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

San Francisco ice cream parlor noted as one of the worlds best

Per Candy Kitchens website, its most-liked items are the Dubai pistachio chocolate bar and the Dubai strawberry with pistachio kataifi.

The creamery and candy shop also has 30 flavors of homemade popcorn. Candy Kitchen said its Caramel Corn flavor is the most popular.

The website did not give an exact date of opening, but said coming soon.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday demanded the arrest of Jamiat leader Madani for "insulting" Assamese self-respect. "The BJP government under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma has been continuously carrying out eviction drives to clear illegal encroachers--primarily people of East Bengal-origin Muslims--from forest lands and government property. Linking these eviction drives with the incidents of Gaza and Palestine, Mahmood Madani has attacked the self-respect of the Assamese people," the Assam BJP said in a release. It also stated that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader, Mahmood Madani, has attempted to view Assam's problems only through the lens of the Muslim community. Assam BJP spokesperson Jayanta Kumar Goswami demanded that Assam Police immediately arrest Jamiat leader Mahmood Madani for his anti-Assam remarks and ensure appropriate punishment. "At present, infiltrators and outsiders are attempting in every possible way to dominate all sectors of Assam. With the patronage of the previous Congress governments, these groups illegally occupied government lands, forests, and other resources, thereby creating threats in Assam's social, political, cultural, and economic life and endangering the very existence of indigenous Assamese Hindus, Muslims, and Indian-origin common people," Goswami said. He further said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government, under the strong leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has taken firm steps to resist this aggression. "Through eviction drives, the government is removing encroachers from public lands, deleting the names of infiltrators from indigenous-dominated areas, and working to safeguard the political rights of the indigenous people," he said. The State BJP spokesperson warned that if in the future a government is formed in Assam with the support of Congress, AIUDF, Raijor Dal, and Asom Jatiya Parishad, then Maulana Arshad Madani and Maulana Mahmood Madani will become political advisors to the Assam government, leading to the complete dominance of infiltrators over the indigenous Assamese Hindus, Muslims, and Indian-origin citizens. The spokesperson also remarked that the "Madani culture" was first introduced to Assam by Congress, and later during the NRC process by left-leaning intellectual Hiren Gohain. He strongly criticised Congress, its allies AIUDF, Raijor Dal, and Asom Jatiya Parishad, along with a section of leftist intellectuals, for their role in encouraging this trend. (ANI)
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea hopes to normalise relations with China that have been strained in recent years, a special envoy from Seoul told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday, and agreed to boost economic cooperation, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung sent a special delegation led by former parliament speaker Park Byeong-seug to his country's main trading partner as he travels to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

Lee arrived in Washington early on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Park told Wang he hoped the countries would work together to "open the door to normalising South Korea-China relations, which have been strained in recent years," according to his comments relayed by South Korean TV.

Park handed Wang a letter from Lee to Chinese President Xi Jinping and invited Xi to the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping in October, South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Wang welcomed the delegation's visit and appreciated the message of developing ties between the countries, the ministry said.

"(South Korea's) new government will pursue a mature development of South Korea-China strategic cooperation partnership based on national interest while continuing to develop the South Korea-U.S. alliance," Park said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The two sides agreed to work towards substantive progress on economic and supply chain cooperation, the ministry said.

In a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang said that development of both countries' ties has shown that good neighbourliness, seeking common ground while reserving differences and expanding cooperation are the "right choices".

Wang added that China's policy is to maintain stability and continuity with South Korea and he urged both sides to "improve national sentiment and manage sensitivities properly" to move bilateral relations forward steadily.

Diplomatic ties between the countries have improved since a 2017 dispute over South Korea's deployment of a U.S. missile defence system, which Beijing opposed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But they exchanged harsh words in 2023 about critical comments on Beijing by South Korea's last president, Yoon Suk Yeol.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park, Jack Kim; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Ed Davies and Michael Perry)
South Koreas new president is facing a series of tests of his self-styled pragmatic foreign policy.

Lee Jae-myungs visit to Japan over the weekend  his first overseas trip  reflected a shift in the two countries relations from enmity to friendliness, as US President Donald Trumps unpredictable policies draw the nations closer, CNN wrote.

Lee is also sending a delegation to China this week as Seoul reportedly eyes normalizing relations with Beijing. And he is meeting with Trump on Monday to push for stronger shipbuilding and security cooperation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

How Lee manages the White House meeting will signal whether Washingtons transactional approach can sustain the deeper trust needed for alliance management in an era of great power competition, Carnegie Endowment experts wrote.
(FOX40.COM)  Councilmember Mai Vang hosted the fifth annual South Sacramento Festival on Friday, celebrating unity, culture, and community pride.

Video Above: Fifth annual South Sacramento Festival brings community together

The festival displayed the cultural and economic impact of bringing people together. The free, family-friendly event hosted vendors and featured cultural performances to represent the diverse cultures of South Sacramento, according to Vang.

Image: Mai Vang

[The festival] brings communities together and connects families with important resources and services, Samantha Lysaythong, Festival organizer and Director of Strategic Engagement, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Missing family located safe near Bassetts campground

A headline show by the musical band Fast Times was also included in the event, as well as including businesses for attendees to look into. Health screenings from Valley High School Health TECH Academy and the Hmong Nurses Association, complimentary haircuts by MIXED Institute of Cosmetology and Barber, youth activities provided by CHAMPS for Life, E-bike test rides from the Sacramento Area Bike Advocates, Vang said.

South Sac Fest is our moment to celebrate that pride, honor our diversity, and let the whole city see the beauty that lives here, Trustee Chinua Rhodes said.

Various Sacramento and state officials attended the festival, Vang said. Sponsors support the festival, including Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522, making the event possible each year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
A Southern California woman was arrested for allegedly scamming victims out of thousands of dollars through a Ponzi scheme.

The woman was identified as Consuelo Carrasco-Ramirez, 53, of Hemet, according to the Riverside County Sheriffs Office.

The investigation began in April when deputies were contacted by a victim in Perris who had been scammed.

After speaking with the victim, detectives determined seven people had allegedly been targeted by Carrasco-Ramirez and lured into investing thousands of dollars into a wholesale avocado business.

Consuelo Carrasco-Ramirez, 53, of Hemet, is seen in a booking photo from the Riverside County Sheriffs Office.

The woman reportedly targeted members of the Hispanic community and, in some cases, threatened to have them deported. The seven victims collectively gave the suspect around $195,000 during the scheme.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead of investing the victims money as promised, Carrasco-Ramirez used the money for personal benefit, authorities said.

Following an investigation, on Aug. 20, Carrasco-Ramirez was arrested for theft by false pretenses, grand theft and passing counterfeit checks. She was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center and is being held on $193,000 bail.

Investigators believe there may be more victims who were targeted by Carrasco-Ramirez.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Investigator Lance Colmer at 951-776-1099 or the Perris Sheriffs Station at 951-210-1000.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SOUTHINGTON, Ohio (WKBN)  Just before 1 p.m. Sunday, Southington Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 2000 block of Barclay Messerly Road.

When the crews arrived, they found the garage fully involved with extension into a camper, according to a release from the fire department.

With the mutual aid from Champion, Farmington, Warren Township, Braceville, Middlefield, Newtown Falls, Mesopotamia, Garrettsville, Bristol and Trumbull County, the crews were able to contain the fire, stopping it from extending into the nearby house.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Patterns left behind by draining water are shown in mud flats surrounding the Great Salt Lake near Magna on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

The American Southwest  including Arizona, New Mexico, and portions of Nevada, Colorado, Utah and California  is linked to one of four continental-scale mega-drying regions worldwide that have undergone unprecedented rates of drying, according to a recent study in Science Advances.

The loss of freshwater from the regions is the result of two key factors: severe droughts and groundwater overuse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two decades of satellite observations revealed that as the dry areas of the world become drier and surface water in rivers and lakes declines, communities are becoming more reliant on groundwater, leading to rapid depletion of freshwater.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

The lower Colorado River Basin  which supplies water for Nevada, Arizona, and California  has lost groundwater equivalent to Lake Meads full storage capacity in the last 20 years, or about 28 million acre-feet of water. An acre-foot of water is enough to supply roughly two urban households with indoor and outdoor water needs for a year.

All the drying is happening in the Southwest. Three quarters of the country is getting a little bit wetter, but the southwestern quadrant of the country is getting a lot drier, said Jay Fagmiglietti, the study co-author and Global Futures Professor at Arizona States School of Sustainability.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even areas in the U.S. that are experiencing more precipitation are not keeping pace with the rate of rapid drying, leading to a net loss of freshwater, according to the study. The areas experiencing drying have increased, while the areas experiencing wetting have decreased.

Globally, drying land is expanding by about two times the size of California every year, according to the study.

The four mega drying regions globally are Alaska and Northern Canada, Northern Russia, Middle East/North Africa/PanEurasia, and Southwestern North America and Central America.

The research is especially noteworthy for Nevada, where about half the states counties rely on groundwater for more than 80% of their water supply, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In 2015 Esmeralda, Eureka, Lincoln, Mineral and Nye counties received more than 95% of their water from groundwater.

Mega-drying on the continents: 1 Northern Canada and Alaska; 2. Northern Russia; 3. Southwestern North America and Central America; 4. Middle East/North Africa/PanEurasia. (Map from Unprecedented continental drying, shrinking freshwater availability, and increasing land contributions to sea level rise, Science Advances, July, 2025)

Throughout several parts of Nevada, significantly more groundwater is extracted than is returned to aquifers each year, leading to declining water levels. About 20% of Nevadas groundwater basins are currently over-pumped, according to the Nevada Division of Water Resources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite the states dependence on groundwater, Nevada lacks detailed data on available groundwater. Water managers in Nevada currently rely on water budget estimates developed 50 to 70 years ago, raising major concerns about the accuracy of groundwater availability, according to the Nevada state agency.

The consequences of groundwater depletion in the Southwest include reduced irrigation water supply and threats to agricultural productivity, reduced capacity for climate adaptation, and damage to groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Most of Nevadas rivers, streams, and lakes are groundwater dependent. Groundwater also plays a crucial role in supporting the states unique ecosystems. There are 242 wetland-dependent species recorded by Nevada Division of Natural Heritage  143 of which can only be found in Nevada.

A growing awareness of ground water as a critical natural resource has raised several research questions: How much ground water do we have? Are we running out? Where are ground-water resources most stressed by human development?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fagmiglietti said the study was conceived to answer some of those questions and prepare water managers for a drier future.

About 75% of the worlds population lives in the 101 countries that make up the four mega-drying regions, according to the study.

Researchers used satellites to measure changes in gravity to detect weight loss or gain in regions, indicating groundwater depletion or prolonged drought.

The research team said global drying is not slowing down. Their data indicates groundwater was lost three times faster over the last decade than in the prior one.

The loss of groundwater is also contributing more to global sea level rise than melting glaciers and ice caps, according to the study. Increased runoff from groundwater pumping and glacier melting contributes to the oceans water levels, exacerbating sea level rise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Drying continents themselves are now contributing, theyre the largest contributor to sea level rise, ahead of either the Greenland or the Antarctic ice sheet, Fagmiglietti said.

We pump groundwater for irrigation. And a lot of that, you know, doesnt make it back into the ground. It evaporates, or it runs off, and ultimately ends up in the ocean, he said.

The study also points to a tipping point during the mega El-Nino years around 2014 to 2015 when equatorial waters in the Pacific were 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius above average. During that period climate extremes began to accelerate, leading to more groundwater usage to cover the lack of rainfall.

Fagmiglietti emphasized the critical importance of groundwater in drying regions and the need for better management and protection. Groundwater is often unprotected and unmonitored, Fagmiglietti said, making it at risk in many regions around the world. States need to recognize the importance of groundwater and enforce effective management policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Communities that depend on groundwater entirely, again, need to understand that that groundwater is disappearing rapidly. They need to understand what their supply looks like and need to prioritize how theyre going to use it and try to sustain it, he said.

Last week, federal officials announced they would continue water allocation cuts on the Colorado River for the fifth consecutive year following a persistent drought that has shrunken Lake Mead, the rivers largest reservoir. Persistent drought like the one impacting the reservoir will only put more pressure on groundwater, said Fagmiglietti.

No one ever talks about the groundwater, especially when it comes to the Colorado River. Discussion is always about the reservoirs and the river itself, but really thinking holistically about how much water you have in the region is really, really important, and in particular with the increased stress that will happen on groundwater, Fagmiglietti said.

Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Two four-legged recruits have joined the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in its ongoing fight against invasive pests.

Winnie and Marcel, detection dogs and graduates from the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center in Georgia, serve alongside plant inspectors Mary Glover and Kyle Webb in the TDA Plant Certification Section helping protect the states agriculture and nurseries from the Spotted Lanternfly.

These dogs are an efficient new tool to fight the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said in a release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our trained inspectors who work with the dogs report that the dogs ability to detect the pest in all stages gives us an advantage in safeguarding Tennessees fruit and forest industries.

More: New sightings of spotted lanternflies reported in Tennessee. What to do besides killing them

Dogs are famously known for their noses, or their keen senses of smell that is. Think Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds and Beagles.

According to Understanding Animal Research, dogs have roughly 220 million scent receptors, compared to only about 5 million in humans, and can detect substances at concentrations of one part per trillion, or the equivalent to a single drop of liquid in 20 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Many dogs have been trained to sniff out certain things. The most famous scent sniffing dogs search out missing people or human remains, illegal drugs and explosives, money and bed bugs.

There are also disease detection dogs that sniff out cancers, diabetes and other medical conditions through human breath, sweat and urine samples.

Spotted lanternflies on a grapevine.

Winnie and Marcel have another objective, to rid the Volunteer state of the invasive spotted lanternfly.

An invasive planthopper native to Asia, the spotted lanternfly is thought to have entered the U.S. via egg masses on a stone shipment in 2012, according to Cornell Integrated Pest Management.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officials recorded the first infestation in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. The insect has since been reported in more than a dozen states, with infestations nearly consuming portions of the Northeastern U.S.

TDA said the fly was spotted in Middle Tennessee in September 2023.

More: Spotted lanternfly found in Nashville area. Why Tennessee officials want you to kill it.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says its population is particularly large across New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Spotted Lanternfly has spread so much faster than a lot of invasives that weve seen in the past, Matthew Gallo of the Finger Lakes chapter of the Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management said in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gypsy moths took almost 100 years just to spread from Massachusetts to New York. Spotted Lanternfly has made it to 10 states in only seven years.

The state agriculture department says the bug feeds on a wide range of plants like grapes, stone fruits and hardwood trees.

It is particularly fond of apple orchards and vineyards.

Winnie and Marcel are currently deployed in eastern and Middle Tennessee inspecting retail plant dealers, where movement of infested material poses a risk for further spread.

Glover and Winnie are stationed in Knoxville. Webb and Marcel operate out of Mt. Juliet, near the states largest known Spotted Lanternfly area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both began their assignments inspecting areas where the insect had been reported but had not yet been visually confirmed.

Their precision has already led to a successful detection in Sumner County, officials said in the release.

The pair will also help clear plant shipments from nursery-producing areas if the insect is found nearby.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture confirmed on Wednesday, July 9, that spotted lanternfly nymphs have begun to emerge in Cincinnati.

Spotted Lanternfly can travel long distances when people move infested material or items containing egg masses, typically laid on hard surface like grills, vehicles, trailers, firewood, outdoor furniture, bikes and toys, the release said.

Vehicles, boats and campers should be checked for the hitchhiker and its egg masses before hitting the road or heading out on the water.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Found Spotted Lanternfly or egg mass?

Heres what to do:

Take photos and complete the Report a Pest form on the Protect Tennessee Forests website at tn.gov/protecttnforests/resources/report-a-pest.

Then, stomp on it, literally.

TDA officials encourage stomping on the insect and destroy egg masses by smashing them or saturating them with rubbing alcohol.

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sniffing dogs to aid in Tennessee fight against Spotted Lanternfly
(Reuters) -Sri Lanka's jailed former president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was hospitalised on Saturday, local media reported, a day after his arrest on allegations that he misused public funds while in office.

Wickremesinghe, 76, who led the South Asian island nation during a devastating economic crisis, was arrested and taken into custody on Friday, police said.

The next day he was taken to the emergency care unit at Colombo National Hospital with complications from dehydration, diabetes and high blood pressure, the hospital director, Dr. Rukshan Bellana, told reporters. Wickremesinghe was later transferred to the intensive care unit where his condition was stable, Bellana was quoted as saying.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wickremesinghe's office and the hospital did not immediately respond on Sunday to emailed requests from Reuters for comment on his hospitalisation.

Wickremesinghe, a six-time prime minister who lost the presidency last year, had been investigated over a visit he made to Britain to attend a special graduation lunch to celebrate his wife's honorary professorship at a university there, local media reported.

On Saturday, his office did not respond to a request for comment on his arrest. An ally from his United National Party said Wickremesinghe was innocent and suggested the case was politically motivated.

(Reporting by Swati Bhat; Editing by William Mallard)
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  On Sunday, neighbors came together at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Springfield to give back to the Northern Virginia community and help combat food insecurity.

The St. Lucy Food Project, which is the Catholic Charities food assistance program for the Diocese of Arlington, collected food donations and hygiene products at the church on Sunday morning as part of its greater initiative to feed the hungry and nourish the soul.

According to the Diocese of Arlington, 9.2% of people in Fairfax County were food insecure in 2023, affecting over 100,000 residents across major cities such as Springfield, Chantilly, Centreville, Annandale, and others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

WATCH: No one hurt in Arlington car fire

From 2022 to 2023, Fairfax County also saw a .6% increase in food insecurity, the Diocese noted.

We have seen a[n] increased need in our communities for food and hygiene items due to a variety of factors like increased populations, food and hygiene prices rising, rent and utility bills rising, and others, said James McCaskey, Catholic Charities St Lucy Food Project Outreach Specialist

To help fight food insecurity, the St. Lucy Food Project is asking for people to donate the following food items:

Canned Meat

Jelly (no glass)

Peanut Butter

Canned Pasta (Chef Boyardee)

Pasta Sauce (no glass)

Top needed hygiene products include:

Standard Size Tide Laundry Detergent

Poise Pads

Adult Diapers with no tabs (Sizes M, L, XL)

Individually wrapped toothbrushes

Deodorant

Shampoo

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Missed Sundays donation drive? No problem, Catholic Charities St Lucy Food Project is scheduled to host the following upcoming drives:

8/31- St. Veronica, Chantilly

9/14- Basilica of St. Mary, Alexandria City

9/14- Christ the Redeemer, Sterling

9/21- St. Raymond, Springfield

9/28- All Saints, Manassas

9/28- St. Ann, Arlington

10/4- St. James, Falls Church

10/5- Fort Belvoir, Fort Belvoir

10/12- St. Joseph, Herndon

10/19- Holy Family, Woodbridge

10/19- St. Louis, Alexandria (Fairfax County)

10/25- Church of the Nativity, Burke

10/26- Holy Trinity, Gainesville

11/2- Corpus Christi, Aldie

11/2- St. Ambrose, Annandale

11/9- St. Michael, Annandale

11/9- St. Veronica, Chantilly

11/9- St. John the Evangelist, Warrenton

11/15- St. Agnes, Arlington

11/16- St. Andrew the Apostle, Clifton

11/17 through 11/21- PVI, Chantilly

11/21- St. James, Falls Church Trivia night. Hygiene Donations are the entry fee



Click here for the hygiene products and food items wish lists.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  The battle over redrawing voting lines in Texas reached a crescendo at the Capitol this week. On Monday, most of the House Democrats who were breaking quorum returned to the state, clearing the way for a vote on the contentious plan.

For Wednesdays vote, Democrats rallied outside the chamber, vowing to fight on. Inside the House, efforts to change the bill fell short, and the legislation passed along party lines. The bill passed the Senate early Saturday morning, after Republicans in the chamber made a procedural move that blocked a planned filibuster by State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston.

From the start, it was clear that Democrats did not have the votes to stop redistricting legislation at the Capitol. The focus now is on the next phase of the fight, with both sides looking to the courts and to redistricting efforts in other states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

California voters will decide in November whether to approve a redrawn congressional map designed to help Democrats win five more U.S. House seats next year, matching the Republican gains expected by redistricting in Texas.

California lawmakers voted mostly along party lines Thursday to approve legislation calling for the special election. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has led the campaign in favor of the map. The fight goes beyond California and Texas. Other states are also considering redistricting plans, including Indiana and Missouri, which lean Republican.

While the Texas plan will likely face legal challenges before taking effect, it is already having an effect on the 2026 elections. Hours after the bill cleared the House, State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, announced he would run for the newly drawn Congressional District 9 in the Houston area. In central Texas, the new voting districts may push out a Congressman who has served for decades.

Lloyd Doggett was first elected to Congress in 1995. Rep. Doggett currently represents District 37, one of two Austin-area districts held by Democrats. The other is District 35 held by Rep. Greg Casar. The new map moves District 35 out of Austin to cover parts of San Antonio and counties south and east of the city. Voters in that new district favored Donald Trump by 10 points in the last election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Doggett and Casar appeared together at recent rallies opposing redistricting. But both democrats faced questions about a potential primary showdown under the new maps. Casar leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus in Washington, and some progressives in central Texas started a vocal campaign in support of the younger congressman.

Thursday morning, a group led by former state senator Wendy Davis called for Doggett to step aside to clear a path for Casar.

We want to make sure that we are not risking losing Congressman Casar and the incredible, incredible trajectory hes on right now, and his ability to represent Texas, and honestly the country as a whole in the role that that he has right now, Davis said.

Later that day, Doggett issued a news release, saying he would end his reelection campaign if the new district map survives court challenges. That would rule out a primary against Casar. Doggett said the statement from Davis highlighted division among Texas Democrats, which he believes would detract from progressive goals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What did affect me from that is that beginning at 4:00 AM in the morning, a Twitter storm started and social media battle on Democratic chat groups, and it was just indicative of the fact that were going to have a slug fest here if we have two Democratic members of Congress running against one another, Doggett said, addressing reporters on Friday.

That is not in our interest at a time our country is in such peril, and when we need everyone united against Trump autocracy. And so thats why I decided to step aside, not because of what was written, but the reaction to it as an indication of what would lie ahead in a six month slug fest, Doggett added.

After Doggetts announcement, Casar had kind words for his fellow congressmen. He posted on social media, Lloyd Doggett is an Austin institution. Ive learned so much from him. Im grateful to him. The fight for democracy continues.

Doggett emphasized that he is still running for reelection to his current district. He believes that courts should reject the redrawn maps that Texas lawmakers passed.

Governor adds Ivermectin access to Special Session call

Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on lawmakers to pass more legislation during the ongoing Special Session. Wednesday evening, he announced that he added three items to the Special Session #2 agenda. Among them, a measure to allow over-the-counter access to Ivermectin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

State Rep. Joanne Shofner, R-Nacogdoches, has proposed a bill to give patients access to Ivermectin without a presccription. The drug, which is used for treating parasitic infections in animals and humans, gained attention when people began using it to treat symptoms of COVID-19. Current research from the CDC does not support claims that the drug is effective to treat COVID-19. Shofner said people should have freedom to choose to take the drug.

This is one of the primary things when I ran that I wanted to have some sort of medical freedom. We have to be able to be free in order to select the medicine we need, Shofner said.

Rep. Shofner authored a similar bill in the regular session, which failed to advance. She said the biggest hurdle is what she described as big pharma.

Back in 1994 is when the patent went out, so theres no money to be made on it, so theyre not pushing it, Shofner said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dr. Zeke Silva with the Texas Medical Association testifited against the original version of Shofners bill. He said a doctor should be involved in making the decision whether a patient should take Ivermectin.

You could imagine a scenario where a medication interacts with another medication. In this case, imagine Warfarin, that might lead to a bleeding complication, Silva said.

Shofner is optimistic about the chances for her legislation. She noted that at least three other states have approved over-the-counter access to Ivermectin.

That sends a huge message, she said.

A news release from the Governors office outlined the additional items added to the special session call, which Abbott described as important issues that will benefit Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Legislation to impose penalties or punishments for legislators who willfully absent themselves during a session

Legislation to authorize a person to purchase Ivermectin at a pharmacy

Legislation relating to a groundwater study of East Texas aquifers by the Texas Water Development Board prior to the issuance of permits or permit amendments by certain groundwater conservation districts

Camp Mystic families advocate for flood safety legislation

Dozens of families packed inside a small room at the Texas Capitol Monday shared tragic stories  and where their lives are now  after learning their daughters died in July floods at Camp Mystic.

Flash flooding claimed more than 130 lives in Central Texas. Heres what we know about the victims

My anguish is as infinite as the stars in the sky  a black hole of pain, 8-year-old Virginia Hollis mother said. We dont know when she died, we dont know how, we really dont know anything  Camp Mystic families advocate for flood safety legislation at Capitolall we do know is our daughter was at camp, she was not protected, she was not safe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After 25 campers and two counselors were swept away by fast-rising water, lawmakers are looking to pass legislation to create uniform flood safety measures, protocols and standards. This, after Camp Mystic, along the Guadalupe River, has been criticized by parents and officials for not doing enough to keep kids safe.

Senate Bill 1 relates specifically to camp ground and youth camp safety. It would require a number of changes:

An online list of licensed youth camps

Prohibit the state from issuing renewing a license to a youth camp that operates one or more cabins located in a floodplain

Additional health and safety standards, including making sure staff and volunteers are trained on the camps emergency plan

Camp emergency plans would be required to be stored in a state data base that the Texas Department of Emergency Management can access

Give parents access to the emergency plan upon request

A mandated safety orientation conducted by a camp operator or staff no more than 48 hours into camp for all campers

The reality for families who lost their girls is dark, as they work to honor their daughters who were lost in what has been deemed a preventable loss. After their testimony, senators also heard from other camp that do have effective safety measures, to help with determining best practices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both the Senate and the House moved quickly to pass legislation to create more uniform safety standards for camps.

One day after the Senate hearing, many of the families returned to the Capitol. They sat in the gallery for the vote on House Bill 1, which requires youth camps to submit detailed emergency preparedness plans for floods. It also bans camps from building cabins in 100 year flood plains.

When I speak on this bill and for this bill, I hope Im not just speaking for myself, but for the lost children, the grieving families who have called us met with us and shared their heartbreaking grief with us, State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo said from the House floor, looking up at the parents seated in the gallery.

Rep. Darby authored HB 1, a bill that had strong bipartisan support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Let me be clear, nobody could have anticipated, nobody could have anticipated what happened that weekend, but we could have been better prepared, State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin said. Her voice broke as she spoke, which happened to several other lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill, recognizing the grief of the affected families.

Before the vote, House members paid tribute to the 27 girls who died at Camp Mystic, reciting their names and recognizing their families in the gallery. Members this bill is for Heavens 27, Darby said, leading up to the vote to pass the legislation.

Hours later, the families returned to the Capitol, this time to watch Senators pass SB 1, the Senate version of the camp safety bill.

I can tell you that on a bipartisan basis, the members of this floor and this Senate are here to take action so that this never happens again, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told the families sitting above in the Senate gallery.

Bill author Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, said he worked closely with the families to shape the legislation, and he addressed them before the final vote.

Youve acknowledged your strengths comes from your kiddos, and it will be with you forever, and dont ever, ever forget to lean on that in your bad days. But what youve done for me was your testimony and witness of faith in action, Perry said from the Senate floor.

Perry asked the families to stand as he read tributes to each of 27 girls who died at Camp Mystic. Then, Senators took the voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 1.

Scrapping STAAR: Plans to replace standardized test advance at State Capitol

The Texas House committee on public education advanced a plan that would eliminate the states current standardized test and replace it with a new type of testing that is designed to hopefully reduce anxiety and stress for students in the classroom. But it doesnt appear to have bipartisan support.

House Bill 8  authored by State Rep. Brad Buckley, R  Salado, would repeal the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, test at the start of the 2027-2028 academic year. Buckley said it would be replaced with a series of shorter assessments throughout the school year.

To eliminate the high-stakes, one test, one day environment, Buckley said to his colleagues on the committee as he laid out the bill. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree the STAAR test needs to go. During the regular session this year, the original STAAR-repeal proposal almost received unanimous support in the Texas House, but disagreements with the Senate ultimately killed the bill.

The added pressure placed on students with the STAAR test became apparent in the committee meeting after a seventh grade student from Fort Worth ISD testified.

The STAAR test creates that major weight on my brain where I cant think while the teacher is giving me information, the student said. I dont sleep well and I dont eat well. Now you tell me if that seems healthy for a childs brain and body.

The current proposal would create three different tests spaced throughout the school year. A beginning of the year test, a middle of the year test, and an end of year test. The first two tests will be adaptive, meaning the questions will change for each student depending on if they got the previous question correct. This will provide data to show what grade level of a subject each student is testing at.

Those test results will be available to both teachers and parents 48 hours after the assessment. Mary Lynn Pruneda, the director of education policy at Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy group, said the proposed testing system will help educators track how their students are progressing throughout the school year.

An adaptive test goes up and it goes down, and it can get you a really full picture of where exactly your child is performing, she explained.

The end of year assessment will be the same for all students and will be pushed back to later in the year to give teachers more time to teach. HB 8 also bans over testing and sets a limit on the number of preparation tests a district can give a student.

The bill passed out of committee with eight ayes and one no, with six members not present. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D  Austin, was the lone dissenting vote and the only Democrat of the present members. Her main concern with the testing proposal centers on who is making the test. The proposal would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to do the job.

I just have no faith that our state will do a good job of it as it has not done a good job with the creation of the STAAR test, Hinojosa said. She instead is advocating for a nationally norm-referenced test that would show how Texas students are doing in comparison to other states.

Hinojosa points out students in Texas who are not in the public education system are tested with a national test instead of a test created by the state.

House Bill 4  the original plan to repeal the STAAR test in the regular session  did replace the STAAR with three nationally norm-referenced tests. However, Buckley, who wrote HB 4 earlier in the year, decided to go with a criterion-referenced test for the end of year exam. So whats the difference?

Pruneda explains the difference with the analogy of two different types of scales. She equates the norm-referenced test with a balance scale, which shows you the comparison of weight between two different objects. In terms of education, it shows you who is better or worse in test scores.

The criterion-referenced test is like a scale you step on to see how much you weigh, Pruneda explained. It shows you exactly how much you weigh down to the ounce.

A norm-referenced test, which was talked about during the regular legislative session, actually requires that 50% of kids dont pass. But a criterion-referenced test is a lot more useful to moms and dads, because it tells them exactly if their kid is on grade level and anything that theyre specifically struggling with, Pruneda said.

State Rep. John Bryant, D  Dallas, asked Buckley during the meeting why there was a drastic change from HB 4 in the regular session and HB 8 in the special session. Buckley said he had been able to speak with stakeholders over the past couple of months to find the best pathway forward, and he felt a norm-referenced test would not accurately assess Texas students on the states education standards.

I think this is a fair sort of marriage of the two ideas that gives flexibility to districts that can move for growth throughout the year, but also gives us the opportunity to know whether or not kids are achieving at the at a level they should be on the state standards.

An almost identical bill already passed out of the Texas Senate. The House bill now moves to the floor for a vote.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Community support for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh has been steadily growing, with a fresh wave of village-level MoUs reflecting confidence in the project's potential to protect lives, livelihoods and the future of the region. The latest to join were the residents of Begging village in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, where over 85 per cent of households pledged their support for the preparation of the project's PFR. This comes close on the heels of similar endorsements from Riga and Riew villages, pointing to a rising sense of ownership among communities in the Siang belt. This comes on the back of sustained consultative efforts by the Arunachal Pradesh government to create awareness about the project and dispel misinformation being spread by certain groups. Recently, the residents of Begging village in Siang district signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government pledging their support for the preparation of the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), declared a National Project by the Government of India in 2008. The MOU was signed in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Minister (RD, PR etc.), OjingTasing, Advisor to the Minister, Department of Hydro Power Development, Ninong Ering, Chairperson, Siang Upper Multipurpose Development Committee, Tamiyo Taga, Commissioner, Department of Hydro Power Development, Ankur Garg, the Deputy Commissioner, Siang District and other officials of the state government. The residents of Begging emphasised their dedication and steadfast support for furthering the national development agenda and the need for the SUMP for India's and Arunachal Pradesh's water security, as well as a sustainable future for the Siang belt, and the continued peaceful and prosperous existence of the Adi community. "We stand in support of this project because it carries the promise of a better future for our children and generations to come. We love our land as we love our families. It holds our identity, our memories, and our heritage, and that is why it matters deeply that the government has engaged in proactive dialogue, listening to our concerns and assuring that families who part with land will be given the strongest possible support. With fair recognition, resettlement safeguards, and priority to our communities to be detailed in the long-awaited PFR, we feel confident that our contributions will be valued. Together, we can protect our culture while also embracing new opportunities, walking shoulder to shoulder with our government towards a brighter tomorrow," a local resident of Begging village said. Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, along with other state leaders, has assured that project-affected families will be adequately compensated and involved in a transparent resettlement and rehabilitation process. The state government has also stressed that the project will open up opportunities for jobs, self-employment, and regional development. "The growing support from our villages shows that people see SUMP as a project for their security and prosperity. Coupled with the steps taken by our national leadership to highlight water concerns, this community confidence is a powerful signal that Arunachal is united in shaping its water security," a senior officer of the state government said. The Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the potential adverse consequences of the construction of dams upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo(Siang) by the upper riparian country. He emphasised the strategic importance of PFR and assured the likely project-affected families (PAFs) about the provision of land and property compensation, and the preparation of an R&R plan in consultation with PAFs. Mein also highlighted the significant potential of hydro electricity as a means of economic and social growth in Arunachal Pradesh, as well as a means for generating innumerable employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh and the North-East. (ANI)
(FOX40.COM)  The Stockton Police Department is asking for the communitys help to find information in a 2021 homicide.

Video Above: Homicide vs Murder vs Manslaughter

Police said 38-year-old Tonya Wales was found with a gunshot wound inside a car around 6:33 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2021, in the 8100 block of Palisades Drive.

According to SPD, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact SPD at 209-937-8323 or submit tips anonymously through Stockton Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600, or online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Any information that leads to an arrest results in a $10,000 reward.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
CNN and MSNBC with a constant The Trump Dictatorship chyron on-screen. How Democracies Die authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt writing weekly columns in The New York Times, The Washington Post, or The Wall Street Journal. Reporters at major news outlets specifically assigned to cover authoritarianism, occasionally traveling abroad to study other autocrats and compare their moves to Trumps. A special committee of congressional Democrats doing daily hearings and press conferences on Trumps antidemocratic actions. Anti-authoritarianism events held constantly across the country, including in pro-Trump areas.

Thats what should be happening in the United States today. There is plenty of coverage of the various Trump outrages, from the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., to his aides pushing the Smithsonians Museum of African American History and Culture to focus less on slavery. Whats missing and desperately needed is these events being connected to one another and presented collectively and aggressively by the media, the Democratic Party, and other prominent institutions as one megastory: Trumps attempt to become Americas dictator.

I find myself at times struggling to remember important things that Trump did even a few weeks ago, such as firing the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thats in part because Trump is attacking so many American institutions and values at once. But thats also because the mainstream media and even Democratic politicians and other Trump critics dont do a great job tying his moves together. Firing the person who manages the collection of employment data obviously isnt the same as micromanaging how museum historians explain slavery. But its the same broader story of one man trying to put all independent authorities and decision-making under his rule.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The liberal group Indivisible has come the closest to consistently telling this story. They helped put together the No Kings protests over the summer and have continued to use that term. (I prefer casting Trump as dictator to king, because I think of kings as being part of hereditary monarchies.) But the media, nonpartisan experts, and most Democratic Party officials havent consistently adopted the king rhetoric, either.

Why does it matter if Trump is constantly described as a dictator? Because storytelling and narrative help change events. It was easier for George W. Bush to build support for the war in Iraq in the fall of 2002 because essentially every news event for the previous year was connected to the September 11 attacks and fighting terrorism. The intense focus on George Floyds killing in the summer of 2020 may have pushed people and institutions toward decisions they would not have made otherwise: corporations increasing their diversity initiatives, moderate Democrats embracing aggressive police reform, Joe Biden picking Kamala Harris as his running mate.

I am not suggesting that Trump and the MAGA wing of the Republican Party will be defeated simply by more people using the word dictator or a Times reporter writing a series of stories on how many of Trumps moves were first undertaken by Hungarys Viktor Orban.

But I do think it will be easier to stop Trump from acting like a dictator if everyday Americans think of him as the American equivalent of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Putin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And we can take this step. Well, let me narrow we. Mainstream media organizations such as the Times, The Washington Post, and CNN are deeply committed to a neutral approach to covering American politics. They arent going to change, even though thats very shortsighted. (If Trump gains enough power, he will end independent journalism in the U.S.) Many billionaires and business leaders are aligned with Trump, in the way that oligarchs in Russia positioned themselves to benefit from Putins autocratic rule, so we sure cant count on them.

But those of us in the anti-Trump camp must do a better job of collectively telling a single story. The Democratic Party should name members who specifically focus on Trumps dictatorial tendencies. I would love to see a well-respected figure not formally associated with the Democratic Party designated as a lead spokesperson for the anti-authoritarian movement, amplifying all the great work activists are doing to confront Trump. (Sherrilynn Ifill, former president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Found, would be an ideal choice.)

News outlets not committed to a both-sides approach can orient their coverage around the potential of dictatorship in America. I worry that MSNBC, which is now separating from NBC, is missing an opportunity to remake itself into the kind of news outlet that the United States needs in 2025. The network seems to be leaning into covering incremental events and breaking news without much context (its new name will be MS Now) and is creating a traditional D.C. bureau that seems fairly similar to those of outlets like CNN. It would be better if the network put a set of reporters on the authoritarianism beat in addition to the ones covering Capitol Hill and the White House.

Journalism is a curriculum of everything that happens in the world on a single day or in an hour, said Kathy Roberts Forde, a journalism historian at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in a recent episode of TNRs Right Now, the Substack video series I host. Whats often missed are these kinds of syntheses and putting them together and telling us, We reported on these 25 things that happened this week in Washington, these 25 things that happened at the state level. Lets put this together for you and show you a pattern. We need that ambition in our journalism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I worry that too many in the anti-Trump camp view the 2024 election as a referendum on authoritarianism. Harris lost while casting Trump as a dictator, hence that message should never be repeated again.

Persuading people is not the work of 5,000-word treatises on the importance of liberal democracy or lectures about how bad the post-liberal world order is (we get it and no one cares; see the 2024 election!), journalist Jerusalem Demsas said in a press release for the launch of a new publication she is running called The Argument.

I disagree. (Well, I agree with her on the need for shorter pieces.) It is probably the case that Democratic candidates in swing districts and states should talk about the economy and other issues in addition to preserving democracy. But those of us not campaigning in swing areas should highlight the most pressing issues. And right now, Trump running America like a dictator is simply more important than creating jobs or expanding health care.

Also, we didnt actually have a referendum on dictatorship in America in 2024. Harris was an unpopular candidate tied to an even more unpopular president at a time of worldwide anti-incumbent sentiment. Trump did not really campaign on defunding colleges, eliminating the Department of Education, making the Smithsonian less anti-slavery, putting Elon Musk in charge of the federal workforce, sending the National Guard into Los Angeles and D.C., firing people in charge of government statistics, dismissing basically any Black person from any prominent role in the federal government, and so much else he has done.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yes, Trump was an autocratic president the first time around, and you could have assumed he would take these steps if you listened closely to his speeches or read Project 2025. But I have been surprised at how authoritarian Trump has been. And I suspect millions of other Americans didnt expect this, either.

And they dont like it. Trump is one of the most unpopular first-year presidents ever. And thats not because of the Democrats hyper-focus on the economyvoters hate the Democrats too.

There is no electoral risk to emphasizing that Trump is behaving like an autocrat. And theres a huge risk in not emphasizing itchoosing that route means he becomes a dictator without much of a fight. So say it loud, say it proud, and most importantly, say it every day: Donald Trump wants to be Americas dictator, and we cant let that happen on our watch.
ST. LOUIS  As a new school year begins, if you live around St. Louis, theres a good chance youve heard some variation of the question Where do or Where did you go to high school?

Its more than just small talk. According to Niche.com, the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area is home to more than 100 public high schools and dozens of private high schools.

The question has undoubtedly become a staple of everyday St. Louis culture. But how exactly did it come to be?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2005, Dan Dillon, a part-time worker with the Missouri History Museum, explored the phenomenon in his book, titled, So, Whered You Go To High School? The Baby Boomer Edition. The book reflects on St. Louis area high school life during the 1950s and 1960s.

Its a great conversation starter  although it irritates the heck out of non-St. Louisans, Dillon wrote in the books introduction.

Dillon suggests that the obsession with St. Louis-area high schools began around the mid-20th century, tracing roots back to Prom Magazine. The magazine, published from 1947 to 1972, featured many St. Louis-area high schools, complete with monthly gossip columns and photo spreads.

Essentially, high school students across the St. Louis region could get a glimpse into the hallways, fashions and trends of students nearby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prom gave us the opportunity to discover, although our schools looked different, that we were all pretty much alike, said Dillon.

Just two years ago, the St. Louis Public Library even hosted an exhibit dedicated to the magazine, called, PROM Magazine: Where did you go to high school?

Dillon also points to a strong Catholic school presence in the St. Louis area in the mid-20th century. By the early 1960s, there were around 30 Catholic high schools in the area, and for a time, around one in every three regional high schools were Catholic.

Understanding those schools, specifically their traditions and faith, was important in understanding someones upbringing, values and social circles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Over time, the meaning of the St. Louis high school question has evolved. Depending on who you ask, Where did you go to high school? can also hint at someones background: Their neighborhood, social class, wealth or perhaps even ones perceived intelligence or political beliefs.

In a 2013 St. Louis Community Reddit thread, participants discussed how the question could be telling of ones socioeconomic status just as much as geography. For others, it was simply a way to place someone on a map, connecting them to a municipality, landmark or familiar circle of family and friends.

For Dillon, asking the question is ultimately about building stronger connections.

Tell me your high school and I get an instant snapshot of the neighborhood where you grew up, your social class and often, your religion, Dillon wrote in the book. He adds, You might just learn something new about your own school. I guarantee youll find something to help you make a connection to those carefree days back before jobs, screaming kids and mortgage payments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two decades later, Dillon tells FOX 2 that he believes little has changed for older generations who still ask the question. However, while some younger people may still ask it, its nowadays more casual and about simple curiosity.

And while the Where Did You Go To High School? question may feel unique to St. Louis, it isnt entirely its own thing. In Hawaii, a common icebreaker question is a variation: Where You Wen Grad?

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Every summer for the past several years, including this summer, COVID cases have increased throughout the United States as people spend time in air-conditioned spaces and as summer travel peaks.

It is expected that COVID cases will continue to rise as kids head back to school, and then reach a peak in early September.

Most of those COVID-19 [infections] are associated with two newer variants being Nimbus and Stratus  these are the strains that are contributing to that seasonal surge that were currently seeing in the U.S., said Dr. Matthew Lokant, an infectious disease specialist at the West Virginia University School of Medicine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Here are the main symptoms of a COVID infection this summer and what you can do to stay healthy:

Related: Does 'Summer Penis' Exist? The Truth About Men Looking Bigger In The Heat

COVID symptoms this summer look a lot like symptoms from earlier strains, such as fatigue, runny nose and a headache.

The COVID symptoms that Im seeing in clinic arent any different this year than Ive seen in previous years, said Andrea Harmony, a family nurse practitioner in Philadelphia.

These symptoms include fatigue, fever, congestion, runny nose and cough, Harmony noted. You may also experience body aches or a headache, added Lokant.

Some people experience an upset stomach, too, said Dr. Sarah Whitley Coles, a founding member of Those Nerdy Girls, an online organization thats dedicated to sharing accurate health and science information.

Overall, symptoms of the Stratus COVID variant are the same as what doctors have seen in pervious years  fatigue, headache, fever, cough and more. Kittikorn Nimitpara via Getty Images

A painful sore throat known as razor blade throat has been associated with current infections.

The more dominant Nimbus strain has had more reports of very severe throat pain, Lokant said. The Stratus strain is also known to cause this bothersome symptom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Patients have noted sharp, stabbing throat pain, he added. Online, this is known as razor blade throat, Lokant said.

It certainly is true that COVID can cause a sore throat, and a pretty bad one at that, but you shouldnt let this symptom panic you.

Its not more dangerous, but certainly people feel miserable, and so Ive been encouraging folks, if youre starting to have a sore throat, let me know because this could very well be COVID, said Coles.

Experts previously told HuffPost that a painful sore throat has been associated with COVID infections for some time, and while this symptom wont happen to everyone, its important to keep an eye out for it and do what you can to limit the pain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This includes staying hydrated by drinking water and herbal teas, as dehydration can irritate the dry membranes in your throat, Dr. Carrie Horn, the chief medical officer and chief of the division of hospital and internal medicine at National Jewish Health in Colorado, previously told HuffPost.

Related: So THAT'S Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others

Certain COVID symptoms do require medical attention.

According to Lokant, if you have COVID and notice certain concerning symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or severe dehydration (which can look like dizziness and dry mouth), you should seek medical attention.

Some people need medical treatment to get better, and people throughout the country are still dying from this virus.

Also, if you test positive and are at high risk for disease, let your doctor know. You may qualify for medication.

If youre in a high-risk group, you can always take a medication like Paxlovid to help reduce your risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death, said Coles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

High-risk groups include those over 65, pregnant people and immunocompromised people.

Your doctor can help determine if a COVID antiviral medication is right for you, Coles added. We know that a lot of people who would qualify for medications like Paxlovid are not getting them either because they dont realize that this is something that is available to them and can be helpful, or because there is misinformation about it, Coles noted.

Lots of misinformation claims that COVID is just a cold, but that isnt true. It can lead to long COVID, hospitalization and even death,

COVID is dangerous, and particularly dangerous for folks who have immunosuppression, other chronic medical illnesses, or people who are older, and these medications can help reduce those risks, Coles added.

COVID symptoms can look a lot like the symptoms of other upper respiratory infections, which makes testing important.

I think with every new variant, there is this narrative that suggests that we could tell if someone has COVID based on their symptoms, and that the symptoms are significantly different or unique, but all in all, they appear to be undistinguishable from any other upper respiratory infection, Harmony said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In other words, congestion can happen whether its COVID or a cold.

I would encourage everyone to test if youre symptomatic, added Coles. COVID tests still detect the latest COVID variants and can help you decipher if youre sick with COVID or something else.

If you do have COVID (and, really, any other upper respiratory virus), you should stay home and away from other people, rest and have lots of fluids, Lokant noted. And, again, if youre high-risk or have concerning symptoms, get medical attention.

Related: 7 Signs You're Aging Well, According To Geriatricians

There are several things you can do to stay healthy, too.

To keep yourself from getting infected, wear a high-quality mask, like an N95, in crowded indoor places ... wash [your] hands regularly and make sure that the folks around [you] are feeling well, Coles said, and added that if a loved one tells you they have the sniffles, consider rescheduling that get-together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even before all of those preventative measures, make sure you have the latest COVID shot. Vaccination is still, by far, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones, said Coles. Updated COVID shots for 2025-2026 are expected to be available soon, although its unclear who will be eligible for these shots.

With cases rising, its important to follow all of the steps to keep yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors healthy. This is especially true because there is likely more COVID out there than whats being reported by the CDC, experts say.

Our data is really poor, like how much COVID is circulating in our communities, we really dont know. Were not doing a good job of tracking it anymore, so its probably way underreported, and theres a lot more COVID going around than likely we expect, said Coles.

I would encourage everyone to treat it as if there is a summer surge, because we expect that there will be, or that were in the beginning of one, and to take the necessary precautions, Coles added.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
CAIRO (AP)  Sudan's notorious paramilitary forces attacked a group of people on a road in the country's troubled Darfur region on Sunday, killing at least 13, mostly women and children, a medical group said.

The killings were the latest by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and came a day after the RSF shelled a hospital in the besieged city of el-Fasher in North Darfur. The road where the attack took place links el-Fasher to the nearby town of Tweila.

The Sudan Doctors Network, a group of medical professionals tracking the Sudanese civil war, said five children, four women and four older people were killed, claiming it was an ethnically motivated attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The killing was another episode in the ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide being perpetrated by the RSF against unarmed civilians in Darfur, the doctors' group said.

On Saturday, the RSF shelled a hospital in el-Fasher, wounding a healthcare worker and six patients, the doctors' group said. Among the wounded patients were a child and a pregnant woman.

The RSF didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the killing and the hospital shelling.

The attacks were part of RSFs ongoing campaign to seize control of el-Fasher, the Sudanese militarys last stronghold in Darfur. The U.N. human rights office said it documented the RSF killing of at least 89 civilians, including 16 who were summarily executed in el-Fasher and the nearby Abu Shouk displacement camp, in a span of 10 days this month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The paramilitaries have bombed the city for more than a year, and last month it imposed a total blockade around its hundreds of thousands of people.

Sudan plunged into chaos when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in April 2023 in Khartoum and elsewhere.

The fighting has turned into a full-fledged civil war that killed tens of thousands of people, displaced over 14 people out of their homes and pushed parts of the country into famine.

The devastating conflict has been marked by atrocities including mass killings and rape, which the International Criminal Court is investigating as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  This week on the Sunday Briefing:

The wait for Ohio Democrats is over. Sherrod Brown officially launched his comeback bid for a seat in the U.S. Senate after a bitter defeat at the ballot box last November.

I didnt really ever expect to run for office again, Brown said. As this year wore on, this race system got worse.

Hear why Brown said Ohioans should send him back to Capitol Hill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres no voice for workers in the U.S. Senate, for Ohio workers, and I want to be that voice again, he said.

Former Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo is running in her first statewide campaign.

There are many voters in many parts of the state who feel like their vote doesnt matter because the outcome is already predetermined, she said.

Russo explains why the office of Ohio Secretary of State has become too partisan.

The midterm elections are still more than a year away, but new polling is showing a strong foothold for Republican candidates. Hear about the uphill battle Democrats are facing and what voters said are their biggest concerns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democratic strategist David Pepper and Republican strategist dig into the midterm election poll results and whether or not Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was right to deploy Ohio National Guard troops to Washington D.C.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
This year's most far-reaching immigration case is likely to decide if immigration agents in Los Angeles are free to stop, question and arrest Latinos they suspect are here illegally.

President Trump promised the "largest mass deportation operation" in American history, and he chose to begin aggressive street sweeps in Los Angeles in early June.

The Greater Los Angeles area is "ground zero for the effects of the border crisis," his lawyers told the Supreme Court this month. "Nearly 2 million illegal aliens  out of an area population of 20 million  are there unlawfully, encouraged by sanctuary-city policies and local officials avowed aim to thwart federal enforcement efforts."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The "vast majority of illegal aliens in the [Central] District [of California] come from Mexico or Central America and many only speak Spanish," they added.

Their fast-track appeal urged the justices to confirm that immigration agents have "reasonable suspicion" to stop and question Latinos who work in businesses or occupations that draw many undocumented workers.

No one questions that U.S. immigration agents may arrest migrants with criminal records or a final order of removal. But Trump administration lawyers say agents also have the authority to stop and question  and sometimes handcuff and arrest  otherwise law-abiding Latinos who have lived and worked here for years.

They could do so based not on evidence that the particular person lacks legal status but on the assumption that they look and work like others who are here illegally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Reasonable suspicion is a low bar  well below probable cause," administration lawyers said. "Apparent ethnicity can be a factor supporting reasonable suspicion," they added, noting that this standard assumes "lawful stops of innocent people may occur."

If the court rules for Trump, it "could be enormously consequential" in Los Angeles and nationwide, said UCLA law professor Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law & Policy. "The government would read this as giving immigration enforcement agents a license to interrogate and detain people without individualized suspicion. It would likely set a pattern that could be used in other parts of the country."

In their response to the appeal, immigrant rights advocates said the court should not "bless a regime that could ensnare in an immigration dragnet the millions of people ... who are U.S. citizens or otherwise legally entitled to be in this country and are Latino, speak Spanish" and work in construction, food services or agriculture and can be seen at bus stops, car washes or retail parking lots.

Read more: Most nabbed in L.A. raids were men with no criminal conviction, picked up off the street

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The case now before the high court began June 18 when Pedro Vasquez Perdomo and two other Pasadena residents were arrested at a bus stop where they were waiting to be picked up for a job. They said heavily armed men wearing masks grabbed them, handcuffed them and put them in a car and drove to a detention center.

If "felt like a kidnapping," Vasquez Perdomo said.

The plaintiffs include people who were handcuffed, arrested and taken to holding facilities even though they were U.S. citizens.

They joined a lawsuit with unions and immigrants rights groups as well as others who said they were confronted with masked agents who shouted commands and, in some instances, pushed them to the ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, the suit quickly focused not on the aggressive and sometimes violent manner of the detentions, but on the legality of the stops.

U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong said the detentions appeared to violate the 4th Amendment's ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

It is "illegal to conduct roving patrols which identify people based on race alone, aggressively question them, and then detain them without a warrant, without their consent, and without reasonable suspicion that they are without status," she said on July 11.

The crucial phrase is "reasonable suspicion."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For decades, the Supreme Court has said police officers and federal agents may stop and briefly question persons if they see something that gives them reason to suspect a violation of the law. This is why, for example, an officer may pull over a motorist whose car has swerved on the highway.

But it was not clear that U.S. immigration agents can claim they have reasonable suspicion to stop and question persons based on their appearance if they are sitting at a bus stop in Pasadena, working at a car wash or standing with others outside a Home Depot.

Frimpong did not forbid agents from stopping and questioning persons who may be here illegally, but she put limits on their authority.

She said agents may not stop persons based "solely" on four factors: their race or apparent ethnicity, the fact they speak Spanish, the type of work they do, or their location such as a day labor pickup site or a car wash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Aug. 1, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to lift the judge's temporary restraining order. The four factors "describe only a broad profile that does not supply the reasonable suspicion to justify a detentive stop," the judges said by a 3-0 vote.

The district judge's order applies in the Central District of California, which includes Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

The 9th Circuit said those seven counties have an estimated population of 19,233,598, of whom 47% or 9,096,334 identify as "Hispanic or Latino."

Like Frimpong, the three appellate judges were Democratic appointees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Federal judge halts indiscriminate immigration stops in Los Angeles and beyond

A week later, Trump administration lawyers sent an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court in Noem vs. Perdomo. They said the judge's order was impeding the president's effort to enforce the immigration laws.

They urged the court to set aside the judge's order and to clear the way for agents to make stops if they suspect the person may be in the country illegally.

Agents do not need evidence of a legal violation, they said. Moreover, the demographics of Los Angeles alone supplies them with reasonable suspicion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"All of this reflects common sense: the reasonable-suspicion threshold is low, and the number of people who are illegally present and subject to detention and removal under the immigration laws in the (the seven-county area of Southern California) is extraordinarily high," wrote Solicitor Gen. D. John Sauer. "The high prevalence of illegal aliens should enable agents to stop a relatively broad range of individuals."

He said the government is not "extolling racial profiling," but "apparent ethnicity can be relevant to reasonable suspicion, especially in immigration enforcement."

In the past, the court has said police can make stops based on the "totality of the circumstances" or the full picture. That should help the administration because agents can point to the large number of undocumented workers at certain businesses.

But past decisions have also said officers need some reason to suspect a specific individual may be violating the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Supreme Court could act at any time, but it may also be several weeks before an order is issued. The decision may come with little or no explanation.

In recent weeks, the court's conservatives have regularly sided with Trump and against federal district judges who have stood in his way. The terse decisions have been often followed by an angry and lengthy dissent from the three liberals.

Immigration rights advocates said the court should not uphold "an extraordinarily expansive dragnet, placing millions of law-abiding people at imminent risk of detention by federal agents."

They said the daily patrols "have cast a pall over the district, where millions meet the governments broad demographic profile and therefore reasonably fear that they may be caught up in the governments dragnet, and perhaps spirited away from their families on a long-term basis, any time they venture outside their own homes."

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A surgeon at a London NHS hospital wore a Palestinian badge while operating on a Jewish patient.

The patient, who had an operation at the Royal Free Hospital in Belsize Park, north London, last month, was left extremely distressed after spotting the badge on the member of staffs lanyard.

She said she found it extremely stressful to be treated by this doctor, given her blatant political views and that she felt the doctor could do her some harm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this year, Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said he would ban NHS staff from displaying pro-Palestinian badges as part of a crackdown on anti-Semitism in the health service.

In a letter to the Board of Deputies of British Jews in May, Mr Streeting vowed to snuff out the appalling experiences of anti-Semitism affecting Jewish staff and patients in the NHS.

UK Lawyers for Israel, which the patient contacted after the operation, accused the Royal Free London NHS Trust of breaching equality legislation.

In a letter to trust bosses, the group said staff wearing the Palestinian flag badge could constitute harassment by the hospital, breaching Section 29 (3) of the Equality Act 2010, since it may create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for Jewish patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The lawyers group said the display of the badge indicates support for the Palestinian cause, and conversely, opposition to the State of Israel. It said the surgeon, who has not been named, was prioritising her own political opinions over care and empathy for her patients, which breached General Medical Council regulations.

UK Lawyers for Israel said growing numbers of Jewish patients were reporting their distress at seeing clinical and medical staff wearing slogans and badges in Palestinian colours - David Colbran/Alamy

A UK Lawyers for Israel spokesman said: It is important that the hospital staff abide by the principles of political neutrality, as not doing so can harm vulnerable patients. We hope that the hospital staff who break these rules and blatantly display their political affiliations will be appropriately disciplined.

In a letter, David Crampsey, the chief executive of the Royal Free Hospital, said the concerns were being looked into, and the trust will consider any appropriate action having done so.

Mr Crampsey said the trust was committed to creating a positive culture of respect for all individuals, including job applicants, employees, patients, and their families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said staff were reminded of the principles of political neutrality in relation to their work, adding that he was deeply saddened to hear that the patient had felt that the doctor could do her some harm.

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust operates the Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and North Middlesex University Hospital.

Staff at some of Londons biggest NHS hospitals have already been banned from wearing pro-Palestinian symbols after complaints that they were upsetting and intimidating vulnerable patients.

Barts Health NHS Trust confirmed the decision earlier this year after UK Lawyers for Israel said growing numbers of Jewish patients were reporting their distress at seeing clinical and medical staff wearing slogans and badges in Palestinian colours. The trusts ban applies to its five hospitals  St Barts, Mile End, Newham, Royal London, and Whipps Cross.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The lawyers group raised the case of a young Jewish woman who attended Whipps Cross for a caesarean and encountered three members of staff wearing pro-Palestinian badges in a 24-hour period.

In January, an outpatient receptionist at Royal London Hospital was seen wearing a black T-shirt showing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf covering the map of Israel.

When approached for comment, the GMC referred to a page titled Conflict in the Middle East: how we are responding to queries and concerns from last year.

The page states: Our guidance on personal beliefs and medical practice is clear  doctors, like all citizens, are entitled to their political opinions and have the right to campaign on issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, good medical practice makes clear that doctors must follow the law, which includes legal restrictions on freedom of expression. They should also make sure their conduct justifies patients trust in them and the publics trust in the profession.

Any form of anti-Semitism or Islamophobia is completely unacceptable and the standards state that doctors must not discriminate against, bully, or harass anyone they work with. They must treat colleagues with kindness, courtesy, and respect. This applies in the workplace and when doctors are engaging on social media.

The Telegraph has approached the Royal Free London NHS Trust for further comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office (JSO) announces the arrest of a suspect in connection with the April murder of 33-year-old Christopher Cam.

According to JSO, patrol officers in District 5 responded to a shooting on Ernest Street near McDuff Avenue on April 15.

Officers found Christopher Cam suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

JSO says Cam was rushed to the hospital by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, where he later died from his injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The medical Examiners Office ruled his cause of death as homicide.

JSO says after months of reviewing evidence and examining details, detectives named 32-year-old Brandon Engeloff, a convicted felon, as a suspect in the case.

Engeloff is now in the Duval County Jail and is facing charges for Cams death.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  CBS Detroit reports that the man accused of shooting and killing his ex-wife in the basement of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit on Friday morning has been arrested.

Mario Green (Michigan State Police)

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told CBS Detroit that Mario Green, 53, of Detroit, was taken into custody around 3 a.m. Saturday in the 5200 block of Lemay Street.

Our officers worked tirelessly to get this monster off the street, said Bettison to CBS Detroit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We have the best police department across the country and I would like to thank our law enforcement partners who assisted us in apprehending Mario Green, along with the community who gave us numerous tips about the suspect. No person deserves what happened to Ms. Latricia Green and my heart and prayers go out to her family.

Police search for man accused of shooting ex-wife at Henry Ford Hospital

CBS Detroit reports that police say Green got into a verbal altercation with his ex-wife, Latricia Green, before firing multiple shots, killing her.

Latricia Green was employed by the hospital, according to police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The hospital was placed under lockdown for an active shooter situation following the shooting, which has since been lifted.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on 25th - 26th August. He will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth Rs 5,400 crores at Khodaldham ground, Ahmedabad, at around 6 PM on 25th August. He will also address a public function. According to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), on August 26, at around 10:30 AM, the Prime Minister will inaugurate localised production of hybrid battery electrodes and flag off Battery electric vehicle exports to 100 countries at Hansalpur, Ahmedabad. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. In line with his commitment to world-class infrastructure and connectivity, the Prime Minister will dedicate multiple railway projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore to the Nation. It includes doubling of the 65 km Mahesana-Palanpur Rail Line worth over Rs 530 crore, gauge conversion of the 37 km Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road Rail Line and 40 km Bechraji-Ranuj Rail Line worth over Rs 860 crore. With the addition of broad-gauge capacity, these projects will ensure smoother, safer and more seamless connectivity in the region. This will significantly ease travel for daily commuters, tourists and businesses, while promoting regional economic integration. Further, flagging off the passenger train between Katosan Road and Sabarmati will provide improved access to religious destinations and stimulate economic activity at the grassroots level. The car-loaded freight train service from Bechraji will enhance connectivity to the state's industrial hubs, strengthening the logistics network and generating employment opportunities. Furthering his vision to improve connectivity, enhance commuter safety, and accelerate regional development, Prime Minister will inaugurate widening of Viramgam-Khudad-Rampura road. He will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of six-lane vehicle underpasses on the Ahmedabad-Mehsana-Palanpur road; a railway overbridge on the Ahmedabad-Viramgam road, among others. Collectively, these initiatives will boost industrial growth, improve transport efficiency, and create economic opportunities in the region. In a major boost to the power sector in the state, the Prime Minister will inaugurate power distribution projects in Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Gandhinagar under Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), aimed at reducing losses, modernising the network and strengthening infrastructure under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The projects, worth over Rs 1000 crore, will reduce power breakdowns and outages during adverse weather, improve public safety, transformer protection and reliability of the electricity supply network. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Development of Slums situated at Sector-3 of Ramapir No Tekro under the In Situ Slum Rehabilitation Component of PMAY (U). He will also lay the foundation stone for major road widening projects being implemented on the Sardar Patel Ring Road around Ahmedabad to ease traffic flow and improve connectivity. He will lay the foundation stone of key urban infrastructure projects to strengthen water and sewerage management systems. Strengthening administrative efficiency and public service delivery, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of key infrastructure projects in Gujarat. It will include the construction of a new Stamps and Registration Building in Ahmedabad West, aimed at improving citizen-centric services, and the establishment of a State-Level Data Storage Centre at Gandhinagar, designed to enhance secure data management and digital governance capabilities across Gujarat. On 26th August, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two historic milestones at the Suzuki Motor plant in Hansalpur, Ahmedabad. Together, these landmark initiatives underscore India's emergence as a global hub for green mobility while advancing the Prime Minister's commitment to Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a major example of the success of Make in India, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and flag off the "e VITARA", Suzuki's first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). The Made-in-India BEVs will be exported to more than one hundred countries, including advanced markets such as Europe and Japan. With this milestone, India will now serve as Suzuki's global manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. Taking large strides towards becoming Aatmanirbhar in the field of green energy, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the next phase of India's battery ecosystem with the start of local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat. The plant, a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso and Suzuki, will boost domestic manufacturing and clean energy innovation. This development ensures that more than eighty per cent of the battery value will now be manufactured within India. (ANI)
A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with a security alert in north Belfast, which has now ended after three days.

The alert was triggered on Friday morning, after a suspicious object was discovered in a property in Victoria Parade.

Some residents who had to leave their homes were housed in a council facility, which caused "huge disruption" within the community, police said.

During searches, Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) carried out a number of controlled explosions on multiple objects located throughout the property, which included suspected explosive devices and firearms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some of these have been removed from the property and will be sent for further forensic examination.

Residents have been allowed to returned to their homes and roads in the area have re-opened.

Residents were evacuated as officers conducted searches of a property [PACEMAKER]

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Ch Insp Pete Cunningham said a man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences and remains in custody.

"This was an extremely distressing experience for residents, who had to deal with the huge disruption to their community alongside the discomfort and inconvenience of being put out of their homes," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone affected for their patience while we worked to make the area safe."

Police appealed for those with information to contact them.
By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Veteran Pan Cheng-fa says he clearly remembers fighting for China against the Japanese in World War Two, but gets agitated when asked about the role of communist forces who at the time were in an uneasy alliance with his republican government.

"We gave them weapons, equipment - we strengthened them," Pan, 99, said at an event in Taiwan's capital Taipei to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As China gears up for a mass military parade in Beijing next month to mark the war's end, both Taiwan - whose formal name remains Republic of China - and the People's Republic of China are locked in an increasingly bitter war of words about historical narrative and who should really be claiming credit for the victory.

Fighting in China began in earnest in 1937 with the full-scale Japanese invasion and continued until the surrender of Japan in 1945, when the island of Taiwan was handed over to the Republic of China after decades of Japanese rule.

"After Japan was taken down, (the communists') next target was the Republic of China," Pan added, referring to the resumption of the civil war which led to the victory of Mao Zedong's forces and flight of the republican government to Taiwan in 1949.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party often reminds people of its struggle against the Japanese, but a lot of the fighting was done by the forces of Chiang Kai-shek's republican government, and it was the Republic of China who signed the peace agreement as one of the allied nations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"During the Republic of China's war of resistance against Japan, the People's Republic of China did not even exist, but the Chinese communist regime has in recent years repeatedly distorted the facts, claiming it was the Communist Party who led the war of resistance," Taiwan's top China-policy maker Chiu Chui-cheng said on August 15, the Japanese surrender anniversary.

The Mainland Affairs Council, which Chiu heads, said this month that the communists' strategy at the time was "70% about strengthening themselves, 20% dealing with republican government and 10% about opposing Japan", repeating an old wartime accusation against Mao the Chinese Communist Party has denied.

Taiwan's own anniversary events are much more low key, and don't mention the role of the communists apart from to lambaste them.

A defence ministry concert on Thursday night in Taipei featured performers dressed as World War Two-era republican soldiers, images of the Flying Tigers - volunteer U.S. pilots who flew for the republican Chinese air force - and rap by Taiwanese hip-hop group Nine One One.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"History affirms that the War of Resistance was led and won by the Republic of China," the ministry said a performance programme.

China has hit back at what it sees as misrepresentation of the Chinese Communist Party's role.

On Tuesday, the party's official People's Daily wrote in an online commentary that vigilance was needed against efforts to "distort and falsify the Chinese Communist Party's role as the country's backbone" in fighting Japan.

China says the victory belongs to all Chinese people, including those in Taiwan, and is also celebrating the fact the war's end in 1945 led to Taiwan - a Japanese colony from 1895 - being "returned" to Chinese rule as part of the peace agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Taiwan says nothing in any agreements talked about handing over Taiwan to the Chinese Communist Party-run People's Republic of China which was only founded in late 1949.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te marked the surrender anniversary of August 15 with a Facebook post saying aggression will be defeated, in a pointed reference to Beijing's military threats against the island.

The People's Republic of China says it is the successor state to the Republic of China and that Taiwan is an inherent part of Beijing's territory, a view Taipei's government vehemently opposes.

Taiwan's government has urged its people not to attend China's military parade, warning against reinforcing Beijing's territorial claims and backing its version of what the anniversary means.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Veteran Pan, who says family members left behind after the civil war were brutalised while he escaped to Taiwan, sees Beijing's parade as having nothing to do with him.

"I can't say anything good about the communists," he said.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A Talladega man was killed in a crash early Sunday morning in Shelby County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Jeffrey Crandell, 42, was killed when the Nissan 350Z he was operating left the roadway and struck a tree. Crandell was reportedly not wearing a seat belt. He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Motorcycle fatally hits pedestrian in Trussville

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The crash occurred around 1:15 a.m. on U.S. 231 near Whisper Road.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JAKARTA-On Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15 and 16, just before proud Indonesians celebrated the 80th anniversary of their independence on Sunday, Aug. 17, I conducted in the countrys capital city four three-hour seminars on the history of Western political thought. I am currently co-teaching four additional seminars - on statesmanship, foreign affairs, religion, and human rights - with my comrade-in-arms, Harvard Professor of Law Emerita Mary Ann Glendon, who joins us virtually from the United States.

The approximately 25 seminar participants belong to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which is headquartered in Jakarta and, with around 150 million followers, is the worlds largest independent Muslim organization. A small, select group of NU senior figures, the participants - mostly but not exclusively men - are university professors, newspaper columnists, heads of NU boarding schools, and more. One of the women directs NUs 36-million-member womens association. In late June, the newly established Nahdlatul Ulama National Leadership Academy (AKN-NU), in cooperation with the North Carolina-based Center for Shared Civilizational Values, launched the six-month Foundational Course, which convenes seminars most weekends through late December.

NUs ambitious educational undertaking grows out of Islam Nusantara ("East Indies Islam"), a tolerant and pluralist school of Islam that developed in Indonesia over the last 700 years. True to their religious beliefs, seminar participants welcomed their encounter with classic writings of Western political thought, ancient and modern, and, spurred by them, posed and pursued trenchant questions about freedom and democracy in the West, Indonesia, and the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Founded in 1926, NU combines religious devotion with political engagement. In the 1940s NU supported Indonesian independence; in the 1960s the organization played a major role in defeating communism in Indonesia; and in the 1990s it backed the nations transition to democracy. Today, NU fosters within Islam, across Indonesia, and among other peoples and nations respect for the equal rights and dignity of all human beings.

AKN-NU advances NUs mission by providing a broad education revolving around the best in Islam and the best in the West. Such an education, NU believes, reflects Islamic imperatives, contributes to interfaith understanding and cross-civilizational dialogue, and will form scholars, journalists, educators, organizers, and government officials capable of strengthening Indonesias multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and rights-protecting democracy.

Targeted with sophisticated influence operations by the Chinese Communist Party, Indonesia ought to command greater attention from American diplomacy. A presidential republic, Indonesia boasts the largest economy in Southeast Asia and the eighth largest in the world. With some 285 million citizens, it is the worlds third most populous democracy after India and the United States, and the worlds fourth most populous nation after India, China, and the United States. Its approximately 240 million Muslims number more by far than in any other nation-state. Indonesia is home to almost 30 million Christians, almost 5 million Hindus, and more than 300 ethnic groups. Its residents speak more than 700 languages. It received the highest score in the April 2025 Global Flourishing Study. Its national motto is "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity). Its constitution proclaims all citizens equal before the law and guarantees human rights, among them the rights of religious freedom, assembly, association, and free expression. And straddling the equator and stretching west to east for more than 3,000 miles, Indonesias approximately 17,000 islands form a strategically situated archipelago along major Indo-Pacific sea lanes.

Nahdlatul Ulama also deserves White House and U.S. State Department attention, and not only for its work in Indonesia. NU General Chairman KH. Yahya Cholil Staquf deplored the rise of Islamic extremism in the Middle East that seeks to conquer by violence, subjugate if not extirpate the infidel, and establish a new caliphate. In "The Civilizational Origins of Indonesias Nahdlatul Ulama and its Humanitarian Islam Movement," Staquf and Center for Shared Civilizational Values co-founder C. Holland Taylor explain that NU has pioneered "a global strategy to reconcile Islamic teachings with the reality of the modern world, whose context and conditions differ significantly from those in which classical Islamic law emerged."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NUs reconciliation of Islam and modernity requires, Staquf and Taylor write, "a long-term, systematic and institutional effort to recontextualize (i.e., reform) obsolete and problematic tenets of Islamic orthodoxy that lend themselves to religious hatred, supremacy and violence." NUs recontextualizing and reform proceed from within and reflect fidelity to Islam. Using the same principles of Islamic jurisprudence as medieval Muslim legal scholars but to meet different moral and political challenges, NU endeavors to "bring Islamic teachings into alignment with the modern world of democracy and human rights" through "independent reasoning to formulate Islamic law."

In the summer of 2020, on NUs behalf, my old friend Dr. Timothy Shah wrote to me in my capacity as then-director of the State Departments Policy Planning Staff and executive secretary of the Commission on Unalienable Rights to convey the organizations admiration for the commissions recently published report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo established the commission in the summer of 2019 and appointed Professor Glendon to chair it.

Amid controversy over the status and reach of human rights, Pompeo asked the commission to reground Americas commitment to the rights inherent in human beings - unalienable rights in 18th-century American parlance, human rights in contemporary usage - in the nations founding principles, constitutional traditions, and the obligations that the United States embraced in 1948 in voting in the UN General Assembly to approve the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Having long discerned within Islamic faith and Indonesian traditions moral, philosophical, and religious resources vindicating basic rights and fundamental freedoms, NU recognized a kindred spirit in the reports recounting of Americas distinctive rights tradition and exploration of human rights as an essential part of a responsible foreign policy.

AKN-NUs Foundational Course equips NU members, consistent with the organizations 1984 declaration, to more effectively promote fraternity - among Muslims, Indonesians, and all peoples and nations. The curriculum features over 100 classes on an extensive array of topics: NU history; Islamic history, art, and culture; the Western political tradition; economic principles starting with Adam Smith; statecraft and world affairs; science, technology, and AI; Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism; and India, sub-Saharan Africa, and China.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

My seminars provided an overview of Western political thought and introduced a few of the traditions great books, core ideas, and abiding tensions.

The first seminar focused on the ancients. We began with the famous quarrel between the ancients, who argue that politics highest aim is cultivating the virtues, and the moderns, who contend that politics primary purpose is securing freedom. In Platos "Apology" and "Republic" we examined the connection between justice in the soul and justice in the city, and in Aristotles "Ethics" and "Politics" we studied the moral and intellectual virtues, citizenship, and the variety of regimes and the factors that preserve and destroy them. We considered Muslim, Jewish, and Christian efforts in the Middle Ages to reconcile faith and reason. Everywhere we turned we found evidence supporting Platos teaching that the traditionally male art of statesmanship relies on the traditionally female art of weaving - that is, blending competing principles, claims, and interests.

The second seminar concentrated on the modern tradition of freedom. We scrutinized John Lockes 17th-century account of just governments roots in the natural freedom and equality of all persons and his defense of toleration on both religious and philosophical grounds.

The third seminar dealt with the American political tradition. Discussion revolved around selections from "The Federalist," a collection of 85 newspaper articles published in 1787 and 1788 in favor of ratification that still stand as the single best commentary on the U.S. Constitution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The fourth seminar delved into freedoms and democracys disadvantages and how to counter them consistent with freedom and democracy. We worked through Edmund Burkes and Alexis de Tocquevilles accounts of the beliefs, practices, and associations that foster freedom, John Stuart Mills defense of liberty of thought and discussion, and Friedrich Hayeks 20th-century restatement of classical liberalism. The case for rights-protecting democracy as the regime most appropriate in the modern world to human dignity and flourishing would have been grievously incomplete had we not also reviewed Karl Marxs radical and massively influential critique of liberal democracy and capitalism. Finally, we reconstructed the Marxist roots of progressive wokeism and probed its threats to free and democratic self-government.

Our studies provoked lively exchanges about the striking similarities - amid dramatic differences - between the United States and Indonesia. To achieve independence, both prevailed over Western colonial powers: Americans expelled the British after almost 200 years, and Indonesians drove out the Dutch after almost 350 years. As Christians founded the United States but not as a Christian republic, Muslims founded Indonesia but not as an Islamic republic. And as Christians in America offered reasons stemming from Christianity for separating religion and state, Muslims in Indonesia advanced reasons stemming from Islam for separating religion and state.

In its first months, Nahdlatul Ulamas Foundational Course has demonstrated that the seminal contributions of Western political thought provide a common ground for exploring issues of vital importance to rights-protecting democracies around the world.

American educators and diplomats would profit from taking this inspiring lesson to heart.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If shared study of the Western tradition can improve mutual understanding across oceans and civilizations, study of the Western tradition in America can contribute to healing the breach between right and left at the nations troubled colleges and universities. And it can enhance American diplomats grasp of their nations strengths and weaknesses as well as those of Americas friends and foes.

Peter Berkowitz is the Tad and Dianne Taube senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. From 2019 to 2021, he served as director of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department. His writings are posted at PeterBerkowitz.com and he can be followed on X @BerkowitzPeter. His new book is "Explaining Israel: The Jewish State, the Middle East, and America."
PHOENIX - Arizona woman says her son was attacked over fake Balenciaga shoes; Phoenix-bound flight makes emergency landing at DC-area airport; and more - here's a look at some of your top stories on FOX10Phoenix.com for Saturday, August 23, 2025.

1. Phoenix-bound flight made emergency landing

What we know

A flight from Philadelphia to Phoenix Sky Harbor had to make an emergency landing at Dulles Airport.

Dig deeper

According to American Airlines, there were 160 passengers and six crew members onboard Flight 357.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read More

2. Woman says fake Balenciaga shoes led to Glendale mall attack

What we know

A Phoenix area mother said her son was attacked at a Glendale mall over a pair of shoes that were made to look like Balenciaga sneakers.

What She's Saying

"I don't know why people are so evil or why they would want to hurt my son," said Nicole Winfree. "He wasn't doing anything. He didn't even know these people. This has destroyed him mentally. They could have really hurt my son over a fake pair of shoes."

Read More

3. Factory fire prompts evacuation of surrounding residents

What we know

A fire at a manufacturing plant in Louisiana has prompted evacuations for people who live within a mile of the scene.

What we don't know

There is no estimate of when the fire will be put out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read More

4. Dairy farm accident kills 6

What we know

Six people are dead following an accident at a dairy farm in a rural part of Colorado.

What they're saying

Authorities say the victims were found in a confined space, and the victims include four members of an extended family.

Read More

5. Kilmar Abrego Garcia given ultimatum by government, his lawyers claim

What we know

Lawyers for Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia claim the government is engaging in a "coordinated effort" to force their client into a guilty plea.

Dig deeper

In the recently released documents, the filing alleges that federal authorities gave Abrego Garcia an ultimatum: agree to a plea deal by Monday morning and be deported to Costa Rica after his sentence, or face deportation to Uganda if he fought the charges after being released from pretrial custody on Friday.

Read More

A look at your weather for tomorrow

Get the Full Forecast
The most up-to-date text of the clause shows that the faith part has been taken out, undercutting what many ministers and Members of Knesset were quick to catalogue as a widespread liberal threat.

A political storm was sparked on Sunday morning with a report that a clause in contracts between the municipality of Tel Aviv-Jaffa and synagogues requires them to operate and offer services with no distinction to race, gender, or faith.

The most up-to-date text of the clause, however, as seen by The Jerusalem Post, shows that the faith part has been taken out, undercutting what many ministers and members of Knesset were quick to catalogue as a widespread liberal threat to traditional Jewish practices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The municipality itself stated that there is no concern about synagogue operations changing in the city anytime soon, as the clause had already been removed. The clause in question, as it has been reported about, is inaccurate and has been changed. The non-discrimination clause was introduced several years ago and applies to all municipal public institutions in the city.

It said that, Over 400 synagogues operate in Tel Aviv-Jaffa and will continue to thrive. There is no concern that their activities or character will change. This is all baseless nonsense.

Many of these synagogues have been in operation since before the establishment of the State of Israel; the city itself was founded in 1909. The land on which the houses of worship were built was either approved by the municipality for use or purchased by the synagogues themselves.

Jews read the Megillat Esther (the Story of Esther) during the Jewish holiday of Purim, at the Great Synagogue in Tel Aviv, March 9, 2020 (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Approximately 130 synagogues have official registrations that were either not properly completed or never carried out at all; the process to settle these synagogue registrations began over the past few years. This has led several of them to internal court hearings, where they were alerted to the faith element in one specific clause and sought legal counsel.

Tel Aviv's actions are 'common in every other major Israeli city'

Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor Haim Goren, who heads the Maaminim faction in the City Council, explained  from where he is serving in IDF reserves  that the municipality has been working over the last few years to settle the status of synagogues in the city as is common in every other major Israeli city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Part of this process is to regulate municipal allocations to rabbis and synagogue administrators that ensure that their operations are honest and adequate in their public service. In the text that outlines these allocations, generic clauses were inserted, pulled from other public service contracts.

Goren explained that several synagogue administrators had approached the municipality to change some of the clauses, arguing that they didnt befit a synagogue. The municipality obliged, he said, and the faith part of the clause was removed from current and future contracts.

As it is generic, the faith element is not enforced in any case, so that there was no concrete concern for synagogues that their operations and services would be disrupted by the municipality.

The clause now reads, The synagogue will provide religious services to the neighborhood and the surrounding area without any distinction of origin or sex. No activity is permitted that isnt designated in the funds therein.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the news broke on Sunday morning, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi responded sharply, and sent an urgent letter to Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who is also serving as temporary fill-in minister for Interior and Religious Services, as well as government secretary Yossi Fuchs, to act immediately and to raise the issue at the next government meeting.

Karhi described the officials behind the reported decision-making as damned, wicked people.

Levins office later said that what had been publicized is not the updated text of the clause, and that the faith part had been removed months ago  at the request of rabbis in the city. His office noted that the Religious Services Ministry would continue to monitor the situation.

The Internal Affairs and Environment Committee is expected to meet at the end of the Knessets recess, to convene for an urgent discussion on the matter, following a request from MK Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Committee Chairman Yitzhak Kreuzer (Otzma Yehudit) accepted the request to convene the meeting, stating that the committee would thoroughly examine the issue and ensure the preservation of freedom of religion and the Jewish character of the state.

When asked by the Post about Tel Aviv Municipalitys response to the report, Har-Melechs spokesperson said there were too many different claims made, and that the committee meeting would question the municipality, asking it to come up with one answer.

The Union of Community Rabbis condemned the reports of the municipalitys decision, describing it as deliberate harassment, under the guise of a legal ruling, and that it is an unequivocal decision to harm the sanctities of Israel, and to deliberately hinder the steps of the God-fearing public.

We are sharply considering our steps, the union said in a statement, and examining how we can stand against [Mayor] Ron Huldais decrees. We can guarantee one thing: Tradition will be preserved, and we will not give in under any circumstances to attempts at abuse. The people of Israel are alive, and we invite the public to join the regular prayers in the synagogues and reinforce this clear statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality had declared war on Judaism. To harm synagogues, the heart of the identity and tradition of the Jewish people, is a shame and disgrace and crosses every redline, he said.

I demand that the Tel Aviv Municipality immediately stop this dangerous and despicable move. We will not lower our heads, we will not remain silent, and we cannot turn the Jewish state into a state of all its citizens on the backs of the synagogues, Ben-Gvir said.

Eldad Mizrahi, chairman of the citys religious council, said, There is nothing to worry about.

At issue here are settlements and regulations between the municipality and structures built on municipal land, where the city sought to renew the contracts for another 25 years. This exists in other cities as well, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The agreements outline that the synagogue itself is the authority that will decide on management and operations; the municipality has no reason, drive, or goal to intervene in what happens inside a synagogue, Mizrahi said. The opposite is true: It helps synagogues manifest their vision as much as it can. Anything else is white noise.

Goren said, Our goal is clear: Manage the synagogues in a way that is ordered and efficient while preserving their Jewish character.
SYDNEY (AP)  Tens of thousands of people marched through Australia's cities and towns on Sunday demanding action to save dying and starving Palestinians.

Peaceful rallies were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and dozens of other cities across the country, with protesters urging sanctions on Israel and an end to Australia's arms trade with Israel.

Police estimated about 10,000 people took part, while organizers said 100,000 marched in Sydney alone. They put the total figure at 300,000 across the nation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Melbourne, protesters congregated outside Victorias State Library, chanting sanction Israel now."

Organiser Nour Salman said Australias plans to recognize Palestinian statehood, in step with like-minded allies at the next United Nations meeting in September, must be accompanied by tougher sanctions on Israel.

Enough is enough. There is no ifs, buts or maybes, the activist said.

In Adelaide, about 5,000 people chanting from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free gathered in Victoria Square, before marching to Parliament House, where they were addressed by independent senator Fatima Payman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Josh Lees, a spokesman for Palestine Action Groups Sydney branch, told the AAP news outlet that a march on Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this month has generated so much momentum around the country.

Organizers estimated that 20,000 turned out in Perth, with smaller protests also in Canberra, Hobart and other cities.

The protests came after the worlds leading authority on food crises said Friday the Gaza Strips largest city is gripped by famine, and that its likely to spread across the territory without a ceasefire and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said more than half a million people in Gaza  about a quarter of its population  face catastrophic levels of hunger, with many at risk of dying from malnutrition-related causes. Israel has rejected the report's findings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At least 62,263 Palestinians have been killed in the war since it started on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. It does not say whether those killed by Israeli fire are civilians or combatants, but it says around half were women and children. The U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Israel disputes its toll but has not provided its own.

Hamas-led militants started the war when they attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking hostages.
Tens of thousands of people have marched through Australias major cities and towns, organisers said, demanding action to save dying and starving Palestinians.

More than 40 protests took place across Australia on Sunday, the group Palestine Action said, including large turnouts in state capitals Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

We demand from our politicians more than just talk. We are long past this, Remah Naji, one of the organisers of the protest in the eastern city of Brisbane, told Al Jazeera.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, we demand actions in the same way we acted in times of genocide. We are signatories to the Genocide Convention, which means that we have an obligation to prevent and punish genocide when it occurs.

Protests denouncing Israels war and starvation campaign were also held in several other countries on Sunday.

In Australia, where people rallied in cities of all sizes nationwide, protesters urged sanctions against Israel and an end to arms trade with the country, which has been accused of carrying out a genocide by leading rights groups.

Organisers estimate more than 300,000 people participated in the demonstrations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Sydney, organiser Josh Lees said Australians were out in force to demand an end to this genocide in Gaza and to demand that our government sanction Israel as rallygoers, many with Palestinian flags, chanted free, free Palestine.

Demonstrators take part in a pro-Palestinian rally against Israels assault and famine in the Gaza Strip, in Melbourne, Australia [William West/AFP]

In Melbourne, protesters congregated outside the State Library Victoria, chanting sanction Israel now.

Organiser Nour Salman said Australias plans to recognise Palestinian statehood must be accompanied by tougher sanctions on Israel.

Enough is enough. There is no ifs, buts or maybes, Salman said.

Thousands also gathered in the southwestern city of Perth.

Our government cannot claim to support human rights while continuing to arm an apartheid regime, Friends of Palestine Western Australia organiser Nick Everett was quoted as saying by WAToday newspaper.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trade unions, civil society, and communities across the country are united in calling for action. Palestine cant wait.

Enough is enough

The protests came after the worlds leading authority on food crises  the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)  declared famine in Gaza City.

The warning has come as Israeli forces have intensified attacks and bombardments across Gaza, where nearly two million people have been displaced.





The IPC report said more than half a million people in Gaza  about a quarter of its population  face catastrophic levels of hunger, with many at risk of dying from malnutrition-related issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Protests in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza were also held elsewhere around the globe on Sunday, including in Malaysia, Kenya, Belgium and Senegal. Over the weekend, demonstrations took place in the United Kingdom and Sweden.

A mass rally held in Malaysias capital, Kuala Lumpur, saw thousands of people demonstrate, answering a call by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said the demonstration would act as a starting point to form a group of activists to take humanitarian aid to Gaza later this month.

In Senegals capital Dakar, demonstrators condemned Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the enclave, and called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the famine-struck Gaza Strip.

In Nairobi, hundreds of bikers rallied, chanting: Free Palestine. Many decried the international community for its inability to stop Israels deadly assault.





Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al Jazeeras Catherine Soi, reporting from Nairobi, said protesters are standing in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

They have watched horrific images of children who are starving; they have seen parents being killed as they go to get food for their families, Soi said. Here, they are saying: Enough is enough.

At least 62,263 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Palestine war since it started on October 7, 2023, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

The victims include at least 2,000 Palestinians who were attempting to secure meagre food parcels at the Israeli and US-backed GHF aid distribution sites, dubbed by Palestinian officials as death traps.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza, including using starvation as a weapon of war.
TechWerks, a veteran-owned technology and consulting firm, plans to lay off 87 employees at its San Antonio operations next month, according to a notice filed with the Texas Workforce Commission.

The WARN notice lists the layoffs as effective September 15. The database notes the affected TechWerks plant is in San Antonio.

The company website boasts its status as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business providing IT, healthcare consulting, and training services for federal clients, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institutes of Health.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Texas Workforce Commission Founded as a contractor for both government and private sectors, TechWerks website says the company specializes in recruiting personnel for positions in healthcare IT, research, program management, and training across the United States and in NATO-allied countries. The company messaging emphasizes support for veterans and describes the company as leveraging talent, skill, and experience along with new and proven processes to deliver solutions and products that meet our clients needs and exceed their expectations.

The layoffs come amid a broader contraction in Texas technology sector.

A June report by The Wall Street Journal showed declining tech employment in Dallas, Austin, and Houston, even as coastal hubs such as San Francisco and New York have seen gains.

Isabelle Bousquette, a technology reporter, told the Texas Standard,  These regional cities across the U.S. are being a little harder hit than the coasts like New York, San Francisco. And Austin in particular is one of the hardest hit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bousquette cited factors including rising housing costs, fewer opportunities for laid-off tech workers compared with coastal regions, and return-to-office mandates prompting some remote workers to relocate.

TechWerks recent WARN filing follows other Texas tech layoffs this year. In mid-August, CarOffer, an automotive technology company in Dallas County, filed a notice for 101 layoffs effective October 6, The Dallas Express reported. Observers have pointed to these events as part of a larger cooling trend in the states once-booming tech industry.

DX checked the USCIS H-1B data hub to see if TechWerks was following Microsofts lead and laying off American workers while continuing to hire H-1B workers, but found no relevant entries in the system.

TechWerks did not respond to a request for comment regarding the layoffs or potential restructuring plans.
Texas state troopers arrested an MS-13 gang member and two alleged human smugglers during a traffic stop Wednesday morning in Val Verde County.

The arrest highlights ongoing border security challenges as convicted gang members repeatedly attempt illegal re-entry into the United States.

A Department of Public Safety trooper pulled over a maroon Ford Taurus on U.S. 277 just after 9:30 a.m. The driver was identified as Kieuncey Worth, 24, of Rockwall, Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers discovered three illegal aliens hidden in the back seat during a search. Among them was Walter Alexander Zavala Amaya, who had fled from troopers just one day earlier.

Zavala Amaya dropped an El Salvadoran ID card during his previous escape attempt. Border Patrol agents and the Threat Screening Center confirmed his MS-13 affiliation.

Worth and his passenger, Coy Ford, 23, of Wichita Falls, were charged with smuggling of persons, the official charge for human smuggling. Both men were booked into Val Verde County Jail.

The three illegal aliens were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody. Two were Mexican nationals, while Zavala Amaya hailed from El Salvador.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators discovered Zavala Amaya had fled back to Mexico after escaping troopers on August 19. He then illegally re-entered Texas seeking smuggling assistance.

Federal records show a pattern of illegal entries and deportations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement first arrested and deported Zavala Amaya to El Salvador in May 2016.

He returned illegally and was arrested again on July 11, 2025, by ICEs Baltimore Field Office. Officials removed him from the country just two days later on July 13.

The arrest occurred as part of Operation Lone Star, Texass border security initiative. Watch the video of the apprehension below:
BJP leader and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Addressing a press conference in Patna, Ravishankar accused them of repeatedly making "false and baseless" allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI) to mislead the public. The remarks come in response to their claims of preventing "vote theft" in elections. Addressing mediapersons here, the BJP leader said, "Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav keep alleging that they won't let votes be stolen. These are lies and baseless accusations. In 2024, the Samajwadi Party won 37 seats in Uttar Pradesh, while BJP secured 33 seats. Wasn't the same Election Commission overseeing those polls? When the public votes for them, the Election Commission is fine, but when they lose, it's faulty." He further said, "In Maharashtra, the opposition won more seats, yet they called the Election Commission bad when they lost. In Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, the Election Commission is fine when they win, but bad when they don't. In Maharashtra, they were completely wiped out, and in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal was wiped out too." Prasad accused Rahul Gandhi of "shamelessly" questioning constitutional institutions, stating, "If Rahul Gandhi and Congress don't get votes, what is BJP supposed to do? They even made allegations in the Pegasus case but refused to provide their phones for investigation. They have also defamed the media." Taking a dig at Tejashwi Yadav, Prasad said, "By making false and baseless allegations in Bihar, they are testing our patience, and this won't be tolerated. Tejashwi claimed he has never seen a liar like PM Modi. Does he want to become Chief Minister by saying such things? Under Modi's leadership, India's economy has progressed significantly. Tejashwi Yadav must apologize, or the public, which already isn't voting for him, will reject him further." He further said, "Tejashwi Yadav, in the company of Rahul Gandhi, is sinking his own party. Do you also want to sink your party, Rahul Gandhi?" (ANI)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A trio of suspects, along with a dozen co-conspirators, have been indicted in a pandemic unemployment assistance fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of $7.3 million.

According to the Ohio Office of the Inspector General, a Franklin County grand jury returned an indictment against Markeya Smith, Brandi Smith and Shirkara Reggins, plus 12 others, for crimes related to fraudulent claims involving the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. Charges include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft, tampering with records, telecommunication fraud, and money laundering.

In October 2022, the state Department of Jobs and Family Services referred an allegation of suspicious activity to the PUA program. Markeya Smith, who worked for temp agency Randstad as an ODJFS contractor, allegedly cleared issues and inflated claimant incomes on PUA claims to fraudulently increase the weekly benefit amounts paid out. Additionally, the ODJFS alleged that Brandi Smith improperly accessed or authorized payments on PUA claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Three central Ohio women accused of $7.3 million in pandemic assistance fraud

Investigators learned the two Columbus women were related and found a significant overlap on PUA claims accessed. It was discovered they were acquaintances with Reggins, who was also accused of improperly accessing and authorizing payments on PUA claims to which claimants were not entitled. Reggins, of Canal Winchester, also allegedly was using the identity Cherita Reggins for her employment at Insight Global and later at ODJFS.

The investigation found that the three received cash or electronic payments from the claimants and that they used recruiters, who also received fees, to find additional PUA claimants who desired to have their claims inflated.

In total, it was determined that the three released over $7 million in improper PUA benefit payments, including $3.5 million by Reggins, over $3 million by Markeya Smith, and $600,000 by Brandi Smith.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The additional suspects and their charges are as follows:

Jahlil Suber-Richardson (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, telecommunications fraud, money laundering, theft

Carolyn Slaughter (Lewis Center), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Tarik Chukes (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Alice Cowans (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Artania Gordon (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Natasha Davis (Reynoldsburg), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Danielle Johnson (Canal Winchester), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

China Hester (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Eboni Goods (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Amber White (Reynoldsburg), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Ashley Boyce (Houston), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Tereka Daniels (Huntington, West Virginia), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Three people were found dead in a Rolling Hills home Saturday in an apparent murder-suicide, according to authorities.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to a residence on the 100 block of Crest Road East around 10:30 a.m., KTLA-TV reported, citing law enforcement.

A woman told authorities that she had found her sister and father dead inside the home, according to KTLA. Deputies found both dead at the scene, as well as a second woman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators said the incident appeared to be domestic violence-related, FOX 11 reported.

There isn't any threat to the community, officials said. The sheriff's department did not respond immediately to requests for comment Saturday night.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Three people were shot within blocks of one another outside Roselawn bars off Reading Road, Cincinnati police told Enquirer media partner Fox 19.

Late night on Aug. 22 into the next morning, a 22-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man were injured in a shooting near Miami Hookah and Grill, Cincinnati police told Fox 19. Both people were brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Then later that night on Aug. 23 into the next morning, a 40-year-old man was shot by an unknown person near VYBEZ Hookah Bar & Lounge, police told Fox 19. The man was taken to UC Medical Center with serious injuries, a department spokesman said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It's unclear what led up to the shootings. No information on suspects has been released by police. The Enquirer has reached out to the department for more information.

City data shows at least 24 people have been shot in the four block stretch from 7500 Reading Road to 7800 Reading Road since 2023.

Nearly all of the shootings have occurred in the nighttime hours between midnight and 4 a.m., data shows.

So far this year, there have been four shootings on that part of Reading Road, all of which were not fatal.

In Roselawn as a whole, shootings are down compared to this time last year. In 2025, there have been eight shootings this year-to-date, one of which was fatal. By this time in 2024, there was 15 shootings.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Three injured in Roselawn shootings near Reading Road bars, police say
Three young sisters have drowned in a rubber boat carrying migrants in the central Mediterranean after waves of up to 1.5m (4.9 ft) repeatedly washed over the vessel, a German rescue charity has said.

About 65 people were rescued, including the sisters' mother and brother, as well as three pregnant women and a seven-month-old baby, RESQSHIP added.

The "dangerously overcrowded" rubber boat had departed from Libya's Zuwara city and "started taking on increasing amounts of water" a few hours later, the charity said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Libya is a major launching pad for migrants who make the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean, hoping to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The sisters who drowned were aged nine, 11 and 17 years, RESQSHIP said in a statement.

Recalling how their bodies were discovered early on Saturday, Barbara Sartore, the charity's communications coordinator onboard the rescue ship Nadir, said that while survivors were being evacuated one by one, she heard "screams and someone pointed to the water inside the boat".

"It became clear that there were bodies underneath the surface," Ms Sartore said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The boat was dangerously overcrowded, it was pitch-dark, water was flooding in, people were panicking. In that chaos, it was impossible to see that the three sisters, sitting deep inside the boat, had already drowned. When the survivors realised, it was sheer horror," she added.

RESQSHIP said that many of the survivors suffered severe chemical burns caused by the mixture of seawater and petrol inside the boat, and required medical treatment.

One person who had earlier fallen overboard was still missing, the charity added.

Italy's coastguard evacuated 14 people on Saturday afternoon and took them to Lampedusa, while the rescue ship arrived later with the rest of the survivors and the bodies of the girls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"What happened to the three sisters is unimaginable, as is the danger that people on the move face in search of safety," said Katja Schnitzer, a crewmember of the rescue boat.

The charity did not give the nationalities of the girls or the survivors.

UN agencies say that more than 700 people have died trying to cross the central Mediterranean from North Africa this year.

They say that search and rescue operations need to increase, and the safety of survivors guaranteed when they disembark.

You may also be interested in:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts
MILAN (Reuters) -Three young sisters drowned when the rubber boat carrying them and dozens of other migrants got into difficulties on the perilous central Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy, a German sea rescue charity said on Sunday.

RESQSHIP said the bodies of the sisters, aged 9, 11 and 17, were found inside the boat, which was "dangerously overcrowded" and had been buffeted by waves of up to 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) before a rescue vessel arrived at the scene.

Among the 65 people rescued by the charity's Nadir vessel were three pregnant women, children, and a seven-month-old baby. One person fell overboard earlier in the crossing and remains missing, RESQSHIP added in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It did not give details about the nationality of the three dead girls.

The Nadir intercepted the rubber boat, which had departed from Zuwara in Libya overnight on Friday, after being alerted by the hotline rescue operator Alarm Phone, the charity said.

Italy's coastguard evacuated 14 people - medical cases and their relatives - on Saturday afternoon and took them to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, where the Nadir arrived later in the day with the remaining survivors and the bodies of the three girls.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari;Editing by Helen Popper)
The Democrats hackneyed falsehood that Republican gerrymandering in Texas is racist and will end American democracy is not only hysterical - its hypocritical. While gerrymandering is ethically impaired, it has been part of U.S. politics for more than 200 years, and a mainstay of Democratic Party election strategy since the 1980s.

When redistricting is designed to favor one group over another, it is referred to as gerrymandering. Prior to the 1960s, court challenges to congressional redistricting plans were generally considered to be political questions outside judicial purview. In 1962, however, the Supreme Court held that federal courts could ensure compliance with the constitutional requirement of "one person, one vote" when Tennessee created districts with population variances as large as ten-to-one.

Courts also hear challenges to redistricting plans based on claims of racial gerrymandering under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, and the 15th Amendment, and until recently, also claims that a gerrymander was intended to benefit a particular candidate, ideology or party.

The Gerrymander

The gerrymander owes it heritage to Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry. In 1812, he signed off on a new state senate district so bizarrely shaped that his opponents said it looked like a salamander. A local newspaper cartoonist combined the two, and the "Gerry-mander" was born.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Except as an incidental consequence of its impact on voter enthusiasm or campaigns, a gerrymander does not change the total number or ratio of votes in any given state. Rather, it draws districts to allocate available votes in a manner that maximizes the number of districts in which the party controlling the process obtains a majority.

States usually redistrict every 10 years, following the decennial census. That census is used to reapportion the 435 congressional seats to, and track population shifts within, each state. Under Article I of the Constitution, state legislatures are responsible for redistricting. Republicans currently control both houses and the governors office in 23 states, and Democrats in 15 states. Eighteen states also use commissions in the redistricting process, including eight independent commissions that supplant the legislatures traditional role. In 2015, the Supreme Court approved this practice.

According to the Brennan Center, a progressive public policy institute, congressional and legislative redistricting maps based on the 2020 census were challenged in 90 lawsuits involving 28 states, including 61 cases contending that GOP-crafted maps were either racially or politically discriminatory (or both). Forty-nine lawsuits asserted racial gerrymandering, and 42 asserted partisan gerrymandering. Courts have ordered changes in 13 states, with 38 cases still pending.

Over the last two cycles, both major political parties have gerrymandered numerous states, including using the VRA to create "majority-minority" districts in which Democrat-leaning blacks or Hispanics constitute a majority of voters. Former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder has earned gushing praise from the media as the architect of many of these gerrymanders through his National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The most successful gerrymander in history may have been the combination of the 2020 census and the Obama and Biden administrations admission of tens of millions of illegal aliens. The U.S. Census Bureau acknowledges that in 2020 it overcounted in eight states and undercounted in six, costing Republicans an estimated six seats. According to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the GOP lost at least 20 additional seats by including illegal aliens in reapportionment. On his first day in office, President Trump ordered the census to exclude illegal aliens from congressional apportionment. Last week, he instructed the Commerce Department to begin work on a new census complying with that order.

In an all-out redistricting war, Democrats likely would lose because they have largely maximized their available benefits, with the proportion of Democrat seats vastly exceeding the Democratic percentage of the vote in many states. By contrast, Republicans have fertile opportunities - not just in Texas, but also in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Florida, and potentially other states. In total, Republicans could gain as many as 15 seats in the midterm elections.

Until now, Democrats have been constrained because California and New York have delegated redistricting to independent commissions. Govs. Gavin Newsom and Kathy Hochul are attempting to end-run these restrictions. It is uncertain whether such efforts to bypass the commissions would survive court challenges, and a Politico-Citrin poll last week shows that two-thirds of Californians would vote against modifying their independent commission system to elect more Democrats.

Texas

In July, Texas Republicans announced a redistricting plan that may swing the states delegation from 25 Republicans and 13 Democrats, to as many as 30 Republicans and just 8 Democrats, though a Texas Tribune analysis concluded that Republicans might gain as few as three seats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To Democrats, the GOPs Texas gambit is uniquely evil because it is redistricting after five years, rather than waiting for the end of the decade. There is no federal or state prohibition on more frequent redistricting, and Texas process is not unprecedented - not even in Texas.

Holder called the Republican redistricting in Texas "an existential crisis" and claims that it is an "egregious" effort to disenfranchise blacks and Hispanics. Other critics falsely contend that the purpose of the Texas plan is to reduce the number of majority-minority districts.

These attacks are based on two shaky premises - that blacks and Hispanics dont vote for Republicans, and that people only vote for candidates of their race. According to CNN, in the last presidential election, 55% of Latinos and 12% of blacks in Texas voted for Trump. The list of black and Hispanic officials elected by majority white electorates is long, and includes, in Texas alone, Ted Cruz, Colin Allred, and Julian Castro, among others.

In fact, the Republican plan creates an additional majority Hispanic district, and two majority black districts, where previously there were none.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Though Texas Republicans are redistricting to increase Republican representation, their plan also remedies errors in the 2020 census, adjusts for migration to Texas that has increased the states population by more than 8% since 2020, and resolves claims made in July by the Justice Department that four congressional districts created in the states last redistricting plan are unconstitutional "coalition districts." A coalition district is a majority-minority district created by combining two racial and language minorities.

To stop the Texas legislature from acting, a majority of its Democrat members left the state, temporarily depriving the Texas House of a quorum. Ironically, the state to which most of them absconded, Illinois, is one of the worst abusers of the gerrymander. The congressional map drawn by Illinois Democrats after the 2020 census transformed its congressional delegation from 13 Democrats and 5 Republicans to 14 Democrats and just 3 Republicans - in a state where Donald Trump won 44% of the 2024 vote. The respected Gerrymandering Project at Princeton University gave Illinois an "F" for its partisan gerrymander.

Evolving Law

According to Article I, "[t]he Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment provides that "[n]o State shall make or enforce any law which shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, and the 15th Amendment guarantees that "[t]he right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

The VRA authorizes the federal government and private citizens to challenge voting qualifications or practices that deny or abridge the right to vote based on race, color, or language. A 1982 amendment made clear that a discriminatory effect violates the VRA, regardless of purpose, but also clarifies there is no guarantee of a proportional outcome.

After years of uncertainty, the Supreme Court last year held in Rucho v. Common Cause that while partisan gerrymandering may be "incompatible with democratic principles," it is a "political question" that is beyond the authority of federal courts to decide. As a result, states are now free to reduce Democrat or Republican representation in Congress, so long as they comply with basic rules of "one person, one vote," and the districts are geographically compact, contiguous, and respect political boundaries, such as county lines.

For districting that allegedly disempowers minorities, the Supreme Court set out a three-part framework in Thornburg v. Gingles (1986). The minority group must be sufficiently numerous and geographically compact to constitute a majority in a reasonably configured district. It must be politically cohesive. And, the white majority must be able defeat the minoritys preferred candidate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Paradoxically, a recurring remedy for these claims is to use race to create majority-minority districts. As recently as 2023, Chief Justice John Roberts (who in 2007 believed that the "way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race") and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the liberal justices in Allen v. Milligan to find that Alabama likely violated the VRA by failing to create a sufficient number of majority black districts.

Many conservative scholars argue that the 14th and 15th Amendments are intended to bar governments use of race. Under this view, though courts may enjoin redistricting plans for limiting the rights of racial minorities, the Constitution prohibits the creation of districts based on the race of voters.

The false factual conceit of majority-minority districts is that people vote as monoliths based on their race and the race of candidates. Today, when a majority of black, Latino, and Asian Americans live in diverse suburbs, millions vote for candidates of other races, and candidates of all races are prominent Republicans and Democrats, the rationale for majority-minority districts has never been weaker.

Last week, the Supreme Court announced that it will hear Louisiana v. Callais to determine the constitutionality of a second majority-minority district. Given its recent decisions, the high court may bow to reality and restore the intent of 14th and 15th Amendments, impacting the constitutionality of all purposely created majority-minority districts. If it does, progressives undoubtedly will shriek about racism, the end of democracy, and the illegitimacy of the Supreme Court itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When Democrats engage in gerrymandering, arrogating 30 to 50 seats for which the voters would prefer Republican representatives, they, progressive academics, and the media praise the outcome as a guarantee of liberty. When Republicans defend against this encroachment, or use the Democrat playbook, progressives reflexively insist that Republicans are racists, intent on ending democracy.

It is time to end court-ordered majority-minority districts, exclude illegal aliens from congressional apportionment, and get an accurate census. Then, if Democrats want to end gerrymandering, lets have that discussion. Until then, a little ol Texas gerrymander is a good and lawful step forward.

Kenin M. Spivak is founder and chairman of SMI Group LLC, an international consulting firm and investment bank. He is the author of fiction and non-fiction books and a frequent speaker and contributor to media, including RealClearPolitics, The American Mind, National Review, television, radio, and podcasts.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Las Cruces is teaming up with New Mexico State Police to help raise money for Special Olympics New Mexico.

The fund-raising effort is part of a statewide effort.

In Las Cruces, the Texas Roadhouse, at 2200 E. Lohman Ave., will host the Tip-A-Cop event from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

New Mexico State Police officers will help serve guests during the event and collect donations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All donations will go directly to Special Olympics New Mexico.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Heres a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 24, according to the Tribunes archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Amelia Earhart soars back into the headlines in new book The Aviator and the Showman

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 100 degrees (2023)

Low temperature: 48 degrees (1942)

Precipitation: 2.47 inches (1895)

Snowfall: Trace (1922)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

1968: Dr. Fager, carrying jockey Braulio Baeza, set the world record for 1 mile on the dirt at Arlington Park. The doctors time: 1:32 1/5.

Racing with a verve born of 300 years of thoroughbred history, the bay colt carried a crushing impost of 134 pounds without noticeable effort to a 10-length victory that certainly will earn him Horse of the Year honors, the Tribune reported.

1994: Bronislaw Bruno Hajda, a retired machinist from Schiller Park, was charged with helping to murder hundreds of victims at Treblinka, which was forced labor camp in German-occupied Poland during World War II. The lawsuit by the Justice Departments Nazi-hunting unit alleged that Hajda had concealed his wartime activities both to get into the United States in 1950, then to become a U.S. citizen in 1955.

At his trial in March 1997, Hajda testified for three hours that he was a victim  not a perpetrator  of war crimes. He insisted he was a prisoner at the Pustkow labor camp  toiling in the fields and kitchens  under the orders of Nazi guards.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But U.S. District Judge David Coar stripped Hajda of his citizenship in April 1997, saying the evidence against Hajda was overwhelming and established clearly and unequivocally that the man referred to in German wartime rosters was in fact the defendant. Hajda was ordered deported in November 1998.

2020: Chicago teen Eliza Wasni, who was convicted of killing Uber driver Grant Nelson of Wilmette on May 30, 2017, with a knife and machete she stole from Walmart, was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Want more vintage Chicago?

Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com
Today in history: first burial at Fort Smith National Cemetery

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  On Aug. 24, 1819, Surgeon Thomas Russell, a veteran of the War of 1812, became the first recorded burial in what is now the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

Russell was part of the original company of riflemen who arrived at Fort Smith on December 25, 1817, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. He died there two years later, becoming the first recorded burial in the post cemetery, which later became Fort Smith National Cemetery.

Originally established as the post cemetery for the first Fort Smith, the grounds quickly filled. By 1823, nearly one in four soldiers stationed there had died, contributing to the militarys decision to abandon the fort in 1825. Still, the cemetery remained in use.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the early burials was Major William Bradford, Fort Smiths first commanding officer, who died in 1826. Confederate forces held Fort Smith from 1861 to 1863, during which hundreds of Confederate soldiers, including two generals, were buried in the post cemetery.

Historic Fayetteville Rockwood Club listed for $1.3 million

In 1867, five years after President Abraham Lincoln authorized the creation of national cemeteries, the site was designated Fort Smith National Cemetery, the oldest original national cemetery in Arkansas, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

Over the years, the cemetery expanded and underwent multiple renovations. Today, it spans more than 31 acres and contains over 13,000 graves, including those of Judge Isaac C. Parker, the famed hanging judge, and Brigadier General William Orlando Darby, founder of Darbys Rangers in World War II.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the Fort Smith National Cemetery remains an active site of remembrance.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Too many young people are being signed off sick for struggling with hard work, the Governments worklessness tsar has said.

Sir Charlie Mayfield said a mental health crisis among the young was being made worse by GPs writing sick notes for stress or anxiety caused by difficult tasks at work.

The former John Lewis boss, who is leading a government review into Britains growing worklessness crisis, said: On the mental health issues among young people, the fact is your experiences at work are a very important contributor to that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Work can be tough. Its meant to be tough. Sometimes youre meant to find it hard. Youre not meant to ace everything or get everything right. And so there are times when its challenging.

If youre within a supportive environment and something that goes wrong, and youre challenged ... it can be a supportive and constructive process of improvement.

If youre in a situation where you dont feel supported, you just feel criticised and youre already feeling a bit vulnerable, it pushes you in the other direction. You may start to feel anxious, you may start to feel stressed.

And of course, when you dont have a system in place to support you, and you go to see your GP and you say, Im really anxious and Im really stressed out at work, then what the GP may often say is, Well, we better give you a fit note to sign you off work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Climbing rates of anxiety and depression are a large factor behind the growing rates of economic inactivity in the UK, particularly among those aged under 35. Around a quarter of those who are economically inactive because of ill-health are younger than 35, and young people with mental health conditions are nearly five times more likely to be economically inactive than others in their age group.

Sir Charlie said mental health struggles should not be minimised but said problems were being over-medicalised. He argued that recommending people take time off for things like stress and anxiety risked making these problems worse, rather than treating them.

He said: You go home, and you sit at home for a month, lets say, with your anxiety or your stress, and then at the end of that month probably nothings happened other than the fact you havent been at work. But then the prospect of going back to work at that point may be even scarier than it was when you left it, because youve been away from it.

The fact is workplaces are social environments. Theyre communities, and its important to be a part of that community. A lot of mental health issues are made worse by not being engaged with some kind of community. You know, isolation is a bad thing for most mental health issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sir Charlie, who was chairman of John Lewis from 2007 to 2020, has been leading the government review into Britains growing worklessness crisis and is tasked with finding ways to keep ill and disabled people in the workforce. He is expected to report his policy recommendations in the autumn.

Soaring rates of illness and mental health problems since the pandemic have driven a sharp rise in the number of people falling out of the workforce.

There are now 2.8 million people classed as economically inactive because of long-term sickness, up from 2.1 million at the start of 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Sir Charlie said businesses across the country were heavily burdened, with a vanishingly small number saying they had no issues with long-term sickness among their workforce.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The problem is placing a heavy burden on the public finances, too: Britains welfare bill is forecast to reach 70bn by the end of the decade as the number of people claiming disability and incapacity benefits rises.

The scale of welfare benefits, and particularly the rate at which its increasing, is troubling, Sir Charlie said. I think any responsible government would be concerned about that.

The Government has struggled to bring welfare spending down. Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, was forced to abandon several cost-saving changes to welfare policy this summer following a rebellion from Labour backbenchers.

Sir Charlie said the rise in worklessness since the pandemic had been fuelled by an increase in back and neck problems among older people and mental health problems among the young.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Many of his recommendations are expected to focus on how to address such health issues before they reach GPs.

We have to really think seriously about how do we support people when they develop, or even before they develop, ill health issues at work ... and if they do become acute, we can take steps to help people get back into work, he said.

Sick note force field

Sir Charlie warned that fit notes, as sick notes are officially known, were too often leading people to drop out of the workforce.

While the fit note system is aimed at assessing a persons ability to work, around 93pc declare that an employee should take time off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sir Charlie said businesses had told him fit notes were acting like a force field, creating a barrier between employers and their staff.

What can often happen is that person becomes disengaged from the workplace very quickly, particularly when they have repeat fit notes ... then an employer doesnt really have any mechanisms to deal with that, he said.

He added that employers told him they feared complaints, grievances or even industrial tribunals if they handled health issues incorrectly.

Sir Charlie said there was a tremendous amount of fear in the workplace around health, which was making it harder to both keep people in employment and get those suffering from conditions back into the workforce after time out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On recruiting people with health conditions, he said: Sometimes those people are fearful of disclosing conditions ... because they find that if they do disclose things, they then dont get jobs. Also, its fear from the employers who are saying if I have that person, is this going to lead to a problem down the track? Id rather not take the risk.

Sir Charlie said Britain could learn from Denmark and the Netherlands. Both nations emphasise the importance of participating in the labour force in any form, whether voluntary, part-time or full-time work.

They make that point both from the economic benefits of it, but also the social and the integration benefits that come from working, he said.

The former John Lewis boss said that a failure to address health at work would simply make the problem worse as more people seek medical treatment for issues that could be dealt with in other ways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sir Charlie said: I think theres an over-medicalisation of mental health issues, but its entirely predictable. If you go to see a medical practitioner, its highly likely that they will give you a medical diagnosis.

Bringing more humanity back into the workplace is actually going to be a key part of what we need to do to address these issues.

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.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday alleged that the BJP-led Maharashtra government came to power through "vote theft" and claimed the issue is now being raised at the "national and international level." Speaking to reporters, Raut said, "...The issue of vote theft has been in Maharashtra for 8 months; we have been raising questions on this. This issue was raised by Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Congress. Devendra Fadnavis' government came to power only through such vote theft. Where did our votes go? This question was asked by Raj Thackeray, and we also asked it. Now this issue of theft has been raised by Rahul Gandhi at the national level and is being taken to the international level..." Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi renewed his attack on the Election Commission and the BJP, describing the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll in Bihar as an "institutionalised way" of stealing votes. Addressing a press conference in Araria in Bihar during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', the Congress leader alleged a partnership between the ECI and the BJP. "In Bihar, SIR is an institutionalised way for vote theft. Lakhs of voters' names were deleted; the Opposition is complaining, but the BJP has not complained even once because there is a partnership between the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner and the BJP," Rahul Gandhi claimed. He said that the Opposition will not allow the BJP and the Election Commission to steal elections in Bihar. "Yatra is successful, and people are joining organically. It is clear that crores of people in Bihar believe in our claim of vote theft, which is why you can see this response. Election Commission's work is to give the correct voter list, which they did not do in Maharashtra, Haryana and Karnataka," the Congress leader said. "Our pressure is to change the Election Commission's behaviour. We will not allow this to happen in Bihar. You stole elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, and in Karnataka, we showed that there was a vote theft," he added. (ANI)
President Donald Trumps plot to control American history got a sharp takedown from a top Democrat on Sunday.

Last Tuesday, the president raged about the out of control and woke Smithsonian Institution in a post on Truth Social, complaining how its museums only focused on how horrible our Country is and bad Slavery was.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) scoffed at Trumps suggestion that there was any upside to depict about slavery as he spoke to Dana Bash during a stop by CNNs State of the Union.

Related: Hakeem Jeffries Slams Wannabe King Trump As His GOP Cronies Try To Ram Through Budget Bill

There is no good aspect of slavery, and so Donald Trump is once again behaving like a racial arsonist, he said, adding that it was extraordinary that he would make such a historically ignorant statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Putting his full support behind the institution, Jeffries said, The Smithsonian should continue to hold the line and make sure that this very painful part of American history is not erased, but is understood by everyone across this country and throughout the world.

Jeffries: "There is no good aspect of slavery, and so Donald Trump is once again behaving like a racial arsonist." pic.twitter.com/YehhFdFbZ8  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 24, 2025

While the president has no direct control over the Smithsonian, which is governed by a Board of Regents that includes Vice President JD Vance, Trump said he had instructed his attorneys to review the collections across its 21 museums and 14 research centers.

Days later, the official White House website put up an article titled President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian, which put a spotlight on artwork, exhibits and performances it found objectionable.

Related: 'Everyone Is So Scared': Inside The Smithsonian As Trump Attacks Art, History

The list highlighted a National Portrait Gallery campaign aiming to make its collection less wealthy, pale, and male, exhibits exploring the LGBTQ experience and a painting of migrants crossing the southern border, among others.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Germany should change its prison laws to stop a transgender neo-Nazi man from going to a womans jail, the countrys interior minister has said.

Alexander Dobrindt said the case of Marla-Svenja Liebich was an example of the very simple misuse of the Self-Determination Act.

Liebich, a far-Right extremist formerly known as Sven Liebich, was photographed wearing a Nazi-style uniform at rallies before being sentenced for several offences, including slander and incitement to hatred, in July 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this week, prison officials said Liebich would be allowed to serve his 18-month sentence in a womens prison after he used a government policy to register his gender as female.

The decision was defended because incarceration is based on registered gender and not biological sex.

Marla-Svenja Liebich was sentenced in July 2023 for several offences, including slander and incitement to hatred - Sebastian Willnow

Despite Saxonys senior prosecutor saying Liebich would be interviewed before his imprisonment to assess whether it would be appropriate to place him among female prisoners, Mr Dobrindt said: There is now a need for a debate on how clear rules against the abuse of gender transition can be re-anchored in law.

The Self-Determination Act was introduced by Germanys Left-leaning traffic-light coalition to allow people to change their gender and name at a registry office without any medical or psychological examination within a few months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In principle, adults are allowed to change their legal gender once a year.

Liebichs request to officially alter his gender followed previous accusations that he has attempted to exploit Germanys prison system.

On Sunday, he said on social media that he had requested not just Kosher food but regular pastoral care from a Rabbi during his imprisonment.

Mr Dobrindt told Stern Magazine: The judiciary, the public and the politicians are being treated as fools here, because the Self-Determination Act offers them the opportunity to do so.

Berlins CDU-SPD government said it would re-assess the law before August 2026 under its coalition agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Karin Prien, the CDU family minister whose department oversees implementing the gender law, told Bild that it contains weaknesses in its current form that can favour targeted abuse.

It is right and important that gender self-determination is possible at a low threshold, said Ms Prien. She added that, at the same time, people must watch closely how the law proves itself in practice.

Marlene Schonberger, a green politician, responded on X by saying: Is Dobrindt seriously that stupid and falling for the far-Right agenda of Liebich?

Or is he pursuing the same agenda and using every shabby opportunity to attack self-determination?

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 24, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning and welcome to 'Face The Nation.' It's quiet here in Washington as we come on the air this morning, but the debate is heating up over President Trump's calling up of nearly 2300 National Guardsmen, along with federal agents from ICE, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the FBI, and others, to patrol the streets of the city alongside DC police forces. And we're seeing yet another instance of Trump's expanding of the federal government's reach, this time when it comes to control of police in local communities. Will we see pictures like these in other U.S. cities in the future? Well, one of the places President Trump has mentioned is needing help fighting crime is nearby Baltimore, and joining us right now is Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore. Thank you for being here.

GOV. WES MOORE: Thank you so much for having me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: So they're here in DC- there are guardsmen from six different states on the street. The mission is, quote, 'beautification, duty and support.' The defense secretary has author- authorized them to carry M4 and M17 rifles, but to date, we have not been able to locate anyone armed within the National Guard on the streets of DC. Why, though, are you so opposed to this deployment?

GOV. MOORE: Well, there's- there's plenty of reasons. You know one, it is not sustainable. You cannot continue this type of pace of operations, particularly when you're when it's costing over a million dollars a day in order to do this. The second, it's not scalable. You're not going to be able to do this in every single major American city, particularly when many of the cities that have the highest crime rates are the places that have actually deployed their national guards to Washington, DC. So who's going to- who's going to go do the work in their cities? The third, it's unconstitutional. It's a direct violation of the 10th Amendment, and for a party that talks about state rights, it's amazing how they're having such a big government approach in the way they're conducting public safety. The fourth reason is because it's deeply disrespectful to the members of the National Guard. As someone who actually deployed overseas and served my country in combat, to ask these men and women to do a job that they're not trained for is just deeply disrespectful. And so when we're thinking about all of these lasting factors, when we're thinking about the fact that it serves as a distraction from the fact that the President's disastrous economic policies are making everything more expensive for everyday Americans- is making life harder for everyday Americans, there is a multitude of reasons that I am against this, and I will not authorize the Maryland National Guard to be utilized for this.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the National Guard does say that these troops will be trained and deputized by Federal Marshals. So this is going to be distinct from the military rules of engagement

GOV. MOORE: But it is counter to every bit of training that we received. When- when I joined the military, we joined with a clear intention to fight and win our nation's wars. The members of our National Guard are trained up to be able to address things like emergency situations, situations where you need- where you need a surge of supports for- for traumas and disasters that are happening within individual jurisdictions. That is not this, and this is a direct deflection that the President is authorizing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: We know the President watches the program, and he likely saw the guest listing because he's tweeting about you- or truthing, I guess. He says the Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked in a 'nasty and provocative tone that I walk the streets of Maryland with him,' and he's talking about 'crime ridden Baltimore.' It's quite lengthy, but he goes after your record on crime. He says it's a 'bad one.' He says, if you need help, he will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC. I mean, when we saw a few weeks ago the deployment on the streets of Los Angeles, the governor of California tried to go to the courts, and he was unable to stop it. Is the reality here is- you can't stop the president from sending troops to Baltimore if he wants to?

GOV. MOORE: The year before I became the governor, in 2022, Baltimore was averaging almost a homicide a day, and I came in and I said, I refuse to be a governor who just offers thoughts and prayers to this situation. So we said we're actually going to work in partnership with Mayor Scott, work in partnership with local elected officials, work in partnership with local- with local law enforcement. We made the largest investments in local law enforcement in our state's history. Over $50 million going to Baltimore City alone

MARGARET BRENNAN: That came from federal money.

GOV. MOORE: No that came from both federal and state money, and also Maryland became one of the only states that actually helps to fund the U.S. Attorney out of balance sheet, taking many of those gun crimes and actually turning them into federal charges. And the results have been- have been incredibly encouraging, where Maryland's had amongst the fastest drops in violent crime of anywhere in the United States in the past two and a half years. The homicide rate in Maryland is down over 20% since I have been the governor, and the last time the homicide rate was this low in Baltimore City, I was not born yet. And so the reason that I've asked the President to come and join us is because he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance. This- these tropes, in these 1980s scare- scare tactics. And you know, just last week I was in Baltimore, and I was with a group called 'We Our Us' who is a violence intervention group. And they say we're all we got, we're all we need. And that's exactly how people in this community feel. Because while the President is spending his time from the Oval Office making jabs and attacks at us, there are people actually on the ground doing the work who know what supports would actually work to continue to bring down crime, but it's falling on deaf ears of the President of the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: You're talking about the positive trend line. The President's pointing to the FBI statistics, which shows Baltimore is the fifth most instances of violent crime on a per capita basis. Fourth highest murder rate. To your point, the city of Memphis is also on that list, and the Governor of Tennessee sent those National Guard troops here to this city, not to the streets of Memphis--

GOV. MOORE: --And we know we have work to do. We know- if one person does not feel safe in their neighborhood, that's one too many. But we also know what tactics actually work and what tactics is just theatrics.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But your- the mayor in Baltimore did just say he wants federal help-- he doesn't want National Guard troops, per se, though, he says he wants agents from FBI, DEA and ATF, do you need more federal help in policing if your mayor thinks you do?

GOV. MOORE: Oh, absolutely. And we need the President to stop cutting funding. Because if you look at the President's budget, it actually cuts funding towards violence intervention groups. It cuts funding towards the bureaus of the FBI and the ATF that are supporting local jurisdictions like Baltimore. That it doesn't do anything about things like ghost guns and these extended Glock clips that allow these Glocks to essentially turn into automatic weapons. Those are actually real, tangible things that the President of the United States could do and where you could put capital to actually make our communities safer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: So you are a Democrat who is- President Trump says so as well, possibly a presidential candidate. He talked about you the other day.

GOV. MOORE: Yeah.

MARGARET BRENNAN: He spent a lot of time talking about you.

GOV. MOORE: I've been on his mind a lot of times.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You're spending time talking about crime. Is this something that, as a Democrat, you think the Democratic Party needs to be more vocal and muscular about when running for office? Because I hear you doing that. It's a very big change from 2020 when the you know idea was defund the police.

GOV. MOORE: Absolutely. And yet the President spending all of his time talking about me. I'm spending my time talking about the people I serve. And yes, I believe that we have to be able to address the issue of crime. I came up in, and I have existed in neighborhoods and communities that have been chronically neglected. And I remember one of the first things that happened in our first months in, I had to visit Shock Trauma inside of Baltimore, because Baltimore had one of the largest mass shootings in its history. And I visited a young man, a teenager, who was just finished surgery and had one of his testicles shot off, and was talking about, how was he ever going to become a father? And I said, at that point, I refuse to continue doing this and not putting the proper resources in place, and not being able to put a real focus on making our communities safer. And that's why it is so frustrating when we're hearing from the President of the United States something that is just purely performative, without actually focusing on these communities and these neighborhoods who believe that progress is possible and who are willing to put in the work and we're just simply asking for Washington to be able to acknowledge it and support it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: He says you're not 'presidential timber' at all. I imagine you disagree with that assessment?

GOV. MOORE: Yeah, I've been very clear. I'm not running for president--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right now.

GOV. MOORE: But it's interesting that- but it's interesting the President seems to be more concerned about my future than he is about the future of the American people, and that's why I'm asking him to keep his focus. Focus on the things that actually matter right now, which is the fact that his economic policies are driving up prices on everything from electronics, to the clothes that we wear, to the food that we eat. Talk about the fact that he has immigration policies that are knocking out tens of thousands of jobs in the state of Maryland. Talk about the fact that you are about to kick veterans and seniors off of health care. Don't worry about my future. Worry about theirs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you, you brought up immigration one of the residents of your state, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was just released from pretrial detention on Friday. But the Trump administration has instructed him to report to ICE within 72 hours for deportation to Uganda. He's originally from El Salvador. He was mistakenly deported to that prison in El Salvador and then returned to the U.S. This is federal policy. This is not state policy. But I do wonder, is there anything that you are doing to help his family stay united?

GOV. MOORE: And the- what we know is that- you know, and all we're asking for, is that the constitution be followed on this. The constitution is very clear about how we deal with these types of issues, and when we look at what's happened in this situation, it's the President manipulating the fact that we have a very broken immigration system inside this country. But instead of actually doing the work that it requires to fix it, actually working in Congress to come up with a comprehensive immigration bill, the President is using to just- working to exploit the brokenness. And I am very clear that there is no higher priority for me than public safety

MARGARET BRENNAN: You want him to face a day in court, in other words.

GOV. MOORE: Absolutely. I want due process. I just simply want a court and a judge to decide what is going to be the future fate of this case and all cases like this, and not simply the President of the United States or the Secretary of Homeland Security who is trying to be judge, Juror, prosecutor and executioner inside this case. I believe in the Constitution, and I believe that that's what we should follow for this case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about something your party is tinkering with here, redistricting or gerrymandering, as some people know it. You've said you don't like talking about it, but all options are on the table when it comes to your state. There's only one- one seat here that is actually Republican, and it's a seat held by Representative Andy Harris. Are you considering trying to redraw lines in Maryland?

GOV. MOORE: Yeah. When I say all options are on the table, all options are on the table.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you actively looking at it now?

GOV. MOORE: Yeah because and I think- and I think we have to--

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: You are?

GOV. MOORE: Yes, and I think- and I think we have to, because I think what's happened is this is what people hate about politics in the first place, the fact that the President of the United States very similar to what he did in Georgia, where he called up a series of voter registrants and said, I need you to find me more votes. We're watching the same thing now, where he's calling up legislatures around the country and saying, I need you to find me more congressional districts.

MARGARET BRENNAN: He's doing it. That may be different, but Democrats redistrict you know this, Gavin Newsom is doing it right now. A few years ago in New York, we saw this. This can backfire. Do you really want to go down this road?

GOV. MOORE: I want to make sure that we have fair lines and fair seats, where we don't have situations where- where politicians are choosing voters, but that voters actually have a chance to choose their elected officials. We need to be able to have fair maps. And we also need to make sure that if the President of the United States is putting his finger on the scale to try to manipulate elections, because he knows that his policies cannot win in a ballot box, then it behooves each and every one of us to be able to keep all options on the table to ensure that the voters voices can actually be heard, and we can have maps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: And you don't think that one district where they represent- they have a Republican representative that they are actively being represented in Maryland?

GOV. MOORE: I think if you look at maps across the country, less than 10% of congressional seats are actually competitive by nature. Less than 10%. And so if you look at the average win margin in our state and so many states, the average win margin is upwards of 20 to 30% so that means we already have so many gerrymandered areas that we have to be able to add a measure of fairness in the way that it's applied. And so yes, all options need to be on the table in the state of Maryland.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And you're looking at it, you said.

GOV. MOORE: Yes we are.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Governor, thank you for your time this morning.

GOV. MOORE: Thank you so much.

MARGARET BRENNAN: 'Face the Nation' will be back in a minute. Stay with us.

Trump reacts to Canada reversing retaliatory tariffs, takes questions at White House

Economist Mohamed El-Erian says Jerome Powell "hasn't looked forward enough" on interest rates

Ron Turcotte & Secretariat | 60 Minutes Archive
The following is the transcript of an interview with UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 24, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We return now to Gaza and that stunning declaration Friday about a monitoring group that Gaza City is experiencing man-made famine, and that those conditions will expand soon. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell joins us now. We want to warn our viewers, there will be some upsetting images in this segment. Executive Director Russell, thank you for joining us. We've spoken so many times over the past few years about the catastrophic starvation. Now you have this technical designation- so rare to see a famine here. They project it's going to spread. Can you explain, in real-world terms, what does this mean for the children who live there?

CATHERINE RUSSELL: Well, thank you, Margaret. Let me say this: You know, it's been, now, almost two years since October 7th, and since then, Israeli children have been killed and taken hostage, and now we're seeing Palestinian children finally facing what we've been yelling and screaming about for months and months and months, which is a terrible famine. You know, we've estimated at this point that about 18,000 children in Gaza have already died. And those are children who die from a whole range of issues. But when you think about that, that's about 28 children a day. That's almost a classroom of children every single day who have died since the beginning of this conflict. We have been saying we beware, right, this- this famine is just right around the corner, and it's- it's almost like you're screaming into an abyss, you know. It's so- it's shocking that it's happened, because, as you said, it happens so rarely, but it's not surprising. And what it means, really, is that children have been spending months and months without sufficient food. And we see just a horrible situation where children are on the verge of starvation and ultimately dying from starvation. And I think, you know, for your viewers who haven't seen this, and hopefully many of them have not, it is a haunting image. Children literally waste away. And you see it in rooms where you know suddenly they're all quiet. The children are so quiet because they have no energy even to cry, and to see that happen, and especially in a place where food is not very far away, right? There's no reason for this. This did not happen because there were cyclones or, you know, droughts. This happened because we could not get enough aid in to these children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MARGARET BRENNAN: And as you know, the Israeli government entity that oversees the Palestinian territories, it's called COGAT, says there is no famine. They say the UN data is flawed. The Prime Minister's office says these are fabrications and due to prejudice. Can you explain how you know what you know? We are showing images that we know journalists have shot- journalists who live inside Gaza, because journalists are not allowed into Gaza to report. How do you know that what you're saying is fact?

RUSSELL: Let me say two things about that. One is the IPC, which is the organization that makes this determination, is an independent organization. They're technical people. They're not political people, and they monitor this as they go, and they look at issues like, what are the levels of food deprivation, what's the acute malnutrition level, how many starvation-related deaths, so it's a very technical assessment. And I think we've seen in other places that this is very accurate. I would also say it- to me, it's kind of obscene that we are having these conversations arguing about whether the methodology works or not. We know children are dying, right? I am tired of a discussion about, well, are we giving the right information or not? First of all, let the international press in. Let them make determinations. I mean, we've talked about this, Margaret, of you coming, you should be it yourself. Everyone should be able to get in there. Absent that, we're going to have to rely on the data that we have the people who were there, and I can tell you, from the UNICEF perspective, our people are tortured by this. I mean, I have spoken to our staff, and they are seeing children who are incredibly deprived, many thousands of children who have had amputations, and are, you know, it's just one terrible thing after another for children. And to suggest that there's anything funny going on here is really, in my mind, just- almost making the situation worse, right? Just stop the discussion, stop arguing, and address the problem. Get food in there. Take care of these children, make sure that they have the wherewithal to survive and have a distant future.

MARGARET BRENNAN

And the Israeli government controls who gets in and who gets out. On the question, though, of making sure that the food you do get in gets to the right people: The former US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, and another Mid-East Envoy have said the UN agencies may not like it, but if the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is the only thing really allowed to operate, then maybe there needs to be some compromise. Why- why not? The United States government is putting $30 million to work there. Why not work with them?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

RUSSELL: You know, look, I- the methodology of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is not something that is consistent with the way humanitarians work. That's a simple answer. And honestly, you know, if you think about it, the UN had 400 places where we would distribute aid. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation had four, okay? And you have seen on television, you have seen this video of these almost apocalyptic situations where people are streaming towards these places, trying to get food, people are getting shot. It's a terrible situation, and it doesn't work. It's not working that well. Now look, I don't- I don't much care if the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation does some distribution. Just let us our let us do our work, too. Let us in. We know how to do this distribution. And when I say we, it's not just UNICEF, it's the UN, it's the other international NGOs. We do it all around the world. We've done it for decades. We know how to do it. We know how to do it in a way that it gets to the people who need it. And I, you know, do both. I'm fine with that, but at least make sure that humanitarians can get in there and distribute the aid fairly, and make sure that these children are not dying unnecessarily. Nobody wants that. President Trump has said that nobody wants that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: He did indeed. I want to ask you, as well, about Sudan, where there was a massive humanitarian crisis. If the United States is not leading efforts to get aid in there, is anyone else stepping up?

RUSSELL: You know, look, the United States has the ability to be such a force for good, and we need them to step up and do more. Sudan, as you say, is the largest displacement crisis in the world. Millions of children are on the move. They are not in school. We now have a horrible outbreak of Cholera, which is very destructive and kills children within hours if they can't get aid. I mean, it is absolutely horrific. And the United States can be such a force for making positive contributions. And I think, you know, other countries are trying, but the US really can make a much bigger difference if they try to do this work, and do it as quickly as possible.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And in Sudan, what is the generational impact here? When you don't look --

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

RUSSELL: Oh, it's horrible. First of all, they're not getting food. They're facing horrible sexual violence. I was just in Chad and heard stories that could just break your heart, and it's devastating, and the results, as you say, will last for generations.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for sharing that. That's it for us today. Thank you for watching. I'm Margaret Brennan.

Trump reacts to Canada reversing retaliatory tariffs, takes questions at White House

Economist Mohamed El-Erian says Jerome Powell "hasn't looked forward enough" on interest rates

Ron Turcotte & Secretariat | 60 Minutes Archive
Days after the Trump administration began deploying Navy destroyers and amphibious warships to bolster security near the coast of Venezuela, Caribbean governments are slowly starting to break their silence on the unusual mission.

On Saturday, as the ships moved toward the Venezuelan coast, the government of Trinidad and Tobago said the deployment of the American military assets to destroy terrorist drug cartels not only has its full support, but should the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro launch any attack against neighboring Guyana and the Trump administration were to call upon Trinidad and Tobago to help, it would do so.

Trinidad and Tobago has always had good relations with the Venezuelan people and that will continue, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a statement. However, I want to make it very clear that if the Maduro regime launches any attack against the Guyanese people or invades Guyanese territory and a request is made by the American government for access to Trinidadian territory to defend the people of Guyana, my government will unflinchingly provide them that access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Guyana and Venezuela have been engaged in a tense dispute border dispute over the Essequibo region, which has led Washington to keep a close eye over the area. After the Trump administration began increasing U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean, Maduro announced plans to mobilize over 4.5 million militia members across the country to defend national sovereignty.

Both the threats and the U.S. deployment had been met with silence by Caribbean leaders. On Friday, oil-rich Guyana was the first to seemingly throw its support behind the measure with a statement that the government is committed to working with our bilateral partners to find meaningful solutions and will support regional and global initiatives aimed at dismantling criminal networks to safeguard our shared security. Both Guyana and Trinidad, the southernmost island-nation in the Caribbean sea, are neighbors of Venezuela.

On Saturday, Persad-Bissessar was much more direct and went as far as defending the Trump administration amid questions about the true intent of deploying U.S. Navy destroyers  the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson  and a powerful amphibious squadron to the region. She cited her nations 20-year battle with rising murder rates and other violent crimes as her reasons.

Due to drug, human and firearms trafficking, Caribbean countries, and in particular Trinidad and Tobago, have experienced massive spikes in transnational crime, gang activity, murders, violence and financial crimes, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last year was Trinidad and Tobagos deadliest on record as the oil-rich nation recorded 625 murders and a homicide rate of 45.7, according to Insight Crime. The countrys violence was closely related to gang activity, with 43.6% of murders related to gangs, the analysis said. Meanwhile, Suriname, Barbados and Turks and Caicos also saw huge spikes in homicide rates. These three countries saw their murder rates grow by more than 100%, putting the Caribbean in the top homicide hotspot for yet another, Insight Crime said.

Earlier this year, Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that gangs should be declared terrorists because of the record-breaking violence with which Caribbean countries are being hit.

Small island states like ours simply do not have the financial and military resources to take on the drug cartels, Persad-Bissessar said. Cartels have been enabled to embed themselves into the high echelons of Caribbean societies, thereby exhibiting significant influence in political, legislative, media, banking, security and economic decisions, often rendering governments toothless to enact actual change to stop criminal activity, she added.

The government of Guyana, which has called for general elections on Sept. 1, said on Friday that it views with grave concern the threat to peace and security in the region posed by transnational organized crime and narco-terrorism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By confronting transnational organized crime and narco-terrorism with unity, we reaffirm our dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the region remains a Zone of Peace, the statement added.

The U.S. deployment has raised concerns over possible escalation in the region, where there remains support among some Caribbean governments for Venezuela and Maduro. Also, some countries have cooperation agreements with the South American nation for drug interdictions.

At the same time, some are questioning the motives of Washington, which had been pulling back cooperation on Drug Enforcement Administration interdictions in countries including the Bahamas and Haiti, and despite concerns about record violent crime in the region, has raised the possibility of small island nations accepting third-country migrants deported from the U.S.

It is shocking to hear some persons using referrals to the Caribbean region as a zone of peace to push negative commentary on the U.S. military deployment against these terrorist cartels, Persad-Bissessar said. The only persons who should be worried about the activity of the U.S. military are those engaged in or enabling criminal activity. Law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. military is operating legally in international waters within the region and has not breached any nations sovereignty, she said. The prime minister, who returned to power in April after a 10-year political drought by her party, said the Trump administration has made no requests for their military assets to access Trinidadian territory for any military action against the Venezuelan regime.

The U.S. show of force in the Caribbean began this week as the Pentagon ordered a powerful amphibious squadron and Navy destroyers into the southern Caribbean, ostensibly to conduct U.S. counternarcotics operations. The squadron and the three Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers  the USS Sampson, USS Jason Dunham and USS Gravely  are designed to counter threats from the air, land, sea and even undersea simultaneously.

Until now, Caribbean governments had not said anything and the Caribbean community regional bloc known as CARICOM, made up of 14 independent countries, has yet to say anything as a group. The blocs current chair is Holness, who is also campaigning for another term with general elections in Jamaica scheduled for Sept. 3.

The Trinidad and Tobago government has not engaged and has no intention of engaging CARICOM on this matter; each member state can speak for themselves on this issue, Persad-Bissessar said. Trinidad and Tobago has been helplessly drowning in blood and violence for the last twenty years; Vice President [J.D.] Vance spoke the truth when he mentioned our high murder and crime rates. Therefore, no amount of Trump derangement syndrome tantrums and anti-American propaganda will prevent my government from welcoming assistance to combat the terrorist drug cartels. Other CARICOM countries are free to make their decisions based on the best interests of their citizens.
Newly declassified FBI documents are fueling debate over whether former FBI Director James Comey directed leaks to the press during the height of the Trump-Russia investigation.

The records, released this week and first highlighted by investigative journalist Catherine Herridge, describe a 2017 leak inquiry code-named Tropic Vortex.

According to one memo, then-FBI General Counsel James Baker told investigators he had disclosed classified information to The New York Times under the belief he was ultimately instructed and authorized to do so by then FBI Director James Comey. Baker said he understood those instructions had been relayed through FBI Chief of Staff James Rybicki.

Pay Special Attention Page 1 FBI Leak Investigation Tropic Vortex Was a Criminal Referral. Allegation is that disclosure of classified information to reporters was authorized by @Comey As FBI Director, Comey would know whether his actions violated 18 USC 1924 which https://t.co/WGgUTkpa35 pic.twitter.com/zic3RrPZ6V  Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) August 22, 2025

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Herridge posted excerpts of the documents on social media, writing: Pay Special Attention Page 1 FBI Leak Investigation Tropic Vortex Was a Criminal Referral. Allegation is that disclosure of classified information to reporters was authorized by @Comey. She added, As FBI Director, Comey would know whether his actions violated 18 USC 1924 which criminalizes mishandling classified documents.

Special counsel John Durhams report on the investigation later recommended no prosecution of Baker or others involved, according to the memo. But the records describe what was termed a potentially unauthorized disclosure to the news media which appeared to be at the impi( ) of Comey in response to then-President Donald Trumps March 2017 tweet alleging that wires were tapped at Trump Tower.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

Herridge reported that the documents cast doubt on Comeys testimony, noting that under oath in 2017, he claimed he had never been a leaker nor authorized anyone at the FBI to be a source for anonymous news reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Comey categorically denied leaking any information.

When asked by Iowas Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, Have you ever been an anonymous source in news reports about matters relating to the Trump investigation or the Clinton Investigation? Comey responded succinctly, Never.

The records also confirm that Comey used a Columbia University law professor to transmit at least one of his memos about private conversations with Trump to the press.

The revelations are the latest in a series of declassifications concerning the early stages of the Russia investigation. Earlier this month, Herridge reported on FBI summaries that cited alleged leaks from Democratic members of the House Intelligence Committee, including Representatives Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, claims both men have denied, The Dallas Express reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DX has previously reported that language linking Russia, elections, and critical infrastructure spiked in the media beginning in mid-2016, around the same time a declassified email tied to George Soros affiliates surfaced that suggested those themes could be used in political messaging.

The FBI has not commented publicly on the documents posted by Herridge.

The 21 pages of records Herridge cited were declassified by the FBI Director, Kash Patel, who has been releasing hundreds of pages of Russia investigation files this summer.
The National Hurricane Center on Sunday continued to track newly formed Tropical Storm Fernand in the open Atlantic while also eyeing a system approaching the Caribbean that could become the next tropical depression or storm.

As of the NHCs 5 p.m. advisory, the center of Fernand was located about 295 miles east of Bermuda moving north-northeast at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 60 miles.

This motion is expected to continue for the next day or two, followed by a turn to the northeast, forecasters said. On the forecast track, Fernand should move well east of Bermuda and across the open waters of the subtropical North Atlantic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While it may strengthen in the next two days, its not expected to threaten any land before weakening by Tuesday.

Fernand became the sixth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on Saturday while the NHC is keeping track of what could be the seventh farther south in the Atlantic.

As of the NHCs 8 p.m. special tropical outlook, the tropical wave was about 200 miles east of the Windward Islands with showers and thunderstorms, but a lack of circulation.

This system could still become a tropical depression during the next day or two while it moves quickly westward at about 20 to 25 mph, passing through the Windward and Leeward Islands later today and early Monday, forecasters said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It could become Tropical Depression Seven or if strong enough be named Tropical Storm Gabrielle.

No matter the development the Caribbean islands can expect heavy rainfall and gusty winds through Monday. Its then forecast to move into the Central Caribbean on Tuesday where conditions are less favorable for additional development.

Data from the Air Force reconnaissance aircraft indicate that the system located near the Windward Islands does not have a closed low-level circulation, Forecasters said. However, the system is still producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms and winds to near gale force, and these conditions are expected to affect the Windward and Leeward Islands tonight and Monday.

Another Air Force reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system overnight, if necessary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The NHC gave it a 30% chance to develop in the next two to seven days, a lower chance than earlier on Sunday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently updated its season forecast to call for 13-18 named storms this year, of which five to nine would grow into hurricanes. Two to five of those would develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

The height of hurricane season runs from mid-August into October while the entire six-month season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.
Seth Herald/Reuters

The Maryland father who the federal government mistakenly deported to El Salvador, brought back to the U.S., and then accused of human smuggling walked free on Fridaybut now the government plans to deport him to Uganda.

In a filing submitted to a federal judge in Tennessee, Kilmar Abrego Garcias lawyers said that the government informed him he would be deported to Uganda on Monday after he declined an offer to be deported to Costa Rica.

His lawyers portrayed the governments latest move as an attempt to retaliate against him for protesting his deportation to El Salvador, where Abrego Garcia claims he was physically and psychologically tortured at the notorious CECOT prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The governments actions, they wrote, leave little doubt that the entire federal government is engaged in a coordinated effort to punish Mr. Abrego for fighting back against its unlawful conduct.

The CECOT mega prison in El Salvador, which Kristi Noem toured earlier this year. Noem has called Abrego Garcia a monster and vowed to deport him. / Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images

The latest development in Abrego Garcias months-long battle with the federal government over his future in the U.S. began Thursday night, hours before he was to be released from Putnam County Jail in Cookeville, Tennessee.

According to Abrego Garcias lawyers, prosecutors for the federal government said he could live freely in Costa Rica if he agreed to remain in jail until Monday and then plead guilty to the human trafficking charges he faces.

When his lawyers declined the offer and Abrego Garcia was released, the government upped the ante: If the 29-year-old did not agree to plead guilty by Monday, ICE would begin the process of deporting him to Uganda.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A federal judge in Maryland had previously ordered the federal government to allow Abrego Garcia to reside in Maryland while he awaits trial and provide 72 hours notice if it intended to deport him to a third country.

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador prior to his return to the US in June. Abrego Garcia's lawyers have said he was tortured in the Salvadoran prison he was deported to, in violation of a court order. / Sen. Van Hollen's Office/Getty Images

That 72-hour notice came almost immediately after Abrego Garcia walked out of jail.

Please let this email serve as notice that DHS may remove your client, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to Uganda no earlier than 72 hours from now, read an email from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to Abrego Garcias lawyers.

Now the government is likely going to be forced to choose between two options: deporting Abrego Garcia, which would likely require dropping the human smuggling charges and be challenged by a lawsuit in Maryland, or not following through on its threat and continuing to seek his criminal conviction in the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The idea to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda appears to stem from a recent agreement struck with the country to accept migrants who have concerns about returning to their countries of origin.

The secretary of Ugandas foreign ministry said that it prefers that individuals from African countries shall be the ones transferred to Uganda, but that the specifics of the agreement were still being determined.

Abrego Garcia is barred, via federal protective order, from being deported to his native country of El Salvador. He and his wife have one child together, in addition to two children from his wifes previous relationship.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been accused of belonging to MS-13 in part because of a 2019 incident in which he was observed wearing a Chicago Bulls hat. / Abrego Garcia Family/Handout via Reuters

The criminal case against Abrego Garcia was charged in June, upon his return to the U.S. from El Salvadorcompelled by the Supreme Courtand stems from a traffic stop that took place in December 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to DHS, Abrego Garcia was stopped for speeding by the Tennessee highway patrol. The responding officer found eight other people in his car without luggage, leading to a suspicion of human trafficking.

Per Abrego Garcias American citizen wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Abrego Garcia was working in construction at the time and sometimes transported groups of workers between job sites.

Various members of the federal government, including Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump, have accused Abrego Garcia of being a member of the notorious MS-13 gang. As evidence, they have pointed to Abrego Garcias tattoos, which include a marijuana leaf and a skull, and the fact that he was once detained for loitering while wearing a Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie.

On Friday, Noem called Abrego Garcia a monster as well as a gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment about Noems claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abrego Garcia has not been accused in court of domestic or child abuse. Prior to his indictment for human trafficking, he had never been charged with or convicted of a crime.

The Daily Beast has contacted both DHS and ICE for comment.
The Trump Administration recently revealed it would be reviewing the visas of more than 55 million people currently resident in the U.S., potentially leading to deportations for some.

According to the Associated Press, this would encompass all U.S. visa holders, including those who are visiting America from other countries.

Officials would look for any information that would constitute a "violation" that bars them from entering or staying in the United States, like criminal activity, overstaying a visa, and ties to terrorism or state-sponsors of terrorism, and would include a review of their social media accounts, and law enforcement and immigration records.

President UA

Since taking office in January, President Trump's administration has expanded its deportation well beyond the promised scope of targeting undocumented immigrants with violent criminal histories, targeting those with minor infractions and in some cases people without any criminal record at all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now it's seemingly expanding to lawful visa holders, which in recent months has been operating on a smaller scale, with the administration revoking the visas of students who have expressed anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian sentiment or taken parts in protests, which it considers support for terrorism.

Minnesota-based students were caught up in that blitz, with one Turkish student held for two months in ICE custody as the federal government tried to deport him over a past DWI conviction, before an immigration judge ruled that wasn't sufficient grounds for his removal.

How would the expanded program impact Minnesota?

An exact figure quantifying the number of visa holders in Minnesota is not available because of the variety of visas there are; from the various forms of temporary visas (student, work) to legal permanent residents with their green cards, to nonimmigrant visas required to visit the U.S.

According to 2023 data published by the American Immigration Council, 482,400 immigrants call Minnesota home, amounting to 8.4% of the population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Of that number, 273,600 immigrants are naturalized U.S. citizens and 72,600 have met the conditions to be eligible for naturalization  which typically means they been resident for at least 3-5 years. There are an estimated 80,000 are undocumented immigrants.

Nearly 15,000 students are studying at Minnesota colleges or universities under student visas.

Data published by the State of Minnesota estimates there were 614,200 international arrivals in 2024.

Its important to note that not all countries require visas to visit the United States, but many do, including China, India, and many other countries in Africa and Asia.

Related: Trump Administration may reopen Appleton, MN prison for ICE detention

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Himachal Pradesh government's "consistent efforts" to resume trade with China through Shipki-La (Kinnaur) have yielded encouraging results, officials said on Sunday. The government of China has agreed in principle to the proposal during the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India, a statement by the State government said. This breakthrough was made possible due to the personal intervention of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who had written to the Union government urging revival of the historic Indo-Tibetan trade route, added the statement. Acting on this, the Union government formally took up the matter with China, leading to a consensus to restart the trade. The state government would now take this matter to the Union Commerce Ministry for completing the codal formalities. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has informed the state government that the Government of India had initiated discussions with China for the resumption of border trade through all three designated points- Shipki-La (Himachal Pradesh), Lipulekh (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La (Sikkim), which had been suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. CM had emphasised that Shipki-La, once an offshoot of the legendary Silk Route and formalised as a border trade point under the Indo-China bilateral agreement of 1994, played a vital role in trans-Himalayan economic and cultural exchanges. In addition to trade, the state government has also received a positive response regarding the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) through Shipki-La. The Chief Minister, in his communication to the Centre, highlighted that the Shipki-La route, connecting via Gartok towards Darchen and Mansarovar, is comparatively shorter on the Tibetan side, as mentioned in the press statement. Himachal Pradesh already has road connectivity up to Shipki-La via Rampur Bushahr and Pooh, making it feasible to develop the necessary base camps and supporting infrastructure for the Yatra. External Affairs Minister in a letter to the Chief Minister, conveyed that after a five-year gap, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has resumed through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim), and discussions are underway with China on the possibility of adding Shipki-La as an additional route, read the press statement from CMO. The state government is hopeful that these initiatives will not only revive traditional border trade but also open new avenues for tourism, cultural exchange, and economic development in Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister has expressed gratitude to the Union government for prioritising these key concerns of the State in bilateral dialogues with China. (ANI)
When the federal government freezes more than half a billion dollars in university research funding and demands an additional unprecedented $1 billion settlement, its not simply a policy dispute. For UCLA, one of the most important public universities in the nation, it is an action that threatens the independence and success of every public university in the nation  and claiming that these cuts relate to antisemitism is a fantasy.

The courts agree. Recently, a federal judge blocked the Trump administrations attempt to withhold some of the $584 million in suspended research funds, ruling that such punitive measures exceed its authority and cause irreparable harm.

As chair of the California Coalition for Public Higher Education and a proud University of California graduate, I know that the federal governments latest demands arent just an existential threat to UCLA  they also represent a clear and present danger to all public universities, and our country as a whole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

UCLA has the unfortunate honor of becoming the first public university to be targeted by a funding freeze based on dubious civil rights violation claims, following similar threats to private universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Brown and the University of Pennsylvania. If this tactic succeeds, it will become the playbook for punishing any university that challenges those in power. And if it can happen here  in Californias crown jewel of higher education  it can happen anywhere.

Lets be clear: UCLA unequivocally condemns antisemitism and all forms of hate. It launched an Initiative to Combat Antisemitism, participated in establishing a systemwide civil rights office and regularly partners with Jewish organizations across the country to ensure its campus is a safe and welcoming place for all. Freezing critical research funding does nothing to protect students.

UCLA is a global leader in research, innovation, education and healthcare. What happens on its campus benefits every American. Federal grants fueled Bruin-led breakthroughs in organ transplant medicine, life-saving cancer therapies and the invention of the internet. Today, UCLA researchers are working to advance artificial intelligence, protect our troops and improve energy efficiency.

Suspending this work doesnt just hurt California, it makes the entire country less competitive, less safe and less able to tackle the urgent challenges of our time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The numbers tell their own story: The UC employs 529,000 people and annually generates $82 billion in economic activity. For every $1 it receives, it creates $21 in economic output. Federal cuts would devastate our nations greatest public university system, damage economies and choke innovation pipelines that power U.S. industry.

At stake are more than 800 research grants, affecting projects from climate resilience to Alzheimers treatment. Across the UC system, $2 billion in National Institutes of Health funding could be jeopardized if this tactic spreads.

Public universities exist to serve all people  not one party or administration. Theyre home to students of every background, religion and political belief. They provide the knowledge, talent and discoveries that improve lives and strengthen our democracy.

California should and does welcome real accountability that strengthens campus safety and inclusion. But holding life-saving research hostage undermines our national competitiveness, robs students of opportunity and puts lives at risk. Its bad policy, bad precedent and bad for America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If we allow our universities to be silenced through political coercion, we will all pay the price. But if we stand together, we can ensure that Americas public universities remain what they have always been: places where knowledge triumphs over politics, where research serves the common good and where the future is built on ideas, not intimidation.

All Californians  regardless of policy and perspective  must now stand firmly behind the UC. Whats at stake is nothing less than the future of higher education and our democracy.

Mel Levine chairs the California Coalition for Public Higher Education. He is a former U.S. congressmember and state assemblymember from Los Angeles.
The Pentagon is reportedly planning to deploy U.S. military personnel into Chicago as soon as September as President Donald Trump escalates his threats to Democratic cities with a stated aim of tackling crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration.

Department of Defense officials have reportedly been planning for weeks in a model that could be used to occupy other American cities with thousands of National Guard troops, according to reporting by The Washington Post on Saturday, citing officials familiar with the plans.

We wont speculate on further operations, a defense official told The Independent on Saturday. The Department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If approved, the deployment could draw parallels to the contentious operation ordered by Trump in Los Angeles this June.

That saw 4,000 members of the California National Guard and 700 active-duty Marines dispatched, despite fervent opposition from state and local leaders.

The Pentagon is reportedly planning for the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago to quell what President Donald Trump described as out-of-control crime at the hands of a liberal mayor and Democratic-run city and state governments (Getty Images)

Discussions have also taken place regarding the possible deployment of thousands of active-duty troops in Chicago, although this is currently deemed less probable, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the subject.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump threatened to send active-duty military personnel into Americas third-largest city to tackle what he described as out-of-control crime under Democratic leadership.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We're going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent, and we'll straighten that one out, probably next that'll be our next one after this, and it won't even be tough, Trump said.

The president then claimed that the Windy Citys Black population  including African American ladies, beautiful ladies  were screaming for him to please come to Chicago.

So I think Chicago will be our next, and then we'll help with New York, he said.

There was fierce public and political opposition to the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles in June (AFP via Getty Images)

In addition to Los Angeles, the president has also taken similar action in Washington, D.C., with National Guard soldiers patrolling the streets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At Trump's request last weekend, the Republican governors of three states said they were sending hundreds of National Guard troops to the nations capital.

This month, the president declared what he called a crime emergency to justify his administration taking control of the citys Metropolitan Police Department while deploying National Guard troops and federal law enforcement agents into the citys streets, claiming that the White House must rescue the city from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse.

Crime data collected by the FBI shows violent crime hit a 30-year low last year in Washington, which is a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress. The Justice Department is reportedly investigating whether city officials manipulated crime data after the president accused the capital city of creating fake crime numbers to undermine his federal takeover.

Fox News reported on Friday that the Trump administration reportedly plans to similarly mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks.

Members of the National Guard stand by at Union Station in Washington, D.C., as part of President Trump's attempt to seize control of policing in the nation's capital (Getty Images)

The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention, according to the states Democratic Governor JB Pritzker.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority, he said in a statement Saturday in response to The Washington Posts reporting.

There is no emergency that warrants the president of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active-duty military within our own borders, he added.

Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families, he said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city has grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops, calling the presidents approach uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Johnson warned that such a deployment could inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement, and would undermine the progress the city has made in reducing crimes, noting that homicides are down 30 percent, robberies by 35 percent, and shootings by nearly 40 percent.

There are many things the federal government could do to help us reduce crime and violence in Chicago, but sending in the military is not one of them, the mayor said.

The National Guard is feeling the cost of the presidents insistence on using its troops to carry out his federal law enforcement agenda, with leadership concerned that prolonged deployments will eat into funding intended for training and operations.
Stephen Miller has been by President Trumps side for most of the last 10 years of the presidents political career, taking center stage on some of the presidents biggest battles  from border security to culture wars.

The crackdown on crime in the nations capital is Millers latest project, working to make his own mark as Trump and his administration officials fan out across the city to highlight a federal take over.

Trump sees transforming Washington, D.C., as a victory that would define his legacy, and Miller is the one shaping and driving that message, an aide in Trumps first term said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Miller, who serves as deputy chief of staff, joined Trump on Thursday evening to greet federal law enforcement agents who have been patrolling D.C. at a U.S. Park Police facility in Anacostia. Miller stood next to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem while the president touted the success of the crime crackdown.

Days prior, Miller joined Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Union Station to meet with National Guard troops, during which the deputy chief of staff railed against what he called stupid white hippies who were protesting the federal law enforcement in the nations capital.

As a key player in Trumps orbit, Miller has a hand in major policy decisions, especially on domestic matters like issues of immigration and crime in cities that are run by Democrats. Trump said on Friday that the federal government would turn its attention to Chicago next.

He is the 85 percent center of gravity in the White House, a source close to the White House said of Miller. Its almost like open knowledge that if hes not involved in it then its not important.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is square right in the middle of his world. All the executive orders, all the focus  he spent four years putting together, heres what were going to do when we take over. Crime is the first cousin to immigration. And deporting illegal aliens, criminal aliens, the whole nine yards, and its the centerpiece of the progressives-had-destroyed-the-country-conservative-retake thing from that wing of the MAGA movement.

On Tuesday, Miller visited Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terry Cole, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith as part of his work on coordinating the federal response with local D.C. officials during the crime crackdown.

The DEA said on the social platform X that his visit was highlighting strong federal & local partnerships to #MakeDCSafeAgain.

He has also made multiple Fox News appearances to talk about the effort in D.C., railing against other mayors such as Bostons and celebrating the work of the federal agents in D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All you see all day long are crazy Democrats screeching on TV on behalf of foreign terrorists, hardened criminals and violent illegal aliens, Miller said on Tuesday.

The sigh of relief that I have seen from the local communities in this city, Miller said last week. President Trump is making D.C. safe, livable, clean and secure, not just for the people who live here but for every American citizen whose birthright is to visit our nations capital.

As of Friday morning, 719 arrests had been made as part of the federal crackdown on crime. Of those arrests, 300 were migrants without legal status, and five of those arrested have been known gang members, including one MS-13 gang member.

The White House said 2,300 federal law enforcement worked in D.C. on Thursday night, and the number has been increasing by a few hundred on a daily basis as red state governors have sent more National Guard members into the city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One area of success for Miller is his messaging approach to the citys homeless problem, the first-term Trump aide said.

For years, cities like Washington, D.C., treated homelessness as a housing affordability problem, which pushed the idea that living on the street was an acceptable alternative so long as civil liberties were preserved. What were seeing Miller do is flipping that script, the former aide said. His message is that the real crisis is driven by drug abuse, mental illness, and criminal activity, and that is why there is broad support for moving people indoors and into treatment.

Meanwhile, the majority of D.C. residents arent supportive of the anticrime push.

A survey from The Washington Post this week found 69 percent of D.C. residents said they strongly oppose the presidents decision to take federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department, and 10 percent said they somewhat oppose the move.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Miller on Wednesday at Union Station bashed those who have protested the federal enforcement in D.C., calling them communists.

All these demonstrators youve seen out here in recent days, all these elderly white hippies, theyre not part of the city and never have been. And by the way, most of the citizens who live in Washington, D.C., are Black, he said.

So were going to ignore these stupid white hippies that all need to go home and take a nap because theyre all over 90 years old, Miller added. And were going to get back to the business of protecting the American people and the citizens of Washington, D.C.

When Trump first said he would activate hundreds of National Guard troops to take over D.C.s police department, he argued it was to take our capital back with a focus on making D.C. clean and ridding the streets of homelessness.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While dozens of homeless encampments have been removed and illegal firearms have been seized, migrants without legal status are another major focus of the crackdown.

Of the 300 arrests made of migrants without legal status so far, many of them have been arrested for additional crimes or having outstanding warrants and convictions, according to the White House, which did not provide a specific number.

Nationwide, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has hit a pace of arresting 930 migrants without legal status a day and deporting more than 1,400 of them daily, The Washington Times reported.

Trump, with Miller prominent in his strategy-making, ran on a platform in 2024 of promising mass deportations and security at the southern border.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tying immigration to the D.C. crime crackdown is part of the larger debate that proved a winning issue with voters.

A lot of what he talks about resonates with the debate, the source close to the White House said of Miller. Theres alignment there, so its reinforcing. And I think Trump very much likes to get the roar of the crowd. If it seems like its something thats going to drive his base, then he dives headfirst.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Donald Trump may send thousands of National Guard troops to Chicago within weeks as he extends his control of Democrat-run cities.

The Pentagon has drawn up plans to deploy troops to the third-largest city in the US as early as September, although this has not yet been signed off by the president, The Washington Post reported.

Earlier this month, Mr Trump mobilised the National Guard in Washington DC and became the first president in history to take federal control of its police force, claiming the capital was being taken over by bloodthirsty gangs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, for the first time, hundreds of National Guard troops deployed in Washington are to be armed, two US officials said.

From Sunday night, personnel patrolling the city will be authorised to carry M17 pistols or M4 rifles. The officials, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said the number of troops carrying weapons remains fluid.

In a statement, the Guards Joint Task Force-DC said force would only be used as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.

Officials said a military deployment in Chicago had been planned for a long time, and was likely to go ahead in conjunction with immigration agents as part of the administrations mass deportation programme.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Friday, Mr Trump suggested he would turn his attention to Chicago after Washington, bypassing the concerns of local officials including JB Pritzker, the Democrat governor of Illinois, who characterised the move as a power grab.

Chicagos a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent, said the president, who has repeatedly feuded with Brandon Johnson, the citys Left-wing leader. And well straighten that one out, probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough.

Residents of Washington DC marched through the US capitals streets on Saturday night to protest against Donald Trump sending in troops and taking control of its police force - Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

On Friday, Mr Pritzker accused Mr Trump of using Washington and Los Angeles as a testing ground for his authoritarian power-grab.

Mr Pritzker, who is thought to be considering a run for president in 2028, said: Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities. Trumps goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilise existing public safety efforts  all to create a justification to further abuse his power.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Trump has previously suggested he could extend federal control to other Democrat-run cities, including New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Oakland.

He deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June after violent clashes between immigration agents and protesters, prompting a legal battle with Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, which is still making its way through the courts.

We wont speculate on further operations, a defence official told The Telegraph. The department is a planning organisation and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.

Credit: DVIDS/Reuters

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Trumps control of the DC police department, currently commanded by Pam Bondi, the attorney general, is technically limited to 30 days under legislation.

But on Friday, Andy Biggs, a Republican congressman for Arizona, introduced legislation to extend this limit to six months. Other Republicans have sponsored resolutions that would allow Mr Trump to maintain control of the police until the end of his term in early 2029.

On Sunday, the president lashed out at Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, after the Democrat invited him to the state to showcase its progress on reducing violent crime.

There is no higher priority for me, as governor of my state, than the safety of my people, Mr Moore wrote in a letter to Mr Trump on Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a post on his Truth Social platform three days later, Mr Trump labelled the invitation rather nasty and provocative, and noted that Baltimore was ranked fourth among US cities for violent crime. If Wes Moore needs help  I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the crime, he wrote.

The president also suggested he could remove federal funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which was demolished when a container ship crashed into it in March last year, killing six people.

It is unlikely Mr Trump could do so unilaterally, however, because Congress voted by a wide margin to cover the costs of the repairs in full in December.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a National Design Studio aimed at overhauling the federal governments websites and digital services.

The America by Design initiative will create a Chief Design Officer position to streamline government interfaces that currently frustrate millions of Americans.

It is time to update the Governments design language to be both usable and beautiful, Trump said. The President set a July 4, 2026, deadline for agencies to produce initial results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The move addresses the stark reality that only 6% of federal websites rate as being good for mobile performance, while less than 20% use standardized design code. As a result, this digital dysfunction costs taxpayers money and erodes trust in government services.

The National Design Studio will work to reduce duplicative design costs and improve both digital and physical federal spaces. Agency heads must now collaborate with the Chief Design Officer to implement consistent design standards across their departments.

Currently, 45% of federal websites arent mobile-friendly, forcing Americans to navigate clunky interfaces on outdated systems. The executive order mandates updates to the United States Web Design System and ensures compliance with the 21st Century IDEA Act.

The Trump administration points to recent successes in modernizing government operations. Veterans benefits backlogs dropped by 37%, while federal retirement records moved from limestone mine storage to digital systems.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Chief Design Officer will recruit private-sector designers to lead the transformation effort. This public-private partnership aims to bring Silicon Valley-level user experience to government services.

Agency heads must prioritize improving websites and locations that have a major impact on Americans everyday lives. The General Services Administration will update the United States Web Design System to align with the new standards.

The America by Design initiative tackles what many Americans experience daily: confusing government websites that waste time and resources. With 26,000 federal websites currently operating with varying quality and design standards, the standardization effort faces a massive undertaking.
President Donald Trump has the golden touch  and nowhere is that more evident than in the Oval Office, where gilded accents now adorn the nations most famous workspace, reflecting his signature style.

The gold additions throughout the Oval Office were on full display last week as global leaders met with Trump to discuss a path to ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

A White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the gold Trump added to the Oval Office "is of the highest quality," declining to provide further details. The spokesperson also said that Trump personally covered the cost of the gold accents, though did not specify how much gold was added or how much Trump spent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sprawling New $200M White House Ballroom To Be Paid For By Trump And Donors

President Donald Trump meets with European leaders following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 18, 2025, in the Oval Office.

In March, Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham during a tour of the Oval Office that the room "needed a little life" when asked about the gold details.

"Throughout the years, people have tried to come up with a gold paint that would look like gold, and they've never been able to do it," Trump told Ingraham. "You've never been able to match gold with gold paint, that's why it's gold," Trump added.

Read On The Fox News App

Since then, Trump has added gold accents throughout the Oval Office to include the room's 18-foot-6-inch ceiling. Below is a picture of the presidential seal that overlooks the Resolute Desk, shown in 2008 and after the addition of all the gold.

A side-by-side image of the Oval Office ceiling from 2008 (left) and with gold details added in 2025 (right).

Behind the Resolute Desk, Trump added gold curtains and a display of flags, including those representing the U.S. militarys sister services.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro gives remarks after her swearing-in ceremony, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office.

Meanwhile, gold trim was added to details along the ceiling and doorways. Even the cherubs inside the door frames were given a golden makeover.

Paintings and gold trim are visible behind reporters as President Donald Trump holds a swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A golden cherub is seen above a door in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 5, 2025.

In March, Trump said he had installed a copy of the Declaration of Independence in the Oval Office. He told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that the document must be kept behind heavy curtains to protect it from light damage.

The signed Declaration of Independence is on permanent display at the National Archives on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., where it has been housed since 1952.

The framed document is seen on the wall behind Trump in the photograph below:

Presidents traditionally choose the portraits displayed in the Oval Office, with special attention given to the one above the fireplace.

A side-by-side image of former President Joe Biden with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2024 (left) and Zelenskyy with President Donald Trump in 2025 (right).

Former President Joe Biden chose a portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt above the fireplace, accompanied by additional portraits of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.

President Joe Biden, right, and Isaac Herzog, Israel's president, during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Above the fireplace, Trump chose to display a portrait of George Washington in military uniform, accompanied by several other prominent portraits.

Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's crown prince, from left, President Donald Trump, and Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gold accents were applied to the white marble fireplace mantel, enhancing its neoclassical details.

A side-by-side image of the Oval Office fireplace from 2024 (left) and with gold details added in 2025 (right).

Here's a closer view of the details added to the fireplace:

Gold-colored decorations are seen as President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 2025.

Trump also placed gold trinkets on the fireplace mantel, though their arrangement has changed frequently.

Gold decor on the mantle behind President Donald Trump during a meeting with Jonas Gahr Store, Norway's prime minister, not pictured, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Gold decorations sit on a fireplace mantle as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday, Jan 31, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the Oval Office, Trump added gold coasters bearing his last name and the number 47, marking his position as the 47th president.

A gold drink coaster on a coffee table during a meeting with Emmanuel Macron, France's president, and President Donald Trump, not pictured, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.

The gold details added to the Oval Office come as Trump undertakes broader renovations across the White House grounds.

Trump Installs Massive New Us Flags At The White House  And They Don't Cost Taxpayers A Penny

Last month, the White House announced that Trump, together with private donors, will fund an estimated $200 million project to build a new ballroom. Intended to host official events, state dinners, and large ceremonial gatherings, the 90,000-square-foot addition will accommodate about 650 seated guests and maintain the White Houses classical design.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The announcement followed a similar move earlier this year, when Trump personally financed the installation of two 88-foot American flags flanking the White House , each reportedly costing around $50,000.





Original article source: Trump gave the Oval Office a gilded makeover  and covered the cost himself
By Idrees Ali

(Reuters) -U.S. National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. as part of what President Donald Trump said was his crackdown on crime will begin carrying weapons on Sunday night, two officials said.

The exact number of troops who would carry their weapons was fluid, but they will either carry their M17 pistols or M4 rifles, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hundreds of unarmed National Guard troops have been in Washington's streets for the past two weeks after Trump declared a crime emergency in the district. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week authorized the troops to carry weapons.

The Guard's Joint Task Force-DC said in a written statement on Sunday that its personnel would only use force "as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm."

Meanwhile, Trump, a Republican, has said he would probably expand his crime crackdown to Chicago, intervening in another city governed by Democrats. And on Sunday he suggested the possibility of deploying troops to Democratic-run Baltimore in Maryland.

Democratic House of Representatives Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sunday that Trump did not have the authority to deploy troops to Chicago as the Pentagon carried out initial planning for a possible deployment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there had been initial planning at the Pentagon about what a deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago would look like.

One official said the plans were part of the military's efforts to anticipate any requests by Trump and noted senior Pentagon officials have not yet been briefed on them. It is not uncommon for the Pentagon to plan for potential deployments before formal orders are given.

Jeffries said any move to deploy troops to Chicago was an attempt by Trump to manufacture a crisis. Crime, including murders, has declined in Chicago in the last year.

"There's no basis, no authority for Donald Trump to potentially try to drop federal troops into the city of Chicago," Jeffries told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jeffries cited comments made by JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois, which includes Chicago, who said there was no emergency warranting the deployment of the National Guard or other military.

Leveling criticism at Democratic Governor Wes Moore over crime levels in Baltimore, Trump said he was prepared to deploy troops there, too.

In July, the Baltimore police department said there had been a double-digit reduction in gun violence compared to the previous year. The city has had 84 homicides so far this year - the fewest in over 50 years, according to the mayor.

"If Wes Moore needs help... I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime," Trump said on Truth Social on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some Republican governors have sent hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at Trump's request. The president has depicted the capital as being in the grip of a crime wave, although official data shows crime is down in the city.

On Sunday, Trump asserted without evidence that there was now no crime in the city and credited it to his deployment of troops and hundreds of federal law enforcement personnel.

Trump has much less power over Chicago and Baltimore than he does over the District of Columbia, where as president he holds more sway.

Title 10 of the U.S. Code, a federal law that outlines the role of the U.S. Armed Forces, includes a provision allowing the president to deploy National Guard units to repel an invasion, to suppress a rebellion or to allow the president to execute the law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump cited this provision, known as Section 12406, when he sent National Guard units to California earlier this year to counter protests, over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom.

In the case of Chicago, which is a so-called sanctuary city, Trump may argue local laws that bar city officials from cooperating with federal immigration agents prevent the president from executing the law, justifying the military presence.

Trump is almost certain to face legal challenges if he uses Section 12406 to send National Guard troops from Republican-led states into Democratic strongholds.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali in Toronto; editing by Ross Colvin, Chris Reese and Stephen Coates)
(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump plans to clean up major U.S. cities that he says are plagued by crime.

Democrats see his plans to use military troops as a political power grab.

Trump has long decried the crime and conditions inside large U.S. cities, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. He has taken action to address crime with federal troops over the objection of local leaders already in Los Angeles and the nation's capitol.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chicago and New York could be next.

"Chicago's a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent, and we'll straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this. And it won't even be tough," Trump told reporters on Friday.

Illinois officials denounced the move, but it's unclear if they have a path to stop the president.

Trump commands U.S. forces, and the GOP controls narrow majorities in the U.S. House and Senate.

However, Democrats control the government in Chicago and Illinois, where politicians were quick to condemn Trump's comments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We take President Trump's statements seriously, but to be clear the City has not received any formal communication from the Trump administration regarding additional federal law enforcement or military deployments to Chicago," Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "Certainly, we have grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops to the City of Chicago. The problem with the president's approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound."

Johnson said Trump's proposal could "inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement" and said crime in the city is down.

"In the past year alone, we have reduced homicides by more than 30%, robberies by 35%, and shootings by almost 40%. We need to continue to invest in what is working," the mayor said.

Earlier this week, Trump said D.C. officials manipulated crime statistics to "give the illusion of safety." Trump didn't provide specific data, but said the matter is under investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who hasn't ruled out a presidential run, said Trump was trying to distract from his tariff policy, which the Democrat said was raising consumer prices. Pritzker, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, called the troops a ploy for attention.

"After using Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities. Trump's goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts  all to create a justification to further abuse his power. He is playing a game and creating a spectacle for the press to play along with," the governor said. "We don't play those games in Illinois."
WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - President Donald Trumps push for Republican-led states to redraw their U.S. House of Representatives districts to protect their majority in next years midterm elections could set the stage for Republicans to dominate the chamber in decades to come, political analysts and experts said.

Republicans hold a 219-212 House majority and Trump is looking to break the streak of midterm House losses for the sitting presidents party  as happened to him in 2018 and to Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022  by pushing states starting with Texas to aggressively redistrict.

Related: Four Ways ICE Is Training New Agents And Scaling Up

Democratic states, led by California, have threatened to retaliate by redrawing their own districts for partisan gain, a longstanding feature of U.S. politics known as gerrymandering that has grown far more potent thanks to modern data analysis tools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Republicans hold the advantage, with control of the state legislatures and governorships of 23 states, compared with 15 for Democrats. Further, independent analysts say, population shifts could create as many as 11 new congressional seats in Republican Southern and Western states after the 2030 U.S. Census.

Democrats enjoyed 40 years of unbroken House control beginning in 1955 and ending in 1995 as conservative Southern Democrats defected to the Republican Party in earnest.

The current redistricting battle has raised concerns about a new era of gerrymandering, with Republicans and Democrats jockeying for advantage and further dividing an already polarized nation.

Related: Epstein Accuser Virginia Giuffre's Memoir Is Being Published Posthumously

I feel like its cheating, said Adam Kinzinger, a Trump critic and former Republican congressman who lost his Illinois seat to redistricting after the 2020 census. Every time we break a norm in politics now, that norm never comes back. Itll be an avalanche of constant redistricting. I worry about that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Republican-controlled Texas state legislature last week passed a new map meant to provide five more Republican seats. The Democratic-led California legislature responded by proposing a map that would give Democrats five more seats, though the states voters will have to approve that move in a November special election.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll this month found that most Americans oppose partisan gerrymandering, to the degree that many worry about American democracy itself being in jeopardy.

Related: 'Sopranos' Star Jerry Adler, Broadway Backstage Vet Turned Late-In-Life Actor, Dies At 96

FEW COMPETITIVE SEATS

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nonpartisan election analysts currently rate just three dozen of the nations 435 House districts as competitive in the 2026 midterm elections, pushing the real contests to party primaries that select more partisan lawmakers less interested in compromise.

That would be another way of saying that the will of the voters is not being reflected in the outcome of the election, said Thomas Kahn, acting director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University.

If Republicans build institutional advantages, whether through fundraising ... or through gerrymandering, then essentially they will be creating a lock on the House. And I dont think thats good for democracy, he added.

Related: Democrat Mocks JD Vance For Having Cardboard Charisma As He Pushes Unpopular Budget Bill

Democratic strongholds including New York and California are already losing population to Florida, Texas, Idaho and other Republican-led states, a trend that many Republicans view as an endorsement of their partys policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A lot of the voters who are moving from California - the Bay Area - to Austin or Dallas or Boise, Idaho, are the more conservative-leaning folks who want to live in a red state for a variety of reasons: cost of living, laws and regulations, how the states run, business environment, stuff like that, said Will Kiley, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of the House Republicans.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 21% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats have considered moving to a different state where taxes are lower.

The U.S. Census data that underlies redistricting expectations shows that nearly all of the population growth in states such as Texas and Florida since 2020 has occurred in minority communities.

In Texas, which is expected to pick up three to four House seats after 2030 according to party redistricting committees, nearly 97% of newcomers are Hispanic, Black or Asian. In Florida, which could add two to four seats, the same groups account for more than three-quarters of the growth, U.S. Census data shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What we know to be true is that growth is almost completely within communities of color. And those are the very communities that these changes are attempting to curtail, said Kareem Crayton, vice president at New York Universitys nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.

Minority voters have shifted toward Republicans in recent elections. Trump won the national Hispanic vote 51%-46% last November, a 14 percentage-point improvement from his 2020 performance.

The new congressional map unveiled by Texas Republicans at Trumps behest appears to cater to Hispanic voters. But Democrats say Republicans have eroded the groups electoral power in some Hispanic-majority districts by minimizing the number of voting-age Latinos and adding high-turnout white conservative communities.

On Sunday, Democratic House of Representatives Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said the move in Texas was a bid to rig the midterm elections.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Texas, this is a racial, partisan gerrymander ordered by Donald Trump... and were not going to let it happen, Jeffries said on CNNs State of the Union.

Partisan rancor in Congress has intensified since Trump began his second term in January, driving out moderate Republicans including Representative Don Bacon, who drew Trumps ire after disagreeing with the administration over proposed funding cuts and security gaps at the Pentagon. Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher, once seen as a rising Republican star, left office in early 2024 after a firestorm of criticism for opposing the impeachment of former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

We have major issues to solve. Were not solving them, said former Representative John Duarte, who was rated the least conservative House Republican by Heritage Action for America before losing his California seat to Democrat Adam Gray last year. We can do a lot. But right now, everyones running away from the ball.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell)

More on U.S. News

Chicago Mayor Blasts Trump Military Threats As 'Flagrant Violation' Of Constitution

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Surrenders To ICE In Baltimore, Faces Possible Deportation To Uganda

Fans Go Nuts After Squirrel Puts Baseball Game On Paws At Yankee Stadium

Read the original on HuffPost
BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has called out Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, accusing them of disrespecting the Hindu faith and the sacred traditions of Sabarimala. The remarks come in response to reports that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) government in Kerala has invited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for an Ayyappa Sangamam, a religious event to be held in Pampa, Kerala in September. Chandrasekhar labelled it as a "drama" aimed at "fooling people" and has demanded public apologies from both leaders for their alleged insults to Hindus and Ayyappa devotees. In his X post, "This is a clear message to @pinarayivijayann, @mkstalin from all the karyakartas of BJP all over and Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Both of you have, over the years, harmed and insulted Sabarimala, Ayappa bhakts and the Hindu faith. Pinarayi Vijayan has imprisoned many Ayyappa bhakts, cases against many more, inflicted police violence against Ayyappa bhakts and done everything to violate and insult the sacred traditions of Sabarimala. Stalin and his useless dynastic son have repeatedly insulted Hindus and referred to the Hindu faith as a virus, amongst other things. He further added, "These are deeply etched into every Hindus memory and will never be forgotten or forgiven. So, the CPM Govt celebrating Ayappa Sangamam, a few months before elections, is a drama and part of a "Fool the people" strategy." Chandrasekhar demanded that Pinarayi Vijayan withdraw all cases against Ayyappa devotees, apologise to those jailed, and seek forgiveness from Lord Ayyappa for violating Sabarimala traditions. Similarly, he called for MK Stalin and his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, to apologise to Hindus and seek forgiveness if they wish to participate in the event in Kerala. "Let it to be known to both Pinarayi and Stalin - the only way they can take part in Ayappa Sangamam is if they apologise to Hindus and Sabarimala Ayappa Bhakts. Pinarayi Vijayan must withdraw all cases, apologise to those bhakts who were jailed and seek forgiveness from Lord Ayyappa for violating Sabarimala traditions. Stalin and his useless heir Udaynidhi must apologise to Hindus and seek forgiveness, if they wish to come to Kerala. Without this, if Stalin or Pinarayi try and misuse Sabarimala bhakts or their faith and attend this program, every karyakarta of @BJP4Keralam will come out and resist this," he said in a post on X. He further warned, saying, "Do not underestimate the strength of our will on this issue. Do not provoke us. Ask for forgiveness first and then do your opportunistic politics. BJP will not permit anyone or any political party to insult any Hindus faith or anyone's faith." (ANI)
Weeks before the FBI raided John Boltons house, President Donald Trump made clear that his former national security adviser was a target of his second term.

Law enforcement agents raided Boltons home in Bethesda, Maryland and his Washington, D.C. office on Friday as part of an investigation related to classified documents, Vice President JD Vance confirmed. Bolton served as Trumps national security adviser from 2018 to 2019 but has since become a vocal critic of the president.

On Friday, Trump said he wasnt aware of the raids until after they happened. I saw it on television this morning, he said. The president added he wasnt a fan of Bolton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

My house was raided also, Trump told reporters, referring to the FBI raid of his Mar-a-Lago compound in 2022. So I know the feeling. Its not a good feeling.

But sources close to Trump toldThe Washington Post that the president was irked by Boltons critical comments ahead of his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The president also publicly took issue with Boltons remarks, calling him really dumb in a Truth Social post on August 13  raising questions over the timing of the raid, which occurred just nine days after the social media post.

FBI agents searched the home and office of former White House national security adviser John Bolton, who has emerged as a prominent Trump critic since leaving his first administration (REUTERS)

The Independent has requested comment from the White House.

Earlier this month, Bolton accused Trump of running a retribution presidency. Since returning to the White House, Trump has targeted his so-called political enemies, including law firms, news organizations, former government officials, ideological opponents, and universities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bolton noted that Trump has already come after me and several others, alluding to the revocation of his security detail, which he received following threats against his life from Iran.

Bolton has yet to make a public statement following the raids.

Their public feud began to simmer during Trumps first administration in 2019, when the president asked his national security adviser to resign, stating in a tweet that he disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions.

In 2020, Bolton released an explosive memoir, The Room Where It Happened, detailing his time working in the first Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation into whether Bolton disclosed classified information in his book and the administration tried to halt its publication, and a judge found in June 2020 that Bolton likely jeopardized national security by disclosing classified information in violation of his nondisclosure agreement obligations.

But the court did not block the books publication.

Both the lawsuit and criminal probe were dropped under the Biden administration.

Following the FBI raid, Vance hinted at a new law enforcement probe into Bolton that was in the very early stages. The vice president noted that classified documents are certainly part of that probe, but that theres a broad concern about Ambassador Bolton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to defend the raid, writing on X Friday morning that NO ONE is above the law and that FBI agents are on mission.

Attorney General Pam Bondi similarly remarked that Americas safety isnt negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.

The investigation has sparked criticism from usually reliably supportive right-wing media outlets.

Bolton served as the presidents national security adviser during Trumps first term until 2019, when Trump said he disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions (AP)

On Friday, panelists appearing on Fox News Americas Newsroom said they were skeptical of the FBIs decision to execute the raid.

Chris Swecker, former assistant FBI director from 2004 to 2006, said that he had consulted with former agency colleagues about the raid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We're looking at this a little bit skeptically because we were very heavily critical of the Mar-a-Lago raid. Just because you have the authority and discretion to do something like this, doesn't mean you should, he told Fox News.

Every federal search is predicated on an affidavit that shows probable cause that a crime has been committed and that evidence exists in a specific location, he said.

We just don't want to see the FBI weaponized for the other side, if you will, just turning the playbook over, he added. So, we're anxiously awaiting the unsealing of that affidavit.

FBI agents carry boxes from Boltons office in Washington, D.C., less than two weeks after Bolton suggested Trump was running a retribution presidency (AP)

Attorney and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley alluded to the longstanding disagreement between Trump and Bolton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is a great concern about whether this is retaliation against a political opponent, he said. We just don't know because we haven't seen the warrant, we haven't seen the affidavit.

Other conservative media warned that the raid could signal Trump is using the FBI to exact political retribution. The Wall Street Journals editorial board said the raid reeks of political vengeance.

Its hard to see the raid as anything other than vindictive, the editorial board wrote Friday. Mr. Trump made clear that he was out for blood against Mr. Bolton when he pulled the former advisers protective detail after his re-election.

Trump may hope that the raid leads Bolton to stop criticizing him publicly, the board suggested, adding that the real offender here is a president who seems to think he can use the powers of his office to run vendettas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In August 2022, FBI agents raided Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach related to his handling of classified documents.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on charges alleging he unlawfully withheld thousands of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago compound and then obstructed law enforcements attempts to retrieve them. A federal judge appointed by Trump dismissed the case, and special counsel Jack Smith withdrew his appeals after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.
President Donald Trump said Sunday that he would send the National Guard to Baltimore to "quickly clean up the crime" if Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says he needs help.

Moore had earlier invited Trump to attend a public safety walk in the crime-ridden city in September, saying in an Aug. 21 letter that the event would provide an opportunity to "discuss strategies for effective public safety policy."

Trump Vows To Make Dc 'Safer' And 'Beautiful' As Capital Battles Crime And Homelessness

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this crime disaster before I go there for a walk," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is leaving all options on the table if Texas moves forward with a Trump-backed plan to change district lines.

He accused Moore of having a poor record on crime "unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States are doing."

Trump added that he did not appreciate the tone of Moores invitation.

Read On The Fox News App

Chicago Mayor Calls Trump's National Guard Deployment Plan 'Uncoordinated, Uncalled-for And Unsound'

"But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the "troops," which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the crime," Trump wrote. He added that Baltimore ranks among the worst cities in the United States for crime and murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Moore's office renewed calls for Trump to visit Baltimore in a statement to Fox News Digital, adding that the city has recorded its lowest homicide level in fifty years.

"This is a President who would rather attack his country's largest cities from behind a desk than walk the streets with the people he represents. The President should join us in Baltimore because the blissful ignorance, tropes, and the 1980s scare tactics benefit no one. We need leaders who are there helping the people who are actually on the ground doing the work," a spokesperson for Moore wrote.

With the dome of the U.S. Capitol in the background, members of the D.C. National Guard keep watch outside Union Station in Washington, D.C., Aug. 19, 2025.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration rolled out a plan aimed at making Washington, D.C., "safer and more beautiful" as his administration doubles down on efforts to address crime and a growing homeless population in the nations capital.

"I will take care of our cherished Capital, and we will make it, truly, GREAT AGAIN! Before the tents, squalor, filth, and crime, it was the most beautiful Capital in the world. It will soon be that again," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Aug. 10.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Blue Cities In Trumps Crosshairs After Dc Police Takeover

Trump has repeatedly characterized Washington, D.C., as "one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world." Officials have sought to curb crime by deploying hundreds of federal agents and National Guard troops to patrol the streets.

On Friday, Trump said he was considering sending the National Guard to Chicago, calling the Windy City "a mess."

Trump said that his administration will "straighten that one out probably next," adding that "it wont even be tough." The White House has not offered additional details of a potential deployment of troops to Chicago.





Original article source: Trump says he could send the National Guard to Maryland to address crime
President Donald Trump threatened to remove D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) if she does not get her act straight."

Trump escalated his attacks on Bowser in recent days after he ordered a federal takeover of Washington, D.C. earlier this month. He has repeatedly accused her of falsifying crime statistics of the nations capital despite presenting no evidence for his claim.

Trump threatened to remove Bowser and take over Washington, D.C. during a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im tired of listening to these people say how safe it was before we got here. It was unsafe. It was horrible. And Mayor Bowser better get her act straight, or she wont be there very long, because well take it over with the federal government run it like its supposed to be run, Trump said on Friday.

The numbers were horrible. There was a crime infested rat hole, and they do have a lot of rats. Were getting rid of them too. And weve made a lot of progress, he continued.

Trump: "Mayor Bowser better get her act straight or she won't be mayor very long because we'll take it over with the federal government and run it like it's supposed to be run ... it was a crime-invested rat hole." pic.twitter.com/6Pngwy0esr  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 22, 2025

Trump also lashed out at Bowserwho rarely criticizes the presidentin a 2 a.m. Truth Social post on Friday.

Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN! The crowds are coming back, the spirit is high, and our D.C. National Guard and Police are doing a fantastic job. They are out in force, and are NOT PLAYING GAMES!!! As bad as it sounds to say, there were no murders this week for the first time in memory, Trump wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mayor Muriel Bowser must immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen, including a complete and total Federal takeover of the City! Washington D.C. will soon be great again!!! he added.

Trump announced earlier this month that federal law enforcement would be taking over Washington, D.C., citing a high crime rate in the city. However, his claim was immediately fact checked by reports that found that the crime rate had hit a 30-year-low in the last year.

The White House said there have been 630 arrests, including 251 people who are in the country illegally, since Aug. 7, when Trump began ordering federal agents into the city. Trump has been ratcheting up the intensity since then, seizing control of the D.C. police department on Aug. 11 and deploying more National Guard troops, mostly from Republican-led states.

Trump suggested on Thursday that operations in Washington could be drawn out and serve as a model for others around the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were going to make it safe, and were going to go on to other places, but were going to stay here for a while, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
The Brief

President Donald Trump is slamming Baltimore, along with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in a recent social media post.

The post is in response to an invitation by the governor for the president to visit Maryland.

The president said he would visit when crime is down in "out-of-control" Baltimore.

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has rejected an invitation to visit Maryland, while taking aim at its governor and largest city.

What they're saying

"Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I "walk the streets of Maryland" with him. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore?" Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The president then suggested he would go for "a walk" after the governor cleans up crime, offering to send "troops" if help was needed.

"Which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime. After only one week, there is NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN DC! When it is like that in Baltimore, I will proudly "walk the streets" with the failing, because of Crime, Governor of Maryland," Trump said.

After stating that Baltimore is ranked the fourth-worst city in the nation for crime and murder, the president relayed this message to the governor: "Stop talking and get to work, Wes. Ill then see you on the streets!!!"

The backstory

The president's response comes just days after Gov. Moore invited Trump to visit Maryland to discuss public safety strategies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Last week, you responded to my concerns about the deployment of National Guard personnel for municipal policing in Washington, D.C. by insulting me personally from the Oval Office. So I wanted to write in order to clarify the root of my frustration and extend an invitation for you to visit Maryland," Moore wrote in a letter to Trump on Thursday.

Click to open this PDF in a new window.

The governor went on to state that homicides in Maryland are down statewide by 20 percent since his inauguration two and a half years ago, and that Baltimore was on track to have the lowest number of homicides.

"If theres anything Maryland has proven over the last two years, its that we can achieve performance without being performative. Progress requires the right tool for the right mission. Asking the patriotic citizen soldiers of our National Guard to police our cities doesnt meet that test," Moore said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He ended by inviting the president to attend a public safety walk in September, on a date of his choosing.

Dig deeper

Last week, Trump also threatened on social media to fully "takeover" Washington, D.C., accusing Mayor Muriel Bowser of disseminating "inaccurate crime figures."

"Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN! The crowds are coming back, the spirit is high, and our D.C. National Guard and Police are doing a fantastic job. They are out in force, and are NOT PLAYING GAMES!!! As bad as it sounds to say, there were no murders this week for the first time in memory."

"Mayor Muriel Bowser must immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen, including a complete and total Federal takeover of the City! Washington D.C. will soon be great again!!!"

The Source

Information from this article was sourced from Truth Social posts by President Donald Trump and a letter sent to the president by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy troops to Baltimore, escalating a clash with Maryland Governor Wes Moore after the Democrat invited him to join a "safety walk" in the city.

"If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the 'troops,' which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime," Trump wrote on social media.

The comments mark the latest flashpoint in the president's efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities as part of what he calls a crackdown on crime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The use of military personnel for domestic law enforcement has drawn fierce backlash from Democrats. One governor described it as an "abuse of power".

Trump has already deployed around 2,000 troops to Washington DC, a Democratic stronghold.

On Sunday, the Guard started to carry weapons in Washington, the military said. Previously, their weapons were available if needed but kept in the armoury.

A statement from the Joint Task Force said they were only to be used as a last resort.

As many as 1,700 troops are expected to mobilise in 19 states in the coming weeks, US media report.

Governor Moore, a frequent critic of the president's strategy, said Trump's comments about fighting crime "come off as so, so tone deaf and so ignorant".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's because they have not walked our streets," Moore said. "They have not been in our communities, and they are more than happy to keep making these repeated tropes about us."

Trump's Sunday Truth Social comments appeared to be a direct response to Moore's invitation letter to Trump which the president described as "nasty" and "provocative".

"As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a 'walk,'" Trump wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The White House says hundreds of arrests have been made since the operation began in Washington DC.

Speaking in the White House Oval Office on Friday, Trump said the mission had brought "total safety" to Washington.

"DC was a hellhole," he said. "But now it's safe."

According to crime figures published by Washington DC's Metropolitan Police (MPDC), violent offences fell after peaking in 2023 and in 2024 hit their lowest level in 30 years.

They are continuing to fall, according to preliminary data for 2025.

Violent crime overall is down 26% this year compared to the same point in 2024, and robbery is down 28%, according to the MPDC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump has suggested he would deploy troops in New York and Chicago as well.

This escalation has led to condemnation from Democrats leaders of other states and cities including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker who said Trump's threats to deploy troops to Chicago is an abuse of power.

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also weighed in, asserting that Trump lacks the legal authority to dispatch troops to cities like Baltimore and Chicago.

He said the president was exploiting reduced crime levels - like Baltimore's "fewest homicides in over 50 years" - to manufacture a crisis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A poll conducted by the Washington Post and Schar School released earlier this week found the deployment deeply unpopular among the city's residents, with almost 80% saying they were opposed to both the deployment of federal officers and the National Guard, as well as the takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The Trump administration has ramped up its attacks on gender-affirming care as young people are identifying as transgender at a higher rate than their older counterparts.

Transgender Americans have been made a target of President Donald Trumps second presidency since his first day in office, when he issued an executive order declaring the United States only recognizes two sexes: male and female. Since returning to the White House, the president has made more than 300 attacks against LGBTQ+ people, according to advocacy group GLAAD.

This week alone demonstrates the fervor with which the Trump administration has taken aim at transgender Americans across the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Air Force ordered that military boards must recommend separation for transgender service members, circumventing the typical board review process that includes a fair and impartial hearing. A Yosemite National Park ranger who hung a trans pride flag at Yosemites El Capitan was terminated. MAGA world erupted when two students were suspended from a Virginia high school after a Title IX investigation found they sexually harassed a transgender student.

The Trump administrations attacks against gender-affirming care, in particular, have ramped up this week amid a new analysis showing that 2.8 million Americans aged 13 and older identify as transgender.

A DOJ subpoena, made public this week, shows the Trump administration demanded hospital records about minor patients who obtained gender-affirming care (Getty)

Of that group, more than three-quarters are under 35 years old and one-quarter are between 13 and 17, suggesting more young people are likely to identify as transgender compared to their older counterparts, the Williams Institute, a UCLA Law think tank, found in an analysis released Wednesday.

LGBTQ people, especially transgender youth, are more comfortable being themselves than ever before, a GLAAD spokesperson told The Independent in an email. No president or administration will ever censor us away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

The report relied on data from a CDC survey. In an apparent remark on the political climate, the authors noted that theyre unclear about what data sources will be available in the future and said its also unclear whether individuals willingness to disclose on surveys that they identify as transgender will remain unchanged in the years to come.

In a direct onslaught on transgender youth, the Justice Department issued a subpoena to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia demanding records related to minors gender-affirming care, filings made public this week reveal.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in July that the Justice Department had issued 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in providing gender-affirming care to minors (AP)

Last month, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the DOJ had issued subpoenas to more than 20 doctors and clinics involved in providing gender-affirming care to minors. Medical professionals and organizations that mutilated children in the service of a warped ideology will be held accountable by this Department of Justice, Bondi said in a statement in July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The subpoena asks the hospital to produce documents that identify which patients were prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy, records related to diagnoses that formed the basis for prescribing these treatments, and documents related to informed consent and parental authorization. The DOJ wants documents dating back to January 2020, when no state had banned gender-affirming care. Now, 27 states have placed limits on such care, according to KFF.

The subpoena is a breathtakingly invasive government overreach, Jennifer L. Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at legal advocacy group GLAD Law, told the Washington Post. Its specifically and strategically designed to intimidate health care providers and health care institutions into abandoning their patients.

The GLAAD spokesperson suggested that the Justice Department instead apply itself to exacting justice for the creeps in the Epstein files if they truly cared about keeping young people safe. Their energy is misdirected and intentional, and every American knows it.

The Trump administration has been using different methods for months to try to seek such information.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A month before Bondi announced the subpoenas, the FBI urged the public to call in tips about any hospitals, clinics or providers performing gender affirming care.

President Donald Trumps administration has ramped up its attacks against gender-affirming care (Middle East Images)

In May, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent letters to hospitals asking for information about their policies and information related to gender-affirming care treatments. Hospitals accepting federal funds are expected to meet rigorous quality standards and uphold the highest level of stewardship when it comes to public resources, Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator, said.

The administrations laser focus on the trans community  who make up just 1 percent of the population aged 13 and older, according to the analysis  extends far beyond collecting hospital data into policies.

Last Friday, the Office of Personnel Management issued a memo stating chemical and surgical modification of an individual's sex traits through medical interventions (to include gender transition services) will no longer be covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program in 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The document notes that counseling services for possible or diagnosed gender dysphoria must still be covered.

Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a lawyer and health care strategist at Lambda Legal, slammed the policy as illegal.

This discriminatory policy denying medical care to government employees and their dependents is not only cruelit is illegal, he said in a statement. The federal government cannot simply strip away essential healthcare coverage from transgender employees while providing comprehensive medical care to all other federal workers.

This policy will also likely impact dependents of federal employees who may need access to such care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The analysis revealed young people are more likely to identify as trans than adults. Among those aged 13 to 17 in the U.S., 3.3 percent identify as transgender, the analysis found; by contrast, of all U.S. adults, just 0.8 percent identify as transgender.

A new analysis showed that more young people are identifying as transgender compared to their older counterparts in the U.S. (Williams Institute)

On Thursday, the Trump administration unveiled its latest attack on trans minors by terminating the California State Personal Responsibility Education Program, a federal grant aiming to educate young people on both abstinence and contraception. The grant was worth $12 million, Reuters reported.

Californias refusal to comply with federal law and remove egregious gender ideology from federally funded sex-ed materials is unacceptable, Andrew Gradison, the acting assistant secretary at the Administration for Children and Families, said in a statement. The Trump Administration will not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to indoctrinate children. Accountability is coming for every state that uses federal funds to teach children delusional gender ideology.

Defunding the grant marks the latest salvo in the administrations battle with California over transgender rights. Last month, the Trump administration sued Californias department of education over its policy to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Independent has reached out to the states department of education for comment.

If its a day ending in y, President Trump is attacking kids safety, health, and access to education as part of his culture war, a spokesperson from California Governor Gavin Newsoms office told The Independent in a statement.
President Donald Trump has said that he wants to end mail-in voting, a popular option thats been embraced by tens of millions of voters nationwide.

The Republican president said an executive order is already in the works to make that a reality  even though he doesnt have the authority to do that under the U.S. Constitution.

We, as a Republican Party, are going to do everything possible that we get rid of mail-in ballots," Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. Were going to start with an executive order thats being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to end mail-in ballots.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trumps comments were an amplification of a longer post to his Truth Social site, last week, where he said he planned to eliminate Highly Inaccurate, Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES, which cost Ten Times more than accurate and sophisticated Watermark Paper, which is faster, and leaves NO DOUBT, at the end of the evening, as to who WON, and who LOST, the Election.

The presidents comments about voting machines also came on the same day that the right-leaning Newsmax network agreed to pay $67 million to settle a lawsuit over claims it made about voting machines.

In that same post, Trump also argued that the United States is the only country in the world that uses Mail-In Voting. All others gave it up because of the MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD ENCOUNTERED.

The opposite is true. Thirty-four countries around the world allow for some form of mail-in balloting, which is referred to as postal voting, according to a report by Sweden-based International IDEA, which supports democracy worldwide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump also missed the mark on voting machines.

There is no evidence the machines are inaccurate. And while the president continued to call for paper ballots, thats already the norm in nearly every state, according to an analysis by FactCheck.org.

So, can Trump ban mail-in balloting and voting machines?

Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin, who oversees elections in the Bay State, cut right to the chase.

Well, he cant, Galvin told MassLive, noting that the state already has taken Trump to court to challenge the White Houses efforts to constrain voting rights.

He has no authority, unilaterally, to prevent people from voting by mail, or states from allowing their citizens to vote by mail, Galvin, a Boston Democrat, said. He may want to pursue legislation, which, obviously, we would oppose, and I think most intelligent people would. But, he, by himself, cannot do that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And theres a pretty simple reason for that: Under the Constitution, only the states and Congress have the power to regulate elections.

Its right there in Article I, Section 4 of the nations foundational document:

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing (sic) Senators.

Theres no role for the president in the process, Michael Waldman, the president and CEO of The Brennan Center, posted on Bluesky last Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And any attempt to ban mail-in voting is an appalling attack on free and fair election[s], Waldman continued.

UCLA Law School professor Rick Hasen sees things much the same way, noting that Trumps Truth Social post makes the argument that states are merely an agent of the federal government in counting and tabulating the votes.

This is wrong and dangerous, Hasen wrote in a post to The Election Law Blog. The Constitution does not give the President any control over federal elections. Federal courts have recognized this in the context of his first EO on elections issued months ago  and part put on hold through preliminary injunctions."

Whats the deal in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts first implemented mail-in voting in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, state lawmakers and then-Gov. Charlie Baker enshrined it in law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was very challenging administratively to put that together, Galvin said of the states first run at mail-in voting in 2020. But we did it, and it was very successful and very popular.

The state logged a record turnout of 1.4 million people in the 2020 Democratic primary, Galvin noted. State Republicans opted for mail-in voting for subsequent elections, even as Trump inveighed against it, he added.

But even they have recognized its an opportunity for them to participate [in the process], he said.

Just about a third of voters (34%) opted for mail-in ballots in the 2024 general election, Galvin said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Trump also has some company in Massachusetts.

Among the dozens of proposed 2026 ballot measures submitted to state Attorney General Andrea Campbell is a proposal to scrap universal mail-in balloting and return to absentee balloting only, which is more limited.

Is it safe?

Galvin told MassLive that criticisms of mail-in voting, which voters have embraced for its convenience, have been neutralized by the states own experiences.

Its been tested by the fact that its been not only [used in] numerous elections, but these are adversarial elections where there have been a number of close races where people had a chance, with legal representation to review the ballots, both Democrats [and] Republicans, Galvin said. And [they could] obviously challenge ballots if they felt there was some irregularity. And they havent done it because it isnt there to challenge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An analysis by FactCheck.org concluded that while fraud is slightly more prevalent with mail-in voting than in-person voting, it is still relatively rare, and there is no evidence to support claims of widespread fraud.

Whats next?

But even if the law and the facts dont support Trumps arguments, some voter watchdogs are urging vigilance.

The danger of interference in the midterm elections is real, and this is a dangerous step in this direction, Hasen wrote in his blog post.

The timing may be connected to trying to distract from the debacle of the Russia-Ukraine war negotiations, but I was expecting more like this, and now is the time to be prepared, Hasen wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Galvin offered a similar sentiment.

My personal view of this latest episode is hes looking for any distraction from the realities of governing, namely his complete fiasco in Alaska [with Russian President Vladimir Putin], he said. Beyond that, the uncertainty of the economy with his tariff policy. And lastly, of course, the release of the Epstein papers, which he seems to be preoccupied about.

More on Politics

Read the original article on MassLive.
First things first, weve got a young man in our community who needs to be lifted up in prayer or positive thoughts, whichever works for you. His family needs our help, love, and support. We must never lose sight of this.

Last Tuesday at around 4 PM, an emergency call came in to our 911 that a student was hurt at Deshler High School. The initial report was the injury was due to a fall, CPR was in progress, and the child was having a seizure. A helicopter was called in for air evacuation.

Our Tuscumbia first responders were on site after the call in about 2 to 3 minutes.

Many of you know exactly who Im talking about. Im talking about Deshler Freshman football player August Borden.

Our first priority was to get the young man the medical attention he needed as quickly as possible. On this, our first responders and medical professionals appear to have done excellent work with a serious injury and Im happy to report the young man was discharged on Thursday and is now recovering at home.

Augusts recollection of the events is scant at best. He describes Tuesday as a blackout. Our Tuscumbia investigators, led by Chief Tony Logan, have been busy with their investigation and gathering all the facts as respectfully as possible, particularly regarding the hurt young man and his distressed family, and within the bounds of the law.

We are determined to get to the bottom of this case. The initial 911 call was a medical call. It was not a criminal call. The initial report was that August fell. Some have said he fell off the bleachers, some say down some stairs in a building, some have said he fell down some stairs outside a building. As you can see, there are a lot of different stories, and the stories differ even within those who were there when August got hurt.

My point being this  our investigators have to suss through the conflicting stories and determine what the facts of the case are and determine the truth.

Do know that there is a full and active investigation by our Tuscumbia Police. We will get to the bottom of this. As we determine the facts and get closer to the truth, we will keep you apprised of the situation.

Until further notice, let us please lift up August and his family in positive thoughts and healing prayers.
The bodies were found after reports were filed of a car burning down in a forest near Kafr Kassem. Authorities believe the incident could be a homicide.

The remains of two men were found inside a burning car in a forest near Kafr Kassem on Saturday, Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement.

"After receiving reports of a car burning near Kafr Kassem, two persons were found by paramedics with no signs of life inside the burned-down vehicle, and were declared dead on site," said MDA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Firefighters from Petah Tikva were the first to arrive on scene. "Upon arriving at the scene, we saw the burning vehicle, with trees and vegetation burning around it. Working with the fighterfighting team, a search was conducted in the vehicle, and the two people inside were declared dead," Commander Amit Lubiner said.

Israel Police has opened an investigation on the incident, and the findings were already "transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine to complete the identification process."

Two bodies found inside a burned-down car. (credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)

At least 14 wounded in crashes across Israel throughout the weekend

Some 14 individuals were wounded across Israel from Friday night to Saturday morning due to traffic accidents, according to Israeli media.

Seven were wounded after two cars collided on Highway 675 near the village of Kfar Yehezkel in the Jezreel Valley.

Medical teams arrived at the scene of the crash and provided medical treatment to those injured, which included a 34-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy in moderate condition. The other five were in light condition.
Two people have been arrested in connection with a shooting that left a person dead at an apartment complex that is popular with college students near Columbias Bluff Road

The Richland County Sheriffs Department said in a Saturday release that Tyron Shelley, 19, and TaJohn Goodwin, 20, had been arrested and charged with murder in the case. Both are being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Deputies responded at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 22 to The Roost apartment complex at 1051 Southern Drive, just off Bluff Road after getting a report of a shooting. When deputies got there, they found a man with a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was pronounced dead on the scene. The suspects had fled the scene before deputies arrived.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The deceased had not been publicly identified as of 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Saturdays release said deputies were able to identify a gold Chevrolet Tahoe as the suspect vehicle, and later found that vehicle and Shelley at Shelleys home in the Earlewood neighborhood. Meanwhile, Goodwin also was identified as a suspect in the case, deputies said, and he turned himself in to authorities at sheriffs department headquarters on Saturday

Investigators are still working to determine what led to the shooting, the sheriffs department said.

The Roost markets itself to students. Promotional material on its internet site says, Nestled near USC, Allen University, and Benedict College, The Roost offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, community, and security for students seeking a home away from home. With spacious floor plans, modern amenities, and a vibrant environment, The Roost is where student living truly takes flight.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday paid tribute to the bravery, valour, and sacrifice of the Sikh community at Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Gorakhpur's Paidleganj, and inaugurated tourism development projects. He also unveiled the renovated Gurudwara Bhawan and dedicated upgraded facilities to the devotees. According to an official release, for the first time, the Chief Minister's residence itself became a centre of Sikh faith, where Guruvaani echoed, the sacrifices of the Sahibzadas were remembered, and new traditions were initiated. By bowing his head at Gurudwaras and continuously engaging with Sikh delegations, the Chief Minister reaffirmed that Sikh pride is an integral part of Uttar Pradesh's cultural identity. In December 2020, the glorious history of Sikh Gurus was introduced into the school curriculum of Uttar Pradesh for the first time. In Lucknow, "Khalsa Chowk" was established in Alambagh, symbolising the honour and pride of Sikh tradition among the people. The Yogi government also gave official recognition to "Sahibzada Diwas." Earlier, the Chief Minister's residence had already hosted a grand celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th Prakash Parv, where Guruvani was recited and the sacrifices of the Sahibzadas were commemorated. The most recent example of this vision is the launch of the "Panch Takht Yatra Yojana." For the first time, the Uttar Pradesh government has ensured that Sikh devotees from the state can visit all five sacred Takht Sahibs--Sri Anandpur Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Punjab), Sri Damdama Sahib (Punjab), Sri Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded, Maharashtra), and Sri Harmandir Ji Sahib (Patna, Bihar). Under the scheme, devotees are not only facilitated in their darshan but also provided financial assistance of at least 10,000 per person. Chief Minister Adityanath believes that the Sikh and Nath traditions flow from the same stream of patriotism and sacrifice. It is also noteworthy that, just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi elevated Sikh pride on the global stage--most prominently through the Kartarpur Corridor--the Uttar Pradesh government has carried forward this vision by giving special recognition to Sikh Akharas and Gurudwaras in landmark events such as the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. On the occasion of the Baisakhi festival, the Chief Minister had emphatically stated that Sikh tradition is an immortal current of Sanatan Dharma--one that has taught citizens that protecting religion and serving the nation are the highest goals of life. Today, this spirit has taken deep root in Uttar Pradesh: Sanatan and Sikh traditions are not separate, but two streams of the same cultural heritage. By carrying this shared legacy to new heights, CM Yogi is not only reviving history but also shaping the direction of the future. (ANI)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is in critical condition early Sunday morning after they were one of two that got shot in a north Columbus neighborhood.

Four injured in Newark house fire

According to a police dispatcher, officers were sent to the 300 block of East 1st Avenue in the Italian Village neighborhood just before 4:45 a.m. Two people were found suffering from gunshot wounds.

Each victim was taken to a hospital with one of them listed in critical condition. The other victim was released from the hospital later in the morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No suspect information is available at this time.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Two men were killed and three other people were hurt, including a juvenile, in a shooting where the victims were found at a downtown Kansas City parking lot at 13th and Grand on Sunday morning.

Kansas City police say the early investigation indicates an argument led to shots being fired just after 4 a.m. A release from KCPD doesnt say how any of those who were shot were involved in that argument.

The juvenile victim is a male who is critically hurt. One other man has serious injuries and a woman has non-life threatening injuries. One of the men who was killed was declared dead at the scene while the other was declared dead at a hospital just after 6:40 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators are downtown looking for witnesses and surveillance video. So far no suspect information has been released.

Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte shared pictures on Facebook that show a large taped off crime scene extending from 13th Street just north of the T-Mobile Center up Grand to 12th Street, and eastwards to McGee Street.

A College Basketball Experience employee told FOX4s Carey Wickersham that its building was struck 31 times, with some of the bullets breaking through the glass.

A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A shooting in downtown Kansas City left two men dead, a juvenile critically hurt and two other victims hospitalized on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas posted this on X:

So far two have died following a shooting in the unsecured surface parking lot in the photo above. I grieve for all the victims. Law enforcement will pursue justice. We on the policy side will pursue all we can to prevent these occurrences, including our recent proposed law https://t.co/zSixRblSrv  Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) August 24, 2025

If you know something that will help, call KCPDs Homicide Unit at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FOX4 has a crew at the scene gathering the latest details and well share updates on this page as we get them.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Two people were sent to the hospital with minor injuries after a two-vehicle crash in Terre Haute on Saturday afternoon.

The accident happened on South 4th Street near East Davis Drive.

According to Battalion Chief Doug Curry with the Terre Haute Fire Department, crews arrived to find an SUV on its side.

At the time of the accident, four people were inside the vehicle. Two occupants were extricated from the video.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officials say two occupants were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Williamson County officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the $139 million U.S. 183 Frontage Roads project on Friday.

TxDOT and county officials all gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony at the Brushy Creek Trailhead, located at 2600 Brushy Creek Loop in Cedar Park. Construction for the project began in July, according to the agency.

This project will add two non-tolled, grade-separated lanes on each side of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authoritys 183A toll road from RM 1431 to Avery Ranch Boulevard. A new shared-use path will also be constructed on the northbound side of the roadway, connecting to the existing trailhead, TxDOT said in a news release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tucker Ferguson, district engineer for TxDOTs Austin district, said this project has been decades in the making.

It had many starts and stops, and we went through some funding challenges. But we were able to maintain the funding, keep the design going and getting it to this point today is a victory for TxDOT and for the city of Cedar Park and for Williamson County, he told KXAN Friday.

He added this project, which will take about three and a half years to complete, will open up opportunities for development in the city.

It will open up opportunities for reducing emissions, because cars wont be sitting in traffic, itll open opportunities for mobility and moving more people through corridor and also enhance safety as theyre using these new roadways, Ferguson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
I was halfway through teaching a three-hour lecture on health care negotiations when it happened. One moment, I was walking my students through a high-stakes case study. The next, a hot flash hit like a wave.

I peeled off my blazer, kept my voice steady, and tried to make it look seamless. I had chosen my outfit carefully, with layers I could shed and fabrics that would not betray me if sweat appeared, but inside, I was focused on pushing through while 60 pairs of eyes waited for me to continue.

I ruptured my Achilles tendon, and Ive been pregnant with twins, and in both cases, I immediately inquired about and received accommodations at work. But with menopause, it never crossed my mind to ask. That day in the classroom crystallized something I had felt for a while: Menopause, something nearly every woman in her 40s or 50s experiences, is invisible in most workplaces. It is not in the handbook. Theres nothing about it in HR training. And for years, I did not think of it as something my employer had any responsibility to address.

If you believe in deeply human journalism  the kind that connects us in our hardest, most honest moments  please consider becoming a HuffPost member today.

On June 24, Rhode Island became the first state to require workplace accommodations for menopause, including temperature control, flexible breaks and private spaces for symptom management. Reading the specifics of the law, I felt something I had not expected: validation. For the first time, a state said out loud that what I had been managing quietly with fans, careful scheduling and clothing chosen to hide symptoms was not a personal failing. It was a workplace problem that deserved workplace solutions. Rhode Islands approach delivered results because the policy was shaped with the right people in the room  menopausal women alongside HR leaders, compliance officers, and workplace designers who understood both the need and the logistics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Less than a month later, I watched the opposite approach play out. On July 21, the FDA posted the roster for an expert panel on SSRI antidepressants in pregnancy, a decision with life-or-death implications for millions of women. The lineup included several well-known skeptics of these medications and, by the agencys own announcement, no patient representatives.

Professional groups warned that the discussion was unbalanced. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine reiterated that untreated depression in pregnancy is dangerous and that SSRIs can be critical when clinically indicated. The MGH Center for Womens Mental Health noted the panel focused on the risks of medication while minimizing the risks of untreated illness, and that day-to-day reproductive psychiatry expertise was missing.

For patients and clinicians, the fallout was immediate: frightened families, confused care plans, and doctors caught in a bind while experts contradicted one another in public.

The author giving a presentation. Courtesy of Stacey B. Lee

I have seen this movie before, and not only in health care. A corporate team spent months crafting a return-to-office plan without talking to the managers who would enforce it or the employees who would rebuild their lives around it. On Day 1, it collapsed. No one was sure who counted as essential, what equipment was allowed at home, or how hybrid meetings should run.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In another instance, a public health department rolled out a new vaccination schedule without consulting the clinic receptionists who answered the phones or the parents who would navigate the rules. Phone lines jammed, waits exploded and families gave up.

The pattern is consistent: People at the top make decisions without meaningfully involving the people who will carry them out or the people who will live with the consequences, and everyone pays the price.

Why do we keep getting it wrong? Because including implementers slows things down, and including those most affected slows them even more. The people with a stake in the process and/or outcome may report that the timeline is unrealistic, the tech will not hold, or the brilliant idea has a flaw that someone missed. It is easier to sit with people who already agree with you. It is more comfortable to imagine the world works the way you hope it does. But that comfort is expensive. Every shortcut taken at the design stage turns into chaos, delays, and damage control later.

So how do we get better? We need people in positions of power, legislators, agency heads, hospital executives and corporate leaders, to insist on meaningful consultation with the communities their decisions will touch, and to do it before the press conference. Bring in the people who will use it, enforce it and live with it. Test policies in messy, real-world conditions. Value lived experience alongside credentials. These are not nice-to-haves. They are the difference between policies that harm and policies that work  and in some situations, perhaps even between life and death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other recent approaches to health policy by the Trump administration have also triggered alarm bells. Last month a new federal review of the abortion medication mifepristone was announced at a moment when patients and clinicians needed clarity, not more uncertainty. Governorsand medical advocates warned it would chill access to a drug used in a majority of U.S. abortions. It was crafted without a voices from a delivery ward or an overcrowded clinic, and pregnant people and their doctors were left without a clear path forward.

Related: I Had A Painful Secret. I Was Shocked When I Discovered My Friends Were Hiding The Same One.

That same closed-loop thinking is what lets HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posture as a champion of the people while elevating loyalists over frontline experts, a pattern public-health leaders warn is corroding trust and care delivery. These moves turn health policy into policy theater, and the result is very real danger for patients and their loved ones. That is worth naming, remembering and refusing to normalize.

Menopause accommodations may not be on your radar. The calculus of taking antidepressants during pregnancy might not be either. But if you have ever been on the receiving end of a decision made without your input, you know the feeling of the scrambling and the frustration and the quiet question of why no one thought to ask the people who would have to live with it. Every policy is a bet. You can bet on how it looks on paper, or you can bet on how it will work in real life. After years of watching policies succeed and fail, and living through both good and bad ones, I can tell you the smart bet is always on the people closest to the consequences. Policy is not abstract when it is your body, your family, or your daily reality on the line.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Stacey B. Lee, JD, is a professor at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the author of the forthcoming book Transforming Healthcare Through Negotiation (Routledge).

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
The United Kingdom will extend its programme for training Ukrainian soldiers to help Kyiv strengthen its forces ahead of any potential peace agreement.

Source: Bloomberg, citing a statement by the UK Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Interflex programme, which provides both combat and leadership training, will be extended at least until the end of 2026.

So far, more than 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have undergone training in the UK under Interflex.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow," said UK Defence Secretary John Healey. "In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraines Armed Forces in the strongest possible position. And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace."

Background:

Training for Ukrainian troops in Europe is currently carried out mainly under two programmes: Interflex, led by the UK, and the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine initiative.

Interflex was launched in autumn 2022, with more than 10 countries involved in training Ukrainian soldiers in the UK.

In April, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited a military base in western England where Ukrainian troops are being trained and praised their resilience.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The UK government vowed on Sunday to overhaul its asylum system after weekend protests broke out across the country at hotels housing migrants, with more planned.

The government said that it will establish a new independent body to hear appeals by failed applicants more quickly as it attempts to end the costly use of so-called asylum hotels, which have become the subject of discontent among a portion of the public.

The Labour government said on Friday it would appeal a court ruling blocking it from housing asylum seekers in a flashpoint hotel in southeast England.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The ruling triggered the announcement of a wave of protests and counter-protests outside hotels accommodating asylum seekers around the country.

Demonstrations under the "Abolish Asylum System" slogan were held on Saturday in British cities and towns including Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Perth and in central London.

Mounted police separated rival groups at the Bristol event, with officers scuffling with protesters.

"Our officers have dealt admirably with a really challenging situation," said Keith Smith, from Avon and Somerset Police

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"While there were moments of disturbance, we're pleased to say the two protests have passed without significant incident," he added.

Eleven people were arrested for various offences including being drunk and disorderly, and assault at the Liverpool protest.

- Further protests planned -

The latest wave of protests began outside a hotel in Epping, southeast England, after a resident was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Further events were planned for Sunday, and for Monday, which is a public holiday in the UK.

The latest official data showed there were 32,345 asylum seekers being housed temporarily in UK hotels at the end of March.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The government is battling to reduce the backlog of initial asylum claims and court delays over appeals, which it says is the biggest cause of pressure in the asylum accommodation system.

"We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system," said interior minister Yvette Cooper in a press release on Sunday.

"We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels... we cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals," she added.

jwp/rmb
Ukraine and Canada have signed an agreement on joint production of defence products.

Source: statement by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv; Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, as reported by European Pravda.

Details: Drone production will be one of the key areas of cooperation with Canada, Zelenskyy stressed during the joint press conference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote from Zelenskyy: "There are important documents signed, clear arrangements in place, and a plan for the practical implementation of the security agreement between our countries. The priority is drones for the front, because there is a significant funding shortfall and a need to ramp up their deliveries considerably."

Denys Shmyhal and David McGuinty, signing the agreement

More details: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that production will take place in both Canada and Ukraine, and is already underway.

He said there are military reasons for maintaining confidentiality, but that the negotiations have been ongoing for a long time and in great detail. He added that production in Canada and Ukraine would run side by side and could begin immediately.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine's Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal said the defence agreement was signed in the presence of President Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Carney. On the Canadian side, it was signed by David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence. Shmyhal underlined that the arrangements will make it easier for Ukrainian companies to enter the Canadian market, facilitate technology transfer, and help equip the Armed Forces of Ukraine with modern weapons and military equipment over the long term.

Background: On 24 August, Carney announced that Ukraine will receive drones, ammunition and armoured vehicles from Canada in an assistance package worth over CA$1 billion (more than US$700 million) in September.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Ukraine and Canada have signed on agreement on the joint production of defense equipment, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Aug. 24.

The announcement coincides with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's first official visit to Kyiv. The prime minister arrived in the capital on Aug. 24 to celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day and announced a military aid package worth over $700 million.

Shmyhal signed the agreement along with his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty in the presence of Zelensky and Carney.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The agreement aims to deepen bilateral defense and industrial cooperation, expand and create new production capacities in Ukraine and Canada, and increase the stability and continuity of defense product supplies," Shmyhal said.

The deal will make it easier to establish Ukrainian defense companies in Canada and provide Kyiv "with modern weapons and military equipment in the long term," he said.

Carney's visit also involved a showcase of new developments in Ukrainian defense technology. Zelensky posted video footage of the two leaders viewing models of Ukrainian UAVs, ground-based systems, and other weapons in development.

"These are weapons and equipment that are being created here in Ukraine to protect our state," Zelensky said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Volodymyr Zelensky view models of Ukrainian weapons currently in development on Aug. 24, 2025 in Kyiv. (Screenshot / Volodymyr Zelensky)

At a press conference alongside Carney, Zelensky stressed the importance of Ukraine's domestically produced arms, saying Kyiv uses its own long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"At the moment, we are using our long-range domestically produced weapons, and we havent been discussing such matters with the U.S. lately. There was a time when there were different signals regarding our retaliatory strikes after their (Russian) attacks on our energy system," Zelensky said.

The president's remarks came a day after the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. has quietly implemented a review process giving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authority to bar Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia with American missiles, effectively blocking strikes for months.

Kyiv has been rapidly working to scale up defense production since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and has been urging international partners to help finance this expansion.

During the recent NATO summit in July, Zelensky said Ukraine has the capacity to produce over 8 million drones of various types each year, but lacks the financial backing to reach that potential.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky announced on Aug. 20 that Ukraine plans to begin mass production of its domestically developed long-range Flamingo cruise missile this winter.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Guy Faulconbridge and Lidia Kelly

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia on Sunday, forcing a sharp fall in the capacity of a reactor at one of Russia's biggest nuclear power plants and sparking a huge blaze at the major Ust-Luga fuel export terminal, Russian officials said.

Despite talk of peace by Russia and Ukraine, the deadliest European war since World War Two is continuing along the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) front line accompanied by missile and drone attacks deep into both Russia and Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russia's defence ministry said at least 95 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted across more than a dozen Russian regions on August 24, the day that Ukraine celebrates its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Kursk nuclear power plant, just 60 km (38 miles) from the border with Ukraine, said that air defences shot down a drone that detonated near the plant just after midnight, damaging an auxiliary transformer and forcing a 50% reduction in the operating capacity at reactor No. 3.

Radiation levels were normal and there were no injuries from the fire which the drone sparked, the plant said. Two other reactors are operating without power generation and one is undergoing scheduled repairs.

The United Nations' nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it was aware of reports that a transformer at the plant caught fire due to military activity and stressed that every nuclear facility should be protected at all times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A thousand km north, on the Gulf of Finland, at least 10 Ukrainian drones were downed over the port of Ust-Luga in Russia's northern Leningrad region, with debris sparking fire at the Novatek-operated terminal - a huge Baltic Sea fuel export terminal and processing complex, the regional governor said.

PLUME OF BLACK SMOKE

Unverified footage on Russian Telegram channels showed a drone flying directly into a fuel terminal, followed by a huge ball of fire rising high into the sky followed by a plume of black smoke billowing into the horizon.

"Firefighters and emergency services are currently working to extinguish the blaze," Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Russia's Leningrad region, said. There were no injuries, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Novatek, the Ust-Luga complex, which opened in 2013, processes gas condensate into light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil and gasoil, and enables the company to ship oil products as well as gas condensate to international markets.

Novatek produces mostly naphtha for Asia, including China, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia, as well as jet fuel with delivery to Istanbul.

Rosaviatsia, Russia's civil aviation authority, said flights were halted for hours on end at several Russian airports overnight, including at the Pulkovo airport in the Leningrad region.

Ukrainian drones also attacked an industrial enterprise in the southern Russian city of Syzran, the governor of the Samara region said on Sunday. A child was injured in the attack, according to the governor, who did not specify exactly what had been attacked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military said it had struck the Syzran oil refinery. The Rosneft-owned refinery was forced to suspend production and crude intake after the attack, sources told Reuters.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has said its strikes inside Russia are in response to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine and are aimed at destroying infrastructure deemed crucial to Moscow's overall military efforts.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing by Diane Craft, Christopher Cushing and Lincoln Feast, Editing by William Maclean)
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is all set to induct its first-ever all-women commando team into core operations, a significant initiative to encourage women's empowerment within the force. Training of these women commandos has already begun at the CISF's Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Madhya Pradesh's Barwaha. This eight-week advanced commando course will prepare women personnel for Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) and Special Task Force (STF) duties at high-security establishments and plants. The programme includes physical fitness and weapons training, live-fire drills under stress, endurance-building exercises like running, obstacle courses, rappelling, survival training in forests, and a 48-hour confidence-building exercise designed to test decision-making and teamwork under adverse conditions. The first batch of 30 women--currently deployed across various airports--is being given training from August 11. The training will continue till October 4, 2025. The second batch will also be sent for similar training from October 6 to November 29, 2025. "In its initial phase, at least 100 women from different Aviation Security Groups (ASGs) and sensitive CISF units will complete the program. The Force is committed to making such all-women courses a regular part of its training calendar. Post training, they shall primarily be deployed at the Airport, followed by other sensitive installations," Saroj Bhupendra, Public Relations Officer of the CISF, told ANI. "Inclusion of women in its core capabilities has moved the CISF a step towards gender parity and explored a new space on the operational front, which presently was the workspace of men only," he added. As per the officer, the CISF is also increasing women's recruitment to achieve the Ministry of Home Affairs' target of 10 per cent representation. At present, CISF has 12,491 women (eight per cent of its strength), and 2,400 more will be recruited in 2026. In the coming years, recruitment will be structured to ensure that women consistently make up at least 10 per cent of the force. With this move, the CISF is moving ahead to become a leading force among all armed organisations--empowering women both in numbers and in roles. The CISF, one of India's Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), functions under the MHA and is a specialised paramilitary force tasked with providing security to critical infrastructure, government buildings, airports, metros, and various industrial units across India. (ANI)
Ukrainian troops have liberated three front-line villages in Donetsk Oblast from occupying Russian forces, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Aug. 24, Ukraine's Independence Day.

Syrskyi's report followed a working visit to combat zones in eastern Ukraine, where Russia has steadily gained ground in recent months, particularly near the embattled logistics hub of Pokrovsk.

Ukrainian forces "successfully counterattacked and cleared" the villages of Zelenyi Hai, Mykhailivka, and Volodymyrivka, Syrskyi said in a social media post published by Ukraine's General Staff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"(D)efending Ukrainian independence and the Ukrainian flag is not just empty words, but a daily risk and a daily feat," Syrskyi said.

Zelenyi Hai in Volnovakha district is located approximately 90 to 100 kilometers (about 56 to 62 miles) southwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk. The military first reported the regaining control of the village on Aug. 23.

The three liberated villages are all located south of Pokrovsk.

A map showing Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast as of 2025. (The Kyiv Independent)

Syrskyi acknowledged in his report that Pokrovsk remains the "most difficult" area of the front and said Ukrainian troops "must hold the line" as Russia continues to concentrate the bulk of its forces in that region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russian troops are trying to close in on the Ukrainian pocket around Pokrovsk, an area of approximately 16 kilometers wide (around 10 miles), according to the Ukrainian open-source battlefield monitoring group DeepState.

With no ceasefire in sight, Russia's advances in eastern Ukraine continue to strengthen Moscow's hand in possible peace negotiations as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a deal to end the war.

The Kremlin's plan for peace reportedly involves Ukraine withdrawing all its forces from Donetsk Oblast, ceding the entire region to Russia in exchange for frozen battle lines on the other sectors of the front.

Read also: Ukraine will never be forced into compromise. We need a just peace  Zelenskys Independence Day address

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
To mark Ukraines National Flag Day, drone operators from the "Rugby Team" battalion of the 129th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade raised the blue-and-yellow flag over two villages in Russias Kursk regionHornal and Huyevohistorically part of Ukrainian Slobozhanshchyna.

The Kyiv Independent couldn't immediately verify this information.

Slobozhanshchyna spans parts of todays northeastern Ukraineincluding Kharkiv, Sumy, and Luhansk oblastsas well as areas now within Russias Belgorod, Kursk, and Voronezh regions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hornal, located on the Psel River, is located about 15 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and 102 kilometers southwest of Kursk. Huyevo is even closerjust 3.5 kilometers from the border and around 96 kilometers from the regional center.

Ukraine's forces entered Russia's Kursk Oblast in a surprise cross-border incursion in August 2024. The Kursk region lies on the border with Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast, which has been experiencing daily attacks since Russian troops were pushed out of the oblast and back across the border in April 2022.

Sumy Oblast and the Kursk region share a 245-kilometer (152-mile) border.

Ukraine's initial goal was to occupy Russian border territories and divert attention from fighting in eastern Ukraine. However, the strategy proved ineffective. Russian troops continued their advance in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, reaching the outskirts of Pokrovsk by late 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

0:00

/

1

Adding to a string of encouraging developments on Aug. 23, Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast repelled Russian attacks and regained control of the village of Zelenyi Hai. Troops from the 37th Separate Marine Brigade, working in coordination with the 214th Separate Assault Battalion Opfor, secured the settlement and continued to defend the settlement from repeated Russian attempts to retake it, according to the military.

Zelenyi Hai in Volnovakha district is located approximately 90 to 100 kilometers (about 56 to 62 miles) southwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk.

Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

As President Volodymyr Zelensky signals readiness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war, Russia is gaining ground on the battlefieldstrengthening its position ahead of potential negotiations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Moscows current focus is on the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast, where Russian troops are gradually advancing northeast of the key logistics hub, once home to around 60,000 people. According to the open-source monitoring group DeepState, Russian forces are attempting to close a 16-kilometer-wide pocket around Pokrovsk.

Russias monthly territorial gains have also accelerated. According to a recent U.K. Defense Ministry intelligence update, Moscow likely captured around 500 to 550 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in July alonemarking the fastest rate of advance since March.

However, Zelensky has downplayed the notion that Russia could quickly take over all of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. In a meeting with journalists on Aug. 20, the president noted that at the current pace, it would take Moscow at least another four years to do so. Despite launching its first invasion in eastern Ukraine in 2014, Russia still lacks full control over the region.

Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts remain a central territorial demand from Moscow in any future negotiations. But according to Zelensky, after more than two years of full-scale war, Russia occupies only about one-third of Donetsk Oblastroughly 6769%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I explained to (U.S. President Donald Trump) that the talks about them (Russia) occupying our Donbas by the end of (2025) are all just chatter," Zelensky said.

Read also: Everything you didnt know about Ukraines flag

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday a meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would be "the most effective way forward" amid stalled diplomatic attempts to end the war as he celebrated Ukraine's Independence Day.

Ukraine launched drone strikes on Russia, triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant as Ukrainians marked their independence day with the conflict now in its fourth year.

After a push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia on Friday ruled out any immediate Putin-Zelensky meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Zelensky said Sunday the "format of talks between leaders is the most effective way forward", renewing calls for a bilateral summit with Putin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier accused Western countries of seeking "a pretext to block negotiations" and slammed Zelensky for "demanding an immediate meeting at all costs".

Zelensky vowed to "to push Russia to peace" as he spoke at a ceremony attended by US envoy Keith Kellogg -- whom he awarded with the Ukrainian Order of Merit -- and other Western officials.

- Villages recaptured -

With the war having already claimed tens of thousands of lives, Russia has recently claimed new advances, including taking two villages in the eastern Donetsk region Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Sunday that three other villages had been reclaimed in Donetsk, that has emerged as the focal point for peace talks.

Ukraine's Independence Day drone attacks in Russia included one shot down over the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in western Russia.

The plant said a fire sparked by the drone had been extinguished and there were no casualties or increased radiation levels.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned of the risks from fighting around nuclear plants following Russia's full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russian authorities said Ukrainian drones had also been shot down over areas far from the front, including Saint Petersburg in the northwest.

Ten drones were shot down over the port of Ust-Luga on the Gulf of Finland, sparking a fire at a fuel terminal owned by Russian energy group Novatek, local authorities said.

Ukraine's outgunned army has relied heavily on drones to respond to Russia's invasion, notably targeting oil infrastructure to hit a key source of Moscow's revenues to fund the war.

Russia has seen soaring fuel prices since the attacks began.

Ukraine meanwhile said Russia had attacked with a ballistic missile and 72 Iranian-made Shahed attack drones, 48 of which the air force said had been shot down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A Russian drone strike killed a 47-year-old woman in the eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, the governor said.

Also on Sunday, Ukraine and Russia said they had each sent back 146 prisoners of war and civilians in the latest of a series of swaps that remain one of the few areas of cooperation between the rivals.

- 'Ukraine is a fighter' -

Speaking at the ceremony to marked the anniversary of Ukraine's 1991 independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Zelensky said: "This is how Ukraine strikes when its calls for peace are ignored."

"Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose. Ukraine has secured its independence. Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine once the war ends would be "important" as Kyiv seeks to work on potential security guarantees with its allies.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on a visit to Kyiv said it was not "the choice of Russia how the future sovereignty, independence, liberty of Ukraine is guaranteed."

Zelensky thanked other world leaders including Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain's King Charles and Pope Leo for sending messages to mark the occasion.

Norway announced it would contribute seven billion kroner ($700 million) as part of its joint pledge with Germany to provide Ukraine with two complete US Patriot systems that Germany already possesses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The systems are in Germany and will be delivered to Ukraine "as soon as possible", the Norwegian government said.

Russia now controls around a fifth of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.

Putin has repeatedly rebuffed calls from Ukraine and the West for an immediate ceasefire.

The fighting has forced millions of people to flee their homes and destroyed cities and villages across eastern and southern Ukraine.

bur/tw
Ukraine on Sunday marked 34 years since its independence, as Russia accused the country of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight.

The weekend's developments come as U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in an interview that he believes "the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict."

"They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands," Vance said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday. "They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war. Of course, they haven't been completely there yet, or the war would be over. But we're engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

President Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders last week at the White House, which Zelenskyy praised as "genuine unity."

Vance, who was present at Monday's meeting, told "Meet the Press" on Sunday that "we are trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and the Ukrainians to find a middle ground to stop the killing."

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also appeared on "Meet the Press," saying there is no planned meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda would be ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all," Lavrov said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Moscow accuses Ukraine of targeting power plant

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plant's press service on Telegram. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plant had caught fire "due to military activity," but hadn't received independent confirmation. It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said "every nuclear facility must be protected at all times."

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia's Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal. The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraine's air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

Another wartime Independence Day

The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked Independence Day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyiv's Independence Square, emphasizing the nation's resolve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace," Zelenskyy said, calling for a "just peace."

"What our future will be is up to us alone," he said, in a nod to the U.S.Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests sidelined.

"And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal," he said.

U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg was in attendance at Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, during which Zelenskyy awarded him the Ukrainian Order of Merit, of the first degree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Zelenskyy.

"On this special day  Ukraine's Independence Day  it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side," wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff.

Military aid and prayers for peace

In a joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Carney said Canada will invest CA$2 billion (about US$1.44 billion) in new military assistance for Ukraine to boost its army and provide urgently needed weapons.

Zelenskyy said the two leaders were considering the presence of Canadian forces on the ground in Ukraine as part of a reassurance force.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. / Credit: Efrem Lukatsky / AP

Norway announced significant new military aid Sunday, pledging about 7 billion kroner (about US$695 million) for air defense systems. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pope Leo XIV prayed Sunday for peace in Ukraine as he marked the country's Independence Day with a special appeal during his weekly noon blessing. He said the faithful were joining Ukrainians "asking that the Lord give peace to their martyred country."

Leo also sent a telegram to Zelenskyy, which the Ukrainian leader posted on X along with similar notes from other world leaders.

In the letter, Leo assured his prayers for all Ukrainians who are suffering and wrote: "I implore the Lord to move the hearts of people of good will, that the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue, opening the path to peace for the good of all."

A war of attrition

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, Russia's troops continued their push in eastern and northern Ukraine, where Russia claimed Saturday that its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region. The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukraine had taken back control of the village of Novomykhailivka, also in the Donetsk region.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday that 146 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukraine, in exchange for the same number of Ukrainian servicemen. The ministry said the latest exchange also included eight residents of Russia's Kursk region, which was subject to a surprise Ukrainian incursion in August 2024, who were returned to Russia after being held in Ukraine.

Shortly after the Russian announcement, Zelenskyy said that "our people are coming home." He said those being exchanged included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians. "Most of them had been in captivity since 2022," he said.

Zelenskyy did not confirm the number of prisoners involved in the exchange.

Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over

Welcome to New Orleans

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional"
Kyiv stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure as Ukraine on Sunday marked the 34th anniversary of its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

The unabated attacks came as hopes that US President Donald Trump might quickly broker an end to the war diminished.

Russias top diplomat told that significant gaps remain between Moscow and Kyivs positions, and that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite Trumps urging.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The US had blocked Ukraine from using long-range missiles to strike inside Russia in a bid to further peace talks, but Trump could change his mind on the weapons  and giving Kyiv more leverage in negotiations, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Editor's note: This is the transcript of President Volodymyr Zelensky's address released by the President's Office on Aug. 24, 2025, Ukraine's 34rd Independence Day.

"Dear Ukrainians! Dear people!

Today is Ukraines Independence Day.

I am here now, in the heart of Kyiv, on Independence Square. And it is here that one can truly feel what independence means, why it is so important to us, and why Maidan is far more than just the main square of the country. It is a symbol  a symbol of independence, its guardian. It is a place where history is always being made, where the energy and strength of our people are born in times when independence is under threat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And now, in a full-scale war for independence, it is here, on Maidan, that one can find such important symbols. Symbols of how we fight, what we fight for, and how we are overcoming this war.

These symbols are all around us. In this Independence Monument. Inside, it has a reinforced concrete frame and can literally withstand a hurricane. In the same way, our Ukraine has withstood the great calamity that Russia brought to our land. In this "Zero Kilometer" point. It is the starting point where distances to Ukrainian cities are written: to our Donetsk, our Luhansk, our Crimea. Today, these markers have a completely different meaning. They are no longer just about kilometers. They remind us that all of this is Ukraine. And there are our people, and no distance between us can change that, and no temporary occupation can change that. One day, the distance between Ukrainians will disappear, and we will be together again as one family, as one country. It is only a matter of time. And Ukraine believes it can achieve this  achieve peace, peace across all its land. Ukraine is capable of it.

Because Ukraine has character  a stone-like endurance, a gaze that does not waver, and hands burned by fire and time but strong. Hands that hold the shield and protect what is theirstheir land, their culture, their millennia-old history, whose proof is the founders of Kyiv. And we protect our future, for which our heroes gave their lives.

Names that we will never forget or betray. Names that defended independence. And it is here, on Maidan, that Ukrainians often bid farewell to heroes on the shield. Anyone who has attended such a farewell, and anyone who has lost someone in this war, has their own personal account with Russia forever and has promised themselves never to forget their heroes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The embodiment of such a vow is this field of public memory. A field of great strength, because in every small flag there is someones great story, act, and choice  a choice in favor of Ukraine. In favor of the future. In favor of freedom in peace and peace in freedom. This philosophy is reflected in our culture through the image of Cossack Mamai, who gained freedom and can therefore put down his weapon and take up the kobza. Still keeping the saber close, just in case, but returning to a peaceful, civilian life. This is what we all aspire to. And we know: No one will give this to us  it can only be won.

This is exactly what we have been doing for 1,278 days of this war, the war for independence. For every one of these days, I want to thank you, Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian volunteers, medics, rescuers, teachers, our youth, our parents. Every Ukrainian man and woman. Thank you all. For what we have already gone through. And for Ukraine, we are building together. For the Ukraine that already exists now. The Ukraine that came of age on February 24. Took its fate into its own hands, took up arms. It had no time to hesitate and no right to fear. And it truly stopped the second army of the world. And we will talk about this. We will, because it destroys the myth of the invincible Russian army.

We have proven it. We continue to prove it now. Each in their place. Everyone who carries independence within themselves. Who defends our right to be Ukrainians  through their work, their deeds, their achievements. Today, independence is being forged on the battlefield, independence closes the sky every night, it saves lives in hospitals, it puts out fires, and it teaches. Independence does not sleep, working around the clock at defense enterprises, because it is so important that our soldiers have everything, that independence has everything to defend itself. Independence is at the wheel, on the way to those in need. Independence fights in the ring, on world stages, and arenas where Ukrainians perform. It is on the pages of books, in the words of poems written by Ukrainians.

When we hear from the enemy every day: "There is no such state, no such nation," and when we prove the opposite every day. We prove that Ukrainians exist and Ukrainians will remain on this land, on this square, where in a hundred years our next generations will stand. And in a hundred years, they will celebrate Ukraines Independence Day here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It will be so. It will be so, because Ukraine today is different. Ukraine is stronger and respects itself. And Ukraine does not wait for "gestures of goodwill," it has its own will to implement what is necessary for us. And when Russia wants to take Sumy Oblast, then the Armed Forces appear in the Kursk region. When the enemy strikes our energy infrastructure, trying to leave us without light and heat, then its refineries burn. And no one can forbid us such strikes, because they deliver justice. Just as when Russia attacks us every day, our peaceful cities, our hospitals, our schools, killing our civilians, our children, it receives "Spider Web" in response. And that is justice. That is Ukraine striking back when its calls for peace are ignored. How many times have we proposed a ceasefire? How many times have we said, "We want peace, we seek peace." But a decent and comprehensive peace, and therefore, we rely on the strength of the whole world.

This is Ukraine now. And this Ukraine will never again in history be forced into the shame that the "Russians" call a "compromise." We need a just peace. What our future will be is up to us alone. And the world knows it. And the world respects it, respects Ukraine, and accepts Ukraine as an equal.

Ukraine can truly gather and unite the worlds leaders in a single day. Ukraine, with which America and the whole world want to jointly produce drones. Ukraine, which restored unity between Europe and the US and is now the foundation of this alliance. Ukraine, which stands firm and can defend itself. Therefore, Ukraine is heard, Ukraine is counted, Ukraine is listened to. Its place is at the table; it is not told, "Wait outside." It is told, "The decision is yours alone."

This is the Ukraine I had the honor to represent in the United States a week ago. Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet won, but it certainly will not lose. Ukraine has won its independence. Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter. Ukraine does not ask; it offers. Alliance and partnership. The best army in Europe. Advanced defense technologies. Experience of resilience. We say: "We need (to be accepted into) the EU." Yes. But we are needed by it no less. And everyone acknowledges this. And so Ukraine is recognized  not as a poor relative, but as a strong ally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is what the coalition of the willing is about. This is what Washington was about  how to ensure a sustainable, reliable, lasting peace. Ukraine will achieve it because it will receive security guarantees so strong that no one in the world will ever again even think of attacking Ukraine.

This is not only our goal; it is exactly what we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren: a strong Ukraine, an equal Ukraine, a European Ukraine, an independent Ukraine.

To break the closed cycles of history, in which each generation lacked something to preserve independence, and each new generation entered a new stage, again forced to take up arms, again having to defend itself and regain freedom. We must not pass this burden onto our descendants. We are building a Ukraine strong enough to live in safety and peace. So that on this square, on the Maidan of our Independence, under our flags, on our land, our children and grandchildren will celebrate Independence Day. In peace. In calm. With confidence in the future. With respect and gratitude to all who defended Ukraine in this war, the war for independence. Who endured, who were able, who triumphed. This is the purpose worth living for. This is why we stand.

Happy holiday to you, great people of a great country! Happy Independence Day!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Glory to Ukraine!"

Read also: Security guarantees for Ukraine explained: Whats on the table and whats realistic?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine has brought home another group of soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity on Aug. 24, the countrys Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.

The swap follows the series of other exchanges carried out in recent weeks in accordance with an agreement reached between Kyiv and Moscow at the second round of peace talks in Istanbul on June 2.

"Today, our people are returning home  soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and civilians. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although this time Ukraine has not yet announced the number of people released, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) said among them were eight civilians, including Ukrainian journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush and former mayor of Kherson, Volodymyr Mykolaienko.

Ukrainian prisoners of war released from Russian captivity on Aug. 24, 2025. (Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs)

Khyliuk, a journalist with the UNIAN news agency, was kidnapped alongside his father from their home in Kyiv Oblast in March 2022, while the area was under Russian occupation.

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed Ukraine brought back 146 of their POWs, and they released the same number of Ukrainian POWs.

According to the Coordination Headquarters, among the released Ukrainian soldiers are representatives from almost all defense forces, including the Airborne Assault, Air Force, Navy, as well as Territorial Defense, National Guard, and the State Border Guard Services.

Ukrainian prisoners of war released from Russian captivity on Aug. 24, 2025. (President's Office)

According to the report, they took part in the defense of Mariupol, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Sumy oblasts. Some of them were captured in Russian-occupied territories and Crimea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the released civilians is medic Serhiy Kovalov from the Hospitallers Medical Battalion, "who saved the lives of both defenders and civilians during the siege at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol," in the spring of 2022, Coordination Headquarters reported.

"Exchanges are ongoing. And this is made possible, perhaps, thanks to our soldiers, who replenish Ukraines exchange pool; our team, working every day; and our partners, who provide assistance," Zelensky says.

Ukrainian prisoners of war released from Russian captivity on Aug. 24, 2025. (Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs)

The previous POWs exchange, which secured the return of 84 Ukrainians, took place on Aug. 14, just a day before U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15. Trump then met President Volodymyr Zelensky alongside European leaders in the White House days later.

The Ukraine-Russia peace talks earlier this year have failed to achieve a breakthrough in ending the hostilities, but concluded with new agreements on prisoner swaps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky announced earlier this month that Ukraine and Russia are preparing to exchange 1,200 POWs in accordance with the third round of peace talks in Istanbul on July 23.

The president also said late in July that Kyiv has secured the release of over 6,400 Ukrainians from Russian captivity since 2022, of whom 5,857 were freed during prisoner exchanges.



Read also: Russias torture of Viktoriia Roshchyna shocks world, but dozens of Ukrainian journalists still in captivity

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Key developments on Aug. 24:

Ukraine, Russia hold prisoner exchange on Independence Day

Ukraine strikes Russia with own long-range weapons without coordinating with US, Zelensky says

Ukraine liberates 3 villages in Donetsk Oblast, military reports on Independence Day

Drone strikes spark fires at Russian gas terminal and oil refinery

Russia attacks Ukraine with 72 drones, ballistic missile on Independence Day

Ukraine has brought home another group of soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity on Aug. 24, the country's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The swap follows the series of other exchanges carried out in recent weeks in accordance with an agreement reached between Kyiv and Moscow at the second round of peace talks in Istanbul on June 2.

"Today, our people are returning home  soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and civilians. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

Although this time Ukraine has not yet announced the number of people released, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) said among them were eight civilians, including Ukrainian journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush and former mayor of Kherson, Volodymyr Mykolaienko.

Khyliuk, a journalist with the UNIAN news agency, was kidnapped alongside his father from their home in Kyiv Oblast in March 2022, while the area was under Russian occupation.

Ukrainian prisoners of war released from Russian captivity on Aug. 24, 2025. (President's Office)

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed Ukraine brought back 146 of their POWs, and they released the same number of Ukrainian POWs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Coordination Headquarters, among the released Ukrainian soldiers are representatives from almost all defense forces, including the Airborne Assault, Air Force, Navy, as well as Territorial Defense, National Guard, and the State Border Guard Services.

Among the released civilians is medic Serhiy Kovalov from the Hospitallers Medical Battalion, "who saved the lives of both defenders and civilians during the siege at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol," in the spring of 2022, Coordination Headquarters reported.

"Exchanges are ongoing. And this is made possible, perhaps, thanks to our soldiers, who replenish Ukraines exchange pool; our team, working every day; and our partners, who provide assistance," Zelensky said.

Read also: 34 facts to learn about Ukraine this Independence Day

Ukraine strikes Russia with own long-range weapons without coordinating with US, Zelensky says

Ukraine uses domestically produced weapons to carry out long-range strikes against Russia and does not coordinate such attacks with the U.S., President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference during Ukraine's Independence Day on Aug. 24.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky's statement follows a recent report by the Wall Street Journal saying that the U.S. has quietly implemented a review process giving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authority to bar Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia with American missiles, effectively blocking strikes for months.

An unnamed official told WSJ that the unannounced high-level Defense Department approval process has prevented the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against targets inside Russia since late spring.

At a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Aug. 24, Zelensky said no such restrictions were being discussed, noting that Ukraine strikes targets inside Russia using domestically produced weapons.

"At the moment, we are using our long-range domestically produced weapons, and we havent been discussing such matters with the U.S. lately. There was a time when there were different signals regarding our retaliatory strikes after their (Russian) attacks on our energy system," Zelensky said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. President Donald Trump on Aug. 21 said that Ukraine had "no chance of winning" if not permitted to attack Russia and criticized former U.S. President Joe Biden for not letting Kyiv "fight back, only defend."

Despite this, Trump has previously said he disagreed "very vehemently" with the previous White House administration's decision to permit Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russia with U.S. weapons.

Read also: 10 books to better understand Ukraine on its Independence Day

Ukraine liberates 3 villages in Donetsk Oblast, military reports on Independence Day

Ukrainian troops have liberated three front-line villages in Donetsk Oblast from occupying Russian forces, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Aug. 24, Ukraine's Independence Day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Syrskyi's report followed a working visit to combat zones in eastern Ukraine, where Russia has steadily gained ground in recent months, particularly near the embattled logistics hub of Pokrovsk.

Ukrainian forces "successfully counterattacked and cleared" the villages of Zelenyi Hai, Mykhailivka, and Volodymyrivka, Syrskyi said in a social media post published by Ukraine's General Staff.

"(D)efending Ukrainian independence and the Ukrainian flag is not just empty words, but a daily risk and a daily feat," Syrskyi said.

Zelenyi Hai in Volnovakha district is located approximately 90 to 100 kilometers (about 56 to 62 miles) southwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk. The military first reported the regaining control of the village on Aug. 23.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The three liberated villages are all located south of Pokrovsk.

Syrskyi acknowledged in his report that Pokrovsk remains the "most difficult" area of the front and said Ukrainian troops "must hold the line" as Russia continues to concentrate the bulk of its forces in that region.

Read also: Ukraine will never be forced into compromise. We need a just peace  Zelenskys Independence Day address

Drone strikes spark fires at Russian gas terminal and oil refinery

Drones struck a gas terminal in Russia's Leningrad Oblast and an oil refinery in Samara Oblast on Aug. 24, the Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported, citing local reports and footage of the attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed that Military Intelligence, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other defense forces are behind the strike on the Syzran oil refinery in Samara region, which "specializes in the production of gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other petroleum supplied to the Russian troops."

"The Syzran refinery has a design capacity of up to 8.5 million tons of crude oil per year, accounting for around 3.08% of Russias total oil refining volume," General Staff wrote on Telegram.

The results of the attack are being clarified, the General Staff said.

A source in Ukraines Security Service (SBU) also earlier confirmed that the agency was behind the attack on the liquefied natural gas terminal in Leningrad region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russia trades oil and gas through this terminal with the help of a shadow fleet. Drone sanctions from the SBU reduce the inflow of foreign currency that Russia needs to wage war, a source in the SBU told the Kyiv Independent.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed 95 Ukrainian drones were shot down over 13 regions, as well as occupied Crimea, on Aug. 24.

Following the attacks, several Russian airports, including Pulkovo at St. Petersburg, temporarily suspended operations, delaying over 60 flights.

Read also: Once a top backer, Poland fades from Ukraine peace talks amid domestic turmoil

Russia attacks Ukraine with 72 drones, ballistic missile on Independence Day

Russia launched 72 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight on Aug. 24, the country's Independence Day, the Air Force reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine shot down a total of 48 drones, while a missile and 24 Shahed attack drones struck 10 locations, the Air Force said, without specifying the targets.

According to the report, the attacks were launched from Russias Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

Apart from the overnight attack, Russian troops also continued targeting Ukrainian cities over the past day, killing three and injuring at least three more, according to local authorities.

One person was killed in a Russian strike on Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.

Another person was killed in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast, according to local Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Two more people, including a child, were injured there.

Russian troops also hit Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones and guided aerial bombs, killing a 47-year-old woman, Governor Serhii Lysak said.

In Sumy Oblast, a Russian airstrike injured a 45-year-old man, the region's military administration reported. A total of 36 settlements were under attacks there, the authorities said.

Over the past 24 hours, two people were injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Russian troops carried out a total of 478 attacks on 11 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, using drones, artillery, and air bombs, Fedorov said.

Russia also attacked Kharkiv Oblast with two guided aerial bombs and seven drones over the past day, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. There were no reported casualties.

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.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has confirmed that Ukrainian forces have liberated the village of Zelenyi Hai in Donetsk Oblast and regained control of two other villages in the region, Mykhailivka and Volodymyrivka.

Source: Syrskyi, as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "Our forces have successfully counterattacked and wiped out the enemy in the villages of Mykhailivka, Zelenyi Hai and Volodymyrivka in Donetsk Oblast."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Syrskyi said he spoke with the service members who have long been holding the defence of Pokrovsk, decorated troops, and heard reports from corps and brigade commanders on the operational situation on the Pokrovsk axis.

Quote: "The situation is indeed challenging; the enemy has concentrated its main efforts on this sector of the front. But we must hold the line. Support for organising combat operations will be provided. The issues of additional ammunition, drones and electronic-warfare assets have been tackled."

Background:

On 23 August, Dnipro Operational Strategic Group reported that fighters from the 37th Separate Marine Brigade and the 214th OPFOR Separate Assault Battalion had regained control over the settlement of Zelenyi Hai in Donetsk Oblast.

On 24 August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Armed Forces had positive results in Donetsk Oblast that would be made public soon.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
On Aug 11, Russian soldiers breached Ukraines front-line defences and penetrated at least six miles behind enemy lines.

Battlefield maps, kept studiously up to date by open-source intelligence groups, showed a red tendril reaching north into Ukraines territory through several villages in the contested eastern Donetsk region coveted by Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

The advance set off alarm bells among Kyivs supporters, who feared it marked the start of an offensive aimed at the stronghold city of Kostiantynivka or the logistical hub of Pokrovsk, both of which could provide Russia with a foothold in Ukraines fortress belt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What Russian soldiers did not know was that Ukrainian forces had discovered the attack before the mission even began. In response, on Aug 12, Ukrainian forces began what Ukraines General Staff euphemistically referred to as active measures.

Within days of the offensive, Russian soldiers found themselves surrounded by the Azov Corps, one of Ukraines elite forces. The incursion, one of the deepest since the shift to attritional warfare, quickly became a costly and deadly failure.

By Aug 14, Ukraines military said the situation had been stabilised. According to the Azov Corps, Russian forces were pushed out of six of the villages they had captured.

Ukrainian soldiers told The Telegraph this week that the incursion was no longer cause for concern after Azov troops eliminated many of the Russian soldiers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But as Moscow continues to send soldiers to their deaths in the name of seizing more Ukrainian land, Russias mission on Aug 11 offers a glimpse of what is to come on the battlefield. As with many soldiers on similar missions before them, its possible that these Russians knew they were going to die before the attack even began.

This grim Russian tactic has become a feature of the war as Moscow probes for weaknesses in Ukraines defences. Small groups of Russian soldiers are sent forward on motorcycles, dirt bikes and electric scooters without support to break through Ukrainian lines at speed

Shaun Pinner, a former British marine who served with the Azov Corps, calls these Russian tactics suicide missions.

Shaun Pinner, a British man who served with the Azov Corps, described the front line as an iron curtain of drones - AFP via Getty Images

Small groups of two or three soldiers push forward, slipping into cellars, houses and ruined buildings, where they wait to be reinforced by other units, all the while trying to stay hidden from Ukraines ever-present eyes in the sky. This, Mr Pinner said, is almost impossible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There isnt one area of the front line that isnt on a TV screen, he said, describing a wall of surveillance. He added: Its almost an impenetrable iron curtain of drones.

Ukrainian soldiers in the area believe Russian troops managed to slip through despite this constant surveillance because of a lack of manpower, with Ukrainian forces in the middle of a rotation at the time.

Monitoring Ukraines extensive front line has been difficult, especially with the new threat of Russian guerrilla groups. Videos released by the 93rd Mechanised Brigade show Ukrainian FPV pilots operating drones remotely to hunt down soldiers near Dobropillia on motorcycles and on foot.

Credit: UA Land Forces / Telegram

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the situation remains fluid. Ukrainian soldiers say Russian forces are using heavy bomber drones capable of carrying up to 44lb of supplies to sustain pocketed positions and southern portions of the corridor. Some even claim that Russian troops have clawed back lost ground within the past 48 hours.

The numbers suggest the fighting was fierce. The Azov Corps reported Russian losses of 385 soldiers, 37 vehicles, one armoured fighting vehicle and a tank, suggesting the assault combined small guerrilla-style units with co-ordinated attacks.

The failed advance brought Russian positions to within six miles of Dobropillia  once a safe haven for those fleeing the embattled towns and villages of the Donbas, but now at risk of siege.

The immediate target of Moscows assault was clear: the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway, one of the most important supply routes in the Donetsk region. The road connects Dobropillia to the embattled city of Kramatorsk, serving as a logistical artery for Ukrainian reinforcements and supplies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Control of even a short stretch would have given Moscow a chance to choke Ukraines movements in Donetsk and complicate Kyivs ability to defend its remaining strongholds in the east, while strengthening Putins negotiating position in talks with the US.

That Azov turned up in Dobropillia at all is noteworthy. The brigade has historically operated near Kharkiv, but its deployment here to eliminate a Russian incursion suggests the new corps structure is giving it greater flexibility.

Ukraine, it appears, is ready to send its most capable soldiers to meet Russian troops head-on, if they breach the first lines of defence.

Credit: Courtesy of 5th Separate Mechanized Brigade via Reuters

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In April, the regiment was elevated to corps level and became 1st Corps of the National Guard Azov. Ukraines previous structure, a Soviet legacy, left brigades operating independently even on the same front. Transitioning to a corps system allows Azov to expand its ranks, strengthen command and control, and make brigade operations more effective.

It also enables the group to come in and sweep up the mess, according to Mr Pinner.

One soldier stationed in the area said it was not the first time Ukraine sent in special forces for such an operation. He cited last month as another example.

When the DRG [Russian Diversion and Reconnaissance Groups] were running around Pokrovsk, SSO [the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces] was going around at night neutralising them, he said. Its good that Azov stopped them here, it wouldve been really bad if they took Dobropillia, then Pokrovsk would be lost.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said that more defensive pushes like this were needed. Rodynske is the city we really need [back], he added, referring to the city near Pokrovsk.

Engineers at an Azov Corps drone laboratory in eastern Ukraine - Maria Senovilla/EPA/Shutterstock

The timing of this most recent push from Russian forces came days before a meeting between Putin and Donald Trump, the US president, in which the Kremlin demanded that Ukraine gave up the Donbas region.

Russia occupies about 88 per cent of the Donbas, and as its summer offensive grinds on it has been making small gains.

Mr Pinner said: While these talks are going on and theres a chance of peace, this violence is just going to get worse.

While small groups of soldiers carried out guerrilla-style advances in the Donbas, further south near Zaporizhzhia  another region Russia has staked out in its maximalist demands  Russia has redeployed troops for a new push, according to Gen Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said: The occupiers are also trying to deliver a powerful blow, which was initially planned a year ago.

The goal is to break through our defences and advance deep into our territory. Their goal, of course, is to occupy the entire region.

Despite these new offensives, Ukrainian soldiers told The Telegraph that such a push was not an immediate cause for concern. One said: Things are actually cooling down in Pokrovsk.

Mr Pinner agreed, adding: Look how far the Nazis got before they lost the war, they got all the way to the English channel and they still lost the war  and here we are talking about a couple of kilometres.

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.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, on Sunday said that the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' has become a "historic journey" and claimed it has exposed the "reality" of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission before the people. "A historic journey is underway; the reality of the BJP and the Election Commission has been exposed before the public," he told reporters. Earlier today, RJD leader targeted the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging it was functioning like a "cell" of Bharatiya Janata Party. Speaking at a press conference during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar's Araria, Tejashwi said that the commission has lost credibility among the people. "Election Commission has become 'Godi Commission' now and is working like the BJP's cell. Rahul Gandhi and I have embarked on this Yatra to save democracy, the Constitution and the right to vote. On the ground level, even in villages, EC's credibility is over," he said. Criticising the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar, the RJD leader claimed that several voters were being shown as deceased. "About 50 voters' names have been deleted in every booth. We have presented the evidence in the Supreme Court for alive people shown as deceased," he added. Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks in Gaya Ji about "infiltrators," the RJD leader said that the EC itself had no such category in its record. "No one is better at rumour mongering than the Prime Minister. PM said in Gaya that EC is working to ward off the infiltrators. However, in EC's list of categories and the affidavit given in the SC, there is no mention of infiltrators," he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also participating in the Voter Adhikar Yatra, alleged that the SIR exercise in Bihar was an "institutionalised way" of stealing votes."In Bihar, SIR is an institutionalised way for vote theft. Lakhs of voters' names were deleted; the Opposition is complaining, but the BJP has not complained even once because there is a partnership between the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner and the BJP," Rahul Gandhi said. Meanwhile, the 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar, involving Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, aims to raise awareness about alleged irregularities in the voter list, which opposition leaders have termed a case of vote chori (vote theft). Covering over 1,300 km across 20 districts, the yatra is scheduled to conclude in Patna on September 1. Bihar Assembly elections are expected later this year, although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. (ANI)
Two Ukrainian women living in the UK said they hoped and prayed for peace as their country's independence day is celebrated.

Nadiia Hoian and Nataliia Revkova both fled Ukraine when Russia launched its invasion in 2022, and the pair came to live in Suffolk with their families.

Both said Sunday's Ukrainian Independence Day would be "emotional" as they took part in celebrations at The Hold at the Suffolk Archives in Ipswich.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It comes as US President Donald Trump has hosted diplomatic meetings to try to halt the war and get both countries engaged in peace talks.

Mrs Hoian said leaving Ukraine had been difficult [Jon Wright/BBC]

Mrs Hoian had lived in central Ukraine, not far from Kiev, prior to the war.

On the first day Russia invaded, she fled with her husband and children and initially went to Poland before coming to the UK in 2023 through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

"Leaving Ukraine and those first weeks were such a difficult period," she said.

"But we had a lot of kindness and a lot of support here in Suffolk."

Mrs Hoian went on to turn a passion for baking into her career here and set up her own award-winning wedding and events cake business.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She felt independence day was "always an emotional holiday" in Ukraine even before the war.

"Now living in the UK it feels even more powerful; it feels like everything about freedom, resilience, gratitude to all our people who continue to fight for their freedom," she added.

"For me it's also a chance to say thank you to British people for welcoming us here for their safety and support they've given us."

Mrs Hoian said she was praying for peace and added in a message for other Ukrainians: "Believe in yourself, share your love, believe in our country, pray for our country and stay positive."

Ms Revkova came to the UK as she wanted to ensure her children grew up away from the conflict [Jon Wright/BBC]

Ms Revkova said it had been a "very difficult decision" to leave Ukraine because she struggled to believe what was happening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We woke up the second day [of the war] at 04:25 because our house was shaking and my children saw in the window that half of an aeroplane [crashed] on the next street on our neighbour's house," she said.

"In the next 20 seconds there was another missile like a rocket that broke a very high building where people also lived."

Initially they fled to a friend's underground basement where they stayed for 10 days.

She decided to flee to Slovakia where she stayed for three months, but, keen for her children to have "a normal life", they came to the UK with just their clothes, car and a single credit card in 2022.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While in Ukraine, Ms Revkova developed a love for making jewellery and she now successful works with shops in the UK to sell her products.

She was hopeful there was an end in sight to the war.

"I think the main thing for everybody, not just Ukrainians, is that we need peace everywhere, in every country," she added.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story

Related internet links
Outside supermarkets or in festival crowds, millions are now having their features scanned by real-time facial-recognition systems in the UK -- the only European country to deploy the technology on a large scale.

At London's Notting Hill Carnival, where two million people are expected to celebrate Afro-Caribbean culture over Sunday and Monday, facial-recognition cameras are being deployed near entrances and exits.

The police said their objective was to identify and intercept wanted individuals by scanning faces in large crowds and comparing them with thousands of suspects already in the police database.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The technology is "an effective policing tool which has already been successfully used to locate offenders at crime hotspots resulting in well over 1,000 arrests since the start of 2024," said Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley.

The technology was first tested in 2016 and its use has increased considerably over the past three years in the United Kingdom.

Some 4.7 million faces were scanned in 2024 alone, according to the NGO Liberty.

UK police have deployed the live facial-recognition system around 100 times since late January, compared to only 10 between 2016 and 2019.

- 'Nation of suspects' -

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Examples include before two Six Nations rugby games and outside two Oasis concerts in Cardiff in July.

When a person on a police "watchlist" passes near the cameras, the AI-powered system, often set up in a police van, triggers an alert.

The suspect can then be immediately detained once police checks confirm their identity.

But such mass data capture on the streets of London, also seen during the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, "treats us like a nation of suspects", said the Big Brother Watch organisation.

"There is no legislative basis, so we have no safeguards to protect our rights, and the police is left to write its own rules," Rebecca Vincent, its interim director, told AFP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its private use by supermarkets and clothing stores to combat the sharp rise in shoplifting has also raised concerns, with "very little information" available about how the data is being used, she added.

Most use Facewatch, a service provider that compiles a list of suspected offenders in the stores it monitors and raises an alert if one of them enters the premises.

"It transforms what it is to live in a city, because it removes the possibility of living anonymously," said Daragh Murray, a lecturer in human rights law at Queen Mary University of London.

"That can have really big implications for protests but also participation in political and cultural life," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Often, those using such stores do not know that they are being profiled.

"They should make people aware of it," Abigail Bevon, a 26-year-old forensic scientist, told AFP by the entrance of a London store using Facewatch.

She said she was "very surprised" to find out how the technology was being used.

While acknowledging that it could be useful for the police, she complained that its deployment by retailers was "invasive".

- Banned in the EU -

Since February, EU legislation governing artificial intelligence has prohibited the use of real-time facial recognition technologies, with exceptions such as counterterrorism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Apart from a few cases in the United States, "we do not see anything even close in European countries or other democracies", stressed Vincent.

"The use of such invasive tech is more akin to what we see in authoritarian states such as China," she added.

Interior minister Yvette Cooper recently promised that a "legal framework" governing its use would be drafted, focusing on "the most serious crimes".

But her ministry this month authorised police forces to use the technology in seven new regions.

Usually placed in vans, permanent cameras are also scheduled to be installed for the first time in Croydon, south London, next month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police assure that they have "robust safeguards", such as disabling the cameras when officers are not present and deleting the biometric data of those who are not suspects.

However, the UK's human rights regulator said on Wednesday that the Metropolitan Police's policy on using the technology was "unlawful" because it was "incompatible" with rights regulations.

Eleven organisations, including Human Rights Watch, wrote a letter to the Metropolitan Police chief, urging him not to use it during Notting Hill Carnival, accusing him of "unfairly targeting" the Afro-Caribbean community while highlighting the racial biases of AI.

Shaun Thompson, a 39-year-old black man living in London, said he was arrested after being wrongly identified as a criminal by one of these cameras and has filed an appeal against the police.

cla/jwp/jkb/djt/rsc
The executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund on Sunday decried debates over the extent of hunger in Gaza as "kind of obscene."

Speaking to host Margaret Brennan on CBS' "Face the Nation," UNICEF's Catherine Russell said: "To me, it's kind of obscene that we are having these conversations arguing about whether the methodology works or not. We know children are dying, right? I am tired of a discussion about, well, are we giving the right information or not?"

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (which is often called IPC) declared last week there is famine in Gaza. The time for debate and hesitation has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading," the IPC report stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel, which has had issues with the United Nations for many years, rejected the IPC assessment as false and said it was meant "to smear Israel with lies" as part of an effort to discredit Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

Russell, an American attorney, said to Brennan that the IPC is filled with "technical people," not "political people," and that there is a simple way for Israel to demonstrate the truth to the world.

"First of all, let the international press in," Russell said. "Let them make determinations. I mean, we've talked about this, Margaret, of you coming. ... Everyone should be able to get in there."

Brennan noted that the footage of emaciated children being shown on "Face the Nation" was shot by reporters within Gaza since international reporters are not being permitted entry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russell added: "I have spoken to our staff, and they are seeing children who are incredibly deprived, many thousands of children who have had amputations, and are, you know, it's just one terrible thing after another for children."

The war in Gaza started when Hamas launched a lethal incursion into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people in Israel. The fighting since then has claimed tens of thousands of lives, most of them combatants and noncombatants in Gaza.

Russell said the warfare has been brutal for all concerned.

"It's been, now, almost two years since October 7th," Russell said, "and since then, Israeli children have been killed and taken hostage, and now we're seeing Palestinian children finally facing what we've been yelling and screaming about for months and months and months, which is a terrible famine."

She added: "We've estimated at this point that about 18,000 children in Gaza have already died. And those are children who die from a whole range of issues. But when you think about that, that's about 28 children a day. That's almost a classroom of children every single day who have died since the beginning of this conflict."
DANVILLE  The following are upcoming events this week (Monday, Aug. 24 to Saturday, Aug. 30) at the Danville Public Library, located at 319 N. Vermilion Street.

Rubber Ducky Readers: Join this fun Beanstack Challenge. For every 10 books read, the child will get a rubber duck, every 100 books equal a book, a sticker and a certificate, 1,000 books equal a goody bag filled with a book, a sticker, a completion certificate, a stuffed animal, a blow-up rubber duck, etc. This challenge is for ages 0-6. Visit https://danvillepubliclibrary.beanstack.org/ to join.

Tuesday: Teen Crafternoons. Stop by the library Tuesdays in August for an hour of fun, hands-on crafts  think watercolors, origami, bracelets, DIY projects, and more. No registration needed  just bring your creativity and hang out. This is for ages 13-19 and will be held from 3  4 p.m. on the second floor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tuesday: Tween It! Tuesdays. Programs for tweens each Tuesday. This week, inspired by the Netflix TV Series, Nailed it!, tweens will be presented with a craft and supplies, but no instructions. This is for ages 8-12 and will be held at 5 p.m. in the Program Room.

Tuesday: Teen Universal Yums. Each month, teens can explore a different country through its unique treats, fun trivia, and music from that culture. This program is for ages 13-19 and will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room.

Tuesday: Wee Wigglers Story Time. Join us for action rhymes, stories, and songs for children ages 5 and under. This event will be at 10 a.m. in the Program Room.

Wednesday: Teen Writing Club. Join us every Wednesday for Teen Writing Club. Journals and pens will be provided for our teen writers, along with writing prompts. This will take place from 3:30  4:30 p.m. on the second floor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wednesday: Wordy Wednesdays. Puzzle lovers, mark your calendars. Every Wednesday, head on up to the second floor reference desk for a variety of word puzzles. Available anytime during our regular business hours.

Thursday: Silent Book Club. A gathering for readers of all kinds. Bring your own book or check one out for an hour of reading, and connect with your community. No assigned reading, no expectations  just books, snacks, and good company from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Howard Rutan Meeting Room.

Aug. 30: Delightful Desserts with Illinois Extension. Join us to learn how to create healthy desserts for you and your family. This hands-on session will show you how to satisfy your sweet tooth the smart way. This program is set for 11 a.m. in the Howard Rutan Meeting Room. Limited space is available, reserve you spot by going to go.illinois.edu/DanvilleDesserts or calling (217) 333-9260.

Aug. 30: Lit Fit with Mandy is a dance fitness series. All fitness levels welcome  just bring your water bottle and wear clothes that can handle your best moves. This event takes place from 2:30  3:30 p.m. in the Howard Rutan Meeting Room.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Aug. 30: Sensory and Bilingual Story Adventures. A programming experience combining bilingual storytelling with sensory-friendly activities, designed to engage children of all abilities. This program creates a welcoming space where stories come to life through interactive elements, fostering language development and sensory exploration. This program is held at 11 a.m. in the Childrens Department.

Adult Craft: Stop by the reference desk on the second floor for Augusts Paintable Magnet take-and-make craft.

Coloring Contest: Color a picture and win a prize. Return entries by the end of the month. Entries will be displayed in the Childrens Room. Winners will be notified. Ages Preschool to adult. Pick up coloring sheets at the library or visit https://danvillepubliclibrary.org/coloring-contest

Explore More Illinois: a service provided by your library that provides instant online access to free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, sporting events, zoos, park districts, theaters, and other fun and local cultural venues. Log in with your library card credentials and browse for passes by date or attractions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instagram: Follow us on Instagram! Username: danvilleil.publiclibrary.

https://www.instagram.com/danvilleil.publiclibrary/

Library Mobile App: Danville Public Library now has an app available for your mobile devices. Search for books, etc., keep in touch with our social networks, or view our upcoming events, all on your phone. Search for SHARE Mobile Library or visit tinyurl.com/DPL-App for download links.

Starbooks Used Book Store: Step into Wonderland, where every book is a delightful find. Shop by card suit: spades: free items, hearts: $0.50, clubs: $1, diamonds: $2.

Tablets for Tweens: Danville Public Librarys Childrens Department announces it has iPads available for Tween use. The iPads are pre-installed with games and apps that are sure to capture the imagination and promote lifelong learning. Tweens can make videos with Stop Motion Studio, record music with GarageBand, design graphics with Canva, and so much more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weekly Crafts: Drop by for fun crafts in the childrens department. Available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. New craft each week. This week: Watermelon sunglasses.

The operating hours for the Danville Public Library are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays.
BREMER COUNTY, Iowa  An Urbandale woman was killed and five others were injured during a crash in Bremer County on Saturday.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of 190th Street and Piedmont Avenue, near Tripoli.

DMPD conducting death investigation in Oak Park Neighborhood

A Toyota Tacoma was traveling eastbound on 190th Street when it failed to yield to a posted sign and entered the intersection, ISP reported. A Ford F-150 traveling southbound on Piedmont Avenue struck the drivers side of the Toyota in the intersection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Urbandale resident Lungawia Chalthleng, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five others were injured and were transported via Air Care and ambulance to local hospitals for treatment. Their conditions are unknown.

Metro News:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
Washington approved the sale of Extended-Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles to Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Aug. 23, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

The missile has a range of about 241-450 kilometers (150-280 miles) and is meant to be a quick-to-produce and low-cost weapon. The U.S. approved the sale of 3,550 ERAM missiles to Ukraine, which are set to arrive in approximately six weeks, two U.S. officials told WSJ.

The European-funded arms package valued at $850 million was postponed until after U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15 and President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House days later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, Kyiv has proposed buying U.S. weapons worth $90 billion as part of security guarantees as Trump intensifies efforts to broker a peace deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

As Ukraine pushes for more advanced weaponry, questions have emerged about how and where these systems can be used. The use of Extended Range Active Missiles (ERAM), for instance, requires U.S. approvalparticularly for strikes inside Russian territory.

To manage this, the U.S. has quietly put in place a review mechanism that grants Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authority to block long-range Ukrainian strikes inside Russia using American-supplied missiles. This policy has effectively restricted such operations for months, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The U.S. has quietly implemented a review process giving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authority to bar Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia with American missiles, effectively blocking strikes for months, according to the outlet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The unannounced high-level Defense Department approval process has prevented the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against targets inside Russia since the late spring, an unnamed official said.

Other weapons, including the British Storm Shadow missile, which relies on U.S. targeting data, are also subject to the new review process.

The review mechanism was developed by the Pentagons policy undersecretary, Elbridge Colby, and oversees Ukraine's use of American-made weapons and European weapons, which rely on U.S. intelligence and components, WSJ reported.

In addition to the review process for missile strikes, a rating system has been reportedly implemented to assess whether the U.S. has enough stock of a particular weapon. Red, yellow, and green categories were introduced by Colby to help decide what weapons may be supplied to Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read also: After scandal, Ukraines presidents office chief seeks to restore trust by tapping veterans

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
US President Donald Trumps administration this week approved the sale of 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) air-launched missiles to Ukraine, with delivery expected in about six weeks, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

Source: WSJ, citing its sources

Details: WSJ noted that the US$850 million arms package, mostly funded by European countries and including other items, had been delayed until Trump completed talks with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The WSJ sources said that the use of ERAMs, which have a range of 240 to 450 km, will also require approval from the Pentagon.

The US has not officially announced plans for new deliveries of these missiles, but other types of weapons purchased from the US by European governments may assist Ukraine within its borders.

In particular, these include air defence systems and GMLRS multiple-launch rocket systems with a range of 145 km.

For reference: ERAM is a long-range air-launched cruise missile, used as an air-to-surface standoff weapon. It is designed to strike land and sea targets. Its modular construction allows it to be adapted for different missions.

Background: The Pentagon has been blocking Ukraines use of long-range missiles to strike Russian territory for several months.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The Pentagon fired its intelligence agency chief and two other senior military officers, weeks after the White House rejected a report that suggested American strikes on Iran had set its nuclear capabilities back just months.

The agencys leaked report contradicted US President Donald Trump, who said Tehrans nuclear ambitions were obliterated.

The ousters come amid a widening purge of US national security officials, The Washington Post wrote: Trumps former national security advisers home was raided by the FBI last week, while intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard revoked more than three dozen former and current officials security clearance.

Gabbard has spoken about trying to de-politicize the intelligence community, the Posts White House bureau chief said. But this gives the sense of political retribution.
The US ambassador to Paris has upped the pressure on President Emmanuel Macron over antisemitism in France with a letter calling the government's action on anti-Jewish hatred insufficient, days after similar criticism from Israel.

US envoy Charles Kushner's letter to Macron was dated August 25, which he noted was "the 81st anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris, which ended the deportation of Jews from French soil" under Nazi German occupation.

In the letter, a copy of which has been obtained by AFP, he wrote: "I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it...

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized," he added.

While "antisemitism has long scarred French life", the ambassador argued that hatred of Jews "has exploded since Hamas's barbaric assault on October 7, 2023," which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

His remarks tally with those made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Tuesday accused Macron of fomenting antisemitism, saying it had "surged" in France following the French president's announcement last month that he will recognise Palestinian statehood.

Macron's Elysee office was quick to hit back at Netanyahu, calling the Israeli leader's allegation "abject" and "erroneous".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

- 'Anti-Zionism is antisemitism' -

But like Netanyahu, Kushner denounced Macron's criticisms of Israel over the war in Gaza and his planned recognition of a State of Palestine. Such moves, he said, "embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France".

"In today's world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism -- plain and simple," the ambassador added.

"Surveys show most French citizens believe another Holocaust could happen in Europe. Nearly half of French youth report never having heard of the Holocaust at all.

"What are children being taught in French schools if such ignorance persists?," the letter read.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

France is home to Western Europe's largest Jewish population at around half a million people, as well as a significant Muslim community sensitive to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Both communities have reported a spike in hate crimes since Israel's retaliatory offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the besieged coastal strip.

Macron's announcement that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September drew a swift rebuke from Israel at the time.

With the move, France is set to join a list of nations that has grown since the start of the Gaza war nearly two years ago.

France is among at least 145 of the 193 UN members that now recognise or plan to recognise a Palestinian state, according to an AFP tally.

mra/sbk/djt
U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are among foreign officials who have arrived in Kyiv to mark Ukraine's 34th Independence Day on Aug. 24.

"On this Ukrainian Independence Day, and at this critical moment in their nations history, Canada is stepping up our support and our efforts towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine," Carney wrote on X following his arrival in the Ukrainian capital.

He later posted a video congratulating Ukraine, also noting that Canada was one of the first countries to recognize Ukraine as a sovereign country back in 1991.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Since then, Canada and Ukraine have deepened our long-standing friendship, A friendship rooted in the shared values of peace, security, and democracy," Carney said.

He also spoke at the Independence Day celebrations alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (L) and President Volodymyr Zelensky during the celebration of Ukraine's 34th Independence Day in Kyiv on Aug. 24, 2025. (Courtesy)

According to Zelensky, the defense ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well as the U.K. Minister for Veterans Affairs, are also in Ukraine for Independence Day.

Kellogg was also spotted taking part in the celebration in downtown Kyiv, standing next to Ukrainian President's Office Head Andriy Yermak and former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, now secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kelloggs visit to Ukraine was announced earlier this week by Reuters journalist Graham Slattery, who said the visit comes as the U.S, Ukraine, and Europe "hash out security guarantees," referring to the postwar security architecture seen as critical to Ukraine's long-term peace and a deterrent against future Russian aggression.

Kellogg's visit to Ukraine comes at a pivotal moment, as discussions over long-term security arrangements  and U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration  continue to evolve.

On Aug. 15, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska  welcoming Russia out of its geopolitical isolation.

Following the summit, Trump said he and Putin had "largely agreed" on territorial swaps and security guarantees for Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, he noted that both sides would have to "swap land"  a stance that raised alarm in Kyiv and across European capitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Trump-Putin summit was quickly followed by a high-level meeting in Washington between Trump, Zelensky, and other European leaders. During that meeting, Zelensky and his allies pressed for concrete security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a future peace agreement with Russia.

Read also: Ukraine will never be forced into compromise. We need a just peace  Zelenskys Independence Day address

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday launched a veiled attack against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and the opposition for alleging "vote theft" in the assembly elections, and said that they can't win the polls while lying to people and insulting them. "They are just trying to console their own hearts and were attempting to tell their workers that they were indeed winning, that there was a conspiracy in their defeat, so that the workers don't scatter. Until they do self-introspection on their defeat, they won't win. Until they stop lying and insulting people, they cannot win," Fadnavis told reporters here. His remarks come after Raj Thackeray on Saturday extended support to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "vote theft". Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut today alleged that the BJP-led Mahayuti government came to power through "vote theft" and claimed the issue is now being raised at the "national and international level." Speaking to reporters, Raut said, "...The issue of vote theft has been in Maharashtra for 8 months; we have been raising questions on this. This issue was raised by Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Congress. Devendra Fadnavis' government came to power only through such vote theft. Where did our votes go? This question was asked by Raj Thackeray, and we also asked it. Now this issue of theft has been raised by Rahul Gandhi at the national level and is being taken to the international level..." Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi, in a fresh attack on the Election Commission and the BJP, described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar as an "institutionalised way" of stealing votes. Addressing a press conference in Araria in Bihar during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', the Congress leader alleged a partnership between the ECI and the BJP." In Bihar, SIR is an institutionalised way for vote theft. Lakhs of voters' names were deleted; the Opposition is complaining, but the BJP has not complained even once because there is a partnership between the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner and the BJP," Rahul Gandhi claimed. The 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', covering 1,300 km across 20 districts, has been launched by the opposition parties to flag the alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise in Bihar, which they claim is an attempt at vote chori (vote theft). The march will conclude in Patna on September 1. Bihar Assembly elections are due later this year, though the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced the schedule yet. (ANI)
Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham will join the two envoys in Beirut on Monday, The Jerusalem Post can exclusively reveal.

Top US envoy Thomas Barrack and Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus arrived in Israel on Sunday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss issues concerning Lebanon and Syria, a source familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post.

The envoys spoke to the prime minister regarding Americas request that Israel restrain its strikes in Lebanon, as well as negotiations with Syria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee joined the two envoys in their meetings with Netanyahu.

Barrack also reportedly met with Israels Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The two are set to travel to Lebanon on Monday following the conclusion of their visit to Jerusalem. Senior Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham will join the envoys in Beirut, the Post can exclusively reveal.

US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack speaks after a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, July 7, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

Barrack and Ortagus, envoys of US President Donald Trump, held their meetings in Israel a day before their scheduled visit to Beirut on Monday.

The US officials asked Israel to work with them to advance the possibility of Lebanons government dismantling Hezbollah.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Senior Israeli officials were told that if concrete results were achieved on the ground - specifically, if the Lebanese army would truly start disarming Hezbollah - Israel would be expected to step back and allow the Lebanese authorities to take the lead.

The emphasis, however, was that such Israeli restraint would only be warranted if genuine steps toward disarmament were underway.

The Lebanese government and army are expected to finalize, by next week, a plan for Hezbollahs disarmament, following a decision made by the Lebanese cabinet several weeks ago. The visit of the American envoys underscores Washingtons intent to ensure that the plan is not merely symbolic but actually implemented.

The view in Washington is that the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had taken a courageous step, but Washington stressed that the real test would be on the ground.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the opening ceremony of the new Knesset museum, in Jerusalem, August 11, 2025 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Graham to join US envoys in Beirut after Israeli visit

The two envoys will be joined by senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, whose participation is meant to signal to the Lebanese government that if it acts to dismantle Hezbollahs arsenal, it will receive economic assistance - including measures to strengthen the Lebanese army.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gulf states have also made it clear to Beirut that they will not assist in rebuilding Lebanons devastated south - heavily damaged after two years of conflict - unless decisive measures are taken to disarm Hezbollah. Their concern is that any reconstruction carried out while Hezbollah remains active would primarily benefit the terrorist organization.

On the Syrian front, the visit comes shortly after last weeks trilateral summit involving Trumps envoy Tom Barrack, Israels Dermer, and Syrias foreign minister. Israeli officials admitted they were surprised that Syrias official news agency reported on the meeting.

This is the first time since the 1990s that Syrian media has openly reported on a meeting with senior Israeli officials. Its remarkable, one source said. The very fact that dialogue is happening is significant. Everyone understands that normalization is still far off, but there is considerable communication, attempts to reduce tensions, and perhaps even discussions that could eventually lead to a security arrangement between the two countries.
Antarctica has always pulled in a certain kind of traveler. The curious. The bold. The kind who want to see the edge of the map before it melts into nothing. Antarctica's got a reputation  frozen, remote, untouched. And yeah, unpredictable.

Now imagine: You've saved for years. Finally booked that onceinalifetime cruise to the bottom of the Earth. You've packed every fleece and glove you own. Guide's booked. Camera's charged. You're ready to step onto the ice and check the final box on your bucket list.

Then  snap. The weather flips like a switch. Helicopters grounded. Ships stuck. You're less worried about a missed selfie and more about getting frostbite. Now, you're just trying to get out in one piece.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Not fiction. This kind of thing is why officials are telling travelers to slow down and think it through.

What's happening?

InsideHook reported the U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Antarctica. Travelers are told to "exercise increased caution" because of fastchanging weather and a total lack of U.S. consular support.

It also suggested getting travel insurance and evacuation coverage as well as booking with experienced guides  especially ones affiliated with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, which sets basic safety and environmental rules for the industry.

Why is this concerning?

Antarctica tourism isn't trending  it's exploding. More than 80,000 people made the trip during the 2024-2025 season. Just a few years ago, that number hovered around 56,000  more people, more chances for things to go sideways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And the weather's not playing nice. Blue skies one minute, hurricaneforce winds the next. Not ideal when you're in a rubber boat trying to spot penguins. These conditions are already messing with evacuation routes and supply runs. One report showed atmospheric rivers are hitting the region more often, making logistics messy.

It's not just travelers getting hit. The dry valleys  Antarctica's natural insect labs  are seeing serious dieoffs. Some bugs that have survived for thousands of years are now dying in sudden heatwaves.

The Tasman Sea is heating up, too, and that extra warmth might be helping storms build up power before slamming the ice.

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.

Some scientists are calling it weather on steroids, and that's not hyperbole. It's the kind of shift that turns an adventure into a highrisk mission.

What can travelers do?

Stick to tour companies that follow IAATO rules. Keep your distance from wildlife. Wear clean gear. Keep your group small. The less you disturb the environment, the safer everyone stays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Skip DIY trips. Antarctica isn't the place for solo exploring. Emergency help is limited, and conditions change fast.

And prep like your safety depends on it  because it does. Know how long delays could stretch. Pack smart. Have coverage. It's the difference between making memories and needing rescue.

Want to know what else is at stake? Here's a crash course on climate risks and how to stay aware.

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.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on behalf of the United States, has congratulated Ukraine on the 34th anniversary of its independence.

Source: US Department of State press release published on Sunday 24 August, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The United States is committed to Ukraines future as an independent nation. We believe in a negotiated settlement that upholds Ukrainian sovereignty and guarantees its long-term security, leading to durable peace."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Rubio added that on this day, the United States looks forward to further strengthening economic and security partnerships between the two countries for the sake of a peaceful and prosperous future for both nations.

Background:

The European Council building has been illuminated in the colours of Ukraines national flag as a sign of support for the Ukrainian people.

The Ukrainian flag was raised in front of the European Commission headquarters to mark Ukraines Flag Day.

In addition, the building of Latvias Ministry of Foreign Affairs was decorated with Ukrainian flags and illuminated in blue and yellow to mark Ukraines National Flag Day and Independence Day.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Nathan Fawson, CEO of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center. Fawson, whose salary and benefits are currently $686,941, is under fire over executive pay at the six-county mental health center. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)

IOLA  Nathan Fawson is a man under fire.

And he wants you to know he is grateful.

Sitting in a consultation room painted a calming shade of neutral, Fawson  CEO of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center here  uses the word or a variation of it half a dozen times in explaining why his salary and benefits are more than $628,074. That figure has raised eyebrows and tempers in the community, a fiscal Rorschach test of ones beliefs about the value of work, the cost of expertise, and who  if anyone  should pay for the public good.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im very grateful that weve been able to offer fair, market-competitive wages to better support the community that coincidentally increased wages for management, he says. Im grateful that weve been able to offer those competitive wages for expert services provided by management, allowing for those with that expertise to live and enjoy southeast Kansas rather than feel the need or desire to relocate.

During the interview in the neutral room, decorated with a soothing triptych of what may be a beach scene, Fawson smiles often, gestures broadly, and sometimes refers to a printout summarizing the exponential growth of his six-county agency over the past decade. The centers number of employees has nearly tripled since 2015, to 583; the budget has grown from $8 million to $75 million; and the number of patients served has expanded sixfold, to 25,906. The center has also, in recent years, offered medical and dental services, as part of its mission as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and doubled its number of sites, to 30, including the clinic on Jefferson Street where our interview takes place.

But its not the additional employees or added services that has sparked a regional political backlash. Its Fawsons pay and benefits, which have more than quadrupled since 2020.

The SEKMHC serves six of the sickest and poorest counties in Kansas: Anderson, Allen, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho and Woodson. The median household income for Allen County is $57,618, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and about 10% of its residents lack health insurance. That compares with the Kansas median income of $70,333 and an uninsured rate of 8.4%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Iola, the seat of Allen County, a historic town of 5,400 on the Neosho River, the need for mental health services is one of those obvious things, like the need for rain to break a drought. Some townspeople told me that just about everyone knows somebody close who died by suicide or who were lost to drugs or alcohol. Local resident Sharla Miller, whose 19-year-old son Matt killed himself in 2019, started a conversation about mental health that included a local conference with representatives from the mental health center. The SEKMHC provides school therapists for districts in all six counties it serves.

Most of the centers revenue comes from a variety of grants and Medicare and Medicaid. Its board of directors are appointed by the county commissions in the six counties. Each county appoints two representatives and also contributes a combined total of $550,120 in funding for this year, which amounts to less than 1% of the centers budget. The county funds are earmarked for those not on Medicaid and who could not afford to pay for services  not salaries.

But this year, because of the heat over Fawsons compensation package, the counties began decreasing their support. Three counties  Allen, Anderson and Neosho  dropped their support to just $1  thats right, a single dollar  for 2026, according to reporting by the Iola Register. Anderson County also stopped its quarterly payments for the last two quarters of this year. Linn County voted to contribute $0 for 2025 and 2026. Woodson County slashed its 2026 contribution by more than half, to $35,000. Bourbon County has discussed the issue, but has not yet made a decision on funding.

Even if all six counties pulled funding, Fawson said, the center would continue to operate. Under federal law, nobody who needed emergency services would be turned away because of an inability to pay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The controversy began in February of this year, when Allen County Commissioner David Lee called, according to Fawson. The commissioner had just seen the centers latest available 990, from 2023. A 990 is the federal return tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofits are required to file annually with the IRS.

Lee asked him if the executive salary and benefits reported were accurate.

I responded yes, Fawson said. Then he responded, The community would disagree with those wages, and prepare yourself for a challenge. And that challenge has ensued.

Fawson said he didnt anticipate there would be a political concern about executive compensation until that call. He said he was surprised because he was confident in the wage analysis provided in 2021 and 2023 by the Hebets Co., a Phoenix-based consulting firm. The center retained Hebets, Fawson said, because its advisers are experts and would provide a reliable and objective analysis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The centers board of directors adopted the Hebets recommendation to increase salaries across the board. Fawson also said that because he was familiar with medical and behavioral health operations, the executive compensation packages suggested seemed appropriate to him.

Before the increases, Fawson said, wages at the center were below the 25th percentile nationally, and the goal was to bring them up to at least the 50th percentile. These increases were across the board, he said, and have improved the lives of the center employees and added to the southeast Kansas economy.

In 2023, according to the centers 990 tax return, other top-paid executives and employees included Doug Wright, chief operating officer, $444,282; Job Springer, chief financial officer, $423,551; Holly Jerome, director of human resources and marketing, $348,614; John Robinson, urologist, $334,368; and Steven Dooley, chief information officer, $311,604.

Michelle Hoag, clinical director and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic grant oversight officer, made $276,555 in salary and benefits. Greta Sue McFarland Huebert, a pediatrician, was listed on the 990 at $253,481.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All executive compensation for 2023 was just more than $3 million.

A masters level clinical therapist just starting out at the clinic, Fawson said, is paid about $71,000.

The Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center clinic at Iola in August 2025. It is one of 30 sites operated by the six-county agency. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector)

Fawson, a native of St. George, Utah, graduated in 1997 from Washburn University in Topeka with a masters degree in clinical psychology. He also has an MBA in business and health service administration from the University of Utah. He began as a therapist with the SEKMHC in the 1990s, he said, and worked his way until he became associate director. In 2010 he left to become director of clinic operations at Cox Medical Center in Branson, Missouri. He returned to the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center in 2013 and became CEO in 2016.

In a June shakeup, the Allen County Commission dismissed its two previous representatives to the SEKMHC board and replaced them with new members. One of those new members is Jerry Daniels, a Republican who is also the chair of the county commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I agreed with the reduction of funding, Daniels told me, citing Fawsons salary as a primary reason. Its more than the (U.S.) president makes.

The U.S. Code sets the salary of the president at $400,000, with an additional $50,000 in expenses. That, of course, does not represent the ever-expanding perks of being president.

My concern, whether you agree with it or not, is that in this DOGE environment, what are they going to do if the funding runs out? Daniels said. I dont know all the details, but its my speculation that their budget got big on Biden bucks. What are you going to do with all these employees and salaries when the money dries up?

Daniels said he has no doubt the center is doing good work and that its therapists are dedicated to their clients. He said he wasnt picking on the center but that oversight of management and expenditure of funds was a serious business concern.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ive been a commissioner for 10 years, and Ive never had as many phone calls as on this subject, Daniels said. Theres (also) a lot of text and emails and Facebook questioning.

A question Daniels said he had, but to which he had not received a clear answer, was whether the SEKMHC was subject to the states open records and open meetings laws. I posed the question in an email to Bob Johnson, counselor to the Allen County Commission, but did not receive a reply.

Fawson told me board meetings were open to the public, though few community members attended, and that the center was subject to both the Kansas Open Records Act and the Kansas Open Meetings Act. He said, however, that he would not provide a copy of the Hebets wage analysis. It was propriety, he said.

Fawson also said he didnt feel comfortable with the Hebets report going public because it might make some center employees uncomfortable. It also might draw unwanted scrutiny to organizations used for comparison, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That may well bring harm to our employees, he said. One thing I recognized early on in my management experience is how sensitive employees are regarding the subject of salary.

And, he said, exposing other organizations to scrutiny would be unfair.

I dont want to draw this type of attention to any organization and have them experience the level of scrutiny weve experienced, he said.

Some of the comparable institutions, both for-profit and nonprofit, were in Missouri and others in Oklahoma, he said, but he declined to identify them more narrowly.

Its not fair to them, he said. I realize its your role to do just that, but I dont want comparison. I want the community to come to understand value, but not from a perspective of theyre better than you or youre better than them. Right?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Comparisons with other nonprofits in Kansas, including the 25 other mental health centers in the state, are difficult because of differences in size and mission. The Iroquois Center for Human Development at Greensburg, for example, has expenditures of about $2.6 million, according to a database compiled by ProPublica, while the Bert Nash Community Health Center at Lawrence had expenses of more than $34 million. Executive pay typically ranged from 2% to 4% of expenditures for the Kansas mental health nonprofits included in the database.

The Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center executive compensation was 5.8% of its $38 million in expenses in 2023, according to ProPublica. An independent audit commissioned by the organization for fiscal 2023, ProPublica noted, found a deficiency in internal financial or governance controls that could limit the organizations ability to track and report financial data reliably.

Fawson said no audits or other reviews had flagged executive compensation as a cause for concern. He also referred to his information handout, which indicated the centers executive compensation was reviewed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

A KDADS official told me the agency reviews all expenses that make up the cost of operating a mental health center, with an eye to the bigger picture of the services provided by certified community behavioral health clinics to communities.

The goal of reviewing these reports is to ensure transparency and accountability, said Cara Sloan-Ramos, director of communications for KDADS. Reported salaries are also reviewed using U.S. Department of Labor statistics and evaluated for reasonableness compared to other health care salaries by a third-party contractor.

She said, however, Fawsons individual salary was not reviewed as part of the most recent process.

With regard to specific salaries, in the last report from the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Sloan-Ramos said, all administrative salaries were grouped in one line item. Additionally, it is the role of the SEKMHC Board of Directors to approve and finalize executive salaries.

The fear among some Iola civic leaders is that the controversy about executive compensation at the mental health center will impede its ability to provide vital services to the community. The Iola Register, in a July 3 editorial signed by managing editor Tim Stauffer and publisher Susan Lynn, cited the achievements of the center, from being designated a CCBHC to having therapists embedded in the public schools to staffing an around-the-clock crisis line. The editorial made the case for scrutiny, but cautioned county officials against defunding the center. Diminishing the SEKMHCs capacity would only result in self-inflicted harm.

At a time when its abundantly clear federal and state funding cannot be counted on, its also a dangerous thing to do, the editorial reads. We know the risks. Do we want more unattended crisis, more substance abuse, more violence?

The county should restore the centers funding and continue to invest in the communitys mental health, the Register urged. If there was concern over executive pay, then dialogue was the answer.

Toward the end of our 90-minute interview in the consultation room, Fawson asked for my take on the salary controversy. If I were offered a salary that was more than 10 times the median household income for my area, I said, I would be uncomfortable.

I am uncomfortable with it, he said, and it was the first time I noted emotion in his voice. Im very uncomfortable with it. So tell me  I dont know how to  I dont know how to effectively resolve that.

I asked if he had considered taking a salary cut.

Ive considered a lot of ways in which I could give back, he said. And yet I have some advising me not to take a salary reduction (for) the best interest of the organization. Ill just say that Im very conflicted in that regard, very uncomfortable with where Im at, and I very much wish there was a solution that would both satisfy the concerns and best support the community.

Earlier this year, Fawson said, the SEKMHC board had frozen executive salaries. But, he said, the next 990, which has not yet been filed, will likely show an increase. The Hebets salary plan the board adopted included an increase for 2024 as well, an adjustment made before the salary freeze went into effect. Fawson estimated his current pay to be $495,000 plus benefits similar to 2023.

That amounts to $686,941.

Holy smokes.

Fawson and his board were naive at best in accepting the recommendations from an out-of-state consulting firm without taking into account the mood of the community. The eye-popping salaries paid to Fawson and his top executives may be justified by the market, but they may end up doing more harm to the center than good. What Fawson and his board have traded for competitive wages is the trust of the county commissions that appoint the centers governing board. Some of those commissioners, including David Lee, who kicked the hornets nest in February, already believe the center is an experiment in socialized medicine diverting patients from the local Iola hospital.

Should staff salaries have been adjusted to keep and recruit therapists and others? Of course. But quadrupling the CEO salary and benefits? Risky at any time, but downright foolish in this age of populist revolt. Its like handing a hammer to those who, out of misunderstanding or malice, would like to beat the system to pieces.

Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Sunday met virtually with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported but returned to the U.S., and vowed to continue fighting to protect the Maryland resident.

Van Hollen said the meeting was their first since the Maryland senator traveled to El Salvador to check on his constituent earlier this year.

I was glad to have the opportunity to speak with Kilmar Abrego Garcia this morning and welcome him back to Maryland after what has been a long and torturous nightmare. It was the first time I have talked to him since our meeting in El Salvador, Van Hollen said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During our conversation, I shared with him that I and many others have been fighting for months to ensure that his constitutional due process rights were respected despite Trumps efforts to deny them at every turn, he continued.

Abrego Garcia was released from criminal custody this past week, his first time outside of government custody since March, when he was mistakenly deported to a megaprison in El Salvador due to an administrative error. Abrego Garcia faces human smuggling charges in the U.S.

But the federal government is now seeking to deport him to Uganda, which has struck an agreement with the Trump administration to accept deportees.

According to court filings, Abrego Garcia  who originally entered the U.S. illegally but was protected by a court order blocking his deportation  declined a plea deal this past week that would have given him the option to live freely with refugee or residency status in Costa Rica after serving prison time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Van Hollen pledged to continue fighting the deportation effort

The federal courts and public outcry forced the Administration to bring Abrego Garcia back to Maryland, but Trumps cronies continue to lie about the facts in his case and they are engaged in a malicious abuse of power as they threaten to deport him to Uganda  to block his chance to defend himself against the new charges they brought, Van Hollen said.

As I told Kilmar and his wife Jennifer, we will stay in this fight for justice and due process because if his rights are denied, the rights of everyone else are put at risk, he continued.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vice President JD Vance has touted his bosss energetic diplomacy with Russia, and insisted that the Trump administration would bring the three-year-long war between Ukraine and Russia to an end.

But as his remarks aired on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, Russias top diplomat was making that prospect look unlikely  while walking back progress made between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky and a host of European leaders in a whirlwind series of meetings over the past two weeks.

Vance told NBCs Kristen Welker, in a pre-taped interview, that both sides had signaled their openness to accepting significant concessions in recent days, and said that the president was open to increasing pressure if one side was seen as an obstacle to peace.

JD Vance insisted that Donald Trump would be able to pressure Russia into reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine in an interview aired Sunday (NBC News)

This is the energetic diplomacy thats going to bring this war to a close, Vance said. We sometimes feel like weve made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, hes been very frustrated with the Russians. Were going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that Russias Vladimir Putin made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3  years of this conflict during his summit with Trump on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Theyve actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. Theyve talked about what would be necessary to end the war, said the vice president.

He was unable to name specific areas where the Trump administration was making progress, however, as Russian and U.S. officials have given different interpretations of what was agreed upon at the Alaska summit.

But the two concessions named by U.S. officials in the wake of that summit -- a Ukrainian security guarantee and the prospect of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin within two weeks -- now both seem on the edge of disappearing, if they havent already collapsed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russias top envoy, Sergey Lavrov, appeared separately Sunday on Meet the Press and said that no Putin-Zelensky meeting was on the table in the immediate term.

Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all, Lavrov said.

The Russian diplomats comments come as Donald Trump confirmed Friday that he informed Putin that he was not happy about a Russia strike against a factory in Ukraine this past week that is owned by a U.S. company. The attack in the town of Mukachevo, which injured at least 15 people, was part of a larger wave of Russian airstrikes.

On his Sunday appearace, Lavrov proceeded to denounce the Ukrainian president and claimed that Zelensky was refusing to accept that Ukraine would be blocked from joining NATO under a peace agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was very clear to everybody that there are several principles which Washington believes must be accepted, including no NATO membership, including the discussion of territorial issues, and Zelensky said no to everything, said Lavrov.

He even said no to, as I said, to canceling legislation prohibiting the Russian language. How can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader?

European leaders who met with Trump at the White House Monday touted the brokering of that potential Zelensky-Putin sitdown as a major development in the peace process.

Russias recognition of the ability of Ukraine to sign security guarantees with the U.S. and other European nations similarly was seen as a major concession, but the Kremlin reportedly dismissed the prospect of troops from NATO countries on the ground in Ukraine after the U.S. presidents meeting with Zelensky.

Trumps own press secretary confirmed this past week that the White House would not consider deploying troops to Ukraine were it attacked again.
Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that Russia has made "significant concessions" in talks to end its war with Ukraine but didn't rule out imposing more sanctions to pressure the Kremlin toward peace.

In an interview aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Vance was asked if Russia is stringing President Donald Trump along, Vance said no and said the Russians have been "flexible" on some of its demands.

"I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3 1/2 years of this conflict. They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war," he said. "Of course, they haven't been completely there yet, or the war would be over. But we're engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MORE: Former CIA Director Petraeus says Putin is the obstacle to peace in Ukraine

"We sometimes feel like we've made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, he's been very frustrated with the Russians," Vance continued.

Annabelle Gordon/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance speak after announcing the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center in December 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, August 22, 2025.

The vice president was pressed on why he believes Russia wants to pursue peace given that it has rejected the ceasefire proposal that Trump put forward and that there's no planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Well, I didn't say they conceded on everything," he replied. "But what they have conceded is the recognition that Ukraine will have territorial integrity after the war. They've recognized that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv. That was, of course, a major demand at the beginning. And importantly, they've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vance told NBC that more sanctions against Russia are possible, but those decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis.

"No, sanctions aren't off the table. But we're going to make these determinations on a case-by-case basis. What do we think is actually going to exert the right kind of leverage to bring the Russians to the table," Vance said.

In a separate interview taped Friday and aired Sunday on "Meet the Press," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was asked what he would say to U.S. lawmakers who have accused Russia of stringing Trump along, Lavrov said that Russia respects the U.S. president.

"It is not for the lawmakers or for any media outlet to, to decide, you know, what President Trump is motivated by -- we respect President Trump because President Trump defends American national interests," Lavrov said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Russian foreign minister said it is European leaders who met with Trump and Zelenskyy last week in Washington and not Putin that are an impediment to getting a peace agreement.

MORE: Europeans insist on security guarantees for Ukraine as Russia balks: ANALYSIS

"And I have reason to believe that President Trump respects President Putin because he defends Russian national interests," he added. "And whatever they discuss between themselves is not a secret. We want peace in Ukraine. He wants, President Trump wants, peace in Ukraine. The reaction to Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives and what they were doing after Washington indicates that they don't want peace."

Lavrov told NBC there is no scheduled meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy as Trump has pushed for, saying that there needs to be an agenda first before anything is finalized.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelenskyy said Friday there will be no meeting between the presidents because Russia doesn't want to end the war.

Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Reuters - PHOTO: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a joint press conference with India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar following their talks at Zinaida Morozova's Mansion in Moscow, Russia August 21, 2025.

"The issue is not just the meeting. The issue is that they don't want to end the war," he said. "A bilateral meeting is one of the components of how to end the war. It's not all, it's one of the components. And since they don't want to end it, they will look for space for it. And this space needs to be reduced. America and Europe in unity reduce this space for war."

U.S. and European defense officials have discussed security assurances for Ukraine to prevent further Russian aggression, but few details have been emerged.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was in Ukraine on Friday to lay out a framework for security guarantees for Ukraine with Zelenskyy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The first layer has to be for Ukrainian armed forces to be as strong as possible to defend this proud country and nation going forward," Rutte said, saying that would come after a peace deal or "long-term ceasefire."

He added, "And the second layer has to be the security guarantees provided by Europe and the United States."

Vance reaffirmed Trump's previous comments that there will be no U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine as a part security guarantees.

"The president's been very clear. There are not going to be boots on the ground in Ukraine, but we are going to continue to play an active role in trying to ensure that the Ukrainians have the security guarantees and the confidence they need to stop the war on their end," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MORE: Russia hits Ukraine with drones as Kyiv celebrates independence day

Asked about comments Putin made in June, saying, "I consider the Russian and Ukrainian people to be one nation. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours," and whether Ukraine has a right to exist, Lavrov replied, "Ukraine has the right to exist, provided it must let people go."

"The people whom they call 'terrorists,' who they call species and who during a referenda  several referenda in Novorossiya, in Donbas, in Crimea decided that they belong to the Russian culture and the government which came to power as a result of the coup was determined as a priority to exterminate everything Russian," Lavrov said.

Zelenskyy has long opposed surrendering sovereign territory to Russia, saying the nation's constitution forbids it.

Lavrov also pushed back when asked to acknowledge that Russia invaded Ukraine, saying, "Russia started special military operation to defend the people who Zelenskyy and his predecessor did not consider as humans."
Vice President Vance said imposing new sanctions on Russia to put pressure on President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine are not off the table, saying the United States has options to push on Moscow.

NBCs Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked Vance if sanctions are off the table, citing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he didnt think new sanctions would force Putin into a ceasefire. Vance replied that the Russians dont want a ceasefire.

No, sanctions arent off the table. But were going to make these determinations on a case-by-case basis. What do we think is actually going to exert the right kind of leverage to bring the Russians to the table? Now, you said sanctions were not going to lead to a ceasefire. I think thats obviously correct. If you look at the way the Russians have conducted themselves, they dont want a ceasefire, Vance said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added, They dont want a ceasefire for complicated reasons. We, of course, have pushed for a ceasefire. But again, we dont control what Russia does. If we did, the war wouldve been over seven months ago. What we do believe though is that we continue to have a lot of cards. The president of the United States has a lot of cards left to play to apply pressure to try to bring this conflict to a close, and thats what were going to do.

President Trump on Friday renewed his threat of sanctions on Russia, a week after meeting in Alaska with Putin to discuss an end to the war. He met on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, after which he announced he would work on arranging a meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

A couple of weeks, Trump said on how long hell give Putin. It takes two to tango, you understand that.

He added, Well then Im going to make a decision as to what we do. Its going to be a very important decision. And thats whether or not its massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both. Or do we do nothing and say its your fight?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vance argued on Meet the Press that Putin has been open to being flexible and touted that the administration is working through a diplomatic process first to end the war.

I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict. Theyve actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. Theyve talked about what would be necessary to end the war. Of course, they havent been completely there yet, or the war would be over. But were engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith, he said.

We are trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and the Ukrainians to find a middle ground to stop the killing.  We dont think its in Russias or Ukraines interest to keep going. So were going to keep on pushing for a diplomatic solution.

The Russians have sent signals that they intend to slow-walk talks with Ukraine about ending the war and expressed doubt about some early prospects of a peace deal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US Vice President JD Vance has said he sees "significant concessions" by Russia to the US on the war in Ukraine in that Moscow apparently no longer seeks to install a puppet regime in Kyiv and is apparently willing to agree to the provision of certain security guarantees to Ukraine.

Source: Vance in an interview with NBC, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict. They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Vance acknowledged that a full agreement has not yet been reached, otherwise the war would be over, but said: "We're engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith; we're trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and the Ukrainians to find the middle ground to stop the killing."

Quote: "I didnt say they conceded on everything, but what they have conceded is the recognition that Ukraine will have territorial integrity after the war; they've recognised that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv  that was of course a major demand at the beginning  and importantly, they've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee."

More details: Vance admitted, however, that there have been no Russian concessions on territory.

Background:

In the same interview, Vance said he hopes that Russias war against Ukraine can be ended within six months, "hopefully not beyond [that]".

In recent days, Western countries have once again intensified discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine, which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said will consist of two levels.

European officials are also discussing a plan to send British and French military personnel to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement. Around 10 countries are prepared to provide troops.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Vice President J.D. Vances appearance Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press drew as much attention for the exchanges with moderator Kristen Welker as for his message on Ukraine and former President Donald Trumps foreign policy.

Vance expressed optimism that the war in Ukraine could be nearing an end, saying significant concessions had been made by both sides and predicting a possible deal within weeks. He credited Trumps energetic diplomacy and economic pressure on Russia, contrasting it with President Joe Bidens approach.

But the sharpest moments came when Welker pressed him on whether Moscow was stringing Trump along in peace talks and on reports that Trump ordered a raid on former national security adviser John Bolton. Vance avoided specifics on the Bolton matter, redirecting to Trumps record, while repeating that negotiations would depend on Kyiv and Moscow agreeing to terms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The interview quickly became a flashpoint online. Conservative commentators cast Vance as having steamrolled Welker, praising his discipline under questioning. Progressive voices countered that Welker had pinned him down, particularly on the Bolton raid, with some calling it her toughest test yet as moderator. A few even pointed out Vances inaccurate history facts.

The divided reaction underscored the high stakes for both Vance and Welker. For the vice president, the exchange was an opportunity to project loyalty and optimism as Trump pushes for a Ukraine deal. For Welker, it highlighted the challenge of cutting through partisan filters as she seeks to establish her authority on one of Washingtons marquee Sunday shows.

The post Vance and Welker exchange sparks dueling narratives online appeared first on Salon.com.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday visited the disaster-affected area of Tharali in Chamoli district and inquired about the well-being of the affected people. The Chief Minister assured all possible help to the affected families and also reviewed the relief work. The Chief Minister said that the government is fully standing with the affected families in their time of crisis and assured them all possible help. Dhami said that relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing. Departmental officials have been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations on a 24/7 basis. No stone will be left unturned in the relief and rescue operations at the state government level, said Dhami. The Chief Minister inquired about the updated status of the relief and rescue operations being carried out after the natural disaster in the Tharali area and also praised the relief work conducted by the district administration. The Chief Minister inspected the relief camp set up in the Kulsari area of the district Chamoli and took feedback from the affected about the arrangements and facilities being provided there. During this, he instructed the officials to ensure that the affected people do not face any inconvenience. CM Dhami said, "All necessary support should be provided to the affected people on time and with full sensitivity". Along with providing immediate assistance of cheques of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those whose houses have been completely damaged and those who have died in the disaster, the CM also directed the officials to make proper arrangements for the rehabilitation of the homeless people in Tharali, on which effective action has been started, according to the Chief Minister's Office. During this, the affected people shared their grief with the Chief Minister, to which the CM assured full support. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari informed the Chief Minister that the affected families have been accommodated in safe relief camps and proper arrangements have been made for their regular food and stay. "Twelve people have been accommodated in the relief camp at Government Polytechnic Kulsari, 36 in Primary School Chepado and 20 in Primary School of Tharali Upper Bazaar. Proper medical facilities are also being provided to the affected people", the district magistrate said. The DM added, "The roads damaged by the disaster have been restored. Soon, the electricity supply will also be restored in the area. The work of repairing the damaged drinking water line and laying the pipeline is in progress. Along with malba cleaning in the disaster-affected areas, the assessment of damaged assets is also being done". The visit comes amid intensified relief efforts in the district, where teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local administration are engaged in evacuating stranded residents, distributing relief material, and restoring essential services. Earlier today, Dhami held a high-level meeting with the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police to review ongoing relief and rescue operations in Kulsari, Chamoli, following the recent devastating cloudburst. According to officials, the cloudburst on Friday night in Toonri Gadera of Tharali tehsil left one person dead and another missing, while several others sustained injuries. Debris from the downpour swept into Tharali market and nearby areas, damaging houses, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's residence, and burying vehicles and shops. (ANI)
Children who vape are much more likely to go on to become smokers, according to a new analysis linking youth vaping to a host of health problems.

Notably, the researchers say that children who vape are not only three times more likely to smoke later in life, but they are also more likely to smoke more often and intensely.

Research from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) analyzed 56 reviews on 384 studies on youth vaping. Over 20 of these reviews assessed the use of e-cigarettes in young people and cigarette smoking later in life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The researchers found a higher risk of respiratory illnesses, like asthma or asthma exacerbation, as well as a higher risk of substance abuse.

The study also discovered a link between youth vaping and pneumonia, bronchitis, dizziness, headaches, migraines, depression, suicidal thoughts, and lower total sperm counts.

Writing in the journal Tobacco Control, the researchers said the data consistently indicated a significant association between e-cigarette use and later cigarette smoking in young people, per Sky News.

The authors cautioned that it was difficult to infer causality from the review, but said the repeated strong associations in prospective cohort studies are consistent with a causal relationship.

Last year, The Dallas Express reported that city officials banned the use of electronic smoking devices in areas across Dallas. The restrictions, which included the use of vape pens, e-cigarettes, and water pipes known as dab rigs, came after a May 2023 recommendation from the Citys Environmental Commission. Vaping, like conventional smoking, is now prohibited indoors or in enclosed areas of the city, within 15 feet of building entrances, at parks, and in any other location designated as nonsmoking.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The fourth annual Veterans Day Parade will be held on November 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue.

The parade, presented by Salvatores Old Fashion Pizza, will travel up Highland to the Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Gary Beikirch Park on South Avenue.

County Executive Adam Bello announced the Grand Marshal of this years parade is Honor Flight Rochester, an organization that provides veterans with free trips to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This years parade is an opportunity for this community to show collectively how grateful we are for the work of Honor Flight Rochester to ensure that veterans, especially those from earlier eras, have the opportunity to see the memorials built in their honor, said Adam Bello. The Veterans Day parade continues to grow every year as a fitting tribute to those who selflessly defend our freedom.

This years parade will feature musical marching, veterans service organizations, law enforcement, military-style vehicles, high-ranking active-duty service members, and groups of veterans representing all eras and branches.

For more information, please visit the official website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Thousands of people donned Victorian outfits with a futuristic twist as an annual festival returned to a city in Lincolnshire.

The Lincoln Steampunk Festival has been taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend once again, attracting people from all over the world to visit for four days of parades and exhibitions.

The event has been popular in the city since it started in 2009 and has returned this year despite concerns it would have to be moved due to being so popular.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

John Naylor, who runs the event, said more is yet to take place, as Monday will see "one of the biggest days of the grand parade".

He said: "We're expecting something in the region of 85,000 to 100,000 people over the course of the weekend.

"It's a place for people to come from all around the world to show their creativity and express what they want to be and just have a great time.

"The costumes, art and silliness are British eccentricity but globally."

Mr Naylor went on to say the meaning of Steampunk was hard to pin down as "if you ask three of the people here, you'll get nine answers".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Victorian history, science fiction, modern values, modern culture references, mix it all up and then add in a whole dose of wackiness and that is Steampunk," he added.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

More on this story

Related internet links
Vietnam and China are evacuating hundreds of thousands of people, grounding flights and closing businesses as Typhoon Kajiki intensifies in the South China Sea.

At 6am GMT on Sunday the storm was around 500km off Vietnams central coast, moving west at about 20kmph with sustained winds of 149kmph. Forecasters in Beijing said Kajiki was expected to strengthen further, with winds potentially reaching 170kmph, before making landfall on Monday.

Authorities in Vietnam have prepared to move nearly 586,000 people from coastal provinces including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Da Nang.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Seven provinces stretching from Ninh Binh to Quang Ngai have banned fishing vessels from leaving port, while almost 60,000 boats and 249,000 crew members have been warned of the danger. More than 49,000 vessels had already sought shelter, reported Vietnam Plus.

Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines cancelled 22 flights to and from central cities on Sunday and Monday, with budget airline Vietjet Aviation also suspending or delaying services.

Officials warned that Kajiki could threaten almost 300,000 hectares of rice, 77,000 hectares of fruit plantations and 57,000 hectares of rubber crops in north-central provinces. More than 5,700 fish cages and 384 coastal watch huts are also at risk of destruction, reported the outlet.

The trajectory of Typhoon Kajiki, seen here located just south of Chinas Hainan island, from where it is projected to hit Vietnam just south of Hanoi (Japanese Meterological Agency)

Reservoirs across the region are currently 71 to 82 per cent full, raising fears of flooding. Authorities have been ordered to lower water levels in large lakes to ease pressure on downstream areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed provincial leaders, ministries and the military to ensure rapid evacuations, reinforce dykes and dams and maintain emergency communications. The ministry of foreign affairs has asked China and the Philippines to assist Vietnamese boats seeking safe harbour.

In China, the resort city of Sanya on Hainan Island shut shopping centres, restaurants and supermarkets on Sunday while suspending public transport, classes and construction. Local authorities issued a red typhoon alert  the highest level in the countrys four-tier system  and activated the most severe emergency response.

Aerial view of fishing boats moored in anticipation of Typhoon Podul in China on 12 August 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

Worst-case scenarios should be expected, city officials said, stressing the need for vigilance to avoid fatalities, reported Reuters.

Kajiki was about 200km southeast of Sanya on Sunday morning, according to Chinas National Meteorological Centre, moving northwest at roughly 20kmph with sustained winds of 38 metres per second near its centre. Forecasters said Hainan could receive up to 400mm of rainfall, with heavy downpours also expected in neighbouring Guangdong province and the Guangxi region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Guangxi Maritime Safety Administration dispatched patrol vessels to ensure all ships returned to port. Haikou, the provincial capital, closed three ports on Saturday evening. Chinas State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters also launched a Level IV emergency response and deployed a working group to Hainan to oversee disaster relief.

Thailand is also bracing for Kajikis impact. The Thai Meteorological Department forecast widespread heavy rainfall between 24 and 27 August, particularly in the northeast, reported The Nation. Officials warned of flash floods and landslides, with waves of more than three metres in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Small boats in those areas have been ordered to remain ashore.

In Vietnam, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the storm could bring extremely rough seas, surges of up to 1.5m and sea levels above 3.5m in some coastal areas.

Strong winds of up to level 13 on the Vietnamese scale  equivalent to a severe typhoon  are expected across Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri, with gale-force winds also hitting northern provinces. Rainfall totals of 200 to 400mm are forecast, with some areas seeing more than 700mm, raising the threat of flash floods and landslides.

A woman uses an umbrella during the passage of Typhoon Co-May on The Bund, in Shanghai on 30 July 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

Kajiki is the fifth tropical storm to strike the East Sea  Vietnams name for the South China Sea  this year and the thirteenth typhoon to form in the wider region. The Vietnamese government compared its strength to Typhoon Yagi, which killed around 300 people and caused $3.3bn in damage less than a year ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sanya, which welcomed 34 million tourist visits last year, is one of Chinas most popular holiday destinations.

The storm comes as China reels from months of extreme rainfall linked by meteorologists to climate change. Natural disasters, including flooding and drought, caused 52.15bn (5.6bn) in direct economic losses in July, killing or leaving missing 295 people, according to the ministry of emergency management.
Scottish councillors have raised concerns that protests over asylum seekers could turn violent and believe many demonstrators have been "bussed in" from elsewhere.

Fractious protests have been held across the UK over the weekend, targeting areas where asylum seekers are housed, with many attracting counter demonstrations from anti-racism campaigners.

Perth and Kinross deputy council leader Eric Drysdale said he did not recognise many faces at Saturday's protest in Perth and that the majority were not from the local area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police separated hundreds of demonstrators outside the Radisson Blu hotel on Leonard Street, with many chanting and holding signs with slogans like "get them out".

BBC Scotland News reporters went to the scene and witnessed men shouting and using strong language in front of children who had been brought to the protest.

Some demonstrators were asked to be interviewed, but declined to comment.

Police confirmed no arrests had been made in Perth, or in Aberdeenshire where another protest had taken place.

[PA Media]

Police separated the protestors outside the Radisson Blu in Perth on Saturday [PA Media]

Mr Drysdale, who is also club secretary at Dundee FC, told BBC Scotland News how Saturday's protest in Perth had a "strange atmosphere".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It felt like the majority of the protestors were not from Perth," he said.

"The city centre is my ward and I know a lot of people. I didn't recognise many of them.

"They appeared suddenly and I think they have been bussed in from other towns and cities to make this protest."

His views were shared by council leader Grant Laing who told the BBC that a lot of people had come in from other areas because Perth was "selected" for the protest to take place.

Deputy council leader Eric Drysdale said people in Perth were worried about potential violence at the protests [SNS]

Though Mr Drysdale stressed that there was no violence at the demonstration in Perth, the SNP councillor said that his constituents were worried about "physical violence and damage" due to protestors choosing the "wrong target" of asylum seekers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hotel accommodation for asylum seekers is managed by Mears Group on behalf of the Home Office, which meets the full costs of rooms, meals and financial allowances.

The UK government is planning an overhaul of the asylum appeals system as it tries to cut the number of migrants staying in hotels while they await a ruling.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was taking practical steps to end "unacceptable delays" to the asylum appeals process, with a new body, staffed by independent adjudicators, to be established.

The Refugee Council told BBC the best way of "getting fewer appeals is getting decisions right first time".

A larger counter protest stood by the entrance to the Radisson Blu in Perth [PA Media]

Tensions over the asylum system have been rising since July, when an asylum seeker living in a hotel in Essex was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thousands have demonstrated at the hotel and this week, the High Court granted the council the power to block asylum seekers from being housed there.

It argued that the hotel had breached local planning controls by changing its use, resulting in events that were a public safety risk.

The ruling has sparked a fresh wave of protests up and down the UK - this weekend alone there have been demonstrations in several parts of England, as well as in Mold in Wales and County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

The protests have been promoted on social media under red, white and blue banner text with slogans such as "Protect Our Community", "Safety of Women and Children Before Foreigners" and "All Patriots Welcome".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They are often organised by people with little experience of street campaigning and the BBC has identified far-right activists at some of the protests.

A protest at outside a former hotel in Falkirk last weekend saw at least one person perform a Nazi salute while another carried a banner that said "Kill 'Em All, Let God Sort 'Em Out".

Anti-racism charity Stand Up To Racism described these demonstrators as "extremists".

More demonstrations are planned in Scotland in the coming weeks, including a local group in Falkirk who plan to line the streets with national flags - mimicking the recent flying of St George's flags and union jacks on England's streets.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ahead of the protest in Perth, the council's community safety partnership accused some of spreading misinformation about asylum seekers, saying those protesting "under the guise of public safety or protection, do so with no local factual evidence".

Mr Drysdale said he was aware of untrue rumours circulating including claims that asylum seekers are being prioritised for healthcare or housing in the city.

The deputy council leader also welcomed the overhaul plans from the UK government, saying the process has "always needed to be speeded up".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said: "We have 191 asylum seekers in Perth at the moment, there have been something like 300 that have come through Perth at different times since 2021.

"It's not good for the asylum seekers to be housed in a hotel for that length of time either.

"Let's not lose sight of the fact that asylum seekers are fleeing situations in their own countries which are dangerous and life-threatening."
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Virginia State Police said a man was fatally shot Sunday morning following an alleged attempted break-in of a home in the Bay Colony neighborhood of Virginia Beach.

Law enforcement said the home belonged to one of their special agents in Virginia Beach.

A preliminary investigation indicates that around 11:45 a.m., 40-year-old John Gregory Conner allegedly attempted to break into the agents house on Lee Road. State Police said a physical confrontation then ensued between the agent and Conner, which resulted in the agent discharging his service weapon and striking Conner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police originally stated that Conner was taken to the hospital but after further investigation, it was revealed that Conner did not get transported to a medial facility and was pronounced dead at the scene by Virginia Beach EMS.

Officials say aid was immediately rendered to Conner, by the agent, after he was struck.

The off-duty agent sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment.

Neighbors, who wished to remain anonymous, told 10 On Your Side they heard four to six gunshots ring out before police arrived shortly afterwards.

Several neighbors said they saw the man walking around the neighborhood before the shooting took place. One neighbor said they told the man to leave their driveway shortly before the shooting happened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

10 On Your Side spoke with a Virginia Beach woman who said she encountered a man on Friday who seemed to be having a mental health crisis. She said he was trying to take some of her Amazon packages. When WAVY News showed Ring camera footage of the man to neighbors on Lee Road, neighbors believed it was the same man.

He definitely came off like he was not mentally well, she said. It seemed like he, in so many ways, almost wanted to be caught, like he needed someone to to rescue him. There were reports that he had been approaching people saying he was looking for a puppy or he had tried to fake an injury so that a woman that was jogging would help him. Just not normal behavior.

She went to bed Friday night hoping the man got the help he needed. When she woke up Sunday morning and saw the headlines, her heart sank.

I just kept thinking about this man like, he has a family, she said. He was looking for help. And Im really heartbroken that no one saw that. And I dont care about my Amazon packages whatsoever. I just had a gut instinct that something wasnt right. As soon as I saw the news story yesterday that something happened to a 40-year-old man, I knew it was him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The woman said shes heartbroken for everyone involved.

I hope that officer knows that he was protecting his family, she said. And that in that moment,  he was so unpredictable. And thats one of the things that I posted when I posted online that, you know, he didnt appear to be armed, but he was irritable, unpredictable.

She just wishes it had ended differently.

Were all human, she said. Were all going through things, and I wish he had been given more access to the resources. Im sure his family loved him dearly. And to the officer, to the family,  its going to be heavy. Its going to be heavy for a while. But he did the right thing. He protected his family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident currently remains under investigation by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations Richmond Division.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has defended the compromise on tariffs hammered out between the European Union and US President Donald Trump.

The agreement represents a "conscious decision: stability and predictability instead of escalation and confrontation," von der Leyen writes in an article for the German national daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, for publication on Monday.

"Imagine for a moment if the two largest economies of the democratic world had failed to reach agreement and had launched a trade war. That would have been celebrated only in Moscow and Beijing," von der Leyen says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Referring to the US tariff ceiling of 15%, von der Leyen writes they had struck a good, if not a perfect deal. "With reciprocal tariffs on our side, we would run the risk of igniting a costly trade war with negative consequences for our employees, consumers and our industry," she writes.

The commission's negotiating tactics have come under criticism for granting the United States better conditions than those applying to EU companies. The EU accepted the deal in the face of a threat of 30% tariffs te be imposed by the US from August 1, which could have triggered a trade war.

There was also concern that Trump could issue new threats in the event of a conflict.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has defended the compromise on tariffs hammered out between the European Union and US President Donald Trump.

The agreement represents a "conscious decision: stability and predictability instead of escalation and confrontation," von der Leyen writes in an article for the German national daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, for publication on Monday.

"Imagine for a moment if the two largest economies of the democratic world had failed to reach agreement and had launched a trade war. That would have been celebrated only in Moscow and Beijing," von der Leyen says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Referring to the US tariff ceiling of 15%, von der Leyen writes they had struck a good, if not a perfect deal. "With reciprocal tariffs on our side, we would run the risk of igniting a costly trade war with negative consequences for our employees, consumers and our industry," she writes.

The commission's negotiating tactics have come under criticism for granting the United States better conditions than those applying to EU companies. The EU accepted the deal in the face of a threat of 30% tariffs te be imposed by the US from August 1, which could have triggered a trade war.

There was also concern that Trump could issue new threats in the event of a conflict.

Deal not binding

Trump and von der Leyen reached verbal agreement in Scotland at the end of July, with a framework agreement on implementation following shortly thereafter. It provides for a 15% US tariff on most EU products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The EU automotive sector can also work on the basis of a 15% tariff, instead of the 27.5% still in force. Before Trump took office in January, the rate was 2.5%.

Tariffs on US industrial products are to be completely abolished and barriers to the import of certain foodstuffs removed.

The EU has further pledged to import US energy products to the value of $750 billion by the time Trump leaves office in January 2029. The bloc will additionally invest $600 billion over the years ahead. The joint statement on the deal is not legally binding.

The EU fears that the US administration could raise tariffs again unilaterally if the agreements are not implemented. The US has not responded to an EU proposal to abolish tariffs on industrial products completely on both sides.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In her article, von der Leyen said the EU would diversify its trade relations.

"For this reason, we have recently concluded trade agreements with Mexico and Mercosur and deepened relations with Switzerland and the United Kingdom. And for this reason, we have concluded our talks with Indonesia and aim to reach agreement with India by the end of the year," she writes.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A woman considered missing under suspicious circumstances was found safe inside an east Vancouver residence and her estranged boyfriend was taken into custody, police told KOIN 6 News.

On Saturday, Vancouver authorities said Nikki E. Coker was missing and was last known to be with Israel A. Gonzalez.

PHOTOS: Central Oregons Flat Fire continues growing, nears 22K acres

Its not clear at this time how Vancouver police determined she was missing or how long shed been considered missing. However, the Domestic Violence Unit was assigned to the case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sunday afternoon, a Vancouver SWAT unit went to a house near 900 NE 106th Avenue, where they found Coker and Gonzalez.

SWAT assists if there is a possibility of weapons or danger to others inside since they have more tools to assess and negotiate if needed, Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Kim Kapp told KOIN 6 news. In this case was the possibility Ms. Coker was also there.

Gonzalez was arrested for outstanding warrants, Kapp said. Charges connected with this incident are pending.

KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Kudos to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for calling it like it is with the article How climate change is supercharging rainfall (Aug. 13).

Calling our recent flooding a 1000-year storm may feel comforting by implying that it probably will not happen again in our lifetime. But the fact is that such severe storms with increasing rainfall is the new normal. We have been warned about this for decades. And we have not listened the way we should.

I have written Sen. Ron Johnson for years pleading for action, but was told that would be too expensive. Think of the expense of Milwaukees flooding, of the LA fires, the hurricanes and the droughts. Think of the increased cost of food as agriculture faces these uncertainties. Consider the expense as well to our lives and jobs and well-being.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Without action, our climate and our weather will only get worse. Thank you to the Journal Sentinel for bringing the issue of climate change to the readers attention. More media needs to follow suit.

Lorna Hilyard, Fox Point

Letters: I'm a Canadian. WI lawmaker should focus on real problem behind wildfires, smoke

We must tell ourselves the truth about why weather is acting 'strangely'

Like most of us, my summer has been a mix of joyful appreciation of the gifts of longer days, being able to spend more time outside in the warmer weather  alongside the very unsettling feeling that comes with weather acting strangely. Days upon days of thick wildfire smoke, followed by old-testament sized rain events can leave a person downright discombobulated. And while it seems to be less troublesome, for me, the lack of snow each winter that is the new normal also feels very disconcerting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Remember when snow cover was a near certainty from December to March? Do you remember the floods in the area in 1997? They were called a 500 year flood. And in 2008? Apparently, this amount of rain we just had was a 1000 year flood. Folks, the math does not add up anymore!

We love to talk about the weather, but we cant seem to speak the truth about what were all living through. This is what Mother Nature feels like when amped up on way more CO2 than since our world became a great place for life to flourish.

We can make it better, but not without telling ourselves the truth.

Kevin O'Brien, Wauwatosa

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Opinion: Her weekly children's book reading video was interrupted by flood, but she's back

Weather bad not just in Wisconsin but increasingly around the US

Whatever happened to all the nice days? article on the front page Aug. 13, couldnt have been better written by Natalie Eilbert.

Many do know what happened but dont feel anything can be done about the situation. However, we must react, because the weather is not just as bad as we experienced it in Wisconsin just recently but increasingly in many areas around the United States and the world. Note that last summer was the warmest on record ever and this summer is proving even hotter. And next summer?

But scientists throughout the world have proof of why weather disasters are increasing and show that the main cause of this is excess heating of the earth due to the overuse of fossil fuels and other greenhouse gases. We all need to greatly decrease their use starting yesterday. The US is one of the largest polluters on earth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We need to opt for clean energy sources. We can and must get Congress and our state politicians to take greater action on the climate. If not, we must vote for candidates that will take action. Our health and lives depend on it.

Nancy Kriofsky, Brookfield

Opinion: Milwaukee flood shows need to stop believing myth and start climate resiliency

Tips for getting your letter to the editor published

Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state:

Please include your name, street address and daytime phone.

Generally, we limit letters to 200 words.

Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter.

Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing.

Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person.

We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions.

We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters.

Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months.

All letters are subject to editing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Without action, WI climate and weather will get worse | Letters
Following the BJP's demand for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bengal, TMC leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said that the BJP can try, but nothing is going to happen here. Speaking to reporters, Firhad Hakim said, "Bengal is a place where Mamata Banerjee was, is and will remain. BJP can try, but nothing is going to happen here." Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on August 17 said that the decision on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal and other states will be taken collectively by the three Election Commissioners. "...The three Election Commissioners will decide when the exercise of SIR will be carried out in West Bengal or other states," he said while addressing a press conference in the national capital. He further clarified the legal provisions available to citizens who wish to object to the inclusion of a voter's name, the CEC said such objections can be made before the electoral registration officer by taking an oath. "If you are not an voter of that constituency, then you have only one option in the law and that is The Registration Of Electors Rules, rule number 20, sub-clause (3), sub-clause (b) which says that if you are not an voter of that constituency, then you can lodge your complaint as a witness and you will have to give an oath to the electoral registration officer and that oath will have to be administered in front of the person against whom you have complained..." Kumar stated. Earlier, BJP MP and Bengal in-charge Samik Bhattacharya said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is an attack on the constitutional institutions. BJP MP and Bengal in-charge Samik Bhattacharya said to ANI, "Let them protest. Mamata Banerjee's demand is why the names of those who died should be removed. If she thinks she can come to power for the 4th time with the help of Bangladeshis, Jihadis, Rohingyas, illegal migrants, and illegal voters, then she is mistaken. How will the people of India tolerate such an attack on a constitutional institution? Whatever Mamata Banerjee has to say, she should go to the Supreme Court and tell them... This government will go this time." Bhattacharya's remarks came after Banerjee's protest in Jhargram , where she slammed the BJP over their demand to carry out Special Intensive Revision (SIR) activity in West Bengal and alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was acting as an agent of the Union Home Minister. She said that she would continue to raise her voice if genuine voters were removed from the voter list. (ANI)
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

In summer 2022, Brandon Montesi told a King County judge that he had no guns. His ex-wife, afraid for the lives of her family members and herself, said it was a lie.

Montesis ex-wife had sought a domestic violence protection order against him, alleging in a court petition that he arrived at her home in a rage one spring day, swinging an ax and threatening to kill her. He warned that she should think twice before messing with him because he has a safe full of guns, she recalled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A court commissioner ordered Montesi to turn his firearms over to the King County Sheriffs Office. Despite the court order, a judge found that about 13 of his firearms remained unaccounted for  assault rifles, hunting rifles, handguns, a shotgun and an AR-15.

Instead of surrendering the missing guns, Montesi argued that Washingtons firearm surrender law requiring him to do so violates his Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination and unreasonable search and seizure, citing a November 2022 Washington Court of Appeals ruling known as the Flannery decision.

The Flannery decision, which said an earlier version of the states firearm surrender law was unconstitutional under the Fourth and Fifth Amendment, has been similarly cited by judges throughout Washington as preventing them from ordering alleged abusers to give up their weapons, court records show.

Now, the barriers created by Flannery could be knocked down. In one of the clearest rulings to date on the constitutionality of Washingtons firearm surrender law in protection order cases, the state Court of Appeals rejected Montesis argument, concluding that the law is constitutional.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While federal law prohibits some alleged domestic abusers from having guns, Washington  along with 21 other states  has gone a step further, requiring judges to order people subject to certain domestic violence protection orders to surrender their firearms to law enforcement. Victim advocates are hopeful that the recent ruling, issued on June 30, will prompt judges to enforce the law. But so far, legislative efforts to do the same have had limited success.

Even after state lawmakers updated the firearm surrender law in 2021 and again in 2023 with a Flannery Fix aimed at resolving Flannerys self-incrimination concerns, some judicial officers  including all of those in the Pierce County Superior Court  still arent issuing firearm surrender orders in domestic violence protection order cases, according to a recent poll of Washingtons 39 superior courts conducted by InvestigateWest. The Cowlitz County Superior Court had not been issuing firearm surrender orders until recently, when some judicial officers began ordering surrenders again on a case by case basis due to the Montesi decision.

The bench is and will continue to be discussing the Montesi decision, Cowlitz County Superior Court Administrator Danyel Paul wrote in a statement to InvestigateWest.

Some superior courts, including Adams County and Grays Harbor County, responded that they do issue firearm surrender orders, but sparingly. In Clark County, Presiding Judge Derek Vanderwood said the superior court began issuing the orders again in January  a few months after a Vancouver mother of three, Carissa Larkin, was shot and killed by her ex-fiance. Larkin had obtained a protection order against her abuser, but the court hadnt ordered him to turn in his guns due to the Flannery decision, The Columbian reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Montesi, who declined to comment through his attorney, is now asking the state Supreme Court to hear his case. If the ruling stands, victim advocates, attorneys and legal experts say it would reaffirm an assertion that theyve been making for years: that the Flannery decision, which centered on a criminal assault case and an outdated state law, should never have been broadly applied to civil protection order cases.

I think the Flannery decision, there was some room for interpretation about what they meant by it. I think thats why you saw different trial courts making different decisions, said King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Ketu Shah. The King County court has continued issuing firearm surrender orders after Flannery. In other jurisdictions, theres stronger passion around firearm rights and Second Amendment rights, and so they want to litigate that more and see where the limits are.

Shah noted that the Montesi ruling  decided in a civil protection order case  gives courts more direct legal guidance.

Montesi is pretty clear. Its right on the point of what these rights are and whether they infringe on those rights. And they found the statute does not infringe on those rights, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For some attorneys and victim advocates, courts decisions not to issue firearm surrender orders seem to have more to do with political will than with upholding the law.

What it looked like to me that the courts were doing was just saying, Oh, sorry, its out of my hands. Flannery prevents me from issuing a weapon surrender, said Benjamin Gould, an attorney who represented Montesis ex-wife. You are, in effect, completely ignoring Washington law as passed by the Legislature. And that is very troubling.

A controversial legal analysis

Ever since the Washington State Legislature unanimously passed a 2014 law to remove guns from the hands of domestic abusers, that law has drawn constitutional challenges.

The firearm surrender law requires courts to order the relinquishment of guns in certain circumstances, such as when an individual has a domestic violence protection order against them and is believed to be a threat to the protected person or their childs safety. Judges have discretion in other circumstances, like when theres evidence that there will likely be a serious and imminent threat to a persons health and safety without a surrender order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One of the first major rulings on the state laws constitutionality came in 2022. Dwayne Flannery, a Kitsap County man accused of beating and choking his girlfriend, argued that an order to surrender weapons would force him to illegally search his own home for guns and potentially incriminate himself by admitting to having firearms, which he wasnt allowed to have under a no-contact order. The Court of Appeals agreed with Flannery and dropped the weapons surrender order.

Judges across Washington immediately raised questions about how the Flannery decision would impact civil protection order cases. Unlike no-contact orders, which are issued in criminal matters, civil protection orders are filed by individuals seeking to keep alleged abusers away from them, even if no criminal charges have been filed. To be granted a protection order, victims must only demonstrate that its more likely than not that the abuse occurred.

Upon a judges request, a team of attorneys at the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts, which supports judges across the state, sent two memorandums analyzing the Flannery decision to Cowlitz County judges. Although the office says the memos are meant to be confidential and arent official guidance for the courts as a whole, the analysis was widely circulated among attorneys and included in a public 2024 State of the Judiciary report.

The memos concluded Washingtons firearm surrender law likely violates the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. An immunity provision added to Washingtons firearm surrender law in 2021 likely would not provide complete protection from self-incrimination because it only protects against prosecution for certain crimes, the analysis says. It also likened surrender orders to a warrantless search under the Fourth Amendment  a characterization that many attorneys representing domestic violence victims disagree with.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Youre complying with a court order. In this case, the court order says, Go get your guns. You cant have them. But theyre calling that an unlawful search, which is a very creative interpretation, said Washington state Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, who sponsored the 2023 Flannery Fix bill.

Karla Carlisle, a managing attorney with the Northwest Justice Project, a nonprofit legal aid program in Washington, said constitutional protections against unreasonable searches are aimed at preventing the government from violating a persons reasonable expectation of privacy  not at individuals who are asked to turn over their firearms to ensure a victims safety.

No search occurs when a trial court grants an order to surrender weapons, Carlisle argued in a July 2023 appellate court filing. The orders are served the same way any other legal process is served, and to the extent a respondent locates and surrenders firearms from their own home, there is no governmental intrusion into the privacy of the persons home.

Yet following the memos release, Carlisle said she saw a wave across the state of courts refusing to issue weapon surrender orders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those memos were very damaging because I think they came to trial court judges with the authority and approval from the Administrative Office of the Courts, she said. So a lot of judges, I think, took that for face value and didnt do their own analysis.

Karla Carlisle, a managing attorney with the nonprofit legal aid program Northwest Justice Project, stands outside the Benton County Justice Center in Kennewick, Wash. Some judicial officers in Washington state, including Benton County, stopped ordering alleged domestic abusers to surrender their guns following a 2022 Washington State Court of Appeals decision. Carlisle hopes that a Court of Appeals ruling issued on June 30 will change that. (Photo by Emree Weaver/InvestigateWest)

In Cowlitz County, judicial officers started crossing out the weapons surrender section of the protection order and penciling in State v. Flannery. A Benton County judge rescinded and terminated a firearm surrender order that had been granted to a domestic violence survivor the year before, citing Flannery.

The Pierce County Superior Court edited its protection order paperwork to remove all firearm surrender language. Now when a person requests a firearm surrender, the court instead gives them a document titled, Findings on Weapons Surrender. It informs them that the court is not issuing surrender orders because doing so would by its very nature subject the respondent to potential self-incrimination and unreasonable searches and seizures.

To ensure compliance with the law, the Flannery Fix also requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to report annually on the number of firearm surrender orders issued by each court. But the office is still not doing so. A disclaimer on the offices website explains that because data is unevenly collected across jurisdictions, the office believes that reports would not accurately convey the reality of enforcement practices across the state. To address this, the office says it is overhauling the way that it receives and reports protection order data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Davis said she plans to continue working on legislation to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence. But theres only so much that legislators like her can do, she added.

For the most part, we actually have pretty solid words on paper, Davis said. Theyre just not being followed.

The Montesi decision

Attorneys like Carlisle and Gould are hopeful that courts will see the Montesi ruling as limiting the Flannery decisions application in civil protection order cases. The Pierce and Cowlitz County superior court benches are now reviewing the Montesi decision to determine its impact on firearm surrender orders going forward, according to the courts administrators.

Anne Levinson, a retired Washington judge who has helped author several state bills to protect domestic violence survivors, said the decision gives judges a clearer guide than Flannery for how to handle firearm surrender requests in civil cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Montesi case is a more current case, more on point for orders that are issued as part of the civil protection order process, Levinson said. It can and should be applied by courts across the state.

In addition to the Fourth and Fifth Amendment issues, the state Court of Appeals also rejected Montesis argument that the weapons surrender statute infringes upon Montesis right to bear arms. This issue was directly addressed in a June 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision, United States v. Rahimi, which ruled that a federal law prohibiting people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms is constitutional under the Second Amendment.

Still, it remains to be seen whether the Montesi ruling will clear the path for weapons surrender orders in Washington. Although the ruling affirms that the state law is constitutional, its only binding for lower courts in Division I of the Court of Appeals, where the decision took place, according to Shah. This includes King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties. For counties outside of this division, the ruling can provide guidance for judicial officers but does not necessarily need to be followed, Shah noted. The Flannery decision, meanwhile, took place in Division II, which covers several of the superior courts that had stopped issuing firearm surrender orders, including Pierce, Cowlitz and Clark.

Some legal experts, including Carlisle, dispute this interpretation of Court of Appeals rulings, arguing that appellate court decisions like Montesi are binding for all trial courts throughout the state.

Other similar cases involving firearm surrender orders are also pending before the Court of Appeals. If those decisions conflict with the Montesi decision, that could set up a legal dispute for the Washington Supreme Court to resolve. But for that to happen, the state Supreme Court would first have to agree to hear a case. It has so far declined at least two motions filed by women fleeing their intimate partners  including one by Montesis ex-wife  that argued the life-or-death urgency of the issue warrants direct intervention by the high court.

On July 31, Montesi tried again to put the issue in front of the state Supreme Court, arguing that the appellate court made a mistake by ruling that the Legislatures Flannery Fix resolves the laws Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations. The high court has not yet decided whether it will hear the case.

Mary Welch, an attorney and statewide advocacy counsel for the Northwest Justice Project, said that while shes optimistic about the Montesi ruling, shes remaining vigilant of how future courts may act. She initially thought that the constitutionality concerns over Washingtons firearm surrender law would be resolved with the U.S. Supreme Courts Rahimi decision, until judges began using Flannery to justify not issuing the orders.

I kind of feel like this is just going to be a continuous battle, Welch said. Its whack-a-mole. Were gonna knock Flannery down for sure  something else is gonna pop its head up, and then were gonna have to do something about that.

This article was first published by InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org), an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Reporter Kelsey Turner can be reached at kelsey@investigatewest.org or 503-893-2501.
Monday is the first day of school in the Detroit Public Schools Community District and many others across Michigan, but educators face uncertainty about how schools will be funded.

Michigan lawmakers have yet to agree on a budget that will determine how much money schools will receive. The delayed budget is one of many issues Chalkbeat will be keeping an eye on during the 2025-26 school year.

DPSCD also is starting a pilot program that will provide yellow school bus transportation to students at two high schools in a bid to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism. The Trump administrations actions, including cuts to federal funding, could affect Michigan schools. And were interested in whether a change in leadership at the Michigan Department of Education and a governors race will elevate the conversation about improving Michigan schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Heres more on what were watching.

Budget stalemate leave school districts in limbo

Free school meals for all Michigan children is a potential casualty of a budget stalemate that has lasted for months.

July 1 was the deadline for the Michigan Legislature to adopt a state budget. Lawmakers have blown that deadline and dont appear close to resolving it. Blame is flowing between Democrats and Republicans, each blaming the other for the delay. Meanwhile, school leaders who had to adopt budgets by June 30 are left to wonder if theyll have to lay off staff if the state budget, when its finally adopted, doesnt align with their spending plans.

Its not the first time the school year has begun without a state budget, but in years past when this has happened, there werent major differences between the House and Senate. This year, though, the Republican-controlled House budget makes substantial changes to how schools are funded. Instead of a separate line item funding the free school meals, the House budget creates a separate funding stream from which local districts can choose to pay for a number of items, including meals. The Democratic-controlled Senate maintains dedicated funding for free school meals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dont ever recall in my career so little clarity about approximately where school funding in the annual budget will land. It is troubling and, if not rectified very soon with the passage of a reasonable budget for schools, will ultimately hurt children, State Superintendent Michael Rice said at a recent State Board of Education meeting.

As far as the school meals are concerned, state funding runs out Sept. 30. Districts are being urged to continue providing the free meals at least until that date. But if the date comes and goes and there is still no budget, or no explicit funding for the meals, it could result in some students going hungry.

Education a key issue in Detroit mayoral election

Mary Sheffield, left, and Solomon Kinloch

Detroiters on Nov. 4 will decide who will be the next mayor of Detroit. Mary Sheffield, the president of the city council; and Solomon Kinloch, the senior pastor at Triumph Church in Detroit, were the top vote-getters in the primary held earlier this month.

Both cited the need for the city of Detroit to play a stronger role in education in the city, particularly as it relates to fighting chronic absenteeism. Whoever is elected will take over from Mike Duggan, who has been mayor for more than a decade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The desire to get involved in education issues is happening at a critical moment in the city. Low academic achievement and high rates of chronic absenteeism are among the biggest challenges schools face. But contributing factors such as poverty, housing instability, transportation, and safety concerns  issues schools alone cant resolve  impede school success for many students.

Sheffield said in a response to a Chalkbeat survey that her role would be a solutions-oriented advocate on behalf of parents, teachers, students and community members. She said she would commit significant resources toward improving conditions that affect education that the city oversees. That includes Infrastructure, quality of life for students and families, safety, and funding advocacy.

Kinloch, on his website, said he will appoint a senior cabinet level position on education and that person would be specifically tasked with working with our school administrators, educators, parents, and children to coordinate city services that support student success.

How to address troubling academic performance for Michigan students

There are many reasons to believe improving Michigan schools is a top priority at the state level. But the selection of a new state superintendent and a governors race where education is expected to be a key issue, should fuel discussion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Student performance on state and national exams has been troubling. On the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, just 24% of fourth graders were considered proficient in literacy, and 31 states scored higher in fourth grade reading than Michigan. Results are similarly lackluster for the other grades and subjects tested, as well as on the states Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress.

Candidates hoping to become Michigans next state superintendent, a process that will continue Aug. 26 with the interviews of three finalists, all cited literacy as a key priority in improving school performance.

On the campaign trail, some of the candidates vying to become Michigans next governor identified improving schools as a key issue, with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan releasing his education plan earlier this year.

The big question well be seeking answers to is what can be done to help students succeed academically. Michigan has tried many reforms, but few have stuck for an extended period of time. Some have been abandoned completely.

How Trump administration affects education

School district leaders also must contend with the uncertainty about how the Trump administrations actions will affect schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Massive layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education has meant Michigan parents who filed federal civil rights complaints against their local districts are in limbo waiting to hear if and when their cases will be held  and if their children with disabilities will get the services they need to succeed.

Stepped up immigration crackdowns have been felt in Detroit and will likely continue to be an issue throughout the 2025-26 school year. Near the end of the last school year, Detroit teen Maykol Bogoya-Duarte was detained while on his way to a field trip. He had been working toward citizenship and was just three credits shy of earning a high school diploma. He was deported to his native Colombia in June.

The budget bill Congress passed last month cuts Medicaid spending, affecting districts that rely on Medicaid reimbursements to provide services to some students. And its unclear whether the Trump administration will attempt to cut key federal funds, particularly after the government froze  but eventually released  more than $6 billion in school funding.

Yellow school buses for some Detroit high school students

In DPSCD, a pilot program might answer questions about whether providing yellow school bus transportation to high school students could help combat chronic absenteeism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its the districts latest effort to address its attendance issues, and it involves offering bus transportation to students at Henry Ford High School and East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney.

DPSCD currently doesnt offer yellow bus transportation for most high school students. Transportation concerns are among the factors that have resulted in the district having a 60% rate of chronic absenteeism, well above the state average of 30%.

Chronic absenteeism is a problem in many school districts across the state, and it affects student performance. Its an issue Chalkbeat Detroit has covered extensively since 2022, and we will continue to make it a priority.

Some Detroit students with disabilities move to a different school

Big changes are coming to DPSCDs special education programs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the fall, the district will increase the number of self-contained classrooms, where students with disabilities receive instruction from a special education teacher for most of the day, from 174 to 185 classrooms. Self-contained classes are designed for students to get the services they need while still attending general education schools.

However, services will be offered in fewer schools, going from 60 to 38. Some students will have to transfer to one of the new sites that offers a program specifically for their disability.

The restructuring is happening to ensure every special education classroom is fully staffed with teachers and support staff. And it reduces travel time for families by offering programs in their high school feeder pattern  the school they would be assigned to based on where they live, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said at a June school board meeting.

Lori Higgins is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at lhiggins@chalkbeat.org.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Heres what to watch as the new school year begins in Detroit
The Brief

A woman was seriously injured after four dogs attacked her in Watertown.

An officer shot and killed one of the dogs after they charged toward the officer.

This incident remains under investigation.

WATERTOWN, Wis. - A woman was seriously injured after four dogs attacked her in Watertown on Saturday morning, Aug. 23.

What they're saying

According to the Watertown Police Department, the woman was going for a walk near Milford and Cobblestone when the dogs attacked her. It happened just before 6 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Officers arrived and found the woman with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. She was taken to a hospital.

While officers were trying to help the woman, police said the four dogs charged toward them. One officer shot and killed one of the dogs. The other three were seized as part of an ongoing investigation.

This incident remains under investigation.

The Source

Information in this story is from the Watertown Police Department.
Three previously unknown oil paintings attributed to avant-garde artist Kazimir Malevich are on show at a public museum in Bucharest. If proven authentic, they could be worth over 100 million, but a top scholar says the story behind their origin is problematic.

Now the museum exhibiting them is refusing to say whether the works are genuine.

Ukraine-born Kazimir Malevich is considered one of the most influential 20th-Century artists. On the art market, his paintings are worth more than any other Ukrainian or Russian artist, with one work selling for a record $85m (63m) in 2018.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But during a house move in 2023, three unknown Malevich paintings were discovered under the mattress of Israeli pensioner Eva Levando, according to Yaniv Cohen, a Bucharest-based Israeli businessman and owner of the works.

The pensioner is the grandmother of Mr Cohen's wife, and she had given him the works.

The paintings are titled Suprematist Composition with Green and Black Rectangle (1918), Cubofuturist Composition (191213), and Suprematist Composition with Red Square and Green Triangle (191516), and they are being exhibited at Romania's National Museum of Contemporary Art until the end of August. The show is sponsored by Mr Cohen's dental clinic.

Yet the art world remains sceptical. Konstantin Akinsha, a Ukrainian-American scholar, told the BBC that the records proving their history and tracing them to Malevich's studio were incomplete.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The three works now exhibited in Bucharest were not documented, photographed, or shown during the artist's lifetime," said the art historian and curator, who co-authored the American Association of Museums guide to provenance research.

Is Stalin to blame?

The paintings were restored in a Paris laboratory [BBC]

Eva Levando inherited the paintings from her father, an accountant in Odesa in Soviet Ukraine. He allegedly bought one of them and received the other two as payment for his services. The absence of records to support this story is explained by Stalin-era repression of modernist art, Mr Cohen told the BBC.

Ms Levando emigrated to Israel in 1990, taking the works with her, according to Mr Cohen.

"There is no evidence of Malevich's works circulating in the Russian or Ukrainian art markets of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Malevich's own records mention no private sales after 1917," said Konstantin Akinsha.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But to bolster his claim, Yaniv Cohen presented certificates from Kyiv art historian Dmytro Horbachov describing the works as "first-class examples" of Malevich's style. He makes this conclusion by analysing the style and technique of the paintings. But Dmytro Horbachov has previously authenticated disputed works, including one painting reportedly removed from Vienna's Albertina Museum after doubts over its authenticity.

The art historian claims to be a consultant to Sotheby's and Christie's. But he "does not work, and never has, for Sotheby's as a consultant", a spokesperson told the BBC. Christie's also denies any formal association.

Dmytro Horbachov did not respond to an interview request.

Analysts have dated pigments on the paintings to Malevich's lifetime but stop short of saying he was the artist [BBC]

Yaniv Cohen says technical analysis supports his claim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The BBC reviewed reports on all three works produced by the Institut d'Art Conservation et Couleur in Paris, and by the German laboratory of Elisabeth Jagers and Erhard Jagers.

While dating pigments and other elements to Malevich's lifetime, the reports stop short of claiming the works were painted by the artist.

Previously, reports from these two laboratories accompanied two paintings proven to be forgeries in a BBC documentary, The Zaks Affair: Anatomy of a Fake Collection. When presented with our findings, Erhard Jagers told the BBC that technical analysis could not prove authenticity of a painting.

The French laboratory said the reports it produces "are not proof of authenticity" and that it has never issued an authenticity certificate for Malevich works.

'Tip of the iceberg'

Yaniv Cohen insists he has no interest in selling the paintings, despite Dmytro Horbachov, who thinks the paintings are authentic, estimating they could be worth $160m-190m (118-140m).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, emails seen by the BBC indicated they were offered as collateral for a loan. The businessman denied connection to this offer, saying he had no plans to monetise the paintings and that he was financially secure thanks to cryptocurrency investments.

Unhappy with the BBC's questions, Mr Cohen threatened to "make [BBC journalists] disappear" and claimed he could hack their communications.

Yaniv Cohen wants to prove that the paintings he owns are genuine Malevich works [BBC]

After Konstantin Akinsha questioned the paintings' provenance, Romania's National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC) distanced itself from the paintings.

In a statement, MNAC called the exhibition "a curatorial experiment" and added that it did not have "expertise in authenticating these particular works".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The museum said it relied on the documents provided by Mr Cohen and that the inclusion of his paintings in its exhibition "should not be interpreted as institutional validation of their authorship or authenticity".

Konstantin Akinsha said publicly known cases of disputed works by Malevich and other artists of the period were only "the tip of the iceberg," adding that "thousands of questionable works continue to circulate today".

The market for Russian and Ukrainian modernist art was full of works that "are obviously problematic", Reto Barmettler, a consultant on Russian paintings with Sotheby's, told the BBC.

"Good avant-garde paintings don't come out of nowhere - they are of obvious quality, come with documented provenance and, ideally, an exhibition history," he explained.

He did not comment on the three works owned by Yaniv Cohen.
The historic Robert Gray, a military ship turned research and exploration vessel, recently took shelter from Hurricane Erin for a few days in the Harbor of Refuge in Lewes.

"Tucking behind the breakwater has just been phenomenal," Capt. Davis Alford said. "We probably had some wind that hit about 45 knots, but the water was just ridiculously calm the entire time."

The 125-foot R/V Robert Gray is home to The Voyagers Club, founded by the 37-year-old Alford and partner Leila Davenport Ross. Based out of Charleston, South Carolina, The Voyagers Club "curates scientific research and adventure," its website says, with the Robert Gray hosting a blend of researchers, students, artists and private adventurers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last week, The Voyagers Club was working with University of Delaware researchers to tag sharks off the coast, but efforts were cut short due to the hurricane.

The R/V Robert Gray takes shelter in the Harbor of Refuge Aug. 20, 2025.

"On the way back we were beating into it," Alford said. "We had consistent 8-foot waves, a couple 10- or 12-footers, but she's a stout vessel."

Now, the Robert Gray is headed to Atlantic City, New Jersey to refuel, Alford said, then stop in New York before heading north for repairs.

Boats: SS United States' iconic funnels removed, ship will be sunk later this year

The Robert Gray is the namesake of "the first American citizen to explore the Northwest Coast and circumnavigate the globe," according to the University of Washington. Built in Seattle in 1936, Alford said, the ship was commissioned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to to plot and survey the Columbia River. In World War II, the Robert Gray patrolled the Aleutian Islands, according to Alford.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After spending his life on the water, with starting The Voyagers Club always in the back of his mind, Alford acquired the Robert Gray in Aug. 2024, he said.

The R/V Robert Gray twinkles in the Harbor of Refuge Aug. 22, 2025.

"I've always been an adventurer and explorer at heart, never really fit a mold," he said. "The Robert Gray is kind of the antithesis of the big, sterile, white research vessel."

Right now, the Voyagers Club is in the midst of circumnavigating North America. They recently completing a 7,000 nautical-mile journey through the Pacific and Atlantic oceans while sampling for marine microbes, in partnership with London's Basecamp Research.

Lewes: Lewes-Rehoboth Canal set for dredging, work could begin as early as October

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alford and his six-member crew will start preparing for the third leg of their journey, through the Northwest Passage, next year, he said.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why the historic R/V Robert Gray was anchored in Lewes
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine welcomed 190 first-year med students to its ranks Saturday.

The annual white coat ceremony took place at DeVos Performance Hall. It marked the symbolic beginning of the journey into the medical profession for new students.

The ceremonys location held a deeper meaning for one student, who says growing up in Grand Rapids is what inspired him to pursue this career path.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its surreal, said white coat recipient Justin Lilley. I wanted to come to CHM in Grand Rapids because I wanted to get back and serve the community that helped raise me.

For other students, it was about celebrating a milestone years in the making.

Its surreal. I mean, most of us have been working for this for years. Some of us have known since we were in elementary school so its a very emotional moment for us and our family and friends and its just surreal being here, said white coat recipient Onora Lancaster.

The majority of new students were already Michigan residents, with 31 of them being first generation college students.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You only get to start medical school once and its a huge amount of work so having loved one with you at the start is so so special, said Aron Sousa, dean of the College of Human Medicine at MSU.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
While serving a felony warrant at a Dalton, Georgia home on Friday night, Whitfield County deputies were involved in a shooting incident.

The incident occurred on Waring Road when deputies were confronted by two aggressive dogs, that the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office said charged at them as they approached the residence.

In response, the sheriffs office said deputies discharged their firearms, resulting in the death of one of the dogs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sheriffs office did not identify the individual named in the felony warrant, and further details about the exact location on Waring Road were not shared.

As with any firearm discharge or use of force, we have begun an internal investigation into this shooting and are using all of our resources to identify the facts of what happened this evening, the sheriffs office said. We will release more information when we are able to do so.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Several countries are suspending postal service to the United States as the exemption on tariff duties for low-cost packages comes to an end following an executive order from Donald Trump.

Postal services for several European countries said they are putting a pause on shipping packages to the U.S. the de minimis exemption expires on Friday, August 29.

The exemption allows packages worth less than $800 to enter the country duty-free. In 2024, 1.36 billion packages entered the country under the exemption, bringing in goods worth $64.6 billion total, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy said they would halt shipping most packages to the United States on Saturday. France and Austria said they will stop on Monday.

The United Kingdoms Royal Mail said it would stop shipments on Tuesday, allowing time for those packages to arrive before duties begin.

Several countries are suspending postal service to the U.S. as the exemption on tariff duties for low-cost packages ends Friday. (Getty Images)

Now, items being shipped from the U.K. worth more than $100  including gifts and packages being sent to friends and family  will incur a 10 percent duty, the Royal Mail said.

Removing the exemption raises costs for imported goods, but postal companies say theyre taking a pause due to the ambiguous policies the Trump administration is putting into place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Key questions remain unresolved, including how duties are collected, what additional data will be required, and how that data will be reported to customs officials, according to DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe.

Starting Saturday, DHL said it would no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the United States.

Asian postal services, including SingPost and Indias Department of Posts, also announced plans to halt shipments to the U.S.

The Trump administration revoked the exception for China and Hong Kong in May, impacting popular cheap retailers such as Temu and Shein, before deciding last month that the change would be extended to shipments coming into the United States from all countries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Businesses may face an $80 per item charge for packages sent from countries with a tariff rate less than 16 percent. Parcels sent from countries with a tariff rate between 16 percent and 25 percent may see costs as high as $160.

Countries with tariff rates above 25 percent would see a $200 per item fee incurred, according to Trumps executive order.

The changes would force either the sender or consumer to take on the new fees, according to Belgiums bpost, which said in a statement the changes mean import duties for all shipments with goods must be prepaid, regardless of value.

DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, said it would no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US (Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Letters sent to the United States  or packages sent by individuals worth less than $100  will not be affected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The de minimis provision was added several years after the passage of the Tariff Act of 1930 with the intention of making trade easier by eliminating administrative hurdles, such as collecting minimal duties. It has been particularly effective with the rise of e-commerce.

However, in recent years, cheap e-commerce retailers overseas have been accused of over-utilizing the loophole, with the White House calling di minimis a catastrophic loophole used to funnel synthetic drugs into the country.

Many European countries enacting restrictions now say they are taking action early because they cannot guarantee the goods will enter the country before Friday.

PostEurop, an association of 51 European public postal companies, says if no solution is found before then, all members will likely pause shipments to the United States.

With reporting by the Associated Press
MILLARD COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  The Wide Mouth Fire, burning in Millard County, grew to over 400 acres  around six times its initial acreage  on Saturday, according to Utah Fire Info.

The wildfire, which sparked in Fishlake National Forest near Dog Valley Mountain and south of Kanosh near I-15 on Saturday, was initially mapped at around 75 acres. The fire has since grown to 400-600 acres, officials said.

The blaze moved uphill to the east and south, officials said. It is burning in grass, sage, and pinyon juniper.

Courtesy of Utah Fire Info Courtesy of Utah Fire Info

There are no immediate threats in the surrounding area, according to Utah Fire Info. Fire crews remain on scene and have reportedly knocked down the head.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Crews are working to staff the east side of the blaze. An 80% chance of rain in the forecast could help firefighting efforts, officials said. The wildfire has reportedly been quiet today, Aug. 24.

This fire was started by natural causes.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Latest headlines:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
(Reuters) -Thousands of Australians joined pro-Palestinian rallies on Sunday, organisers said, amid strained relations between Israel and Australia following the centre-left government's decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

More than 40 protests took place across Australia on Sunday, Palestine Action Group said, including large turnouts in state capitals Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The group said around 350,000 attended the rallies nationwide, including around 50,000 in Brisbane, though police estimated the numbers there at closer to 10,000. Police did not have estimates for crowd sizes in Sydney and Melbourne.

In Sydney, organiser Josh Lees said Australians were out in force to "demand an end to this genocide in Gaza and to demand that our government sanction Israel" as rallygoers, many with Palestinian flags, chanted "free, free Palestine".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for more than 200 Jewish organisations, told Sky News television that the rallies created "an unsafe environment and shouldn't be happening".

However, some Jewish organisations in Australia have supported the rallies.

The protests follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week stepping up his personal attacks on his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese over his government's decision this month to recognise a Palestinian state.

Diplomatic ties between Australia and Israel soured after Albanese's Labor government said it would conditionally recognise Palestinian statehood, following similar moves by France, Britain and Canada.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The August 11 announcement came days after tens of thousands of people marched across Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge, calling for peace and aid deliveries to Gaza, where Israel began an offensive nearly two years ago after the Hamas militant group launched a deadly cross-border attack.

Palestinian authorities say the conflict has claimed the lives of more than 60,000 people in Gaza, while humanitarian organisations say a shortage of food is leading to widespread starvation.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith and Hollie Adams in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri along with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma inspected the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery located at Pachpadara in Balotra district on Sunday. Puri inaugurated the Refinery Main Control Room (RMCR) in the august presence of Chief Minister Sharma and, before that, conducted a thorough inspection of the DCU and CDU units. The Union Minister and the Rajasthan Chief Minister took stock of the progress of the work. Addressing mediapersons soon after the inspection, the Union Minister said, "The Chief Minister has inaugurated the control room, and other facilities are also coming online. The refinery is seen as a significant development for the region, with potential for expansion and job creation. Additionally, HPCL plans to open a skills development centre to train local workers, particularly those previously engaged in salt pan work." The Union Minister further said that the project, involving the state government, central government, and HPCL, along with contractors, is expected to be operational by the end of the year. "The progress of a refinery project in Rajasthan, highlighting the visit of the Chief Minister in January-February and the rapid advancement since then," Puri added. Further, Puri in a post on social media platform X said, "Rajasthan Refinery Limited in Jodhpur will be a key contributor to the vision of Viksit Bharat and India's unprecedented quest towards energy security by enhancing domestic hydrocarbons production under the visionary and firm leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi." "During my visit to review the progress of the refinery complex with Rajasthan CM Bhajan lal Ji, I got a bird's eye view of the mega project from 62 m atop India's largest aluminium DCU coke drum which stands at 111 mtrs with derrick. This engineering marvel turns very long-chain vacuum residue into 70 % distillate yields like diesel, LPG, naphtha via thermal cracking. Once fully functional, the refinery will transform the economy and provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to the youth." "The 2.4 MMTPA capacity DCU enables CDU/VDU to process low-API crudes, boosting GRM at lower OPEX versus a hydrocracker-centric route. Along with vacuum residue, DCU can also process ETP sludge & slops, improving residue destruction and environmental stewardship. Key facts By-product power: pet coke enabling ~160 MW Coke drums (4 nos.): ID 7.6 m | Shell height 38 m | ~355 MT each | Wall 37-54 mm Kudos to the @HPCL & @HRRL_Rajasthan teams." He said, "As India's quest towards strengthening and expanding domestic production, the future of India's hydrocarbons sector is taking shape under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi." The HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited,the minister noted has a capacity of 9 MMTPA crude processing and the Crude Distillation Unit and Vacuum Distillation Unit which form the front-end engineering backbone of the HRRL complex are built for scale, efficiency, and reliability. Once fully functional, this world-class mega hydrocarbons project will bring about a transformational change in the lives of local communities by opening up a plethora of direct and indirect employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth and energy professionals. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister and HPCL officials for their efforts and assured that environmental considerations are being addressed. "The project is anticipated to bring substantial development and employment opportunities to the area," the chief minister said. (ANI)
Thousands of homes in Northern California wine country and central Oregon were under evacuation orders and warnings Sunday as firefighting crews battled wildfires in dry, hot weather.

The Pickett Fire, which had charred about 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) of Napa County, was just 11% contained by Sunday evening, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

About 150 people were ordered to leave their homes, while another 360 were under evacuation warnings as the fire threatened 500 structures near Aetna Springs and Pope Valley, 80 miles (127 kilometers) north of San Francisco, said Cal Fire spokesperson Jason Clay. Some evacuation orders were later lifted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Oregon, the 29-square-mile (75-square-kilometer) Flat Fire in Deschutes and Jefferson counties had about 4,000 homes under various levels of evacuation notice, including 1,000 with orders to leave immediately, according to the state Fire Marshals Office.

Firefighters were able to cut containment lines and continued to suppress fires in some residential areas. However, they faced significant challenges with difficult terrain, low humidity and triple-digit temperatures in some areas, officials said.

Some homes have burned, and officials said they were working to confirm the status of structures.

More than 1,230 firefighters backed by 10 helicopters were battling the California fire, which began in a remote area Thursday after a week of hot weather. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Residents of the western United States have been sweltering in a heat wave that hospitalized some people, with temperatures hitting dangerous levels throughout the weekend in Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.

Clay said the weather has moderated since the California fire began, with Sundays high about 94 Fahrenheit (34 Celsius). But humidity levels were expected to drop with increasing winds later in the day.

Thats been a driving factor in the afternoons since weve seen the fire activity pick up for the last three days, Clay said, adding that support from all up and down California has been critical to our efforts.

The Pickett Fire began in the same area as the much larger Glass Fire in 2020, which crossed into Sonoma County and eventually burned about 105 square miles (272 square kilometers) and more than 1,500 structures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The 2020 blaze was driven by wind, while the current conflagration is fueled mainly by dry vegetation on steep slopes  some of it dead and downed trees left over from the Glass Fire and some of it grass and brush that grew back and then dried out again, said Clay.

The area of the Oregon fire is in a high desert climate, where dried grasses and juniper trees are burning and fire is racing through canyon areas where its challenging to create containment lines, said Jason Carr, Deschutes County sheriffs spokesman.

The fire began Thursday night and grew quickly amid hot, gusty conditions. Fire officials were keeping an eye on isolated thunderstorms in southern Oregon that could drift north on Sunday, state Fire Marshals spokesman Chris Schimmer said in a video posted to Facebook.

"If we get thunderstorms that roll through, it can ... cause the fire to jump (containment) lines, said Carr, adding the downdrafts can push fire in multiple directions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In central California, the state's largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, was at 95% containment Sunday after charring nearly 206 square miles (534 square kilometers) of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties since erupting on Aug. 1. The cause is under investigation.

Although it's difficult to directly tie a single fire or weather event directly to climate change, scientists say human-caused warming from burning fossil fuels like coal and gas is causing more intense heat waves and droughts, which in turn set the stage for more destructive wildfires.

___

Associated Press writer Christopher Weber contributed from Los Angeles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Local residents pack the Wilsonville City Council meeting on Monday to express opposition to a proposed data center project. (Courtesy of Coosa Riverkeeper)

This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here.

WILSONVILLE  The people of Wilsonville arent about to let it happen to them, at least not without a fight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After seeing residents of nearby Bessemer, Alabama, get blindsided by a proposal for a massive data center, with little public disclosure and public officials silenced by non-disclosure agreements, Wilsonville residents sprang into action when word got out that a developer was looking to build a similar data center in their town.

More than 100 Wilsonville residents packed the town hall for Monday nights City Council meeting to voice their objections to the proposed hyperscale data center in the small, riverside community of fewer than 2,000 residents about 25 miles southeast of Birmingham.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

The 3 million square-foot data center project wasnt on the agenda for Mondays council meeting, but people showed up anyway, 50 of them carrying red signs that read No Wilsonville Data Center. There werent enough signs, or chairs, for everyone as the overflow crowd spilled out into the hallway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Former Wilsonville Mayor Lee McCarty, who was in the crowd among the protesters, said the project, if it proceeds, would be extremely detrimental to the community.

A lot of people live in Wilsonville because they want the country repose, McCarty said. They dont want gigantic power lines and water lines and traffic. They dont want a Walmart, much less one of these.

Project planning documents obtained by Inside Climate News from a resident show the site would encompass 664 acres and contain 14 buildings, each 219,000 square feet, more than the size of a typical Walmart Supercenter.

The residents say a data center that size would disrupt their peaceful community that includes multi-generational family farms and million-dollar waterfront homes on Lay Lake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All I know is, the people selling this land and the people brokering the deal, thats going to be their legacy, to potentially destroy a small town, Wilsonville resident Renny Stanhope said after the meeting.

The Wilsonville data center project is just one in a series of new data center proposals sweeping the country.

In Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan, Iowa and elsewhere, data center projects are popping up, often in rural or low-income areas, leaving local residents to deal with noise pollution, air pollution, destruction of forest land and likely higher electricity costs due to massive demand.

The Trump administration has announced plans to waive environmental rules and other regulations for data centers that might slow their development in the midst of an arms race for computing power to run AI systems.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alabama Power, which will likely provide electricity for the Wilsonville project, has already gotten approval to buy an existing natural gas plant for $622 million, increasing customer bills in anticipation of higher loads from data centers.

In Wilsonville, Mondays council meeting lasted less than 15 minutes, including the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. After some brief council business, Mayor Ricky Morris said that there were no updates on the project, and that any future rezoning or annexation requests for the project would be on the council agenda.

When we have something to discuss, it will be on the agenda, Morris told the crowd.

Wilsonville Mayor Ricky Morris speaks during Mondays council meeting. (Dennis Pillion/Inside Climate News)

The data center proposal came to light during the councils August 4 meeting, when a resident asked the council about the project on the outskirts of town.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At that meeting, council members said they had been approached by representatives from NorthPoint Development, a Kansas City commercial real estate company involved in data center development, which inquired about annexing parcels of land into the town for a data center project. The project location includes land within Wilsonville town limits and land in unincorporated Shelby County. Annexing the land would put the entire footprint under the control of Wilsonville instead of the county, for zoning purposes, documents show.

Council members said Monday they have not yet received a formal application for annexation.

Weve had no other contact with them, they have not requested nothing, Morris said. So its just like it was last meeting.

NorthPoint Development did not respond to requests for comment or to authenticate the document.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During a brief public comment period, residents pressed the council members for any updates on the project, and asked whether either they or the mayor would pledge not to sign non-disclosure agreements, which have become common in data center development across the country. The council members did not make such a pledge, with Morris saying they could not promise that for legal reasons. He did not elaborate and declined to answer additional questions from Inside Climate News after the meeting.

Shelby County probate records show NorthPoint Development reached a two-year option on approximately 687 acres from Richard Cashio, a Birmingham steel industry magnate, on Feb. 27. The purchase price was not included in the document. Cashio did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

The project would be located off of County Highway 61, alongside Lick Branch, a small Coosa River tributary. It would be located about 2.5 miles northwest of the Ernest C. Gaston Electric Generating Plant, a coal and natural gas-fired power plant operated by Alabama Power alongside the Coosa.

According to the feasibility plan, the projected peak power demand is 1,008 megawatts, more than half of the maximum output from the Gaston Plant, which is 1,880 megawatts, according to Alabama Powers website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Running a 1008 MW data center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, would use 8.8 million megawatt-hours of electricity a year. Thats about half as much as all of Alabama Powers 1.3 million residential customers used in 2023, according to company filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Wilsonville data center would use about 20 percent less power than the proposed data center in Bessemer, which would use 1200 megawatts at peak.

The plan also states that developers need to verify volume of water available and capacity of wastewater treatment plant, as well as verify if the site is subject to air quality standards, and verify power source, location, substation size & location will be adjusted as needed.

The overflow crowd spilled out into the hallway during Monday nights Wilsonville City Council meeting. (Dennis Pillion/Inside Climate News)

Coosa Riverkeeper Justinn Overton helped distribute signs at the meeting and share information on social media, and said the large turnout should send a message to the elected officials on the dais.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although there was not a lot of information shared tonight, our purpose was to apply gentle pressure and let them know how many people are watching and listening, she said.

If the council approves the data center request, voter ire would take a while to reach them at the ballot box. According to a post on Wilsonvilles web site, the town will not host municipal elections this year, because the candidates for mayor and five council seats are all unopposed.
The Brief

The American Red Cross announced it has begun financial assistance outreach.

Damage assessments determined which households were most severely affected.

Eligibility for assistance is limited; not all residents will qualify.

MILWAUKEE - The American Red Cross on Saturday announced it has begun financial assistance outreach for people whose homes were destroyed or sustained major structural damage as a result of recent flooding across southeast Wisconsin.

Financial support

What they're saying

The Red Cross said it performed damage assessments, in partnership with state and county officials, to determine households that were most severely affected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

"Our priority is to connect with every family facing major damage from the floods and make sure they know help is available," Cat Rabenstine, American Red Cross of Wisconsin chief executive officer, said in a statement. "We are committed to walking alongside our neighbors in the recovery process."

The financial support is designed to help families overcome significant roadblocks to recovery, the organization said. Eligibility for assistance is limited; not all residents will qualify.

How to know if you qualify

What you can do

The Red Cross said it will begin reaching out to specific people whose homes the organization confirmed were destroyed or sustained major structural damage on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Those residents will receive an invitation to apply for financial support via email, text or phone call from the Red Cross if they have qualifying damage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Recipients are encouraged to follow the instructions provided to complete their case application.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

For those who the Red Cross has not yet been able to contact, the organization said assistance is still available. Impacted residents are urged to visit the Red Cross website or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to provide information and begin the application process. QR codes linking to the website are also available on flyers and business cards distributed at community locations and through partner organizations.

To ensure equitable access, the Red Cross said it is also working closely with community leaders and nonprofit partners to reach residents in heavily impacted areas who may not have received direct communication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For more information about disaster assistance and recovery support, visit the Red Cross website or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Support in Milwaukee

Local perspective

The community continues to help those impacted by the historic floods as well. Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church distributed flood relief kits on Saturday. The kits included items like cleaning supplies, diapers, blankets, cellphone chargers and clothing.

"I think the amount of folks that are showing up here today really points to the massive need right now," said Tonnie Boston, the church's first lady. "Us having these resources, we didn't want to waste any time. We actually put together this effort in a matter of three days."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And as cleanup efforts continue, Milwaukee is once again extending its free curbside pickup and drop-off center services through Aug. 31. For residents with bulky items, the city is also offering free special pickups.

The Source

The American Red Cross - Wisconsin Region released information for this story.
The Brief

Winnebago County deputies stopped a driver for going 143 mph on I-41.

The driver was clocked on the interstate between Oshkosh and Neenah.

The sheriff's office said citations in such a circumstance total more than $1,500.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Wis. - The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office described a speeding driver's actions as "Dangerous. Dumb. Just plain ridiculous. Period."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Deputies were monitoring I-41 southbound on Friday night, Aug. 22. They clocked a Ford Mustang doing 143 mph  more than double the posted speed limit  near Nee-Vin Road, between Oshkosh and Neenah.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

The sheriff's office said the citation for reckless driving and speeding in such a circumstance totals $1,515.

The Source

Information in this post is from the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.
Nearly a decade after a man was convicted of killing a Tennessee nursing student, the defense is asking a judge for a new trial, citing a key witness admission over fabricating testimony.

Holly Bobo, 20, disappeared from her rural home in 2011, sparking an extensive search that ended with her body being found more than three years later.

Zachary Adams and two other men were charged in Bobos kidnapping, rape and murder, with Adams being the only defendant choosing to go to trial. He was subsequently convicted on all charges in 2017 and sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 50 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

911 Calls, Police Report Details Dark Timeline To Arizona Girl's Tragic Death

Holly Bobo smiles in an undated photo. Bobo disappeared from her Tennessee home in 2011, sparking a massive search that ended three years later after her body was discovered.

During Adams trial, key witness Jason Autry spoke in graphic detail about how Bobo was kidnapped and raped before being wrapped in a blanket, thrown in the back of a pickup truck and killed under a bridge near a local river.

"It sounded like, boom, boom, boom, underneath that bridge," Autry told the jury. "It was just one shot but it echoed. Birds went everywhere, all up under that bridge. Then just dead silence for just a second."

Read On The Fox News App

Since investigators never found DNA evidence linking Adams to Bobo, the prosecution relied primarily on testimony from witnesses and Adams fellow inmates, who claimed he talked about hurting Bobo after the murder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Idaho Murder Victim's Mother Finds Unexpected Peace In Killer's Controversial Plea Deal

The dramatic trial included emotional testimony, with Bobos mother Karen collapsing on the witness stand.

Autry subsequently pleaded guilty to lesser charges after being praised by the judge for his testimony, and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was released in 2020.

Adams brother, John Dylan Adams, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

However, in a 2024 court filing known as a coram nobis petition, Zachary Adams revealed Autry was recanting his testimony and asked for a new trial. Adams claimed Autry fabricated his story in an effort to keep himself out of prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Parents Believe Daughter Who Vanished From Cruise Ship 27 Years Ago Is Still Alive

Months earlier, Autry met with Dr. Katie Spirko, a forensic and clinical neuropsychologist, and admitted to making the story up after his lawyer warned him that he was "95% sure of a conviction," before the 2017 trial, according to the petition.

"[Autry] had to make it all up," Dana McLendon III, Spirkos attorney, told Fox News Digital. "Because he knew that the chances that any of them were not going to be convicted were very low, and he wanted to save his own skin."

McLendon said Autry previously expressed regret after his testimony.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Detectives True Crime Podcast Helps Dig Up Breakthrough In Case That Haunted Family: Drew Audible Gasp

"He told Dr. Spirko when he left the trial having essentially buried Zach, he felt terrible because he knew that he just put an innocent man in prison," McLendon said.

According to the petition, Autry admitted to formulating the story in his jail cell while looking over discovery evidence, while relying on cellphone data to nail down details.

"This is a man who told a jury that he started out attempting to hide what he believes to be the body of Holly Bobo, and ended up being present when she was actually murdered," McLendon said. "So you can ask yourself, how does a man go from a death penalty co-defendant to serving no time extra for that role at all? How does that happen? And the answer is, the prosecution would later say that without Jason Autry's testimony, they wouldn't have been able to convict that guy  and that's just the tip of the iceberg."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

3 Chilling True Crime Cases Of Women Who Went On Vacation And Never Returned

However, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nichols insisted Adams petition needed to be supported by sworn affidavits, writing that the since-recanted testimony  which was presented to the court in a video interview  is "looked upon with distrust."

Nichols also previously said Adams would have been convicted without Autrys testimony, while pointing to Adams "incriminating admissions" surrounding Bobos death.

Last year, a judge sided with the prosecution by granting the states motion to dismiss Adams petition for a new trial, ultimately determining Autry failed to prove an alibi for Adams or point to another person's evidence of guilt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub

"Mr. Autrys new statements do not leave this Court without serious or substantial doubt that Mr. Adams is actually innocent," the judge wrote in his ruling.

Autry's attorney declined Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Earlier this year, Adams returned to court for a post-conviction relief hearing, with the judge ultimately ruling a video of Autry recanting his testimony was not admissible in court, according to Court TV. The hearing was temporarily suspended while Adams appealed the decision.

Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, the Tennessee Court of Appeals declined to hear the appeal and the case is scheduled to resume in November, with hearings restarting earlier this month.

Adams' attorney and the Hardin County District Attorney's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

In light of Adams pursuit of a new trial, McLendon hopes his conviction will be overturned and authorities will focus on finding Bobos actual killer.

"This community was boiling with the need for closure and justice," McLendon told Fox News Digital. "So when you pick a jury from among a pool of people who've been waiting to get this case wrapped up for six years, and then they are given perjured testimony and the defense is essentially denied the opportunity to present all of the evidence, including exculpatory evidence, it's not surprising to me that they got the verdict they got."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Witness in Holly Bobo murder trial admits lying, raising questions about nursing student's true killer
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  Students began filling Western Michigan Universitys campus Saturday ahead of another fall semester.

This weekend is expected to bring in around 2,000 students into residence halls, according to university staff.

University President Russ Kavalhuna welcomed some of those first-year students arriving to Ackley- Shilling Hall, or Valley 1. Kavalhuna used to call the building home when he first moved to campus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

GVSU moves in some 4,000 new students

I can remember moving my stuff in here on the sixth floor of Ackley. And I remember being excited and a little nervous. And being back and seeing that same look in students eyes, its amazing, he told News 8.

Students move into Western Michigan University. (Aug. 23, 2025)

Students move into Western Michigan University. (Aug. 23, 2025)

His piece of advice for freshmen is to get engaged with the campus community.

Your investment in yourself is an investment in your future and were going to meet you there with whatever time and effort you need, he said.

This semester marks his first as president, taking over the role after Edward Mongomery retired at the end of June.

Aquinas Colleges largest freshman class since 2018 moves in

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im excited, said first-year student Ari Tanskanen. I was a little nervous but now that Im here Im like, Im ready, so thats good.  I visited a friend here and I really liked the campus so that kind of sold me.

The first day of classes for WMU is Aug. 27. Over the next four days, new students are expected to be immersed in all things WMU and Kalamazoo as part of Fall Welcome.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A Washington, Indiana woman claims she was assaulted by a staff member with the Indiana Lieutenant Governor at a Warrick County town hall.

Tiffanie Arthur says she was trying to help a woman in a wheelchair through a side exit when the town hall was cut short on Wednesday. She goes on to say Lt. Governor Micah Beckwiths Governmental Affairs Director, Kristi Risk, shoved her in the chest with her forearm.

Arthur says this was unprovoked, unnecessary and unjustified. She says she filed a report with the Warrick County Sheriffs Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Arthur says she was not associated with the three people who face charges and says she was on the other side of the room.

Eyewitness News reached out to Beckwith and Risk and are waiting to hear back.

Arthur released a statement to Eyewitness News. Below is her full statement:

On Wednesday, August 20th, at the town hall event in Newburgh, Indiana, I was physically assaulted by Lt. Governor Beckwiths Governmental Affairs Director, Kristi Risk. After the event concluded, I was assisting a handicapped woman in a wheelchair through a side exit when Ms. Risk shoved me in the chest with her forearm as she and the Lt. Governor exited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This action was unprovoked, unnecessary, and unjustified. At no point was there any threat to Lt. Governor Beckwith or Ms. Risk, nor did I impede their ability to exit through the doors or impose on them physically in any way. My full attention was on helping the disabled attendee safely leave the building.

I have filed a police report with the Warrick County Sheriffs Department. The case number is 25-02141, and the investigating officer is Deputy R. Bottoms.

I believe the public deserves to be aware of the conduct of state officials and their staff at public events.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
NEED TO KNOW

A New York woman claims she found a human fingertip in her chicken wrap ordered from a restaurant in Astoria, N.Y.

Mary Elizabeth Smith, 43, alleges that she purchased the chicken wrap "to go" at Create Astoria on Nov. 17, 2023

Smith says she was permanently traumatized by the experience and has filed a lawsuit, but the restaurant calls her claim "ludicrous"

A New York woman claims she found a human fingertip in food she purchased from a local restaurant.

Mary Elizabeth Smith, 43, of Manhattan alleges that the incident occurred on Nov. 17, 2023, after she ordered a chicken wrap "to go" at Create Astoria, a Mediterranean restaurant in Queens, according to a legal complaint obtained by PEOPLE that was filed in the New York County Supreme Court on Aug. 7. The restaurant calls her claim impossible and ludicrous.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the complaint, Smiths attorney, Robert Menna, states that Smith took a bite of a chicken wrap and discovered human tissue, a fingertip inside it.

The complaint further states that negligence on the part of the restaurant caused Smith to sustain serious injuries and suffer pain, shock and mental anguish.

She ordered a chicken wrap, and when she bit into it, there was a piece of a finger there. Luckily, she didn't swallow it. But it still traumatized her, Menna said in a statement to PEOPLE.

Menna said his office sent the fingertip to a lab for testing and it was confirmed to be tissue from a human female.

Greenberg Law P.C. Fingertip allegedly found by Mary Elizabeth Smith Fingertip allegedly found by Mary Elizabeth Smith

He added that the restaurant, however, claims it had no female employees working there that day. Additionally, he says that Creates insurance company, Liberty Mutual, has denied Smiths allegations. (PEOPLE reached out to Liberty Mutual for comment on Saturday, Aug. 23, but did not receive an immediate response.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So we will let the court take care of it, Menna said.

Creates owner, Teddy Karagiannis, called the lawsuit completely fraudulent in a statement to PEOPLE. He added that he plans to countersue Smith "for slander."

It's just ludicrous, he said, adding that food served at his restaurant goes through multiple inspection points before being served.

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.

Its impossible. It cannot happen in my style of operation, Karagiannis added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Karagiannis alleged to PEOPLE that Smith has declined to do DNA testing on the fingertip, which he believes would prove it did not come from one of his employees. He also speculated that Smith could have obtained the fingertip elsewhere.

Smith, meanwhile, reportedly told the New York Post that she was permanently traumatized by the experience, adding that she had to undergo strong antiretroviral therapy to protect against any potential exposure to deadly diseases.



Read the original article on People
BURTON, Ohio (WJW)  A woman died and a man was hospitalized after an early morning fire in Burton Township.

According to a news release from the Burton Fire Department, their crews responded to a home on Erwin Drive shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday.

While en route, crews learned that a 69-year-old man had made it out of the home, but a 68-year-old woman trapped inside.

4-year-old dies, father missing after incident at Atwood Lake

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Crews initially had trouble getting into the home due to a blocked entry door and extreme clutter, the release stated.

Firefighters were able to locate the woman inside the home who was reportedly unconscious. She was pulled from the home through a bedroom window.

She and the male victim were rushed to a hospital, however the woman did not survive.

The man is reportedly in stable condition.

Two dogs were also rescued from the home and revived by crews on the scene.

1 dead after car fleeing Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Department collides with another vehicle

It took crews nearly an hour to bring the fire under control. In total, they remained at the scene for four hours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshals Office.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A woman from Holley was arrested by the Orleans County Sheriff in the town of Murray on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the OCSO, 29-year-old Brianna R. Button was arrested following an investigation into an incident from early July that involved Button allegedly providing two 15-year-old males with a substance, which they smoked, and then became unresponsive.

Investigators say Button attempted life-saving measures on one of the boys, but she left the scene before EMS arrived. A NYS Parole Officer provided medical assistance after getting waved down by neighbors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both boys were taken to area hospitals and both have made full recoveries.

Button faces charges punishable by up to one year of incarceration and $1,000 fine.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Sunday lashed out at the 10 defected MLAs who joined Congress, daring them to resign from their post and recontest the elections. "Doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani (let truth be separated from lies)," KTR said while addressing the gathering in Serilingampally. Criticising the claims of the Revanth Reddy government, KTR argued that if the Congress government in Telangana has performed better than the BRS government, it must be put to the test. "If the Congress government truly performs better than the BRS government, if your six guarantees are genuinely implemented, if Hyderabad becomes prosperous and if all the poor live happily, then let's put it to the test. Let ten of us resign and see the people's verdict. Then the people themselves will decide between Revanth Reddy and KCR," he said. "There is a proverb in Telangana: 'If you hit the short one, the tall one gets punished.' God exists and he watches. Anyone who indulges in such deceitful acts will ultimately be punished by God," he added. Last month, the BRS Working President welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict on defection of party MLAs while demanding that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demonstrate his commitment to his 'Paanch Nyay' (five justices) by ensuring the disqualification of MLAs who defected to the Congress. KTR had questioned Gandhi's silence on the issue and urged immediate action against the legislators. KTR asserted that the Supreme Court's judgment should be respected, and the Speaker should promptly disqualify the defected MLAs. He emphasised that Rahul Gandhi, who often speaks about constitutional values, must adhere to his own words regarding defections. "There is no need for further inquiry. The Speaker should immediately disqualify the MLAs, paving the way for by-elections in 10 constituencies. The BRS cadre is ready to win these elections. Ultimately, truth and righteousness have prevailed," KTR stated. Following this, Telangana speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar issued notices to the defected BRS MLAs, seeking clarification on their joining Congress. (ANI)
TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A 38-year-old woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash that occurred early Saturday morning in Tuscaloosa County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Tresda M. Caddell, of Tuscaloosa, was killed when the 2002 GMC Yukon she was a passenger in left the roadway and struck an embankment. After the initial impact, the vehicle overturned and struck a utility pole.

Caddell was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. She was ejected from the vehicle, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to ALEA, the driver of the vehicle was not injured.

The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. on U.S. 11 near Cedar Cove Loop Road, about two miles east of Coaling. Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating 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.
JOPLIN, Mo.  Women were tasked with the question: What do you do in a fight or flight situation?

More than 20 women showed up for the Womens Self Defense Training taught by the T.A.K.E. Defense Program at the Billingsley Student Center at Missouri Southern State University.

Its a collaboration between the Kiwanis Club of Joplin and the Ali Kemp Education Foundation named after a Kansas woman who was murdered while working at a neighborhood pool.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Attendees learned self-defense basics and listened to stories of women using those skills to protect themselves.

They learned about the importance of using their voices, not freezing, and ways to get out of dangerous situations with their partners.

This self-defense class was phenomenal. It was really great. I always knew that I was more of a fight than a flight or a freeze. But now I know the proper techniques to do that, said Kerstin Landwer, Self Defense Training Attendee.

A self-defense class for women is being taught at MSSU again

I know this is a for the women only kind of a group, but it provides an environment of safety where we can be together and get to know each other and learn these skills together, said Shawna Wheat, Kiwanis Club of Joplin Member.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The goal of the program really is to not find yourself in that scenario. To be able to de-escalate a situation if you find yourself in it, but to actually preplan so you dont find yourself in that scenario, said Jill Leiker, Ali Kemp Educational Foundation Executive Director.

Attendees left with a few pieces of with creating their own safety plan, setting boundaries, and always staying alert.

More on MSSU

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
The Brief

Rodrigo Lopez  a busser for the renowned Zuni Cafe  provided CPR to a customer who suffered cardiac arrest.

The customer returned to the restaurant days later to thank Lopez for his actions.

The San Francisco Fire Department plans to honor Rodrigro with a plaque, which a department spokesperson said is "well-deserved."

San Francisco - A worker at a well-known San Francisco restaurant is being called a hero for helping to save the life of a customer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rodrigo Lopez's feats impressed those who saw him in action, but he says he's just glad he was able to help.

Lopez said he learned CPR skills years ago.

But he had never had to use them, until the day he saw an unconscious customer on the ground.

The Story

Lopez is a busser for the renowned Zuni Cafe.

He's worked at the restaurant for two years.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, around noon, something unexpected happened.

Surveillance video shows the 35-year-old worker walking outside. He said he wanted a quick break to get some fresh air.

Then suddenly, Rodrigo started running towards a table of customers because he saw a man on the ground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rodrigo said the customer had suffered from a cardiac arrest during lunch with his family.

Rodrigo reacted instinctively and started doing chest compressions on the man.

The busser had previously worked as a life guard and CPR instructor in Argentina and Spain for 10 years.

"We were clapping for him that day. The whole restaurant started clapping for Rodrigo because everybody saw what he did. Guests were looking out the window watching everything happen in front of them," said Zuni Cafe manager Kevin Hinds. "It was very touching. It was emotional."

He described Rodrigo as being an excellent employee even before his heroism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident happened on a busy Saturday afternoon during lunchtime when the restaurant was packed with patrons.



But Rodrigo credited the customer's husband who did mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and the San Francisco Fire Department crew that arrived in minutes.



Still, Rodrigo thought the man had not survived because he appeared lifeless when he was transported to the hospital.



But later that day, the fire department informed Rodrigo that the customer did survive.

The Epilogue

Several days later, the man returned to the restaurant to thank Rodrigo personally.

The busser said he's just glad the customer is alive,

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It was amazing. That was the best part for me," Lopez said.

The customer gave a handwritten note and a gift to Rodrigo.

He said he doesn't consider himself a hero.

Zuni Cafe obviously disagreed, and has posted praising messages on social media

"Heros don't always wear a cape. They can wear aprons too," the cafe said.

The fire department plans to honor Rodrigro with a plaque, which a department spokesperson said is "well-deserved."

Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave a message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU
Editors Note: This accident occurred Saturday morning, not Sunday morning as first reported.

(KRON)  A woman suffered fatal injuries after a wrong-way vehicle collision near Los Gatos early Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A Toyota Camry traveling northbound on Highway 17 South, near Santa Cruz Avenue crashed into a Honda Del Sol and a Honda Civic.

A 44-year-old San Jose man was driving the Camry, and the passenger was a 43-year-old woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to the hospital with injuries, according to CHP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Person rescued after 50-foot fall in San Francisco

The drivers of the Hondas were both also taken to the hospital.

CHP said intoxicated driving is suspected in the investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
YORK, Pa. (WHTM)  Hate has no place in York, the citys police chief said Saturday after an alleged incident overnight.

Any incident where Hate Fueled Violence is alleged (in this community) will always be a priority to myself, this Department, and York City Government as a whole, York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow said in a statement Saturday.

This comes after an alleged incident late Friday in downtown York in which members of the LGBTQ community said they were harassed and one was attacked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Muldrow said he has ordered the departments detectives to review that case and has notified the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

He also said the departments new trauma responder counselor will follow up with those impacted by the incident.

While nothing can take the place of people being good to one another, and making better choices in the first place, it is my Hope that the community (and the individuals involved) feel supported by knowing they live in a city that cares enough to act and do the right thing, when bad things do occur, Muldrow added.

Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
PATASKALA, Ohio (WCMH)  A central Ohio 11-year-old won first place in America250s Americas Field Trip contest, receiving national recognition and the trip of a lifetime this summer.

Eva Haylett of Pataskala used her art skills to respond to the competitions question, What does America mean to you? Her vibrant image captured the attention of the judges from America250 and America 250-Ohio and the panel of current and former educators selected her drawing as a winner in the third to fifth grade category.

I think of myself as a cartoonist, said Haylett. I love to draw on notebooks everywhere and anything that I can find. So I, I had a list of patriotic things and monuments that I come to think of [as] America. And from there, I just started doodling and it all came together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Launched in 2024, Americas Field Trip contest invited students from third grade to high school seniors to submit artwork, videos, or essays that expressed their patriotism. Thousands of entries were accepted from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. A total of 150 winners were selected from 41 states and four U.S. territories.

Americas Field Trip is a transformative opportunity for students across the country to engage with our nations history in meaningful, lasting ways, said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. Our tentpole programs are intentionally designed to be hands-on, educational and engaging.

Report: The most difficult town name to pronounce in Ohio and each state

Haylett, one of 75 first-place prize winners, said she was stunned to learn of her success.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

My mom was picking me up from choir and  got the email, and she showed me her phone, and I practically exploded, said Haylett. I was so excited and my mind was just racing.

As a winner, she received her choice of a specialized field trip to American historical and cultural sites this summer. Out of more than a dozen excursions across the United States, Haylett chose a private guided tour of Yellowstone National Park. She said the four-day trip was a bucket list experience for her and her father.

I was immediately down for Yellowstone, said Haylett. Ever since fifth grade, youre learning about the states  I saw all the pictures, and it just seemed beautiful. Ive always wanted to go see Montana and Wyoming, and I feel like Yellowstone was the perfect opportunity.

Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett

Highlights of her trip included whitewater rafting and fly fishing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I caught five fish, said Haylett. It was just awesome. I caught brook trout and rainbow trout.

Hayletts entry was a colorful illustration that captured the spirit of America. It depicts a young girl holding an American flag, surrounded by U.S. landmarks and a map of the states with iconic symbols. Included in the image are the Golden Gate Bridge, the Space Needle, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, the Liberty Bell and a scroll of the U.S. Constitution, among others.

Eva Hayletts artwork, Americas Field Trip contest (Courtesy/ America250 and America 250-Ohio)

ODNRs Directors Choice: Ohio Proud (Courtesy/ODNR)

After entering a similar contest organized by America 250-Ohio and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Haylett discovered she had won a second time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It once again was very surprising and just an honor to be  a part of that contest, said Haylett.

That competition asked for art pieces or short essays about how Ohios natural resources played a role in the applicants life. Haylett received the ODNR Directors Choice award and will go on an exclusive Ohio field trip put together by ODNR staff.

In addition to Hayletts first-place win in America250s Americas Field Trip contest, another Ohio fifth grader was honored as one of the 75 second-place winners. Aria Hous, from Springboro near Dayton, entered a powerful written reflection. She received a $500 cash prize.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEED TO KNOW

Retired California Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Briggs first met Kevin Berthia in March 2005 when Berthia was moments away from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge

Briggs was responsible for talking more than 200 people out of leaping from the famed California landmark

After helping Berthia, they later forged a deep friendship and now travel the country speaking about mental health and their work preventing suicide

On the worst morning of his life, Kevin Berthia awoke and, after years of fighting with depression, decided that he was going to drive to the Golden Gate Bridge and jump.

Berthia, who was 22 years old at the time and living in Oakland, Calif., had never been to the famed landmark before and had to repeatedly ask for directions along the way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But minutes after parking in a lot at the north end of the bridge on March 11, 2005, he left his keys in the ignition and took off walking along the 1.7-mile expanse, glancing down at the San Francisco Bay, telling himself, The water is my freedom. Im ready.

Before long, the young man who had just lost his job and was overwhelmed by medical bills after the recent premature birth of his daughter scrambled over the railing and soon found himself balancing on a tiny metal conduit that ran along the outside of the bridge.

The frigid water of the bay churned 220 feet below him.

I started my countdown, Berthia recalls now. And I braced myself for impact.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then something unexpected happened. Two decades later, Berthia still refers to it as a miracle.



John Storey / San Francisco Chronicle / Polaris Kevin Briggs talks with Kevin Berthia (in white) at the Golden Gate Bridge in March 2005 Kevin Briggs talks with Kevin Berthia (in white) at the Golden Gate Bridge in March 2005

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Briggs  whose duties included keeping watch on the bridge  happened to be passing by when he spotted Berthia on the other side of the railing, lost in thought as he clutched the metal structure.

During his career, Briggs managed to prevent more than 200 people just like Berthia from leaping to their deaths from the bridge. He was nicknamed the guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge.

When he saw Berthia, he calmly swung into action.

AP Photo/Eric Risberg; AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli Kevin Briggs (left) and Kevin Berthia Kevin Briggs (left) and Kevin Berthia

Hi, Briggs remembers telling Berthia, who was staring intently down into the water. Is it okay if I come over and speak with you for a while? I'm not going to touch you. I'm just here to talk with you and to listen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Over the course of the next 92 minutes, Briggs got Berthia to open up about why he wanted to end his life.

I never try to tell anyone what to do, Briggs says. I just listen with empathy and understanding, let them speak their peace, then get them to think about coming back over the rail.

It worked.

Berthia admits that for the first time in his life, talking with Briggs, he shared his deepest, darkest secrets during their conversation. He pulled himself back over the railing and was soon taken to a local hospital where he spent the next 11 days.

After returning home, Berthia's mental health problems quickly returned. Seeing a photo of him on the side of the bridge published on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle only made matters worse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For the next eight years, he says, I went back into one of the deepest, darkest depressions Ive ever experienced.

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.



courtesy Kevin Briggs Kevin Berthia (left) and Kevin Briggs during a recent presentation Kevin Berthia (left) and Kevin Briggs during a recent presentation

But things began to change in 2013 when the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reached out to Briggs, who was on the verge of retiring after 23 years with the state highway patrol.

The organization wanted to honor the veteran patrolman for his service and was hoping to get one of the individuals hed stopped from jumping to present his award at a ceremony in New York City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Briggs, who had declined the honor on three earlier occasions, was informed by his commander that this time he needed to accept their invitation.

The only problem was that he had never been in contact with any of the individuals whose lives hed helped save. The closest he ever got to a thank you was from Berthias mother, Narvella, who wrote him a letter.



I never followed up with anyone because I never wanted to be a trigger, Briggs says, acknowledging that he understands why none of the bridge survivors had ever reached out, either: They want to forget that day. They want to put it behind them.

One afternoon, Briggs drove to the return address that Berthia's mom had written on the envelope, introduced himself and told her about the upcoming ceremony.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Narvella quickly hatched a plan to get her son  who by then had attempted to take his life a dozen more times  to New York for the event, telling him hed won an expense-paid trip to the city from a radio station.

Once Berthia arrived and finally met the man who had saved his life, he was floored.

I was like, Dang, this whole time it was a cop who saved me,  says Berthia, who was so consumed by the dark thoughts unfolding inside his head on that day in 2005 that he never once looked up to see who it was he was talking to on the side of the bridge. Being a Black man from Oakland, Id never had any great run-ins with law enforcement. If Id known who he was, I never would have opened up to him like I did.



courtesy Kevin Briggs Kevin Berthia (left) and Kevin Briggs Kevin Berthia (left) and Kevin Briggs

Within moments of meeting him, Berthia realized none of that mattered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve been friends ever since, says the 62-year-old Briggs, a survivor of cancer and childhood sexual abuse. Berthia insists that their relationship is deeper than that.

Were more like brothers, he says. What happened that day had nothing to do with him being a White man and me being Black. Its all about the power of connection, human connection.

Their reunion proved life changing for Berthia, who gave an off-the-cuff speech while presenting Briggs with his award that floored the hundreds of people in attendance.

I talked about everything that led me to the bridge that day, he says. For the first time in my life I was myself, the person that I'd always wanted to be. I was open and honest and vulnerable. And after I got done, the whole room stood up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The crowds reaction forced Berthia to realize for the first time in his life that he wasnt alone in his struggles with suicide and, suddenly, he wanted to do whatever he could to try and change things.

In the years that followed, he not only found the tools he needed better handle his depression but he also created an eponymous foundation that is focused on removing the stigma from mental illness and treatment. A

Never in a million years did I think that my living in this dark place could help others, says Berthia, now 42. He has given presentations to thousands of people, ranging from police academy graduates to elementary school pupils.

Numerous times a year he pairs up with Briggs  who has also become a polished, powerful speaker on the issue of suicide prevention  to share their gripping story.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Their hope is to empower others to do what Briggs did on that fateful day 20 years ago, when the two men first crossed paths on the Golden Gate Bridge. Suicide remains prevalent: More than 49,000 people killed themselves in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It really is all about just listening and not feeding these folks [in crisis] a bunch of crap, telling them theyre going to be fine," Briggs says. "Its about learning how to talk to someone who is suffering.

The goal, both men say, is to help those in the midst of crisis to understand that they're not alone.

Its a crappy subject, says Briggs, but we have a great time.

Adds Berthia: Its not an easy topic to talk about, but as I always tell people, Kevin makes you think, and I make you feel. 

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Read the original article on People
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated his compatriots on Independence Day on Sunday, exactly three and a half years after the war began.

"We are building a Ukraine strong and powerful enough to live in security and peace," Zelensky promised in an address shared on Telegram.

In the video, he is seen against the backdrop of Kiev's Independence Square. He said the imposing statue of liberty on the Maidan was also a symbol of the indestructibility of Ukraine, which had withstood Russia's war of aggression for three and a half years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky said the war had led to a new sense of self-worth among Ukrainians, who no longer relied on the goodwill of others but took their fate into their own hands and were ready to fight for their freedom.

He recalled the daily airstrikes by Russia against civilian facilities such as hospitals and schools in Ukraine, noting that Ukraine was responding with attacks on fuel depots as well as military airfields deep in Russia - actions that nobody could forbid.

These words were accompanied by images of the drone attack orchestrated by the Ukrainian intelligence service on aircraft of Russia's strategic bomber fleet in early July.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promoted Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov to the military rank of lieutenant general.

Source: decrees

Details: In addition, Zelenskyy awarded new ranks to a number of officials:

Colonel Andrii Tkachuk , Deputy Commander of the Air Assault Forces  promoted to brigadier general;

Brigadier General Oleh Luhovskyi , First Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service  promoted to major general;

Colonel Yevhenii Kurash , Commander of the 16th Army Corps of the Operational Command Pivnich (North) of the Ground Forces  promoted to brigadier general;

Colonel Valerii Kurach , Commander of the 21st Army Corps of the Operational Command Pivnich (North) of the Ground Forces  promoted to brigadier general;

Brigadier General Serhii Holubtsov , Deputy Commander of the Air Force  promoted to major general;

Brigadier General Oleksandr Ptytsia , Head of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service  promoted to major general;

Colonel Oleksii Osypenko , Deputy Commander of the National Guard  promoted to brigadier general;

Colonel Oleh Voievodin , First Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts  promoted to brigadier general;

Colonel of the Civil Protection Service Artem Astakhov , Head of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast  promoted to major general of the Civil Protection Service;

Police Colonel Oleksandr Hanzha, Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast  promoted to police general of the third rank.

The president also signed dozens of decrees on 23-24 August awarding honours, including the title of Hero of Ukraine.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alluded to the fact that strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia are directly linked to Hungarys stance on Ukraines EU accession.

Source: Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: A reporter asked Zelenskyy whether Kyiv has gained more leverage over Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban since the recent strikes on the Druzhba pipeline and after Zelenskyy had asked US President Donald Trump for help in lifting Hungarys veto on opening EU accession talks for Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelenskyy replied: "We have always supported friendship between Ukraine and Hungary. And now the existence of Druzhba [which means 'friendship' in Ukrainian  ed.] depends on Hungarys position."

Earlier, European Pravda reported that the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies oil to Hungary, has become an issue in the dialogue between Ukraine and Hungary.

Orbans veto on opening the first cluster of Ukraines EU membership negotiations has been identified as the main sticking point.

Background:

On 21 August, Zelenskyy said he had asked US President Donald Trump to try to persuade Orban not to block Ukraines path to EU membership.

On 22 August, Hungary was notified that the Druzhba pipeline on the Russia-Belarus border had "come under attack for the third time in a short period".

The Hungarian and Slovak foreign ministers complained to the European Commission about the strikes, and Orban said he had written to Trump about the matter.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
According to Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Baidyanath Prasad, the incident took place around 12.45 am when police received information about the arson.

"At 12.45 am, the police received information that some miscreants have torched six trucks, including three poclains... The miscreants managed to escape taking advantage of the forest," Prasad told ANI.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Ukraine has been using only domestically produced long-range weapons to strike Russian territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

Source: Zelenskyy in a response to a question from journalists at a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

Details: Asked about Western media reports claiming that the US has banned Ukraine from using ATACMS missiles on Russian territory, Zelenskyy said no such restrictions are being discussed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote: "We're using our domestically produced long-range weapons. Lately, we've not been discussing such matters with the United States. It used to be the case. You remember various signals regarding our retaliatory strikes after they [the Russians] attacked our energy system. That was a long time ago. Today, we don't even mention this."

Background: On 23 August, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) claimed that the Pentagon has been blocking Ukraine's use of long-range missiles to strike Russian territory for several months.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!




Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and his comrades at the Democratic Socialists of America want to wipe out the enforcement of all misdemeanor offenses, The Post has learned.

In its most recent platform, the group blasts policing and detention as instruments of class war designed to guarantee the domination of the working class  and demands an end what it calls the criminalization of working-class survival.

For all of the working class to achieve collective liberation we must constrain, diminish, and abolish the carceral forces of the state  from prisons and police themselves, to their manifestations in all forms throughout society, according to the national partys latest platform, adopted in 2021.

Mamdani is a member of the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and its endorsed mayoral candidate Matthew McDermott

On the campaign trail, Mamdani has repeatedly called for police to stop focusing on what hes referred to as non serious crimes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police have a critical role to play but right now were relying on them to deal with the failures of our social safety net, which is preventing them from doing their actual jobs, he said in a campaign video posted to X Wednesday.

The DSA has also pushed to slash arrests, gut prosecutors budgets, abolish cash bail and all forms of pre-trial detention, scrap electronic monitoring, and end imprisonment for parole violations.

Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman and member of the NYC chapter of the DSA and its endorsed mayoral candidate, has questioned the purpose of prisons and repeatedly called to roll back punishment on so-called non-violent offenses  both as an Albany lawmaker and in his Gotham mayoral campaign.

Theft and shoplifting under $1,000, called petit larceny, is a misdemeanor in New York state. William Miller

He doubled down on his longstanding push to legalize prostitution this week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the campaign trail, Mamdani backtracked from his prior defund the police views in the wake of the Park Avenue massacre, insisting hed keep the NYPD roughly at its current size and redirect officers to focus only on serious crimes.

Critics remain unconvinced he can lead law enforcement and tame NYC crime.

I dont buy for a second that he is moderated on any of these policing questions because he has yet to really articulate in any deep way why hes moderated or how hes moderated, said Rafael Mangual, a legal policy expert at the Manhattan Institute. All he has really said is that he no longer wants to defund the police, even though police and prison and jail abolition are core tenets of the DSA party platform.

Residents of Manhattans 6th Precinct say soft on crime policies created lawlessness in their neighborhoods. J.C. Rice

And Mamdani has even tried to challenge the definition of a violent offense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What violent crime is  is defined by the state, he said at a 2021 protest outside the Manhattan DAs office to nix cash bail and shut down Rikers  a promise hes still making.  Violence is an artificial construction, he said at the time.

The misdemeanors the DSA wants to erase arent minor slip-ups. In the Empire State, they include theft or shoplifting up to $1,000, drug possession, assault without a weapon and even driving while intoxicated.

The most serious misdemeanors currently carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Tam Nguyen / NYPost Design

Theyre driving the city into a hole thats never going to recover, said Susan Ginsburg, a resident of Greenwich Village, which has descended into a lawless drug den since soft on crime policies created what neighbors have decried as a revolving door of justice.

People will break the law with impunity. There has to be deterrent for breaking the law, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its astonishing that were even having this conversation, said Maria Danzilo, an Upper West Side resident who ran in the Democratic primary for state Senate in 2022 and founded the group One City Rising.

In his campaign video for his department of community safety, Mamdani claims he takes public safety seriously. Zohran Mamdani/ X

After the Park Avenue shooting last month, Mamdani said he had changed his mind on defunding the police. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

Everybody is so sick and tired of this, and we just want to have a normal, functional, reasonable way of getting through our day without worrying about being hurt. This is exactly the opposite of what New Yorkers need right now.

To end misdemeanor arrests, Albany would have to pass a bill decriminalizing or downgrading those charges.

Gov. Hochul  who has yet to endorse her fellow Democrat  doesnt back defunding the police.

Critics dont buy Mamdani, here tweeting in 2020, had a change of heart about defunding the police. Zohran Mamdani /X

If elected mayor, Mamdani cant change state laws, but does have influence over how theyre enforced. He could force the NYPD to deprioritize certain arrests or pressure district attorneys not to prosecute certain cases  much like Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg did in his controversial day one memo telling staff to go soft on armed robberies and drug dealing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That will create an EZ-Pass for criminals, enabling them to repeatedly commit misdemeanor crimes, lambasted Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. This will make the police even less effective at enforcement. Ultimately, this will cause the quality of life to decline dramatically, leading to a breakdown of law and order and resulting in chaos and disorder.

Mamdani has challenged the definition of violent crime, calling violence an artificial construction. Christopher Sadowski

New Yorkers like Chelsea resident Alexander Kaplan are stunned by the pro-crime push.

Its just difficult to imagine how adults in their right mind could come up with it. Im not exaggerating, Im completely serious, he said. Were already suffering from terrible crime. This is going to make it a thousand times worse. And perception matters  just the notion of this would embolden criminals.

Under DA Alvin Bragg, prosecutions are already hitting record lows. Stephen Yang

Mamdanis campaign and the DSA did not respond to The Posts request for comment.
The Zigzag Interagency Hotshot Crew gets ready to cross Lake Cushman on Thursday to work on the Bear Gulch fire. This day, the wildland firefighters were improving space around homes on the northwest side of the lake. (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times)
Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Sunday came down heavily on the Kerala government and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on the reported invitation to the DMK leader for an international convention of Ayyappa devotees in Kerala next month. She said that by inviting Stalin to the Ayyappa devotees' conclave is the highest hypocrisy, as he has not accepted any invitation from the Hindu faith in Tamil Nadu, his own state. She further alleged that MK Stalin and his son have repeatedly insulted the Hindu sentiments. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "Inviting Stalin, for the Ayyappa devotees' conclave, is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin has accepted it. He has not accepted any invitation from the Hindu faith in Tamil Nadu, his own state... They repeatedly insult the Hindu sentiments... His son said Sanatana Dharma is like a virus; it should be crushed like dengue... Stalin has not gone to any temple; there are more than 35,000 temples in Tamil Nadu...". "Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan may be ignorant about Stalin, but how can he accept the invitation?... Stalin is a Periyarist, and by inviting him, they are insulting the Ayyappa devotees. They think anything can be done for politics... It is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin should apologise to the Hindu faith...", Soundararajan said. Earlier today, BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also accused Pinarayi Vijayan and MK Stalin of disrespecting the Hindu faith and the sacred traditions of Sabarimala. The remarks came in response to reports that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) government in Kerala has invited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for an Ayyappa Sangamam, a religious event to be held in Pampa, Kerala, in September. Chandrasekhar labelled it as a "drama" aimed at "fooling people" and demanded public apologies from both leaders for their alleged insults to Hindus and Ayyappa devotees. In a post on X, Chandrasekhar wrote, "This is a clear message to @pinarayivijayann, @mkstalin from all the karyakartas of BJP all over and Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Both of you have, over the years, harmed and insulted Sabarimala, Ayappa bhakts and the Hindu faith. Pinarayi Vijayan has imprisoned many Ayyappa bhakts, cases against many more, inflicted police violence against Ayyappa bhakts and done everything to violate and insult the sacred traditions of Sabarimala. Stalin and his useless dynastic son have repeatedly insulted Hindus and referred to the Hindu faith as a virus, amongst other things". "Let it be known to both Pinarayi and Stalin - the only way they can take part in Ayappa Sangamam is if they apologise to Hindus and Sabarimala Ayappa Bhakts. Pinarayi Vijayan must withdraw all cases, apologise to those bhakts who were jailed and seek forgiveness from Lord Ayyappa for violating Sabarimala traditions. Stalin and his useless heir Udaynidhi must apologise to Hindus and seek forgiveness if they wish to come to Kerala. Without this, if Stalin or Pinarayi try and misuse Sabarimala bhakts or their faith and attend this program, every karyakarta of @BJP4Keralam will come out and resist this," Chandrasekhar said in his X post. (ANI)
In a bizarre turn of events, a British Airways flight attendant was found naked and high in a plane toilet on a CaliforniaLondon flight. Haden Pentecost, 41, admitted working under the influence.
The police have arrested the mother-in-law of the deceased woman, Nikki Bhati, in connection with the alleged dowry death case, police said on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, was shot in the leg during a police encounter and admitted to a hospital for treatment. The man accused of setting his wife on fire, who later succumbed to her injuries, was today brought to a hospital in Greater Noida for treatment after being shot in the leg during an encounter with Uttar Pradesh police. Vipin Bhati has been sent to a Judicial Custody of 14 days. Police said that the husband of the deceased was accused of setting his wife on fire, who later succumbed to her injuries. He was also accused of frequently assaulting Nikki. Speaking to ANI from his hospital bed, Bhati denied the allegations. "I did not kill her. She died on her own," he said. When asked about the accusations of physical assault, he replied, "Husband and wife often have fights, it is very common..." The victim's father told ANI that she had 70 per cent burns and was pronounced dead at the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. "I reached there as soon as my elder daughter called me..The doctor told me she is 70% burnt..We took her to Safdarjung Hospital. The doctor told me to take her back because she would not be able to survive. He (her husband) should be hanged. They got married in 2016. He started harassing her a few days after marriage...They asked for Rs. 35 lakhs... She started her own work, and her husband began asking for the money she earned. I demand that the Court and CM give him the death penalty..." Meanwhile, the family of the deceased woman, Nikki Bhati, held a protest outside the Kasana Police station today, demanding justice. The father of the deceased woman alleged that her in-laws killed her over their demand for dowry. "Her mother-in-law poured kerosene while her husband set her on fire. They kept asking for dowry; now their demands have been met. I just married my daughter as per tradition. Their dowry demands have been met now that my daughter has died. They demanded a car and tortured my daughter for that." He also accused the husband of domestic violence. "That person is neither man nor human; he is a butcher. We once brought her home because of all this domestic violence, but because of societal pressure, they came and took her back on the promise of not repeating this. It continued. Now they have got what they wanted," he said. Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party women's wing national president Juhi Singh said that the strictest punishment should be given in the case. "Strictest punishment should be given in this case... The parents should empower their daughters, keep them safe and raise voice for their rights... This is not worth an apology... There are laws for crimes against women, but the government is not implementing them..." Further investigation is still ongoing. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday claimed that a Delhi-based team is camping in the State with the aim to paint lawful evictions as so-called "humanitarian crisis". In a post on X, Sarma said "After Jamaat-e-Hind's outburst demanding my dismissal yesterday, a Delhi-based team -- Harsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Fayaz Shaheen, Prashant Bhushan, and Jawahar Sircar is now camping in Assam." "This is nothing but a planned attempt to weaken our fight against illegal encroachers. We are alert and firm, no propaganda or pressure will stop us from protecting our land and culture," he added. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1959573540237398508 The Chief Minister on Sunday told mediapersons at Margherita that, "To spread unrest in Assam, a few individuals have been moving across the state since yesterday. Since yesterday, Harsh Mander and Prashant Bhushan have been visiting different parts of the state. Another group, including Jawahar Sircar, Wajahat Habibullah, and Fayaz Shaheen, has been visiting different districts of lower Assam since yesterday. They only met the leaders of the minority community, Jamiat-e-Islami, and they are trying to create an unrest atmosphere in Assam. "As during the NRC time, these people came to Assam, disrupted the NRC, and failed, similarly, they have begun another attempt. We are monitoring their movements, just as they succeeded during NRC, but this time the government is determined and watching to make sure that they don't succeed." Sarma further said that Congress, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Prashant Bhushan, Harsh Mander, like intellectuals and some elements from Bangladesh and Pakistan are working to weaken Assam. "We all Assamese and Indians must remain united to defeat this conspiracy," the Assam Chief Minister said. The Jamaat-e-Hind has demanded the removal of Sarma and also that he be booked under hate speech laws following the recent eviction drives in the State, which the organisatioin has claimed as being conducted in an "inhuman and discriminatory manner." (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday said Hyderabad rose from manufacturing to innovation in Biotech, Pharma and Medical Technology. He assured end-to-end support for innovation in medical products using BioDesign, with the state government being a proactive partner, a CMO release said. The Chief Minister was speaking at the Biodesign Innovation Summit at AIG Hospital in Hyderabad. The Chief Minister said Hyderabad has a synergy of excellent academic institutions, skill development and industry partnerships, and as a result has a great workforce. Advocating for indigenous innovation to address India's medical needs, he noted that innovators and researchers will have access to Telangana's historical medical data, all while strictly adhering to data privacy protocols, the release said. "We will connect you to academic institutions, research, innovation bodies, the Young India Skills University and corporations. For many years, our best minds were solving problems of other countries. It is a good thing. The time has now come when we must use our intelligence to help our people," he explained. He congratulated AIG Hospitals Chairman Dr Nageshwar Reddy for the initiative to conduct research using BioDesign in MedTech. BioDesign is a methodology that aims to solve unmet clinical needs by developing practical healthcare solutions. This is achieved not only by innovating to create devices but also by validating the solutions clinically and scaling them through manufacturing, a release said. Highlighting that Telangana is now a hub for India's Life Sciences, he said medical devices and technology are crucial for the state. The state saw investments in diagnostic devices, imaging technologies, implants, surgical equipment and digital health solutions. By 2034, Telangana will become a $1 trillion economy and by 2047, we will become a $3 trillion state, the Chief Minister said. Telangana established India's largest dedicated Medical Devices Park at Sultanpur with more than 60 global and domestic companies already operating. It has the best infrastructure for research, prototyping, testing and manufacturing, he added. Commending local startups, MSMEs and companies for the good work, the Chief Minister said this ecosystem makes Hyderabad a unique, vibrant destination. (ANI)
Edit by Liam McGuire, Comeback Media.

Mike Joy has heard enough.

The Fox NASCAR broadcaster is tired of the criticism aimed at NBCs Leigh Diffey over his Australian accent, and hes not staying quiet about it. In comments to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Joy offered a pointed defense of his NBC counterpart while essentially telling critics to grow up.

Ive known and worked with Leigh for more than a decade, Joy said. Hes always brought an unbridled enthusiasm to his announcing that I dont think any other commentator can match. Better yet, his level of study and preparation is equal or better than anyone in our profession. His love for the sport and dedication to it puts him at the top of his craft.

The accent complaints have dogged Diffey since he took over NBCs play-by-play duties last year. Some NASCAR fans have been relentless in their desire to avoid hearing his Australian accent during Cup Series broadcasts, despite his extensive background in motorsports.

The criticism reached a low point earlier this month when longtime ESPN NASCAR host John Kernan announced he was done with the sport, specifically because of how Diffey sounds. Kernan even called himself xenophobic on X, as if owning the label made it somehow reasonable.

I think Im done with NASCAR. After further review stage racing SUCKS! And Im sure Leigh Diffey is a great guy but, if I want to hear that accent, Ill watch Formula 1. Sorry, guess Im xenophobic.  John Kernan (@John_KernanIND) August 3, 2025

Unfortunately, this isnt new for Diffey. He revealed earlier this year that he lost out on a TNT NASCAR job in 2010 specifically because of his accent. A network executive reportedly didnt want an accent calling the Cup races.

More than a decade later, the same complaints persist.

Joy isnt buying any of it. He pointed out that NASCAR broadcasts have always featured foreign voices, mentioning Englishman David Hobbs and Scot Jackie Stewart as longtime fixtures in NASCAR booths. The sport has never been an exclusively American broadcasting preserve, despite what critics seem to think.

For his part, Diffey seems to handle the criticism better than most would. He acknowledges it exists but chooses to focus elsewhere.

You know, unfortunately, its the state of the world, Diffey told the News-Journal. And I just think theres a lot of negativity  whether it be sports, politics, business, anything. Everybody tends to get on social media and say a lot more negative things than positive things.

The majority of the critics, or the negative Nellies  simply because of the way I speak, Diffey continued. I cant choose the way I speak, nor can any of them. We are who we are. Were all different for a reason.

Rather than getting bogged down in social media complaints, Diffey said he focuses on the positive interactions hes had with fans at the track. He mentioned meeting wonderful fans at Watkins Glen and said his approach is to take the positives and plow on.

The 54-year-old broadcaster has been calling races across multiple countries and series for decades. He became a U.S. citizen in 2011 and has been part of NBCs motorsports coverage since well before taking over NASCAR duties. His credentials arent the problem here  his accent apparently is, which says more about the critics than it does about him.

When told that at least the critics are focusing on his accent rather than his actual work, Diffey seemed to take it in stride. For that reason, it washes off, he said.

Diffey knows the sport, prepares thoroughly, and brings energy to the broadcast. If the biggest complaint about him is that he sounds Australian, maybe that says more about NASCAR fans than it does about the quality of his work.
In a boost to Assam's development journey, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday announced that four bighas of land have been allotted by the Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) on lease for a period of 60 years to the Government of Assam, according to a press release. Located at the prime real estate of Mumbai's Colaba, the said parcel of land paves the way for the state to develop essential public infrastructure for the direct benefit of its citizens, the release said. The decision follows a written request from the Chief Secretary of Assam to the Union Ministry, seeking allocation of land for a dedicated centre or infrastructure project that can serve the long-term needs of the people. "With today's announcement, the Narendra Modi Government has reaffirmed its commitment to support Assam in designing and implementing people-centric projects in the fields of healthcare, education, and social welfare. This is a people-first initiative. By making this land available to the Government of Assam for 60 years, we are enabling the creation of critical infrastructure that will serve generations to come. The project will be developed in line with the needs and aspirations of the people of Assam. Located at the heart of Mumbai in Colaba, this will plug a big aspiration of the people of Assam to have access to Mumbai city that can serve the needs of people, be it patients, be it students or even entrepreneurs," Sonowal said. The Union Minister further informed that he had personally spoken to Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the development. "The Chief Minister expressed deep satisfaction and appreciated the Government of India's support. He termed this step as a vital contribution to Assam's growth story and a milestone in our shared commitment to improving the lives of the people," Sarbananda Sonowal added. While the specific plans for development are under consideration, officials indicated that the focus will be on building infrastructure with high public utility, ranging from healthcare and educational needs to welfare and social service facilities, as well as acting as an incubation centre for entrepreneurs. The 60-year lease ensures the government has ample time and flexibility to plan and execute sustainable projects. Sarbananda Sonowal, underlining the vision guiding this initiative, said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has always emphasised that the Northeast must become a powerhouse of growth, driven by empowerment of its people. Today's decision is another step towards realising that vision of an inclusive and sustainable Atmanirbhar Northeast. Mumbai is a financial hub. With the development of this land parcel, we are confident that the entrepreneurs from the state can also have access to the opportunities from the maximum city." The newly allotted land will add fresh momentum to this development trajectory, ensuring that the benefits reach the grassroots, said the release. (ANI)
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working President and former Minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) has earned nationwide praise for his statesmanship in welcoming OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and endorsing Hyderabad as the AI giant's ideal base in India, an official release stated. KTR's non-partisan, state-first approach has drawn widespread appreciation on social media, with netizens applauding his gesture for prioritising Telangana's interests over political differences. Responding to Sam Altman's post on X announcing the opening of OpenAI's first office in India, KTR pitched Hyderabad as an ideal destination for the company's office. KTR highlighted Hyderabad's unique strengths as an innovation hub - with facilities such as THub, WEHub, TWorks, Telangana State Innovation Cell, and the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad - while also noting the city's deep tech talent pool and its attractiveness to global tech leaders such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Qualcomm. He also recalled how successive governments in Telangana worked towards making the state the 'AI capital of India', declaring 2020 as the 'Year of AI' and driving several AI-led initiatives. An 'X' user, Yogesh Sharma, wrote, "Keeping all differences aside, an opposition leader endorsing his state." Awantika Lohar said, "That's what we want from UP ministers. Yogi Adityanath: Take notes." Indian trend X posted, "Perfectly said. Hyderabad is indeed the right place for OpenAI to set roots in India. Exciting times ahead for the AI ecosystem." "This man lost the election and isn't in power, but in opposition, but look at his message. Now compare this with your own state's politicians, whether in power or out of power. Compare this with so-called national leaders across party lines," BhartiyNiveshak said. Nirangkush Das wrote, "Opposition leader pitching for investment for his state. I think this has never happened before." "Wow! Pitching for the city even when in opposition. Hats off," Vikram Mohan mentioned. Thank you for showing us what true leadership is, sir. No matter who runs the state, everyone should look after the interests of the state & people of Telangana! Telangana should stand as an example of stable governance," T Srikanth posted. KTR's approach exemplified true statesmanship, putting the interests of the state and the country above party politics. Many netizens have hailed his balanced and forward-looking vision. KTR's endorsement has not only elevated Hyderabad's image globally but has also sparked a wave of optimism among citizens about India's growing role in the AI revolution. (ANI)
Advocate Aabha Singh on Sunday described the alleged murder of Nikki Bhati for dowry in Greater Noida as "brutal" and strongly demanded that the victim's in-laws be arrested along with the husband. She said that the entire nation remains shaken as the victim was set ablaze before her son and was being "ill-treated" for six months. The advocate argued that everyone involved in the incident, including the in-laws, should be arrested and shouldn't be granted bail. "This is a brutal incident, how that woman was burned in front of her son. It has shaken the whole nation. Only the husband has been arrested; the in-laws are still underground. It is necessary that everyone is arrested, and they should not be given bail. It is being said that the victim had been ill-treated for six months. Where was society?" Advocate Singh told ANI. Putting the onus on society to rectify such social evils, Singh cited the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data and said that 6,450 women are set ablaze for dowry in a year. "NCRB data informs that 6,450 daughter-in-laws have been set ablaze in a year. If we can't stop such incidents despite strict legislation, it is a societal evil. Any person demanding dowry must be arrested," she added. Singh further cautioned that papers are changed in such cases if the accused has police or political connections and thus, she said, there was a need to investigate the matter properly and produce a chargesheet in the court. "In such cases, if they have a connection with the police or are politically powerful, the papers are changed. The police need to investigate this matter properly and produce the chargesheet in the court quickly," the advocate said. Meanwhile, Vice Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Women's Commission, Aparna Yadav, said, "I assure severe action against this heinous crime where a woman was brutally attacked. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict directives for maximum punishment, respecting the victim's father's demand for the death penalty. The perpetrator has been caught, which is a positive step." Earlier in the day, the victim's father told ANI that she had 70 per cent burns and was pronounced dead at the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. "I reached there as soon as my elder daughter called me..The doctor told me she is 70 per cent burnt. We took her to Safdarjung Hospital. The doctor told me to take her back because she would not be able to survive. He (her husband) should be hanged. They got married in 2016. He started harassing her a few days after their marriage. They asked for Rs 35 lakhs. She started her own work, and her husband began asking for the money she earned. I demand that the Court and CM give him the death penalty." Meanwhile, the family of the deceased woman, Nikki Bhati, held a protest outside the Kasana Police station today, demanding justice. The father of the deceased woman alleged that her in-laws killed her over their demand for dowry. "Her mother-in-law poured kerosene while her husband set her on fire. They kept asking for dowry; now their demands have been met. I just married my daughter as per tradition. Their dowry demands have been met now that my daughter has died. They demanded a car and tortured my daughter for that." He also accused the husband of domestic violence. "That person is neither man nor human; he is a butcher. We once brought her home because of all this domestic violence, but because of societal pressure, they came and took her back on the promise of not repeating this. It continued. Now they have got what they wanted," he said. Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party women's wing national president Juhi Singh said that the strictest punishment should be given in the case. "Strictest punishment should be given in this case. The parents should empower their daughters, keep them safe and raise their voice for their rights. This is not worth an apology. There are laws for crimes against women, but the government is not implementing them," she said. This comes after the police arrested the mother-in-law of the deceased woman in connection with the alleged dowry death case. Moreover, Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, was shot in the leg during a police encounter and admitted to a hospital for treatment. The man accused of setting his wife on fire, who later succumbed to her injuries, was today brought to a hospital in Greater Noida for treatment after being shot in the leg during an encounter with Uttar Pradesh police. Vipin Bhati has been sent to a 14-day judicial custody. (ANI)
Categorically "denying" all allegations and charges relatated to the Bank of India classifying the loan account of Reliance Communications Limited (RCom) as "fraud", Anil Ambani on Sunday said he is being "selectively singled out", and shall pursue remedies available to him in accordance with legal advice. A spokesperson on behalf of the industrialist said in a statement that the matter dates back more than 10 years as per disclosures and records available in the public domain, and Anil Ambani had "no role" whatsoever in the day-to-day operations or decision-making of the company. "The action by Bank of India to classify the loan account of Reliance Communications Limited (RCom) along with Mr Anil D Ambani pertains to a matter dating back more than 10 years, as per disclosures and records available in the public domain," the statement said. "It is pertinent to note that Mr. Anil D. Ambani served only as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of RCom and resigned from this position in 2019, over six years ago. He had no role whatsoever in the day-to-day operations or decision-making of the company. However, Mr Ambani is being selectively singled out," it said. The spokesperson further said that Bank of India has classified RCom's account "without following the principles of natural justice." "While a show cause notice was issued to Ambani, the requisite documents were not furnished to him. Bank of India further deprived him of the opportunity of a personal hearing in the matter. These actions are contrary to the RBI regulations issued in July 2024, as well as to well-established law and the judgments of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the Hon'ble Bombay High Court. Notably, Bank of India, after issuing a Show Cause Notice to 13 Directors and Key Managerial Personnel (KMPs) of RCom, unilaterally withdrew the same against all others. However, it selectively continued the proceedings against Anil D Ambani without following the principles of natural justice," the spokesperson said. "Anil Ambani categorically denies all allegations and charges and shall pursue remedies available to him in accordance with legal advice," the statement said. The statement further said that it is a matter of record that RCom had a lender consortium comprising 14 banks. "Astonishingly, after an inordinate lapse of more than 10 years, select lenders have now chosen to initiate proceedings in a staggered and selective manner." "At present, Reliance Communications is being managed under the supervision of a Committee of Creditors, led by SBI and overseen by a Resolution Professional. The matter remains sub judice, pending before the NCLT and other judicial forums, including the Hon'ble Supreme Court, for the past six years," the spokesperson said in the statement. On Saturday, the search by CBI at the residence of industrialist Anil Ambani's residence in Mumbai concluded, a spokesperson on behalf of the industrialist said, noting that the complaint filed by State Bank of India (SBI) pertains to matters dating back more than 10 years and the bank's declaration has been challenged before the competent judicial forum. Earlier, CBI in a press note, said that it has registered a criminal case on basis of a complaint received from State Bank of India, Mumbai, against Reliance Communication Ltd. (RCOM), Mumbai, its Director Anil D Ambani, unknown public servants and unknown others on the allegations of defrauding the bank, and thereby causing wrongful loss of Rs 2929.05 crore to the Bank. The case was registered on August 21, the press note said. "It is alleged that the accused persons, in criminal conspiracy, misrepresented and got sanctioned credit facilities from SBI in favour of Reliance Communication Ltd. The allegations pertain to misutilization/diversion of loan funds, potential routing of loan funds, inter-company loan transactions, misutilization of sales invoice financing, discounting of bills of RCOM by Reliance Infratel Ltd., movement of funds through inter corporate deposits, write off of capital advances given to Netizen Engineering Pvt. Ltd.- a group company of Reliance ADA Group, and creation/write off of fictitious debtors," the press note said. "The accused persons are alleged of committing offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust. CBI obtained Search Warrants from the Court of Spl Judge, CBI, Mumbai on August 22, 2025 and is conducting searches on Saturday at two locations in Mumbai i.e., at the official premises of Reliance Communication Ltd., and residential premises of Anil D Ambani," it added. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today, while conducting a field inspection of the disaster-affected area of Tharali in Chamoli district, stopped his convoy to listen to the problems of the disaster-affected people. Some disaster-affected villagers also urged CM Dhami to ensure the road to the upper villages is opened quickly. The Chief Minister assured the villagers that the work of opening the road is ongoing on a war footing, and as soon as the route is safe, he will go there with the villagers and will take stock of the situation. Earlier in the day, CM Dhami was on a visit to the disaster-affected area of Tharali in Chamoli district. During this, Chief Minister Dhami inquired about the well-being of the affected people. The Chief Minister assured all possible help to the affected families and also reviewed the relief work. The Chief Minister said that in this hour of crisis, the government is fully standing with the affected families. He assured all possible help to the affected people. The Chief Minister said that relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing. Departmental officials have been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations on a 24/7 basis. No stone will be left unturned in the relief and rescue operations at the state government level, said CM Dhami. The Chief Minister inspected the relief camp set up in the Kulsari area of the district Chamoli and took feedback from the affected about the arrangements and facilities being provided there. During this, he instructed the officials to ensure that the affected people do not face any inconvenience. CM said, "All necessary support should be provided to the affected people on time and with full sensitivity". Along with providing immediate assistance of cheques of 5-5 lakh to the families of those whose houses have been completely damaged and those who have died in the disaster, the CM also directed the officials to make proper arrangements for the rehabilitation of the homeless people in Tharali, on which effective action has been started, according to the CMO. The DM added, "The roads damaged by the disaster have been restored. Soon, the electricity supply will also be restored in the area. The work of repairing the damaged drinking water line and laying the pipeline is in progress. Along with malba cleaning in the disaster-affected areas, the assessment of damaged assets is also being done". The visit comes amid intensified relief efforts in the district, where teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local administration are engaged in evacuating stranded residents, distributing relief material, and restoring essential services. Earlier today, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level meeting with the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police to review ongoing relief and rescue operations in Kulsari, Chamoli, following the recent devastating cloudburst. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated Sardardham Phase-2 and Shakriben Dahyabhai Patel Kanya Chhatralaya (girls' hostel) in Ahmedabad from Delhi, said the Gujarat CMO. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering via a pre-recorded video message. He highlighted that Gujarat has overcome social challenges while achieving modern development. He noted that Gujarat once lagged in girls' education, but collective efforts have transformed the scenario. Over the past 25 years, society has worked together to drive progress. He emphasised that Sardardham's work is as sacred as its name. The Phase-2 girls' hostel will enable daughters to pursue their dreams, contributing to nation-building and empowering their families. He recalled laying the foundation stone for this hostel and praised the ongoing work in Vadodara, Surat, Mehsana, and other cities, calling Sardardham's efforts commendable. Reflecting on his tenure as Gujarat's Chief Minister, said, "I always believed Gujarat's development is essential for India's growth." According to a CMO, Gujarat has made significant progress in modern infrastructure, education, and technology, resulting in a strong thirst for learning and knowledge that has emerged in every corner of the state. He also addressed the past stigma of female foeticide in Gujarat, noting that campaigns like "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" and the "Beta Beti Ek Saman" movement, supported by communities like the Patidars, have eradicated this issue while advancing girls' education. PM stressed Gujarat's reverence for feminine power, citing deities like Maa Umiya, Maa Khodiyar, Ambaji, and Bahucharaji. He highlighted that Gujarat's daughters now excel in diverse professions, supported by modern hostels. Nationally, initiatives like Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi, Bank Sakhi, and Vima Sakhi reflect women's progress. He underscored the New Education Policy's focus on skill development, noting India's potential to provide skilled manpower globally. With over 200,000 startups, India is fostering employment and innovation. Schemes like Mudra Yojana (33 lakh crore in loans) and PM Suryaghar Yojana promote self-reliance. He urged the Patidar community to lead the Swadeshi movement, encouraging shopkeepers to display "Only Swadeshi products" boards, framing it as an act of patriotism akin to Operation Sindoor's valour. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah noted that Gujarat's and the Patidar community's development trajectories are aligned. He emphasised that educating daughters leads to societal progress, with the Patidars setting an example. Their contributions span industry, trade, public service, and global endeavours. Shri Shah praised the community's ability to execute large projects, citing the girls' hostel as proof. He apologised for not attending in person due to a Delhi event honouring Sardar Patel's brother, Vithalbhai Patel, but reiterated Sardar Patel's universal respect across India. Saha said that wherever he visits across India, people bow in respect to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honouring his legacy. He recalled that when PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he laid a strong foundation for the state's development. With progress in every section, tribals, farmers, women, and youth, Gujarat has become a role model state. Today, with its world-class infrastructure, it stands as India's global gateway. He added that under the BJP government, Gujarat has witnessed all-round development from culture to civilisation, farmers to youth, and villages to cities. Chief Minister Patel stated that when society supports government initiatives, the pace of development accelerates. Institutions like Sardar Dham are continuously striving to educate, empower, and make youth self-reliant. PM Modi has realised the ideas of women's empowerment advocated by Sardar Patel through the promotion of girl child education. He further highlighted that to encourage the education of daughters, the Gujarat government has implemented schemes such as Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana, which have so far benefited over 10.5 lakh girls. The hostel's inauguration under "Sardardham Mission 2026" marks a step toward fulfilling five community resolutions. CM expressed confidence that the hostel will secure a bright future for Patidar daughters. Celebrating Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary, CM Patel called him a symbol of unity, values, and service. He hailed Sardardham's role in nation-building through education. Chief Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, for the first time in independent India, the National Education Policy (NEP) has introduced an education system rooted in Indian values, local language, and culture, aimed at making youth self-reliant. He added that Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just a government program but the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians. Calling on citizens to go "Vocal for Local", he said buying Indian products should be seen as an act of patriotism. Praising the Patidar community's spirit of service, he expressed confidence that Sardar Dham, with its motto "From Community Building to Nation Building," will contribute significantly to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The event saw Gujarat ministers Rushikesh Patel, Raghavji Patel, Praful Pansheriya, MP Purushottam Rupala, former Deputy CM Nitin Patel, MLA Prakash Varmora, and numerous Patidar leaders and youth in attendance. (ANI)
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat lauded the contribution of freedom fighter Vittalbhai Patel in the parliamentary system of the country following the inauguration of a two-day All India Speakers Conference in the national capital on Sunday. Vittalbhai Patel is known for being the first elected president of the Central Legislative Assembly, and took oath on this day 100 years ago. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, along with other leaders, visited an exhibition at the Delhi Assembly. Speaking to reporters, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "Today is an extremely historic day. In the difficult phase of the freedom struggle, in the kind of parliamentary system that existed in India at that time, when Vitthalbhai Patel took the oath as the first Indian (elected Central Legislative Assembly President), today marks the completion of 100 years of that event. After independence, today we have entered the Amrit Kaal. This milestone in this journey is an extremely inspiring day for us, which shows how to create a parliamentary system in those times and facing adverse conditions, they gave leadership." He further said that today in the House, a workshop was organised to showcase their contributions and take a resolution to make democratic values stronger. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday termed the inauguration of a two-day All India Speakers Conference in the national capital as a "historic day for the Indian democracy." The Delhi CM further hailed Vittalbhai Patel, the first elected president of the Central Legislative Assembly and said he must have envisioned that Indians would sit in assemblies as true representatives of the people under the flag of independent India. "Today is a historic day for our democracy. A hundred years ago, during the British era, for the very first time, an Indian of native origin became the Speaker of this Assembly complex. That moment must have ignited the first spark in the hearts of Indians--that even under British rule, an Indian could raise his voice and bring it to the floor of the House. Vitthalbhai must have envisioned that one day, when India attained independence, Indians would sit in such Assemblies as true representatives of the people under the flag of free India, guided by the Constitution, and shaping policies for the welfare of the nation and its citizens," Chief Minister Gupta said in her address to the gathering. The Delhi CM asserted that no one criticised the decisions of Vittalbhai Patel as he laid the foundation of making India as "Mother of Democracy". "No one ever criticised the decisions of Vitthalbhai Patel. It was he who laid the foundation for making India the "Mother of Democracy. An exhibition showcasing the glorious saga of his life has been set up here, and his invaluable contributions are being shared with every citizen," the Chief Minister said. CM Rekha further lauded Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that he presents himself as "voice of democracy" in the parliament. She mentioned that Shah has given Lok Sabha a new dimension and is consistently working with dedication to safeguard democracy. "He has given the Lok Sabha a new dimension. The laws brought forward in the Monsoon Session to strengthen transparency in politics empower the entire House to take decisions in the interest of the people and the nation, ensuring India moves forward. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is consistently working with dedication to safeguard democracy and lead it ahead," she added. The two-day conference at the Delhi Legislative Assembly began today with Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurating the event. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday released a special postal stamp on the occasion of the completion of 100 years of Vithalbhai Patel as the first Indian Speaker in the Central Legislative Assembly. The post stamp was released in the Delhi legislative assembly premises during the All India Speakers Conference 2025, which Amit Shah also inaugurated. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated Sardardham Phase-2 and Shakriben Dahyabhai Patel Kanya Chhatralaya (girls' hostel) in Ahmedabad from Delhi, said the Gujarat CMO. Shah noted that Gujarat's and the Patidar community's development trajectories are aligned. He emphasised that educating daughters leads to societal progress, with the Patidars setting an example. Their contributions span industry, trade, public service, and global endeavours. The Union Home Minister praised the community's ability to execute large projects, citing the girls' hostel as proof. He apologised for not attending in person due to a Delhi event honouring Sardar Patel's brother, Vithalbhai Patel, but reiterated Sardar Patel's universal respect across India. Shah said that wherever he visits across India, people bow in respect to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honouring his legacy. He recalled that when PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he laid a strong foundation for the state's development. With progress in every section, tribals, farmers, women, and youth, Gujarat has become a role model state. He added that under the BJP government, Gujarat has witnessed all-round development from culture to civilisation, farmers to youth, and villages to cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the gathering via a pre-recorded video message. He highlighted that Gujarat has overcome social challenges while achieving modern development. He noted that Gujarat once lagged in girls' education, but collective efforts have transformed the scenario. Over the past 25 years, society has worked together to drive progress. He emphasised that Sardardham's work is as sacred as its name. The Phase-2 girls' hostel will enable daughters to pursue their dreams, contributing to nation-building and empowering their families. He recalled laying the foundation stone for this hostel and praised the ongoing work in Vadodara, Surat, Mehsana, and other cities, calling Sardardham's efforts commendable. (ANI)
Punjab Police on Sunday announced the arrest of two shooters of the Lucky Patial-Davinder Bambiha gang from Mumbai. The duo was allegedly involved in the July 2 murder in Pojewal village of SBS Nagar district. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the accused, identified as Karan Ganger (25), a resident of village Rod Majara, Hoshiarpur, and Jaskarandeep Singh alias Kallu (23), a resident of village Ramgarh Jhungian, Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur, killed Hardeep Singh alias Deepa Kulpuria in collusion with US-based gangster Jaskaran Singh alias Kannu. "The killing was the result of personal enmity, executed under the direction of Lucky Patial's associates in the Davinder Bambiha gang," the DGP said. He added that the arrests have not only solved the Pojewal murder case but also foiled several other potential criminal incidents that the accused had been tasked to execute by their foreign handlers. Sharing details of the operation, SBS Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mehtab Singh said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the SP (Investigation) was constituted soon after the murder. With the support of advanced technical surveillance, Counter-Intelligence Jalandhar and SBS Nagar Police teams tracked the accused to their Mumbai hideout. AIG Counter Intelligence Jalandhar, Navjot Singh Mahal, said the joint police teams were immediately dispatched to Mumbai, where they, with the assistance of the local police, apprehended the suspects. The case is being further investigated to uncover the wider network of the gang and their international connections. An FIR dated July 3, 2025, under sections 103, 191(3), and 190 of the BNS, along with sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, stands registered at Police Station Pojewal, SBS Nagar. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin welcomed INDIA bloc Vice Presidential candidate B Sudershan Reddy at an event in Chennai on Sunday and said that the former judge who fought for justice and humanity during his tenure as a judge, will respect Tamil Nadu's emotions. Ahead of the upcoming Vice Presidential elections slated to take place on September 9, the former judge kick-started his campaign in Tamil Nadu to gain support. Addressing the gathering, Stalin said, "Those who trust in Democracy have accepted you as the VP candidate. In the past 60 years, he has worked for justice. He worked as an honest Judge and protected the Constitution. Why he is needed now is because the BJP is attempting to destroy the Constitution, and we need him to protect it. Sudharshan Reddy will respect Tamil Nadu's emotions. That is why he spoke at an event opposing NEP. It (NEP) won't lead to Diversity, said Justice Sudharshan Reddy." The Chief Minister alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the former Supreme Court judge a naxal. "The Union Home Minister is calling a former judge a Naxal. They are unable to eradicate terrorism and want to blame it on him. The BJP is doing everything against Tamil Nadu and is seeking support under the cloak of Tamil man. This is an old trick. Hence, Sudershan Reddy, who fought for justice and humanity, will now protect democracy," he added. Earlier, B Sudershan Reddy said that the election for the Vice President is not a battle but a clash of ideology, while highlighting that he disagrees with the ideology and not C P Radhakrishnan, NDA candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential elections. The INDIA bloc picked former Supreme Court Judge, Justice B Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential elections. The announcement was made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital following the INDIA bloc meeting. Reddy will be contesting against NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan. (ANI)




This photo taken on Sept 28, 2023 shows the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

Global Times-The South Korean steel industry is navigating turbulent waters, but the "anti-dumping team" that was just announced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) may not be the panacea the sector seeks. Instead, the focus should perhaps be on enhancing competitiveness through innovation and efficiency, rather than relying on protectionist measures to limit import growth.

The Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday that South Korea's MOEF is set to establish a new "anti-dumping team," which will "actively address the impact of dumping practices, including those involving Chinese steel products, on South Korean industries."

The South Korean steel industry is facing significant challenges, but it's important to clarify that these issues are primarily due to US tariffs rather than alleged steel dumping.

The decision by the US to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent has sent ripples through the global steel industry, with South Korea feeling the brunt of this policy shift. As an important player in the international steel market, South Korea's industry is now grappling with the serious repercussions of these heightened US trade barriers.

South Korea is the fourth-largest exporter of steel to the US, following Canada, Mexico, and Brazil as of 2024, Reuters reported. The high tariffs are expected to significantly affect South Korean steel exports, and the effects are already being felt by the industry. According to South Korean media, some companies are taking steps to cut costs, such as reducing executive salaries and offering voluntary retirement packages to employees.

It is understandable that South Korea is eager to find ways to alleviate the current challenges facing its domestic steel industry. However, it is crucial to accurately identify the root cause of these difficulties and address them appropriately. Clearly, the issue stems from US tariffs rather than the alleged risk of dumping. At this juncture, expending efforts on combating supposed dumping by establishing an anti-dumping team is akin to prescribing the wrong remedy for the ailment at hand.

There is no evidence of dumping by China in its steel exports to South Korea. The competitive pricing of Chinese steel products in the global market is primarily due to the synergy of a well-established industrial chain developed over decades, along with the cost and efficiency benefits derived from continuous technological advancements. This advantage is the result of market forces, industrial scale, and innovation, rather than any unfair practices of selling below normal value to disrupt foreign markets.

Steel imports in South Korea are widely used across various industries, including shipbuilding and automobile manufacturing. If anti-dumping measures are used as a pretext to curb steel imports, it could inadvertently harm downstream manufacturing sectors that rely on these imports.

Notably, some of these industries are already grappling with the mounting pressure of US tariffs. In this context, protectionist measures against steel imports are likely to raise manufacturing costs domestically, potentially having a negative impact on the South Korean economy.

For South Korea's steel industry, an effective long-term strategy in response to the high US trade barriers would be to focus on regaining market share in the US while also seeking new markets outside the US to diversify its export portfolio.

Regardless of the approach taken, a key issue remains: enhancing the competitiveness of South Korean steel products in the global market. Achieving this requires increased investment, faster technological innovation, and a more developed supply chain. International collaboration can play a role in reaching these goals. From this perspective, while the steel industries of China and South Korea are competitors, there are also opportunities for cooperation.

China, like many other countries, is grappling with the negative impact of US steel tariffs, just as South Korea is. The detrimental effects of protectionist trade measures on the global economy are well-documented. Nations should work to prevent the further spread of protectionist policies. Instead, fostering cooperation and expanding mutual market access can help address these challenges collectively.
National Conference MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen on Sunday slammed PDP for playing 'politics' over the government's decision to took over the management of schools linked to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its educational wing, Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) in Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir government earlier on Friday issued orders to take over the management of 215 schools affiliated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its educational wing, FAT. The action was carried out under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the relevant J&K School Education Rules. Speaking to ANI, Shaheen said PDP is politicising the issue." The PDP has handed over the state to the RSS. And in 2014, they raised the slogan that to keep the RSS and BJP away, we have to trust them. The people trusted them," he remarked. Notably, after the hung assembly in the 2014 polls, PDP formed the coalition government with the BJP on March 1, 2015, with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. "The PDP created the government. And who did it sit with? The same BJP and RSS. And they took them there because of which today, we have to bear the consequences of 5th August 2019. The consequences we are bearing today are a result of the PDP. Today, the PDP has no justification to give a sermon on moral issues," he further told ANI, referring to the abolition of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two union territories in 2019. Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo lambasted PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, saying that the PDP should not play with the careers of the students. "This confusion is being created in the public that the FAT schools have been banned by the government. I feel ashamed of those who call themselves educated. They should first see the condition of these schools after 2019. There is no registration, no management committee, and the same people were in the government then. They ran the government here. Don't play with the career of students," the Education Minister said. On Saturday, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti questioned the timing of the government's move to take over the management of 215 schools affiliated with the banned Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) and FAT. "Why are they [J&K government] taking over them [management of schools affiliated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami]? For the past eight years, there has been no takeover, so why today, when a popular government has been elected? They are playing with the sentiments of people and the education system. This is not right," Mufti told ANI. According to the government order, the Managing Committee of the 215 schools will be taken over by the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner concerned, who will propose a fresh Managing Committee in due course after getting the schools duly verified. The decision comes as the validity of the Managing Committee of these 215 schools has expired and has been reported adversely upon by the Intelligence Agencies, the order said. With an aim to safeguard the academic future of the students enrolled in these schools, the government has decided in exercise of the powers conferred by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir through the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Rules 2010. The order asks the District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner to take appropriate steps in consultation and coordination with the School Education Department to ensure that the academic career of the students enrolled in these schools is not affected in any manner. They are also required to ensure quality education as per the National Education Policy (NEP) norms in these schools. (ANI)
According to police sources, the seized contraband is valued at around Rs 1.7 lakh on the black market. The duo was attempting to transport the ganja to Bihar.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Sonu Kumar (31), son of the late Munshi Mahaldar, and Suman Kumar Gupta (34), son of the late Ashok Kumar Gupta, both residents of Naya Tola, Tingachiya, under Town Tana Police Station, Kathihar district, Bihar.

A specific case has been registered at Agartala GRPS (Case No. 2025GRP085) under sections 20(b)(ii)(B)/29 of the NDPS Act. The accused are currently under interrogation.

Earlier on August 1, in a major success against drug trafficking, the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Jatrapur Police, seized 14,000 Yaba tablets and arrested three suspected individuals in the Salpokhar area close to the border, a press release from the Tripura CMO informed.

Acting on specific intelligence received during the early hours, a BSF team swiftly mobilised and cordoned off a red Chevrolet Aveo LS car and nearby premises in Baspokhar. Upon the arrival of Jatrapur Police, a joint search was conducted, resulting in the recovery of 70 packets containing 14,000 Yaba tablets, valued at approximately Rs 1.4 crore.

Three individuals, Sarfraj Ahmed from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Jubair from Moradabad, UP, and Nazrul Islam from Cooch Behar, West Bengal, were arrested from a nearby house. The contraband and the suspects were handed over to the Jatrapur Police for further legal action.

The operation highlights BSF's commitment to preventing narcotics smuggling and ensuring the safety and security of the Indo-Bangladesh border. (ANI)
The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on Sunday carried out a protest march in Kerala's Palakkad, demanding the resignation of Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been accused of obscene conduct by writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George. DYFI, the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has been demanding Mamkootathil's resignation from his MLA post. Meanwhile, BJP Council Party leader from Kozhikode Corporation in Kerala, Navya Haridas, on Friday said that there have been several more allegations against Mamkootathil. The Mahila Morcha State President alleged that many women and even transgender persons have levelled sexual harassment complaints against the Palakkad MLA. "There are many allegations against the current Palakkad MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil. It's not a complaint from one woman; there are so many women complaining against him based on sexual harassment," Haridas told ANI. "More shocking events are coming when that list includes transgender individuals as well. So, these are not baseless allegations against Rahul; all these allegations are coming with proof, with a chat history, with voice messages and everything." The BJP leader has called for Mamkootathil's resignation. "Mahila Morcha is planning many protests in Palakkad district as well as in all the 30 districts of Kerala against this issue," she said. On Thursday, the Congress MLA Mamkootathil resigned from his position as the State President of the Youth Congress. Palakkad MP V K Sreekandan, however, said that no decision has been made regarding Mamkootathil's resignation from his MLA post. Sreekandan further noted that when the allegations surfaced, the party leadership had promptly asked Mamkootathil to resign, which he had complied with voluntarily. "It has not been decided that Rahul Mamkootathil will resign from the MLA post. It is the party leadership which will make a decision. First of all, the complaint is vague. When such remarks came out, the party leadership asked him to resign, and he did voluntarily. The party has decided to conduct an inquiry, based on its report; further action will be taken. At present, we don't know whether it was any fault on his side. If there is anything serious from his side, the party will inquire and take strong action," he said. Earlier, Mamkootathil resigned from his position as the Kerala Youth Congress President after writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George accused the Congress MLA of sending inappropriate messages and engaging in obscene conduct. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday appealed to everyone to make this year's Mayer Gomon a grand success, which he said will help boost tourism in the state. The Chief Minister informed that this year's Mayer Gomon will be held on October 4. He said this after attending a meeting at the Muktadhara Auditorium today in preparation for the Mayer Gomon and Sharad Samman program organised around the upcoming Durga Puja. The meeting was convened by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department. In the meeting, Saha said that everyone must learn from last year's Mayer Gomon. "We must find out the gaps and fill them, and that is why this meeting was necessary. From many corners, idols come and due to numbering, some problems arose. I want to ask the police administration to maintain coordination with the clubs and properly arrange this system. Police must also look after the road crossings and ensure smooth control of the situation. We are also concerned about the ongoing drain work, but we are trying to complete it as soon as possible," Saha said. He added that there are some potholes on roads, and he has directed the PWD to repair them at the earliest. "The height of idols, decorations, and lighting gates must be maintained. Clubs using electricity during puja must be checked by TSECL to ensure they are using meters and not hook lines; otherwise, any emergency situation may occur. Fire and Emergency Services must remain prepared. I also want to ask the health department to keep ambulances ready in empty spaces with health experts on standby. There are around nine routes, and some also pass near the IGM Hospital. Club officials must also be aware of sound pollution and avoid loud noises. Women police must be deployed during the Mayor Gomon," the Chief Minister said. The Chief Minister further said that he wants the whole nation to know about Tripura's Mayer Gomon. Saha also issued a stern warning against forceful subscription collection by club members. "Regarding subscription collection, I have instructed the police and administration to prevent any forceful chanda collection. However, the situation has changed now, and everyone is more cordial," he added. Also present in the meeting were Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, Information and Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Pradip Kumar Chakraborty, Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya, and senior officials of various line departments. (ANI)
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, the Medical Superintendent of GBP Hospital, the Superintendent of IGM Hospital, and other senior officials addressed the media during the briefing.

The officials shared details about the wide range of health facilities at the hospitals. These include inpatient care with 1,413 functional beds, outpatient services that serve around 2,000 patients daily, intensive care with 116 beds across specialised units, and round-the-clock emergency and trauma care with advanced operation theatres, laboratory, imaging, and ambulance support. Dialysis services with a capacity of 100 sessions daily are also available.

Speciality services at AGMC and GBP Hospital cover general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, respiratory medicine, ENT, eye care, dermatology, dental, and pain clinic.

Super-speciality services include neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, cardiology, urology, nephrology, burn and plastic surgery, CTVS-IR, and cancer care. Cancer treatment facilities provide radiotherapy, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, LINAC, and immunotherapy.

The hospitals are also equipped with advanced laboratories that conduct ELISA, RT-PCR, histopathology, biopsy, flow cytometry, CD4 count, thalassemia screening, viral load testing, and other specialised tests. Diagnostic tools include CT scans, MRI (3 Tesla), digital mammography, endoscopy, colonoscopy, EEG, ECG, ECHO, bronchoscopy, and NCV tests.

Comprehensive cancer care, including surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies, is available along with major surgical procedures in general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology, and obstetrics and gynaecology. Specialised services are also offered in paediatrics, radiodiagnosis, urology, nephrology, and plastic surgery.

Sharing future plans, officials said, "Establishment of a 200-bed MCH wing, introduction of DM, MCh, DNB, and Hospital Management courses, new PG courses in Skin, Transfusion Medicine, and PMR & seat increases, paediatric cardiac surgery facilities, organ donation & transplantation (kidney, liver, and heart), cleft lip/palate and cochlear implant surgeries, and development of SMART Lab, HLA Lab, and Genetic Lab, and creation of Critical Care Block & Communicable Disease Block are on the list."

The Health Department said these expansions are a major step towards strengthening Tripura's healthcare system and ensuring advanced treatment for patients from the state as well as neighbouring regions. (ANI)
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday questioned whether Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's upcoming visit to Bihar would do anything to solve the state's problems. Kishor said the issues of Bihar should be addressed within the state and not through visits by leaders from other states. Speaking to the reporters, Prashant Kishor said, "If the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is coming to Bihar, will that improve Bihar's situation? Bihar's issues should be discussed in Bihar... whether the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu comes or the one from Karnataka, it doesn't make a difference." Kishor also criticised the INDIA alliance's 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', and said Bihar needs only one yatra, a 'yatra to end unemployment'. He said political rallies won't help, and what the youth really want are answers on employment and stopping migration. "Bihar needs only one yatra, the 'Yatra to End Unemployment'... Useless yatras won't bring any benefit. Congress will criticise PM Modi, and PM Modi will criticise Congress... Bihar's youth want to hear when employment will come here or when migration will stop," Kishor said. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, said that the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' has become a "historic journey" and claimed it has exposed the "reality" of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission before the people. "A historic journey is underway; the reality of the BJP and the Election Commission has been exposed before the public," he told reporters. The 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar, involving Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, aims to raise awareness about alleged irregularities in the voter list, which opposition leaders have termed a case of vote chori (vote theft). Covering over 1,300 km across 20 districts, the yatra is scheduled to conclude in Patna on September 1. (ANI)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday (Local time) highlighted his growing ties with China while taking a veiled swipe at the United States, which has recently escalated pressure on his government, CNN reported. During the closing ceremony of the 'First Pedagogical Congress of Bolivarian Teachers', Maduro interrupted his remarks on education to show off a new smartphone that he said was personally gifted to him by Chinese President Xi Jinping. As reported by CNN, Maduro said he communicated with Xi through that new phone by satellite. "You want to learn something, you look for a tutorial. I want to learn how to use that camera that the cameraman has there, you put 'camera tutorial such-and-such.' I want to learn how to handle this new Huawei phone (China's flagship brand in mobile devices), which is the most advanced in the world... This was given to me by President Xi Jinping, of China, I have it here. I communicate by satellite with him," Maduro commented at the closing event. "Ni hao, ni hao (hello). Xiexie, xiexie (thank you)," the Venezuelan president immediately added while pretending to have a phone call in Mandarin. The move was more than symbolic, as Venezuela continues to underline its closeness with Beijing amid deteriorating relations with Washington. Earlier this week, Maduro met Chinese Ambassador Lan Hu and hailed "progress this year in our mutual cooperation with sister China, especially in economy, science, technology and artificial intelligence projects." Last year, on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela, Hu criticised "unilateral coercive measures" of the US. "China and Venezuela are united in defending the rights and interests of developing countries in the face of US unilateral coercive measures, so as to build a more just and equitable multipolar world, based on mutual respect," Hu said. According to CNN, the Trump administration recently doubled the bounty on Maduro to USD 50 million, accusing him of leading the Cartel of the Suns, which Washington has now designated as a terrorist organisation. The Venezuelan government has rejected the allegations, which date back to 2020, as politically motivated. (ANI)
Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a four-day visit, accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka. He was welcomed at the airport by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Rabuka and said that his visit will deepen the India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors "Warm welcome to PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji as he arrives in New Delhi on his first visit. PM Rabuka was received by MoS Education & DoNER Sukanta Majumdar at the airport. The visit will further deepen the India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors," Randhir Jaiswal said. Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka, will visit India from August 24 to 27, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The visit will begin in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister Rabuka will be received at IGI Airport, after which he will have a meeting with a Cabinet Minister. On August 25, Rabuka will lay a wreath at Rajghat before meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, which will be followed by an exchange of MoUs and press statements. He will then call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Continuing his engagements, on August 26, the Fijian leader will deliver a lecture at Sapru House, organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs. The visit will conclude with his departure from Delhi on August 27. The upcoming engagement also followed recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. India's links with Fiji commenced in 1879 when Indian labourers ('Girmitiyas') were brought there under the indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, around 60,553 Indians were brought to Fiji. Beginning in the early 20th century, Indian traders and others had also started arriving in Fiji. In 1920, the indenture system was abolished. Before Fiji's independence in 1970, India had a Commissioner since 1948, who was later upgraded to High Commissioner after independence. (ANI)
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday embarked on an official visit to Algeria as per the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), Indian Army. His visit will see the enhancement of bilateral defence cooperation between India and Algeria. In a post on X, the ADGPI said, "General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, proceeded on an official visit to Algeria today. The visit underscores a shared commitment to deepening mutual understanding, enhancing cooperation in areas of common interest and advancing bilateral Defence Cooperation between the two nations." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1959406190158618723 It will be his first overseas visit after the triumph in Operation Sindoor, underscoring the Army's growing role in strengthening India's strategic engagements abroad. Operation Sindoor, a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, was initiated on May 7 in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 innocent civilians were killed in the name of religion. The visit also follows the recent tours of President Droupadi Murmu and the Chief of Defence Staff to Algiers, which laid the foundation for deeper cooperation, according to a statement from the Indian Army. "The Indian Army Chief is expected to discuss strengthening Army-to-Army ties, expanding training exchanges, and enhancing capability development initiatives. With Algeria operating predominantly similar equipment, India is well-positioned to share operational expertise, provide maintenance and training support, and promote collaboration in defence technologies. The two sides are also expected to explore opportunities for defence industrial partnership, particularly in areas of modernisation, logistics, and equipment support," the Indian Army said in an official statement. "General Dwivedi will also share India's strategic vision of zero tolerance for terrorism and exchange perspectives on regional and global security challenges. These deliberations are expected to contribute to building trust, interoperability, and practical cooperation between the two militaries," the statement added. Earlier in June this year, the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda had visited Algeria as a part of the diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor to strengthen global cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. (ANI)
Ghislaine Maxwell, the woman thought to have the most direct knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's decades-long sex-trafficking operation claims that there was no client list, no blackmail scheme and -- to her knowledge -- no high-profile Epstein associates who committed illicit acts in connection with the notorious sex offender's crimes, ABC News reported. That's according to an account provided by Epstein's convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell to a top official of the US Department of Justice during a highly unusual two-day interview session last month, according to a transcript and audio of the conversation released on Friday (local time) by the DOJ, as per ABC News. Maxwell told Blanche that during her time with Epstein -- which ranged from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s -- she never witnessed nor heard of any inappropriate or criminal activity by US President Donald Trump, former US President Bill Clinton, nor any of the well-known men who associated with Epstein, according to the transcript. Trump, Maxwell said, was cordial and a "gentleman in all respects" in all of her interactions with him. She described Clinton as a "truly extraordinary" man and a "fantastic ex-president," according to the transcript of the meetings, which took place at the US Attorney's Office in Tallahassee, Florida. The 63-year-old Maxwell, who has been incarcerated since her arrest in 2020, also claimed she had been misidentified by a key witness at her criminal trial and insisted she was not involved in the sexual exploitation of minors. "I did introduce him to women. I did, but not underage women," she said. "And I did look for masseuses, I did. I went to spas, and if I met somebody who said she was a masseuse, I did not check their credentials." "There is no list," Maxwell told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. "I'm not aware of any blackmail. I never heard that. I never saw it, and I never imagined it," as per ABC News. Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy and child sex trafficking. He died in custody a month later, while awaiting trial. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging, as per ABC News. (ANI)
Interruptions cost 23 minutes 15 seconds, right?

2023-11-05

Youve likely read lots of blog posts stating that it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to work after an interruption, context switch, or meeting. Thus, do you have five minutes ends up not only costing those few minutes, but instead about half an hour. But where does that number come from?

I just wanted to quickly reference this fact to a colleague. Quick search for the reference, copynpaste it, in and out, 20 minutes adventure. I quickly found a reference to a paper. For sanity sake, I just wanted to verify where it states the 23 minutes. Open the paper, Ctrl+F for 23, no results. Huh?

Papers

Most of the posts mentioning the number refer to the paper The Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and Stress. The authors performed a study investigating different effects of interruptions during long tasks.

Contrary to the quoted number, the study found out that the time spent on only the original task was in fact lower when interruptions were present (20.31 and 20.60 min) compared to no interruptions (22.77 min), albeit with much higher experienced stress. The paper never goes into details regarding the recovery time between finishing the interruption and getting back to the original task. The paper never mentions the number 23 .

Maybe its in a different paper? Related Work? References?

Blog Posts

The search continued. In addition to the 5 papers I (fittingly) read through a total of 23 posts.

9 posts incorrectly referred to one of the papers; one of them even included a quote that is nowhere to be found within the referenced paper

2 posts correctly referred to the first paper for its actual results

9 posts directly or indirectly refer to three interviews with Gloria Mark (the author of the original paper), in which she stated the 23 minutes and 15 seconds recovery time

2 posts refer to the Wall Street Journal, which directly quotes Gloria Mark with the 23 minutes 15 seconds figure

So in the end, where do the 23 minutes and 15 seconds come from? They are mentioned in interviews multiple times by Gloria Mark. But I wasnt able to find a primary printed source. There are many more publications by Gloria Mark, but none of them turned up while searching for the 23 minutes 15 seconds figure. If someone knows a paper or study where that figure originally appears in, please tell me.

Discussion on r/programming.

Here is the reference graph of all posts and papers Ive mentioned in this post and a list of their links.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill A. Dmitriev has criticised legacy media outlets for accusing Moscow of destroying its own Nord Stream pipelines and termed those allegations an "absurd claim." His remarks come just days after Italian authorities detained a Ukrainian national linked to the 2022 blasts. "Never forget exposed fake narratives. Legacy media pushed the absurd claim that Russia blew up Nord Stream, an absurd claim that Russia sabotaged its own energy infrastructure. Case study in narrative manufacturing: who funds, who frames, who amplifies. Same mechanisms to disinform over and over," the envoy wrote in an X post. The explosions in 2022 caused large leaks in the two pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe. At the time, European officials reported spotting naval vessels near the leak sites, intensifying suspicions of sabotage, according to CNN. The United States and Europe denounced the incident as "sabotage" and hinted at possible Russian involvement, but refrained from making direct accusations, CNN reported in September 2022 Moscow has consistently rejected responsibility for the blasts. In 2023, Russia requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the issue and demanded access to European investigations, but those appeals were denied, Al Jazeera reported. Neither of the Nord Stream pipelines was actively supplying gas to Europe at the time of the leaks, though both remained pressurised. Both Russia and Ukraine denied involvement, as per CNN. Italian police said the man was detained in the northern city of Rimini and would be handed over to Germany through an extradition procedure According to CNN, Germany's federal prosecutor's office confirmed the arrest of a suspect, identified only as Serhii K, under German privacy laws. Prosecutors allege he was part of a group that planted explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines near Denmark's Bornholm Island in September 2022, as per CNN. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday held a phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, during which he expressed readiness to engage in talks with Putin. Zelenskyy also emphasised expanding cooperation with African nations and urged the Global South to "send relevant signals" in support of peace. In a post on X, he wrote, "I spoke with President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, at his request. I informed about the joint diplomatic efforts with our partners and the productive meetings with President Trump in Washington." (ANI)
A sit-in organised by lawyers outside the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) entered its sixth day on Saturday, with bar councils calling for the immediate appointment of judges to both the top and lower courts in the region, as reported by The Express Tribune (TET). This protest, led by the PoGB Bar Council, came amid an increasing backlog of thousands of cases and the lengthy detention of under-trial prisoners. Lawyers assert that judicial stagnation has lasted over five years, depriving citizens of their fundamental right to justice. Central to the crisis is the Supreme Appellate Court of PoGB, the region's highest judicial body, which is meant to consist of three judges but has been operating with just one for nearly five years. "This situation is essentially the failure of the justice system," stated Advocate Zafar Iqbal, President of the PoGB Bar Council. The frustration among lawyers intensified after it was reported that the government was contemplating appointing a retired judge to fill the vacant position. The Bar Council dismissed this suggestion, insisting that appointments should be made from existing members of the legal community. Adding further significance to the protest, former chief minister Hafeezur Rehman visited the site and criticised both former and current administrations. "In civilised countries, judges are often available on weekends to guarantee justice," he remarked. "Here, it can take years before judges are appointed. What will those languishing in prisons awaiting justice do?", as quoted by the TET report. Lawyers, with the support of the Supreme Court Bar Association of PoGB, have been boycotting court sessions for several months. Their list of demands includes the enforcement of the Lawyers Protection Act, the creation of family and consumer courts, and the separation of judicial magistrates from civil judge responsibilities. They also claim the government has reneged on a 2011 commitment to allocate land for lawyers. Civil society organisations have voiced their backing for the protest, cautioning that the gap in the judiciary could further alienate the public from the system. The Bar Council has pledged to maintain its sit-in until all its demands are met, as highlighted in the TET report. (ANI)
Xuan is visiting Nepal at the invitation of Vice President Yadav. Later in the day, she will hold a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at his office, according to Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During her talks with Yadav, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, as per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal.

Later in the evening, the visiting Vice President will also be attending a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.

The visit, which began on Saturday, is considered significant as it marks the first high-level visit from Vietnam to Nepal. Upon her arrival, Xuan also met Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who suggested starting direct flights from Vietnam to Nepal's international airports in Pokhara and Bhairahawa to boost tourism. The proposal is expected to be further discussed during today's meetings with Prime Minister Oli.

On Monday, Vice President Xuan is scheduled to meet President Ram Chandra Paudel and visit key heritage sites, including Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa, before returning home.

The visit carries special significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.

Nepal and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1995. The two nations have recorded annual turnover below 100 million USD.

The two countries have also engaged in investment cooperation, most notably in hydropower. Vietnam's Song Da Corporation has partnered with Nepal's Kalika Group to construct the Tanahu hydropower dam on the Seti River. (ANI)
Chairman of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), Shafi Burfat has called on the United Nations to take action against what he refers to as the "systematic oppression, exploitation, and imminent division of Sindh" by the Pakistani government in an international appeal directed to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The August 23 dated appeal was submitted on behalf of the Sindhi people, scholars, civil society organisations, human rights activists, and members of the Sindhi diaspora. Burfat's request urged the United Nations to acknowledge the Sindhi nation's right to self-determination and to support their quest for independence in the form of Sindhudesh. The letter highlighted Sindh's historical identity as an ancient homeland, tracing back over 5,000 to 8,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilisation, which, according to Burfat, has been subjected to a status of de facto colonial subjugation under Pakistan since 1947. He characterised Sindh's current condition as one of "extreme subjugation" under Punjabi rule, where its resources are exploited, its culture is oppressed, and its territorial integrity is threatened. He recalled the enforcement of the "One Unit" scheme in 1955, which eliminated Sindh's provincial autonomy, merged it into a centralised West Pakistan entity dominated by Punjab, and separated Karachi in 1948, depriving Sindhis of their historic economic centre. He accused consecutive Pakistani governments of executing conspiracies to erode Sindhi society through the establishment of religious seminaries aimed at undermining Sindh's secular and Sufi heritage, along with initiatives to fragment Sindhis along linguistic lines. Burfat cited the period of military ruler Zia-ul-Haq during the 1970s and 1980s as a time of significant oppression towards Sindhi nationalist movements. He contended that countless activists and intellectuals were forcibly disappeared, tortured, and murdered by the state, while nationalist figures were labelled as "foreign agents" to rationalise the violence. He accused the Pakistani government of distorting the history of Sindh by glorifying foreign invaders like Muhammad bin Qasim while depicting Sindh's own historical hero, Rajah Dahir, negatively. The systematic undermining of Sindh's cultural identity, including the marginalisation of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's poetry and the heritage sites of the Indus Valley in Pakistan's educational curriculum, he argued, amounted to "historical slavery" and violated international human rights standards. The appeal also condemned the political suppression that Burfat described as Punjabi imperialism enforced through Pakistan's military, which he claimed is dominated by Punjabis. He alleged that the politics of Sindh are manipulated through gerrymandering, voter suppression, and the strategic placement of feudal lords and extremists in significant roles. He posited that the 18th Amendment to Pakistan's Constitution, enacted in 2010 and praised as a move towards autonomy, was actually "deceptive and fraudulent," ultimately serving to legally entrench the subjugation of Sindh and other historical nations. Burfat stated that Sindhi political leaders advocating for Sindhudesh's independence have experienced disappearances, torture, and targeted killings orchestrated by the military and intelligence operations. He accused the state of discarding the disfigured bodies of Sindhi activists as part of its campaign of terror. Burfat referred to the 2010 floods in Sindh as an additional instance of state negligence and exploitation, claiming that while millions of Sindhis faced displacement and destruction, the military redirected international relief assistance for its own purposes, leaving the populace vulnerable to hunger and disease. He also cautioned against recent plots to carve Sindh into new administrative divisions or ethnic enclaves, labelling them as colonial-style strategies intended to weaken Sindh's unity and diminish the Sindhi majority in their own land. Economically, Burfat characterised Sindh as Pakistan's "resource hub," responsible for over 70 percent of natural gas and 60 percent of oil, alongside substantial agricultural production, yet remaining in poverty, with more than 57 percent of its inhabitants living below the poverty threshold. He accused Punjab and Islamabad of extracting Sindh's financial resources while neglecting to reinvest in its infrastructure, healthcare, or educational systems. He pointed to the rerouting of Indus River waters through Punjab's upstream dams and canals as a stark instance of exploitation, claiming that Sindh, entitled under a water-sharing agreement from 1945 to 75 percent of the Indus waters, now only receives 40 percent. This, he asserted, has resulted in environmental degradation, famine, and the collapse of agriculture in the Indus Delta. He further criticised the exploitation of Sindh's Thar coal, gas, and mineral resources by multinational corporations in collusion with the Pakistani government, accusing them of displacing local communities and exacerbating health issues. Culturally, Burfat cautioned against the diminishing of Sindhi identity due to the predominance of Urdu and the systematic marginalisation of the Sindhi language, which is spoken by over 60 million individuals. He drew parallels with the Bengali people's battle against Urdu dominance in 1971, which ultimately resulted in the formation of Bangladesh, asserting that Sindhis are facing a similar threat of cultural erasure. He accused the government of manipulating Sindh's demographics through migration strategies, persecuting religious minorities, targeting Sindhi journalists and activists, and militarising the area under the guise of counterterrorism. He noted that women and marginalised groups bear the brunt of this repression, enduring bonded labour and gender-based violence. In his plea, Burfat urged the United Nations to initiate an independent investigation into Sindh to record human rights violations, resource exploitation, and schemes to fragment the province. He called on the UN to endorse the Sindhi people's right to self-determination, potentially through a UN-supervised referendum for autonomy and independence. He advocated for targeted sanctions against Pakistani officials accountable for oppression, immediate humanitarian assistance for flood victims and impoverished communities in Sindh, and the organisation of a special session of the UN Human Rights Council or General Assembly to tackle the challenges faced by Sindh and other historically oppressed nations within Pakistan. He concluded by demanding referendums in Sindh and other marginalised regions to secure their "complete independence from the illegitimate state of Pakistan." "The survival of the Sindhi nation within Pakistan is jeopardised," Burfat cautioned in his final remarks. "Similar to the Bengali nation, the Sindhi nation aspires for independence from this illegitimate state to emerge as a free and respected nation among the global community. Your involvement can avert a humanitarian disaster and reinforce the United Nations' commitment to supporting oppressed nations across the globe." The appeal was signed by Shafi Burfat, Chairman of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), and submitted on behalf of the Sindhi nation, academics, and the diaspora. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], August 24 (ANI/ WAM): The state visit of Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to the friendly Republic of Angola marks an important milestone in strengthening UAE-Angola relations across various vital fields, in a way that serves development priorities and brings prosperity and growth to both nations and their peoples. The bilateral relations between the two countries articulate a significant aspect of the UAE's growing partnership with the African continent in general, aimed at supporting prosperity in Africa and contributing to its efforts to confront future challenges and develop innovative solutions. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1997, ties between the two countries have witnessed steady growth. Bilateral meetings and official visits exchanged between the leadership and officials of both nations have been a positive driving force for progress in joint cooperation. Relations between the UAE and Angola have been characterised by close cooperation and coordination at all levels. To strengthen this partnership, the two countries signed several bilateral agreements, including: The Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income Tax and Tax Evasion (8 February 2018), The Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Mutual Investments (5 April 2017), The Bilateral Aviation Cooperation Agreement (21 April 2021). The UAE is keen to strengthen its economic relations with Angola through substantial investments in vital sectors such as energy, technology, and maritime logistics, while opportunities also remain available for expansion in other areas, most notably food security and agriculture. The UAE's non-oil trade with Angola reached USD 2.2 billion in 2024, marking a growth of 36.3 per cent compared to 2019. Economic relations have advanced significantly since 2021, when several memoranda were exchanged, including: A cooperation MoU between Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Angola's Ministry of Energy and Water to explore the development of solar energy and storage projects. A Letter of Intent between Abu Dhabi Ports and Angola's Ministry of Transport to cooperate in transport and related sectors. An MoU between EDGE Group and the Government of Angola on future cooperation. An MoU between Presight and the Government of Angola on digital transformation. In 2023, Abu Dhabi Ports Group signed key strategic agreements with leading Angolan institutions, including: A framework agreement with Angola's Ministry of Transport for the joint development of maritime services and infrastructure nationwide. A preliminary agreement to establish a joint venture with "Unicargas," a state-owned logistics and transport company that operates the multipurpose terminal at the Port of Luanda -- Angola's main port, through which around 70 per cent of international imports and 80% of non-oil exports pass. Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), part of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, signed two financing agreements with the Government of Angola worth AED 445 million, to establish data centers and a cloud computing platform using advanced technology, as well as to install and maintain eco-friendly street lighting in the cities of Luanda, Malanje, N'dalatando, and Uige. EDGE Group also signed a EUR1 billion contract under which Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) will construct a fleet of advanced 71-meter frigates for the Angolan Navy. Dubai Investments announced the signing of an MoU with Abu Dhabi-based E20 Investment to develop 3,750 hectares of agricultural land in Angola, tapping into the country's agricultural potential and contributing to sustainable growth and economic development. During Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023, Masdar signed an agreement with Angola's Ministry of Energy and Water to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 2 GW. In April 2024, Abu Dhabi Ports Group signed a 20-year concession agreement (extendable by 10 years) with the Luanda Port Authority to modernise and operate the Luanda Multipurpose Terminal. The Group will invest USD 251 million between 2024-2026 to upgrade the terminal and develop a logistics services hub, with potential investments rising to USD 379 million over the concession period, subject to market demand. Alongside economic initiatives, the UAE has launched several projects supporting Angola's health, education, and digital transformation sectors. In January, the UAE sent 25 ambulances and medical equipment and supplies to Angola as part of its USD 220 million Global Initiative to support Africa's healthcare sector. DP World Foundation implemented a project to renovate schools, build a new library, and distribute school supplies in Luanda, with a cost of USD 250,000. Meanwhile, "The Digital School," one of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced a partnership with Angola to provide education opportunities for children in rural and underserved areas using advanced technologies and digital learning applications. (ANI/ WAM)
Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan has urged to US First Lady Melania Trump to show the same compassion for Gaza's children as she did for Ukraine, warning that thousands of Palestinian children are now being buried under the name "unknown baby," Anadolu reported. In a letter to the US First Lady, Erdogan urged her to write directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Sending a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza would carry immense significance," she wrote. Recalling their meeting at the White House six years ago, Erdogan praised Melania Trump's past humanitarian stance, as per Anadolu. She pointed to Melania Trump's letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war, saying the "sentiments expressed in that letter reflected a conscience deeply attuned to global issues." "As you stated in your letter, every child has the universal and undeniable right to grow up in a loving and safe environment. This right is not exclusive to any region, ethnicity, religion, or ideology. Supporting the oppressed who are denied this right is fundamental responsibility toward the human family, Erdogan said. She added, "In this context, especially as the spouse of a leader, your compassion for the lives lost, families torn apart, and children left orphaned under the devastating effects of the war in Ukraine is an initiative that instils hope in hearts." Arguing that Gaza faces far worse devastation, Erdogan wrote, "I believe that you will demonstrate this important sensitivity, which you have shown for the 648 Ukrainian children who lost their lives in the war, even more strongly for Gaza, where 62,000 innocent civilians, including 18,000 children, were brutally murdered within two years." Drawing a stark comparison, she said, "Would it ever have occurred to us that one day the term 'unknown soldier', once used for fallen soldiers whose identities could not be confirmed, would be used for children?" "Today, the words 'unknown baby' written on the shrouds of thousands of Gazan children who have no one left behind them and whose names cannot even be identified are leaving irreparable wounds on our consciences," Erdogan added. Citing UNICEF's description of Gaza as "a hell on earth above ground and a graveyard for children below," she described the trauma endured by survivors, "These children, driven into deep psychological ruin and having completely forgotten how to smile, scream into microphones that they want to die, carrying the exhaustion of a war they cannot cope with in their innocent hearts. In Gaza, history records that the hair of these tiny, orphaned children has turned grey from the indescribable pain and fear they have endured." Erdogan said the crisis represents not just genocide but "a manifestation of an arbitrary international order that deems some lives more valuable than others." She called for global solidarity, "We must unite our voices and strength against this distorted order that views the lives of some children as less valuable than others. We have a duty to uphold international law and shared human values, and to stand firm around our common principles, " Anadolu reported. The appeal comes after Melania Trump sent a letter to President Putin urging an end to the Ukraine war over its impact on children. (ANI)
Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra held productive and detailed discussions with American Congressmen Joe Courtney and Gabe Amo on economic cooperation, highlighting the need for "fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties." The engagement comes amid ongoing tariff tensions over US President Donald Trump's imposition of additional tariffs on India due to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. In a series of posts shared on X on Sunday (local time), Ambassador Kwatra said, "Had a detailed conversation with @RepJoeCourtney, Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. Thanked him for his support to our bilateral partnership. Highlighted our perspectives on trade and economic cooperation, including the need for fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1959466924032548999 In another post, he said, "Had a productive discussion with @RepGabeAmo , Vice Ranking Member of @HouseForeign . Thanked him for his support to the India-US bilateral partnership. Also shared perspectives on the importance of fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade engagements." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1959441354196443370 Earlier on Friday (local time), Ambassador Kwatra also held talks with Michigan's Lawmaker Haley Stevens on India-US bilateral economic partnership amid economic concerns over US President Donald Trump's imposition of additional tariffs on India due to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. Kwatra also apprised her of India's hydrocarbon purchases from the US. In a post on X, he said, "Had a useful conversation with Haley Stevens, Ranking Member Research and Technology Subcommittee. We discussed the US-India bilateral economic partnership, including our fair and balanced trade engagement. Apprised her of India's significant hydrocarbon purchases from the U.S. as an important component of India's energy security. Thanked her for her steadfast support of the relationship." Kwatra also held talks with Lawmaker Claudia Tenney on US-India bilateral relations. He highlighted India's hydrocarbon purchases and their impact on India's energy security. In a post on X, he said, "Had an in-depth conversation with Claudia Tenney. We discussed US-India bilateral relations and the importance of fair and balanced trade ties. Highlighted India's growing hydrocarbon purchases from the US as an important component of India's energy security." On Thursday (local time), in what is perhaps the sharpest attack on India regarding Russian oil purchase, the White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro claimed India was "perpetuating" the Ukraine War by purchasing discounted Russian crude oil. Alleging that India has been acting as a "laundromat for the Kremlin," Peter Novarro said India's purchase is allowing Russia to fund its war efforts in Ukraine, while New Delhi is reaping profit from the transactions. (ANI)
As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 98km.

In a post on X, NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.4, On: 24/08/2025 14:11:02 IST, Lat: 28.09 N, Long: 88.08 E, Depth: 98 Km, Location: Tibet."

https://x.com/NCS_Earthquake/status/1959546222710239465

Earlier on August 19, an earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck the region at a shallow depth of 10km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.2, On: 19/08/2025 13:02:51 IST, Lat: 28.36 N, Long: 87.89 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Tibet."

https://x.com/NCS_Earthquake/status/1957709305643430152

Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.

The Tibetan Plateau is known for its seismic activity due to tectonic plate collisions.

Tibet and Nepal lie on a major geological fault line where the Indian tectonic plate pushes up into the Eurasian plate, and earthquakes are a regular occurrence as a result of it. The region is seismically active due to tectonic uplifts that can grow strong enough to change the heights of the Himalayas' peaks.

Meanwhile, a downpour in Tibet early on Wednesday morning triggered floods in rivers flowing in Nepal, prompting authorities to issue warning in three districts.

The district of Rasuwa, adjoining the Tibetan side which was hit by a flash flood on July 8 had claimed seven lives with over a dozen still missing, after Lhende River swept infrastructure near Nepal-China border.

Heavy rainfall in Tibet earlier this morning has triggered flooding in the Trishuli River, raising water levels in areas around Uttar Gaya in Rasuwa and the Trishuli 3B Hub in Kispang. Authorities have issued warnings as water flow continues to rise in the Rasuwagadhi area. (ANI)
On the instructions of the Advisor to the Health Department, a comprehensive report has been released detailing healthcare activities and impacts in flood-affected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On August 22 alone, one death and six injuries were recorded, as per ARY News.

According to the report, healthcare services have been extended to flood-affected areas, with 27,270 patients receiving medical treatment across 11 districts on August 22.

According to ARY News, a network of 3,704 medical camps and 23,566 health centres has been set up to cater to the needs of those affected.

Cumulatively, the number of patients treated at medical camps and health facilities has reached 262,006 since the floods began.

However, the situation is further complicated by a surge in waterborne diseases, with 3,156 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of disease cases to 15,176.

The report further revealed that the floods have partially damaged 57 health facilities, while 3 centres have been completely destroyed.

The provincial health department continues to monitor the situation closely and is providing essential medical services to flood-affected communities through emergency health camps and mobile units.

Notably, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) continues to assist the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Provincial Disaster Management Authority in relief operations in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa flood-affected areas on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Relief supplies have been dispatched to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by NDMA, the Armed Forces and welfare organisations.

The relief consignment sent on Monday to Buner included tents, blankets, 7KVA generators, de-watering pumps, ration bags and medicines.

Rain was reported in Pindi Bhattian and its surrounding areas, while Wazirabad received intense rainfall along with thunderstorms. Similarly, Jalalpur Bhattian experienced persistent heavy rain that continued throughout the day.

Vehari and Muridke were also among the cities affected by heavy rain, which led to water accumulation in some areas. Khanqah Dogran, located near Safdarabad, received torrential rainfall, impacting daily life. (ANI)
Geshe Shersang Gyatso, a 52-year-old Tibetan monk and esteemed leader of Tsang Monastery located in Amdo, eastern Tibet, tragically died by suicide on August 18 in protest against the ongoing pressure and increasing repression from Chinese authorities, as reported by Tibet Times and cited by Phayul.com Phayul.com (Fatherland in Tibetan) is a pioneer English-language news portal of the Tibetan diaspora. As noted in the report, in the days before the 90th birthday (July 6) celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Chinese officials conducted extensive inspections at Tsang Monastery. Security forces searched the monks' living quarters one by one, where they found photos of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader in several rooms. Following this, the monastery was put under a strict lockdown, which severely limited the monks' movements. Furthermore, all monks under eighteen years of age were expelled, as indicated by the Phayul report. Starting from July 20, authorities imposed even stricter controls. Monks faced daily searches, were forced to attend political indoctrination sessions several times a day, and experienced significant disruption of traditional religious practices. Long-standing rituals and ceremonies were overlooked, which caused considerable distress among the monastic community, according to the Phayul report. Nomadic groups under the spiritual leadership of Tsang Monastery, who typically invite monks to conduct religious services during the fifth and sixth months of the Tibetan calendar, were also barred from access this year, an action that not only breached long-held traditions but also represented a clear violation of religious freedom. Geshe Shersang Gyatso, who also held the position of director of the monastery's management committee, took his life on the afternoon of August 18 by leaping from the upper floor of the monastery's shop building. Tibet Times's report indicated that his death was perceived as a final act of resistance against China's persistent repression, as emphasised by the Phayul report. Hailing from Arig village in Sog County within the Malho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Geshe Shersang Gyatso was highly regarded for his intellect, discipline, and moral character. Tsang Monastery, one of the largest in the Amdo region, accommodates nearly a thousand monks from Malho, Tsolho, and Golog. Geshe Shersang Gyatso was recognised as one of its most distinguished and venerated figures, as reported by Phayul. (ANI)
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda met with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on Sunday, who is currently on a three-day visit to the country. During the meeting, the Fijian PM was accompanied by the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, and other senior officials. Earlier today, the Fijian leader commenced his official visit to India from August 24 to August 26 to further deepen the India-Fiji partnership across various sectors. He was received by the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar, following his arrival in the National Capital. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Rabuka to India in his present capacity. "Warm welcome to PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji as he arrives in New Delhi on his first visit. PM Rabuka was received by MoS Education & DoNER Sukanta Majumdar at the airport. The visit will further deepen India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors," the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a post on X. According to a statement issued by the MEA, PM Rabuka was accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka, during his visit, along with the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and other senior officials. During his visit, PM Rabuka is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, August 25, where PM Modi will be hosting a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. He is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu.Rabuka is also expected to deliver a talk on 'Ocean of Peace' at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in the national capital, the MEA statement read. His visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and Fiji and reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close people-to-people ties. India's links with Fiji commenced in 1879 when Indian labourers ('Girmitiyas') were brought there under the indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, around 60,553 Indians were brought to Fiji. Beginning in the early 20th century, Indian traders and others had also started arriving in Fiji. In 1920, the indenture system was abolished. Before Fiji's independence in 1970, India had a Commissioner since 1948, who was later upgraded to High Commissioner after independence. (ANI)
Three people died and 65 others were rescued from an overcrowded and flooded rubber boat in the Central Mediterranean, the organisation RESQSHIP said in a statement on Saturday. The sailing vessel NADIR, operated by RESQSHIP, carried out the rescue after Alarm Phone alerted authorities to the distress case on Friday evening. Around 1 am (local time), the vessel located the boat, which had departed from Zuwara, Libya, the previous day. Survivors said the boat began taking on water just hours after departure, forcing passengers to sit knee-deep in seawater as waves up to 1.5 meters washed over the vessel. During the evacuation, survivors discovered the bodies of three sisters aged 9, 11 and 17, who had drowned inside the waterlogged boat. Another person is reported missing. Many of the rescued included women, three of them pregnant, children, and a seven-month-old baby. Several also suffered chemical burns caused by a mixture of seawater and petrol inside the boat. "While we were evacuating the people one by one from the rubber boat onto the NADIR, I suddenly heard screams and someone pointed to the water inside the boat. It became clear that there were bodies underneath the surface," reports Barbara Sartore, Communications Coordinator on board the NADIR, as quoted in the RESQSHIP. "The boat was dangerously overcrowded, it was pitch-dark, water was flooding in, and people were panicking. In that chaos, it was impossible to see that the three sisters, sitting deep inside the boat, had already drowned. When the survivors realized, it was sheer horror," she added. As per the statement, the medical team attempted to resuscitate the girls, but in vain. Three other family members, including the mother and a brother, survived. According to the survivors, another person had already gone overboard hours earlier and remains missing. Many of the rescued suffered severe chemical burns caused by the mixture of seawater and petrol inside the boat. They were treated by the medical team on board the NADIR. The crew of the NADIR cared for the survivors throughout the night. The following morning, their relatives were given time and privacy to grieve and say goodbye to their loved ones. On Saturday afternoon, the Italian Coast Guard evacuated 14 people - medical cases and their relatives - and brought them to Lampedusa. Later that evening, the NADIR also reached the island with the remaining survivors and the deceased. "What happened to the three sisters is unimaginable, as is the danger that people on the move face in search of safety. Our thoughts are with their relatives, who are bearing this preventable loss and pain. Safe escape routes are urgently needed to finally put an end to the dying in the Mediterranean," said Katja Schnitzer, a crew member of the NADIR. (ANI)
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda held talks with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, as part of the 'Know BJP' initiative. Nadda held discussions on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. In a post on X, he said, "Met with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, in New Delhi today as part of our 'Know BJP' initiative. Our discussions focused on strengthening party-to-party relations, where I highlighted our party's ideology, organizational framework, and its role in driving India's development journey. We also had a detailed discussion on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to deepening our partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations." https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1959583477621477491 During the meeting, the Fijian PM was accompanied by the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, and other senior officials. Earlier today, the Fijian leader commenced his official visit to India from August 24 to August 26 to further deepen the India-Fiji partnership across various sectors. He was received by the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar, following his arrival in the National Capital. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Rabuka to India in his present capacity. "Warm welcome to PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji as he arrives in New Delhi on his first visit. PM Rabuka was received by MoS Education & DoNER Sukanta Majumdar at the airport. The visit will further deepen India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors," the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a post on X. According to a statement issued by the MEA, PM Rabuka was accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka, during his visit, along with the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and other senior officials. During his visit, PM Rabuka is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, August 25, where PM Modi will be hosting a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. He is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu. Rabuka is also expected to deliver a talk on 'Ocean of Peace' at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in the national capital, the MEA statement read. (ANI)
Vice President of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan met Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on her second day of an official visit to Nepal. The meeting took place at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Sunday. As per the Prime Minister's Office, the meeting, which lasted for nearly an hour, focused on the issue of further deepening mutual relations between the two countries. "In the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, the two leaders exchanged experiences and discussed various aspects of expanding relations to further deepen the problem-free relations between the two countries," Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Chief Advisor to Prime Minister Oli, who participated in the meeting, announced. Rimal added, "Discussions were held on further strengthening government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people relations between the two countries, as well as diplomatic and cultural relations." Vice President Xuan's visit marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam. She arrived in Nepal on Saturday at the invitation of Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav. Earlier today, Vice President Yadav also held talks with Vice President Xuan. During the meeting, they discussed the matters of religious similarities as well as the immense potential of religious and cultural tourism in both countries. They also exchanged views on the issue of bilateral, regional and international concern, according to the Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prakash Adhikari. "The two Vice Presidents talked about the bilateral relationship between Nepal and Vietnam, which is based on friendship, goodwill and respect of sovereignty, and is moving ahead with a shared vision in the international forum," Adhikari said. "On the occasion, an understanding has been reached between the two countries to exchange ministry and different level visits. They also discussed that Nepal could learn from Vietnam as the latter is a country with a high economic growth rate as well as the possibility of investment," added Adhikari. Bilateral trade, investment, digital technology and people-to-people relations were also discussed between them. This visit, the first-ever highest-level visit to Nepal from Vietnam, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam. (ANI)
India will pay attention in the first instance to supporting the interests of Global South countries during its presidency in BRICS in 2026, Ambassador of India to Russia Vinay Kumar told TASS in an interview. "India, as the BRICS chair in 2026, will seek to leverage BRICS as a platform to reform global financial institutions, promote trade and investment, and advocate for the interests of the Global South," the Ambassador said. Kumar echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement regarding the intention "to define the BRICS in a new form," he told Tass. "BRICS will mean Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability. Just as, during our G-20 chairmanship, we gave priority to the issues of the Global South in the agenda, similarly during our chairmanship of BRICS, we will take this forum forward in the spirit of people-centricity and humanity first," Kumar said, as per Tass. India will have in its focus "the global challenges such as health, technology development, and climate change," the Ambassador stressed. Relevant authorities of India and Russia are discussing simplification of payments for all categories of travelers, Kumar told Tass. "The Indo-Russian working group on Banking and Finance, comprising representatives from relevant ministries and the central boards of both nations, is actively engaged in discussions concerning technical aspects of messaging systems and payment mechanisms to make financial transactions easier for all categories of travelers," the Ambassador said. Further to cash payments, Russian tourists can take advantage of banking services offered by Russian banks VTB and Sberbank in India, he noted. "There are several banks which have branches in India and are currently making transactions easier for a variety of travelers, including students and tourists from Russia," Kumar added. Earlier on August 21, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, where the two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed preparations for the annual summit later this year. Speaking at the meeting, Jaishankar said, "Today's meeting gives an occasion to discuss our political relations as well and also our bilateral ties. ..We now prepare for the annual summit at the end of the year. Our leaders have always given us guidance to take forward our special strategic relationship." (ANI)
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will lead an Indian parliamentary delegation to the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Bridgetown, Barbados, from October 5 to 12 October, according to the Lok Sabha Secretariat. Apart from Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha Harivansh, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region will be represented at the Conference by Presiding Officers and Secretaries of State and Union Territory Legislatures across India. Birla will address the General Assembly of the 68th CPC on the theme of 'The Commonwealth: A Global Partner.' According to Lok Sabha Secretariat, members of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation will be taking part in the following seven thematic workshops: Workshop A: Strengthening our Institutions to Support Democracy, Workshop B: Leveraging Technology: Enhancing Democracy through Digital Transformations and Tackling the Digital Divide, Workshop C: A Look Ahead to CHOGM 2026: Championing the Human Factor from a Gender and Accessibility Lens. Workshop D: Climate change and its threat to Global Health: Finding Sustainable Solutions, Workshop E: Building Trust and Transparency in Democracy: Financial Transparency in Parliaments and Elections, Workshop F: National Parliaments vs Provincial, Territorial and Devolved Legislatures: Protecting and Preserving the Separation of Powers, Workshop G: The Role of the Commonwealth in Good Governance, Multilateralism and International Relations In addition to the General Assembly and Workshops, there will be a Youth Roundtable on the topic: Staying Safe and Free to Thrive: Empowering Young People to Overcome Modern Challenges - From Gang Violence to Cyber-Bullying, as per the Lok Sabha Secretariat. It is in this regard that an inter-ministerial briefing meeting is being chaired by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, today, on Sunday, in which Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies from across India are being briefed about various events of the conference. (ANI)
The Israel Defence Forces on Sunday said that they conducted a humanitarian airdrop of food aid packages for the residents of Gaza. As per the IDF, four countries- Jordan, the UAE, Germany, and Indonesia coordinated the airdrop, led by Israel's NGO COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories: Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip). In a post on X, IDF said, "4 Countries Coordinated Humanitarian Airdrop: An airdrop of 111 food aid packages for the residents of Gaza was conducted by the IDF in coordination with Jordan, the UAE, Germany, and Indonesia, led by COGAT." https://x.com/IDF/status/1959580667097891073 https://x.com/IDF/status/1959513399865262139 https://x.com/cogatonline/status/1959508939734732857 As of Sunday, Israeli attacks across Gaza have killed 34 people, according to medical sources on the ground. Among the dead, nine were aid seekers, Al Jazeera reported. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has issued a stark condemnation of the ongoing famine in Gaza, describing it as a preventable crisis fuelled by "systematic obstruction" by Israel and a collective global failure that will "haunt us all". During a press briefing on Friday, after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed initiative, confirmed that famine is currently occurring in Gaza, Fletcher urged immediate action, including a ceasefire and unrestricted aid access, to avert further catastrophe. While pointing to findings of the IPC report, Fletcher noted the human toll, highlighting how food aid is piling up at borders due to Israeli restrictions, creating a famine "within a few hundred metres of food, in a fertile land." "Please read the IPC report, cover to cover. Read it in sorrow and in anger. Not as words and numbers but as names and lives. Be in no doubt that this is irrefutable testimony. It is a famine. The Gaza Famine. It is a famine that we could have prevented if we had been allowed. Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel. It is a famine within a few hundred metres of food, in a fertile land," he stated. (ANI)
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday issued a strong warning to the United States, saying that the US wants Tehran to be "obedient," but the Iranian people will stand with "all its strength" against those who harbour such a "false expectation." Speaking on the anniversary of the martyrdom of the eighth Shia Imam, Imam Reza (PBUH), Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran is "deeply offended." "The US wants Iran to be obedient to it. The Iranian nation is deeply offended by such a great insult and will stand with all its strength against those who harbour such a false expectation of the Iranian people," he said. Khamenei emphasised that the US's hostility toward Iran is not a recent phenomenon, as various American administrations have maintained a consistent stance of enmity, sanctions, and threats against the Islamic Republic and the Iranian people ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, as per IRNA. He criticised those who advocate for direct negotiations with Washington, calling them "shallow-minded." Previously, the reasons for this hostility were often obscured under various pretexts, such as terrorism, human rights, women's issues, and democracy, Ayatollah Khamenei said. However, he added, the current US administration has clarified its true objective as it stated that the opposition to Iran stems from a desire for the nation to be obedient to US demands. According to IRNA, Khamenei has called on Iranians to maintain their unity in the face of growing external pressures. Khamenei urged all people, officials, and intellectuals to wholeheartedly preserve and strengthen the iron shield of the current great national unity. He also said that all people and groups should support the hardworking President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Supreme Leader of Iran also highlighted that Tehran's enemies have realised through the steadfastness and powerful unity of the nation and the Armed Forces that the Iranian people and the Islamic system cannot be subdued or commanded through war. (ANI)
According to Khaama Press, citing the WHO report, between July 31 and August 15, this year, a total of 106,109 people returned to Afghanistan, with the majority, around 83.7 per cent, arriving from Iran.

Notably, the number of people crossing through the Torkham border, a transit route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, nearly tripled during this time.

WHO reported critical shortages at border entry points, including a lack of essential medicines, female healthcare workers, gender-sensitive services, trauma care, isolation facilities, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), Khaama Press reported.

In Torkham's Omari camp, 566 outpatient consultations were conducted, primarily for respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea, and 20,582 people were vaccinated against polio and measles, as reported by Khaama Press.

At Islam Qala, a town in Afghanistan near the Iran border, 1,079 individuals received primary care, including 297 treated for trauma cases.

A total of 24,519 children under 10 were vaccinated during the reporting period, Khaama Press reported.

The Spin Boldak and Milak crossings, between the country and Pakistan, also saw integrated healthcare services provided, with 8,683 consultations and 22,711 polio vaccinations administered, as reported by Khaama Press.

As per Khaama Press, additionally, 134 children received oral polio vaccines; however, these locations still face major constraints, especially the lack of isolation spaces and female health staff.

Returnees with disabilities and those in need of mental health support face particularly severe challenges, especially at Milak. The WHO emphasised the urgent need for greater investment in healthcare infrastructure and the expansion of specialised services to better meet the needs of vulnerable returnees and improve public health outcomes in Afghanistan, as reported by Khaama Press. (ANI)
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that India should take President Donald Trump's point over Russian oil "seriously" and work with the White House to find a solution, "sooner the better." Haley said "decades of friendship and goodwill" between the world's two largest democracies provide a "solid basis" to move past the "current turbulence," stressing that to "face" China, the United States "must have a friend in India." In a post on X, she said, "India must take Trump's point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better. Decades of friendship and good will between the world's two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence. Navigating issues like trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demands hard dialogue. But, we should not lose sight of what matters most: our shared goals. To face China, the United States must have a friend in India." https://x.com/NikkiHaley/status/1959241897194766470 India had earlier slammed US' decision to raise duties to over 50 per cent as a penalty for its purchase of Russian oil, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday hitting out at Washington, calling the move "unjustified and unreasonable". Earlier, Haley on Friday emphasised the importance of rebuilding the US-India relationship to counter China, saying, "Unlike Communist China, the rise of a democratic India does not threaten the free world." "Partnership between the US and India to counter China should be a no-brainer. It would serve America's interests to help India stand up to China," she said. In an opinion piece co-authored with Bill Drexel of the Hudson Institute, Haley recalled, "In July 1982, President Ronald Reagan welcomed Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to a state dinner at the White House. Toasting the friendship between our 'two proud, free peoples,' he said: 'although our countries may travel separate paths from time to time, our destination remains the same.' "Haley highlighted that the US-India relationship is currently at a "troubling inflection point" and stressed that "few objectives are more critical than getting US-India relations back on track" to achieve the Trump administration's foreign policy goals, including outcompeting China and achieving peace through strength. She said, "Trump is right to target India's massive Russian oil purchases, which are helping to fund Vladimir Putin's brutal war against Ukraine. India has also traditionally been among the most protectionist economies in the world, with an average tariff rate more than five times the US average in 2023. But India must be treated like the prized free and democratic partner that it is--not an adversary like China..." (ANI)
For family members and friends of Corrie L. Anderson, the nightmare began almost 17 years ago, when the Jamestown mother of three vanished during an afternoon of routine errands and visits.

As far as state police can determine, she was last seen alive about 1:10 p.m. on Oct. 28, 2008, when she left a Jamestown car dealership after stopping to see her boyfriend, who worked there. Her minivan was found two days later, abandoned in a wooded area of Busti, about 5 miles outside Jamestown.

The body of Anderson, 36, who lived in Busti, has never been found. No arrest has ever been made in the case, despite the efforts of more than 10 police agencies.

Her sister, Autumn Boardman, and her mother, Vicki Acquisto, have never stopped hoping that the guilty party will someday be held accountable for Corries disappearance.

They told The Buffalo News their suspicions are aimed at Kenneth N. Anderson, Corries estranged husband. They said those suspicions only grew last week, when police in Londonderry, Ohio, arrested Kenneth Anderson, accusing him of multiple felony counts of complicity in the kidnapping, rape and assault of a woman there. The Ohio arrest comes nearly nine years after police in Richmond, Ky., charged Kenneth Anderson with the rape, kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment of a different woman there. But the Kentucky charges were later reportedly dropped.

All I can say is, were watching this case in Ohio very closely, and hoping that somehow, some information about what happened to Corrie comes out of the investigation, Boardman told The News on Friday. So far, nothing that has been charged against Ken ever seems to stick  so well see.

You accept difficult things that happen to you and you learn to move on with your life, but when something like this (Ohio arrest) happens, it brings it all back to you, Vicki Acquisto added. Weve been through something like this before. You get your hopes up, but nothing happens.

According to court papers, deputies from the Vinton County Sheriffs Office charged Kenneth Anderson, 65, with complicity in a violent attack allegedly committed on Aug. 17 by a co-defendant, Luther E. Cavender, also of Londonderry.

Police charged Cavender with three felony charges of kidnapping, two felony counts of rape and one felony count of assault, in addition to misdemeanor counts of assault, aggressive menacing and domestic violence against a woman that Cavender knew.

Kenneth Anderson is charged with felony counts of complicity for aiding and abetting Cavender during the offenses of kidnapping, rape and assault. Anderson is also accused of resisting arrest and obstructing government business.

Anderson was present during the offenses, and ignored the victims pleas for help, police from Vinton County charged in court documents obtained by The News.

The alleged attack happened in Londonderry, which is 57 miles south of Columbus, Ohio, authorities said. Cavender and Anderson denied the allegations and are detained in a jail. Bond was set at $250,000 for Cavender and $100,000 for Anderson, a court official said.

Police and prosecutors in Vinton County declined to provide more details about the arrests of Anderson and Cavender to The News, despite repeated requests from a reporter.

A New York State Police official said Kenneth Anderson is definitely a person of interest in the Corrie Anderson case, but added were not calling him a suspect. They asked that anyone with information about Corrie Andersons case call Troop A at 716-665-3113 or email nysvicap@troopers.ny.gov.

Boardman said she and other family members have good reasons for their suspicions about Kenneth Anderson, who reportedly denies having anything to do with Corries disappearance. She and her mother said Cavender grew up in Western New York and has been a friend of Kenneth Andersons since they were teenagers.

According to state police, Corrie left a car dealership on the day of her disappearance and then, two hours later, failed to show up for a meeting at her sons school, which was very unusual. She has been missing since.

Boardman and her mother said Corrie had previously obtained a court order of protection against Kenneth Anderson because he had been stalking her and at one point had installed a tracking device on her van.

A few weeks before Corrie went missing, we were standing in my front yard. Corrie told me, If anything happens to me, it was Ken,  Acquisto recalled. She made me promise that, if anything happened to her, I would make sure that I was the one who raised her son, Zack.

Zack Anderson, now 23, is the son of Kenneth and Corrie Anderson, family members said. After Corrie disappeared, Kenneth Anderson sought custody of Zack and there was a custody battle in court, Acquisto said.

Kenneth Anderson denied in court and in a personal conversation that he had anything to do with Corries disappearance, Acquisto said.

One day when I took Zack to Kens home for a visit, I confronted Ken and asked him, What happened to Corrie?  Acquisto said. He told me, I dont know, she probably ran off with some other man. 

Acquisto said she knew that was not true because her daughter would never have left her children.

The court ruled in Acquistos favor and Zack Anderson continues to live with her, Acquisto said.

Efforts by The News to reach an attorney who represented Kenneth Anderson in the custody trial were unsuccessful. The attorney did not respond to a message left by a reporter.

Speaking of the Kentucky kidnapping charges against Anderson that were reported in 2016 by The News and other media outlets, Boardman said authorities in Kentucky said the charges were dropped because of evidence questions.

Police officials involved in the Kentucky case did not respond to an email or a phone message left by The News last week. At the time of the 2016 arrest, Kentucky police officials said the victim was Kenneth Andersons then-wife and described him as a suspect in the disappearance of Corrie Anderson.

Kenneth Anderson, who has worked in several states as an engineer, has been married six times, according to Acquisto, Boardman and Merry Williams-Diers, who runs a Facebook page called WNY Missing & Unidentified Persons. They said Corrie Anderson was his fifth wife.

We have been following Corries case for years, and there is a lot of interest in the Jamestown area, Williams-Diers said Thursday. Our page has been getting comments, questions and tips up the ying-yang since I put something out about Ken Andersons arrest.

Boardman said she prays every day for answers about her older sister, whom she describes as not only my sister, but my best friend.

Corrie and I did everything together. We were so close that we could finish each others sentences, Boardman said.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Australia on Sunday to call for an end to what they described as the ongoing genocide in Gaza and to urge the government to impose sanctions on Israel, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, protesters condemned Israel's military actions in the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by war, widespread starvation, and famine caused by an Israeli blockade on aid. The mass protests come amid growing diplomatic tensions between Australia and Israel following Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement on August 11 that his government would formally recognise a Palestinian state during the United Nations General Assembly next month. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli leadership and deepened divisions between the two countries, as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu called the Australian PM "weak" following his statement to recognise Palestine. According to the Palestine Action Group, more than 40 rallies were held nationwide, including major gatherings in major cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. The group claimed approximately 350,000 people participated nationwide, with an estimated 50,000 in Brisbane alone, Al Jazeera reported. However, local police offered a significantly lower estimate for Brisbane, putting the turnout at around 10,000. Police did not provide figures for Sydney and Melbourne. According to Al Jazeera, in Sydney, protest organiser Josh Lees said the demonstrations reflected public outrage and solidarity with Palestinians, stating that Australians were out in force to "demand an end to this genocide in Gaza and to demand that our government sanction Israel" Many attendees waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as "Free, free Palestine," Al Jazeera reported. As per Al Jazeera, the ongoing Israeli assault, over the past 22 months, has resulted in the deaths of more than 62,000 Palestinians. The military campaign has drawn widespread international condemnation, with rights groups accusing Israel of committing war crimes. In May, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. Albanese's recognition of a Palestinian state aligns Australia with a growing number of Western countries, such as France, the UK, and Canada, that have recently supported the two-state solution. (ANI)
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), embarked on an official visit to Algeria from August 25- 28, a statement by the Ministry of Defence said. The visit comes close on the heels of the recent visits by the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff, underlining the importance accorded to strengthening India-Algeria relations, as per the statement. The visit aims to reinforce defence and security engagement between India and Algeria, with a focus on bolstering Army-to-Army cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional and global security challenges, and exploring avenues for defence industrial collaboration. During the visit, Dwivedi will hold high-level meetings with senior Algerian leadership, including General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of the People's National Army; Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, Commander of Land Forces; and Swati Kulkarni, Indian Ambassador to Algeria. He will also visit prominent military institutions such as the School of Command and Major Staff, Tamentfoust; Cherchell Military Academy and pay homage at the Martyrs Memorial. As a precursor to the visit, Indian defence industries had showcased their capabilities at Defence Seminar in Algiers from July 30 to August 1, laying the foundation for defence industry and technology collaboration, as per the statement. The visit of the COAS is expected to further deepen the historic ties between the two nations and provide impetus to advancing shared security interests, regional stability and defence cooperation, the statement said. His visit will see the enhancement of bilateral defence cooperation between India and Algeria. https://x.com/adgpi/status/1959406190158618723 In a post on X, the ADGPI said, "General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, proceeded on an official visit to Algeria today. The visit underscores a shared commitment to deepening mutual understanding, enhancing cooperation in areas of common interest and advancing bilateral Defence Cooperation between the two nations." (ANI)
The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday struck multiple military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Sanaa, Yemen. The IDF carried out in response to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel with missiles and UAVs. In a post on X, the IDF said, "STRUCK: Multiple military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Sanaa, Yemen, including a military site in which the presidency palace is located, the Adar and Hizaz power plants, and a site for storing fuel--all used for the military activity of the Houthi regime. These strikes were carried out in response to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel with missiles and UAVs. The Houthis, backed by Iran, continue to exploit civilian infrastructure for terror purposes." https://x.com/IDF/status/1959620385843925444 https://x.com/IDF/status/1958952621030752279 At least two people have been killed and five wounded in the Israeli attack on the Yemeni capital, according to Houthi-affiliated media, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli army said it targeted Houthi military infrastructure, including a site in the presidential palace and the Asar and Hizaz power plants. The Israeli military confirmed that they carried out a series of air strikes in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, dropping about 30 different munitions across this area, where they say they targeted a compound where the presidential palace is. They also targeted power stations, Al Jazeera reported. There were around a dozen planes from the Israeli air force used in this attack along with refuellers, and the military says that it's in response to continued attacks the Houthis have been carrying out against Israel. The defence minister has been quite outspoken, saying, "Israel will ... destroy Houthi infrastructure and destroy any other capabilities they have. It's not the first time Israel has conducted air strikes in Yemen, but the Houthis are still able to conduct these attacks [on Israel], and they say they're doing them in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza because of their suffering). (ANI)
Moscow [Russia], August 24 (ANI/MIC Izvestia): Three workers were injured as a result of falling scaffolding at the construction site of a gas processing complex in the Leningrad region. This was announced on August 24 by the press service of the regional government in the Telegram channel. All the victims are Chinese citizens. They are currently in the Kingisepp Hospital, where they are receiving the necessary medical care. "The causes of the injuries are being investigated. One of the versions is the fall of UAV debris on the forests," the report says. Earlier in the day, the governor of the Leningrad Region, Alexander Drozdenko, announced that two drones had been destroyed over the Kingisepp district of the Leningrad Region. After that, he stated that the danger of UAVs in the Leningrad region had been removed. (ANI/MIC Izvestia)
During the visit, Sa'ar will meet with Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, at his invitation.

The meeting between the two will take place in Washington, at the US State Department on Wednesday. This will be their second meeting, after they met last February during the Secretary of State's visit to Israel.

Minister Saar will also meet with US Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noam, whom he hosted in Israel in May after the murder of Yaron Lishansky and the late Sarah Lynn Milgram, employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

Ane he will meet during the week with the Conference of Presidents (the umbrella organization of Jewish organizations in the US), the AIPAC leadership, and will host a reception for Jewish community leaders and Christian friends of Israel. (ANI/TPS)
KOBE, Aug 25 (News On Japan) - A man arrested on suspicion of killing a resident in a Kobe apartment had tailed her for more than 30 minutes before the attack, including boarding the same train, according to investigators.

Masashi Tanimoto, a 35-year-old company employee from Tokyo, is suspected of fatally stabbing Megumi Katayama, 24, multiple times with a knife at her apartment building in Chuo Ward, Kobe, on August 20.

Tanimoto has denied intending to kill, investigators said.

It was previously known that he followed Katayama as she returned from work; authorities now say the tailing lasted more than 30 minutes.

Katayama traveled by train from Nishi-Motomachi Station to Kobe-Sannomiya Station, and security cameras at both stations captured Tanimoto, indicating he boarded the same train.

Before heading home, Katayama stopped at a supermarket, where nearby surveillance cameras also recorded Tanimoto.

No prior connection between the two has been identified so far, and police are investigating the motive.

Source: FNN
Washuzan Highland in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, has introduced a new extreme attraction called Kyotenja, a Ferris wheel that uses only a lap bar, leaving riders largely exposed. The ride lifts passengers to 60 meters above ground at an elevation of about 200 meters above sea level, offering sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea and the Great Seto Bridge while delivering a mix of fear and excitement.
Ghanas Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has initiated consultations with Morocco to study the North African Kingdoms pioneering regulatory framework for medical and industrial cannabis, signaling Ghanas commitment to developing a robust legal infrastructure for its emerging sector.

During recent discussions in Accra, a delegation led by Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey met with Moroccan Ambassador Imane Quaadil to examine Moroccos licensing procedures, traceability systems, and cooperative organizational models. The Ghanaian officials particularly praised Moroccos comprehensive approach to managing the cannabis value chain while preventing unauthorized diversions.

Ambassador Quaadil confirmed that Ghanaian officials would visit Morocco in September to observe field operations and implementation procedures firsthand. The technical cooperation represents a significant step in Ghanas efforts to establish a regulated cannabis industry following its 2023 legislative amendments permitting cultivation of low-THC cannabis exclusively for industrial and medical applications.

Ghanas regulatory framework explicitly excludes recreational use while focusing on establishing production standards, quality controls, and prevention mechanisms against illegal diversion. The country seeks to develop complementary regulations that structure the entire production chain from cultivation through processing and distribution.

Morocco established itself as a regional pioneer through its 2021 adoption of Law 13-21 governing legitimate cannabis uses and the creation of the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-Related Activities (ANRAC). Since implementation, Morocco has issued initial licenses, conducted legal harvests, and expanded regulated cultivation areas, demonstrating successful transition from prohibition to controlled legalization.

The bilateral cooperation offers Ghana practical tools for regulation, traceability, and agricultural governance based on Moroccos operational experience. This South-South collaboration model could provide a template for other African nations considering medical cannabis legalization while maintaining strict controls against recreational use and illegal trafficking.
Sahana Rangasrinivasans research at the University at Buffalo may someday help speech therapists in their work with children who have speech difficulties.

Rangasrinivasan is part of a team of doctoral students creating an artificial intelligence robot that would reduce the number of administrative tasks required of speech therapists, so they can focus more directly on therapy with children.

I want to be able to use my work in artificial intelligence to help people, she said.

Rangasrinivasan, a doctoral student from India, is among about 5,000 international students who attend UB, which for decades has prided itself on attracting top undergraduate and graduate students from around the world.

International students accounted for more than 16% of overall student enrollment at UB in 2024-25. But that number could go down significantly this fall, and potentially beyond, due to labor market adjustments and changes at the U.S. State Department that led to considerable delays in the granting of student visas.

The State Department issued 12% fewer visas from January to April, compared with 2024. In May, the decline intensified to 22% compared to last year, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, which represents 4,300 higher education institutions in 170 countries.

Student visa interviews were paused altogether from May 27 to June 18  the peak issuance time for students looking to enroll in a U.S. college or university this fall.

Officials at NAFSA put out a report at the end of July indicating the pause and decline in visas could lead to as many as 150,000 fewer international students enrolling in the U.S. for 2025. That translates into $7 billion in lost revenue, according to NAFSAs analysis.

UB officials said they dont know yet how the visa delays will impact the final numbers of international students on campus this fall. Classes begin Monday, but students have until Sept. 10 to enroll, and the university will have a clearer picture in mid-September about the full impact of the visa delays, said Christopher Connor, vice provost for enrollment management at UB.

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in the number of visas that have been issued. But there are still challenges of students being able to find appointments, Connor said.

Canisius University significantly reduces deficit, president says Canisius Universitys structural deficit, which at one time reached well over $10 million, is expected to drop to $3.5 million this year, according to Canisius President Steve Stoute.

The university is projecting a decrease of as many as 1,000 international students from 2024-25, mostly at the masters degree level. But that decline was not unexpected, even before the recent visa issues, because of a labor market correction in the technology sector that has been ongoing since 2023, Connor said.

International enrollment across the U.S. that dipped dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic years rebounded with gusto after the pandemic subsided. When the booming technology sector slowed in 2023, so, too, did applications to masters programs from countries such as India and South Korea, which typically send large numbers of students to the U.S., he said.

UBs overall enrollment is still very strong and likely to exceed 30,000 students for the seventh consecutive year because of another record-setting first-year class of 4,880 to 5,000 students, Connor said.

And while international graduate student enrollment will be down, UB will have increased numbers of domestic students at the graduate level.

Still, fewer international students mean fewer dollars flowing into the university. Students from other countries pay full out-of-state tuition and fees, which are $32,466 for undergraduates. Undergraduate student tuition and fees for New York residents are $11,034.

UB summer externship program treats college sophomores as full-time employees Its really important for students to have an opportunity to experience the industry, the function, the professional environment, the workplace culture, early on, said Hadar Borden, program director.

So, while international students accounted for 16.5% of the 30,546 students enrolled at UB in 2024-25, their tuition dollars represented nearly 27% of the $344.1 million in overall tuition revenue to the university last year. Overall tuition revenue was expected to be down by about $6.5 million for the upcoming academic year. UB and many other colleges and universities depend heavily on tuition for the bulk of their revenue.

Provost A. Scott Weber acknowledged in a recent email to faculty and staff that international graduate enrollment declines, mostly in STEM masters programs, will have resource implications for the university.

International student enrollment across the State University of New York system was about 6%, Chancellor John B. King Jr. said.

At university centers such as UB, Stony Brook and Binghamton, the numbers are much higher.

UB has consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the country for attracting international students, according to an annual compilation by the Institute of International Education.

Buffalo State remains optimistic even as structural deficit increases by nearly $4M Bonita R. Durand, Buffalo States interim president, said in an email to university employees Thursday that the 2024-25 fiscal year concluded with a deficit that increased by nearly $4 million to $16.2 million. That's after the university had reduced its structural deficit by about $4 million to $12.5 million the year prior.

So, were worried. It does seem like the visa process was restarted, so thats good, King said. But as we look toward September, were worried about yield. Were worried that even students who get the visa might decide not to come because theyre worried about the climate and negativity around international students.

In addition to the visa holdups this summer, the Trump administration in June adopted travel restrictions targeting 19 countries, with another 36 countries possible. On Thursday, the State Department told the Associated Press that it will review records of more than 55 million valid visa holders for possible violations. That was just a few days after the department said it revoked more than 6,000 student visas since January for overstays and legal infractions.

Last semester, about 50 students in SUNY institutions had their visas canceled and restored, basically without explanation, King said.

That produces a lot of anxiety for students and families, he said.

Some of the actions the administration has taken with respect to students who have been detained without explanation is also very frightening to families, added King.

The chancellor also said international students are a tremendous asset to have in the country and help push the nations economy forward.

King was recently on UBs North Campus to see some of the artificial intelligence research at the university, and he noted that several of the projects to improve quality of life, address diseases and foster economic innovation were being done by international students.

We should embrace that. We should want those students to come here and thrive, he said. Instead, we see this hostile environment.

Rangasrinivasan said she has not had any visa trouble since coming to UB in 2023 as part of a dual doctoral program with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a university in India.

As a student, it can be a little scary because youre here in a new country all on your own. But other than that, I havent really faced any concerns, she said.

While in India in March talking with students who were admitted to UB for this fall, Connor said students and families were much more interested in the labor market than the U.S. political climate.

The emphasis, he said, has always been whether the degree they pursue in the U.S. will lead to an internship and a job in their field in the U.S.

Our on-ground recruiter in India has reported to me that the number one thing that will always remain is that jobs trump everything, Connor said. They are the reason for mobility.

Colleges and universities across the country will need to recalibrate the numbers of international students they might have expected on their campuses  mostly because labor is evolving rapidly due to technology developments.

Economic, social, all of that changes, so its important to make sure the programs you have align with labor markets, Connor said.

Even if numbers fluctuate, Connor said it is important to understand UB is committed to bringing in as many international students as possible and making sure they succeed.

We remain really steadfast here at UB about international students. We are a welcoming environment to international students. They are a fabric of our university, he said.
African and Japanese heads of state and government commended several initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI, and emphasized his pioneering role in promoting important continental initiatives on climate, migration, and sustainable development in Africa.

In the final declaration issued by the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama, heads of state and government highlighted the role of the three Climate Commissions established during the African Action Summit, the Sahel Commission, the Congo Basin Commission and the Island States Commission, in adapting to and mitigating the impact of climate change for African countries.

The final declaration noted that the structures created at the initiative of the Sovereign provide frameworks for regional coordination aimed at amplifying Africas voice in international negotiations and mobilizing the necessary financing for projects tailored to local needs.

African leaders also acknowledged the importance of the Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture (AAA), created following the African Action Summit, held at the initiative of the King, on the sidelines of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) held in Marrakech in 2016.

The AAA Initiative seeks to strengthen the resilience of African agriculture to the effects of climate change through concrete projects in soil management, irrigation, and climate finance.

On migration, the heads of state voiced their full support for the operationalization of the African Migration Observatory, created at the initiative of the Moroccan King in his capacity as African Union Champion for Migration.

The creation of the Observatory was endorsed by the African Union Summit in June 2018, following the presentation by the King of the African Agenda on Migration, which proposed a new paradigm for addressing migration in Africa.

This central AU migration structure, inaugurated in Rabat in 2020, is tasked with collecting, analyzing and sharing data on migration flows to support the development of informed public policies and to strengthen international cooperation in the field.

Since the beginning of its operationalization, the Observatory has expanded partnerships with regional and international institutions, contributing to the development of coordinated African strategies and to a better integration of migration into development policies.

The Royal initiatives on climate and migration in Africa have been cited in several partnership declarations, underlining the relevance of the Sovereigns African vision and confirming the important role of the Kingdom with regard to the African continent and international partners in addressing Africas integration, development, and challenges.
The success story of Bouchra Boustani is inspirational for all Moroccan, Arab and African women. Her professional achievement proves that perseverance always pays off despite challenges.

Bouchras impressive journey from the small coastal town of Mohammedia, near Casablanca in Morocco, to a senior nuclear security officer at the International Atomic Energy Agency has been celebrated by the UN agencys profiles employees.

Bouchras love for mathematics and physics was encouraged by a family that prized intellectual curiosity. Mathematics and physics were not hard to learn. I liked numbers, and I enjoyed solving problems, she says

After studying mathematics and physics in high school, Bouchra pursued a graduate degree in mechanical engineering and a specialization in nuclear engineering, a field that was still in its infancy in Morocco.

As one of the few women in her class, less than 10 per cent of her cohort, she found herself in the minority. After graduation from Ecole Mohammadia des Ingenieurs in 1993, Bouchra faced yet another challenge  finding work in a country without nuclear power plants.

She began her career in the Ministry of Industry, then joined the National Center for Radiation Protection in 1995, where she focused on radiological environment monitoring and regulatory functions, laying the foundation for her future in nuclear security.

Her career took a pivotal turn in 2006 when she attended a training course on physical protection in Libya, where she first encountered the concept of nuclear security.

I discovered a new field, and I was fascinated, she says. This newfound passion motivated her to pursue further training with the IAEA and the U.S. Department of Energy, eventually becoming Moroccos counterpart in the Global Threat Reduction Initiative.

As a young mother, Bouchra had to learn to strike a balance between her career and family responsibilities. I put my career on hold for seven or eight years when my children were young, she says.

However, when the opportunity arose to lead the Department of Nuclear Security and Safeguards at the newly-established Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security in 2016, she seized it.

In this role, she drafted regulations, established licensing systems, and contributed to Moroccos implementation of the IAEA comprehensive safeguards and additional protocol.

In 2021, Bouchras joined the IAEA as a Senior Nuclear Security Officer. Here, she supports countries in establishing and strengthening their regulatory infrastructure for nuclear security.

I have the opportunity to travel, to assist countries, and to interact with people from different cultures. Its something I truly enjoy, she says.

Her advice to young women pursuing careers in science is simple. If you have a dream, go for it. If there are obstacles, you just need to fix them. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance, integrity, and organization.

When I started, there were very few women in nuclear security. Today, nearly half of engineering students in Morocco are women. This makes me happy and hopeful for the future, she says.
Will Artificial Intelligence be the downfall of the clean energy transition, or the catalyst that makes it possible? The answer is complicated, and somehow contains a bit of both. Training the large language models that power AI is incredibly energy-intensive, and as models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek become increasingly complex, each individual query can rack up a serious ecological footprint.

Already, the AI boom has seriously compromised tech sector commitments to reach carbon neutrality. Last year, Google admitted that the companys carbon emissions had skyrocketed by 48 percent over the last five years. Google has pledged to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 but the company concedes that "as we further integrate AI into our products, reducing emissions may be challenging."

Those rising emissions are going to have widespread impacts on whole communities, grids, and nations. Already, the rapid rise of AI has already caused the fast-tracking of new gas-fired power plants and generated serious concern for energy security in the many countries where data center growth is outpacing energy production capacity.

Plus, planning for AIs energy needs is an incredibly tall order. The sector is undergoing rapid changes in terms of growth as well as technological evolutions and advancements. Moreover, AI companies are not required to disclose their energy use or environmental impact, and so the vast majority do not. While researchers are working hard to calculate how much energy those companies are using, we still just dont know for certain  and the numbers are changing all the time.

But some experts think that fears over AIs runaway energy consumption are overblown. As AI becomes more advanced and more ubiquitous, the spread of automation is expected to make nearly everything we do more efficient. Overall, this could seriously overshadow the energy use of the AI models themselves.

AI will be instrumental in improving some of industrys most inefficient systems, like materials value chains and biotechnology. Finding new materials, catalysts or processes that can produce stuff more efficiently is the sort of needle in a haystack problem that AI is ideally suited to, reports the Financial Times.

Plus, AI will likely be instrumental in the green energy transition itself. Large language models are already being used to look for better models and materials in the burgeoning energy storage sector, for example. In addition, the United States Department of Energy (DoE) has noted that AI could be a critical component of smart grids capable of handling increasing shares of variable energies like wind and solar in our power grids. However, they concede that AI carries significant risks if deployed naively. Furthermore, machine learning could help electric utilities improve permitting and siting, reliability, resilience and grid planning, the DoE report goes on to say.

And, at present, an argument could be made that AI is being deployed naively, or at the very least, with low levels of discretion. And its consumers that are footing the bill for all of this early-stage experimentation where seemingly everyone and every sector is just throwing AI at the wall to see what sticks. Consumers across the U.S.  and especially in regions that house a lot of data centers  can expect their energy bills to rise in response.

"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 told Business Insider last month. "Utility regulation is failing to protect residential customers, contributing to an energy affordability crisis.

There are certainly risks associated with this Wild West era of AI evolution  but the sector will become more sophisticated as time goes on. It is true of course that, for climate change purposes, cutting CO? today is worth more than cutting it tomorrow, reports the Financial Times. But looking at the numbers at stake, if AI facilitated even modest savings on overall electricity use, it would be a net positive for the energy transition.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.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:

Eucalyptus forest, Australia. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Something silent and sinister is happening in Australia's mountain ash forests. As temperatures rise, these ecosystems are slowly, steadily losing their treesand with them, their ability to store carbon.

Mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests in southeastern Australia can store from 415 to 819 tons of carbon per hectare. That's more per hectare than the Amazon rainforest. So the decline of these special trees, the tallest flowering plants on Earth, is a major concernfor the forests and the climate system as a whole.

Our new research shows how mountain ash forests are changing. Half a century of forest measurements show warming is reducing the number of trees these forests can support.

For every degree of warming, a forest loses 9% of its trees. By 2080, when temperatures are expected to be 3C warmer than pre-industrial levels, these forests could lose a quarter of their treesand the carbon they store. This has global significance as the trend is likely to be widespread.

Why warming causes tree loss

Trees in forests compete with each other for essential resourcessunlight, water and nutrientsall of which are in limited supply. When one tree gets more resources, others get less. This is nature's zero-sum game.

Growing trees need more and more resources to maintain basic functions, such as producing new leaves, flowers and branches. Some naturally grow larger as they intercept more of the available resources. Others become suppressed and eventually die, as the amount of resources available becomes insufficient to keep them alive.

This natural process is known as "self-thinning." As a result, the number of trees decreases as the average tree size in a stand increases.

Warming accelerates this natural process by reducing the resources available to all trees. Warmer air pulls more moisture from soil and leaves, making it harder for trees to get enough water. Trees growing in the shade of larger neighbors, with shallower roots, suffer most from these changes.

Suppressed trees die sooner and in greater numbers. The loss of trees can happen slowly or, if there is a severe heat wave or drought, quite suddenly.

We tested these ideas using decades of data

We analyzed data from forest management experiments collected between 1947 and 2000 in Victoria's Central Highlands. Our research focused on how many trees these forests can supportwhat ecologists call "carrying capacity." This is the maximum number of trees of a given size that a piece of land can support.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

We built on more than 1,300 measurements from more than 100 forest plots to understand how climate affects carrying capacity. We used statistical methods to quantify the effects of climate over time at specific locations and to compare warmer and cooler sites.

Changes in forest-carrying capacity have important implications. As carrying capacity decreases, forests can shift from absorbing to releasing carbon. Rather than being carbon sinks, they become a carbon source.

We found forests supported fewer trees when growing in the warmest conditions where the air is drier. As temperatures increased over the five decades, forests everywhere showed increased tree death rates and decreased carrying capacity.

Our research suggests these forests could lose a quarter of their trees by 2080, releasing more than 100 million tons of stored carbon. This equates to emissions from a million cars driving 10,000 kilometers a year for 75 years.

Our findings echo results from other research initiatives across Australia. Citizen scientists contributing to the Dead Tree Detective project have been documenting similar climate impacts on trees nationwide.

Drone footage shows forest dieback in Western Australia. Credit: Guardian Australia

Global implications

Our findings have implications for global climate initiatives.

Around the world, massive tree-planting programs such as Trillion Trees are being launched to fight climate change. But our research suggests these efforts need to account for how many trees the forests will be able to support in a warmer future, not just how many they can carry now.

The impact will vary across the globe. Forests in cold regions should benefit due to longer growing seasons and milder winters. As temperatures rise, they should be able to support more trees and store more carbonprovided tree growth does not become limited by moisture availability.

In contrast, forests in warmer, seasonally dry regions such as southeastern Australia will experience the opposite trend. As they become more water-limited, tree death rates will accelerate and they will store less carbon than before.

Can we help forests cope with a warmer future?

Climate change is already reshaping the towering mountain ash forests of southeastern Australia.

Understanding how forests respond to warming will help us better protect them. While we can't stop climate change immediately, we can help forests adapt. One promising option is ecological thinningreducing stand density by selectively removing some trees to improve the health and survival chances of others.

Decades of international research shows thinned forests are more resilient to drought. The trees grow faster and survive better during dry periods.

While we can't stop climate change overnight, we can make forests more resilient to drought and less prone to carbon loss.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

In southern Iraq, a massive agricultural system was likely built by enslaved Africans who ended up staging a revolt. Credit: Antiquity (2025). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2025.72

Written accounts tell the story of the Zanj rebelliona slave revolt that took place in the late 9th century in southern Iraq. Some of the rebels were enslaved Africans working in various sectors of the local economy.

Thousands of ridges and canals still stand today across a floodplain in southern Iraq. They've long been believed to be the remains of a massive agricultural system built by these enslaved people. Creating them, and farming here, could have been what drove the rebellion that's often thought to have led to the rapid decline of the historic city of Basra and the local economy.

For the first time, our archaeological study offers a firmer timeline for when farming occurred across this landscape. This also allows an insight into how the Zanj rebellion affected the region.

We dated four of the 7,000 abandoned ridge features which cover a large swath of the Shatt al-Arab floodplain, attesting to a period of agricultural expansion.

Our study finds that this agricultural system was in use for far longer than was previously assumed, calling into question the impact of the rebellion on farming and the local economy.

Our findings enhance our knowledge of the landscape history of southern Iraq and draw attention to the historical significance of landscape features which have often been overlooked.

The secret of the abandoned ridges

Abandoned and eroding earthworks litter the floodplain of the Shatt al-Arabthe river forming at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates. This flows through southern Iraq out into the Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

Most noticeably, groups of massive, raised, linear ridge features, some of which extend for over a kilometer, are arranged in regular formations. Among these features, the remains of dried-up canals and smaller, adjoining, secondary water channels can be traced.

Today, agriculture in the floodplain is restricted to the band roughly within 5km of the river. But the abandoned features relate to farming in the past across a much larger area. While we don't know exactly what was grown, cereals like barley or wheat, dates or sugarcane are the most likely crops.

Accounts from travelers who visited the area, as well as historical maps, indicate that the modern agricultural pattern has existed, essentially unchanged, at least since the 17th century. So, the features we see in the landscape today must have been constructed, in use, and abandoned in an earlier period.

New scientific evidence for the dating of these features helps us to understand when this occurred and the historical circumstances around this phase of agricultural expansion.

In 2022, we excavated small trenches into the top of four of the ridges. This allowed us to extract soil samples from their cores. Using a method called optically stimulated luminescence dating, individual grains of soil could be analyzed. This allows the length of time since these grains were exposed to sunlight to be calculated. As our samples came from inside the ridge features, where they would have been permanently hidden from the sun, these samples should give the date when the soil was originally deposited.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

The Zanj rebellion

Until now, no significant fieldwork had been carried out to investigate these features. However, these traces of pre-modern farming have often been linked with one particular historical episodebut without concrete evidence. Documents from the early Islamic period (from about the mid 7th to mid 13th century) provide a detailed account of a slave revolt in southern Iraq during the late 9th century, between 869 and 883.

The Zanj Rebellion saw large groups of slaves rebel against the forces of the Abbasid Caliphatewhich ruled most of the Islamic world. The rebellion included violent episodes, including the sacking of the nearby city of Basra and clashes with the forces of the caliph sent to suppress the revolt. This threw southern Iraq into turmoil.

The identity of the Zanj people involved in the uprising has been a focus for debate. "Zanj" is an Arabic term used throughout the medieval period to refer to the Swahili coast of east Africa, though it was also used to refer to Africa more generally. As a result, the Zanj have typically been regarded collectively as enslaved people transported to southern Iraq from east Africa.

While the evidence for slaving traffic between Africa and Iraq during the early Islamic period is uncontroversial, the scale of the trade has been questioned. Based on genetic evidence, and the logistics of shipping large numbers to the Gulf, it has been argued that the majority of African slaves at the time of the revolt came from west and western central Africa via Saharan trade routes, rather than coastal east Africa. Importantly, the people involved in the revolt were not all African slavessome seem to have been local farmersso the rebels were a mixed group.

We know little about what the group known as the Zanj were doing before the 869 revolt. Their presence in Iraq is documented for centuries beforehandsmaller scale rebellions occurred in the late 7th century but only a few details are available about the lives of the slaves before the 9th century rebellion.

Some were involved in tasks like transporting flour. Others were dispersed in groups of 50-500 in work camps across the floodplain. Details relating to life within these camps are unavailable yet the written sources suggest the slaves were treated poorly by the "agents" who oversaw them. Other than for agriculture, it's difficult to explain why such camps would have existed across this zone.

What we know about the Zanj fits closely with the scale of the landscape features visible today. Large numbers of laborers would have been needed, both to transport the soil forming the raised ridges and to farm the areas in between. This must have been enormously difficult work.

Unanswered questions

It's often been assumed that the Zanj rebellion caused a significant decline in the region's economy, including activities like farming. Our results, however, indicate that the earthworks date to the period after the rebellion.

While some samples date to the period immediately after the rebellion, others gave dates from a century or two later, in the 11th, 12th or 13th centuries. Rather than features created in one go, these traces in the landscape were likely added to over a longer periodperhaps as part of the annual farming cycle.

This means the samples we dated likely do not relate to the earliest farming activity but provide a "snapshot" of ongoing work. Since some of the features date to shortly after the rebellion, the slaves discussed in the written sources were likely involved in creating these ridge features. However, farming across this landscape certainly continued for a significant period after the revolt's conclusion.

Be it climatic change, the impact of a pandemic, or wider economic and political shifts, exactly why such a large area of farmland was later abandoned remains an unanswered question. One which requires further research to answer.

But, by more definitively linking these landscape features to their historical context, we are one step closer to understanding social and economic processes in southern Iraq during the medieval period.

Archaeology adds another dimension to what we know about a historical event like the Zanj rebellion.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Right: the team's experimental setup. The quantum chips are mounted in two chip boxes separately. They are connected through a microwave cable. Left: image of the entangling concept. Two Schrodinger's cats are placed in different boxes, their live and death are correlated because of the entanglement. Credit: Dr. Pei Liu.

Quantum computers hold the potential of solving some optimization and data processing problems that cannot be tackled by classical computers. Many of the most promising quantum computing platforms developed so far are based on superconducting qubits, tiny circuits based on superconducting materials.

Despite their good performance, most superconducting quantum processors still exhibit significant limitations that prevent their upscaling and deployment. These include frequency crowding (i.e., an interference between multiple qubits with overlapping resonance frequencies) and difficulties associated with the control or measurement of several qubits.

To overcome these limitations, some physicists and engineers have been exploring the possibility of realizing distributed quantum computing, which entails the connection between several smaller processors that act as one larger system. This would require the establishment of so-called entangling gates, instructions that simultaneously act on two or more qubits and link them via the quantum mechanical effect known as entanglement.

Researchers at the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently introduced a new approach to create high-fidelity entangling gates between two distant superconducting quantum processors. In a recent paper, published in Physical Review Letters, they reported the realization of high-fidelity entangling gates between two processors that were 30 cm apart.

"This work originated from a question posed by Dr. Fei Yan (one of the co-authors) last year," Wen-Gang Zhang, co-author of the paper, told Phys.org. "He asked, 'Can we realize a two-qubit entangling gate between two remote quantum chips?'

"As noted in the paper, remote connections between quantum chips have been demonstrated previously. However, these implementations invariably relied on quantum state transfer (QST), a process inherently unsuitable for circuit-based quantum computing. In other words, QST cannot directly enable universal quantum computation."

The main objective of the team's recent study was to overcome the limitations of QST-based approaches for realizing entangling gates between remote quantum chips. Notably, the researchers were able to realize two widely utilized two-qubit entangling gates, known as CNOT and CZ.

"We realized the two-qubit entangling gates (perfect entangler) utilizing the cross-resonance effect," explained Zhang. "The effect is widely used for realizing entangling gates between superconducting qubits which are nearby on the same chip. In those works, the qubits are coupled by capacitors between them. Our idea is that the linear harmonic oscillator can also be used to couple two qubits, and a long microwave cable can be regarded as a microwave cavity."

Photograph of and circuit schematic for the remotely coupled system. (a) Photograph showing the two packages connected by a superconducting coaxial cable. Each copper sample holder has a small coil installed inside each package and beneath the chip. Inset: layout of one chip that consists of a transmission line (orange), a resonator (purple), a transmon (green), and a half-wavelength coplanar waveguide (HW-CPW, red). (b) The circuit schematic, and the 15th standing-wave mode of current inside the cable. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/npr7-b7kq

As part of their study, the researchers explored the possibility of using a microwave cable to couple remote qubits. Subsequently, they leveraged an effect known as the 'cross effect' to realize their desired entangling gates.

"This work demonstrates the first direct two-qubit gate between different quantum chips with such high fidelity," said Zhang. "Notably, the protocol is remarkably simple to implement, requiring no additional qubits or control lines. We believe this will be a crucial building block for distributed quantum computing."

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

This recent work by Zhang and his colleagues could soon open new exciting possibilities for the realization of universal and distributed quantum information processing. In the future, the methods employed as part of this study could also be used to couple qubits in the same quantum chip, potentially also enabling the implementation of quantum LDPC error correction codes (i.e., codes designed to detect and correct errors made by quantum computers).

"So far, we realized a simple demonstration of the two-qubit entangling gate between two remote chips," added Zhang. "In the future, we plan to fabricate some larger chips which contain ~100 qubits and entangle them together to finally achieve the goal of distributed quantum computing. Also, the microwave cable is wire-bonded onto the chip. We want to make it plug-in and play so that we can substitute one of the chips without taking the whole system off the dilution fridge."

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Juan Song et al, Realization of High-Fidelity Perfect Entanglers between Remote Superconducting Quantum Processors, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/npr7-b7kq. Journal information: Physical Review Letters

 2025 Science X Network
A federal judge ruled that the United States government must reinstate a grant to an Orchard Park farm after it was terminated as part of President Trump's crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion  widely known as DEI  programs.

Orchard Park farm files lawsuit against federal government over DEI grant termination Providence Farm Collective in Orchard Park is suing the federal government over the government's cancelation of a grant deemed to be funding a diversity, equity and inclusion program.

Providence Farm Collective joined four other agriculture and sustainability focused nonprofits in filing the lawsuit in June against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, and other federal agencies and employees. Providence Farm Collective and the other nonprofits accused the government of illegally withholding their funding, and sought to have their grants restored.

On Aug. 14, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell issued a temporary decision ordering the USDA to restore the terminated grant while the lawsuit works its way through the judicial process.

"It's as good as if none of this had ever happened," said Executive Director of the Farmers Justice Center Scott Carlson, who is an attorney representing Providence Farm Collective and the other nonprofits.

Providence Farm Collective provides local refugees and immigrants with access to farmland. The collective sits on 37 acres of land in Orchard Park and is made up of 30 farms tended by more than 200 farmers. The farm was notified in April that it would lose up to $500,000 in funding it was using for its Incubator Farm Program that helps refugee, immigrant and Black farmers start their own farm businesses.

Providence Farm Collective's grant was through the USDA's Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program. The farm collective's incubator program is the only new farmer training program in Western New York that provides participants with farmland, farming and business education, shared equipment, resources and access to markets with a goal of launching viable farm businesses.

In a letter to the farm, the USDA stated that one of its priorities is "to eliminate discrimination in all forms throughout the United States," including by "ensuring that the Department's awards do not support programs or organizations that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion ('DEI') initiatives."

Under Trump, the federal government has been dismantling programs, cutting funding and ending policies related to DEI. The administration says that DEI initiatives are discriminatory and illegal.

In her 92-page decision, Judge Howell wrote the USDA did not conduct an individualized review of the grants it terminated. Rather, it appears the agency was searching for specific terms related to DEI or climate change, and if those terms were part of the grant, it was canceled. The judge also ruled that nonprofits, including Providence Farm Collective, were irreparably harmed due to the loss of the grants.

Providence Farm Collective Executive Director Kristin Heltman-Weiss said the court's decisions "provides relief for the moment." When she learned of the judge's ruling via text last week, she was eating lunch with about 100 other workers at the farm. She announced the news to an "outburst of applause and joy."

Orchard Park's Providence Farm Collective gets federal grant canceled over DEI concerns An Orchard Park farming collective saw its federal grant funding terminated last month after the government determined the money was being used to fund a diversity, equity and inclusion  widely known as DEI  program.

"We know it's this little victory, and we know that we still have so far to go, and we know that with all of these executive orders, our programs' existence are threatened," Heltman-Weiss said. "But we're just going to continue to keep doing what we do."

Due to the grant loss, Providence Farm Collective's Incubator Farm Program has been running on "extremely limited general operating funds." The farm expressed concern in the lawsuit that it would have to lay off staff and cut parts of the incubator program if the funding was not restored.

Heltman-Weiss said the farm should be able to access the remaining $257,000 of the grant in September. But she is concerned that a recent executive order signed by Trump related to the oversight of federal grants could impact how Providence Farm Collective can use the money.

"There is still much that is unclear about the grant conditions, in addition to the lawsuit," she said.

According to the DOGE website, there are around 600 other USDA grants that were similarly canceled by the federal government, Carlson said. The attorney hopes as a result of this lawsuit, those grants will be reinstated, as well.
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: Matthew Hintz from Pexels

Imagine serving your country overseas, returning home and feeling unwelcome in the very place meant to support you.

That's what happened to a 44-year-old Australian Army officer who attended a local Returned and Services League (RSL) lunch while on leave.

She recalls: "One of the older men catcalled mewhen I raised it with the president, he dismissed it as 'boys will be boys.' As a still-serving commissioned officer, it was deeply upsetting. I never returned."

Her story is far from unique.

Our research from the Open Door Initiative at Flinders University reveals many women feel unwelcome in RSL spaces. Some leave. Others never join.

Women describe subtle but persistent exclusion. One said, "It's not for younger vets, especially those who still work or have a family."

Another nicknamed her local RSL, dominated by older male veterans from the Vietnam War era, a "Vietnam veteran club," closed off to women and younger members. There she found walls lined with portraits of men in uniform, sexist jokes left unchallenged, and questions about the legitimacy of women veterans' medals.

The RSL's recent struggles

After years of falling membership and sub-branch closures, the RSL is at a crossroads.

Founded in 1916 to support soldiers returning from the First World War, it offered camaraderie, assistance and a way back into civilian life. Today, 1,095 RSL sub-branches remain, barely half the number from its peak in 1946.

Known for mid-week lunches, cheap drinks and Anzac Day services, the organization was built by men, for mena culture that still shapes how many sub-branches look, feel and operate.

Fewer than 10% of the veteran population in some states choose to join their local RSL. In many branches nationally, non-veteran members now outnumber those who have served.

Yet many veteran men still resist making space for women or younger veterans. One male interviewee told us bluntly: "I don't think we should change our traditions to accommodate [these] veterans."

Sometimes exclusion is more direct.

Sarah Case, a former sub-branch president in Queensland, recalled being labeled "a real bitch" by male branch members, adding:

"It's typical of the experience of being a woman, a woman with a brain who's prepared to stand up for herself."

Deborah Langford, another woman veteran on a sub-branch committee in regional Victoria said, "I'm here but I'm not heard."

A recent 60 Minutes investigation made allegations of shocking attacks on women in the military.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

Deeper issues

These issues shouldn't surprise. The RSL draws its members from the Australian Defense Force, where women have long reported sexism, harassment and inappropriate behavior.

Media reporting continues to highlight how entrenched these problems remain. It's no surprise those dynamics often carry over into veteran spaces.

Many RSL branches feel frozen in time: beers, bingo and military banter. But younger veterans, especially women, are juggling work, families and the long-term impacts of service, including trauma. They need safe, inclusive spaces and real support.

For women who have served, especially those who experienced harassment or assault during service, traditional RSL environments can feel unsafe.

One veteran said, "Going into an RSL space where there are older male veterans can be challenging. Feeling safe is really important."

Small victories and further opportunities

Some branches are starting to shift and even small changes can have a real impact.

One woman veteran in Queensland described the support she received from her state branch as "faultless," though she said it was only possible because she was supported by one of the few women advocates on staff.

At a Queensland sub-branch, Melissa Bishop, a veteran and newly appointed committee member, fought to move meetings to weekends so people with jobs and families could take part.

One woman veteran described it as "the first time I'd felt like someone had thought about veterans like me."

These are modest, hard-won changes, but scattered progress alone won't undo generations of exclusion.

Last year, the Royal Commission into Defense and Veteran Suicide recommended creating a national body to better govern the veterans' non-profit sector.

This presents a real opportunity to modernize veteran support. But without a strong focus on gender inclusion and cultural reform from the start, history may repeat, entrenching the same exclusions that have kept so many women veterans on the margins for decades.

Women are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for veteran spaces that recognize their service, value their contributions and meet their needs.

That means flexible programs, trauma-informed care, peer support and family-friendly events.

The RSL now faces a defining choice: cling to outdated ideas or evolve into a space where all who have served feel they belong.

More information: Andrew Prevett et al, The Unfolding Crisis: An Exploratory Study of the Struggle for Inclusivity and Relevance in the Returned & Services League of Australia, Journal of Veterans Studies (2025). DOI: 10.21061/jvs.v11i1.615

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Philosophy majors rank higher than all other majors on verbal and logical reasoning, according to our new study published in the Journal of the American Philosophical Association. They also tend to display more intellectual virtues such as curiosity and open-mindedness.

Philosophers have long claimed that studying philosophy sharpens one's mind. What sets philosophy apart from other fields is that it is not so much a body of knowledge as an activitya form of inquiry. Doing philosophy involves trying to answer fundamental questions about humanity and the world we live in and subjecting proposed answers to critical scrutiny: constructing logical arguments, drawing subtle distinctions and following ideas to their ultimateoften surprisingconclusions.

It makes sense, then, that studying philosophy might make people better thinkers. But as philosophers ourselves, we wondered whether there is strong evidence for that claim.

Students who major in philosophy perform very well on tests such as the Graduate Record Examination and Law School Admission Test. Studies, including our own, have found that people who have studied philosophy are, on average, more reflective and more open-minded than those who haven't. Yet this doesn't necessarily show that studying philosophy makes people better thinkers. Philosophy may just attract good thinkers.

Our latest study aimed to address that problem by comparing students who majored in philosophy and those who didn't at the end of their senior year, while adjusting for differences present at the start of their freshman year. For example, we examined students' performance on the GRE, which they take toward the end of college, while controlling for scores on the SAT, which they take before college.

We did the same when analyzing survey data collected by the Higher Education Research Institute at the start and end of college. These surveys asked students to, for example, rate their abilities to engage with new ideas or have their own ideas challenged, and how often they explored topics raised in class on their own or evaluated the reliability of information.

All told, we looked at test and survey data from over 600,000 students. Our analysis found that philosophy majors scored higher than students in all other majors on standardized tests of verbal and logical reasoning, as well as on self-reports of good habits of mind, even after accounting for freshman-year differences. This suggests that their intellectual abilities and traits are due, in part, to what they learned in college.

Why it matters

Public trust in higher education has hit record lows in recent years, according to polling by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup. Meanwhile, the rapid advance of generative AI has threatened the perceived value of a traditional college degree, as many previously vaunted white-collar skills are at risk of being automated.

Yet now more than ever, students must learn to think clearly and critically. AI promises efficiency, but its algorithms are only as good as the people who steer them and scrutinize their output.

The stakes are more than personal. Without citizens who can reason through complex issues and discern good information from bad, democracy and civic life are at risk.

What still isn't known

While our results point to real growth in students' intellectual abilities and dispositions, they do not capture everything philosophers mean by "intellectual virtue." Intellectual virtue is not just a matter of possessing certain abilities but of using those abilities well: at the right times, for the right reasons, and in the right ways.

Our measures do not tell us whether philosophy majors go on to apply their newfound abilities in the service of truth and justice or, conversely, for personal gain and glory. Settling that question would require gathering a different kind of evidence.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Dog skeletons and fur decorations on historical anoraks are among the researchers sources of ancient DNA. Credit: Carsten Egevang

The Inuit arrived in Greenland several hundred years earlier than previously believed, according to a study that mapped the genetics of sled dogs conducted by researchers from institutions including the University of Copenhagen.

For many of us, dogs are our best friends, but in Greenland, sled dogs have for centuries been more than just loyal companions: they are an indispensable workforce, partners in hunting and pullers of sleds across the country's icy terrain.

Now, the genome of sled dogs is rewriting part of Greenland's history. In the new study published in Science, researchers have for the first time found genetic evidence that the ancestors of today's Greenlandic population traveled with their dogs from Canada to the large island several hundred years earlier than previously assumed.

"Until now, we believed the Inuit arrived in Greenland 800 years ago, but the sled dog genome shows that there was already an earlier wave of immigrants 200300 years before that," says Anders Johannes Hansen, professor at the University of Copenhagen's GLOBE Institute and one of the researchers behind the study.

Genes reveal evolutionary history

Over the roughly 1,000 years that Inuit and sled dogs have lived together in Greenland, their histories have become deeply intertwined. As a result, the dogs' collective genetic material reveals important details about the movements of early Inuit populations.

By examining how closely related the dogs are to each other and to their shared North American ancestors, researchers gain insights into when the break from Canada occurred and when groups of sled dogs, together with humans, settled in different regions of Greenland.

"We're tracing human migration through their sled dogs, whichcombined with archaeological findingsprovides a better overall understanding of developments over several centuries," says Tatiana Feuerborn of the University of Copenhagen and the U.S. National Institutes of Health, lead author of the study.

"This is the first time we've had genetic evidence to pinpoint when the Inuit arrived, and that they subsequently split into four groups that settled in isolated regions," Feuerborn explains.

The dogs' genome reflects not only geographical changes but also periods when sled dog populations declined due to disease or hungerpatterns that researchers can read in the DNA.

Climate change and snowmobiles threaten sled dogs

Although sled dogs and Greenland are deeply connected, their numbers are dwindling year by year. Climate change and the rise of snowmobiles are partly to blame for the decline of these traditional working animals.

"Due to the retreat of sea ice, sleds can only be used during shorter periods of the year and in more limited areas. Combined with the use of snowmobiles, this means fewer people keep sled dogs," says Anders Johannes Hansen.

"If we want to preserve sled dogs in the future, we need data on what a genetically healthy population looks likeand that's what this study provides," he adds.

More information: T. R. Feuerborn et al, Origins and diversity of Greenland's Qimmit revealed with genomes of ancient and modern sled dogs, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adu1990 Journal information: Science
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The workplace has long been a setting for connectionand sometimes romance. In Canada, these relationships are far from rare.

A 2019 ADP Canada survey of 885 employees found that one in three have been romantically involved with a colleague. Younger workers aged 18 to 34 were especially likely to report such relationships (41%).

Similar patterns emerge in the United States and the United Kingdom, where surveys have found that 18% of partnered respondents (those married, living with a partner or in a committed relationship) met their significant other at work.

It's no surprise. We spend much of our waking lives with colleagues, building shared experiences and discovering common values and interests. At a time when finding and keeping love seems harder than ever, the office can feel like a rare place where authenticity and comfort come naturally.

Workplace relationships can contribute to a range of positive workplace outcomes. Most notably, they are linked to increased job satisfaction, stronger organizational commitment, improved morale and enhanced collaboration and teamwork.

However, workplace relationships can also create significant organizational challenges, which is why knowing how to handle them is key.

When work and love mix

Workplace romance refers to sexual or romantic relationships between members of the same organization that both parties recognize as more than strictly professional.

These relationships can include dating, extramarital affairs, casual hook-ups, flings or friends-with-benefits arrangements.

While many romances have minimal impact, some erode organizational trust by creating perceptions of favoritism, exclusion or manipulation, especially when they involve a power imbalance.

When trust is undermined, research shows that collaboration suffers, morale declines and workplace culture deteriorates. This is why organizations often have policies surrounding workplace romances.

The risks of workplace romance

In Canada, there are no laws that prohibit consensual relationships at work, and most countries similarly don't have laws governing workplace relationships.

However, Canada does have legal frameworks that require employers to maintain a safe, respectful workplace. These include the Canadian Human Rights Act, provincial human rights codes, and occupational health and safety legislation.

Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly.

To meet these obligations, many organizations implement policies that prohibit supervisor-subordinate relationships or require disclosure.

These policies exist for good reason: workplace romances can blur professional boundaries, increase the risk of sharing confidential information inappropriately, allow personal feelings to influence decisions, or create situations where one partner feels pressured to act in ways that conflict with organizational policies or ethical standards.

For individuals, the risks can also be just as real. While some workplace romances lead to enduring partnershipsMichelle and Barack Obama famously met at a Chicago law firm when she was a junior associate and he was an internothers can end less happily.

Failed relationships can leave both people vulnerable to reputational damage, career derailment and, in the worst cases, allegations of harassment that can result in termination.

These concerns are underscored by the prevalence of misconduct. According to a 2024 Statistics Canada report, almost half of women and nearly one-third of men say they have experienced inappropriate sexualized behavior at work.

Why some couples keep it quiet

Many employees choose not to disclose their workplace relationships. According to the ADP Canada survey, nearly half (45%) of those in workplace relationships kept it secret from someone at work, most often management or human resources.

Similarly, a 2023 survey of more than 600 working Americans from the Society for Human Resource Management across a variety of ages, industries and job levels found that 82% of workers who had been in a workplace romance kept it secret from their employer.

Reasons for secrecy range from a desire for privacy to concerns about gossip, judgment or professional repercussions.

This lack of disclosure means employers may be unaware of relationships and therefore less able to protect all parties if conflicts, ethical concerns or allegations arise.

Making love work in the workplace

If you find yourself navigating romance at work, here are five steps to protect both your relationship and your career:

Handled well, these steps won't just protect your career but also help your relationship stand on solid ground.

Falling for someone at work can be both exciting and rewarding. With mindfulness, open communication and respect for professional boundaries, it can become a story you cherish and proof that romance and professionalism can flourish together.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Moline is about to begin a large-scale upgrade at its South Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The plants facilities, between 40 and 60 years old, are wearing out and it has become challenging for South Slope to keep up with changing standards and requirements, city officials have said.

The project, at more than $100 million, will happen in phases over the next several years.

On Friday, city staff gave a tour of the plant, which is just east of SouthPark Mall. They discussed its function, the problems South Slope faces and how the project will address them.

A sample of South Slope

In a room at the bottom of a deep stairwell in the plants main building, the rushing sound of water mingled with the whistling, wheezing sound of machinery.

The water, flowing through a channel in the floor, was dark gray to black. It was raw sewer water arriving at South Slope.

The wheezy machine noise came from a bulky contraption crouched over the channel. Its job was to pull junk out of the flow, the first step in sanitizing the filthy water.

Rags, bottles, sticks, plastics, anything that comes in that we don't want to treat, Greg Pyles, Molines treatment operations manager, had said Friday morning, before leading the tour.

Near the machine was a tightly packed, jumbled plug of such debris, awaiting removal by South Slope staff.

About 30 gallons of the debris is pulled out daily, depending on the amount of water coming into the plant, Pyles said.

It's a regional treatment plant that serves the south side of Moline," Pyles said, and serves a portion of East Moline and all of Coal Valley.

In 2024, the plant treated more than 1.4 billion gallons of that grey-black water from the three communities, Pyles said. The average daily amount that year was about 4 million gallons.

What South Slope does

Wastewater from the three communities flows into the plant, gets scrubbed, then goes out cleaner and fresher to begin a new life as part of the Rock River.

This task of turning that wastewater into river water is a multistep process:

After the first straining for trash and other large objects, the water is strained again, this time for sand, rock and other grit.

To further remove solids, the water is then processed in tanks called clarifiers. Heavier materials still in the water are allowed to settle to the bottom.

The water can then be put through one of two distinct systems. Though they use different techniques, both systems introduce microorganisms into the water that will consume contaminants, cleaning it further.

It then makes a trip through a final set of clarifiers that removes any remaining waste as well as the waste-eating bacteria.

In warmer parts of the year, the water is also disinfected to minimize the risk of disease-causing organisms.

The water is then discharged into the river through a submerged system called a diffuser.

The solid materials strained from the water during the process are treated and sent to a landfill.

Once wastewater arrives at the plant, it takes about a day for it to be processed, with the actual length of time dependent on the amount of water coming into South Slope, Pyles said.

Showing its age

Many of South Slope's systems are reaching the end of their useful life or need updated to more modern standards, according to city documents and presentations at city public meetings.

In its present state, South Slope will not be able to meet pending updates to state rules on removing more phosphorous from the water it discharges into the environment, according to city documents and presentations at city public meetings.

Existing systems and equipment are also not as efficient or safe as their modern counterparts, Pyles and Laura Williamson, Molines director of utilities, said.

For example, to remove the trash initially collected as the water enters the plant, staff have to load it into a 30-gallon tub, and hoist it up the stairwell with a hook and cable, Pyles said.

Another element  a boom that helps strain material in one of the clarifiers for one  is rusting out and beginning to break down, Pyles said.

In the event of a malfunction, there are parts of the plant that are becoming challenging to repair  for some systems it takes time to get replacements, Pyles said.

To keep it operating safely, efficiently and to updated standards the city wants to modernize South Slope.

The South Slope fix

Molines plan to address the issues at South Slope involves replacing older buildings, equipment and systems with more modern equivalents.

Much of the original plant will be demolished during the project, Pyles said.

The project will also eliminate one of the two bacteria systems, considered obsolete. South Slope will continue to use the other method, but its older apparatus will be replaced.

Williamson said work is expected to start this fall, and is scheduled to be complete by 2029.

South Slope will not close while the remodeling is underway, she said.

This plant will stay operating during this construction project, Williamson said. So it will take us time and careful planning, with our staff, with the contractor, with our designers, to make sure that we mitigate and minimize any interruption of service.

The cost to upgrade the plant

As of now, the undertaking is expected to cost about $113 million, based on the bid of IHC Construction Companies, the contractor the city has hired to do the work.

The project cost is higher than the city anticipated during the initial planning.

Earlier in August, Charles Brown, Molines assistant utilities director, went over the financial history of the South Slope project.

When the project was first conceived a few years ago, the price tag was expected to be about $70 million, Brown said.

As assessments of the site continued, the city realized it would not be able to reuse as much of the old plant as it had originally thought, according to city documents and presentations at city public meetings.

Brown said officials discovered that the site was not up to flood elevation code.

So a lot of the buildings that we thought we'd be able to reuse or have minimal renovation on it turned out not to be the case, Brown said.

Over the years, prices for construction also increased substantially, further driving up the projects cost, Brown said.

The city is paying for the project with a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Brown said. Originally that loan fit the initial cost estimate.

Faced with the increased price tag for the project, Moline worked with the state to update the loan, Brown said. The city will now get $120 million from the state that it will pay back over 30 years at 1.9% interest.

How will this impact residents

The citys wastewater operations are funded through user fees, Brown said. To help pay back the loan, there are proposed rate increases.

For at least 2026 through 2028, city staff has proposed annual 6% rate increases, he said.

Rates, though, are only approved one year at a time by the city council, and the 6% increase for 2026 must still be approved, Brown said.

The 2025 rate is $42.89 a month for a household that uses 4,000 gallons a month. Should the 6% increase be approved for 2026, that would mean a monthly bill of $45.46 for the same household using the same amount of water.

Moline, though, is also working off some other debt related to the North Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant, he said. Once it is paid off in a few years, more money will be available to pay for the South Slope loan.

This could ease future increases in user rates, he said.

The fees Moline charges East Moline and Coal Valley would also increase 6%, to help fund the South Slope project, Brown said.
By Kyaw Soe Oo, Allison Lampert and Rajesh Kumar Singh

(Reuters) -Many Air Canada flight attendants are dissatisfied with wage increases in a tentative agreement that ended a crippling strike earlier this week and union members may not approve the deal, cabin crew and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Five flight attendants interviewed by Reuters said they plan to vote against the agreement because it fails to provide a living wage to entry-level workers and does not fully address concerns about lack of payment for hours spent waiting for a flight. The leader of the union acknowledged many members were frustrated with the deal, which was hailed initially as a union victory following an overnight blitz of talks.

That sentiment was echoed on social media posts by people who said they were flight attendants, although Reuters could not confirm their identity.

Flight attendants defied government efforts to end the strike, forcing Air Canada back to the bargaining table, where negotiators struck a deal to end the four-day action that stranded half a million passengers. This raised hopes that Canada's biggest airline had agreed to pay crews for time spent on the ground for duties such as boarding passengers rather than just when the plane is moving.

The proposed contract made some critical gains, but as details were disclosed it became clear there were limits to the ground pay offered. This frustrated many participants attending town hall-style meetings, one attendant said.

A source familiar with the matter said it was not clear whether the vote would pass.

Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) that represents flight attendants, said he understood members' frustration. He said that when the government said it would order flight attendants into forced arbitration, the union faced the dilemma of trying to protect gains secured at the bargaining table, with a desire to give members the chance to vote on the deal.

"If it's turned down, the wage portion of the tentative agreement will be resolved at arbitration; the remaining items will move forward," as the agreement, he said.

"The union fought hard to get the company to agree to move the wage piece forward in isolation from the other items, and we feel we were successful because our members held strong on picket lines."

Flight attendants voting from August 27 to September 6, cannot legally strike again if they reject the offer, the union said. But voting against the contract would prolong talks in a dispute that caused Air Canada to withdraw financial guidance for the year.

Air Canada's offer still is not "liveable," said one flight attendant who asked not to be named.

While there has been some reporting of social media posts, Reuters is the first to interview multiple flight attendants and sources who explained why they oppose the plan and suggest the vote might fail to get the required support from 50% plus one of the members.

CHEERS TO TEARS

The frustration of union members was obvious during a recent virtual meeting with members, one attendant said. She and others asked to speak anonymously due to company rules and said some attendants cried when they heard about the contract.

Over the four years, the gains would add up to roughly a 20% wage hike for entry-level flight attendants and 16% for more experienced cabin crew.

In addition to the hourly raise, crew would receive 60 minutes of pre-flight pay on narrowbody planes and 70 minutes on widebody jets, which have two aisles, with pay starting at 50% of flight attendants' hourly rate in year one, rising to 70% by year four.

The flight attendant with seven years' experience said she will vote no, citing wages and unpaid work. For example, she would still not be paid for a four-hour delay she recently faced on a recent long-haul flight.

Air Canada did not immediately comment.

On Tuesday, credit rating agency Moody's downgraded the company's outlook. While Moody's expects the strike to have a near-term limited effect on Air Canada's earnings, it said the new flight attendant contract agreement will contribute to increasing wage costs for the company and be a headwind for margins.
By Guy Faulconbridge and Lidia Kelly

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia on Sunday, forcing a sharp fall in the capacity of a reactor at one of Russia's biggest nuclear power plants and sparking a huge blaze at the major Ust-Luga fuel export terminal, Russian officials said.

Despite talk of peace by Russia and Ukraine, the deadliest European war since World War Two is continuing along the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) front line accompanied by missile and drone attacks deep into both Russia and Ukraine.

Russia's defence ministry said at least 95 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted across more than a dozen Russian regions on August 24, the day that Ukraine celebrates its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Kursk nuclear power plant, just 60 km (38 miles) from the border with Ukraine, said that air defences shot down a drone that detonated near the plant just after midnight, damaging an auxiliary transformer and forcing a 50% reduction in the operating capacity at reactor No. 3.

Radiation levels were normal and there were no injuries from the fire which the drone sparked, the plant said. Two other reactors are operating without power generation and one is undergoing scheduled repairs.

The United Nations' nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it was aware of reports that a transformer at the plant caught fire due to military activity and stressed that every nuclear facility should be protected at all times.

A thousand km north, on the Gulf of Finland, at least 10 Ukrainian drones were downed over the port of Ust-Luga in Russia's northern Leningrad region, with debris sparking fire at the Novatek-operated terminal - a huge Baltic Sea fuel export terminal and processing complex, the regional governor said.

PLUME OF BLACK SMOKE

Unverified footage on Russian Telegram channels showed a drone flying directly into a fuel terminal, followed by a huge ball of fire rising high into the sky followed by a plume of black smoke billowing into the horizon.

"Firefighters and emergency services are currently working to extinguish the blaze," Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Russia's Leningrad region, said. There were no injuries, he added.

According to Novatek, the Ust-Luga complex, which opened in 2013, processes gas condensate into light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, fuel oil and gasoil, and enables the company to ship oil products as well as gas condensate to international markets.

Novatek produces mostly naphtha for Asia, including China, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia, as well as jet fuel with delivery to Istanbul.

Rosaviatsia, Russia's civil aviation authority, said flights were halted for hours on end at several Russian airports overnight, including at the Pulkovo airport in the Leningrad region.

Ukrainian drones also attacked an industrial enterprise in the southern Russian city of Syzran, the governor of the Samara region said on Sunday. A child was injured in the attack, according to the governor, who did not specify exactly what had been attacked.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military said it had struck the Syzran oil refinery. The Rosneft-owned refinery was forced to suspend production and crude intake after the attack, sources told Reuters.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has said its strikes inside Russia are in response to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine and are aimed at destroying infrastructure deemed crucial to Moscow's overall military efforts.
In an article as a law student at the University of Virginia, future Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan rebutted as un-American a movement that had gained momentum to make English the nations official language.

In the nations early days, government accommodated language minorities, she noted. The code of Virginia used to be printed in German because we had such a large German population, McClellan, D-4th, said in an interview Thursday.

The nations founders saw no need to make English the official language. Donald Trump, in his infinite folly, has done so by executive order  even as he undermines laws mandating English access for those not proficient in it.

His Education Departments rescission of guidelines for English language instruction is the latest incoherent action by an administration whose consistent theme is the targeting of immigrants and nonwhite people and the unraveling of civil rights protections. Having placed roadblocks and arrests on the pathway to citizenship, this administration now seems intent on impeding the learning of the language Trump has designated as official.

This is his latest attack on immigrant communities and an effort to eliminate a key tool used to ensure every child has the ability to learn and succeed, McClellan said. And hes trying by executive fiat to roll back decades of civil rights protections writ large, and this is just one more example of that.

The rescinded guidelines  now marked on the Education Department website as available for historical purposes only  were crafted in 2015 during the Obama administration.

The point of the Department of Education is to protect the civil rights of students because state and local governments either wouldnt or couldnt, McClellan said. And while Congress has had a mandate for decades to accommodate the needs of English learners, it wasnt until these guidelines were provided that our schools really had a useful tool to help them do that. So this takes that tool away, but it also signals were not going to enforce students civil rights.

In 2021, there were nearly 5.3 million English language learners enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics  more than 1 out of every 10 students.

According to the Virginia Department of Education website, school divisions in our state serve more than 145,000 English learners who speak more than 280 languages. Henrico County Public Schools currently serves 5,938 K-12 students in English language learner programs in a division where about 130 languages are spoken by students and staff, said division spokesperson Eileen Cox.

In Richmond Public Schools, about 22% of the students  approximately 4,500  are active English learners, spokesperson Alyssa Schwenk said. Thats not counting former learners who have been deemed proficient.

By not meeting the educational needs of all students, you will create or perpetuate a permanent underclass of citizens who will never be able to succeed, whether thats by design or not, McClellan said.

The Trump administration apparently would rather deport these students than teach them. But many of these English learners are U.S. citizens.

All I can say right now is that the loss of federal guidance does not erase the moral obligation schools have to provide English learners with meaningful access to education, said Deanna Fierro-Kin, a Virginia public school administrator who formerly taught in Richmond and Henrico. This sends the wrong message ... or a very intentional message to close doors to newcomer families.

Removing federal guidance for English learners is a major step backward. I want to see how our state responds because students still need strong protections and support to succeed, she said.

Conor Williams, a senior fellow with The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank, says the rescission of the guidelines should be considered in a broader context that includes this summers withholding of Title III funding for ESL instruction, Trumps executive order Designating English as the Official Language of The United States, and the Department of Justices minimization of language services such as interpreter services and translation support.

If this were about making sure that children become proficient in English, the research is pretty clear that you support them in exposing them to English and in developing their other non-English language, and you provide resources for that. But thats not what this is about, Williams said.

What this is about is this sort of cultural proxy that language has in the United States  that a country where there are other languages beyond English starts to feel like a certain culture-war battlefield for some politicians. And so it doesnt really matter what the research says is best for kids about learning English. Its more about what declaring English by fiat the official language means for conservative activists.

The guidance itself is one thing, he said, but its part of this very broad assault on the broader systems of the federal government and how they meet multilingual communities needs.

The guidance is nonbinding; it created no new legal obligations, Williams said. But the rescission signals to school districts that the law might not be enforced as thoroughly as it used to be, so they might be able to deprioritize English learner students in terms of resources, in terms of language access supports.

That would be a mistake, Williams said, noting that the rescinding of the guidelines doesnt mean that the civil rights laws underpinning them went away.

The actions that you take now will still be subject to scrutiny by a future administration that decides those laws still matter, he said. Districts should be very wary of interpreting this repealed guidance as license to just ignore these kids.

McClellan described this situation as part of the weaponization of civil rights institutions and laws to undo the very protections they put in place. And this is the latest example of that, wrapped up in his larger attack on immigrant communities, she said of Trump.

We should be expanding our national language palette, not shrinking it, while equipping English learners with the tools to meet the challenges of a competitive world. Instead, Trump is demanding assimilation amid his deportation program. He wants everyone to speak English, but is resistant to teaching it.

At the National Association for Bilingual Educators Conference in 2022, Miguel Cardona, then the U.S. Education Secretary, expressed a more forward-looking view of multilingualism, from his perspective as an English learner.

It is because of the bilingual educators I have been blessed to serve alongside that I often remind our students that their bilingualism and their biculturalism is their superpower, he said, describing bilingualism as an asset, not a deficit. Multilingualism should be the norm, not the exception.

In designating a language but not enforcing its access to those who would learn it, America becomes exceptional only in its stupidity.

Michael Paul Williams (804) 649-6815
Since the announcement that Google is considering building a data center in Botetourt County, questions have swirled about how a project of that scale could impact the regions utilities  especially the water.

If Google follows through with its idea to develop a data center campus on the 312-acre site it bought in the Botetourt Center at Greenfield, it will be the Western Virginia Water Authoritys largest single-location customer, WVWA Executive Director Mike McEvoy said.

Google purchased the land for $14 million but has not given a concrete timeline for the project.

Water is used in data centers to cool equipment. A draft agreement between the county and the water authority estimated that the potential data center campus could require between 2 million and 8 million gallons of water each day, as reported by Cardinal News.

Botetourt County provided a copy of the document to The Roanoke Times on Aug. 7, in which such details were redacted. The county board of supervisors has approved the draft agreement, but the WVWA board has not voted on the matter yet.

Botetourt County would be responsible for the entire cost of the water supply project up to $100 million, and it would be responsible for a portion of the cost up to $300 million, according to the agreement. The WVWA would be responsible for any remaining costs. How much the entire cost ends up being will depend on what exact water replacement plan is put in place, said Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe.

The draft agreement outlines that the water authority will establish a water supply source development fund, to which the county will contribute $8 million throughout the projects development.

In addition, the county is required to make annual deposits to the fund beginning prior to Dec. 31, 2028, until certain terms  outlined in the agreement  are met. The WVWA will make a $250,000 deposit into the fund until the countys obligations for annual deposits end.

Carvins Cove is the WVWAs largest reservoir, with the ability to hold around 6.4 billion gallons. The treatment plant there can treat up to 28 million gallons per day, McEvoy said. Currently, they are producing around 10 million gallons of water a day from the reservoir  up from the typical 7 million, as the reservoir is pretty full currently, he said.

Roanoke and Roanoke County jointly formed the WVWA in 2004. Since then, it has expanded to include Franklin County, Botetourt County, Boones Mill and Vinton. It also contracts to operate the water and wastewater systems for the Town of Fincastle and Craig-New Castle, according to its website.

On June 9, Roanoke City Mayor Joe Cobb sent a letter to Larrowe and Botetourt County Board of Supervisors Chair Amy White regarding the countys request for increased water capacity from the WVWA. In it, Cobb wrote that in order for the city to offer formal support for increased water service to Greenfield, there are a number of concerns that must be addressed to ensure the long-term sustainability and fairness of any agreement.

The city proposed that Botetourt County replace the up to 8 million gallons per day the project could utilize within 10-15 years by creating new water sources or upgrading existing infrastructure.

The letter went on to request that Botetourt County pay the city 15% of the annual tax revenue generated by project until the water capacity is fully restored, and that the county require Google to pay for repairs, replacements or enhancements to city-owned assets at Carvins Cove Park that are directly impacted by water level fluctuations.

Roanoke County then sent a letter to Larrowe on June 23, stating that if Botetourt County entered an interim tax revenue sharing arrangement with the city, as it requested, Roanoke County would expect an equal arrangement as an equal partner in the formation of the WVWA and its principal water supplies.

Our purpose in that was just that if Botetourt was considering doing something like that with the city, we just wanted to be on record and clear that our expectation would be the same thing for the county, but in the same breath saying we were not making that an ask  in other words, we were not trying to initiate that, Roanoke County Administrator Richard Caywood said in an interview.

Botetourt County has already taken all of these concerns into consideration, Larrowe said. The plan with the water authority actually solves 99.9% of the citys request, he said. Upon seeing the final authorized agreement, he thinks that the request will be certainly modified, if not removed, he said.

One of the things that the city had requested was that there end up being some kind of a water replacement plan, and I dont think that they had ever really recognized, or maybe hadnt known, that this was actually in place, Larrowe said, referencing the draft agreement with the WVWA.

Google has said that if infrastructure upgrades are necessary due to its development, it will pay for them, Larrowe said.

Since the letter was sent on June 9, Cobb said he feels that progress toward addressing these concerns has been made. One of the citys primary concerns was ensuring that the project wouldnt impact citizens that rely on Carvins Cove, not just as a source for drinking water, but also recreationally.

I think theyve heard that, and I think theyve taken that into consideration, Cobb said in an interview Friday. I feel a lot more confidence now that those questions that we raised initially are being addressed.

As long as there is a pretty solid plan related to water replacement and addressing potential fluctuation in water levels, Cobb said he thinks the citys concern about revenue sharing would be resolved.

Weve said from the beginning that we support this project. We think its a great benefit to our region, he said.

And alongside that, we just had some serious questions that I think, had we been involved earlier in the conversations, we probably could have gotten these addressed earlier, but that will help us all know going forward how to communicate some of these things earlier, Cobb added.

The water authority wouldnt have taken on the project if it didnt think it could meet its requirements, McEvoy said. The WVWA models prospective large economic development projects on its system to determine if it has the water supply and pipe capacity necessary to support them.

We can meet the projects requirements without really any strain on our system, he said.

The WVWA does recognize the need for another water source in the valley, however. Pre-COVID projections determined that the valley would need another water source by 2060, meaning that work on developing that source would need to start in 2040, McEvoy said. Additionally, localities, water authorities and other entities that manage water across the Commonwealth are currently working to update the statewide water supply plan, which is about a five-year process, he said.

With this water supply initiative thats underway right now, and really just the growth post-COVID in the Roanoke Valley, we thought it was actually a good idea to get started earlier, he said. So all these things kind of all came together at the right time.

The WVWA plans to conduct a water supply study to look at a number of options, including heightening the dam at Carvins Cove to increase its capacity or increasing infrastructure at Spring Hollow Reservoir to bring more of that water out to its central service area, to determine which one makes the most sense for increasing water supply to Greenfield, McEvoy said. Another option is to use treated wastewater to satisfy industrial purposes, such as the cooling systems at the potential data center.

When Botetourt County became a WVWA member in 2015, its water was supplied almost exclusively from Carvins Cove. The county has been interested in diversifying that source, McEvoy said, so the authority engaged the county about possibly developing another water source. It agreed to look at the issue and help fund another source for the valley, McEvoy said.

And, quite frankly, the development up there, the data center project, will allow the county to afford that. The revenue coming in will help them pay for developing a new water supply, he said.
A group that has organized weekly Monday rallies outside Rep. Ben Clines downtown Roanoke office is trying a new tactic to get the Republican congressmans attention.

Roanoke Social Circle has organized gatherings at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Franklin Road for the past 26 Mondays, said founder Richard Doc Gooding.

The 27th rally, beginning Monday at noon, will feature something bigger and different: The unveiling of a billboard that roundly criticizes the congressman.

Gooding, a semi-retired business management professor and consultant who moved here from Arizona three years ago, described the signage a report card on Cline. It features a lot of oversized bright red Fs, he added.

Members of an affiliated group, Do Good Virginia, are paying to rent the space from Lamar Advertising Company.

Dina Imbriani, founder of Do Good Virginia, said the cost was $2,500. But the space was available only for a month. After that, another advertiser will have the space for a year, she said.

Cline wont listen to the community, Imbriani said. He just listens to (President Donald) Trump. Hes just voting the party line. Half his constituents  at least  hes totally ignoring.

The sign in question fronts the west side of Jefferson Street and hangs over a parking lot entrance between buildings housing Ursulas Cafe and Budd & Co., an accounting firm. In that respect it presents an unusual amount of visibility to passersby.

Right now it advertises Jewells Fine Jewelry, a store in the Tanglewood area.

The new sign will contain a photo of Cline and 18 words total, including Paid for by DoGood Virginia.

Among other allegations, itll claim Cline Favors billionaires while Failing constituents and that the congressman is Fiscally irresponsible.

Thursday, I sought comment from Cline and his staff, but that exercise didnt go swell.

I forwarded the email announcing the event to Jenna Keurian, who since May has been the designated press assistant in Clines Washington office, in the wake of former spokeswoman Maggie Clemmons resignation.

There was no response  which was typical. But subsequent events hinted that the congressmans office might be experiencing more than its normal share of turmoil.

For example, Friday morning, when I forwarded the actual press release to Keurians email (rather than merely the email to which it was attached, which was sent Thursday), the result was an immediate bounce-back email that read:

I am currently out of the office until Tuesday, December 31th. If you have an urgent concern, please call our office at (202) 225-5431.

I called Clines Roanoke office instead. The woman who answered the phone told me Clines new spokesperson is a man named Zack, although she didnt know his last name, and she seemed less than certain about the spelling of his first name.

Next, I called Clines office on Capitol Hill, at the number in Keurians email. That call was answered by a woman named Rebecca in Clines Winchester district office. She explained everyone in the Washington office was in a meeting and they had forwarded their phones to Winchester.

It was unclear whether they were meeting about the anti-Cline report card billboard thats about to be unveiled in downtown Roanoke, with a bunch of bright red Fs.

Anyway, Rebecca didnt know the name of Clines new spokesman either, but she offered to take my name and contact information. So I gave her my cell phone number and asked her to have someone call.

As usual, nobody did. (Roanoke rallyers arent the only ones who cant get Clines attention.)

Gooding, 80, is a former Arizona State University professor who moved here three years ago and still performs business consulting. He lives in the Hidden Valley area.

He said he formed Roanoke Social Circle with the premise that the reason were so divided these days is that all the social structures that once held us together have faded in our time.

He was talking about churches, fraternal clubs and other social networks whose importance has winnowed as technology has replaced many in-person activities that forced people to get to know each other. Roanoke Social Circle is trying to help replace those social structures.

Anyone can join its website by entering their email address, but the group doesnt have a large formal structure. It networks with individuals and groups.

Gooding estimates RSC has touched about 800 people, and that 500 of them have been repeat visitors to the weekly rallies. On Facebook the group has 350 followers.

We need to rebuild a social structure of like-minded people, to replace the ones that have faded, Gooding told me. Sponsoring the weekly gatherings outside Clines office is helping that goal, he added.

We call them rallies rather than protests, Gooding said. Part of the reason they come is, they dont like whats going on, but part of it is, they like the connection theyve built with other members.

Do Good Virginia is a group with about 500 members thats allied with other nonprofits, such as Huddle Up Moms; LEAP (Local Environmental Agriculture Project); and Blue Ridge Literacy.

Do Good advocates for veterans, seniors, women, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ individuals, and Virginians experiencing hunger or recovering from substance abuse.

Imbriani, 60, said the rallygoers outside Clines office for the past six months want to meet with the congressman. They want him to understand what theyre going through.

So many people are fighting for survival and basic needs, she said. Clines votes take away their chance.

Wheres the empathy for his constituents? Imbriani asked. We want him to answer the questions, Why are you voting this way? and Why are you ignoring your constituents?

She added: This isnt just about politics. Its about civic responsibility. We believe public servants should face their constituents  not avoid them.
How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

My husband (were both men) brought home a guy for a threesome without telling me, saying he wanted it to be a surprise. It was. The guy happened to be incredibly hot, so I went along with it anyway, but I think him springing this on me without consulting me first was pretty thoughtless. Should I try pulling the same trick on him and see how he likes it?

What Goes Around

Dear What Goes Around,

Youre asking if you should punish your husband for what? Bringing a hot guy home? Please. I agree with you that he should have asked you first, but he didnt and you tacitly forgave that by having sex. If the experience was nevertheless unenjoyable or even if the shock of the proposition outshined the actual sex, a conversation is in order. Just ask him to talk about it with you first, explaining that this is not the type of surprise that you find fun.

But if the sex was really good and youre miffed purely on principle, Im going to urge you to try to center yourself in the realm of the practical. You could look at this as a new era in your relationship: your thirds era. Your husbands method was a bit sloppy but you had fun anyway, and now there is more of that kind of fun that you can have. By all means, you have been given an implicit pass to do the same (at least once), and you should if you are so inspired and can remain in the original sharing spirit. But doing the same thing to him for sheer retaliation is escalating; he was thoughtless in your assessment. Dont see and raise him with calculating and punitive. Keep sex fun and share a guy because its a hot thing to do, not to settle a score. Not only is that adding negativity where it doesnt belong, itd be treating the third as a pawn, not a person.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit

Dear How to Do It,

Im a single, straight male who just turned 60. Ive never really had much of a sex life outside of masturbation. Im not a bad looking guy, as Ive been told, but have never had much confidence in myself. The limited sexual encounters Ive had have been mainly with escorts (that, however, is a topic for another day.) My question deals with ejaculation. Over the last several years, Ive noticed a marked decrease in ejaculate strength and volume. When I orgasm, the result is often a dribble, and generally one shot. I masturbate 3-5 times a week on average. What Id like to know is, is this normal for my age? If not, is there something that I can do to get a little more umph in my game?

I Want More

Dear I Want More,

Your suspicion is likely correct: Your ejaculatory underwhelm may indeed be a product of age. From urologist Aaron Spitzs The Penis Book:

Advertisement

As men pass the threshold of middle age, their pelvic floor muscles become weaker and less semen is ejaculated with less forceeven down to none at all. Also, the seminal vesicles tend to empty less completely and may become partially blocked by the prostate gland as it enlarges. These are normal consequences of getting older.

Advertisement

To put an even finer point on this, a 2007 analysis of more than 6,000 semen samples found that on average, the peak semen volume came from subjects between 30 and 35 in age, and the lowest volumes came from subjects who were ages 55 and up. Spitz adds that other factors that may play a role in semen volume include hormone balance, hydration, overall health, level of arousal and the strength of ones pelvic floor.

Advertisement

This may be entirely out of your control, but you may want to consider exercising your pelvic floor (or doing kegel exercises, as theyre called). This typically involves squeezing your pelvic floor muscles repeatedly for periods of time. You can locate the muscle by stopping your flow of urineworking your kegels basically amounts to doing that same thing over and over. There are various online guides for these exercisesI use the Stamena app. Another thing to consider is the usefulness of abstinence. A study of 27 men followed for 16 months found that semen volume increased 11.9 percent per abstained day for the first four days of abstinence and 7.1 percent thereafter. Try taking a few days off and see if that boosts your balls.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

I dont recommend any kind of supplements that purport to increase semen volume. Any kind of reported success from them is anecdotal and generally on a person-to-person basis (Ive tried some for the sake of answering these very questions and saw no difference). I know there are some supplements and despite a friend being one of the founders of one of these I would not say they actually do anything, Charles Welliver, director of mens health at Albany Medical College and my go-to urology source, wrote to me in an email regarding your letter. Something else you might want to look into: Medications (including urologic ones) may cause lower semen volume so if you had any changes recently in your regimen, that may be the culprit. Otherwise, This isnt something you need to see a doctor about. There isnt much you can do, wrote Welliver.

Advertisement

You should also pause to consider why this matters to you. Maybe its a way of providing to yourself that your body isnt as old as the years suggest, or maybe you just like to think to yourself, Look what I made!, while gazing at the giant puddle of sperm you just produced. But since your play is largely solo, youre the only one whos judging. Its great to strive for more than what you already are and can do, but self-acceptance is key for happiness. If you cant boost your volume, find a way to be OK with that. Even if they arent big, your loads are still yours.

Advertisement

Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace!

The columnists behind our advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here!

Advertisement

Dear How to Do It,

I am having an issue that while not the biggest problem in the world, is still something I would rather not deal with. My wife and I have been together for seven years, married for four. Within the last year and a half, if we dont have sex the previous night, I wake up with morning wood. Ive tried jerking off when my wife doesnt want to have sex, but it doesnt work. If I dont get laid or at least a blow job, I will be guaranteed to be standing at attention come morning. Any suggestions?

The Sun Isnt the Only Thing Rising

Dear The Sun Isnt the Only Thing Rising,

Two thoughts on whats going on here: Your reporting is imprecise (no shade, you arent a one-man scientist/subject and no one except me is truly concerned about your data), or this has something to do with hormones. Anecdotally, at least one person reports a more likelihood to get morning wood if he has had sex the night before. Regardless, a person like you and a person like him are both likely getting multiple erections a night. The exact reasons for nocturnal penile tumescence, as its officially referred to, arent known, but it may have something to do with the bladderperhaps as an alert of its fullness or because a full bladder stimulates nerves that end up causing these spontaneous erections.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Morning erections can be a sign of penile/overall health. They are something a lot of guys deal with, mostly by walking them off or peeing upon waking. If your wood is persistent, jerk off or ask your wife if shes down for a morning bone. Morning wood can be annoying, but its absence can indicate something worse. Morning and overnight erections are normal! They are good for penile health, bringing in nourishing and oxygenated blood, wrote Welliver, the urologist I quoted elsewhere in this column. Embrace your morning woodhowever you see fit.

Rich

Advertisement

More Advice From Slate

Im a 52-year-old male who looks 42. Im healthy, fairly handsome, very intelligent, successful, musically talented, generous, and have a great sense of humor. But, I have the absolute most difficult time engaging any type of sex that involves my penis because its smaller than average, and noticeably so. Its been over a decade since Ive had sex, been on a date, or even had a kiss, because at this point, I have so little self-confidence that I havent even attempted to ask a woman out. The penis size issue is a mental block for me. How do I move beyond this?
This is One Thing, a column with tips on how to live.

I read a lot of recipes. In fact, investigating why so many of them lead home cooks astray is my side gig right now here at Slate (send us a question!). And in all of my reading (and subsequent cooking), theres one simple instruction that immediately endears me to a recipe. One simple directive that convinces me to trust the mind behind the text, because its a step that truly makes a world of difference. Its so easy. A quick trick that augments any dish; its the food hack to end all food hacks: a drizzle of olive oil.

Pasta recipes far and wide benefit from an extra drizzle of olive oil. Soup is improved immensely from a small trail of the stuff, and I would even suggest it should be standard practice to finish any lentil stew with a quick glug of luxurious extra virgin olive oil (that, and a splash of vinegar).

Just a couple weeks ago, I watched a deli worker at Molinari in San Francisco drizzle a little bit of oil from a container of sun-dried tomatoes onto my focaccia sandwich. Genius. At one of my favorite restaurants in Detroit, I was recently served a cold plate of Parisian ham thats finished with salt, pepper, and yep, you guessed it, a little shower of olive oil. Vegetables, proteins, soups, salads, pastas, you name itthey all benefit from this one simple enhancement.

Chefs, recipe developers, and savvy home cooks all understand the power of a little drizzle of oil, and its time for everyone else to wise up at home. Extra virgin olive oil raises the stakes on everything it touches. Subpar frozen pizza? Add a little olive oil. Need a nonbutter yet buttery popcorn topping? Olive oil. Shoot, I reckon a Crunchwrap Supreme from Taco Bell would be vastly improved from a little bit of the stuff.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Olive oil contains a spectrum of flavors, so its important to find one that speaks to you. At the grocery store, California Olive Ranch (the stuff thats 100 percent from California, not the global blend) does the job nicely. Its smooth, mild, but rich enough to reach decadence. Great for cooking (think: basting eggs in the morning) and drizzling. You should also try to buy oil from small, family-owned operations when you can. My current favorite bottle is Chiavaroli, from Italy, and I use it exclusively for drizzling on top of homemade pasta. Its color is dark green, and it tastes fruity, buttery, and smooth. Whatever fresh pasta dish Ive recently made at home, a little drizzle of this stuff instantly makes it more luscious.

Whenever I travel to Italy, Spain, Greece, or Portugal (the latter of which is a very underrated supplier of olive oil), I try to bring home something new and exciting. Nunez de Prado from Spain, Faris from Greece, and Mondegao from Portugal. Each has a different, unique flavor. Some peppery and bitter (Greece), some grassy and nutty (Italian), some bright and acidic (Portugal), and some as bold as they are rich. Have an arsenal of olive oils, and you possess the ability to raise up any mediocre meal to a good one, and elevate a good meal into great territory.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Utilizing olive oil in such an everyday manner isnt the most American technique, but we could learn a lot from other olive oilproducing countries. The stuff is a powerful weapon to be had at home. Moreover, what olive oil represents to me is a bit of easily accessible, daily splendor. Some everyday opulence. Make no mistake, thats an important part of life. Im not rich, and I likely never will be, but I splurge on a good bottle of olive oil every damn time. Part of what makes the horrors of life bearable is finding small, everyday luxuries where you can: Some time spent in the beauty of a natural park, an art museum, basking in the sunshine on a blanket with your loved ones, wading in a pool of water with your dog, and yes, drizzling olive oil on a well-prepared meal.
Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily.

Want to be a writer? First, spend a minimum of $4,095 to travel to Guatemala, where youll be treated to a beachside massage and a traditional Mayan Shaman fire ceremony. You can then hone your craft during a week on the Queen Mary 2 ($1,175, not including the cabin) or at an estate in Tuscany ($4,200), or while indulging in writing in a French chateau and visiting local artisan markets ($4,200).* Spend the mornings doing yoga and the afternoons horseback riding, two activities that are so common that Id consider asking for my money back if they didnt appear on my itinerary. At these high-end writers retreats, chef-prepared meals are de rigueur, and whats the point of a trip to France or Italy without ever-flowing wine? Maybeif your jet lag and the wine from the night before have worn offyou can even sneak in a little writing time.

Ive been bombarded by offerings to spend money to develop my writing skills over the course of my 15-year career: editors for hire, online and in-person workshops, private consultations with book gurus, and many, many retreats. But recently, the amenities on these trips have become so luxurious and the prices so eye-popping that Ive begun to wonder: Just what kind of amateur writer goes on these five-star literary retreats? And, more to the point, how many of them are being ripped off?

My first thought as I perused these offerings was an unfair one: Anyone with the time and money to embark on one of these vacations couldnt possibly be a real writer. Real writers sit under flickering fluorescent lights in musty conference rooms and workshop short stories about sad suburbanites. The people on these excursions must be easy marks for so-called experts peddling a high-priced secret to literary acclaim and riches. My second thought was: Why havent I been invited to teach at any of these?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Artistic retreats (call them colonies if youre fancy) have long been a staple of creative life. Yaddo has been hosting artists from Hannah Arendt and James Baldwin to Miranda July and Ta-Nehisi Coates in Saratoga Springs, New York, since 1926. Bread Loaf, in Vermont, has been around just as long and boasts Robert Frost, Toni Morrison, and Justin Torres as alumni. There are also famed weeklong writing seminars at places like Sewanee University that pair expert instructors with students chosen through a highly competitive application process. What separates these organizations from the five-star offerings that stretch from Kenya to Reykjavik and beyond? You dont need an approved writing sample to go on these luxury retreats. All you need is cash and time.

Allison K. Williams is an experienced writer and teacher who organizes the retreat on the Queen Mary 2 and other trips to Tuscany, Portugal, and, soon, India. Her offerings level the playing field, she says, opening up the experience of writerly instruction and camaraderie to a wider range of people who may not have had the time and training to produce a polished writing sample.

Advertisement

The retreats that I teach, theyre all first come, first served, Williams says. A lot of the writers that I work with are not yet at a place in their writing career where something like Bread Loaf is right for them. Theyre not going to benefit from it as much because theyre not working at quite that level of craft yet.

Advertisement

Of course, there are clear class divides at play here, which means these retreats dont bring out the most diverse cohort of writers. Williams knows that this is a flaw in the system and brought it up before I even had a chance to ask. Every writing event I have ever been to in my entire life, both talent-tested application retreats and pay-to-play retreats and conferences, are all 98 percent white ladies, she says. Women of an age where they are able to boss their own life and choose their own calendar. And for most women, thats somewhere around 60 or 70.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Whether theyre on their fifth novel or just putting pen to paper, writers need a community and readers willing to look at their pages with a critical eye. Many of the people going on retreats, attending local writing conferences, and signing up for virtual classes are women who have started writing late in life not because they didnt want to write earlier, but because job and family demands kept them from diving in.

This is one of the points where I began to reflect on my own hypocritical position in the writer-industrial complex. My own MFA cost about 10 times what any of these retreats will, and despite being in Texas, I didnt get to ride a horse once.

Advertisement

Advertisement

MFA programs arent known for diversity among the faculty or the students. The Association of Writers and Writing Programs conducted a survey of MFA programs in 2015 and found that 73 percent of attendees were white, non-Hispanic students. I went into my program knowing Id have only one instructor who was a person of color and that most of my cohort would be white. Still, I wanted to build a community of writers and improve my craft.

Advertisement

Marjie Alonso, a nonfiction writer who lives in Provincetown, has attended multiple retreats. She believes its incumbent on the organizers to do more to address demographic issues. She sees them taking no responsibility for bringing in young people, people of color, different cultures. She adds, They should be doing scholarships. Theyre not. They could do raffles or giveaways, and theyre not.

For novelist and writing instructor Andromeda Romano-Lax, the steep cost and lack of diversity are far from the only potential downsides to a writers retreat. Romano-Lax has taught in multiple MFA programs and has hosted her own writing gatherings, yet she warns writers that there are risks they might not have considered. What Ive seen at multiple workshops is a lot of people coming in unprepared for the experience, vulnerable, and not only leaving sessions in tears but feeling like they lost the will to write, she says.

Advertisement

Advertisement

This risk is heightened by the fact that so many of the writers who pick up the pen after retirement are working on memoirs, telling sensitive family stories, and working through their own trauma. Books about children who died, recovery from substance abuse, and the aftermath of rape and sexual assault are common topics.

Related From Slate Lets Banish the Phrase Creative Writing Read More

Romano-Lax fictionalized some of her experiences in her novel The Deepest Lake, which is set at a high-end writing retreat in Central America. The novel was based partly on a specific retreat known for an intense workshop style thats shaken many writers and left them floundering. Karen Rand Anderson, a visual artist and writer, reached out to me with a similar story. The participants were encouraged to lay bare and share their traumatic memoir themes, while [an instructor] commented with their personal take on our writing, and often made bold and inconsiderate corrections and assumptions, she says. Rather than making me want to dive in and pursue my writing project, I chose to take a big break from it after that exhausting workshop experience.

Advertisement

Writers with the resources to travel the world and indulge in a high-end retreat should do their research and make sure the organizers are qualified, trained, and equipped to deliver an experience that will help them move forward with their craft. Williams emphasizes that writers need to really understand what theyre getting into because each retreat will be different. Its really important to identify up front what [writers] are paying for, she says.  Youre going to get this many hours with this many teachers, and youll get this kind of feedback. On this retreat, we read your pages in advance. On this retreat, we dont read your pages in advance. 

Advertisement

Advertisement

When I was getting my MFA, the program director told us that one of the degrees benefits was the colleagues we made along the waysome of whom still share early drafts todayand the same seems true of these retreats. Alonso, the Provincetown-based writer, told me something similar: Writing is a solitary pursuit thats also a team sport.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Andrea Eschen, a nonfiction writer, emphasizes the valuable network she is able to build on retreats. One of the primary reasons I go is because I expand my network so much. And thats really, really helpful, she says. I have three or four [writers] that I continue to be in touch with. We read each others work sometimes or get ideas or help in one way or another.

From graduate degrees to free workshops at local libraries, there are countless paths to finding a writing community. And if you just want to fork over a few grand to hang out in France and maybe do some writing if you feel like it, well, thats your right. In fact, maybe I should get in on this. I hear one of Williams old students is launching a rival retreat, also on the Queen Mary 2. While I cant offer you a cruise, for only $900 we can hang out in the park near my house in Austin. Theres a pool! I wont talk to you or read your pages, but there are some nice trails nearby. Deposits due soon.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/146-russian-servicemen-returned-from-ukraine-controlled-territory-in-pow-exchange---mod-1122668794.html

146 Russian Servicemen Returned From Ukraine-Controlled Territory in POW Exchange - MoD

146 Russian Servicemen Returned From Ukraine-Controlled Territory in POW Exchange - MoD

Sputnik International

Russia has returned 146 Russian servicemen from territory controlled by the Kiev regime, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Sunday.

2025-08-24T12:10+0000

2025-08-24T12:10+0000

2025-08-24T12:28+0000

world

russia

pow

prisoner exchange

exchange

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/06/1a/1122342354_0:56:3440:1991_1920x0_80_0_0_08f417a65cd6220ea09a70c69f7f4514.jpg

"On August 24, 146 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime," the statement said. In exchange, 146 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over.Currently, the Russian servicemen are in Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance. All Russian servicemen will be taken to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in the Ministry of Defenses medical institutions."The return of the Russian servicemen from captivity was facilitated through humanitarian efforts by the United Arab Emirates," the Russian department stated.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/ukraine-refusing-to-take-back-1000-of-its-own-pows---russias-chief-istanbul-negotiator-1122564232.html

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2025

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia has returned 146 russian servicemen, russian ministry of defense, pow exchange
Business / International

by Ben Austin

Why Choosing the Right Digital Marketing Agency Matters

What Sets Top Agencies Apart



Why Absolute Digital Media Is Considered a Global Leader

Sector-Specific Expertise

Proven ROI-Driven Campaigns

Offices in London & Dubai - Local Knowledge, Global Reach

Crypto-Friendly Payment Options for Modern Businesses

Real Results That Speak for Themselves

About the Author

Ben Austin is the Founder and CEO of Absolute Digital Media, a global SEO and performance marketing agency supporting regulated brands across finance, iGaming, and ecommerce. With a reputation for commercial insight and technical innovation, Ben has built one of the UK's most trusted agencies for ROI-led growth.

In the fast-evolving world of financial services, visibility is no longer optional - it's critical. Brands operating in competitive financial sectors need more than just a basic online presence. They need a strategy that delivers measurable, sustained ROI. That's why the smartest finance brands partner with Absolute Digital Media . As a trusted financial services SEO partner, the agency brings unmatched sector knowledge, regulatory fluency, and a performance-driven mindset that consistently delivers commercial success.Financial services brands operate in one of the most competitive and highly regulated digital landscapes. In this environment, success is driven by data-led decisions, authoritative content, and intelligent performance marketing. SEO is not simply a tool for ranking - it's a strategic asset that shapes brand perception, drives qualified leads, and builds long-term trust.Paid media and CRO also play critical roles. A well-structured paid media campaign can amplify visibility, accelerate acquisition, and drive rapid returns. CRO ensures that traffic converts efficiently, minimising CPA and maximising revenue.But deploying these channels effectively requires deep expertise. Finance firms must navigate complex compliance standards while speaking credibly to high-intent users. Cookie-cutter agencies fall short here. The right agency doesn't just offer services - it becomes a strategic extension of your brand.The best agencies don't rely on guesswork or surface-level metrics. They integrate SEO, PPC, CRO, and content strategies into a unified growth engine. They ask the right questions. Who is the customer? What barriers exist? How does the funnel function across each acquisition channel?Top-rated agencies are defined by their ability to align strategy with revenue. They optimise for leads, not just clicks. They understand sector-specific search intent. And they use data to pivot fast when markets change.In the financial services sector, these agencies go a step further. They implement compliance-friendly content frameworks, E-E-A-T best practices, and technical SEO that accommodates FCA, GDPR, and other regulatory constraints. They know which paid media tactics generate value, and which ones simply burn through budget.Absolute Digital Media has carved out a global reputation as a top-tier SEO and performance marketing agency. With offices in both London and Dubai, the agency supports a diverse client base that spans financial services, iGaming, ecommerce, and more. But what makes Absolute stand out is not just its geographic reach - it's the commercial mindset that underpins every campaign.Absolute Digital Media is not a generalist agency. Their SEO specialists bring sector-specific experience across high-stakes industries, particularly financial services. The team understands that scaling SEO for a mortgage broker is a different challenge than doing so for a crypto investment platform.Every campaign is tailored. That means keyword strategies that reflect real customer intent, technical SEO aligned to financial regulations, and CRO that respects user trust. For example, a personal finance comparison site needs content that balances clarity with compliance. A B2B fintech firm needs a different tone and technical authority.Absolute builds strategies from the ground up, factoring in all of this and more. They don't repurpose ecommerce playbooks or rely on generic templates. They operate with nuance, precision, and a deep respect for the intricacies of financial communication.Performance marketing is at the core of Absolute's offer. Every campaign is tracked against meaningful metrics: lead quality, CPA, return on ad spend, customer lifetime value. SEO efforts are structured to drive qualified traffic, while paid campaigns are optimised to convert users at every touchpoint.For example, they might deploy advanced content silos to improve topical relevance for a pensions provider, while simultaneously running granular PPC campaigns with custom landing pages to capture high-intent searches. Every piece of work is benchmarked, reviewed, and improved.This is not theory. It's operational excellence rooted in commercial delivery. That's why clients stay. And that's why they refer Absolute as a trusted agency across their networks.Absolute's dual base in London and Dubai enables them to serve both regional and international brands. In the UK, they are deeply embedded in regulated sectors and understand how to deliver performance marketing that aligns with FCA guidance.In the MENA region, they bring tailored SEO strategies that accommodate Arabic-language content, localised search intent, and fast-growing fintech and investment platforms.This blend of global reach and local knowledge is invaluable for financial services companies expanding into new markets or seeking to unify international strategy. Few agencies have the in-market presence and cultural fluency that Absolute offers.As the financial ecosystem evolves, Absolute Digital Media continues to innovate. One such innovation is their support for crypto-friendly payment models. For Web3 platforms, blockchain fintechs, or global firms operating in decentralised markets, this matters.Being able to partner with a leading digital marketing agency that accepts crypto is more than a payment feature. It reflects operational agility, forward-thinking, and alignment with how modern financial services are evolving.Consider the case of SterlingBridge Capital, a fictional private investment firm operating across the UK and MENA regions. Before partnering with Absolute Digital Media, their organic presence was fragmented, and their paid media campaigns were generating a high CPA with low lead qualification.Within nine months of working with Absolute, organic traffic had increased by 142%, with technical SEO fixes and a new content cluster strategy improving visibility for high-value keywords. Their PPC campaigns were restructured to focus on geo-targeted, high-intent search terms, reducing CPA by 36%.Meanwhile, on-site CRO improvements led to a 61% uplift in demo requests and a 48% increase in form submissions from verified leads. This wasn't just visibility - it was qualified pipeline growth.Stories like SterlingBridge reflect Absolute's wider value proposition. They don't just drive rankings. They drive revenue.Final Word: Why Absolute Digital Media Is the Right ChoiceThe financial services landscape demands digital partners who don't just understand SEO, but who understand compliance, strategy, and growth. Absolute Digital Media brings all of that together with a clarity of purpose that is rare in the agency world.Their work is rooted in results. Their teams operate with precision. And their clients trust them because they deliver. Whether you're a challenger bank looking to scale acquisition, a B2B lender expanding globally, or a crypto-native firm seeking trusted visibility, Absolute is built to support that mission.Backed by a team of SEO specialists, performance marketers, data analysts, and creative strategists, Absolute Digital Media continues to lead the global pack. Their positioning as a leading digital marketing agency is not self-proclaimed - it's evidenced by outcomes.If you're looking for a top-rated agency to help you navigate growth in the regulated world of finance, explore what Absolute Digital Media can deliver.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/russia-will-have-a-seat-at-ukraine-security-guarantee-talks--vance-1122669471.html

Russia Will Have a Seat at Ukraine Security Guarantee Talks  Vance

Russia Will Have a Seat at Ukraine Security Guarantee Talks  Vance

Sputnik International

The US does not believe the conflict in Ukraine will end "overnight," but is still hopeful that peace can be achieved within the next six months, US... 24.08.2025, Sputnik International

2025-08-24T14:57+0000

2025-08-24T14:57+0000

2025-08-24T14:57+0000

world

jd vance

ukraine

russia

kiev

us

territory

security

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/15/1122656383_0:0:3007:1691_1920x0_80_0_0_8bd01b5ca70cb8e2cbd13895c89d698e.jpg

He said the two key issues that must be resolved for peace in Ukriane were territory and security guarantees. Russia will be involved in talks on security guarantees for Ukraine, he added. The US maintains its position of not sending troops to Ukraine, but is actively engaged in securing safety assurances for Kiev, Vance explained.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/western-countries-zelensky-trying-to-thwart-peace-talks-on-ukraine---lavrov-1122668381.html

ukraine

russia

kiev

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2025

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

jd vance, ukraine, russia, kiev, us, territory, security
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/russian-air-defense-shot-down-ukrainian-drone-near-kursk-npp-radiation-unchanged-1122666753.html

Russian Air Defense Shot Down Ukrainian Drone Near Kursk NPP, Radiation Unchanged

Russian Air Defense Shot Down Ukrainian Drone Near Kursk NPP, Radiation Unchanged

Sputnik International

Russian air defense shot down a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant, the downed drone damaged an auxiliary transformer, the press service of the Kursk NPP said.

2025-08-24T02:41+0000

2025-08-24T02:41+0000

2025-08-24T04:11+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

kursk

ukraine

russia

nuclear power plant

drone strikes

ukrainian drone attacks on russia

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/05/1118796857_0:237:3143:2005_1920x0_80_0_0_f101eaa932de879a65bd9e2c94b3f527.jpg

"On August 24 at 0:26 Moscow time [21:26 GMT Saturday], near the Kursk NPP, an air defense shot down a combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Ukrainian armed forces. When it fell, the device detonated, as a result of which the auxiliary transformer was damaged," the NPP said on Telegram. As the plant clarified, the local fire had been extinguished, as a result of which the third unit had been unloaded by 50%. There were no casualties. The radiation background at the industrial site of the Kursk NPP and the adjacent territory has not changed and corresponds to natural values, the press service concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250822/druzhba-oil-pipeline-attacked-again--slovak-economy-minister-1122660071.html

kursk

ukraine

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2025

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukraine drone strikes insiede russia, ukraine attacks nuclear power plants, kursk npp damaged
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/ukraine-holding-captive-over-20-russian-civilians-kidnapped-from-kursk-region---presidential-aide-1122670119.html

Ukraine Holding Captive Over 20 Russian Civilians Kidnapped From Kursk Region - Presidential Aide

Ukraine Holding Captive Over 20 Russian Civilians Kidnapped From Kursk Region - Presidential Aide

Sputnik International

Ukraine has been holding captive more than 20 Russian civilians kidnapped by Ukrainian troops during a 2024 raid in the western Russian border region of Kursk, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said

2025-08-24T17:29+0000

2025-08-24T17:29+0000

2025-08-24T17:30+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

russia

russian defense ministry

kursk

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/06/0b/1122226185_0:0:3012:1694_1920x0_80_0_0_17b374c5522482930457a27efe9f19be.jpg

"They have been de facto abducted and are being held hostage. Russia has been painstakingly bargaining for these civilians to be returned home. Many have been brought back, including the eight returned today. More than 20 others are estimated to remain [in captivity]," he said on Telegram. The Russian Defense Ministry said that 146 Russian servicepeople and eight Kursk residents were brought back from Ukraine in a swap on Sunday mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Medinsky, who was Russias chief negotiator at the talks with the Ukrainians in Istanbul, said that most of Kursk residents abducted by Ukrainian troops were the elderly. He said the Ukrainians were handing them back in small groups, "literally trading them" for servicepeople in Russias custody that they need the most.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/146-russian-servicemen-returned-from-ukraine-controlled-territory-in-pow-exchange---mod-1122668794.html

ukraine

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2025

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia-ukraine prisoner swap, ukraine holds russians captive, medinsky
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/us-believes-in-negotiated-settlement-of-ukraine-conflict---rubio-1122668109.html

US Believes in Negotiated Settlement of Ukraine Conflict - Rubio

US Believes in Negotiated Settlement of Ukraine Conflict - Rubio

Sputnik International

The United States believes in a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine conflict, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in his congratulatory message on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day on Sunday.

2025-08-24T07:51+0000

2025-08-24T07:51+0000

2025-08-24T07:51+0000

world

vladimir putin

marco rubio

donald trump

ukraine

us

russia

peace

peace process

peace deal

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/18/1121921224_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_1c9a2645c3cc46f1c2affc71116b2e20.jpg

"We believe in a negotiated settlement that upholds Ukrainian sovereignty and guarantees its long-term security, leading to durable peace," Rubio said in a statement published by the US Department of State. On August 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden met in Anchorage, Alaska, for talks. On the following Monday, Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders for talks at the White House. Trump then called Putin to discuss the peace process. Putin and Trump agreed that direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations should continue and discussed raising the level of representation, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250819/trumps-ukraine-peace-push-big-win-for-putin-1122651423.html

ukraine

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2025

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

settlement of ukraine conflict, us secretary of state marco rubio, negotiated settlement
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250824/west-wants-guilt-for-1999-bombings-erased-by-drawing-serbia-into-nato-1122667160.html

West Wants Guilt for 1999 Bombings Erased by Drawing Serbia Into NATO

West Wants Guilt for 1999 Bombings Erased by Drawing Serbia Into NATO

Sputnik International

The West wants to draw Serbia into NATO, including to get rid of the responsibility for the 1999 bombings, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko told Sputnik.

2025-08-24T06:16+0000

2025-08-24T06:16+0000

2025-08-24T06:16+0000

world

alexander botsan-kharchenko

serbia

belgrade

west

nato

european union (eu)

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/18/1108752813_0:60:1152:708_1920x0_80_0_0_024a8319f0e8addc25d4e1f9f3a44daa.jpg

"The West also wants Serbia to finally close, as they say, this page (with NATO bombings). Let's cooperate with NATO. They say that gradually it will be possible to draw Serbia into NATO, into NATO's orbit, and Serbia will become a member of NATO. They need this," Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko told Sputnik. "This will close their responsibility and guilt for 1999 and the aggression." In addition, the West wants to draw Serbia into the European Union, this process usually develops in parallel with joining NATO, the diplomat said. At the same time, the leadership of Serbia adheres to a clear position of neutrality, which also causes displeasure in the West, the diplomat emphasized.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250817/protests-in-serbia-leave-6-policemen-injured-56-people-detained-1122634624.html

serbia

belgrade

west

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2025

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

the west wants to draw serbia into nato, including to get rid of the responsibility for the 1999 bombings, russian ambassador to belgrade alexander botsan-kharchenko told sputnik.
After a couple of efforts that didn't generate much buzz, Nonversation entered the chat with a gritty performance in the $6,250 Open Pace at The Loop on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Hurry Home (Darryl Mason) and Two Shoes (Marc Fillion) used their inside posts to gain early position while Richard Remillard watched in third with 11-1 shot Nonversation through a :29.1 opening quarter. Favoured Ginger Tree Finny (Michel Rey) flushed Nonversation off the rail heading to the :59.2 half.

Remillard rated his charge down the backside and cleared Hurry Home through the 1:30 third station. Ginger Tree Finny looked to lose some ground around the far turn, but found his best stride once hitting the homestretch. Nonversation answered the challenge and repelled the public choice to win by half a length with the mile timed in 1:59.4. Outlaw Spiced Rum (Tyler Grundy) completed the triactor ticket.

Tara Isman trains and co-owns Nonversation, a five-year-old Mystician mare from Say Anything, along with Remillard and Jim Wilson of Regina, Sask. The win is the pacer's sixth of the year and 16th lifetime, bringing her career earnings just shy of the $100,000 plateau. She returned a solid $25.70 to win.

To view the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Manitoba, click the following link: Saturday Results - The Loop.

(Standardbred Canada)
Busy Miss Lissy S put up a fourth win in as many starts as the Ake Svanstedt-trained and -driven daughter of Calgary Games-Hills Angel S took a $34,722 division of the third leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-old filly trotters in 1:57 on Saturday, Aug. 23 at The Meadowlands.

She was parked past the quarter as Frattina Diablo S (Mark Herschberger) had the lead at that station in :28.1. Busy Miss Lissy S then took over and led the field past the half in :59.4 and three-quarters in 1:29.4 before going on to a measured neck win over a fast-closing Denarius (Dave Miller). Frattina Diablo S held third.

She hasnt lost a race yet, said Svanstedt. When they came around the far turn, she was easy. She has a big heart and proved that tonight.

As the 4-5 favourite, Busy Miss Lissy S returned $3.60 to her backers. She has earned $53,532 for owner/breeder Panamera Racing of Denmark.

In the $83,333 New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund Final for sophomore colt-and-gelding trotters, the Nancy Takter-trained Top Gun Hanover mowed down his foes after a tough first-over trip to win in 1:53.3.

The son of Walner-Think Twice had gone off stride in three of his last four outings, so Takter went back to the drawing board.

Nancy made some changes and put him back the way he was, said winning driver Dave Miller. I felt more confident and the trip went well.

Popping out of the three-hole after sitting through :27.4 and :56.4 early splits, Top Gun Hanover gradually wore down leader Go Ahead Makemyday (Andy Miller), who had led the field past three-quarters in 1:25.4, before holding off Camera Man (Svanstedt) at the wire by a neck. Top Floor Tactics (Colin Kelly) finished third.

Top Gun Hanover is now three-for-15 lifetime with earnings of $152,859 for owners E Five Racing of Boca Raton, Fla. and John Fielding of Scarborough, Ont.

Sent to the gate as the 3-1 third choice, Top Gun Hanover paid $8.

Walspea ($2.10) took the $83,333 New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund Final for three-year-old trotting fillies, charging to victory after a three-high swoop in 1:53.2 for trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer. The daughter of Walner-Speak To Me is now six-for-16 lifetime for Purple Haze Stables LLC and M3 Racing Stable.

Waldon Fashion ($4.80) captured the second $34,722 Kindergarten Series division for rookie trotting fillies in 1:56.3. Braxten Boyd piloted the Walner-Broadway Donna miss for trainer Jim Campbell and owner Fashion Farms LLC.

On Heir ($3.80) won the sole $34,722 Kindergarten dash for two-year-old filly pacers in 1:52.4 with Andrew McCarthy steering the daughter of Captaintreacherous-Delightful Dragon for trainer Noel Daley and owners Patricia Stable, Douglas Sipple, Lenny Zelin, and The Gandolfo Stables.

The $34,722 Kindergarten contest for freshman pacing males went to Watch Em Win ($7), who scored in 1:53.2 with Herschberger in the bike of the Ron Burke-trained son of Hes Watching-Winners Over for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Knox Services Inc., Phil Collura, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Mothers Moni scored in 1:56.1 in the $34,722 Kindergarten Series two-year-old colt trot event held as non-betting race before the main card. Dave Miller drove the son of International Moni-Mother Teresa for trainer Domenico Cecere and owner K R Breeding LLC.

Perfect Sting offspring swept the night's $62,500 Renaissance Finals, starting with Perfect Thought ($3.60), who romped in the final for rookie pacing fillies in 1:54.1. Corey Callahan took the lines of the filly out of Think Pink for trainer Megan Scran and The Stable's Perfect Thought group.

The final for two-year-old male pacers, a non-wagering event, went to Everlast Sting Deo (out of Little Miss K), who stopped the clock in 1:53.1 for driver Braxten Boyd, trainer Travis Alexander, and owner Morrison Racing Stables.

It was a big night for the husband and wife duo of trainer Shane and driver Lauren Tritton, as the pair combined to win three races on the night to lead the trainer and driver colonies, respectively. They won the opener with Rydingtothewire ($15.80), the sixth race with Springsteen ($10.40), and the 12th with Hypebeast ($16.60). Shane Tritton has harnessed 39 winners this season

All-source handle on the 15-race program totaled $2,437,284.

Racing returns to the usual Friday and Saturday schedule next week. Post time is 6:20 p.m. There are three weeks left in the harness meeting at The Big M before Thoroughbred turf racing comes to the mile oval for a four-week stand.

(With files from The Meadowlands)
News / National

by Staff reporter

Motorists on the Harare - Mutare Highway will face traffic diversions from September 9, 2025, as construction begins on the new Mabvuku Traffic Interchange, a key infrastructure project aimed at easing congestion along one of the country's busiest roads.The interchange, which has already seen preparatory works such as bush clearing and detour creation, is expected to improve traffic flow for commuters and commercial vehicles traveling from Mabvuku, Tafara, and surrounding suburbs into the city centre.The HarareMutare Highway links the capital with the eastern border town of Mutare and Mozambique and has long been prone to bottlenecks and accidents during peak hours.Construction of the Mabvuku Interchange follows months after the Trabablas Traffic Interchange was commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a project featuring 15 major bridges, some rising as high as 18 metres, which has been praised as a milestone in local engineering.The new structure is part of a broader government initiative to modernise road networks, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety as traffic volumes continue to rise.In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed the detours:"The Ministry wishes to inform the motoring public and all road users that traffic will be diverted to detour routes for the purposes of the construction of Mabvuku Interchange. Detours will be opened to traffic on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, to facilitate smooth and safe rehabilitation works. Clear signage will be in place to guide motorists through the alternative routes. The ministry regrets any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public's patience and cooperation during this period."Preparatory works are also underway for two additional interchanges - at the junction of Simon Mazorodze and Willowvale Roads, and Simon Mazorodze Road and Remembrance Drive. These include land clearing, soil testing, and preliminary grading to enable full-scale construction.The Mabvuku project is among several interchanges planned nationwide, including at Harare Drive - Mutare Road, Harare Drive - Liberation Legacy Way, Nemakonde Way - Harare Drive, Sam Nujoma - Harare Drive, Westgate Traffic Circle, Kuwadzana Traffic Circle, and Churchill Road - Liberation Legacy Way.President Mnangagwa has emphasised that these infrastructure projects are central to reducing road accidents, easing congestion, and driving long-term economic growth through modern, efficient transport networks.
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 overall framework: Step 1: Train the model's feature extractor with a preset self-supervised representation learning framework using unlabeled data. Step 2: The classifier is trained jointly using labeled and unlabeled data by extracting features through a feature extractor. Step 3: Input the unknown smart contract into the trained feature encoder to extract the features and input them into the trained classifier to complete the classification task. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.16840

Blockchain technologies are digital systems that work by distributing copies of information across several computers, also referred to as nodes, all of which are connected to a common network. These technologies underpin the trading of cryptocurrencies, as well as the functioning of other emerging digital services.

While blockchain technology opens new opportunities for the trading of cryptocurrencies, digital arts and other digital assets, they are also often used for fraudulent activities. Perhaps most notably, they are now widely used for fraudulent investment schemes known as smart Ponzi schemes.

In a smart Ponzi scheme, individuals are asked to invest in specific digital currencies or assets and sign a so-called smart contract that automatically draws money from them on a regular basis. Their investments might initially seem fruitful, yet the early investors are in fact being paid with the money invested by new individuals. After some time, the whole system collapses, as there are no longer enough resources to pay all investors.

In recent years, computer scientists and financial security experts have been trying to devise strategies to automatically detect these fraudulent schemes. Most solutions developed so far rely on deep learning algorithms trained to identify patterns associated with smart Ponzi schemes in blockchain transactions.

Despite their promise, to perform well, these deep learning-based techniques must be trained on large datasets containing blockchain transactions labeled by human experts. As labeling this data requires extensive time and resources, existing solutions might not be ideal for the reliable detection of smart Ponzi schemes in real-world settings.

The University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, City University of Macau and Swinburne University of Technology recently developed CASPER (Contrastive Approach for Smart Ponzi detectER), a deep-learning-based framework that can detect smart Ponzi schemes with good accuracy without requiring labeled training data.

This new technique, introduced in a paper published on the arXiv preprint server, relies on models that can learn to detect these fraudulent activities by comparing the similarities and differences between different blockchain transactions.

"Traditional Ponzi scheme detection methods based on deep learning typically rely on fully supervised models, which require large amounts of labeled data," wrote Weija Yang, Tian Lan and their colleagues in their paper. "However, such data is often scarce, hindering effective model training. To address this challenge, we propose a novel contrastive learning framework, CASPER (Contrastive Approach for Smart Ponzi detectER with more negative samples), designed to enhance smart Ponzi scheme detection in blockchain transactions."

To pick up signs of smart Ponzi schemes in blockchain transactions, Yang, Lan and their colleagues employed an approach known as contrastive learning. This is a machine learning technique through which a computational model learns to tell different things apart by comparing them.

"By leveraging contrastive learning techniques, CASPER can learn more effective representations of smart contract source code using unlabeled datasets, significantly reducing both operational costs and system complexity," wrote the researchers.

The team assessed the new Ponzi scheme detection technique in a series of tests, in which it was fed blockchain transactions from a publicly available dataset. Their framework performed remarkably well, despite being trained on a limited amount of labeled data.

"We evaluate CASPER on the XBlock dataset, where it outperforms the baseline by 2.3% in F1 score when trained with 100% labeled data," the team wrote. "More impressively, with only 25% labeled data, CASPER achieves an F1 score nearly 20% higher than the baseline under identical experimental conditions. These results highlight CASPER's potential for effective and cost-efficient detection of smart Ponzi schemes, paving the way for scalable fraud detection solutions in the future."

In the future, the CASPER framework could be improved and tested on more real-world data, to further assess its potential for detecting and mitigating smart Ponzi schemes. Eventually, it could make its way into real-world settings, where it could help to protect digital currency investors against malicious activities.

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Stephanie Baum, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Weijia Yang et al, CASPER: Contrastive Approach for Smart Ponzi Scheme Detecter with More Negative Samples, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.16840 Journal information: arXiv

 2025 Science X Network
THE walkovers that straddle most highways across Trinidad are being used during daily rush hours. But at night, weekends and early mornings, potential users tend to take chances and run across the highway.

On the weekend of August 9 and 10, two men were killed in separate incidents while crossing the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway. One man was killed on the Saturday night while crossing the highway in the vicinity of Maloney, while the other was killed the next day while he and his wife were crossing the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway approximately 100 metres from the El Socorro walkover.
The U.S. administration intends to provide American energy companies with approximately 20 tons of plutonium, previously part of decommissioned nuclear warheads, for potential use as fuel in nuclear power plants, Azernews reports, citing international media outlets.

The U.S. Department of Energy is expected to soon begin accepting proposals from companies interested in utilizing the material. While the administration is prepared to offer the plutonium at low or no cost, companies will be responsible for all associated expenses, including transportation, storage, and any subsequent processing.

The 20 tons in question come from the 34-ton stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium that the U.S. had previously committed to destroy under agreements with Russia, according to the report.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The High Court has struck off the roll a case brought by three Harare bar operators against Rufaro Marketing (Pvt) Ltd, a company owned by the Harare City Council, in a ruling that strengthens the municipal entity's hand in an ongoing dispute over leases and sub-tenancy rights.The applicants - Ilack Moyo, John Musara and Tendayi Mhembere - had sought a declaratory order preventing Rufaro Marketing from collecting rentals directly from their subtenants at Zororo II Bar in Dzivarasekwa, Mabvuku Bar and Willowvale Bar in Highfield.However, Justice Maxwell Takuva ruled that the matter could not be heard while related proceedings were still before the Magistrates' Court."This court cannot intervene in the proceedings in the Magistrates' Court lest it risks the possibility of conflicting judgments. Whatever decision that the Magistrate reaches will be able to guide the parties as to how to proceed from there onwards," he said.The bar operators had accused Rufaro Marketing's new management of unlawfully diverting rental payments from their subtenants, arguing that the move undermined agreements struck with the company's former chief executive and crippled their ability to meet lease obligations.But Justice Takuva said the tenants' case was "misdirected," stressing that once they had withdrawn a previous High Court application, they could not prevent the respondent from pursuing its own remedies."When a party decides to withdraw its matter, it cannot therefore stay the other parties from proceeding to pursue their own application to court," he ruled.The court struck the matter off the roll with costs, effectively leaving Rufaro Marketing in control of rental collections as the dispute continues in the Magistrates' Court.
So, some time ago I was able to pop into the Cayman Islands for a few days.

I managed to link with some friends and drive around to my old haunts. There were some new Trinis there. I asked them what made them come from Trinbago to Grand Cayman. Surely it was the money. The cost of living in Cayman is high and has gotten higher, but the salaries are some of the highest in the Caribbean.
INDIA is saying in no uncertain terms that it is independent in the fullest sense of the wor
James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Reporter Follow James D. Watts Jr. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

When chefs Jeff Bein and Amanda Simcoe began offering their chefs table dinners at their business, the Meat & Cheese Show, the concept was that each special dinner would have a unique menu that would be served just once and never repeated.

And this didnt sit too well with some of their clientele.

Wed have a lot of people tell us that they had wanted to be at a certain dinner but werent able to attend on the day, Bein said. Or they would hear about a dinner after the fact and would want to know when we were going to do that menu again. And wed have to say, Well, were not going to do that menu again.

That was the start of the monthly Friday Supper Club at the Meat & Cheese Show, where the same menu  more or less  is presented each Friday during a given month.

Its one of several dining experiences that Bein and Simcoe have begun offering at the Meat & Cheese Show, 1306 E. 11th St., that allow them to share and showcase products from around the world that arent available elsewhere in town.

Or, in one case, the hemisphere.

Bein brought out a couple of brightly colored orbs, about the size of croquet balls. He twisted one open to reveal a small, spoon-like utensil alongside a crescent-shaped seal over a serving of kaluga caviar. The objects, called Le Perle from the Dorasti Caviar company, will be part of what the Meat & Cheese Show is calling its Sips, Snacks, and Splurges events.

We came across these when we attended the Fancy Food Show in New York City earlier this summer, Bein said. We were sampling all the caviar offerings because, well, thats what you do  especially when you want to find the best examples to share with your customers.

Bein said kaluga caviar comes from a sustainably farmed variety of sturgeon that is genetically close to beluga sturgeon caviar, which for connoisseurs is the gold standard.

But the flavor of this caviar is really special, and the presentation is so cool, we had to bring it back with us, he said. Apparently, these are available only in London, in Dubai, and now in Tulsa.

Sips, Snacks, and Splurges will be offered during the shops regular hours, noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Well be offering wines by the glass, ciders, classic cocktails, as well as olives, Marcona almonds and tinned fish, Simcoe said. The Splurge part will be caviar service, as well as sliced-to-order jamon serrano.

The shop also offers a twice-a-month Winesday, always held on Wednesdays, that offers three small plates and three different wines for $60 per person.

The chefs also host a Sunday brunch, typically offered twice a month, as well as a monthly vegan dinner, which is a multi-course meal made entirely from plants and plant-based products. During the recent Vegan Chef Challenge, in which area restaurants were encouraged to create new dishes congruent with vegan requirements, the Meat & Cheese Show won the award for Best Private Dining Experience for its vegan feast.

While the Friday Supper Club was created as a way to satisfy customers wanting another chance at a particular meal, Simcoe and Bein are not the types to leave well enough alone.

Were chefs, so were always fiddling with things, Bein said. Usually its something to do with plating, or combining ingredients in slightly different ways to create something that still has the same flavor but presented in a different way.

Several of the menus that have been used for recent Friday Supper Clubs were some of the one-and-done dinners for which customers expressed the most interest. The May menu focused on Greek and Greek-inspired dishes, while the June Supper Club was a reprise of an earlier Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams menu. For July, the chefs treated diners to A Night in Spain, which featured tapas, the artisan pork creation known as jamon iberico, and original creations such as a mustard ice cream.

The July menu featured one instance where a dish was altered from its original version.

One of the dishes we had was boquerones, which are these marinated anchovies that are a staple of most Spanish tapas bars, Bein said. But after the first week, we knew that not everyone appreciates having a fried whole boquerones right in their face, so to speak. So the next week I ground the boquerones into an aioli and spread that on the toast we already had as part of the dish. The taste was exactly the same, but the presentation was completely different.

For August, which in Oklahoma is a time of sweltering days and humid nights, the theme for the Friday Supper Club was Chill Out at the Meat & Cheese Show, which featured dishes made to be served chilled or at room temperature.

Ruth and I joined seven other diners at a recent service, some of whom had attended Meat & Cheese Show dinners in the past, while others had signed up for the evening because they were intrigued by the menu itself, which began with an amuse bouche that was all about the tomato.

A simple sandwich of fresh, thinly sliced tomato on triangles of white bread spread with a flavorful mayonnaise was paired with a mix of tomato water and basil-infused vodka, topped with a mini-caprese salad on a toothpick  a cherry tomato, a tiny bit of basil, and an orb of fresh mozzarella. Both the sandwich and the drink could be finished off in a single bite or gulp, but the deep, complex flavors contained within these seemingly simple creations made one slow down to savor them properly.

Bouches properly amused, the meal continued with a Farmers Market Salad, a semi-circle of multi-colored heirloom tomatoes, ribbons of heirloom carrots, chunks of cucumber and slices of pickled radish in a sharply citrus dressing. Here it was the radishes that really stood out, with an agrodolce quality that tempered, but did not erase, the vegetables natural bite.

Next came a soup made primarily from avocado, which gave it a pale green color and velvety texture. This was augmented by a dollop of fresh, sweet crab and a hint of green Sichuan peppercorns, which left ones tongue tingling, and which helped bring the subtle flavors of the soup to the fore.

The whimsically named Knuckle Sandwich was, in fact, a take on the classic lobster roll, complete with a New England-style miniature hot dog bun made of brioche and stuffed with chunks of lobster knuckle meat in a mayonnaise dressing and topped with a line of caviar and chopped chives. The chives were not a garnish but an integral part of the dish  that mild allium flare was exactly the note needed to cut through all the richness of the other ingredients. The only improvement would have been if the bun were a bit more tender; it was delicious but a bit chewy.

Tongue & Cheek was the name of the next dish, which was a nod to a surf-and-turf dish. Slices of marinated beef tongue that were cooked sou vide before being finished on the grill had a lovely smoky-sweet flavor, while chunks of cheek meat from hake were delicate and buttery. These were served over a portion of bomba rice (which is usually used for paella) brightened with preserved lemon and an herbed salsa verde.

A granita of peach and plumcot preceded the one dish that for me did not quite hit the mark, the Tom Kha Gai Ramen. Tom kha gai is a Thai coconut soup, usually served with chicken, and the Meat & Cheese Shows version included chicken meatballs that were distressingly tough, and the promised chili crisp was noticeably absent. The noodles were perfectly cooked, but after several dishes of complex, layered flavors, this one seemed disappointingly one-note.

Dessert, however, brought things back to a high level. Grilled local peaches paired with raspberries dressed a scoop of chai-flavored ice cream for an inventive twist on the classic peach Melba.

Bein and Simcoe served the meal in addition to preparing it, with Bein describing each dish and Simcoe commenting on the wines that were paired with each course.

The evening lasted about 2 hours, which provided those with whom we shared the table ample time to get to know each other or, in some cases, renew acquaintances.

Thats one of the great things about this communal table, Simcoe said. We usually have a good combination of regulars and new people, and by the end of the evening everybody always leaves as friends. We often hear people talking about coming back for another dinner and making plans to meet for the next time.
BIXBY  Josh Juarez has advice for any young person  or anyone, for that matter  thinking about starting their own business.

I always tell people, If you have the ability to do it, then start it. The other thing I tell people is that its going to be harder than you think; its going to cost more than you think; and youre going to probably make less than you think for the first short period, he said.

But the payoff is the long-term. And I think (especially for high school and college kids), theyre so used to instant gratification that its hard to have that mindset. I think grit and hard work always win.

Juarez should know.

At age 19, he started Joshs Sno Shack  which offers snow cones and shaved ice from April through October  at a single location at 71st Street and Garnett Road.

Little did he know when he started in 2005  which literally involved his sitting in a shack for 12 hours a day  that the business would grow to more than 10 locations in the Tulsa metro, Stillwater and Skiatook.

Juarez, who will turn 40 this month, in March opened a multimillion-dollar facility, Courts and Commons, which features eight indoor pickleball courts, four local food concepts, a full-service bar and interactive games inside a 29,000-square-foot facility at 7921 E. 119th Drive in Bixby. It also has a small lake at its front, an outdoor activity area and lots of lounge spaces.

The facility is almost like a miniature Mother Road Market, the food hall in midtown Tulsa.

Thats the goal. I really, really love Mother Road Market, and I think (the) south Tulsa (metro) needs something like that. Thats why we did this.

All the cool, culturally significant things are in midtown, downtown, he said. Why not create something culturally significant to Tulsa in the south? So I think this is very much needed in this area.

Juarez said Courts and Commons is on a 22-acre development where apartments are planned and possibly other retail businesses. It is located on the northwest corner of 121st Street and Memorial Drive (U.S. 64).

So this is a really a cool corner, he said.

The location is about two miles east of where a potential new bridge across the Arkansas River has been discussed for years.

I think we need it, Juarez said.

The only bridges across the river in the area are the Creek Turnpike (Oklahoma 364) and Memorial Drive. The Memorial Drive bridge has had major traffic issues with Bixbys explosive growth.

More than 28,000 vehicles per day travel on the Memorial Drive bridge in Bixby, according to Oklahoma Department of Transportation traffic counts from 2018, the most recent figures on its website.

Juarez, of Mexican decent, grew up in Tulsa and has family here, he said.

Asked how Joshs Sno Shack is different from Courts and Commons, he said:

A lot of principles are the same. When I started Joshs, I was married to the idea that I really like talking to people. And so when I was in there all the time, Id be sitting in that shack all by myself, and a customer would come, and I would be like, Finally, a friend.

And that became a core value of that business. Its very much present in this place right here, right now. The theme of taking care of people is the same. The scale is just so much bigger.

He backed up those words by stopping in the middle of a sit-down interview with the Tulsa World to tend to a woman who had just walked into Courts and Commons. He got up, asked whether she had been helped and if she had ever been in the facility before. She beamed when she found out he was the owner.

While he is focused on Courts and Commons, Juarez said he has already been approached by investors about opening a similar concept in Oklahoma City and other places.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwean government is developing a national media and information literacy policy as part of broader efforts to counter misinformation and promote critical thinking among citizens.Chief director for government messaging and programmes in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jonathan Gandari, revealed this on Tuesday while addressing a two-day Media and Information Literacy Policy Validation Workshop convened by the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) in Bulawayo."There is an urgent need for a media literate society. It is our drive for a collective effort to construct an informed, responsible and critically engaged system," Gandari said.He stressed that the policy is linked to the country's National Development Strategies (NDS 1 and NDS 2), which seek to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030. A knowledgeable and media-savvy society, he said, was vital to achieving that goal."A knowledgeable society will be responsible for creating a vibrant economy. Without broad-based information literacy, economic transformation will be unattainable," Gandari warned.Zimbabwe's media literacy initiative is also aligned with the country's participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism under the African Union, which currently emphasises economic development."So, this is in line with our Vision 2030. Zimbabwe is open for business, in line with the President's philosophy of building this country with our own hands, step by step. Brick by brick, stone upon stone," Gandari added.He noted that the digital landscape shaped by the Fourth Industrial Revolution demands citizens who can think critically and identify disinformation."The technology that we have in the fourth industrial revolution requires a citizen, a new character, who is critical in thinking, who clicks wisely, who is able to see through misinformation, disinformation, lies, hate, propaganda," he said.Gandari also highlighted the dangers of misinformation, pointing to human trafficking schemes and youth recruitment scams as examples of how false or misleading information can have devastating real-world consequences. Vulnerable groups such as students, job seekers, and patients, he said, were especially at risk when unable to verify information.He urged stakeholders to carefully consider what should be included in the policy framework, noting that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has already issued guidelines that Zimbabwe could draw from.
Stephen Peacocke, Bonnie Sveen returning to Home & Away

Brax and Ricky are back for WA-based episodes, to screen in 2026.

Stephen Peacocke (Darryl Brax Braxton) and Bonnie Sveen (Erica Ricky Sharpe) are returning to Home & Away as part of its announced WA-based episodes, to screen in 2026.

Episodes filmed in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, will reveal where life has taken Brax and Ricky since their departure in 2016.

Sevens Director of Content, Scripted, Julie McGauran, said: Its an absolute joy to have Steve and Bonnie back with us for this epic event. Theyve each left such a mark on Home and Away, both on screen and behind the scenes, and their return after a decade is sure to make the fans very happy. Questions of what Brax and Rickys life is like now and how things might have changed for them, will be answered. And of course, theres plenty of surprises along the way.

Stephen Peacocke said: Ill always be grateful to Home and Away for being the launchpad to my career, and Ive got a sincere appreciation for the fans whove followed my work since. When the producers asked if Id revisit Brax, it felt like a fun opportunity  and one I think the audience will really enjoy. Filming in spectacular outback Western Australia is the icing on the cake.

Bonnie Sveen said: Bringing Ricky back wasnt something Id ever expected, so Im beyond thrilled to reunite with Steve and old friends at Home and Away. Exploring where Ricky and Brax are now, 10 years on, will make for a very special and compelling storyline  and I cant wait for our WA filming adventure.

Filming begins in October in WA.
Sumit Singh, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: The Supreme Courts August 22 verdict allowing disenfranchised voters in Bihar to reclaim their right to vote using Aadhaar or any of 11 valid ID proofs has been welcomed by Opposition parties. But for observers of Indias democracy, the ruling may have touched a fault line  the normalisation of mass voter deletions, the opacity of electoral rolls and the shrinking avenues for ordinary citizens to reclaim their vote.

Support TwoCircles



The deletion of 65 lakh names from the voter list in poll-bound Bihar under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was not merely a technical oversight. It was a glimpse into how the bureaucratic machinery of elections can erase the political agency of entire communities, often the poorest and most marginalised.

This is not just electoral malpractice; it is vote theft on an industrial scale, said Rahul Gandhi on August 7, days before the Supreme Courts intervention.

He had alleged that similar manipulations had occurred in Karnatakas Mahadevapura Assembly segment, showcasing voter entries with fake addresses, duplicates and what he called keyboard smash names.

SC Verdict  A Win, But Also a Warning

In its August 22 verdict, the apex court allowed voters excluded under the SIR to re-apply online using Aadhaar or any of 11 acceptable ID documents. It ordered the Election Commission to make public the entire list of deleted voters along with the reasons for deletion  a transparency measure rarely seen before.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi expressed concern that no political party had objected to the mass deletions earlier and instructed the chief electoral officer of Bihar to include political parties in the proceedings.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh called the order a turning point. The top court reaffirmed Aadhar as a valid ID that the ECI must accept. The court has laid down guardrails to make the revision more inclusive by including political parties in the process, he said.

So far, the ECIs approach has been obstructionist and contrary to the interests of the voters. We welcome this judgment, especially because it gives us an enforceable right which the ECI cannot ignore. Today, the ECI stands totally exposed and discredited, he further said.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose framed it in more urgent terms. The right to vote is the inalienable right of every citizen! No to arbitrary deletions. No to Modi-Shah vote chori, she said.

Welcoming the ruling, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) reminded that legal relief may not be enough, given the limited time left before polls.

It may not undo the damage from the exclusion of 65 lakh people from the voters list given the limited amount of time left, the party added.

A Pattern of Disenfranchisement

What happened in Bihar is not apparently an isolated. Across India, there seems to be an emerging pattern: voters, often from Dalit, Muslim, tribal or working-class communities, allegedly find their names missing from electoral rolls, frequently without prior notice or any mechanism to appeal.

What makes it worse is the lack of a uniform and legally mandated procedure for restoring these names. Without legal representation or digital access, many affected citizens simply give up their votes.

The ECIs resistance to releasing deletion lists only reinforces the fear that this is not only mismanagement, but an alleged systemic exclusion disguised as procedural housekeeping.

Protest on the Ground, and in the House

On August 11, the INDIA bloc staged one of its largest protests so far (a march of over 300 MPs in Delhi), raising slogans of Vote Chori and wearing caps marked with red crosses over the word SIR. Led by Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, the march hit barricades barely a kilometre from Parliament.

Two women MPs fainted during the chaos, dozens were detained, including the Gandhis, Akhilesh Yadav, Mahua Moitra and Sanjay Raut.

Rahul Gandhi said at the time, This fight is not political, but it is aimed at saving the Constitution. This fight is for one man, one vote and we want a clean and pure voter list.

The protest was mirrored inside Parliament, where multiple adjournments followed Opposition demands to address what they called a murder of democracy.

ECIs Position and Govts Response

The Election Commission of India had dismissed the allegations as baseless and even issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi, seeking evidence under oath.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in Kochi, defended the SIR process, accusing the Opposition of stoking doubts without submitting formal complaints.

This process has been carried out multiple times before, Shah said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan went further, accusing the Opposition of trying to make intruders voters and destabilise the country. Congress and other Opposition parties want to make intruders voters in the country. This is a well-thought-out strategy to create instability, he said.

The Silent Cost of Injustice

The human impact of voter deletion often does not make headlines. There are no photos of dispossession and no courts for the lakhs who never realise their names are missing until election day.

In villages of Bihar, families return from polling stations confused and betrayed. In cities like Bengaluru or Delhi, migrant workers are told they are no longer eligible to vote in the place they have called home for years.

There is no automatic redressal, no real-time alerts and no hotline to restore a right once lost.

Electoral roll maintenance is critical to democracy. But without accountability, it can become a quiet tool for political engineering, deleting the inconvenient and retaining the loyal.

What This Verdict Really Means

The Supreme Courts ruling is not just a procedural correction. It is a rare constitutional acknowledgment that the right to vote cannot be made contingent on bureaucratic opacity or silence from institutions.

Polling expert Pradeep Gupta puts it succinctly, The ECI must proactively audit and publish data to dispel myths.

Groups like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have demanded voter list audits, blockchain-backed verification and independent oversight (reforms that have not moved beyond committee rooms).

Democracys Litmus Test

The larger issue the SC verdict highlights is this: if your name can be deleted from the electoral roll without your knowledge, your right to vote is not guaranteed, it is conditional.

With Bihar headed for elections and other states watching, the ruling is more than a one-day headline. It is a wake-up call. In a democracy where the vote is the only equaliser, the erasure of voters is not merely a clerical error but a crisis.
What did you miss?

One half of the infamous Peru Two, Michaella McCollum, has shared what it is really like behind the walls of prison in another country.

Now starring on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, McCollum has turned her life around since she was released from prison in 2016. Aged 20, she was jailed alongside Melissa Reid after their luggage was found to have 1.5m worth of cocaine at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima in Peru in 2013.

"I do think my time in prison changed me as a person," McCollum said on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, in scenes that aired on Channel 4 on Monday.

What, how and why?

Michaella McCollum in court in Peru after being arrested for smuggling drugs. (Getty)

Facing a grilling from the directing staff in episode two, the author shared her experience of surviving in a prison in Peru. "I ended up spending three years in prison," she said. McCollum said those years of her life were "long" and hard".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She explained: "It was a maximum security prison, I was in the middle of the desert, it was male and female. It was the worst people. Lots of people were on drugs. There was a lot of drugs. There was lots of abuse. The conditions were awful."

In prison, she used the time to learn a new language and learn a lot about other people as she tried to make the best of the bad situation. "I could learn a lot about myself," she said. The mum-of-two said she had seen things you wouldn't normally see.

Michaella McCollum has turned her life around since prison. (Channel 4)

McCollum revealed how it all started. She came from a family of 10 children; her mum was a single mum with no dad on the scene. Her five older brothers were strict, causing her to want to rebel. "I would sneak out of the house, I would hang out with people who obviously weren't good for me," she said.

"That's when the drugs started. I was heavily addicted to a variety of different drugs at 16: Methadone, ketamine, GB, subutex."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Seeking a way out, she booked a one-way trip to Ibiza to find her freedom. "I was only in Ibiza for six weeks, I was partying a lot," she said. McCollum met a group of friends where she met a man who asked her to pick up a package in Barcelona.

Melissa Reid was also arrested with Michaella McCollum. (Getty)

"I was getting deeper and deeper into this trap," she said. "I was passed to so many different people at all these different locations. Then put me on a flight to Peru in South America. I knew it was wrong and I shouldn't do it. But I just felt so scared, like what would they do to me, would they do anything to my family? I didn't know how to get out of the situation."

After prison, McCollum remembered the "frenzy" of the media "circus". "It was really hard," she said. "I knew I messed up, I was constantly reminded of that..." At this moment, her voice broke as the tears flowed.

Paps surround Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum at court in Peru. (Getty)

"Obviously, I knew I did something bad," she said. "But the media made it harder. I tried to go back to normal.. Life wasn't normal anymore. I just turned 24. People were continuing with their normal life, my life was f***ed up."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

McCollum left the chat feeling positive. "I feel better after my chat with them," she told the group of celebrities later. "I feel like they were really positive."

All Directing Staff at Hostage Rescue Location. (Channel 4)

Peru Two drug smuggler Michaella McCollum's life now

In the outside world, McCollum has changed her life for the better. Her life revolves around her two sons, who taught her what unconditional love is.

In a piece to camera, she said: "Some people want me to suffer forever for the mistake I've made. I think I've paid for that, more than enough. I had my two boys... That was me finding my purpose.

"These two people taught me really to love. I'm really happy with my boys and the life we have. I want to challenge myself [on Celebrity SAS] and see how capable I am."

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sundays and Mondays.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) has ruled in favour of Umvutcha farmer Alistair Michael Fletcher, overturning a Supreme Court decision that had upheld caveats placed on his property by the Lands ministry.Fletcher, represented by lawyer Bruce Masamvu of Masamvu and Da Silva-Gustavo Law Chambers, approached the ConCourt under case number CCZ 19/24 after the Supreme Court quashed a High Court judgment that had ordered the removal of caveats endorsed on his Umguza Agricultural Lots of Umvutcha and Reigate farm.The ConCourt bench, in a ruling delivered on July 29 by Justice Ben Hlatshwayo, found that Fletcher's constitutional rights had been violated when his land was treated as agricultural property despite being classified as urban."In bringing this appeal, the appellant argued that the order of the court a quo violated his right to use, hold, transfer and not be compulsorily deprived of his property under section 71(2)-(3), and his right to equal protection and benefit of the law under section 56 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe," said Justice Hlatshwayo.The judge noted that the Bulawayo City Council and the provincial planning officer had confirmed the land's urban classification, yet the state sought to compulsorily acquire it under legislation applicable to agricultural land."By failing to apply the proper legal standards governing urban land, the court effectively denied the appellant the protection afforded to urban property owners," Justice Hlatshwayo ruled. "This inconsistency subjected him to a legal regime not intended for his property and infringed his right to equal protection of the law."The ConCourt further ruled that section 16B of the Constitutionwhich ousts courts from hearing challenges to compulsory acquisition of agricultural landdid not apply to Fletcher's case because his land was urban, not agricultural.As a result, the court reinstated the earlier Bulawayo High Court ruling by Justice Christopher Dube Banda of June 8, 2023, which had ordered the Lands minister to cancel caveats endorsed on Fletcher's title deed (3188/83) and to pay costs.The dispute dates back to 2000, when Fletcher's land was listed in a Government Gazette notice for compulsory acquisition. The Lands ministry subsequently caused the endorsement of multiple caveats on his property. Fletcher challenged the endorsements in the High Court, which initially ruled in his favour. However, the Supreme Court - comprising Justices Elizabeth Gwaunza, Susan Mavangira and George Chiweshe - later overturned that ruling, prompting the appeal to the ConCourt.In his final order, Justice Hlatshwayo declared Fletcher's appeal successful, set aside the Supreme Court's ruling, and confirmed that the state had no legal basis to treat the land as agricultural for acquisition purposes.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The City of Harare has sounded alarm over a surge in sewer blockages across the capital, blaming the crisis on illegal dumping of solid waste by residents.According to council officials, 60% of sewer system problems now stem from residents' actions, while only 40% are linked to wear and tear or structural defects.Harare Department of Water Engineer, Simon Muserere, said the problem has escalated in recent years, with waste materials such as rags, kitchen utensils, construction debris and sand increasingly clogging pipelines."In the past, the council used to receive over four tonnes of sand per day at our sewage treatment plants, which meant sewer lines had a self-cleansing velocity. Now, that self-cleansing velocity is lost. Instead, between three and four tonnes of sand are accumulating in the pipelines," Muserere said.He noted that the blockages are no longer confined to high-density suburbs but are now affecting low-density areas as well."This is a major concern as we have seen a significant rise in blockages across all areas of the city," he added.The city has been forced to deploy high-pressure sewer clearing machines and even carry out costly excavations to clear the lines. Muserere warned that such interventions were not sustainable given the city's constrained budget.He also linked part of the problem to water rationing, which limits the flushing of waste through the system."When you use a very small tin, it might clear your toilet, but the load remains in the pipeline. A larger bucket helps push waste through to the treatment plant," he advised, urging residents to adopt proper flushing practices.Muserere called on residents to take responsibility in reducing user-related blockages, stressing that this would free resources for fixing structural faults."If we cut down the 60% caused by residents, we can focus our limited resources on fixing structural issues and avoid overstraining the city's budget," he said.
Wrexham Foodbank seeks new operations manager to help tackle local need

Wrexham Foodbank is recruiting an operations manager as it continues its work supporting people in crisis across the county .

The independent charity, which is part of the Trussell Trust, is advertising for a full-time manager to oversee the day-to-day running of its warehouse and distribution centres.

The 30,000-a-year role involves working with a team of volunteers at the warehouse and at the distribution centres ensuring effective stock control and arranging timely transportation of collections and deliveries.

The successful applicant will also work in alongside referral partners and satellite team leaders to ensure that the service provided by Wrexham Foodbank is effective and efficient in serving the needs of the public.

A spokesperson for Wrexham Foodbank said: The Operations Manager will be the designated Health and Safety Officer and will be responsible for risk assessments, manual handling training and all matters pertaining to health and safety at the warehouse and the satellite centres. Therefore, a background in this area of work is desirable.

The Operations Manager will work within a small team of employees and support the strategic direction and the development of our services. The Operations Manager will report directly to the Wrexham Foodbank Trustees.

The closing date for applications is 12 September 2025. More details are available on the Wrexham Foodbank website.
Alabama is often called the most religious state in the country, with 77% of folks here identifying as people of faith. In the series How We Worship, were traveling across the state to visit churches, mosques, synagogues, and other spaces where Alabamians gather in faith.

Have you ever seen a baptism in the Gulf?

You just might if you visit the Flora-Bama on a Sunday morning.

A misconception is that you cant have a church in a bar and be connected with God and have the Holy Spirit there, said Paul Holland, a longtime member of Worship on the Water.

Holland was the first person ever to be baptized at Worship on the Water, a non-denominational church that meets at the Flora-Bama, the iconic beach bar located on the Florida-Alabama state line.

In a venue known for its famous bushwackers, unique decor and live music, the atmosphere transforms for two 45-minute church services every Sunday morning.

Local congregants and tourists alike gather just steps from the bars to share in a contemporary church experience  trading cocktails for worship and honky-tonk for praise.

22 1 / 22 Worship on the Water - Church at the FloraBama

After attending services one Sunday, we spoke with Holland, who has been a part of Worship on the Water since its second service and serves as the church videographer.

Heres what he told us:

What is the mission of Worship on the Water?

The mission of this church is to fish for men and women, to bring them to Christ and then to help them in their walk with Christ.

Who does it serve?

We dont care what your socioeconomic level is. We dont care whether you wear a three-piece suit or drive a BMW. We dont care how many piercings, tattoos, or what color your hair is. We dont care what religion you believe in, and we dont care what your sexual orientation is. If you want to come here and hear the word of God out of the Bible, then youre welcome to.

How would you describe your congregation?

Our congregation is very mixed. We have people from all kinds of faiths. Not only Christians, but we also have some Jewish people that come. Were just a variety, but theres probably 20 percent of us that live in the area. Eighty percent of our ministry is with people that are in the condos. If someone asks where to go to church, they usually send them here.

What are some common misconceptions about your faith?

A lot of people have an idea that a Christian has to be perfect, okay? And he has to live perfectly all his life. Although God wants that for us, thats not achievable. If we could be perfect, then Jesus wouldnt have had to come and die for our sins. They think that a bar is full of a bunch of imperfect people and they dont want to be associated with it because they have a stigma saying only bad things happen.

A misconception is that you cant have a church in a bar and be connected with God and have the Holy Spirit there. Paul Holland, longtime member of Worship on the Water.

But heres the deal, Jesus went with the people that were rejected from society. So if the Christian community rejects people that go to a bar, thats not right. Im not condemning them because thats Gods place. Im just saying that you go where the people are going, need to hear God and definitely a bar is a good place.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The High Court has dismissed an appeal by convicted cattle thief Jarney Mumanyi, ruling that his bid to overturn both his conviction and sentence had "no reasonable prospect of success."Mumanyi, who was sentenced to an effective 18 years in prison by a magistrates court on two counts of stock theft, had sought leave to appeal his conviction. However, Justices Benjamin Chikowero and Happias Zhou rejected the application, describing the intended appeal as "manifestly doomed to fail.""There was overwhelming evidence against the applicant. No other decision was possible except to convict," Justice Chikowero stated.Mumanyi and his accomplice, Austin Nyepai, were found guilty of stealing 17 cattle from one farmer and another four from a second farmer in Buhera in December 2021. The pair were arrested the same night at a police roadblock in Wedza, where Mumanyi produced a cattle movement permit and police clearance certificate that were later proven to be fake."The applicant himself, at the roadblock, was claiming ownership of the bovines. That claim was manifestly false," the court noted. "He was deeply involved in the theft, unlawful movement and ultimately the recovery of the cattle, and it would be an insult to the intelligence of the appellate court to suppose that there is any chance of having the applicant's conviction quashed."The judges also upheld the sentencing, dismissing Mumanyi's argument against serving two consecutive nine-year terms. Justice Chikowero emphasised the need to deter organised criminal activity, stating, "Crime should not be allowed to be a business enterprise. The offences were committed by an organised criminal gang there is no reasonable prospect of a further appeal yielding a different result."The application for leave to appeal was dismissed with costs.
Olandria Carthen (left) and Amaya Espinal on "Love Island USA". Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock

An Alabama HBCUs back to school event is getting some serious star power in the form of an alumnus and Love Island runner-up Olandria Carthen.

Carthen, a Decatur native known to fans as Bama Barbie, is an alumnus of Tuskegee Univeristy.

On Saturday, the HBCU announced Carthen will be the special guest for its Back 2 School Kickoff at Chappie James Arena hosted by the universitys Career Education Leadership Development Center and the Tuskegee University Student Activities Board.

The event is being held Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Carthens fans appreciated her giving back to her alma mater.

I love the fact that she is using her opportunity to promote higher education ," one Instagram user wrote on Tuskegees page.

so glad shes coming home! shes been that girl before the villa ," posted another.

On Day 32 of Season 7 of Love Island, Carthen ended her time at the villa as a runner-up.

The cast reunion is set to air Monday at 8 p.m. CST on Peacock.

The streamer released a trailer of the reunion:
Eric Guster, a Birmingham attorney, real estate developer, and commentator, in a Facebook live video detailing his lawsuit against State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham), August 23, 2025. Guster accused Givan and two others of conspiring to defame him, falsesly accusing him of domestic violence and arson. (Screenshot by Margaret Kates) Margaret Kates

An attorney and real estate developer has sued state Rep. Juandalynn Givan, (D-Birmingham), and two other people alleging they defamed him with false accusations during a conflict on social media.

They made multiple allegations against me, accused me of crimes of moral turpitude, said Eric Guster, the attorney who filed the suit, on Facebook. That plan of attack that they laid on me was with the same lies at the same time.

But Givan, who is running for mayor of Birmingham, said the lawsuit is a way to influence Tuesdays election, where she is running against incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin and seven others.

It is a well-known fact that he supports the incumbent, Givan told AL.com. All of the sudden, three days before the election, you want to go and announce. He didnt even have to announce that he had filed suit. That just lets you know.

On Wednesday, Guster filed a complaint in Jefferson County Circuit Court, alleging that Givan, consultant and social activist Carlos Chaverst, and former mayoral aide Kwani Carson conspired to defame him on social media.

Guster also threatened to name additional defendants at a later date.

Guster alleges that the three defendants accused him of domestic violence, including beating his wife and multiple women, as well as burning down his office for insurance money, after they said artwork was removed from the building.

A Facebook post Carlos Chaverst made about Eric Guster. Facebook

These claims are false, the complaint said, and damaged his reputation.

In his complaint, Guster asked the court to award him monetary damages for the defamatory comments, as well as for the court to order the defendants to remove and retract all of their social media posts related to him.

In addition, Guster asked the court to prevent the defendants from making any further public statements on social media and mentioning Guster ever again.

Givan and Chaverst strongly denied the allegations. Carson declined to comment, stating that she had not received a copy of the lawsuit.

In a Facebook live video on Saturday, Guster discussed the lawsuit, saying hes hoping to defend himself and others from the kind of tactics he alleges the defendants use.

I hope that I stamp out this type of behavior because its uncalled for, its nasty, its vile, and one thing Im not going to do is take it, Guster said during the live.

But Givan said she never accused Guster of anything, she was simply defending herself from his attacks.

On July 25, Guster posted a Facebook live video, criticizing Givans tactics during the election and her performance as state representative.

In a lengthy Facebook live video the following day, Givan responded to Gusters claims against her. But she argues that the allegations made against Guster did not come from her.

I dont think I said anything that has not been said in many, many forms by many people over the years, Givan said. Ive never associated in a way that Ive asked anyone to harass, to pay.

Givan said she intends to file a countersuit against Guster for the claims he made about her.

Chaverst called the lawsuit frivolous and said he would be able to prove the allegations against Guster in court.

I am looking forward to seeing Eric in court, and figuring out the actual truth, Chaverst said.

Since this lawsuit has been filed, many other people including his family members and other people have come forward with information validating some of the claims that I have made in social media posts regarding Eric Guster himself.

Guster has been a public supporter of Woodfin through this election, even putting up a Randemic billboard in support of him.

Chaverst accused Guster of making in-kind contributions to Woodfins campaign that were not properly reported, such as putting up billboards in support of the candidate.

While Eric Guster is trying to make something out of nothing here, in this situation, he has bigger fish to fry, in regards to the things that have been alleged, Chaverst said, but also in regards to the campaign contributions, and if those have been identified as in-kind contributions, which they are.

Teresa Mastando, an attorney representing Guster, did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila in Hoover is closing to make way for Benard and Brianna Tamburello's new venture: Vecchia Gelato & Cafe. Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila/Facebook

The owners of a beloved Mexican restaurant in Hoover delivered some bittersweet news to patrons on Sunday: in a week, Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila will close to make way for an Italian gelateria and cafe in October.

"Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila will serve its last taco on Sunday, August 31st. THANK YOU for 7 unforgettable years  your love and support mean the world to us," Benard and Brianna Tamburello of Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato posted Sunday afternoon on Facebook.

We want to thank you guys truly from the bottom of our heart for supporting us as Moss Rock Tacos and Tequila for so many years, Brianna Tamburello said in a video alongside her husband. It was a journey. It was a blessing, and our final day will be Sunday, Aug. 31.

Benard Tamburello said the space on Preserve Parkway in Hoover will become Vecchia Gelato and Cafe.

The Italian spot will serve gelato, Italian coffees, Italian pastries, porchetta and, of course, Italian street food.

The sandwiches are gonna be amazing, Bernard Tamburello promised.

Just hang in there with us, give us till about the mid of October and youll see our wonderful passion at work, he said. The journey through Italy is gonna become reality for us.
Hillsdale College is taking heat for its tweet comparing Cracker Barrel's new logo to wokeness. Hillsdale College/Facebook

A conservative Christian college is facing backlash after it equated the new Cracker Barrel logo with wokeness.

Same energy, Hillsdale College in Michigan tweeted along with side-by-side photos of the controversial new logo and a George Washington statue that was defaced with red paint back in 2020.

The conservative liberal arts college suggested Cracker Barrel was destroying tradition with the simplified logo that removed Uncle Herschel and the famous brown and yellow barrel.

Some people like Cracker Barrel in the way that some other people like pizza, mayo, and the practice of law, the colleges account on X posted.

Cracker Barrel is a good place to go with the family, eat some pancakes, play some old timey games, and recharge before taking your next Hillsdale online course.

The MAGA crowd were vocal opponents of Cracker Barrels changes, including Donald Trump Jr. and several conservative influencers who contend the Tennessee chain known for its country cooking has gone woke.

Hillsdale College was slammed over its tweet.

I dont know why any parent would want to send their child to your school, one user wrote. I guess they would learn all about idolatry at least.

Cracker Barrels sterilization of their logo was dumb, but it isnt woke, another added. Can we stop slapping that label on everything? This keeps going and the word will loses all meaning.

A statue of George Washington near the entrance of Druid Hill Park in Baltimore was defaced in protests over the police custody death of George Floyd. TNS

In 2020, the George Washington memorial in Druid Hill Park in northwest Baltimore was defaced with red paint. It also had the words Destroy Racists and the initials for the Black Lives Matter movement written on the base.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit, Dec. 9, 2024, at the Department of the Interior in Washington. Harris is coming to the Alabama Theatre ib Birmingham on Oct. 17 to promote her new book, "107 Days," (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) AP

A second appearance by former Vice President Kamala Harris during her upcoming book tour visit to Birmingham after popular demand, the Alabama Theatre announced Saturday.

The tickets went on sale Friday for the Oct. 17 conversation at the downtown Birmingham venue and quickly sold out. Tickets for the additional appearance are on sale now.

The original events time has been moved from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a 5 p.m. appearance has been added.

Every ticket will include a copy of Harris new book, 107 Days, published by Simon and Schuster, which tells the story of her campaign against Donald Trump after the withdrawal of President Biden in late July.

Birmingham is one of 15 cities Harris is visiting for the tour.

107 Days is my candid and personal account of the shortest presidential campaign in modern history.



Over the next few months, I will travel our country to share behind-the-scenes moments, lessons learned, and how we keep moving forward together.



I'll see you out there. pic.twitter.com/OyixggMEPA  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 21, 2025

Harris will talk about what she saw, learned, and what it will take to move forward, according to a news release about the event.

With nuance, candor, and a unique perspective, Harris will lead a conversation about how we collectively chart a blueprint that sets an alternative vision for our country now, the news release says.
Members of Clergy Concerned about the Community gathered Thursday and endorsed Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales in her race for mayor in the Tuesday, Aug. 26 election. joseph d. bryan

With an emergency room sign emblazed in red just behind them, nearly a dozen Birmingham pastors described a state of emergency in the city that they said has not been addressed by the current administration of Mayor Randall Woodfin.

Members representing Clergy Concerned about the Community assailed Woodfins tenure on Thursday, just days before the Aug. 26 municipal elections, and endorsed Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales in her race for mayor.

This has got to stop, said the Rev. Harold Bass, president of the consortium of pastors. We need better leadership. We need new leadership.

The pastors accused Woodfin of being absent when they sought help during the pandemic, dismissive when they presented a plan to curb violence and ignored them when he was invited to participate in their candidate interviews.

Bass accused Woodfin of failing to assist the group when it hosted a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Legion Field during the pandemic. Instead, Bass said the group had to seek security from the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

The clergy didnt get a dime and didnt ask for a dime, and yet we couldnt get our city leaders to cooperate, Bass said.

The Rev. R.L. Patterson, a member of the group and of Birminghams Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said the state of the city is the worst he has seen in 47 years.

We come today with heartaches, he said.

Patterson described a different set of policies for progress for different areas of the city. While downtown flourishes, other neighborhoods are left to languish, he said.

The revenue is here, but our community is going down, he said. Money comes for 99 communities. Out of all the 99 communities, very few are being served.

The Rev. Morrell Todd said touted progress is hard to see for many residents who live in devastation around the city.

But they never talk about the social devastation and the injustice, he said. We cant see what they are doing. It might be in a special location where most of the people dont travel.

Regarding crime, the pastors said they celebrated a reduction in homicides compared to last year, but still accused the mayor of taking action only as he faced political consequences for the citys deadliest year on record since 1933.

This is not personal. Its strictly business, said the Rev. Guy Harris. Our concern is not about money. Its about people.

On the other side, the Woodfin campaign shot back at the criticisms, accusing the pastors themselves of breaking a commandment or two by bearing false witness.

Daniel Deriso, spokesperson for the Woodfin campaign, told AL.com that the accusations were inaccurate and politically motivated.

At no point did the mayor or the city oppose vaccine distribution efforts, Deriso said. During the height of the pandemic, the city of Birmingham, in coordination with UAB and the Jefferson County Department of Health, stood up dozens of vaccination sites across the city.

This group has consistently acted in bad faith, Deriso said.

He said Woodfin had just cause to ignore the groups forum because of their bad-faith actions.

He said the pastors had asked for millions in city funding without a plan, which Woodfin rejected. He also accused the group of funding billboards designed to smear the mayor.

Regarding crime, Deriso cited the 50% drop in homicides, along with a high clearance rate in investigations and increased police recruitment as evidence of a long-term strategy in action by the administration.

This problem took generations to create, and it takes sustained effort to fix. To suggest these results are only because its an election year is simply wrong  and frankly, insulting, Deriso said. The mayor and his family have personally been victims of gun violence. He has been doing everything in his power, from day one, to keep Birmingham families safe.

While the pastors group endorsed Scales, Deriso noted about 20 various local and national leaders and organizations that have endorsed Woodfin. Locally, those endorsements include nods from Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, State Sen. Merika Coleman and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones.

Mayor Woodfin will continue working with clergy, residents, and neighborhood leaders who are serious about solving problems  not those trying to score points in an election year, Deriso said.

Along with Woodfin and Scales, other candidates in the race for mayor Tuesday are: Kamau Afrika, State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, Marilyn James-Johnson, Jerimy Littlepage, Brian K. Rice, David Russell and Frank Woodson.
The container ship Dali is seen in the wreckage of Francis Scott Key Bridge a week after it hit a structural pier causing a catastrophic bridge collapse, on April 2, 2024. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun/TNS) TNS

President Donald Trump clapped back at Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Sunday, threatening to send in the troops to Baltimore in a lengthy social media post.

The outburst saw Trump mock Moores offer for him to walk the streets of Baltimore, suggest he could pull federal funding for the reconstruction of the Key Bridge, and imply that Moore lied about receiving a Bronze Star for his service in the Army.

[I]f Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin [Newsom] did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime, Trump wrote, using a derogatory nickname for Californias Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. After only one week, there is NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN DC! When it is like that in Baltimore, I will proudly walk the streets with the failing, because of Crime, Governor of Maryland.

Trump added that Baltimore is ranked the 4th WORST CITY IN THE NATION IN CRIME AND MURDER, a referring perhaps to U.S. News & World Reports ranking of the most dangerous places in America, which ranked Baltimore at No. 4 behind Memphis, Oakland and St. Louis.

Stop talking and get to work, Wes, Trump wrote. Ill then see you on the streets!!!

The outburst marks a sharp escalation of the feud between the Republican president and Marylands Democratic governor, as Moore has repeatedly described himself as not the leader of the resistance so far in Trumps term  though that relationship could be changing.

Speaking in Baltimore on Thursday, Moore told Trump to keep our name out of your mouth.

Trump took aim at Moores previous offer for him to walk the streets of Baltimore, a city that has seen notable reductions in violent crime in recent years. Trump suggested, without evidence, that Moore fudges his figures on crime and credited his deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., with securing stability in the nations capital.

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I walk the streets of Maryland with him. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore? As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a walk.

Key Bridge, Bronze Star comments

Trumps online offensive also included a threat to pull federal funding for the reconstruction of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge and and mention of Moores Bronze Star controversy.

Also, I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge. I will now have to rethink that decision??? Trump wrote at the end of his initial post.

Federal funds to construct a new Key Bridge were approved late last year, so Trump attempting to withhold them could set up a showdown with Congress.

In a separate post, Trump asked a simple question: Did Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, lie about getting a Bronze Star?

In 2024, Moore acknowledged he incorrectly claimed to be the recipient of a Bronze Star medal while applying for a White House fellowship in 2006. The governor, who served in Afghanistan, called the situation an honest mistake and eventually received the honor last December.

Moore responds

Moore, who appeared on CBS News Face The Nation Sunday just minutes after Trumps social media posts, appeared to respond by accusing him of blissful ignorance and using dated tropes about urban crime.

The reason that Ive asked the president to come and join us is that he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance, these tropes and these 1980s scare tactics, Moore said on the program. While the President is spending time in the oval office making jabs and attacks at us, there are actually people on the ground doing the work, who know what support would actually work to continue to bring down crime, but its falling on the deaf ears of the President of the United States.

2025 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Congressional Republicans are embracing Donald Trumps tariff campaign as a way to advance home-state causes, lobbying the president to impose more import duties to protect local companies.

The rank-and-file GOP lawmakers entreaties, which often present trade actions shoring up favored manufacturers as a winning tactic for midterm elections, bolster the political case for broadening U.S. tariffs.

Trump announced two sweeping expansions of trade barriers in recent days, on Tuesday widening steel and aluminum tariffs to include more than 400 types of items that contain the metals.

On Friday, he announced a trade investigation into furniture imports, which he said would lead to new tariffs within 50 days.

In a social media post announcing the furniture trade action, he cited the boost it would provide to manufacturers in North Carolina and Michigan, two states with potentially pivotal Senate races next year.

More than a dozen Republican lawmakers have pushed for fresh or higher tariffs to protect local industries. Several of the lawmakers said Trump granted their requests or said White House officials signaled they would approve the asks.

Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno pressed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to expand steel tariffs to include steel-based products like washing machines and refrigerators.

The administration moved in June to impose duties on home appliances based on their steel content, benefiting companies including Whirlpool Corp., which has five manufacturing plants in Morenos home state of Ohio.

Rep. Mike Kelly, a Pennsylvania Republican, pushed the administration to raise tariffs on electrical steel laminations and cores on behalf of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., an effort to protect a manufacturing facility in his district.

The items were included in the broader tariffs on products made from steel and aluminum that the administration announced in a notice posted Tuesday.

Spokespeople for the White House and U.S. Commerce Department didnt respond to requests for comment on the role lawmakers requests played in the tariff decisions.

In the protectionist lobbying by Trump allies, tariffs are cast as the economic savior for struggling local industries and political boost for the GOP. Its a stark example of how to successfully lobby in todays murky trade environment, even as Trump has openly claimed that his unpredictability gives him leverage.

The tariff decisions suggest the White House is open to input on the trade matters from outsiders friendly to the administration. Trumps announcements on trade deals regularly arrived in the form of letters posted to trading partners on social media, excluding Congress from direct involvement in negotiations.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville said before Trumps furniture trade action was announced that the White House has been receptive to his lobbying for a tariff of at least 60% on wood cabinets  echoing local manufacturers pleas.

Tuberville said he expects the administration ultimately will fulfill the request, though it wasnt immediately clear whether the furniture trade probe will lead to tariffs on wood cabinets.

Cabinet makers were about to go under during Trumps first term and he saved them, Tuberville said in a July interview. Hes doing the same thing now.

Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Sen. Katie Britt are among other lawmakers pushing for tariffs on products made of wood. Some local manufacturers in their states want a duty of at least 100% on cabinets.

The lawmakers lobbying doesnt occur in a vacuum. Theyre often relaying requests from companies and trade groups that also have their own connections with the Trump administration.

Stephen Vaughn, a senior trade adviser during Trumps first term, represented Cleveland-Cliffs in the companys efforts to secure the tariffs on products made from steel.

Cleveland-Cliffs chief executive officer Lourenco Goncalves praised the expansion of tariffs. The action gives us certainty that the American domestic market will not be undercut by unfairly traded steel embedded in derivative products, he said.

Lobbying is a bipartisan act and occurs during every presidency, but these efforts are different because of Trumps emphasis on personal relationships, according to Matthew Foster, a professional lecturer at American Universitys School of Public Affairs.

Trump sometimes amplifies the positions of the last person hes talked to, which explains how his close allies could benefit when they ask for favors, he added.

Its all about having an advocate with a history of access to the president to get the issue at hand through the door, said Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Under Trump, thats the normal way of doing business, he added.

Moreno, an Ohio Republican, is an active member in the presidents inner circle. The freshman senator said he talks to the president once a week, often reiterating his desire for Trump to force out Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Moreno praised Lutnick for understanding business demands, touting the need to protect Whirlpool from cheaper imported steel.

The reality is Whirlpool Corporation, which has a massive presence in Ohio, is the last appliance manufacturer in America, Moreno said in an interview, adding that the Chinese are interested in building industries that will dominate the world and crush American companies. We cant allow them to do that.

The lawmakers efforts on behalf of tariffs offer a clear potential political benefit: a message to voters that their manufacturing jobs will be protected. But they also threaten to raise the cost of living for consumers.

The tariffs may work politically, but they may not work economically, and those are two different fields, Hufbauer said.

A sizable bloc of Trump voters have reservations about the presidents tariffs. About one in four self-identified Trump voters said they thought the tariffs were hurting rather than helping the US in negotiating better trade deals, according to a Politico-Morning Consult poll in July.

Retaliatory tariffs during Trumps first term prompted domestic turmoil for some key industries in Republican-lean states, including Kentucky bourbon and Wisconsin-based Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Thats prompted Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul to publicly oppose the trade war as harmful to their constituents.

___

2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.










English News A Chinese hero remembered in reverence

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 23 Aout 2025



China's prolonged resistance tied down large numbers of Japanese troops, greatly weakening their ability to fight on other fronts and giving the Allies precious strategic room to focus on Nazi Germany. History must remember Lu Caiwen and his fellow soldiers, and the indispensable role they played in preserving global peace.

By Chris Nash As the famous British poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." Her words poignantly articulate my affection for China. Reflecting on more than a decade of life and work there, a stream of vivid memories returns with remarkable clarity.



In Beijing, I strolled through the tranquil winding maze of traditional alleyways called hutong, where elderly residents basked in the soft Beijing autumn sunshine, exchanging stories in the distinctive tone of the Beijing dialect.



In Guanghan, southwest China's Sichuan province, I stared deep into the profound and mysterious masked eyes of one of the world's most ancient civilizations at Sanxingdui Museum, rapt in wonder at their sophisticated bronze artistry, works as intriguing and expressive as modern surrealism.



Further south in Yunnan province, I had my breath taken away by the myriad of rice terraces dug by the Hani ethnic minority, shimmering like dragon scales in the rising sun. Steaming in front of me on a wobbly table in a street-side restaurant, is a bowl of fragrant broth where the terrace rise swims in the form of long, white, strands of rice noodles.



At the incredible Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu province, I shook the sand from my shoes and the darkness from my eyes and blinked in the presence of the beauty of Buddhist art.



But beyond the landscapes and artistry, it was the people themselves who profoundly moved me - faces radiating warmth, shyness, honesty, and resilience. Their consistent kindness revealed China's true spirit.



Among the many memorable encounters, one stands out with particular poignancy: my meeting Lu Caiwen, a Chinese war hero, in the far southwest Yunnan city of Tengchong, which is very close to the border with Myanmar.



I had the greatest honor to visit Comrade Lu in November 2019 during an event in Tengchong, Yunnan province. Lu is in his nineties, but as you sit in his living room, enchanted by his merry shining eyes, it's impossible to believe this is his real age. His extraordinary life story left an indelible mark on my heart.



He came of age in one of the most terrible periods of recent Chinese history, when the invading Japanese imperial army threatened to overrun the whole of China. After the Japanese military invaded western Yunnan and implemented a scorched-earth policy, Lu witnessed unimaginable atrocities. He abandoned studies to attend a military training school and later joined the Chinese Expeditionary Force.



"When the country is in need, I never hesitated to give up my life," he stated. "Patriotism compelled us all to the battlefield."



Lu fought in many heroic battles to resist Japanese aggression. When he spoke about the 1944 Battle of Tengchong, he always grew especially emotional. In that brutal campaign, the Chinese Expeditionary Force paid a steep price - 9,168 soldiers gave their lives to retake Tengchong, the first city to be reclaimed in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.



As he recalled comrades falling beside him one after another, tears welled up in his eyes and his voice trembled with sorrow: "At Laifeng Mountain, when the Japanese broke through our defenses, our troops crawled up the hillside under enemy fire, inch by inch, with their bare flesh, and reclaimed the strategic high ground."



Today, at the foot of Laifeng Mountain lies a national martyrs cemetery, the resting place of those fallen heroes. Lu visited the cemetery every few days to lay flowers and pay tribute to his comrades who never returned.



Listening to his stories, I remember that almost at exactly the same time he crawled his way up Laifeng Mountain under murderous fire from the enemy, 11,000 kilometres away in central Italy, my grandfather, Alfred Nash, was crawling up another mountain, called Monte Cassino, under equally withering gunfire from the German army. Monte Cassino was as pivotal in the war in western Europe as Laifeng was in the war in Asia.



Both were grueling campaigns, and both speak to the iron will of the troops and people of the Allies in the fight against fascism.



Lu was just one among millions of ordinary Chinese who demonstrated extraordinary courage and selfless dedication to their homeland. Their sacrifices were not only instrumental in China's resistance but also pivotal in the global effort for peace. In my view, the role China played in the global fight against fascism has been vastly underrepresented in much of Western historical discourse.



China's prolonged resistance tied down large numbers of Japanese troops, greatly weakening their ability to fight on other fronts and giving the Allies precious strategic room to focus on Nazi Germany. History must remember Lu Caiwen and his fellow soldiers, and the indispensable role they played in preserving global peace.



My grandfather died after a well-deserved full and happy life. I was heartbroken to hear that Mr. Lu also passed at the end of last year. I can picture them together in my mind, comrades in arms. I believe that if they had ever met, they would have become close friends. My grandfather would have listened to Lu's stories just as intently as I did.



They shared the same slightly mischievous twinkle in their eyes, maybe the light in the eyes of those who have looked on the brutality of war and know better than us, the precious everyday beauty of peace.



(Chris Nash is the former chair of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding)



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Shanghai FTZ experience spurs innovation-driven growth through institutional reform They Leave to Uplift, Not to Escape: How Migration Sustains Lesothos Quiet Villages Chinese couple runs 'first-aid stall' for eight years to teach life-saving skills Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Its another summer when NOAA and other governmental climate agencies seem to have missed the mark. In the spring, NOAA predicted that 2025 would be (another) above average year for Atlantic hurricanes  60% above normal, to be exact. (Whens the last time they predicted below normal?) The 2025 prediction is for 1318 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes, and 2.5 major hurricanes. On August 7, despite no landfalls to date, NOAA doubled down on its forecast, sticking by its original prediction.

Theres still plenty of time left for storms to develop, but so far this year, no hurricane has made landfall on Americas Atlantic coast, and at this time, none is imminent. This doesnt mean that one or more hurricanes will not make landfall before the end of the hurricane season in November. There is no way to know, though NOAA bases its predictions on the warmth of the sea water and other factors, and NOAAs advice for preparedness is sound: Have a plan in place, and know the actions you should take before, during and after the wide range of hazards that the hurricane season can bring. That would be good advice for any hurricane season or for any other kind of hazard.

I often wonder whether the climate forecasters are biased, not so much for political as for self-interested reasons. After all, climatologists have a stake in the number and magnitude of extreme climate events. Evidence of a changing climate, with spectacular storms and large-scale destruction, increases their funding and prestige. When a Cat 4 or Cat 5 hurricane makes landfall, they can say, I told you so, even though theyve been telling us so every year for decades.

There wouldnt be much use for climate forecasters if the weather were about the same as it always is, but in fact, thats the way the weather is, always.

The deadliest American hurricane occurred in 1900. The Great Galveston storm of that year claimed 8,000 lives and caused massive destruction in and around Galveston Island. Those who are predicting ever greater storm damage as a result of global warming seem not to have considered that the greatest natural disaster in U.S. history occurred 125 years ago, long before CO2 was at its current level.

The fact is that there have always been storms  many of them worse than anything in the past few decades. Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods. Severe storms date back to long before humans were around to record them. And, in a sense, they have always been the same. No need for NOAA to tell us that there will be some hurricanes this year, some of them major storms. Whats different is the hysterical response of the media and the public to weather events.

Media also have a vested interest in seeing destructive storms take place. As a storm builds, it can be tracked, and viewership increases. Jim Cantore can be sent out on location to hang from light poles, and the major networks can send their reporters to stand knee-deep in the surge or get pummeled as the winds pick up and they are forced indoors. It makes for good copy, but its also true that 90% of those in the mainstream media are liberals, and it often seems as though they are hoping for confirmation of global warming, even if lives are lost.

Its also easy for the general public to get sucked into extreme storm coverage. With round-the-clock coverage and an hysterical tone of presentation, events like Hurricane Helene in 2020 and the Kerrville flooding of this year can mesmerize some viewers. The public response to these events is often highly emotional, and its a short step from hysteria to poor political judgment. There are too many who believe, along with AOC, that the world could end by 2030 if we dont shut down everything. The fact is that the world will go on and be just fine, with the same number of storms and same damage as in the past.

Whats new, in a positive vein, is that better warning systems exist, and one can prepare for dangerous storms. Ive outlived many tropical storms here in Florida and before that when I lived in Japan. My advice is to stay inside and away from windows  and dont build or buy in a flood zone to begin with.

There are more serious things to worry about than global warming. Young people need to get a good education, to work hard in their careers and save and invest. Men and women need to love and respect one another and to live harmoniously in marriage. Americans of all ages should support conservatives who stand for law and order, national defense, and individual liberty, including freedom from Big Government. All of those concerns are far bigger than Katrina or Helene.

As for specific hurricane preparations, Ive taken all the usual steps: I have food and water for a week, flashlights, battery-powered fans for when the AC goes out, and a full tank of gas. I also have double-paned windows, a tie-down roof, hurricane resistant shingles  and I live outside the normal path of hurricanes in Florida.

Thank you, NOAA, but I didnt really need your advice to be prepared, or your prediction that hurricanes would be above normal this year. I know that some years will be above normal (about half) and that eventually there will be devastating storms, and that one of them could affect me. But Im not getting hysterical, not supporting spending on global warming, not giving up the fossil fuels that make life comfortable in Florida and anywhere else.

There will always be severe storms in life, along with every other kind of challenge. And in the end, we will all pass away. Conservatives accept these facts, and they go on living joyfully and courageously. They celebrate and conserve what is good in life, not worrying about all that can go wrong.

Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture including Heartland of the Imagination (2011).

Image via Pxhere.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's police service, once hailed as a guardian of law and order, is increasingly under scrutiny as allegations of corruption threaten public safety. Under Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba, reports suggest that the force has become, in many instances, a predator preying on citizens' vulnerability.Motorists, commuters, and ordinary citizens describe a daily reality of harassment at illegal roadblocks, extortion at police stations, and selective enforcement of the law. In Bulawayo, residents claim police focus more on alcohol-related patrols than on tackling violent crimes, while highway officers reportedly solicit bribes under the guise of routine checks.At the Zanamwe turn-off in Chitungwiza, kombi crews allegedly pay US$3 per day to traffic officers to bypass safety regulations. Vehicles are often overloaded, unroadworthy, or operating without licences, putting passengersincluding schoolchildren and workersat risk. Observers argue that every accident involving such vehicles is tied, in part, to corruption.Critics say the ZRP top command has failed to act, raising questions about leadership accountability. Calls for urgent reforms include the establishment of independent oversight, asset and lifestyle audits, whistleblower protection, public disciplinary hearings, rotation of traffic officers, digital enforcement systems, and a revival of community policing.Without decisive action, public trust in the ZRP risks collapse, leaving Zimbabweans vulnerable to both crime and corruption. Analysts argue that accountability must start at the top, with Commissioner-General Mutamba demonstrating leadership and implementing visible reforms to restore confidence in the police service.As the debate intensifies, Zimbabweans are left asking a pressing question: Who will police the police?
This week, the FBI conducted a seven- or eight-hour raid on former National Security Advisor John Boltons home and his office. (Unlike raids such as those the Biden administration conducted against Trump, his employees, advisors, and associates, no press was alerted and engaged, so reports are from bystanders who videotaped it on their cell phones.) Is the raid on John Boltons home retribution? Revival of a dormant case against him for mishandling national security? Something more sinister?

Background

Five years ago, the Trump Department of Justice sued to enjoin the publication of John Boltons book The Room Where it Happened on the grounds that it contained classified information he was not authorized to disclose. Judge Royce Lamberth declined injunctive relief (Under the First Amendment, it is almost impossible to prevent publication in advance by injunctive relief.) but made it clear that Bolton had mishandled such information:

BREAKING #BoltonBook From Judge Lamberth While Boltons unilateral conduct raises grave national security concerns, the government has not established that an injunction is an appropriate remedy + Defendant Bolton has gambled with the national security of the United States...

The judge faulted Bolton for putting the nation's security at risk with some of the content he included, and stated that Bolton might have opened himself up to civil, and potentially even criminal liability by his actions.

The department then sought to seize any profits from the sale of the book, but post-election the Biden Administration ceased pursuing the matter.

The FBI conducted a reported eight-hour raid on his home and office this week. There are varied reports of what they were seeking. Could they just be reviving the 2020 suit? Joel Pollak asserts the security breach in his book was because Bolton believed he was going to be shielded by Biden:

He allegedly did it believing, correctly, that his opposition to Trump would shield him from prosecution. Evidently, he did not think Trump would come back. Meanwhile he dumped on Trump over... classified docs.

While the administration may be following on the earlier case which Biden dropped, the raid must involve something more. "Search warrants cannot be based on "stale " information. Thus, John Bolton had to have committed some act recently that was basis for searches of his home and office."

The New York Post reported that an anonymous official told them it was a revival of Boltons alleged use of a private email to send classified national security documents to his wife and daughter from his work desk before his dismissal by Trump in September 2019.

In a video released two weeks ago, Bolton was seen visiting Qatar in 2020. This lends some credence to the claim by Jesse Watters that word was Bolton was making a lot of money from overseas and may have been trafficking in intelligence.

Michael Shellenberger says the raid may be connected to the Russian collusion hoax. But until we see more evidence -- like a copy of the search warrant or an indictment -- all this discussion about the purpose of the raid is speculation, though legal scholar Jonathan Turley indicates that mishandling of classified national security materials, if true, places Bolton in substantial legal jeopardy. In a Fox interview he indicated if the breach involved national security defense matters, the penalty could be a 5 to 20 year sentence.

Bolton defenders argue that any case against him would simply be retribution for the years Bolton spent attacking the President. Byron York is right -- thats an ironic defense:

On Trump and 'retribution': Between March and August 2023, three Democratic prosecutors filed a total of 91 felony charges against Trump. A Democratic law enforcement official pursued a nearly half-billion-dollar lawsuit to destroy his business empire. Other officials went to court to disqualify him under the 14th Amendment. And still others pursued legal action against him for other reasons. So one question: Given all that, what did you think was going to happen?

Actually, I think theres far more to it than mere retribution. In order to get a warrant for the raid, the FBI and Justice Department had to persuade a judge that there was cause to believe Bolton had in his possession classified documents he had no right to retain. In any event, the raid could be both justified and retributive. There is no doubt that the Obama-Biden crowd broke every norm when they pursued Trump and dozens of his aides and colleagues, and I think there something to be said for retribution, this time, however, within perfectly legal bounds. Nothing is as educative as the lesson we learn from what goes around, comes around.

Hypocrisy

There are probably few, if any, better examples of hypocrisy than the comparison Bolton, McCabe and the revisionist history of the press revealed this week.

John Bolton

Here is John Bolton very enthusiastic about the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago. He really pushed the narrative of "No one is above the law." Today the FBI raided on his home and office!

Andrew McCabe

Andrew McCabe, a man alleged to have lied under oath, leaked information to the media, orchestrated the Russia hoax, signed false FISA affidavits, and enabled the weaponization of the FBI, went on CNN today to claim that Kash Patel is "degrading" the FBI's image and legitimacy.

The Washington Post wins the medal this week for revisionist media history.

it's currently retweeting [Glenn Kesslers] thread about what an honorable public servant John Bolton is.

The Post criticized him regularly when George W. Bush nominated him for UN Ambassador. (i.e, Bolton's Tough Style, Record Face Scrutiny)

The National Cleanup

The Administration is cleaning up more than the deep state.

For the first time in memory there has not been a single murder in the District of Columbia for over a week due to the mobilization efforts of the President. He announced this week that he plans to broaden this urban cleanup to other states, suggesting Chicago and New York City will be the next cities he wants to make safe and orderly. (There are hints Seattle and Portland may follow.) He also announced that up to 1700 National Guardsmen are about to be mobilized in 19 states as part of his nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration and crime. The plan is to keep these troops in place from August through mid-November.

Its fun to watch Democrats entrapped into continuing to support crime and open borders, entrapped because they can see no way out of the idiocy theyve spawned for years, idiocy that regular people who vote and pay taxes hate.
When the FBI visited Deep Stater John Bolton early Friday morning, a line from The Godfather crept into my mind: Today I settle all family business. Surely I wasnt the only one who hoped cable news would soon be reporting similar raids at the homes of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Brennan, James Comey, Jim Clapper, Susan Rice, and all the other co-conspirators responsible for the Russia Collusion Hoax, the Ukraine impeachment, the Hunter Biden laptop cover-up, and all the fraudulently predicated criminal investigations into President Trump and his associates.

Alas, Bolton was the only fish dumped out of his sanctuary bowl for the time being. Still, with the farcical half-a-billion-dollar civil fraud judgment against Trump recently overturned and the Supreme Court slowly but surely ruling in his favor on a host of executive orders intended to streamline the federal government, I feel as if were getting closer to a time when a great deal of family business will be settled swiftly.

That thought sparked another thought: President Trumps entire governing philosophy has a lot in common with some of the better wisdom from the Godfather movies. Consider some of these jewels from Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola:

(1) Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.

Does it drive you nuts that Trump seems to quickly forgive people who wrong him? He lets left-wing journalists interview him. He gave Hillary Clinton a pass for illegally transferring highly classified government documents to a private and unsecured computer server. He even considered Mitt Romney  a man who repeatedly stabbed him in the back  for the position of secretary of State!

At the same time, though, Trump has no problem rumbling with those he brings near. After all, he made Bolton his chief national security adviser before firing the warmonger a year later. Trump likes having his adversaries where he can see them. That reminds me of something Sonny Corleone once said: You gotta get em close like this, and badda-bing, you blow their brains all over your nice Ivy League suit.

(2) Im gonna make him an offer he cant refuse.

Most of the celebrity economists on television hate tariffs because they primarily benefit American workers and Main Street businesses, while threatening the bottom line of multinational corporations and Wall Street investment firms. For years, the pundits have said that Trumps tariffs would destroy both the economy and relations with allies. What Trump and his economic policy team have known all along, though, is that no nation on the planet can afford to be closed off from the American market.

American consumers are the wealth-creating engine for the entire world. When Trump insists that other nations treat America fairly, he does so while holding a giant stick.

(3) Dont ever take sides with anyone against the family again.

Notice to all Democrat-run sanctuary cities: Your days of aiding and abetting illegal aliens, harboring criminals, and putting the American people in danger are over. How many times have we heard Democrats describe foreign nationals who broke into our country more favorably than they describe American citizens? How often have we seen Democrats fighting tooth and nail to keep foreign robbers, rapists, and murderers in the United States?

President Trump is absolutely committed to removing invaders from Democrat sanctuaries and preventing future harm to Americans. He will assume control over criminal enforcement operations in Democrat-run cities if he must. The era of taking sides against the family has come to an end.

(4) Its not personal; its strictly business.

Trumps done with North American trade deals that enable Canada and Mexico to operate as pass-through entities for China and other adversaries flooding American markets with cheap goods. Whether its illegal drugs or finished products from foreign companies exploiting trade loopholes, the U.S. will no longer subsidize Mexicos cartel government or Canadas Green New Deal unicorn economy. America must be self-resilient and have an economy more diverse than Wall Street bankers and taxpayer-funded NGOs. Its not personal, Prime Minister Carney. Its economic security.

(5) Hold on to your friends, but make peace with your enemies.

The Russia Collusion Hoaxers can push for war with Russia all they want. President Trump knows that America loses if it gets stuck in a European civil war over Russian-speaking lands in Ukraine whose people have repeatedly voted to be a part of the Russian Federation. Sending money and weapons to Ukraine until every last able-bodied man dies prolongs useless slaughter. From the Arctic to the Middle East, the U.S. and Russia have much more to gain by working together. Both also correctly view communist China as a serious adversary. As Sollozzo tells Tom Hagen, I dont like violence. ... Im a businessman. Blood is a big expense.

(6) Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Hillary, Obama, the lawfare operatives at the DOJ, or the gangsters manipulating global affairs in the espionage agencies  take your pick. With Bolton getting his home and office tossed and ongoing criminal investigations heating up with regards to Senator Adam Schiff, New York attorney general Letitia James, and many others, those who abused their offices to defraud the American people and overthrow President Trump in a Deep State-engineered coup detat should be afraid. How many Establishment figures in D.C. are unlawfully in possession of classified materials? How many have profited in quid-pro-quo arrangements with foreign nations? How many have committed fraud when signing mortgage documents? How many are guilty of insider trading? Perhaps we will soon know.

(7) A man who doesnt spend time with his family can never be a real man.

Out with the transgender madness. In with the traditional nuclear family. Have you noticed that the winds of American culture are shifting after twelve years of Obama-Biden delusions during which we were told that families are oppressive and systemically racist? Obamas Life of Julia campaign promised women that they did not need men or children because the government would be their perfect partner for life. Bidens DOJ harassed parents for opposing school districts obsession with sexualizing childhood education. The Democrat party argues that teachers should secretly transition children away from their biological sex and assist young girls in obtaining abortions without parental notification. Trump is putting an end to all that.

Children need moms and dads. Adults need spouses. America needs more children. Families grow the economy and foster strong communities. As the Trump administration shows every day, there is nothing more critical for Americas success than promoting healthy American families.

(8) Great men are not born great; they grow great.

There are many similarities between Donald Trump and Winston Churchill. Despised by the Establishment of their respective times, they changed the course of history through sheer force of will. They share an exuberant energy and tenacious spirit. Churchill reportedly remarked, Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. After surviving an assassins bullet, Trump clenched his fist and shouted, Fight! Fight! Fight! These two imperfect men perfectly personify this lesson in leadership: Never give up! You are not bestowed with that kind of greatness upon birth. You must suffer and fall and get back up  again and again  until everyone  including your opponents  marvels at your fearlessness.

(9) I believe in America.

Not since Ronald Reagan have we had a president who is so unabashedly pro-American. Trumps enemies call his Make America Great Again slogan imperialist or racist. He calls it a mission statement. You are either part of the monumental effort to secure peace, prosperity, and freedom for the people of the United States, or your loyalties lie elsewhere. You have to really love something to sacrifice everything for it. President Trump loves America.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
When reading Scripture, its not uncommon to come across passages describing corrupt, evil judges and rulers who oppressed their people. These wicked judges and rulers exhibited moral failure and corruption. They accepted bribes, prioritized personal gain, and led entire societies away from righteousness. They serve as cautionary tales of how authority can be abused, causing societal decay and even divine judgment.

It continues today. Here is a short list of modern judicial actions that have interfered with the policies of the Trump administration. Comparing corrupt judges from the biblical and modern eras reveals themes of ideological bias, the perversion of justice, and consequences for governance.

The Bibles Old Testament examples illustrate wicked judges as those who exploited their positions for personal or ideological ends, often at the expense of justice and the common good. Elis sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17) are described as worthless men who abused their priestly roles by seizing the best sacrificial portions and engaging in immorality, showing a blatant disregard for Gods laws. Similarly, Samuels sons (1 Samuel 8:1-3) turned aside after dishonest gain, accepted bribes, and perverted justice, prompting the Israelites to reject their leadership. These figures embody a corruption that undermined societal trust and invited divine retribution. King Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 16:29-33, 21:1-16) took this farther by orchestrating murder and theft to seize Naboths vineyard, symbolizing rulers who prioritize power and idolatry over righteousness. Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-16) demonstrated extreme wickedness through idolatry, child sacrifice, and bloodshed, leading Judah into moral decay.

We have recently seen a roster of federal judges, many appointed by Biden and Obama, issuing rulings that have blocked Trump administration initiatives such as freezing federal funding and restructuring government agencies. For instance, Biden appointee Judge Loren AliKhan halted a funding pause aligned with Trumps agenda, while Judge Deborah Boardman (also Biden) blocked the birthright citizenship order, citing the need for a uniform policy. Not to be outdone, lower-court judges have again ordered the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide birth control to their secular employees despite the Supreme Court ruling that such orders are unconstitutional. These actions parallel biblical wicked judges in their perversion of justice and could be seen as ideological bribery, where bribes manifest as political allegiance rather than monetary gain.

Just as biblical figures deviated from Gods commandments to favor personal whims, these modern judges might be accused of straying from constitutional intent to advance leftist agendas, such as protecting illegal aliens or forcing nuns to pay for abortions. Leftists claim that these judges are acting as a check, but conservatives argue that their actions represent judicial overreach. This might be compared to Ahabs seizure of property, where todays judges seize policy authority from the Executive Branch.

Obama appointee Judge Kathleen Williams embodied this recently through her ruling to dismantle Alligator Alcatraz. Citing environmental concerns, Williams issued a temporary restraining order requiring the facilitys closure within 60 days, despite the states arguments of prior ecological assessments and protective measures. Her decision prioritizes environmental activism over border security and the safety of American citizens, much like biblical wicked rulers who led their nations into idolatry (e.g., Manassehs child sacrifices) or injustice (Jezebels murder plot). Here, the idolatry could be interpreted as worship of the progressive ideal of environmentalism at the expense of national sovereignty, perverting justice by halting a policy aimed at deterring illegal immigration.

The New Testament further develops the comparison. Herod (Matthew 2:1-18) massacred innocents out of paranoia, prioritizing power over righteousness, while Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-40, 19:1-16) capitulated to the crowd, sanctioning Jesuss crucifixion despite recognizing his innocence. In 1973, Supreme Court justices Blackmun, Burger, Douglas, Brennan, Stewart, Marshall, and Powell all voted to legalize abortion, and since then, over 63 million unborn children have been killed in the womb. This beggars Herods total. The morally compromised biblical rulers were swayed by external pressures, as was, perhaps, Justice Harry Blackmun.

Other modern judges, such as Obama appointee Amy Berman Jackson, who reinstated a special counsel amid Trumps removals, or Angel Kelley (Biden), who blocked health research cuts, might be seen as capitulating to Democrat pressures or media narratives, similar to Pilates crowd-pleasing. Jacksons history of criticizing Trumps first administration shows a bias that distorts impartiality. Similarly, Williamss temporary restraining order could reflect Herod-like cruelty if viewed as endangering public safety by releasing detainees, although leftists argue its protecting the environment.

Proverbs 29:2 warns that when the wicked rule, the people groan. Trumps policies promote justice (e.g., border control, fiscal restraint, protection of the innocent), yet these judges interventions cause groaning through policy paralysis.

Trumps ordering of the National Guard into Washington, D.C. has made neighborhoods safer. Whereas left-leaning news outlets are focusing on some residents protesting the order, other residents and rank-and-file police officers love the help and feel safer. D.C. Police Union chairman Gregg Pemberton stated, The citizens were ecstatic. They were actually exuberant. Everyone else  police officers, citizens alike  are all thrilled that theres actually criminals being held accountable here in the district.

In conclusion, the actions of modern leftist judges bear notable parallels to biblical wicked judges through ideological bias, perversion of justice, and societal disruption. Like Elis sons or Ahab, they are accused of exploiting authority to thwart righteous governance, leading to groaning under policies favoring certain ideologies. This comparison underscores the enduring relevance of Scriptures warnings: Leaders must prioritize impartial justice, lest they become chaff in historys winds.

As we are called to pray for our leaders, these cases invite us to reflect on how judicial power influences our moral and national health, echoing the Bibles call for righteousness in authority.

Image via Picryl.
On Sunday August 24, 2025 The Washington Post published "When the rule of law becomes rule of lawfare by Megan McArdle. Shes ostensibly a non-progressive, which is to say, she leans left but isnt bat guano insane. She admits to voting for Biden, but in this piece, she throws considerable shade at the left.

The piece opens with about as perfect a definition of lawfare as Ive seen in legacy media. Perfect, because she uses what is, in my humble opinion, the penultimate example of lawfare: that which was played out and executed by Big Tish.

[New York Attorney General Letitia] James planned to use her office to harass Trump before she had evidence that he had committed a crime under New York law  which we know because she said so on the campaign trail. In 2022, she delivered on that promise, bringing an aggressive suit against Trump for overstating the value of his assets on loan and insurance applications, using an unprecedented interpretation of a broad statute to litigate a fraud from which the victims suffered no harm.

Graphic: Lavrentiy Beria portrait 2. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.

This is the very definition of lawfare. It is the Laventriy Beria standard of show me the man, Ill show you the crime.

While I suppose you could argue that this case would have proceeded the same way with any defendant, you could also argue, with equal plausibility, that the Washington Monument is made of marshmallow.

Exactly.

It was depressing watching so many people on the left thrill to this abusive lawfare, and to the equally abusive criminal case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Thirty-four felonies! chanted people who had, five minutes ago, been holding forth on the importance of preserving civic norms and the rule of law. Those people need to acknowledge that this case was a mistake that damaged the very cause it was supposed to further and stand up for the impartial rule of law.

Ms. McArdles naivete is showing. The people she refers to as having a need to acknowledge the lawfare will never, ever do it. The very people who accuse MAGA of being a cult indulge in a cult-like denunciation of all things Trump; all things Trump are all bad, all the time, forever and ever, amen. Their black-hearted psychology towards him resembles an almost biblical devotion.

At the end she throws in the obligatory orange-man-bad paragraph because, duh, orange-mad-bad, aaaand she probably doesnt want her house burned down.

That doesnt shift the blame for Trumps behavior. Trumps authoritarian instincts are his own, as is the responsibility for the havoc he is wreaking on American institutions. Rather, its a reminder that the only way to have the rule of law is to have the rule of law. There is no one weird trick where first we abuse the law to prosecute our political enemies and then, somehow, we have the rule of law again. And the ends cant justify the means when the means dont work.

I can only assume that because she is one of the rare lefties writing in legacy media who hasnt succumbed completely to progressivism, she misunderstands the pathology of the modern progressive: by any means possible. She glances at it with ends cant justify the means but she doesnt seem to fully grasp the ethos.

Chris Plante , who hosts a morning radio show on Washington D.C.s WMAL radio, is fond of saying that if the Democrats didnt have double standards, theyd have no standards at all. This is true, but to them its not double. When you have no fixed sense of right and wrong, when morals and ethics are dependent upon a perceived or even wholly invented oppressed and oppressor model; when they are fluid, constantly in motion depending upon who triggers you, theyre not double theyre righteous. They really believe they are righteous in all their pursuits, so what looks double to us is just them relentlessly being them. Like sharks swimming, they must be constantly in motion or they die.

Progressives must keep swimming, but were under no obligation to throw them a line to either save them or catch them. We can simply stand back and watch them wrestle with the world they have made. Its good to see someone, anyone, who writes for the legacy media acknowledge that, even if its just a little bit.
Its commonly known blue states are experiencing enormous and financially debilitating out-migration from their peoples republics. Renting a U-Haul for the trip from LA to Austin is massively more expensive than renting one from Austin to LA. That trip is doing U-Haul a favor, so its accordingly and dramatically cheaper. My U-Haul experience when we retired and moved from Texas to Wyoming was pleasantly inexpensive. Most Americans havent yet discovered the joys of life in Wyoming, a situation with which Wyomingites in the least populated state in the union are satisfied.

Fortunately for red states, most people escaping blue utopias are refugees, not missionaries. Theyre not making the mistake of transferring blue voting lunacy to their new homes. Unfortunatelymy heart does not bleedfor blue states, most of the people fleeing are solid citizens who can afford to leave, people who take considerable tax revenues with them. Fleeing too are businesses small and large whose loss in tax revenue to blue states easily runs into the billions.

Buts thats not the worst of what may be adding up to a Democrat death spiral. Democrats are losing millions of registered Democrat voters while Republicans are picking virtually all of them up.

Of the 30 states that track voter registration by political party, Democrats lost ground to Republicans in every single one between the 2020 and 2024 elections  and often by a lot, the report reads. That four-year swing toward the Republicans adds up to 4.5 million voters, a deep political hole that could take years for Democrats to climb out from.

Encouraging news, but its always wise to remember Republicans daily earn the mocking title: the stupid party. They have a genius for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and often have spines made of linguini.

All told, Democrats lost about 2.1 million registered voters between the 2020 and 2024 elections in the 30 states, along with Washington, D.C., that allow people to register with a political party, the report adds. (In the remaining 20 states, voters do not register with a political party.) Republicans gained 2.4 million. Many blue states, like massive California, register voters by party while many red states, including Texas, do not, so the number of nationwide registered voters by party does not tell the full story. But in those 30 states with partisan voter registration, Democrats eleven-point edge over Republicans on Election Day 2020 plummeted to just over six points in 2024, an alarming trend for Democrats. [skip] By 2024, the Republican partys share of new registered voters nationwide had overtaken Democrats, rising by nine points compared to 2018, the report details, while Democrats fell by almost eight percent.

Democrats have always relied on huge networks of NGOs/nonprofits and massive fundraising and vote fraud. Even that has been badly disrupted, primarily with the extinction of USAID. Immediately after that agency--with eventual and grudging court blessings--was dismantled the Democrat Party announced it was out of money, which Im sure was just a coincidence. Donald Trump has since been methodically obliterating Democrats other traditional government sources of illicit funding.

Democrats have also always relied on 90%+ of black votes, but since 2020, and particularly in 2024, an alarming number of blacks, and particularly young black men, have voted Republican. Democrats cant afford to lose blacks. Without them, its nearly impossible for them to win.

The movement of young, white men to the Republican Party is also deadly to Democrat hopes of a permanent, one-party state. If they dont soon seize control of both houses of Congress and the Presidency, their imagined, inevitable socialist utopia may be derailed for generations, perhaps forever.

It seems Americans finally got their fill of Democrats during the Bidens Handlers years and decided theyd rather not. Former Democrat donors watching Kamala Harris burn through $1.5 billion dollars in 107 days has also changed some hearts and minds.

The trend is certainly hopeful for American liberty, but no one should imagine its a certainty. Every Normal American and Republican should take to heart the immortal words of Han Solo: dont get cocky, kid.

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.
It seems to be a given that the courts have the final say in whether a law, or an executive order, is constitutional, but the reality is not always so clear.

According to a Newsmax report , on Thursday [8/21], the high court ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with making sweeping cuts to National Institutes of Health diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) grants. In doing so, SCOTUS reversed a lower court.

This reversal is a good one, but the problem is that it was necessary because a rogue lower court had defied the Supreme Court, which had already ruled that courts have no jurisdiction in the matter. Indeed, this was the third time that the Supreme Court had made that ruling. Yet lower courts continue to ignore binding precedent.

Associate White House counsel Grace Pastor told Newsmax that a lot of the justices were complaining that if they dont follow precedent at the lower court level, its going to lead to judicial anarchy.

Judicial anarchy is the key term, because it strongly implies that some federal courts are intentionally violating the Constitution. They do this knowing that they will be overruled, knowing that they have no authority to force the Executive to spend taxpayer money on grants. Yet they continue to violate the law which they are sworn to uphold. The Judiciary are referees, not legislators, but they seem not to accept their limited role, and they issue royal edicts in opposition.

Why do they do this, knowing they will be overruled? Is there a method to their malice?

I suspect that there is. They are setting precedents. By repeatedly setting out in writing their arguments against executive powers, they are building up a future case in which they can usurp the Supreme Court, particularly if the membership of that body is altered, however that might come about.

So far, the administration has weathered the numerous storms imposed upon it by activist judges, who would impose their personal opinions on what executive policy should be. So far, the administration has relied on the Supreme Court coming to the rescue. That reliance has its limits, however, because relief often takes enough time to materially impede lawful policy. Justice delayed is a deliberate tactic.

One can foresee that the day will come when timely execution of a presidential order will be of the utmost consequence. On that day, some pipsqueak in robes will arrogantly attempt to overrule the Executive. It may be in matters of national defense, or in the implementation of some controversial social policy matter which today is as unpredictable as was the transgender movement before it expanded into a large political issue.

Some judge may draw up his own national policy priorities and command the president to act accordingly. He may attempt to bar the president from taking military action, or requiring him to take that action. More likely, it will involve natural resources, environmental impact, economic justice (such as reparations), crowd control during massive riots, a social experiment on children  the possibilities seem endless.

If the trend toward judicial overreach continues, if it meets with some political success for parties whose purposes are adverse to American interests, then at some point, the president will have to defy a renegade court.

That, in turn, will generate a constitutional crisis of proportions not seen since the 1861 secessions of the Confederate States.

The time is now for the Supreme Court to prevent all that. Instead of reacting passively and piecemeal to the violations of lower courts, the Supreme Court must go on offense. It must either remove the rebellious lower court judges or implore the Congress to abolish those courts and replace them.

After all, this is what the lower courts seem to be doing regarding SCOTUS.

Image: Joe Ravi via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Why are there so many cowardly RINOs in Congress?

There absolutely are. They talk a good game--sort of--but rarely follow through.

Consider Governor Greg Abbott of Texas. Hes not a member of Congress, but several Texas congress critters were spouting the same threats to those errant Dems who fled to grossly gerrymandered states in protest of Texas Republicans plan to redistrict in order to add five GOP seats. These arrogant Dems, who know only too well how their own party has used redistricting to defeat Republicans for decades, were playing a very theatrical bit of political theater.

The infuriating part is they suffered so few consequences of their little snit.

As the heroic Brian Harrison noted, they should have been arrested and lost their seats, but they did not even lose their parking spaces. Theyve been fined but will probably never pay them. Its all been a show.

These Dems knew what the outcome would be, and Abbot did not disappoint. He had threatened Texas would add as many as ten new GOP seats, but he is a coward: all hat, no cattle. He waved the white flag of surrender. The speaker of the Texas house, Dustin Burrows, has an R by his name but does the Democrats bidding. The reddest state is under siege by Soros and his billions. Except for Harrison, Texas Republicans are useless as fighters for the cause.

The same spinelessness most infects congressional Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, for example, is sabotaging Trumps efforts to confirm his nominees for crucial positions. Trump could recess appoint them, but Thune refuses to call a recess. He, as weve all known, is a puppet of the odious Mitch McConnell. Trumps patience with all these weaklings is remarkable; most people, when confronted with such duplicity, would be unable to conceal their anger. Trump is a unique man and an atypical President. He soldiers on despite all the slings and arrows.

Trump has assembled the finest cabinet of any President since Reagan. They are committed to Trumps make America great again agenda and have made great strides in denting the deep state.

Meanwhile, the Soros/Reed Hoffman left are spending billions to recruit and pay protestors to scream and march against anything Trump does. What is hilarious is he has backed Democrats into defending all manner of criminals  rapists, child molesters, murderers and of course lesser thugs that torment law-abiding citizens in all major cities, especially DC, Chicago, NYC and LA. They thrive on the chaos they foment.

The left lobbies in favor of all migrants, no matter how heinous their crimes, let alone what they take in resources that should be spent on citizens. There are Republicans lobbying for another $59 billion for Ukraine! Imagine what that money could do for the inner cities now wracked with crime, especially considering the $200 billion already thrown down that rabbit hole. These so-called Republicans  Tom Cotton, Lisa Murkowski and warmonger Lindsey Graham  are traitors to their party and the nation.

Graphic: X Post

After nearly ten years of criminal lawfare carried out by the left to destroy Trump because he was a certain threat to the Deep State and the millions and billions of dollars they steal from American taxpayers, congressional Republicans are still afraid to rock that deep state boat.

Does anyone care to hazard a guess as to how much of that $200 billion went into the pockets of Ukrainian oligarchs, including Zelensky, and all those members of Congress who take millions from the defense industry? Republicans who support sending more money to Ukraine are flashing neon lights proving their complicity in some old-school kick-back scheme. Ukraine was never going to win this war. Putin is a psycho thug who will likely never fall for a moral cause to end the war. He does not give a damn about the Russian soldiers he is losing by the hundreds of thousands because he always has more.

Ukraine is close to being the most corrupt nation on the planet. The entire enterprise is a lost cause for anyone who chooses to get involved. If only Dems had not stolen the 2020 election; Putin admitted there would not have been an invasion. But then the wholesale degradation of what is now understood as the Deep State  the Clinton, Obama and Biden Administrations  would still be concealed and operating at full tilt.

Despite Trumps electoral victory, given his astonishing successes, despite the ongoing sabotage by his own party, the country is doing so much better by every measure. Despite RINOs like Thune, the other McConnell tools in the Senate and a whole host of RINOs in the House doing everything they can to derail Trumps agenda, he is still winning.

Gavin Newsom is making an utter fool of himself trying to troll Trump, but he cant troll the master of trolling. Newsom is proving, by the hour, what an utter, shallow, inauthentic jerk he is. He has no record to run on, for he has destroyed California on every level, yet he seems proud of his dismal record. Do the few California Republicans stand up and fight what can now be called Mamdani-ism? Nope. Maybe one or two but not so anyone notices. The legacy media submarines them, and they do not fight back.

The Republican party has the House and the Senate by an inch, but they are too afraid to use the power they have. They continue to capitulate to Dems as if they are afraid to anger them. In the meantime, Dems continue to play as dirty as they always have and to very imaginatively gerrymander as they always have. What do Republicans do? Nothing. They cower and let the left walk all over them. Its pathetic. Its infuriating. Conservative citizens work hard to win, to elect conservatives, only to watch them surrender to the left.

There are some conservatives in Congress true to our cause, but they are too few to make enough of a difference. There are not enough of them to play hardball like the left. They are too polite, too respectful of the Constitution to fight dirty. If only they could remember how hard the Founders fought to bring this nation into existence, they might not be so gutless.
Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, has bought a new holiday home in Hove - Oli SCARFF/AFP

Angela Rayner has been criticised for having three pads after it emerged on Saturday night that she had added an 800,000 seaside apartment to her property empire.

The Deputy Prime Minister has bought a new holiday home in Hove to add to her three-bedroom grace-and-favour flat at Admiralty House, in central London, and a 650,000 constituency home near Manchester.

It comes as Ms Rayner is looking to impose an extra 100 per cent council tax charge on second homes, leading the Conservatives to call on her to come clean about her council tax.

The levy is being imposed because residents in popular holiday spots, including Hove, are unable to afford homes where they were brought up because of the number of people buying second homes.

Last year, the Housing Secretary earned the nickname Two Homes Rayner for dividing her time between two right-to-buy council properties early in her marriage, with claims that she rented out her home while she lived in the property of her then-husband.

James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, claimed Ms Rayner was dodging parliamentary questions over her housing.

Angela Rayner is responsible for housing policy, yet she wont even be straight about her own, he told the Mail on Sunday.

Time and again shes been asked to declare exactly what properties she owns and where she pays council tax, and time and again shes dodged those questions.

Weve done everything possible to get answers, but she still refuses to come clean. That matters, because this is the same Deputy Prime Minister whos hiked taxes on family homes across the country.

If shes not prepared to be open about her own affairs while taxing everyone else, the public will wonder what she has to hide.

Everest of hypocrisy

Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, told The Telegraph: Rayner is the Everest of hypocrisy.

She laments a housing shortage, wants to soak the rich, whilst selfishly building her own property mountain.

Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative Party chairman, told The Telegraph Ms Rayner must release full details about her housing arrangements.

The former shadow housing secretary wrote to Ms Rayner in May, demanding answers on her council tax bills for her London residence. The Deputy Prime Minister has yet to respond.

Mr Hollinrake told The Telegraph: The public rightly expects transparency from all politicians, whichever party they represent.

For months now, Angela Rayner has avoided answering valid questions about her homes and council tax arrangements  she should set the record straight in full, especially at a time when the Government is looking to increase the tax burden on people with second homes and impose new taxes on family homes.

Ms Rayner has been considering plans to increase council tax bills in wealthy parts of the country by 380 per year in order to move funding to poorer areas of Britain.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, is looking to increase property taxes in the autumn.

The Deputy Prime Minister designated her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency home her primary residence when she was elected into Government. Her rented London flat, which she had before her grace-and-favour home, was described as her second home.

By doing so, she was able to claim back the 1,621 council tax bill on the London flat from the taxpayer, as that is one of the housing costs reimbursed by Commons authorities.

Classed as a second home

She will not reveal which property she is designating as her main residence.

If Ms Rayner continues to refer to Ashton as her main home, the 2,034 council tax bill for Admiralty House will double to 4,068 if it is classed as a second home.

At her Hove property, classified as band D, she faces a 2,455 bill for two people. Single occupancy would reduce it to 1,841. The council tax would double if it were classed as a second home.

Neighbours have seen Ms Rayner at the three-bedroom flat with Sam Tarry, her on-off partner, since May.

It is understood that the administration of council tax for Admiralty House is handled by the Cabinet Office and Westminster Council, as has been the case for successive governments and secretaries of state.

A source close to Ms Rayner said: Angelas work means shes often had to be in and around London for over a decade now, but had always rented a flat for that purpose.
President Donald Trump has claimed that African-American ladies.. beautiful ladies are pleading with him to extend federal troop deployments to Chicago after the militarized takeover of Washington D.C.s streets this month.

They are wearing red hats, just like this one. But they are wearing red hats. African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying, Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please, he claimed Friday in the Oval Office.

I did great with the Black vote, as you know. And they want something to happen. So I think Chicago will be our next, and then we will help with New York.

Now, a Black personal trainer and conservative influencer in Chicago has told local news outlets that she believes that the president was referring to her and the MAGA organization she co-founded, in his remarks.

We knew he had been listening to us, Danielle Carter-Walters told the Chicago Sun-Times Sunday. When I saw it, I said, Oh wow. Weve been asking for it in our videos. Now hes doing it.

Danielle Carter-Walters says she believes Trump was talking about her and her political action group when he said Friday that African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying, Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please. (House Committee on the Judiciary | YouTube)

Carter-Walters also defended Trumps crackdown in D.C. "I mean, if you've got the National Guard right there, are you going to rob somebody right there in front of the National Guard? No, you're not," she told CBS Chicago.

The conservative influencer is co-founder of Chicago Flips Red, a small grass roots organization which appears to comprise of around half a dozen core members.

However Carter-Walters has had national exposure. In April, she testified before Congress during a hearing on sanctuary cities.

Trump doesnt appear to have acknowledged Carter-Walters by name before.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump for listening to @FlipChicagoRed. We truly appreciate everything youre doing to Make America Great Again. P.S.-Please send in the Feds too! Carter-Walters posted on X after Trumps remarks.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Trump made the remarks about Chicago as he discussed reaction to his deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents in the capital. The president has declared the operation a success, though the largest spike in D.C. arrests has been for immigration-related violations.

The Pentagon is reportedly planning to deploy military personnel into Chicago as soon as September. Trump has insisted that he has the authority to conduct takeovers of American cities across states -- beyond the special jurisdiction of the District of Columbia.

The Pentagon has been making plans to occupy numerous cities, even as Guard troops in D.C. have largely resorted to milling around and taking selfies with tourists, according to the Washington Post.

Trump made the remarks about Chicago as he discussed reaction to his deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents in the capital. The president has declared the operation a success, though the largest spike in D.C. arrests has been for immigration-related violations. (AP)

After making his threats against Chicago on Friday, Trump spent some of the weekend leveling attacks at Lisa Cook, the only Black member of the Feds Board of Governors, as well as the only current Black governor of a state, Wes Moore of Maryland. On Sunday, he rejected an invitation from Moore to visit Baltimore in person.

Trumps ire has been particularly focused on cities in liberal jurisdictions with Black mayors, like Chicago, Baltimore and Washington D.C. Trumps threats to takeover Chicago were met with robust responses from Illinois governor, JB Pritzker, and prominent Black leaders in the Windy City.

Illinois has long worked with federal law enforcement to tackle crime, but we won't let a dictator impose his will, Pritzker posted on X late Saturday.

If Trump wants to take his ego trip on tour, he picked the wrong city. Chicago doesnt bow down to kings or roll out the red carpet for dictators. As a Black woman from the South Side, I can assure you @realdonaldtrump, your political circus isnt welcome here, tweeted Julianna Stratton, the states lieutenant governor.

Chicagos mayor Brandon Scott also responded in an interview Sunday on MSNBC. "We're not gonna surrender our humanity to this tyrant, he said. The city of Chicago has a long history of standing up against tyranny-- resisting those who wishes to undermine the interest of working people. We're not gonna back down. We're not gonna cower. We're not gonna bend. We're not gonna break. We're Chicago."

Trump announced last week he had placed D.C. police under direct federal control and deployed about 800 National Guard troops to the city (Getty)

This is what weak men do to pretend theyre strong, added Kat Abugazelah, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois.

Trump can't actually deploy National Guard troops with law enforcement powers to any U.S. state without the consent of the state's governor.

His deployment of the Guard was not restricted in D.C. because the detachment is directly under the presidents authority. Federal law only allows the president to federalize state detachments under specific circumstances, and with different authorities depending on the situation.

Washington D.C. residents are in near-unison with their opposition to the Trump takeover of the nations capital. A Washington Post/Schar School survey this week found that roughly 8 in 10 residents oppose the deployment of Guard troops and federal agents across the city.

Since the military have hit the streets, one person was hospitalized after an armored guard vehicle ran a red light and struck a civilian vehicle. Numerous small-scale clashes between residents and agents carrying out arrests, patrols and checkpoints are frequently being reported in neighborhoods.
On the move: Aaron Anselmino and Carney Chukwuemeka (Getty / ES Composite)

Chelseas list of summer outgoings is set to continue growing as Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Anselmino both close in on moves to Borussia Dortmund.

Chukwuemeka is set to rejoin the Bundesliga outfit permanently after spending six months on loan there last season, while Anselmino is set for a simple loan move with no option to buy.

Transfer news LIVE! All the latest news, rumours, and done deals

Both players have been given permission to travel for their medicals, which are pencilled in for Monday.

Chukwuemeka will be sold for around 24million, and Chelsea have inserted a significant sell-on clause in his deal. The move takes Chelseas total summer income to 273.4million, more than any other Premier League side.

Chukwuemeka impressed in his spell on loan with Dortmund (Getty Images)

Anselmino, on the other hand, is thought to be part of Enzo Marescas long-term plans despite only making one first-team appearance since signing from Boca Juniors in 2024, and it is hoped that the loan will allow him to build experience and develop as he provides cover for the injured Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule, and Emre Can.

A greater challenge may be for him to stay fit, though, as he has been struck down with a series of hamstring injuries in recent years.

Chukwuemekas on-pitch involvement has been similarly limited since he moved from Aston Villa to west London in 2022, tallying just 32 appearances. He too struggled with injury throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, and was sidelined for five months by a knee issue after scoring his first senior goal in 2023.

He returned to the Chelsea fold last season, featuring regularly in the Conference League before being sent to Dortmund on loan in January.

There are still more sales to be completed as Chelsea look to balance the books and appease UEFA accountants before the window closes on September 1.

Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, and Axel Dsasi are among those still in the shop window.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A man believed to be mentally challenged allegedly killed five villagers in Bhelasi area, Madlambuzi village, Bulilima district, on Wednesday afternoon in a shocking spree that has left the community reeling.According to Ward 11 councillor Siphosenkosi Moyo, the attacks began shortly after midday when the man stormed an elderly couple's homestead, fatally assaulting the husband with logs and leaving the wife in a coma.He then moved to another homestead, where he killed three female family members, including a 15-year-old girl. The victims were a mother, her daughter, and the girl's niece. A teenage boy narrowly escaped by outpacing the assailant.The rampage ended at a nearby community dam, where the man reportedly attacked a woman doing laundry, killing her on the spot.Cllr Moyo said villagers, together with police, launched a manhunt and apprehended the suspect a few hours later.Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, could neither confirm nor deny the incident, referring inquiries to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who was unavailable for comment.The motive for the killings remains unclear, and the community is in shock following the tragic events.
Instant impact: Emile Smith Rowe (AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United are still searching for their first win of the new season after allowing a lead to slip in a 1-1 draw against Fulham.

The Red Devils took the lead shortly before the hour mark when Leny Yoros header found the back of the net via a wicked deflection off Rodrigo Muniz.

Chasing an equaliser, Fulham boss turned to Emile Smith Rowe and the substitute made an immediate impact by turning the ball past Altay Bayindir with his very first touch of the ball.

Despite no goals in the first-half, plenty of chances were spurned. Particularly by Man Utd and the biggest one fell to captain Bruno Fernandes after a penalty was awarded following a VAR review for Calvin Basseys foul on Mason Mount in the area.

Usually so reliable from 12 yards, however on this occasion, Fernandes smashed his spot-kick over the bar to sum up an opening 45 minutes for the visitors in which Matheus Cunha hit the post and saw a wonderful effort superbly saved by Bernd Leno.

Ruben Amorim sent on Benjamin Sesko in place of Casemiro in the 51st minute and the goal arrived seven minutes later from the unlikely source of Yoro, who met Mbeumo's corner with a header which hit the back of Muniz and wrongfooted Leno as it flew into the net.

However, Fulham responded in the 72nd minute when Iwobi's ball into the box was missed by Matthijs de Ligt and prodded home by former Arsenal forward Smith Rowe.

It was another defender, substitute Harry Maguire, who almost snatched the win for United but his late header flew wide as Fulham held out for a point.

Additional reporting from PA.
A controversial immigration detention centre, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" and located deep within Florida's Everglades, faces an uncertain future after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to halt its expansion and begin its closure.

US District Judge Kathleen Williams formalised a temporary halt she had imposed two weeks prior, amidst ongoing testimony in a multi-day hearing. Environmental advocates had argued the facility violated crucial environmental laws.

The state of Florida swiftly responded to the ruling, filing a notice of appeal on Thursday night.

"The deportations will continue until morale improves," DeSantis spokesman Alex Lanfranconi said in response to the judge's ruling.

The judge said she expected the population of the facility to decline within 60 days through the transferring of the detainees to other facilities, and once that happened, fencing, lighting and generators should be removed. She wrote the state and federal defendants can't bring anyone other than those who are already being detained at the facility onto the property. The order does not prohibit modification or repairs to existing facilities, "which are solely for the purpose of increasing safety or mitigating environmental or other risks at the site.,"

The preliminary injunction includes "those who are in active concert or participation with" the state of Florida or federal defendants or their officers, agents, employees," the judge wrote in an 82-page order.

Work progresses on a new migrant detention facility dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility in the Florida Everglades (AP)

The judge said state officials never sufficiently explained why the facility needed to be in the middle of the Florida Everglades. "What is apparent, however, is that in their haste to construct the detention camp, the State did not consider alternative locations," Williams said.

Judge cites decades-long efforts to preserve Everglades

Williams said her order gave the state and federal defendants time to wind down the facility so that it can undergo the required environmental assessments. She noted the three-quarters century of efforts to preserve the Everglades.

"Since that time, every Florida governor, every Florida senator, and countless local and national political figures, including presidents, have publicly pledged their unequivocal support for the restoration, conservation, and protection of the Everglades," she wrote. "This order does nothing more than uphold the basic requirements of legislation designed to fulfill those promises."

President Donald Trump toured the facility last month and suggested it could be a model for future lockups nationwide as his administration races to expand the infrastructure necessary for increasing deportations.

Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe had argued that further construction and operations should be stopped until federal and state officials complied with federal environmental laws. Their lawsuit claims the project threatens environmentally sensitive wetlands that are home to protected plants and animals and would reverse billions of dollars' worth of environmental restoration.

Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, called the ruling a landmark victory for the Everglades and Americans who believe this imperiled wilderness should be protected.

"It sends a clear message that environmental laws must be respected by leaders at the highest levels of our government  and there are consequences for ignoring them," Samples said in a statement.

Miccosukee Tribe Chairman Talbert Cypress said this isn't the first time the tribe has has to fight for its land and rights.

"We will always stand up for our culture, our sovereignty, and for the Everglades," Cypress said in a statement.

Attorneys for the state and federal defendants didn't immediately respond to emailed inquiries late Thursday. But they have previously argued that, although the detention center would be holding federal detainees, the construction and operation of the facility was entirely under the state of Florida, meaning the federal environmental law didn't apply.

The judge has said the detention facility was, at a minimum, a joint partnership between the state and federal government.

President Donald Trump tours Alligator Alcatraz, a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, on July 1, 2025 (AP)

The detention center was quickly built almost two months ago at a lightly used, single-runway training airport in the middle of the Everglades. It currently holds several hundred detainees but was designed to eventually hold up to 3,000 detainees in temporary tent structures.

Inside the compound's large white tents, rows of bunkbeds are surrounded by chain-link cages. People held there say worms turn up in the food, toilets don't flush and flood floors with fecal waste, while mosquitoes and other insects are everywhere. At times the air conditioners abruptly shut off in the sweltering heat. Detainees are said to go days without showering or getting prescription medicine, and can only speak to lawyers and loved ones by phone.

Witnesses for the environmental groups testified during the hearing that at least 20 acres (8 hectares) of asphalt had been added to the site since the Florida Division of Emergency Management began construction. They said additional paving could lead to an increase in water runoff to the adjacent wetlands, spread harmful chemicals into the Everglades and reduce the habitat for endangered Florida panthers.

Attorneys for federal and state agencies have asked Williams to dismiss or transfer the injunction request, saying the lawsuit was filed in the wrong jurisdiction. Williams ruled Thursday that her court was the proper venue.

Another federal judge in Miami dismissed part of a lawsuit earlier this week that claimed detainees were denied access to the legal system at the immigration detention center and then moved the remaining counts of the case to another court.

Both lawsuits were being heard as Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis * administration apparently was preparing to build a second immigration detention center at a Florida National Guard training center in north Florida.
The King has sent a message of support to Ukraine to mark the countrys independence day.

Charles called for a just and lasting peace to end the war triggered by Russias 2022 invasion of its neighbour.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Kings words were a true inspiration for our people and thanked the UK for its support.

The Kings message, shared on social media by Mr Zelensky, said: I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people.

I am grateful to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his cordial wishes to all Ukrainians on our Independence Day. His Majestys kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war. We appreciate the United Kingdoms leadership in pic.twitter.com/Ks3J1dBF8m  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 24, 2025

I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky said: His Majestys kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war.

We appreciate the United Kingdoms leadership in supporting Ukraine and our just cause: to defend freedom from tyranny and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence said the British military will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers until at least the end of 2026, with an extension to Operation Interflex.

A symbol of strength and hope  On Ukraines Independence Day  and every day  the UK stands with the Ukrainian people.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/0Uag84UaLF  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) August 24, 2025

More than 50,000 Ukrainian troops have been trained on British soil, according to the Government.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow.

In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraines armed forces in the strongest possible position.

And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.

Ukrainians are marking 34 years since their country left the Soviet Union on Sunday, with more than 2,000 Ukrainian recruits, British military personnel and others celebrating at one of the Interflex training sites in England this year.

The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine was expected to fly above Downing Street and several Whitehall buildings on Sunday.

We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, including those who have made a second home here in the UK, in the face of continued Russian aggression, a Government spokesman said.
The King and Queen, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, have attended a Sunday service at a church near the Balmoral estate.

Charles and Camilla were pictured in the back seats of a car arriving at Crathie Kirk, Crathie, Aberdeenshire.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, were pictured in another car, with William driving.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, attend a service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral (Paul Campbell/PA)

The couples children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, were seated in the rear of the car.

Kates hair appeared to be a lighter shade than her usual brunette as she smiled in the summer sunshine.

The royal family traditionally holidays on the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire over the summer.

The small Church of Scotland parish kirk is their regular place of worship when they are at Balmoral, and Queen Elizabeth II regularly attended services there.

The Princess Royal and Duke of Edinburgh were also pictured attending the service.
The boss of the firm behind ChatGPT offered to sell Britain premium access to the AI tool in a multi-billion pound deal discussed with the technology secretary, it has been reported.

Sam Altman, a co-founder of OpenAI, reportedly spoke to Peter Kyle about a potential deal to give UK residents access to its advanced product.

Two sources familiar with the meeting told The Guardian the idea was floated as part of wider talks about OpenAIs work with the government during a visit by Mr Kyle to San Francisco.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle is a keen supporter of AI (PA Wire)

The deal would have cost up to 2bn and Mr Kyle never really took the discussions seriously, The Guardian reported.

But the talks show the tech secretarys enthusiasm for AI despite concerns over the accuracy of the technology as well as copyright and privacy.

ChatGPT is normally free for users, but OpenAI offers a paid version for $20 a month which gives quicker responses and early access to new features.

Mr Kyle met Mr Altman in March and April, signing a deal in July to allow public services to use OpenAIs technology. The non-binding agreement could allow the firm access to government data and see the software used in areas such as defence, education, security and in the justice system.

Mr Kyle has lauded AI since becoming tech secretary, and in March he admitted having used AI for policy and comms advice.

He asked ChatGPT why small businesses in the UK were slow to adopt AI, records show.

Peter Kyle has met Sam Altman multiple times (Getty Images)

Mr Kyle also asked the software which podcasts he could appear on to reach the widest audience possible, and for definitions of terms such as quantum and digital inclusion.

He told PoliticsHome: ChatGPT is fantastically good, and where there are things that you really struggle to understand in depth, ChatGPT can be a very good tutor for it.

Sir Keir Starmer recently set out plans to mainline AI into the veins of the British state, saying it offers a unique chance to boost growth and raise living standards.

On Thursday the PM said it could help the government unlock 45 billion in efficiency savings, replacing or streamlining the work of civil servants.

He said: AI is a golden opportunity. You will already be thinking about how you use it in your work.

Thats an opportunity we are determined to seize. So we are going to get the best of the best on AI working across the government. Im going to send teams into every government department with a clear mission from me to make the state more innovative and efficient.

A government spokesman said: We dont recognise these claims. We are working with OpenAI and other leading AI companies to explore investment in UK infrastructure, improve public services, and rigorously test the security of new technology before it is made public.

An OpenAI spokesperson told The Guardian: Millions of Brits are already using ChatGPT every day for free. In July, we signed an MoU [a memorandum of understanding] with the government to explore how we can best support the growth of AI in the UK, for the UK.

In line with the governments vision of using this technology to unlock economic opportunity for everyday people, our shared goal is to democratise access to AI. The more people who can use it, the more widely its benefits will spread.
Demonstrators outside the Brook hotel in Norwich, one of a series of protests against asylum seekers being housed in hotels this weekend. Photograph: Martin Pope/Getty Images

MPs have raised the alarm about a rise in abuse linked to debates around immigration, with some reporting levels of online harassment and death threats worse than during the Brexit years.

The warning came after a weekend of protests and counter protests at hotels used to house asylum seekers, with 15 people arrested on Saturday and demonstrations continuing into Sunday.

One female member of parliament, who asked to remain anonymous, said she had this weekend reported an online rape threat linked to her support for asylum seekers to the police.

Shipleys Labour MP, Anna Dixon, said she had received death threats after the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore, shared misleading information about her stance on grooming gangs.

The lambasting we are all getting on social media and in the inbox is grim, from both sides, said Tonia Antoniazzi, Labours MP for Gower. Its like we cant do right for doing wrong and everything has become frighteningly polarised.

Very few people see us as the individual humans that we are  especially women, mums, sisters, daughters  and its really changed since I came into the house. Its worse than Brexit. In fact I could cope with that better.

Another veteran Labour MP backed up her comments saying that, in their experience, hostility towards politicians was worse now than it had ever been.

Another MP said: Ive had some pretty unpleasant abuse. One [person] asked recently why I was hosting and supporting child rapists. They added that the police had assured them those carrying out the abuse were only a small online community.

Newer MPs also reported feeling the impact of a recent rise in tensions over issues including grooming gangs, small boats and asylum seeker hotels.

The Green party co-leader and MP for Bristol Central, Carla Denyer, said the abuse she is sent had become noticeably worse in the last few months, escalating in some cases to violent threats, which she had reported to the police.

As a leftwing and queer woman MP who speaks up frequently in support of refugees and LGBTIQA+ issues, I attract a lot of misogynist and homophobic abuse, she said. I wish I was surprised, but sadly it feels inevitable in the current political environment as the far right in the UK and across the world feels more and more emboldened and validated by other political parties dancing to their tune.

She added: It doesnt matter how much you disagree with someone, threats of violence are never, ever appropriate. And they wont silence me.

Its horrendous, said another MP who was elected last year. Im having to deal with daily lies about asylum seeker hotels and HMOs, which are entirely fabricated and are leading to huge anger and fear.

Another female MP said: I have received death threats in the last six months. The misogyny and the hate hasnt really stopped since I was elected [last year], so it always feels like it has been pretty intense and is constant.

Many of the MPs who voiced concerns asked to remain anonymous, fearing they would attract further abuse if they spoke publicly about the issue.

A speakers conference on the security of MPs found only just over half (52%) of those who responded to a survey felt safe in their role. The biggest concern reported by MPs was online abuse, followed by being recognised and abused in public.

Ive fought four general elections and feel things sank to all time low  so far  in this last 2024 one, another Labour MP, Rupa Huq, said.

The speakers conference, which I serve on, is investigating these issues and our witnesses have included Meta and X to the Electoral Commission, but their focus is during electoral campaigning or contests when, sadly, these issues rear their heads in between elections.

On Saturday, the MP Anna Dixon said police were investigating death threats over her position on a national inquiry into grooming gangs after Moore claimed she had been dismissing calls for an inquiry since day one.

Dixon said she only voted against a Tory proposal for a national inquiry into grooming gangs because it included an amendment to the childrens wellbeing and schools bill. Moore said he condemned any threats of violence, but insisted he had raised legitimate concerns.

Brendan Cox, the co-founder of the Together Coalition and the husband of the MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by a far-right terrorist in 2016, said mainstream politicians were fanning the flames of division. He said difficult policy positions needed to be debated more civilly.

Threats to MPs dont come from nowhere, he said. When mainstream politicians use violent or extreme rhetoric, dehumanisation of opponents increases and violence becomes more likely.

On Sunday, protests continued against the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with demonstrators decked in flags gathered outside the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in Birmingham and police in London standing guard outside the Britannia hotel in Canary Wharf.

This weekend there was also a campaign to put up union jack and Saint Georges cross flags across the country gather pace. According to the anti-extremist groups Hope Not Hate and Stand Up to Racism, the campaign called operation raise the colours has been partly organised by well-known far-right figures.

On Saturday, police in Basildon in Essex arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage, after a video appeared to show racist abuse being shouted as red crosses were painted on the walls of a row of white buildings in the town.

In Stevenage, a man claimed he was attacked with a petrol bomb in the early hours of Saturday morning while hanging flags from lamp-posts. It appears that the victim was struck by a glass bottle containing a lit rag and sustained a cut to his head, Chf Insp Sarah Gilbertson of Hertfordshire police said, appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Amid the febrile atmosphere, the government has set out plans to introduce a fast-track asylum appeals process, which will speed up the removal of people with no right to be in the UK. Labour has also pledged to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029.

We cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited, which mean that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer, said the home secretary, Yvette Cooper.

Dan Jarvis, the security minister and chair of the defending democracy taskforce, said: Vile threats and the intimidation of those who serve in public life is utterly unacceptable.

We are absolutely determined to ensure all elected representatives can carry out their democratic duties without suffering harassment and the defending democracy taskforce works to ensure a whole-of-government response to the threats to our democracy.



While there will always be a place for robust debate, there will never be a place for fear in our democracy.

The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.

If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods.

Secure Messaging in the Guardian app

The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.

If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging.

SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post

If you can safely use the tor network without being observed or monitored you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.

Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each.
A sketch by EH Shepard of an amusement park scene poked fun at politicians Anthony Eden, Clement Atlee and Winston Churchill

Newly-published sketches by the illustrator of the Winnie-the-Pooh books have revealed how he overcame his distaste for conflict to rail against appeasement in the run-up to the Second World War.

In a world away from the innocence of AA Milnes classic childrens stories, EH Shepard explored his dislike for fascism and appeasement with caricatures of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Neville Chamberlain, the former prime minister whose name is identified with the policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany.

James Campbell, the overseer of the EH Shepard artistic and literary estate, told The Telegraph that the caricatures revealed Shepard as a man who was instinctively nervous about regimes and individuals who essentially wanted to take control of peoples lives.

He said that while Milne was anxious to avoid war at almost any cost, Shepard was more pragmatic.

He had lost his only brother in the war, he added. He was to lose his only son in the Second World War But there came a point where he realised that somebody had to stand up for what was right There are very interesting parallels with whats going on now.

Campbell said the caricatures showed that Shepard attempted to find ways of illustrating the rise of fascism and his dismay at the widespread desire among the British establishment for a policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany, and the ill-fated Munich Agreement between Chamberlain and Hitler.

Over 20 years, Shepard was chief political cartoonist for Punch magazine, and in a previously unpublished cartoon he satirised the chaos of political challenges leading up to the Second World War.

He depicted a bustling amusement park, with attractions that poked fun at politicians Anthony Eden, Clement Atlee and Winston Churchill.

A small paddle-boat is captained by a man pointing to its Edens Conducted Tours flag, a wrestler stands by a banner proclaiming Battling Winston Bruiser, and a top-hatted man is holding a bottle and pointing to a poster promoting Atlees Antidotes Tasteless. A couple of his characters just look bewildered.

EH Shepard, the illiustrator of Winnie-the-Pooh - Evening Standard/Getty Images

Campbell said: As the chief political cartoonist of Punch, Shepard had a ringside seat as the build-up to the Second World War unfurled.

Punch, at that time, was the largest-circulation English-speaking magazine in the world, around four million a week globally. So he was the social media of his day, basically.

Shepard was such a skilled draughtsman that he was able to convey a number of messages in the way in which he drew images. He was deliberately subtle in allowing people to interpret what he was drawing at a number of different levels.

Interestingly, hes very similar to Matt [The Telegraph cartoonist] today. Matt very often articulates what the ordinary man or woman is thinking in an amusing and quite subtle way  and Shepard did exactly the same.

The drawings, held in various collections, have been made available by the Shepard estate.

Campbell will include them in his forthcoming book, the first dual biography of Shepard and Milne. Titled The Men Who Created Winnie-the-Pooh: The Lives of AA Milne and EH Shepard, it will be published by Michael OMara Books on Sept 11, the centenary year of the publication of Winnie-the-Pooh.

A previously unpublished drawing of Piglet and Christopher Robin

A rough sketch of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin

Among other previously unpublished drawings are a charming sketch of Piglet fleeing on his little legs from a horrible Heffalump and one of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin, with his hand scraping out a jar of their beloved honey.

More personal drawings include a contemplative pen and ink portrait of Shepards daughter, Mary, engrossed in a book. She inherited her fathers artistic talent and brought PL Travers Mary Poppins to life with her illustrations.

Campbell said: While Shepard had a very sunny disposition, Milne was a pessimist By the end of his life, he was very depressed at the thought, which of course was true, that he would be known for these four Winnie-the-Pooh books rather than his work as a playwright and author for adults.

A pen and ink portrait of Shepards daughter

Andrew Maunder, a producer and expert in early 20th century theatre, is staging a revival of The Truth about Blayds, a 1921 hit play by Milne, at the Finborough Theatre in September.

Maunder said: It is about a 90-year-old poet, Oliver Blayds, who, after his death, is found to have been carrying a terrible secret. He is played in our production by William Gaunt, a very distinguished actor in TV and theatre, who is 88. In the play, the poets family have to decide whether to ignore the truth or face up to it. Its also a play about celebrity and the fascination with it.

Gyles Brandreth, the author of a forthcoming Milne biography, said: Milne would be thrilled about the revival of Blayds. He saw himself very much as a playwright and novelist rather than as a childrens author.

He wrote 40 plays and made a considerable amount of money from them  in the 1920s he was the Alan Ayckbourn/Neil Simon of his day, with plays on Broadway and in the West End simultaneously. He had a film company with Leslie Howard, scripted several silent movies, and had several of his plays turned into films. Five of his plays opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Brandreth is staging a charity celebration of Milne and Winnie-the-Pooh at the Garrick Theatre on Sept 28, with Joanna Lumley and Jim Broadbent.
London-based Pimentae announced in June it had raised 1.5m to fuel UK and European expansion.

It has been four years of hard graft for university friends Alice Parmiter and Wynter Karo since they quit their corporate jobs to launch premium tequila cocktail brand Pimentae.

In that time, the female-founded British start-up has been afforded a cult-like following, highlighted this summer at a food and drink festival when a random party goer put 1,000 behind the bar at Pimentaes pop up for the first 100 people to experience its spicy margarita.

From a first year turnover of 58,000, Pimentae has seen triple digit growth and is now on track for 2.5m turnover, fuelled by retail, wholesale and EU expansion this year.

Recipe for success was first conceived while the pair were both studying business at Leeds University and had travelled around Mexico on holiday. It was there, recalls Parmiter, that they realised tequila is this incredibly complex and complicated liquid when balanced correctly, not as a shot but to be sipped and savoured.

Read More: I turned my mum's 1980s homemade Dryrobe into a 22m British success

Entrepreneurship was yet to take hold, however, as they embarked on three years of full-time work in London, Parmiter working for fashion giant Asos (ASC.L) and Karo at Sky.

Meanwhile, tequilas resurgence took shape during COVID and the summer of 2020, with the duo noting how consumers were indulging in cocktails at home, notably the Soho House Picante as a lifestyle, trend-led drink.

It was then they realised the demand. We had this awareness from our Mexico travels, says Karo, that the UK perceived tequila to be this hangover dominated drink and had a bad reputation without the education that it is triple distilled and the cleanest spirit.

Premium tequila cocktail brand Pimentae was launched in 2021 by female founders Wynter Karo, left, and Alice Parmiter.

The friends invested a total of 13,000 to launch a pre-batch spicy margarita. They sold their first 1,400 bottles inside three weeks, which yielded around 17,000 in revenue and allowed the pair to bootstrap the business for four months.

With strict rules surrounding the agave plant under Mexican law, tequila can only be produced in Mexico before being imported to the UK. Thats what makes it so beautiful and such a heritage spirit as it takes eight to 12 years to make one bottle, says Parmiter.

The fledgling brand  with recipes initially concocted in the founders kitchens  began to grow traction when they hand delivered bespoke bottles for influencer campaigns.

We realised we had got the same reach as a global marketing campaign with no payment, by hand delivering 30 hampers and people posting off their own back as they loved the picantes, adds Parmiter.

The pair quit their jobs six months after launching. The side hustle had now become a business with no experience of the alcohol industry.

There was a wave of negativity, that nine out of 10 start-ups fail, to this is why you wont succeed in alcohol, or you actually think you will be able to compete with Pernod (RI.PA) or Diageo (DGE.L)," says Karo.

Pimentae's flavoured products come in cans, bottles and bag-in-box.

Pimentae received a 300,000 investment from Distill Ventures, the former Diageo-backed accelerator programme, two years later. The cocktail brand has also accrued 2.5m in total investment to date.

It felt rewarding that we were 24 and 25 years old, we had gone against the grain and none of our friends were starting businesses, adds Karo.

The founders say that the companys secret weapon has been down to its brand armour, having grown in the events space at festivals such as Taste of London and the Big Feastival and creating an immersive brand that the corporates werent doing.

Launching in a traditional space, Pimentae has built a strong design identity by wrapping its products in bespoke art work and Parmiter and Karo believe its aspirational lifestyle approach is winning against the bigger brands.

Read More: Meet the British brains behind DIY heart checker which delivers results in 10 minutes

Gone are the days where products have mass distribution, adds Parmiter. "Its all about how you make consumers feel.

Its very rare these days to see visual products on a shelf. Everything is very minimalist and we wanted to create something different."

The founders, who worked on their own for the first 18 months, admit to a smorgasbord of challenges behind the scenes in the early days without a structure in place to manage cash flow and being unable to scale due to inconsistencies in small-batch production.

They were also hampered by stringent marketing budgets, while awareness has grown via telling the start-ups story from a founders perspective which has connected with consumers.

Some brands can have this overnight success but weve had a strong organic way of growing our community, adds Karo.

The co-founders started the brand with a mission to offer a more accessible avenue to tequila.

Pimentae is now listed in the likes of Ocado (OCDO.L) and Selfridges, restaurants including Mexican-inspired Wahaca and is represented at up to 40 festivals annually.

It was a very overnight decision to start Pimentae, adds Parmiter. It was never spoken about but COVID shone a light on the corporate world and how much we didnt necessarily enjoy our jobs.

Meanwhile, Wynter says working life is not all done from behind a laptop.

Read More: 'I was working as a teacher when I launched the UK's fastest-growing jam brand'

She also still has the Shopify (SHOP) notifications on her phone from managing the first orders from her kitchen.

We are firefighting, pushing water up a hill, absorbing new ideas from a team of seven women every day, she adds. We are grateful we get to call this work every day.

Behind the brand: co-founder Wynter Karo on

University to entrepreneurship

At university there is a huge gap between the theory that you learn and practical application. I would say that you could start your own business without going to uni and still be on a level playing field. The impact with my transferable skills at Pimentae now was the grad scheme at Sky.

University slightly conditions you to think you need to work at one of the big corporates or Big Four to be able to achieve. If anyone is a bit confused, a graduate scheme is great as you do four rotations around business. It made me learn everything you need to know in order to launch a product and do the bottom up builds.

Read more:

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Androi
A one-year-old baby girl has died from malnutrition amid the escalating starvation crisis in Gaza, aid workers who tried to save her have said.

Sanaa Mansour al-Lahham never got to know a life without war before she died in a hospital in the territory in July as a result of prolonged nutritional deficiency and a lack of baby formula, according to the charity Humanity & Inclusion.

Earlier this month, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at their highest levels since the war began.

One-year-old baby Sanaa pictured a few months ago before she became acutely ill from malnutrition ( HI)

Nearly 12,000 children under the age of five were found to have acute malnutrition in July, according to the UN  including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, the most dangerous level. The World Health Organisation said that the numbers are likely an undercount.

On Friday, global hunger monitor the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared that 514,000 people  nearly a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza  are now experiencing famine.

Despite widespread international condemnation, the Israeli military looks set to push ahead with the next stage of its ground offensive on the territorys largest city, Gaza City, sparking fears that the health crisis will only get worse. Baby Sanaas death is just one example of the suffering taking place.

Sanaa was born during the war, says one of Humanity & Inclusions rehabilitation specialists, Haytham Abu Hadroos, who was part of the team that took care of the infant. She was a little girl who knew nothing about the cruelty of the world she entered. From her very first breath, the humanitarian situation in Gaza was collapsing day by day. Access to food, milk, or medicine became nearly impossible. From her first day, she faced conditions that no child should ever know.

Gaza has been hit by a food crisis amid claims that aid is being bottlenecked (AFP/Getty)

The international aid charity said it first became aware of Sanaas plight when an exhausted and desperate young mother walked into a UN shelter at al-Haker School in Deir al-Balah, with one arm broken and her daughter held in the other.

She looked exhausted  physically and emotionally  after running from one hospital to another across the Gaza Strip, searching for answers, hope, and someone to tell her what was wrong with her daughter, Hadroos says. Her child, once joyful and playful, had suddenly changed after a high fever. She stopped crying, no longer moved like before, didnt roll or interact. She simply stayed still, moving her head and limbs slightly, as if sinking into silence.

It turned out Sanaa had developmental delays, the charity explains. Medical experts say high fevers in infants can be a sign of serious infection, which can cause lasting neurological injury if not treated immediately  a common occurrence given the scarcity of medical facilities in Gaza.

Malnutrition weakens the developing brain and immune system, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental issues. Sanaas body likely had no reserves to fight back when her fever struck, and her condition would have deteriorated without proper nutrition or medical intervention.

Former residential homes of the charity SOS Childrens Village have been reduced to rubble in Rafah (SOS Childrens Villages)

Humanity & Inclusion says that hope was briefly reignited in March when its team began physiotherapy sessions with Sanaa to help her recover movement, together with occupational therapy and psychosocial support.

After three sessions, they reported that Sanaa could roll over and sit with minimal support. Her mother cried tears of joy, says Hadroos. It was the first time she saw real hope in months.

But that hope did not last long. Despite the medical care Sanaa received, and her transfer to Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, the infants condition deteriorated. On 17 July, Sanaa died from starvation, the charity says.

Sanaa is more than just a case  she wasnt a statistic, says Hadroos. She was a child  a life born into war, who faced the world with silent eyes and left too soon. In her story, there is not only grief but also a question to the world: how many more children will we allow to disappear before starvation in Gaza is recognised as the emergency it truly is?

This tragic loss highlights the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unimpeded access of humanitarian aid, as well as continued support and interventions for vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities and children.

Palestinians gather for a hot meal at a food distribution point in the Nuseirat camp for refugees in the central Gaza Strip (AFP/Getty)

According to the Gaza health ministry on Thursday, 271 Palestinians, including 112 children, have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began. Israel disputes the figures, while Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that reports of starvation are lies promoted by Hamas and that any suffering in the territory is down to the terror group.

Over 100,000 trucks of aid have entered Gaza since the start of the war, and in recent weeks a massive influx of aid has flooded the Strip with staple foods and caused a sharp decline in food prices, which have plummeted in the markets, the Israeli ministry said in a statement denying reports of famine.

More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, according to Gaza health officials. The Hamas attacks on 7 October killed around 1,200 people with around 250 taken captive.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are now facing famine, a UN-backed organisation said (AFP/Getty)

As the humanitarian situation reaches catastrophic levels, Humanity & Inclusion says it is sounding the alarm on the devastating and irreversible impact of starvation in Gaza, particularly on disabled people and children. What we are witnessing is not only a manmade crisis, but one that is rapidly creating a generation of people with lifelong disabilities, caused directly by prolonged malnutrition and lack of access to essential aid.

George Graham, the charitys executive director, explains: As starvation hits everyone in the Gaza Strip, it leaves a disproportionate impact on children and people with disabilities. Malnutrition is a leading cause of disability  we risk an entire generation being born with disabilities due to famished and malnourished mothers.
Mingus Reedus (right) pictured with his Walking Dead star father Norman Reedus in 2022, was arrested in Manhattan on August 23 for assault, police said (Getty Images)

The son of The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus and former Victorias Secret model Helena Christensen was arrested in New York City over the weekend after allegedly assaulting a woman, according to police.

Mingus Lucien Reedus, 25, pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court on Saturday following the alleged incident. He faces charges of third-degree assault, assault recklessly causing injury, criminal obstruction of breathing, second-degree harassment and aggravated harassment.

Officers responded to an apartment on West 16th Street in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood around 8:40 a.m., where they found a 33-year-old woman with minor injuries to her neck and leg, the New York Police Department confirmed to The Independent.

The woman was transported to Bellevue Hospital and Reedus was taken into custody, police said.

Reedus, who is listed as a resident of the upscale Chelsea apartment, according to public records, allegedly punched the woman to wake her before choking her and slamming her to the ground, sources told The New York Post.

Mingus Reedus (right) pictured with his Walking Dead star father Norman Reedus in 2022, was arrested in Manhattan on August 23 for assault, police said (Getty Images)

He then called 911 to report that a woman at the residence was taking pills and threatening suicide, The Post reported.

As Reedus was being escorted out of the courthouse in handcuffs, reporters questioned him about the incident.

Why did you call the police? one reporter shouted.

I didnt, Reedus replied.

When asked to tell us what really happened, he chuckled before answering, no. He also told The Post the incident was a misunderstanding before officers shut the car door.

A woman who identified herself as Reedus girlfriend claimed the arrest stemmed from a big misunderstanding.

It was not immediately clear if the girlfriend was the same woman who accused Reedus of assault.

Mingus Reedus attorney, Priya Chaudhry told NBC News that despite what the prosecutor said in court  which is not evidence  they chose to charge Mingus with misdemeanors or less.

This speaks volumes, and much louder than the prosecutors unsupported in-court comments, Chaudhry said.

This is not the first time Reedus has faced allegations of violence. In 2022, he accepted a plea deal after being accused of punching a woman during the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy the previous September.

He ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, receiving a conditional discharge that required counseling sessions and a year without further trouble.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe is exploring investment and technological partnerships with Japanese energy companies and government agencies to tackle one of the country's worst power shortages in decades. Households and businesses currently face up to 18 hours of daily blackouts.Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo, part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's delegation to the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), visited major Japanese firms, including Toshiba and Hitachi Energy. The visits focused on advanced power generation and transmission equipment, with the minister pitching investment opportunities in Zimbabwe's energy sector."The biggest company we visited was Hitachi Energy, where we saw factories producing transformers, generators, and transmission equipment," Moyo said. "Companies in Japan might want to cooperate with us, as well as smaller solar energy firms. Establishing local manufacturing bases could also lower costs."Japanese financial institutions, such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and JICA, have a history of funding energy projects across Africa, making them key potential partners for Zimbabwe.Meanwhile, the Coalition for Market and Liberal Solutions (Comaliso) has called for the removal of the 15% value-added tax (VAT) on solar energy products, arguing that it undermines efforts to address the electricity crisis. Over 70% of Zimbabweans live below the poverty datum line, making solar power, already the most viable alternative, unaffordable for many."The 15% VAT on solar products is fundamentally counterproductive to national energy security," said Myla Solutions founder Ben Harris. "Removing VAT would immediately reduce system costs by 15%, making solar accessible to thousands more Zimbabweans at the time they need it most."World Bank assessments estimate Zimbabwe requires at least US$2 billion in immediate investment to bridge the country's energy shortfall.
Members of the Ohio National Guard patrolled 14th Street in Washington, DC, on Saturday - Valerie Plesch

Donald Trump may send thousands of National Guard troops to Chicago within weeks as he extends his control of Democrat-run cities.

The Pentagon has drawn up plans to deploy troops to the third-largest city in the US as early as September, although this has not yet been signed off by the president, The Washington Post reported.

Earlier this month, Mr Trump mobilised the National Guard in Washington DC and became the first president in history to take federal control of its police force, claiming the capital was being taken over by bloodthirsty gangs.

Now, for the first time, hundreds of National Guard troops deployed in Washington are to be armed, two US officials said.

From Sunday night, personnel patrolling the city will be authorised to carry M17 pistols or M4 rifles. The officials, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said the number of troops carrying weapons remains fluid.

In a statement, the Guards Joint Task Force-DC said force would only be used as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.

Officials said a military deployment in Chicago had been planned for a long time, and was likely to go ahead in conjunction with immigration agents as part of the administrations mass deportation programme.

On Friday, Mr Trump suggested he would turn his attention to Chicago after Washington, bypassing the concerns of local officials including JB Pritzker, the Democrat governor of Illinois, who characterised the move as a power grab.

Chicagos a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent, said the president, who has repeatedly feuded with Brandon Johnson, the citys Left-wing leader. And well straighten that one out, probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough.

Residents of Washington DC marched through the US capitals streets on Saturday night to protest against Donald Trump sending in troops and taking control of its police force - Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

On Friday, Mr Pritzker accused Mr Trump of using Washington and Los Angeles as a testing ground for his authoritarian power-grab.

Mr Pritzker, who is thought to be considering a run for president in 2028, said: Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities. Trumps goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilise existing public safety efforts  all to create a justification to further abuse his power.

Mr Trump has previously suggested he could extend federal control to other Democrat-run cities, including New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Oakland.

He deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June after violent clashes between immigration agents and protesters, prompting a legal battle with Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, which is still making its way through the courts.

We wont speculate on further operations, a defence official told The Telegraph. The department is a planning organisation and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.

Credit: DVIDS/Reuters

Mr Trumps control of the DC police department, currently commanded by Pam Bondi, the attorney general, is technically limited to 30 days under legislation.

But on Friday, Andy Biggs, a Republican congressman for Arizona, introduced legislation to extend this limit to six months. Other Republicans have sponsored resolutions that would allow Mr Trump to maintain control of the police until the end of his term in early 2029.

On Sunday, the president lashed out at Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, after the Democrat invited him to the state to showcase its progress on reducing violent crime.

There is no higher priority for me, as governor of my state, than the safety of my people, Mr Moore wrote in a letter to Mr Trump on Thursday.

In a post on his Truth Social platform three days later, Mr Trump labelled the invitation rather nasty and provocative, and noted that Baltimore was ranked fourth among US cities for violent crime. If Wes Moore needs help  I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the crime, he wrote.

The president also suggested he could remove federal funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which was demolished when a container ship crashed into it in March last year, killing six people.

It is unlikely Mr Trump could do so unilaterally, however, because Congress voted by a wide margin to cover the costs of the repairs in full in December.
Unpublished sketches that bring Charles Dickens world and character to life have gone on display for the first time.

A one-off set of pen, ink and watercolour sketches of the English playwright can be seen at the Charles Dickens Museum in London from Sunday until September 21.

The sketches show Dickens and his theatre company in the midst of rehearsals for stage productions including Dickens Mr Nightingales Diary and The Frozen Deep.

Dickens (centre) during rehearsals for his own play Mr Nightingales Diary (Charles Dickens Museum/PA)

They also depict his friend, the former editor of Punch magazine, Mark Lemon, his eldest daughter Mamie Dickens, and Victorian playwright and novelist Wilkie Collins, who is best known for writing The Woman In White and for collaborating with Dickens to write the play The Frozen Deep.

The informal sketches, newly acquired by the museum, were made in 1855 and 1857 by Nathaniel Powell, Dickens next-door neighbour in Tavistock Square in Bloomsbury, London.

Powell recalled the time he was invited next door to make the sketches and wrote: We were invited by Mr and Mrs Dickens to attend theatrical performances at their house. They were intensely interesting on account of the cast, the staging and the audiences.

The most important piece was The Frozen Deep in which Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Mark Lemon took parts. You will find rough sketches of the characters in my 1857 sketchbook.

One sketch will join the museums current exhibition Showtime!, which runs until January 2026, and the remaining sketches will be on display in the study where Dickens wrote Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby and The Pickwick Papers.

Charles Dickens friends and family performing in his and Wilkie Collins collaboration The Frozen Deep (Charles Dickens Museum/PA)

Frankie Kubicki, director of the Charles Dickens Museum, said: Far removed from the many polished images of Dickens in performance, these are the only known immediate snapshots of Dickens in rehearsal, capturing moments of staging, costuming and performing unrecorded elsewhere.

This is a window on to one of the enduring passions of Charles Dickenss life  performing.

These vivid sketches give us an enticing and intimate glimpse of the productions staged by Dickens and the friends and family within his theatre group.

They are full of the frenetic energy for which Dickens was renowned and bring Dickenss world and character to life in a way that we havent quite seen before.

We are grateful to Art Fund and Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund for their support underpinning this acquisition.

Charles Dickens Museum patron Miriam Margolyes taking a close look at one of the sketches (Charles Dickens Museum/PA)

Dickens and his family moved into Tavistock House, now the Charles Dickens Museum, in 1851 and lived there for nine years.

There he wrote several of his most celebrated novels including Bleak House, Hard Times, Little Dorrit and A Tale Of Two Cities.

The Charles Dickens Museum is the only house in which Dickens lived in London that survives.

The unseen sketches were acquired by the museum at auction with support from the Art Fund, Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, and the Wilkie Collins Society.
Vice President JD Vance has touted his bosss energetic diplomacy with Russia, and insisted that the Trump administration would bring the three-year-long war between Ukraine and Russia to an end.

But as his remarks aired on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, Russias top diplomat was making that prospect look unlikely  while walking back progress made between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky and a host of European leaders in a whirlwind series of meetings over the past two weeks.

Vance told NBCs Kristen Welker, in a pre-taped interview, that both sides had signaled their openness to accepting significant concessions in recent days, and said that the president was open to increasing pressure if one side was seen as an obstacle to peace.

JD Vance insisted that Donald Trump would be able to pressure Russia into reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine in an interview aired Sunday (NBC News)

This is the energetic diplomacy thats going to bring this war to a close, Vance said. We sometimes feel like weve made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, hes been very frustrated with the Russians. Were going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close.

He added that Russias Vladimir Putin made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3  years of this conflict during his summit with Trump on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Theyve actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. Theyve talked about what would be necessary to end the war, said the vice president.

He was unable to name specific areas where the Trump administration was making progress, however, as Russian and U.S. officials have given different interpretations of what was agreed upon at the Alaska summit.

But the two concessions named by U.S. officials in the wake of that summit -- a Ukrainian security guarantee and the prospect of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin within two weeks -- now both seem on the edge of disappearing, if they havent already collapsed.

Russias top envoy, Sergey Lavrov, appeared separately Sunday on Meet the Press and said that no Putin-Zelensky meeting was on the table in the immediate term.

Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all, Lavrov said.

The Russian diplomats comments come as Donald Trump confirmed Friday that he informed Putin that he was not happy about a Russia strike against a factory in Ukraine this past week that is owned by a U.S. company. The attack in the town of Mukachevo, which injured at least 15 people, was part of a larger wave of Russian airstrikes.

On his Sunday appearace, Lavrov proceeded to denounce the Ukrainian president and claimed that Zelensky was refusing to accept that Ukraine would be blocked from joining NATO under a peace agreement.

It was very clear to everybody that there are several principles which Washington believes must be accepted, including no NATO membership, including the discussion of territorial issues, and Zelensky said no to everything, said Lavrov.

He even said no to, as I said, to canceling legislation prohibiting the Russian language. How can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader?

European leaders who met with Trump at the White House Monday touted the brokering of that potential Zelensky-Putin sitdown as a major development in the peace process.

Russias recognition of the ability of Ukraine to sign security guarantees with the U.S. and other European nations similarly was seen as a major concession, but the Kremlin reportedly dismissed the prospect of troops from NATO countries on the ground in Ukraine after the U.S. presidents meeting with Zelensky.

Trumps own press secretary confirmed this past week that the White House would not consider deploying troops to Ukraine were it attacked again.
The development of Kyivs own cruise missile  the Flamingo  means Volodymyr Zelensky could become less reliant on US support - Gleb Garanich/Reuters

When the Trump administration began its efforts to lure Vladimir Putin into serious peace negotiations this spring, it decided to remove one potential impediment: the high-profile Ukrainian strikes carried out deep inside Russian territory with US-made missiles.

As The Wall Street Journal reported, Washington quietly introduced a review mechanism to effectively bar attacks on cross-border targets with the long-range Atacms missile.

It also prevented similar attacks using the British-made Storm Shadow, which is reliant on US targeting data.

By introducing such a system, Donald Trumps negotiating team ensured that the path to a peace summit would not be suddenly diverted by a huge payload of US weaponry igniting a fuel depot or military base, sending the Kremlin into apoplexy.

Such deep strikes  with footage of the attacks widely shared on social media  have provided an important boost to Ukrainian morale. But Atacms and Storm Shadows should not be overestimated in terms of their influence on the course of the war, which is a trend set to continue as Kyiv bolsters its own domestic defence industry.

By the time Joe Biden lifted restrictions on using Atacms to target sites within Russia late last year, Moscow had moved many of its logistics facilities and attack planes out of their 190-mile range.

But that did not mean Atacms were useless. Adml Rob Bauer, Natos most senior military officer, said the missiles had seriously hit a number of weapons factories and ammunition depots inside Russia.

In particular, their high speed and penetrative capabilities allowed Ukraine to reach underground facilities otherwise out of reach.

But there was always a question of scale. The supply of these long-range weapons was never enough to sustain a prolonged air campaign by Kyiv.

Starting in October 2023, the Pentagon provided a total of around 500 Atacms to Ukraine, but only 50 or so remained in Kyivs arsenal when the restrictions on their use were lifted, US officials told The New York Times.

Storm Shadow supplies had dwindled further from an original delivery of between 100 and 200.

The Atacms should not be overestimated in terms of their influence on the war in Ukraine

Meanwhile, both Britain and the US had conveyed to Ukraine that there were unlikely to be more coming down the pipeline; stockpiles were small to begin with, and many in Washington felt they could not deliver more without undermining their presence in the Middle East and Pacific.

Russias advanced air defence systems  such as the S-400 and Pantsir S1  may also have reduced the impact of deep strikes inside its borders.

Kremlin propagandists often inflate the tally of interceptions, but independent open source intelligence analysts geolocated Storm Shadow wreckages to several claimed sites, including one in Bryansk Oblast in January of this year.

Moscow, for its part, is thought to have prioritised countering Western weapons after the restrictions were lifted on cross-border strikes.

Ukraine would no doubt have preferred the ability to use the Atacms however they wished as Russia launched its summer offensive. Any strike on the logistics centres feeding its grinding offensive in the Donbas is a welcome one.

But it is not as if Kyiv has been rendered unable to hit targets deep within Russia by the Atacms veto. Instead, it has simply turned to its drone arsenal, with a litany of recent strikes burning up millions of pounds worth of fuel and sending the Russian petrol price surging.

Anders Puck Nielsen, an officer and military analyst at the Danish Defence Academy, said: Given that Ukraine has actually intensified its strikes deep inside of Russia, it [the Atacms ban] doesnt seem to have been a huge problem for them.

Its been a feature of the Trump administration ever since they came in, they have overestimated their own leverage over Ukraine.

A woman is helped by volunteers near Pokrovsk in Ukraines Donetsk region - Libkos

In July, the US president reportedly asked Volodymyr Zelensky, his Ukrainian counterpart, if he could strike targets inside Russia as far away as St Petersburg. We can if you give us the weapons, Mr Zelensky replied, according to The Financial Times.

If Mr Trump fully loses patience with Putin, then he could lift the restrictions again, or even go so far as to provide the Tomahawk missiles with their 2,500km range.

He has said, yet again, that he will make a call on who is to blame for the failure of the latest peace push in two weeks.

But Kyiv has wisely learnt not to rely on somewhat fickle US support. Besides its burgeoning arsenal of long-range drones, it has developed its own cruise missile  the Flamingo, which is set to enter the battlefield before the end of the year.

Reportedly able to strike targets 3000km away, it would entirely circumvent the need for US support  or approval  in bringing the war to the relatively sheltered residents of St Petersburg.

The Flamingo cannot match the Storm Shadows or Atacms for speed  but if Kyiv can manufacture enough of them, the next phase of the war could be a more painful one for Putin.
San Antonio Public Library/Instagram The overdue book, titled Your Child, His Family, and Friends by Frances Bruce Strain

NEED TO KNOW

The San Antonio Public Library received a letter along with the overdue book that was checked out in July 1943

According to the writer of the letter, the book was checked out by their grandma



The book, returned from Oregon in good condition, is author Frances Bruce Strains Your Child, His Family, and Friends

An Oregon resident returned a library book  nearly 82 years after its due date  that was checked out in Texas in July 1943.

The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) recently revealed that it received a cheeky letter along with the overdue book, author Frances Bruce Strains Your Child, His Family, and Friends, this summer.

The SAPL shared in a news release that the letters writer found the book while going through her late dads belongings and said that the dads mother checked out the book when the dad was 11 years old.



San Antonio Public Library/Instagram San Antonio Public Library checkout card

When I noticed it was from the San Antonio Public Library, I decided to send it back to you, the person, whom the SAPL did not identify, told the library in the letter. [My grandmother] must have taken the book with her, and some 82 years later, it ended up in my possession.

I hope there is no late fee for it because grandma wont be able to pay for it anymore, the writer wrote jokingly.

Luckily, the library hasnt charged for overdue books since 2021, when it eliminated late fees to break down financial barriers to accessing library services and resources, the SAPL said.

The Your Child, His Family, and Friends book will be on display at the Central Library in San Antonio until the end of August.

San Antonio Public Library/Instagram Your Child, His Family, and Friends by Frances Bruce Strain

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 book will then be donated to the Friends of San Antonio Public Library for sale in the Book Cellar used book store.

Read the original article on People
A plate of blackened chicken with rice and vegetables - Naomi Rahim/Getty Images

When most Americans think of Southern cuisine, one of the first dishes that comes to mind is fried chicken. And it's no wonder  the iconic favorite has been a point of pride for both Black and white Southern cooks as early as the 17th century, since chickens were among the first domesticated animals to become established in the American South. But fried chicken was labor-intensive and pricey to make in the pre-industrial era  the cook had to slaughter a valuable chicken from their flock, clean it, and carve it into pieces for cooking, then undertake the hot, messy work of coating and frying it. This all meant that it was originally a special-occasion dish, reserved for holidays and for church gatherings.

Frying wasn't the only way Southern cooks prepared chicken, though. They also developed dozens of simpler but still flavorful recipes, often meant to feed a crowd. While fried chicken was best made with tender, younger birds, many of these recipes taste just as good made with older, tougher chickens. While these humble (and often homely-looking) old-school dishes never gained the mainstream appeal of fried chicken, they still have pockets of fiercely loyal fans in certain parts of the South, and are more than worthy of a place on your table.

Read more: The Best Fried Chicken Chains Ranked By Crunch And Flavor

Country Captain

Pan of country captain over rice - Sergii Koval/Shutterstock

A classic dish with roots in either Savannah, Georgia or Charleston, North Carolina (depending who you ask), country captain is a bright, flavorful stew of chicken sauteed in bacon fat, simmered with tomatoes, and flavored with curry powder, onions, and hot and bell peppers. It's also a bit of local history on a plate: Both Savannah and Charleston are coastal towns whose ports were once important trading centers, and the presence of curry points to the influence of the British spice trade and the local availability of spices from India. By tradition, the dish is served over rice. This is not only a nod to Indian culinary culture, but to Lowcountry Southerners' fondness for rice, which grows well in the region.

With its bright colors and touch of heat and spice, country captain will fit in well on modern tables  it's filling, but not at all stodgy. Even better, it's traditionally served with an assortment of condiments to be added at the table, which can include currants, grated coconut, chopped peanuts, sliced scallions, and green apple or mango chutney. This lets diners choose their own adventure. Everyone is free to create a version of their own to enjoy. And no, nobody really knows where its strange name came from. One possibility is that the dish was introduced to the South by a British sea captain, but another plausible account is that it was named for the captains of Indian trading ships, who were called country captains.

Chicken Bog

Chicken bog in a white pot - iuliia_n/Shutterstock

It's a shame when good dishes get saddled with depressing names. Take, for instance, the old Lowcountry favorite, chicken bog. It's a good bet that most modern eaters, seeing that dish on a menu with no explanation or context, would give it a hard pass. But if it were rebranded (quite accurately) as Lowcountry chicken risotto, we'd happily take a big plateful and hand over our money. A soft savory mixture of creamy rice, shredded or chopped chicken, and smoky sausage, it's perfect comfort food on a cold night when you feel you need some extra cheer  or calories. Chicken bog's unfortunate name comes from the wet texture of the dish, which is supposed to be more soupy than fluffy.

While virtually unknown in most parts of the country, chicken bog continues to be a favorite in the rice-growing Lowcountry regions of coastal Georgia and the Carolinas. It was a traditional meal at fish camps, where hungry fishermen would return from the water to be greeted by big iron pots of chicken bog. And while it's not a fast dish to make, it's fairly easy even if you have limited cooking skills or equipment: Just cook chicken and aromatics, such as onions and celery, in water to form a broth, and cool and shred the chicken. Then, cook the rice, sausage, and some sauteed vegetables in the chicken broth, then stir in the chicken and continue to cook until the rice is tender.

Chicken And Dumplings

White bowl of chicken and dumplings - Msphotographic/Getty Images

Once a typical dish of the rural South, chicken and dumplings rarely appears on modern tables. This is our loss, because despite its reputation as dowdy, poverty food, it was popular in its day for good reason  this saucy dish of rich gravy and tender chicken with biscuit-dough dumplings simmered alongside the chicken was a satisfying one-pot meal and a tasty and affordable way to feed a big family with a single chicken. While it's been a longtime favorite in the South, though, its roots may go back even further. Some scholars believe it's a direct descendant of the traditional meat-and-dumpling stews of Eastern European and German cuisine, brought to the U.S. by settlers from these regions.

While it's a modest and visually homely dish, some modern Southern chefs are giving it a second look, making refined versions from herb-roasted free-range chickens, instead of a long-boiled tough old rooster, and enriching the sauce with butter and heavy cream for extra oomph. Home cooks have long taken their own liberties with the dish  dumplings can be anything from fluffy biscuit balls floating on top of the sauce to thick, noodle-like strips that soak the sauce up. If you're curious to try chicken and dumplings but are short on time, many modern cooks take an easy shortcut by making their dumplings from canned biscuit dough.

Chicken Perloo

Bowl of chicken perloo - Promo_link/Getty Images

A close cousin of jambalaya, chicken perloo is another old Lowcountry favorite featuring chicken and rice. It differs from chicken bog in several key ways: It's sometimes drier and fluffier in consistency, comes with whole, cut-up chicken pieces rather than shredded chicken, and contains more spices and seasonings, including tomatoes, sausages, garlic, peppers, and paprika. To amp up the flavor even more, some cooks make it with smoked chicken.

The popularity of chicken-and-rice combos in the Lowcountry is no accident. As Emily Meggett, author of Gullah Geechee Home Cooking, explained to The Apopka Chief, "Many of the one-pot rice dishes in the Lowcountry and the South can trace their origins back to west Africa." Meggett traces chicken perloo's influences to both traditional West African dishes like jollof rice and European dishes like paella. So if you're in the mood for something bright, filling, and with a history as complex and spicy as its flavor, give chicken perloo a try.

Chicken Mull

A bowl of chicken mull - Fanfo/Shutterstock

A specialty of northeast Georgia and the western Carolinas, chicken mull is yet another old-school favorite with a weirdly unappealing name. And if you see a bowl of it for the first time, you may find it doesn't look very appealing either. A cross between a soup and a stew, it's basically ground, cooked chicken simmered in milk and broth and thickened with crumbled saltine crackers. It may have been developed as a way to tenderize tough old chickens, but it evolved into an economical way to feed a crowd. Because the recipe is easy to scale up, cooks have become adept at preparing huge pots of it to serve at events like church fundraisers, while in small batches, it makes a cozy winter supper or lunch dish.

Unglamorous as chicken mull may be, those who know it can't get enough of it. Bear Grass, North Carolina, even hosts its own Chicken Mull Festival to celebrate its version of the dish, which locals historically cooked over open fires in big wash pots and stirred with boat paddles (the chefs kept dedicated stirring paddles separate from their actual rowing paddles). Despite chicken mull's homely looks and humble ingredients, specialist chefs are beyond serious about their recipes and technique, with some insisting that only specific brands of saltines or seasoning mix will do. Don't even think about getting cooking tips from them, either  their exact recipes and cooking times are often closely guarded secrets.

Shoals Chicken Stew

Overhead shot of Alabama chicken stew - southernplate/Instagram

It's no secret why some regional dishes attain mainstream popularity while others don't. Some local specialties, beloved as they are by locals, are just too unglamorous, unphotogenic, or geared to local tastes or ingredients to ever become trendy. But this is all the more reason why intrepid cooks and eaters should try them: Not only do they give you a window into a regional culture, but they may become welcome additions to your weekly meal rotation.

One example of an under-the-radar Southern chicken dish is Shoals chicken stew, a specialty of a region in north Alabama, encompassing Muscle Shoals, Florence, and Tuscumbia. It's a colorful dish of shredded chicken simmered with tomatoes, chunks of potato and onion, corn, lima beans, and green beans. Thought by some locals to have German origins, the stew is popular both with home cooks and with community groups, who cook it up in enormous pots to sell for fundraisers. The stew sometimes gets a unique alternate presentation, being served between two slices of bread as a sandwich filling. This was originally an innovation created for a young girl who didn't have enough money for a full serving of stew.

Chicken Pudding

Serving of chicken pudding on a plate - karsonlevely/Instagram

A long-forgotten Southern favorite, chicken pudding had its heyday in the 18th century, when it was a popular dish in the area that would soon become the Southern states of the U.S. Don't let the name of the dish put you off. This is not a sweet dish, or even a pudding by most modern definitions. Rather, it's a cross between a quiche and a frittata, with shredded, cooked chicken baked in a savory egg custard until set.

A possible reason for its popularity is that it's an easy dish to make. The custard batter is made from a butter and flour roux mixed into eggs and milk or stock and seasoned with salt and pepper, with some recipes including dried herbs like thyme and parsley. The mixture is then poured over cooked chicken in a casserole or pie tin and baked. To make it more substantial, you can serve it with a light and easy chicken gravy.

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Chicken and rice casserole in a plastic container - Irul Zai/Shutterstock

The recipes that evoke the most nostalgia among eaters are rarely the fanciest. Rather, they're the everyday comfort foods we associate with our parents' and grandparents' kitchens  in short, with safety and unconditional love. Very often, these are among the simplest and least glamorous dishes. Dependable standbys a busy home cook can throw together and put on the table with minimum effort. In many Southern households, one such dish has traditionally been chicken and rice casserole.

Unlike other dishes in the South's seemingly endless pantheon of chicken and rice combos, chicken and rice casserole (baked chicken on a bed of rice and vegetables in a creamy sauce) is a relatively recent innovation. It was first popularized by the Campbell's Soup company, which introduced a recipe for the dish sometime in the 1940s, after it launched a test kitchen to develop recipes using its soups. The Campbell's recipe called for nothing more than canned cream of mushroom soup and water stirred into a baking pan of raw rice and chicken, then baked. The speedy dish soon became a favorite, but experienced home cooks realized it wouldn't take much more work to make it even better. They added extra ingredients to liven it up, creating dishes like cheesy chicken and rice casserole, or developed their own, from-scratch versions, swapping the instant soup for cream and broth, and adding herbs and vegetables for extra color and flavor.

Smothered Chicken

Plate of smothered chicken and vegetables - baileybites518/Instagram

An ultra-comforting soul food classic, smothered chicken is simply chicken pieces (preferably dark meat) slow-braised on a stovetop in a rich gravy. It's an old dish. An early written recipe dates to an 1839 cookbook, "The Kentucky Housewife," which suggests cooks made it even before that. The exact origins of smothered chicken are unclear, but Creole or Cajun roots are likely  the French word for "smothered" is etouffee, which is also the name of a saucy Cajun dish.

Part of the appeal of smothered chicken is that you can flavor it any way you like. Cooks and families all have their own favorite versions, with some people happily changing theirs up depending on their mood and what's in their refrigerators. The basic formula is to season and brown chicken pieces, and saute vegetables (which can include onions, peppers, mushrooms, or celery) in the same pan. Then make a roux in that pan, add a braising liquid, and return the chicken to the pot to cook. The braising liquid can be broth, beer, or wine, and additional seasonings can include herbs and spices like smoked paprika.

Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
Tony Floyd Rob and Indigo Floyd at home in Franklin, Tenn.

NEED TO KNOW

Rob Floyd opens up in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about his daughter Indigo being diagnosed with stage 4 of a rare, incurable brain disease called Moyamoya at age 3

"It didnt make any sense. It was the last thing we expected," the Bar Rescue star and celebrity mixologist says

Rob adds that the experience has opened his heart in surprising new ways, as he and his family navigate their new normal

In 2017, life couldnt have been better for celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd.

The former actor  who had switched careers in the mid-2000s to start creating cocktails at celebrity hot spots like Bar Marmont in Los Angeles  had just wrapped season 5 of the popular series Bar Rescue and signed a partnership deal with Princess Cruise Lines, where he curates their cocktails.

Life at home was thriving too. Rob, 57, and wife Megan, 43, a former interior designer, were raising their two daughters, Ella, then 6, and Indigo, then 3. (Rob also has two older sons from a previous marriage.)

That all changed one afternoon, when Indigo suddenly collapsed in the kiddie pool and couldnt move the right side of her body.

We thought maybe shed been bit by a snake, Megan recalls of the frightening day in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.

Courtesy of Rob Floyd Rob Floyd with young Indigo after her first brain surgery

A trip to the ER and a subsequent MRI revealed something far worse  the couple's little girl had suffered a stroke. After further testing, doctors told her shocked parents that their daughter had been diagnosed with stage 4 of a rare, incurable brain disease called Moyamoya.

Affecting just one in 1 million people in the U.S., the disease causes a narrowing or blockage of the major carotid arteries, impacting blood supply to the brain and leading to increased risk of strokes, seizures and other brain problems.

"It didnt make any sense, Rob tells PEOPLE from the familys home in Nashville, where their third daughter, Agnes, was born in 2020. It was the last thing we expected.

Indigo was immediately admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at UCLA Medical Center, and following two weeks of serious complications because of ongoing TIAs (transient ischemic attacks, or ministrokes), she underwent the first of three long and difficult brain surgeries.

Her initial four-and-a-half-hour procedure went well, but a debilitating stroke the next day left her unable to speak or move.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

She went from being this beautiful 3-year-old with no medical trauma to all of a sudden being a little potato, says Megan. But she was still cognitively present, which was really tough. Honestly, I just sat and cried through a lot of it.

Indigo remained in the PICU for the next two months. Wed get one, two hours sleep, recalls Rob, but youd be scared to death in case you werent present [if something happened]."

Now, the family has settled into a new kind of normal, which includes staying vigilant in case Indigo has another seizure or stroke, and countless trips to the ER.

We were there every single month for at least a week, for almost a year and a half, recalls Megan. But Indigos a fighter of the highest order. Giving up has never even entered her mind.

Tony Floyd Rob, Megan, Ella (eldest daughter), Indigo (middle child), Agnes (youngest daughter) Floyd at home in Franklin, Tenn.

The good news is, while there is still no cure, Indigo can live a full life with Moyamoya with the right medications and most likely further surgeries.

She will grow up, and she can get married and even have children someday. "It's a progressive disease," says Megan. "We just need to keep up with it."

The child loves family movie night, her sisters and her beloved dog Hercules, a rescue trained to detect oncoming strokes and seizures.

Rob says there has since been an interesting upshot to all the grief and stress with parenting a child with an incurable brain disease: a newfound faith in humanity.

Its amazing what happens when you have to rely on the kindness of strangers, he says, tearing up at the memory of all the friends who stuck by them throughout the worst of the ordeal, and the new friends they've met along the way, including Indigo's doctor, Dr. Wang, who "treated her like she was his own daughter."

"Our Muslim neighbors, who we previously didn't know, would drop off dinner three times a week. Now they're good friends. The nurses would take our clothes to their own homes and wash them for us when we were sleeping there. The kindness we were shown was just incredible. We now know what its like to be in the dark and have complete strangers come to our aid and save us, he says.

In return, Rob and Megan have devoted themselves to giving back and volunteering when they can, including with Matthew McConaughey's Just Keep Livin' Foundation.

Rob tells PEOPLE, This experience has given us more faith in humanity than we ever thought possible, which trumps any of the sadness.



Read the original article on People
photo of missing baby Emmanuel Haro; people putting stuffed animals and candles outside of Emmanuel Haro's house in California on Aug. 22, 2025; people holding signs demanding justice for infant Emmanuel Haro, who went missing in California on Aug. 14; Jake and Rebecca Haro speaking to local news outlet about Emmanuel Haro's disappearance on Aug. 18

Nearly 100 people turned out to a candlelight vigil for a missing California infant just hours after his parents were arrested for his murder.

Families with children in tow laid flowers, stuffed animals and other tokens on the fence outside of the home of Emmanuel Haro in Cabazon, about 35 minutes east of San Bernadino on Friday evening, while others held signs demanding justice for the still-missing infant, The Sun reported.

Where is the baby one sign read, according to the outlet.

California residents held a vigil for missing infant Emmanuel Haro outside his Cabazon, California home. NBC Palm Springs

The reason why we are here is to support baby Emmanuel, one attendee, Riah Huey, told The Sun. What they did to this child is not okayThey did not give this boy the right life.

Jake and Rebecca Haro were taken into custody on suspicion of murder at their home hours earlier.

The arrest came nearly a week after the mother initially insisted her son was kidnapped outside a sporting goods store.

The twisted tale was a lie, said officials, who now believe the brown-eyed boy is dead.

Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur. It is believed Emmanuel is deceased, and the search to recover his remains is ongoing, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office wrote in a Friday statement.

California authorities now believe the brown-eyed baby boy is dead. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

The development left vigil attendees disgusted, one said.

Its chilling  very sad, Hannah Coutre, 22, told The Sun.

Maya Gutierrez, 20, told the outlet she had been standing outside the home all afternoon to be a voice for the baby.

Nobody was his voice, she explained. He didnt deserve that at all.

The infants Aug. 14 disappearance also spurred national nonprofit Uvalde Foundation for Kids to announce a national operational blackout for 210 minutes Saturday in the babys honor, with each minute representing the 210 days of the childs short life.

The organization had initially offered a $5,000 reward for the babys return but later retracted it after investigators found inconsistencys in the mothers story.

The childs parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, were taken into custody on suspicion of murder by homicide detectives at their home early Friday. KTLA

The 41-year-old mom told police she was knocked out by a stranger while changing the tots diaper outside of the local Big 5 Sporting Goods store and that the baby was gone when she regained consciousness.

But after spending a week publicly begging in news interviews for their babys safe return, the Haros stopped cooperating with police, according to authorities.

Jake Haro, 32, had served a a six-month jail stint in 2023 for a willful child cruelty charge involving Emmanuels older sister, authorities said.

The reason why we are here is to support baby Emmanuel, one vigil attendee, Riah Huey, told The Sun. NBC Palm Springs

Both parents were booked at Riverside County Jail Friday and were being held without bail.

The San Bernardino Sheriffs Department, which pledged to continue searching for Emmanuel, did not immediately respond to inquiries Saturday.
Shipping containers at the Port of Seattle in Washington on March 21, 2019. (Lindsey Wasson)

A container ship captain was arrested after authorities accused him of operating the vessel while drunk, with a blood alcohol level six times the legal limit for mariners.

The captain of the MSC Jubilee IX  a 333-meter container ship operating under the Liberian flag  was arrested Wednesday in Seattle, the Coast Guard said in a news release Saturday. The captains name was not disclosed.

A Puget Sound pilot aboard the ship had reported to the Coast Guard watchstanders that the captain was exhibiting signs of intoxication. The pilot and first mate operated the vessel from near Everett, Washington, to the Port of Seattle without incident, the release said.

After the ship moored at Terminal 5, a Coast Guard team and Coast Guard Investigative Service agents boarded the vessel.

The captain completed a field sobriety and Breathalyzer test, which found that he was impaired more than six times the legal limit for commercial mariners, the Coast Guard said.

Under federal law, a person operating a vessel other than a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or more is considered to be under the influence.

The captain was arrested and transported to the King County Jail. Charges were referred to the King County prosecutor for boating under the influence, and the case remains under investigation. The prosecutors office did not immediately return a request for comment.

The vessel was given a relief captain and has since been cleared to resume operations, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard is proud to ensure the safety and security of the maritime transportation system, Paul Shultz, special agent in charge of the CGIS Northwest Field Office, said in a statement. The Pilots immediate intervention mitigated significant risks and ensured the safe passage of the vessel.
Michael Waller sits in his car in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 18. He was carjacked on the same street in 2021. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

It was just after 8 p.m. when Michael Waller pulled up to his home on a well-to-do block near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Waller, then 59, glanced at his phone to check his email. Within seconds, two men appeared on either side of his gray Mercedes waving Glock handguns.

The man on the passenger side opened the door and slammed his gun into Wallers right ear and scalp, knocking him out for a moment. When he came to, he was still strapped into his seat belt, blood flowing down the side of his head.

The gunmen ordered him out of the car and commanded him to throw his phone into the bushes. As they began to drive away, one pointed his gun at Waller and threatened to kill him on the spot  prompting Waller, battered and bloodied, to duck into an alley.

These guys knew what they were doing, and they were so smooth about it, said Waller, a defense and foreign policy strategist at the Center for Security Policy, a conservative think tank. They seemed like real professionals.

Michael Waller sits in Stanton Park in Washington. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

The carjacking in August 2021 made no headlines. It was part of a crime wave that shook the city during the pandemic. Four years later, the capital is teeming with National Guard troops and federal officers called in by President Donald Trump, who also took over the Metropolitan Police Department after highlighting the recent attempted carjacking of an administration staffer.

The takeover has sparked a fierce debate over the state of crime in D.C. Whats beyond dispute is that carjackings exploded in Washington and several other major cities in the U.S. after 2019.

Its a particularly brutal crime, experts say, one that often causes lasting psychological damage. And while most types of crime that surged during the pandemic have since dropped off, carjackings are one of the few that have remained well above pre-pandemic levels in certain big cities like D.C., police data shows.

It became the crime of the pandemic, said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a D.C.-based organization of current and former law enforcement officials focused on improving policing. And the reason you still have it is because juveniles learned how to do it. That presents a lot of challenges for the justice system.

Pastor Kevin Simmons, who was shot during a carjacking in Milwaukee in 2023, stands next to the vehicle he was driving at the time. He said police arrested a 15-year-old in connection with his case. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal via USA Today Network)

The soaring number of young people who have engaged in carjacking is indeed one of the key factors that has driven the surge in the Washington area and beyond, according to interviews with more than a half-dozen police officials, criminologists and youth advocates.

Some of these perpetrators stole vehicles to use them to commit more crimes. Many others commit carjackings simply for the thrill of it, or to earn respect and attention on social media, according to police investigators and advocates who have spoken to the young offenders.

Many of those who were arrested in or around Washington were out of police custody in a day or two, the investigators and advocates said. In Wallers case, court records show that the men who were later arrested for being in the stolen car were not prosecuted at all  an outcome that those familiar with the system in D.C. said was not uncommon.

Over the last 18 months, the carjacking numbers have fallen in the D.C. area. Sgt. Josh Scall, a supervisor in the carjacking unit in neighboring Prince Georges County, Maryland, said hes proud of the numerous arrests his unit has made in recent years, and the impact thats having on the crime rate. But even one carjacking is one more than he wants to see in his county.

Leslie Marie Gaines, 55, was killed in June 2024 when Kayla Kenisha Brown, 22, carjacked and crashed an SUV from MedStar Washington Hospital Center with Gaines still inside, police say. (Andrew Leyden / AP file)

People look at these numbers and they dont take a minute to realize, numbers are people, Scall said. These are people who were violently removed from their vehicle and are going to be psychologically changed for the rest of their lives.

We can parade that were not at 573, Scall added, referring to the record number of carjackings recorded in Prince Georges in 2023. But its still unacceptable in our books.

'Spiraled out of control'

Peter Newsham was entering his fourth year as the chief of Washingtons Metropolitan Police Department when Covid began to sweep across the country. Crime skyrocketed in D.C. and other major cities spurred by a perfect storm of factors, including school closures, mass layoffs and social unrest following the death of George Floyd.

I had never seen anything like it in my time in Washington, D.C., said Newsham, who joined the force in 1989.

Police Chief Peter Newsham runs an outdoor roll call to maintain social distancing in Washington during the early days of the Covid pandemic on March 24, 2020. (Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

Carjacking was among the crimes that rose the highest and the fastest. Newshams department was dealing with a staffing crisis, low morale and new legislation that reduced penalties for young offenders.

Even when investigators were successful in tracking down suspects, Newsham said, they were often right back on the street in a matter of days. That was especially true for those under the age of 18, who amounted to 65% of the 243 arrests the department made for carjacking in 2020 and 2021, according to police data.

These young people knew they could get away with it, he said. There was very little consequence, and it spiraled out of control.

Roughly 150 carjackings took place in the district in 2019. In 2020 that number more than doubled to 360, according to police data.

Newsham left the department in January 2021 to become chief of police in Prince William County, Virginia. That year, the number of carjackings in D.C. rose to 424. It went even higher  to 484  in 2022.

But the next year was when the situation got really out of hand. A total of 957 carjackings  nearly three a day  were reported in D.C. in 2023, according to police data.

Lt. Scott Dowling, who leads the more than two dozen detectives in the Metropolitan Police Department carjacking task force, said a relatively small group of offenders helped drive the explosion in cases.

The same people were committing multiple, multiple, multiple offenses, Dowling said. In one case in 2023, a search warrant led to the arrest of three people suspected of carrying out roughly 50 carjackings and thefts, according to Dowling.

The carjacking trajectory in D.C. during the pandemic mirrored that of other major U.S. cities.

Evidence markers placed at the scene where a Rideshare driver was shot and wounded in a carjacking in Chicago in June 2024. (Kyle Mazza / NurPhoto via AP file)

Philadelphia went from 224 carjackings in 2019 to 409 in 2020. The numbers kept rising over the next two years  to 866 in 2021 and 1,311 in 2022.

In Chicago, carjackings rose from 603 in 2019 to 1,852 in 2021. The city experienced a slight dip in 2022, recording 1,649.

The numbers began to drop sharply in those cities and many others in 2023. Not so in D.C. or one of its closest neighbors  Prince Georges County.

Situated along Washingtons eastern border, the sprawling, 900,000-person county is more residential than the nations capital. It's home to the National Harbor and the main campus of the University of Maryland but also has pockets of low-income areas with high crime.

Sgt. Scall, the carjacking unit supervisor, said the volume of cases was so extreme in 2023 that he would go to bed with his phone in his hand.

We had some really bad incidents happen where we were surveilling for cars and we were shot at, Scall said. That happened three times. It was pure insanity.

Scall said the stolen cars were rarely going to chop shops, where the perpetrators could make quick cash. It was far more common for people to steal cars for the thrill of it, to get recognition online or to use them to commit other crimes, he said.

Prince George's County police investigate the scene of a carjacking in National Harbor, Md. on Dec. 28, 2023. An unidentified off-duty police officer and two family members were carjacked, and the carjacker suspect fled in the officer's personal vehicle. (Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

And it wasnt just young people from poorer neighborhoods behind the crimes.

Theres no quintessential carjacker, Scall said. Weve done search warrants at million-dollar houses. It really crossed over financial lines.

The number of carjackings in Prince Georges County dropped to 368 in 2024, down nearly 40% from 2023. So far this year, there have been 113, which is roughly 50% fewer than the 250 recorded at this point in 2024.

Scall attributes the drop to his units increased prowess in busting the carjackers.

If you do a carjacking in Prince Georges County, were usually closing it in a day or two, he said. Weve sharpened our skills. We know what to do. We know where to look.

But its not lost on Scall that the numbers this year are still trending far higher than the 93 recorded in 2019. He said policy shifts have helped keep repeat offenders off the street for longer than before, but he thinks the juvenile justice system is still playing catch up.

If they are a juvenile, I dont expect them to go to jail for 20 years, Scall said. But I think if you violently rob someone you should probably sit out for a little bit.

In D.C., 183 carjackings were recorded through July of this year. Thats about 40% fewer than the same period in 2024. But its already higher than the 152 incidents in all of 2019.

The case that got Trumps attention  the attempted carjacking of Edward Coristine, 19, better known by his online nickname Big Balls  took place in the early morning hours of Aug. 3. According to the police report, officers on patrol spotted about 10 "juveniles" assaulting Coristine, who worked under Elon Musk at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, before moving to the Social Security Administration. The officers managed to arrest two suspects  a boy and a girl, both 15.

A large American flag hangs near a sign that reads "Heal Fast Big Balls Thanks, Trump!" on a building near the White House on Aug. 7. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

Dowling said he believes new tracking software in cars, as well as new laws that raised penalties for gun crimes and thefts, helped to bring down the incidents of carjacking. But old-fashioned police work also played a significant role, he said.

My detectives are phenomenal, Dowling said. I often say that I dont get impressed very easily, but they impress me.

Helping teens

Jawanna Hardy, the founder of the nonprofit Guns Down Friday, has devoted her adult life to helping victims of crime and young people caught up in the criminal justice system in the D.C. area. That gave her an intimate glimpse into the factors driving the carjacking crisis.

As the pandemic took hold, children suddenly lost the structure that school brought. Many in lower income areas experienced losses far dearer to them, Hardy said.

A lot of my kids lost their grandparents, their strongest support system, during Covid, said Hardy.

Jawanna Hardy at her home in Washington. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

Video clips glorifying car thefts caught fire on social media. Hardy noticed that young people in different cities were boasting about their exploits.

Everybody had a name. They had a song, Hardy said. I could understand why the children were into it. It was exciting.

As the months went on, Hardy also noticed that the youths who were being brought to her for mentorship after getting caught up in the justice system were younger than she was used to seeing.

For some reason, the 15-year-olds were tearing the city up, she said. Id say 75% of the kids I was working with were 15 when they started committing these crimes.

When NBC News first reached out to Hardy last week, she was with a 15-year-old who had recently been arrested for stealing cars. He was one of the so-called Kia Boys, who had been using basic tools to break into the vehicles and start them.

I dont know what made me decide to do it, the teen said. There was just a freedom. Youre not supposed to be inside a vehicle, but its moving fast at your feet. I enjoyed feeling that rush.

Accounts like that sparked a light bulb moment for Hardy.

I realized we were addressing the violent piece, but we werent addressing the need to want to drive, she said.

So for young people who were at least 16, she began to help them navigate how to get a learners permit. It was clear they wanted to drive. Why not help them do it legally?

Thats what were doing right now, Hardy said. Were trying to get kids into the mindset of, I can get a license. I can get a car. I can do this the right way.

Bullets and a first aid kit that Hardy uses in demonstrations during "Stop the Bleed" classes she teaches to youths. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

Why have laws?

A day after Wallers Mercedes was stolen, Prince Georges County officers spotted it at a busy intersection 6 miles from his home. When they tried to pull the car over, the driver sped off, according to a police spokesperson. The Mercedes crossed into D.C. but crashed into another vehicle on a highway there.

D.C. police arrested the four occupants, one of whom had a handgun with an extended magazine, according to a police report on the incident. Investigators also recovered pills with labels indicating they were oxycodone, according to the report.

The suspects included two brothers, Davon Alston, 18, and Juvan Alston, 19. The two other suspects were 18 and 21. The four were booked on a range of charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, fleeing a law enforcement officer and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, the police report says. (It does not make clear who was hit with the gun charge.)

For reasons unknown, federal prosecutors declined to bring charges, according to court records obtained by NBC News. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia did not respond to a request for comment.

Waller, for his part, knew that his car had been recovered and that some suspects had been arrested. A detective had asked him to participate in a virtual line-up, but Waller said it took him too long to identify the one gunman he got a decent look at, the one who had pistol-whipped him.

The neighborhood where Michael Waller was carjacked in 2021. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)

Waller said he never heard back from the police or prosecutors. When NBC News informed him this week that the men in the car werent charged, Waller noted that he had no way of knowing whether the four were involved in the carjacking.

Even still, he was aghast.

Theyre literally letting criminals in a stolen car, who are escaping police, back on the streets, Waller said. Then why have laws?

Eleven months after the carjacking, a 17-year-old was shot dead outside a home in Southeast D.C. Two teenagers were arrested and charged with murder: the Alston brothers.

The stolen vehicle police say Juan Alston was in before a 17-year-old was shot in 2022. (Superior Court of the District of Columbia)

They have pleaded not guilty and their trials are slated for next year.

Police charging documents say a video posted to Instagram 30 minutes after the fatal shooting showed Davon Alston and a second person riding in a Mercedes that was believed to have been used in the shooting.

According to the documents, it had been carjacked about an hour earlier.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A POLICE officer stationed at the Police Protection Unit (PPU) has found himself in the dock after a bizarre shooting incident left him with a bullet wound in the knee.Dubani Munkuli (36) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Challenge Mahembe facing charges of negligently discharging a firearm. He pleaded not guilty.Through his lawyer, Munkuli denied cocking or firing the CZ pistol, claiming the weapon may have discharged on its own due to poor maintenance."The service history of this State pistol is unknown. It may have gone off because of a mechanical fault, and it is not the accused's duty to ensure servicing. That cannot be negligence on his part," his lawyer argued.But a ballistic expert dismissed that line of defence, insisting: "A firearm cannot discharge on its own. That is impossible unless someone presses the trigger."Pressed further, the expert admitted he did not know when the weapon was last serviced  giving the defence an opening to maintain that lack of maintenance could have been to blame.The court heard that the incident occurred on 15 May this year while Munkuli was deployed at State House in Bulawayo alongside fellow officer Simbarashe Manombe.At around 11.20pm, Munkuli allegedly stood up to go to the toilet while holding his firearm with both hands. In the process, he discharged a round that tore through his knee, leaving him bleeding on duty.He was remanded out of custody to 25 August for continuation of trial.The shooting has since sparked jokes across Bulawayo, with some quipping that "instead of catching criminals, the cop caught himself," while others remarked that "these old guns are now so tired they're shooting their owners."Meanwhile, within the force, some officers have quietly admitted that poorly serviced State-issued firearms pose a serious risk  a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.
For years Big Oil producers chased U.S. shale profits with big spending hikes while seeking something even more elusive than the next big gusher: steady, sustained profitability. Now Chevron, long the industrys No. 2 player, believes it hit upon a formula for just that.

Leaning on West Texas booming Permian Basin, Chevron says its combination of sheer scale and technology allows it to hop off the spending treadmill and finally pump the shale business for healthy profitability without the constant cry for Drill, baby, drill. While Exxon Mobil may remain larger, Chevron is aiming for No. 1 in the leery eyes of a Wall Street that previously soured on the oil sector.

The closing of its $53 billion megadeal to acquire Hess in July allows Chevron to focus internationally on new growth, especially its acquired position offshore Guyanaarguably the largest oil discovery of the centurywhile using the U.S. and its massive footprint in the Permian to reap the needed influx of free cash flow.

The Hess deal also includes a massive footprint in North Dakotas Bakken Shale oil play, adding to Chevrons heavy reliance on oil and gas production in onshore U.S. shalerevolutionized 20 years ago through enhanced horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) techniques.

After growing the U.S. onshore shale position to 40% of its global oil and gas production portfolionearly 50% including the Gulf of Mexicothrough big capital spends and a five-year buying spree, Chevron now aims to plateau its U.S. output and turn it into a cash machine for churning out dividend hikes, said Bruce Niemeyer, Chevrons new president of shale and tight, meaning he oversees onshore American oil and gas.

Theres been a period of time in shale and tight in this industry where a lot of the attention was on growthas much growth that you could have, Niemeyer told Fortune. The pivot for us is from growth, which is where the attention was for the last few years, to one of cash flow generation. We are adjusting activity to manage it on a plateau and focus on becoming extremely efficient in what we do.

Given the portfolio we have, well be able to do that out to the end of the next decade, he added.

Industry analysts are largely praising the pivot.

Thats what weve been looking for a decade from some of these companies, said RBC Capital energy analyst Biraj Borkhataria, noting that Chevron can cut shale spending by about $1.5 billion annually and keep production volumes relatively even.

Another element is a global Big Oil giant not wanting to place too much of its reliance on any one country, even if its the U.S. Chevron has been very clear about shale production as a percentage of the portfolio, and wanting to put some kind of limit on that, Borkhataria told Fortune.

Permian powerhouse

The Permian Basin dominates the U.S. oil industry, producing almost half of the nations roughly 13.4 million barrels of crude oil daily.

And Chevron is no exception, having just hit its milestone goal in the Permian of 1 million barrels of oil equivalent daily, including natural gas. That makes Chevron the regions second-largest net producer after rival Exxon.

The so-called treadmill effect in the Permian is based on the thesis that shale wells are drilled quickly for big initial influxes of oil that start to deplete relatively rapidly, so the constant spending and drilling must continue to keep volumes up.

Chevron largely solved that conundrum with the combination of scale, increased efficiencies, and its new slowdown, allowing for more oil and gas to be churned out with fewer drilling rigs and fracking crewsdrilling ever-longer subsurface wells and more wells per location with each rig, while fracking three wells simultaneously, Niemeyer said.

Just this year, Chevron shrunk its Permian activity from 13 active drilling rigs to nine with more declines expected, he said.

Chevrons unique legacy Permian position dates to the 19th century when the Texas Pacific Railway tried and failed to build a railroad from Texas to California. It transformed into the Texas Pacific Land Trust to manage the railroads roughly 3.5 million Texas acres.

The oil boom struck West Texas in the 1920s and Texas Pacific spun off an oil company that was eventually acquired by Texaco in 1962. Chevron bought Texas in 2001 for $36 billion at a time when the Permian position was considered a depleted afterthought before the shale revolution unlocked reservoirs previously considered uneconomic.

There was a time in our companys history where there wasnt a lot of attention to it because the Permian had peaked and was on this long and slow decline, Niemeyer said. But we made a deliberate decision to hold it. We have a history of big fields getting bigger.

Whats unusual about Chevrons Permian position because of the legacy history is Chevron only operates a small majority of its footprint. Instead, the rest is owned through longstanding minerals rights and joint venture partnerships, meaning that some Permian revenues come in without any capital spending.

The terms of it are unlike anything that you could find on the market today, which makes the portfolio that we have extremely unique in that regard, Niemeyer said. It might be hard to reassemble that at any price today under the terms that we have it. Its a tremendous advantage.

That equates to Chevron owning a partial stake in one of every five Permian wells, he said.

To compare apples and oranges, Exxon owns and controls the vast majority of its industry-leading Permian position, and is operating a whopping 35 drilling rigs there. Exxon became by far the top Permian player last year when it bought Pioneer Natural Resources for $60 billion. So, Exxon is going to keep growing and not think about plateauingarguing it generates big profits because of its huge footprint to drill ever-longer, more efficient wells.

I think Chevron is managing the Permian resource probably the way that they believe they could generate the highest returns from those assets, said TD Cowen energy analyst Jason Gabelman. Exxon just did this acquisition and a lot of what they acquired was not developed, so it makes sense that theyre growing while Chevron is kind of stabilizing.

And stabilizing makes sense when oil prices are weaker now and more global oil supplies arent needed, Borkhataria said.

One of them is very clearly responding to what they think the market dynamics are, which is Chevron, he said. Does the market need me to grow significantly 10% to 15% a year? Probably not. Therefore, why do it?

Whats next?

Chevron and Exxon are continuing embracing technology and the AI boom to become more cost efficient, leaning more towards computing power and brains than brawn.

Up to this point in shale and tight, theres been a lot of brute force, Niemeyer said, as companies relied on drilling ever-longer wells and fracking ever-more-intensely. Where were headed next is were going to get more out of the wells, but its going to require a different kind of insight and the ability to connect things together, and AI is going to be a big part of that.

Outside of the Permian, Chevron and Exxon plan to focus much of their growth through oil offshore Guyana, which Exxon discovered a decade ago, now that Chevron bought into the partnership via Hessmuch to Exxons chagrin and, after legal arbitration, eventual acceptance.

For Chevron, it also must decide where to divest and where else to grow. Some of those decisions could come at its investor day in November.

Late last year, Chevron sold its Canadian oil and gas assets in Alberta for $6.5 billion, representing roughly half of the goal to divest $10 billion to $15 billion by 2028.

While Chevron is counting the Bakken as an important new piece gained, analysts question whether Chevron might be better off selling there. Its more mature and may struggle to compete with the Permian. Chevron also holds a 30% stake in the publicly traded Hess Midstream pipeline business in the Bakken.

Chevron can either acquire the rest of Hess Midstream to increase Bakken profitability, hold steady, or sell it.

Well have to see where the Bakken goes. The asset that had everybodys attention was Guyana, and thats clearly a world-class asset, and well have to see how things proceed in the Bakken, Niemeyer said. Were really excited about the opportunity to be there and connect it with our other assets in the shale and tight business.

Otherwise, Chevron must look to grow organically through ramped-up international exploration in Africa, South America, the Eastern Mediterranean, or potentially elsewhere, analysts said. The Permians success had allowed Chevron to cut back on global exploration spending in recent years, part of a broader industry trend.

I think what well see is a sort of return to exploration, which is a little less American and taking a bit of risk in different regions globally, Borkhataria said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
LONDON  Postal services across the world are halting shipments to the United States this week amid mounting confusion over new import duties that will apply to parcels starting Friday.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month abolishing the trade loophole known as de minimis, which since 2016 had allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.

The end of the exemption is being extended worldwide after the loophole was closed in May for packages from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Under the new rules, personal gifts worth less than $100 will still be duty-free, but all other packages will face the same tariffs as standard imports from their country of origin.

The planned policy shift, which operators say lacks clear procedures, has raised concerns about backlogs as services are put on hold.

Postal providers in Belgium, Denmark and New Zealand are among several operators that have already suspended shipments of packages to the U.S. until they can retool their systems to comply with the new rules. Letters and documents are generally unaffected.

Services in Germany, France, Britain and India have announced they will follow suit in the coming days.

Frances national postal service, La Poste, said in a statement that the U.S. did not provide full details or allow enough time to prepare for new customs procedures. New Zealands postal service said parcel deliveries to all U.S. states and territories would be temporarily unavailable until further notice while systems are updated to meet new U.S. customs requirements.

DHL, one of the worlds largest courier companies, said Friday that it will stop accepting parcels containing goods from business customers destined for the U.S. beginning Monday.

The company cited unresolved key questions about the process, including how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out.

DHL will, however, continue to deliver private parcels labeled as gifts valued under $100, in line with White House assurances.

The White House said ending the duty-free exemption would help combat escalating deceptive shipping practices, illegal material, and duty circumvention, claiming some shippers had abused the exemption to send illicit drugs such as fentanyl into the U.S.

It said the number of de minimis parcels jumped from 134 million in 2015 to more than 1.36 billion in 2024 as shippers deceptively exploit the de minimis privilege in an effort to evade duties, inspection, and U.S. law.

Most of those packages came from mainland China and Hong Kong, which the Trump administration initially targeted as part of efforts to curb American shoppers from ordering low-value goods from China-linked retailers such as Temu and Shein.

The White House briefly closed the loophole for mainland China and Hong Kong in February, but quickly extended the deadline to May 2 amid confusion over how the new duties would be collected.
This photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein on March 28, 2017. - New York State Sex Offender Registry/AP

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are decrying what they say is a lack of new records in the Jeffrey Epstein files that the Justice Department provided to the panel Friday.

Only 3% of the documents given to the Oversight Committee are new. The rest are already in the public domain. Less than 1% of files have been released. DOJ is stonewalling, Rep. Ro Khanna of California said in a statement Saturday as he called for the full release of the files.

Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee also claimed in a statement that the DOJs files are largely thousands of pages of recycled content already made available to the public.

A Justice Department spokesperson told CNN in a statement that the department provided 33,000 pages to the House Oversight Committee, saying it was more than was ever requested by the committee when the Ranking Members party was in the majority.

This DOJ will continue to work closely with Congress in pursuit of transparency while adhering to protections afforded to victims of heinous crimes, the spokesperson added.

The oversight committee earlier this month subpoenaed the Justice Department for any Epstein-related files, along with communications between former Biden administration officials and the DOJ related to Epstein, as many of President Donald Trumps supporters seek more information and transparency about the case. The committee has also subpoenaed high-profile witnesses to testify, including the Clintons.

According to Lee, the only new disclosure is fewer than 1,000 pages from Customs and Border Protections log of flight locations of the Epstein plane dating from 2000 to 2014 and forms consistent with reentry back to the United States.

Lee said the other records DOJ handed over that were already released include: video from the correctional center the night of Epsteins death, a DOJ inspector general report on Epsteins death, communications between the Bureau of Prisons and DOJ about Epsteins death, Attorney General Pam Bondis memo on releasing the Epstein files, and court documents from Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwells trial and Epsteins criminal case in Florida.

Asked to respond to the claims from Khanna and Lee, a House Oversight spokesperson told CNN that the committee continues to review the 34,000 pages of documents and has no further update at this time.

Its important to note that this is the first batch of documents from the DOJ, with more to come, the spokesperson said in a statement.

The committee had said it plans to make the Epstein files public after a thorough review to ensure victims identities and other sensitive matters are redacted. It remains unclear how soon the records will be publicly released.

The DOJ turned over the records to the committee the same day it released a transcript of the interview that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche conducted with Maxwell.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight panel, accused the DOJ of releasing the Maxwell transcript to distract from their continued White House cover-up.

This story has been updated with a statement from the Department of Justice.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Gregory Bojorquez/Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Rodrigo Varela/Getty From left: Coolio, Ice T and Michael K. Williams.

NEED TO KNOW

Ice-T, who hosts the new A&E documentary Fame and Fentanyl, says shedding light on the deadly toll of fentanyl is not only necessary but also deeply personal to him

The Law & Order: SVU actor tells PEOPLE that the "sudden" deaths of his friends Coolio and Michael K. Williams from fentanyl "really hurt"

"I think it blindsides everybody because people do drugs, but at the end of the day, nobody is doing them trying to die," he says. "Its tragic"

Ice-T is standing up and using his voice for good.

The rapper and actor, 67, hosts the new A&E documentary Fame and Fentanyl, which sheds light on the devastating toll fentanyl has taken on modern-day America.

I've been doing voiceovers and narration for lots of different topics, but I'm at a point in my life where I want to do things that are important, Ice-T tells PEOPLE about signing on to host the documentary, which premieres Aug. 25. Every once in a while, something comes along that's really important, and I wanna put my stamp on that.

A&E Network A&E's 'Fame and Fentanyl'

The deadly impact of fentanyl is personal for Ice-T; he lost two close friends to the drug. I knew Coolio since he started rapping. He was out with me. I took him on tour. He was one of my closer friends in hip-hop who went off to do his thing and blow up, he says of his fellow rapper, who died in 2022 at age 59. And Mike [Michael K. Williams], I was planning on working with him on projects that we had written and talked about. Williams died 2021 at age 54.

For the Law & Order: SVU star, Coolio's death was less surprising than the secrecy that initially surrounded it. People know certain people are getting high, so it's not like you're saying, Oh, well, Coolio never did drugs.' We knew Coolio would get high, he explains. I didn't know to what extent, you know, but to die and for them to say it was asthma, we said, 'Bulls---.' We all suspected fentanyl, and it didn't come out for a while, and it just really nailed in the situation. Like, this is what's killing people.

Learning of Williamss death was both shocking and deeply painful. With Mike, I didnt know he was still getting high. I thought that was in his past because he spoke freely about his past, so that kind of caught me off guard, Ice-T recalls. But it hurts. It hurts. It's like having somebody die in a car accident. People die of natural causes, but then always when you have a sudden death like that, it really, really hurts your friends. I think it blindsides everybody because people do drugs, but at the end of the day, nobody is doing them trying to die. Its tragic.

A&E Network Ice-T in 'Fame and Fentanyl'

Through the documentary, Ice-T hopes to raise awareness about fentanyls dangers and the devastating consequences of the drug. In our doc, we show how little it takes to kill you, and I think the only way were gonna stop it is with education that there is poison on the street, he says.

In hip-hop, when people were doing crack in the early days, it was a fashionable drug, but when we figured out what it was doing, we made crack whack. So what we have to do as a public is make this shit so unpopular and uncool. As my wife [Coco Austin] and I say, Its not worth the party.' To me, it's more about educating the people that this can kill you the very first time you try it.

Ice-T is no stranger to discussing drugs and crime. The actor, who has starred on SVU for over 25 years, will be attending CrimeCon on Sept. 6 and 7 to continue the conversation and host the events 4th annual CLUE Awards. It's all about the whole genre of crime, television, crime shows and things like that, he tells PEOPLE about the weekend. People know Im not the police, but Ill be talking to folks about the show, my experiences on SVU, and maybe my past life in crime. Well see where it goes.

Fame and Fentanyl premieres Aug. 25 on A&E.

Read the original article on People
On Saturday, Israeli tanks and troops began maneuvering ever closer to Gaza Citys outskirts in preparation for a full-scale offensive . Eyewitness accounts reported intensified shelling as Israel is moving toward what could be the defining battle of its war against Hamas terrorists: the capture of Gaza City.

Israel's security cabinet approved the operation, known as Gideons Chariots B, and has deployed up to five IDF divisions toward the citys outskirtsa highly significant mobilization. Thousands of reservistssome 60,000have been called up.

John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Madison Policy Forum and executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute, told Fox News Digital the scale of this operation is unprecedented. "This will be a bigger challenge than anything the IDF has faced , arguably ever. It is the densest location in Gaza, the heart of Hamass stronghold. And you dont really know what the tunnels are until you get into them."

Grassroots Push For Freedom Grows In Gaza As Hamas Tightens Its Deadly Grip

A view of Gaza City, the densest location in the Strip, seen before the current war with Israel.

Spencer said that "Hamas built semi-circles of defenses oriented at Israel. But the IDF has shown creativity in maneuvering around obstacles." Israel plans to send more combat power into Gaza City than it has deployed across the entire Strip thus far. "If your goal is to clear Gaza City of Hamas military capabilities and search for hostages, you need that scale," he said.

Gadi Shamni, former commander of the Gaza Division and ex-head of IDF Central Command, told Fox News Digital, "It is a crowded city with refugee camps, dense neighborhoods, high-rises and a highly developed underground. People say the IDF controls above and below ground, but in the last campaign we saw that wasnt always true. Even when you destroy tunnels, Hamas can rebuild them quickly. The longer you stay with more forces, the more opportunities you create for the other side to attack."

Read On The Fox News App

A former senior Israeli security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Fox News Digital, "The IDF can militarily conquer Gaza, but the costs will be immense on both sides. The IDF will fight with a method of destroy everything firstair force bombs, massive charges, detonating streets from afar, wiping out entire areas and advancing slowly.

Israel, Hamas Terrorists And The Reoccurring Battles Around The Gaza Strip

"The IDF has gained enormous experience over the past two years and will use those tactics in this battle. You are strong, the enemy is weak, and you have patience. Even the weather is on Israels side, with winter not arriving until January."

The tunnels remain the most formidable element of Hamas defense. Unlike ISIS terrorists in Mosul, Spencer said, Hamas has built an underground tunnel network that allows commanders and fighters to move between positions, avoid strikes and conceal hostages . "The IDF that will go into Gaza City is not the IDF of 2023," Spencer said, pointing to rapid adaptations in the use of drones, robots and specialized units for tunnel warfare. "Theyve learned so much. But this will still be slow, very careful and costly."

To illustrate the scale, Spencer pointed to the 2004 battle for Fallujah in Iraq. "It took the Marine Corps about two weeks to clear Fallujahevery single home, building, shop. About 68,000 structures were cleared, as if somebody physically looked in them," he said. "If all five of these [IDF] divisions were doing that, absolutely, you could get it done in a few months. But the enemy always gets a vote. You cant rush to failure."

The former Israeli senior security official described the operation as "telescopicvery slow, with pistons working one by one. This pace also gives Hamas the chance at every stage to try to cut a deal."

Netanyahu Expands Scope Of Planned Gaza Takeover, Says Israel Has 'No Choice But To Finish The Job'

On the fate of hostages possibly held in Gaza City, the official was blunt: "Some of the hostages will die. I wouldnt be surprised if more brigades are brought inthe IDF is using immense ground power to seize urban terrain."

Shamni also warned Hamas may relocate hostages, 50 hostages, of whom 20 are still believed to be alive, into combat zones to deter strikesa tactic he said the IDF would be reluctant to engage for fear of harming captives, a conflict between military necessity and core values.

Shamni highlighted a particularly fraught dilemma: evacuating civilians . "You dont know who will leave, how many will leave, how theyll reactor whether Hamas will even allow them to leave," he said. "I assume many will not evacuate, and then you face the hard dilemma of fighting in a place full of noncombatants."

Spencer added that history shows around 10% of civilians stay behind. "Even 10% of a million is 100,000 people," he said.

A terrorist from Hamas takes part in a military parade.

Shamni forecast a protracted operation: "It could take months. Two months might seize the surface, but then you still have to clear tunnels. It will cost many livesincluding civilians. The worst-case scenario is that no hostages are found alive or dead because of the destruction."

Shamni, who also served as Israels military attache in Washington, warned that the dual goals of defeating Hamas and returning hostages are contradictory, risking years of drawn-out fighting.

Spencer, however, called the decision to press forward a "calculated risk," explaining that while military action carries dangers, "you weigh the risk of Hamas killing the hostages against the certainty that theyre being starved and tortured. Military pressure is the last resort. Without conquering Gaza City, Hamas will continue to hold a sanctuary."





Original article source: Israel set to launch Gaza City offensive: High stakes, high costs ahead
CAIRO (AP)  Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen s capital days after the Houthi rebels fired a missile toward Israel that its military described as the first cluster bomb the rebels had launched at it since 2023.

The Iranian-backed Houthis said multiple areas across Sanaa were hit on Sunday, while the Houthi-run health ministry said at least six people were killed and 86 others were wounded, seven of them in critical condition.

The rebels' Al-Masirah satellite television reported that a strike hit an oil facility owned by the country's main oil company, which is controlled by the rebels, and video on social media showed a fireball erupting at the plant.

Israels military said it struck the Asar oil facility and the Hizaz power plant, which it called a significant electricity supply facility for military activities, along with a military site where the presidential palace is located.

Sanaa residents told The Associated Press they heard explosions close to a closed military academy and the presidential palace. They saw plumes of smoke near Sabeen Square, a central gathering place in the capital.

The sounds of explosions were very strong, said Hussein Mohamed, who lives close to the presidential palace.

Ahmed al-Mekhlafy said he felt the sheer force of the strikes. The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered, he told the AP by phone.

The Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months, saying they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.

Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, vowed to continue attacks on Israel, writing on social media that our military operations supporting Gaza wont stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted."

The Israeli strikes were the first to hit Yemen since a week ago, when Israel said it targeted energy infrastructure it believed was used by the rebels.

The latest strikes follow the Houthis' claim of launching a newly equipped missile toward Israel on Friday, targeting the countrys largest airport, Ben Gurion. There was no reported damage or injuries. Israels military said it fragmented mid-air after several interception attempts.

An Israeli Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, called Friday's projectile a new threat  a cluster munition, meant to detonate into multiple explosives on impact.

The use of cluster bombs makes interception more difficult and represents additional technology provided to the Houthis by Iran, the official asserted.

The official also said over 10 Israeli fighter jets carried out Sunday's strikes.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Israel continues to impose an air and naval blockade, without details. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised remarks that the rebel group is paying a heavy price for its aggression.

Houthi attacks over the past two years have upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of global goods passes each year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 commercial and naval ships with missiles and drones.

The rebels stopped the attacks during this year's brief ceasefire in Gaza and later became the target of a weekslong airstrike campaign ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In May, the United States announced a deal with the Houthis to end the airstrikes in return for an end to attacks on shipping, although the rebels said the agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel.

Last month, the Houthis said they would target merchant ships belonging to any company that does business with Israeli ports, regardless of nationality, as part of what they called a new phase of operations against Israel.

In May, Israeli airstrikes hit the Sanaa airport in a rare daytime attack that destroyed the terminal and left craters in its runway. At least six passenger planes were hit, including three belonging to Yemenia Airways, according to airport authorities.

___

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Metz from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
Family members of a prominent Jeffrey Epstein accuser said they were outraged by the Justice Departments decision to release transcripts from Ghislaine Maxwells testimony last month to a federal prosecutor, arguing it provided Maxwell a platform to rewrite history.

The content of these transcripts is in direct contradiction with felon Ghislaine Maxwells conviction for child sex trafficking, the family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre said in a statement. The family added, This travesty of justice entirely invalidates the experiences of the many brave survivors who put their safety, security, and lives on the line to ensure her conviction, including our sister.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last month questioned Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence on sex trafficking charges, for two days as part of a stated effort by the Trump administration to uncover more information about Epsteins crimes.

Ghislaine Maxwell at a symposium in New York in 2013. (Laura Cavanaugh / Getty Images file)

The Justice Department on Friday released audio and transcripts of the two-day interview, during which Maxwell disputed several allegations of wrongdoing against her and Epstein, including by Giuffre, who died by suicide in April.

Giuffre accused Maxwell of grooming her to be sexually abused by Epstein and trafficked to several of his powerful friends, including Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Giuffre separately sued Andrew in 2021 alleging he sexually abused her as a minor, which he has denied. The two later settled the case for an undisclosed amount in 2022.

During the interview last month with Blanche, Maxwell said Giuffres allegation against Andrew doesnt hold water, and disputed key facts in the case, including an alleged photo of Giuffre with Andrew.

I believe that this whole thing was manufactured, and I can point you to some potentially corroborating evidence of this, Maxwell told Blanche.

Giuffres family accused the deputy attorney general of not sufficiently challenging Maxwells assertions during her testimony, suggesting that by publicly releasing the interview, the Justice Department provided Maxwell the opportunity to dispute her case in the court of public opinion.

During [Deputy Attorney General] Todd Blanches bizarre interview, she is never challenged about her court-proven lies, providing her a platform to rewrite history, the family statement read.

Maxwell also said she never witnessed any inappropriate conduct from any man, including Donald Trump. She denied the existence of an incriminating client list of individuals who benefited from Epsteins crimes and maintained her innocence after being convicted of sex trafficking in 2021.

On Sunday, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., criticized Maxwells statements to Blanche, claiming that she has the motivation to say anything that could potentially get her pardoned.

They go and they do this interview without the presence of a prosecutor who actually knows the facts, Schiff told NBC News Meet the Press, referring to Blanche.

She wants a pardon. She says exactly what her lawyers tell her is going to be necessary to get a pardon. No one should be surprised here, Schiff added.

In a statement, Maxwell's attorney David Oscar Markus called Schiff "flat-out wrong."

"Ghislaine Maxwell has been consistent from day one, and her testimony is backed by documents  not politics. If she wanted to make up stories to curry favor, she could have targeted Democrats like President Clinton. She didnt because shes telling the truth. The good Congressman may fancy himself a mind reader, but on this hes flat-out wrong," Markus said.

Giuffres family has for months been critical of the Justice Departments interactions with Maxwell amid the Trump administrations claimed push to uncover more information about Epsteins crimes, a key topic of interest among Trumps base.

In late July, after Maxwell met with Blanche, the family urged the government not to provide Maxwell any favorable treatment, describing her then as a monster who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life.

Trump has not ruled out the idea of pardoning Maxwell, whom he has known for several decades. When asked last month about the prospect of granting Maxwell legal relief, Trump said, Im allowed to do it, but its something I have not thought about.

Absent a pardon from Trump, Maxwell is seeking legal relief from the Supreme Court, which has indicated it will decide whether to review Maxwells appeal of her conviction during a private conference in September.

Giuffres family also condemned the Justice Departments decision to transfer Maxwell to a minimum-security prison following her meeting with Blanche.

By moving convicted felon Maxwell to a minimum-security, country club prison, the DOJ sends a disturbing message that child sex trafficking is acceptable and will be rewarded, the family said Saturday in a statement.

Federal officials moved Maxwell, Epsteins co-conspirator and confidant, from a co-ed, low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to a women-only, minimum-security facility in Bryan, Texas. The Bureau of Prisons at the time did not specify why Maxwell was transferred to the facility, which also houses reality television star Jen Shah and disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes.

The release of the Maxwell transcripts came as the Justice Department also partially fulfilled a subpoena by the House Oversight Committee for all files related to the federal investigation of Epstein. The Justice Department released roughly 33,000 documents, however Democrats on the committee have said the vast majority of the records included in the first batch were already public.
Russias top diplomat laid out the wide gaps between Moscow and Kyiv and put a damper on hopes that President Donald Trump will propel a swift end to the war in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told NBC News Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker in an exclusive interview taped Friday that there was no meeting planned between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and that key issues  including security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial disputes remain unresolved.

Putin is ready to meet with President Zelenskyy, provided this meeting is really going to decide something, he said. To meet, for Zelenskyy to have another opportunity to be onstage, is not what we believe is useful.

Even as Trump has met separately this month with Putin, Zelenskyy and European leaders, his overtures for peace have been undermined by Russias continued deadly strikes on Ukraine, including on a U.S.-owned factory last week.

The White House is now seeking a Putin-Zelenskyy summit, but Lavrovs grievances underscored just how far apart the two sides remain.

He said it was Ukraine that was hindering the peace process, along with European leaders who Lavrov said dont want peace.

They say, We cannot allow defeat of Ukraine. We cannot allow Russia to win. They speak in these terms: win, defeat and so on, he said.

Ukraine, which celebrated its independence day on Sunday, is being pressured to give up Russian-annexed Crimea as well as its eastern Donbas region and abandon any hope of joining NATO, the U.S.-led military alliance founded after World War II to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union.

Zelenskyy said no to everything, Lavrov said. How can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader?

Ukrainian firefighters rescuing people trapped by flames Friday after Russian shelling hit the city of Kostiantynivka. (Diego Herrera Carcedo / Anadolu via Getty Images)

Russian invasion

Lavrov, whose country launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, claimed Russia had proposed several times a peaceful resolution on a diplomatic basis.

Russia has been unwilling to discuss giving up the 20% of Ukraine it occupies, and insists that Ukraine remain nonaligned and unarmed.

When Welker pressed him on whether Russia had indeed invaded Ukraine, Lavrov declined to use the term, instead using Russias preferred phrase of special military operation.

Lavrov acknowledged that Ukraine has the right to exist but said it must let people go.

Putin has long claimed, without evidence, that Kyiv has committed genocide against Russian speakers in Ukraines eastern Donbas region, almost all of which his forces now occupy.

Russia doesnt have any interest in territories, Lavrov said, but is concerned about people identifying as ethnically Russian who live on those lands, whose ancestors lived there for centuries and centuries.

Most of the international community rejects the idea that Ukraine is repressing Russian language and culture and says Russia launched its invasion under false pretenses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outside the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump and European leaders last Monday. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP)

Civilians under fire

Russia has killed or injured close to 50,000 civilians during the war including in strikes on maternity wards, churches, schools and hospitals, U.N. experts say, with civilian casualties reaching a three-year monthly high in July. Last week, a kindergarten was among the dozens of buildings hit in a deadly Russian strike on the western city of Lviv.

Either the Russian military has terrible aim or you are targeting civilians, Welker said. Which is it?

Lavrov said Russia only targeted sites linked to the Ukrainian military.

We never targeted the civilian targets of the kind you cited, he said, going on to say it was Ukraine that was purposely hitting churches and civilian settlements. Ukraine denies targeting civilians.

Overnight Thursday to Friday, Russia launched its largest assault since early July, firing nearly 600 drones and 40 ballistic cruise missiles, including at a U.S.-owned factory in western Ukraine that makes coffee machines and other electronics. At least 15 workers were injured.

Lavrov said that he had not heard of the factory incident, but that some people are really naive, when they see a coffee machine in the window, when they believe that this is the place where coffee machines are produced.

Flex Ltd., the Texas-based company that owns the factory, said in a statement last week that the factory is strictly focused on civilian consumer manufacturing and does not produce, supply, or support any military equipment or defense-related components.

A Russian sapper inspecting a field for mines and explosives near Lugansk in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine on Tuesday. (Sergey Bobylev / Sputnik via AP)

Putin and Trump

Russian attacks on Ukraine have doubled since Trump took office in January and continued during talks with Putin in Alaska, leading some lawmakers to ask whether Putin is stringing Trump along.

If President Putin has so much regard for President Trump, why is he taking actions that are undermining his push for peace? Welker asked.

Lavrov said Putin respected Trumps focus on the U.S. national interest, and that he believed President Trump respects the same attitude of President Putin to protecting national interests of Russia.

Whatever Trump and Putin discuss is not a secret and both leaders want peace in Ukraine, he said.

On Friday, Putin praised Trump and said that it might be possible for the U.S. and Russia to fully restore relations he said were at an extremely low point.

With President Trump, I believe that a light at the end of the tunnel has nonetheless appeared, he said, calling their meeting in Alaska very good.

Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

Security guarantees

Lavrov addressed Russian demands that it should be a part of any international talks on Ukraines security after defense chiefs from the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Ukraine and NATO met Wednesday to hash out protections that Kyivs allies could offer in a deal.

Security guarantees must be subject to consensus, he said, claiming Russia had presented security guarantees several times.

Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready, Lavrov said. But he suggested that Putin would not sign a peace agreement with Zelenskyy, whose legitimacy Moscow has questioned since Ukrainian elections were postponed last year amid martial law.

When we come to a stage when you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate, he said. And according to the Ukrainian constitution, Mr. Zelenskyy is not at the moment.

On Friday, optimism appeared to be on the wane in Washington.

In a separate interview with Welker, Vice President JD Vance said Russia had made significant concessions to Trump, including recognizing Ukraines territorial integrity after the war and not trying to install a puppet regime in Kyiv.

But Vance acknowledged there were hills and valleys in the negotiations. Were going to eventually be successful, or well hit a brick wall, he said.

Trump also appeared to temper his expectations.

Well see what happens, he told reporters on Friday. I think over the next two weeks, were going to find out which way its going to go. And I better be very happy.

Its going to be a very important decision, and thats whether or not its massive sanctions or massive tariffs, or both, he continued. Or do we do nothing and say, Its your fight.
New research shows cinnamon supplements may interfere with drug effectiveness by changing how your body clears medication. (CREDIT: Shutterstock)

Cinnamon has long flavored meals, teas, and baked goods. It also shows up in traditional remedies to ease everything from inflammation to high blood sugar. But new research finds that taking too much of itespecially in concentrated supplement formcould do more harm than good, particularly when combined with prescription drugs.

A recent study highlights how a key chemical in cinnamon may affect how your body handles medication. Researchers from the University of Mississippi discovered that cinnamaldehyde, the main active compound in cinnamon, may interfere with how your body processes drugs. That could reduce the medicines effect and even pose risks for people with chronic illnesses.

How Cinnamon Works Inside the Body

Cinnamaldehyde gives cinnamon its familiar flavor and scent. But in your body, it doesnt just sit quietly. Researchers found that cinnamaldehyde shows 100% bioaccessibility. That means the body can fully absorb it, whether taken on an empty stomach or with food. Once inside, enzymes in the liver quickly convert cinnamaldehyde into cinnamic acid. This process happens whether the cinnamaldehyde comes from cinnamon oil or cinnamon bark.

A bit of cinnamon in your coffee wont hurt, but ask your doctor before using cinnamon supplements while taking prescription medications, researchers at the National Center for Natural Products Research advise. A recent study suggests that compounds in cinnamon can reduce the effect of some drugs. (CREDIT: Stefanie Goodwiller)

The liver plays a key role here. It breaks down many foreign substancescalled xenobioticsincluding drugs, herbs, and food compounds. The study tested cinnamaldehyde using human liver microsomes and liver S-9 fractions. These are systems that mimic how the liver processes chemicals. Both showed that cinnamaldehyde quickly changes into cinnamic acid through oxidation.

This transformation is important because it affects how long the compound stays active in the body and what effects it may cause. Cinnamaldehydes interaction with drug-processing systems could impact how well medications work.

Interaction With Human Drug Receptors

Your body uses special protein receptors to control how quickly it clears drugs. Two of thesePXR (pregnane X receptor) and AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor)help regulate drug-metabolizing enzymes. These enzymes can speed up or slow down the breakdown of medicines, which may change their effects.

Related Stories

In lab studies, cinnamon oil activated AhR in a dose-dependent way. That means the more cinnamon oil cells were exposed to, the more the AhR responded. However, pure cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid didnt trigger this same reaction. Meanwhile, both cinnamon oil and cinnamic acid activated PXR in liver and intestinal cells.

Why does that matter? Activating PXR can increase the breakdown of medications. This means drugs may leave the body faster than expected, reducing how long or how well they work. In some cases, that could mean the drug no longer works at all.

Dr. Shabana Khan, a lead scientist on the study, explained the concern clearly: Health concerns could arise if excessive amounts of supplements are consumed without the knowledge of health care provider or prescriber of the medications. She warned that this could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, which may cause it to become less effective.

How Cinnamon Affects Liver Enzymes

The study also found that cinnamon oil and cinnamaldehyde interfere with two major liver enzymesCYP2C9 and CYP1A2. These enzymes help the body break down many common drugs, including ones used for blood pressure, mood disorders, and cancer treatment.

Chemical structure of cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid. In the presence of liver cytochromes P-450 s, the aldehyde group of cinnamaldehyde is oxidized and produces cinnamic acid. (CREDIT: Shabana Khan, et al.)

If these enzymes are slowed or blocked, drug levels in the blood may build up to unsafe levels. On the other hand, if the enzymes are sped up, drug levels may drop too quickly. Either effect could lead to treatment failure or dangerous side effects. Thats why these findings are especially important for people who take medications regularly.

Not All Cinnamon Is Created Equal

Cinnamon comes in different forms. What you find in a spice jar at the store is usually ground bark from Cassia cinnamon, which is cheaper and more common. But Cassia also contains high levels of coumarin, a chemical known to thin the blood. Coumarins anticoagulant properties can be hazardous for individuals on blood thinners, said Dr. Amar Chittiboyina, an expert from the same research center.

In contrast, the type called Ceylon cinnamon, sometimes known as true cinnamon and usually grown in Sri Lanka, contains much less coumarin. That makes it a safer choice for people at risk of bleeding problems.

Cinnamon oil is another story. Often used in food flavoring, skin treatments, and natural remedies, it shows less risk for herb-drug interactions. Thats because it has a different makeup than cinnamon bark and contains less coumarin overall. Still, the potential for harm rises when people consume cinnamon in large amountsespecially in supplement form, where concentrations are much higher than those used in food.

Time-dependent metabolic clearance of cinnamaldehyde and formation of cinnamic acid. (CREDIT: Shabana Khan, et al.)

Supplements: Natural Doesnt Mean Risk-Free

Cinnamon has long had a place in natural medicine. Many people use it to manage blood sugar or inflammation. But experts caution that natural doesnt always mean safe.

Despite its vast uses, very few reports were available to describe the fate of its major componentcinnamaldehyde, said Dr. Khan. She explained that understanding how this chemical behaves inside the body was key to learning how cinnamon might affect drug actions. Clinical studies in people are still needed to know the full risks. But the lab data already show that cinnamaldehyde can activate receptors that help clear drugs from the system.

We know theres a potential for cinnamaldehyde to activate these receptors that can pose a risk for drug interactions, said Dr. Bill Gurley, a co-author of the study. Thats what could happen, but we wont know exactly what will happen until we do a clinical study. Until those studies are done, the safest path is to be cautious.

Who Should Be Concerned?

People dealing with long-term health problems should pay special attention to these findings. People who suffer from chronic diseases should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements, said Dr. Khan. Our best advice is to talk to a health care provider before using any supplements along with the prescription medicine. The study makes it clear that supplements do not replace proper medical treatment.

That doesnt mean cinnamon has no benefits. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to your oatmeal or tea wont likely cause harm. But if youre thinking about taking it as a capsule or oil, talk to your doctor firstespecially if youre already on medication. Cinnamon may be natural, but its effects on your body and medicine arent always simple or harmless.

Research findings are available online in the journal Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences.

Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News.

Like these kind of feel good stories? Get The Brighter Side of News newsletter.
McLennan County District Attorney's Office Skylynn Tuerk

NEED TO KNOW

A Texas mother has been sentenced in the 2023 death of her infant son, who starved to death inside a hotel room in Waco

Skylynn Tuerk was sentenced to 40 years each for murder and injury to a child charges, as well as two years each for endangering a child and a drug charge, according to local media

The horrific and irresponsible nature of this defendants behavior left us unwilling to agree to any lower punishment, Tara Avants, a state attorney, said in a statement

A mother will spend decades behind bars after her 3-month-old son starved to death inside a hotel room in Texas.

Skylynn Tuerk was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 21, in Waco's 54th State District Court on charges of murder, injury to a child, endangering a child and possession of a controlled substance, according to ABC affiliate KXXV, CBS affiliate KWTX and the Waco Tribune-Herald.

Her sentencing came shortly after she pleaded guilty on the four counts in connection with the 2023 death of her infant, per KXXV. Judge Susan Kelly sentenced her to 40 years each for the murder and injury to a child charges, as well as two years each for endangering a child and the drug charge, according to both KXXV and KWTX.

The mother will serve the sentences concurrently and must serve at least two decades before being deemed eligible for parole, per both outlets, which added the woman got credit for the 633 days already served.

A state attorney and legal representation for Tuerk did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Aug. 24.

McLennan County District Attorney's Office Skylynn Tuerk

The sentencing follows the November 2023 arrests of both Tuerk and Charles Harris after their child  widely identified in local reports as Baby JJ  was found unresponsive at Wacos New Road Inn, KXXV reported at the time, citing court records.

The baby was described as starving and looking like a skeleton" before he died, per a 2023 KWTX report. His then-3-year-old sister was reportedly found in reach of blades and swords and taken into state custody.

According to KXXV, cockroaches, raw meat and methamphetamine were also discovered in the room. KWTX reported that police discovered half a gram of methamphetamine and a drug scale in the room, as well as no real food for the children" beyond juice boxes and fruit snacks.

Jonathan Sibley, Tuerks defense attorney, told KXXV after his client's sentencing that she "was devastated by the loss of her child."

"Skylynn and her family still grieve for the loss of their child, but are pleased to put this part of the process behind them," the attorney said. "Skylynn and her family not only lost a loved member of their family, but, this family will also have to deal with losing Skylynn for a period of time while she is incarcerated. Skylynns family was represented in court today to support Skylynn and Im sure they will continue to support her in any way they can while she is incarcerated.

Tara Avants, a state attorney, told KXXV in a statement that Tuerk "accepted responsibility and received a sentence in the upper end of the punishment range."

"Legally, there is only a 10-year difference between a life sentence and a 40-year sentence," Avants said. "The horrific and irresponsible nature of this defendant's behavior left us unwilling to agree to any lower punishment."

According to KXXV, which cited a family member, the young girl also found in the room in 2023 was recently adopted, while Harris  the father  has a court date approaching in September.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Read the original article on People
News / National

by Staff reporter

Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is today expected to arrive in India, where he will lead Zimbabwe's participation at the Africa Conclave on India-Africa Partnership, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).The CII Conclave, regarded as India's premier investment platform for the continent, comes as the world's fourth-largest economy seeks to consolidate more than US$100 billion in African investments built up over the past three decades.Dr Chiwenga's programme will be packed, starting in the State of Gujarat where he will attend Chalo Zimbabwe  a country-specific investment forum meaning Let's Go to Zimbabwe  organised by private businesses. He will then proceed to New Delhi for the main CII Conclave, where he is expected to headline several high-level engagements.Ambassador Stella Nkomo, Zimbabwe's envoy to India, confirmed the Vice-President's itinerary, describing the visit as a critical step in strengthening economic diplomacy."We are here in Gujarat where we are expecting the Vice-President and his delegation. He will lead Zimbabwe's participation at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce conference, and next week he will head the delegation to the CII Conclave in New Delhi," Ambassador Nkomo said."He has a very busy schedule. Aside from the conferences, we have arranged industrial visits and meetings with key economic players. This visit by VP Chiwenga is pivotal in our quest to attract investment into Zimbabwe from India."The trip comes as President Mnangagwa continues to champion rapid economic growth under Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.Zimbabwe has already attracted growing interest from Indian investors in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, mining and tourism. Authorities believe there is scope to expand cooperation into new areas such as digital transformation, green technologies, water management, healthcare, and food security."With Zimbabwe undergoing extensive infrastructure development, incorporating Indian investment could accelerate our economic aspirations," Ambassador Nkomo said.African nations are expected to field strong delegations at this year's Conclave, with Zimbabwe's team comprising ministers, senior officials and business leaders.Local business representatives have hailed Chalo Zimbabwe and the wider Conclave as opportunities to forge new synergies, market opportunities, and attract capital for the country's industrialisation drive.The high-level engagements are expected to catalyse fresh partnerships, bolstering Zimbabwe's efforts to deepen trade and investment ties with India while advancing its broader economic transformation agenda.
Some National Guard members in Washington, D.C., likely fewer than 50, were to be armed starting Sunday night, a military official told CBS News. Video later confirmed that some of the troops were carrying weapons.

A spokesperson for the Joint Task Force in the nation's capital declined to disclose where and when guardsmen would be armed, citing security concerns.

"The Secretary of Defense has directed JTF-DC service members to carry their assigned service weapon," the Joint Task Force in D.C. told CBS News in a statement on Sunday. "Task force personnel operate under the established Rules for the Use of Force, which allow the use of force only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered that National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington for President Trump's law enforcement crackdown be armed, the Pentagon said Friday.

The Defense Department didn't offer any other details about the new development or why it was needed.

The step is an escalation in Mr. Trump's intervention into policing in the nation's capital and comes as nearly 2,000 National Guard members are stationed in the city, with the arrival last week of hundreds from several Republican-led states.

Armed National Guard troops seen in Washington D.C. on Aug. 24, 2025. / Credit: CBS News

Last week, the Pentagon and Army said troops would not carry weapons. The new guidance is that they would carry their service-issued weapons.

National Guard personnel have been deployed in D.C. since last week, when Mr. Trump ordered the D.C. Guard to crack down on what he has called an "epidemic of crime." Federal agents have also patrolled the city, and the president has asserted control over the local Metropolitan Police Department.

It was unclear if the guard's role in the federal intervention could be changing. The troops have not taken part in law enforcement and largely have been protecting landmarks, including the National Mall and Union Station, and helping with crowd control.

Some troops have fed squirrels. One Guard member helped a woman carry her belongings down the stairs in a train station. Others have been seen taking photos with passersby, standing around chatting and drinking coffee. There have been no reports of them facing threats that would require weapons.

On Thursday, Mr. Trump visited a U.S. Park Police facility in southeast D.C., and handed out hamburgers and pizza as he thanked federal law enforcement. A day before, Hegseth, as well as Vice President JD Vance and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, visited National Guard members at Union Station.

Mr. Trump has insisted that people he knows feel safer than before in the city, but local officials say the initiative is unnecessary. After spiking in 2023, violent crime in D.C. has been declining for the last year and a half, according to local police data. Mr. Trump has claimed that crime is on the upswing.

The city's police department and the offices of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The city had been informed about the intent for the National Guard to be armed, a person familiar with the conversations said earlier this week. The person was not authorized to disclose the plans and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Spokespeople for the District of Columbia National Guard and a military task force overseeing all the guard troops in Washington did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Welcome to New Orleans

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional"

Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows blinken and a friend in beach chairs on the beach, Image 2 shows blinken and buddy pack up their beach chairs, Image 3 shows Blinken and his buddy were forced to pack up and leave after a lifeguard patrol told them the beach was closed

Beaches across the tri-state region finally reopened Saturday after Hurricane Erin churned through the area  but the lifting of restrictions came a day too late for former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken, 63, was kicked off East Hamptons exclusive Georgica Beach while catching rays with a friend, photos showed.

The beach had been closed days earlier from the rough conditions unleashed along the East Coast by the massive storm.

Blinken, seen here with a pal Friday on the closed East Hampton beach. Matt Agudo/INSTARimages

The ex-Biden official and a pal were on the sand Friday when they were ordered to get out by a lifeguard patrol

Following a brief conversation with the lifeguards, a barefoot Blinken, wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt and black shorts, picked up a tote bag, grabbed a beach towel, folded up his chair and took the walk of shame back to the asphalt parking lot.

Large waves crashed behind the beachgoers before Blinken left, photos showed.

The Long Island hotspot is popular with surfers, sitting on the south end of the Apaquogue neighborhood.

Most beaches reopened to the public Saturday with swimming still restricted in some spots, officials said.

Erin exploded into a Category 5 storm as it developed in the Caribbean before charging its way up the North Atlantic, staying offshore as it barreled up the East Coast.

The beach was closed because of dangerous surf from Hurricane Erin when Blinken and his friend were told to leave. Matt Agudo/INSTARimages

The once 500-mile wide storm, one of the largest recorded in history, stayed roughly 800 miles off New Yorks coastline.

Even though Hurricane Erin has left our region, because it was such an extremely large storm, it has left a lot of the Atlantic still stirred up, Fox Weather meteorologist Cody Braud told The Post Saturday.

Even though its left the premises, its going to take a little while for all the water to come back to a calmer level. There are still a lot of hidden effects and the biggest thing is the high rip current risk that is still present up and down the East Coast.

Blinken and his buddy were forced to pack up and leave after a lifeguard patrol told them the beach was closed. Matt Agudo/INSTARimages

Beaches reopened Saturday but the change came a day too late for Blinken and his friend. Matt Agudo/INSTARimages

Temperatures for tomorrow were expected to stay in the low 80s in NYC and on most of Long Island, with the Jersey Shore seeing the mercury reach the upper 70s and low 80s, Braud said.

Its starting to get a little cooler too, so its probably not the best beach-going weather anyway at the moment, he said.

Some Jersey Shore beaches were expected to remain closed Saturday for cleanup, according to a report.

Blinken is a regular in East Hampton.

He was vacationing at the Long Island hotspot on Aug. 15, 2021, hours before the Taliban took over Kabul, Afghanistan, and quickly left to tend to the crisis.

The Democratic lawyers father Donald Blinken, the former US Ambassador to Hungary under President Clinton, seasonally lived on Lily Pond Lane for more than 50 years.
Adobe Stock image

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A former Deseret News journalist was charged Friday after allegedly enticing a minor, who turned out to be an undercover law enforcement officer.

According to court documents, Joseph Brent Walker, 70, attempted to entice a person he believed was a 14-year-old female into participating in sexual activities with him. The 14-year-old was actually an undercover Layton Police Detective.

Detective Travis Rapp, with the Layton Police Department, was posing as a 14-year-old female residing in Davis County on an online dating platform. Between 07/18/2025 and 07/28/2025, Rapp spoke with an individual online in sexually explicit conversations.

Layton Police Department were able to acquire a warrant and determined the individuals identity using the IP address that was used to send sexually enticing and harmful materials to Rapp. The IP address apparently matched Joseph Brent Walkers cellular phone and the sexually harmful materials were sent from his Washington County residence.

Deseret News confirmed that Walker worked for them as a journalist and in other roles until 2013. From 1990 to at least 2015, Walker wrote ValueSpeak, a weekly syndicated column that examined contemporary issues through the lens of traditional values, according to the Deseret News.

He currently works as a Communications manager for the Utah Department of Transportation, according to their website.

Im not aware of these charges, Walker said when contacted by the Deseret News on Friday. So I dont have anything to say.

Walker allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with Detective Rapp, who he believed to be a minor female. In those conversations, Walker allegedly told Rapp that he was sexually aroused by the minor and asked her to keep the conversation secret.

While posing as the female minor, Detective Rapp reportedly told Walker several times that she was underage. Despite this, Walker sent photos of himself that, while clothed, clearly indicated arousal, according to court documents.

On August 22, 2025, Joseph Brent Walker was officially charged with two counts of distributing material harmful to minors, a third-degree felony. He was also charged with enticing a minor, which is a third-degree felony as well.

If convicted, Walker could face up to five years in prison for each charge.

The post Former Deseret News journalist charged for enticing minor, who was undercover detective appeared first on East Idaho News.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Vietnam has significantly expanded island-building work in areas it claims in the Spratly Islands chain of the disputed South China Sea and will match and likely surpass the scale of such activity there by China, a U.S. think tank reported on Friday.

Recent satellite imagery showed that since the start of this year, Vietnam has expanded island-building to eight features previously untouched by a round of reclamation that began in 2021, the report from Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies said.

The report from CSIS's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said the imagery showed Vietnam has undertaken dredging and landfill work at Alison Reef, Collins Reef, East Reef, Landsdowne Reef and Petley Reefs.

The work meant that all 21 Vietnamese-occupied rocks and low-tide elevations in the Spratly Islands chain have now been expanded to include artificial land, when four years ago a majority hosted only isolated pillbox structures.

The report said new expansion had also begun at three features that already hosted medium-sized artificial islands created in earlier rounds of dredging: Amboyna Cay, Grierson Reef, and West Reef.

"As of March 2025, Vietnam had created about 70% as much artificial land in the Spratlys as China had," it said. "Reclamation at these eight new features all but ensures that Vietnam will match - and likely surpass - the scale of Beijing's island-building."

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Beijing has conducted extensive island-building work there opposed by the United States and its allies and partners.

The CSIS report said the images showed infrastructure, including munitions storage containers, was beginning to appear on Vietnamese claimed reefs where dredging work was approaching completion, such as Barque Canada Reef, Discovery Great Reef, Ladd Reef, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef, Sand Cay, and Tennent Reef.

It said the location of new structures and munitions depots seemed to preclude the possibility of full-length runways on some of the longer features and said a runway at Barque Canada was likely the only one being constructed to join Vietnams sole existing airstrip at Spratly Island.China and Vietnam's Washington embassies did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the CSIS report.

In February, China said it opposes Vietnam's construction activities on Barque Canada Reef, saying it was Chinese territory.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that China's South China Sea claims were not supported by international law, a decision Beijing rejects.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Courtesy INL

ARCO  The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is the hub of collaboration among Western states to advance nuclear energy. This effort, anchored in legislative frameworks, strategic investments, collaborations and partnerships, is positioning the region as a leader in nuclear innovation.

The Mountain West is particularly well-suited for advanced nuclear energy due to its growing energy needs and favorable political and economic landscapes, which provide a stable environment for energy-sector investments.

I truly believe that having INL, the nations nuclear energy lab, in our backyard is a game changer, said Laura Nelson, INLs regional engagement lead for Utah and former energy advisor to ex-Utah Govs. Jon Huntsman and Gary Herbert. Being so close to where opportunities are in these states can facilitate a faster transition from research to development.

Powering the nuclear renaissance in the West

The drive to bring advanced nuclear energy to Western states stems from the urgent need for reliable, abundant and cost-effective energy sources. Advanced nuclear reactors, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, are smaller than conventional nuclear plants. Their size offers greater flexibility, modular construction and potentially lower costs. They are designed to operate safely and provide abundant power while taking up less space. Government initiatives, industry partnerships and proactive state policies are bolstering this movement.

The Western states are leading the country, and possibly even the world, in some areas, said Glen Murrell, INLs director of regional and industry engagement. Their synergistic and collaborative efforts make them trailblazers in this field.

Economic factors also play a significant role.

Total electricity supply and consumption has been relatively flat for most of the early 2000s, but this is transforming due to surging demand driven by increased electrification and new tech like artificial intelligence, Murrell said.

The shift toward advanced nuclear energy solutions

Another driver is the transformation of electricity supply, which includes replacing some coal plants that are retiring due to depreciation and age with other energy sources such as advanced nuclear energy. One notable example of this transformation is the TerraPower Natrium project in Kemmerer, Wyoming, where construction is taking place at a coal power plant site.

A second example is the Salt River Project, a utility that provides services to over 2 million people in central Arizona and plans to retire its Coronado Generating Station in St. Johns, Arizona, by 2032. The utility conducted a feasibility study that considers advanced nuclear technology options for the site. That study is a collaboration with the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN), a U.S. Department of Energy initiative led by INL, which provides communities with access to national laboratory experts.

Similarly, NorthWestern Energy, which operates and manages the Colstrip power plant in Montana conducted a feasibility study on several energy sources, including nuclear.

Its GAINs job to help answer questions by providing unbiased, factual information to communities, said Christine King, GAIN director. Nuclear energy may not be the answer in all instances, but we can pull expertise from around the nations national labs to serve as a trusted resource.

L-R: Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Idaho Gov. Brad Little sign tri-state agreement. | Courtesy INL

Upcoming experiments and pilot projects

Several reactor experiments and demonstrations are on the horizon at INLs 890-square-mile desert Site in eastern Idaho. Oklo Inc. is preparing to build the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility and its Aurora powerhouse reactor while Aalo Atomics has announced plans to construct and operate its Aalo-X experimental reactor within the lab complex.

The U.S. Department of Energy is building two new test beds at INL. The Demonstration and Operation of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) and the Laboratory for Operations and Testing in the United States will support bridging the gap to commercialization by providing an opportunity for reactor developers to test experimental reactor designs and gather critical data. Several companies, including Westinghouse and Radiant, are working through the Front End Engineering and Experiment Design (FEEED) and Detailed Engineering and Experiment Planning (DEEP) processes to prepare for testing in DOME.

The Microreactor Applications Research, Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) reactor will serve as a valuable resource for microreactor developers by providing a platform to test end user technology and validate microreactor technologies in a real-world environment. Separately, the Department of Defenses Project Pele, a transportable microreactor, is expected to be tested at the INL complex in a few years.

INL Director John Wagner speaking on a panel at Gov. Spencer Coxs Built Here: Nuclear Energy Summit. | Courtesy INL

History of nuclear energy in the West

The West has long played a leading role in nuclear energy development.

Since 1946, 13 commercial reactors have been built, and six are currently operating in California, Arizona and Washington. Additionally, two advanced commercial reactors (Fort Saint Vrain and the Sodium Reactor Experiment) and three Department of Defense microreactors were constructed: one at Sundance Air Force Station in Wyoming and two at what is now INL. More than 90 experimental, research and test reactors have existed in western states, with 11 still operational. Since 1949, 52 nuclear reactors were built and operated on todays INL site.

Recently, the focus has shifted toward reenergizing the West with collaborative efforts.

On April 28, Utah signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with INL to collaborate on nuclear research and deployment. Were excited to partner with Utah to address urgent energy needs by focusing on advanced nuclear and energy innovation, said INL Director John Wagner. This partnership establishes a cooperative framework for scientific, technological and workforce development to help Utah realize an abundant, secure, resilient and competitive energy future.

The following day, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon joined Cox to establish an energy corridor, potentially leveraging advanced nuclear technology to ensure a reliable, affordable and resilient energy supply.

Having these three governors in the same room, all discussing nuclear energy simultaneously, is undoubtedly historic, said John Revier, director of External Engagement and Communications at INL.

In 2022, INL signed an MOU with Wyoming for different reasons. Each state has different needs, and the MOUs reflect that, said Murrell, who served as the executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority before coming to INL. For Wyoming, it emphasizes filling resource gaps by providing expertise and education, such as INLs nuclear energy 101 course at the University of Wyoming.

Wyomings MOU with INL followed Gordon signing a 2020 bill allowing the state to host SMRs, paving the way for TerraPowers Natrium project and collaborations with INL.

Gov. Gordon recognizes the value and opportunities INL brings to this state, said Murrell. INL, with its nuclear energy expertise, has acted as a fulcrum for the regional approach to this opportunity.

Timeline of MOU and agreements in Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. | Courtesy INL

Notable legislative actions in the West

Western states have embraced nuclear energy, passing 14 nuclear-related bills in five states: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Washington and Utah this year alone. This legislative momentum reflects each states ambition to become the nations nuclear leader.

The West is unique because they have limited existing nuclear energy, said Michelle Zietlow-Miller, public engagement manager for GAIN.

Arizona saw legislative action related to nuclear energy, specifically focused on SMRs, and declared support for the Palo Verde Generating Station.

Colorado now includes nuclear energy in its clean energy project financing, while Montana has enacted legislation related to nuclear energy, including repealing restrictions on nuclear power facility construction and introducing bills to streamline nuclear fuel storage and uranium facilities.

Washington has passed several bills related to nuclear energy, focusing on both advanced nuclear reactor technology and the states energy strategy.

Through statute, Utah established a nuclear consortium and the Utah Energy Council, allowing for the creation of electrical energy development zones to incentivize energy projects. Coxs Operation Gigawatt aims to double the states energy production within a decade, with significant investment in nuclear energy development.

Oregon has introduced various bills that seek to fully repeal the existing moratorium, partially exempt the moratorium for SMRs rated at a capacity of 300 megawatts or less and specifically exempt an SMR Microgrid Project in Umatilla Count

Industry partnerships drive nuclear innovation

In Wyoming, BWXT and Tata Chemicals are collaborating to deploy microreactors at a trona mining facility in Green River. Radiant Nuclear is planning to build a microreactor manufacturing facility in Bar Nunn, Wyoming.

Washington and Utah are also seeing investments in SMRs.

In Washington state, Energy Northwest, a public power agency at the forefront of next-generation nuclear technologies, and Amazon have announced an agreement to fund the development and deployment of SMR technology to power the growing energy demands from data centers.

In Utah, EnergySolutions, a company specializing in nuclear material disposal, is exploring siting an SMR near Delta. Holtec International has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Utah and Hi Tech Solutions to deploy SMR-300s in the region.

INL is well positioned as a regional partner for the deployment of nuclear energy in the Mountain West, said Jess Gehin, associate laboratory director for Nuclear Science and Technology at INL. In addition to the numerous partnerships with companies building and testing reactors at INL, the recent announcements from companies like Holtec and EnergySolutions planning for reactors in Utah is significant. This demonstrates the growing investment and confidence in nuclear energy as a viable and important energy source for the future.

INL Associate Laboratory Director for Nuclear Science & Technology Jess Gehin speaking on a panel at the Built Here: Nuclear Energy Summit. | Courtesy INL

INLs impact on advanced nuclear deployment cannot be understated, said Nelson.

We are on track to accelerate great results for changing the worlds energy future in an unprecedented way, she said. Its important to seize this opportunity immediately due to national security and global implications. If we miss the mark, there will be significant impacts on our local, regional and national economies.

The post Western states forge alliance with nations nuclear lab on advanced energy development appeared first on East Idaho News.
Daniele Venturelli/Getty; Victor Boyko/Getty; Michael Loccisano/Getty Norman Reedus, Helena Christiensen, Mingus Lucien Reedus

NEED TO KNOW

Mingus Reedus, the son of Norman Reedus and Helena Christensen, has been arrested and charged with alleged assault

The alleged incident, involving a 33-year-old woman, took place in New York City on Saturday, Aug. 23

The model was previously arrested in September 2021 for allegedly assaulting a 24-year-old woman

Mingus Reedus, the son of Norman Reedus and Helena Christensen, is facing legal trouble for alleged assault.

The model, 25, was arrested in New York City near 16th Street and 8th Avenue at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time on Saturday, Aug. 23, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed to PEOPLE.

He has since been charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and assault, according to the NYPD.

When authorities arrived at the scene, the NYPD said they "observed a 33-year-old female with minor injuries to [her] neck and leg."

"EMS responded and transported the victim to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in stable condition," the police organization added.

Albert L. Ortega/Getty Norman Reedus and Mingus Lucien Reedus in 2022

Mingus was taken into custody, and an investigation remains ongoing, per the statement from the NYPD.

Representatives for Mingus did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Aug. 23.

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.

Mingus was previously arrested in September 2021 for allegedly assaulting a 24-year-old woman during the San Gennaro festival in New York City.

At the time, the woman  whose identity was not shared publicly  said Mingus punched her in the face following a verbal confrontation.

Police reported that she was injured below her left eye, and the woman was taken to New York's Downtown Hospital, where she was in stable condition.

After the incident, Mingus alleged to The New York Daily News that the woman and her friends came after him and his friends during the festival. Mingus ultimately accepted a plea deal in March 2022 for the lesser charge of disorderly conduct.

In a prior statement to PEOPLE, Mingus' attorney, Isabelle Kirshner, called the 2021 charges baseless." She added that Mingus was the victim in this incident."

Mingus was born to dad Norman and Helena, both 56, in 1999. The former couple met through a mutual friend in 1998 and dated for five years before splitting in 2003.



Read the original article on People
Pictured is the 2013 Burning Man event held in Black Rock City, Nevada, which will occur from August 24 through September 1 this year. - Hemis/Alamy Stock Photo

Have you ever wanted to burn a man?

In June 1986, the founders of the Burning Man project and nonprofit, Larry Harvey and Jerry James, built a wooden human effigy and set it on fire on San Franciscos Baker Beach as a symbolic act of letting go of their personal crises. They call it the First Burn.

Every year since, the two committed to doing it again. While it started as a one-day event in San Francisco, in 1990 it moved to Black Rock City, Nevada, about 120 miles from Reno, and now lasts a week.

Its an interesting event because you have to survive a couple of days with people youve never met, surrounded by art and dust, and the challenge of being self-reliant in the desert, said Henry Wu, a photographer and content creator on Instagram. He has been attending Burning Man every year since 2010 and will be going again this year.

Burning Man is all about you. Youre part of the whole thing and not just there as an observer. Youre there as a participant, he added.

Although mainstream media focuses on Black Rock City, there are Burning Man events all over the world.

What is Burning Man?

Burning Man events are held worldwide and burners often travel by bike, as seen in Black Rock City in 2005. - Jim Rankin/Toronto Star/Getty Images

Globally, Burning Man is a cultural movement that exists in every continent and all over the place. But what it means, as far as experientially, it is very idiosyncratic. It really does depend on who you are and what part of it you see, said Stuart Mangrum, director of Burning Mans Philosophical Center, a department within the nonprofit.

Although some people refer to Burning Man as a festival, many say its closer to a living art piece. Every year around this time, the cities of Burning Man get built in different parts of the world, attracting more than 70,000 people to Black Rock City and another 100,000 or so more in affiliated events worldwide.

Together, over the course of one weekend or eight days, burners (people who attend Burning Man) cultivate a de-commodified society with various camps and neighborhoods that focus on art, performance, expression and community service, Mangrum said.

You know you can come to a city of 80,000 people, and you might not ever get out of one neighborhood. Thats what youre going to see. It is a city and a very cosmopolitan city, and everybody comes away with a different reaction to it, Mangrum said.

At the end  Sept 1, at least in the Nevada desert  the city gets deconstructed and wiped from the face of the planet.

The principles of Burning Man

Burners, like these ones seen in Black Rock City in 2013, live in camps dedicated to specific art projects or service work for the duration of the events. - Hemis/Alamy Stock Photo

As more people experienced Burning Man since its founding, questions flooded the organizations inbox about how to bring the event to places outside of the West. To guide them, Harvey wrote 10 principles, which could be used to recreate the vibe of Burning Man events.

The 10 principles were never meant to be taken apart one by one, but to be viewed in context with each other, said Marian Goodell, CEO of the Burning Man non-profit, which organizes the project.

Some of the principles, like decommodification, are physical. During Burning Man events, burners are not allowed to have money. Any art or food they bring is exchanged in gift form, or brought as a means of supporting the community.

We take away transactions. We remove the transactions because we want the interaction, like thats a deliberate piece to what creates connection and community, Goodell said.

The principles were created in a way to encourage community involvement and building. But its not all collective.

Other principles, like radical self-expression, encourage individual authenticity as a way to connect.

What is radical self-expression?

Burners visit the Center Camp in Gerlach, Nevada, in 2007. Participants often travel between and visit various camps. - Brad Horn/AP

We tend to want to conform to society and (the extent we conform) changes by environment as well. So, the way we act from place to place may change, said Dr. Maya Al-Khouja, motivational psychologist and research manager at Bristol Students Union. She is not connected to the Burning Man project.

We act a certain way at work, but we may act a different way with friends or with family. And we do this because it helps us fit in and keep our relationships positive.

Whether we know it or not, most people have a hard time acting authentically because of our tendency to conform. This can mean being limited by the social rules that you have in friendships or by external influences, like capitalism.

So, something like radical self-expression, its not just being your authentic self, but its doing it in, like, a really bold, deliberate way. Sometimes its even in a performative way, Al-Khouja said.

Authenticity to this extent requires you to have some level of psychological safety, which is when youre in a space where authenticity and uniqueness are rewarded, according to Al-Khouja. This is not something that is readily available in most situations, since the norm is to conform.

Most people dont have the ability to experience radical self-expression because of social limitations, but Burning Man encourages that behavior by creating an environment where people can express themselves in whatever media they like, Mangrum said.

You know, the mainstream art world is a super commodified, very controlled market, right? Its a market of scarcity, where fewer artists means that those who are working make more money. Were at the opposite end of that spectrum, where the more the better.

Although physical pieces of art, like portraits and costumes, are common at Burning Man events there are also many people, like Wu, that choose to express themselves by serving their community and providing food there.

Service-based expression can be done either individually or with your camp since burners can choose to attend Burning Man in groups or with organizations focused on specific service goals, like providing food or transportation.

And these camps can get creative with their self-expression.

One year, there was a camp that planted a payphone deep in the desert. If you could find the payphone, you could make a reservation at that groups camp and they would cook you an elaborate dinner, said Wu, who looked but did not find the illusive payphone.

We want people to feel creative. We want them to feel that self-expression is a very accessible way to get in touch with yourself and how you connect with other people, said Goodell.

Burning Man isnt about buying and selling art. Its about creating it together. So the self-expression is meant to happen in the context of the others, she added.

Bringing radical self-expression in the real world

Burners gather in various locations across Black Rock City to create communal works of art. - Media Drum World/Alamy Stock Photo

Although Harvey created a list of principles, theyre not a checklist that needs to be followed in a specific way.

Theyre not values, theyre not ideas, theyre not pie in the sky. Theyre just ways of existing, ways of being, Mangrum said.

Outside of the event, radical self-expression can be done by taking risks, like speaking your mind or sharing art. Its commonly seen during Pride month, where people wear outfits that traditionally wouldnt be something that you could wear normally, Al-Khouja said.

Burning Man, at its core, is an ongoing project, Mangrum said. It expands and changes every year depending on how burners choose to participate.

We never had a goal. It is its own thing, and weve just been, as Larry liked to say, its an experiment, a laboratory, a petri dish, right? We started an experiment back in 1986 and it continues, and it gets different, and it morphs, and were just watching to see how it grows, Mangrum said.

You know, people think the 10 Principles are like the 10 Commandments. Like Larry wrote them on a stone tablet and handed them out, he added. It was based on observation of how he saw people getting together and working together and enjoying each others company and doing great things outside the mainstream. So thats what Id say to it. It is its own objective.

You dont actually have to attend a Burning Man event to be part of the project. As long as you generally follow the principles, use them to live your authentic truth and build a community (however big it is), then youve contributed.

Its an educational system. The whole process teaches us about ourselves. It teaches us about leadership. It teaches us about, you know, how to get along with each other under really hard circumstances, said Goodell.

Sign up for CNNs Life, But Greener newsletter. Our limited newsletter series guides you on how to minimize your personal role in the climate crisis  and reduce your eco-anxiety.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Getty Princess Diana wearing her iconic engagement ring

The Gist

Prince Charles presented Lady Diana Spencer with a collection of rings to choose from prior to his proposal; she chose a sapphire and diamond ring out of a Garrard catalog, breaking with tradition.

While the royal family loves sapphires, Diana broke the mold because her ring was not custom-made for her.

Charles and Diana announced their engagement on February 24, 1981, and Dianas daughter-in-law Kate Middleton wears the iconic piece up to the present day.

Long before Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 with a sapphire and diamond engagement ring, that ring was presented to Lady Diana Spencer in early 1981 by Prince Charles, then the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne.

Charles and Diana announced their engagement to the public on February 24, 1981, and married just five months later on July 29. The sapphire and diamond ring was valued at $37,500 in 1981 dollarswhich translates to roughly $132,913 in 2025 dollars. The 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire ring was chosen by Diana herself, and broke tradition as it wasn't custom designed for the future Princess of Wales. In fact, Diana chose her own engagement ring out of a catalogand it has gone on to become one of the most iconic royal jewelry pieces of all time.

Getty Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles announcing their engagement

At the time of their engagement, the couple had been dating about six months, and when they announced their plans to marry, Charles told the BBC that he was delighted and frankly amazed that Diana agreed to take him (and all that came with marrying into the royal family) on.

Dianas ring was inspired by the 19th century and one of a handful that Charles selected to be presented to Diana at Windsor Castle in preparation for the proposal. Per People, Charles included the sapphire and diamond ring in the collection Diana chose from because it reminded him of the brooch he often saw his mother and grandmother wear.

For her part, Diana reportedly chose the sapphire ring because it matched her distinctive blue eyesone of her many striking features.

Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool / Getty Images The iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring, seen here on Kate Middleton

The 12-carat sapphire ring was inspired by a memorable piece from the royal collection.

The ring features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire set in 18-carat white gold; it is surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. It was designed by Garrard, and according to the company, its design was inspired by a brooch Prince Albert commissioned for his future wife, Queen Victoria, in 1840. That piece featured a large sapphire surrounded by 12 round diamonds and was set in gold, and Queen Victoria loved the brooch so much that she wore it on her wedding day, using it as her something blue and fastening it to the front of her wedding gown.

That brooch is now worn by members of the royal family and remains in the royal collection.



Getty Princess Diana wearing her engagement ring

The ring was valued at $37,500 in 1981.

Royals typically repurpose heirloom jewelry to create bespoke engagement ringslike Queen Elizabeths ring and Meghan Markles ring, for examplebut for Dianas engagement ring, it was chosen out of the Garrard catalog and valued at $37,500 at the time. If they could afford it, Dianas engagement ring was unique because, ostensibly, anyone who had $37,500 to spend could buy the exact ring Diana had on her finger from the Garrard catalog.



Getty Images Princess Diana in 1995

King Charles proposed after just six months of dating.

Charles proposed to Diana in early February 1981 ahead of the official announcement on February 24. It is with the greatest pleasure that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh announce the betrothal of their beloved son the Prince of Wales to the Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of Earl Spencer and the Honourable Mrs. Shand Kydd, a statement read at the time.

On February 24, the newly engaged couple posed for photos outside of Buckingham Palace before speaking with the BBC for a joint engagement interview (Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would also sit for engagement interviews in 2010 and 2017, respectively). Diana wore a cobalt blue skirt suit from Harrods that matched her sapphire engagement ring, and Charles said in the interview that he asked Diana before she went to Australia.

Getty Princess Diana and Prince Charles on their July 29, 1981 wedding day

Two or three days before, he continued. I thought it would be a good ideaif she went to Australia, she could then think about it, and if she didnt like the idea she could say she didnt, or if she did, she could say that.

I had a long time to think about it, because I knew the pressure was on both of us, Diana said. It wasnt a difficult decision in the end. Its what I wanted. Its what I want.

Reports conflict on how exactly Charles proposed to Dianasome say it was during a private dinner at Buckingham Palace, while others say that it was in the nursery at the palace. In Andrew Mortons bombshell 1992 biography of the Princess of Wales, Morton wrote that the proposal caught Diana off-guard, and that she responded with a giggle. At the time of the proposal, Charles was 32, and Diana just 19.

Getty Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles on March 9, 1981

During their engagement interview three weeks later, Charles made his infamousand cringeworthy remarkafter being asked if they were in love. To this, Diana sweetly replied, Of course, while Charles said, Whatever in love means.

This comment, Diana would later say, traumatized the bride-to-be.

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with Diana's engagement ring.

Tragically, Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997; to keep his mothers memory alive, William proposed with her engagement ring when he asked Kate to marry him in 2010 while on vacation in Africa. Their engagement was announced on November 16 of that year, and Kate wears the ring still today.

I had been carrying it around with me in my rucksack for about three weeks, William said in his engagement interview. I literally would not let it goeverywhere I went, I was keeping hold of it, cause I knew this thing, if it disappeared, Id be in a lot of trouble.

Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William on November 16, 2010, the day they announced their engagement

Like her late mother-in-law before her, Kate wore a blue outfit to her engagement announcementhers a blue Issa wrap dress that complemented the ring.

Its my mothers engagement ring, so I thought it was quite nice because obviously shes not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all, William said of his decision to propose with Dianas ring. This was my way of keeping her sort of close to it all.

Its very special to me, he added. As Kates very special to me now, it was right to put the two together.

At a royal engagement in 2023, a well-wisher asked the Princess of Wales about her ring, to which Kate said that it was the same ring Diana wore, and exactly the samethe same size.

Getty Images Kate Middleton wearing her engagement ring

The future queen added that she was honored to wear the piece, and noted that Diana would have been a brilliant grandmother to her and Williams three children: We miss her every day, she said.

Read the original article on InStyle
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a joint news conference with India's Foreign Minister at Zinaida Morozova's Mansion in Moscow on August 21, 2025. Credit - Alexander Zemlianichenko AFP via Getty Images

Russias Foreign Minister said on Sunday there were no plans for a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, dealing a setback to President Donald Trumps peace efforts.

Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all, Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with NBC News Meet the Press.

A meeting between Zelensky and Putin had been a key aim of Trumps following his talks with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, aimed at negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.

Trump said following the meeting that the U.S. had begun arrangements for a face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the warring nations. After that meeting takes place, we will have a Trilat, which would be the two Presidents, plus myself. Again, this was a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years, he posted on Truth Social.

Read More: Putin Got Three Major Wins From Trump in Anchorage, But the Talks Arent Over

Lavrovs comments suggest President Trump may have miscalculated the momentum of peace talks overall between the two nations. Lavrov said that Russia desires peace, despite Russia launching some of its most aggressive strikes against Ukraine in weeks on Thursday.

We want peace in Ukraine. President Trump wants peace in Ukraine, Lavrov said. The reaction to the Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives and what they were doing after Washington, indicates that they don't want peace.

Trump and Putin failed to reach a peace deal in the war during their meeting, although he claims that it is extremely productive.

Trump had originally set an August 8 deadline for Putin to end the war in Ukraine or face heavy sanctions, but he has since shifted this deadline. On Friday, Trump said he would give Russia a couple of weeks before imposing consequences.

But Ill know in two weeks what Im going to do, Trump told reporters.

On Monday, Trump met with Zelensky and European leaders, promising Ukraine that he would join Europe in providing security guarantees to Kyiv. In recent weeks, Trump has seemingly prioritized an approach to peace more aligned with Putin namely, pursuing a full peace deal between the two nations, rather than the ceasefire that Ukraine has called for.

Lavrov's interview aired on Sunday, Ukraines Independence Day. Zelensky marked the day with a speech in Kyivs central square in which he called for a just peace, a peace where our future will be decided only by us.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Wirestock/Getty Images An aerial of a beach in Lake Jocassee.

The South might not be world-renowned for its water clarityespecially compared to destinations in the Caribbeanbut dont let its lack of a reputation fool you. If you know where to look, youll find glass-like water in rivers, along the coast, and in lakes, both natural and human-made. South Carolinas Lake Jocassee certainly falls into the latter category.

Located in the northwest corner of the state, the 7,500-acre reservoir was built in 1973. Since then, its maintained an untouched, wild quality that stems from the fact that it's surrounded by 43,000 acres of forest. Not to mention, the lakes only public access is through neighboring Devils Fork State Park.

digidreamgrafix/Getty Images Aerial views over Lake Jocassee in South Carolina.

Devils Fork State Park sits within the Jocassee Gorges, an area filled with steep rock walls, valleys, and breathtaking waterfalls. Those waterfalls, as well as four mountain streams, feed into Lake Jocassee, resulting in cooler and clearer water than you might expect. The water is so clear, in fact, that Lake Jocassee is a go-to destination for divers because what lies beneath the surface of these sparkling waters is even more fascinating.

Before Duke Energy flooded the region to create the reservoir, the area was known as Jocassee Valley. To make the lake, the mountain rivers were redirected, covering up dozens of houses, camps, and towns. Theres even an old hotel, Attakulla Lodge, standing at the bottom, reportedly still mostly intact. And if youve seen the 1972 movie Deliverance, you may be familiar with Mount Carmel Cemetery, also found beneath the surface. Typically, visibility is over 15 feetand even over 50 feet in some parts. The park recommends a few diving locations, including Big Wall/Small Wall, Jennys Drift, and Junk, a sunken boat sitting at 60 feet underwater. You can pick up your gear at Lake Jocassee Dive Shop.

digidreamgrafix/Getty Images Aerial view of the brightly colored Lake Jocassee.

What to Do on Lake Jocassee

Even if you dont have your scuba diving certification, you can still enjoy all that Lake Jocassee has to offer. If its your first time visiting, taking a boat tour will properly introduce you to the area. Jocassee Lake Tours offers a variety of excursions, including sunset tours and the All the Falls Tour. The latter is a monthly six-hour outing that introduces passengers to waterfalls that can only be discovered via boat.

digidreamgrafix/Getty Images A waterfall on Lake Jocassee.

Fishing is another popular pastime on Lake Jocassee. The trout fishing is particularly goodthanks to those cooler watersbut anglers also have the chance to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Of course, youll have to get your South Carolina fishing license ahead of time.

During a South Carolina summer, swimming is a welcome reprieve from the heat. Just swim with caution; there are no lifeguards, nor is there a roped-off area for swimmers. Alternatively, you can canoe, kayak, or paddleboard around the lake. Jocassee Lake Tours has kayaks to rent, and Electric Sun has canoes, paddleboards, and pontoon boats, as well as kayaks. Jocassee Outdoor Center is another option for pontoons and tritoons.

digidreamgrafix/Getty Images One of the waterfalls on Lake Jocassee.

When to Go

If youre most interested in swimming in Lake Jocassee, youll want to plan a trip over the summerbut July and August arent necessarily the best months to visit. The spring months (March and April) are particularly exciting because visitors get the chance to spot the endangered Oconee Bell wildflower. Stroll along the one-mile Oconee Bell Nature Trail to get a glimpse of the wildflower that lives only in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

No matter when you go, though, you wont come across the Carolina parakeet. Extinct since 1904, the bird (the only parrot species native to North America) was allegedly last spotted right here in the Jocassee Gorges.

Kruck20/Getty Images Lake Jocassee in Devil's Fork State Park.

Where to Stay

There might not be any luxury hotels on Lake Jocassee, but Devils Fork has 15 two-bedroom villas and five three-bedroom villas for travelers to rent. Alternatively, there are two campgrounds in the area, and campsite reservations can be made online. Another option would be to make your base camp in Highlands, North Carolina, home to Old Edwards Inn & Spa and Outpost Inn, and plan a day trip to Lake Jocassee. Itll take you a little over an hour and a half to navigate between the two destinations.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
News / National

by Staff reporter

Severe funding constraints are crippling Zimbabwe's public health procurement system, disrupting the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) and its ability to maintain a reliable medical supply chain, officials have warned.NatPharm, a government parastatal responsible for procuring and distributing medical products nationwide, has struggled since the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. government funding via USAID during the Donald Trump administration. Low budget allocations and late disbursements have further eroded suppliers' confidence, according to Health and Child Care Ministry Secretary Dr. Aspect Maunganidze."The challenges we have start with budgeting. Ideally, you want 100% of the budget needs covered. Unfortunately, in a resource-constrained environment, allocations often fall short. Hospitals need supplies, but if disbursements are delayed, NatPharm and institutions fall into debt with suppliers. Once that happens, suppliers lose confidence, and drug availability suffers," Dr. Maunganidze said.Ruwa legislator Thomas Muwodzeri highlighted that NatPharm often cites funding shortages, transport challenges, and low staff remuneration as reasons for supply disruptions. He urged Parliament to push for timely and adequate disbursements, stressing that "a budget is not a disbursement."NatPharm General Manager Newman Madzikwa said the company is exploring local and regional solutions to reduce donor dependence. Contracts have been signed with local manufacturers to produce 49 medical products, while partnerships with technology-sharing countries are being pursued to boost local production. Alternative financing mechanisms are also under consideration to reduce reliance on Treasury funding.The Crown Agents, in a UK-funded assessment, found Zimbabwe's supply chain was heavily donor-dependent and hampered by governance gaps. Managing Director Muchaneta Mwonzora said, "Over 80% of NatPharm's stocks are donor-funded. With stronger local funding and support, we can secure pharmaceutical supplies within Zimbabwe." The report recommended recapitalising NatPharm and strengthening its board to enhance accountability and reduce overreliance on external donors.The findings underscore the urgent need to stabilise funding for public health procurement, a critical step to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines across Zimbabwe.
[[Wikimedia Commons/Public/Quintin Soloviev, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons]] Image not from story (Quintin Soloviev, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Texas Senate approved a Republican-favoring congressional map early Saturday morning, ABC News reported.

The map creates five new GOP-leaning districts that President Donald Trump championed to protect the partys narrow House majority ahead of 2026. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will sign the legislation despite Democrats promises to mount legal challenges claiming Voting Rights Act violations, according to ABC News. The maps passage followed a dramatic showdown where Republicans blocked Democratic State Sen. Carol Alvarados planned filibuster by accusing her of violating Senate rules through campaign fundraising.

Republican State Sen. Phil King, who sponsored the measure, stated his intentions plainly: I had two goals in mind: That all maps would be legal and would be better for Republican congressional candidates in Texas. He said that There is extreme risk the Republican majority will be lost without the new map, the outlet reported.

The Texas action triggered California Democrats to approve their own redistricting plan Thursday, requiring voter approval in November. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom called it a reaction to an assault on our democracy in Texas. (RELATED: Hell No: Why Some Californians Want Zero Part In Newsoms Gerrymandering Scheme)

The redistricting battle has spread nationally, with Trump urging Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio to redraw their maps. Democrats currently sit three seats away from a House majority, according to ABC News.

The Texas map has already forced Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett to announce he wont seek reelection if it takes effect, as his district would overlap with another Democratic incumbents territory, the outlet reported. Abbott dismissed Californias response as a joke while declaring, Republicans are not finished in the United States.
AP

The Democrats hackneyed falsehood that Republican gerrymandering in Texas is racist and will end American democracy is not only hysterical - its hypocritical. While gerrymandering is ethically impaired, it has been part of U.S. politics for more than 200 years, and a mainstay of Democratic Party election strategy since the 1980s.

When redistricting is designed to favor one group over another, it is referred to as gerrymandering. Prior to the 1960s, court challenges to congressional redistricting plans were generally considered to be political questions outside judicial purview. In 1962, however, the Supreme Court held that federal courts could ensure compliance with the constitutional requirement of "one person, one vote" when Tennessee created districts with population variances as large as ten-to-one.

Courts also hear challenges to redistricting plans based on claims of racial gerrymandering under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, and the 15th Amendment, and until recently, also claims that a gerrymander was intended to benefit a particular candidate, ideology or party.

The Gerrymander

The gerrymander owes it heritage to Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry. In 1812, he signed off on a new state senate district so bizarrely shaped that his opponents said it looked like a salamander. A local newspaper cartoonist combined the two, and the "Gerry-mander" was born.

Except as an incidental consequence of its impact on voter enthusiasm or campaigns, a gerrymander does not change the total number or ratio of votes in any given state. Rather, it draws districts to allocate available votes in a manner that maximizes the number of districts in which the party controlling the process obtains a majority.

States usually redistrict every 10 years, following the decennial census. That census is used to reapportion the 435 congressional seats to, and track population shifts within, each state. Under Article I of the Constitution, state legislatures are responsible for redistricting. Republicans currently control both houses and the governors office in 23 states, and Democrats in 15 states. Eighteen states also use commissions in the redistricting process, including eight independent commissions that supplant the legislatures traditional role. In 2015, the Supreme Court approved this practice.

According to the Brennan Center, a progressive public policy institute, congressional and legislative redistricting maps based on the 2020 census were challenged in 90 lawsuits involving 28 states, including 61 cases contending that GOP-crafted maps were either racially or politically discriminatory (or both). Forty-nine lawsuits asserted racial gerrymandering, and 42 asserted partisan gerrymandering. Courts have ordered changes in 13 states, with 38 cases still pending.

Over the last two cycles, both major political parties have gerrymandered numerous states, including using the VRA to create "majority-minority" districts in which Democrat-leaning blacks or Hispanics constitute a majority of voters. Former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder has earned gushing praise from the media as the architect of many of these gerrymanders through his National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

The most successful gerrymander in history may have been the combination of the 2020 census and the Obama and Biden administrations admission of tens of millions of illegal aliens. The U.S. Census Bureau acknowledges that in 2020 it overcounted in eight states and undercounted in six, costing Republicans an estimated six seats. According to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the GOP lost at least 20 additional seats by including illegal aliens in reapportionment. On his first day in office, President Trump ordered the census to exclude illegal aliens from congressional apportionment. Last week, he instructed the Commerce Department to begin work on a new census complying with that order.

In an all-out redistricting war, Democrats likely would lose because they have largely maximized their available benefits, with the proportion of Democrat seats vastly exceeding the Democratic percentage of the vote in many states. By contrast, Republicans have fertile opportunities - not just in Texas, but also in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Florida, and potentially other states. In total, Republicans could gain as many as 15 seats in the midterm elections.

Until now, Democrats have been constrained because California and New York have delegated redistricting to independent commissions. Govs. Gavin Newsom and Kathy Hochul are attempting to end-run these restrictions. It is uncertain whether such efforts to bypass the commissions would survive court challenges, and a Politico-Citrin poll last week shows that two-thirds of Californians would vote against modifying their independent commission system to elect more Democrats.

Texas

In July, Texas Republicans announced a redistricting plan that may swing the states delegation from 25 Republicans and 13 Democrats, to as many as 30 Republicans and just 8 Democrats, though a Texas Tribune analysis concluded that Republicans might gain as few as three seats.

To Democrats, the GOPs Texas gambit is uniquely evil because it is redistricting after five years, rather than waiting for the end of the decade. There is no federal or state prohibition on more frequent redistricting, and Texas process is not unprecedented - not even in Texas.

Holder called the Republican redistricting in Texas "an existential crisis" and claims that it is an "egregious" effort to disenfranchise blacks and Hispanics. Other critics falsely contend that the purpose of the Texas plan is to reduce the number of majority-minority districts.

These attacks are based on two shaky premises - that blacks and Hispanics dont vote for Republicans, and that people only vote for candidates of their race. According to CNN, in the last presidential election, 55% of Latinos and 12% of blacks in Texas voted for Trump. The list of black and Hispanic officials elected by majority white electorates is long, and includes, in Texas alone, Ted Cruz, Colin Allred, and Julian Castro, among others.

In fact, the Republican plan creates an additional majority Hispanic district, and two majority black districts, where previously there were none.

Though Texas Republicans are redistricting to increase Republican representation, their plan also remedies errors in the 2020 census, adjusts for migration to Texas that has increased the states population by more than 8% since 2020, and resolves claims made in July by the Justice Department that four congressional districts created in the states last redistricting plan are unconstitutional "coalition districts." A coalition district is a majority-minority district created by combining two racial and language minorities.

To stop the Texas legislature from acting, a majority of its Democrat members left the state, temporarily depriving the Texas House of a quorum. Ironically, the state to which most of them absconded, Illinois, is one of the worst abusers of the gerrymander. The congressional map drawn by Illinois Democrats after the 2020 census transformed its congressional delegation from 13 Democrats and 5 Republicans to 14 Democrats and just 3 Republicans - in a state where Donald Trump won 44% of the 2024 vote. The respected Gerrymandering Project at Princeton University gave Illinois an "F" for its partisan gerrymander.

Evolving Law

According to Article I, "[t]he Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations."

The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment provides that "[n]o State shall make or enforce any law which shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, and the 15th Amendment guarantees that "[t]he right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

The VRA authorizes the federal government and private citizens to challenge voting qualifications or practices that deny or abridge the right to vote based on race, color, or language. A 1982 amendment made clear that a discriminatory effect violates the VRA, regardless of purpose, but also clarifies there is no guarantee of a proportional outcome.

After years of uncertainty, the Supreme Court last year held in Rucho v. Common Cause that while partisan gerrymandering may be "incompatible with democratic principles," it is a "political question" that is beyond the authority of federal courts to decide. As a result, states are now free to reduce Democrat or Republican representation in Congress, so long as they comply with basic rules of "one person, one vote," and the districts are geographically compact, contiguous, and respect political boundaries, such as county lines.

For districting that allegedly disempowers minorities, the Supreme Court set out a three-part framework in Thornburg v. Gingles (1986). The minority group must be sufficiently numerous and geographically compact to constitute a majority in a reasonably configured district. It must be politically cohesive. And, the white majority must be able defeat the minoritys preferred candidate.

Paradoxically, a recurring remedy for these claims is to use race to create majority-minority districts. As recently as 2023, Chief Justice John Roberts (who in 2007 believed that the "way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race") and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the liberal justices in Allen v. Milligan to find that Alabama likely violated the VRA by failing to create a sufficient number of majority black districts.

Many conservative scholars argue that the 14th and 15th Amendments are intended to bar governments use of race. Under this view, though courts may enjoin redistricting plans for limiting the rights of racial minorities, the Constitution prohibits the creation of districts based on the race of voters.

The false factual conceit of majority-minority districts is that people vote as monoliths based on their race and the race of candidates. Today, when a majority of black, Latino, and Asian Americans live in diverse suburbs, millions vote for candidates of other races, and candidates of all races are prominent Republicans and Democrats, the rationale for majority-minority districts has never been weaker.

Last week, the Supreme Court announced that it will hear Louisiana v. Callais to determine the constitutionality of a second majority-minority district. Given its recent decisions, the high court may bow to reality and restore the intent of 14th and 15th Amendments, impacting the constitutionality of all purposely created majority-minority districts. If it does, progressives undoubtedly will shriek about racism, the end of democracy, and the illegitimacy of the Supreme Court itself.

When Democrats engage in gerrymandering, arrogating 30 to 50 seats for which the voters would prefer Republican representatives, they, progressive academics, and the media praise the outcome as a guarantee of liberty. When Republicans defend against this encroachment, or use the Democrat playbook, progressives reflexively insist that Republicans are racists, intent on ending democracy.

It is time to end court-ordered majority-minority districts, exclude illegal aliens from congressional apportionment, and get an accurate census. Then, if Democrats want to end gerrymandering, lets have that discussion. Until then, a little ol Texas gerrymander is a good and lawful step forward.

Kenin M. Spivak is founder and chairman of SMI Group LLC, an international consulting firm and investment bank. He is the author of fiction and non-fiction books and a frequent speaker and contributor to media, including RealClearPolitics, The American Mind, National Review, television, radio, and podcasts.
Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Walk into any grocery stores beverage aisle, and youll find a flood of orange juice options. Choosing the right one can quickly become overwhelming, especially since many cartons and jugs look nearly identical. When faced with so many choices, its easy to grab one at random.

While this approach sometimes works, most of us have probably ended up with a carton of OJ that tastes rancid or overly sweet, which is definitely not fun.

So, to help you avoid that disappointment and a spoiled breakfast, I gathered popular orange juice brands from grocery stores and major retailers to determine which ones are actually worth buying. I compared store brands, nostalgic favorites, and new arrivals, and found several strong contenders. Read on to discover which ones deserve a spot in your fridge.

How I Chose the Orange Juice Brands

Scouting orange juice brands was easy. Across grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joes, as well as larger retailers like Walmart, I found several widely available options. To keep the test consistent, I limited the selection to no-pulp varieties and excluded sugar-free options to ensure a level playing field for tasting.

How I Tested the Orange Juice Brands

To keep the test unbiased, I sampled each orange juice masked to avoid being influenced by certain brands. I paid close attention to whether each one tasted freshly squeezed or appeared to come from concentrate. Orange juice should taste sweet but not syrupy or artificial, so I also looked for a bright citrus flavor and deducted points for anything that tasted off or rancid.

The Best Orange Juices, Ranked

10th Place: Great Value Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

I couldnt finish a cup of this Walmart OJ. It had an artificial, almost chemical flavor. Made from concentrate and quite sugary, its profile came off cloying instead of refreshing. The consistency didnt help eitherinstead of being smooth and easy to drink, it tasted heavy.

9th Place: Hannaford Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Ive found plenty of store-brand gems at Hannaford that really deliver, but unfortunately, its orange juice missed the mark. The first sip revealed a slightly syrupy consistency, and overall, it reminded me of the juice my mom used to buy and water down because it was too sweet on its own and packed with "made from concentrate" flavor.

8th Place: Floridas Natural Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Florida produces a huge amount of oranges, so I was excited to try this brand. Unfortunately, the juice didnt live up to its reputation. Instead of refreshing sweetness, it had a rancid, sour flavor that lingered. The aftertaste gave away that it was made from concentrate rather than fresh juice.

7th Place: Tropicana Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Funny enough, this was the brand of OJ I grew up with in my school lunch program, so the first sip brought on a lot of nostalgia. That said, the tartness felt a bit too sharp, and the sweet orange flavor didnt come through strongly enough for me. On top of that, the consistency wasnt as smooth as some of the other ones I tried.

6th Place: Minute Maid Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Freshly squeezed orange juice sets the bar high, and once youve had it, going back to the usual stuff feels tough. This one poured well and looked like a classic cup of OJ, but the flavor came in sharp, overly tart, and bitter from the first sip. If you like your orange juice on the sour side, this might hit the mark. Personally, Id stick with one of the top-ranked contenders that offers a more balanced profile.

5th Place: Simply Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

When I tried this OJ from Simply, the citrus flavor hit nicely at first. But after a few more sips, the tartness started to take over and ended up lingering a bit too long on my palate. The sweetness didnt balance it out enough either. Compared to some of the standouts, it could use a smoother, more honey-like profile to round things out.

4th Place: Whole Foods Organic No Pulp Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Whole Foods OJ contains only two ingredients: orange juice and orange juice oil. I appreciated the consistency of this drink because it had more body than most, which I didnt mind at all. The flavor is more tart than sweet, and the stronger citrus profile keeps it refreshing without going overboard.

3rd Place: Kennesaw Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Kennesaw has been selling orange juice since the early 1900s, so I felt genuinely excited to try this old-school brand. One sip in, and the nostalgia hit. It tasted just like the orange juice I loved as a kid, with that same balanced flavor and no hint of concentrate.

They pack each bottle with 100 percent squeezed oranges, and it shows. Theres no weird aftertaste and no artificial flavors, just real, straightforward juice done right.

2nd Place: Trader Joes Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

Just like the name suggests, this OJ from Trader Joes tastes freshly squeezed. Its bright and not overly sweet. The orange flavor comes through with a nice balance. Its smooth and not too tart.

The consistency of this OJ stood out the most. It has the light, silky feel of a cold-pressed juice and is easy to sip. This is the kind of orange juice that works any time of day, whether youre having it on its own with breakfast, mixing it with lemonade at lunch, or using it in a tequila sunrise at dinner.

1st Place Winner: Uncle Matts Orange Juice

Allrecipes / Ashia Aubourg

One of my favorite things about traveling through places like Italy and France is starting the day with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Uncle Matts brought me right back to those little cafe stopsit tastes just the same.

The flavor hits just right. Tangy, but not too sharp, with a subtle honey-like sweetness that keeps it balanced and super refreshing. Honestly, I couldve finished the whole bottle in one go.

While digging into the brand, I found out they use organic Hamlin and Valencia oranges picked at peak ripeness, and you can tell because that freshness comes through in every sip.



Read the original article on Allrecipes
By Idrees Ali

(Reuters) -U.S. National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. as part of what President Donald Trump said was his crackdown on crime will begin carrying weapons on Sunday night, two officials said.

The exact number of troops who would carry their weapons was fluid, but they will either carry their M17 pistols or M4 rifles, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Hundreds of unarmed National Guard troops have been in Washington's streets for the past two weeks after Trump declared a crime emergency in the district. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week authorized the troops to carry weapons.

The Guard's Joint Task Force-DC said in a written statement on Sunday that its personnel would only use force "as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm."

Meanwhile, Trump, a Republican, has said he would probably expand his crime crackdown to Chicago, intervening in another city governed by Democrats. And on Sunday he suggested the possibility of deploying troops to Democratic-run Baltimore in Maryland.

Democratic House of Representatives Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sunday that Trump did not have the authority to deploy troops to Chicago as the Pentagon carried out initial planning for a possible deployment.

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there had been initial planning at the Pentagon about what a deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago would look like.

One official said the plans were part of the military's efforts to anticipate any requests by Trump and noted senior Pentagon officials have not yet been briefed on them. It is not uncommon for the Pentagon to plan for potential deployments before formal orders are given.

Jeffries said any move to deploy troops to Chicago was an attempt by Trump to manufacture a crisis. Crime, including murders, has declined in Chicago in the last year.

"There's no basis, no authority for Donald Trump to potentially try to drop federal troops into the city of Chicago," Jeffries told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Jeffries cited comments made by JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois, which includes Chicago, who said there was no emergency warranting the deployment of the National Guard or other military.

Leveling criticism at Democratic Governor Wes Moore over crime levels in Baltimore, Trump said he was prepared to deploy troops there, too.

In July, the Baltimore police department said there had been a double-digit reduction in gun violence compared to the previous year. The city has had 84 homicides so far this year - the fewest in over 50 years, according to the mayor.

"If Wes Moore needs help... I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime," Trump said on Truth Social on Sunday.

Some Republican governors have sent hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at Trump's request. The president has depicted the capital as being in the grip of a crime wave, although official data shows crime is down in the city.

On Sunday, Trump asserted without evidence that there was now no crime in the city and credited it to his deployment of troops and hundreds of federal law enforcement personnel.

Trump has much less power over Chicago and Baltimore than he does over the District of Columbia, where as president he holds more sway.

Title 10 of the U.S. Code, a federal law that outlines the role of the U.S. Armed Forces, includes a provision allowing the president to deploy National Guard units to repel an invasion, to suppress a rebellion or to allow the president to execute the law.

Trump cited this provision, known as Section 12406, when he sent National Guard units to California earlier this year to counter protests, over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom.

In the case of Chicago, which is a so-called sanctuary city, Trump may argue local laws that bar city officials from cooperating with federal immigration agents prevent the president from executing the law, justifying the military presence.

Trump is almost certain to face legal challenges if he uses Section 12406 to send National Guard troops from Republican-led states into Democratic strongholds.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali in Toronto; editing by Ross Colvin, Chris Reese and Stephen Coates)
President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., this month. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP file)

President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to send the military into Baltimore to quickly clean up crime.

But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime, Trump said in a post on Truth Social, referring to the Democratic governors of Maryland and California and using a derogatory nickname for Gavin Newsom.

Trumps comments are the latest in a line of threats to replicate the D.C. deployment in cities across the country after hundreds of National Guard troops were brought to D.C. in what hes described as an effort to fight crime, though critics have painted the move as an overreach for political purposes.

Reached for comment, Moore said in a statement that Trump would rather attack his countrys largest cities from behind a desk than walk the streets with the people he represents.

The President should join us in Baltimore because the blissful ignorance, tropes, and the 1980s scare tactics benefit no one, Moore continued. We need leaders who are there helping the people who are actually on the ground doing the work.

Trumps push to deploy National Guard troops to cities like D.C. is a significant departure from how presidents typically deploy the Guard, which is usually used to respond to situations like natural disasters and civil unrest.

The president first deployed thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles in June amid protests against immigration enforcement actions. Newsom vehemently opposed the move, accusing Trump of hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control.

Trump deployed the National Guard to D.C. this month as part of a stated effort to fight crime, though at the time of his announcement, violent crime had decreased 26% compared to last year, according to D.C. police data.

NBC News reported last week that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed an order authorizing about 2,000 National Guard troops in D.C. to carry weapons. Law enforcement agents have arrested hundreds of people in D.C. since Aug. 7, according to a White House official.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks in Washington on Jan. 3, 2025. (Leigh Vogel / Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation)

Marylands Moore said Friday that many of the comments that are being made from the White House come off as so, so tone deaf and so ignorant about fighting crime.

Its because they have not walked our streets, he said on CNN on Friday. They have not been in our communities, and theyre more than happy of just making these repeated tropes about us, but not actually working with us to be able to make sure that our streets are safe and that people can have a real opportunity to feel safe in their own neighborhoods.

Trump criticized Moores remarks in his Sunday Truth Social post, saying he assumed that Moore is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore.

As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a walk, Trump added.

Homicides in Baltimore have decreased by more than 24% this year compared to the same period last year, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said this month. His office has also said that nonfatal shootings have declined 18% this year.

Moore said this month on CNN that Trump was using the military as a tool for political purposes.

I take very seriously about how, when and why I deploy members of our National Guard in cases of emergency and in true crises, he said in the interview. And I will not authorize the usage of Maryland National Guard forces for missions that I do not deem to be either mission critical or mission aligned.

The president on Sunday also threatened to pull federal funding for the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in 2024. The federal government had previously agreed to pay for the bridges replacement.

I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge, Trump wrote. I will now have to rethink that decision???

Moore slammed Trumps message, saying in a statement that any threats to this funding will cause irrevocable damage to the national economy and to the entire State of Maryland.

We have already begun rebuilding, and now that Maryland is showing great progress, our President is threatening to intentionally harm Maryland, he continued.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., slammed Trump's comments, saying the president's "desire to play dictator with our military on American soil should be alarming to everyone, as should his unlawful threats to claw back federal funding that Congress explicitly approved."

He added that "we have made important strides in public safety," and though "theres more we can do together, Trumps threats to invade our cities are not the answer."

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., also responded to Trump's threats Sunday afternoon, saying that her focus and that of "Team Maryland" will be to continue their work for the state.

"Trump is now threatening to extend his drastic overreach by using the U.S. military against Americans  we are not interested in his distractions away from his disastrous policies that have cut health care, raised the cost of insurance, and the cost of living for all of us," Alsobrooks said in a statement.

Separately, Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., said in a statement responding to Trump's post that Baltimore is making real progress, but sustaining our momentum requires collaboration at all levels of government.

President Trumps threats to deploy troops to American cities and cancel funding approved by Congress are illegal, unhelpful and directly at odds to that progress, added Olszewski, who represents parts of Baltimore.

In recent days, Trump has also threatened to deploy the National Guard to other cities. He praised the National Guards work on Friday, going on to say, I think Chicago will be our next, and then well help with New York.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker hit back on Saturday, accusing Trump in a post to X of attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families.
(Reuters) -Top U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack arrived in Israel on Sunday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Syria and Lebanon, three Israeli officials said.

The meeting was first reported by Axios, citing three Israeli and U.S. sources, and followed discussions between Barrack and Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Defence Minister Israel Katz.

Dermer held talks with Syria's foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani in Paris on Tuesday on security arrangements in southern Syria, two Syrian sources familiar with the meeting said.

Syrian and Israeli officials have been conducting U.S.-mediated talks on de-escalating conflict in southern Syria. A previous round of talks was held in Paris in late July but ended without a final accord.

On Monday, Barrack said in Lebanon that Israel should comply with a plan under which Lebanese militant group Hezbollah would be disarmed by the end of the year in exchange for a halt to Israel's military operations in Lebanon.

The plan sets out a phased roadmap for armed groups to hand in their arsenals as Israel's military halts ground, air and sea operations and withdraws troops from Lebanon's south.

Lebanon's cabinet approved the plan's objectives earlier this month despite Hezbollah's refusal to disarm, and Barrack said it was now Israel's turn to cooperate.

There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu's office.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Jan Harvey and Ros Russell)
Vice President JD Vance remains confident the U.S. can broker an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine despite potential hang-ups that have emerged since President Donald Trumps meeting this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

We believe weve already seen some significant concessions from both sides, just in the last few weeks, Vance said in an exclusive interview on NBC News Meet the Press.

Vance also weighed in on a Russian missile strike in western Ukraine overnight Thursday that hit an electronics factory owned by a U.S.-based company. Asked by moderator Kristen Welker if he was enraged by the strike, which the company said injured several workers, Vance pivoted to a criticism of former President Joe Biden.

Vice President JD Vance on NBC News' "Meet the Press." (Meet the Press)

I dont like it, Vance said of the assault. But this is a war, and this is why we want to stop the killing. The Russians have done a lot of things that we dont like. A lot of civilians have died. Weve condemned that stuff from the get-go and, frankly, President Trump has done more to apply pressure and to apply economic leverage to the Russians, certainly, than Joe Biden did for 3  years, when he did nothing but talk, did nothing to bring the killing to a stop. So you asked me what Im enraged by? What Im enraged by is the continuation of the war.

Trump told reporters Friday that he was not happy about the strikes on western Ukraine and indicated that any peace deal between the countries could be weeks away.

I think over the next two weeks, were going to find out which way its going to go, Trump said.

During his interview with Meet the Press, Vance did not characterize the strike, and a number of other issues, as long-term hindrances to peace, saying there was still plenty of room for negotiation.

Were going to eventually be successful, or well hit a brick wall. And if we hit a brick wall, then were going to continue this process of negotiation, of applying leverage, Vance added. This is the energetic diplomacy thats going to bring this war to a close.

Welker then asked Vance what the pressure is on Russia if the U.S. is not imposing new sanctions.

How do you get them to a place of getting to the table with Zelenskyy and stopping to drop bombs? she asked.

Vance replied by saying Trump has applied aggressive economic leverage, such as secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy.

Asked by Welker if he could guarantee that the U.S. would not send troops to help enforce any peace deal, Vance reaffirmed Trumps opposition to such a deployment.

The president has been very clear, Vance said. There are not going to be boots on the ground in Ukraine. But we are going to continue to play an active role in trying to ensure that the Ukrainians have the security guarantees and the confidence they need to stop the war on their end and the Russians feel like they can bring the war to a conclusion on their end.

The interview, which aired Sunday, comes amid new, heightened tensions in the effort to end the war.

On Friday, Russias top diplomat told NBC News that no meetings between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been scheduled, raising further doubts about Trumps ability to mediate the conflict.

Meanwhile, details about security guarantees for Ukraine  and Russias role in shaping them  remain unresolved.

In the interview, Vance said he doesnt believe the Russians are stringing Trump along.

I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3  years of this conflict, he added. Theyve actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. Theyve talked about what would be necessary to end the war.

Trump, Vance added, stepped up efforts to negotiate a diplomatic solution because this war is not in anyones interest. Its not in Europe or the United States interest.

While acknowledging some of the hurdles that have popped up since Trumps Aug. 15 meeting with Putin in Alaska, Vance expressed optimism that persistence would deliver results.

There are hills and valleys to the negotiations, Vance said. We sometimes feel like weve made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, hes been very frustrated with the Russians. Were going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close. I dont think its going to happen overnight. I think that were going to continue to make progress. But, ultimately, whether the killing stops, that determination is going to belong to whether the Russians and Ukrainians can actually find some middle ground here.

Putin has rejected calls  including from Trump before their recent meeting  for a ceasefire.

I didnt say they conceded on everything, Vance said in the interview, referring to Russia. But what they have conceded is the recognition that Ukraine will have territorial integrity after the war. Theyve recognized that theyre not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv.  Have they made every concession? Of course they havent. Should they have started the war? Of course they [shouldnt have], but were making progress.

Asked about disagreements surrounding how involved Russia will be in establishing security guarantees for Ukraine, Vance asserted that theres a little bit of talking past each other here.

First of all, were not talking about security guarantees until after the war has come to a close, Vance said. And, of course, the Russians are going to be a part of the conversation about bringing that war to a close. So, of course, theyre going to have some stake in this.

The interview with Vance also touched on several domestic issues, including new congressional maps passed by the Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives that could pad the GOPs majority by as many as five seats. The issue has become a political flashpoint, with California Democrats preparing retaliatory moves and other states aiming to redraw maps, too.

All were doing, frankly, is trying to make the situation a little bit more fair on a national scale, Vance said of GOP efforts. The Democrats have gerrymandered their states really aggressively. We think there are opportunities to push back against that, and thats really all were doing.

On the subject of his own political ambitions, Vance again sidestepped questions about whether he sees himself as Trumps heir apparent in 2028, when the president is term-limited.

I see myself as a vice president whos trying to do a good job for the American people ... and if I do a good job, and if the president continues to be successful, as I know that he will be, the politics will take care of itself, Vance said. We can cross that bridge when we come to it.

Welker asked if Vance has discussed the possibility with Trump.

As you know, the president talks about everything, and if its in the news, the president and I have certainly discussed it, Vance replied. But I think the president is just focused on doing a good job for the American people. He wants me to be focused on doing a good job for the American people. Thats what Ill keep on doing.
Alisha Monaco/Tiktok; Courtesy of Alisha Monaco Alisha Monaco and her pimple

NEED TO KNOW

Alisha Monaco noticed a pimple on the bottom corner of her nose one day and went to pop it

However, as she pressed on the pimple, her "right ear popped"

She woke up in pain hours later and half of her face was drooping

Alisha Monaco, like many of us, has a habit of occasionally picking her skin when she notices a new pimple.

Monaco, 32, tells PEOPLE she is prone to cystic acne, often breaking out ahead of big events or other stress-inducing situations. Recently, the mother of three noticed a pimple at the bottom right corner of her nose, near her nostril. Still, she decided not to pop it.

"I came home from work one night and I could feel my face was already starting to hurt badly," she says, noting that she washed her face to get all her makeup off and washed her hands.

"I was super clean about it, and my husband said, 'Let me try to pop it,'" she recalls. "I said, 'I don't think we should. I'm gonna let this one go for the first time, I'm not gonna touch it.' "

Typically, Monaco's husband is the one who reminds her not to pick at her pimples. But this time around, he seemed to think it would be an easy one to pop.

So, Monaco washed her hands, sterilized the area, cleaned her extraction tools, and gave it a go. After five minutes, Monaco still wasn't successful, but she was more determined than ever.

Alisha Monaco/Tiktok Alisha Monaco and her pimple

"I was pushing on it, and this is where I knew I messed up because I pushed on it and tried to pop it, and my right ear popped," she recalls. "It scared the life out of me... I've never had that happen."

Taking it as a warning sign, Monaco decided she wouldn't touch the blemish anymore.

"I cleaned it off again, washed my face, and brushed my teeth," she says. "I put a pimple patch on it, because I [wanted] to help absorb anything that came out of it."

When she looked online to figure out what may have happened, she began reading up on the "triangle of death," an invisible triangle in the middle of your face from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth.

It's recommended not to pop a pimple in that area, as "it can lead to an infection in your brain," according to the Cleveland Clinic. The small surface area has "a direct line to the brain," thanks to the "cavernous sinus, a network of large veins located behind the eye sockets." Blood drains from the brain through this sinus, meaning an infection in the danger triangle "has a small but not impossible chance of traveling from your face right to your brain."

After just four hours of sleep, Monaco woke up in excruciating pain. When she ran to the bathroom, she saw that her smile was completely crooked. She was unable to lift one side of her face, and her vision was blurry on that same side. The ear that had popped also felt full of fluid.

Still, she tried to go back to sleep, but when she woke up again, her face looked even more swollen.

She got in her car and drove to urgent care, arriving right after they opened. Since she was just the second person in line, they treated her right away. She was prescribed an oral antibiotic, a topical antibiotic, a steroid pack, and Flonase for the fluid in her ear. Despite her discomfort and concern, they told her that her symptoms weren't out of the ordinary given the situation.

Within the first 12 hours, Monaco says the swelling began to subside. After three days, it was gone entirely. As instructed, she finished the cycle of antibiotics and steroids even after feeling better.

Alisha Monaco/Tiktok Alisha Monaco pimple gone

Monaco documented her health saga on TikTok and posted a video of herself in urgent care, captioned, "Reminder - do not pop a pimple in the death triangle. Or you'll end up in urgent care." The video amassed over 8.1 million views.

The Michigan mom tells PEOPLE she hopes her experience serves as a reminder to people not to pop or pick at any blemishes in that area.

"What I am most happy about is that I'm sharing this, and there are so many people commenting saying, 'Oh my gosh, I have a pimple that just popped up in the area, and I'm not going to touch it,'" she shares. "Don't pop your pimples. It's not worth it. Learn from me."

Read the original article on People
by Rachel Zhu

An international symposium in Hong Kong marks the centennial of the consecration of six Chinese bishops in Rome in 1926, a milestone in the inculturation of Chinese Catholicism and the subsequent experience of native cardinals.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews)  An international symposium titled Centennial of the Consecration of the Six Chinese Bishops in Rome (1926)  The Indigenization of the Chinese Catholic Church and the Rise of Chinese Cardinals was held at the Hong Kong Baptist University on 11-12 August, attended by nearly 20 scholars from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Austria, Czechia, Italy, and other countries.

On this occasion, Hong Kong Baptist University and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong also opened to the public their precious archival materials, offering a firsthand look at the tortuous process of inculturation of the Church in China over the past hundred years and its social impact.

On 28 October 1926, Pope Pius XI personally consecrated the first six Chinese bishops in St Peter's Basilica in Rome, a symbolic event in the process of inculturation of the Catholic Church in China.

The symposium was structured around four major themes, namely the process of Inculturation, Chinese cardinals, the lives and challenges of individual bishops, and overall assessment of the inculturation movement, thoroughly exploring the historical and cultural significance of that crucial moment for the Church in China, Chinese society, and the dialogue between Eastern and Western civilisations.

Professor Anthony E. Clark of Whitworth University (US), in his talk entitled Resurgam (I Will Rise Again), presented for the first time recently digitised documents that reveal the dynamics behind key historical events like the Council of Shanghai in 1924, the consecration of bishops in 1926, and the establishment of the Church hierarchy in 1946.

Case studies focused on the historical mission and contributions of Chinese cardinals such as Thomas Tien Ken-sin, Paul Yu Pin, Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, and Ignatius Gong Pin-mei.

Prof Paul Mariani of Boston College and Prof Cindy Yik-yi Chu of Hong Kong Baptist University addressed the limitations and achievements of Church leaders in specific historical contexts in their latest work, titled respectively China's Church Divided: Bishop Louis Jin and the Post-Mao Catholic Revival, and Cardinal Tong Hon: Renewal in the Tradition of the Hong Kong Church.

Professor Chu, who was the symposium coordinator, emphasised that the consecration of the six bishops represents a crucial step in the history of the Church, thus studying subsequent Chinese cardinals is a tribute to their predecessors and offers a reference for the identity of the Chinese Church today.

The scholars present discussed in depth the motivations for inculturation and the legacy of Chinese bishops and cardinals. Prof Zhou Pingping of Tongji University argued that the inculturation movement of the 1920s was the result of the interaction between Chinese social changes and religious adaptation, which promoted dialogue between Catholicism and Chinese culture, and enfeebled the label of foreign religion.

Prof Franz Gassner of the University of Saint Joseph (Macau) and Dr Magdalena Rychetska of Masaryk University (Czechia) stressed that, in times of war and social chaos, Chinese bishops maintained Church tradition through a simple life and devout prayer, developing local missionary strategies inspired by the constitution of the universal Church, maintaining a "Chinese and Catholic" identity, which left a precious legacy to todays Chinese Church.

Some scholars also underscored that today's "Chinese Catholic Church" encompasses at least four distinct ecclesial entities, i.e. mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, while in the 1920s it was still a unified entity.

The consecration of Chinese bishops, which occurred in a context of political transition and growing nationalism, demonstrates that the Church kept the evangelical spirit without allowing herself to be politically exploited, a sign that the driving force and agent of inculturation came from within the Church herself.

Symposium participants agree that, a hundred years later, the Catholic Church in China is now a Church by and of the Chinese. However, the Chinese bishops of that time were polyglots, deeply aware of the reality of the universal Church and society, and capable of constructive dialogue with political forces and social groups  skills that, together with simplicity and fidelity, contributed decisively to the process of inculturation.

Naomi Thurston of the Chinese University of Hong Kong noted that current historical studies of Catholicism and Protestantism are influenced by global academic flows: patterns of cultural exchange, post- and anti-colonial discourses, global history and geopolitical perspectives, transnational and diasporic narratives, which offer multiple avenues for research.

Furthermore, digital archiving has made the study of the Church more accessible than ever. Yet, the Church and scholars should reflect on their own research paradigms and remain vigilant against ideological discourses.

ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zanu-PF councillor in Bulawayo has spent nearly a month behind bars after defying a series of court orders to vacate a disputed farmhouse in Umguza district, Matabeleland North.Ward 1 councillor Josiah Mutangi was jailed last month after a civil warrant of arrest was issued against him for contempt of court.Mutangi has been illegally occupying Imbesu Farm, owned by Zephaniah Matiwaza, since July 2022. Despite several eviction attempts and legal rulings nullifying his lease, he remained at the property without paying rent.According to court documents, Mutangi has now approached Matiwaza to negotiate his release from prison. A draft deed of settlement filed at the courts shows he has applied for an extension of time to pay and a suspension of the civil imprisonment order granted under case number CG554/22 in March this year.Under the proposed agreement, Mutangi must pay Matiwaza US$1,000 upon signing the deed of settlement and clear the full judgment debt, including legal costs and execution fees, by December 2025. Payments are to be made through Matiwaza's lawyers, Messrs Ndlovu Mehluli and Partners.The settlement also stipulates that if Mutangi breaches the agreement, Matiwaza will be entitled to enforce the court orders without opposition after giving seven days' notice.Matiwaza, who first secured a court order for Mutangi's eviction and repayment of arrears in November 2022, confirmed the new arrangement."My lawyers are working on that," Matiwaza told this publication. "I have been receiving a lot of pleas from Mutangi and his wife asking me to facilitate his release."Mutangi, who once boasted of political connections, is also battling fresh criminal charges. Two weeks ago, he appeared in court alongside Janet Zhou, accused of defrauding 14 vendors by allegedly collecting US$200 each under the pretext of allocating vending bays in Bulawayo's central business district.The embattled councillor's troubles highlight growing tensions between political clout and the rule of law, as his continued defiance of eviction orders has drawn scrutiny from both the courts and the public.
24 August 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Jared Cohen, President of Global Affairs at Goldman Sachs, has sparked discussions about its potential significance for Azerbaijans economic trajectory. While cooperation between Azerbaijan and Goldman Sachs has been ongoing since 2010, most notably through the State Oil Funds partnership with the company, the timing of this engagement, coming amid the initialing of the peace agreement with Armenia and a broader strengthening of Azerbaijan-US relations, invites closer analysis. Beyond reaffirming established ties, the meeting raises questions about whether it could mark a step toward deeper integration with global financial institutions and new opportunities for foreign investment.

Can this meeting be considered a signal of a new stage in Azerbaijans economic strategy, and what potential benefits could the country gain from deeper engagement with Goldman Sachs?

Economic expert Rashad Hasanov shared his insights with Azernews. The expert states that rather than evaluating this as a new beginning or a change for an economic strategy, it serves as more of a financial and economic opportunity.

In general, I think it would not be right to evaluate this meeting as the beginning of a new economic strategy or a symptom of trends in this direction. Because the current processes and the analysis of the governments policy show that a vision or strategy for seriously changing the economic model in Azerbaijan is not on the agenda yet. Ensuring the development of the economy in one way or another, while maintaining the current status quo, is a strategy preferred by Azerbaijan. From that point of view, I would not mark this meeting as a beginning or signal in this direction.

However, at the same time, I think that the fact that this meeting coincides with the initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia through the mediation of the United States and the setting of directions for strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States is of particular importance in a certain sense. I would evaluate this as a signal for US companies to show greater interest in Azerbaijan or as an important step within the framework of the planned strategic cooperation.

Undoubtedly, Goldman Sachs is among the largest companies in the world  its investment potential, banking policy, and asset management experience, supported by a large expert group, can provide significant value. In this regard, effective cooperation with it can form various perspectives for Azerbaijan. Lets look at them:

Its current participation in the management of the oil fund in Azerbaijan and provision of consulting services in this direction.

Expanding the transformation of certain institutions and state enterprises.

Supporting Azerbaijan as a direct investor in the banking sector, offering recommendations on the integration of foreign capital, and contributing to the formation of a strategic vision for economic diversification.

Determining targets for sustainable economic development, identifying weak points, and cooperating in various forms to address them.

In the long term, facilitating cooperation in financing, consulting, and the formation of state assets in the liberated territories.

It is a great experience. I hope that this will be a beginning, and with this, together with the US and Europe, by opening the way for companies and capital managers from developed countries to the Azerbaijani market, a situational environment regarding the transition to a more liberal economy in the country will be achieved.
24 August 2025 10:59 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade and economic ties on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and respect for each others interests, Azernews reports.

This was reflected in the joint statement signed by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chairman of the Peoples Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov following the trilateral summit held in Turkmenbashi on August 22.

According to the document, the parties emphasized the importance of creating favorable conditions for the further expansion of economic cooperation. In this regard, they agreed to strengthen direct contacts between business communities through exhibitions, business forums and other platforms in all three countries.

The leaders also underlined the need to boost transport connectivity and pursue joint infrastructure projects that would serve the long-term interests of their peoples. Special focus was placed on industrial and production cooperation, with an agreement to develop joint ventures in the textile, chemical, construction and other sectors.

The summit is seen as a step toward building stronger regional partnerships across Central Asia and the Caspian basin, opening opportunities for sustainable economic growth and integration.
24 August 2025 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

The transition process to the Electronic Agriculture Information System (EKTIS) has been launched in Nakhchivan to ensure farmers fully and transparently benefit from state support. For this purpose, an open tender has been announced for the purchase of equipment to integrate into the system, Azernews reports.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic, EKTIS is expected to be fully established and available for use by farmers in the first quarter of 2026.

It is planned to resolve financial issues by November and to purchase all the necessary supplies and equipment for EKTIS by the end of the year. EKTIS will allow us to provide every Nakhchivan farmer with state support in a completely transparent manner, in accordance with their needs, the ministry noted.

The system is designed to strengthen transparency and accountability in state support for the agrarian sector and in the management of subsidy mechanisms. Alongside EKTIS, the ministry has also begun acquiring equipment to set up a farmer call center.
24 August 2025 11:36 (UTC+04:00)

Governor of the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation Igor Babushkin has sent a congratulatory letter to First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of her birthday, Azernews reports.

"Dear Mehriban Arifovna,

Please accept the assurance of my highest consideration and my congratulations on the occasion of your birthday.

I wish you robust health, inexhaustible energy, success and new achievements in your multifaceted activities.

I express my deep gratitude to you for your constant attention to the development of cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Astrakhan Region.

I am convinced that the business partnership, friendship and mutual respect uniting the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue to be comprehensively strengthened," the letter reads.
24 August 2025 12:00 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, Azernews reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On the occasion of August 24 - Independence Day, I extend my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and, through you, all your people on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani-Ukrainian interstate relations stem from the great sympathy that our peoples have for each other, as well as from the historically established traditions of friendship and mutual respect between them.

The relations built on these solid foundations are currently evolving and are being enriched with new content. Our political dialogue, cooperation across the economic, transport, energy and humanitarian spheres are among the main factors characterizing our bilateral relations.

It is commendable that our countries demonstrate mutual support and solidarity on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the norms, and principles of international law. Azerbaijan will continue to provide the necessary humanitarian support and assistance to the friendly people of Ukraine.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to further strengthen and deepen Azerbaijani-Ukrainian friendship and mutual activities in line with the will of our peoples.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and peace and tranquility to the friendly people of Ukraine," the letter reads.
24 August 2025 13:59 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan will continue to provide the necessary humanitarian support and assistance to the friendly people of Ukraine, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of Independence Day, Azernews reports.

"It is commendable that our countries demonstrate mutual support and solidarity on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the norms, and principles of international law. Azerbaijan will continue to provide the necessary humanitarian support and assistance to the friendly people of Ukraine," the letter says.
24 August 2025 19:55 (UTC+04:00)

The drying up of the Caspian Sea has accelerated in recent decades, creating mounting economic, environmental, and geopolitical challenges for the littoral states, Azernews reports that this was stated by Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Rauf Hajiyev's recent statement to Reuters.

Azerbaijan's Deputy Ecology Minister Rauf Hajiyev told Reuters that the sea had been getting shallower for decades, but figures showed that the trend was accelerating.

Its level has fallen by 0.93 metres (3 ft) in the past five years, by 1.5 metres in the last 10, and 2.5 metres in the past 30, he said in an interview, estimating the current rate of decline at 20-30 cm per year.

"The retreat of the coastline changes natural conditions, disrupts economic activity and creates new challenges for sustainable development," said Hajiyev, who represents Azerbaijan in a joint working group with Russia that met for the first time in April to discuss the problem.

Despite worsening relations between the two countries, according to the protocol signed between the two countries the working group plans to approve a joint programme online in September for monitoring and responding to the issue.

Russia links the problem mainly to climate change but Azerbaijan also blames, opens new tab Russia's construction of dams on the Volga River which provides 80% of the water entering the Caspian.

Hajiyev said the falling water level was already affecting the lives of coastal populations and the work of ports. About 4 million people live on the coast of Azerbaijan, and about 15 million in the Caspian region as a whole.

He said ships are facing increased difficulties when entering and manoeuvring in the port of Baku, Azerbaijan's capital. This is reducing cargo capacity and raising logistics costs, he added.

Transportation of oil and oil products through the Dubendi oil terminal, the largest in the Azerbaijani waters of the Caspian Sea, fell to 810,000 tons in the first half of 2025 from 880,000 in the same period of last year, according to Eldar Salakhov, director of the Baku International Sea Port.

He linked the decline to the falling water level, which he said was making it necessary to carry out major dredging work to ensure stable and uninterrupted port operations.

In 2024, more than 250,000 cubic meters of dredging were carried out at the Dubendi oil terminal to ensure that the largest tankers could enter without restrictions, he told Reuters.

In April, the Baku Shipyard finished building a new dredging vessel, the Engineer Soltan Kazimov, which is due to enter service shortly. Salakhov said it would be able to deepen the bottom to 18 metres in order to help maintain the port's capacity.

Hajiyev, the deputy minister, said the retreat of the waters was destroying wetlands, lagoons, and reed beds and threatening the survival of some marine species.

The biggest blow is to sturgeon, prized for their caviar, which are already under threat of extinction. They are losing up to 45% of their summer and autumn habitats and being cut off from their traditional spawning grounds in rivers.

Caspian seals are also threatened by the shrinking sea area and disappearance of seasonal ice fields in the north, where they breed, he added.

"With a 5-metre drop in the sea level, seals lose up to 81% of their breeding sites, and with a 10-metre drop, they are almost completely deprived of suitable sites," Hajiyev said.
24 August 2025 11:30 (UTC+04:00)

Tensions between Armenia and Russia have deepened further, this time spilling into the trade sphere. Russia has reportedly returned shipments of Armenian agricultural products, raising fresh concerns over the fragile state of bilateral relations, Azernews reports.

According to Armenian media, trucks loaded with agricultural products destined for Russia through Georgia have been forced to return to Armenia. Russian authorities claim the goods failed to meet phytosanitary standards, a justification that has already sparked debate in Yerevan.

The restrictions have not been limited to agricultural produce. In recent weeks, Russia has also subjected other cargoes, particularly shipments of construction materials, to strict inspections. Analysts note that this latest move may signal Moscows use of trade regulations as a political lever amid growing disagreements with Armenia over foreign policy orientation and security issues.

Observers warn that these measures could escalate further, creating new economic difficulties for Armenia, whose economy remains closely tied to Russian markets despite Yerevans attempts to diversify trade partnerships.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Information Minister Webster Shamu has praised President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his recently concluded tenure as chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), describing it as a significant achievement for Zimbabwe.Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, the Zanu-PF Chegutu East MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee said Mnangagwa's leadership was "about action, not words," highlighting regional development projects completed under his watch. Shamu cited the BeitbridgeHarareChirundu Highway, the Mbudzi Traffic Interchange, upgrades to the VIP pavilion at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, and the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8, which added new capacity to the national power grid.Mnangagwa officially handed over the SADC chairmanship to Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina at the 45th summit in Harare last week. Shamu noted that the leadership helped facilitate the signing of the Agreement Amending the Treaty by Madagascar and Mauritius, bringing the number of signatories to 15.He further stated that Zimbabwe received commendations from fellow member states for "lifting regional integration to new heights," adding: "Zimbabwe leads, Zimbabwe inspires, and Zimbabwe delivers."Shamu, long known for his outspoken support of Zimbabwean leaders, previously lauded former President Robert Mugabe and has now redirected his praise towards Mnangagwa.
24 August 2025 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

An unusual incident occurred in Yerevan involving the transportation of a Russian fighter jet, Azernews reports via Armenian media.

The aircraft crashed into an iron pole and then a fence on Arshakunyats Avenue while being transported. The mishap happened after an element of the rigid coupling system failed, causing the plane to veer off the platform.

The transport operation was being escorted by officers of Armenias Ministry of Internal Affairs patrol service and the military police of the Ministry of Defense. Traffic on the avenue was temporarily halted. Despite the collision, reports confirm that the fighter jet did not sustain damage.
24 August 2025 13:30 (UTC+04:00)

Irans Intelligence Ministry said that its forces had smashed a terrorist team in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, killing six of its members and arresting two others, Azernews reports via Iranian media.

Three Iranian security forces were wounded during the clash which took several hours.

According to a statement published on the ministrys website, members of the terror team, seven non-Iranian nationals, had entered Iran through the countrys eastern border during the past days.

The statement added the members were equipped with different kinds of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices, saying among the items seized from the terrorists were laser-guided grenade launchers, US-made machine guns, grenades, explosive vests, two-way radios, ammunition as well as a number of vehicles and motorcycles. It said the available evidence was indicative of the terrorist cells Israeli-affiliated nature.

Sistan and Baluchestan, a province bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, has suffered several terrorist attacks targeting both civilians and security forces in recent years.
24 August 2025 15:39 (UTC+04:00)

Moldovan President Maia Sandu attended the presentation of the aircraft, underscoring the significance of this achievement for the countrys technological and aviation capabilities.

The Vans RV-7A aircraft has successfully completed test flights in Moldova, the Civil Aviation Administration of Moldova reported. The aircraft is designed for non-commercial sports, recreational, and personal training flights, reflecting a focus on civilian aviation development.

Moldova has produced its first nationally assembled aircraft, marking a historic step for the countrys aviation industry, Azernews reports.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
24 August 2025 18:25 (UTC+04:00)

An exchange of prisoners of war has taken place between Russia and Ukraine under the 146 for 146 rule, Azernews reports.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the development, noting that Russian servicemen released as part of the exchange are currently in Belarus, where they are being provided with psychological and medical assistance. The ministry added that the servicemen will later be transferred to Defense Ministry medical institutions for treatment and rehabilitation.

In addition to the exchange of military personnel, Ukraine also handed over eight civilians  residents of Russias Kursk region  to the Russian side.

The Russian Defense Ministry underlined that the exchange was made possible with the humanitarian mediation of the United Arab Emirates, which has repeatedly facilitated dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv in past humanitarian initiatives.
24 August 2025 19:25 (UTC+04:00)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced new successes of the countrys armed forces in the Donbass direction, Azernews reports.

Zelenskyy made the statement at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Kyiv. He emphasized that more detailed information will be provided later by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky.

On Independence Day, I would like to express my special gratitude to our soldiers. They have very good results in long-range strikes, everyone sees this. And today we achieved very positive results in Donbass, Zelenskyy noted.

The Ukrainian president underlined that the progress on the battlefield strengthens both morale and international confidence in Ukraines defense efforts.
24 August 2025 18:50 (UTC+04:00)

The United States has begun withdrawing its forces from the Ain al-Assad and Victoria military bases in Iraq, Azernews reports via Sky News Arabia.

That American troops are being transferred to a military base in Erbil and to a neighboring Arab country.

"The Americans have told their Iraqi colleagues that they will accelerate the process of withdrawing troops and will not adhere to the schedule set in the framework agreement between the two countries," the source told the channel.

It should be recalled that in September 2024, Washington announced the end of its international mission in Iraq and the planned withdrawal of its forces.
24 August 2025 22:22 (UTC+04:00)

The wildfire in the Tsovota Gorge of Georgias Tusheti region continues to spread, prompting authorities to step up firefighting efforts, Azernews reports.

According to the Georgian Emergency Management Service, the scale of the fire has been increasing, requiring the involvement of a helicopter from the Georgian Border Police. Due to the areas difficult terrain, the movement of heavy firefighting equipment has been impossible, making aerial intervention essential.

Officials confirmed that active firefighting operations are underway with the use of all available special equipment. At present, there is no threat of the fire reaching nearby settlements.
24 August 2025 22:55 (UTC+04:00)

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon's intelligence agency chief, just weeks after a White House rebuke of a review assessing the impact of American strikes on Iran, Azernews reports via BBC.

Lt Gen Jeffery Kruse will no longer serve as head of US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Pentagon said in a statement. Two other senior military commanders have also been ousted by the Pentagon.

The defence department has not offered any immediate explanation on the firings.

In June, President Donald Trump had pushed back strongly on a leaked DIA report that found that attacks on Iran had set back its nuclear programme by months only. The White House declared the agency's assessment "flat out wrong".

Trump had declared the nuclear sites in Iran "completely destroyed", and had accused the media of "an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history".

Speaking at the Nato summit at the time, Hegseth had said that the report was made on "low intelligence" and that the FBI was probing the leak.

Kruse's exit was first reported by the Washington Post.

The DIA is part of the Pentagon and specialises in military intelligence to support operations. It collects large amounts of technical intelligence, but is distinct from other agencies like the CIA.

It is understood that Hegseth had also ordered the removal of the chief of US Naval reserves and the commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, an anonymous source told Reuters on Friday.

In a statement, US Senator Mark Warner warned that Kruse's sacking was a sign that Trump had a "dangerous habit of treating intelligence as a loyalty test rather than a safeguard for our country".

Trump has removed a number of officials whose analysis have been seen to be at odds with the president.

In July, Trump said that he had ordered his team to dismiss Commissioner of Labor Statistics Erika McEntarfer "immediately", after a report showed that job growth had slowed.

And in April, Trump fired General Timothy Haugh as director of the National Security Agency, along with more than a dozen staff at the White House national security council.

Hegseth has also pushed out a number of military officials at the Pentagon. In February, he fired Air Force General C Q Brown, who was dismissed along with five other admirals and generals.
There is a revelation within the Democratic Socialists, which is creating a newfound discovery that masks are bad or wrong for society, and should not be worn by certain groups; currently the rancor is to unmask ICE agents: What is your opinion on the wearing of masks?

83.33% Yes, ICE agents should wear masks if it keeps them safe from the threat of doxing.8.33% No, ICE agents must be forced to reveal their true selves; however, wearing masks while rioting and looting is within the bounds of the Leftist dictum.8.33% I wear masks often at Halloween.
The Judicial Wing of the Democrat Party is hard at work engaged in their judicial insurrection against enforcement of our immigration laws.

An Obama appointed magistrate judge has freed gang member and human smuggler Kitmar Abrego Garcia from pretrial confinement pending his trial for human smuggling. The Obama judge was a longtime Democrat Party contributor and also was an officer of and contributor to a group that worked to defend illegal aliens against deportation. She had a blatant conflict of interest in participating in this case, but this extremely dishonest judge did so anyway without recusing herself.

The DOJ argued that evidence shows that Garcia has been engaged in human smuggling for years, smuggling about 50 illegal aliens per month. One third of the illegal aliens that Garcia smuggled into the US were members of his own very violent criminal gang, MS13. Garcia also has a reputation for sexually abusing many of the women he smuggled in, which others being smuggled even asked him to stop. This is what this crooked Obama judge wants to stay in this country?

But ICE does not want this criminal out on our streets. They have announced that they intend to deport him to Uganda, which has agreed to take him.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/08/23/the-lawfare-never-stops-judge-barbara-holmes-frees-kilmar-abrego-garcia/

https://redstate.com/bonchie/2025/08/22/infamous-illegal-immigrant-abrego-garcia-gets-some-very-bad-news-after-being-released-from-jail-n2193135

Meanwhile a radical Obama judge in San Francisco has entered a new order against cutting off federal funding to cities that harbor illegal aliens by being sanctuary cities. This crooked Obama judge should probably be indicted himself as an accessory to harboring illegal aliens.

https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/08/23/federal-judge-expands-ban-on-trump-withholding-funds-to-sanctuary-cities/

Our federal judicial system has sadly become a cesspool of political corruption.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A mother and her three children had a narrow escape on Thursday morning when their Mercedes was struck by a train at a level crossing in Mahatshula North, Bulawayo.Witnesses said the woman overtook vehicles that had stopped to allow the train to pass, leading to the collision with the rear left side of her car. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) expressed concern over a recent rise in rail-road level crossing accidents, urging motorists to exercise caution when approaching intersections. In a recent alert, NRZ noted similar incidents on March 20 and 21 this year, including a car-train collision on the Chiredzi-Triangle Road that left a couple injured and another in Gweru where there were no injuries."Safety is everyone's responsibility. We urge all road users to stop at level crossings, look out for trains and listen for warning signals," NRZ said.The parastatal highlighted ongoing regional efforts to curb accidents, including an annual public awareness campaign in October coordinated by the Southern African Railway Association.Meanwhile, NRZ reported the arrest of three Bulawayo brothers  Francis, Givemore, and James Gwaringa - at a roadblock near Gweru for possession of seven wagon leaf springs valued at US$2 310, along with a gas tank and cutting torch. NRZ warned that theft or vandalism of railway infrastructure could result in up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Belfast man in charge of RTE outlines strategy shift after his move from BBC: It did make me think, Really?

Belfast native and RTEs head of video Steve Carson is the man shaping the future of Irish television. As the broadcaster launches its autumn schedule, he talks about the Irish Traitors, focusing on the here and now and his mission to inform, educate and entertain

RTE head of video, Steve Carson, teases the debut season of Traitors

John Meagher Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 18:11

In Steve Carsons early years as director of BBC Scotland, one particular television project generated unusual levels of excitement even before it was made.
The remnants of Hurricane Erin is expected to hit NI

From left: Sandra Pham, Chloe Gordon, Poppy Davis and Taylor Davis, all from Portadown in Newcastle, Co Down, enjoying the warm weather

The remnants of a hurricane could bring a swift end to potentially record-breaking heat forecast for the bank holiday, the Met Office has said.

While Northern Ireland is set to enjoy a sun-splashed day, forecasters have warned change is on the way by late evening.

Hurricane Erin has sustained winds of up to 160mph as it ripped through the Atlantic Sea, leading to at least nine fatalities in Cape Verde, West Africa.

Now its heading towards Northern Ireland.

While the weather event will weaken by the time it nears here, forecasters anticipate it will bring a wet change after the bank holiday heat.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

While warm and dry spells will be seen throughout much of the region early on Monday, wind and rain will pick up as the evening approaches.

At that stage, we start to see cloud thickening and a band of rain starting to move in to the west and most parts by the end of the afternoon, a Met Office spokesperson explained.

So the first significant rain for some time is actually on its way.

Ahead of the rain, though, again, quite a warm day with the southerly wind.

Were looking at temperatures up to 22C, 23C, possibly even locally 24C. And if we do get to 24C, thats the warmest August bank holiday temperature on record.

August 25 is the earliest date the late summer bank holiday can fall.

The forecaster added: The bank holiday is quite early this year. And obviously it can vary between now and the end of the month, so its a little bit early. But the highest temperature on record for the bank holiday Monday for Northern Ireland is 23.8C. And that was in Londonderry in 1983.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

On Tuesday, remnants of Hurricane Erin will begin to impact Northern Ireland as it comes to a halt near Iceland.

Rainy conditions are expected to persist for most of the day with a high of 20C and low of 13C.

The Met Office spokesperson said: Its going to be at times fairly blustery, especially as the showers come through over the next few days. But its nothing too unusual.

The low pressure system is maturing now  so its not going to be particularly impactful.

But the main, significant, noticeable thing will be the fact its more unsettled with rain at times.

From left: Sandra Pham, Chloe Gordon, Poppy Davis and Taylor Davis, all from Portadown in Newcastle, Co Down, enjoying the warm weather

Blue-green algae arrives back on Lough Neagh

The forecaster explained that showers will continue throughout the rest of the week, with temperatures ranging from between 19C and 12C.

Conditions in the Republic, meanwhile, are forecast to be similar, with drizzle set to begin by tomorrow afternoon in the west.

Bank holiday temperatures elsewhere in the UK are expected to near 30C before the remains of Hurricane Erin hit.

The weather will also turn by Monday evening as showers move in from the west.
A man has been arrested in connection with a security alert in north Belfast which has now ended.

Controlled explosions were carried out by police over the course of its three-day duration.

Around 100 residents were evacuated from their homes during the public safety operation which began shortly after 11.30am on Friday following the discovery of a suspicious device on Victoria Parade in the New Lodge.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, police said: In relation to the ongoing incident in the New Lodge area of Belfast, residents should be aware there will be some controlled explosions taking place now for approximately one hour.

One man, in his 30s, has since been taken into custody on suspicion of a number of offences.

Chief Inspector Pete Cunningham said: Police attended an address in the Victoria Parade area shortly after 11.30am on Friday 22nd August and discovered a suspicious device at a property.

Officers attended the scene and quickly moved to put a safety operation in place. Roads were closed and a number of nearby houses were evacuated while the operation was ongoing but they have since been able to return and roads have re-opened.

Ammunition Technical Officers attended and conducted examinations and controlled explosions on multiple objects located throughout the property. The items, which included suspected explosive devices and firearms, have been removed from the property and will be sent for further forensic examination."

PSNI at scene of security alert in north Belfast. (Kevin Scott)

Belfast History Explained: The Story of the River Farset

Chief Inspector Cunningham added: This was an extremely distressing experience for residents, who had to deal with the huge disruption to their community alongside the discomfort and inconvenience of being put out of their homes. I would like to thank everyone affected for their patience while we worked to make the area safe.

Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 513 22/08/25.
A Belfast councillor said he is hoping for a positive update soon after three children were struck by a car while playing on the pavement in west Belfast on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the Black Ridge View area of the city with NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) receiving reports of the collision shortly before 5pm this afternoon.

All three children were hospitalised while a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including driving with excess alcohol in breath.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, SDLP councillor Paul Doherty said: "The thoughts of the entire community here in west Belfast are with those three children  two girls and a young boy  and with their family. We're hoping for a speedy recovery and a positive update soon.

"This was quite a traumatic incident for them and for everyone who witnessed that. For quite a new community, people really did come out and pull together. It was quite a disturbing scene in terms of an air ambulance and emergency services quickly coming onto the scene.

Mr Doherty called for action to avoid any repeat incidents in the recently-build development off the Monagh ByPass.

The incident occurred in the Black Ridge View area (Photo: Alan Lewis)

News Catch Up - Monday 25th August

"It's a real stark reminder of the danger of reckless driving and why making our streets safer must be a priority. Every child should be able to feel safe to play outside their home or within their community," he continued.

"There is a shock and concern (in the community). There are conversations ongoing about there being regular speeding in the area, and because its such a new development, the need for implementation of something to ensure children and pedestrians in the area are much safer. That's something right away that I believe needs implemented. We can't see scenes like we saw yesterday  absolutely horrific.

"Theres a fear there of families with young children  can they let them go out onto the street?

A NIAS spokesman said: NIAS despatched three emergency crews to the incident. Ambulance control also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS team on board to respond.

Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, three patients were taken to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

A 37-year-old was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including driving with excess alcohol in breath.

The PSNI added: A report was received shortly before 5pm that the car, whilst reversing, struck the children, two girls and a boy, as they played on the pavement.

"The children have been taken to hospital for treatment and a 37 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol in breath, causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop, failing to report and failing to remain where an accident occurred causing injury. He remains in custody at this time.

Officers would ask anyone who witnessed the incident or who captured dash-cam or CCTV footage which could of assistance to their investigation to contact police at Woodbourne on 101, quoting reference number 1201 24/08/25.

The incident occurred in the Black Ridge View area (Photo: Alan Lewis)

Blue-green algae arrives back on Lough Neagh

West Belfast Councillor Micheal Donnelly said: A road traffic incident has taken place in Blacks Ridge. Our thoughts are with everyone involved. Police will be on the scene for some time and we ask the public to fully cooperate with their investigation.

"Again, our thoughts are with everyone involved.
What is loyalism, what do loyalist women want and why do they not trust the media?
Where TUVs surge poses biggest danger to DUP at next election  and who might be vulnerable
Joey Forker (9) passed away following an accident in his home on Friday evening.

The funeral of tragic Donegal boy Joey Forker will take place this Thursday

The 9 year old passed away following an accident at his home at Meenmore, Dungloe on Friday evening.

The hugely popular St Crona's National School pupil will be laid to rest in Magheragallon Cemetery, Gaoth Dobhair following his funeral mass at St Crona's Church Dungloe.

The funeral notice for Joey reads: May he rest in eternal peace. Joey Forker

The tragic death has occurred at his home of Joey Forker.

Predeceased by his grandparent Nora Forker and grandparents nana Nora Friel and his papa Paddy Friel.

We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

Survived by his heartbroken parents Audrey and Joe, loving brothers Jason and Jordan, grandparent Willie, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends.

Reposing at McGlynns funeral home, Dungloe on Monday 25th August from 3pm - 5pm. Removal strictly private to family home and house strictly private at all times.

Funeral Mass on Thursday at 12 noon in St Crona's Church Dungloe with interment in Magheragallon Cemetery, Gweedore.

Joey Forker (Photo via Sunday World)

Belfast History Explained: The Story of the River Farset

Almost 1,000 messages of support for the family were left under the post on social media. One read: Just no words to convey how devastated we are for the Forker family with the tragic loss of Joey. May you all find the strength to get through this awful time. Rest easy wee man.
Ukrainian flags will appear above Downing Street and several Whitehall buildings to mark 34 years since Ukraine left the Soviet Union, the Government has announced.

The Prime Ministers official residence at No 10 Downing Street is among the buildings where a flag will fly on Sunday.

We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, including those who have made a second home here in the UK, in the face of continued Russian aggression, a Government spokesperson said.

Our support for Ukraines independence will be clear for all to see, which is why the Prime Minister travelled to Washington DC this week to work with allies to secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron speak at the White House (Aaron Schwartz/PA)

At the White House, Sir Keir Starmer met European leaders including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron.

He also met Donald Trump days after the US president spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at an Alaska summit.

After his meetings, Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: Everyone is happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.

He claimed he had started to organise a meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky, but Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said there was no meeting planned between the two leaders in a taped interview for NBCs Sunday show Meet The Press With Kristen Welker.

On Ukrainian Independence Day, Government buildings are flying the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine as a visible symbol of our unwavering support, the Government spokesperson added.

Among the buildings where a flag will be flown are the Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall, the Treasury building at 100 Parliament Street, the Scotland Office and Wales Office, and the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence main buildings.
Ukraine has been celebrating its independence day (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes.

The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plants press service on Telegram.

While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, front left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, front right, shake hands in Sophia Square, Kyiv (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire due to military activity, but had not received independent confirmation.

It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack.

Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russias Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal.

People visit the memorial wall of fallen defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire.

Russias defence ministry claimed its air defences intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraines air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked independence day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered remarks in a video address from Kyivs Independence Square, emphasising the nations resolve.

We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace, Mr Zelensky said, calling for a just peace.

What our future will be is up to us alone, he said, in a nod to the USRussia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests side-lined.

And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal, he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Mr Zelensky.

On this special day  Ukraines independence day  it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side, wrote Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskys chief of staff.

Norway announced significant new military aid on Sunday, pledging about 7.0 billion kroner (514 million) for air defence systems.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar.

Meanwhile, fighting continued on the front line in eastern Ukraine, where Russia claimed on Saturday that its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region.
In pictures: Thousands take to streets as heavens open on Belfasts March for Jesus

Scroll down for our full gallery of photos to see if you can spot anyone you know

Thousands of people took part in a "March for Jesus" across Belfast on Saturday.

John Toner Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 16:26







Around 5,000 people made a pilgrimage through Belfast on Saturday afternoon to honour Jesus Christ despite a brief downpour.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Bulawayo cross-border transporter has been fined after duping a police officer who entrusted him with money to buy a refrigerator.Mlungisi Nkala (36) of Pumula South appeared before Magistrate Maxwell Ncube facing fraud charges and was ordered to pay a fine of US$300.Prosecutor Mehluli Ndlovu told the court that on February 22, Nkala received R3 500 from police officer Melody Mutemeri in Bulawayo's city centre. The money was meant for him to purchase a deep freezer from South Africa.Instead, Nkala pocketed the cash and failed to deliver the appliance. After realising she had been swindled, Mutemeri reported the matter to the police, leading to Nkala's arrest.The court heard that the total value lost was R3 500, and nothing has been recovered.
Leading NI grammar school defends snobby blazers for pupils with best grades

Parents under no obligation to buy special jackets that cost twice the price, says principal of Carrickfergus Grammar

Carrickfergus Grammar pupils wearing the elite burgundy blazers

Angela Davison Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 08:00

The principal of a leading grammar school has defended its special blazers for top-ranking GCSE students following criticism from parents.
Belfast mum on how son saved her life after losing parents and sisters in tragedies: I want him to have a better childhood than I did
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Hunters may have success finding bears in standing corn with the farmers permission, as well as in forest openings like powerline easements and in stands of beech and oak trees where bears will be feeding on beechnuts and acorns.
WEST STOCKBRIDGE  The Select Board has voted to drop its litigation with Housatonic Water Works, following Great Barrington's decision, in an attempt to ease the financial burden for the company and to prevent further delay of the installation of the manganese water filter.

Once both towns formally withdraw the litigation, Housatonic Water Works won't have any pending legal battles with the towns and can proceed to the financing stage of the project, according to the August progress report.

Housatonic Water Works has blamed the towns' ongoing litigation as the reason it can't secure financing for the filter, which has delayed its installation and prolonged the discolored water customers have endured for years.

In July, the company entered a joint agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection that states the manganese filtration system must be running by March 1, with room for an extension if pending litigation is the sole reason for financial concerns.

The filtration system was supposed to be running by Aug. 1, along with a price hike of 39.68 percent, according to a previous agreement between the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and the company from last summer. Housatonic Water Works announced in January that it would be delayed due to its inability to get money because of two pending legal appeals.

One appeal at the time was by Great Barrington after a Berkshire Superior Court judge blocked its order to have the company provide bottled water to residents. The other was an appeal of the DPU's approval for the system upgrade plans and the rate hikes. Great Barrington recently voted to drop all litigation.

The original timeline, as agreed between the DPU and the company, required them to upgrade their system and fix other problems over five years. Rates would be raised by 90 percent, and the company would spend $4.5 million on system upgrades.

After the project was delayed in January, Stockbridge, Great Barrington and West Stockbridge filed a motion asking the DPU to investigate and enforce its agreed-upon project timeline, and unwind the 18 percent rate hike that went into effect. The motion was denied in July, with DPU saying it will review the process once the system is working.
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

Four armed robbers who allegedly assaulted a Centenary couple in Mashonaland Central before robbing them of their vehicles and cash are in soup.Tapiwa Nyakasaka (32), Bright Murombedzi (35), Lucktoy Tongogara (34) and Ivy Mujeka (38) were dragged to Bindura regional magistrates courts yesterday.They were remanded in custody.The state alleged that on August 2, around 02:00, the quartet pounced on Givemore Murima's family in Gatu, a township in Centenary, armed with a pistol, a buttonstick and a big spanner.They assaulted the couple before demanding cash, and they got $400 from the wife and $700 from the attack.After the attack, they forced Murima to call her husband's brother, claiming her husband was sick.The brother came and was also robbed of his money.Nyakasaka was arrested in Harare after investigations, and one of the stolen vehicles was recovered, dumped at Kuwadzana with no plates.
A former waiter previously "targeted" after posting a social media threat has been charged with using a kettle of boiling water to scald a cellmate who suffered severe burns in a Cloverhill Prison attack.

Romanian national, Beniamin Petre, 50, of no fixed address, appeared before Judge Peter White at Dublin District Court on Sunday and was released on conditional bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Advertisement

Garda Rebecca Lloyd charged him with assault causing harm to another man on June 10th in the prison and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury during the same alleged incident.

Objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the case and flight risk concerns, she told the court that it was the prosecution's case that Mr Petri assaulted the man in a cell within the confines of Cloverhill Prison and was caught red-handed.

The injured man had shared a cell with the accused for approximately two weeks.

It was alleged Mr Petre used a kettle of boiling water to assault the other prisoner and that he struck him on the head with the kettle and "he sustained considerable burns to his head and arm".

Advertisement

The injured man required hospital treatment following the attack, which was said to have been witnessed by a prison officer who claimed he saw Mr Petre hitting the man "three times into the head using a kettle".

The bail hearing was told another prison guard "witnessed Mr Petre holding a kettle and threatened prison staff that if they entered the cell, 'they would get it'."

Defence counsel, Paddy Flynn, asserted that while his client made admissions, these were made in the context of explaining his actions in self-defence. Additionally, a comment made by Mr Petre to the garda about leaving the State indicated his wish to do so if he had no pending court proceedings. The barrister described the remark as a miscommunication.

The assault and weapons charges, on conviction in the Circuit Court, are punishable by sentences of up to 10 years and five years respectively.

Advertisement

The court heard that the accused, who did not require a translator and spoke only to consult with his barrister, had been in Ireland since 1999, and had worked as a waiter in a Dublin 4 hotel.

However, he lost his job in 2021 and had been homeless at times, living in a tent. Counsel said his client had the presumption of innocence and intended to remain in the State. Counsel told the court there had been some social media attention and the accused had been "targeted" earlier and his property stolen.

The garda said she was aware of a video he had placed online, making threats.

Mr Flynn asked the judge to fix bail with a range of conditions and proposed granting a short adjournment to allow Mr Petre to prove he could comply with the court's orders.

Advertisement

Judge White rejected the grounds for the Garda bail objections and set Mr Petre's bond at 200. He was released and ordered to provide gardai with a new mobile phone number within 48 hours, remain contactable, sign on five days a week at Store Street Garda station, and provide his address or the name of a hostel.

The case resumes in September. Legal aid was granted to the accused, who receives social welfare.
The leader of Sinn Fein has stated that the route to Irish unity is getting there inch by inch, as she urged people to stop being bystanders.

Mary Lou McDonald claimed that the day the public will have a say on a united Ireland is coming.

Advertisement

She made the comments as she addressed the National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Belfast on Sunday.

Irish republicans march in Belfast today, honouring the courage and sacrifice of the hunger strikers.



For them, we continue the fight for Ireland united and free. pic.twitter.com/4mQXJ1NBAw  Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) August 24, 2025

Republicans gathered for the annual event to remember the 10 men who died during the 1981 hunger strike.

Ms McDonald told those gathered at Milltown Cemetery that the momentum for a united Ireland is growing.

She also said that whoever takes on the role as next president of Ireland should be a leader for reunification.

Advertisement

Friends, it is our duty as activists carve the avenue through which we will reach a united Ireland. We are getting there, inch by inch, day by day, year by year, she said.

Its time to get on the pitch, to stop being bystanders as history unfolds, to finally shed the harness of partitionism, and become leaders for the reunification of our country.

Thats what a government with real vision would do. Thats what a patriotic government would do. Thats what Micheal Martin should do. These are the values that the Irish president must advance.

The day is coming when the people will have their say on unity. Our job is to build the most positive campaigns possible. To win those referendums and to win well. I say we can do it. I say we must do it. I say we will do it.

Advertisement

As our long walk to nationhood continues, we never forget other peoples who yearn for freedom. We stand in unwavering support of Palestine and the people of Gaza as Israels barbaric genocide continues.

As occupation, apartheid, starvation, bombardment, brutality, Israeli barbarism plays out for all the world to see.

As Britain, the United States, the European Union facilitate, enable and finance genocide.

She said the people of Palestine can count on the people of Ireland and pledged to continue to support them.

Advertisement

As the powerful turn a blind eye to unimaginable suffering, as they aid and fund this brutal genocide, the people of Ireland will never be silent, she added.

With everything we have we will champion Irelands values of freedom, peace, and human rights. Together we say, sanction Israel, stop the genocide, end the occupation, free Palestine.

Young people have always been at the forefront of the struggle of equality and justice.

The hunger strikers were young. The average age of the 10 who died was 28.

Advertisement

Thomas McElwee, the youngest, was only 23 when he died. Joe McDonell, the eldest, was only 30.

Ireland Sinn Fein yet to decide on presidential candidate... Read More

Their story shows us that young people can change history. Our job is to inspire within them the power of activism.

To instil in them the politics of defiance, over despair, the politics of hope, over fear. To instil in them the spark to rock the system, to shake things up, to be the living embodiment of Irish republicanism.

As long as we do that, the cause of Irish freedom and unity is in safe hands.
Sightings of great white sharks are on the rise in the waters off the north-east coast of the United States  an area where sightings once were rare.

Rick Clough spent some four decades fishing for lobsters and sea urchins off the Maine coast before spotting a great white shark for the first time.

Advertisement

The approximately 8ft long shark, spotted off the beach town of Scarborough, Maine, in July, surprised Mr Clough, but did not make him fear the ocean although he admitted: Im not sure Id want to go urchin diving now.

Boaters, beachgoers and fishermen like Mr Clough who spend time in the chilly waters of New England and Atlantic Canada are learning to live with great white sharks, the creatures made famous by the 1975 film, Jaws.



Visitors enjoy the summer weather not far from recent sightings of white sharks in Scarborough, Maine (Robert F Bukaty/AP)

Sightings of the apex predators are up in places like Maine, where they were once very rarely spotted.

Scientists link the white shark sightings to increased availability of the seals the sharks feast on, and say beachgoers are generally very safe from shark bites.

Advertisement

The sharks can grow close to 20ft long, though most do not get that big.

David Lancaster, a commercial clam digger in Scarborough, used a drone to get a look at an approximately 12ft shark near the towns famed beaches earlier this month.



A harbour seal  a favoured prey item for great white sharks  rests on a small island off Portland, Maine (Robert F Bukaty/AP)

He described the animal as magnificent and really amazing to see. But he also said the sharks presence reminded him that swimmers need to look out for the big fish.

Sightings of great whites off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, have become increasingly frequent in recent years, and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) has documented hundreds of the animals over more than a decade.

Advertisement

But new data shows the sharks are heading even farther north into New Hampshire, Maine and beyond, said Greg Skomal, a senior fisheries biologist with the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries and a veteran white shark researcher.

The number of white sharks detected off Halifax, Nova Scotia, increased about 2.5 times from 2018 to 2022, according to a paper published by Mr Skomal and others in May in the journal, Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Even farther north, the number detected in the Cabot Strait that separates Nova Scotia and Newfoundland increased nearly four times over, the paper said.

Mr Skomal said the average residency in these northern waters has also increased from 48 days to 70 days, suggesting that white sharks appear to be increasingly comfortable farther north.

Advertisement

A key reason for the shift seems to be the successful conservation of seals off New England and Canada via laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which has allowed seals to thrive and provide a food source for the predatory sharks, Mr Skomal said.

Despite the size and strength of the sharks, dangerous encounters between white sharks and humans are vanishingly rare.

Worldwide, there have been fewer than 60 fatal great white shark bites on humans in recorded history, according to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

The first recorded fatal shark attack in Maine happened in 2020 when a great white shark killed 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach off Bailey Island.

Advertisement

Its an exceedingly rare event. But were providing all of this information to mitigate human behaviour and hopefully reduce any negative encounters between humans and sharks, said Ashleigh Novak, AWSC research co-ordinator.
Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence.

Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes.

Advertisement

The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plants press service on Telegram.

While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges.



Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, front left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, front right, shake hands in Sophia Square, Kyiv (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire due to military activity, but had not received independent confirmation.

It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that every nuclear facility must be protected at all times.

Advertisement

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack.

Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russias Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal.



People visit the memorial wall of fallen defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire.

Russias defence ministry claimed its air defences intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday.

Advertisement

Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraines air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed.

The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked independence day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered remarks in a video address from Kyivs Independence Square, emphasising the nations resolve.

We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace, Mr Zelensky said, calling for a just peace.

Advertisement

What our future will be is up to us alone, he said, in a nod to the USRussia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests side-lined.

And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal, he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Mr Zelensky.

On this special day  Ukraines independence day  it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side, wrote Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskys chief of staff.

Advertisement

Norway announced significant new military aid on Sunday, pledging about 7.0 billion kroner (514 million) for air defence systems.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar.

Meanwhile, fighting continued on the front line in eastern Ukraine, where Russia claimed on Saturday that its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region.
At yesterdays March for Palestine in Brisbane, Max Chandler-Mather made his first high-profile speech since losing the electorate of Griffith, using the platform to take a swipe at the party that ousted him.

Labor and the Liberal Party are relying on the fact that you will lose hope, the fired up Former Greens MP told thousands of pro-Palestine marchers. They will do everything they can to demobilise this movement for peace. We cannot let them win.

Max Chandler-Mather. Credit: William Davis

I have some simple actions for everyone here to take as you go home after this incredible movement and rally for peace  Never vote for Labor or the Liberal Party again ... Never give money or support to the Labor Party again.

Multiple Labor representatives were in the crowd at Queens Gardens, including Brisbane City Council opposition leader Jared Cassidy and deputy Lucy Collier. Several unions also had delegations in attendance.

Chandler-Mather didnt reveal if he planned to run for federal parliament again, but said he aimed to help build a new political movement for peace and transform the country.

The 33-year-old lost the seat of Griffith in Brisbanes south to Labor representative Renee Coffey at the May 3 poll.

Read more about yesterdays march here.
Katherine Lyall-Watsons first visit to Biloela is one shell never forget.

It was June 10, 2022, and she was at Thangool Aerodrome to witness the return of the Murugappan family to their adopted home  four years after they were taken into immigration detention.

People were in tears before the plane even landed, Lyall-Watson said.

The Murugappan family and Angela Fredericks arrive at the Thangool Aerodrome in June 2022. Credit: Dan Peled/Getty Images

It was Harry, who is Kopikas friend  the elder daughter  he was the one who spotted the plane first, and then we all saw it.
Police have charged the husband of a Brisbane woman with murder after she was allegedly stabbed to death while her family was at home in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to a home on Osprey Place in Taigum, in Brisbanes north, about 12.30am on Saturday.

The woman, later identified as 48-year-old nurse and mother Carra Luke, was found unresponsive with significant stab wounds.

Despite attempts from paramedics, she died at the scene.
Some healthcare workers were dressed in their scrubs, holding signs that read: Healthcare workers of Gaza, you are not alone. Others held signs of starving children or photographs of Palestinian people who had been killed. One protester held a poster with the words: How many times can a soul break and still bloom again? Ive shattered a million times, yet I rise. The crowd marching stretched from the steps of parliament, past Flinders Street Station to as far as Melbourne Town Hall.

The Riff Raff Radical marching band played trumpets and another group strummed guitars belting out John Farnhams Youre The Voice. Similar rallies also took place on Sunday in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, as well as in regional cities, including Warrnambool and Geelong. A Victoria Police spokesperson said officers had maintained a highly visible presence throughout the Melbourne protest, which they estimated was attended by about 10,000 people. Rally organisers had estimated crowd numbers were more than 100,000. Our top priority was keeping the peace and ensuring the safety of those attending and the broader community, the police spokesperson said. Officers are currently investigating reports of two smoke emitters being spotted in the crowd. There are no arrests at this stage.

In NSW, a confidential police briefing paper, obtained by this masthead, revealed the force had spent $11.3 million responding to protests, rallies and crimes linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Sydney. The anti-hate taskforce, Operation Shelter, had recorded 1846 pro-Palestine and pro-Israel events and protests from October 8, 2023, to April 14, 2025. Those numbers did not include a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this month. The City of Melbourne voted last week to advocate to the state and federal governments to limit any disturbance caused by the weekly pro-Palestine rallies in Melbourne, but that did not deter Greens councillor Dr Olivia Ball from joining the march walking alongside former councillor Jamal Hakim. Ball said the councils position was outrageous and the right to protest should be protected.

Its a very positive, very peaceful, very heartfelt movement that is expressing their views on the streets of Melbourne, and thats our human right, she said. Its anathema to the right to protest for any government to suggest they can dictate when and where people may protest. Australian surgeon Bushra Othman was overcome by emotion as she addressed the crowd recalling her months spent at hospitals in Gaza this year. She spoke of hearing screams as bombs fell, patients lying on the floors of emergency departments with mangled limbs and children being retrieved from rubble.

Othman said she was haunted by thoughts of people dying as they waited to be taken into operating theatres. Others were gravely ill and unable to receive basic healthcare, she said. Since returning to Australia, she said she could not stop thinking of her medical colleagues and the people of Gaza. They are on my mind 24/7, she said. Janine OKeeffe, from the Scientist Rebellion group, said she attended the Melbourne protest because what was unfolding in Gaza was disgusting. We people who care about human rights must stand together for this, she said, citing rising numbers of children, healthcare workers, journalists and Palestinian civilians killed.

Another protester, Rhoma Rose, drove more than two hours from her home in north-east Victoria to attend the weekly rallies. What is happening in Gaza is cruel and barbaric and violent, she said. Today is absolutely so massive. Its far more people than Ive seen attend by a very long shot. In Geelong, protesters gathered at Corio Rowing Club for a march from the river to the sea, starting at the Barwon River and ending at Corio Bay.

The national protests also included a march in Brisbanes CBD after a court order found that a proposal for demonstrators to cross the Story Bridge was unsafe. The court ruling failed to deter crowds, which stretched back several blocks. The protests come days after the worlds peak hunger monitor warned that almost a quarter of the Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing famine, and the number of those suffering is likely to surpass 600,000 within weeks. Protesters gather for the march in Sydney. Credit: Getty Images The formal warning on Friday from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system, which is backed by the United Nations and major aid groups, came as Australia steps up criticism of the Israeli government in a rebuke over its plans for a controversial settlement in the West Bank.

The organisation said 514,000 people  nearly a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza  were experiencing famine. It predicted the figure would rise to 641,000 by the end of September. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the famine was a man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself. The Israeli government has denied claims of genocide and starvation in Gaza, claiming the war is an act of self-defence. Loading The famine warning came the day after Australia joined a global statement accusing Israel of violating international law with a major plan to divide Palestinian territories east of Jerusalem, amid Israeli claims it will erase the prospect of a Palestinian state.
West Australian Police have revealed more than 400 people were charged with assaulting retail workers over the past year as shopping centres record an unprecedented spike in violence.

Local police attended the Australian Retailers Association Retail Crime Symposium in Melbourne last month, an event sparked in part by the Bondi Junction stabbing.

The statistics come after a series of high profile incidents around WA.

The event was held by the Australian Retailers Association, which said their statistics showed violence and serious incidents have gone up by about 30 per cent compared to last year.

There have been 800,000 retail crime incidents reported across Australia in the past year, and 16 per cent of all events reported into the platform include threatening or violent behaviour, a spokesperson said.
Premier Chris Minns has conceded his governments plan for 10,000 new apartments in Sydneys eastern suburbs wont be met with universal happiness but he says his plan for a major rezoning of Woollahra and neighbouring Edgecliff cant be stopped.

After much speculation, Minns on Sunday announced Labor would open a new heavy rail train station at Woollahra while rezoning land there and in nearby Edgecliff for high-rise development to provide 10,000 new apartments in the leafy eastern postcodes.

Premier Chris Minns at the site of the planned heavy rail station at Woollahra on Sunday. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Minns said land within 800 metres of the new station and 400 metres of Edgecliff would be rezoned for the new homes, which would probably be delivered over 10 to 15 years.

Located close to Sydneys CBD and existing infrastructure such as St Vincents Hospital, the new station was first built in the 1970s but it never opened because of local backlash.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has failed to account for more than 40 000 vehicles that entered the country under Temporary Import Permits (TIPs), according to the latest Auditor-General's report for the year ended December 31, 2024.Auditor-General Rheah Kujinga revealed that 27 389 electronic and 10 464 manual TIPs remained unacquitted, making it unclear whether the vehicles exited the country or were localised. "I could not ascertain whether the vehicles had exited the country or may have been localised as they remained not acquitted as at December 31, 2024. I could also not ascertain the extent of the duty payable in relation to the vehicles that were localised," Kujinga reported.The audit also flagged concerns over Zimra's handling of impounded vehicles, noting that two trucks had been left at a freight parking site for over a year instead of being transferred to designated car pounds. One of the trucks, loaded with 30 tonnes of lithium ore, could not be moved due to the lack of offloading equipment, while the other, linked to undeclared chrome, faced mechanical challenges."The risks or implications emanating from such are unauthorised clearance and removal of the vehicles," Kujinga warned, urging Zimra to move impounded vehicles to proper facilities.In response, Zimra acknowledged the challenges and said it was engaging service providers to offload and move the trucks.The Auditor-General further highlighted that while some progress had been made in addressing past audit findings, key issues remained unresolved. These included bank reconciliations, automation of payroll processes, and recovery of customs debt from imported vehicles.Kujinga also expressed concern over the rising number of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and parastatals failing to submit financial statements, which increased from 45 in 2023 to 50 in 2024. Six entities have not submitted statements for more than three years.She warned that failure to address audit findings would compromise transparency, accountability, service delivery, and the achievement of national development goals."Those charged with governance and management are urged to pay attention to the audit findings so as to address them and improve transparency, accountability, good corporate governance and service delivery," Kujinga said.The report, covering 189 financial statements from SOEs and parastatals, underscored Parliament's oversight role in strengthening public trust and ensuring compliance with governance laws such as the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act.
Photos and details of dangerous child sex offenders living in Queensland would be made public by the end of the year, Premier David Crisafulli announced on Sunday, under an initiative to be known as Daniels Law.

Neighbours would also be able to apply for images of high-risk reportable offenders living in their local area, while parents and guardians could find out if adults who had unsupervised contact with their children were current reportable offenders.

Details about Daniels Law, promised during last years election campaign, were revealed by the premier at the Liberal National Partys state conference held in Brisbane this weekend.

The law is named after Daniel Morcombe, who was abducted and murdered in 2003. Credit: ninevms

If you commit hideous crimes and try to hide, Queenslanders deserve to know who you are and where you are to keep our kids safe, Crisafulli said in his keynote address on Sunday morning.
Advertisement

InspirationLuxury holidays The insider secret to beating the crowds at this world wonder Ben Groundwater August 25, 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

It should be a celebration when you first stumble upon a wonder of the world. Its supposed to be like Hiram Bingham rediscovering Machu Picchu, or Howard Carter uncovering Tutankhamuns tomb  big moments in history, marked accordingly. For Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, however, it didnt feel that way when he happened upon Iguazu Falls. Back in 1541, the Spanish conquistador was tasked with making his way from what is now southern Brazil to Asuncion in Paraguay, to inform local authorities that he had been appointed their new ruler. The torrents of Iguazu  millions now seek to see them. Cabeza de Vacas team planned to sail a flotilla of vessels up the Iguazu River to Asuncion, a plan that was going well until they heard the thundering of water in the distance. The team rounded a bend and there was a sight no upriver exploratory party would ever hope to see: some of the largest, highest, most powerful waterfalls on the planet. The expedition was in tatters. Cabeza de Vacas team was forced to abandon their vessels and, with the help of local Guarani people who had long known of the falls existence, continue to Asuncion from above the cascades using small, hand-built craft.

Advertisement

Up close and intimate at the falls. Cabeza de Vacas account of his experience was the first recorded mention of Iguazu Falls in the western world. The explorer had discovered a wonder, but had instead found only an obstacle. There may well be a similar feeling of disappointment among many modern-day explorers when they first see Iguazu Falls. Yes, the sight is magnificent. Its truly awe-inspiring. That is, if you can see it. The falls are increasingly popular with visitors. In 2000, some 400,000 people visited the two national parks that straddle the falls, in Brazil and Argentina (the countries border runs through the middle of the river). By 2020, that number had climbed to 1.5 million. Last year, more than 3 million people visited. Its a circus at Iguazu some days, where you spend more time bumping shoulders and viewing the falls through other peoples smartphones than you do just gaping in wonder at the majesty of 275 cascades falling up to 82 metres over basalt cliffs.

Advertisement

Theres only so much room on the concrete pathways and metal boardwalks. The viewing platforms can only manage so many people. All of which makes it even more incredible that Im standing today at one of the most famous sites in Iguazu, the thundering Devils Throat, a U-shaped section of the falls with a viewing platform right on the edge of a cliff, and Im the only person here. There is just me and my guide, Carolina. It will be another 15 minutes before anyone else arrives. Inside Awasi Iguazu. How is this possible? How can you see Iguazu without the hustle, getting to the best spots without all the people, then escaping to somewhere completely different to enjoy this area of northern Argentina and southern Brazil in ways that have nothing to do with shoulder-barging tourists carrying DSLRs? To begin with, you stay at Awasi Iguazu. I was picked up from the Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport yesterday by Carolina, in a 4WD that will be my private vehicle for the duration of my stay. I was then whisked through the jungle to the Awasi resort, set amid dense vegetation just outside the town of Puerto Iguazu.

Advertisement

Awasi is a Latin American-owned collection of three high-end Relais & Chateaux-accredited resorts in Chile and Argentina. At these boutique properties, each room or villa is assigned its own personal guide and vehicle, which makes for a bespoke experience whether youre in Patagonia, the Atacama, or Iguazu. So thats one of my first experiences upon arrival: tailoring my stay and deciding what I want to do. Iguazu Falls from the Argentinean side. iStock At Awasi Iguazu, Carolina explains, there are about 10 styles of activities on offer  walking, bike-riding, boating, stand-up paddleboarding and more  which are available throughout numerous destinations within the Misiones province of Argentina, and into Parana, Brazil. Pretty much everyone does a standard viewing of the falls in both countries, but beyond that, Iguazu is your oyster. So the next morning, I wake well before dawn, bolt down the quick breakfast that was laid out in my villa the previous evening, and wander down a stone pathway by torchlight to where Carolina is waiting with our vehicle.

Advertisement

The next step to beating the crowds at Iguazu: get up early. Really early. The sun is only just beginning to crack the horizon, the birds just starting to make noise, as we arrive in the national park and make our way through a checkpoint to the Gran Melia Iguazu. This is the only hotel within the national park, and therefore the only way to get to the falls before the park opens to the general public. That happens at 8am, when the first train runs from the main entrance of the park to the boardwalk leading to the Devils Throat viewing platform, a journey of about three kilometres. Paddling beyond the crowds. If you wait for that train, you will be joining the masses. If, however, you have special permission from park authorities because youre staying at Awasi, you can walk those three kilometres and enter the boardwalk at 8am, a good 20 or 25 minutes before anyone else arrives. So thats what Carolina and I do, speed-walking from the Gran Melia before taking a leisurely 15 minutes on the raised boardwalk and arriving at Devils Throat before anyone else.

Advertisement

As an introduction to the majesty and the power of Iguazu Falls, this is incredible. You stand on the metal platform here, almost close enough to dip your hand into the huge torrent of water that pours over cliffs and crashes into rocks some 82 metres below. You can feel the droplets on your face, watch as rainbows dance in and out of the spray. Theres something primal and awe-inspiring about waterfalls, you realise. Theres something truly knee-shaking about the sound of thousands of megalitres of water thundering into rocks, exploding into billions of tiny droplets. Its mesmerising, like a campfire. You cant look away. The Iguazu Falls are a crowd magnet. iStock But then you have to, because the tourists are arriving. Its like fighting the tide of the river itself, walking back along that boardwalk. Everyone is going in one direction. Everyone except Carolina and me. I get a dose of the real Iguazu as we explore the rest of the Argentinian side that morning among the crowds, jostling for position, standing on tiptoes. Its a relief to head back to Awasi and tuck into some lunch and appreciate the service you get at a place like this.

Advertisement

A chef at work at Awasi Iguazu. Staff that I havent even met before seem to know my water preference (sparkling, since youre asking). The barman has figured out the sort of wine I like and keeps bringing out interesting Argentinian examples to match the three-course meals (theres a moscato from San Rafael in Mendoza thats a particular winner). This is living. Well cross into Brazil tomorrow, Carolina and I, to take in the majesty of the falls from the other side. Well arrive early again and beat the bulk of the crowds at the border, and at the national park. And then well swing entirely clear of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and escape the crowds with other activities that have nothing to do with the falls. Well take a boat ride to the point where the Iguazu River meets the Parana River, and where three countries  Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay  also touch. Well take another boat and cruise the Urugua-i lake, perfectly flat, perfectly empty, before going stand-up paddleboarding through the skeletal remains of a flooded forest. Well board yet another boat in the Parana River and view waterfalls that most visitors here probably dont even realise exist. And that is a discovery worth celebrating.

Advertisement

The details Stay

Stays at Awasi Iguazu are all-inclusive, which takes in airport transfers, all meals and snacks, all drinks (alcoholic and other), entrance to national parks and attractions, and the services of a private guide and vehicle for each villa. Prices start from $US2680 ($4120) a person per night. See southamericatravelcentre.com.au Fly

LATAM flies direct from Melbourne and Sydney to Santiago, with onward connections to Buenos Aires and Iguazu. See latamairlines.com The writer travelled as a guest of Awasi Iguazu and South America Travel Centre.

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Traveller Guides
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.

If in your overseas travels that where-have-I-seen-that-before name Adina seems to have been appearing more often lately, dont worry, youre not imagining things. It just happens to be one of Australias most successful travel brand exports.

In the growing serviced apartment segment, the attractiveness of Adinas distinctly Australian offering, born of its Aussie business, leisure and bleisure guests tastes and preferences, has seen the brand grow strongly within it.

One-bedroom apartment, Adina Town Hall, Sydney.

The brand reflects a distinctively Australian hospitality ethos  relaxed, welcoming and stylish with high standards, says Chris Sedgwick, chief operating officer of TFE Hotels, Adinas parent company.

The growth of Adina is also due to the foresight of TFE (now a joint venture with Singapores Far East Hospitality) which, in 1997 and then called Toga, started expanding in the northern hemisphere, opening a hotel in Hungary. There are now Adinas in other European locations including Germany, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland. It also has hotels in New Zealand and Singapore, and is set to open the first two Adinas in Britain.
Washington: The overwhelming majority of documents the US Justice Department gave Congress in response to a subpoena for all information from its investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein had already been publicly released, the top Democrat on the Houses principal investigative committee said.

The Justice Department began sending material on Friday (Saturday AEST) to the House oversight committee, which had demanded all records by August 19, providing a total of 33,295 pages.

Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein. Credit: AP

But congressman Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the panel, said that of the files the committee had received, only 3 per cent contained new information. The remaining 97 per cent, he said, contained information previously released by the Justice Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the Palm Beach County State Attorneys office.

Among those files were video from the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York from the night of Epsteins death; Supreme Court filings from Ghislaine Maxwell, his long-time associate who is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence; a Justice Department inspector general report on Epsteins death; and a memo from US Attorney-General Pam Bondi to Kash Patel, the FBI director.
The details:

The prestigious gala and awards evening brings together the industry's best brokers, brokerages, lenders, aggregators, BDMs and key market players for a night of celebration, connection and acknowledgment. Set among the mortgage industrys creme de la creme at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney, Excellence Awardees (finalists) contend for top honors. Winners will be announced on the night of the event, Friday, 17 October.
Tom Tuite

A former waiter previously "targeted" after posting a social media threat has been charged with using a kettle of boiling water to scald a cellmate who suffered severe burns in a Cloverhill Prison attack.

Romanian national, Beniamin Petre, 50, of no fixed address, appeared before Judge Peter White at Dublin District Court on Sunday and was released on conditional bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Garda Rebecca Lloyd charged him with assault causing harm to another man on June 10th in the prison and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury during the same alleged incident.

Objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the case and flight risk concerns, she told the court that it was the prosecution's case that Mr Petri assaulted the man in a cell within the confines of Cloverhill Prison and was caught red-handed.

The injured man had shared a cell with the accused for approximately two weeks.

It was alleged Mr Petre used a kettle of boiling water to assault the other prisoner and that he struck him on the head with the kettle and "he sustained considerable burns to his head and arm".

The injured man required hospital treatment following the attack, which was said to have been witnessed by a prison officer who claimed he saw Mr Petre hitting the man "three times into the head using a kettle".

The bail hearing was told another prison guard "witnessed Mr Petre holding a kettle and threatened prison staff that if they entered the cell, 'they would get it'."

Defence counsel, Paddy Flynn, asserted that while his client made admissions, these were made in the context of explaining his actions in self-defence. Additionally, a comment made by Mr Petre to the garda about leaving the State indicated his wish to do so if he had no pending court proceedings. The barrister described the remark as a miscommunication.

The assault and weapons charges, on conviction in the Circuit Court, are punishable by sentences of up to 10 years and five years respectively.

The court heard that the accused, who did not require a translator and spoke only to consult with his barrister, had been in Ireland since 1999, and had worked as a waiter in a Dublin 4 hotel.

However, he lost his job in 2021 and had been homeless at times, living in a tent. Counsel said his client had the presumption of innocence and intended to remain in the State. Counsel told the court there had been some social media attention and the accused had been "targeted" earlier and his property stolen.

The garda said she was aware of a video he had placed online, making threats.

Mr Flynn asked the judge to fix bail with a range of conditions and proposed granting a short adjournment to allow Mr Petre to prove he could comply with the court's orders.

Judge White rejected the grounds for the Garda bail objections and set Mr Petre's bond at 200. He was released and ordered to provide gardai with a new mobile phone number within 48 hours, remain contactable, sign on five days a week at Store Street Garda station, and provide his address or the name of a hostel.

The case resumes in September. Legal aid was granted to the accused, who receives social welfare.
By Cate McCurry, PA

The leader of Sinn Fein has stated that the route to Irish unity is getting there inch by inch, as she urged people to stop being bystanders.

Mary Lou McDonald claimed that the day the public will have a say on a united Ireland is coming.

She made the comments as she addressed the National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Belfast on Sunday.

Irish republicans march in Belfast today, honouring the courage and sacrifice of the hunger strikers.



For them, we continue the fight for Ireland united and free. pic.twitter.com/4mQXJ1NBAw  Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) August 24, 2025

Republicans gathered for the annual event to remember the 10 men who died during the 1981 hunger strike.

Ms McDonald told those gathered at Milltown Cemetery that the momentum for a united Ireland is growing.

She also said that whoever takes on the role as next president of Ireland should be a leader for reunification.

Friends, it is our duty as activists carve the avenue through which we will reach a united Ireland. We are getting there, inch by inch, day by day, year by year, she said.

Its time to get on the pitch, to stop being bystanders as history unfolds, to finally shed the harness of partitionism, and become leaders for the reunification of our country.

Thats what a government with real vision would do. Thats what a patriotic government would do. Thats what Micheal Martin should do. These are the values that the Irish president must advance.

The day is coming when the people will have their say on unity. Our job is to build the most positive campaigns possible. To win those referendums and to win well. I say we can do it. I say we must do it. I say we will do it.

As our long walk to nationhood continues, we never forget other peoples who yearn for freedom. We stand in unwavering support of Palestine and the people of Gaza as Israels barbaric genocide continues.

As occupation, apartheid, starvation, bombardment, brutality, Israeli barbarism plays out for all the world to see.

As Britain, the United States, the European Union facilitate, enable and finance genocide.

She said the people of Palestine can count on the people of Ireland and pledged to continue to support them.

As the powerful turn a blind eye to unimaginable suffering, as they aid and fund this brutal genocide, the people of Ireland will never be silent, she added.

With everything we have we will champion Irelands values of freedom, peace, and human rights. Together we say, sanction Israel, stop the genocide, end the occupation, free Palestine.

Young people have always been at the forefront of the struggle of equality and justice.

The hunger strikers were young. The average age of the 10 who died was 28.

Thomas McElwee, the youngest, was only 23 when he died. Joe McDonell, the eldest, was only 30.

Their story shows us that young people can change history. Our job is to inspire within them the power of activism.

To instil in them the politics of defiance, over despair, the politics of hope, over fear. To instil in them the spark to rock the system, to shake things up, to be the living embodiment of Irish republicanism.

As long as we do that, the cause of Irish freedom and unity is in safe hands.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A leadership crisis has gripped the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association (ZEPPDRA), with members accusing the current executive of clinging to power beyond their mandate.The dispute surfaced soon after the burial of ZEPPDRA chairperson Victor Panganayi Kuretu, who was declared a national hero and laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre on August 23, 2025. Kuretu had been widely respected for championing the welfare of liberation war veterans and detainees.Discontent grew when ZEPPDRA secretary-general Douglas Ndlovu was appointed acting chairperson during Kuretu's burial. Some members rejected the move, arguing that the leadership's term expired in 2014."Their term of office expired in 2014," said Tichafa Horwe of Gweru. "People whose term has expired cannot be trusted to organise fair, transparent, and free elections."George Tawengwa from Manicaland lamented that the infighting was derailing the association's work. "The squabbles are preventing us from establishing an elected leadership that will advocate for our needs," he said, while fellow member Meynard Mubayiwa, who was once imprisoned at Hwahwa, complained about inadequate pensions. "We are receiving only US$147 and less than ZWL$900. We need a democratically elected leadership that can negotiate for higher pensions," he said.Ndlovu dismissed the complaints, saying he was the most senior member and had not lobbied for the interim position. "Members are just making a storm in a teacup," he said. "Preparations for a congress are at an advanced stage, but I cannot provide a specific date." He added that structural verifications were nearly complete, with Harare and Mashonaland Central still outstanding.However, members have raised concerns about how these structures are being set up, warning that they may further entrench disputed leadership. ZEPPDRA last held an elective congress in 2014.Analysts warn that the turmoil could weaken the association's ability to lobby for its members, particularly as government implements reforms under the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Bill (2019), which seeks to harmonise benefits for war veterans and related groups.For now, ZEPPDRA remains divided between those pushing for immediate elections and a leadership accused of overstaying its welcome.
By Cate McCurry, PA

The Tanaiste is to seek real sanction measures against Israel after a review found it violated the terms of the countrys agreement with the EU.

Simon Harris will meet fellow foreign ministers in Copenhagen this week, where he said he will seek concrete actions from the bloc in response to the catastrophic situation in Gaza.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Harris said that famine is a spectre no Irish person can endure.

His comments come after the United Nations officially declared famine in Gaza City.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said it is a man-made disaster and a failure of humanity.

President Michael D Higgins echoed similar comments this weekend, saying it is a tragic period in the worlds history.

Mr Harris said that Israel is in clear breach of its human rights obligations under the Association Agreement.

The Tanaiste said: The scenes that we are witnessing in Gaza and the now famine conditions that families are facing is nothing short of catastrophic.

Famine is a spectre no Irish person can endure.

People in Ireland, and across the world, will not turn a blind eye.

I along with my EU counterparts, are calling once again on Israel to completely and immediately lift its blockade and allow the full resumption of humanitarian aid, in line with humanitarian principles, into Gaza.

All hostages must be released.

There needs to be an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

This week I will travel to Copenhagen where I will meet fellow EU foreign ministers and call for concrete action against Israel for the genocide being committed against the people of Gaza.

Mr Harris has pledged to pass the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Bill.

The Fine Gael leader said he can move forward after receiving the Oireachtas Committee Report.

He called for other EU foreign minister to work at an EU and UN level and with like-minded Arab countries to seek a ceasefire, hostages released and a surge in humanitarian aid.

Mr Harris said he wants to increase its funding to programmes like the World Food Programme and will advance a National Day of Solidarity for Gaza and intends to encourage other countries to do likewise.
I LOVE and loathe new technology in equal measure. Nowadays, we cannot live without it, but how I often long for the days when everything was much slower and, maybe, that little bit more personal.

The days of writing a cheque are a thing of the past. I have a few left in an old cheque book, which I have kept for nostalgic reasons, but if I did present one for payment, unless I was lucky enough to meet someone of my own age, I doubt if the person receiving it would even know what it was.

No doubt businesses are glad that cheques are outdated. While most people doing the writing of said cheques were acting in the best interests of all concerned, there were those who knew when putting pen to paper that the cheque wasnt worth a curse and would bounce from here to the Moon and back again.

In other words, when a business was making a lodgement, they were really taking a leap of faith that all the cheques they were lodging to their account were good. In turn, they wrote cheques on the strength of that, but all it took was a few to fall at their end and suddenly their credit rating or reputation was at risk.

Nowadays, it is swipe on the phone, insert or tap the card or carry out an EFT (electronic funds transfer, to those of you not in the know) and, hey presto, the money is gone from your account and into the account of the recipient. We know it hasnt actually gone there, but in banking circles it means the money is gone from your account and will end up in the account of whoever you have designated as the recipient.

All very fast and clean  or so you would hope  but with all that advancement comes an equally annoying problem: scamming.

On two occasions last week, I received what appeared at first glance to be innocuous notifications, one from Paypal and the other from someone purporting to represent my bank.

The first said PayPal feared a transaction for over 600, which I had authorised, was a scam, which they withheld, but I was to immediately contact their customer services department to clarify matters. Wow, fair play to PayPal  at least someone there was on the ball and looking out for my best interests. But hold on  I dont have a PayPal account and I havent spent 600-plus on anything for months, so why are they contacting me?

I may be slow and at times people have even called me stupid, but on this occasion I was neither. That notification hit the bin and the number was blocked on my mobile. However, I have since learned that blocking the number, while it may have given me a sense of pay-back, didnt really solve the problem because whoever is running this scam will randomly pick another phone number out of their arsenal and send the same message over and over again.

I got the same treatment from someone purporting to be acting on behalf of Revolut and again I kept dumping the message and blocking the number until whoever was running that scam switched to PayPal and, yes, you are looking at one of the very few people who doesnt have a Revolut card to help me spend the few bob that I have  I can do that without any help from anyone, thank you very much.

But the attempted scam I got from my alleged bank was a little different. This came in the form of a text message. It looked fairly harmless, as all it was doing was informing me that they had, on my request, added a payee to my account and even went as far as to provide the name. However, if by chance that name was incorrect, there was a mobile number I could phone to verify or cancel matters.

Thankfully, I didnt dial the number because I was later told the phone number was really masquerading and, indeed, was the link the scammers needed me to activate in order for them to gain access to my bank account. Not that they would have found a lot to play around with if they had, but whats mine is mine and I would really prefer to spend it rather than have it land in someone elses account and then disappear.

That happened to me a few years ago when, having withdrawn money from an ATM machine on Tullow Street on Christmas Eve, I went shopping for groceries as soon as shops reopened the day after St Stephens Day, only to discover there had been six transactions on my account  in Puerto Rico.

I have never been known to move at any great speed, but I doubt even a superhero could have made that journey  with planes grounded for the holidays  in three days. Thankfully, the bank also recognised that fact and quickly refunded every penny to me.

On another occasion, in Kildare Village, I purchased an item costing 35, but the following day I received a call from the shop advising me that they had accidentally added a zero to the transaction. They had instantly refunded me the entire amount  but that instant really meant it would be at least three days before I again had access to my own money.

I know shopping online can be a godsend when you can order and pay in an instant with little effort and all from the comfort of your armchair, but then we hear the horror stories of people losing thousands at the hands of scammers and wish for a less stressful time when cash was king.

Ask tourists who were in Spain or Portugal in April during the massive power blackout when nothing worked. No cash registers, no bank machines, no tapping, nothing. They soon found out cash is still king.
The proposal to build a collision center in Soddy Daisy met resistance at the commission meeting Thursday night. It was not the business but the location that many were opposed to. Two lots would be needed to build a Calvert Collision Center. A site at 9450 Dayton Pike would have required a zoning change from Local Business to General Business, and the second property at 9508 Dayton Pike from Agricultural and Rural Residential to General Business district. Both are between Daisy United Methodist Church and a doctors office.

When the project developers for Calvert first came to the city, the staff recommended denying the zoning change because they felt there were better uses for the property. At that time, the suggestion was to locate it in the Soddy Daisy Industrial Park. The next part of the rezoning process was to ask the citys planning commission for their input. Their recommendation was to approve the rezoning that would have allowed the collision center there. The city commission has the final say, and Thursday night no motion was made one way or the other, so the motion died.

The business would have brought good paying jobs to the city particularly for the graduates of the local vocational school, and, with $3 million-to-$3.5 million in sales per year, would have also brought in needed sales tax revenue, proponents said. But the highly visible location on the main street through town would be a good location for a new restaurant or a hotel that the city is hoping to attract, it was stated.

A representative from the church said it had been discussed and the church did not have a problem with putting the business there. One speaker feared that a bustling business there would change the character of the city and she did not want the main street through town to become Lee Highway. Commissioner Travis Beene said something will go there eventually, with some restrictions since it is adjacent to a church, but he said as long as they kept their word about how it would be operated, and they do right for the community, that he would have supported it.

Another item on the meeting agenda was the second and final reading to establish the property tax rate for 2026 at $1.10 per every $100 of assessed value. It passed unanimously. City Manager Burt Johnson had been telling the commissioners for a couple of months that a tax increase would be requested, and at the July 17 meeting he said the certified rate, established by Hamilton County after the reappraisals this year, was $.90. That would have kept property taxes the same as before the reappraisals. At that meeting, he also laid out the citys upcoming needs and said that the rate he planned to propose, would exceed the certified rate. And the commissioners were told what money from a tax increase would be used for.

That was done in more detail at the Aug. 7 commission meeting where he had prepared charts showing where the city spends money and where the increase would be used. He compared Soddy Daisy to similar-sized cities and gave a justification for the increased tax rate he proposed. At that meeting the first vote taken resulted in the approval of the new tax rate of $1.10.

And at the Thursday night meeting the ordinance establishing the new tax rate at $1.10 passed unanimously on the second and final vote.

An ordinance must be voted on twice at different meetings to become law. After the first vote on any ordinance, the city of Soddy Daisy provides a time for residents present to voice their opinions about the ordinance. Then two weeks later at the following commission meeting the second and final vote on an ordinance takes pace. Along the way, residents can request minutes from meetings or read newspaper coverage.

Thursday night, after the final vote on the property tax rate, a resident who had not participated previously throughout the process spoke at length in opposition to raising the rate. Too late to make a difference, he said the public had been cut out of the process of setting a tax rate, unaware of what had been done before to inform the public. The city manager and each commissioner justified in detail the reasons for the new tax rate, challenging anyone to find any way that the city spends tax money frivolously.

City Manager Johnson has found a way to provide tax relief to some qualified homeowners in the city that need it. It is the 2025 property tax relief program from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. This program is aimed at the elderly and disabled, disabled veterans and widow or widower of a disabled veteran. Mr. Johnson said 201 people in Soddy Daisy qualify. There are multiple ways to apply by phone and email. The city can be contacted for more information.

Soddy Daisy is entering into a 40-year lease with Hamilton County for the former Sequoyah Health Department building located at 9531 Ridge Trail Road. It will be used for a Senior Center. The city will be responsible for maintenance and repairs and will pay $10 annually for the lease.

The commissioners also amended the municipal code to adopt the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code and 101 Life Safety Code. It has previously been using the codes from 2015. State law says the codes standards have to be within seven years of the current years code. This is consistent with the other surrounding municipalities in the area.
A historic marker provides details about the ceremonial village near Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, on June 3.
Home News Archaeological discovery in Abu Dhabi sheds new light on Christian evangelism

A remarkable archaeological discovery on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is transforming historians understanding of how Christianity spread during the seventh and eighth centuries.

Researchers uncovered a 1,400-year-old plaster plaque depicting a cross within the ruins of a church and monastery. The cross features a stepped pyramid reminiscent of Golgotha  the site believed to be where Jesus was crucified  with foliage sprouting from its base.

The find suggests a thriving Christian settlement existed in the region at a time when Islam was rapidly expanding and pagan traditions still persisted. Contrary to the long-held assumption that Christianity was in decline, evidence indicates that believers here were not only present but flourishing, according to The National.

Maria Gajewska, the chief archaeologist on site, explained: Every element of the cross incorporates regional motifs. It tells us that Christianity in this region was not only present but also flourished, adapting visually to its local context. We had settlements of Christians that were not just existing but were clearly thriving.

The cross, which measures about 27 cm by 17 cm and is less than 2 cm thick, is thought to have served as a sacred object, possibly mounted on a wall before which worshipers prayed.

Other finds included pottery, glass vessels and a small sea-green bottle that might have contained oil or rosewater.

Hager Al Menhali, an Emirati archaeologist with the Department of Culture and Tourism, said her attention was caught by a distinct fingerprint on the back of the plaque, possibly left by its maker more than a millennium ago.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, described the discovery as a powerful testament to the UAEs profound and enduring values of coexistence and cultural openness, noting that it highlights a history of peaceful religious diversity in the region.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the community on Sir Bani Yas was linked to the Church of the East, a denomination whose reach extended from the Middle East to as far as India and China.

The settlement appears to have been home to high-ranking monks who lived in well-constructed courtyard houses made of limestone and coral, complete with water cisterns.

Far from being austere, the site reflects a comfortable lifestyle devoted to worship and reflection.

Signs of Christianitys presence on the island were first unearthed in the early 1990s. More recently, a second monastery was found in Umm Al Quwain in 2022, with other related sites identified in Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The reasons for the eventual decline of the Sir Bani Yas settlement remain unclear. The buildings show little sign of collapse or violence, leading researchers to believe the inhabitants may have left voluntarily, intending to return.

Historical records suggest early Christians and Muslims in the area often coexisted peacefully, trading and interacting without conflict.

The discovery provides an extraordinary glimpse into Christianitys eastward expansion, highlighting the Arabian Gulfs role in the wider story of the faiths spread across Asia.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
News / National

by Staff reporter

The City of Harare has unveiled a draft master plan (20252045) proposing the phasing out of commuter omnibuses (kombis) from the capital's roads within three years, sparking sharp debate among commuters, operators, and motorists.The plan, which estimates costs at US$693,6 million, prioritises high-capacity transport such as buses, trams, and light rail, alongside smart traffic systems and expanded feeder roads. Policy 109 mandates the full removal of kombis within 36 months, while Policy 110 immediately outlaws pirate taxi operations.City planner Brian Zvomuya said the reliance on kombis  described as a "para-transport system"  was unsustainable. "Kombis have become the main transport system, while buses are supporting them. It is not working; there is congestion, traffic accidents everything is not working well. We must transition to high-capacity vehicles," he said.Motorists welcomed the move, citing reckless behaviour by kombi crews. "They think they can rewrite road rules. They must be banned," said motorist Tendai Gavaza. Others, like commuter Taurai Choto of Budiriro, warned of chaos without enough buses: "A ban without sufficient buses would be a recipe for disaster."Registered operators argued the ban would devastate livelihoods. Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators secretary-general Ngoni Katsvairo warned that over 16,000 kombis employ four people each, supporting more than 380,000 dependants. He also noted their contribution to fuel sales and related industries.Meanwhile, unregistered operators complained of prohibitive licensing costs exceeding US$1,000, forcing many into illegal operations. "Operating illegally is easier than complying," one operator admitted.Police confirmed ongoing blitzes against pirate taxis and touting, while council officials acknowledged manpower shortages in enforcement. Calls have been made for surveillance systems and stiffer fines to rein in non-compliant operators.The controversy echoes the failed Covid-19 era ban, when Zupco struggled to absorb demand. Zimbabwe United Deregulated Commuter Operators president Frederick Maguramhinga accused the city of unfairly stereotyping kombis while failing to control pirate taxis.President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since ordered a review of licensing costs across 12 key sectors, including transport, as part of ease-of-doing-business reforms.With more than 13,500 unregistered kombis still operating in Harare, the countdown to their proposed ban is likely to remain one of the city's most divisive transport reforms in decades.
Home News Christians take to streets to protest lack of justice 2 years after Jaranwala attacks

Two years after Islamist attacks on Christians in the Jaranwala area in Punjab Province, Pakistan, hopes for justice are dimming amid the ongoing sabotage of prosecution efforts, advocates say.

None of the perpetrators have been convicted after they ransacked and damaged more than 25 church buildings and 85 homes of Christians in Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad District, on Aug. 16, 2023. Many took to the streets to protest on Aug. 16, calling for government action.

Two years prior, the frenzied mob of thousands of Muslims attacked after two Christian brothers were accused of writing blasphemous content and desecrating a copy of the Quran. The attack drew nationwide condemnation, and more than 300 Muslims were arrested for the riots; most were either bailed out or discharged due to a defective police investigation.

On June 4, an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad acquitted 10 named suspects involved in burning a church building and ransacking a Christians home during the violence. The petitioners lawyer blamed police for the acquittals despite strong evidence against the suspects. Similar verdicts are expected in the remaining cases related to the attacks, he previously told Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News.

Various protests were held in Jaranwala, Lahore, Karachi and other cities on Aug. 16 to mark two years since the attacks and raise renewed calls for government action. The main event was organized in Jaranwala by the Victims Committee, where community leaders criticized the government for its failure to effectively prosecute rioters.

The speakers were also critical of the negative role played by some Christians, who they said were damaging the legal cases at the behest of government authorities.

We are extremely disappointed as all the perpetrators have been released on bail or acquitted of the charges due to weak police investigation, said committee convener Lala Robin Daniel. Some victims have still not received the financial compensation and rehabilitation promised by the government after the incident. Efforts are now being made to divide the community in Jaranwala to damage the cases.

He said that the Victims Committee had decided to organize sit-in demonstrations in various areas of Jaranwala to draw the governments attention to their plight.

We appeal to all Christians of Jaranwala to hold sit-in demonstrations in their streets till our demands are met by the government, he added. We will remain peaceful and use social media to continue to remind the government that it owes us justice.

Rwadari Tehreek (Movement for Equality) Chairman Samson Salamat said he regretted that some Christians were not only using the plight of the Jaranwala victims to fraudulently raise funds for themselves but were also damaging the cases.

Im disappointed to see that no church leader or politician is present in this gathering today to show solidarity with the victims, Salamat said. Even the Punjab chief minister, who calls the religious minorities a jewel in Punjabs crown, hasnt even once visited Jaranwala to express her support or inquire into the progress of the cases.

Salamat warned Christians in Jaranwala to remain alert against attempts to divide the community.

You have remained steadfast in your pursuit of justice for two years, and we believe your commitment will not waver in the future as well, he said. We assure you of our full support in this struggle.

Criticizing claims made by government leaders and others that religious minorities were safe in Pakistan, Salamat said that the two-year delay in justice in Jaranwala had exposed this false narrative.

In Lahore, a protest organized outside the Lahore Press Club included Christian activists Ghazala Shafique and Luke Victor, who demanded stern punishment for the perpetrators of violence in Jaranwala.

The Jaranwala incident is a grim reminder of the deep-rooted intolerance and systemic discrimination faced by Christians in Pakistan, they said in a press statement. The governments failure to punish the accused even after two years and its inaction against extremist groups has put a question mark on the states commitment towards the protection of minorities.

Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation Chairperson Michelle Chaudhry said in a statement that mobs and police were repeatedly setting precedents for vigilante injustice.

No Christian in Pakistan would dare to commit blasphemy, but the dangers posed by the misuse of the blasphemy laws and the failure of state institutions to act swiftly to protect its citizens had been exposed on numerous occasions, Chaudhry said. Today, yet again, we call upon the government of Pakistan to ensure that all perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice, and that the survivors of Jaranwala receive a comprehensive rehabilitation, financial compensation and long-term support which they were promised.

Impunity for violence against religious minorities in Pakistan has to end, Chaudhry said, demanding the government take urgent and meaningful steps to reform laws misused to target vulnerable communities, particularly the blasphemy provisions.

Of 5,213 suspects apprehended in the Jaranwala riots, 380 were arrested while 4,833 remained at large, according to Amnesty International. One years after the attacks, 228 of the arrested suspects were released on bail and 77 others had the charges against them dropped, according to Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for South Asia, adding at that time, despite the authorities assurances of accountability, the grossly inadequate action has allowed a climate of impunity for the perpetrators of the Jaranwala violence.

Blasphemy accusations are common in Pakistan, and those found guilty of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad can be sentenced to death. While authorities have yet to carry out death sentences for blasphemy, often the accusation alone can spark riots and incite mobs to violence.

The two Christian brothers in Jaranwala were acquitted of the blasphemy charges after an anti-terrorism court found another Christian had framed them following a personal dispute.

Pakistan is ranked No. 8 on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News
Home News Travel: Faith, food and tradition in Clevelands Little Italy

CLEVELAND  I was here last weekend for the Feast of the Assumption in the citys Little Italy neighborhood.

The Feast of the Assumption, observed Aug. 15, is one of the great days on the Roman Catholic calendar. It commemorates the dogma that Mary  variously called Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary the Mother of God, St. Mary and yet other names depending on ones theology and denomination  was taken body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her natural life on Earth.

While most Protestants reject the belief, some Anglicans and Lutherans mark the day, though rarely with the kind of public display of faith that fills Clevelands historic Italian quarter.

Centered on Holy Rosary Catholic Church, an unremarkable brick baroque revival church built at the turn of the last century, the festival has been held every year since 1899.

The Feast, as its called, began as a simple religious celebration and has grown over the years into a major cultural festival lasting three full days, attracting thousands of visitors. Locals turn out, of course, but so do Italian Americans with family connections to Cleveland. Others, like me, come as curious visitors seeking an authentic expression of Italian American culture and Roman Catholic devotion.

Unlike better-known secular and more commercialized festivals or fairs, piety and cultural heritage remain inseparable. It reminded me of the patronal festivals still celebrated in provincial towns and cities across Italy and other corners of Roman Catholic Europe.

This years Feast officially opened with a 10 a.m. solemn high mass celebrated by the bishop of Cleveland, the Most Rev. Edward Malesc. Holy Rosary, the parish church, was packed to capacity with worshipers overflowing outside.

Following the liturgy, a statue of Mary was carried through the streets of Little Italy as hundreds, if not thousands, looked on as clergy and laity processed with prayers said partially in Italian. The statue was then placed in an outdoor shrine specially erected for the festival. There it remained throughout the weekend, surrounded by candles and flowers, as pilgrims paused to pray the rosary.

In addition to the opening mass, seven other masses were scheduled. This rhythm of worship made clear that even as the festival has grown, the Christian faith, as expressed through Roman Catholicism, is at its heart.

Eventually, devotion gave way to merrymaking.

Food stalls opened as the smell of garlic and grilled meats filled the air. Families with roots in Sicily and elsewhere in Italy sold sausage and peppers, pasta from recipes handed down through the generations, cannoli and refreshing lemon iced drinks. Much of the food was red-sauce Italian American  hearty and comforting, though not the refined cuisine that would pair with a glass of traditional method (or, in Italian, metodo classico) sparkling wine from Trento or Franciacorta.

As dusk fell, music filled the streets. Bands, including the aptly named Primavera Band, played into the night as festivalgoers mixed and mingled.

Outside the Feast, Little Italy is worth visiting year-round. Theres even an Italian American Museum.

Side streets lined with century-old rowhouses  the kind of architecture you see across the Rust Belt  lead to Mayfield Road, which is the main street in all but name. This is where Clevelands oldest restaurant, family-owned Guarinos, has been serving food since 1918.

Holy Rosary was founded by immigrants who came to Cleveland more than a century ago to create new lives. Like their counterparts elsewhere, they built churches  some grand and some not so grand  at the center of their communities. Their faith and cultural traditions provided continuity and bound families together.

The Feast of the Assumption is also a reminder of what Americas religious and cultural life once looked like. Before suburbs boomed in the post-war years, big cities had different ethnic enclaves, each with distinctive traditions and cultures.

If you go

Ive written about Cleveland before.

The city, once derided as the Mistake on the Lake, is vastly underrated. In fact, Cleveland is one of my favorite cities to spend a weekend.

Within walking distance of Little Italy is University Circle, which serves as Clevelands cultural capital. This is where the world-class Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History are located. Another must-visit Cleveland museum is the Sanctuary Museum, which features a collection of religious art, objects and other items sourced predominantly from shuttered Roman Catholic churches.

The one area where Cleveland disappoints is hotels. There is no real upscale or luxury hotel. Even the purported five-star Intercontinental, where I spent three nights, is one or two stars below the expected standard.

By car, Cleveland is about five hours from Chicago, six hours from Washington, D.C., and eight hours from St. Louis. For those flying, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is served by all the major airlines. You wont need a rental car to get around.

Full trip planning resources are available through Destination Cleveland.

Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post.
Home Opinion Trumps aim to make DC safe again sends message to Democrat-run cities

President Donald Trump has pledged to make D.C. safe again, with a federal intervention to stop crime in the nations capital. To emphasize the point, Trump did a ride-along with law enforcement around Washington Thursday night.

Im going to be going out tonight, I think, with the police and with the military, of course. So were going to do a job. The National Guard is great. Theyve done a fantastic job, Trump said to radio host Todd Starnes, noting that he hoped that by focusing on crime in the district, he would trigger more cities to follow his lead.

Trumps actions could mark a real turnaround for Washington and many other big cities in the United States plagued by crime and disorder. The Left is livid.

The media is having its usual mental breakdown over Trumps actions, portraying the move to clean-up the nations capital as authoritarian, a prelude to fascism (which is always just around the corner in America but always seems to land in Europe).

The legacy media and left-wing Democrats should be worried, but not over their phantom concerns about tyranny. They should be worried about the likely success of Trumps policies, which appear to be having an immediate, positive impact on stopping crime in D.C.

The city just had a full week without a murder, which is unusual in the high-crime summer months. And other crimes seem to have momentarily decreased too.

I think the federal takeover of Washington could be a prelude to something much bigger.

In a sense, the district crime issue is like the border problem. For years, we were told that the historic crisis at the border that began nearly the day Joe Biden became president was unresolvable. It was a product of obscure root causes that never seemed to be rooted out. Then, suddenly and mysteriously, the problem was not only alleviated the moment Trump returned to the White House, but we also witnessed border crossing numbers hit historically low levels. Again, this happened almost instantly.

What the American people saw was that the crisis was a choice. The whole time we could have stopped the rampant violation of our laws. The only thing that changed is that an administration was willing to enforce those laws and made its intent to do so crystal clear.

We have a similar choice about crime and chaos in our big cities. The crime that they suffer is not just part of the reality of urban living. Thats the lie the Left wants you to believe so they are never held accountable for their terrible policies.

Washington, D.C., is exactly the kind of left-wing city that chose its dysfunction. Its done so while obnoxiously demanding that we should give the city even more power nationally by making it a state. This despite the fact that its demonstrated quite clearly that it struggles to govern itself.

In 2023, Congress had to intervene to stop the city from loosening penalties for people whove committed carjackings while the city was going through a carjacking crisis. Even the Biden administration knew that was a bit of a problem and signed off on the congressional override.

And even though the massive crime spike that began after the George Floyd riots in 2020 is subsiding in Washington and elsewhere, the nations capital is hardly a safe city. Though you would think its practically a utopia, given how many on the Left have been talking about it in recent days.

But touting Washingtons possibly cooked crime stats as an indication that all is hunky dory in the nations capital is a bit like saying that Mordor is nice now that Mount Doom is only percolating hot magma and sulfurous fumes in the air instead of erupting.

The District of Columbia had a homicide rate of 27.3 per 100,000 people in 2024. This is supposed to be great news for the city since it had been at a staggering 39.4 in 2023. But going from the seventh circle of Hell to the fourth circle of Hell isnt much to celebrate.

For comparison, New York City, at the closest its ever been to a real life Escape From New York, reached 31 homicides per 100,000 people in 1990.

So, the district is as good now as New York was at its worst, when it was still inspiring movies and popular media focused on its crime problem.

But heres the actual good news. New York proved that cleaning up a crime-ridden city was quite doable with a significant change in policies. Mayor Rudy Giuliani ushered in a crime-fighting revolution by focusing on order, arresting criminals, and prosecuting them (something the districts leaders say doesnt work).

Graffiti was cleaned up, homeless people were moved off the street and into shelters, panhandlers and prostitutes were aggressively removed from Times Square, and squeegee men were banished to the nether realm.

The result was that by the early 2000s, New York, of all places, was one of the safest big cities in the country. It has since backslid from those halcyon days and might soon descend much further, but the template is there for how to tackle the crime issue.

Washington, D.C., doesnt have to be a crime-ridden nightmare. It doesnt have to be a place where you just hope you get lucky and avoid being victimized. The disorder and crime in the district have been the product of many bad choices. Those choices were made by the leftists who run the city council, the mayor, the police chief, the courts, and all the powers that be in Washington.

No longer.

There might finally be something resembling justice and a lot more safety in the nations capital.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Rocky River High School is listed as No. 2 in the Cleveland metropolitan area, according to U.S. News and World Report rankings for best high schools. Linda Gandee

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio -- The 2025-2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings for best high schools are in, and several West Shore community high schools received high marks.

The magazine reviews more than 24,000 public high schools nationally. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.

The criteria and weights used for ranking schools this year included college readiness (30 percent), college curriculum breadth (10 percent), state assessment proficiency (20 percent), state assessment performance (20 percent), underserved student performance (10 percent) and high school graduation rate (10 percent).

Bay Village

Bay High School ranks No. 599 nationally, No. 21 in Ohio and No. 5 in the Cleveland metropolitan area.

We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, staff and the entire community for this outstanding achievement, Scot Prebles, Bay Village City Schools superintendent, said in an email.

Being named a U.S. News and World Report Best High School is a testament to the hard work and dedication that happens in our classrooms every day.

The jump in our ranking is especially gratifying, as it reflects our continuous effort to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.

In the magazines overview, Bay High School students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Bay High School is 66 percent.

The total minority enrollment is 9 percent and 9 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.

The enrollment at the high school (grades 9-12) is listed at 759. The graduation rate is 95 percent.

Rocky River

Rocky River High School had the best ranking in the West Shore at No. 187 nationally, No. 5 in Ohio and No. 2 in the Cleveland metropolitan area.

The school also ranked No. 188 in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) high schools.

The AP participation rate at Rocky River High School is 67 percent. The total minority enrollment is 12 percent and 14 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.

The enrollment at the high school (grades 9-12) is listed at 825. The graduation rate is 95 percent.

Our schools are honored to receive this recognition once again, Adham Schirg, Rocky River City Schools superintendent, said in an email.

It continues to reflect the dedication, continuous effort and commitment to excellence of our students, teachers, support staff and families.

Our teaching and support staff are always learning and developing strategies to support every student. That ultimately starts with a caring learning environment and transforms over time to deep learning, Schirg said.

While this recognition is for the high school, it truly reflects our districts ongoing commitment to excellence across each of our schools and classrooms.

This recognition builds on our districts tradition of academic excellence, which we could not sustain without the continued support of families and our great River community.

Westlake

Westlake High School came in at No. 971 nationally, No. 35 in Ohio and No. 10 in the Cleveland area. The school ranks No. 194 for STEM.

The AP participation rate at Westlake High School is 57 percent. The total minority enrollment is 21 percent and 23 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.

I am incredibly proud of our staff and students for all of their hard work that is reflected in one of the best ratings Westlake High School has achieved, Principal Rob Woods said in an email.

We are extremely fortunate to have an amazing staff who continually work to improve instruction and achieve exemplary student outcomes.

Our supportive families help our students focus on their education and make it possible to achieve these great results.

Based on the data, we rank in the top 3 percent in the state and the top 4 percent in the country -- and that is something to truly be proud of.

The enrollment at the high school (grades 9-12) is listed at 1,063. The graduation rate is 95 percent.

The top-ranked high school in the Cleveland area is Solon High School. Solon also ranks No. 174 nationally and No. 4 in Ohio.

To search the complete list of schools, go to usnews.com/education/best-high-schools.

Read more from the West Shore Sun.
Route of a proposed interstate highway system that would connect Michigan and South Carolina by way of Ohio. Transportation Advocacy Group of Northwest Ohio

The state  your tax dollars at work  is considering whether to build a proposed Interstate 73 from Toledo, in large part via U.S. 23 (Delaware Countys Commuters Nightmare), then through Columbus, to Lawrence Countys Chesapeake, across from Huntington, West Virginia  and then on to Myrtle Beach.

Thats a supremely foolish idea. The state doesnt need another way for Sunbelt states to lure more Ohioans south. Our General Assembly is already doing a crackerjack job of that.

Ohio already chokes on car and truck traffic and its pollution, din and mayhem. As it is, Columbus has long needed whatd be an Outer-Outerbelt; the original (Interstate 270) is a death trap when it isnt a parking lot, like the Columbus-Delaware stretch of U.S. 23.

Then theres Ohios fundamentally stupid decision to spurn high-speed intercity passenger rail lines. Politicians may claim otherwise; theyve studied it, havent they? But that just means forget-about-it. The United States can loft men and women into space, but Ohio cant run a Cleveland-Columbus train so Ohioans can escape the drag-strip (attention, state troopers) that Interstate 71 has become since the state widened it to six lanes.

As youd expect, in a state with few new ideas, but lots of shiny wrapping paper, Ohios already looked over the Toledo-to-Myrtle Beach brainstorm during the 1991-98 administration of Republican Gov. George V. Voinovich.

Result: A public relations stunt suggesting that the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission might fund and build I-73s Toledo-to-Portsmouth segment. The turnpike spent $5.5 million on a 1995 feasibility study. Result: Nada.

There are commonsense highway improvements that could make real economic sense. Possibility: Extend Akron-to-Youngstowns Interstate 76 (which now ends near Medina Countys Westfield Center at I-71s Exit 209) all the way directly west to Indiana, via Willard, Tiffin, Findlay and Van Wert.

Unfortunately, its too late to blow up the Interstate 76/ Interstate 77/Ohio 8 deathtrap in Akron (which, in an incredibly wasteful move, even for Ohio, the state has in effect just finished modernizing.). What Ohioans needed was a direct easterly bypass of Akron leading to Greater Clevelands Interstate 271 and Interstate 480. Sorry, but Ohio 8, improved or not, is flat-out scary through Akron because it pinches Cleveland-destined traffic.

Its also too late to demolish Clevelands Memorial Shoreway, thanks to whining from east-of-Cleveland residents who cant get to Cedar Point fast enough. (That said, you need to wonder if Cedar Point, given this seasons... challenges ... will keep its longtime allure.) The Shoreway and flanking freight-railway lines wall off Ohioans from Lake Erie.

Finally, and this might actually be one good reason to build something called I-73, Ohio does need an interstate-standard road to really open up Appalachian Ohio. Proposed I-73, by following current routes, wouldnt. And the Cleveland-to-Marietta I-77 doesnt really do that. Neither does the Columbus-to-Wheeling Interstate 70.

Thomas Suddes

One option: Rebuilding  widening, straightening (and ramping all of)  U.S. 62 from Canton to Columbus, and finishing, after years of stalling, U.S. 62s Alliance-to-Youngstown re-route. (Mahoning County is part of Ohios state-law-defined Appalachia region).

Ohio needs to keep residents, not hemorrhage them; make home-to-work and home-to-school drives safer; and kick out the jams in Central Ohio. An I-73 would only further bloat traffic and, combined with the General Assemblys 19th-century politics, would nudge even more Ohioans to leave their state. Thatd be an investment in the past, not the future.

Correction - its Vivek Ramaswamy

Some copies of last weeks column misspelled the first name of Vivek Ramaswamy, 40, of Upper Arlington. (His homes appraised value: Roughly $2.4 million.) Ramaswamy will almost certainly win Republicans 2026 gubernatorial nomination to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, 78, of Greene Countys Cedarville.

Cincinnati-born Ramaswamy, son of parents from India, was valedictorian of his class at Cincinnatis Jesuit-run St. Xavier High School  20% of whose students [include members of] other Christian denominations and the Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic faiths.

Ramaswamy earned an undergraduate degree at Harvard and a Yale law degree. Hes a self-made billionaire entrepreneur, and for a time sought 2024s Republican presidential nomination. As noted, Republicans will likely slate Ramaswamy to face Democrats probable nominee to become Ohios next governor, Dr. Amy Action, M.D., 59, of Bexley, once a member of DeWines Cabinet as state health director.

Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens.

To reach Thomas Suddes: tsuddes@cleveland.com

Editors note: This column was updated at 9:47 a.m. to fix the reference to Interstate 480.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions, comments or corrections regarding this opinion article to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
News / National

by Staff reporter

More than 39 000 vulnerable and food-insecure people in Bulawayo received monthly allowances of up to US$13 between October 2024 and mid-2025, Parliament has been informed.Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo told the National Assembly on August 20 that the initiative aimed to cushion struggling urban households."Bulawayo Metropolitan Province registered 219,849 people under the cash-for-cereal programme meant for vulnerable people in urban areas. The Government, through the Department of Social Development, paid 24,293 individuals in October 2024," Moyo said.Each beneficiary received US$8  converted into local currency at the interbank rate  deposited into their NetOne OneMoney accounts to help them buy cereal. The World Food Programme (WFP) supplemented the scheme by providing an extra US$5 to 15,000 beneficiaries for nutritional needs, bringing the total to 39,293 people supported in Bulawayo.However, Moyo revealed that no further allocations were released by the Treasury after the October disbursement, effectively stalling the programme.Emakhandeni-Luveve MP Descent Bajila had also asked whether the selection and notification of beneficiaries was digital, but the minister did not elaborate on the process.The urban cash transfer programme was introduced to ease the economic burden on households hardest hit by food shortages. At least five million Zimbabweans are facing hunger following the El Nino-induced drought, which President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster while appealing for international assistance.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's new Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS) has more than doubled taxpayer registrations within a year, marking a major breakthrough in the country's tax administration.Figures presented by the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes, Misheck Govha, at the system's launch last week showed taxpayer registrations rose from 30 689 in 2023 to 66 210 in 2024  a 115,7 percent increase. In the first half of 2025 alone, TaRMS captured an additional 45 726 registrations.Govha said the digital platform has restored efficiency and integrity to an area long crippled by manual processes and fraud. "TaRMS has not only modernised our tax administration but has restored integrity and efficiency in ways the old system could not," he said.Economists welcomed the reforms, highlighting TaRMS' potential to draw activity from the informal economy, which makes up as much as 70 percent of Zimbabwe's economic activity. "Digitalisation lowers barriers to compliance and can gradually bring more businesses into the tax net," said economist Gladys Shumbambiri-Mutsopotsi.Dr Prosper Chitambara added that a wider tax base boosts government revenue, enabling greater investment in infrastructure, health, and education while reducing reliance on debt.Beyond registrations, TaRMS has transformed tax administration through integration with the Registrar of Companies, Civil Registry, and banks to validate taxpayer details, cutting fraud. It automates debt management, compliance, audits, and appeals while allowing taxpayers to file disclosures and objections electronically. QR-coded tax clearances now allow instant verification, ending abuse of fraudulent certificates.The new system replaces the old paper-based and error-prone SAP platform, which was riddled with duplicate registrations, unallocated payments, and unstable e-filing. "Cases are now visible across the authority with proper permissions, which not only improves transparency but strengthens trust in our processes," Govha said.While return submissions still lag behind the global 80 percent on-time target, authorities say TaRMS provides the digital backbone to expand the tax base, improve compliance, and reduce overreliance on a narrow pool of already compliant businesses."The contrast is stark," Govha noted. "TaRMS has redefined the taxpayer experience by making compliance simpler, transparent, and verifiable."
From American Eagle to Swatch, brands appear to be making a lot of blunders lately.

When actress Sydney Sweeney's jeans campaign came out last month, critics lambasted the wordplay of good "jeans" and "genes" as tone deaf with nefarious undertones. For its part, American Eagle said the ad "is and always was about the jeans."

More recently, an advert from Swatch sparked backlash for featuring an Asian model pulling the corners of his eyes, in an offensive gesture. The Swiss watchmaker pulled the ads and apologized.

Colgate-Palmolive 's ad for Sanex shower gel was banned in the U.K. for problematic suggestions about Black and white skin tones. The U.S. consumer group disagreed that the ad perpetuated negative racial stereotypes, stating that it had featured models with different skin tones as part of its commitment to diversity, according to the U.K.'s advertising watchdog.

Meanwhile, consumers derided Cracker Barrel's decision to ditch its overalls-clad character for a more simplistic text-based logo as "sterile," "soulless," and "woke."

It follows recent product launches from Adidas and Prada that have raised allegations of cultural appropriation.

All of this has reignited the debate about when an ad campaign is effective and when it's just plain offensive, as companies confront increased consumer scrutiny.
In this day and age, receiving a cold call at any time can be disarming, but Norway's finance minister reportedly took a most surprising ring on the streets of Oslo earlier this month.

According to Norwegian newspaper Dagens Naeringsliv, the cold caller was U.S. President Donald Trump, and the request for Norway's Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, was how the American leader could be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump has been publicly explicit about his desire to be awarded the prize, which some say is a driving factor behind his efforts to broker a peace deal for Ukraine and Russia, as well as his focus on Israel and Gaza.

But in June he took to Truth Social to complain: "No, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be, but the people know, and that's all that matters to me!"

This week, it will be Trump's impact on the economy that will be in focus, as the group of Nobel Laureates that he seemingly hopes to join will meet for their annual event in Lindau, Germany.

It could make for uncomfortable listening for the White House, with one of the most famous Nobel prize-winning economists, Joseph Stiglitz telling The Guardian that "the U.S. has become, I would say, a scary place to invest." The administration's tariff policy risks triggering stagflation in a move that is making the Federal Reserve "clearly worried," Stiglitz said earlier this year.
Foreign tourists are starting to visit China more, paving the way for industry revenue of at least $2 trillion over the next decade, Morgan Stanley analysts predict. "Thirty months after China's full reopening [from the pandemic] in January 2023, inbound travel has surprised us in a number of positive ways," the analysts said in an Aug. 19 report. They see airlines as a potential beneficiary when the foreign visitor trend really takes off. After ending quarantine requirements and stringent visitor restrictions in early 2023, China started ramping up its visa-free programs. As of early July, travelers from more than 30 European countries , and parts of Asia and Latin America can visit China without a visa for 30 days. U.S. citizens can visit China for 10 days without a visa when transiting through the country. "The first quarter of this year was the highest number of inbound tourists China has seen," said Daniel Zipser, leader of McKinsey's Asia consumer and retail practice. "People always ask me for predictions. I would have never predicted that." China last year also started to encourage foreign-friendly services , especially in enabling large-scale transactions via international credit card using mobile pay. Businesses in China predominantly use mobile payment apps from Tencent's WeChat or Alibaba-affiliate Ant's Alipay, which previously only supported users with local bank accounts. Those measures took time to play out. But Morgan Stanley said it's now "more confident in China's inbound travel growth" versus a year ago. The firm's analysts said they believe the trend can spill over into global business development and boost shopping in China, especially with expanded tax refund programs amid global tariffs. To play the trend, "we stay constructive on Chinese airlines considering the favorable supply side, and await the inflection," the Morgan Stanley analysts said, cautioning that the industry is still weighed down by softening domestic demand in the near term. They expect that international demand can help Chinese airlines to boost profit margins, and noted that the total number of passengers the companies were handling as of June has surpassed pre-Covid levels. Morgan Stanley's preferred name is the Hong Kong-traded shares of Air China, a state-owned airline that's part of the Star Alliance network. Another factor supporting inbound travel to China is regional events. "We're starting to see regional conferences happening in mainland China," Zipser said. He pointed out that prior to the pandemic, global businesses would typically send board members to China, a trend which has since resumed. What's different now, he said, is that hundreds of people primarily from the Asia region are gathering in China for various conferences and events. In one of the latest examples, teams from 16 countries participated in the first "World Humanoid Robot Games" this month in Beijing. Despite the upward trend, China's inbound tourism revenue still has a long way to go to even recover pre-pandemic levels. At 0.5% of China's 2024 GDP, spending by visitors from abroad was still half the 1% share prior to Covid, the Morgan Stanley analysts pointed out. By 2034, the analysts predict the uptick in international visitors to China can help the country expand its share of the global tourism market to 6%, up from 2.4% in 2019.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo City Council is considering deploying municipal police at night to curb rampant littering and illegal activities in the city, according to the latest council minutes.Councillor Melisa Mabeza raised concerns during a full council meeting, noting that most of the violations occurred after hours. She cited cases of people defecating in plastic bags and dumping them in the streets, as well as a truck offloading sugar cane in the central business district, blocking traffic and contributing to littering."There were a lot of illegal activities that took place after hours," Mabeza said. "Most vendors who came from outside the city fouled the environment."Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu also expressed alarm over the mishandling of medical waste, warning of risks to both refuse collection crews and waste pickers. He stressed that medical waste should be incinerated instead of being dumped at landfill sites.The proposed night patrols would be part of broader efforts by the city fathers to strengthen by-law enforcement and improve cleanliness in Bulawayo.
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov threw cold water on the possibility of an imminent meeting taking place between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that no meeting is currently planned.

"Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy, when the agenda would be ready for a summit," Lavrov said during an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday.

"And this agenda is not ready at all," he continued.

Lavrov's comments come after President Donald Trump suggested earlier this month that the leaders of the two countries had agreed to meet, which would mark a breakthrough in the ongoing war.

"I called President Putin, and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy," Trump wrote on his Truth Social on Aug. 18, after he met separately with the two leaders.

Trump met in Alaska with Putin, and then subsequently hosted Zelenskyy at the White House, alongside several European leaders.

But in the days since Trump's meetings with the two leaders, Russia has continued to launch missile strikes on Ukraine, including one that hit an electronics factory owned by a U.S.-based company.

The continued attacks  and Lavrov's comments  have raised questions about Trump's ability to broker a peace deal between the two countries.
Witthaya Prasongsin | Moment | Getty Images

President Donald Trump's attack on solar and wind projects threatens to raise energy prices for consumers and undermine a stretched electric grid that's already straining to meet rapidly growing demand, renewable energy executives warn. Trump has long said wind power turbines are unattractive and endanger birds, and that solar installations take up too much land. This week, he said his administration will not approve solar and wind projects, the latest salvo in a campaign the president has waged against the renewable energy industry since taking office. "We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar," Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday. "The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!" Trump's statement this week seemed to confirm industry fears that the Interior Department will block federal permits for solar and wind projects. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum took control of all permit approvals last month in a move that the American Clean Power Association criticized as "obstruction," calling it "unprecedented political review." The Interior Department blocking permits would slow the growth of the entire solar and wind industry, top executives at renewable developers Arevon, Avantus and Engie North America told CNBC. Even solar and wind projects on private land may need approvals from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if, for example, a waterway or animal species is affected, the executives told CNBC. The three power companies are among the top 10 renewable developers in the U.S., according to energy research firm Enverus. The Interior Department "will not give preferential treatment to massive, unreliable projects that make no sense for the American people or that risk harming communities or the environment," a spokesperson told CNBC when asked if new permits would be issued for solar and wind construction. Choking off renewables will worsen a looming power supply shortage, harm the electric grid and lead to higher electricity prices for consumers, said Kevin Smith, CEO of Arevon, a solar and battery storage developer headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, that's active in 17 states. Arevon operates five gigawatts of power equivalent to $10 billion of capital investment. "I don't think everybody realizes how big the crunch is going to be," Smith said. "We're making that crunch more and more difficult with these policy changes." Uncertainty hits investment The red tape at the Interior Department and rising costs from Trump's copper and steel tariffs have created market instability that makes planning difficult, the renewable executives said. "We don't want to sign contracts until we know what the playing field is," said Cliff Graham, CEO of Avantus, a solar and battery storage developer headquartered in San Diego. Avantus has built three gigawatts of solar and storage across the desert Southwest. "I can do whatever you want me to do and have a viable business, I just need the rules set and in place," Graham said.

Engie North America, the U.S. arm of a global energy company based in Paris, is slashing its planned investment in the U.S. by 50% due to tariffs and regulatory uncertainty, said David Carroll, the chief renewables officer who leads the American subsidiary. Engie could cut its plans even more, he said. Engie's North American subsidiary, headquartered in Houston, will operate about 11 gigawatts of solar, battery storage and wind power by year end. Multinationals like Engie have long viewed the U.S. as one of the most stable business environments in the world, Carroll said. But that assessment is changing in Engie's boardroom and across the industry, he said. "The stability of the U.S. business market is no longer really the gold standard," Carroll said. Rising costs Arevon is seeing costs for solar and battery storage projects increase by as much as 30% due to the metal tariffs, said Smith, the CEO. Many renewable developers are renegotiating power prices with utilities to cover the sudden spike in costs because projects no longer pencil out financially, he said. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act ends two key tax credits for solar and wind projects in late 2027, making conditions even more challenging. The investment tax credit supported new renewable construction and the production credit boosted clean electricity generation. Those tax credits were just passed on to consumers, Smith said. Their termination and the rising costs from tariffs will mean higher utility bills for families and businesses, he said. The price that Avantus charges for solar power has roughly doubled to $60 per megawatt-hour as interest rates and tariffs have increased over the years, said CEO Graham. Prices will surge again to around $100 per megawatt-hour when the tax credits are gone, he said. "The small manufacturers, small companies and mom and pops will see their electric bills go up, and it'll start pushing the small entrepreneurs out of the industry or out of the marketplace," Graham said. Renewable projects that start construction by next July, a year after the One Big Beautiful Act became law, will still qualify for the tax credits. Arevon, Avantus and Engie are moving forward with projects currently under construction, but the outlook is less certain for projects later in the decade. The U.S. will see a big downturn in new renewable power generation starting in the second half of 2026 through 2028 as new projects no longer qualify for tax credits, said Smith, the head of Arevon. "The small- and medium-sized players that can't take the financial risk, some of them will disappear," Smith said. "You're going to see less projects built in the sector." Artificial intelligence power crunch Fewer renewable power plants could increase the risk of brownouts or blackouts, Smith said. Electricity demand is surging from the data centers that technology companies are building to train artificial intelligence systems. PJM Interconnection, the largest electrical grid in the U.S. that coordinates wholesale electricity in 13 states and the District of Columbia, has warned of tight power supplies because too little new generation is coming online. Renewables are the power source that can most quickly meet demand, Smith at Arevon said. More than 90% of the power waiting to connect to the grid is solar, battery storage or wind, according to data from Enverus. "The power requirement is largely going to be coming from the new energy sector or not at all," so without it, "the grid becomes substantially hampered," Smith said.
SpaceX is valued at around $400 billion and is critical for U.S. space access, but it wasn't always the powerhouse that it is today.

Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002. Using money that he made from the sale of PayPal, Musk and his new company developed their first rocket, the Falcon 1, to challenge existing launch providers.

"There were actually a lot of startup aerospace companies looking to take on this market. They recognized we had a monopoly provider called United Launch Alliance. They had merged the Boeing and Lockheed rocket launch capacity to one company, and they were charging the government hundreds of millions of dollars to launch satellites," said Lori Garver, a former deputy administrator at NASA.

In 2003, Musk paraded Falcon 1 around the streets of Washington hoping to attract the attention of government agencies and the multi-million dollar contracts that they offered. It worked, and in 2004, SpaceX secured a few million dollars from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, and the U.S. Air Force to further develop its rockets.

Despite the government support, the company struggled. Its first three launches of the Falcon 1 failed to reach orbit.

"NASA, and specifically the the initial commercial cargo contract, is what saved the company when it was on the brink of bankruptcy," said Chris Quilty, president and Co-CEO of Quilty Space, a space-focused research firm.

NASA awarded the $1.6 billion contract, known as Commercial Resupply Services to SpaceX in 2008, just months after the first successful flight of the Falcon 1. The contract called on SpaceX to use its new rocket, the Falcon 9, along with its Dragon capsule to ferry cargo and supplies to the International Space Station over the course of 12 missions. In 2014, SpaceX won another NASA contract worth $2.6 billion to develop and operate vehicles to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

Today, SpaceX dominates large parts of the space market from launch to satellites. In 2024, SpaceX conducted a record-breaking 134 orbital launches, more than double the amount of launches done by the next most prolific launch provider, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, according to science and technology consulting firm BryceTech. These 134 launches accounted for 83% of all spacecraft launched last year. According to a July report by Bloomberg, SpaceX was valued at $400 billion.

SpaceX's Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket are the primary means by which NASA launches astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station. The company's Starlink satellites have become indispensable for providing internet access to remote areas as well as to U.S. allies during wartime. The company's Starship rocket, though still in testing, is also key to the U.S. plan to return to the moon. SpaceX is also building a network of spy satellites for the U.S. government called Starshield as part of a $1.8 billion contract. Even competitors including Amazon and OneWeb have launched their satellites on SpaceX rockets.

"The ecosystem of space is changed by, really it's SpaceX," Garver said. "The lower cost of access to space is doing what we had dreamed of. It is built up a whole community of companies around the world that now have access to space."

Watch the video to find out more.
In this article HD

EOG

MPLX Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Customers shop at a Home Depot store on August 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson | Getty Images

Investors seeking steady returns amid macro uncertainties ought to consider adding dividend-paying stocks to their portfolios. Given the vast universe of dividend-paying stocks, it can be challenging for investors to identify the most attractive ones. To this end, the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts could make the task easier, as the decisions of these experts are based on in-depth financial analysis. Here are three dividend-paying stocks, highlighted by Wall Street's top pros, as tracked by TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.

MPLX LP

We begin with MPLX LP (MPLX), a diversified, master limited partnership (MLP) that owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets and provides fuel distribution services. The company recently announced an agreement to acquire Northwind Delaware Holdings LLC for about $2.38 billion. The deal is expected to enhance the company's Permian Basin natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) value chains. Meanwhile, MPLX reported distributable cash flow (DCF) of $1.4 billion for the second quarter, enabling the return of $1.1 billion of capital. MPLX offers a current dividend yield of 7.5%. Recently, Stifel analyst Selman Akyol reaffirmed a buy rating on MPLX stock and increased the price forecast to $60 from $57. The analyst explained that while MPLX's Q2 results fell short of his expectations, he remains encouraged by the company's growth, further bolstered by its recent Northwind acquisition and its gathering and downstream operations. The analyst added that it may take 12 to 18 months to see the full impact as expansions roll out. "Management remains confident in its ability to grow its distribution at 12.5% for the next several years," said Akyol. The analyst highlighted that MPLX has grown both its EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) and DCF at a compounded growth rate of 7% over the last four years. He expects this trend to continue with assets that produce durable cash flows coming online. Overall, Akyol is bullish on MPLX, thanks to its diverse asset base and the Northwind acquisition. Interestingly, TipRanks' AI Analyst has an "outperform" rating on MPLX with a price target of $55. Akyol ranks No. 319 among more than 9,900 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 66% of the time, delivering an average return of 10.6%. See MPLX Ownership Structure on TipRanks.

EOG Resources

Oil and gas exploration and production company EOG Resources (EOG) is the next dividend pick this week. The company paid $528 million in dividends and repurchased $600 million shares in the second quarter. EOG has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share, payable on Oct. 31. With an annualized dividend of $4.08 per share, EOG offers a dividend yield of 3.4%. Recently, RBC Capital analyst Scott Hanold reiterated a buy rating on EOG stock with a price target of $140. TipRanks' AI Analyst is also upbeat about EOG and has an "outperform" rating with a price target of $133. EOG is bolstering its position in the Utica shale with the acquisition of Encino Acquisition Partners. Hanold expects the company's solid track record of improving operations to reflect in the Utica region over the upcoming quarters. "The Utica should garner a lot of investor attention moving forward, as we think it can become a foundational asset for EOG in fairly short order," said the analyst. Hanold also expects EOG's first mover activity in the Gulf Nations (Bahrain and UAE), targeting unconventional activity to present longer-term value opportunities. Moreover, Hanold expects EOG's growing natural gas exposure to exceed 3 Bcf/d (billion cubic feet per day), on a net basis, by the end of 2025, thanks to the company's Dorado pure-gas focused development and the opportunity in the Utica. The analyst added that the long-term secular outlook for natural gas remains robust and EOG is well-positioned to capitalize on that opportunity. Given that EOG was an early mover to secure premium gas commercial agreements, Hanold thinks its two gas plays could attract attention from hyperscalers due to their massive scale. Finally, Hanold pointed out that EOG's solid balance sheet, which remains best in class across the energy spectrum, enables management to generate high levels of shareholder returns, despite macro uncertainty. He stated that increasing the fixed dividend at a leading rate continues to be a "core tenet" and is supported by the company's lower break-even level. Hanold ranks No. 26 among more than 9,900 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 66% of the time, delivering an average return of 28.9%. See EOG Resources Statistics on TipRanks.

Home Depot
Soldiers from the U.S. Army National Guard 42nd Infantry Division walk through streets in Washington, D.C. on June 13, 2025 ahead of a parade and festival the following day celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to send the military into Baltimore to "quickly clean up" crime.

"But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the 'troops,' which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, referring to the Democratic governors of Maryland and California and using a derogatory nickname for Gavin Newsom.

Trump's comments are the latest in a line of threats to replicate the D.C. deployment in cities across the country after hundreds of National Guard troops were brought to D.C. in what he's described as an effort to fight crime, though critics have painted the move as an overreach for political purposes.

Reached for comment, Moore said in a statement that Trump "would rather attack his country's largest cities from behind a desk than walk the streets with the people he represents."

"The President should join us in Baltimore because the blissful ignorance, tropes, and the 1980s scare tactics benefit no one," Moore continued. "We need leaders who are there helping the people who are actually on the ground doing the work."

Trump's push to deploy National Guard troops to cities like D.C. is a significant departure from how presidents typically deploy the Guard, which is usually used to respond to situations like natural disasters and civil unrest.

The president first deployed thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles in June amid protests against immigration enforcement actions. Newsom vehemently opposed the move, accusing Trump of "hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control."

Trump deployed the National Guard to D.C. earlier this month as part of a stated effort to fight crime, though at the time of his announcement, violent crime had decreased 26% compared to last year, according to D.C. police data.

NBC News reported last week that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed an order authorizing about 2,000 National Guard troops in D.C. to carry weapons. Law enforcement agents have arrested hundreds of people in D.C. since Aug. 7, according to a White House official.

Maryland's Moore said Friday that "many of the comments that are being made from the White House come off as so, so tone deaf and so ignorant" about fighting crime.

"It's because they have not walked our streets," he said on CNN on Friday. "They have not been in our communities, and they're more than happy of just making these repeated tropes about us, but not actually working with us to be able to make sure that our streets are safe and that people can have a real opportunity to feel safe in their own neighborhoods."

Trump criticized Moore's remarks in his Sunday Truth Social post, saying he assumed that Moore "is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore."

"As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a 'walk,'" Trump added.

Homicides in Baltimore have decreased by more than 24% this year compared to the same period last year, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said earlier this month. His office has also said that nonfatal shootings have declined 18% this year.

Moore said earlier this month on CNN that Trump was using the military as a "tool" for political purposes.

"I take very seriously about how, when and why I deploy members of our National Guard in cases of emergency and in true crises," he said in the interview. "And I will not authorize the usage of Maryland National Guard forces for missions that I do not deem to be either mission critical or mission aligned."

The president on Sunday also threatened to pull federal funding for the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in 2024. The federal government had previously agreed to pay for the bridge's replacement.

"I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge," Trump wrote. "I will now have to rethink that decision???"

Moore slammed Trump's message, saying in a statement that "any threats to this funding will cause irrevocable damage to the national economy and to the entire State of Maryland."

"We have already begun rebuilding, and now that Maryland is showing great progress, our President is threatening to intentionally harm Maryland," he continued.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., said in a statement responding to Trump's post that "Baltimore is making real progress, but sustaining our momentum requires collaboration at all levels of government."

"President Trump's threats to deploy troops to American cities and cancel funding approved by Congress are illegal, unhelpful and directly at odds to that progress," added Olszewski, who represents parts of Baltimore.

In recent days, Trump has also threatened to deploy the National Guard to other cities. He praised the National Guard's work on Friday, going on to say, "I think Chicago will be our next, and then we'll help with New York."

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker hit back on Saturday, accusing Trump in a post to X of "attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he's causing families."
Not just Turkey, Indian tourists have shunned Azerbaijan too after Operation Sindoor. Indian tourists going to Azerbaijan in June this year fell by two-thirds compared to the same month last year, official tourism figures show.The Azerbaijan tourism website depicts a truncated map of Jammu and Kashmir, showing PoK and Aksai Chin as not part of India, News18 has found.The tourism figures for the month of June show that only 9,934 Indian tourists visited Azerbaijan in June, compared to 28,315 Indian tourists going to Baku in the same month last year. That is an almost 66% drop in tourism numbers in June after Operation Sindoor and Azerbaijans open support for Pakistan during it.May and June are the top tourism months for Indians to go to Azerbaijan, and as many as 23,326 Indian tourists had gone to the country this May, before the sharp drop in June. Apart from Turkey, Azerbaijan is the other country which openly supported Pakistan at global forums, and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir paid a visit to Azerbaijan in May to thank the country for its support. A trilateral meeting with Turkey and Azerbaijan happened.Until May, Azerbaijan described India as one of the key target markets for its tourism sector. The number of guests, overnight stays, and expenditures is growing, and India is among the top three countries visiting Azerbaijan. In 2024, Indian arrivals reached 243,589a 108% increase compared to 117,302 in 2023," says the Azerbaijan Tourism Department. News18 reported on Saturday how Indian tourism to Turkey has halved in the last three months, after the role of Ankara in arming and backing Pakistan became clear during Operation Sindoor.Latest figures accessed by News18 showed only 16,244 Indian tourists went to Turkey in July this year, compared to 31,659 in May. That is a nearly 50 per cent drop. Even comparing the year-on-year figures, the massive drop is clear. Against 16,244 Indian tourists landing up in Turkey this July, 28,875 went there in the same month last year. That is a 44% drop.Turkeys role was exposed in May with the discovery of Turkish-made drones being used by Pakistan against India during Operation Sindoor. Turkey also adopted a blatant diplomatic stance in favour of Pakistan. Since then, a "Boycott Turkey" campaign has emerged in India.Note: Author Aman Sharma is the Executive Editor, National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Infrastructure and Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) has launched an investigation into former senior manager Suckson Muswe, formerly known as Makwasha, over allegations that he inflated costs during the construction of a new student accommodation facility in Bulawayo, potentially siphoning substantial project funds.Sources familiar with the matter allege that Muswe, who played a key role in the project's development, exploited his influential position in procurement processes to overstate the costs of materials and services. The facility, constructed at an estimated US$17.5 million, was commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa late last year.Preliminary investigations suggest that Muswe may have colluded with subcontractors to submit inflated invoices, with illicit proceeds allegedly used to acquire multiple properties both locally and abroad. The full extent of the financial prejudice remains under investigation."Due to an ongoing investigation, the bank is unable to release any additional information at this time," said IDBZ chief communications officer Priscillah Zvobgo, confirming the probe.Criminal charges have since been filed against Muswe as part of the IDBZ's effort to uphold corporate governance and financial integrity.The Bulawayo student facility was developed through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Zimcampus Properties Private Limited, created to implement, own, and operate the complex. The project was initially funded through the purchase of land from a private owner who had designs but lacked capital to execute the project.To mobilise financing, the IDBZ partnered with Old Mutual Life Assurance Company Zimbabwe, Zimnat, and the Motor Industry Pension Fund, diluting its own shareholding to a minimum. At project completion, ownership stood as follows: IDBZ 7.67%, Motor Industry Pension Fund 19.44%, Old Mutual 49.37%, and Zimnat 23.52%. Several nominees invested via Old Mutual and Zimnat, including the Public Service Commission Pension Fund, which contributed approximately US$1.8 million.The Bulawayo facility aims to address Zimbabwe's tertiary student housing shortage and forms part of the IDBZ's broader mandate to finance and facilitate critical infrastructure projects across the country, including housing, energy, and transport, in partnership with public and private stakeholders.The ongoing investigation underscores the bank's commitment to financial transparency and accountability, particularly in high-value national development projects.
Sorry, is Ke$ha your first name or your last name?

Drake is so unpopular, he cant get recognized at his own party.

Advertisement

12 Halsey Fashion designer Donna Karan, of DKNY fame, had no idea who it was that shed invited to perform at DKNYs 30th anniversary: Who is Halsey? Is that Halsey? I think my granddaughter (knows who she is). Im sure shes great. Advertisement

11 Abigail Breslin The August: Osage County star got a haircut and went blonde ahead of a photo shoot, so when she showed up, her coworkers (including Meryl Streep) thought she was some interloping fan: They were like, Whos this random girl crashing our photo shoot today?

10 Kesha She spotted Jerry Seinfeld on the red carpet at what may have been the height of her fame, and ran up to him. An interviewers camera caught the awkward moment when he repeatedly politely declined to hug this random blonde lady. He later said, When you get to be my age and youve done a couple things, you have your own reality. In my reality, I dont hug a total stranger.

9 Harry Styles Christopher Nolan had no idea who Styles was before he cast him in Dunkirk, other than the fact that my daughter had talked about him. In this case, it worked out well for Styles: I cast Harry because he fit the part wonderfully and truly earned a seat at the table. Advertisement Advertisement

8 Britney Spears Spears saw actor Ed ONeill at the airport and asked to take a picture with him. He didnt know who she was until she tweeted the photo later, and he says his expression betrays his ignorance: I mean, look at my face: Do I look like Im sitting with Britney Spears?

7 Andy Cohen Britney herself pulled the old have you met my friend? when she appeared to forget Andy Cohens name, or perhaps not know who he was at all. She brought him on stage during a show at Radio City Music Hall, announced, I think you all know who this is, and then didnt elaborate. Cohen later explained, My take on this is: First of all, why would Britney know my name? Shes Britney, bitch! Advertisement

6 Bella Hadid This sounds more like a deliberate neg than a case of mistaken identity, but Rami Malek said, Im not as in touch with things as I should be. I was dancing in Paris the other night with Bella Hadid and didnt know who she was. Advertisement

5 Chip and Joanna Gaines The stars of Fixer Upper were surprised that Martha Stewart didnt have the faintest idea who we are, not a single clue. Stewart said shed learned that they have a lovely family and a TV station. Advertisement

4 Miley Cyrus Honey Boo Boos mom, Mama June, was making an appearance on Good Morning America when she was briefly hugged by an enthusiastic stranger. She had no idea that it was Miley Cyrus: Because it was so fast, I didnt realize it was her until after she walked by.

3 Jennifer Lopez While giving an interview to a German outlet, Mariah Carey was asked about peer (or rival) Jennifer Lopez. The name apparently didnt even ring a bell for Carey, who smiled and said, I dont know her. Advertisement

2 Jennifer Lopez (Again) After she blew up, she went back to the Bronx neighborhood where she grew up, and when she met the big Guyanese dude who lives in her old home, the guy said, Youse who?! Advertisement
The actual construction of the DRAG-U-LA was even more entangled with the veil between life and death

Today, the DRAG-U-LA is best remembered from the admittedly face-melting Rob Zombie song of the same name, to the point that some fans dont even know what, exactly, a dragula actually is. They keep needing to be told that its a racing car that was featured on The Munsters, having been built in the episode Hot Rod Herman after the Munster patriarch lost their everyday vehicle, the Munster Koach, in a race. Hey, it was the 60s  straitlaced family men, eerie or otherwise, were always getting into drag races.

According to the 1966 film Munsters, Go Home!, the DRAG-U-LA was actually built for a different race using the motor of the Munster Koach, which is arguably more fun because it makes it a kind of zombie car.

Behind the scenes, the actual construction of the DRAG-U-LA was just as spooky, being even more entangled with the veil between life and death. When custom car designer George Barris, most famous for building the Batmobile for the 1966 Batman movies and series, started looking for the coffin that would comprise the body of the DRAG-U-LA, he ran into a legal issue: Buying a coffin without proof of a dead body to put in it was prohibited. At least, thats what his project engineer, Richard Korkes, claimed.

Don't Miss

In a 2013 interview, he described arranging a cash deal with a shady funeral director who didnt care about his lack of a death certificate to accidentally leave a coffin outside the parlor, where the crew picked it up in the middle of the night to avoid witnesses, at least living ones.

Now, theres reason to question Korkes story. If everyone involved was cool with the extralegal dealings, its not clear why they had to concoct such an elaborate ruse  its not like police are stationed at the exit of all funeral homes, checking the papers of anyone leaving with a coffin. A moderately thorough Googling doesnt even reveal any evidence of any such law in California at the time. But dammit, it makes for a scary story, and if Korkes wanted to give Munsters fans a fun new chapter in series lore, were not gonna give him too hard of a time.

And the DRAG-U-LA does appear to be near and dear to fans. For some time, it was an attraction that lured those who generally shunned sunshine and crowds to the Atlantic City Planet Hollywood, where it hung from the ceiling, and it was later acquired by the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Tennessee.

Advertisement

Ironically, the car featured in Rob Zombies music video is not the DRAG-U-LA but the Munster Koach. In fact, you cant actually slam in the back of the DRAG-U-LA because it was a one-seater racing car. Nobody cares about history anymore  and by anymore, we mean in 1998.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's gold sector is experiencing one of its strongest rallies in years, but behind the production surge lies a darker reality of smuggling, lawlessness, and environmental collapse that threatens to undermine the gains.Gold output has climbed sharply, with 24.3 metric tons produced in the first seven months of 2025a 40% increase compared to the same period last year. Analysts project that output could surpass 40 tons by year-end, setting a new record, boosted by record global gold prices which hit US$3,500 an ounce in April.The rebound marks a stunning recovery from the depths of Zimbabwe's 2008 economic crisis, when output collapsed to just three tons. The boom has also driven a spike in exploration, straining the country's testing laboratories that are now battling to keep up with mineral sample verifications.But the growth masks deep fractures. The International Crisis Group estimates Zimbabwe is losing US$1.5 billion annually through gold smuggling, while artisanal miners and politically connected operations fuel violence, corruption, and environmental degradation.Civil society organisations, led by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), have repeatedly raised alarm over conditions at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, run by Better Brands Mining Company, owned by Zanu-PF legislator and gold dealer Scott Sakupwanya.CNRG executive director Farai Maguwu described the mine as "a security threat and environmental disaster," citing violent clashes among politically aligned groups, extortion rackets disguised as "protection fees," and chaotic mining that sidesteps Ministry of Mines oversight."The situation in Penhalonga has seriously degenerated and needs an urgent solution. The government needs a proper investor to take over Penhalonga. The Better Brands model is a security threat and environmental disaster," Maguwu said.Dozens of miners are believed to have died since Better Brands took over operations. Fatalities, often unreported, include two workers who drowned in underground floodwaters at Rezende Mine in 2023.A 2022 CNRG petition accused the company of bypassing Environmental Impact Assessments and introducing unsafe production-sharing arrangements that expose miners to collapsing shafts and frequent accidents. Local monitors estimate at least five deaths a month.In Shurugwi, Chinese-owned Cheng Xi Mine has been accused of devastating the Boterekwa mountain ranges, once a scenic natural landmark. Unregulated operations, allegedly protected by political connections, have scarred landscapes and endangered local ecosystems.Similarly, in Mazowe, unregulated gold digging has been linked to political patronage networks that drive illicit financial flows. A CNRG report, Zimbabwe's Disappearing Gold: The Case of Mazowe and Penhalonga, estimates losses of up to US$1.9 billion annually.Once one of Zimbabwe's most productive assetsproducing 1.1 million ounces between 1966 and 2004Redwing Mine is now synonymous with chaos, violence, and smuggling. Critics argue that the informalised model has converted it into a hub of lawlessness, undermining both community safety and state revenues.Despite record-breaking output, the unchecked violence, ecological collapse, and illicit financial flows raise doubts over whether Zimbabwe's gold boom can deliver meaningful national benefits.As CNRG warns, without decisive reforms, Zimbabwe's glittering production figures risk becoming yet another mirage in the country's troubled extractive history.
The Ghislaine Maxwell tapes, released on Friday night by the US Department of Justice and available for anyone to listen to, are utterly fascinating. Its the first real chance weve had to hear the voice of a woman who ranks, in popular perception at least, alongside some of historys greatest villains.

There have been books, documentaries and endless column inches written about her. But the woman herself has never been heard (beyond the confines of her few remaining friends and family members). Our picture of her is built by the testimonies, invariably hostile, of others.

These tapes change all that. They show her in a whole new light and may well raise a few doubts in peoples minds as to how much of what we have been led to believe about her is actually true. They certainly made me think.

One thing is for sure: the veracity of some of the things she says remains questionable, not least the assertion that the famous photograph of the late Virginia Giuffre with Prince Andrew is fake. This is despite a forensic investigation by this newspaper that has all but proven otherwise.

But thats not what hooked me. Its her  her voice, her personality, the way she speaks, those soft, well spoken, slightly hesitant, apologetic tones. There is a girlishness to her that belies her age (63). To say she is seductive is not quite right. But she is compelling in a way that I had not anticipated. Its confusing, unsettling, unexpected. I dont know if I trust it. But I cant deny it.

She certainly does not come across as a heartless, hardened madam, the arch manipulator at the centre of a web of sexual intrigue, collecting helpless, juicy specimens to feed to her master.

The US Justice Department released a transcript of an interview with Ghislaine Maxwell last week

'Our picture of [Maxwell] is built by the testimonies, invariably hostile, of others,' writes Sarah Vine

On the contrary, she comes over as uncertain, vulnerable, at times incredibly fragile. There is a naivety to her, which I had not anticipated. For example, she says hypocryphal when she means apocryphal, and she does it twice. Its a small thing, but it stands out and betrays her befuddlement.

Also, she only once refers to Epstein as Jeffrey, which feels odd. Hes always Epstein, or Mr Epstein. There is a formality that belies their supposed intimacy.

If its an act, its remarkably skilled. At times her emotion is audible. There are moments when, speaking about Epstein, or her father, she sounds utterly heartbroken.

Theres no doubt her association with Epstein took her to some dark places. Whats debatable, hearing these tapes, is whether she went there by design or ended up there almost by accident as a result of her weak psychological and emotional make-up. In other words, was she a willing participant or a mere passenger on the Epstein expressway to Hell?

Of course, whatever the nature of her participation, it still doesnt excuse it. But it doesnt take a genius to see that this was a woman who went from one highly controlling relationship with a manipulative deceiver  her father, Robert Maxwell  straight into an almost identical one with her lover, Jeffrey Epstein.

She met him in 1991, shortly before her father died. Epstein scooped her up, gave her a job and a salary and put her to use running his real estate affairs.

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.



In the week after the introduction of age verification for online porn sites, traffic to Pornhub and XVideos, two of the UKs most popular sites, fell by 47 per cent. So much for those free speech advocates bleating that it wouldnt work. Its not perfect, but its better than nothing. Advertisement

She talks about the first time they slept together, in 1992. She thought it meant they were in a relationship. That, she remarks ruefully, didnt happen.

Its clear from her recollections that he meant a great deal to her, whereas she clearly meant very little to him. Still, he encouraged me to believe that they might get married and have children. She was in her early 30s when they met: she felt her clock was ticking. I should have had more confidence in myself, she says. But at the time, given everything that had happened in my life...

Even when they finally broke up and she started a relationship with a tech tycoon, she stayed close to Epstein. I viewed Epstein as family, someone I could rely on, she says. His mum had become like a surrogate mother for me, she adds, her voice breaking. I could look after her the way I looked after my mum.

Dear Lord, Freud would have a field day. A father/lover who acts as her saviour yet rejects her sexually, controls her financially, undermines her confidence, makes her feel worthless one moment yet spoils her the next  and has her running around after him, trying to please the unpleasable: its a potent, toxic and deeply messed-up mix.

Maxwell wouldnt be the first woman with serious daddy issues to end up in a highly toxic relationship with a nasty, manipulative man like Epstein. Not all of them end up in jail for sex trafficking.

The question is, did she do the things she did because she wanted to or because she was desperate to please him and earn his approval  and was ultimately too damaged, weak and insecure to resist?

Melania trumps Putin

Melania Trump wrote a letter to Vladimir Putin, asking him to think of the children being impacted by the war in Ukraine

Melania Trumps letter to Vladimir Putin was a masterclass in Bond girl diplomacy. It was the epistolary equivalent of sidling up to him, running a perfectly manicured finger

down his chest and saying, My, Mr Putin, what big muscles you have. Still, I guess if anyone knows how to handle a power-crazed narcissist, its Mrs Donald J. Trump.

Bravissima Ms Meloni! Your expressions are priceless

Giorgia Meloni with Donald Trump at the White House last week for negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine

Giorgia Meloni, Italys prime minister, is a one-woman meme. The look on her face last week, left, as she met Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders in Washington was priceless. Every woman who has ever sat around a table with a load of mansplaining blokes with intergalactic egos will have recognised it instantly. Bravissima!
It might be a place where dreams come true for many, but for this man, Disney World was not very magical.

A man who had a job at the coveted theme for eight years has laid bare what he said were the grim realities of working at the Happiest Place on Earth... including low salaries, rude guests, and at times, 'horrendous' management.

The former Disney staffer, who will be referred to as the pseudonym Michael in the story as he asked to keep his name hidden for privacy reasons, was employed by the theme park from 2017 until this year.

He worked a 'few different roles, mainly in attractions,' before eventually becoming a 'coordinator,' which he described as the 'role just below management.'

And while some may think that working at the beloved amusement park would be fun and dazzling, he confessed during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail that while there were certainly some perks there were also a slew of drawbacks.

He explained that employees had to follow strict rules, like not being able to take any photos backstage or wear smart watches, or you'd be fired.

'Safety critical roles, such as [working the] attractions had some strict guidelines,' Michael shared.

'Disney is overly safe and very efficient at sending the most amount of guests through a ride possible.

A man who had a job at Disney World for eight years has laid bare what he said are the grim realities of working at the Happiest Place on Earth (stock image)

'An example of a strict rule, was no smart watches. Any device could be a distraction from vehicle motion and could get you fired if youre caught wearing one.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Disney for comment.

Michael said he often dealt with guests who were 'entitled' and was put in some pretty 'rough situations,' but added, 'You encounter tens of thousands of guests daily, maybe a handful of them are bad. The longer you work for the company, is what it is.'

Michael complained that he was on his feet 'almost all day' and made 'less than $45,000 a year.'

The worst part, however, was the 'lack of empathy' from his 'managers,' Michael said.

He alleged, 'There are some managers who don't care about cast [members]. Some really only care about the Safety and Efficiency scores, and overlook cast [members'] well being in certain situations.'

'I once worked on a team when an intern accidentally bumped their head in a playground tunnel looking for something for a child,' he recalled.

'They actually got a concussion, but when they went to talk to a manager, instead of offering medical attention, they yelled at them for not paying attention.

'I also once unfortunately had an older cast member have a severe medical emergency while at a console that really shook everyone up.

The former Disney staffer detailed low salaries, rude guests, and at times, 'horrendous' management

'Instead of [closing] the ride like the park duty manager said to, people in our management still tried to keep our ride running while our cast were dealing with the emergency.

'[Later] when I told them the perception was they dont care about the cast, they [said they] were sorry they felt that way but they disagreed.

'That cast member has since recovered and returned to work, a major manager was force transferred.'

As someone who moved roles many times over the years, he noted that he did have 'plenty of solid, great managers,' as well as some 'horrendous' ones.

As for the pros to working at Disney, he listed 'free park entry, dining and merch discounts, solid health insurance, occasional cast exclusive events like backstage tours, and cast previews for new attractions, which means experiencing them before they open to the public.'

In the end, he concluded: 'There is a lot of great aspects of working at Disney World, but the pay with the cost of living in Central Florida is rough, and the heat on top of a physically and emotionally demanding job can be a bit much.

'Overall, its really not that bad, it can be really fun at times and it has provided me some amazing and unique experiences, but the job itself can be challenging, demanding, and cast members will never get paid nearly enough for what they do.

'When youre at the parks, just listen to them when they tell you what to do even if it sounds silly, they dont get paid enough to make the rules, just be nice.'
Opal Fruits first launched in Britain in 1959 - before being rebranded in 1998

Sweet lovers have expressed their delight after a legendary retro treat returned to shelves nearly 30 years after it was axed.

Opal Fruits was first launched in Britain in 1959 and quickly went on to become one of the nation's most beloved treats.

The chewy sweets were known for their catchy tagline: 'Made to make your mouth water.'

Each pack contained blackcurrant, lemon and lime, orange and strawberry chewy treats that were relished by Britons across the country.

They were discontinued in 1998 after being replaced by Starbursts, a fruit-flavoured soft taffy made by confection manufacturer Wrigley.

Now, the Wrigley Company has renamed them as Opal Fruits as part of a limited-time special promotion that will certainly inspire a wave of nostalgia for foodies.

One eagle-eyed customer recently spotted the rebranded Starbursts in Tesco, claiming they were being sold for 31p - nearly three decades after the original packaging was ditched.

According to The Sun, they wrote: 'Bargain find Tesco, 31p, reduced to clear, not sure all of them are at the price.'

Sweet lovers have expressed their delight after a legendary retro treat has returned to shelves nearly 30-years after it was axed. Stock image pictured

Fans were delighted by the news of the release, with several commenting on a social media post about the promotion.

'Not been this excited over a bag of sweets for YEARS!' one message read.

'Made to make your mouth water,' another commented in reference to the famous tag line.

Earlier this year, Wrigley released an ice lolly version of the famous sweet that are currently available to shop in selection packs of four at Iceland.

Commenting on the release, fans expressed their excitement over the icy sweets as one person wrote: 'These are banging,.... I will say the green colour isn't as green, but they're highly delicious'.

Opal Fruits's original flavours were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime, while Starburst now also includes a lemon and lime and a blackcurrant variety.

Under its new name, Starbursts, the sweet treats now come in many different varieties, such as Tropical, Sour, FaveREDs, Watermelon, Very Berry, Superfruit, Summer Blast and Original.

It comes after sweet treat lovers were delighted the return of white chocolate Maltesers.

The fruit-flavoured chewy sweets were known for their catchy tagline that described that being, 'Made to make your mouth water'

Opal Fruits's original flavours were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime, while Starburst now also includes a lemon and lime and a blackcurrant variety

The popular snack, known for its white chocolate coating wrapped around the crunchy centre, will be back in UK shops from June 16, 2025, and available in treat bag, single and sharing bag formats.

Originally launched back in 2003, white chocolate Maltesers became an instant hit with chocolate lovers seeking something creamier.

But in a move that baffled fans, the product disappeared from shelves in 2014, sparking years of nostalgic cravings and social media pleas.

Devotees never gave up hope, with Mars Wrigley, the company behind the beloved brand, saying it has been inundated with requests ever since.

Comments like 'Bring back white Maltesers!' and 'We're all crazy about Maltesers at our house - have you thought about doing a white chocolate version?' have been echoing across the internet for years.

Now, the wishes of a loyal fan base have been granted. In a nod to the growing popularity of white chocolate in the UK, Mars Wrigley has confirmed the comeback many have been dreaming of.

A spokesperson for the confectionery giant said: 'We're delighted to bring Maltesers White Chocolate back for the passionate fans who have been anticipating their return for years.

'Maltesers is all about encouraging people to look on the light side of life, and so definitely try them if you've not done so before.'

Fans were delighted by the news of the release, with several commenting on a social media post revealing the release

The updated version stays true to what fans adored the first time around - the signature malty crunch encased in a silky chocolate shell.

It's sweet, light, nostalgic and, according to Mars Wrigley, it's everything fans loved but with a fresh glow-up.

The buzz around the product's return has been building for months, with online petitions and social media campaigns urging the company to listen to the masses.

One X user declared: 'Bring back white chocolate Maltesers.' Another fan revealed: 'Had a dream last night that white chocolate Maltesers were back and I bought a whole crate of them.'

A third said: 'They need to bring the white Maltesers back, the world went downhill when these disappeared.'

One person wrote: 'They really need to bring back the white chocolate Maltesers, they were amazing.'

Maltesers were first launched in 1937 by Forrest Mars Sr, an American entrepreneur.
King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as Princess Anne were also seen heading to Crathie Kirk for Sunday service

The Princess of Wales has seemingly debuted a new hair colour as she was spotted with lighter locks on her way to Sunday church service in Balmoral earlier today.

The Prince of Wales took the wheel as he drove his family, including Princes George and Louis, as well as Princess Charlotte, to Crathie Kirk - with Catherine, 43, beaming as she sat in the passenger seat.

The princess appeared to have coloured her hair a few shades lighter as her cascading tresses looked more blonde than ever before.

Accompanying their parents, Princess Charlotte, 10, cruised in the back seat with her brothers, Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, seven, who wore matching outfits for the occasion.

Along with the Waleses, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as The Princess Royal, were also seen heading to Crathie Kirk to spend part of their Bank Holiday weekend at the church.

The monarch began his annual summer holidays at Balmoral last week, where he has been joined by several other members of the Royal Family to enjoy their break.

William, 43, appearing a calm and collected driver, looked smart in a suit and tie as he sat behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, Kate was the picture of elegance in a black hat with a structured bow, a textured jacket and a maroon top as she smiled in the passenger seat next to William.

The Princess of Wales has seemingly debuted a new hair colour as she was spotted with lighter locks on her way to Sunday church service in Balmoral earlier today

Catherine, 43, appeared to have coloured her hair a few shades lighter as her cascading tresses looked more blonde than ever before

The Prince and Princess of Wales are seen driving their three children to Sunday church service in Balmoral

Princess Charlotte rode in the back seat of the car along with her brothers, Princes George and Louis, as the whole family spends their day out

Charlotte, 10, gazed out the car window with a curious expression on her face, her hair tied up neatly so it stayed out of her face. She was wearing a cream cardigan over a polka dot dress - her mother Kate's favourite print.

During the drive, it appeared Prince George was deep in conversation with Prince Louis whose eyes were large as he looked up at his big brother.

The King and Queen, who were driven to the church, appeared serious as they looked at the car journey ahead.

The monarch, 76, wore a pale pink shirt under his smart suit, complete with a tartan tie, a nod to the Scottish Highlands they are currently residing in.

Queen Camilla, 78, was seen wearing a hat with a jaunty feather and a multicoloured print dress, as well as a large cream shawl draped over her shoulder to keep her warm.

Princess Anne, 75, was dressed in the most colourful ensemble of the whole family, wearing a turquoise blouse with a large collar, as well as a matching jacket and hat.

Going to church is a tradition that King Charles follows closely, having driven himself and Queen Camilla to a service on Sunday August 17, also at Crathie Kirk.

Last week, His Majesty's attendance came after the royal couple were moved to tears by the powerful first-hand testimony of VJ veterans as they spoke at a service of remembrance marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War.

Princes George (left) and Louis appeared deep in conversation as Louis looked up at his older brother during the car journey

Prince George scored the middle seat in the family's Range Rover, so he was sat right between William and Kate

King Charles and Queen Camilla were also seen heading to the Sunday church service

The monarch officially began his annual summer residency in Balmoral, a tradition the Royal Family has upheld for decades, and is joined by other members of the family

At one point, the King and Queen rolled down their window slightly and Queen Camilla appeared to look directly at the camera whilst the monarch was in the middle of a sentence

The Princess Royal was also driven to the church service at Cathie Kirk, and was seen smiling in the car on the way there

Charles and Camilla were attending the Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire organised by the Royal British Legion in what made for a moving tribute to war heroes, where they were joined by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

It included two Fly Pasts, a two-minute silence, musical interludes and testimony from survivors of the so-called Forgotten War.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also shared a powerful message to social media praising the 'courage, sacrifice, and resilience' of those who fought in the Pacific and Far East on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

In a message posted on social media and signed with their initials, the royal couple wrote: '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.

'Lest we forget. W & C'.

Queen Camilla, 78, was seen wearing a hat with a jaunty feather and a multicoloured print dress, as well as a large cream shawl draped over her shoulder to keep her warm

The Duke of Edinburgh seen leaving after the church service on Sunday, August 24

A pensive prince! George appears lost in his thoughts on the drive back from Crathie Kirk

Princess Anne, 75, was dressed in the most colourful ensemble of the whole family, wearing a turquoise blouse with a large collar, as well as a matching jacket and hat

VJ (Victory over Japan) Day on August 15 marks the anniversary of the end of the six-year war, following VE (Victory in Europe) Day back in May.

Their message came just hours after King Charles told the nation how the sacrifice of the heroes of VJ Day will never be forgotten.

In a moving audio message, echoing one broadcast by his grandfather, King George VI, eighty years ago, Charles described how those who lived and died in the Far East 'gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected'.

The message was recorded earlier this month, in the Morning Room at Clarence House.

August 15, 1945, marked not only the cessation of war over Japan but the end of the Second World War as a whole.

More than 90,000 British troops were casualties of the Far East conflict, of which almost 30,000 died and over 12,400 were held as prisoners of war, in often horrific conditions.

But despite the magnitude and brutality of the conflict, many feel that their contribution was deliberately overlooked at the time and has continued to be forgotten over the years, particularly given the historic significance of events to mark Victory in Europe in May of that year.

The King issued a stark warning about the 'true cost' of armed conflict in his moving address to the nation marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

His Majesty also hailed the 'courage and camaraderie' of heroes who fought in the Pacific and Far East in 'humanity's darkest hour' as 'a flame that shall blaze for eternity'.

And he acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' on its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'.

William and Kate, both 43, this morning praised the 'courage, sacrifice, and resilience' of those who fought in the Pacific and Far East

Their message came just hours after King Charles told the nation how the sacrifice of the heroes of VJ Day will never be forgotten

His reflection on the nuclear attacks, which paved the way for the end of the Second World War, comes at a time of increased concern about the global threat of nuclear conflict.

In an audio message to the nation, realms and Commonwealth, the King spoke of the horrors faced by allied prisoners of war 'who endured years of brutal captivity: the starvation, disease and cruelty that tested the very limits of human endurance', and the 'mental and physical scars' the war left on those who survived.

And he vowed the service and sacrifice of VJ Day heroes 'shall never be forgotten', telling their families and the 'sadly dwindling band of veterans': 'Please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity's darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity - a beacon that honours our past and guides our future.'

The King, in what is believed to be the most direct reference by a British monarch to the suffering in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, said it was right to pause and acknowledge the impact of the 'war's final act' on the people of the Japanese cities.

'Innocent civilian populations of occupied territories faced grievous hardships, too,' he said in the broadcast released at 7.30am today.

'Their experience reminds us that war's true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life - a tragedy all-too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today.

'On this landmark anniversary, we should also pause to acknowledge that in the war's final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - a price we pray no nation need ever pay again.'

He added: 'But in recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory.'

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the concert celebrating the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, held at the historic Horse Guards Parade in central London in May

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony on VJ Day, August 15, 1945

Later today, the King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, will lead the national commemorations by attending a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire organised by the Royal British Legion tomorrow.

Their Majesties will join veterans, members of VJ associations, military personnel and senior politicians for the event. However, the Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to be present.

They will lay wreaths at the Armed Forces Memorial, before a national two-minute silence and a flypast from the RAF Red Arrows. There will also be a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of historic aircraft.

Afterwards they will meet with around 30 surviving veterans who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories, those who were prisoners of war and veterans stationed throughout the UK and Commonwealth, who contributed to the war effort in the Far East.

By 1945, some 365,000 British and 1.5 million Commonwealth troops had been deployed across Asia and the Pacific.

More than 90,000 British troops were casualties in the war against Japan, and nearly 30,000 died, while more than 12,000 Britons were among the 190,000 Commonwealth troops held as Prisoners of War by the Japanese.

Of the Allied forces, the US suffered the greatest losses, with more than 100,000 killed in action.

In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, more than 200,000 people were killed by the US bombs and in the months after succumbing to radiation sickness, the effects of burns and other serious injuries.

Huge crowds celebrating Victory in Japan on August 15, 1945 in Albert Square, Manchester

Projections reading 'VJ DAY 80' are displayed on the exterior of Buckingham Palace on August 14

The King described the 80th anniversary as a day of 'profound remembrance' and said of his grandfather King George's VI's 'The war is ended' audio broadcast at the time: 'Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom's new dawn.'

He also painted a vivid picture of when 'high above those monsoon-lashed jungles, allied pilots displayed their own fearless bravery, flying fighters, bombers and transport aircraft into enemy fire and nature's fury'.

The speech made no mention of the King's father Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who was in Tokyo Bay on board the destroyer HMS Whelp, a warship he served on as second-in-command, when Japanese officials formally signed the surrender on the USS Missouri on September 2 1945.

But Charles paid tribute to his mentor and great uncle Earl Mountbatten, who oversaw the defeat of the Japanese offensive towards India as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command.

He recalled how Lord Mountbatten taught him about the 'horrors and heroism' of the conflict.

The King said: 'The war in South East Asia had reached its climax under the leadership of my great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, from whom I learned so much about the particular horrors and heroism witnessed in those furthest fields of combat.

'The forces aligned under him comprised over one million men and women, drawn from many different countries, religions and communities, but united by common purpose and indomitable spirit.'

Charles said he was aware of the 'mental and physical scars' the conflict left on those who survived.

'Twenty-Nine Victoria Crosses bear eloquent testimony to their valour, but I know full well of the toll it took on so many - measured not only in gravestones, but in the mental and physical scars of those who survived,' he said.

He also cited the collaboration across faiths and cultural divides, saying: 'Together they proved that, in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link.

'That remains a vital lesson for our times.'
Tall women are now turning to a painful treatment that promises to change their fortunesif they're willing to pay thousands of pounds.

Surgeons in Turkey are offering life-changing cosmetic surgery that can reduce their height by over five centimetres.

Some women claim to have done it to improve their success in dating, tired of being tall. Others, say they wanted to counterbalance leg length differences.

The practice involves cutting the leg bone to remove part of the femur.

The cut bones are then joined and fixed in place with a metal rod, which is then removed after the bone heals. Clinics claim it leaves no visible scars.

But the procedure can leave patients in agony and wheelchair-bound following the process, with months of physiotherapy needed afterwards.

Despite the fears, it is growing in popularity with some Turkish clinics now advertising packages that involve a complementary city tours, restaurant meals and boat trips as well as the surgery and subsequent hospital stay.

Like leg lengthening surgeries, typically undertaken by men, official data is not kept on how many leg-shortening procedures are carried out across the world.

One unidentified American woman undertook the procedure at the Height Reduction clinic in Istanbul in July 2024, reducing her height by 4.1cm from 172 to 167.9cm.

Four weeks after the surgery, she was able to use crutches and undertook intensive physiotherapy, Height Reduction said

One clinic, based in Istanbul, told the Daily Mail they had now done 10 leg shortening surgeries since 2023.

Named Height Reduction, it claimed the upper leg could be shortened by up to 5.5cm and lower leg, by up to 3cm.

The clinic also recommended leaving at least six months between leg shortening surgeries if women want to further reduce their height, to allow the body to recover.

Following surgery, hospitalisation is required for roughly three to five days on average before being discharged given a wheelchair or walker to assist for the first month.

The clinic estimates that walking without any assistance is typically achievable after six weeks, with bones taking around three to four months to heal properly.

Physiotherapy is vital to recovery with at least four or five sessions per week in the first three months.

Before surgery, the clinic requires patients to undertake psychological counselling to ensure they have 'realistic expectations of the outcome'.

They added: 'Patients may experience psychological challenges during their recovery, which is why we provide this support.'

Another Height Reduction patient underwent the procedure and took almost five centimetres off her height

One unidentified American woman undertook the procedure at the clinic in July 2024, reducing her height by 4.1cm from 172 to 167.9cm, they claimed.

Four weeks after the surgery, she was able to use crutches and undertook intensive physiotherapy, Height Reduction said.

Nonetheless, like any surgery, the new procedure is not without its complications.

Leg shortening surgery risks can include muscle weakness or muscle strength loss.

Delayed bone healing can also cause greater pain.

Known leg lengthening side effects, meanwhile, include joint dislocation, blood clots and a fatal condition caused by oil coming out the rod ends ending up in the lungs are just some of the many potential risks.

Surgeons have long estimated that the risk of complications of leg lengtheninga similar procedure to shorteningare twice that of routine procedures like knee replacements.

Weight is an important factor for leg shortening operations, Height Reducation note, as the nails inserted inside the bones have a weight capacity.

In leg lengthening surgery, meanwhile, nails are drilled into either end of each femur or tibia, which is slowly teased apart with magnets over weeks while it heals naturally, resulting in a longer bone. But it can leave patients in agony and wheelchair-bound during the process, with months of physiotherapy needed afterwards

The clinic recommends their patients weigh 70 to 75kg maximum.

Online people have taken to forums to explain why they want or have undertaken height shortening surgery, with some admitting it was due to dating.

Dating surveys have also long suggested that men prefer to be with a woman who is slightly shorter than them, while women favour a taller man.

Studies have also found that being tall or short can significantly affect your risk of developing serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and endometriosis.

Most of the negative health effects associated with height come from being tall.

One Swedish study in 2015 found that for every 4in increase in height above average, cancer risk increases by 18 per cent in women and 11 per cent in men.

The researchers suggested that one possible reason is that taller people simply have more cells that could transform into cancer.

An alternative reason is that taller people are exposed to higher levels of growth hormones while young, and that these hormones could promote cancer development.

Another 2020 study, in the journal Annals of Human Biology suggested that being a tall woman brings a greater risk of endometriosis, a debilitating condition where womb-like tissue forms elsewhere in the body.

The condition may have been sparked by raised levels of the female hormone oestrogen in puberty, the researchers hypothesised.
Thousands of patients with chronic coughs are being abandoned by the NHS and left to suffer for decades with the debilitating problem, experts have told The Mail on Sunday.

They say a lack of specialist care means some are forced to travel hundreds of miles for help  while others go undiagnosed for decades or are misdiagnosed with mental health problems.

Many see a GP and even get referred to a specialist, only to be told nothing is wrong  leaving both patients and doctors at a dead end, and the real diagnosis never properly pursued.

An estimated one in ten Britons are affected by chronic cough  defined as a cough lasting more than eight weeks  with many enduring years of sleepless nights, exhaustion, continence issues and social embarrassment.

There are just eight specialist centres, and with no specific NHS guidance on chronic cough many patients are left suffering with what can be an awful condition for years, says Professor Nicholas Hopkinson, a respiratory medicine expert at Imperial College London.

The scale of the problem was laid bare earlier this month when Mail on Sunday GP columnist Dr Ellie Cannon wrote about new research into genetic causes of chronic cough.

Her comments prompted a torrent of responses from readers desperate for answers.

Among them was Angela Pilkington, 75, from Norfolk, who has endured a cough for more than 25 years after contracting a chest infection on holiday.

Thousands of patients with chronic coughs are being abandoned by the NHS and left to suffer for decades with the debilitating problem

She described fits striking every 20 minutes, triggered by smells or crowded places, which left her unable to go to the theatre, embarrassed in shops and even struggling to control her class when she worked as a teacher.

Doctors kept giving me medicine and telling me it was likely asthma but nothing was working, she said. It became very embarrassing and I coughed so hard I often wet myself or felt I was going to blackout.

After years of failed treatments she now takes codeine, which she says has restored some quality of life, though the cough has never gone away.

Other readers detailed similar stories of frustration.

Carolyn Dunn, 76, from Hertfordshire, said she has had a cough since 1987. Despite undergoing multiple tests, doctors concluded it was psychological.

And Catherine Thom, 78, from Winchester says that she has been suffering from a painful cough for three years.

The cough is particularly difficult when eating and even drinking water as I regularly choke with violent spasms, she said.

I have noted this to doctors on three separate occasions but as I have numerous other serious health issues, my cough has never been addressed.

Frustratingly, research suggests that 90 per cent of cases can be managed if the underlying condition is diagnosed and treated.

Specialists have now identified three common conditions, which are often missed by GPs, and they say patients suffering long-term cough must be aware of.

After 6 years I am at my wits end  nothing has worked The cough came on in the summer of 2021 independently of any other symptoms and went on day and night, making eating and sleeping very difficult. I have had to travel 50 miles to the closest specialist clinic in Hull, but despite the long wait list and journey it is worth it. I am currently using the NeilMed nasal sinus rinse plus the Sterimar nasal spray and am booked in to see a speech and Language therapist. This was option one of the treatment programme as option two is to take a low dose of morphine which I am loath to do. Tony Bilny, 60, West Yorkshire I have had a chronic dry cough for the past six years (before Covid). I am a 53-year-old mother of four, fit and healthy apart from this which is exhausting. I cough until I gag or bring up phlegm its bad at night, triggered when I swallow food and also when I get into an air-conditioned car. I have been tested for everything  allergies, acid reflux, heartburn with colonoscopies, cameras down my throat, X-rays of lungs  nothing has worked and I am at my wits end. Anonymous, 55, Leicestershire My cough came on one winter. At first the doctors thought it was my asthma or a cold. I had several rounds of antibiotics and lots of tests. I suffered from coughing every day for years. I am mildly asthmatic with post-nasal drip. I went back to my GP who prescribed codeine which suppressed it but wasnt a long-term answer. He suggested the Manchester Cough Clinic as a last resort. They diagnosed cough hypersensitivity syndrome and put me on morphine then Targinact. Both provided instant relief. Elaine French, 53, North West I have had a never-ending cough since 2000. That winter I caught a cold that ended with a deep-seated cough that would not respond to any commercial product. I tend to cough while lying down, so I sleep with a pillow raising my head. I always have a cough sweet ready to suck by my bed and take sweets and a Covid-style face mask with me when I go out in case a spasm starts. Marvis Vernon, 81, Hampshire I have had a persistent dry cough for about six months. It was associated with a swelling on my shoulder. Also, by midday my voice has gone croaky. I have seen many GPs and been sent to various hospital departments for tests. Ive even had a CT scan and tests for breast cancer. They all came back negative (a relief) but I still dont know what is causing it. Nicola Sayers, Exeter I have suffered with this for 30 years. Its mainly a dry throaty cough caused by post-nasal drip and very sensitive to different smells, heat or cold. If I dont control it with a drink or sweets it can turn into an asthma-type attack for which I use my blue inhaler. I have tried various sprays and reflux tablets to no avail. The cough can be disruptive at night, and in buildings like church I prefer to be near an exit. Anonymous, 78, Worcestershire Advertisement

There are a number of lung conditions which unsurprisingly cause chronic coughing, says Professor Jaclyn Smith, an expert in the condition at the University of Manchester.

These include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)  a progressive lung condition, usually caused by smoking, that makes it hard to breathe  as well as lung fibrosis, where scar tissue builds up in the lungs, often after long-term damage from smoking or infection.

NHS guidelines state that anyone with a cough lasting more than three weeks should be referred for a chest X-ray, which means these conditions are usually identified early and patients passed on to a lung specialist.

So when patients are complaining of a cough that has gone on for years, this is usually not what they are talking about, adds Professor Smith.

So what else might be to blame? High up on the list is asthma, which affects around 7.2 million people in the UK. While classic symptoms include wheezing, breathlessness and a tight chest, in harder-to-diagnose cases the only sign may be a persistent cough.

With no single test to diagnose asthma, many patients who come into our clinic having suffered with the condition for years, says Professor Smith, who runs the specialist cough clinic at Manchester University Hospitals. Once asthma has been diagnosed it can be easily managed with inhalers.

Another common cause is acid reflux. This occurs when stomach acid escapes upwards, sometimes splashing high enough to inflame the throat and voice box.

In other cases, the acid doesnt travel that far, but still irritates nerves in the oesophagus, making the airways extra sensitive and prone to coughing.

The most recognisable symptom is the burning sensation known as heartburn, when acid rises into the oesophagus and throat.

Simple steps to reduce reflux include avoiding late-night meals, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, and raising the head of the bed. In some cases, doctors prescribe stomach acid-suppressing drugs such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Experts say another treatable cause of chronic cough is post-nasal drip. This occurs when excess mucus from the nose or sinuses trickles down the back of the throat, irritating the airways and sparking a cough.

Symptoms tend to be worse at night, when mucus can collect in the back of the throat.

One patient who has been blighted with a debilitating cough is Lisa Young, 75, from Eastbourne. Her symptoms began suddenly in 2019 and left her wiped out for months. I could not stop coughing, could not lie flat at night and friends had to do my food shopping as there was no way I could drive, she says. I would be struck with coughing fits that would last minutes. After years of suffering, Lisa was finally diagnosed with post-nasal drip caused by a dust allergy.

I was in complete shock when the doctor told me it was because of dust, she recalls. The measures they suggested were quite drastic  such as ripping up my carpets and removing the curtains. In the end, an over-the-counter antihistamine nasal spray provided enough relief for her to get on with daily life.

Another key explanation for chronic cough  thought to affect up to one in ten patients  is a little-known condition that does not respond to standard treatments. Known as refractory chronic cough (RCC), it is believed to be driven by an over-sensitive cough reflex, where the nerves in the throat and airways trigger far more easily than normal. Patients often report attacks brought on by changes in temperature, strong smells such as air fresheners, or even everyday activities like eating, drinking or laughing.

The condition is seen most often in women, and is particularly common in middle age.

Professor Smith estimates that approximately 70 per cent of the patients referred to her cough clinic have refractory chronic cough. This is a condition that many doctors are still unaware of, says Professor Smith. There is currently no test and it can only be diagnosed once common causes like asthma and acid reflux are ruled out. That and there being no licensed medication mean that many doctors are reluctant to give a diagnosis.

Although there are no licensed treatments the professor explains that there are ways that the condition can be managed. We are essentially looking to retrain the brain, says Professor Smith.

Patients are given exercises from speech and language therapists that can help to reduce the tension in the throat or spot when a coughing fit may be coming on and using a trick like sipping water to keep it at bay.

There are a number of lung conditions which unsurprisingly cause chronic coughing, says Professor Jaclyn Smith, pictured, an expert in the condition at the University of Manchester

In severe cases, sufferers can also be given morphine  an opioid  to manage their symptoms, providing they are carefully monitored. This can really be remarkable for patients, says Professor Ashley Woodcock, an expert in chronic coughs at the Alexandria Hospital. We see patients that have had symptoms for 20 years and a small dose sees their cough disappear.

Given that RCC is not included in NHS guidelines  a move she is calling for  the professor says many people may be undiagnosed with the condition. I do wonder whether the patients we see in our clinic with RCC are the tip of the iceberg. There are probably many patients out there who have given up seeking solutions and are simply putting up with it, says Professor Smith.

If a patient has tried a number of treatments that have failed and they feel they may have RCC, it is recommended that they ask their GP for a referral to one of the countries eight specialist clinics.

We are really at an evolution in the treatment of chronic coughs, says Professor Woodcock. At the moment we have a limited number of specialist clinics, but with understanding changing, that this is a separate condition, and new promising treatments on the horizon, I suspect that very soon all hospitals will have a cough clinic.

Experts say that patients putting off getting their cough checked is a serious concern.

To often we see patients who have a long term cough but have not seen a doctor, says Professor Hopkinson. If you are coughing for eight weeks you should not ignore it.

If you are coughing up blood, there is pain associated with the cough or you generally feel unwell, losing weight or suffering from night sweats or a hoarse voice then you should see a GP and not wait to see if it lasts weeks.

Asthma and Lung UK said: A long-term cough, lasting three weeks or more, could be a sign of an undiagnosed lung condition  always see your doctor if youre worried. If you need advice or support about any breathing symptoms or your lung condition you can give the Asthma and Lung UK helpline team a call on 0300 222 5800, Monday to Friday between nine and five.

DID YOU CURE A COUGH THAT WOULDNT GO AWAY? Write to us at health@mailonsunday.co.uk
I am 82 and have had restless legs for 30 years. It leaves me unable to sit through the theatre, travel on long flights, or sleep properly at night. Ive read about different drug treatments but the possible side effects put me off. What do you advise?

Dr Ellie replies: Restless legs syndrome is a distressing condition to treat and the underlying cause is not fully understood, which makes finding an answer difficult. Sufferers usually have an irresistible desire to move their legs, particularly at night, which impacts sleep, comfort and even being able to sit down and enjoy an activity.

If somebody has a condition that is significantly impacting their quality of life for a number of years then it is worth considering medication or treatment, even if there are potential side effects.

The side effects could be worth accepting if they bring relief. It is also very possible that medication will not cause side effects in some individuals and will only bring benefits.

Sometimes, restless legs are associated with iron deficiency in which case iron supplements will help: a GP can order a blood test for ferritin (iron stores), not just iron, as low ferritin has been proven to worsen symptoms.

Restless legs syndrome is a distressing condition to treat and the underlying cause is not fully understood, says Dr Ellie

Trialling an iron supplement may then help, as can reducing caffeine, alcohol and smoking. Specific walking and stretching exercises can also improve things  and for the elderly, a GP can make a physiotherapy referral.

Medication options include Parkinsons disease drugs such as ropinirole as well as nerve-painkillers such as gabapentin or pregabalin. These are all NICE-approved medications for restless legs syndrome.

They may indeed have side effects but it is worth a trial for relief. Doctors can also prescribe rotigotine, which can be given in patch form and lasts a long time. If treatment is unsuccessful then seeing a specialist is appropriate: this would usually be a consultant in sleep medicine or a neurologist.

I suffer from a large incisional hernia. It causes no pain but has left me with a much bigger waistline. My specialist says surgery is possible with mesh, but its a big operation with risks, a long recovery, and no guarantee of success. Im 82. Should I go ahead?

Dr Ellie replies: It is always a big decision weighing up whether to have an operation. For both patient and doctor it boils down to the benefits and the risks, which can include complications such as infection and injury  and the chance that surgery doesnt actually work.

This can be the case with hernia surgery. The benefits you need to weigh up are a reduction in any symptoms you have, and these benefits are much greater if you have very significant symptoms. The older somebody is, the bigger the risks of surgery, so if you have no pain and there is a long recovery period, it might be there are not big benefits to be had.

A hernia is a weakness in the muscle walls which makes a gap or opening that internal organs can push through, causing a bulge. With an incisional hernia this happens at the site of a previous surgical wound. The bulging can cause pain or discomfort and there is always the risk that internal structures can get trapped in the bulge. Repairing the hernia pushes any inside contents back into their normal place by closing the gap and sometimes this is done with mesh sewn over the weakness.

Surgery usually stops it from getting any bigger but also prevents complications like the bowel being trapped.

It is also possible to treat a hernia without surgery by using an abdominal binder to hold everything in place, which is like a belt with some pressure. You would also be advised to avoid constipation with medication if necessary, as this relieves pressure on the hernia.

I have unsightly bunions on both feet. A private doctor has recommended surgery, but Ive heard it can be very painful. What should I do?

Dr Ellie Replies: Surgery is the only way to actually remove bunions  but there are non-surgical options that can help ease symptoms.

Physiotherapy exercises can improve mobility in the foot and reduce pain.

There are more than 130 types of bunion surgery, each with pros and cons. A surgeon should explain why a specific procedure is being offered, says Dr Ellie

There are also special insoles that cushion the bunions inside shoes, and splints worn at night to keep the big toe straighter, which can prevent symptoms from worsening.

That said, many patients do opt for surgery.

There are more than 130 types of bunion surgery, each with pros and cons. A surgeon should explain why a specific procedure is being offered and what the risks are. In general, complications occur in around one in 20 cases, and about one in ten patients report not being satisfied afterwards  usually because discomfort persists, not because the surgery itself has gone wrong.

On the NHS, surgery would be offered only if bunions are causing daily pain and significant difficulties for the patient. For milder cases, non-surgical measures may be the best first step.

Dont race to beat fat jab price rise I've heard alarming stories from private practices where patients are demanding to be given several months supply of the weight-loss jab Mounjaro after the manufacturer announced it was raising the price. Around 1.5million Britons pay for these drugs, which cost around 250 a month. But the US pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly has said it was going to double the price of the injections. As a result, private clinics are now getting hundreds of requests from patients attempting to stockpile the jabs before the price increase next month. I would urge patients to hold off contacting their doctor. In many cases, doctors cant prescribe these drugs months in advance because the strength of dose they need will change over time. Moreover, there is already limited supply of the jabs, meaning most clinics are unable to hand out bulk orders. Advertisement
At first, the small bruises scattered across her body seemed harmless. As a woodwork teacher, Elaine Hold thought nothing of it.

'I was used to banging about, picking up knocks and being a little bit clumsy, so when they appeared, I didn't really worry,' she recalls.

When the then 46-year-old mother of two from Newcastle also began suffering breathlessness and fatigue, she visited her GP  but blood tests came back clear. Her symptoms were put down to bronchitis, a condition she'd had for years.

In fact, they were warning signs of a rare, aggressive type of blood cancer that kills most patients within five years.

It was Elaine's husband, alarmed by the countless bruises that continued to appear and disappear, who eventually urged her to seek medical help again.

Another blood test was ordered  and within a day, she received an urgent call from hospital telling her to pack an overnight bag, and not to come alone. The diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Recalling the moment she was told, Elaine says: 'I was in complete shock  I actually laughed.

'Up to that point, I really thought it was just an infection. Treatment began immediately so I didn't get a chance to process it, but over the years it has really taken a mental toll on me and the family.'

Elaine was forced to quit her job, and everyday life became daunting. Terrified of catching a virus, which can be fatal with leukaemia, she avoided going out.

File image: Menopause occurs around midlife, when the ovaries run out of functioning eggs  and this leads to a natural decline in oestrogen levels

Since then, Elaine's illness has been successfully treated and returned four times. She's undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy and even a stem cell transplant. 'It really took a toll, I'd feel incredibly weak and was often hospital bound for weeks on end,' she says.

'Then each time I was told I was in remission, the relief was only ever short lived. I just knew it would return. I have had nearly every treatment available but nothing can rid the cancer for good.'

A stem cell transplant  previously known as a bone marrow transplant  is often used for aggressive blood cancers such as leukaemia.

It works by wiping out the patient's own diseased bone marrow (where blood cells are made) with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, then replacing it with healthy stem cells. These usually come from the blood or bone marrow of a donor, and once infused they travel to the patient's bone marrow, where they grow into normal red blood cells, white cells and platelets  essentially giving the body a new blood-making system free of cancer.

Elaine's transplant used stem cells donated by her eldest son, who was what doctors call a 'half match'. This meant that while some of his immune markers (proteins on the surface of cells that help the immune system distinguish between the body's own tissue and anything foreign) matched hers, others did not.

Without a perfect match, the new cells are more likely to attack the patient's body, making the procedure riskier and less likely to cure the cancer completely. But in nine years since her diagnosis, a perfect donor has not been found.

To get through the ordeal of gruelling treatment, Elaine took part in charity fundraising events as well as leading woodwork sessions for widowed men.

Now, the disease has become terminal. At Christmas, doctors told her she could have just months to live. The latest relapse caused clusters of leukaemia cells to form around her ribs and spine, leaving her with six broken bones and reliant on a wheelchair.

'Being here today is something of a miracle,' she says. 'I'm not sure what the future holds for me or how much of a future I have, but what I do know is I will spend it in happiness. I do not want to waste one moment of this precious time I have been given.'

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia occurs when rogue white blood cells grow out of control, overwhelming the bone marrow and crowding out healthy cells.

It's the most common childhood cancer in Britain and thanks to modern treatments more than nine in ten children now survive. But for adults the picture is more sobering  survival rates fall sharply with age.

Around 750 adults are diagnosed every year, out of 10,000 new leukaemia cases. Yet research by charity Leukaemia Care found just 14 per cent of the public can name the four main symptoms.

'Early diagnosis is really important in leukaemia, so it's important patients are aware of the symptoms,' says Professor Hendrik-Tobias Arkenau, a blood cancer specialist at University College London Hospitals.

Alongside bruising, fatigue and unexplained bleeding, he says patients should look out for sudden weight loss, night sweats and fever.

'It's also important patients persevere. Unfortunately, especially for rare cancers, it's unlikely they'll get diagnosed first time, so going back to the doctor when things don't improve or change is key.'

Fiona Hazell, chief executive of Leukaemia UK, adds: 'Many people aren't aware of the signs and symptoms until they or someone they know is diagnosed. But early diagnosis saves lives, so we want to make sure more people know to contact their GP to ask for a full blood-count test if they're worried.'
If you're the kind of person who does the neighbour's shopping or lends a friend a hand putting together their new wardrobe, you will be rewarded.

That's because helpful and open-minded people tend to live longer, a study suggests.

Researchers gave 22,000 people aged 50-plus a list of adjectives and asked them which ones best described them. They then followed the men and women for 28 years. During that time more than 7,500 of them died  and the researchers compared their reported personality traits against their mortality.

Those who said they were organised, responsible and hardworking had a 12 to 15 per cent lower risk of mortality  and those who considered themselves to be active (with high levels of energy and vigour) had a reduced risk of 21 per cent.

The creative and outgoing had an 8 per cent lower risk, followed by the adventurous (6 per cent), friendly (4 per cent) and warm and broad-minded (3 per cent).

Meanwhile, carelessness and worrying were associated with a 7 per cent higher risk of mortality, according to the study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research.

File image: Researchers gave 22,000 people aged 50-plus a list of adjectives and asked them which ones best described them

File image: Those who said they were organised, responsible and hardworking had a 12 to 15 per cent lower risk of mortality  and those who considered themselves to be active (with high levels of energy and vigour) had a reduced risk of 21 per cent

Neuroticism (where people experience anxiety, sadness, fear and anger on an intense and regular basis) was associated with a 10 per cent higher mortality risk, and nervousness a 9 per cent higher risk.

The academics  from the universities of Montpellier, Edinburgh, Tartu, Limerick and Florida State University  explained that the moody, worry-prone and nervous may be at risk because they're more likely to become unwell, carry extra weight, smoke or experience symptoms of depression.

They said: 'Our analysis revealed associations between personality items and mortality.

'In particular, being active, lively, organised, responsible, hardworking, thorough and helpful were related to a lower mortality risk.'
News / National

by Staff reporter

A foreign national who allegedly entered Zimbabwe illegally has been arrested in connection with a series of smash-and-grab incidents that targeted vehicles in Harare.Police confirmed the arrest of Cassian Pascal Mangombe (45), who is linked to three cases of theft from parked vehicles committed between 18 and 21 August 2025. Authorities, however, did not disclose his country of origin.The break-ins were reported at Bond Shopping Centre in Mt Pleasant, Greenfields Shopping Centre along Samora Machel Avenue, and Village Walk Shopping Centre in Borrowdale, where thieves made off with three laptops and fuel coupons.Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said detectives moved in after a crucial lead."On 22nd August 2025, detectives from CID Theft From Car received information which linked the suspect to the cases. The detectives tracked the suspect leading to his arrest in Msasa, Harare. The arrest led to the recovery of fuel coupons stolen on 19th August 2025 from a parked Toyota Hilux vehicle at Village Walk Shopping Centre, Borrowdale," said Comm Nyathi.Further investigations revealed that Mangombe had already shipped the stolen laptops to his home country via a cross-border bus."The Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged INTERPOL to facilitate the recovery of the stolen laptops," Comm Nyathi added.Police say additional details will be released as investigations widen into what could be part of a broader international theft network.
Bill Maher praised California Governor Gavin Newsom for trying to 'out-stupid' Donald Trump with his recent social media impressions of the president.

In the past week, Newsom's press office has consistently put out tweets copying the bombastic and singular style of Trump in an attempt to show some fight back from an increasingly unpopular Democrat Party.

'There's a new game being played by Gavin Newsom. Gavin Newsom is now trolling trump. I've never seen a Democrat do this. I think it's very funny,' Maher said during Friday's episode of his show 'Real Time with Bill Maher.'

'Some of the Newsom tweets that he's been putting out there, okay, he's imitating Trump's exact style,' the comedian added before reading examples of Newsom's posts.

'This is Newsom: "And he will fail as he always does, sad. And I, the peacetime governor, our nation's favorite, will save America once again. Many are calling me the, you know, Gavin Newsom, many say the most loved and handsome governor."'

Newsom has also ruffled some feathers by sharing AI-generated images - one included a promotional photo being endorsed by Kid Rock and another showed the musician, Tucker Carlson and the recently deceased Hulk Hogan with a halo and angel wings praying over the governor.

Maher explained that Newsom's social media strategy has grasped a part of American culture that Democrats need to understand.

'I feel like Gavin has grasped the essential thing about American culture in this day and age. Don't try to outsmart people. You have to out-stupid them,' he said.

Bill Maher praised California Governor Gavin Newsom for trying to 'out-stupid' Donald Trump by imitating the president on social media

Maher said he has 'never seen a Democrat' take Newsom's social media approach and believes he has figured out a way to 'out-stupid' Trump

Newsom has been using his Trump style social media posts to engage in a tit-for-tat gerrymandering battle against Republicans.

A day after the Texas State House approved a redistricting plan Trump thinks will eventually lead to Republicans gaining 100 seats in Congress, Newsom signed a law allowing California voters to decide whether the blue state will do the same.

The governor celebrated by trotting out his new social media impression yet again.

The Republican-controlled legislature in Texas passed a redrawn congressional map that heavily favors the GOP going into the midterm elections in 2026.

The redistricting bill, which could hand Republicans five more seats in the House of Representatives next year, now heads to Governor Greg Abbott's desk.

The move has sent Democrats spiraling and vowing to fight the redistricting by redrawing boundaries in their own states.

Abbott said in a statement Saturday morning that he would 'swiftly' pass the piece of legislation. He's expected to sign it sometime next week.

'The One Big Beautiful Map has passed the Senate and is on its way to my desk, where it will be swiftly signed into law,' Abbott said.

Newsom's press office has consistently put out tweets aping the bombastic and singular style of Trump

Democratic governors in Illinois, Maryland and New York have also suggested they could be open to redrawing their maps to add more Democratic-leaning districts.

'Game on,' New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on X Wednesday after the Texas House passed its new maps.

The White House, in turn, is looking to states such as Missouri, Florida, Indiana and South Carolina  where Republicans have total control over the state governments  to add more favorable GOP districts.

This fight, which is increasingly spilling over into many states, is seen by both parties as crucial in winning the midterms.

The opposing party to the newly elected president typically does well in midterm elections.

This is something Trump is aware of since it happened to him in 2018 when Democrats picked up a whopping 40 seats in the House, giving them a majority.

This led to Trump's agenda being stymied and allowed Democrats to pursue two impeachments against him, something he is anxious to avoid in 2026.
Poundland is set to shut another 12 stores across the UK today amid a nationwide restructure.

Founded in 1990, the popular high street chain is known for primarily selling 1 products at hundreds of sites located across the UK.

In June, the discount shop chain's owner, Polish firm Pepco Group, sold the struggling business to US-based Gordon Brothers for a 'nominal fee' of just 1.

The investment firm, which used to own textile brand Laura Ashley, said it would inject up to 80million into restructuring the company.

Now, in a desperate bid to save the chain, the discount shop have announced that more than a dozen stores will close on August 24, while a nationwide closing down sale has also been launched, with prices reduced by up to 75 per cent.

It comes after the retail store announced that 48 branches would be closing their doors to customers across August alone while nearly 70 Poundland stores will close by mid-October - nearly ten per cent of the estimated total network of 800.

The shutters have already come down on 25 of these ill-fated branches this month, with a further 12 set to close today.

This is then set to be followed by an additional 11 closures by August 31 as part of a company-wide restructure, subject to a High Court hearing scheduled for August 26.

Poundland is set to shut another 12 stores across the UK today. A nationwide closing down sale has also been launched, with prices reduced by up to 75 per cent (file image)

It comes after the retail store announced that 48 branches would be closing their doors to customers across August alone while nearly 70 Poundland stores will close by mid-October - nearly ten per cent of the estimated total network of 800 (file image)

The discount shop chain's owner, Polish firm Pepco Group, sold the struggling business in June to US-based Gordon Brothers for a 'nominal fee' of just 1 (file image)

The 15 stores which closed for business on August 17 include the branch in Bedford, Stafford, Worcestor and Dartmouth.

Poundland's retail director Darren MacDonald insisted that the chain is working towards achieving a 'sizeable' network of around 650-700 stores in the restructuring.

He added: 'It is of course, sincerely regrettable that we're closing a number of stores to allow us to get us back on track.

'We entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when a store nearby closes but we look forward to continuing to welcome them to one of our other locations.

'Work is underway to with colleagues through a formal consultation process in stores scheduled to close, exploring any suitable alternative roles.'

Under the cost-cutting restructure plans, Gordon Brothers' arealso set to close its frozen and digital distribution site at Darton in South Yorkshire later this year.

The new owners also plan to close Poundland's national distribution warehouse at Springvale in Bilston, West Midlands, early next year.

Deliveries are instead going to be 'absorbed' into its existing distribution centres at Wigan in Greater Manchester and Harlow in Essex, according to the company.

August 31 closure locations Blackburn, Lancashire Cookstown, County Tyrone Erdington, Birmingham Kimberley Shopping Centre, Nottingham Horsham, West Sussex Hull Holderness, East Yorkshire Kettering, Northamptonshire Omagh, County Tyrone Shepherds Bush, London Southport, Merseyside Taunton, Somerset

August 24 closure locations Brigg, North Lincolnshire Canterbury, Kent Coventry, West Midlands Newcastle, Tyne and Wear Kings Heath, Birmingham Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Peterlee, County Durham Rainham, Kent Salford, Greater Manchester Sheldon, Birmingham Wells, Somerset Whitechapel, London

The shutters have already come down on 25 of these ill-fated branches this month, with a further 12 set to close today. This is then set to be followed by an additional 11 closures by August 31 as part of a company-wide restructure (file image)

Announcing Poundland's restructuring plan in June, Barry William(pictured), managing director of Poundland, said: 'It's no secret that we have much work to do to get Poundland back on track'

Poundland will also stop selling frozen food in stores where it is currently available.

There will also be a reduction in the chilled food available which will instead 'be anchored around its market-leading 3 meal deal and other essentials such as milk'.

The Poundland.co.uk website is also set to be converted 'from a transactional website to a brand website', and there will be a 'retirement' of its Perks app.

In addition, there will also be a 'greater depth' of womenswear in the clothing range and the return of 'key seasonal general merchandise ranges' as well as the 'restoration of product categories customers have missed'.

On top of the closures, Gordon Brothers' restructuring plans will also involve negotiating rent reductions at certain store locations.

For instance, while one Poundland store in Canterbury, Kent, is sadly due to close, the city's other branch, on St George's Street, has reopened.

It shut down on July 23, not as part of the list of 68 set to close amid the restructuring - but opened its doors again on August 1 after a new lease agreement was secured.

Announcing Poundland's restructuring plan in June, Barry Williams, managing director of Poundland, said: 'It's no secret that we have much work to do to get Poundland back on track.

August 17 closure locations Bedford Bidston Moss, Merseyside Broxburn, West Lothian Craigavon, County Armagh Dartmouth, Devon East Dulwich, London Falmouth, Cornwall Hull St Andrews, East Yorkshire Newtonabbey, County Antrim Perth Poole, Dorset Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Stafford Thornaby, North Yorkshire Worcester

August 10 closure locations Ammanford, Camarthenshire Birmingham Fort Cardiff Valegate Cramlington, Northumberland Leicester Long Eaton, Derbyshire Port Glasgow, Inverclyde Seaham, County Durham Shrewsbury, Shropshire Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Poundland's retail director Darren MacDonald insisted that the chain is working towards achieving a 'sizeable' network of around 650-700 stores in the restructuring. He added: 'It is of course, sincerely regrettable that we're closing a number of stores' (file image)

In May, Poundland reported revenues dropped by 6.5 per cent to 985million euros (830million) for the six months to March, compared with a year earlier. The brand suffered 'challenges across all categories' and had 18 net store closures over the period (file image)

'While Poundland remains a strong brand, serving 20million-plus shoppers each year, our performance for a significant period has fallen short of our high standards and action is needed to enable the business to return to growth.

'It's sincerely regrettable that this plan includes the closure of stores and distribution centres, but it's necessary if we're to achieve our goal of securing the future of thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores.

'It goes without saying that if our plans are approved, we will do all we can to support colleagues who will be directly affected by the changes.'

In May, Poundland reported revenues dropped by 6.5 per cent to 985million euros (830million) for the six months to March, compared with a year earlier.

The brand suffered 'challenges across all categories' and had 18 net store closures over the period.

Poundland went under the hammer in March, with its previous owners Pepco putting it on the market after issues with sales.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The firm reported a 6.5 per cent drop in the chain's revenue, which sunk to 830million for the six months to March, versus the previous year.

Pepco blamed the decline on 'highly challenging trading conditions', with the franchise struggling to make sales in all product categories.

Some 18 stores closed in this period.

The mass closures come as Britain's high streets have been warned there is 'worse to come' this year after more than 13,000 shops closed their doors for good in 2024  an increase of 28 per cent on the year before.

In another gloomy report, industry experts predicted that 17,350 shops will shut down this year.

It is the highest figure since the Centre for Retail Research began collecting the data in 2015 and follows the closure of 13,479 stores last year.
A baby boomer has exposed how young Australians are not the only ones feeling the cost-of-living squeeze, revealing she is still unable to retire.

The Sydney woman, aged in her 70s, was stopped on the street by an interviewer from property app Coposit, who questioned how much she had in savings.

The 74-year-old revealed she had one account with $100,000 in it.

'I don't own my own house. I'm still working. It's just money I put aside,' she said.

The woman explained she was employed in the NSW health system, but admitted working so late in life was less than ideal.

'Not really loving it. At times I'm loving it. I like being active, I like working, I like getting out, and that's good,' she said.

When the interviewer asked what her 'dream job' would be, the woman said: 'Probably being retired.'

She said living in Sydney was 'really expensive' and rent prices were 'appalling'.

A 74-year-old Sydney woman (pictured) revealed she is still working due to her city's high cost of living

Rising food costs also meant she cooked at home more to save money.

Australia does not have a set retirement age, but retirees can't access the age pension until they're 67.

Data from KPMG found the average retirement age is creeping closer to that number, with men typically retiring at 66.2 years old and women at 64.8 years old - the highest since the 1970s.

A survey from Finder earlier this year found one in six Aussies either delayed their retirement plans or returned to work in the last two years.

The high retirement age has been attributed to several factors - including the rise of flexible working and difficulty in re-entering the workforce.

However, Finder superannuation literacy expert Pascale Helyar-Moray told Yahoo Finance the sad truth is many Aussies are simply being priced out of retirement.

'There's a growing retirement savings crisis in Australia,' she said.

'Australians dedicate much of their lives to working hard, often dreaming of the 'golden years' of retirement, but for many, stepping back simply isn't a viable option.'

Recent surveys found Aussies are retiring later in life, with the cost of living often cited as a main cause (stock image)

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia estimated a single person between 65 and 84 years old needs $52,383 a year to comfortably retire.

A couple would need $73,875.

That figure is for retirees receiving a pension and who own their own home, unlike the Sydney woman.

Ms Helyar-Moray said the estimates put the amount needed to retire at $595,000 for singles and $690,000 for couples.

'Building a robust super nest egg is one of the most important things we can do to secure our financial future - so don't be afraid to seek financial advice to make informed decisions about your fund,' she said.
Solar panel installations are booming  up 22 per cent in the first six months of the year, and there are now more than 1.8 million households with them.

But with panels costing thousands of pounds and most months in Britain struggling to match this summer's sunshine, will they save you money? Before signing up there are some crucial things to consider to work out how long it will take for the cost to pay off.

Is your roof suitable?

The panels can be used to power your home, saving on your electricity bills. You can also be paid for exporting energy back to the grid, via a Smart Export Guarantee tariff.

The recipe for success requires your home to be suitable for them, with

the size of your roof and the direction it faces key. Your roof's size determines how many panels you can get, which will decide the potential output of your system.

A system's energy generation is measured in peak kilowatts (kW) with an average system for a three-bedroom house delivering 3.5kW, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Panel beaters: Let the sun do the work to power your home  and cut those bills

The amount of roof space required depends on the efficiency and potential output of the panels you get. For example, it could be made up of ten x 350 watt panels, covering about 20m2 of the roof.

Ideally, your roof will be south-facing. East or west-facing roofs will also work, but it is not recommended to install panels on a north-facing roof. A pitched roof is preferable, but a flat roof can work. Panels can also go on a shed or garage.

A system facing east or west generates 15 to 20 per cent less energy than one facing south.

A 3.5 kW system in southern England could produce 3,000kWh annually. This would potentially be worth 560 a year, through saving 320 on bills and earning 240 in export payments.

How much will I earn?

The crucial calculation involves dividing the cost of the system by your annual return to see how many years it will take to pay it off.

You need to know: how much panels will cost, the energy you can generate, the estimated annual saving on your bills and the projected annual return from exporting.

For the three-bedroom example above, the panels would cost about 6,100, while the total annual return is 560, giving a pay back time of 11 years.

Returns will be influenced by some other factors. If you are home all day, you can make a potentially bigger saving on electricity bills by using power when it is generated.

On the flipside, this may mean you make less from selling to the grid. Energy Saving Trust figures show how this and where you live can mean payback periods vary.

For someone in London who is home all day, it would take ten years for solar panels to pay off, whereas if they were only home after 6pm, it would take 12 years.

In Manchester, this would be 11 years and 13 years, respectively, while in Stirling it would be 12 years and 15 years and in Belfast 13 years and 21 years.

Energy Saving Trust has a free solar panel calculator at pvfitcalculator.energysavingtrust.org.uk. Enter your address, with property and household details and it will tell you the cost, return and payback period.

Why are they so popular?

For early adopters, the environmentally friendly element of panels was a key driver but now it is mostly about saving money and reducing exposure to volatile electricity costs.

Installer Gareth Jones, says his company, Carbon Zero Renewables, has seen a leap in requests since the energy price spike in 2022.

He says: 'You can take back an element of control with panels, otherwise you're at the mercy of energy companies'.

What will it cost me?

It depends on the size and type of system, how easy it is to access your roof and whether you need to do any other work on the roof.

While the Energy Saving Trust says the average domestic 3.5kW solar panel system costs around 6,100, others give higher figures. Which? says a 3kW system costs 7,020 to 11,250 to install, while a 5kW system is 11,650 to 16,300.

The exact figure will depend on the make and efficiency of your panels, as well as the cost of the installer, which varies across the country, but typically accounts for between ten and 20 per cent of the price.

Panels are now cheaper and more efficient as technology improves. Martin Aylward, of EDF UK, says: 'Domestic solar technology has come a long way in the past decade.

'A typical solar panel's power output has jumped from 250W to 450W and overall system peak production has increased from 3.5kW to 5.5kW in the past decade.'

Installation costs have fallen by 4.5 per cent in the past year.

Batteries are an optional part of a system, but they can help homes save more money as they can store excess electricity to be drawn on when you need it.

A battery for a three-bedroom home costs 2,500. A replacement battery is usually needed after 15 years.

Are there any grants?

Low-income households in receipt of some benefits, including Universal Credit, may be eligible for the Government's Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4), which covers up to 100 per cent of the cost of installation. Go to: eco4.org.uk/

The Warm Homes Plan grants low-income tenants or homeowners and recipients of means-tested benefits up to 30,000 towards energy improvements including solar panel installations.

The Government-backed Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows households to sell electricity they generate and don't use back to the grid.

Energy suppliers offer their own SEG tariffs but to qualify, you'll need a smart meter and proof your installation and installer are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
Britain's new 12 billion fighter jet project is at risk of failure, an official audit has warned.

The plans, officially known as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), are rated 'red' meaning 'successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable' according to the Government body overseeing UK infrastructure projects.

Known in Britain as Tempest, the project is a collaboration between the UK, Italy and Japan eventually destined to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon.

BAE Systems, which is leading the project, has insisted plans for a prototype of the jet to take off by the end of 2027 are still on track with Tempest expected to enter service in 2035. But doubts about Tempest surfaced last year as Labour launched a defence review, though Keir Starmer has stressed the importance of the programme.

The review, published this summer, recommitted the Government to the fighter jet programme as part of a broader plan to boost defence spending. But some in the industry are looking for more concrete financial commitments to specific projects to be made soon.

FCAS was one of 198 billion of projects given a 'red' rating in the latest annual report of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (Nista). The report said this was due to 'the programme's relative maturity, its scale, pace and the complex challenges involved in the successful long-term delivery of a sixth generation combat aircraft' with its red assessment 'not unexpected'.

Ambitious: A prototype of the Tempest is meant to take off by the end of 2027

It acknowledges that 'significant achievements have been made' in the programme, including international agreements signed by governments and companies involved in the project.

The headquarters for the global combat air programme (GCAP) that will develop the Tempest was also opened in Reading last month and already supports 3,500 jobs.

But the Nista assessment said: 'The programme remains in the early stages of development, and there is recognition of the scale of the challenges faced to stand up a programme of this nature. 'Actions are being taken to address this at the start of the programme by learning the lessons of the past and from similarly large and complex projects.'

Nista's wider report found that 30 projects were rated green, 21 were red and 135 were amber.

Green signals that a project is likely to be delivered on time, amber that it is feasible but 'significant issues already exist' and red that it appears 'unachievable' with 'major issues... which at this stage do not appear to be manageable or resolvable'.

But Nista also says of projects with the worst rating: 'It is not unusual for projects to be rated as red earlier in their lifecycle, when scope, benefits, costs and delivery methods are still being explored.'

The FCAS programme was rated amber before being moved to red in 2023 citing factors including a 'shortage of resources impacting skills and capabilities'.

The Government said it recognised the scale of the challenges posed by the project.

The Ministry of Defence said: 'This Government inherited a procurement system described as 'broken' by the Public Accounts Committee. We are clear procurement needs to be faster and more agile as part of the deepest defence reforms for more than 50 years to keep the country safer and achieve the best value for taxpayers.'
Before the podcast election of 2024, the 'Nelk Boys' were the original internet celebrities who crossed paths with President Donald Trump during his first reelection campaign in 2020.

Four Canadians - Kyle Forgeard, Lucas Gasparini, Elliot Slater, and Nick Porter - kicked off their YouTube channel in 2011, gradually growing their mostly male GenZ audience through a commitment to elaborate and outrageous pranks.

Their podcast name 'Nelk' is a play on the letters of their first names - Nick, Elliot, Lucas and Kyle.

They're still laughing - but the conservative mediasphere and highest echelons of power in the MAGA movement are taking them deadly seriously given the special kinship they've hatched with Trump.

They were very early on supporters of the president before any of these other mainstream influencers wanted to touch Trump,' Alex Bruesewitz, a strategist for Trumps 2024 presidential campaign told the Daily Mail. 'These guys were fully submerged, they were kind of the leaders in that space.'

On October 28, 2020, at a Trump rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, Kyle Forgeard, 26, Salim Sirur, 32, and Steve Deleonardis, 22, had a front row seat when the president waved and gestured at them to join him on stage as the song YMCA was playing his exit.

For once, the typically fearless YouTube pranksters were taken aback, was this really seriously happening?

Trump was serious, beckoning them on stage again.

Just sauced up the YMCA with @realdonaldtrump, the caption for their Instagram account read as they posted the surreal video for their fans.

Fans of the group were stunned, curious whether their appearance was a massive troll, another prank, or a real demonstration of support for the MAGA movement.

Donald Trump in an interview with the Nelk Boys

The Nelk boys appear with Donald Trump on stage to do the YMCA dance

The video attracted millions of views from their audience and curious onlookers and millions more hits after the president reposted their video on his Instagram account

They pulled over their van and shotgunned twisted teas to celebrate the moment.

Holy absolute f**k, Forgeard said, watching the views and comments coming in on his phone.

Despite the confusion, the conclusion was that these four Canadians had reached a new levels of internet superstardom that they would never have dreamed.

The Nelk Boys were among the early pioneers of YouTube content, posting hilarious prank videos that surprised and delighted their fans.

In 2015, the boys published their biggest hit with over 49 million views after they revealed to the public they had 'coke' in their car.

When Los Angeles police officers ordered them to pop open their trunk, there were cases of Coca-Cola, which even triggered laughter from the police.

For ten years, the boys have been grinding out their fame and internet popularity, going through all the trials, tribulations, bad management decisions, and changing rosters that have plagued every popular YouTuber.

They were very early on supporters of the president before any of these other mainstream influencers wanted to touch Trump,' Alex Bruesewitz, a strategist for Trumps 2024 presidential campaign told the Daily Mail

The Nelk boys celebrate their viral video from a Trump rally

Donald Trump speaks with the Nelk Boys on their Full Send podcast

They were early guests of FaZe Banks Los Angeles 'Clout House' in 2017, which boosted their follower count and helped them spin off into their own mansion.

At that moment in 2020, they risked everything by putting on MAGA hats and joining the president on stage.

They had always been equal opportunity pranksters first, even trolling Trump supporters at a rally just weeks earlier before they were escorted out.

Now they are all in, posting a video of meeting Trump on Air Force One as they nervously took shots and chugged beers as they waited for the presidents men to escort them on the plane.

As Trump greeted them and welcomed them in the Air Force One office, they stared nervously forward, speechless that they had finally fu**ing made it by spending time with the president on the worlds famous plane.

Like most of the internet celebrities who crossed paths with Trump, the relationship began with Dana White.

Youre a friend of a good friend of mine, Dana White, we appreciate it and you really have a great future, Trump told them as White watched, laughing at their starstruck reactions.

Co-founder Kyle Forgeard had long been an obsessive UFC fan, and as they grew more famous online, he speculated whether they were big enough to work with White.

Donald Trump spots the Nelk Boys as he exits the stage at a rally

Kyle Forgeard, Salim Sirur, and Steve Deleonardis, appear at a Trump rally with the president

Collaborator Bob Menery was with Forgeard at the time, and phoned up White immediately, putting his friend on a FaceTime chat with the famous promoter.

White was at his lake house with a son and his friends and when they saw Forgeards face, they were stunned.

My son and his friends just went berserk, White later explained, as he was wondering, who the hell is that?

My sons have met every celebrity and theyve never reacted in that way, White said.

White saw the potential that the boys had to introduce his brand to a younger audience and welcomed them into their circle.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, White was one of the only sporting promoters who had found a loophole by hosting UFC events in Abu Dhabi.

White invited them to attend the fight with the usual precautions, testing, days-long quarantines and finally the event itself.

One week later, White invited them to join him on Trumps plane.

Kyle Forgeard on the Full Send podcast

Donald Trump welcomes the Nelk boys on Air Force One

Thats probably the coolest two weeks that really changed my life, Forgeard recalled later in an interview with podcaster Chris Williamson. This is a mind f**k, how did this happen to me?

White became more than just a client, he was a mentor for Forgeard, who recognized the battle that the UFC had to fight to become the multibillion-dollar brand that it is today.

Hell call me and give me advice, he is the most loyal fu**ing guy you will ever meet. Hes always there for us no matter what, he said.

The 2020 election did not go as expected, as Trump left the White House and the Nelk boys returned to their usual antics.

But by 2022, Trump was already to get back in the conversation, and the Nelk Boys offered a perfect platform to do so.

The Nelk Boys had started their own Full Send podcast [WHEN] and traveled to Trumps home at Mar-a-lago for the interview.

Wearing their specially branded merchandise, shorts, jackets, and hoodies, the crew listened as Trump began airing his grievances about President Joe Bidens presidency, high gas prices, the war in Ukraine, the botched exit from Afghanistan, and the conditions at the border. And windmills.

We look weak, we look stupid, we look like we dont know what were doing, Trump fumed.

Donald Trump hosts the Nelk Boys on Air Force One

Steve Deleonardis of the Nelk boys after visiting Trump on Air Force One

At one point, Trump said that Biden frankly, got there through a fraudulent election as the boys watched.

Trump said their interview would probably be pulled because of what he had said.

'If you put up this whole interview, let's see what happens with Instagram and Facebook and Twitter and all of them take it down,' he said. 'This is the beginning of communism.'

The boys dismissed Trump's comment as they boasted there was no way that YouTube would take it down.

'There's no way,' Forgeard said, boasting that they 'never really gave a s**t' about being politically correct.

As forecast, the interview was pulled just hours after it went online.

YouTube has DELETED our Trump episode that over 5M views in 24 hours, Forgeard announced to his followers on Twitter.

Trumps comment on the election was breaking Google's rules to make YouTube a safe place for all' and so it was removed.

The moment was one more example of what those on the right saw as a growing woke censorship cabal that was taking control of the internet and trying to silence their politically incorrect content.

The Nelk Boys YouTube channel had already been demonetized by Google after they started hosting parties on campus during the coronavirus pandemic in September of 2020 at Illinois University.

That mainstreamed the presidents concerns about censorship, Bruesewitz recalled, noting that YouTubes decision helped rally the internet community behind Trump.

Trump blasted YouTubes decision as censorship comparing it to that of an oppressive government trying to suppress their political opposition.

The moment formed a kinship with the president, as they were watching their friends and colleagues get banned from platforms like Twitter, Youtube, and reshuffled their algorithms to throttle their view counts.

A year later, Trump appeared again on their show and by October 2024, he appeared again to talk about his political resurgence that was fueled by podcasts.

The Nelk boys allowed their support for Trump shine through as they discussed the campaign on the podcast and ripped the aging Joe Biden and his comical vice president Kamala Harris.

Forgeard admitted it was risky to support a politician, but did it anyway.

I actually like Trump, thats why I fu**ing supported him, I didnt do it for any other reason, he said afterwards in the Williamson interview.

U.S. President Donald Trump attends the UFC 314 event alongside UFC President and CEO Dana White

Dana White introduces the Nelk Boys to Donald Trump

Their audience of young men who had grown up with their content were already mostly aligned with the president or at least curious about the real Donald Trump that was hanging out with their favorite trolls on the internet.

The secret of their enduring success was that they were never idolized for their virtue, but rather as villains, scumbags, and pranksters.

We started as scumbags, weve never been the good guys, Forgeard said, Our fans never really give a s**t.

Spending time with Trump was eye-opening, as the group began to treat him as just another one of the boys.

It was like he was six beers deep, but he wasnt, Forgeard later explained to his audience. It was just like he was just having the best time, we were laughing, cracking jokes, just boys being boys.

When Trump won in 2024, Dana White took the stage to celebrate the new media platforms that helped bring him there.

'I want to thank the Nelk Boys,' White began, before also thanking video game streamer Adin Ross, comedian podcaster Theo Von, and of course 'the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan.'

For the boys, it was another surreal moment that changed their lives.

For me to get shouted out in the post-election speech, like my parents are like what the f**k, like everyone was like this is a fu**ing simulation, Forgeard said.
A childhood friend of Donald Trump henchman Stephen Miller has called him a 'dark clown' who wants to rid America of immigrants.

Jason Islas was pals with the White House deputy chief of staff while they were growing up in Santa Monica, California.

But Islas told the Daily Mail Miller suddenly dumped him when they were teenagers because of his Latino heritage.

Miller is the architect of Trump's hardline immigration policy, which included one of the largest mass deportation pushes in history.

In June, Miller said Trump wanted the agency to ramp up the number of daily arrests to 3,000.

Islas said he was 14 when Miller, then 13, called him up in the summer of 1999 - just days before they were due to start high school - and explained why they couldn't hang out anymore.

The friends first met at Franklin Elementary School in the liberal coastal city. They were also classmates at nearby Lincoln Middle School, and Islas even attended Miller's bar mitzvah.

'We were friends on campus,' Islas, now 40, recalled. 'We'd eat lunch together, talk on the phone, that kind of stuff.'

Jason Islas (pictured) was friends with Stephen Miller before the now ICE honcho suddenly fired him as a friend in the summer of 1999 because of his Latino heritage

At the time, Miller, now 39, was living with his family in the wealthiest part of Santa Monica - the bucolic streets north of Montana Avenue.

'I had called him over the course of the summer and left messages, like you did back in those days,' Islas said.

'He returned my call and told me we couldn't be friends in high school. It was a matter of fact conversation. He was very straightforward.

'He gave me a list of reasons, most of them personal.

'He had decided we couldn't be friends anymore because of my Latino heritage.

'It was very quick. I remember hanging up the phone and being like, "I guess that's that." It was just kind of bizarre.'

It had been many decades since earlier generations of Islas' family first moved to the US from Mexico.

Miller has immigrant roots of his own as his maternal great-grandparents came to the US from the Russian Empire in the early 1900s. They arrived and were processed through Ellis Island after fleeing anti-Jewish violence.

That summertime phone call was the last time the two ever spoke, Islas said. They both went on to attend the same high school - but with a 3,000-person student body, their paths rarely crossed.

Stephen Miller (pictured) holds two senior level positions in the Trump administration - White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Assistant to the President for Homeland Security

Miller, circled in black (third row), shown in a third grade class photo with Islas (first row) at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica

Acquaintances say high school was where Miller's militant persona spawned and the foundations of his staunch conservative ideology developed.

Islas described him as a 'performer' who was frequently 'running his mouth'.

At one point, Miller ran for student president. His campaign included an infamous speech accusing Latino school janitors of being lazy, saying it was not his job to pick up litter.

Islas said Miller resembled a 'dark clown'.

'People thought he was dark, but no one took him seriously enough,' he said.

'We never thought of him becoming part of the mainstream political discourse.

'He was a firebrand type. He was a mouthpiece of a certain ideology and not to be taken seriously as a political influencer.'

He was seen as 'more of a future cable news personality than a policymaker'.

Pictured: Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica. Nikki Fiske, Miller's third-grade teacher, likened Miller to the Peanuts' Pigpen and called him a 'strange dude' who like to eat glue

Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, and his wife, Katie Miller, on April 21, 2025

Nikki Fiske, Miller's third-grade teacher at Franklin Elementary, previously likened Miller, then 8, to Peanuts character Pigpen, who was surrounded by a permanent cloud of dust in the comics.

She told The Hollywood Reporter young Miller had a messy desk and was a 'strange dude'.

'I remember he would take a bottle of glue and he would pour the glue on his arm, let it dry, peel it off and then eat it,' she said.

He had 'such strange personal habits. He was a loner and isolated and off by himself all the time.'

Islas said Miller 'is a unique combination of somebody who is both politically savvy and a true believer.

'He believes in this ethno-nationalist world view. He's in a position right now to exercise tremendous power - and he's doing it.

'He's clearly one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration.'

Islas pointed to the huge increase in funding for ICE through Trump's Big Beautiful Bill - $170 billion over fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for immigration and border enforcement - as evidence that Miller's hawkish agenda is a 'priority' within the administration which he called 'racialized law and order'.

'He returned my call and told me we couldn't be friends in high school,' Jason Islas told the Daily Mail. 'It was a matter of fact conversation'

Islas had 'almost forgotten about him entirely' until 2016 when he saw Miller was working for Trump's first presidential campaign.

The realization was 'surreal and very abstract. I was like, 'I guess this is happening.'

Historically a Democratic voter, Islas said he doesn't have a 'proper political home' at the moment and decried the party's leaders who have 'dropped the ball' and don't 'understand the forces that they're dealing with currently'.

'Leadership is out of touch with how normal people live their lives,' he said.

Islas, who works as an energy and sustainability marketing manager, said 'major socioeconomic class issues have been at play here in Santa Monica and are growing in the country overall.

'Stephen and Trump and that whole milieu have been exploiting the growing divide between the elites and average Americans.

'Trump is an individual with a certain skill set that's allowed him to take advantage of the situation.'

Islas said he 'fundamentally' disagrees with Miller's worldview.

'From a practical perspective, but also from a moral perspective, the United States needs immigration,' he said.

'We are the only industrialized economy with a growing population. Without a growing population we wouldn't be able to support social security.

'The promise of America is that you can leave history behind - you can come here and leave the trauma of the old world behind, which is what Stephen's family did.'
Faith Colson calls herself an 'accidental advocate' since the cause she champions is not one of choice so much as something she simply had to speak out about.

She feels this deeply, she says, knowing firsthand the traumatic 'secondary wound' that the silence of others can inflict on victims.

Colson was a 17-year-old student in a northwest suburb of Chicago when her teacher began building a seemingly friendly and caring relationship that quickly escalated to sexual abuse.

'I was primarily betrayed by this bad guy who hurt me,' she told the Daily Mail. 'But it feels like humanity turns its back on you when your school community - where you're supposed to be safe - saw and determined that you were not worthy to be helped.'

Some faculty, Colson said, failed to report what was happening because they were ignorant of the signs of grooming such as flirtatious behavior and extended time spent together outside of class. Others, she said, turned a blind eye.

The truth, as we shall see, is perhaps not quite so straight forward, but, to this day, Colson feels the pain from what she has branded 'institutional betrayal.'

Her story is a stark reminder that even children who appear to be the picture of strength and confidence can find themselves the targets of predators.

The high achiever at Schaumburg High School, in Illinois, was a varsity athlete and straight-A scholar who ranked fifth in her class of 674 on graduating. She had two parents at home, a wide circle of friends and seemed to be anything but vulnerable.

Faith Colson, now 41, still feels the pain of the 'institutional betrayal' she says she experienced during her high school years

Colson was a varsity athlete and straight-A scholar ranked fifth in her class of 674 on graduating from high school

But when she walked across the stage to receive that high school diploma, Colson had been sexually abused for almost a year by a man exploiting 'the unique position of trust that a teacher has with a student.'

The grooming began, Colson said, with subtle and unremarkable gestures - praise, attention, guidance  with his first move being a comment on her 'What Would Jesus Do?' bracelet during a AP physics class in early 2001.

He asked Colson whether she shared his faith and suggested staying behind after school to discuss future Christian college options.

That initial meeting set the scene for many more. 'He was attentive and supportive,' she said. 'I saw him as a mentor I could rely on and trust.'

The manipulation continued as he extended an invitation to attend church services with his family, described her as one of his most promising students, and offered himself as a 'shoulder to cry on.'

On one occasion, which Colson recounted in a 2021 Title IX complaint to the Federal Office of Civil Rights, he comforted her with a hug in a supply closet.

'Later that day, he told me he could still smell my deodorant on his shirt,' she wrote in the statement.

Emotional abuse turned physical, starting with a kiss on the lips in a classroom after school in May 2001 that culminated in a sustained series of sexual assaults spanning eight months.

She couldn't make sense of the situation. He was 36 years old, married and someone Colson greatly admired - but none of that stopped him from escalating their physical relationship on school premises less than two weeks after the kiss.

'I was a minor without a fully developed brain,' she added. 'I was going through this transition from childhood to womanhood in this confusing relationship.'

After being convinced that he - not she - would be the victim if the truth came out, Colson kept the abuse secret from her parents and friends. It is an example of 'the haze of grooming' that, as she discovered, can take years to overcome.

'I remember how hard it was to lead a double life for my whole senior year of high school,' Colson said.

'If I didn't feel well in the morning, I would stay home for the first period whereas, beforehand, I had perfect attendance.'

But while Colson struggled to reconcile her situation, the relationship very nearly came to light when her abuser reportedly confessed to having had sex with her to his therapist in 2002.

As a mandated reporter, the therapist contacted the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and Schaumburg police and school officials launched an investigation.

Schaumburg High School in Schaumburg, a suburb of Chicago where Colson was abused by her physics teacher

Colson, pictured as a senior in high school, said: 'I was going through this transition from childhood to womanhood in this confusing relationship'

Colson  who recalls being questioned by two detectives after her graduation that year - denied any relationship with her teacher prior to that time. She said her teacher also recanted his confession.

The age of consent in Illinois is 17, rising to 18 with someone who has a position of authority or trust over the victim. With Colson's rejection of the existence of any sexual impropriety before she turned 18, the investigation was closed with 'no findings of wrongdoings.'

Approached by the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Schaumburg's School District 211 confirmed, 'In 2002, suspicions about a relationship were reported to the DCFS and the matter was investigated by the Schaumburg Police Department and school officials.

'No findings of wrongdoing were discovered to have taken place during the period of the student's enrollment at the time of the initial investigation.'

Yet her abuser resigned that summer.

If Colson's denial in the face of intervention is hard to understand, it is worth noting that many victims of abuse behave in exactly this fashion  protecting their abuser at the expense of themselves.

In fact, as is also common with victims of abuse, Colson attempted to 'normalize' the relationship, which continued for four years.

It was only at the age of 21 in her junior year of college that she finally realized she wanted to break free. But despite having come to regard the ongoing sexual relationship as 'toxic', Colson still didn't see the predatory behavior for what it was.

'I wanted to put it in a box and never pick it up again,' she said. 'Whether you call it minimizing or denial, I told myself I didn't want to think about that chapter of my life any more.'

After marrying and becoming a stay-at-home mother, she decided to volunteer as a math teacher but then the school asked for a background check.

'It was normal procedure but something about it was upsetting to me,' she said.

Colson confided to a good friend that the process had triggered painful memories from more than a decade and a half earlier.

'My friend said: "Wait, you were abused. That man took your trust and used it to sexually exploit you."'

Until then, Colson admitted: 'I'd had this recurring and damaging message in my head that I should have known better.'

She underwent therapy and gradually started to accept that she could not possibly have 'known better.'

'He had power over me as a minor and, if there had been consequences at the time, none of them would have been my fault,' she said.

The real turning point came in the summer of 2018, around the time Colson heard that the perpetrator was working with young people at a church.

As she said in a victim impact statement read out in court a year later, her abuser had got his hooks into her by 'twisting religion' when, in reality, he 'showed no regard' for her soul.

He had even once handed across a note while his wife stood next to him after a church service, detailing how much he had 'enjoyed a sexual encounter' with Colson.

Unable to bear the thought of him using any position of trust to groom again, she went to the police. With no statute of limitations for prosecuting felony sex crimes in the state of Illinois, the complaint was processed as a 'delayed outcry.'

Colson's former teacher, who the Daily Mail has agreed not to name at her request, was charged with criminal sexual assault in September 2018. Prosecutors said the abuse happened between May 2001 and January 2002 in empty classrooms, the school science lab, at the teacher's apartment and nearby hotels.

The real turning point came in the summer of 2018, around the time Colson heard that the perpetrator was working with young people at a church

Colson remembers how hard it was to lead a double life during her senior year of high school

Crucially, they verified that she was a minor at the time.

'There was no physical evidence because time had passed and, after I left him at 21, I got rid of every picture of us together that could have proved it started at 17,' she said.

Cell phone records were also no longer available. However, at least two witnesses pinpointed Colson's age at 17 with details that they remembered from her senior year. Later, the perpetrator himself confessed.

'I was lucky because so many other victims are unable to get the necessary corroboration to lend weight to what they report,' she said.

In a plea deal negotiated in July 2019, her abuser, then 53, admitted guilt to criminal sexual abuse to avoid a trial and was sentenced to 30 months of sex-offender probation, fined $1,554 and placed on the sex offender register for 10 years.

Colson considers that justice was done. 'It wasn't my motive to send him to jail,' she said. 'I reported him to prevent him from hurting anyone else.

'It was a win because, if you do a criminal background check, he has a mark in his history that will warn people that he can't work with kids.'

Still, she made a devastating discovery after the conclusion of court proceedings via a Freedom of Information Act request to see the witness statements that could have been presented at trial.

Seventeen years after the fact, five people remembered rumors of him being involved with a student. Two recalled her abuser making sexual remarks about female students in the early 2000s. One remembered him expressing a wish to hook up with a high schooler.

Worse, when she was still underage, the teacher told a colleague that he was in a relationship with a student. It is unclear whether Colson was named as that student but the employee told her guidance counselor who went to the principal - the information was taken no further.

'It was like a knife in the back because not even one of those people called Child Welfare,' she said. 'There's this primary wound of abuse and then there's this secondary wound of institutional betrayal.'

If they had spoken up, might she have found the courage to do likewise when she was questioned in 2002?

In 2020, she contacted Illinois Democrat Michelle Mussman, the State Representative for Schaumburg, who wrote legislation aimed at preventing history from repeating itself.

'It's estimated that one in 10 students will experience sexual misconduct by school personnel by the time they graduate high school,' Colson went on to tell the Title IX public hearing. 'This ruins people's lives. It robs their innocence and steals their future.'

Faith's Law, passed six months later, added safeguards by expanding the definition of grooming in the criminal code to include in-person contact as well as online solicitation. It also increased resources and protection for sexual abuse survivors and their families.

Faith's Law, which took effect in Illinois in 2021, expanded the definition of grooming in the criminal code to include in-person contact as well as online solicitation

School districts were subsequently mandated to establish employee codes of professional conduct that address sexual misconduct, thoroughly review the employment history of staff, and increase training for educators.

'I did not go into this planning on having my name on any law,' Colson said. 'I just wrote a simple email to a legislator and said: "This happened to me. I don't want it to happen to anyone else."'

Last year, she successfully lobbied the Ohio State Senate to tighten registration requirements for sex abusers and is now campaigning for similar reforms in Texas, where she lives with her husband and three school-age children.

Her ultimate goal is to see elements of Faith's Law introduced into the education policies of 50 states.

Looking back, now 41, Colson struggles to come to terms with how different she was as a girl before and after the abuse. 'He took away my innocence,' she said.

Her therapist once mentioned the Japanese art of Kintsugi - the repair of broken pottery with gold resin to highlight rather than disguise the cracks that, as a result, are deemed to make an object more beautiful.

'I appreciated the analogy,' Colson said. 'But I told her that I wished I hadn't been thrown on the floor and shattered - and made to do the work of gluing myself back together.'
An Australian woman who fell for an American prisoner after connecting online has revealed the dramatic twists her life has taken amid their unconventional relationship.

Jessica Silvey, 30, from Brisbane married Craig Silvey, 34, while he was serving a 10-year prison sentence in Kansas for attempted aggravated robbery.

The pair met through a prison pen-pals program and later starred in the hit reality show Prison Brides which followed seven women from around the world who married convicted criminals in America.

But despite packing up her life in Australia in 2023 and bidding farewell to her worried family to be with her husband, Jessica now admits it was all a mistake.

'Ah man, I wish I never did it,' she said on social media.

The couple tied the knot halfway through Craig's sentence in a prison ceremony and had been husband and wife for five years before he was granted early release in 2023.

Craig admits his rap sheet was long, and that he had only been a free man for around three years since he was 12 years old.

During his most recent sentence, he spent most of his time in a correctional centre before being placed on a work release program.

Jessica and Craig Silvey tied the knot halfway through his sentence in a prison ceremony

Jessica packed up her life in Brisbane and moved to the US for her husband's release

Jessica now admits she wished she never married Craig

'It's a facility they allow you to go and reintegrate yourself to society where you can go to work and have a job, to make money,' he said on the show.

'So I got a job as a welder and I have saved about $35,000 - that's a huge accomplishment. I have never even held $2,000 in my hand before.'

Cameras then followed Jessica as she flew across the world to start a new life with the man she had only known in a prison setting.

'She is moving away from everyone she has ever known for someone she has only met once, that is in prison,' her concerned friend said.

Jessica, an insurance broker, was giddy with excitement as she stood at the prison gates ready to start her new life - but the fairytale romance was over within months.

Viewers saw awkward moments as the pair adjusted to life outside prison walls with Craig struggling to adapt while his wife was eager to start a family.

Just weeks after his release, Jessica became pregnant and while the news was met with excitement on the show, behind the scenes, tensions were building.

'Money is one of our biggest points of contention,' Jessica admitted to the camera as more and more packages of baby gear arrived.

The couple admit that money was the main cause for their arguments

Jessica flew back to Australia to give birth to her son Hudson

Jessica claimed Craig had no idea of the sacrifices she had made, but he was concerned by his prison wages dwindling away.

'You just can't take any accountability,' he replied.

'Seven years saving and I spent the majority of it on this relationship.'

By early 2024, rumours swirled that the marriage was in trouble and Craig was arrested for domestic violence charges.

Jessica ended up moving back to Australia to have her baby saying at the time, 'We both underestimated how difficult it was going to be coming out of doing 10 years in prison.'

After giving birth to their son, Hudson, Jessica had a change of heart and moved back to the US in November 2024.

'This time coming back to the States has been a really tough adjustment for me,' she said in an Instagram post.

'Craig has stepped up and taken on so much over the last week.

'He has been absolutely amazing with Hudson and is a complete natural with him.'

She went on to thank him for being patient with her.

Jessica announced her return to the US in November but seems their reconciliation was short-lived

Fans of the show have now speculated that the apparent rekindling of their relationship may mean the pair will appear in a second season of Prison Brides.

The couple have further fuelled the rumour by locking down all of their social media accounts in recent months.

But it seems the rocky relationship is still over, with Jessica commenting on social media posts about the show just a week ago, saying she wished she had never married Craig.

Daily Mail has contacted Jessica for comment
A disgraced police officer who shared a selfie of himself with the bodies of two murdered sisters behind him has a new career as a tattooist, we can reveal.

Jamie Lewis, 37, and another Metropolitan Police officer Deniz Jaffer, 51, were each jailed for 33 months in December 2021 after they admitted misconduct in a public office.

The two constables took and shared pictures of the bodies of black sisters Bibaa Henry, 46, and Nicole Smallman, 27, while guarding the crime scene after they were stabbed to death in June 2020.

The Daily Mail can reveal that Lewis opened up a new tattoo parlour called Graceful Tattoo Collective in March this year.

The outside of his premises in a former hair salon are decorated with images of human skulls in College Road, Ipswich, Suffolk.

He has been referring to himself as Jay Lewis on his business website and social media which makes no reference to his sick conviction following his release from prison.

Customers who have had tattoos at his new parlour apparently had no idea about his background before now.

His co-ownership of the business with his eyelash technician wife Emily, 25, was exposed this week on the YouTube channel of tattoo fan Lauren Petrie, also known as Treacle Tatts.

Jamie Lewis (pictured), 37, and another Metropolitan Police officer Deniz Jaffer, 51, were each jailed for 33 months in December 2021 after they admitted misconduct in a public office

The Daily Mail can reveal that Lewis (pictured) opened up a new tattoo parlour called Graceful Tattoo Collective in March this year

The outside of his premises in a former hair salon are decorated with images of human skulls in College Road, Ipswich, Suffolk

Lewis and fellow officer Jaffer carried out their revolting crime after arriving at 3.30am on June 8, 2020, to guard the bushes where photographer Nicole, and Bibaa, a senior social worker (pictured together), were lying dead in Fryent Country Park in Wembley, north-west London

Lauren accused heavily tattooed Lewis of hiding 'a disgusting secret' in her video expose which has had more than 30,000 views this week

She said in her video: 'He's managed to do all of this and get away with it without people kind of outing his past because he's changed his name to Jay.

'He doesn't go by Jamie Lewis anymore. His social media says Jay. His tattoo website also says Jay. There is absolutely no inklings of him being called Jamie by any means.

'Obviously, people with a bad past do this so people don't google them. If he had his name saying Jamie Lewis, people are going to discover a ton of news articles about him and discover his past.'

All the social media pages for Lewis as well as his business website were taken down this week after Lauren's video was published on YouTube.

Lauren, 35, from Northampton, said she produced her video after being tipped off about the true identity of Lewis by someone who wanted to stay anonymous.

She added: 'I have since had messages from men and women who had tattoos done by him. They said that they would never had them done by him, or supported him, if they had known about his past.'

Lewis and fellow officer Jaffer carried out their revolting crime after arriving at 3.30am on June 8, 2020, to guard the bushes where photographer Nicole, and Bibaa, a senior social worker, were lying dead in Fryent Country Park in Wembley, north-west London.

The Old Bailey heard how Lewis sent a news article about the discovery of the bodies, along with two pictures he had taken of the general scene, to a WhatsApp group called the 'A Team' which had 41 police officers as members.

He stated that he and his colleagues on guard duty were 'living the Wembley dream', and added: 'Unfortunately I'm sat next to two dead birds full of stab wounds.'

Jaffer went into bushes and took pictures of their bodies on his mobile phone from around 12 feet away.

Lewis was sent Jaffer's picture and superimposed his face on to one of them with the two murdered women visible in the background, to produce a 'selfie-style' image which he returned to his colleague.

Jaffer sent his photographs on WhatsApp to a female officer, who was also guarding the scene, and then showed them to other colleagues in person during a refreshment break.

Jaffer (pictured) went into bushes and took pictures of their bodies on his mobile phone from around 12 feet away

Jaffer (pictured) sent his photographs on WhatsApp to a female officer, who was also guarding the scene, and then showed them to other colleagues in person during a refreshment break

He later showed them to a 'shocked and disgusted' female officer, who he was mentoring, at Forest Gate police station. Pictured: Jaffer after his release from prison in 2023

He later showed them to a 'shocked and disgusted' female officer, who he was mentoring, at Forest Gate police station, and forwarded them to selected friends who were not police officers in another WhatsApp group called 'Covic C***s'.

The court was told that their actions had helped the sisters' killer Danyal Hussein, then 18, claim that the two officers had potentially contaminated forensic evidence at the crime scene by entering it.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC, the Recorder of London, told the two officers that they had 'wholly disregarded' the victims' privacy by taking and sharing photographs 'for what could only have been some sort of cheap thrill, kudos, a kick or bragging rights.

Jailing the pair and describing how they had undermined trust in policing, the judge added:

'The public expects, and rightly so, the highest of standards from police officers.

'I am sure there will be many thousands of officers in police forces in this country and abroad utterly horrified by your actions. It is appalling and inexplicable conduct.'

The mother of the two sisters, Mina Smallman, a retired Anglican priest who was the first black female archdeacon in the Church of England, described the actions of Lewis and Jaffer as a 'betrayal of such catastrophic proportion', 'sacrilegious', and carried out 'for their own amusement'.

She added in a victim impact statement: 'It made me think of the lynchings in the Deep South of the USA where you would see smiling faces around a hanging dead body.

'Those police officers felt so safe, so untouchable, that they felt they would take photographs with our murdered daughters. Those police officers dehumanised our children.'

She also said she believed that police racism was a factor in the Met's initial bungling of the search for her daughters when they were reported missing.

Speaking outside court after the sentencing, Ms Smallman said she was 'thrilled' they had been jailed and not received suspended sentences, saying: 'We've been to hell and back again.'

Ms Smallman only found out from a journalist on her return from holiday that Lewis and Jaffer had been released early from their prison sentences on April 21, 2023.

Officials did not notify her officially of their release until the following week

Ms Smallman said last year that she had forgiven the Satan worshipping killer of her daughters - but not the two officers, who she described as 'Despicable One and Despicable Two'.

She admitted she had attempted suicide after their release, saying: 'I just thought: 'I don't want to be here.'

Ms Smallman described in her book A Better Tomorrow: Life Lessons in Hope and Strength how she was driven to the attempt by the actions of the officers, and how the case and their release, was handled.

She said previously: 'It's about being able to hear beyond the evil of this world You have to dig deep when the bad times come. Finding my faith has saved me on numerous occasions and at times like this you need it.'

Ms Smallman re-stated her anger at the officers, calling them 'filth' when she appeared on Desert Island Discs in February this year.

Lewis proudly announced the opening of his new tattoo parlour in article in the Ipswich Star which included pictures of him and his wife, posing outside.

He said in the article: 'We wanted to open in Ipswich because it is a focus of development.

'There is lots going on, people are trying to redevelop the town and it's an early opportunity for us to get involved.

'This studio has been a labour of love. Since we took over the keys we have worked hard to get the studio ready and we are excited to open our doors to customers.'

Lewis described his parlour as having a more contemporary feel than others in Ipswich, saying: 'It's not your normal tattoo studio. It is more modern.

'We have a pool table that people can use while they wait and the first and second floor will be where the tattoo studios will be so it feels a little more separate.

'When renovating the space, we have kept a lot of the industrial parts of the building as they were, so inside it has a very contemporary but industrial feel at the same time.'

The Daily Mail revealed in February this year that Jaffer was living in a newbuild home near Braintree, Essex, and apparently trying to rebrand himself as an estate agent.

He said at the time: 'I'm trying to move on with my life. I am very sorry for what I did. I have done my time in prison.

'It was not nice as an ex-police officer in prison. I have been punished. I have done my time and I want to be left alone.

The two women (pictured) had been stabbed to death while dancing together covered in fairy lights in a Wembley park in June 2020 by 19-year-old devil worshipper, Danyal Hussein

Jaffer risked contaminating the crime scene as he crept beyond the cordon to take more photographs on his phone. Pictured: Bibaa Henry (left) and Nicole Smallman (right)

Danyal Hussein (pictured), who made a blood pact with the devil in which he promised to kill six women in return for winning a 321million jackpot lottery, was jailed for life, with a minimum of 35 years

'All of this could impact my future prospects. It's nobody's business what I am doing. I do not want anyone to know what I am doing.

'All I care about is looking after my family. I have apologised numerous times and I am genuinely sorry.'

Jaffer claimed his estate agency business was now dormant. A confirmation statement that 'its intended future activities are lawful' was filed in August last year.

The sisters' killer Danyal Hussein, who made a blood pact with the devil in which he promised to kill six women in return for winning a 321million jackpot lottery, was jailed for life, with a minimum of 35 years, in October 2021 after being convicted of their murder.

Lewis said he had been advised by his solicitor not to comment on his tattooist role. His premises were closed today.
Always a bridesmaid  and after nearly a dozen weddings  never a bride with a lavish party and big white gown.

Instead, when it came to her own big day, Lauren Cain, 28, decided to elope with her husband to avoid all the fuss and expenses she's shouldered from her friends' weddings over the years.

At 28 years old, she's considered a perpetual bridesmaid, having served in ten different bridal parties and attending seven bachelorette parties since graduating college  a role she calls 'an honor, but an expensive one'.

She estimates she's splashed out up to $1,200 on hair and makeup alone, in addition to other related costs such as travel, attire, and pre-wedding festivities  adding $8,255 to her mammoth spend.

But despite the hefty price tag, the grueling duties, and admitting that the novelty has worn off by now, Lauren still says she has grown to love standing up for the bride, now that she's mastered the role.

Lauren, a guest services manager for a vacation rental company, from Jackson, Mississippi, said: 'I would say I've definitely spent up to $10,000 being a bridesmaid ten times.

'I've been a part of ten weddings and been to seven bachelorettes. The tough part is working on boundaries within that.

'Professional' bridesmaid Lauren Cain, 28, has spent up to $10,000 being part of ten different weddings and attending seven bachelorette parties since graduating college. She is pictured right with bride Annabelle

When it came time to tie the knot with husband Austin Cain, 31, Lauren said they decided to skip the lavish ceremony and elope instead

'I tried to save money where I could, especially when I was younger and just out of college.

'For a few years all of my time off went to being a bridesmaid, whether that was for the bachelorette trip or for the actual wedding.

'I would definitely say for a few years it was a time that was the sacrifice. I would try to be there but not go into substantial debt.'

'I was very adamant about my budget and how much I wanted or could spend, so any debt I had was very low and I would pay it off pretty much immediately once I was paid at the next paycheck.'

Having served as a bride's right-hand woman ten times over, Lauren understands the role is not all fun and games and sometimes means having to sacrifice her own time and pleasure.

She said: 'The biggest thing is when you're a bridesmaid it's not about you. Whatever the bride wants, that is what I'm there for.

'I'm going to make sure she's happy, comfortable, and do her bidding for her all day long - getting lipstick off the brides' teeth at photos and giving it to the mother of the bride too if they needed it.'

She recalled performing such duties while being a bridesmaid in October 2021 for her friend Morgan, 28, who asked her to 'follow her around all day with her phone' taking photos so the newlyweds could look back on their day before their professional ones were ready.

Lauren pictured with fellow bridesmaid Arden at friend Samantha Gardner's wedding

She admits the serial role means she's required to take on behind-the-scenes duties that pulled her away from the party and the fun. Pictured second from left with bridesmaids Amberley Grantham, Hunter Castillo, and Amy Hill

Lauren and her friends have also served as bridesmaids at each other's weddings. Pictured: Annabelle, Amy, and Amberley are pictured in a different bridal party

'I didn't really dance as much,' she said. 'I enjoyed the party obviously but it wasn't like I got to go around and do what I wanted.'

At another ceremony  where she was maid of honor  Lauren teamed up with bride Betsy's mom to guard the door like bodyguards while the new bride, 28, and her groom ate their first meal as a married couple.

She even rounded up all the groomsmen to go into the reception, which she says was 'not an easy feat'.

Rather than having to deal with the stress that comes with organizing her own  large  bride tribe, Lauren, then Lauren McCrory, skipped the aisle herself and eloped with husband Austin Cain, 31, in the southern coast of Oregon.

'Having been a bridesmaid and knowing the bride is the center of attention I didn't want the attention on myself and that many people doting on me, and feeling obligated to spend money and everything else.

'My husband has also been in a number of weddings himself so we would just have had a very large wedding party.

'It would be like a real life 27 Dresses,' she joked, referring to the 2008 romcom.

She added: 'I knew that energy would not be matched by half of my bridal party and I would just end up being stressed.

She recalled doing the bride's bidding while being the maid of honor at bride Betsy Pennington's wedding (right) and having to guard the door while the newlyweds ate their first meal as a married couple

Despite not having a fairytale wedding of her own, Lauren says she takes pride in supporting her friends and putting the bride first. She is pictured in bride Madeline Jones's wedding

'A lot of them got married so young.

'Now we're almost 30 and trying to stay out as late a lot of them have kids now and need babysitters.

'I don't think it's intentional not to match it, we're not 22 or 23 anymore and it's just a lot harder to have the same literal energy that we had then.

'When I got married, one of my friends was pregnant with twins, and two of them had just had a baby.

'They were freshly postpartum and I didn't want to put the pressure on them to feel the need to show up in that way.

'I'm really good at being the one to bring energy, but I'm not good at accepting energy.

'I would have been more worried about them, rather than them being worried about me.'

Lauren and Austin made the decision to elope to Brookings, in the south coast of Oregon after getting married at a court house in Montana a few days earlier.

Lauren, a guest services manager at a vacation rental company, has spent $1,200 on hair and makeup alone while participating in bridal parties at weddings she's attended with her husband, Austin (left)

They were still able to share the special moment with their friends and family - but in a much more lowkey, intimate setting.

'A week later Austin had reached out to everyone telling them we were having an engagement party he was proposing,' she said. 'We showed up in our wedding dress and suit and were like, 'Surprise, we're married!"

Despite the time and effort it takes, Lauren insists she still loves being chosen to be bridesmaids for her pals.

'The novelty has worn off for sure in some aspects,' she said.

'Now it's more like a checklist of 'how can I help? What do you need?'.

'When I was younger it was just like, I was vibing.

'I would say I take it more seriously now and try to advocate for the bride more where as before I tried to be just more of the friend.

'If someone is asking you to be in their wedding it's a really big deal and that's the part that's still really exciting for me.

'If someone I'm close to reciprocates and sees me in the same light I see them and wants me to stand by them in their special day, that's what makes it all worth it'.
An asylum seeker being housed at a controversial accommodation centre is being investigated for alleged links to the Houthi rebel group after he reportedly shared images of himself holding weapons online.

The man, who is believed to be from Yemen but is now staying at the former Wethersfield airbase in Essex, has been reported to police by concerned locals.

It comes after a member of the public uncovered multiple images of daggers and guns on a Snapchat story linked to the asylum seeker accommodation centre.

Other photos that were shared on the platform appear to show the migrant posing with an AK47 assault rifle back in Yemen.

More recent images, however, show him inside the grounds of the Wethersfield site, which has previously been the target of anti-immigration protests.

The man also shared a screenshot of a conversation in Arabic on the account, where he appeared to set out his plans to cross the Channel from 'Calais to Britain by boat'.

Essex Police told the Daily Mail that they had 'visited an individual living in the Wethersfield area' over the posts.

The Home Office also said they were 'aware of this individual' and that 'appropriate action' had been taken.

However, sources told us the asylum seeker is believed to still be being housed at the airbase, which has been used to accommodate migrants since 2023.

The man, who is believed to be from Yemen, has been reported to police by concerned locals. Pictured: One of the photos posted on Snapchat

One of the photos of a large knife which was allegedly shared on the man's Snapchat

Essex Police told the Daily Mail that they had 'visited an individual living in the Wethersfield area' over the posts (pictured)

It has been alleged that the man has shown support for the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, which has attacked British-flagged vessels in the Red Sea.

The group is not a proscribed organisation in the UK but its members have been designated as terrorists by other countries such as the US.

Some of the photos on Snapchat have their location tagged as Sana'a - a city in Yemen which has been controlled by the Houthis since 2014.

Other images shared on the social media account include screenshots appearing to show Houthi rebel leaders on TV broadcasts in Yemen.

And in one image, the man appears to be holding a rifle on a look-out post in what is believed to be Houthi-controlled territory.

Nathan Robbins, the interim chair of Reform UK in nearby Braintree, told the Daily Mail: 'One of our members came to us the other week saying they had reported this back in April to Essex Police but nothing was done.

'He said he had been on Snapchat and happened to click on the base. It takes you to Snapchat Spotlight, which is like a public story.

'That then alerted him to a guy who had been posting a clip of him in a field inside the base.

'But if you clicked on the profile and looked on the history, you could scroll down and see that he is a sympathiser with the Houthis.

More recent images show the man inside the grounds of the Wethersfield site, which has previously been the target of anti-immigration protests

A photo of a large gun that was shared on a public Snapchat story

In one image, the man appears to be holding a rifle on a look-out post in what is believed to be Houthi-controlled territory

'He also clearly has a fascination with deadly weapons, daggers, guns, all sorts of things.

'We feel not enough is being done about this by the police.

'This guy should have been deported before he even had the chance to land on British soil, giving what we know about him.'

He added: 'We believe the guy is still in the base. The Home Office has not said whether he has been deported or not.'

Wethersfield, which is a former RAF base, has been at the centre of controversy since it opened under the Conservative government in 2023.

And earlier this year, Sir Keir Starmer announced an extra 445 asylum seekers would be housed at the site - bringing the total figure up to 1,245.

The base, which is located in former Home Secretary James Cleverley's constituency, is one of just two mass accommodation sites in the UK.

Mr Cleverly told the Mail: 'I was made aware of this information some time ago by a local resident who had reported this material to Wethersfield ARC, Essex Police, and the Home Office.

'At the time I confirmed with the Home Office and Police that it was referred to PREVENT, assessed by Essex Police, and addressed appropriately.

The number of illegal immigrants at the Wethersfield Airbase (pictured) in Essex was set to balloon by more than 50 per cent

One of the images posted to Snapchat which has been flagged to police and the Home Office

'The fact remains that the Wethersfield site must be shut as soon as possible.

'Keir Starmer stated before the General Election that the Wethersfield site should close, but due to his government's failure to stop the boats, the cap on numbers for the site that was set whilst I was Home Secretary has just been increased by 50 per cent.'

Villagers living near the site previously told how they do not feel safe at night due to the threat of anti-social behaviour by groups of men roaming the area.

Some, whose houses are situated nearest the base, have also complained about how their properties have now become unsellable.

Nick Godley, chairman of Wethersfield Parish Council, said earlier this year: 'People are almost universally against it for the whole gamut of reasons.

'[There's] either the extreme right-wing fascists who want them pushed back in the sea, or the extreme left-wing liberals who'd like them to be put up in the Savoy, or something in between.

'At the end of the day, they're human beings, and it isn't a good place to keep them - it's in the middle of nowhere.

'They are free to come and go, but there is nowhere to go.

'There's often a bit of trouble on the base, the occasional riot, a few demonstrations and a couple of suicide attempts, and off the base there have been one or two incidents, most of them pretty minor.

The former RAF base is located in former Home Secretary James Cleverley's constituency

'There was a relatively unpleasant one with a guy who bothered a couple of ladies and tried to interfere with their car.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are aware of this individual and have taken appropriate action.

'We collect biometric data of all small boat arrivals and at the start of their asylum claim, which is then cross checked with immigration, security and criminality databases.'

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: 'In May, we received a report relating to social media posts made by an individual living in the Wethersfield area.

'Each of those posts were thoroughly assessed in May and, in liaison with the appropriate authorities, the individual was visited.

'We continue to liaise with on-site staff to ensure the safety of our communities.'
A nurse claims she was left 72k out of pocket after buying her dream caravan - only to discover six months later she was only going to get back a fraction of what she paid.

Katherine Upton, 48, remortgaged her house to purchase the 62k mobile home from a Haven holiday village in Sussex.

She spent an additional 10k on decking, intending to rent out the secondhand van for a small profit and to cover site fees.

But when her marriage broke down six months later, and the mother-of-one went to resell the caravan, she could allegedly only recoup 18k.

Haven claims they never offered Ms Upton a figure and declined a sale.

'I was so overwhelmed, absolutely distraught really. Not only had my marriage broken down, but I was now in even more of a financial crisis,' she told the Daily Mail.

'I just felt completely cheated and disrespected.'

Concerned about increasing site fees, Ms Upton gave her ex-husband the caravan as part of the divorce settlement.

Katherine Upton said she bought the secondhand caravan (pictured) for 62k in September 2023 - and paid an additional 10k for decking

The mobile home featured a modern, cream and beige interior, complete with a trendy kitchen

When trying to resell the mobile home, Ms Upton said she realised it was worth far less

'The site fees were going up. So not only did I have an increase in site fees, but my van was worth nothing,' she said.

'I remortgaged my house yet again and I managed to take out enough money. I paid off my husband with the van.

'It was a massive mistake. At the end of the day I left my ex husband with it.'

Ms Upton, an NHS nurse, said she was left so distraught by her financial situation that she has been signed off work with stress.

'I have suffered from extreme stress and burnout,' she said.

'I had remortgaged my house to buy this van, because I thought it's a way that we can live and make money.

'I thought this would be a nice thing to do, and if it doesn't work out we can just sell the van. I honestly thought in reality we might even get 40k-50k back, and lose 10-15k. That's what I was prepared to swallow.'

The mother claimed she checked before buying that she would be able to get a reasonable amount of money back from the company if deciding to sell. Haven is understood to dispute this and it has been suggested the discussion was about giving a good price for a part-exchange.

The mother insists she had been reassured when buying that the 2015 model was in 'high demand' and would not quickly lose its value

The caravan features a cosy twin room and spacious double bedroom

The living area of Ms Upton's former caravan

The mobile home is seen from a distance, surrounded by nature and greenery

A MailOnline graphic detailing some of the hidden costs of owning a static caravan

'I said to [the salesperson] this is a big purchase, and the reason why I'm doing it is because my husband and I have hit a bit of a financial brick wall,' she said.

She claimed she was told she should not expect to lose much money on it in the short space of a year.

But after her marriage breakdown, Ms Upton felt let down by salespeople at the park.

'I said to Haven, I've only had this van all of six months, and I'd like to sell it back to the park, because I've separated from my husband now.

'I was really quite stressed at this point.'

Ms Upton said she believed the property was listed solely in her name when she bought it in September 2023.

But further complications arose when the mother realised she could not sell the van without her husband's permission, as it was in his name too.

She ended up remortgaging her house for a second time, and giving her ex-husband the mobile home.

After her marriage breakdown, Ms Upton felt let down by salespeople at the park

The mobile home came with its own bathroom, complete with a toilet, sink and shower

The van featured a stylish cream and beige interior, complete with a modern kitchen

'I'm completely f****** skint - I'm lucky I didn't go bankrupt,' she said.

A spokesperson for Haven said: 'We dispute the alleged facts and our records show they are incorrect.

'While Ms. Upton discussed selling the holiday home privately, Haven never made an offer to purchase the caravan.

'As instructed, ownership has since been transferred solely to Ms. Upton's former husband.

'We are confident that, during the sales process and handover, our team clearly explained the caravan was a lifestyle purchase, not an investment, and this was fully understood by the couple.'

Ms Upton is the latest in a string of people across the UK to tell the Daily Mail about their caravan nightmares, with some claiming to have lost their life savings and inheritance.

Retired NHS nurse Maureen McShea, 73, said she spent her pension on an 85,000 caravan only to receive 50,000 less for it two years later by the park owners.

Ms McShea said she upgraded her 40,000 mobile home to the expensive model in August 2022 after Hunters Quay Holiday Village, of Argyll Holidays, suggested she renew it in her daughter's name to make it easier to inherit.

After receiving 36,000 for the old caravan, she used that and 49,000 of her lump sum pension to make the upgrade.

But following a lengthy battle with breast cancer, she was forced to sell last year when her husband also fell ill with prostate cancer.

The caravan group offered Mrs McShea just 25,000 for the home - a 60,000 loss on what she'd put in - which she managed to haggle up to 35,000 despite them telling her they were struggling to sell it on her behalf.

A spokesperson for Cove UK said at the time: 'Cove UK purchased the Argyll Holidays business in February 2022. Mrs McShea was a valued long-term customer, and we are very sad to hear about her husband's health. We are also surprised and disappointed that she is unhappy with the sale of her caravan, as this has not been raised with us directly.

'As a business, Cove UK wants to ensure that all of our caravan owners are happy with their holiday homes. We therefore take careful responsibility to ensure all customers fully understand the financial commitment they are making.'
Social media posts and past comments of two frontrunners for the South Australian Liberals Upper House ticket have resurfaced as they fight for pre-selection.

If they are picked to stand and successful at the 2026 state election, Thea Hennessy and Belinda Crawford-Marshall will represent 1.8 million in Parliament.

But videos have emerged of Hennessy, a former solicitor and small business owner, claiming at a church event that she cured a childs dairy intolerance with prayer .

At Outpost Church McLaren Vales Disciple Training Week in 2022, she recalled inviting a friend to bring her daughter to stay with her.

In the video, she described a collective prayer for the girl which, she said, left the child healed and free from dairy intolerance.

'We all just said, lets lay hands right now. Why not? Its a risk thats completely biblical,' Hennessy explained in the reshared video.

'We prayed for precious Daisy, and that was it. All dairy intolerance gone. She was really sick before then. God healed her completely.'

Another video features Hennessy discussing how prayer helped her and her husband quit smoking after years of addiction.

Thea Hennesey (right) is being supported by firebrand Senator Alex Antic (left)

Thea Hennesey (pictured) said that her prayer cured a young girl's dairy intolerance

She described her husband smoking 50 a day and herself 25 or 30 until a friend prayed for them at a campsite.

'We have seen so many times when thats happened, where God has just moved,' she said.

'It was the simplest, shortest prayer - he just said "Lord" - and that was it.A heavy sleep came upon us and all cigarette addiction ended,' she said.

'We never touched a cigarette again.

'He did it for both of us, and he did it in a moment. Thats our God, hes still moving.'

Hennessy has also publicly spoken about spiritual experiences, including one she said caused her to speak in tongues.

'One night, Im sleeping and I have this dream that Im driving and that Ive smashed into a white picket fence,' she said.

'As I smashed into the white picket fence, I woke up speaking in tongues.

Alex Antic is also supporting another candidate, Belinda Crawford-Marshall (pictured with Antic, centre and right)

A post made by Belinda Crawford-Marshall, which has raised eyebrows among SA Liberals

'I danced around the room for two hours, joyful and so happy and grateful. God needed, for me, to slow that mind right down and sleep.'

Hennessy has mentioned speaking in tongues in several other videos and told the Daily Mail she is 'unashamed of [her] faith', and pleased if it helps even one person.

'I have worked with my church community for over 20 years,' she added.

'If I have helped even one person, then I am pleased that my faith has been able to help improve their lives.'

Another leading contender Belinda Crawford-Marshall is Executive Pastor at the Field of Dreams Pentecostal church in Mayfield, Adelaide.

She attracted attention for a now-deleted post of a straight cloud apparently from a passing plane which she used to raise environmental concerns.

'STOP IT! We dont give permission for anything to enter our skies we havent agreed to,' she wrote alongside the image. 'Time for some legislation around this!'

Her Facebook and Instagram account have now been locked down and set to private.

Belinda Crawford-Marshall (pictured with her family) is Executive Pastor at the Field of Dreams Pentecostal church in Mayfield, Adelaide

Crawford-Marshall confirmed she had made the post to the Daily Mail but said she 'maintained her curiosity about environmental health'

She also pledged, if preselected, to advocate for better protections.

'My post history demonstrates this,' she added.

'I dont shy away from it and if Im preselected for the Legislative Council, I will continue to fight for environmental health across the board.'

The SA Liberals have previously contended with internal disputes over socially conservative faction recruitment, particularly within Pentecostal circles.

The party froze new memberships in 2021 following concerns about organised efforts by outsiders to infiltrate its ranks.

Both women have the backing of conservative Senator Alex Antic, who was accused of masterminding the SA party's push to the right in 2024 by former Howard-era Liberal assistant minister, Trish Worth.

They are also supported by Antic's ally Senator Leah Blyth, who replaced former Liberal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham after his retirement from politics.

But ther senior SA Liberals, including former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, have voiced concerns, urging members not to focus on issues like abortion and infighting.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas' Labor is set to thrash the Liberals at next year's election

SA Liberals face a mountain to climb at next year's election with a June YouGov poll putting Labor at 67 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis.

If repeated at the election, the Liberals would retain only two lower house seats.

A party insider said more radical members want Shadow Minister Heidi Girolamo replaced, fearing extreme candidates will further harm electoral chances.

At the last federal election, the SA Liberals lost their only Adelaide seat and suffered a five per cent swing, with just 40 per cent of the two-party vote across the state.

Sturt, held since 1972 and previously represented by Christopher Pyne, was among the losses.

SA Liberal Party Upper House preselection is set for September 13.

Several senior Liberals, like Alexander Downer, have urged the party to focus less on 'third rail' issues such as abortion and factional conflict.
If Sydney lawyer Zali Burrows has a 'type' when it comes to clients, it's men who rank among the country's most notorious - the kind most people avoid, unless theyve got a taste for negative headlines.

And so this week, when she stood up in court and described her latest client Bruce Lehrmann as 'probably Australia's most hated man', it was not without comparison.

Among Burrows's prominent clients are politician Mark Latham, terrorist recruiter Hamdi Alqudsi, Brothers 4 Life gang boss Bassam Hamzy, and teenage Australian Islamic State supporter Abu Bakr.

She also represented Egyptian-Australian Guantanamo Bay detainee Mamdouh Habib, and disgraced property developer Salim Mehajer - another man Burrows has described as 'one of the most disliked persons in Australia'.

Then there was Fatima Elomar, wife of terrorist Mohamed Elomar who was charged herself with aiding terrorism after he skipped Australia to join Islamic State and then posed for a selfie with the severed heads of dead Syrians.

Burrows, who is as glamorous as she is hard-working, stands up before judges for the rights of people whom most of us would go to great lengths to dodge.

And the high-profile solicitor's approach is quite blunt.

On Wednesday, she declared to the Federal Court that her client Bruce Lehrmann - who is seeking to appeal a civil finding that he raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House six years ago - has 'pretty much become the national joke'.

Burrows and Lehrmann at his appeal against his defamation loss

Last month, Burrows and Lehrmann enjoyed a drink at Mary Mary in Hobart's fashionable Salamanca Place, after she appeared for him at Hobart Magistrates Court

Burrows with disgraced property developer Salim Mehajer after he walked from Cooma prison in 2019. He would later return to jail but is now a free man. Burrows is representing him again

Her phlegmatic assessment of Lehrmann - who has always maintained nothing sexual happened with Ms Higgins after their night out drinking in Canberra in 2019 - startled observers at the hearing by the Court's full bench of Justices Michael Wigney, Craig Colvin and Wendy Abraham.

Burrows is a criminal defence lawyer but not an experienced barrister, and she apologised to Their Honours for the fact that Lehrmann could not afford his preferred counsel, Sydney silk Guy Reynolds SC.

She conceded she was not as prepared as she would've liked to have been as she began her attempt to overturn last year's Federal Court finding that - on the balance of probabilities but not beyond reasonable doubt - Lehrmann had raped Ms Higgins.

She said she was 'just going to try and do the best I can'.

Her gutsy stand to act alone on Lehrmann's behalf before a Federal Court full bench follows the collapse last year of his defamation claim against Network Ten and former journalist Lisa Wilkinson.

Lehrmann had sued over a 2021 interview by Wilkinson with Ms Higgins on The Project which did not name him, but he claimed identified him as the alleged rapist.

Justice Michael Lee accepted Tens truth defence that the alleged rape had likely occurred, ruling in April last year that Lehrmann's defamation suit had failed.

In a landmark decision, Justice Lee was satisfied Ms Higgins had been raped by Lehrmann in the office of the one-time Liberal staffers' then-boss, former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds, in the early hours of March 23, 2019.

Burrows in 2014 with terrorist recruiter Hamdi Alqudsi, who was convicted of luring young men to fight in Syria for Islamic State

Mr Lehrmann's appeal attempt ended abruptly on Thursday after the three judges expressed frustration with how Burrows had argued his case.

It has been Zali Burrows' undoubtedly complicated task to argue that Lehrmann was denied procedural fairness and natural justice, saying her client never had the chance to respond to Lee's findings about an alleged rape which differed from how Network Ten and Wilkinson had framed the allegation (as a 'violent rape') on The Project.

When Burrows characterised Lee's judgment as one which found a 'non-violent rape' had occurred, Justice Colvin said: 'I'm not sure he found a non-violent rape - and I'm not sure thats a concept I understand.'

At the two-day hearing, she also had to contend with Ten's barrister arguing down her case, saying it was an 'astonishing submission' that Lehrmann's evidence might have differed if he'd been questioned about a 'non-violent rape'.

The Federal Court will hand down its decision on the appeal at a later date.

Burrows shields her then-client Fatima Elomar at the Downing Centre Court where the mother of four appeared on assisting terrorism charges in 2014

Justice Michael Lee ruled on the balance of probabilities that Bruce Lehrmann had raped then-colleague Brittany Higgins (left, with partner David Sharaz) in Parliament House in 2019

Burrows has argued other contentious cases during her career, and briefed counsel on behalf of several clients held in immigration detention in human rights cases.

She represented Sulayman Khalid and 14 others who had their passports seized by ASIO, and Wisam Haddad, the manager of a since-closed western Sydney Islamic bookstore criticised for allegedly promoting jihad in Syria and Iraq.

In perhaps the most puzzling chapter of her career, in 2014, she ran as a candidate for the Palmer United Party in the western Sydney seat of Blaxland on a ticket advocating humane treatment of refugees and assisting oppressed Muslims being targeted during the then-Islamic State war.

Here are Zali's most prominent clients and the cases she has fought for them:

In 2014, Burrows ran as a candidate for the Palmer United Party in western Sydney

BRUCE LEHRMANN

Burrows turned up in Lehrmann's ongoing legal saga to appeal his defamation trial loss, as well as a theft allegation in Tasmania.

Lehrmann sued Ten and Wilkinson over a February 2021 interview on The Project in which Ms Higgins alleged she had been raped on a couch at Parliament House almost two years earlier.

While Lehrmann was not named, he claimed he was easily identifiable as the one-time colleague Ms Higgins claimed had sexually assaulted her in the office of Senator Linda Reynolds. He continues to maintain his innocence.

In April last year, Justice Michael Lee ruled in the Federal Court that Lehrmann had not been defamed by Ten because Lehrmann had - on the balance of probabilities - raped Ms Higgins.

The civil standard for truth in the Federal Court is not as high as in a criminal court, which requires a person to be found guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

An earlier ACT prosecution against Lehrmann for alleged rape was thrown out after his criminal trial was aborted due to juror misconduct.

Six months after Justice Lee's decision, Burrows was arguing on Lehrmann's behalf in the same court.

Burrows and Lehrmann outside the Federal Court this week where she argued for the appeal of Justice Lee's decision that the former Liberal staffer had not been defamed

Burrows' gutsy stand to act alone on Lehrmann's behalf before a Federal Court full bench follows the collapse last year of his defamation claim against Ten and presenter Lisa Wilkinson

Responding to Ten's demand that Lehrmann provide $200,000 security to appeal against Justice Lee's decision, Burrows said her Centrelink-recipient client was 'pretty much unemployable' and did not have the funds.

'The only shot he'd probably ever have in making money is by going on OnlyFans or something silly like that,' Burrows told the court.

Justice Wendy Adams ultimately found Lehrmann did not have to put up the $200,000, but he still faces picking up $2million of Ten's legal costs for the original trial if he loses his appeal when the Federal Court full bench delivers its decision.

Burrows has also represented Lehrmann at Hobart Magistrates Court on a charge that he stole a car in November 2024.

Bruce Lehrmann lost his defamation suit against Channel Ten and Lisa Wilkinson last year

Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to the charge of motor vehicle stealing in June 2025, and the case was adjourned to a later date, with a potential three-day hearing scheduled.

Last month Burrows and Lehrmann enjoyed a relaxed drink at Mary Mary in Hobart's fashionable Salamanca Place, before heading next door to the Italian restaurant Peppina.

Lehrmann and Burrows shared a bottle of red with their meal before leaving the Parliament Square precinct so that she could catch a flight back to Sydney.

She had flown down to the Tasmanian capital to seek a restraining order for him against a Daily Mail reporter, after he unsuccessfully demanded $50,000 in damages for a story he claimed portrayed him in a bad light.

Lehrmann sought the interim order against journalist Karleigh Smith who had written the piece about his new life with a 45-year-old mother-of-two in a Tasmanian hamlet.

Daily Mail did not take down the story, did not pay Lehrmann a cent and successfully challenged the interim order. Magistrate Jackie Hartnett set the matter down for a November 13 hearing.

MARK LATHAM

Burrows' other client Mark Latham, the former NSW One Nation leader, has been in the news lately for his stoush with ex-partner Nathalie Matthews.

Latham's notoriety isn't on the same level as other men Burrows has represented, with his controversies instead stemming from civil cases brought against him as well as his questionable past conduct while a politician.

In his latest scandal, Matthews has taken out an AVO against Latham, claiming he abused her and forced her into degrading sex acts. He denies the allegations.

She is now also seeking an interim apprehended domestic violence order against him to stop him from talking about her online.

In another twist to the tale, Burrows has sought on Latham's behalf to serve subpoenas on Matthews' communications with WiseTech founder Richard White.

Both White and Matthews are fighting the subpoenas.

Zali Burrows' other client Mark Latham (left) has been in the news lately for his stoush with former partner Nathalie Matthews (right)

Burrows, lawyer for Mark Latham, departs court after representing him last month

Burrows is also representing Latham in his appeal against a defamation judgment in favour of gay independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich over a homophobic tweet.

Last year, Latham was ordered to pay $140,000 in damages to Greenwich.

In a case before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Greenwich alleges four public statements by Latham constituted unlawful homosexual vilification and sexual harassment in the workplace.

He claimed they breached the state's Anti-Discrimination Act and were part of 'ongoing belittling' by Latham.

Burrows suggested to the tribunal that Greenwich had delivered a 'prepared speech' in his answers and asked for examples of her clients' alleged attacks.

SALIM MEHAJER

In a 2020 defamation claim against a newspaper over an article about her and her client Salim Mehajer, Burrows described the former deputy mayor of Auburn as 'arguably one of the most disliked persons in Australia'.

She said the disgraced property developer 'evokes a negative reaction from both the public at large and commentators'.

Mehajer, whom Burrows had represented for years, would go on to forge Burrows' signature on a legal document - yet she would return to represent him.

She famously walked alongside him as he was freed from Cooma Correctional Centre in 2019 after serving an 11-month jail sentence for electoral fraud.

But Salim would return to prison in November 2020, when he was jailed for lying to a court, and serve back-to-back sentences for a raft of other offences, including domestic violence against an ex-partner, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The bankrupt ex-politician walked free from jail again last month when he exited a western Sydney prison on July 18 following a five-year stint behind bars.

Burrows walked alongside Salim Mehajer as he was freed from Cooma Correctional Centre in 2019 after serving an 11-month jail sentence for electoral fraud

Mehajer exits his teeth-whitening salon just hours after his latest prison release - and before announcing that Burrows would be representing his latest appeal

After getting his teeth whitened and his prison man bun cut off, Mehajer appeared in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on August 8 to announce that Burrows would be representing him.

She will argue against his domestic violence convictions and sentence, which he claims was 'defective' and unfair.

In July 2023, while in custody, Mehajer was convicted of forging Burrows' signature on two separate documents, as well as that of his sister, Zenha Osman.

The forged documents were related to a statutory declaration from his sister, but it appears now all is forgiven.

BASSAM HAMZY

In 2021, lawyers for incarcerated gangster and murderer Bassam Hamzy made an audacious bid to bring the notorious Brothers 4 Life founder to Sydney from his prison cell in Goulburn Supermax.

Burrows was in the team attempting to block NSW Police from using letters Hamzy had sent from jail against him.

Police claimed the letters supported allegations he was running a drug ring from behind bars.

Hamzy, serving a 40-year sentence for a range of crimes, claimed those files should remain confidential and not used against him under client legal privilege laws.

A court heard the gang leader needed to appear in person and also meet with his legal team, after his solicitor Burrows had struggled to obtain proper instructions from Hamzy.

In 2021, Zali Burrows was among the lawyers for incarcerated gangster Bassam Hamzy (above) who made an audacious bid to bring the notorious Brothers 4 Life founder to Sydney from his prison cell in Goulburn Supermax

Hamzy is a target inside Supermax where he is pictured (above) casually strolling across a prison yard just seconds before he is brutally attacked by a fellow inmate wielding a prison shiv

This was due to his maximum-security conditions making it too difficult to meet and speak from Supermax, where he was classified an Extreme High Risk Security inmate.

NSW Supreme Court Justice Richard Button was not convinced and the bid failed.

Burrows later told a true crime podcast that, in her dealings with Hamzy, she had learned that he may hold the key to finding serial killer Ivan Milats missing victims.

Milat, who died in 2019, had spent many years incarcerated in Supermax in the same unit of the secure jail as Hamzy, who became a confidante of the serial killer while they both shared the same prison classification.

Hamzy claimed Milat had revealed to him the location of a secret burial site for victims never included among the seven backpacker murders for which he was convicted.

'If only they were nice to him, they would get some secrets out of him because I know that Ivan Milat confided in him. And Im pretty sure Hamzy knows where the missing bodies are buried,' she said in 2022.

HAMDI ALQUDSI

In 2014, Sydney father Hamdi Alqudsi was ordered to stand trial for recruiting Australians to fight with terrorists in Syria.

Police alleged Alqudsi assisted with the travel arrangements of seven young men who left Australia to fight with Jabhat al Nusra and Al Qaeda affiliates.

They said he acted as a go-between for the men and senior IS figure Mohammad Ali Baryalei.

Hamdi Alqudsi was a terrorist recruiter who lured seven young men to the Middle East and is still behind bars for his terrorism activities

Burrows argued that charges against her client Alqudsi (the two pictured together, above) were defective and unfair, and that some of Alqudsi's actions may have been completely innocuous

Zali Burrows had argued that the charges against her client were defective and unfair, and that some of Alqudsi's actions may have been completely innocuous.

But prosecutors contended that telephone intercept recordings of conversations between Alqudsi and some of the young men were powerful evidence.

In July 2016, he was convicted and subsequently sentenced to a maximum of eight years' imprisonment. But while in jail, he was further charged with knowingly directing the activities of a terrorist organisation known as 'the Shura'.

He was convicted at trial and, in 2023, was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.

FATIMA ELOMAR

On May 3, 2014, a 29-year-old mother-of-four was arrested at Sydney Airport as she was boarding a flight to Malaysia with her children, the youngest aged just five weeks.

Her name was Fatima Elomar and in her luggage was a treasure trove of items that resembled a terrorist's kit bag: GPS watches, solar-powered torches, chargers, camouflage clothing and insect repellent, boots, cables, $10,000 cash and her husband's birth certificate.

The fact that her husband Mohamed Elomar was already in Syria with another suspected Islamic State convert, Khaled Sharrouf, was high up on the radar of the Australian authorities.

Mohamed Elomar had posted pictures on social media of himself holding the severed heads of Syrian soldiers.

Police charged Fatima with preparing for incursions into a foreign state with the intention of engaging in hostile activities.

Fatima Elomar hides behind her niqab after appearing in court on charges of preparing for incursions into a foreign state with the intention of engaging in hostile activities

The mother of four had been arrested at the airport preparing to fly out to meet her husband Mohamed (seen in Syria holding severed heads) where he fought for IS before dying in battle

Fatima Elomar always hid from the media behind Islamic face covering, but the Daily Mail unmasked her after catching her out shopping in western Sydney

Burrows described her client as a 'devoted mother' of her four children and said the charges were 'serious and overzealous'.

Elomar said her arrest 'highlighted the pitfalls for travellers packing camouflage gear as a fashion item'.

'Let it be a travel warning to leave the camouflage pants at home and best check with Smart Traveller as to what the acceptable fashion is,' Elomar added.

In court, Elomar was forced to bare her face to the magistrate at several hearings, but out on the street, she covered up with a full-faced niqab, with only a tiny slit around her eyes, while also holding a sheet of cloth to further cloak her identity.

Always willing to go the extra mile for her clients, on the street Burrows helped shield Elomar and her children, holding blankets across their faces to preserve their identity from the media.

Burrows described her accused client Fatima Elomar (above, with Burrows outside court in 2015) as a 'devoted mother' of four children and said the terrorism charges were 'overzealous'

Burrows helped shield Elomar and her children, holding blankets across their faces

In November 2015, the Daily Mail publicly unmasked Elomar, photographing her shopping - without her niqab - at Westfield, buying clothes in Urban Equipment and grabbing coffee at McDonalds.

Neighbours in western Sydney were unaware of her criminal charges.

In November 2015, she pleaded guilty to providing support for Islamic State and was given a suspended sentence of two years and three months and a good behaviour bond.

While preparing to join Mohamed Elomar in the Middle East, Fatima had sent him a series of excited texts via the messaging app Tango.

They included, 'Row row row your boat, Sneak up in the stream, Lock n load in Mujadid Mode, Islamic State Shaheeds' and 'Inshallah Im going to be there soon!'

Mohamed Elomar and Khaled Sharrouf were both killed fighting in Syria, along with Sharrouf's two elder sons, who had trained in IS fighting camps.

Sharrouf's Australian wife Tara Nettleton died from complications after an operation for appendicitis in a local hospital.

Fatima Elomar's arrest in Australia likely saved her life.
A leading criminal psychologist has expressed grave fears for three children who have spent almost four years on the run with their dad in the New Zealand wilderness.

Dr Tim Watson-Munro believes a recent public plea by the family for the kids to be returned will have zero effect on fugitive father Tom Phillips. Phillips vanished from the rural town of Marokopa on New Zealand's North Island in December 2021, following a custody dispute with the children's mother, Cat.

NZ Police have a warrant out for Phillips' arrest after he took Jayda, now aged 12, Maverick, ten, and Ember, nine, off to live with him in bushland.

Dr Watson-Munro - who is regularly a court expert on criminal psychology matters in Australia - warned that, even if the police rescued the children tomorrow, they may be so indoctrinated they would have 'to be deprogrammed'.

Sightings of the four have verified that the children are alive, with phone video footage in October last year showing them walking in single file through farming country near their hometown.

But CCTV footage of a shop robbery, a burglary attempt and other incidents have led Phillips' family to fear that the children are being inveigled into criminal life to help their father evade police.

This week, Phillips' mother Julia and sister Rozzi made an emotional appeal for the children's urgent return.

The latest plea comes almost a year after pig shooters filmed Tom Phillips and his children in bushland west of Marokopa last October (above) walking in single file

Two masked intruders seen fleeing an attempted burglary in security footage are believed to be Tom Phillips and one of his kids, inveigled into allegedly committing crimes by their father

Tom Phillips (left) vanished from the rural town of Marokopa, 250km southwest of Auckland on New Zealand 's North Island in December 2021 following a custody dispute with the mother of his children, Cat (right)

Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro fears the children may need serious deprogramming if they have been indoctrinated by their father over four years

'Every day I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you will come home,' Julia said.

Rozzi added: 'I'd love to see you again and be part of your lives, and know for myself that all is truly well in your world'.

Dr Watson-Munro was more blunt.

It was time that New Zealand Police acted, immediately he said, to 'go in and get them' because the children may have already suffered irreversible psychological damage.

He believed that, instead of tearfully being asked to bring his children home, Phillips should instead be warned about 'the damage to the children's lives if this continues'.

'It's been a long time at a critical moment in those children's development and the longer it goes on - assuming they are not watching TV or reading books - their objective reality would be a warped view of the world,' he told the Daily Mail.

'Part of the equation is how much the children have been indoctrinated by their father, and we don't know ... living like Robinson Crusoe (a castaway) and not being educated or socialised as far as we know.

'That stuff is critical in kids' development to learn to problem solve and become social beings. Their father is alienating them from others and she (their mother) is a distant memory.

'Again, we don't know if he's replacing good stuff to maintain control over them with a differing narrative of their mother, and perhaps inveigling minors to commit crimes.'

Reports of these incidents included an attempted burglary on November 2, 2023, when security footage showed a masked pair, believed to be Phillips and one of his children, smashing the front glass of a shop and then fleeing on a motorbike after the alarm went off.

Phillips is also accused of robbing a bank and shooting at a supermarket worker in Te Kuiti, south west of Marokopa, in May 2023.

A sighting of four people dressed in camouflage clothing spotted sitting near State Highway 4, south of Te Kuiti, in February this year, were believed to have been the family.

Cat said of her daughter Jayda, now 12: 'She will be a young woman now, and she needs her mother' and about her nine-year-old son, 'I can only imagine how Maverick is coping'

Of the youngest of her children, now aged nine, Cat said 'Ember is asthmatic, as am I, and she needs medical care that cannot be provided from the land'

Tim Watson-Munro said the children (above) 'may have been indoctrinated by their father, in a form of psychological child abuse living like Robinson Crusoe and not being educated or socialised'

Dr Watson-Munro suggested the children, 'even if their captor is their father' might be suffering Stockholm Syndrome, when captives identify and sympathise with their kidnappers.

'It's been four years not four days, and they've had to survive harsh conditions and are all moving to the age of eleven to 12, when you move into formal cognitive thinking and will start to think in more profound ways about their circumstances and wonder about their mother.

'Who knows what they've been told about mum, if it was that she didn't want you, just to weaken her position.'

The children's mother delivered an impassioned and angry plea via Waikato Police last year begging the NZ public for help to bring her kids home.

They are just innocent children,' Cat said. 'They do not deserve the life that is being provided to them right now.

Of her eldest, Jayda, she said: 'She will be a young woman now, and she needs her mother.'

'Ember is asthmatic, as am I, and she needs medical care that cannot be provided from the land. And I can only imagine how Maverick is coping.'

Cat has made previous pleas amid the numerous police search operations and the offering of a NZ$80,000 reward.

Cat with her three children (above). She said 'they do not deserve the life that is being provided to them right now'

Tom Phillips was caught on CCTV at Bunnings warehouse, Te Rapa, on August 2, 2023 (above) wearing a mask and pushing a trolley to collect supplies for his life on the run

During an interview, Rozzi Phillips removed from her boot a letter written by her mother Julia 'from her heart' but which Dr Watson-Munro fears may not stir the fugitive dad into handing back the kids

Part of Julia Phillips' heartfelt letter to her son in which she addresses him directly about the hurt he has caused his family by taking off with the children

Cat believes she personally saw her runaway husband in a ute at a Bunnings store in the year following his disappearance with her kids.

She claimed the vehicle belonged to an associate of Phillips. It has long been theorised that he may have been helped by locals in the Marokopa region.

Police believe his main motive for taking his kids off into the bush was the fact he had lost legal custody.

Custody now sits with Oranga Tamariki, a government department in New Zealand responsible for the wellbeing of children, which has already made arrangements for when the children are finally located.

But it may be too late. In Dr Watson-Munro's knowledge and experience, the kids may already be misanthropes who are unable to relate to the broader community and 'need to be deprogrammed' over a 'long period of readjustment'.

He cited the case of the children kidnapped into the Moonie cult, or Unification Church movement founded by Korean Sun Myung Moon which entailed brainwashing and financial exploitation of members.

He said US parents who had lost their kids to the cult turned to commandos to rescue them, and a renowned counsellor - Albert Einstein's granddaughter Evelyn Einstein - had to supply massive amounts of deprogramming therapy to the damaged kids.

'I don't know what is the case with these (Phillips children), but my takeaway (from the Moonies case) was it was hard to break down all this garbage indoctrination. It took a big period of readjustment.'

Dr Watson-Munro said he believed if the case had happened in Australia that police and welfare authorities would have stormed in and retrieved the children by now.
A mother has told of her gruelling terminal liver cancer battle which began just two weeks after her son was born - and left her unable to hold him due to the pain.

Gemma Small, 31, of the town of Horwich, Greater Manchester, received the awful diagnosis just after little Samuel was born in early February this year.

The early help council worker, who may now have as few as six months to live, told the Daily Mail: 'I wish I could do more.

'It makes me upset that I can't and I feel like I'm missing out on time.'

And devastatingly, this is not Ms Small's first fight against the brutal disease.

She underwent six months of treatment, ending in March 2023, for a rare type of eye cancer called uveal melanoma.

After finally getting the all clear, she and her partner, joiner Ciaren Hughes, 34, decided to start trying for a baby, ready to start their family life together.

They had put it off for years amid a series of challenging health difficulties for Ms Small, who broke her hip in 2019.

Gemma Small (pictured, with partner Ciaren), 31, of the town of Horwich, Greater Manchester, received the awful diagnosis just after little Samuel (pictured) was born in early February this year

The early help council worker (pictured with Samuel), who may now have as few as six months to live, told the Daily Mail: 'I wish I could do more'

Devastatingly, this is not Ms Small's first fight against the brutal disease. Pictured: The family together

She also has Lupus, an incurable autoimmune disease which causes joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness.

This is on top of a rare condition called hereditary angioedema, which causes flare-ups of swelling in the skin, airway and intestines.

The family have now created a GoFundMe page to raise money for a much-needed course of private treatment.

If it does not work, they plan to donate any remaining funds to others undergoing the same treatment.

Ms Small's first diagnosis back in 2022 came as a 'surprise': 'I've gone to the optician thinking I just needed glasses because I was getting a bit of blurred vision.'

But she was thankfully successfully treated with surgery and proton beam therapy - with doctors even telling her she was in the lowest risk category for relapse.

'We thought, "It's time for a fresh start now, have a baby, everything's going in the right direction"', Ms Small explained.

Their beloved Samuel was soon born: 'It was just a long time coming. I feel like we'd waited for so long, when we finally had him, it was tiring!

She underwent six months of treatment, ending in March 2023, for a rare type of eye cancer called uveal melanoma. Pictured: The family together

After finally getting the all clear, she and her partner, joiner Ciaren Hughes, 34, decided to start trying for a baby, ready to start their family life together. Pictured: Ms Small with Samuel

'But we kind of felt a bit more complete, like we'd got what we'd been waiting for and we were ready to start making plans for the future things we want to do with him.

'And then things went downhill very quickly.'

Ms Small had a routine scan booked for two weeks after the birth, Mr Hughes said: 'We were debating whether to go for it or not because we just thought, "Nothing will come of it".

'But Gemma went for it anyway. And it was at that point they said they'd found a shadow on her liver.'

Though there was no live tumour on her eye this time, heartbreakingly, the cancer had spread to her liver - and it was at stage four.

Her mother, teacher Paula Small, 54, said: 'It was just grim... It's not what you want for any of your children, is it? And it's not how it should be.'

And in a testament to her daughter's character: 'Gemma's first response was apologising because we were all upset and she was apologising for us being upset.'

Going for the scan was Ms Small's first time leaving her son, she added: 'We'd actually been joking about it.

Ms Small's (pictured with Samuel) first diagnosis back in 2022 came as a 'surprise': 'I've gone to the optician thinking I just needed glasses because I was getting a bit of blurred vision'

But she was thankfully successfully treated with surgery and proton beam therapy - with doctors even telling her she was in the lowest risk category for relapse. Pictured: Ms Small with Samuel

Her mother, teacher Paula Small (pictured), 54, said: 'It was just grim... It's not what you want for any of your children, is it? And it's not how it should be'

'It was the first time she'd left him because we didn't really want to be trailing him to the hospital.

'And so, we were just joking about having to leave him for the first time, just to be told it's an all clear again.'

The assessment of the scans was taking a long time: 'She said, "Come on, let's just go home, I want to get home to Samuel, it's not going to be anything."

'And we just drove home. They told us while we were still in the car, just parked outside the house.'

Ms Small had been told lower risk patients such as herself did not normally get check-in scans but doctors offered them to her because of her young age.

'I was seeing it as a reassurance scan', she said, 'so finding out something had come up from it was a shock and it just threw us'.

The scariest thing? 'I felt perfectly fine. I had no signs, no symptoms, nothing...

'In some ways, you don't want to know but in other ways, it's good because at least now we've been able to do something about it.'

'We thought, "It's time for a fresh start now, have a baby, everything's going in the right direction"', Ms Small explained. Pictured: The family together

The cancer returned two weeks after Samuel was born. Though there was no live tumour on her eye this time, heartbreakingly, the cancer had spread to her liver - and it was at stage four. Pictured: The family together

In a testament to her daughter's character, Ms Small's mother (pictured) said: 'Gemma's first response was apologising because we were all upset and she was apologising for us being upset'

They were soon given the heartbreaking news there were no treatments available on the NHS: 'It just felt like they'd already given up before anything was happening.'

Mr Hughes explained this was because of her Lupus, which affects her immune system and makes it not strong enough for immunotherapy.

This is a common cancer treatment, which sees the body's own immune system leveraged to recognise and attack cancer cells.

So, they have ended up having to take matters into their own hands, going private to undergo chemosaturation therapy.

Doctors cut the liver off from the rest of the body and intensely target just that organ with chemotherapy, meaning the side effects are not as bad as regular chemo.

But Mr Hughes said: 'It's not a cheap deal. The last thing any of us want to do as a family was to ask for money.

'But we kind of realised that this isn't something we could possibly ever, ever accomplish on our own.'

Ms Small needs four rounds, each costing 40,000 - totting up to an eye-watering 160,000 total, with the family emptying their savings to pay for it.

'I was seeing it as a reassurance scan', she said, 'so finding out something had come up from it was a shock and it just threw us'. Pictured: Ms Small with Samuel

The family have now created a GoFundMe page to raise money for a much-needed course of private treatment. If it does not work, they plan to donate any remaining funds to others undergoing the same treatment. Pictured: Ms Small with Samuel

She has had three rounds so far - and things are looking good, even from just after the second round, which saw the tumour shrink by just over 50 per cent.

'They said, "We've never seen those results before after just two treatments"', she explained.

She hopes the four rounds will eradicate the tumour enough that it will 'open up options' with the NHS: 'You don't just want to sit back and accept it.'

But it takes a toll, with the family - including baby Samuel - needing to take the roughly six-hour drive down to Southampton for the specialist treatment every four to six weeks.

It is a short window to fit in recovery from the last round and pre-op prep for the next: 'It doesn't leave us much time for life in between.'

And it is 'exhausting', Ms Small added, leaving her nauseous, tired and bruised, with thinning hair and no appetite.

Her Lupus-related joint pain and fatigue has returned too - she had to stop the immunosuppressants she takes to manage it to be strong enough for the cancer treatment.

Mr Hughes also emphasised: 'Even with private treatment, even though we're hoping, completely hoping, that Gemma kicks its arse and we get some sort of miracle out of it, it is a terminal illness.'

The family (pictured) treasure the 'cheap days out' they are able to have, often with a picnic to a park, as they save every penny they can for the treatments

Ms Small added she was 'frustrated' the NHS started by telling her there was nothing to be done - only to mention the possibility of private treatment once she asked.

'It should be for everyone. You shouldn't only be able to get the treatment if you can pay', she said.

She was told they were hoping to get NHS funding for this kind of treatment by next year: 'But that doesn't help me.'

The couple were deeply thankful for the support from family, friends and colleagues, who have donated raffle prizes, undertaken sponsored bike rides and runs and attended walks and coffee mornings all to help raise money.

Ms Small dreaded to think what they would have done without it: 'It's just horrible, what could have happened... We wouldn't have got this far without everyone else.'

And they treasure the 'cheap days out' they are able to have, often with a picnic to a park, as they save every penny they can for the treatments.

Even now, she hates to think of missing all Samuel's biggest landmarks: 'His first birthday, when he starts nursery, when he starts school, all the things you want to be able to get to.

'I think that's what hurts the most, knowing that might not happen.'

But Mr Hughes was determined about their son's first birthday: 'We're going to make sure you get to see that.'

NHS England makes the decisions about what treatments are funded on the NHS.

An NHS spokesperson said: 'NHS England is currently reviewing new evidence and a policy proposal that it has received.

'While this review is underway, the commissioning position remains that NICE guidance does not require the NHS to make chemosaturation routinely available, and that it can have serious complications.'
The 15-year-old private schoolboy accused of murdering Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson is having to rely on Legal Aid for his defence, despite a privileged upbringing.

The surprising twist comes as new details emerge about the shocking death of the multi-millionaire father-of-three at his $5million 1930s Art Deco mansion on June 26.

Mr Josephson, 58, allegedly discovered 30 teenagers had been invited on social media to an end-of-school term party at his home in Brisbane's wealthy Clayfield.

At the time, his wife Tamra was away on the Sunshine Coast, where the family owns property and businesses, along with one or more of their children.

Mr Josephson was allegedly attacked in a room on the top floor of his home and stabbed to death with a knife and one other weapon.

The teen was known to Mr Josephson but cannot be identified and was a regular gym-goer who had attended three different private schools in recent years.

His wife later allegedly received a call in Noosa telling her that her husband had been injured, prompting her to ring emergency services.

Police arrived at the six-bedroom Brisbane home after 8.15pm and found Mr Josephson unresponsive in the upstairs room.

The 15-year-old boy charged with murdering multi-millionaire entrepreneur and Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson (pictured with wife Tamra) is having to rely on Legal Aid

Greg Josephson, 58, allegedly discovered 30 teenagers had been invited to an end-of-school term party at his home in Brisbane's wealthy Clayfield.

Greg Josephson was allegedly attacked in a room on the top floor of his home and stabbed to death with a knife and one other weapon

It is believed his body had lain there for several hours while the party continued downstairs.

Police ordered the teenagers at the Oriel Road property, which features a pool and two car spaces, to attend a station for questioning.

Officers later found the 15-year-old near bins at a local cafe on Barlow Street and took him into custody, before later charging him with murder.

He was refused bail, taken to hospital, and is now in juvenile detention.

In June, Legal Aid duty lawyer Peta Den requested an adjournment to obtain a brief of evidence for the defence.

For nearly two decades, Mr Josephson served as director of the Brisbane-based company he founded with his brother in 1999.

He had previously worked as a leasing manager at Westfield, Lendlease, and Jones Lang LaSalle but grew Universal into a retail giant in Australian shopping centres.

Universal Store grew from one store in Brisbane's Carindale to 80 stores nationwide, becoming a youth fashion leader with annual revenue over $288 million.

Tamra Josephson (above) at the funeral for her husband Greg after he was allegedly murdered in his own home

Greg Josephson and his brother Michael sold Universal Store for $100 million to Five V Capital, Catalyst Direct Capital Management, and BBRC Worldwide in 2018

Greg Josephson (left, his funeral order of service) established Universal Store with his brother Michael in November 1999. He and wife Tamra (pictured together, right) had three children and were planning to sell their Clayfield house and move to Noosa

The company is currently valued at $573.1 million on the Australian share market.

In September 2018, the Josephson brothers sold Universal Store for $100 million to Five V Capital, Catalyst Direct Capital Management, and BBRC Worldwide.

The 15-year-old charged with Mr Josephsons murder will return to Brisbane Childrens Court in early September.
A Catholic priest told an altar boy at his church that God approves of certain same-sex relationships between children and adults before violating him repeatedly, according to a lawsuit.

Per the complaint, father George Zina is accused of openly grooming a nine-year-old boy before spending the next six years molesting him in a variety of different locations, including in confession booths.

The anonymous plaintiff who brought the lawsuit claims the alleged abuse from Zina occurred while he was a priest from 2001 to 2007 at two different churches in Orlando, Florida.

The suit, filed last month in Orange County, names the Diocese of Orlando, Holy Family Catholic Church Orlando Inc. and St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church as defendants.

Also a defendant in the suit is the Eparchy of Saint Maron, which told Daily Mail that Zina has denied all the allegations against him.

Jenny Rossman, an attorney with Herman Law, said that the alleged abuse against her client began when he was working as an altar server under Zina at Holy Family Catholic Church.

'This is a lawsuit that is against the institutions We're alleging that they were negligent. They failed to protect our client, John Doe, who was a child, a parishioner at the churches, and an altar server. They failed to protect him from who he has alleged sexually abused him, Father Zina,' Rossman said in a statement to WSET that addressed the complaint.

'They knew, or they should have known, that Father Zina was unsafe,' she added.

The suit alleges that Zina was able to get close to the plaintiff's family because he also spoke Italian.

George Zina (pictured) has been accused of molesting an altar boy that attended two parishes he preached at in Orlando, Florida. The alleged abuse is said to have taken place in the early 2000s, according to the lawsuit

The Holy Family Catholic Church (pictured) was named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Much of the alleged abuse happened there, according to the complaint

They were so close that the family eventually followed Zina to a new church, St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church, where Rossman said the alleged abuse continued.

Once the plaintiff was an altar server, Zina began giving him special attention in the form of shoulder massages and calling him 'my best boy', the suit claimed.

This 'grooming behavior' was done in the presence of other priests and employees of both churches, per the complaint.

'He was taken places alone with Father Zina that would've been visible to others within the church, where he was abused... That special attention, it should have raised a red flag to those within the church who saw the special attention,' Rossman said.

At one point, Zina allegedly told the boy that 'God chooses one altar server to be with the priest in a same-sex relationship that God approves of and that he and Plaintiff would eventually live together', the lawsuit said.

Zina was said to have forced himself on the boy in confession rooms, dressing rooms, a recreation hall, a bathroom, the secretary's office and in Zina's car, according to the suit.

'He was told things to keep his compliance and his silence, like, this one is a bit disturbing, but that "God blessed" their "relationship,"' Rossman said.

'For a kid to hear these things from his priest while he was a parishioner at the church, and the church plays a very major role in his life and his family's life, is going to have lifelong effects,' she added.

Jenny Rossman is the lead attorney advocating for the plaintiff, who is now an adult. She called Zina's alleged grooming 'disturbing'

Zina remains a priest at St. Elias Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia. The Eparchy of Saint Maron, which oversees all East Coast Maronite Catholic Churches, including St. Elias, has said it will keep Zina on as a preacher

The lawsuit said Zina was placed on leave from 2009 to 2010 before he was relocated to a Catholic Church in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In 2022, he began his priesthood at St. Elias Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia.

The Eparchy of Saint Maron, which oversees all East Coast Maronite Catholic Churches, including St. Elias, said that since no criminal charges have been filed against Zina, it has decided to keep him as a priest.

'The Eparchy has never received a complaint of this nature against Father Zina in his more than 38 years of priestly ministry,' a statement read.

Zina did not respond to a request for comment from Daily Mail.

While Zina hasn't been charged, the Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Daily Mail that their sex crimes detectives conducted an investigation into the sexual abuse claims months before the lawsuit was filed.

'Our detectives sent the case packet to the State Attorneys Office in February with recommended charges of Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12 and Sexual Battery with a Child 12-18,' the sheriff's office said in a statement.

'Now the State Attorneys Office must decide whether they will charge the suspect in this case. The victim is now an adult and gave very compelling testimony to our detectives. At this time, we have no indication that charges have been filed by the SAO,' the statement continued.

The Ninth District State Attorney's Office told Daily Mail that it 'received these charges from law enforcement, and they are under review by our prosecutors'.
So it transpires Fergie lusted after convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This is the startling narrative child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell unspooled in a federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida.

'She [the Duchess of York] had a thing for him... and I thought that Sarah was trying to put the moves on Jeffrey,' Maxwell confides to US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Later, emphasising her point in her clipped English accent, she adds almost suggestively: 'She liked Mr Epstein.'

Digesting this new development, the lawman pauses for a moment then inquires: 'How do you know?' Maxwell shoots back, triumphantly: 'Female intuition.'

This wasn't the only bombshell dropped by the disgraced socialite  and Epstein's former girlfriend  during her two-day meeting with Blanche. The audio tapes of the interview and a 360-page transcript were released by the US Justice Department on Friday.

It was the Duchess of York says Maxwell, not herself, who engineered her ex-husband Prince Andrew's introduction to the US billionaire.

The 63-year-old disgraced socialite describes Fergie as a 'frenemy'  the pair were outwardly polite in public  though it appears they were probably more enemies than friends.

Judging by the audio tapes of Maxwell's interview, she seems generally articulate and forthcoming, though she chooses her words carefully. Asked by Blanche when she and the Duchess of York last 'hung out' together, she seems uncharacteristically flummoxed.

Pictured: The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson and Ghislane Maxwell attending the opening of the Asprey Flagship Store on 5th Avenue December 8, 2003 in New York City

Pictured: Newsnight's Emily Maitlis interviewing Prince Andrew about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein

For 12 long seconds Maxwell ponders the question before answering wistfully: 'I don't know if she liked me very much... I think my friendship with her ex-husband... well, sometimes she really did like me and sometimes she didn't... it was always friendly when we were together but I think there was latent hostility.'

When Blanche questions why Maxwell believes Fergie held a torch for Epstein, her lawyer can be heard whispering an apparent reminder to his client: 'The letter.'

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that this is a reference to a letter the Duchess sent to Epstein. 'The letter was warm and very flirtatious,' says a source. 'She was definitely trying to replace Ghislaine in Jeffrey's life  in more ways than one. Make of that what you will. Fergie was trying to substitute out Ghislaine and take her place in Jeffrey's life.'

More significant than Maxwell's catty observations about Fergie's apparent designs on Epstein is her explanation of how Andrew found himself caught in Epstein's web.

If her claim is to be believed, it throws a new light on the scandal. It renders the Duchess the catalyst who set in motion a train of events that eventually led to the Duke of York's fall from grace.

Fanciful it may be, but if Andrew had never met Epstein  and Maxwell is adamant she would never have introduced them  then rather than tragic outcast he might still be in the royal fold. If true, then Fergie's part  albeit an unwitting one  in his downfall would be a bitter irony. For in his darkest hour it has been she alone who has sprung to his defence.

Worth noting is Andrew's account of how he met Epstein. Asked about it by Emily Maitlis in the notorious 2019 Panorama interview, Andrew replies: 'I met through his girlfriend back in 1999 who and I'd known her since she was at university in the UK.' He is referring to Maxwell. Yet Maxwell, who once dated Andrew and is the daughter of billionaire publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell, insists otherwise. 'I did not introduce him to Prince Andrew or to Sarah Ferguson,' she says. 'That is a flat untruth.'

Maxwell said she never would have thought to put them together because they were like 'two chalk and cheeses'.

Pictured: Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein strolling through Central Park together

Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein with Ghislaine Maxwell. It was the Duchess of York says Maxwell, not herself, who engineered her ex-husband Prince Andrew's introduction to the US billionaire

Rather, she says Epstein and Andrew met through his ex-wife.

At this time, Sarah was already acquainted with Epstein having been introduced by American- British businesswoman Lynn Forester de Rothschild, the widow of banking tycoon Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, once one of Britain's richest men.

Years later the Duchess would go cap-in-hand to Epstein. She has admitted accepting 15,000 from him to pay off her debts.

Of the first Andrew-Epstein meeting, Maxwell says: 'Lynn Forester had a house... and invited Epstein to go and I believe that's where he met Prince Andrew. However I believe that before that event he had gone to the Bahamas and hung out with Sarah Ferguson. And Sarah had called Epstein and had arranged with Lynn.

'I think Sarah is the one that pushed that. And they met and hung out, I want to say two or three times that had nothing to do with me. I wasn't communicating with Andrew, I wasn't in touch with him. And I know this because I was annoyed and I felt left out and I felt disrespected and I was like, this is weird. I couldn't even imagine Epstein and Andrew together. And I thought that Sarah was trying to put the moves on Jeffrey, if I'm being honest, and I thought the whole thing was annoying and I was p***** off.'

Intriguingly, The Mail on Sunday revealed in 2020 that friends of Maxwell claimed it was Lynn Forester de Rothschild alone who introduced the two men at a party. There was no mention of Fergie.

One of her friends said: 'Ghislaine wasn't at that party. Lynn introduced Andrew to Epstein. It was all about the money with Andrew and Epstein.'

During the interview last month Maxwell is unclear about when the fateful first meeting took place. Andrew is reported to have been a guest at a 68th birthday party hosted by Lady de Rothschild for husband Sir Evelyn, at his Martha's Vineyard estate in August, 1999. Sir Evelyn died in 2022.
Charlottesvilles most-watched, and seemingly concluded, lawsuit  the one challenging the recent rezoning of the city  has lurched back to life.

Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell, who just weeks ago declared the city in default for missing a deadline, issued a Friday afternoon opinion reversing course and agreeing that the city justified its request to reopen the case.

While this court does not comment on the likelihood of success, wrote Worrell, it does find that the citys argument here, combined with its other arguments, leads the court to conclude that this matter should be considered on the merits.

The opinion revives the legal battle over Charlottesvilles recent upzoning, which wiped out single-family-only districts in favor of denser construction, such as townhouses, duplexes and apartment buildings, in order to address whats known as the missing middle in development.

Im thrilled we will be able to continue to engage with the zoning lawsuit based on its merits, not a technicality, City Councilor Natalie Oschrin told The Daily Progress in a Saturday morning text. The rezoning was a long and involved process with ample opportunity for public engagement.

This fight traces it roots to Cville Plans Together, a multiyear effort that began in 2020. Proponents hailed the resulting rezoning as a bold step toward unlocking the supply of housing and bolstering affordability in a city, Virginias second-most expensive real estate market where properties once considered starter homes are regularly listed for more than half a million dollars. Critics countered that the very concept of supply and demand was flawed and that speculators would simply overwhelm neighborhoods with oversized projects and threaten the citys infrastructure and history.

City Council adopted the new zoning ordinance, known by planners and litigants as the NZO, in December 2023. The ordinance attracted a lawsuit a month later, just before it took effect, filed by nine Charlottesville homeowners, including the suits lead plaintiff, retired University of Virginia law professor Edward White.

White and the other eight plaintiffs contended that the city skipped a key statutory step: sending the ordinance overhaul to the Virginia Department of Transportation, a prior review required if rezoning would substantially affect transportation on state-controlled highways.

For months the city fought back by filing documents that whittled down, but never erased, the plaintiffs complaints. By late spring, the city faced a deadline to answer an amended complaint. Thats where the defense went awry.

May 21 came and went with no answer. The plaintiffs pounced, filing for a default judgment. And on June 30, Worrell agreed from the bench, finding no good cause for the citys tardiness.

But lawyers for Charlottesville kept pressing. They argued that their inadvertence should not doom the entire zoning ordinance. More crucially, last Monday, they filed a six-point submission of substantial defenses, a set of arguments contending in part that the ordinance might not have required VDOTs sign-off after all.

The city must determine whether its proposed rezoning falls under the requirements, a VDOT representative recently told The Daily Progress.

Worrell homed in on that point. He noted that, contrary to opponents claims, a more dense and urban city could conceivably generate lower maximum daily generation, i.e. less motor vehicle traffic.

Defendant need not prove that they are likely to succeed at trial, wrote Worrell, merely whether there is a possibility that there will be success at trial.

That possibility, which Worrell emphasized with bold-face type, was enough to change his mind.

The City has now met this threshold, he wrote, and the court hereby exercises its discretion to grant the citys motion to reconsider.

Worrells 11-page ruling does not bless the citys zoning ordinance, nor does it guarantee victory for either side. Instead, it sets the stage for a trial on whether Charlottesville complied with state law when it eliminated single-family zones. The lawsuit will now be decided, as Worrell wrote, on the merits, not on a procedural misstep.

Fridays opinion drew outrage from Jerry Cox, a Charlottesville resident and managing director of the Forerunner Foundation, an organization which has been assisting the nine plaintiffs battling the city  as well as residents in Arlington and Alexandria challenging their own new zoning codes.

Mere words cannot express ... Cox told The Daily Progress in a truncated text.

Fridays ruling was a dramatic swing from possible defeat to possible victory for the proponents of City Councils sweeping reimagining of land use in Charlottesville.

But already, there are signs within City Hall of wavering support for the new zoning ordinance, or at least some components, such as its elimination of oversight for big projects. One of the five councilors who unanimously green-lighted the new code recently lamented the loss of the special permitting process. City Councilor Michael Payne spoke last Tuesday to the Board of Architectural Review when a tall building was proposed on the site of a moribund West Main Street cupcakery near a historically Black neighborhood.

Please, if anyone in the audience is concerned about this, you need to email City Council to change the zoning to reintroduce more special-use permits, Payne urged.

However, at least one councilor is urging the city to stay the course: Oschrin.

Streamlining the planning, review, and permitting process was something we discussed and all seemed keen on at the council retreat last weekend, the energetic urbanist said. This applies to smaller buildings as well as larger buildings if we are to meet the moment, which is incredibly high demand for housing of all types.

The next step in the legal fight will be the discovery process, the information-sharing between the two sides before the actual trial, which has been scheduled to last up to nine days beginning June 22 of next year.

The outcome could shape Charlottesvilles growth for decades. Will new housing trickle slowly, as city consultants predict, or will it flood, as skeptics fear, into established neighborhoods?

The only certainties are that a seemingly lifeless lawsuit has been resurrected and the new zoning ordinance, temporarily withdrawn in the wake of Worrells earlier utterance, may once again have the force of law.
Police have identified the body of a man who was found dead on an Oregon highway 45 years ago - and say a notorious California serial killer is the sole person of interest in the case.

The remains of 30-year-old Larry Eugene Parks, whose body was found along I-5 south of Portland on July 18, 1980, were identified earlier this year using genetic genealogy.

Investigators believe convicted murderer Randy Kraft, who has been dubbed the 'Scorecard Killer' for keeping a coded list of his victims, killed him.

The discovery of Parks' body came a day after the body of another one of Kraft's victims, Michael O'Fallon, was found along I-5 near the Talbot exit, also in Marion County.

Due to similarities in the evidence, investigators at the time suspected the two murders were related, but eventually both cases went cold.

After solving O'Fallon's case and successfully identifying Parks' body, Oregon State Police are confident Kraft is their suspect.

'OSP does not have another suspect outside of Kraft,' Oregon State Police spokesperson Kyle Kennedy told Fox News Digital. 'We are awaiting testing results of evidence to confirm.'

Police opened a homicide investigation when they discovered Parks body, but the case went cold after they were unable to identify him.

The remains of 30-year-old Larry Eugene Parks (pictured) were identified earlier this year using genetic genealogy, 45 years after his remains were found on an Oregon highway

Investigators believe Randy Kraft, who has been dubbed the 'Scorecard Killer' for keeping a list of his victims, killed Parks

Parks, a Vietnam veteran whose family had lost contact with him in 1979, had last been seen in Pensacola, Florida, investigators said.

Kraft was caught in 1983 when he was pulled over in his vehicle on a California freeway after a trooper spotted him driving erratically.

In the passenger seat of the vehicle was a strangled US Marine. In the trunk of Kraft's vehicle was a coded list believed to tally 67 victims in California, Oregon and Michigan, according to police, earning him the nickname the 'Scorecard Killer.'

Prosecutors described Kraft, a former computer programmer, as a fetishist who kept some of the dismembered parts of his victims in his freezer.

Kraft was ultimately convicted of 16 murders in California, although he's suspected of committing more than 60 murders across the West Coast and Michigan.

O'Fallon was identified as one of Kraft's victims when investigators said they found a camera in his garage following his arrest in 1983, the Los Angeles Times reported.

O'Fallon's mother's initials were inscribed on the camera, and she identified the device during Kraft's trial.

Evidence from Parks murder was transferred to the Orange County District Attorney's Office to be used in court.

Police long suspect Kraft was responsible for Parks (pictured) murder because they discovered his body one day after finding another one of the Scorecard Killer's victims

Kraft (pictured) was caught in 1983 when he was pulled over by police with a dead body in his car and coded list of his victims

Lydia Ansel, who is also a world renowned electric violinist, said genetic genealogy could revolutionize police investigations and potentially solve thousands of cold cases

In 2024, an Orange County Sheriff's Department investigator reached out to the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit and offered to help identify the remains using forensic investigative genetic genealogy.

A genetic profile was developed from a blood sample and Parks' identity was confirmed after possible family members submitted DNA profiles for comparison, according to police.

In 2023, the remains of Michael Ray Schlicht, 17, who police believe was killed by Kraft in California, were identified with the help of investigative genealogy non-profit Project Justice almost 50 years after he was found murdered in 1974.

Kraft, now 80, received the death penalty, but he remains incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison and has denied killing anyone.

After Schlicht was identified, Project Justice founders Justin Woo and Lydia Ansel told DailyMail.com the discovery is just the tip of the iceberg as genetic genealogy could revolutionize police investigations and potentially solve thousands of cold cases.

'It was heartbreaking that a 17-year-old child was in an unmarked grave for so long,' Ansel said. 'His family was never aware of what happened.'

She said their focus on cold cases comes from seeing important stories kept 'in storage for years', and 'while they're never forgotten they don't become as much of a priority when something happens today.'

While genetic genealogy has already become vitally important to investigations across America, Woo and Ansel said the recent successes are only the tip of the iceberg over its potential.

'These technologies have proven to be extremely effective, to the point where you get the feeling that it's a matter of funding versus the technology,' Ansel said.

'As we continue to fund cases, they get solved, so it's very exciting.'
A man who bought alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann's vintage Jeep has said he only purchased the car to troll Heuermann's family - and will never pay them a dime.

The suspected Long Island serial killer's ex-wife Asa Ellerup sought to sell Heuermann's 1972 Jeep and trailer to the highest bidder through an anonymous family representative.

Jonathan Randall then placed two reserve bids on eBay, but was initially outbid and had to make three more offers before he received a message that he won the military-style vehicle, according to the New York Post.

But when Heuermann's relative asked how he would be picking up the truck and how he planned to pay the $25,000 he bid, Randall simply responded: 'LOL.'

'You aren't going to profit off your husband's murders, you disgusting ghoul,' he wrote on X and BlueSky, sharing the message he received confirming he placed the winning bid.

'Guess who's not paying?' he added.

The 61-year-old Heuermann is accused of murdering seven women - many of them sex workers - in a crime spree that gripped the nation for almost two decades between 1993 and 2010. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Speaking to the Post of his decision to bid on the Jeep, Randall explained that it was the second time the vehicle was listed for sale on eBay.

The suspected Long Island serial killer's ex-wife Asa Ellerup sought to sell Heuermann's 1972 Jeep and trailer to the highest bidder through an anonymous family representative

Jonathan Randall said he purchased accused serial killer Rex Heuermann's vintage Jeep as a way to troll his family members - as he insists he will never pay for the vehicle

It had previously been removed early last month for violating the site's Violence and Violent Criminal Policy, which prohibits 'listings that glorify violence or violent acts.'

The original description for the Jeep said its 'owner was none other than The Long Island Serial Killer, Rex Heuermann,' but the second listing only noted that it was once owned by the 'Infamous RH.'

When Randall then tried to get site administrators to remove the second listing, he received a message defending the auction.

'It's not "murderabilia" until Rex is convicted,' a site representative told him, according to the Post.

At that point, Randall said he made it his mission to place the winning bid.

'To see someone try and blatantly profit off one of the most reprehensible crimes in recent history disgusted me to my core,' he explained, though it is unclear how Heuermann's family planned to use the proceeds from the auction.

A lawyer representing Ellerup only confirmed that the sale did not go through.

Heuermann owned the car when he allegedly committed six murders, but Suffolk County police ultimately determined it was never used in any of the alleged crimes - and the Jeep was returned to the family.

Randall shared confirmation that he had the highest bid on the Jeep to X and BlueSky

Heuermann owned the car when he allegedly committed six murders, but Suffolk County police ultimately determined it was never used in any of the alleged crimes - and the Jeep was returned to his family (pictured)

Heuermann began his alleged killing spree in 1993 and continued through at least 2010 - when Long Islanders first began to suspect there may be a serial killer on the loose.

That May, Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker, disappeared under bizarre circumstances.

She had gone to see a client in the Oak Beach Association community, but was left telling 911 operators that someone was trying to kill her.

As the search efforts for Gilbert continued into December, officers stumbled upon the body of Melissa Barthelemy in the mashes near Gilgo Beach.

Within days, three more women's bodies - Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Megan Waterman - were recovered.

Some of the victims had been bound, while others had been dismembered and their remains discarded across multiple locations.

Gilbert's body was found last. Investigators maintain that she was not a victim, but died by accidental drowning after she fled into the dense thicket that night.

Heuermann's alleged crimes began in 1993. He is last accused of murdering a woman in 2010

Heuermann's victims were found along the 16-miles strip of Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County, Long Island near Gilgo Beach

The Gilgo Beach serial killer case went unsolved for more than a decade - hampered by a corrupt police chief, James Burke, who was ultimately jailed for beating a man who stole porn from his police cruiser.

In July 2023 - following the launch of a new taskforce - Heuermann was dramatically arrested as he left his office in midtown Manhattan.

He was initially charged with the murders of three women: Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy and Megan Waterman.

But since then he has been charged with the murders of four more victims: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack.

Prosecutors have unveiled a trove of evidence against Heuermann, including hairs belonging to him and his family members found on some of the victims, cellphone data placing him in contact with some victims, and a chilling 'planning document' where he allegedly intricately detailed his kills.

It is alleged that Heuermann lured his victims to his house in Massapequa Park while his wife and children were away, noting Ellerup was on a trip to Iceland in July 2009 when Barthelemy went missing.

The 24-year-old had told a friend she was going to meet a client and was never seen alive again.

In the days following her disappearance, Barthelemy's teenage sister received taunting calls from her sibling's phone.

The male caller branded Barthelemy a 'whore' and gloated he had 'killed her'.

The calls then stopped when Heuermann flew out to join his family in Iceland.

Katherine Shepherd was 27 when she first met the then 41-year-old Rex Heuermann when they shared an office space in midtown Manhattan in the early 2000s. Pictured together on a night out

Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann and his wife Asa Ellerup together on their wedding day in 1995

The news of Heuermann's arrest two years ago shocked many of the architects former colleagues, who remembered him as acting like the life of the party and earning the nickname 'Sexy Rexy.'

I didnt even know about the Gilgo Beach Killer until two years ago,' Katherine Shepherd previously told the Daily Mail. 'It feels like someone is playing a trick on me. It feels like you are talking about someone else.'

'I am a little bit in denial, still. The practical side of me understands what happened but I just dont get it. It is really hard to comprehend.

'I didnt know he was capable of that. How is anyone capable of that? He has kids. How do you have kids and a wife and go off and do something like that,' she added.

Ellerup is now standing by her ex in his criminal case, despite filing for divorce from him just days after his arrest.

The proceedings were finalized in March, but the family says it was purely to protect their assets.

Since then, Ellerup has continued to attend Heuermann's court hearings where the defense is trying to toss critical DNA evidence in the case while Heuermann's legal team is trying to break up his trial into five separate ones.
A veteran Labour councillor has quit his party after almost 50 years after whistleblowing to party chiefs about a WhatsApp group where racist, sexist and homophobic jokes were made.

Vincent Ricci, 67, was suspended by Labour for being a member of the so-called Trigger Me Timbers group, featuring key Labour figures in the North-West.

The Mail on Sunday's revelations about the exchanges involving Labour figures Greater Manchester led to health minister Andrew Gwynne being sacked in February.

Mr Ricci's suspension came even though he raised concerns about the group to senior Labour officials before quitting the group in disgust in 2022.

The councillor was finally cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this month, and was told by party bosses in a letter that he was exonerated completely.

But the letter reprimanded Mr Ricci for giving an interview to BBC North-West days after his suspension, where he said he had done nothing wrong.

The MoS revealed how Mr Gwynne and other Labour party figures joked that a pensioner should 'croak it' because she complained about her bins.

They also made sexist jokes about Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner as well as anti-Semitic comments about a person's name being 'too Jewish.'

Vincent Ricci, 67, (pictured) was suspended by Labour for being a member of the so-called Trigger Me Timbers group, featuring key party figures in the North-West - even though he raised concerns about the group to senior Labour officials before quitting the group in disgust in 2022

The Mail on Sunday's revelations about the exchanges involving Labour figures Greater Manchester led to health minister Andrew Gwynne (pictured) being sacked in February

Mr Gwynne was sacked by Number 10 within hours of the MoS contacting the Prime Minister's office for comment.

Oliver Ryan, the Labour MP for Burnley who was also a member of the group, was suspended by the party, along with at least 11 Labour councillors in Greater Manchester.

While Mr Ricci was cleared, the Labour party issued a statement saying he, along with two other councillors, had been brought back to the party with 'a written warning.'

But the veteran politician asked Labour to clarify he had not engaged in any of the offensive exchanges, but was warned because he had given a BBC interview. But party officials refused to issue a new statement, not allowed him to talk to the media.

The long-serving councillor said he feels he has been 'thrown under a bus' by Labour because, without the clarification he asked for, locals still suspect he was involved in the 'jokes' which led to Mr Gwynne's dismissal.

Last week, Mr Ricci handed his resignation to Labour, after being a member of the party for 47 years.

He said: 'Labour have thrown me under a bus, I've never done anything wrong. I am disgusted they have put me part of this racist, misogynist, homophobic group. For that reason I have resigned from the Labour party.'

Earlier this month, after a six-month-long investigation, Mr Ryan was reinstated to the Labour party, alongside most of the suspended councillors. But Mr Gwynne remains suspended from the party as his investigation continues.

Oliver Ryan (pictured), the Labour MP for Burnley who was also a member of the group, was suspended by the party, along with at least 11 Labour councillors in Greater Manchester

Although Mr Ricci was a member of Trigger Me Timbers, he left the group in April 2022, having raised concerns about some of the messages to senior party figures.

But Labour did not investigate the group at the time.

Mr Ricci said he will carry on serving residents in his ward of Denton North-East as an independent councillor.

He said he endured verbal abuse on the street and on social media during the Labour investigation as people falsely accused him of posting abusive messages on Trigger Me Timber.

He said: 'I was called scumbag. One person said by email: 'I know you are a corrupt man. You are part of a group where corrupt activities took place.'

'I was concerned about my wife, as she was being asked questions in the supermarket.'

But since he resigned from Labour, he has been receiving messages of support from residents.
Germany is set to strip rejected asylum seekers of their automatic right to a lawyer in a bid to speed up deportations.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will scrap a rule that offers legal support to asylum seekers awaiting to be deported, The Telegraph reports.

Merz's allies claimed that the law - which had been passed by a previous government - was being used to cause delays in deportation cases.

Senior MP from Merz's Christian Democrats party told The Telegraph: 'We want the rate of deportations to increase, but many deportations fail due to people going into hiding or due to various legal and practical obstacles.'

MPs have raised concerns that these delays increase the risk of asylum seekers going into hiding.

The proposed new law has sparked controversy in Germany, with some experts warning that it could result in asylum seekers being unlawfully detained.

German refugee rights group, Pro Asyl, has condemned the proposal as undemocratic and 'constitutionally questionable'.

But Germany's interior ministry defended plans to scrap the mandatory legal support of asylum seekers, claiming that they would remove 'obstacles which keep us from preventing illegal migration'.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will scrap a rule that offers legal support to asylum seekers awaiting to be deported

German police check people arriving from France at the German-French border on September 16, 2024 in Kehl, Germany

During Merz's election campaign, he made reducing immigration a top policy on his agenda, and he went on to revoke Merkel's order on his first day in office

'Such mandatory legal representation, which was introduced under the previous government, was an attempt to prevent people who were required to leave the country from being deported, even after all other administrative and court procedures and possibilities for appeal had found that they had no right to remain in Germany', the ministry said.

The proposed new law is part of a wider package of reforms on migration, which was approved by Merz's cabinet in June.

Germany's new government has already placed curbs on migration including suspending family reunification and resettlement programmes, as it seeks to regain support from voters drawn to the far-right Alternative for Germany, which made historic gains in February's federal election.

The package is expected to be soon put to a vote in the German parliament.

But Merz's party want deportation proceedings to be fast-tracked, as they face pressure to respond to recent terror attacks committed by migrants who had no legal right to be in Germany.

The country has suffered three deadly terror attacks over the past year which were committed by rejected asylum seekers form Syria and Afghanistan in the cities of Solingen, Aschaffenburg and Munich.

The reforms come almost a decade after former German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the country's borders to nearly a million refugees fleeing war and persecution, a landmark decision that reshaped European politics.

She country granted protection to 3.5 million refugees, including many fleeing civil war in Syria , and about around 1.2 million Ukrainians seeking safety from Russia 's full-scale invasion.

September will mark the tenth anniversary of the peak of the European migration crisis, when then-Chancellor Merkel announced she would keep Germany s borders open to more than a million asylum seekers over the following year

Migrants get into a German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) vehicle, near Forst, eastern Germany on October 11, 2023, after a patrol at the border with Poland

Nigerian woman and her two children are escorted by German federal police officers after being required to disembark from a tourist bus at the Kiefersfelden border control station in southern Germany, upon entering from Austria on May 9, 2025

But Merkel's open border policy was scrapped by Merz, who issued orders to turn undocumented migrants away from the nation.

Earlier this week, German cities reported an easing of the national immigration 'emergency' after asylum claims were cut by half amid Merz's crackdown.

Since the start of 2025, there were 61,336 new asylum applications, half as many as were recorded over the same period last year.

And now, Germany has lost its title as the EU's prime destination for asylum seekers, having fallen behind Spain and France.

Towns have recorded a significant drop in pressure on public services since the country's immigration policy shifted, according to the Association of German Cities, which represents about 3,200 municipal authorities across the nation.

'In some towns there were still emergency accommodation facilities in tents, because otherwise there wouldnt have been places for [the asylum seekers] to stay. Now this kind of emergency accommodation can in some cases be dismantled,' Christian Schuchardt, the organisations director, told Augsburger Allgemeine.

The reasons behind the drop in the arrival of asylum seekers are disputed. While Merz's government has claimed credit - citing its stringent border measures as an effective deterrent - some suggest the figures had already begun to drop before he took office in May.

Allies of Olaf Scholz, the former chancellor of Germany, say the tide was already turning under the centre-left politician's leadership, due to his policies which included steps to turn away several categories of asylum seekers, and the deployment 'temporary' controls across the nation's entire land border.

But data suggests that the figures have less to do with Germany's policies and more to do with broader patterns in the geopolitics of the EU - where irregular crossings into the bloc as a whole fell by 38 per cent last year, according to Frontex.
The family of an Indigenous teenager who died during a police chase have had their request denied to hold a smoking ceremony inside a courtroom during the trial of his alleged killer.

Jai Wright died at just 16 years old after allegedly crashing a stolen trail bike into an unmarked police car during a police chase in Alexandria, inner Sydney.

The teen suffered severe head trauma and died in hospital one day after the crash on February 20, 2022.

Sergeant Benedict Bryant was charged with negligent driving occasioning death and dangerous driving occasioning death following an inquest into Jai's death.

He has pleaded not guilty and is due to face a judge-only trial at Sydney District Court this week.

Jai's family requested to hold a traditional smoking ceremony, in which native plants are burned to ward off evil spirits and offer blessings, inside the courtroom.

The bid, which had roughly 100 supporters, was denied late on Friday.

The family will be allowed to hold a smoking ceremony on court property, but it has to be outside.

Jai Wright (pictured) died on February 20, 2022, after allegedly crashing into an unmarked police car

Jai was riding a stolen trail bike during a police pursuit when he suffered the fatal injuries (pictured, the crash scene)

Jai's family were denied permission to hold a smoking ceremony in a courtroom but will be allowed to hold one on court property (pictured, the smoking ceremony at Jai's funeral)

Prominent Indigenous leader Warren Mundine told the Daily Telegraph holding the ceremony in the courtroom could create a 'perception issue'.

'It has a perception of sympathy towards the victim and against the accused. The legal system can't be seen to be biased or have a perception of bias,' he said.

NSW Supreme Court Justice Anthony Whealy similarly stated the smoking ceremony could be seen as the legal system giving preference to Jai's family.

'It's one thing to respect a person's culture but we are confronting a criminal trial in all its seriousness, and a smoking ceremony doesn't fit into that context at all,' he said.

Bryant's lawyer Paul McGirr had strongly argued against the request.

'Holding a smoking ceremony runs the risk of awarding special status to an alleged victim and is completely unfair to an accused person,' he said.

'It has absolutely no place in a court that has to remain objective.'

Bryant's barrister Brent Haverfield told Judge Stephen Hanley SC: 'There's no facility for it under any of the practice I know that would allow for it.'

The request was turned down, with Judge Hanley also noting the 'health and safety' risks of having a smoking ceremony in an enclosed courtroom.
A council boss running a 'bankrupt' local authority in one of Britain's poorest boroughs is being paid 1500 per day, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Paul Martin's appointment as the new interim chief executive of Newham Council in East London is now believed to have made him the highest paid local authority boss in the country.

Mr Martin has been hired by Labour-run Newham to work just four days per week, which means his annual salary based on his daily rate would be 312,000 per year.

This makes him better paid than the previous reported highest-earning council boss, Joanne Roney, the managing director of Birmingham City Council, whose annual salary is 295,000.

Mr Martin's salary is also almost twice more than Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pay of 166,786 per year.

The chief executive's 'astronomically high' salary has angered Newham councillors, including Labour ones.

They told the MoS the local authority is 'bankrupt', as it needed 67m in an emergency bailout from the Government in May in order to maintain vital services for its 360,000 residents.

The crisis-hit council was also served with a Best Value Notice from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, over concerns it was over-spending taxpayers' money.

Paul Martin (pictured) was appointed as the new interim chief executive of Newham Council in East London

Mr Martin has been hired by Labour-run Newham to work just four days per week, which means his annual salary based on his daily rate would be 312,000 per year

The Notice is a precursor to the Government sending in commissioners to run the council.

Mr Martin, 64, a career civil servant, was hired by Newham in July after its then chief executive, Abi Gbago, left after receiving a payout of 239,000, said council sources.

Ms Gbago's compensation was voted by councillors at a secret Town Hall meeting in July, where the press and public were banned.

The sudden departure of Ms Gbago has led to yet more scrutiny on the crisis-hit council's mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz, Britain's first elected female Muslim mayor.

Ms Fiaz, who is believed to be friends with London mayor Sadiq Khan, has seen at least six chief executives leave Newham Council during her eight-year tenure.

In May 2022, Ms Fiaz faced bullying allegations, when 26 Newham Labour councillors wrote a letter of complaint to the party headquarters.

In the letter, the councillors complained that their 'fear of being bullied and harassed by Ms Fiaz in both public and private is intolerable.'

Ms Fiaz also tried to sue her own council for race and sex discrimination, but withdrew her complaint in December, with the local authority agreeing to pay her legal costs of 36,000.

The previous reported highest-earning council boss was Joanne Roney (pictured), the managing director of Birmingham City Council, whose annual salary is 295,000

Newham Independents, one of the opposition groups in the borough, has claimed that the council has paid over 4m in compensation to employees in the past eight years of Ms Fiaz's tenure.

The group is making the claim in leaflets it is posting through letterboxes in the borough.

In February 2022, a series of Freedom of Information requests made by the GMB Union revealed that Newham Council paid 2.8m in compensation after signing 63 non-disclosure agreements with employees.

Newham is one the country's poorest boroughs, where the rate of overall poverty is at 38 per cent, according to data produced by the Trust for London.

Last night, Newham Council did not comment on Mr Martin's salary.

But on the former chief executive's departure, a spokesman said: 'Ms Gbago's departure was covered in an agreed statement published on the Council's website.'

The Labour Party did not comment on the letter it received from 26 Labour councillors accusing Ms Fiaz of bullying.

But a spokesman said: 'The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures.'
A black cab driver and serial rapist John Worboys faces a new rape claim investigation dating back to the 1990s.

Detectives have launched a fresh probe concerning an alleged attack in Blackpool, Lancashire, The Mirror reported.

The alleged victim said the assault took place over 25 years ago, when Worboys was working as a stripper.

According to The Mirror, specialist police officers visited his fellow performer Dave Hanson to uncover any vital clues.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: 'We received a report of rape which was reported to have happened in the late 1990s in Blackpool. An investigation was launched, and our enquiries are ongoing. No one has been arrested at this stage.'

This is the first time he has been the focus of an investigation outside of the capital.

Worboys is serving two life sentences after being jailed in 2009 for assaulting 12 women in London.

He was locked up indefinitely for public protection with a minimum term of eight years, after he was found guilty of 19 sex offences against 12 women between 2006 and 2008.

A black cab driver and serial rapist John Worboys (pictured) faces a new rape claim investigation dating back to the 1990s

Worboys, from Enfield, North London, became known as the 'black cab rapist' after attacking victims in his hackney carriage

Police believe the former male stripper committed offences against more than 100 women before he was caught.

As a result of the publicity, more victims came forward to report attacks dating back to 2000, meaning Worboys had been committing crimes up to six years longer than previously thought.

He was charged with further offences in May 2019 and admitted two counts of administering a drug with intent to commit rape or indecent assault, and two counts of administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Worboys, from Enfield, North London, became known as the 'black cab rapist' after attacking victims in his hackney carriage.

In several of the incidents, he pretended to be celebrating a win on the horses, or the lottery, as a pretext to give his victims alcohol - which he had laced with drugs.

During his sentencing at the Old Bailey, the court heard he had admitted to a psychologist that he plied a total of 90 women with alcohol, and drugged a quarter of them, after being inspired by pornography.

Worboys told psychiatrists he had been 'fantasising' about his crimes since 1986, and was motivated by 'hostility towards women'.

A probation report in August 2019 found: 'He is potentially just as dangerous now as the point of the first sentence.'

Worboys told psychiatrists he had been 'fantasising' about his crimes since 1986, and was motivated by 'hostility towards women'

Sentencing him, Mrs Justice McGowan said: 'I am satisfied to the required standard, on the evidence I have heard, that you are a continuing risk.

'I find you are currently dangerous. Your offending spans five years more than previously known.

'I do not know when, if ever, you will cease to be a risk. It will be for the Parole Board to decide in the future.'

The judge added that she was concerned about Worboys' ability to 'manipulate others' and his 'failure to admit' the risk he posed.

In all, Worboys received two life sentences with minimum terms of six years for drugging women with intent plus six years in jail for two charges of administering a substance with intent. All the sentences are to run concurrently.

Following his sentence, Tina Dempster, of the CPS, said: 'John Worboys is a dangerous predator who still poses a clear threat to women.

'The CPS concluded it was clearly in the public interest to prosecute him again, when more victims came forward last year and revealed he had been assaulting women much earlier than he appeared prepared to accept, or to admit to the Parole Board.

'Worboys claims to show remorse and believes he deserves credit for these guilty pleas.

'But the fact is he did not accept responsibility for his first set of convictions until recently and, in a clear effort to minimise the extent of his crimes, continued to dispute victims' accounts of the latest offences.

'I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of all women who came forward and today helped keep a prolific sex offender behind bars.'

Lancashire Police have been contacted for comment.
Royal Mail failed to deliver one in four first-class letters on time in the months after it was taken over by the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, it has been reported.

The postal service, which is already under scrutiny after it increased the cost of a first-class stamp to 1.70 in April, is failing to meet the targets imposed by the watchdog.

Ofcom requires the Royal Mail to deliver 90 per cent of first-class post the next working day and 98.5 per cent of second-class post within three working days.

However, new figures reveal that just 75.9 per cent of first-class letters and 89.3 per cent of second-class post were delivered on time between the end of March and June.

The stats are the first to be released since the postal service - which traces its lineage back to Henry VIII - fell under foreign ownership for the first time.

Mr Kretinsky's 3.6million takeover of the Royal Mail was completed earlier this year following a national security assessment - but sparked backlash from across Westminster.

Jamie Stephenson, Royal Mail's interim chief operating officer, said according to The Telegraph: 'Timely letter deliveries really matter to our customers, and they matter to us too.

'We are taking targeted steps to improve reliability, and we remain focused on delivering a better service for all our customers every day.'

Ofcom requires the Royal Mail to deliver 90 per cent of first-class post the next working day and 98.5 per cent of second-class post within three working days (file photo)

The firm has just been taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky (pictured) via his EP Group for 3.6billion

The postal service has promised to recruit more frontline staff to make the network 'more reliable and resilient'.

Royal Mail's current shortfalls come after it was announced that from April next year, Ofcom will lower the target for first-class mail to arrive the next working day from 93 to 90 per cent of deliveries.

The target for second-class mail to arrive within three days would be cut from 98.5 to 95 per cent.

Amanda Fergusson, of the Greeting Cards Association, previously said customers 'expect more for less from Royal Mail, not even less for significantly more'.

Royal Mail Interim Chief Operating Officer, Jamie Stephenson, said: 'Timely letter deliveries really matter to our customers, and they matter to us too.

'We are taking targeted steps to improve reliability, and we remain focused on delivering a better service for all our customers, every day.'

Royal Mail is facing an identity crisis as the number of letters being delivered continues to fall every year amid rising costs - with people now using digital means of communication to send urgent messages.

Twenty years ago, it said it was delivering 20 billion letters a year - equivalent to roughly two letters a day for every address in the UK, six days a week, all year round.

Your browser does not support iframes.

That has now fallen to around 6.6billion as of 2023/24, or around four letters a week per address.

Labour ministers approved the sale of International Distribution Services (IDS) - the Royal Mail's parent company - to Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group for 3.6billion last year, taking Britain's postal service into foreign ownership for the first time.

Kretinsky had amassed a 28 per cent stake in IDS over several years - and his takeover prompted a Government review due to the postal service's vital role in UK national infrastructure.

Through his companies, he also owns more than a quarter of West Ham United FC, 10 per cent of Sainsbury's and a gas transmission service that pipes Russian gas to Europe - a contentious link that nevertheless did not deter UK ministers.

Upon approval of the sale by shareholders last month, he said he would put 'employees and customers at the heart of everything IDS does'.
Criminals funnelling dirty money into UK property are pushing up the price of an average house in London by 11,000, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Illicit cash flowing into the housing market has inflated the average property price in Britain by 3,000, according to data compiled by anti-money laundering experts SmartSearch.

It estimates that since 2016 more than 11 billion of suspicious money has flowed into the UK property market - and it has made house ownership more of a struggle for ordinary families.

Of this, more than half came from shell companies registered in British Overseas Territories, many of which have been accused of serving as hubs for money laundering and tax evasion due to their opaque company laws that restrict public access to ownership records.

Over 87,000 properties in England and Wales are owned by anonymous firms based in tax havens, with around 40 per cent in London.

In some prime areas of the capital, such as Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, it was estimated that criminal cash had pushed prices up by as much as 20 per cent, giving rise to so-called 'lights out streets' where luxury homes sit empty under the ownership of shadowy overseas buyers.

SmartSearch boss Phil Cotter said: 'The UK property market is one of the most vulnerable sectors to financial crime, because of the high values involved and the ability for companies to buy, own, and sell property with minimal scrutiny.

'This allows criminals to exploit loopholeslike purchasing through anonymous shell companiesto clean their money.

Criminals funnelling dirty money into UK property are pushing up the price of an average house in London by 11,000 (file pic)

Since 2016 more than 11 billion of suspicious money has flowed into the UK property market - and it has made house ownership more of a struggle for ordinary families (file pic)

'These buyers often pay inflated prices to secure quick deals, which in turn distorts the entire market.'

Mr Cotter called on estate agents to face greater scrutiny for failing to stop ill-gotten gains being used for house purchases.

He highlighted data that showed around 14 per cent of the 25,000 registered estate agents in the UK had not undergone adequate anti-money laundering checks.

The warnings follow a report published last month (July) by the all-party parliamentary groups on anti-corruption and fair banking in which MPs from across political parties warned that Britain's property market was being 'distorted' by dirty money which was exacerbating the housing crisis.

They added that criminal activity would ultimately cause the property market to become 'unfair and uncompetitive' for ordinary people.

MP Phil Brickell, a member of the APPG on Anti-Corruption, said: 'These findings prove what we all knew already - dirty money threatens economic growth, national security and our very way of life.

'Not only are we giving international crooks and kleptocrats a way to clean and stash their ill-gotten gains, but we are pricing hard working people out of housing in the process.

'It is time to bring an end to the scandal of offshore secrecy by finally introducing corporate transparency registers.'
A Massachusetts mother was detained by federal immigration agents in front of her three young daughters - turning a family vacation into what her husband described as a nightmare.

Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, 42, a legal permanent U.S. resident, was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on August 11 after returning from a trip to Mexico with her family.

According to her attorney, the sudden detention was tied to a decades-old marijuana possession charge - an offense that is no longer considered criminal under current Massachusetts law.

'She was taken right in front of our girls,' her husband, Marcel Rosa, 38, said. 'They were crying and hugging her. I had to tell them, "We might never see your mother again in this country."'

Jimenez Rosa was held for 10 days in federal custody and transferred between several detention centers in Massachusetts and Maine - including one that houses only male detainees.

Her family said she was denied proper medical care for chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma and had to be hospitalized twice during her detainment.

Despite repeated inquiries from her legal team, federal agencies - including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) , CBP, and the U.S. Attorney's Office - did not respond, according to MassLive.

Jemmy Jimenez Rosa (pictured), 42, a legal permanent U.S. resident, was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on August 11 after returning from a trip to Mexico with her family

According to her attorney, the sudden detention was tied to a decades-old marijuana possession charge - an offense that is no longer considered criminal under current Massachusetts law. Pictured: Jemmy Jimenez Rosa with her husband, Marcel Rosa

Jimenez Rosa's attorney, Todd Pomerleau, said that it wasn't until the day of her release on August 20 that ICE indirectly confirmed the reason for her detention, referencing the marijuana charge in an email.

During her detention Pomerleau successfully petitioned a judge to vacate Jimenez Rosa's past conviction and immediately filed a motion for her release.

'After the motion was filed  they cowered,' Pomerleau said. 'The ICE lawyer said something to the effect by email, "They're going to let her out now, because clearly the marijuana charge isn't around anymore."'

'It's like, well, thank you for letting us know in writing that was the basis for her detention, which we still have never seen,' he added.

The charge dated back to 2003, when Jimenez Rosa was a 20-year-old college student.

She was arrested for possession of a small amount of marijuana, pleaded guilty, and completed probation - and her case was sealed over a decade ago.

'Her records were sealed for 12 years,' Pomerleau said. 'They [federal officers] would have had no access to these records unless somebody illegally handed them over. They never once asked me for records about the case. I had to guess that it might have been a marijuana charge because I was left in the dark for a week.'

She was held for 10 days in federal custody and transferred between several detention centers in Massachusetts and Maine - including one that houses only male detainees

The experience, the family said, has left deep emotional wounds. 'She's not the same,' Marcel said. 'She's crying throughout the day. She needs help. We all do.'

Pomerleau called the incident 'disturbing' and entirely unjustified.

'She was detained without a clear legal basis, denied medical care, and shuffled around like a criminal for a charge that's not even prosecutable under state law today,' he said. 'This never should have happened.'

The ordeal has sparked outrage from state lawmakers, including Sen. Paul Feeney, who was present when Jimenez Rosa was reunited with her family in Burlington.

'This was brutal and capricious,' Feeney said. 'Locking up a legally present Massachusetts mom and taking her from her young kids does not make our community safer. It instills fear and undermines the rule of law.'

Jimenez Rosa was eventually released with no phone and no transportation.

Her husband told MassLive she ended up at a Cheesecake Factory near the Burlington Mall - 30 miles from her Canton home - and borrowed a stranger's phone to call him.

'She was soaking wet from the rain, completely disoriented,' Pomerleau said. 'She was crying nonstop and barely able to speak.'

'She reminded me of asylum seekers who have been absolutely victimized. She was constantly breaking down in tears. She was trembling. All she did was just hold on to her kids and hold on to her husband, and she just sat there and cried for 45 straight minutes. She couldn't even function,' he said.

The experience, the family said, has left deep emotional wounds.

'She's not the same,' Marcel said. 'She's crying throughout the day. She needs help. We all do.'

Pomerleau vowed to continue pursuing legal accountability, saying the detention violated her constitutional rights.

'It is a big deal when law enforcement violates the law under the guise of enforcing it,' he said. 'But I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States as an attorney. The rule of law needs to be respected.'

'If it can happen to a non-citizen, Green Card holder who's been following nearly every rule her whole life, paying taxes - it can happen to you. It can happen to anybody. And we are taking a stand.'

Since returning home to Canton, Jimenez Rosa is 'not herself, her husband said on Friday.

The family is now arranging psychiatric care and a full medical evaluation to address the toll the ordeal has taken on her health.

To help cover the mounting legal and medical expenses, a GoFundMe has been launched and has raised over $14,000 toward its $16,000 goal.

Daily Mail has reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for comment.
The husband of a beloved nurse who was allegedly stabbed to death has been charged with murder.

Carra Samantha Luke, 48, was found dead inside a Taigum home, in Brisbane's north, at about 12.30am on Saturday.

Her husband Shane Scheikowski, 52, was charged on Sunday with one count each of murder (domestic violence offence) and enter dwelling with intent.

'He is due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow, August 25,' a Queensland Police spokesman said.

'There is no ongoing threat to public safety.'

Daily Mail can reveal Scheikowski is a Brisbane car club member and speciality dog breed enthusiast who had known Ms Luke for almost two decades.

Nundah Doctors Surgery in Wavell Heights, where Ms Luke worked, posted a heartfelt tribute to their colleague.

'A most empathic and caring human being, nurse, mother, and friend, Carra has been with us for 20 years and was the heart and soul of the practice,' a statement posted on its website read.

Carra Samantha Luke, 48, was found dead inside a Taigum home, in Brisbane's north, at about 12.30am on Saturday

Ms Luke's husband Shane Scheikowski (right) was charged on Sunday with one count each of murder ( domestic violence offence) and enter dwelling with intent

'She has cared for her patients and helped through the most difficult times with the greatest professionalism and dedication.

'She is irreplaceable, and we will miss her every day.

'She will always remain in our hearts here at the practice. To all our dear patients and friends of the practice, thank you for your support, care, and love.'

Ms Luke was known to people in the area as a devoted mother, a respected nurse and generous neighbour.

'Everyone on the street is devastated by the news,' neighbour Jackson Hughesman told Nine News.

'Carra was a kind and loving person who would go to extremes for anyone she met.'

Mr Hughesman said the family is in his thoughts during this hard time, adding: 'We will miss her chats, her generosity and kindness.'

Following initial investigations at the Taigum home, officers attended a Hackman Street home in McDowall, 11km away, where they located a 52-year-old man.

Crime scenes were established at both homes, with detectives and forensic officers seen scouring the quiet cul-de-sac throughout Saturday morning

Queensland Police outside one of the crime scenes established on Saturday

Crime scenes were established at both homes, with detectives and forensic officers seen scouring the quiet cul-de-sac throughout Saturday morning.

The SES also supported the search of a nearby aged care facility during the afternoon, which was then declared a third crime scene.
The loved ones of those killed by Erin Patterson's deadly lunch will confront the triple murderer in court, however her estranged husband Simon is expected to be absent.

Patterson, 50, in July was found guilty of killing her estranged husband's parents Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson following a months-long trial.

In addition to the three murders, Patterson was also convicted for attempting to kill Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson.

The four relatives of Simon Patterson, who separated from Erin Patterson in 2015, were invited to her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023, where she served a beef wellington laced with death cap mushrooms.

On Monday, Patterson will be transported from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre to face a pre-sentence hearing in Melbourne's Supreme Court.

There she will be forced to hear about the devastation she inflicted on loved ones of her victims as they present their victim impact statements to the court.

It's understood that Simon Patterson will not attend Monday's hearing in person.

Earlier this month, when Victoria Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale asked how many statements were expected, Crown prosecutor Jane Warren answered: 'All I can say is a lot.'

Erin Patterson (pictured) last month was found guilty of killing three of her estranged husband's relatives

Heather (left) and Ian Wilkinson (right) attended a lunch at Patterson's home on on July 29, 2023. Ian was the only survivor

Among those expected to confront Patterson are Ian, Don and Gail's four children, and Heather and Ian's four children.

They will be given the option to read out their statements or have them shared by a prosecutor.

One of the most anticipated statements is from Simon, who did not attend the trial in person except for the three days he testified as a witness.

While in the witness box, Simon said it will take him 'years' to properly 'grieve' the legal process, which he believes largely ignored his own suffering inflicted by Patterson.

Three attempted murder charges against Patterson were dropped before the trial.

Those allegations had stemmed from three occasions she allegedly tried to kill Simon before or during camping trips to Wilsons Promontory and Howqua.

In evidence kept secret from the jury, Simon claimed Patterson had served him various poisoned meals, including penne bolognese, chicken korma and a vegetable curry wrap, between November 2021 and September 2022.

He was hospitalised several times during that period and at one point underwent lifesaving surgery in which a large portion of his bowel was removed.

Patterson (pictured) was convicted for poisoning her husband's relatives by serving them a beef wellington laced with death cap mushrooms

Don (left) and Gail Patterson (right) were killed by the deadly lunch

In court, but without the jury present, Simon told Justice Beale the trial was 'very difficult'.

'I'm sitting here, half thinking about the things I'm not allowed to talk about and  I don't actually understand why it seems bizarre to me, but it is what it is,' he said.

The pre-sentence hearing comes as Patterson's high school classmates have opened up on what she was really like.

Patterson, then known as Erin Scutter, was accepted into an 'acceleration program' at University High School, in Melbourne's inner-city, in the mid 1980s.

A former student told the Herald Sun that members of the specialist unit mostly kept to themselves as they had a seperate program from the rest of the school.

The gifted students, nicknamed 'The Taskforce', were known for being 'super bright' but often 'odd'.

Patterson in particular was very reserved and considered a 'STEM girl' for her passion for math and science.

'I remember most people from the year, but not her  which is quite strange, because I knew a lot of the Taskforce kids,' the former student said.

Patterson (pictured during high school) was remembered by her former schoolmates as 'brilliant but unhinged'

The Trial of Erin Patterson is available now, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen here

'The Taskforce kids stuck to themselves. They were a distinct group, because they were getting a different sort of schooling to the rest of us.

'They have to be quite gifted. There are lots of tests and stuff to get in. They're usually really interesting kids, obviously very smart, but they were also a little bit kooky. They always had some sort of interest that was a bit unusual.'

Many of her classmates - including famous alumni University of Melbourne vice chancellor Emma Johnston and actress Marisa Fraser - didn't realise Patterson had attended their school until gossip spread.

One woman, whose sister was friends with Patterson in school, described her as 'brilliant but unhinged'.

Another said any strange traits that may have caused Patterson to stand out as a future murderer likely went unnoticed as many 'Taskforce' kids were unusual and 'everyone was accepted'.

Once the court is finished hearing the victim impact statements on Monday, the prosecution is expected to read out the 'aggravating' factors of the case.

The defence is set to also submit 'mitigating' factors, including psychiatric reports.

While murder carries a maximum sentence of life behind bars, the defence is likely to argue for a non-parole period or minimum sentence.

Justice Beale will indicate a timeline for sentencing on Monday.

Patterson is expected to file an appeal against her convictions within 28 days of being sentenced.

If successful, her convictions could be overturned and she we go to retrial..
A flight bound for Phoenix was forced to take emergency action after a fire broke out in the passenger rows.

American Airlines Flight 357 was en route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Saturday morning when a crew member saw smoke coming from a 'customer's device' and reported a fire, according to WUSA.

'The device was quickly contained by crew members prior to landing,' a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement, without specifying what type of device the passenger was using.

At that point, the flight - which had departed Philadelphia International Airport more than an hour late at 11.05am, was then diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport.

It landed safely in the DC area at 11.52am with 160 passengers and six crew members on board, according to data from FlightAware.

Emergency crews met the plane upon landing, with a photo posted online showing a firefighter apparently investigating the device.

First responders then helped the passengers and crew members off the Airbus A321.

An American Airlines flight bound for Phoenix, Arizona from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was forced to make an emergency landing on Saturday

A photo posted online showed a firefighter responding to the flight

Flight 357 landed safely at Washington Dulles International Airport around 11.50am

No injuries or arrests have been reported, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority told Fox News there were no impacts on flight operations.

'We appreciate the professionalism of our crew and thank our team who are working to get our customers to their destination as quickly as possible,' the airline spokesperson said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incident.
A woman who faced the possibility of becoming the first Australian to be executed in the United States has blamed her stepdaughter's death on antipsychotic drugs.

Lisa Marie Cunningham, 51, from Adelaide has spent more than seven years in a US maximum security prison after her seven-year-old stepdaughter Sanaa died in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2017.

She and her co-accused, American husband Germayne, 46, a former robbery-squad detective, have been charged with first-degree felony murder and have spent nearly eight years behind bars.

The charge means the prosecution believes the couple murdered the seven-year-old while committing a felony, in this case child abuse.

After lengthy trial delays, partially attributed to a backlog from Covid, they will go to trial next month. Arizona state prosecutors withdrew the death penalty in February.

The pair have pleaded not guilty to all charges including murder and child abuse.

In an interview for 7News Spotlight which aired on Sunday night, Cunningham said her daughter's death was caused by the child taking an antipsychotic medication.

'I think she died because of (the drug),' she said from Estrella Women's Jail, near Phoenix.

Lisa Marie Cunningham, an Australian woman accused of murdering her seven-year-old daughter in the US, has blamed her daughter's death on an antipsychotic medication

Sanaa (pictured) died from sepsis related to a chest infection, an abscess in her right foot and multiple skin ulcers

State prosecutors allege Cunningham (pictured) and her American husband, Germayne, abused Sanaa and killed her by tying her down so she couldn't expel fluid from her lungs

The child's behaviour had changed and she was taken to multiple doctors before she was prescribed the particular drug.

'(It) kills people,' Cunningham claimed.

'After about a week of her being on it, we started to research it online. And that's when I said, this drug's not even supposed to be given to anybody unless they're 13.'

An autopsy found Sanaa died from sepsis related to a chest infection, an abscess in her right foot and multiple skin ulcers.

The report also detailed more than 100 cuts or bruises, but ruled the little girl's death as 'undetermined', rather than 'homicide'.

However, Cunningham angrily denied she harmed her daughter and claimed the injuries were self-inflicted.

'How dare you, or anybody else, get to shame parents because they have a child that self-harms,' she said.

Sanaa was diagnosed with an unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

She was one of Cunningham's two children from a prior marriage. Germayne also had two children, and the couple had another two kids of their own.

Sanaa (pictured) had an unspecified schizophrenic disorder and had several injuries at the time of her death

Cunningham recalled the moment Sanaa died in Phoenix Children's Hospital as doctors attempted to intubate her.

'When they did that, her heart stopped and they did CPR for about 12 minutes. And then they came over and said, 'I'm sorry she's gone',' she said.

The prosecution previously alleged the couple restrained Sanaa by tying her down so she couldn't expel fluid from her lungs.

As part of the state's evidence, it pointed to several incriminating texts in which the parents described zip-tying the girl to a water container so their other children could sleep.

However, Cunningham denies she or her husband abused Sanaa.

'It's always been such a mystery to us why it is easier to believe that we tried to slowly kill her with this bizarre, delayed death torture story than it is to simply accept the fact that she entered into the early onset period of serious mental illness,' she said.

Court papers reveal the defence's case 'consists of more than 50,000 documents and several dozen witnesses, many of whom are medical professionals'.

Cunningham, a former prison guard, has been very vocal, through relatives, on social media about her innocence and struggle with living behind bars.

'Look, I've been fighting to clear my name for more than eight years now,' she dictated in one post.
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani struggled to lift a 135-pound barbell during an event in the city.

Mamdani, 33, shocked the political world when he defeated Andrew Cuomo to win the Democrat nomination to run the Big Apple, campaigning on far left policy and drawing controversy for his anti-Israel views.

On Saturday, the mayoral candidate was spotted attending the annual Men's Day open streets event in Brooklyn.

Video shared on social media showed Mamdani was unable to lift a 135-pound barbell without assistance.

Dressed in an white collared long sleeve shirt, black slacks and dress shoes, Mamdani was cheered on by the crowd as he lay on the weightlifting bench.

'This is how you move up in the polls,' one onlooker shouted, encouraging the 33-year-old to lift the weight.

However, as he went to bench press the weight, Mamdani's spotter never let go of the bar.

After two repetitions, the mayoral frontrunner stopped, got off the bench, thanked his spotter and left.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, 33, seemingly struggled to bench a 135-pound weight

As he went to bench press the weight, Mamdani's spotter never let go of the bar, sparking ridicule online

The footage sparked ridicule online, including from his political rival, Mayor Eric Adams.

'64 vs. 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves,' Adams said.

'The weight of the job is too heavy for "Mamscrawny." The only thing he can lift is your taxes.'

'Zohran out here preaching revolution but cant even bench 95lbs; bros strongest lift is raising your taxes,' another person said.

A third person added, 'The lefts, in the case communist, attempt to come off masculine is so outrageous. Has the opposite effect but they genuinely dont seem to know or care. Shameless and hilarious at the same time. Hard combo to pull off. Hope they keep it up.'

Others came to his defense, emphasizing that running for office has nothing to do with a person's capabilities in the gym.

'Public service should be about policy and integrity, not proving strength in a gym setting,' one person said.

'Bench press ain't everything, homie. Mamdani's still got mad game,' said a second.

Mamdani shocked the political world when he defeated Andrew Cuomo to win the Democrat nomination to run the Big Apple while running on a far-left platform

Mamdani has campaigned on a series of woke policies that would drastically reshape the City that Never Sleeps.

He has said he wants to raise taxes on millionaires and corporations by $9 billion to subsidize his plans for fare-free buses, free child care and housing.

Mamdani, who is currently serving in the New York State Legislature, also wants to spend $65 million on transgender care and has pushed populist ideas including grocery stores that would be owned by the city.

Additionally, the controversial figure has advocated for defunding the city's police department - but vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to set foot in the Big Apple.

His main opponents in the general will be former governor Andrew Cuomo and current mayor Eric Adams, both of whom are running as independents. Former US Attorney Jim Walden and Curtis Sliwa, the perennial Republican option, are also in the race.

Mamdani recently received some backlash for his extravagant wedding at his wealthy parents million-dollar compound in Uganda.

While he was in Uganda, his horrific anti-NYPD tweet reemerged in the wake of the Midtown mass shooting where four people were killed, including NYPD officer Didarul Islam, 36.
Australia's oldest suburban rail network is on track for its first new station in more than a decade in a bid to boost construction of 10,000 homes in the nation's most expensive property market.

Construction of Woollahra Station - on Sydney's eastern suburbs line - didn't happen when the route was built in the 1970s because of community opposition.

But the NSW government wants trains to stop there to support 10,000 new homes and rebalance housing construction, which has predominantly occurred in the city's west in recent years, to areas with existing infrastructure.

'For too long, young people and families in NSW have been forced to choose between moving away from the Sydney CBD or not being able to afford a home at all,' Premier Chris Minns said on Sunday.

A station at Woollahra would give commuters a direct train to the CBD in eight minutes.

Woollahra has been assessed as the most feasible area to build new housing near the city, but consistently lags on new home approvals.

Its population has declined by 11 per cent in the past five decades, while Greater Sydney has grown by 74 per cent, the government says.

Social housing agency Homes NSW does not have landholdings around the station and has not been investigating providing social and affordable housing in the area, Housing Minister Rose Jackson told a budget estimates hearing on Friday.

Construction of Woollahra Station - on Sydney 's eastern suburbs line - didn't happen when the route was built in the 1970s because of community opposition

But rezoning around Woollahra and nearby Edgecliff station would include 'a dedicated portion of affordable housing', she said on Sunday.

It will likely come from developers who can access higher floorspace ratios and building heights in exchange for designated affordable housing.

The exact zoning proposals will not be finalised for about two years with construction on the new station slated to begin in 2027.

Mr Minns said the government would examine rezoning a radius of 400 metres around nearby Edgecliff station that could allow for buildings with a maximum height of 21 floors.

The 10,000 homes would be available around 10-15 years after the estimated completion of the station in 2029.

'It's a decision that won't be met by universal happiness in the local community, I accept that,' Mr Minns told reporters on Sunday.

'But the alternative, where we're effectively saying to the next generation of young Australians, you do not have a future in this city because there's not a house for you, is intolerable.'

The last heavy rail stations opened between Glenfield and Leppington in Sydney's southwest in 2015 as housing construction in the area increased.

Mr Minns said the government would examine rezoning a radius of 400 metres around nearby Edgecliff station that could allow for buildings with a maximum height of 21 floors

New construction has more recently focused on automated Metro services, which now run between Tallawong in the city's northwest and Sydenham, and eventually on to Bankstown in the southwest.

The ongoing Metro West project from the CBD to Parramatta is several years away, but a push to allow for 25,000 homes near a potential station at Rosehill failed when the owners of the suburb's racecourse opted not to sell the site in May.
A blistering heatwave is sweeping across the Western states this weekend, putting millions at risk as extreme temperatures surge to dangerous levels.

About 1.2 million people are under 'extreme heat risk' advisories, with forecasters warning that dangerously high temperatures - combined with little to no relief overnight - could lead to serious health emergencies.

The most grueling temperatures are hitting California and Arizona with fears the scorching conditions could turn deadly on Sunday.

Heatwave conditions are stretching as far north as parts of Oregon and Washington.

In Arizona, the area of greatest concern is Tucson, where temperatures are expected to soar between 102 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, California continues to grapple with widespread heat warnings, especially in the state's Southern regions where residents are already experiencing prolonged high temperatures nearing 105 degrees, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Nationwide, an additional 18.6 million people are facing a 'major heat risk' - a level of danger that poses significant threats to outdoor workers, athletes, and those without consistent access to cooling or hydration.

In Portland, Oregon, the NWS reported a preliminary record-breaking high of 102 degrees on Friday - shattering the previous daily record of 98 degrees set in 1942.

Approximately 1.2 million people were under 'extreme heat risk' advisories, with forecasters warning that dangerously high temperatures could lead to serious health emergencies. Pictured: Los Angeles County lifeguards stand on guard as people cool off at Castaic Lake

The most intense risk is centered in Washington, Oregon, Southern California and Nevada

The record-setting Portland heat has already sent people to emergency rooms. On Friday, during the city's annual Hood to Coast relay race - which stretches from Mt. Hood to the Pacific coast - at least one participant collapsed from the extreme heat.

David Loftus, a writer and amateur actor from Portland, lost consciousness after completing his leg of the relay despite hydrating and pouring water over himself beforehand.

'I don't remember collapsing,' Loftus said. 'Some other stranger saw me wobbling and caught me before I hit the ground.'

He regained consciousness to find an ambulance waiting and spent the night under hospital observation before recovering.

His case was just one of 16 emergency visits related to heat recorded Friday in the Portland metro area - six of them connected to Hood to Coast participants, according to Brendon Haggerty of the Multnomah County Health Department.

Nationwide, an additional 18.6 million people are facing a 'major heat risk' - a level of danger that poses significant threats to outdoor workers, athletes, and those without consistent access to cooling or hydration. Pictured: Construction crews work in the heat in Los Angeles

'Typically, we see a single visit or no visits. Yesterday, we had 16,' Haggerty told the Associated Press via email.

The warnings come with grim reminders. In June 2021, Portland suffered a deadly heatwave with temperatures hitting 116 degrees.

The event led to over 100 deaths, most of them among people over the age of 60 and living alone. The youngest victim was 37.

Officials have since urged residents across the affected regions - including Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and parts of California - to stay indoors when possible, hydrate frequently, and check on vulnerable neighbors as the heatwave continues into the weekend.
Family of a mother-of-two who was allegedly stabbed to death over the weekend have broken their silence after her husband was charged with murder.

Nurse Carra Samantha Luke, 48, was found dead with multiple stab wounds inside a Taigum home in Brisbane's north about 12.30am on Saturday.

On Sunday, her husband Shane Scheikowski, 52, was charged with one count each of murder (domestic violence offence) and enter dwelling with intent.

Family remembered Ms Luke as a compassionate mother and devoted nurse in a statement released on Sunday.

'Carra was a remarkable woman who touched countless lives with her warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness,' the family said, according to the Courier Mail.

'A devoted mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunty and friend, she gave love so freely that everyone who knew her felt like part of her family.

'Through her compassion and gentle spirit, she carried the power to comfort, encourage, and uplift others, leaving behind memories that will be cherished forever.'

Ms Luke was reportedly found unresponsive by one of her daughters and could not be saved despite the best efforts of paramedics.

Ms Luke (pictured) has been remembered as a giving mother and devoted nurse

Shane Scheikowski (right) has been charged with the murder of his wife Carra Luke

Ms Luke was found unresponsive by one of her daughters at an address in Taigum

Hours later, police arrested Scheikowksi at an address in McDowall, a short drive southwest of the alleged murder scene, before releasing him without charge.

He was charged with Ms Luke's murder after being arrested again on Sunday.

Daily Mail earlier revealed Scheikowski is a Brisbane car club member and specialty dog breed enthusiast who had known Ms Luke for almost two decades.

Nundah Doctors Surgery in Wavell Heights, where Ms Luke worked, posted a heartfelt tribute to their colleague.

'A most empathic and caring human being, nurse, mother, and friend, Carra has been with us for 20 years and was the heart and soul of the practice,' a statement posted on its website read.

'She has cared for her patients and helped through the most difficult times with the greatest professionalism and dedication.

'She is irreplaceable, and we will miss her every day.

'She will always remain in our hearts here at the practice. To all our dear patients and friends of the practice, thank you for your support, care, and love.'

Police at the home where a woman was found dead by a family member in Brisbane's north

Ms Luke was known to people in her community as a devoted mother, a respected nurse and generous neighbour.

Crime scenes were established at the homes in Taigum and McDowall and forensic officers were seen scouring the Taigum address into Sunday.

The SES also supported the search of a nearby aged care facility during the afternoon, which was then declared a third crime scene.

Ms Luke's family said her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched as a nurse, mother and giving member of her community.

'Though her time with us was far too short, she filled every moment with care and an open heart. Her dedication as a nurse was more than just a profession - it was a true reflection of who she was,' they said.

'Even in the midst of her own struggles, she found the strength to tend to the needs of others, embodying selflessness in every sense.

'Her legacy is not only in the countless lives she healed, but in the love and light she brought to the world each day.

'Though we grieve her passing deeply, we celebrate the beautiful soul we were so fortunate to know, and we carry her spirit forward in the kindness we show to one another.'

The family requested privacy and asked mourners to pay their respects by donating to the organisation RizeUp.

Scheikowski is set to front Brisbane Magistrates' Court on Monday.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have told of their 'deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage of the Ukrainian people' in an Independence Day letter to President Zelensky.

Taking to X on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader shared a screenshot of the letter from the Royal Family and said he was 'grateful' for his 'kind words'.

In a heartfelt letter on Ukrainian Independence Day, King Charles wrote: 'Dear Mr. President!

'My wife and I sincerely congratulate you and the people of Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day.

'I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people. I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

'My wife and I are delighted to extend our warmest and most sincere wishes to you and all Ukrainians for the coming year. King Charles III'.

In response, Zelensky said: 'I am grateful to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his cordial wishes to all Ukrainians on our Independence Day.

'His Majesty's kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war.

Taking to X on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader shared a screengrab of the letter from the Royal Family and said he was 'grateful' for his 'kind words'

King Charles and Queen Camilla told of their 'deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage of the Ukrainian people' in an Independence Day letter to President Zelensky

In response, Zelensky said: 'I am grateful to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his cordial wishes to all Ukrainians on our Independence Day

'We appreciate the United Kingdom's leadership in supporting Ukraine and our just cause: to defend freedom from tyranny and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe'.

Zelensky also posted messages of his thanks to other world leaders who had taken to X to share words of encouragement and support on Sunday, including Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish Prime Minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, the Swiss President, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, and Xi Jinping, the President of China.

It comes as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to mark Ukrainian Independence Day.

'On this Ukrainian Independence Day, and at this critical moment in their nation's history, Canada is stepping up our support and our efforts towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,' Carney wrote on X as he touched down in the capital.

The UK government has announced that Ukrainian flags will appear above Downing Street on Sunday in recognition of the anniversary.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow.

'In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraine's armed forces in the strongest possible position.

'And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.'

The Ministry of Defence has also announced that British military experts will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers until at least the end of 2026, with an extension to Operation Interflex.

Operation Interflex is the codename given to the UK Armed Forces' training programme, which has been created to develop and prepare Ukrainian recruits to fight their country's Russian invaders.

But despite the country celebrating its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Russian officials said that on Sunday morning a fire was put out at a nuclear power plant in Russia's western Kursk region and air defences shot down a Ukrainian drone.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to mark Ukrainian Independence Day

There's been a flurry of high-stakes diplomacy this month as US President Donald Trump jetted to Alaska for a face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15

US President Donald Trump holds an image of him and Russian President Vladimir Putin from their meeting in Alaska, August 22, 2025

The drone detonated when it fell and damaged a transformer, but radiation levels were normal and there were no casualties, a post from the plant's account on messaging app Telegram said.

The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency has made repeated calls for both Russia and Ukraine to show maximum restraint around nuclear facilities in the war.

There's been a flurry of high-stakes diplomacy this month as US President Donald Trump jetted to Alaska for a face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15.

The summit was hailed as a potential breakthrough in the bloody Ukraine conflict.

But while both leaders emerged insisting the talks had been 'a success,' behind the scenes frustration is mounting - with Trump now openly venting his anger at the lack of progress.

The US President has warned he is weighing up dramatic options, including slapping Moscow with fresh economic sanctions, hitting it with punishing tariffs, or even walking away from the talks entirely.

'I'm going to make a decision as to what we do and it's going to be, it's going to be a very important decision, and that's whether or not it's massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or we do nothing and say it's your fight,' Trump said on Friday.

On the other side, Zelensky has been pleading for an unconditional ceasefire, with strong backing from European allies.

But he has accused Moscow of blocking any chance of a face-to-face with Putin, claiming the Kremlin is 'doing everything it can' to stop peace.

Russia's veteran foreign minister Sergei Lavrov hit back, insisting Putin is willing to meet Zelensky - but only 'when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all'.
The story of rival warlords battling it out in one of the worlds most war-torn countries has been told today in gripping detail.

The latest episode of the Daily Mail's hugely popular Battle Board YouTube series explains the long-running and complex conflict in the African country of Sudan.

Using a series of easy-to-follow maps and pictures, foreign correspondent Chris Pleasance explains to viewers the country's history, as well as the latest fighting.

Chris describes how it has been 69 years since Sudan gained independence from Britain, but at least 59 of them have been marred by conflict.

He points out that after independence Sudan's newly elected government was weak, divided, and struggling to get anything done amid a civil war that was already underway between north and south.

Within three years, there were three coups, one of which overthrew the government and replaced it with a military strongman, establishing a pattern that was repeated over and over.

Since independence, there have been no fewer than 20 coups, three civil wars, a genocide, and the country has split in two.

Sudan is in northeastern Africa and it is one of the largest, least developed, and most war-torn countries on the entire continent. Today, there are two separate nations, Sudan and South Sudan.

The latest episode of the Daily Mail's hugely popular Battle Board YouTube series explains the long-running and complex conflict in the African country of Sudan

Sudan is in northeastern Africa and it is one of the largest, least developed, and most war-torn countries on the entire continent

In the 69 years since Sudan gained independence from Britain, at least 59 of them have been marred by conflict

But all of it was originally part of one enormous country. The capital Khartoum is where the blue and white Nile rivers join before flowing into Egypt.

This arid northern part of Sudan is primarily Arab Islamic, the single largest ethnic and religious group in the country who dominate its military and political institutions.

The greenest central and southern parts are home to Christians and a plethora of other ethnic and religious groups, over 300 of them by some estimates.

The current civil war is the latest episode in bouts of conflict that followed the 2019 ousting of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup in 1989.

There were huge street protests calling for an end to his nearly three-decade rule, and the army mounted a coup to remove him.

A joint military-civilian government was then established but that was overthrown in yet another coup in October 2021.

It was staged by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and in effect the country's president.

Also involved in the coup was his deputy, the leader of the militia group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as 'Hemedti'.

Using a series of easy-to-follow maps and pictures, foreign correspondent Chris Pleasance explains to viewers the country's history, as well as the latest fighting

Since independence, there have been no fewer than 20 coups, three civil wars, a genocide, and the country has split in two

The capital Khartoum is where the blue and white Nile rivers join before flowing into Egypt

Chris explains that the roots of the current civil war can be traced back to the coup as it landed the two men in an 'uneasy' power sharing agreement.

And although the goal was to return to civilian rule with the RSF and SAF to combine forces - it never worked out.

Chris said: 'But as ever in Sudan, civilian rule lost out. Deadlines lapsed. Trust between Burhan and Hamemedi broke down. And then a fresh round of fighting erupted in 2023.

'This is the biggest war you've never heard of, pitting two former allies against one another in a brutal struggle for power.

'It is the war that has wrecked the Sudin economy and spelled disaster for its people, sparking the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today. This is the Sudan civil war. And this is battleboard.'

The war has sparked what the International Rescue Committee has called the largest humanitarian crisis on record, and yet has attracted little attention internationally.

In their 23-minute explainer, Chris and the team at Battle Board look to answer the question: Why Sudan so war-torn and will it ever find peace?

To watch the video in full, visit the Daily Mail World YouTube channel.
A young father who fell to his death at a popular hiking spot while trying to collect litter has been remembered by friends and family.

Stephen Paul Queen, 34, died after falling from a cliff at Morialta Conservation Park, in Adelaide's north-east about 12.30pm on Saturday.

His sister Katherine Queen recalled her brother's final, selfless act in a statement posted to social media on Sunday.

'As an avid environmentalist who cares for nature, he went to pick up a piece of litter that was just off the path, and in a freak accident, fell off a cliff,' Ms Queen said.

'He passed away apparently instantly,' she added.

She said her brother died doing 'something he loved dearly - hiking Morialta with a friend'.

Other hikers were first alerted to the incident after the woman Mr Queen had been hiking with ran up to them while calling for help.

'She said she just met with this man in class and she just for the first time went out with him and this thing happened,' hiker Aliman Tazudin told Nine News.

Stephen Paul Queen (pictured) died after a freak hiking accident on Saturday afternoon

The park was closed to the public as emergency crews conducted a retrieval operation

'She said her friend doesn't like littering and because he saw a bottle over the fence so he tried to go over the fence and right after that he fell down.'

Police and emergency crews rushed to the scene on Saturday afternoon, following reports someone had fallen near Deep View Lookout.

Despite their best efforts, the 34-year-old died at the scene.

'Police are investigating the circumstances of death. At this stage it is not believed to be suspicious,' South Australia police said on Saturday evening.

Ms Queen wrote that her brother left behind a 'beautiful eight-year-old girl who he loves immensely and a family who is incredibly devastated by this freak accident'.

Tributes from friends and family poured in across social media on Sunday, farewelling Mr Queen, who they described as a good natured, family man.

'He had a beautiful nature and was the kindest soul to everyone he ever met,' an old friend wrote.

'Queenie was one of those big hearted people who wanted nothing more than to spend time with those he loved and to enjoy life to its fullest.'

Mr Queen was reportedly attempting to collect a piece of litter when he plunged to his death

Emergency crews were unable to save him after rushing to the scene on Saturday afternoon

She wrote Mr Queen's passions included caring for animals, the environment, music, coffee making, volunteering and raising his daughter.

'This whole thing is heartbreaking in every sense of the word as his passing was a freak accident, needless and tragic.

'He touched the lives of so many people and left memories that will never be forgotten.

'I just thought you were going to be around forever with us.'

Another friend described him as a 'unique, one-of-a kind guy' who 'will be missed'.

Morialta Conservation Park was closed to the public for several hours while emergency crews conducted a challenging recovery operation.

It comes three years after father Robert Bell, 48, died after falling from a remote clifftop trail within the same park.

That incident prompted calls for a safety review into the park, including the condition of the track, signage and other risk factors.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Ukraine's military intelligence claims to have killed three Russian soldiers accused of carrying out some of the worst atrocities of the war in Bucha in 2022 in a dramatic revenge attack timed to coincide with the country's Independence Day.

The men, branded among Putin's 'Bucha Butchers', were blown up in a targeted air strike in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region.

Two more were said to have been left seriously wounded in the explosion, according to Ukraine's GUR intelligence directorate.

Bucha - a quiet commuter town just outside of Kyiv - became a byword for Russian barbarism in 2022, when retreating Kremlin troops left behind mass graves and streets littered with bodies.

Civilians were executed in cold blood, tortured, mutilated and raped as Moscow's soldiers unleashed a reign of terror during their failed assault on the capital.

Dozens of corpses, many bound or bearing signs of torture, were later uncovered, sparking global outrage and war crimes investigations.

Yesterday's blast ripped through the Kalynove village, where the Russian unit was said to be operating as a mobile air defence group covering a military-repair base.

The detonation destroyed two pick-up trucks mounted with machine guns, one of which was loaded with ammunition.

Ukrainian GUR military intelligence claims to have killed three Russian war criminals responsible for the 2022 Bucha killings

Military intelligence also claimed to have injured another two during a special operation on the territory of the occupied Luhansk region of Ukraine

Bucha - a quiet commuter town just outside of Kyiv - became a byword for Russian barbarism in 2022, when retreating Kremlin troops left behind mass graves and streets littered with bodies. Pictured: The Russian massacre in Bucha, Ukraine in 2022

'In 2022, [these] Russian occupiers directly took part in committing war crimes in the city of Bucha,' said the GUR.

'The detonation was in the yard of an apartment building where six Russian invaders were staying with their military transport.

'There will be just retribution for every war crime committed against the Ukrainian people,' they added.

The troops are believed to have served in the notorious 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, as well as in elements of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division - units strongly linked to the Bucha massacres.

Russia's Rosgvardia and Chechen fighters were also deployed in the town during the bloodshed.

The strike came as Ukraine marked 34 years of independence from Moscow's rule.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to mark Ukrainian Independence Day.

'On this Ukrainian Independence Day, and at this critical moment in their nation's history, Canada is stepping up our support and our efforts towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,' Carney wrote on X as he touched down in the capital.

Other world leaders shared messages of encouragement and support to President Volodymyr Zelensky on X.

King Charles and Queen Camilla told of their 'deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage of the Ukrainian people' in an letter to the Ukrainian President.

Civilians were executed in cold blood, tortured, mutilated and raped as Moscow 's soldiers unleashed a reign of terror during their failed assault on the capital. Pictured: The Russian massacre in Bucha, Ukraine in 2022

Dozens of corpses, many bound or bearing signs of torture, were later uncovered, sparking global outrage and war crimes investigations. Pictured: The Russian massacre in Bucha, Ukraine in 2022

'In 2022, [these] Russian occupiers directly took part in committing war crimes in the city of Bucha,' said the GUR. Pictured: The Russian massacre in Bucha, Ukraine in 2022

As well as the British royal family, Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish Prime Minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, the Swiss President, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, and Xi Jinping, the President of China, all posted messages.

The UK government announced that Ukrainian flags will appear above Downing Street on Sunday in recognition of the anniversary.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow.

'In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraine's armed forces in the strongest possible position.

'And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace.'

The Ministry of Defence has also announced that British military experts will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers until at least the end of 2026, with an extension to Operation Interflex.

Operation Interflex is the codename given to the UK Armed Forces' training programme, which has been created to develop and prepare Ukrainian recruits to fight their country's Russian invaders.
A devious tricksters plot to avoid paying child maintenance by having his friend take a DNA test on his behalf backfired with both men receiving suspended jail terms.

A court heard Stephen Lords act of gross stupidity was doomed to failure  as the friend who took the test under his name, Simon Brooks, had attached his photograph.

The attempt to hoodwink the authorities three years ago came to light after the childs mother was told the DNA sample was not a match.

When she asked to see the photograph of Lord provided with the sample, she recognised it was not him.

Sentencing the pair, at Hull Crown Court, Judge John Thackray KC said: This was an act of gross stupidity doomed to failure.

He branded Lords attempt to avoid paying child maintenance a ridiculous idea, adding: You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself.

Lord, 27, of Hull, East Yorkshire, and Brooks, 31, of Leicester, admitted conspiracy to defraud the Department for Work and Pensions between September 21, 2022 and March 13 last year.

Brooks also admitted fraud by pretending to be Lord on November 1, 2022, to avoid the payment of child maintenance by Lord.

Stephen Lord arranged for his friend to take his place on a DNA test for child's paternity

Simon Brooks agreed to pretend to be Lord so he could attempt to dupe his responsibilities

Harry Bradford, prosecuting, said the mother, who was not named, made an application for child maintenance on June 10, 2022 and named Lord as being liable for paying it.

Lord denied that this was the case and claimed that this had been shown in a private DNA test some years earlier, the court was told.

The Child Maintenance Service insisted he complete a further test via one of its forensic providers, which was arranged for November 1, 2022.

An appointment was set up and a DNA sample taken  with doctor believing the man who turned up, and made signed declarations, was Lord. But the court heard it was Brooks who had attended.

Brooks, claiming to be Lord, had brought a photograph with him but it was not deemed sufficient, so he agreed that he would send another via post to the surgery so that this could be attached to the sample paperwork.

The woman received the results of the DNA test saying that Lord was not the person involved. She assumed that this must be correct as Lord would have been required to go a centre to have the test done.

Both men were given suspended prison sentences by a judge at Hull Crown Court

But the deception came to light during a subsequent videocall with the Child Maintenance Service, when the mother was shown the photograph attached to paperwork with the DNA sample

Mr Bradford said she immediately recognised it to show Brooks and not Lord.

After further investigation, Lord was arrested on March 13 last year and Brooks five days later.

Lord initially provided a statement denying that he had sent anyone else to do the test. His phone was seized and a DNA sample was taken from him.

The DNA sample from November 1, 2022, was found to match the profile obtained from Brooks during investigations.

Mobile phone evidence showed messages on Brooks phone showing that he and Lord discussed the DNA test and edited a photograph to send to the clinic to attach to the sample.

The court heard the loss to the woman as a result of the fraud was estimated to be 4,637 but this was due to be "back paid" to cover it, said Mr Bradford. If the deception had been successful, she could have faced a potential loss of about 29,132.

Stephen Robinson, mitigating, said that Lord pleaded guilty and had no previous convictions.

Mr Robinson added: This was an act of gross stupidity doomed to failure but serious. The defendant knows that he needs to be punished.

Samantha Laws, representing Brooks, said: This was an act of gross stupidity from both of these defendants.

Lord was given an eight-month suspended prison sentence and 150 hours' unpaid work. Brooks was given nine months suspended and 100 hours' unpaid work.
A British Airways flight was thrown into chaos after 20 passengers were removed before takeoff because extreme heat had made the plane too heavy to take off.

The passengers were forced to leave so extra fuel could be pumped aboard the plane which was leaving Florence's Amerigo Vespucci Airport bound for London City Airport.

Due to the sweltering 35C heat, the BA Embraer ERJ-190 needed more fuel because it had to work harder to reach cruising altitude.

This had made the air less dense and the aircraft required more fuel to do the same job  a necessity that added a significant amount of weight.

This situation was not helped by the short 5,118ft runway at the Florence airport, less than half the length of Gatwick's 10,879ft runway.

A British mum on the half-empty flight said staff originally wanted 36 people to get off, but only about 20 volunteered in the end.

The incident took place earlier this month.

A British Airways flight (stock picture) was thrown into chaos after 20 passengers were removed before takeoff because extreme heat had made the plane too heavy to take off

But due to the sweltering 35C heat in Florence (stock image), the BA Embraer ERJ-190 needed more fuel because it had to work harder to reach cruising altitude

The plane was bound for London City Airport (pictured) earlier this month

In the past, there have been other examples of airlines having been impacted by the same problem, which can change very quickly.

It is the pilot's job to calculate the 'density altitude', an equivalent altitude based on the temperature, to determine if a plane is able to get in the air safely with the runway available.

A spokesperson for BA apologised to the passengers who were affected.

They told the Daily Mail: 'Due to the unique nature of the airfield with a short runway, extreme temperatures affect air pressure, so aircraft weight must be reduced.

'Were sorry for the inconvenience this caused our customers and our teams worked hard to get them to their destination as quickly as possible.'

BA said it rebooked the effected customers on the next available flight and provided them hotel accommodation and transport.

Aviation experts have previously warned that more hot summer days due to climate change could cause smaller airports to reduce their weight.

It would mean flying to Spain, Italy or Greece could get more expensive as flights carry fewer people.
A haunting video from a Russian climber feared dead up a mountain has emerged, showing her insisting she was 'not afraid to die' on a previous adventure.

Mountaineer Natalia, also known as Natasha, Nagovitsina, 47, has been trapped at 22,965ft on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan, with a summit height of 24,406ft.

Nagovitsina was reportedly seen moving on drone footage just days ago. She was injured on August 12, when her climbing partner helped her as best they could before returning further down the mountain to get help.

But since then temperatures have sunk to minus 23C and repeated efforts to bring her down have failed, both by climbing and using a helicopter.

Now, footage from the 2022 documentary 'Stay with Khan Tengri. Tragedy on the mountain' has captured Nagovitsina saying she was 'not afraid to die. I was afraid to be disabled'.

The expedition took place on August 8, 2021, where Nagovitsina and her husband, Sergei, climbed Khan-Tengri Peak, the second highest peak in the Tien Shan mountains, close to the borders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China.

At around 10:32pm, her husband appeared to be in trouble as he could not sit, repeatedly fell on his side, and had confused speech.

Nagovitsina was urged to descend the mountain to find help but she refused.

Nagovitsina and her husband, Sergei, climbed Khan-Tengri Peak, the second highest peak in the Tien Shan mountains, close to the borders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China, in 2021

Footage from the 2022 documentary 'Stay with Khan Tengri. Tragedy on the mountain' has captured Nagovitsina saying she was 'not afraid to die. I was afraid to be disabled'

'Natasha, you need to go down yourself. You won't be able to help him in any way. Do you understand me? Over,' rescuers said.

'I understand everything, but I will not leave him alone,' she was heard replying.

She was then urged again, as rescuers warned her of the worsening weather, and the fact that night time was quickly approaching.

'You need to go down, Natasha, the weather is getting worse, night is coming soon,' she was told.

But Nagovitsina was insistent on staying with her husband. 'I will not leave my husband. He is completely helpless, I give him a drink,' she is heard responding.

'So, your decision is to spend the night next to him?'

'Yes.'

She reveals her husband is 'not well at all'. The climber explains how he is freezing as he is not moving, and is becoming delirious.

It was ultimately revealed that Sergei had suffered a stroke at 22,638ft.

In the documentary, Nagovitsina said: 'You know, I was not afraid to die. I was afraid to be disabled, that I will get frostbite, they will take away my arms and legs, and what will I do!

'In fact, this is it. Yes, this is the worst punishment. This is what worried me a lot and that we die - no'.

Rescuers eventually reached the pair and two men tried to move Sergei while she went down.

But they could not go far, and secured him with ropes, and left all their warm clothing and food, before cutting a route further down the mountain, to get more help.

When they were able to return, he was nowhere to be found.

Drone footage filmed just days ago showed clear movement from the sleeping bag she has been sheltering in

Russian mountaineer Natalia, also known as Natasha, Nagovitsina, 47, has been trapped at 22,965ft on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan, with a summit height of 24,406ft

Nagovitsina went viral in 2021 after she refused to leave her husband Sergei (right), after he suffered a stroke at 22,000ft

A report on the incident ruled: 'Most likely in delirium he broke out of ropes and crashed to his death. His body has never been found.

'A year later Natalia once again went to Khan Tengri to install a plaque in memory of her husband.

'But no one in the new group had any idea what this courageous woman had lived through on that summit a year earlier  a woman who showed the whole world what love and self-sacrifice mean.'

Now, fears are rising around the safety and whereabouts of Nagovitsina after Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia, 49, one of those who attempted to rescue her and managed to deliver a sleeping bag, tent, food, water and a gas cooker to her, died on the mountain from prolonged exposure to low oxygen and hypothermia.

Eduard Kubatov, head of the Kyrgyz Mountaineering Federation, has said that it is 'highly likely' that Nagovitsina is no longer alive.

'Due to severe weather conditions, climbers cannot get to Nagovitsyna,' he told the BBC.

'She has been at an altitude of seven thousand meters for more than nine days. This is practically incompatible with normal life, because at this altitude the body begins to die by 10% daily due to exhaustion and loss of strength.'

On Saturday, a final effort to climb to Nagovitsina was abandoned just 3,600ft below where she is stuck, with the weather set to worsen, as the team were ordered to return to base camp.

Previous attempts involved two separate helicopters, including a defence ministry Mi-8 helicopter which crashed as it sought to rescue her.

A final effort to climb to Nagovitsina was abandoned just 3,600ft below where Nagovitsina is stuck, with the weather set to worsen, as the team were ordered to return to base

The Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the rescue mission has been called off

Previous rescue efforts for the climber failed due to bad weather

Another helicopter, a Mi-17VM, was sent, but zero visibility again forced rescuers to abandon the attempt.

Dmitry Grekov, rescue leader and head of base camp at Victory Peak, said that experienced mountaineer Vitaly Akimov had led a team seeking to climb to Nagovitsina.

But the crew was forced to turn around when started suffering back pain from the helicopter crash and the mission was abandoned.

Sinigagli, who had also been on the helicopter, was hailed a hero on social media after news of his death reached base camp.

'I turned the whole group around, there were four of them,' said Grekov.

Asked if Nagovitsina was still alive, he admitted he did not know but said: 'I think not, because she has been there since 12 August - count how much time has passed.

'It is unrealistic. It is unrealistic to survive at such an altitude.'

The Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the rescue mission had been called off.
Families living near Kirstie Allsopp's husband's pub have compared his renovation to 'Poundland Prison Chic' due to the railings outside the property.

Wentworth Andersen, Ben Andersen's company, is transforming the former Ariadne's Nectar Bar in north Kensington, London.

Residents have hit back at the proposals, claiming they are not in keeping with architecture in the area.

Under new renovation plans submitted by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council, the black railings would close off a front terrace.

One resident said: 'Conservation area? Not any more. This is Gritty-Gate meets Poundland Prison Chic.

'One would think, given the area's historic character, we might aspire to a touch of restraint  or failing that, at least basic competence.

'Instead, we have cheap black-painted metal railings bolted straight into the pavement with all the delicacy of a motorway crash barrier.

'The effect is somewhere between prison chic and abandoned industrial park.'

Families living near Kirstie Allsopp's husband's pub have compared his renovation to 'Poundland Prison Chic' due to the railings (pictured) outside the property in north Kensington

One resident said: 'Conservation area? Not any more. This is Gritty-Gate meets Poundland Prison Chic'

Kirstie Allsopp's husband Ben Andersen has been criticised for his plans to reopen the Victorian pub

A second added: 'The railings are all Victorian wrought iron, not steel. This is a cheap substitute, and quite apart from any railings not being appropriate to this site, they are not in keeping with a conservation area as documented.'

Wentworth Anderson bought the historic property in 2023 and is hoping to turn it back into a traditional pub.

In May, Location, Location, Location star Kirstie defended her husband's plans to re-open the Victorian boozer - after locals claimed the venue would provide a 'deluxe box seat' for upskirters.

Mr Anderson had recently withdrawn plans to reinstate a historic lightwell at the property after locals complained it could be used for upskirting.

Lightwells were traditionally used to allow air and light into pub cellars, reducing the need for electricity.

In the initial plans, a lightwell was set to be put in place near the pub's entrance, which caused fury among locals - including one who penned a 500-word missive on why the lightwell shouldn't be allowed, describing it as akin to 'a voyeur's deluxe box seat'. Upskirting was made a criminal offence in 2019.

Wentworth Anderson bought the historic property in 2023 and are hoping to turn it back into a traditional pub

Mr Andersen since withdrew the plans, saying he will come up with an alternative.

Kirstie, 53, said there was a huge amount of support for the venture.

The TV star said: 'We really really want to open that pub. The community wants us to open that pub. There is a need for that pub.

'Wentworth Andersen very much hope to open that pub as soon as possible.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Wentworth Andersen for comment.
Did YOU see what happened?

The man who says he was firebombed after putting up St George's flags in his hometown feared it was an acid attack and that he was going to be left blind.

Louis Turvey, 33, told police he was struck by the flaming object in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, as he and a group of others were hanging St George's flags on lampposts and poles just after midnight on Saturday.

Distressing footage showed him looking shocked and standing with blood running down his face and hands as he awaited emergency services.

It was his first time ever putting up flags and he had organised the group online with people he didn't know.

The attack came on the same weekend rival groups angrily clashed in front of migrant hotels as a wave of protests spread across Britain - with at least 30 demonstrations taking place yesterday.

In his first interview since the terrifying ordeal, former demolition worker Louis told the Daily Mail he thought he had been attacked by acid, having experienced a burning sensation on his face.

'I feel like I cheated death - if I had been sitting in the car seat and couldn't get out I could have died,' he said.

'I had so much blood running down my face I thought I'd gone blind.

'I was literally just walking, just finishing all the flags up - it was a wicked night, I was about to get to the car door. As soon as I put my hand on the handle to open it, it just exploded.

'As soon as it exploded in my face, another one hit my head. I thought it was acid. It was like a burning sensation down my face.'

Louis Turvey, 33, (pictured) said he was firebombed after putting up St George's flags in his hometown and feared it was an acid attack

Louis suffered a severe gash and blood streamed down his face after he said he was attacked with 'a glass bottle containing a lit rag'

The incident happened just after midnight on Saturday as the victim, named Louis, was out with a group putting up St George's flags around their local area

Footage from the incident posted on social media by StevenagePatriots show the bottle ablaze on the ground and close to the rear tyres of a parked car

Louis added: 'My eyes were burning and I kept wiping it away and it kept coming. It was runny liquid, it was like a shower hose all over my head.

'My first thought was the attacker was going to come from behind and attack me with machetes. So I ran to my car and couldn't even see. It was like a horror film. I drove round the corner to get to safety. It was so scary.'

Other people had reportedly told Louis he had done a 'good job' in putting up the flags and the attack came out of nowhere.

'They could have burnt me alive. It could have been even worse. During the panic I might not have been able to get out. It was the maddest experience,' he said.

Louis, who is currently unemployed due to health reasons, grew up in North West London but has lived in Stevenage for past 17 years.

He said he is now worried he will be targeted by thugs and is anxious about being followed.

'I'm selling my car because of the attack. I don't know who it was but I'm worried in case they took my number plate down and will track me,' he said.

'I feel like they were watching my car; in my head they've taken my number plate and face and I'm scared in case of any other horrible outcome.'

Despite the ordeal, Louis vowed he will never stop putting up flags representing his country in the future.

'The next day I was happy about the flags as it was a lovely evening, but the attack put a downer on things, but then I felt stronger about it and I thought it won't stop me from [putting up] flags in the future,' he said.

'I feel like a patriot and I love the country I'm in. I feel very passionate about my country.'

It was his first time ever putting up flags and he had organised the group online with people he didn't know

Flags seen on lampposts in Stevenage, where Louis has lived for the past 17 years

Former demolition worker Louis told the Daily Mail he thought he had been attacked by acid, having experienced a burning sensation on his face

Other people had reportedly told Louis he had done a 'good job' in putting up the flags and the attack came out of nowhere. The mark on the ground shows where the incident happened

Louis claimed that after the incident, police wanted to search his phone. 'Police wanted to look at my phone and take off me - which I didn't feel confident about,' he said.

Louis' mother Kerry Solez-Turvey said she woke up 'hysterical' when she saw her son's injured face on social media.

'He didn't know where it had come from. It was thrown straight over at his car which caught alight,' she added.

'One of the bombs hit his head and made it bleed. He was so upset. Initially he thought it was acid and panicked; his car was on fire - it happened so quickly.

'He's really worried now - he thinks he'll be targeted with his face all over social media.'

Describing her terror at seeing her son in such an injured state, Ms Solez-Turvey said: 'I can't tell you how scary it was - my legs went when I found out. I couldn't get hold of him at first.

'For a mum and sister to look at a face like that - I can't believe it. After he was doing it peacefully. He'd just been helping my mum from hospital and she's just had a cancer operation.'

The mother described her son as a 'happy boy' and a 'patriot' who 'loves his country'.

'He's such a happy boy; all he does is smile. He does nothing but smile - everyone says that,' she said.

'His grandmother had just come out from a lung cancer operation at UCLH. He always helps her. He takes her veg off her allotment. She went out helping with his flags as a thanks.

'He loves his country and is a patriot.

Protesters clash in Newcastle yesterday as a far right group campaigning against migrants in the New Bridge Hotel stand off against a counter group defending the refugees

The furore began when Birmingham City Council announced it would take down hundreds of flags put up on lamp posts in recent weeks by a group who described themselves as 'proud English men', but who would not reveal their identities

'He's never been in trouble before. It's unfair you can't put your own flag up in your own country without getting attacked.'

Ms Solez-Turvey said she was upset police allegedly asked to look at Louis' phone, despite him being the 'victim'.

'Someone tried to give him first aid. Police took his car to hospital; [he was] in there most of the night,' she said.

'Police wanted to look at his phone.

'I'm worried why they want to look at his phone - he's a victim - he's not the one in trouble.'

Footage from the incident posted on social media by StevenagePatriots shows a bottle ablaze on the ground and close to the rear tyres of a parked car.

The person taking the video can then be heard saying: 'Putting flags up, got petrol bombed.' The object is understood to have been a firebomb.

Seconds later, the video shows 'Louis' looking shocked and standing with blood running down his face and hands as he awaited emergency services.

The man behind the camera says: 'Just finished the night, three hours of flagging - and our boy has been petrol bombed.

'A petrol bomb was thrown at the car, smashed straight onto his head.'

The voice off-camera can then be heard calling those responsible 'absolute scumbags' and 'cowards'.

Mounted police officers are deployed during a protest by Abolish Asylum System and counter demonstrators at Castle Park in Bristol yesterday

The incident came amid a growing drive for the St George and Union flags to be displayed across England in the face of opposition from the authorities

Louis was helped by paramedics, before being taken off to Lister Hospital in Stevenage for treatment.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed officers were called to reports of a man being assaulted in Fairlands Way, Stevenage, at 12.09am on Saturday, August 23.

Chief Inspector Sarah Gilbertson of Herts Police said: 'Officers attended and spoke with the victim, a man in his 30s, who had suffered a laceration to his head.

'He was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage for treatment.

'It appears that the victim was struck by a glass bottle containing a lit rag and sustained a cut to his head.

'I know that this incident will concern people living locally, but I would like to reassure the community that this was a contained incident.

'Our investigation continues, and anyone with information is asked to get in touch with police.'
Ghislane Maxwell has shamelessly tried to drag Princess Diana into the scandal surrounding her convicted paedophile ex-partner Jeffrey Epstein.

The British socialite has claimed that the Princess of Wales was 'set up' for a date with Epstein.

In the hundreds of pages of records released by the US Justice Department on Friday Maxwell - who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting young girls for Epstein to sexually abuse - said she believed the financier had travelled to the UK to meet Lady Diana.

Maxwell said Epstein had gone to a 'big event' in the UK without her, which she said was unusual as London was her 'hometown'.

'I don't know if he sat with Diana or he met with Diana and he'd already met her. I don't know, but this, I believe, was organised by [one of Diana's confidantes].'

She added: 'I don't know if she was being set up as a date for him, maybe because she was... I don't want to speak bad of Diana, but... I'm not going to do that.'

Maxwell said that Epstein had lived in London for a period of time in the 1980s, where he knew 'fancy, high society people' including a friend of Diana's.

She was unable to tell US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche when the meeting would have taken place, even suggesting it may have been in the early 2000s, despite Lady Diana dying in 1997.

Ghislane Maxwell has claimed Princess Diana was being 'set up as a date' for Jeffrey Esptein, as she desperately scrambles for a pardon from Donald Trump

Pictured: Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein posing during a party at the Mar-a-Lago club in Florida

The US President has faced pressure to release files about the disgraced financier

The meeting between Blanche and Maxwell came last month, as the convicted sex trafficker seeks a pardon from Donald Trump.

Maxwell defended President Trump  whose administration has been rocked by claims of a cover-up over the Epstein Files  saying she never heard that Trump acted inappropriately 'absolutely never, in any context'.

She said: 'The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.' She also said Mr Trump never received massages from underage girls.

She added that she never saw anyone behaving inappropriately with a woman 'of any age' but said her definition of 'inappropriate' could differ from others.

Maxwell also said she did not remember Trump submitting a sketch to a book she put together for Epstein's 50th birthday.

Mr Trump is suing the Wall Street Journal over claims he wrote a note to Epstein which included a sketch of a naked woman with his signature as the pubic hair.

The claims of Epstein's interest in Diana was also previously written about in a book by Donald Trump biographer Michael Wolff last year.

He previously claimed Epstein and Trump would place bets on who would sleep with Princess Diana first.

Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with convicted paedophie Jeffrey Epstein

In the hours of tapes released late on Friday, Ghislaine shamelessly claimed that Esptein had tried to date Princess Diana

Maxwell suggested a meeting between the two may have been in the early 2000s, despite Lady Diana dying in 1997

Michael Wolff said that the 'sex-obsessed' friends had a competition over who could bed the most women.

Trump chronicler Wolff said he regularly interviewed disgraced financier Epstein for his three books about the former president before his suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.

'Diana and the royal family seemed to represent some ultimate 'get' for Epstein and Trump, and an ultimate competition,' Wolff said.

'At that moment in time Diana was the world's most famous woman. There was no greater 1980 status symbol.

'And, partly because sex seemed to be their singular focus, I believe they thought they could sleep with any woman they wanted to, including a princess.'

At the time of the wager, Princess Diana, who was once the most photographed woman in the world, was married to the UK's now-King Charles III.

The disclosure was made by Wolff during his podcast Fire and Fury, which bears the same name as his 2018 book on the Trump presidency.

In a two day interview, Maxwell spoke about her relationship with Epstein and other high profile figures including Prince Andrew.

Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump placed bets on who would sleep with Princess Diana first, according to an author who interviewed the late financier at length

Trump chronicler Michael Wolff reported a series of explosive accusations about Trump which he says were made by Epstein

Maxwell sensationally claimed she did not introduce Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein.

Instead, it was Andrew's wife Sarah Ferguson who pushed for a friendship with the convicted paedophile, she said.

Maxwell even told Blanche she felt 'left out' of a friendship involving Ferguson, the Prince and Epstein.

She insisted Andrew was introduced to Epstein through his ex-wife Sarah, who had met Epstein via US socialite Lynn Forester De Rothschild.

She said: 'I did not introduce him [Epstein] to Prince Andrew. That's a flat untruth. Lynn Forester had a house and invited Epstein to go and I believe that's where he met Prince Andrew.

'However, I believe that before that event he had gone to the Bahamas and had hung out with Sarah Ferguson. And Sarah had called Epstein and had arranged with Lynn. I think Sarah is the one that pushed that.

'I couldn't even imagine Epstein and Andrew together. And I thought that Sarah was trying to put the moves on Jeffrey.'

Maxwell described the Duchess of York as 'a frenemy', saying: 'I don't know if she liked me... I think my friendship with her ex-husband, well, sometimes she really did like me and sometimes she didn't. So maybe a frenemy. I think there was some latent hostility.'

Ghislaine Maxwell (right) has sensationally claimed she did not introduce Prince Andrew (left) to Jeffrey Epstein

Maxwell (left) insists Andrew was introduced to Epstein (right) through his ex-wife Sarah, who she claims had met Epstein via US socialite Lynn Forester De Rothschild

Andrew (pictured with Epstein in 2010) has always vehemently denied the allegations against him

She also said that Epstein told her to organise a trip that Andrew was making to New York, saying: 'He wanted to make sure that Andrew was taken care of and that he was comfortable, he had whatever he needed.'

And she defended the Duke of York, saying he is innocent of the sex allegations against him and that the 'bull****' claims were fabricated to make money and to attack the Royal Family.

She defended Andrew against allegations made by the late Virginia Giuffre that she had been trafficked to the Duke of York when she was 17.

Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations against him.

Maxwell, daughter of billionaire publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell, repeated her claims that the photo of her standing behind Andrew and Virginia isn't real. 'I believe it's literally a fake photo,' she told officials.

Maxwell also denied there was a 'client list' of powerful men, saying: 'There is no client list.' She added that Epstein was 'proud to flaunt royal connections'.

'And that she then got in my bathroom in my house and had sexual relations with him and then went into my guest room and had full-blown sex.

'And a photograph was taken of them just before all these events took place in my study... I think it's absolute rubbish.'

Ghislaine defended Andrew against allegations made by the late Virginia Giuffre that she had been trafficked to the Duke of York when she was 17

Maxwell (above) said accusations that she had introduced Prince Andrew to Epstein were 'a flat untruth'

She said her Victorian bath was too small for Andrew and Virginia to have sex in: 'There is no way in God's green earth if that had taken place, that this is something that you would miss, because you couldn't miss it.'

Maxwell said she was not even sure Prince Andrew and Virginia had ever met. She said: 'I do not know that they met. I don't have any recollection of that.'

But then she seemingly backtracked to say: 'Could Andrew have come to the house to see me or see Epstein and she had been there? Yes, I can't say that didn't happen.'

Maxwell said she placed mirrors around her tiny bathroom at her London mews home to make it seem bigger.

She said: 'She [Virginia] could say she was having sex with 5,000 generations of the Royal Family because that's how far back you could see yourself.'

She accused Ms Giuffre, who committed suicide earlier this year, of making up the story for financial gain: 'I can absolutely, categorically say that I never, at any time, set Andrew up to have relations with her or any other human being ever.

Ms Giuffre's name has been redacted from the documents. Maxwell said: 'The allegation was that at my house in London, in March 2001... we went to London, especially so that X [Virginia] could have a relationship with Prince Andrew and she was paid a vast amount of money for that purpose.

'I believe that story was created for the purposes of  well, there are multiple. The first one is financial ... for the serialization, both of her book and [her story] in the papers. And for the story to attack the Royal Family.'

Maxwell is currently serving 20 years for her 2021 convictions on sex trafficking charges. She has appealed to the US Supreme Court to hear her case.

She told Mr Blanche she believed Epstein may have been murdered, saying: 'I do not believe he died by suicide, no. If it is indeed murder I believe it was an internal situation.'
A traveller 'King' buried in a 'six-figure solid gold' coffin headed a notorious crime gang who ran one of Britain's biggest-ever cowboy building rackets, it can be revealed today.

Frank Thompson, 69, who died in July, was given an extravagant send-off during which his coffin was taken on a six day 'farewell tour' of the UK in a Rolls Royce before being laid to rest in South London.

Hailed by relatives as 'businessman through and through with great wisdom, one said of Thompson: He was the head of a very big family, the king of the family - everyone looked up to him.

But what the family did not say was that in 2011 Thompson and three accomplices were jailed for a total of 20 years after making 1.3m by tricking elderly folk aged between 65 and 92 into paying extortionate fees for botched-up jobs.

Prosecutors said branded the scam systematic fraud.

One elderly lady paid over 31,000 for shoddy paving work on the driveway at her seaside home in Blackpool, Lancs., whilst others paid many thousands of pounds for work worth just a few hundred pounds.

The traveller gang, who at the time lived on a caravan site in Cleveleys, Lancs., also targeted addresses in Manchester and Hertfordshire.

Thompson and his accomplices were trapped after one of the group used his mobile phone to film himself boasting on YouTube how he used a 98 pence carton of milk as a driveway sealant to con an ex-serviceman out of 800.

Frank Thompson appearing at Preston Crown Court under the name Frank Tomney

A mocked-up newspaper front page was created as a 'tribute' to Thompson, using a picture taken at court before his sentencing years earlier

Eleven victims agreed to testify in court out of over 40 customers who made complaints. During police raids, three safety deposit boxes were found with cash inside totalling 480,775. Officers also found a 17,000 cash haul stuffed in a designer shoe box.

Thompson was sentenced at Preston Crown Court, where he appeared under the name Frank Tomney and was jailed for five and a half years for conspiracy to commit fraud by misrepresentation and tax evasion and handling stolen passports.

Three other gang members were jailed for charges including conspiracy to commit fraud by misrepresentation and tax evasion.

Rose petals were thrown onto the coffin as it was lowered at a South London cemetery

Floral tributes reference Thompson's 'occupation' which he used as ruse to con elderly victims

The gang were later ordered to pay back all 42 of their victims.

After his death, the only clue as to the truth of Thompson's true background was a photo of him mocked up on a newspaper front page which was mounted on easel surrounded by carnations.

The incriminating snap was in fact taken of him outside the court by the press as he faced trial over the cowboy building racket.

Earlier his family told how the 'gold coffin' was ordered by Thompson's son from abroad and took weeks to arrive.

Relatives claimed the lavish burial was designed with the goal of showing the world that 'there are some really good gypsy travellers' and added: 'He was never a flash man, believe it or not. He'd be proud of what his sons did for him, and held him as, more than anything else.'

But when Tomney and his accomplices were convicted 14 years ago, retired accountant Brian Smith, 80, of Norris Green, Stockport - who was charged 16,000 for driveway work worth 800 - said: These men should have all been made to do National Service to learn respect.

My step grandson was killed in Afghanistan on Valentine's Day last year. He went into the army after being a cadet when he was 17 and died an honourable death and I'm very proud of him.

I felt quite foolish after these guys had been to my house. My wife was very upset about it too as she could see that I was upset. I just felt like a fool for being taken in by what they said. I will certainly never employ doorstep workers again.

Police said the gang, who traded under company names Discount Driving, Budget Driving, Premium Paving and Budget Paving, usually targeted old folk living alone and would cold call them offering to do odd jobs.

They would give a cheap quote only to then bounce up the price by falsely saying there was a problem with the job.

One accomplice was spotted on YouTube operating his chemical sealant scam, pulling a two-pint carton of milk from his high visibility jacket and laughing: 800 for a bottle of milk.

Family members with Thompson aka Tomney's 'six-figure solid gold' coffin before burial

Det Sgt Mark Unsworth, from Lancashire Police, said at the time: These men would cruise around the area to see the age of the people and perceived that older people would be easier to target - they had the gift of the gab.

They would go by offering them a good price, but their sole aim was to get the maximum price they could.

They were superficially charming; they were able to spin a web of deceit with those people by offering them the world - then they started to become intimidating to the people. They made sure they got paid in cash. On one occasion they took an old lady to the bank to get it.

The detective added: They're organised criminals and conned elderly people out of their life savings.

The pretence of undertaking paving work to an acceptable standard was simply the means to deprive innocent victims of extortionate amounts of their hard-earned cash.

What makes these crimes all the more upsetting is the intimidation felt by the victims and the callous nature of these men.

They carried out woefully substandard block paved driveway work at these people's homes, before demanding extortionate prices despite the poor quality of the work. They even failed to build steps properly - they were loose - you could pick the bricks up.

We had to put bricks on the manhole cover at one house because it was so dangerous.

John Dilworth, Head of CPS Complex Case Unit added: This was not just a case of shoddy workmanship or opportunistic crimes, this was systematic fraud over a considerable period of time and across a wide area.

These men were superficially charming with victims but in reality treated them with contempt and in some cases conned retired people out of their life savings. They've shown no remorse.''

Mugshot of Frank Tomney after his arrest for heading family crime gang who exploited OAPs

Thompson and his accomplices were later ordered to pay back a total of 956,264.47 between them during a proceeds of crime act hearing.

The kingpin was judged to have benefitted by 801,366.75 was ordered to pay that total within six months or face a further four years in prison. He had assets, which included over 700,000 in bank accounts, a house and three cars.

Other gang members were also made subject of confiscation and forfeiture orders.
World War II veteran from Nebraska believed to be America's last surviving 'ace' pilot who shot down five enemy planes has died at age 103.

Donald McPherson served as a Navy fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex, which battled Japanese forces during the final years of the war.

He earned the Congressional Gold Medal and three Distinguished Flying Crosses for his service and passed away 'peacefully' on August 14, according to his obituary.

However, his daughter Beth Delabar said his loved ones always felt McPherson preferred a legacy reflecting his dedication to faith, family and community instead of his wartime feats.

'When it's all done and Dad lists the things he wants to be remembered for  his first first thing would be that he's a man of faith,' she told the Beatrice Daily Sun, a southeast Nebraska newspaper that first reported McPherson's death.

'It hasn't been till these later years in his life that he's had so many honors and medals,' she said.

McPherson was listed as the conflict's last living US ace by both the American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum.

He was honored at the museum's Victory at Sea event last weekend in Minnesota. To be considered an ace, a pilot has to shoot down five or more enemy planes.

World War II veteran Donald McPherson, from Nebraska, who was believed to be America's last surviving 'ace' pilot because he shot down five enemy planes, has died at age 103

Donald McPherson served as a Navy fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex, which battled Japanese forces during the final years of the war. (Pictured: McPherson being greeted by Rep. Adrian Smith after receiving the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015)

McPherson enlisted in the Navy on January 5, 1942, when he was 18, after the Navy waived a two-year college requirement for tis aviation cadet training program.

According to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, McPherson earned his commission and wings at Corpus Christi in Texas on August 12, 1944.

Trainees weren't allowed to marry, so he and his wife Thelma tied the knot right after he completed the 18-month flight program in 1944.

The newlywed was sent to the battle for Okinwa in March 1945, where he flew a Gumman F6F Hellcat fighter as part of Squadron 83.

During his second night on board, McPherson recalled watching Japanese kamikaze bombers based on Kyushu attack the fleet.

One clipped the US Navy's radar tower before plummeting down into a nearby island.

'This sure made us wonder what we had gotten ourselves in for,' McPherson said, per the National World War II Museum.

McPherson's first combat mission was a 300-mile flight to an airfield at Nittigahara on March 19, 1945.

His team, called 'Wonder-5', destroyed Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty' bombers on the ground.

Pictured: World War II veterans (from left) Orval Legget, Frank Smith, Keith Goman, Donald McPherson and Donavan Diller received 80 Years of Victory medals Friday at the Veterans Club

Pictured: McPherson, left, greets the pilot of a restored Hellcat, Steve Hinton Jr., at the Beatrice Municipal Airport in March 2021

But it wasn't plain sailing - McPherson's plane engine stalled and he was hit by anti-aircraft fire.

McPherson was able to re-launch and fly safely back to US Navy territory.

'Upon inspection of the damage to the airplane, we found that a 20mm cannon shell had penetrated the fuselage about a foot behind my back and severed one of the cables that controlled the tail surface,' he said, per the museum.

Over four months from his first flight, McPherson's squad flew 6,560 sorties, and managed to destroy 220 Japanese planes in the air and 72 on the ground.

McPherson became an ace after shooting down two Aichi D3A Val dive bombers close to Kikai Shima in Okinawa on April 6, 1945.

He also shot down three Kawanishi E7k float biplanes, which were flying as kamikazes, on May 5, 1945.

McPherson was an active member of the Adams United Methodist Church, as well as the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

His cause of death has not been disclosed. McPherson is survived by his two daughters, a son, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Muslim recruitment manager has successfully sued for religious harassment after he was told to take down a social media post accusing a fellow professional of being 'far right' in the wake of the Southport murders.

Abdalah Al-Abasi went on Linkedin to warn his professional network not to work with a consultant who had posted on the same site about 'Islamic grooming gangs', an employment tribunal heard.

Mr Al-Abasi, who identifies as Muslim and earned more than 100,000 a year, was told by bosses that there would be 'consequences' if he didn't take his post down.

However, the tribunal found that he had 'grounds' for taking offence to the original LinkedIn post, ruling that his employers created an 'intimidating and hostile environment' by asking him to remove it.

Mr Al-Abasi will now receive compensation for injury to feelings as a result of the success of his claim for religious harassment.

The tribunal in central London heard he started work for Eden Brown Built Environment in November 2020 as a Divisional Manager.

The hearing was told he left Iraq and arrived in the UK with his family in 2000. He told the panel that he is 'not a particularly devout or observant Muslim'.

In August 2024, he 'took exception' to a post by a recruitment consultant on Linkedin, who wasn't named by the tribunal, which read: 'For over two decades Islamic grooming gangs have torched and raped tens of thousands of white British girls, in the name of religious and racist bigotry.

Abdalah Al-Abasi went on Linkedin to warn his professional network not to work with a consultant who had posted on the same site about 'Islamic grooming gangs ',

Mr Al-Abasi will now receive compensation for injury to feelings as a result of the success of his claim for religious harassment

'They take to the streets calling for Jihad, calling for Jewish people to be killed, killing thousands of people across UK and Europe whilst shouting Allhu Akbar, beheading a French teacher in the middle of a French city * removing his head! for drawing a picture * all of this and more.

'Literal racism.'

The tribunal found that the reference to 'Islamic grooming gangs' was 'distorting and potentially aimed to incite antipathy towards Muslims'.

It also said that 'his message was one which [Mr Al-Abasi] as a Muslim understandably took exception to'.

It said: 'The Linkedin messages giving rise to this claim need to be seen in the context of the relevant background.

'This comprised the febrile atmosphere, particularly online, following the murder of three British children at a nursery in Southport on 29 July 2024.'

Violence spread across England last summer following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport.

Axel Rudakubana targeted a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on July 29, where he murdered six-year-old Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.

Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, pleaded guilty on Monday at Liverpool Crown Court to 16 offences, including three counts of murder

People lay flowers at The Atkinson on the first anniversary of the 2024 Southport attack

The tribunal continued: 'In the days that followed there was considerable speculation and, in some instances, provocative and inciting online communications regarding the background and religion of the assailant.

'There then followed a series of riots, primarily in northern towns, to include attacks on hotels and other buildings holding asylum seekers.'

Mr Al-Abasi wrote a LinkedIn post in response to the recruitment consultant which said: 'For any Recruitment Consultant that is seeking Rec2Rec help to find a new role please do not work with this individual below if you feel uncomfortable reading the below.

'I would never engage in conversations with individuals who are ignorant however, I do feel its imperative to highlight individual's ideology especially when it is so far right.'

He told the tribunal that before posting his response he'd looked at other posts on this recruiter's page, which included 'inflammatory communications regarding Muslims and Islam'.

One post was by actor and right-wing activist Laurence Fox, and read 'Enough of this madness now, We need to permanently remove Islam from Great Britian. Completely and entirely'.

The recruitment consultant sent an email to the CEO of the company Mr Al-Abasi worked for, advising them that he would be 'seeking advice' about Mr Al-Abasi's post.

He told them he was 'livid' and that he wasn't 'far-right'.

Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport

Pictured: Protesters near a burning police vehicle in Southport on July 30 2024

In a subsequent meeting with the Managing Director of Community Resourcing, Mark Stratton, Mr Al-Abasi said he wasn't willing to take his post down when he was asked to do so.

He had been told that there would be 'consequences' if he didn't take it down.

The company's social media policy said that employees must make it clear they are not speaking for the company, and they shouldn't post anything which could damage the business or its reputation.

Mr Al-Abasi agreed to take Eden Brown's name off his LinkedIn posts and remove the 'far right' reference.

He was then told that failing to remove his post would be considered gross misconduct.

Mr Al-Abasi offered to add a disclaimer at the top of the post saying that his comments didn't represent the views of his employer, which the tribunal considered a 'reasonable solution'.

Mr Stratton accepted this, and that was considered to be the end of the matter.

In the same month, the recruitment consultant who wrote the offending post said that he would not be escalating his complaint any further.

Pictured: Riots in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, over the summer of 2024 following the Southport stabbing

Protesters spray fire extinguishers at riot police officers during scenes of unrest in Sunderland on August 2

The tribunal heard that Mr Al-Abasi felt 'he was being silenced as a Muslim and as a human'.

Employment Judge Richard Nicolle said: 'Whilst we can envisage circumstances where views expressed on Linkedin may go beyond those which an employee could reasonably expect his employer to tolerate we do not consider that [Mr Al-Abasi] had overstepped that mark.'

The judge added: 'We find that being asked to remove the post or face consequences created an intimidating and hostile environment.

'Whilst we acknowledge that this was a single incident, we nevertheless consider that [Mr Al-Abasi] took subjective offence and had objective grounds for doing so.'

EJ Nicolle said that this finding was reached 'in the particular context of the febrile atmosphere which existed in the days after the Southport murders'.

The amount he will be compensated for injury to feelings will be decided at a later date.

Other claims he made were not successful.
A schoolboy and a 54-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire attack at an Indian restaurant left five people injured.

The five victims - three women and two men - were injured after the fire at the Indian Aroma in Gants Hill, Ilford, east London, at about 9pm on Friday.

Three were rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition and two of them - a man and a woman - are still fighting for their lives.

The Met Police said in addition to the five people treated at the scene, they believe another two were injured but left before emergency crews arrived.

Two people, a 15-year-old boy and 54-year-old man were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remain in police custody.

It comes after CCTV appeared to show a group of people with their faces covered walk into the restaurant before pouring liquid onto the floor. Seconds later, the inside of the restaurant was engulfed in flames.

The footage also appeared to show a man running out of the building with his clothing on fire.

The restaurant suffered extensive damage as the blaze ripped through the building. Nine others got out beforehand, London Fire Brigade said.

Sayed Bokhari, 39, said he had spoken to the manager of the restaurant, adding: 'He was crying. He was very shocked. He was really crying. He was extremely scared.'

CCTV footage showed the moment the restaurant, Indian Aroma, went up in flames inside

Met Police officers stand guard outside the restaurant on Saturday. Police have made two arrests

Mr Bokhari said: 'It's awful and it's very scary.'

'It looked like a scene from Halloween. It was a serious, dramatic thing and people were running around him,' he said, referring to the injured man.

Mr Bokhari, who has run a business in the area for 15 years, said: 'It is scary because we run retail stores which are welcoming customers in.

'The doors are open like the doors of your house. We cannot body check everyone to see if they are safe. There is only so much that high street security can do.

'It is scary. You are worried for people. You are worried about your business.

'London is not such a fun place any more.'

Hospital porter Edward Thawe, 43, stepped outside his nearby home with his 12-year-old son to see if he could help after hearing screaming.

The police and ambulance were already at the scene, which Mr Thawe described as 'horrible' and 'more than scary and the sort of thing that you don't want to look at twice'.

He said he thought one man who was on the street and a woman who was also outside may have been customers.

Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the fire on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill, Ilford, at about 9pm on Friday

The cause of the blaze is being investigated by firefighters and the Metropolitan Police

Police officers investigate the scene of the fire on Friday night

Mr Thawe added that the man's 'whole body was burnt', including his shirt, but he was still wearing his trousers.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Met's central specialist crime north unit, said: 'While we have made two arrests, our investigation continues at pace so we can piece together what happened on Friday evening.

'I know the community are concerned and shocked by this incident.

'I would urge anyone with any information or concerns to come forward and speak to police.'

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Met via 101, quoting 7559/22AUG. If you wish to remain anonymous, speak with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A billionaire heiress is battling her ex-best friend after an allegedly ill-advised $80 million crypto investment and a rejected romantic advance wrecked their relationship.

Taylor Thomson, 66, the scion of Canada's richest family, quickly clicked with former big-shot social campaign designer Ashley Richardson, 47, when they locked eyes at a ritzy Malibu pool party in 2009.

But after more than a decade of being attached at the hip - taking lavish European vacations and forming a 'pod' together during the pandemic - their friendship dramatically went off the rails.

The bold move to mix money with friendship led to the wealthy duo suing each other and Richardson losing the luxurious life she once had.

She now drives an Uber for a living.

They had met through a mutual friend - a film producer called Beau St. Clair in 2009.

On seeing Richardson, Thomson raced up to her and said: 'Oh my God! You have those fabulous heroin-chic arms,' The Wall Street Journal reported.

St. Clair died of cancer in 2016 aged just 64 - but implored the women to stay friends during their final goodbye at her gorgeous Malibu home.

Thomson, Richardson and Richardson's then-girlfriend were a part of an exclusive Los Angeles friend group that often indulged in Nobu takeout at Thomson's beach house.

Richardson was privately educated and came from a wealthy family - although their fortune was nowhere near the size of Thomson's.

Taylor Thomson (right), 66, the scion of Canada 's richest family, quickly clicked with former big-shot social campaign designer Ashley Richardson (left), 47,

The beginning of the end was in 2019, when Richardson says she turned down Thomson (pictured in 2004) - a claim the billionaire fiercely denies

Richardson she often visited Thomson's Bel Air mansion, which she sold for $27 million in 2023, to cook Sunday dinners with the heiress' daughter.

The beginning of the end was in 2019, when Richardson says her relationship with her girlfriend was on the rocks.

Richardson had been enduring a turbulent time with her partner, and Thomson allegedly suggested she break up with her girlfriend and be with her instead.

'Think how much better your life would be,' Richardson told the Wall Street Journal what Thompson allegedly said to her during a trip to British Columbia.

While Richardson said she did not accept the romantic invitation, Thomson claimed this awkward exchange never happened.

'This is all false,' a spokesperson for Thomson bluntly told the Wall Street Journal.

Thomson's friend also told the outlet that when he asked her if she was interested in Richardson, she replied: 'No, she's my friend.'

Regardless, Richardson and Thomson decided to form a COVID pod - a small group to socialize with safely during the pandemic - the following year.

But with the pandemic came financial troubles for Richardson, who was working as a development executive at Insurgent Media.

While she had previously been well-off, she suddenly found herself strapped for cash and needing a new source of income.

She sought out guidance from celebrity psychic Michelle Whitedove and subscribed to her $25 per month newsletter.

Richardson said she often visited Thomson's Bel Air mansion (pictured), which she sold for $27 million in 2023, to cook Sunday dinners with the heiress' daughter

Whitedove, who passed away in 2022 at 54 years old, was a well-known psychic and medium who was a self-proclaimed 'expert futurist,' according to her Instagram bio.

In 2021, she made a prediction that caught Richardson's attention - the rise of a cryptocurrency called Persistence.

'Persistence, this is another dark horse thats going to come up on everybody and be a big dog. Get it and sit on it, which is what I would tell myself,' Whitedove wrote at the time.

From April to May of 2021, the Persistence coin, called XPRT, went from being valued at $3 each to $13 each.

Richardson thought this was a promising trend and alerted her wealthy then-best friend, who had allegedly been cruel to her about her dwindling finances.

'Taylor has been borderline cruel to me consistently, throwing barbs my way if I speak and making sure I know that my lack of wealth and status makes me uninteresting (literally),' Richardson wrote to a healer in 2020, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Thomson then took Richardson's proposition to her own spiritual advisor, astrologer Robert Sabella.

Sabella wrote to Thomson in August 2021 that Bitcoin would plunge in October, but other crypto coins were looking up.

She sought out guidance from celebrity psychic Michelle Whitedove (pictured) and subscribed to her $25 per month newsletter

'"Theta" has a very high reading on it (a 10). "Persistence" does as well (even higher),' Sabella wrote in an email to Thomson, who forwarded it to Richardson.

'Taylor trusts her own instincts and would use Robert as a sounding board,' Thomson's spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal.

'By no means would she make substantial life decisions based on his suggestions.'

With Richardson's assistance and eagerness to tackle the world of cryptocurrency, Thomson dumped more than $40 million into the coins.

At first, messages between the pair, reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, depict Richardson praising Persistence's early success.

Richardson also invested tens of thousands of dollars into the psychic-approved XPRT coin, spending her days slumped over at her computer, watching Thomson's money and trading for her.

Richardson, who had no financial background, said it was stressful moving her friend's assets around. She was not paid for doing so, she said.

But according to the lawsuit, Persistence gave Richardson an allegedly undisclosed kickback for recruiting wealthy people, including Thomson, to invest.

She allegedly ended up with $783,702 worth of XPRT from Thomson's investment.

This 'kickback' scheme was allegedly never made clear to Richardson, who was only aware of 'finder's fee.'

At its peak, Thomson's crypto investments - all of which Richardson was single-handedly managing - were worth about $140 million.

In one written correspondence between the women, Thomson wanted to buy $60 million of the XPRT token.

Thomson (pictured) claimed Richardson lost about $80 million of her money through poorly invested crypto

'Are you sure you want 60?!! I will try. Still think you should deversify [sic],' Richardson responded.

The same day, Thomson allegedly wrote to her brothers in pursuit of what she believed to be her chunk of her family's wealth.

In the note, she acknowledged she had 'always been one for riskier investments than the rest of the family,' and had been intrigued by crypto, according to the Wall Street Journal.

But Thomson's representative told the outlet she never sent this email to her brothers.

As she continued investing most of her time - up to 20 hours a day - monitoring Thomson's finances, Richardson's mental health started declining from the stressful situation. She turned to alcohol to cope.

By the end of 2021, Richardson said she was confident Thomson's investment would skyrocket into the millions despite Persistence's fluctuating value.

But the crypto market soon crashed and the coin essentially became worthless by the middle of 2022.

Richardson moved to her childhood home in Monterey County, California and became an Uber driver.

Thompson has hired a private investigator to probe Richardson's crypto management, claiming the former executive recklessly lost $80 million of her money.

The investigative firm, Guidepost, told the Wall Street Journal they are working to 'to recoup the tens of millions of dollars of Ms. Thomsons money lost under Ms. Richardsons control.'

The women had met through a mutual friend, film producer Beau St. Clair (pictured), who died in 2016 at 64, at her stunning Malibu home

In 2023, Thomson sued Richardson and Persistence, demanding at least $25 million of the funds she lost.

Richardson then countersued the heiress for $10 million, claiming that Thompson was trying to defame her.

She could not afford to keep a lawyer, so she started using ChatGPT to represent herself in court.

In the midst of the chaos, Richardson relapsed after being nearly two years sober, allegedly texting Thomson: 'Because of you I have lost everything, and you decided to sue the person who had nothing left to lose.

'I loved you more than anything.'

Thomson has denied all of the accusations, with a spokesperson telling the Daily Mail that Richardson allegedly took their story to the media for personal gain.

'After spending years living a lavish lifestyle on Ms. Thomson's dime, Ms. Richardson has taken her bogus story to the media in an attempt to extract more money from Ms. Thomson -- which we know because Ms. Richardson has threatened multiple times she will do just that,' the spokesperson said.

The legal wrangling continues.
A former British Army motorcycle stunt rider is suing the Ministry of Defence after being left in chronic pain after performing a human pyramid display.

James Cotterill, who performed at hundreds of displays during a four-year stint with the White Helmets, accuses the MoD of failing to carry out adequate risk assessments of the team's stunts.

The 38-year-old claims that he has been left in near-permanent pain caused by repeated falls during stunt training and performing.

He claims he has been deprived of landing his dream job as a helicopter pilot and now restores furniture for a living instead, The Telegraph reports.

Mr Cotterill was with the White Helmets team until 2012, during which time he performed acrobatic motorbike stunts at around 50 events a year, including for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

But after four years, he was medically discharged from the Army with severe injuries, dashing his hopes of serving for at least 22 years.

Despite barely having ridden a motorbike when he first joined the White Helmets, Mr Cotterill soon found himself learning stunts such as the pillion headstand. This involved standing on his head facing backwards on a motorbike while another team members steered the vehicle with his hips.

He also had to learn the human pyramid and claims he would usually be at the bottom and had the weight of his colleague passing through his neck, shoulders and spine.

James Cotterill (pictured), who performed at hundreds of displays during a four-year stint with the White Helmets, accuses the MoD of failing to carry out adequate risk assessments of the team's stunts

Mr Cotterill had to learn the human pyramid and claims he would usually be at the bottom and had the weight of his colleague passing through his neck, shoulders and spine. (File image of soldiers from the White Helmets)

Mr Cotterill will tell the High Court that he suffered numerous falls during his training, which he alleges took place on concrete at a disused airfield or waste ground with no crash mats or protective clothing.

He astonishingly claims that he would fall off his bike up to 50 times a day, landing on his head, neck shoulders and spine.

Mr Cotterill alleges that it left him with cognitive and psychological injuries and that he would have to ask colleagues to massage him to reduce pain and take painkillers.

He left in 2012 to train with the Army Air Corps but found sitting in the helicopter pilot's seat for long periods prevented him from moving around to ease his pain.

Mr Cotterill will tell the Royal Courts of Justice that while he was flying at night in Norway, wearing night vision goggles increased the load on his spine, forcing him to seek medical help as it was so painful.

The former stunt rider was then suspending from flying on medical grounds before being medically discharged from the British Army in 2022 due to the spinal pain.

He claims he is unable to stay in one position for more than half an hour and struggles to play with his young children or help his wife around the house.

And he also alleges it has led to problems with spatial awareness, poor memory and challenges with processing instructions, leaving him depressed and angry.

His lawyers, from Simpson Millar, claim he is suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a progressive condition which is hard to diagnose.

Mr Cotterill is seeking provisional damages which would allow him to return to court for further compensation should his condition worsen.

He has filed 22 allegations of negligence against the MoD and claims they were not taught how to break falls and that the shock and vibrations went through the rider and passenger due to inadequate suspension systems in the motorbikes.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'It would be inappropriate to comment while legal proceedings are taking place.'
Mass protests have exploded outside migrant hotels across the country this weekend as furious families gathered in major cities including Birmingham and London.

A group of protesters, some draped in the St George's Cross, gathered outside the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in Birmingham on Sunday, while in London police stood guard at the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf.

In Norwich, demonstrators gathered outside the Brook Hotel, draping themselves in Union and St George's flags.

Hotels across Dudley, Epping, London, Manchester and Norwich have also braced for protests as communities seek to replicate the ruling for The Bell Hotel which, pending an appeal, must be closed within weeks.

It comes after more than 30 protests under the Abolish Asylum system were held in towns and cities across the UK on Saturday.

These included Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Horley, Canary Wharf, Aberdeen and Perth in Scotland, and Mold in Wales.

A separate batch of protests were also organised by Stand Up to Racism in Bristol, Cannock, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wakefield, Horley and Long Eaton in Derbyshire.

A group of protesters, some draped in the St George's Cross, gathered outside the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in Birmingham on Sunday, while in London police stood guard at the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf

Pictured: anti-migrant protestors were seen in Birmingham on Sunday

Protesters and policeman come face to face in Norwich in Sunday as people take to the streets to protest against the Brook Hotel's housing of asylum seekers

Demonstrators in Norwich pictured waving St George's flags and Union Jacks outside the Brook Hotel

Hotels across Dudley, Epping, London, Manchester and Norwich have also braced for protests as communities seek to replicate the ruling for The Bell Hotel which, pending an appeal, must be closed within weeks

People demonstrating under the Abolish Asylum System slogan outside the former Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday

It comes after more than 30 protests under the Abolish Asylum system were held in towns and cities across the UK on Saturday. Pictured: Mounted police officers scuffle with demonstrators during a protest by Abolish Asylum System and counter protesters at Castle Park in Bristol

At least 15 people were reportedly arrested in Bristol, Liverpool and Horley, The Times reported.

On Sunday afternoon, protesters in Birmingham were seen peering through the doors of the hotel and one was seen scaling a ladder to hang a flag on a lamp post by the Holiday Inn sign.

At Canary Wharf, police officers stood at the entrance to the Britannia Hotel while security guards could also be seen standing behind full length barriers that blocked off the entrance way.

One woman was seen holding a sign that read: 'Enough is Enough. Protect our women and girls.'

About 20 protesters stood quietly on the other side of the road with Union flags propped up against a fence.

A woman carried a homemade banner which read: 'Tower Hamlets council house homeless Brits first' which had a St George's flag drawn on it.

Another banner read: 'Enough is enough protect our women and girls.'

The hotel, which is being used to accommodate hundreds of migrants, has often become the centre of focus for a group of female anti-migrant protesters dubbed the 'Pink Ladies'.

The group, a faction within the wider anti-migrant movement, say they are seeking to highlight the perceived danger to women and girls by those seeking asylum.

The Bell Hotel in Epping has become the centre of focus for a group of female anti-migrant protesters dubbed the 'Pink Ladies', pictured on Sunday

Demonstrators lit flares and marched through the streets of Epping on Sunday afternoon

Large crowds took a seat on a local roundabout as protests ramped up in Epping

People demonstrating under the Abolish Asylum System slogan outside the former Bell Hotel in Epping

On Tuesday, the High Court granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to remove asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, from September 12

In Manchester, disgruntled locals could be seen gathering around the John Bull statue to protest the Manchester South Hotel's housing of asylum seekers

Demonstrators blowing whistles and waving flags in Fallowfield, Manchester on Sunday

Crowds wave flags outside the hotel in Manchester as police officers watch on

Protests in Norwich echoed those in other parts of the country including London and Birmingham

On Sunday afternoon, protesters in Birmingham were seen peering through the doors of the hotel and one was seen scaling a ladder to hang a flag on a lamp post by the Holiday Inn sign

Pictured: protesters gather in Birmingham on Sunday following widespread demonstrations across the UK the day before

A protestor in Birmingham was seen putting up a St George's Cross flag outside of the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn

Protestors came out in their masses in Birmingham on Sunday under the Abolish Asylum System slogan

At Canary Wharf, police officers stood at the entrance to the Britannia Hotel while security guards could also be seen standing behind full length barriers that blocked off the entrance way

A woman carried a homemade banner which read: 'Tower Hamlets council house homeless Brits first' which had a St George's flag drawn on it. Another banner read: 'Enough is enough protect our women and girls'

Two protesters in Norwich walk past a poster criticising Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's migrant policy

Local councils also publicly announced their intention to seek legal advice as to whether they could achieve a similar injunction to Epping for hotels in their areas (pictured: protesters in Norwich)

Many protesters have been demanding asylum seeker hotels stop housing illegal migrants

Large crowds pictured holding up placards in Norwich on Sunday

Pictured: an anti-migrant protestor walks with a flag outside of Britannia Hotel on August 23. The hotel, which is being used to accommodate hundreds of migrants, has often become the centre of focus for a group of female anti-migrant protesters dubbed the 'Pink Ladies'

At least 15 people were reportedly arrested in Bristol, Liverpool and Horley on Saturday, The Times reported. Pictured: a demonstrator clashes with police officers outside the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Horley

In Stevenage, a small number of protesters were seen gathered outside of the Ibis Hotel in the town centre on Sunday.

The hotel is housing hundreds of asylum seekers and has done so since September 2022.

A group of protesters, numbering no more than 50, gathered to 'peacefully protest' for 'our children' and for 'our future', they claimed.

Three people sipping cans of beer and wearing balaclavas jumped onto the hotel ledging and blared music from a speaker, with five England flags attached to the hotel room windows.

Meanwhile, others protesters draped in England flags surrounded the hotel.

Police dispersed the small crowds shortly after 2pm as the drunken trio refused to jump down.

Earlier this week, Stevenage Borough Council said it was 'actively investigating' alleged breaches of planning control in asylum seeker hotels in the town.

On Saturday, mounted police were brought in to separate rival groups in Castle Park, Bristol, with one of those detained said to be a 37-year-old woman on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

Crowds of UK Independence Party (UKIP) supporters and anti-fascist demonstrators also gathered in Liverpool city centre for a 'mass deportations' march', with at least 11 people were arrested.

Meanwhile in Horley, three arrests were made outside the Four Points hotel - two for breach of the peace and one for breaching the conditions of a community protection notice.

In Horley, three arrests were made outside the Four Points hotel on Saturday - two for breach of the peace and one for breaching the conditions of a community protection notice

Hundreds of people turned up to protest against Home Office plans to house asylum seekers in flats in the town centre of Mold, North Wales on Saturday

Children were among those attending a protest in Perth on Saturday and were seen jeering and making obscene hand gestures at counter-protesters

Counter protestors were seen gathered in Horley on Saturday

A large group of counter protesters pose for photos as they hold a banner reading 'No to racism, refugees welcome' in Perth on Saturday

Around 200 anti-immigration protesters draped in St George and Union flags clashed with roughly 50 Stand Up to Racism protesters in Bonehurst Road.

The anti-racism protesters chanted 'say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here', and held signs calling for solidarity and to 'stop deportations'.

They were met with a torrent of abuse from the anti-migration group, one of whom yelled through a megaphone 'you're all scum and you should be ashamed' and 'this wasn't about racism'.

In Perth, a group called Abolish Asylum System held a protest outside the Radisson Blu on Saturday morning.

The protestors were seen holding up signs with slogans such as 'Perth is full - empty the hotels' and 'get them out'.

This was met with a counter-protest organised by Perth Against Racism, with the sides chanting and shouting at each other.

Their opponents held a banner saying 'No to racism, refugees welcome'. The groups dispersed in the early afternoon.

On Tuesday, the High Court granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to remove asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, from September 12.

Regular protests had been held outside the hotel in recent weeks after an asylum seeker was charged with trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl, which he denies.

The Government announced plans on Friday to appeal against the High Court's refusal to allow it to intervene in the case, and to further appeal against the temporary injunction.

Other local councils also publicly announced their intention to seek legal advice as to whether they could achieve a similar injunction for hotels in their areas.

Around 200 anti-immigration protesters draped in St George and Union flags clashed with roughly 50 Stand Up to Racism protesters in Bonehurst Road, Horley (pictured) on Saturday

Mounted police officers are deployed during a protest by Abolish Asylum System and counter demonstrators at Castle Park in Bristol

A sign on the floor reads 'stop the boats get them out' in Newcastle

Many protestors hope the demonstrations will ultimately result in a ruling for The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which must close to asylum seekers in weeks unless an appeal is granted

Reform UK's Nigel Farage has set out plans for mass deportations if he becomes prime minister.

Arresting asylum seekers on arrival, automatic detention and forced deportation to countries such as Afghanistan and Eritrea are among the proposals reported to be announced on Tuesday.

They also include deals with third countries, which could include reviving the Conservatives' Rwanda link-up, and sending asylum seekers to British overseas territories such as Ascension Island as a 'fallback' option.

Mr Farage said the plans could see hundreds of thousands of people deported and five charter flights taking off from the UK every day.

The first step of Reform UK's plans would be to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and to scrap the Human Rights Act, followed by legislation to bar those who come to the UK on small boats from claiming asylum.

Many protestors hope the demonstrations will ultimately result in a ruling for The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which must close to asylum seekers in weeks unless an appeal is granted.

Demonstrations first began in Epping after it was revealed that one resident, an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, had been accused of sexually assaulting a local schoolgirl.

It was alleged that he tried to kiss the 14-year-old. He denies the allegations.

Many protestors hope the demonstrations will ultimately result in a ruling for The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which must close to asylum seekers in weeks unless an appeal is granted

Demonstrations first began outside The Bell Hotel (pictured) in Epping after it was revealed that one resident, an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, had been accused of sexually assaulting a local schoolgirl

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said 'completely unacceptable' delays in the appeals process left failed asylum seekers in the system for years

Official figures released earlier this month showed a total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that 'completely unacceptable' delays in the appeals process have left failed asylum seekers in the system for years.

The Home Secretary declared an overhaul would result in a system which is 'swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place'.

She added: 'We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system with thousands of people in the system for years on end.

'That is why we are taking practical steps to fix the foundations and restore control and order to the system.

'We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels.'
Melania Trump chooses to speak rarely - but when she does, the world listens.

This was made clear earlier this month when the First Lady played a central role in Donald Trump's peace talks with Vladimir Putin.

Although Melania did not join Donald in Alaska, her presence was deeply felt in the form of a letter that was delivered to Vladimir Putin by her husband.

Melania, mother to Donald's youngest son Barron, urged the Russian president to 'singlehandedly restore' the 'melodic laughter' of the children caught in the conflict and end the war in Ukraine.

Raised on the fault line of East and West, the Slovenian-American knows first-hand the brutality inflicted by Russia on Eastern Europe. Her letter made headlines around the world.

The intervention was also notable as one of the few political statements from the First Lady, who has kept a low profile in Washington, DC. The 55-year-old has made just 19 public appearances so far this term - compared to 40 at this point in Trump's first.

Vicious gossip has followed in the wake of her absence, with spurious claims about the state of her marriage to the vigorous 79-year-old president.

'I think that a lot of people underestimate how normal of a couple they are. He listens to her and seeks her counsel,' said one insider. 'She only wades in when she really will go to the paint on something  and she really cares about kids.'

Trump earlier this year made offhand comments about how his wife was influencing his approach to brokering peace in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump, joined by first lady Melania Trump, walks down to the driveway after he delivered remarks during an Independence Day military family picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4

'I tell the first lady, 'You know, I spoke to Vladimir today  we had a wonderful conversation.' She said, 'Oh, really? Another city was just hit,' Trump said in July at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office.

While the remarks were light-hearted, they provided a fascinating glimpse into the couple's private life.

Melania has put caring for children at the top of her agenda - and it is not just the victims in Ukraine that have caught her attention.

Asked about his wife's view on the war in Gaza, Trump told reporters last month: 'She thinks it's terrible.'

'And she sees the same pictures that you see, that we all see. And I think everybody, unless they're pretty cold-hearted - or worse than that, nuts - there's nothing you can say other than it's terrible when you see the kids.'

Melania's involvement in domestic policy has also been inspired by the same wish to care for children.

She showed up on Capitol Hill in the early days of the administration to advocate for victims of pornographic deep-fakes with her support of The Take It Down Act.

The bipartisan piece of legislation seeks to target the proliferation of revenge porn online.

The First Lady even brought a teenage victim of deep-fake bullying as one of her guests during the president's joint address to Congress in March.

Fifteen-year-old Elliston Berry from Aledo, Texas, was a victim of the new technology, and Melania Trump gave her a platform to bring awareness to the rise of these attacks using AI image generation.

The Take It Down Act was passed by Congress without any objections in both chambers and then signed into law by the president at the end of May.

Kate Bennett, author of Free, Melania, told CNN: 'She genuinely does care about tragedy and things that have involved children. I believe in her authenticity when she does participate.'

First Lady Jill Biden addresses cabinet members during a Cabinet meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden inside the West Wing at the White House in Washington, U.S, September 20, 2024

Michelle Obama speaks onstage during a recording of the 'IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson' podcast during the 2025 SXSW Conference And Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas

But compared to her predecessors, Melania is being much more selective about when she decides to get involved.

'People expect or anticipate there will be a participation on behalf of the first lady of the United States, no matter who is in the office, no matter what political party,' Bennett said.

'It is patently clear that for Melania Trump, at least for now, this has been a pick-and-choose kind of role.'

In contrast, Jill Biden was seen frequently - almost matching her ailing husband Joe in terms of public appearances and was rarely not at his side, particularly in the brutal campaign against Trump.

Jill even made an unusual appearance at one of her husband's cabinet meetings in September, which started whispers about who was really running the White House.

Michelle Obama's tenure was also marked by many public outings with Barack.

She often stepped into the spotlight to champion various initiatives, including the push to promote youth physical activity and healthier eating.

Melania has chosen to skip many of the traditional events that her predecessors attended.

'I don't think it's anything interpersonal,' one source told CNN, adding that 'she's not interested' in the performative aspects of the job.

Notably, this time around, Melania has kept her staff lean.

As of July 1, the First Lady had just five full-time staffers earning a total of $634,200 per year. Jill Biden had 20 staffers, raking in a total of more than $2.5million.

The disparity may have its roots in the bitter betrayals Melania faced after Trump's first term.

Stephanie Grisham, who served a short time as White House Press Secretary and didn't hold a single press briefing while in that role, spent much longer working for Melania.

After January 6th, 2021, Grisham turned on her former employers and aired out Melania's dirty laundry for the whole world to see in a tell-all book.

After the publication of Grisham's memoir, Melania Trump's office told the Washington Post that the book was 'an attempt to redeem herself after a poor performance as press secretary, failed personal relationships, and unprofessional behavior in the White House. Through mistruth and betrayal, she seeks to gain relevance and money at the expense of Mrs. Trump.'

Another former top Melania aide, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who was a close friend of the First Lady for 15 years, also shockingly betrayed her trust.

Winston Wolkoff secretly recorded conversations with Melania and then released them for the world to hear. The leaked segments contained instances of the first lady complaining about White House Christmas decorations and also about the rhetoric around migrant children. The former aide was then sued by the Justice Department for an alleged breach of a non-disclosure agreement.

After betrayal by former top aides from her husband's first administration, Melania has kept her inner circle locked in.

From the revival of her Be Best initiative to speaking out on global issues, Melania Trump is undoubtedly charting her own path, not only in Washington, D.C., but also in the history books.

While the full impact of her tenure is still to be determined, her influence on policy, discourse, and even fashion is already turning heads.

With just over 200 days of the second Trump administration under her belt, Melania has already made history with her legislative advocacy, immigrant background, and quiet confidence, which inspires women around the country.
A stunning Wild West town in Oregon has been accused of trying to ban the construction of a cowboy statue in a bid to stop conservatives visiting.

Sisters - a town of about 4,000 - is divided over plans to erect a bronze statue of a famous local bull named Red Rock being ridden by rodeo star Lane Frost in the middle of a roundabout.

Mayor Jennifer Letz told local NBC affiliate, KTVZ, 'We just feel that if there's something that's too attractive, it's going to, maybe attract the type of activity that we don't want'.

She appeared to be referencing road safety concerns about putting a giant sculpture where it could block drivers' lines of sight.

Letz - a non-partisan lawmaker - spoke after her colleague, councilman Gary Ross, said he did not want fans of the statue to get 'clobbered' and hurt by speeding drivers.

But independent journalist Kevin Dahlgren claims the council is opposed to the statue because of its 'western theme' and suspects anti-conservative bias it as play.

'The mayor said, and I quote: "It'll attract the wrong type of activity that we don't want." Translation: It'll attract the wrong type of people,' Dahlgren argued.

The small town of Sisters, Oregon (pictured) has been embroiled in controversy as locals fight for a statue in the middle of a roundabout

Mayor Jennifer Letz told local news: 'We just feel that if there's something that's too attractive, it's going to, maybe attract the type of activity that we don't want'

Council members opposed the proposal to put the statue in the middle of a roundabout, citing safety concerns

'Why do I say this? Because this is a western-themed statue, and western implies tradition. Tradition implies traditional values, which really falls more in the conservative camp. And she happens to be very liberal,' he continued.

Letz has not taken public stances on contentious social issues in interviews, instead sticking to bread-and-butter topics such as growing the local economy.

Dahlgren's post went viral, with many agreeing that the bull is a perfect fit for the community of Sisters.

'Sisters is famous for its traditional/sustainable animal traction/ agriculture swap meet. This is exactly what I think of when I think of making the trip up past the Dalles to go to Sisters,' one person shared.

However, others pointed out that Dahlgren's claim neglected the safety concerns the statue presented and wasn't a partisan issue.

'Huge assumption. The city council didnt vote down the statue only the location. Safety is a concern in an IG selfie world, careless photo seekers could be injured crossing to the roundabout to [take photos] by the statue. Other locations have been discussed for the statue,' one comment read.

'My town put a roundabout with a mound and a statue. It created blind curves. Drivers need a clear line of sight. No mound, no statue,' another pointed out.

Despite the concerns, community members in Sisters showed up to voice their support in proudly honoring a part of the town's history.

The statue depicts rodeo legend Lane Frost (pictured) who rode the legendary bull, Red Rock, in Sisters in 1988

Independent journalist Kevin Dahlgren posted a viral video arguing that the mayor's comments had an underlying partisan message about conservatives

'The safety issue that you're talking about is nonsense to me,' Gary Tewalt, a resident of Sisters, argued at the meeting, KTVZ reported.

'And fact is, the traffic going so slow. If everybody bumped into each other, you wouldn't have any issue,' he added.

'The history is so important in this town has zero history that we support, and Red Rock could be the first piece of it,' Curt Kallberg agreed.

Councilman Michael Preedin agreed that the piece of art was 'beautiful' and was an honorable tribute to Red Rock and the town's history.

The town has a rich history and a strong affiliation with rodeo culture. Red Rock, an infamous bull, was raised in Sisters and presented a terrifying challenge to any cowboy who dared to ride him in the 1980s.

Community members voiced support for the statue at a town meeting, but the council opposed the proposal due to concerns people would try to cross traffic to snap a pic of the statue

The sculpture depicts Lane Frost's legendary bull ride in Sisters, a town with a rich rodeo history (Pictured: A similar statue of Frost in Cheyenne, Wyoming)

The sculpture's co-designer, Dyrk Godby, told KTVZ that after Red Rock was retired in 1987, he came back for a final battle against Frost for a showdown in his hometown.

Red Rock has gone without a home at the moment, as city council members agreed with Letz that putting the statue in the middle of a roundabout created a safety issue.

Councilman Gary Ross argued that people may cross the roundabout to get a picture in front of the statue, which could be dangerous if oncoming traffic goes over the speed limit.

Mayor Letz wasn't immediately available for comment due to wildfires ravaging Central Oregon.
Police have arrested a man after a Muslim woman and her child were allegedly racially abused by people painting St George's crosses on buildings.

Footage widely circulated on social media shows two topless men painting red crosses on the white walls of flats above a row of shops and restaurants on a high street in Basildon, Essex.

As a third person filmed them and a young girl watches on, racial slurs are claimed to have been hurled as a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf gets out of her car and walks past with a child.

The row of shops, off Whitmore Way, features venues such as an Indian restaurant, a Chinese takeaway and a burger bar.

Essex Police has confirmed that a 33-year-old man, from Basildon, has been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

The arrest comes after 'multiple reports' were lodged by the public following the video.

Basildon is one of the many places across the country where there has been a 'patriotic outpouring' in recent days, with St George's and Union Jack flags flying high.

The flags have also been seen regularly at protests outside asylum seeker hotels, including in Epping, Essex and Canary Wharf, east London.

Police have arrested a man after a Muslim woman and her child were allegedly racially abused by people painting St George's crosses on buildings

As a third person film them and a young girl watches on, racial slurs are hurled as a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf gets out of her car and walks past with a child

Basildon Council's Labour leader Gavin Callaghan said on Saturday: 'This week we've seen a large number of England and British flags put up across our borough.

'I think it's fantastic to see our flag flying proudly. It shows the pride that so many people feel in our country and our community.

'I have been clear with officers at Basildon Council that we will not be taking down any flags.

'The majority have been fixed to streetlamps, which are Essex County Council's responsibility, and it will be for them to decide if they stay up or not. Personally, I hope they do.

'But I want to be clear as well: there is a big difference between flying a flag and vandalism. Painting on people's shops or council buildings isn't patriotism, it's criminal damage.

'That isn't the way to show love for your country. You're not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You're not protecting your child's future by racially abusing a passer-by.

'Racism has no place in Basildon.'

Addressing the video, he said: 'The video circulating of men painting a St George's flag on the shops on Whitmore Way wasn't just about a flag, it was laced with vile racist abuse aimed at a mum and her young child.

'That is totally wrong and must be called out.'

Chief Inspector Paul Hogben said: 'Regardless of anyone's thoughts or views, causing damage by applying paint to people's properties is clearly a criminal offence.

'Aside from that simple fact, some of the language directed towards a member of the public in this incident was disgraceful.

'I'm confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county.

'We've received numerous reports in relation to this matter and it's only right that we acted upon them.

'We always work to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Essex.

'Behaviour like this does nothing to further any argument or make any valid point beyond harming our district and causing distress, alarm and fear to innocent people.'
A Texas mother accused of kidnapping her three-year-old daughter flashed a smirk as she frantically ranted at the police who took her into custody.

Amber Heaviland, 38, sparked a statewide Amber Alert when she allegedly took off from her San Antonio home with her daughter, Aurora Bojorquez, in an attempt to dodge Child Protective Services (CPS).

Shocking footage from Amber's on Saturda arrest showed the agitated mother constrained by a straitjacket as two cops escorted her through a parking lot.

She was seen staring down the officers as she smugly smirked before claiming she 'committed no crime.'

'Can someone tell me why I'm being arrested? Can someone tell me what my rights are?' she asked.

CPS went to Amber's home to conduct a welfare check on Aurora on Thursday around 5:30pm, but the mother and daughter were nowhere to be found.

Investigators told KSAT Amber's brother, Dustin Heaviland, greeted them instead.

There were several children in the house with Devin, including a three-year-old, but he allegedly refused to answer questions about the missing toddler.

After 'multiple attempts' to find them, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) issued an amber alert for the child, who police said was last seen on July 7.

Shocking footage from Amber's arrest (pictured) showed the agitated mother constrained by a straitjacket as two cops escorted her through a parking lot

After 'multiple attempts' to find them, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) issued an amber alert for Aurora (pictured), who police said was last seen on July 7

'At this time investigators believe Amber Heaviland is intentionally avoiding law enforcement to prevent her child Aurora from being taken from her,' the sheriff's office wrote in an initial statement.

CPS was planning on taking Aurora from her mother's care over concerns of drug use, neglect and abuse against the child inside the home, according to the BCSO.

Investigators returned to Amber's home on Saturday - this time finding both Amber and Aurora.

Amber was arrested around 2pm that day and Aurora was safely removed from the household, according to police.

On Friday, the alleged kidnapper's brother, Dustin, was arrested after he allegedly admitted to lying to police to protect his sister.

He confessed that the mother and daughter had been at the house, but Amber left without telling him where they were going, police said.

Amber was charged with interference with child custody and booked into the county jail.

Both Amber and her brother, Dustin, were arrested and charged in connection with Aurora's disappearance

Dustin was charged with interference with child custody, but he bonded out of the county jail on Friday evening.

While Aurora was fortunately found safe, a New York Amber Alert issued last month ended in tragedy.

Melina Frattolin, 9, was found dead a day after her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, told police he thought his daughter had been abducted by a white van.

Melina, who is from Canada, was found dead in Ticonderoga, New York, around 45 miles south of where her father said she had last been seen, Lake George.

According to the Department of Justice, 1,268 children were successfully recovered through the Amber Alert system, but only 226 of those children were rescued because of the wireless emergency alerts.
Three young sisters have died after an overcrowded rubber dinghy took on water in bad weather while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, a German non-profit organisation has reported.

The sisters from war-torn Sudan, who were nine, 11 and 17 years old, are the latest known victims of a migration route that has claimed more than 30,000 lives since the UN-linked International Organisation for Migration (IOM) started counting in 2014.

Volunteers with the German group RESQSHIP found their bodies after rescuing some 65 people from the unseaworthy boat in international waters north of Libya on the night of Friday to Saturday.

A fourth person was reported missing at sea.

Their mother and brother were among survivors who were brought to shore on the Italian island of Lampedusa late on Saturday, the group said.

According to the IOM, thousands of people attempt to cross the Mediterranean every year from Turkey and North Africa into Europe.

But given the risks involved in these dangerous crossings, thousands also die every year. So far, more than 32,000 people have died since the IOM began tracking migrant deaths in 2014.

Of these, according to the IOM, nearly 1,400 were children.

A partially flooded dinghy at the site of a rescue operation led by the crew of the vessel NADIR operated by the organization RESQSHIP in which over 60 people were rescued from an overcrowded and flooded rubber boat in the Central Mediterranean, early Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025

A coffin on the dock of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, early Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 as migrants that were rescued by the crew of the vessel NADIR operated by the organization RESQSHIP

Italian Coast Guard personnel evacuate migrants from the vessel NADIR operated by the organization RESQSHIP

The peak of deaths was in 2016, when more than 5,000 migrants perished while trying to get to Europe.

So far, more than 1,000 people have died traversing the Mediterranean since January this year.

The vast majority of people who died drowned, but a significant proportion succumbed to poor environmental conditions, a lack of food and water, and accidents.

The green rubber dinghy that carried the migrants over the weekend had departed Zuwara in western Libya earlier on Friday.

'The boat was really overcrowded and partially deflated,' Barbara Satore, one of the rescuers, told The Associated Press.

'It was a really pitch dark night with 4.9 feet waves, and the boat had been taking on water for hours.'

Ms Satore said they found it after an alert from the Alarm Phone network, which receives calls from migrant boats in distress.

It was only after rescuers evacuated around two-thirds of the people on board that the bodies emerged floating in a pool of water and fuel at the bottom of the boat.

An aerial photograph shows inflatable dinghies and outboard engines believed to have been used by migrants to cross the channel and stored in a Port Authority yard in Dover, south-east England, on August 17, 2025

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel. Picture date: Friday August 15, 2025

'I heard a woman screaming and a man pointing into the water,' Ms Satore said.

The darkness and weather conditions made the rescue very dangerous, she added.

'The medical team attempted resuscitation but they had been underwater for an extended period of time.'

The mother remained in shock and sat next to the remains of her daughters aboard the rescue ship, Ms Satore said.

Relatives asked the crew for white sheets and wrapped the bodies with them.

Among the other people rescued were pregnant women and many children, Ms Satore said.

Four of them required urgent medical evacuation and were transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel alongside their family members.

Survivors came from Sudan but also Mali, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Eritrea she added.

Separately, a different Mediterranean rescue group said it had saved more than 50 people from one migrant boat but failed to reach a second boat in distress after it had been intercepted by Libyan coast guards.

'The so-called Libyan Coast Guard and associated actors are accused by an independent United Nations Fact-Finding Mission of serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity in Libya,' the SOS Humanity NGO said in a statement.

'Forcing people who seek protection back to a country where they face torture and abuse is violating international law.'
Jerry Adler feared his career was coming to an end before his acting comeback.

Jerry Adler feared his career was coming to an end before his acting comeback

The Sopranos actor died at the age of 96, it emerged on Saturday (23.08.25), and an interview has since resurfaced in which he admitted he thought he was headed for retirement years before his passing.

He told The New York Times in 1992: I was really getting into the twilight of a mediocre career.

But the retirement he was contemplating was put on hold when Donna Isaacson, the casting director for The Public Eye and a long-time friend of one of Jerrys daughters, invited him to audition for the movie starring Joe Pesci and Barbara Hershey.

He landed a lead role in the 1992 crime thriller film, produced by Sue Baden-Powell and written and directed by Howard Franklin, starring Joe Pesci and Barbara Hershey.

Stanley Tucci and Richard Schiff appeared in supporting roles.

The film is loosely based on New York Daily News photographer Arthur Weegee Fellig, and some of the photos in the film were taken by the snapper, played by Joe in the film.

Jerrys passing  who went on to become best known for his role as Herman Hesh Rabkin in the acclaimed HBO drama  was announced on social media on Saturday by his friend Frank J. Reilly.

Frank posted on X: The great actor, my friend Jerry Adler, died today at the age of 96.

You know him from one of his iconic roles, which he had from many of his guest appearances. Not bad for a guy who didnt start acting until he was 65.

Jerry also starred as Howard Lyman in drama series The Good Wife and spin-off The Good Fight and as the New York fire chief Sidney Feinberg in the FX series Rescue Me.

The actor was the cousin of the legendary acting teacher Stella Adler and spent much of his career working in theatre.

New York native Jerry was a part of more than 50 Broadway productions and worked as the stage manager on the original stage production of My Fair Lady in 1956,which starred a young Julie Andrews.

He took up acting later in life and appeared in films such as Woody Allens Manhattan Murder Mystery.

Jerry said in a 2017 interview about his career taking off as a mature man: You spend your whole career backstage.

Nobody knows who you are or even knows your name. They dont know anything about you.

And then you do a television show and suddenly you're a celebrity and everyone knows your face. Its so weird.

Jerrys Sopranos alter ego Hesh was a Jewish loan shark and a trusted advisor to Tony Soprano (played by James Gandolfini)  and the actor explained how he defied doctors orders to accept the part as he had to have an operation at the time.

He said: I was stricken with terrible stomach pains and went to my doctor in New Yorks Mount Sinai Hospital. I wound up with gastric problems and required an operation.

Jerry left the hospital the night before he was due to appear on set against medical advice and promptly returned after filming his scenes in order to continue his recovery.

The actor is survived by his wife, psychologicist Joan Laxman, whom he had been married to since 1994.
Police were accused of 'passing the buck' on a shoplifting epidemic yesterday as shock new figures show almost 800 crimes a day are going unsolved.

Officers closed 289,464 shoplifting cases without identifying a suspect in 2024-25, up 18 per cent on the previous year when 245,337 were shelved.

On average, 793 offences a day went unsolved in the last year.

The new analysis comes after official figures revealed Britain is in the grip of a retail crime epidemic, with one theft recorded every minute for the first time in history.

Shoplifting levels have doubled since the pandemic and rocketed by 20 per cent since the Government came into power last year.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published last month showed that shoplifting hit a record high of 530,643 offences reported to police in the year to March, a 20 per cent increase on the last year's total of 444,022.

That equates to more than 10,000 thefts a week, or 1,454 a day, which is the highest level since records began in 2003.

Now House of Commons library analysis produced for the Liberal Democrats has uncovered how police are closing more than half of cases without tracing the culprit.

Shoplifting offences are at a record high according to ONS figures

Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner

In 2024-5, 55.5% of shoplifting investigations in England and Wales failed to identify a suspect, while just 18.3 per cent resulted in a charge.

The Metropolitan Police had the worst record, with 76.9 per cent of its 93,705 shoplifting cases closed with no suspect identified and just 5.9 per cent resulting in a charge.

Dyfed-Powys Police recorded the lowest number of charges, with just 276 suspects charged or summonsed to court in 2,033 cases.

Durham Police had the highest charging rate, with 32 per cent of cases resulting in a charge.

The data covered all territorial police forces in England and Wales except Humberside.

Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds said: 'These shameful figures show that the police are failing to crack down on the shoplifting epidemic facing our country.'

Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber suggested shoppers should intervene if they spotted someone stealing.

He said they could report it to police or staff, film it on their mobile phone, shout at the thief and 'some people will feel able to physically intervene'.

But yesterday Mr Reynolds said: 'Senior police chiefs should be protecting us, not passing the buck to the public. It's time for the government to scrap police and crime commissioners and invest the money in frontline policing instead.

'That way we can get more bobbies on the beat and stop this lawlessness on our high streets.'

Retail bosses have warned that shop theft is spiralling out of control and that business owners need to see immediate results as ministers have pledged thousands more officers for neighbourhood policing by next spring.

The Mail has campaigned for police to crackdown on shoplifting, with the British Retail Consortium calculating retailers are losing 2.2billion a year, which ultimately comes out of customers' pockets, adding around 6p to every store transaction.

Yesterday a National Police Chiefs' Council spokesperson said: 'Over the last two years we have made significant strides in our fight against retail crime, strengthening relationships with retailers and greatly improving information sharing which has resulted in a number of high harm offenders being brought to justice.

'The new Retail Crime Strategy builds on this even further. It brings together policing, retailers, the security industry and academia in a shared action plan which makes best use of our collective resources to turn the tide on the volume of offending blighting our communities.

'We are seeing much progress in police forces developing their response to retail crime, working closely with their partners to improve the safety of our communities. From prevention to dealing with offenders, we must keep working collaboratively to drive this offending out of our high streets.'
King Charles has paid tribute to the 'unbreakable courage' of the Ukrainian people on the country's independence day.

In a stirring message of support, His Majesty described feeling 'the greatest and deepest respect' for Ukrainians for defending their country so valiantly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met the King at Sandringham earlier this year, said his remarks were a 'true inspiration for our people'.

Writing on X, President Zelensky shared a message including the King's hope 'our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine'.

The King told the Ukrainian President: 'My wife and I are delighted to extend our warmest and most sincere wishes to you and all Ukrainians for the coming year.'

King Charles's message came as President Zelensky insisted Ukraine would continue to fight for its freedom 'while its calls for peace are not heard'.

President Zelensky said: 'We need a just peace, a peace where our future will be decided only by us. Ukraine has not yet won, but it has certainly not lost. [Ukraine] is not a victim, it is a fighter.'

King Charles and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have met many times, most recently at Windsor Castle in June 2025

King Charles remains the UK's diplomatic trump card. His invitation to the US President to a second state visit broke the ice when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited the White House in February.

Independence Day celebrations were held on Sunday as the country marked its severance from the Soviet Union in 1991 and President Zelensky addressed crowds gathered in Kyiv.

As part of the ceremonies, he awarded Ukraine's order of merit to US envoy Keith Kellogg.

King Charles remains Britain's diplomatic trump card and he is due to host a state visit by the US President next month.

The monarch's letter, inviting President Trump back to the UK, broke the ice when Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House earlier this year.

King Charles' hopes for a 'just and lasting peace' come after President Trump has appeared to waver in his commitment to Ukraine.

Hopes of US security guarantees for the country following any peace deal have been tempered and President Trump has withdrawn demands for Russia to agree a ceasefire.

It has also emerged the US is continuing to deny requests by Kyiv to fire long-range US missiles into Russia.

Controversial US defence official Elbridge Colby was involved in the decision to bar Ukraine from firing US and UK long-range missiles into Russia.

The ban on Ukraine firing US and UK missiles into Russia was also backed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

After his historic meeting in Alaska with President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump dropped his insistence on Russia agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine ahead of peace talks.

In November 2024, previous US President Joe Biden bowed to pressure to authorise such attacks. But President Trump withdrew approval as a bargaining tool with the Kremlin.

It was reported yesterday how US military chiefs who reviewed the policy decided to maintain the block for the foreseeable future.

The move has prevented Ukraine firing US ATACM and UK Storm Shadow missiles over the border.

British rockets are affected by the ban because of their reliance on US targeting data and satellite systems.

The two US officials closest to the decision making on this issue have previously courted controversy with allies.

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's policy undersecretary and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have supported withholding other arms supplies from Ukraine.

While providing testimony to Congress earlier this year, Colby repeatedly refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine or recognise the Kremlin as the aggressor in the conflict.

President Trump will spend from September 17th to 19th at Windsor Castle in a visit hosted by the King and Queen Camilla.

A full programme of events has not yet been announced. It is expected to include a full ceremonial welcome and a state banquet in St George's Hall.

All senior members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, are expected to attend.

The UK's Ministry of Defence has confirmed the British military will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers at least until the end of 2026.

To date, more than 50,000 Ukrainian troops have undertaken exercises in this country as part of Operation Interflex.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'We will continue to step up our support alongside allies so Ukraine can defend today and defer tomorrow.

'In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraine's armed forces in the strongest possible position.'
A woman brainwashed her housemate into believing she had a boyfriend during a 'wicked' catfishing scam lasting almost 15 years, a court heard.

In what was likened to 'a plot from a Netflix drama', Claire Gilbert, 45, created fake online identities to fool her best friend Michelle Oldham.

Miss Oldham became besotted with a fictitious man, called 'Carl Murphy', swapping intimate and sexual messages with him.

She was also made to believe he had a young child called 'Katie'  a situation Gilbert used to extract money.

The conwoman has now been jailed for three years after admitting stalking and fraud at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

The victim was persuaded to pay thousands of pounds for 'Katie', towards a non-existent school trip to Disneyland in Paris, Christmas and birthday gifts and a mobile phone.

She was even left 'consumed by guilt and grief' when she was told the girl was seriously ill with meningitis and was in a coma, needing her fingers amputating  but warned she could not visit her in hospital.

Miss Oldham, now 45, became isolated from her real family and friends and eventually suffered a nervous breakdown, with her weight plummeting to just seven stone.

Claire Gilbert, 45, created fake online identities to fool her best friend Michelle Oldham (pictured)

Claire Gilbert (pictured), who stole thousands of pounds, has now been jailed for three years after admitting stalking and fraud

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard Miss Oldham (pictured with her mother) became besotted with 'Murphy' and swapped intimate and sexual messages with him

In 2019 she moved in with her sister  but Gilbert, of Dukinfield, Manchester, used her name to buy 4,000 of shopping.

Police were called in when the victim started receiving debt-collection letters over unpaid bills.

In a statement Miss Oldham told how the 'psychological manipulation, emotional abuse and deception' she suffered was devastating' and called for 'catfishing'  creating a fake online profile to deceive others  to become a criminal offence.

Miss Oldham told how she met Gilbert when they both worked in retail in Manchester in 2005.

She said: 'I befriended Claire out of the goodness of my heart, took her in and looked after her.'

Tara Riley prosecuting said: 'The defendant claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse and Miss Oldham supported her and they moved in together.

'Shortly afterwards Miss Oldham was contacted by an individual called Carl Murphy who portrayed himself as a friend of the defendant.'

The pair exchanged messages and Miss Oldham 'thought was in a relationship to the extent she shared sexualised messages'.

Gilbert also sent messages purporting to be from Carl's sister, daughter and mother.

'In effect, the life Miss Oldham believed she had lived for 14 years was completely fabricated by this defendant,' Ms Riley said.

In a statement Miss Oldham told of the 'psychological manipulation, emotional abuse and deception' she suffered

Pictured: Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court where the case was heard

Miss Oldham (pictured with her sister Lauren) became isolated from her real family and friends and eventually suffered a nervous breakdown

Miss Oldham, who has undergone counselling, said: 'The only reason I didn't take my own life was I couldn't bear to put my family through that pain.'

She began to have suspicions when she caught Gilbert using 'Carl's' Facebook account.

She later searched Gilbert's belongings, finding cards and gifts to 'Carl' and 'Katie', and a phone with a number she had saved as 'Katie'.

Police raided Gilbert's home in October 2020 and officers seized phones and a letter Miss Oldham had written to 'Katie.'

Shirlee Duckworth, defending, said: 'The facts of this case are extraordinary and almost like the plot of a Netflix drama.'

The court heard the abuse began in 2005 but charges only spanned 2013 to 2020, because stalking laws were not in force until then.

Sentencing, Judge Bernadette Baxter told Gilbert: 'In nothing I have read have you shown one jot of remorse or insight for what you have done.

'Even when Miss Oldham suffered a nervous breakdown you persisted with your wicked fictions.'
NHS spending on spin doctors has ballooned since the pandemic, new figures reveal.

Statistics gathered by Scottish Labour show health chiefs spent at least 6.9m on communications officers last year - up 27 per cent from 5.42m in 2020/21.

But the total is likely to be even higher as many regional boards didnt respond, despite the number of staff at their disposal.

The data comes as it emerged that some GP surgeries are so cash-strapped that staff are now working out of storage cupboards.

Last night, Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: At a time when our NHS is lurching from crisis to crisis, this SNP government has allowed millions to be squandered on trying to hide its failures rather than ensuring that patients get treated.

With nearly one in six Scots on an NHS waiting list, the SNP should get a grip and swap the spin doctors for the real kind.

A Scottish Labour government will focus on delivery not hot air by making cutting waiting times and clearing the NHS backlog our day-one priority.

The latest data, retrieved under Freedom of Information laws, shows a record 6.9m was spent on communications staff, including 991,708 at NHS National Services Scotland, which provides support to surgeries and hospitals.

Non-emergency hotline NHS 24 splashed out 756,785 and Greater Glasgow & Clyde 603,507.

However, the total bill will be higher still because Forth Valley, Grampian, Western Isles and Orkney were among those who failed to provide data.

The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow run by Great Glasgow and Clyde health board

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the NHS lurches 'from crisis to crisis'

Meanwhile, the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland has lifted the lid on the crisis in dilapidated surgeries across the country.

In a letter to Holyroods Public Audit Committee, chairman Dr Chris Provan writes: Teams are often fragmented across multiple sites or confined to unsuitable spaces, with physical barriers impeding collaboration, information-sharing, and patient flow.

This not only increases risk but also drives inefficiency.

One notable example of an attempt to maximise existing space is the back-scanning of paper notes to fit staff into areas previously used as cupboards.

The current state of play is adversely affecting efforts to improve GP recruitment and retention [and] risks the loss of public confidence in general practice.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: This is a damning indictment of the SNPs mismanagement of our health service.

As patient demand continues to grow GP practices must have the facilities they need. It is time for the SNP to slash pointless bureaucracy and divert resources to primary care.

And there could be further trouble in store given Dr Gulhane previously warned the permanent crisis in Scotlands accident and emergency departments could lead the NHS to collapse this winter.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said GPs must be given the facilities they require

The experienced medic sounded the alarm earlier this month after Public Health Scotland data revealed a third of patients at A&E were not seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours - substantially below the governments target of 95 per cent being dealt with.

The figures showed the four-hour target was missed for 8,839 of the 26,805 people who went to an emergency department in the week ending August 3.

Of those not seen within the target time, 2,635 - 9.8 per cent of patients - were there for eight hours or more, with a further 977 - the equivalent of 3.6 per cent - enduring the longest waits of 12 hours or more.

Blasting the figures, Dr Gulhane had said: Unless urgent action is taken, our NHS will collapse as we enter the winter months.

The Scottish Government said communications officers help organise important public health campaigns and allow for scrutiny of the NHS.

A spokesman said: Effective communication to help people understand policies and access public services, or to prompt behaviour change and promote better health, is a key part of government work.

Scottish Government funding of health and social care is at a record level and we are investing 21.7 billion through our 2025-26 budget.
A break in a decades-long cold case has finally come after an independent diver discovered remains in a car submerged in the Columbia River.

On December 7, 1958, the Martin family, parents Kenneth and Barbara, hopped in the car with their three daughters to go Christmas shopping, but never returned.

The bodies of the two youngest daughters, Virginia, 13, and Sue, 11, were found floating in the river the following year, but the oldest daughter, Barbara, 14, and the girls' parents were never found.

The mystery gripped the nation for years, and crime junkies have spawned theories ever since as to what led to the Martin family's tragic fate.

Some believe they drowned after the car backed into the river accidentally. But there is also evidence that at least one of them was shot dead.

Archer Mayo, an independent diver, took his fascination with the case to the next level and set out to find answers as to what happened with the family.

Last year, Mayo found the family's station wagon in a deep section of the river that serves as the state line between Oregon and Washington, then reported the discovery to authorities.

Local law enforcement launched a recovery effort for the car, but later suspended it after the vehicle's frame detached and debris made it difficult to pull it out of the river.

This summer, Mayo returned to the river to slowly suction debris from the car, he revealed to Oregon Live.

Kenneth (right) and Barbara disappeared with their three daughters in 1958. The two youngest girls' bodies were found the following year, but neither the car nor the eldest daughter nor the parents were ever found

Last year, an independent diver located the potential car the family was driving when they disappeared in the Columbia River

The recovery mission was unsuccessful, but independent diver Archer Mayo continued to search the site for evidence

The car had split when authorities attempted to remove it from the river, creating a gap for Mayo to fish out evidence.

He recovered human remains this month, including remains contained inside a nylon stocking.

Mayo reported the findings to the Hood River County Sheriff's Office, who have yet to confirm that the remains belonged to the Martin family.

Authorities have said the case remains an open investigation. Daily Mail reached out to the sheriff's department for an update.

Authorities couldn't lift the vehicle out of the river, but Mayo said he recovered human remains on his own and reported the findings to local law enforcement

Mayo said he used predictive modeling to locate the vehicle and has dove into the 'pit' of the river 'hundreds' of times

The update provides some hope for closure for the Martin family, but also for Mayo, who has spent the last seven years on the case.

Mayo previously told Columbia Gorge News that he used predictive modeling to locate the vehicle in what's known as the 'pit' of the river.

He worked with historians and secured permits to launch a dive mission. Mayo located the vehicle last November and snatched the registration tags on the license plate.

He told the outlet that he completed 'hundreds' of dives in the river, adding, 'I can move around with zero visibility in this giant pit, because Ive spent so much of my lifetime trying to solve this mystery'.

What happened to the Martins?

The mystery of the Martin family captivated Americans for years, as the family of five seemed to vanish out of thin air on December 7, 1958.

They were reported missing when the parents failed to show up for work two days later. Authorities believed their car had accidentally backed into the river at the time.

It wasn't until a month later that a gun was found near where they vanished. The sheriff's office didn't collect it as evidence, but decades later, the gun owner's widow told local news that it had dried blood on it.

In May 1959, the bodies of the two youngest daughters were recovered, and their deaths were ruled as a drowning.

The eldest daughter, Barbara's, body was never found, but her younger sisters, Virginia and Susan, were discovered floating in the river months after the family disappeared

Donald Martin, the family's eldest son, was in the service and living in New York when the Martins vanished

Rumors swirled for decades about what happened to the Martins, but no suspects were ever named in the case (Pictured: The Martins' family home in 1959)

However, an autopsy report cited a potential gunshot wound to the head. The Medical Examiner had disputed the wound as a result of decomposition.

The family's oldest son, Donald Martin, was 28 at the time and living in New York. He told detectives that he couldn't see how his parents' and sisters' deaths were an accident.

Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff Walter Graven was also skeptical about the family's deaths at the time and spent years investigating the case.

Despite the swirling theories about the family, the police never named any suspects or pursued a murder investigation.
JD Vance won praise Sunday for his takedown of NBC's Kristen Welker as she attempted to grill him over Donald Trump's peace talks with Vladimir Putin.

The vice president fired back at the host when asked if the Russians were 'stringing President Trump along.'

Vance told Welker that 'the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict.'

He added that the Russians have 'actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war. Of course, they haven't been completely there yet, or the war would be over.'

'We are trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and the Ukrainians to find a middle ground to stop the killing. I think what the president has tried to do here is try to engage in very aggressive, very energetic diplomacy because this war is not in anyone's interest,' Vance told Welker.

Conservative commentator and Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk applauded Vance's breakdown of Trump's diplomacy, adding that he explained 'diplomacy to Kristen Welker like hes talking to a fifth grader.'

Vance was present during President Trump's meeting with European leaders and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Monday. This time around, he took a gentler approach, when compared to the spat Zelensky and Vance had back in February when the vice president accused the Ukrainian of being disrespectful of the assistance his nation had been given by America.

Vance also told Welker that the current administration does not 'think it's in Russia or Ukraine's interest to keep going. So we're going to keep on pushing for a diplomatic solution.'

JD Vance appears on Meet the Press with host Kristen Welker on August 24, 2025

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on X

The VP was also asked by Welker if he sees himself as heir apparent of the MAGA movement.

Polling from JL Partners indicates that Vice President JD Vance is the "clear favorite" to succeed Trump, with 46 percent of Republican voters favoring him to be the 2028 GOP presidential nominee.

Vance noted that he is currently focused on doing the job the American people have already chosen him for.

'I see myself as a vice president who's trying to do a good job for the American people, Kristen. And if I do a good job, and if the president continues to be successful, as I know that he will be, the politics will take care of itself,' Vance responded to the inquiry.

'The next election that matters is not the election of 2028. It's 2026.'

Ahead of the midterms, the Democrats are facing an uphill battle.

A new analysis of Americans' voter registration habits points to potential long-term trouble for the Democratic Party.

Data analyzed by the New York Times has revealed that the number of registered Democrats has declined in every state that tracks voter affiliation by party - a group that includes 30 of Americas 50 states.

JD Vance appears on Meet the Press, August 24, 2025

Vice President JD Vance joins as U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on August 18, 2025 in Washington, DC

The remaining 20 states do not register voters by party.

This trend was consistent between swing states, red states, and blue states.

The New York Times notes that explicitly, 'fewer and fewer Americans are choosing to be Democrats.'

The Times attributes Trumps sweeping 2024 victory - including wins in every swing state and the national popular vote - to this very trend.
It is a societal norm so quintessentially British as to be a point of civic pride.

However, it seems forming an orderly queue when boarding a bus has become more of a rarity these days, with one of the countrys biggest operators so concerned it has gone as far as to teach passengers the proper etiquette.

First Bus, which is headquartered in Aberdeen and runs routes across the UK, has published a series of videos demonstrating how passengers should board vehicles.

And manners when getting on a bus aren;t the only thing the modern generation are needing tips on, with the videos also giving instruction on a number of other dos and donts.

Simon Mathieson, the firms Director of Operational Excellence, explained: It seems that people just arent queuing like they used to. We offer our customers advice on bus etiquette, including letting other passengers off first.

He added: We ask passengers to be mindful and considerate and get back to that classic British pastime of good old-fashioned queuing.

The video guides tell passengers how to make space for others and keep their noise levels to a minimum, as well as advising customers to let others off the bus before trying to board.

Bus operators and users alike say that interventions like this are long overdue to tackle a wave of antisocial behaviour on public transport in recent years.

One bus driver in Edinburgh, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Times: Im not alone in noticing this increase in selfish behaviour. All of my colleagues are talking about it too.

He added: It is particularly bad in August, during the Festival. The streets are already choked with visitors and pretty much every time you pull up it is every person for themselves. Increasingly, no quarter is given to mums with pushchairs, kids and older people.

Passengers are being taught how to queue properly as part of 'bus etiquette' guides

How it should be done - people line up patiently as they wait for a bus to arrive

Bus Users UK, the organisation which represents passengers, has also launched a campaign of its own to encourage more polite behaviour on public transport.

Lydia Horbury, director for England at Bus Users UK, said: While the traditional queue may not form as it once did, courtesy and consideration are still essential.

She continued: We are encouraging everyone to embrace our #BeBusKind message: let passengers off before boarding, give priority to those who need extra help, and show patience at the stop. Small acts of kindness make a big difference to someones journey.

To help others to enjoy their bus trip, experts in manners stress that passengers should be mindful of far more than where they choose to stand at the bus stop.

Veronica Levett-Scrivener, aristocrat and etiquette tutor, said: I am admittedly not a regular bus user, but the same rules apply as in other social situations. Fundamentally its about being mindful of others needs and acting upon them if necessary.

That could be offering your seat to older people and pregnant women, or helping others to manoeuvre their pushchair, bags, walking stick et cetera.

She added: Greeting the driver at the start of the trip, then thanking them as you get off, is a must. To initiate conversation with other passengers, you could do the British classic of commenting on the weather, or say how lovely the area is and ask about their own journey.

Busses are not the only battleground for vanishing manners on Britains roads: Scotlands Electric Vehicle charging network has previously drawn up an etiquette guide for drivers too.

ChargePlace Scotland started sending EV-owners tips on how to show respect and courtesy after complaints of jumping queues and hogging plugs became rife.

Hugh Bladon, a founding member of the Alliance of British Drivers, previously explained that queuing systems at charging points are a shambles, often leading to what he described as charge rage.

He had said: People get frustrated and start behaving badly, he said, pointing to numerous situations when there was a huge queue and theyve had to have marshalling to organise the queue to stop people having fisticuffs and barging in.

The guide states: It is polite to return to your vehicle as soon as you are able to do so, especially if you know that your vehicle is fully charged

It adds: Please do not remove another persons cable from a charge point, or use someone elses cable without permission.
Bryan Kohberger realized investigators were closing in on him when they appealed for information about a white Hyundai Elantra like his - then began a slew of panicked internet searches.

Gripping details of what the Idaho murderer then began searching late into the evening on on December 29 2022 have just been revealed.

Kohberger first searched for the phrases 'wiretap' and 'psychopaths paranoid,' data from his phone showed.

He then read a news story about how police in Moscow, Idaho, were searching for a car whose description matched his.

Clearly spooked, Kohberger's next internet activity saw him visit the Moscow Police Department's website to see what the latest news on the murders was.

'Immediately' after that he looked up an auto detailing shop, Fox News reported.

And just 10 minutes later, Kohberger was shopping for a new car online.

In the early hours of December 30 2022 - just a few hours after making those internet searches - Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in Pennsylvania.

Bryan Kohberger (pictured during his sentencing in July) made panicked internet searches when he realized police were closing in on him following the University of Idaho murders

Kohberger was a student at Washington State University at the time, which is located 10 miles from where he slayed four University of Idaho students - Ethan Chapin , 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21. (Pictured: Goncalves, left, with Mogen)

Forensic investigators have said Kohberger's online history showed him 'scrambling' to try to get rid of his car after cops identified it, before searching 'wiretap' and 'psychopaths'. (Pictured: Kohberger with his father being pulled over during a traffic stop in Indiana)

Last month he was jailed for life without parole for killing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogan, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, at a student house in Moscow in November 2022.

Jared Barnhart, who owns forensics firm Cellbrite, told Fox News: '"Literally the pressure of, 'Oh, look, they're really talking about my car,' caused...within 15 minutes of behavior, him trying to clean it and get rid of it. Just not normal.

'I think the vehicle was a huge stress point for him, because he had registered it to park there,' Barnhart said.

'He had a PDF download of like a list of Hyundai Elantras for the university, and you can see this long list of cars.'

'If you weren't the bad guy, you wouldn't care, but he was scrambling, and he thought the police were on him. And they were. They were at that point.'

Police said they found a Ka-Bar knife sheath at the crime scene which had the killer's DNA on it.

They used modern genealogy testing to identify Kohberger - but detectives have said that they would have found him by tracing leads linked to his vehicle.

Police said the Hyundai was spotted on several surveillance cameras entering and leaving the crime scene.

On July 2, 2025, Kohberger, 30, formally admitted killing the four Idaho students as part of a plea deal reached with prosecutors.

(L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were stabbed to death on November 13, 2022. Police arrested Bryan Kohberger seven weeks later

Forensic investigators have said Kohberger's online history showed him 'scrambling' to try to get rid of his car after cops identified it, before searching 'wiretap' and 'psychopaths'. (Pictured: Kohberger being pulled over in his car three months before the murders)

That saw him spared execution. But he can never apply for parole and will die behind bars.

Kohberger declined the chance to speak during his sentencing hearing.

No motive has ever been revealed - but there is speculation that he may have become obsessed with one of the female students he killed.

Kohberger's sentencing saw him finally plead guilty to the killings, almost three years after carrying out a bloodbath that shocked the world.

He made the bombshell admission at Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho, while sitting meters away from the heartbroken families who have waited years for justice.

Several relatives of the victims broke down in tears in the courtroom - as did Prosecutor Bill Thompson when he read out the victims' names.

The Goncalves and Kernodle families have said the plea pact means they will never have justice for their children who he brutally stabbed to death in one of the most horrific events ever to unfold on a college campus.

Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive sentences of life without parole, plus another 10 years.
She is one of Hollywoods hottest prospects, having starred in blockbusters such as Dune, The Greatest Showman and the Spiderman movies.

No wonder then that Zendayas favourite thing about her recent break in Scotland is that she got to live a more normal life, including grabbing an ice cream.

The 28-year-old actress surprised staff at Inverness-based Mieles Gelateria when she popped in unexpectedly while filming in the city during last months heatwave.

Zendaya, who has Scottish ancestry on her mothers side, was shooting scenes for her latest movie The Odyssey alongside Matt Damon and fiance Tom Holland, when she treated herself to a tub of mint, butterscotch and Stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate) ice-cream.

She even took time to pose for photographs with staff who were flabbergasted when she turned up asking for recommendations on what flavours to try as she took a break between shoots.

The A-list celebrity has now spoken of how she really loved her visit to the Highland capital and praised the local people for allowing her and Mr Holland to enjoy their time without too much attention.

She told the Sunday Mail: I was excited I got to visit Scotland. I really loved my time in Inverness, it was a beautiful city.

Obviously, we were there to work but in between filming, we had a chance for a bit of downtime.

The locals were so friendly and actually allowed us to do normal things.

Zendaya has fond memories of her time in Scotland while filming with fiance Tom Holland

Tom Holland and Zendaya were spotted on a coffee date in Invernessin July

Zendaya poses for a photo with staff member Joss at Miele's Gelateria in Inverness

The couple, who announced their engagement in January having met on the set of Spiderman, were also spotted filming along the Moray coast.

They are both cast in Cristopher Nolans latest creation which is due to be released next summer.

The director scheduled shoots at various locations across northern Scotland, including Cullen, Burghead and Buckie in Moray.

Mr Holland also wowed fans while filming scenes for Marvels new Spiderman movie in Glasgow earlier this month.

Zendaya, who stars as MJ in the superhero movies, is also expected to reprise her role in the latest instalment Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

But the California-born actress, who has Scottish roots on her mother Claire Stoermers side, admitted that she would one day like to take on a role with a Scottish accent. She stressed, however, that she would only do it if I felt I had nailed it and it sounded authentic.

She said: Its so important if I take on an accent that I can pull it off - taking on a Scottish accent would be special with the history in our Nolan family.

In an interview with the Mail in 2023 Ms Stoermer said her daughter was proud of her Scottish ancestry after learning that her great-grandfather Douglas Whitelaw was a World War One soldier who hailed from Dundee.
Two married couples have died after a British car crashed in Germany, according to local media.

The fatal accident happened just after midnight on Saturday morning in a grouping of trees near Highway L3229 in Kassel, near Hesse in the centre of the country.

Despite rescue efforts from German emergency services, the 32-year-old male driver, a 31-year-old female passenger, a 32-year-old female passenger, and a 30-year-old female passenger all died at the scene.

The car, which local media reported had a British licence plate, appears to have veered off the road and crashed into trees nearly 100ft away.

Emergency services were alerted by one of the victims' phones' automatic alert, which sent an ambulance, fire engines and police vehicles to the scene.

They found the car, which was on its side, wedged between several trees.

The four victims, none of whom were German, were only found after the car's roof was removed.

A spokesperson for the Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department reportedly said: 'This high number of deaths is an extraordinary operation for our Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department.

Two married couples have died after a British car crashed in Germany, according to local media.

The fatal accident happened just after midnight on Saturday morning in a grouping of trees near Highway L3229 in Kassel, near central Germany's Hesse

Emergency services were alerted by one of the victims' phones' automatic alert, which sent an ambulance, fire engines and police vehicles to the scene

'For some of the emergency personnel, it is the first time they have been confronted with death in this way.

'Therefore, a great deal is being done to help us process these images. We will also discuss this among ourselves and within families, because not everyone can easily shake off what they have seen.'

An investigation is being conducted by local police.

A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign Office told the Daily Mail: 'We have not been approached for consular assistance, but our staff stand ready to support British Nationals overseas 24/7.'
On Tran Phu Street in Nha Trang, Daniel takes a cup of coffee every morning to his balcony and watches the bay. The Canadian software engineer has lived in the city for a year. He first came to Vietnam three years ago as a tourist.

But after returning to Canada, he missed his time in Vietnam and decided to move to Nha Trang to see if he could fit in.

He rented a studio apartment in the north of the city for US$400, began learning Vietnamese, joined local running groups, and now works remotely while organizing coding workshops for students.

"Northern Nha Trang has its own rhythm, neither too fast nor too dull. I have been to Bangkok, Bali and Lisbon, but only here do I find the right mix of sea, mountains, good food, and fast internet."

Visitors on an island in Nha Trang City. Photo by Khoa Tran

According to unofficial data from Expat, a platform that helps people find places to settle abroad, some 4,000 foreigners are living long-term in Nha Trangs urban area, most of them from South Korea, Russia, Germany, Australia, France, and the U.S.

Many praise the mild climate, with average temperatures of 26-27 degrees Celsius, warm sunshine and sea breezes.

Others choose the city for its low cost of living, estimated at $600-1,000 a month.

Job opportunities are also available for digital nomads like Daniel. Nha Trang is home to many industries, including marine services, renewable energy, technology, and tourism.

Expat notes that foreigners can find work as English teachers or in tourism, services or IT.

Rebecca, an Australian marketing specialist, left her advertising career in Sydney to freelance while traveling across Southeast Asia. After moving through several cities, she decided to settle in Vietnam.

"I chose Nha Trang as a pause in life. At first I planned to stay three months, but I extended my visa. Now I have my own apartment, I dive, I know how to cook bun cha ca, and every morning I run along the beach with locals."

Northern Nha Trang, Rebeccas new home, is shaping into an expat hub with European-style cafes, mini-marts selling imported goods, gyms with English-speaking trainers, and rooftop yoga classes overlooking the ocean.

Every morning she runs with friends along Luong Son Pass, where the sunrise offers a full view of the coastal city from 50 meters above sea level. Sometimes she dives to explore coral reefs or paddles on a SUP board. Cam Ranh Airport is a 30-minute drive from the city.

"This place makes me feel less like an outsider," she says. "I meet Canadians, Ukrainians, Koreans, and Vietnamese friends living here. Everyone has different reasons, but we all feel its worth staying."

The circle roof of Dam Market in an aerial overview of Nha Trang. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc

Nha Trang offers the same amenities as major cities in terms of healthcare, transportation, schools, and high-speed internet. It sits on a sheltered bay with clear water, year-round breeze and mountains on all sides.

Khanh Hoa Province is investing in hospitals, international schools and new coastal roads to serve a growing community. Foreign residents support the local economy by renting apartments, buying homes and using services, which create jobs in healthcare, education and F&B.

With the expansion of Cam Ranh Airport, new expressways, and ongoing development plans, Nha Trang, especially its northern part, is expected to draw more visitors.
A French judge on Sunday charged a homeless man for the murders of four men whose bodies were found in the River Seine just outside Paris, prosecutors said.

The bodies, some partially naked, were found on August 13 in the river in the southeastern suburb of Choisy-le-Roi.

A passenger on a passing train saw one body floating in the river and the others were found later.

The suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, was detained on Wednesday and placed in pre-trial detention, the man's lawyer, Antoine Ory, said.

A prosecution statement said that while his identity was 'uncertain', he was a 'homeless man aged about 20' whose nationality was 'not established'.

Prosecutors said the man had refused to answer questions about the killings but that investigators had established a link between the suspect and each of the four dead - an Algerian, 21, and a 26-year-old Tunisian - both homeless - a 46-year-old Frenchman and another Algerian aged 21.

All four had been seen on the river paths where the suspect had been known to hang around, prosecutors said.

Two of the bodies were partially naked when pulled out of the river. Two showed signs of having been strangled.

The first victim was spotted by a passer-by near a bridge in Choisy-le-Roi, a south-eastern suburb of the capital, on 13 August

Prosecutors say that one of the victims was strangled and another showed violent injuries

A passenger on a passing train saw one body floating in the river and the others were found later

The body noticed by the passerby was 'relatively well-preserved'.

But the three other victims were discovered in a 'a very advanced state of decomposition', prosecutors said.

The first victim was identified as a man who lived in Val-de-Marne, east of Paris.

The other three bodies are reportedly all adult men and forensic examinations are being conducted to determine their identities and the cause and dates of their deaths.

The suspect had been detained once on August 5 in possession of documents that turned out to belong to one of the victims.

Ory said his client had 'exercised his right to remain silent during police custody and before the investigating judge' but that 'he will give his explanation later during the judicial inquiry'.
Prince Andrew's sex accuser is set to release an 'unsparing' memoir from beyond the grave.

The 'intimate' tome by Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre will be published this autumn, six months after she died.

Ms Giuffre sued Andrew, claiming he sexually assaulted her when she was 17 and under the spell of paedophile financier Epstein. The duke settled out of court but has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice is scheduled for release in October, with the 400-page manuscript finished before Ms Giuffre took her own life.

The book contains 'intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, fellow sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their out-of-court settlement in 2022', publishers Alfred A Knopf said.

The announcement included an email to author-journalist Amy Wallace a few weeks before Ms Giuffre's death, saying that it was her 'heartfelt wish' the memoir be released 'regardless' of her circumstances.

Sent while Ms Giuffre was in hospital, following disputed claims that a car crash had left her with kidney failure, it said: 'The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders.

'It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness.

Prince Andrew's sex accuser Virginia Giuffre is set to release an 'unsparing' memoir from beyond the grave

The 'intimate' tome by Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre will be published this autumn, six months after she died

Ms Giuffre sued Andrew, pictured together with Ghislaine Maxwell, right, in 2001, claiming he sexually assaulted her when she was 17 and under the spell of paedophile financier Epstein

'In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that Nobody's Girl is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices.'

The email was sent on April 1. Ms Giuffre died, aged 41, on April 25.

More than three years after Prince Andrew, 65, finalised the civil case brought against him in New York for a reported 12 million, the allegations harking back to 2001 continue to dog him.

Ms Giuffre had long said she was flown from Florida to London by Epstein and Maxwell, a university friend of Andrew's. She alleged that, after a night at Mayfair hotspot Tramp, the pair had sex in Maxwell's mews home, where they had been photographed earlier that night.

There were two further allegations about trysts at Epstein's New York home and his private island in the Caribbean.

Ms Giuffre also made claims against other 'powerful and influential' men that Epstein pimped her out to.

Andrew, in the car-crash Newsnight interview that effectively ended his role as a working royal, denied ever meeting her.

In 2023, the New York Post reported that former masseuse Ms Giuffre had reached a deal 'believed to be worth millions' with an undisclosed publisher.

Prince Andrew is seen driving on the A93 near Balmoral Castle on Sunday morning

The book contains 'intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein', pictured with Maxwell in 2005

The Duke of York pictured leaving the Easter Mattins service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in April

Knopf spokesman Todd Doughty said she initially agreed to a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press, the same publishers behind Prince Harry's memoir Spare, but moved when Knopf poached a Penguin executive.

Publisher and editor-in-chief Jordan Pavlin called Nobody's Girl a 'raw and shocking' journey and 'the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free'.

Ms Giuffre's time with Epstein has been well documented, although her accounts have been challenged. She acknowledged getting details wrong, errors she attributed to trying to recall events from years ago.

In 2022, she dropped allegations against attorney Alan Dershowitz, saying in a statement at the time that she may 'have made a mistake in identifying' him as an abuser.

Nobody's Girl was 'both vigorously fact-checked and legally vetted', the Knopf statement said.

It comes just days after the release of Maxwell's recent interview behind bars with the US Department of Justice. In it, she claimed it was Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and not herself who had introduced the duke to Epstein.

Ms Giuffre's family reacted with fury to the interview, accusing the US government of giving Maxwell a platform to 'rewrite history'.

In a statement to The Mail on Sunday, they said: 'We are outraged. During (the) bizarre interview, she is never challenged about her court-proven lies, providing her a platform to rewrite history.

Ms Giuffre's time with Epstein has been well documented, although her accounts have been challenged (pictured: Ms Giuffre in 2019)

More than three years after Prince Andrew, pictured in 2019, finalised the civil case brought against him in New York for a reported 12m, the allegations continue to dog him

'This travesty of justice entirely invalidates the experiences of the many brave survivors who put their safety, security and lives on the line to ensure her conviction.'

Maxwell's interview is being seen as part of Donald Trump's attempts to shut down an outcry over a failure to release evidence around Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to sex trafficking.

The US President was friendly with Epstein as the pair crossed paths regularly on the New York social and finance scenes.

Maxwell is seeking a pardon from Mr Trump and gave the interview from a tough Florida prison in July.

She was moved to a new minimum-security facility in Texas shortly afterwards. The White House said 'no leniency' was being given to her.

Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment.
Disgraced Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was celebrated by the Clintons at an exclusive event after sex crime allegations against her emerged.

Despite being entrenched in the horrifying sex trafficking scandal, Maxwell was honored at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) conference in September 2013, evidence uncovered by CNN has revealed.

Footage and photos from the gala show Maxwell - who was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors - attending the event on behalf of the TerraMar Project.

She'd first been linked to convicted pedophile Epstein two years before the Clinton gala, in 2011.

She was seen rubbing elbows and applauding at the event alongside her fellow 'Commitment to Action' partners.

Maxwell founded the TerraMar Project, a nonprofit promoting ocean conservation, which disbanded in 2019 after Epstein's death in a Manhattan prison.

A guest list reviewed by CNN indicated that the sex trafficker was given complimentary access to the conference.

To be given such access, a source familiar with the event said Maxwell was likely personally recommended by Hillary or Bill Clinton.

By 2013, American and British news outlets had already been blasting Maxwell and Epstein about their despicable actions for years.

Maxwell was first publicly accused of sex trafficking in a bombshell 2009 lawsuit filed by victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Disgraced Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell (pictured) was celebrated by the Clinton family at an exclusive event after sex crime allegations against her emerged

A source said Bill or Hillary Clinton (pictured at the CGI conference) likely had to recommend Maxwell for her exclusive access

Maxwell founded the TerraMar Project, a nonprofit promoting ocean conservation, which disbanded in 2019, and attended the CGI conference (pictured) on the group's behalf

Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, detailed the abuse she endured at the hands of billionaire Epstein and how Maxwell was the one who roped her into the sinister scheme when she was just a teenager.

Oddly enough, the Clinton staff had barred Maxwell from events in 2011. It is unclear why she was able to attend the 2013 CGI conference.

A Clinton Foundation representative told CNN more than 600 people attended the event.

'The decisions on those comps were made, as they have been historically, at the staff level, which included the office of President Clinton,' the spokesperson said.

They asserted that these newly surfaced unflattering materials do not connect the Clintons with Maxwell.

'This is about someone working on ocean conservation attending a charitable conference 12 years ago, along with thousands of other people, and nothing more,' they said.

'As we have consistently said, the Clintons know nothing about Jeffrey Epsteins terrible crimes.

'The TerraMar Project, along with a dozen more organizations, made Commitments to Action to protect the oceans announced in 2013 at a CGI meeting.

'These were part of more than 4,000 commitments made since 2005.'

Maxwell (pictured with Epstein) said she helped the Clintons start up the CGI

Maxwell (pictured) is serving a 20 year prison sentence for helping Epstein traffic minors

Epstein (pictured shaking hands with Bill Clinton) was found dead in his jail cell in 2019

This newly revealed detail comes just days after the Department of Justice released a transcript of an interview with Maxwell, conducted in July by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

During the nearly five-hour-long clip, she claims she never witnessed any of the powerful men associated with Epstein - including Donald Trump and Bill Clinton - participating in 'inappropriate' behavior.

She touched upon the CGI and her involvement with the prominent nonprofit.

'I was part of the beginning process of the Clinton Global Initiative, and that was something that I helped with,' Maxwell told the attorney.

'And Epstein may have helped me help them. And in that context, he may well have involved himself, but only in the context of something I was trying to do.'

She clarified that she and Epstein, who killed himself in a jail cell in 2019, were 'very central' to the formation of CGI.

While it was the Clintons' idea, Maxwell said she helped bring 'key personnel' to to group.
Three children have been rushed to hospital after a car ploughed into them as they played on a pavement, with a man being arrested in relation to the horrific incident.

Police were called to the scene at Black Ridge View in west Belfast.

A report was made shortly before 5pm that the car, while reversing, struck the children - two girls and a boy - as they played before it 'then took off'.

A man, 37, has been arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol in breath, causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop, failing to report and failing to remain where an accident occurred causing injury.

He remains in custody, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

Officers are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or who captured dashcam or CCTV footage which could be of assistance to their investigation to contact police at Woodbourne on 101.

A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police in west Belfast attended at Black Ridge View following a road traffic collision involving a car and three children on Sunday 24th August.

'A report was received shortly before 5pm that the car, whilst reversing, struck the children, two girls and a boy, as they played on the pavement.

Three children have been rushed to hospital after a car ploughed into them as they played on a pavement at Black Ridge View in west Belfast (pictured: police at the scene of the crash)

A man has been arrested in relation to the horrific incident

'The children have been taken to hospital for treatment and a 37 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol in breath, causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop, failing to report and failing to remain where an accident occurred causing injury.

'He remains in custody at this time.'

The Daily Mail has approached the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for comment.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
Plans for a $10 billion wind farm off Australia's east coast have been scrapped after a global energy giant withdrew its support.

Norwegian electricity company Equinor last week announced it would no longer work with Australian partner Oceanex to build the Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm off Newcastle and Port Stephens, on the NSW Central Coast.

The Albanese government in February offered the companies a feasibility licence, which granted them the ability to conduct thorough investigations, such as environmental surveys.

However, Equinor announced it would not accept the licence and would withdraw its support for the project.

The Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm was set to generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity within a 500 sq km area, located 20km off the coastline.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen told ABC Radio Newcastle Equinor had similarly withdrawn from other renewable projects around the globe and Oceanex was too small to pursue the project on its own.

'They need a partner, and frankly an international partner,' he said.

Oceanex expressed its disappointment in Equinor's decision, while a joint statement from the companies cited global issues.

Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm was to be built off Newcastle and Port Stephens (highlighted area above) and generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity

Norwegian company Equinor withdrew its support for the wind farm last week and its Australia partner, Oceanex, is too small to pursue the project alone

Where the wind farm was set to be located

'We will continue to work with all to investigate how we can make offshore wind in the Hunter progress and create huge jobs and investment for the region,' the statement read.

'While we are not progressing with this feasibility licence, we believe Australia continues to have a significant role to play in the global energy transition.'

Bowen claimed the government was keen to keep pursuing renewable energy projects and would release new information regarding research licences in declared offshore zones.

'It's a licence to do more research, pilot projects, offshore wind and other renewables in the zone,' Bowen said.

Meanwhile, several community members have celebrated the decision.

Port Stephens Offshore Game Fishing Club president Troy Radford explained the wind farm could have affected tourism, whale migration, and the local fishing industry.

'The impact to recreational game fishing would be devastating, the area he chose is a marlin hotspot in Australia,' he said.

'All the whales that migrate up and down the coast and the effects of that to tourism would be devastating.'
Alligators and sharks are infamous for being the monsters of the sea, but what happens when the two are spotted swimming alongside one another?

According to recent viral videos of an alligator and a shark leisurely swimming near a marina on Hilton Head Island, not much.

Gina Athans, a Chicago native vacationing in the famed South Carolina tourist spot captured the footage of an alligator swimming along the dock when a lemon shark approached

Dozens of onlookers crowded around a nearby deck to watch the shocking interaction, but the animals seemed unbothered by one another.

The video has gone viral on social media, with users flocking to the comment section in shock.

'This just proves to me that I have no business in the water,' one joked.

'They seem fine with one another, but if a human fell in there...' another pointed out.

'Who's hunting who [questioning emoji],' a third added.

A viral video captured the moment alligators and sharks swam leisurely with one another off the coast of South Carolina

Despite both animals being predators, the two seemed to coexist as onlookers crowded to see the alligators and sharks up close

A Chicago native vacationing in the area was eating at a restaurant nearby and rushed outside to see the two predators interact

Athans responded to a comment saying that the curious scene took place on a dock by the Skull Creek Dockside restaurant.

She added that local fishermen were cutting up their catch and throwing scraps in the water, which seemed to attract the alligator and shark.

Athans told local news outlet, The Island Packet, that her family had just sat down for drinks at the restaurant when a manager mentioned the spotting.

'My first thought was theres no way theyre hanging out in the water together,"' she recalled.

Onlookers said the sight was mind blowing, but an expert noted that it's not uncommon for the alligators and sharks to coexist

The footage was taken in a popular tourist destination in South Carolina called Hilton Head Island (pictured) (file photo)

Athans added that she was 'mind blown' when she saw the animals swimming together.

Despite their fearsome appearance, lemon sharks do not have a reputation for being aggressive around humans - but experts still warn swimmers to give them a wide berth.

Despite both animals having reputations for being fierce predators, Morgan Hart with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources told The Island Packet that the two can coexist and are often seen together.

The scene may be shocking since alligators are primarily freshwater animals and aren't seen in the ocean like sharks, but Hart said it's not uncommon for alligators to swim in saltwater.

Sharks and alligators both feed on crabs and aren't a threat to one another if they're near the same size.
Las Vegas residents were left outraged as congregants at an Ethiopian orthodox church continue to illegally park their vehicles on lawns and driveways.

Neighbors of the Hamere Noah Kidane Mihret and Saint Michael Ethiopian Church told KLAS they have repeatedly reached out to Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft and used the Fixit app as they were instructed, but nothing has changed in years.

'We document that and we provide that proof and we have found that there's no follow up,' said Daria Wu, who gathered her fellow neighbors to discuss the issues they have faced during the services at the church.

These include a spike in speeding cars, vehicles running the stop signs and illegally parked cars.

'It's not great to sometimes have your driveway blocked by someone else's car,' Wu noted, as a recent morning ceremony brought more than 600 vehicles, most of which were parked illegally in front of county 'no parking' signs.

The swath of illegally-parked vehicles extended more than a mile, completely blocking some off some roads.

Church members have claimed the hundreds of illegally parked vehicles only come once a year, though residents say it is much more frequently that they are dealing with the issue.

A congregant also reportedly admitted that the parking jobs were illegal according to the signs, but was not an issue because the county has not enforced 'no parking' rules.

Las Vegas residents have been left outraged as congregants at a local Ethiopian Orthodox church continue to illegally park their vehicles

A recent morning ceremony brought more than 600 vehicles, most of which were parked illegally in front of county 'no parking' signs

The stretch of illegally parked cars extended for over a mile, completely blocking off roads

Carol and Peter Sidlow say the issue began almost as soon as the congregation grew.

'They're entitled to be there, but they do have certain rules I believe that they're supposed to adhere to, but they don't seem to do that,' Peter said.

Now residents fear the issue may only get worse as the church awaits approval from the Clark County Board of Commissioners for an extension on land it already owns.

'We'd like the evaluation of the potential expansion, which also includes a commercial kitchen, to truly be considered how that would impact our neighborhood,' Wu said, noting that the area is considered a 'rural preservation neighborhood.'

The Clark County Commission is expected to vote on the extension next month.

Daily Mail has reached out to the church for comment.
A fast track migrant appeals process will do little to solve the small-boats crisis or help to deport foreign criminals faster, Keir Starmer has been warned.

The Tories and Reform UK said the proposals are designed to see off public anger over migrant hotels but are nothing more than 'tinkering at the edges' of the asylum system.

On Sunday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans for a new independent body to fast track appeals and speed up the process of removing people with no right to be in Britain.

Judges who currently oversee refugees' challenges to Home Office asylum decisions will be replaced by a panel of 'professionally trained adjudicators'.

At the moment, there are 51,000 appeals waiting to be heard  taking an average of 53 weeks  and the Home Office argues the new system would allow migrants to be moved out of hotels faster. It came as tensions flared during the third day of protests outside migrant accommodation.

Marches were emotionally charged with angry demonstrators in towns and cities including Manchester, Stevenage, Norwich, Birmingham and London.

Numbers were lower than expected, however, with some groups being outnumbered by the police and counter protesters.

Ms Cooper said the 'broken' appeals system was leading to 'completely unacceptable' delays with 'thousands of people in the system for years on end'.

A fast track migrant appeals process will do little to solve the small-boats crisis or help to deport foreign criminals faster, Keir Starmer, pictured this month, has been warned

People thought to be migrants pictured crossing the Channel in a small boat in July

She added: 'We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels.'

The independent body will be given statutory powers to prioritise the cases of asylum seekers who are being housed in taxpayer-funded accommodation such as hotels.

The system will also address ministers' concerns that some judges who overturn asylum decisions are over-interpreting the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), leading to cases such as an Albanian criminal being allowed to stay because his son 'doesn't like foreign chicken nuggets'.

But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the proposals 'go nowhere near far enough' as 'the underlying rights, which allows most illegal immigrants to stay here, are not changing'.

He added: 'Simply waving illegal immigrants through even faster to full housing and welfare rights will not fix the problem.'

Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice said: 'The Government's proposed changes are just tinkering at the edges and will do nothing to solve the hotel crisis.

'What they should be doing is to follow Reform's plan: leave the ECHR, abolish the Human Rights Act, immediately detain and deport anyone who is here illegally.'

The changes are expected to be set out when MPs return to Parliament in just over a week.

The Tories and Reform UK said the proposals are designed to see off public anger over migrant hotels including outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, pictured

Marches on Sunday were emotionally charged with angry demonstrators in towns and cities including Manchester, Stevenage, Norwich, Birmingham, pictured, and London

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, pictured in July, announced plans for a new independent body to fast track appeals and speed up the process of removing people with no right to be in Britain

Ministers have been working on the plans for months, the Sunday Times reported, but the announcement was brought forward after a judge ordered the removal of migrants from a hotel in Essex last week.

It comes as a poll found 71 per cent of voters believe Sir Keir is handling the issue of asylum hotels badly.

More than half of Labour voters share concerns over the Government's handling of the issue in the YouGov poll commissioned by The Times.

And nearly four in ten believe immigration and asylum is the most important issue concerning the UK.
Angela Rayner has been branded a hypocrite for buying a seaside apartment as her own department warns against the impact of second homes.

Labour's Housing Secretary has been dubbed 'Three Pads Rayner' after it emerged that she had shelled out 800,000 on a luxury flat in Hove, East Sussex.

She is said by neighbours to have bought the 'biggest and nicest flat' in the Victorian terrace block, with sea views and celebrity neighbours, and has been spotted sipping wine on the beach as well as taking to the water in a kayak.

The 45-year-old Deputy Prime Minister already owns a large family property in her Greater Manchester constituency and has use of a grace-and-favour apartment in historic Admiralty House in Westminster.

Yet one of her junior ministers has repeatedly hit out at the damage caused by the wealthy buying up boltholes for themselves or to rent out in popular areas, pricing locals out of the market.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has spoken in Parliament about the 'negative impacts of excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes', which affect 'local services' as well as 'the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent'.

And he has told MPs that the housing department - which has already given town halls the power to double council tax on second homes - wants to 'give local communities more power to tackle some of those problems'.

Ms Rayner herself has declared that Britain is in 'the middle of the most acute housing crisis in living memory', while Sir Keir Starmer has warned that second homes 'can impact the availability and affordability' of local properties.

Angela Rayner was branded a hypocrite on Sunday for buying a seaside apartment as her own department warns against the impact of second homes (pictured in Hove on Tuesday last week)

The Deputy PM was seen puffing on a vape as she spent time on a kayak with her family

Labour's Housing Secretary has been dubbed 'Three Pads Rayner' after it emerged that she had shelled out 800,000 on a luxury flat in Hove, East Sussex (Pictured)

Ms Rayner bought the three-bedroom flat in Hove in May, paying 800,000 with the help of a mortgage

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice blasted: 'Rayner is the Everest of hypocrisy. She laments a housing shortage, wants to soak the rich, whilst selfishly building her own property mountain.'

Senior Tory Dame Priti Patel added: 'One rule for this condescending hypocritical Labour minister, and a totally different set of rules for the hard-pressed taxpaying silent majority of Britain.'

The Conservatives  who have been asking Ms Rayner for months which of her first two properties was designated as her primary residence for council tax purposes  said she still had questions to answer.

They asked if she had saved money on her council tax bills by changing her primary residence over the past year, and if she had ever claimed a single-person discount on her taxpayer-funded property.

Tory housing spokesman James Cleverly said: 'Until she gives full and consistent answers, the public will be left wondering what exactly she has been trying to hide.

'If Labour want to tax family homes more than ever, the very least the public deserve is transparency from the minister in charge. Right now, it looks like one rule for Angela Rayner, and another for everyone else.'

A Labour MP also faced questions about whether it was a 'good look' for self-avowed socialist Ms Rayner to have the use of three properties when many are struggling to get on the housing ladder.

Backbencher Catherine Atkinson told GB News: 'Certainly, when it comes to national policy, what's important is that we are building the 1.5 million homes that this country needs and that this Government is taking clear steps to do.

'I'm not really sure that Angela Rayner's housing situation is particularly relevant to that.'

At the end of last year, Ms Rayner moved into a three-bedroom grace-and-favour flat in Admiralty House (pictured) - which used to be home to Winston Churchill

Angela Rayner has added an 800,000 seaside apartment to her burgeoning property empire

Ms Rayner is seen arriving in Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting in London on July 1

In May 2023, Ms Rayner paid 650,000 for a four-bedroom house in her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency (pictured)

The row over Ms Rayner's holiday home is not the first time she has faced hypocrisy accusations over her living arrangements.

Last year The Mail on Sunday revealed she had made a 48,500 profit when she sold her ex-council house, having bought it using the right-to-buy policy she is now introducing restrictions on.

As Deputy Prime Minister, the mother-of-three was granted rent-free use of an apartment in Admiralty House, meaning she could give up her rented flat in the capital.

Ms Rayner also still owns a house in her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, which she bought for 375,000 in 2016 but which is now valued at 650,000.

Ms Rayner bought the three-bedroom flat in Hove in May, paying 800,000 with the help of a mortgage.

Neighbours have spotted her strolling around the area  where DJ Fatboy Slim and Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour live  with on-off boyfriend Sam Tarry.

Beachgoer Graham Brinklow said: 'Makes me laugh, all these Lefties with their second homes. No, it doesn't make me laugh, it actually makes me angry.

'My three grandchildren have all got good jobs but none can get on the property ladder.'

Allies of Ms Rayner defended her decision to buy the seaside apartment. Sources close to her claimed she needed it to use as a base while working in London.

A Labour spokesman said: 'We are not in the business of restricting people's ability to own property, but we're clear that rights come with responsibilities.'
A teenage boy who tragically died alongside his mom and aunt after they went 'off-grid' during the Covid pandemic died because of a 'delusion suffered by his mother', an insider said.

Talon Vance's remains were found in an advanced state of decomposition in July of 2023, 11 months after his mother Rebecca Vance took him to the remote Colorado wilderness to live.

His devastated father, Eric Burden, recently attended a lecture by journalist Ted Conover, who reported on and uncovered gruesome details about the tragedy at the time.

Conover published a book, Cheap Land Colorado, in 2022 about people living an off-grid lifestyle. In an opinion piece for the San Francisco Chronicle, he said that 'Talon died because of a delusion suffered by his mother.'

Vance had quit her job during the pandemic and pulled Talon from school, opting instead to teach him online from their apartment while she descended further into rabbit hole conspiracy theories.

By the end of August 2022, she had convinced her sister Christine to move to the wilderness and go 'off-grid' with her and Talon.

Talon had been instructed to learn knot-tying and survival skills on YouTube, and Vance collected plenty of seeds which she intended to plant in the wilderness for them to survive on.

Talon Vance's remains were found in an advanced state of decomposition in July of 2023, 11 months after his mother Rebecca Vance took him to the remote Colorado wilderness to live

Rebecca Vance and her sister Christine opted to move 'off-grid' during the Covid pandemic

But she didn't consider the timing of her seeds, nor the fact that they're difficult to grow at 10,000 feet.

The trio all died in the same area, but likely at different times, battling starvation, diarrhea and the harsh weather conditions.

Their bodies were discovered just a few hundred yards from a U.S. Forest Service campground.

Survival guides and empty food tins were scattered across their wooded campsite, according to the Gunnison County Coroner's office autopsies. No heaters were found in their tent which had been covered in snow during the winter.

The teenage boy weighed about 40 pounds - around a third of the average weight for a child his age.

Talon had, prior to going off-grid, spent plenty of time with his father, paternal grandmother and two step-siblings.

But his father was never listed on his birth certificate or school forms.

The trio were ill equipped to survive the harsh conditions and died of starvation, diarrhea and the harsh weather

Vance had quit her job during the pandemic and pulled Talon from school, opting instead to teach him online from their apartment while she descended further into rabbit hole conspiracy theories

An old acquaintance had contacted Vance months before she went off-grid, hoping to catch up. Her response led him to call the authorities when she fled to the wilderness.

'I know I probably sound like a conspiracy theorist, but there are insane plots to take away our soul and humanity,

'If youve never heard about the Great Reset, WEF, 4th Industrial Revolution, then please look up Yuval Noah Harari, Klaus Schwab, and their agenda.'

A final text to another friend read: 'They really want to merge man with machine, and I refuse to let them do that to me or my son... I don't know when all of this will happen, but I think it's important for people to get out while they still can.'
Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025/08/24

"34 years ago, we regained our independence. Dozens of generations fought for it. We had been striving for this independence for a thousand years. And on that day, 24 August 1991, we got our chance. Not everyone understood how important it was at the time. For some, it was a day off, a stage on Maidan, songs and poems. But it was then that a new history of Ukraine began," recalled the fifth President.

In 2004, we had our first test. And we passed it. In 2014, we had our second. And then the whole country stood together to defend its dignity and independence. And today we are facing our third test. And this time, there will be no retakes, Poroshenko said.

We are paying a very high price. For the right to speak our language. For the right to live in our own homes. For the right to be ourselves. We have already taken steps that seemed impossible. But the hardest part is still ahead of us. And we must go through it  for those who did not return from battle, Petro Poroshenko emphasised.

We need to preserve everything that made us stronger: the determination of the Orange Revolution. The dignity of the Maidan. The fearlessness of the soldiers of 2014. And the independence that we defended on 24 February, says the opposition leader.

"Our tomorrow is being built today. Its foundations are a strong army. Our native language. Faith in God and in ourselves. The European Union and NATO. I dream that in a few years we will not be talking about the types of missiles and shahids flying over our Ukrainian cities. But about civilian low-cost flights, which, just like in 2017, will finally fly to Vienna for a cup of coffee. I dream that the problems of the European Union will become ours too, and that we will solve them together. I dream that finally, in every Ukrainian home, in every apartment, we will hear: Mum, I'm home, said Poroshenko.

Happy Independence Day! Glory to Ukraine! congratulated the fifth President.
A father-of-four has died in front of his children and partner after a sand dune suddenly collapsed on him as he was digging into it, trapping him for 15 minutes.

Kane Watson, 28, was playing with his three stepsons and 18-month-old daughter on Muriwai Beach, 40km northwest of Auckland, when tragedy struck at about 5 pm on Saturday.

Witnesses recalled hearing children scream for help after the sand dune fully buried Mr Watson, before they frantically tried to dig him out.

The Kiwi father suffered critical injuries and died on Sunday night.

Family friend Kristalle Tayler started a Givealittle campaign to help his family cover funeral expenses.

It received just under $5,000 within two hours.

'In seconds, laughter turned to panic as his family witnessed the unimaginable unfold before their eyes,' Ms Tayler wrote on the fundraiser page.

'Despite the incredible efforts of rescue teams and doctors, Kane tragically passed away from his injuries.

Kane Watson (pictured) was buried by a sand dune in front of his four children and partner on Saturday

A sand dune collapsed on a man as he was digging into it at Muriwai Beach.

'To have witnessed such a tragedy and now face life without him is almost unbearable.'

Mr Watson and his partner, Jasmine, were expecting their second child together when he passed.

'Kane was a much-loved son, brother, partner and, above all, a devoted father,' Ms Tayler wrote.

'His greatest joy was being with his children - not only his own, but also the kids he cared for and loved as if they were his own.

'Family was always at the very centre of who he was.

'Most heartbreakingly, his youngest child, due early next year, will never get to meet him, but will grow up hearing stories of the incredible man who loved them before they were born.'

Mr Watson's sister, Shaquille, told local outlet Stuff her brother was 'her best friend, her favourite person' and his death had 'completely shattered her'.

'He was just an amazing dad. I guess that's where it's like just the most heartbreaking thing,' she said.

Witnesses recalled hearing children screaming for help while Mr Watson was trapped for 15 minutes (pictured, emergency services at the scene)

'All he ever wanted was to have his own family and it really does feel like the minute he got there, it was ripped away from him.'

Ms Tayler said the sudden tragedy had left the young family 'shattered'.

'To have witnessed such a tragedy and now face life without him is almost unbearable,' she said.

'Kane's absence leaves a hole that can never be filled.'
Welcomed with a glorious round of applause, the Fab Four's on-stage debut appeared to be off to a flying start.

All eyes were on William and Harry as they strode out with their partners Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle for their first ever joint event to unveil their charitable vision for the future of the Royal Foundation.

The event served as the informal royal 'working debut' of Harry's then-fiancee, American actress Meghan, and the all-smiling team sat down for what would be a 22-minute joint interview.

But beneath the surface, the cracks in the relationship between the brothers and wives were beginning to appear.

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail: 'There was a soft-focus filter over this "Fab Four" meeting of minds at the time, as Harry rather coldly and incorrectly put it: "We're together for life".

'The expectation was that we had a new friend and "sister" for Kate in much the same way that Fergie and Diana paired off, plus a very glamorous royal quartet to team up for their campaigns and charities.'

Despite not even being an official member of the Royal Family until her wedding a few months later in May, Meghan did not feel like she needed any time as an apprentice.

She snagged most of the headlines at the event when she boldly encouraged women to 'use their voices' rather than 'find' them, praising women for speaking out against sexual harassment.

All eyes were on Princes William and Harry as they strode out with their partners Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle for their first ever joint event on February 28, 2018

The Royal Foundation Forum served as the informal royal 'working debut' of Harry's then-fiancee, American actress Meghan, and the all-smiling team sat down for what would be a 22-minute joint interview

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail: 'There was a soft-focus filter over this "Fab Four" meeting of minds at the time, as Harry rather coldly and incorrectly put it: "We're together for life"'

Meghan had unknowingly veered into the most fundamental rule of being a royal - to stay out of politics.

She promoted the viral #TimesUp campaign, which aimed to create laws to punish companies which tolerated sexual harassment in wake of the Harvey Weinstein Hollywood scandal.

Although it was a noble cause, the creation of laws would obviously mean input from politicians, which is a big royal taboo.

'Meghan's energy and confidence here might not have been a surprise, given her career and campaign experience before meeting Harry,' said the body language expert.

'Meghan's declaration of passion about women's empowerment made her seem a dynamic and much-needed addition to the Firm.

'There was a powerful difference between the more cautious, careful and rather slow-hand-on-the-tiller campaign approach of William and Kate and the warp-speed urgency, drive, passion and energy of Meghan.

'Kate was also heavily pregnant and looked and sounded tired here, sitting back in her seat while speaking softly and smiling politely.

'Meghan clearly knew how to work and hold a room actively while Kate, as a royal, had only ever needed to adopt a more passive approach, as royals tend to command attention without any need for effort.'

Royal author Tom Bower wrote that Meghan's speech was based on her 'virtuous thoughts' and he claimed it caused Kate to react with a 'frozen expression'

As well as grabbing the headlines with her provocative speech, Meghan's talk also caused traditional royalists to raise an eyebrow

Royal biographer Tom Bower wrote about Meghan's speech at the Royal Foundation event in his 2022 book, Revenge.

He wrote that Meghan's speech was based on her 'virtuous thoughts' and he claimed it caused Kate to react with a 'frozen expression'.

As well as grabbing the headlines with her provocative speech, Meghan's talk also caused traditional royalists to raise an eyebrow.

Bower continued: 'While Meghan spoke, Harry spotted William's rictus grin. Virtue signalling from a platform ignored the royals' role of impartially to foster national unity.

'She had not been invited to join the Royal Foundation to reinvent the Royal Family's customs. Meghan, William silently feared, did not understand that the public expected mystique not familiarity.'

Judi added: 'Sometimes a body language statement is perceptual rather than intentional, but high-profile people need to be aware of both aspects, especially at a global event like this.

'As Kate speaks here, Meghan turns her head to offer some active listening signals: face-watching, micro-nodding and performing a gentle curling mouth smile to suggest encouragement.

'But her glance downward and then back, and a large swallow could suggest evaluation thanks to the small eye cut-off.

Royal biographer Tom Bower wrote about Meghan's speech at the Royal Foundation event in his 2022 book, Revenge

Judi James said: 'As Kate speaks here, Meghan turns her head to offer some active listening signals: face-watching, micro-nodding and performing a gentle curling mouth smile to suggest encouragement'

'When Kate talks about them all coming together, Meghan looks down in a gesture that suggests a pensive moment,' wrote the body language expert

'When Kate talks about them all coming together, Meghan looks down in a gesture that suggests a pensive moment.

'She suddenly turns her head away to the other side away from Kate, throwing a closed-lip smile in that direction.

'She raises her left hand to rub the back of her neck under her hair, allowing her hair to fall in a masking gesture that means Kate can't see her facial expression for a moment, but the others to her right can.

'She may well have done this in response to a comment from her right, but taken in this close-up clip, it looks like an "away" gesture, turning her face away from Kate and hiding her expression.

'Rubbing the back of the neck is seen as a self-soothing gesture that can suggest discomfort or even disagreement.

'The problem with someone turning their head from you and hiding their face from you with a hair cloaking cut-off is that it can look like an aside, as though that person is sharing thoughts with others about your comments.

'Meghan does turn back and smile quite quickly here though, to suggest polite agreeableness

'We can see Meghan use her hair as a cut-off or expression-hiding ritual during another, more famous part of this meeting, and here it is much more exaggerated.'

Harry, Meghan, Kate and William are pictured during the first Royal Foundation Forum

And then came the question from the presenter: Did the royals ever have disagreements?

William tried to laugh off the tricky question by responding with a drawn-out 'Ohhhh yes', with Harry jumping in quickly to clarify they were 'healthy disagreements'.

Judi said: 'It's when the group are asked about disagreements that they all chuckle knowingly.

'Meghan drops her head at this point with her hair completely shielding her face and therefore masking her thoughts, although it's clear she is laughing.

'Although Kate laughs, she keeps her face visible to share the laugh, even tucking her hair behind one ear.

'Meghan puts one hand out onto Harry's arm and turns away from Kate, even hiding her face with both her hands at one point, before doing a similar hair-flick as she does in the first clip.

'Meghan's responses look natural, and she would often raise a hand to her face to whisper playfully when out at events with Kate, but when royals are on display, there's a tendency to keep emotions and inner thoughts suppressed or hidden by the use of regal smiles or even a poker face.

'Harry was clearly seething with emotions at this event, but we can see an effort to suppress and not declare them openly or to hide them from view as Meghan does.

Beneath the surface, the cracks in the relationship between the brothers and their partners were beginning to appear

'While Meghan talks about her campaigns, he sits beside her grim-faced and often glancing down or rocking from side to side in his chair.

'He sucks his lips in and even bites at them at one point, but he forces a lightning smile to suggest a desire to at least act as though everything is perfect in the ill-fated "Fab Four"'.

When asked what the last thing they quarrelled about was, Harry also tried to play it off by joking they 'come so thick and fast'.

William forcefully tried to continue the banter, quipping: 'Is it resolved? We don't know!'

Harry then attempted to steer the topic back towards the serious message, adding: 'I think it's really good we have got four different personalities and we all have that same passion to make a difference.'

He then added: 'But we are stuck together for the rest of our lives,' before Meghan quipped at the end 'togetherness at its finest'.

At the end of the question, the presenter summed up the whole interview when she said: 'Well you're putting on a great show if [your last argument] is not resolved!'

Tina Brown, the former editor of Tatler and The New Yorker, wrote in her bestselling 2022 royal book The Palace Papers that Meghan's brazen speech didn't sit well with her future sister-in-law.

'Few knew that it was she, after years of providing emotional support to her younger brother, James, as he struggled with clinical depression, who had been the prime mover of the foundation's mental health campaign.

Many commentators see the Royal Foundation Launch as the beginning of the end of the 'Fab Four'

Tina Brown, the former editor of Tatler and The New Yorker, wrote in her bestselling 2022 royal book The Palace Papers that Meghan's brazen speech didn't sit well with her future sister-in-law

'It was crafted after careful consultation with mental health professionals, policy experts, and Palace advisers.' (As a trio, Kate, Prince Harry, and Prince William launched Heads Together, the royals' campaign for mental health awareness.)

'Now here was Meghan championing a fashionable cause anointed by Hollywood and sure to make headlines. It was an awkward dynamic.'

Looking back on the event, the Royally Us podcast hosts Christine Ross and Christina Garibaldi noted it was seen as 'the start of the downfall between the four of them'.

Ms Ross said: 'At the time, we didn't think anything of it, but when you go back and watch the clips from the event, it's noticeable.'

A little over a year after the failed launch, on June 20, 2019, a statement was released announcing the Sussexes would be leaving the Royal Foundation and setting up their own charity.

After the launch, the 'Fab Four' would only appear together in the context of larger group royal engagements, like Trooping the Colour.

Many commentators see the Royal Foundation Launch as the beginning of the end of the 'Fab Four'.
Wealthy residents of a small Connecticut town are trying to fight back against a Manhattan-based developer's plans to build a five-story affordable housing complex.

Vessel Technologies signed a contract in June to buy two single-family homes in Bethel, a town with a population of about 11,600, according to the News Times.

It now plans to build a five-story steel and glass building on the four and a half acre site with 75 units, 20 percent of which will be categorized as 'affordable' for at least 40 years.

Half must be priced at rates affordable to tenants making just 60 percent of the region's median income, which was $88,344 in 2023, while the other half must be targeted to those making no more than 80 percent the median income.

Residents say the proposal will ruin the neighborhood's small town feel, arguing at a zoning commission hearing on August 12 that the project will increase traffic.

Town officials have even gotten involved as they prepare a petition to state officials to put a moratorium on affordable housing projects.

But it seems the residents face an uphill battle, as Connecticut law states that a town zoning commission could only reject an affordable housing proposal if there are significant health and public safety concerns that outweigh the need for affordable housing.

'Case law is very clear: To find a health and safety concern, it has to be more than a mere theoretical possibility,' Vessel's attorney Jason Klein argued at the hearing, the Hartford Courant reports. 'Mere concern alone is not sufficient.'

'Of all the concerns we've heard, we have not heard quantifiable evidence of a specific harm that would occur that would provide a legal route for denying this application.'

Vessel Technologies is planning to develop a five-story steel and glass building comprising 75 units in Bethel, Connecticut

The Manhattan-based developer signed a contract in June to buy these two single-family homes for the affordable housing project

Residents, though, disagreed as they urged commissioners to reject the proposal.

'We are faced with what, maybe at least 200 tenants, making it overly-high density,' Penny Kessler argued.

'Please don't let them insult us with suggestions that Vessel will be a [good] neighbor. Vessel will be an absentee landlord,' she continued.

Deborah Light also claimed the construction will 'send shock waves into the ground, and it's going to kill trees. They're going to die slowly and become widow makers.

'Enough is enough with the building in Bethel,' she argued.

Town officials have already approved a six-unit affordable housing complex and an 11-unit project near the high school this year alone.

The zoning commission was also forced to reverse its decision to deny a 20-unit affordable housing plan last month after officials were warned the developer would win an appeal in court.

Brad Koltz urged the commission to not give into the developer once again, calling on them to fight 'an absolutely horrible plan' on principle.

'No matter what the legal costs are to ... defend it, even if we believe we ultimately lose it, it is worth it to the town to delay [the project] for two or three years to fight back.'

Residents argue the proposal will ruin the neighborhood's small town feel

Vessel executives are not afraid to put up a legal fight either, as Klein warned commissioners that 'the cost of litigation is not something to be just disregarded.'

It has already won a court-brokered compromise to build affordable housing in Simsbury, Connecticut and is pursuing lawsuits against Glastonbury and Newtown - which rejected a different affordable housing project earlier this year after the developer failed to get a utility's commitment that public water would be available.

The developer also sued two years ago, when residents in Rocky Hill balked at town officials letting Vessel Technologies put up a five-story building with 30 apartments across from the long-planned town center.

Negotiations in that case led to a deal in which Vessel moved its project to another location, but in exchange, got permission to build 96 units.

At the hearing last week, Klein told Bethel commissioners the developer would be willing to reduce the height of the proposed complex to four stories, add more parking spaces, change the buildings' color palette from white to earth tones and reduce the number of units from 75 to 72.

Those concessions would only be made, however, if the commission agreed to close the public hearing and prepare for a vote on September 9.

'We want to be good neighbors,' Klein said. 'Even though some of these changes aren't required, they are changes we are willing to abide by should you adopt them as conditions of approval.'

But Klein's threats did not go over well with the zoning commissioners, with Kenneth Parsons saying 'We're being forced to do this' and fellow Commissioner Michael Kozlowski hitting out at the lawyer.

'You talk about openness, honesty and transparency... but you're throwing this down our throats,' he argued. 'It just doesn't sit well with me.

'And frankly, I do think there's health and safety concerns.'

Still, residents fear there's not much that can be done to prevent the construction.

'I think we're going to wind up with this monstrosity,' Tia Murphy said.

Daily Mail has contacted Vessel Technologies for comment.
Cutting-edge technology could one day transform treatment for Down syndrome, as researchers have successfully deleted an extra chromosome in lab-grown cells.

Down syndrome - which occurs when a person has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two - alters brain development and can cause intellectual disability, learning difficulties and other health challenges.

It affects about one in 700 births in the US, with an estimated 250,000 people living with the condition.

Scientists from Mie University in Japan have used CRISPR-Cas9, a DNA-editing tool often described as 'molecular scissors,' to cut away the surplus chromosome in cells.

Their system was able to distinguish the duplicated chromosome from the two original parental copies, ensuring the cell kept one from each parent rather than two identical versions.

Those corrected cells began showing more typical patterns of gene activity and cellular behavior, especially in pathways linked to brain development.

While the results are a striking proof of concept, experts stress that this research is still far from becoming a therapy.

'Removing an extra chromosome from a single cell has been possible for more than a decade, and CRISPR has made the process more precise,' Dr Roger Reeves of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine told the Daily Mail.

The technique can identify which chromosome is duplicated, ensuring that after removal the cell retains one chromosome from each parent rather than two identical copies

'But a human body contains trillions of cells, each carrying the extra chromosome, so there is currently no realistic way to apply this as a treatment. Lab-grown cells are powerful research tools, but they don't replicate the full complexity of a developing human.'

Scientists have long struggled to pinpoint exactly which genes on chromosome 21 are responsible for the traits and health problems seen in Down syndrome.

One major challenge is that people's genetic backgrounds vary, making it harder to find consistent patterns across individuals.

This makes it difficult to identify clear genetic 'signatures' that can be directly targeted for therapy.

While there is no cure or treatment for the disorder, the Japanese scientists believe their method could pave the way for intervention.

The technique was tested in two types of lab-grown cells: induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from adult tissue, and skin fibroblasts.

CRISPR-Cas9 was employed to cut at multiple sites on the extra chromosome 21.

By creating breaks in several places at once, the cell was forced to eliminate the damaged chromosome entirely.

Because each cell with Down syndrome has three copies of chromosome 21, the scientists designed the system to distinguish between the duplicated copy and the two original parental copies, making sure the wrong one was not removed.

The technique was tested in two types of lab-grown cells: induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from adult tissue, and skin fibroblasts (stock)

To boost the odds of success, the team also suppressed the cell's DNA repair system.

Normally, cells quickly try to patch up broken DNA. But in this case, shutting down that repair ability made it more likely the whole extra chromosome would be lost instead of fixed.

After editing, only a small fraction of the millions of cells tested lost the extra chromosome.

Reeves said that the scale of the challenge is immense.

'Theoretically, more than 800 million cells would need to have the extra chromosome 21 removed to create a "typical" person,' he said.

'Right now there is no way to target every cell, and most would die in the process. That makes this approach impossible to apply to a living baby.'

Most Down syndrome research focuses on managing symptoms or treating associated health conditions rather than correcting the genetic cause.

For example, fetal surgery can sometimes repair heart defects before birth, and postnatal therapies often target learning difficulties or other medical complications.

By contrast, directly removing the extra chromosome tackles the root of the disorder, but comes with technical and ethical challenges that make it far more complex.

The Japanese team acknowledges the limitations, noting that delivering CRISPR edits to the right cells in the body, avoiding harmful off-target DNA damage and ensuring safety in embryos or living people are major hurdles still to be solved.

Even if science advances, there are ethical barriers to using gene-editing tools like CRISPR on human embryos.

The method is controversial and currently banned in most countries, in part due to concerns about unintended consequences and the potential for 'designer babies'.

Even so, researchers said the work is an important milestone, showing that CRISPR can cleanly eliminate a whole chromosome, which opens new doors for studying Down syndrome at the cellular level and may one day guide future therapies.
Whether it's on a busy bus, in a sweaty gym, or on a crowded dancefloor, all of us have experienced an unpleasant whiff of someone's body odour.

The pong might have you covering your nose, or reaching for the closest can of deodorant.

But if you can bear to sniff it, scientists say the exact aroma can actually divulge a lot about someone.

From the unmistakable pong of elevated stress levels, to the stale beer aroma of a tuberculosis infection, your body odour can reveal key clues to your health.

And for some 'super-smellers', even complex diseases like early-onset Parkinson's can be detected with a simple sniff.

Dr Bruce Kimball, a smell expert from the Monell Chemical Senses Centre, told Daily Mail: 'There are a variety of diseases that have long been known to alter bodily odours.

'In fact, there was a time that physicians would commonly sniff patients' urine to detect some conditions.'

So, can you pass the smell test?

Body odour might not be pleasant, but scientists say it could be a vital early warning sign of multiple diseases and conditions (stock image)

Rancid beer

If you've sat next to someone who stinks of rancid beer, it might not just be a sign that they've had a big night on the town.

In fact, a strong odour of stale beer is a common sign of a tuberculosis infection.

This is because the bacteria which infest the lungs to create the tuberculosis condition produce a strong odour.

Since these make their home in the respiratory system, the smell is often strongest on the patient's breath.

However, in some cases, a person with tuberculosis will emanate an odour from their skin which has been described as 'wet cardboard' and brine.

Professor Perdita Barran, a smell researcher from Manchester University, told Daily Mail that we likely evolved the ability to smell this infectious disease as a survival trait.

She says: 'The same as we have evolved to smell rotting food, it's easy to understand how we might have retained the ability to diagnose something that's infectious.'

A smell of rancid beer is a common sign that the bacteria which cause tuberculosis have started to build up in someone's lungs. This method of diagnosis has been used since at least the third century BC (stock image)

What your body odour says about you Pungent sweaty smell : High levels of stress

: High levels of stress Stale beer and wet cardboard : Tuberculosis

: Tuberculosis Fishy or urine-like smell : Kidney damage

: Kidney damage Sweet overripe fruit : Type 1 diabetes

: Type 1 diabetes Garlic or spices : Eating too much spicy food

: Eating too much spicy food Musky grease : Parkinson's disease Advertisement

Fish and urine

If your body odour starts to take on a fishy and 'urine-like' smell, this could be a seriously bad sign.

These odours can be a sign of severe kidney disease, which is interfering with your body's ability to process toxins.

The kidneys are essentially the body's filtration system, responsible for taking harmful chemicals out of the blood and removing them through urine.

If the kidneys aren't working, the chemicals that our bodies would normally expel simply build up in the blood.

As we sweat, some of those chemicals leach out onto the skin, where they evaporate and produce an intensely unpleasant smell.

In some rare cases, a fishy smell might also be caused by the condition 'Trimethylaminuria'.

This is a genetic condition which leaves the body unable to break down a chemical compound called trimethylamine.

A smell of fish can be an indication of kidney disease. When our kidneys are weakened, they aren't able to remove the toxins from our blood, and these then seep out through the skin in sweat (stock image)

This chemical then escapes the body through sweat and produces an odour similar to rotten eggs, fish, or rubbish.

Overripe fruit

One of the best-known uses of smell to detect illness is the warning that comes from sweet-smelling breath.

Although that might sound pleasant, if someone's breath smells like sugar or they have an odour like an 'old fruit bowl', it's likely a sign that they are seriously ill.

A sweet smell is a sure sign of critically low insulin levels in your body, which can be a sign of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes.

When levels of insulin, a hormone which our body needs to turn sugar into energy, get too low, the body starts breaking down fat for energy instead.

This process releases chemicals called 'ketones' into your bloodstream, producing an unusually sweet smell.

Professor Barran says: 'That process releases ketones and we humans are good at smelling ketones.'

This process also turns the patient's blood acidic, which can be fatal in some cases.

'Paramedics are taught to smell the breath of people who have collapsed in the street and check for a ketone smell, because that's a sign that someone has become hyperglycaemic,' points out Professor Barran.

Pungently sweaty

If you've ever had a stressful day at work or had to run for the bus, you might have noticed that your body odour is much worse than normal.

This is because stress sweat really does smell worse than normal sweat.

Our body is covered with about two to four million sweat glands, of which most are a type of cell called eccrine glands.

However, when we become stressed, we start to sweat much more heavily through a second type of gland known as apocrine glands.

These are concentrated in hairy areas like our armpits, and produce sweat that is rich in proteins and fatty chemicals called lipids.

An intensly sweaty smell, especially from your armpits, is likely a sign that someone is very stressed. Stress sweat contains more fats and proteins that feed the bacteria on our skin (stock image)

Dr Kimball points out: 'Our odour profile is not just a result of our own metabolism. We support millions of microbes, and they can respond to changes in our metabolism too.'

When these microbes are suddenly doused in nutrient-rich stress sweat, this triggers a feeding frenzy on your skin.

The volatile chemicals released by the bacteria as they feed and multiply are what give stress sweat its pungent stench.

Garlic or spices

Sometimes, the explanation for someone's body odour is very simple.

Foods that contain lots of volatile chemicals can directly influence the smell of someone's sweat.

When you eat a lot of onions, garlic, or spices, the chemicals which give these foods their flavour stay in our bodies.

Eventually, those chemicals are expelled in the form of sweat, where they evaporate off the skin.

A smell of garlic or spices can simply be caused by eating too many of these fragrant ingredients. The volatile chemicals in our food can stay in our system and leach out in sweat, producing a pungent smell (stock image)

So, if you have a particularly fragrant meal, you may be able to smell it for quite a while later.

Greasy musk

Although not everyone will be able to detect this smell, it is certainly one to watch out for.

A handful of extremely talented 'super-smellers' have the incredible ability to smell Parkinson's disease - even before doctors would be able to diagnose the condition.

Perhaps most famously, a 74-year-old retired nurse called Joy Milne amazed scientists with her claim that she could smell Parkinson's disease.

In a trial, scientists gave Ms Milne 12 shirts to smell, six of which had recently been worn by Parkinson's patients.

Not only did she correctly identify the six Parkinson's patients, but she also identified an additional person who was diagnosed with the condition less than a year later.

According to Ms Milne, the smell of Parkinson's is a musky, greasy odour that clings to clothes and fabric.

A few highly skilled super-smellers have the ability to detect Parkinson's by odour alone. According to one super-smeller, the disease smells like a greasy musk (stock image)

Professor Barran says: 'The smell of Parkinson's is strongest when a patient's symptoms are least well managed.

'So that is usually before they are diagnosed or if their medication isn't working.'

Ms Milne is able to detect this smell because she has a condition called hereditary hyperosmia, which makes her thousands of times more sensitive to smells than the average person.

While Ms Milne's talents are unique, Professor Barran says that many women have reported noticing a sudden change in their partner's odour before they were diagnosed with the condition.
At the very heart of our galaxy, a giant monster is sleeping.

The supermassive black hole, known as Sagittarius A*, has a mass 4.3 million times larger than the sun and measures around 24 million kilometres (15 million miles) across.

For now, this colossal void is dormant, but scientists don't think it will stay that way forever.

Now, researchers have predicted exactly when it is likely to wake up.

A supermassive black hole becomes active when it starts to swallow vast quantities of gas and dust from the galaxy around it.

But for this to happen, a black hole needs to be supplied with a mind-boggling quantity of matter to feed on.

The black hole at the centre of the Milky Way will wake up for its next feeding frenzy when we collide with a dwarf galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud.

And scientists have predicted that this is almost certain to happen exactly 2.4 billion years from now.

The enormous black hole at the centre of our galaxy, dubbed Sagittarius A*, is currently dormant. However, scientists say it will one day erupt into life

Why do black holes become active?

Black holes are formed when an extremely large star runs out of fuel at the end of its life and collapses under the enormous weight of its own mass.

However, these so-called stellar-mass black holes are pipsqueaks compared to the vast voids that sit at the core of nearly every galaxy.

While a stellar mass black hole might be one to 10 times the mass of our sun, a supermassive black hole can be millions or even billions of times bigger.

But despite how big they are, most of these giants are almost impossible for even our most powerful telescopes to directly detect.

That's because their gravitational pull is so strong, not even light can escape.

However, that all changes when the black hole starts to pull in surrounding matter.

As the black hole 'feeds', it pulls matter into a swirling ring known as an accretion disk, where it orbits at incredible speeds.

Black holes become active when they start to consume massive amounts of matter from their host galaxy. This creates a blast of energy that we can see through our telescopes on Earth and in space

When will Sagittarius A* become active? Scientists believe that Sagittarius A*'s next major period of activity will occur in 2.4 billion years. This will be when the Milky Way collides with our neighbouring dwarf galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud. When this happens, large amounts of dust and gas will be funnelled into the galactic centre. That sudden influx of matter will cause Sagittarius A* to grow up to eight times as large and enter a period of intense activity. Advertisement

Dr Nathalie Degenaar, of the University of Amsterdam, told Daily Mail: 'While swirling towards the black hole, the matter heats up to tens of thousands, even up to many millions, of degrees.

'We can see the heat radiation that the matter gives off as visual light, but it will also radiate at ultraviolet, X-ray and infrared wavelengths.'

In some cases, however, black holes will put on an even more impressive display.

'We see that black holes that feed on matter spit out gigantic, powerful streams of gas and energy,' says Dr Degenaar.

'We call these structures jets, and you could visualise them as sort of cosmic fire hoses.'

The fastest of those jets travels a sizeable fraction of light speed and releases huge bursts of energy that we can 'see' with radio telescopes on Earth.

When that happens, we say that a black hole has become 'active' rather than 'dormant'.

Could Sagittarius A* become active?

Sagittarius A* is currently dormant because it is consuming so little matter; if it started to receive more matter, it could very suddenly come back to life. Pictured: A view of the magnetic fields around Sagittarius A*

At this very moment, Sagittarius A* is dormant, which means it isn't giving off very much radiation.

Professor Christine Done, an expert on active black holes from the University of Durham, explains that this is because it isn't swallowing enough material.

Professor Done told Daily Mail: 'It's a pathetic amount of material that's falling in. Simply pathetic.'

Black holes have a maximum amount of material that they can swallow, known as the Eddington Limit.

The bigger a black hole is, the more it can absorb at a time, but the black hole in our galaxy is eating well below its Eddington Limit.

However, Professor Done says that all it would take for Sagittarius A* to become active would be for something to 'dump a whole load of matter into it'.

If the amount of infalling matter is close enough to the Eddington Limit, it would trigger Sagittarius A* to become active and produce its own jet.

When will Sagittarius A* become active?

In 2.4 billion years, the Milky Way will collide with a dwarf galaxy known as the Large Magellanic Cloud. This will give the black hole enough energy to become active

Since all the black hole needs to become active is a sudden meal of matter, scientists think that it might flare back into activity at any moment.

In fact, between 2011 and 2014, scientists were hopeful that a cloud of gas called G2 might fall into the accretion disk and trigger a burst of activity, although it eventually escaped unscathed.

Dr Degenaar says: 'Although G2 managed to escape a dramatic fate, many similar objects are passing by Sagittarius A* all the time; the centre of our Galaxy, where the black hole lives, is a densely populated neighbourhood.

'It is thus perfectly possible that at some point there will be one or more objects falling into Sagittarius A*s gravitational trap and spark fireworks.'

However, for Sagittarius A* to become active on a more permanent basis, it would need an even bigger supply of matter to feed on.

Scientists believe this will next come when the Milky Way collides with our neighbouring galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).

Currently located 200,000 light-years from Earth, the LMC is the Milky Way's satellite galaxy and has roughly one hundredth of our galaxy's mass and may contain a smaller supermassive black hole.

However, in 2.4 billion years, the two galaxies will finally come together in a collision, which will result in the Milky Way swallowing its smaller neighbour.

When Sagittarius A* feeds off the Large Magellanic Cloud, and potentially the small black hole at its core, it will grow to become up to eight times as large. Pictured: A simulation of two supermassive black holes merging

What will happen to Earth? Luckily, when Sagittarius A* becomes active, Earth will be completely safe. Even if Earth were directly in the way of the black hole's jet, the atmosphere and magnetic field would protect the planet from X-ray radiation. An extremely large jet could, theoretically, strip Earth's atmosphere, but Sagittarius A* can't make jets that large. In Earth's actual position, the disk of the Milky Way will put 26,000 light-years of dust and gas between us and the radiation, keeping the planet safe. Advertisement

Professor Carlos Frenk, an astronomer from Durham University who predicted the date of the collision, told Daily Mail: 'The instability that this event will create will funnel gas, originally belonging to the LMC and to the disk of the Milky Way, into the centre of our galaxy.

'Some of this will be accreted by our central black hole.'

According to Professor Frenk's research, Sagittarius A* could become up to eight times more massive as it feeds on the sudden abundance of gas and dust.

As it feeds, the black hole will erupt into a prolonged period of activity, which will affect the entire galaxy.

The same process will likely happen again when the Milky Way undergoes a far more catastrophic collision with the Andromeda Galaxy in four to five billion years' time.

What will happen to Earth when Sagittarius A* becomes active?

In the absolute worst-case scenario, the sudden awakening of Sagittarius A* could lead to total devastation.

Professor Frenk says: 'Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) activity is often associated with the generation of jets that produce gamma-rays.

When Sagittarius A* becomes active (artist's impression), it will produce a 'firehose' of radiation known as a jet, which has the potential to strip planets of their atmosphere

Some black hole jets, such as this one within the galaxy Centaurus A, can move at a substantial fraction of light-speed and contain enough energy to disrupt star formation

'If the jets were powerful enough and pointed in our direction, they could destroy the Earth's ozone layer and cause mass extinctions.'

Luckily for us, this is not what is going to happen when we hit the LMC in a little over two billion years.

'The Galactic AGN triggered by the merger with the LMC will not be powerful enough for this, so it is very unlikely to pose a serious danger to terrestrial life.

'The merger will also eject stars from the Galactic disc into the Galactic halo, but, again, it is extremely unlikely that this will include the Solar system.'

Although the radiation released by Sagittarius A* would be very powerful, at 26,000 light-years away, Earth's massive distance from the black hole will keep us safe.

Dr Joseph Michail, an astronomer from Harvard & Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics who studies Sagittarius A*, says: '26,000 light-years might not seem like a huge distance in astronomical terms, but it's substantial, and any radiation we received on Earth from it would be highly diluted by the distance.'

Additionally, since Earth is in the Milky Way's disk, we are protected by huge volumes of gas and dust, which would filter out any lingering radiation.

Scientists believe that large solar flares and supernovae in the galactic neighbourhood would pose much more of a threat to Earth than the black hole.

Luckily, Earth will be protected by the 26,000 light-years of gas and dust between our solar system and Sagittarius A*. This means that astronomers will be the only ones to notice the change from Earth

How do black holes shape their host galaxies? When black holes absorb matter, they produce a blast of 'wind' in the form of radiation. This galactic wind is so strong that it pushes matter out and away from the black hole. In some cases, matter can be ejected thousands of light-years above and below the galactic disk. In some regions, the black hole's radiation will prevent stars from forming. In others, the wind will concentrate gas and dust and actually encourage new stars to form. Advertisement

In fact, scientists are quite hopeful that Sagittarius will eventually become active again because this will make it much easier to study from Earth.

What will happen to the Milky Way?

The most significant effects of Sagittarius A* waking up would actually be seen in the wider Milky Way.

Professor Done says: 'We've started to understand that black holes have very powerful winds.

'If you have a whole load of material piling on and there's a whole load of radiation, that radiation can actually blow matter away.'

This wave of radiation from the black hole outflow 'smacks' into the rest of the galaxy, scattering clouds of dust.

In the past of our own galaxy, researchers believe that Sagittarius A* produced such a powerful outburst that it ejected material 25,000 light-years above and below the galactic plane.

Scientists call the remnants of this outburst the 'Fermi Bubbles', which were only found about 15 years ago.

The activation of Sagittarius A* will have big effects on the Milky Way. The last time it was intensely active, the black hole jet shot matter 25,000 light-years into space to form the Fermi Bubbles (pictured)

This wave of radiation prevents star formation in some parts of the galaxy, and speeds it up in others as the wave of dust is crushed together at the edges.

This, in turn, changes the flow of dust into the centre of the galaxy and moderates the power of the black hole's activation in a continuous feedback loop.

Professor Done says that scientists are beginning to understand that there is an intimate relation between the evolution of the galaxy and its black hole.

Professor Done says: 'There's something in that way that galaxies grow that is controlled by the growth of the black hole in their centre.'
A Florida archaeology student discovered a rare piece of ninth-century gold during her first ever dig.

Yara Souza, from Orlando, unearthed the medieval medal during an Newcastle University excavation in Redesdale, Northumberland, England in July.

She discovered the decorative ancient object within the first 90 minutes of the group dig, according to the university.

'I couldn't believe I'd found something so quickly into my first ever excavation. It was actually quite overwhelming,' Souza said.

The gold object, which dates back to the 800s, is approximately one and a half inches long and has a decorative ornament on one end.

She discovered the rare find at a spot close to the route of Dere Street, a major Roman road which ran between York and Edinburgh, according to the university.

The route continued to be used long after the fall of the Roman empire and eventually became a part of a major road in England - the A68 - which runs from Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, to the North East of England.

Experts involved in the dig believe the object could have had a religious or ceremonial use because gold was high status and only used by the elite, and Dere Street connected two major religious centers.

The gold object, which dates back to the 800s, is approximately one and a half inches long and has a decorative ornament on one end

Yara Souza, who is from Orlando, unearthed the medieval medal during an Newcastle University excavation in Redesdale, Northumberland, England in July

The rare object was found at a spot close to the route of Dere Street, a major Roman road which ran between York and Edinburgh

'This is an exciting find of exceptional quality and I'm delighted for Yara that she has made this discovery at the beginning of her career as an archaeologist,' said James Gerrard, Professor of Roman Archaeology at Newcastle University and Souza's tutor

'We know that Dere Street continued to be a major thoroughfare long after the Romans and it's clear from this discovery that high status people were using it. It is possible that this pair of objects may have been deliberately buried.'

Souza is studying archaeology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, and had to miss the excavation program at Birdoswald Roman fort last year due to an illness.

'After I'd had to miss Birdoswald last year, it was amazing to discover something that hasn't been seen for more than a thousand years, I was really geeking out over it,' the student said.

In June, archaeologist discovered a massive 2,000-year-old leather shoe belonging to a Roman soldier in Britain.

The hefty leather sole measures 12.6 inches from toe to heel - the equivalent of a modern men's size UK 13/US 14.

The archaeologists who found it said the discovery 'drew impressed gasps' as it was pulled from the ground.

The shoe was found in the grounds of Magna, a Roman fort built along Hadrian's Wall around 112 AD.

It was found alongside two others inside an 'ankle breaker' trench, a vicious trap consisting of a narrow, deep trench that would be almost invisible to approaching soldiers.
Jerry Adler, the actor best known for his role on The Sopranos, has died at 96.

His death was announced on Saturday by his family and confirmed in a post on X by his friend Frank J Reilly.

'The great actor, my friend Jerry Adler died today at the age of 96,' Reilly wrote.

Passed away: Jerry Adler, the actor and theater director best known for his long-running role on The Sopranos, has died at 96; pictured in 2014 in NYC

Defining role: He played Herman 'Hesh' Rabkin, a Jewish loan shark and former recording industry executive who was one of the most trusted advisers to Tony Soprano (the late James Gandolfini) on HBO's era-defining series; pictured with Gandolfini on The Sopranos

Tributes: Adler's death was announced on Saturday by his family and confirmed in a post on X by his friend Frank J. Reilly (pictured)

He added: 'You know him from one of his iconic roles had from many of his guest appearances. Not bad for a guy who didnt start acting until he was 65. Check out his IMDb page.'

The late actor had a decades-long career in the theatre, but he was a late bloomer on screen and only began appearing in films and television in the early 1990s.

One of his first major film roles was in Woody Allen's acclaimed mysterycomedy Manhattan Murder Mystery in 1993, and he later had major roles on shows including Mad About You, Rescue Me, The Good Wife and Transparent.

But it was his role on the era-defining HBO series The Sopranos as Herman 'Hesh' Rabkin that defined Adler's legacy.

His character was a Jewish loan shark and former recording industry executive who was one of the most trusted advisors to Tony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini).

Adler made his series debut on the pilot episode and continued with the series well into its sixth and final season in 2007.

Gandolfini later died in 2013 at age 51 of a heart attack.

In his 2024 memoir Too Funny For Words: Backstage Tales from Broadway, Television, and the Movies, Adler revealed that he initially accepted his role on The Sopranos against his doctor's orders.

'I was stricken with terrible stomach pains and went to my doctor in New Yorks Mount Sinai Hospital. I wound up with gastric problems and required an operation,' he wrote.

Adler, who admitted warning Chase that he didn't 'sing' because he didn't realize The Sopranos was a show about the mafia, ending up leaving the hospital the night before he was to arrive on set even though his surgeon advised him not to.

After filming his scene, he had to go back to the hospital to continue recuperating before filming his next scene.

Adler's first major recurring series character was on Mad About You, on which he played the building maintenance man, Mr. Wicker.

Cast: Adler made his series debut on the pilot and continued with The Sopranos into its final season in 2007. Gandolfini died at 51 in 2013 of a heart attack; pictured in 2004 on top (LR): Sopranos stars Steve Schirripa, George Loros, Adler, Arthur J. Nascarella, Dan Grimaldi, Gandolfini, Tony Darrow and Robert Funaro. Bottom row: Joseph Gannascoli, Tony Sirico and Steven Van Zandt

Late bloomer: Adler worked in the theater for decades and was the cousin of famed acting teacher Stella Adler, but he only began appearing in films and TV in the 1990s when he was in his 60s; seen on The Good Wife

Trouper: Adler  seen standing in the center with his surviving Sopranos costars and colleagues in June 2024 in NYC  revealed in his memoir that year that he appeared in the Sopranos pilot against his doctor's orders

Medical setback: Adler had just had surgery, but he left the hospital the night before he was to be on set for his first scene despite his surgeon's protestations, though he returned to the hospital to continue recuperating before he was due back on set; seen in 2019 with costar Vincent Pastore

He was a recurring character on the later seasons of the Denis Leary starring firefighter series Rescue Me, and he was featured on 30 episodes of CBS' The Good Wife, as well as two more episodes in which he reprised his character, Howard Lyman, on the sequel series The Good Fight.

Adler's final television roles were all in 2019, including a humorous turn as a Holocaust survivor who leaves his assisted-living home for a day out with his distant relative (played by series co-lead Ilana Glazer), only for her to lose track of him at a drag brunch.

Adler, who was born on February 4, 1929, in Brooklyn, got his first big break in the theater thanks to his father, Philip Adler, who had been a stage manager for major Broadway productions.

The senior Adler was working on a production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1950, a year after its debut, when he approached his son  then a student at the University of Syracuse  to offer him the role of assistant stage manager.

'I skipped school,' Adler admitted in a 2015 interview with TheaterMania, in which he joked, 'I'm a creature of nepotism.'

Adler  who was also the cousin of the influential acting teacher Stella Adler  later worked on productions of Of Thee I Sing; My Fair Lady, starring a 19-year-old Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison; The Apple Tree, which starred Alan Alda and Barbara Harris and was directed by Mike Nichols; and Harold Pinter's classic play The Homecoming, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Adler rose up the ranks behind the scenes, scoring jobs as stage manager, production manager or production supervisor on those productions, before graduating to directing plays.

In a 2015 interview with The Forward, Adler recalled his time working on TV in 1992 on the soap opera Santa Barbara  but as the stage manager, not an actor  when he got a call from a friend looking to cast him in The Public Eye, which starred Joe Pesci.

Early work: One of Adler's first major film roles was in Woody Allen's acclaimed comedy Manhattan Murder Mystery. He's pictured in a publicity still for the film with costar Lynn Cohen, who later appeared with him again in Charlie Kaufman's 2008 film Synecdoche, New York

Career: After becoming a bigger star than ever beginning in his 60s, Adler made it back to Broadway in 2000 for a production of Elaine May's Taller Than A Dwarf. Fifteen years later, he joined a production of Fish In The Dark, which Larry David wrote and starred in; seen in 2009 in NYC

'My friend wanted me to meet with the director [Howard Franklin], and the first thing he said to me was how much I reminded him of his father,' he recalled. 'I was actually surprised. Id never acted before. Id never entertained the idea of acting; it was an unusual thing. But I was getting ready to retire from the production end, anyway. So it became kind of interesting.'

For his second feature role, he scored a major part in 1993's Manhattan Murder Mystery, which was written and directed by Woody Allen and starred Allen with Diane Keaton, Alan Alda and Anjelica Huston.

Adler played a man suspected of murdering his wife, played by Lynn Cohen. The two later reunited as a married couple in Charlie Kaufman's 2008 meta-comedy Synecdoche, New York, which starred the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

His later film roles included A Most Violent Year (2014)  opposite Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac  and 2019's Driveways, which starred Oscar-nominee Hong Chau and Brian Dennehy in his final role.

After becoming a bigger star than ever beginning in his 60s, Adler made it back to Broadway in 2000 for a production of Elaine May's Taller Than A Dwarf. Fifteen years later, he joined a production of Fish In The Dark, which Larry David wrote and starred in.

Adler is survived by his wife, the psychologist Joan Laxman, whom he was married to since 1994.
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more

These days, so many people head to Amazon when they're looking for travel accessories.

But John Lewis is another great place to go for all your packing essentials.

From gorgeous suitcases and holdalls, to power banks and portable fans, the department store has got everything you need for your next holiday.

There are plenty of packing solutions on offer too.

And what's great about John Lewis is it matches the price of thousands of items with 25 other top retailers.

This means that if the price drops within seven days of purchase, you can claim back the difference.

With the summer holidays still in full swing, these are the best travel accessories available at John Lewis.

You'll be sure to find something you like from this travel editor-approved list...

Deputy travel editor Hayley Minn (pictured on Virgin Voyages' new ship, Brilliant Lady) reveals her favourite travel accessories available at John Lewis

Kapten & Son Lund Basic Water Repellent Backpack There's plenty of space in this stylish and water-resistant backpack. It has a capacity of 14 to 16 litres thanks to the intelligent roll-top design, as well as an integrated zip for maximum security, an internal 14-inch laptop compartment, and many other sections, making packing easy. The padded straps and the suitcase fastening on the back ensure that the backpack is comfortable to carry even when fully loaded, making it perfect for long days out and about. Shop

Belkin 10K 3-Port Portable Power Bank The Belkin 10K Portable Power Bank enables you to charge up to three devices simultaneously. The power bank's handy 2x USB-A ports and 1x USB-C port provide up to 15W of power at once, for your smartphone and two additional devices. Charge at up to 15W when using all 3 ports, adding loads of additional battery life for your smartphone, and a helpful LED light indicates when the power bank needs recharging. Shop

Go Travel Mini Travel Fan The perfect companion for staying cool and refreshed on the go. Despite its small size, the mini fan packs a powerful breeze that will keep you comfortable in any situation. It's compact enough to slip into your pocket or bag and is powered by batteries, so you don't have to rely on charging outlets. Shop

John Lewis Foldable Suitcase Packing Cubes Lightweight and designed with carry handles, these three suitcase packing cubes are foldable and take up very little storage space. Made with smooth zippers and window mesh for a quick glance at what's inside. Shop

Stackers Jewellery Wallet In a handy fold up style for easy transportation, this jewellery storage wallet is designed with plenty of handy sections and features - each one made to carry a specific jewellery type. Shop

Go Travel Quick Dry Towel Enhance your beach, pool or gym experience with this quick-drying beach towel. Designed for versatility, this towel provides ample coverage while remaining lightweight and compact for everyday use. It efficiently removes excess moisture and dries three times faster than cotton, ensuring you're ready for your next adventure in no time. The loopless fabric not only repels sand but also shakes off easily, keeping your towel clean and hassle-free. With an elasticated securing loop, this towel folds down small for convenient storage, making it an ideal choice for travel and outdoor activities. Shop

Go Travel Classic Luggage Tag, Set of 2 Personalise your luggage with this set of two classic tags - perfect for attaching to any type of luggage, from your suitcase to a carry-on bag, with buckle fastenings to keep the luggage labels in place. Write your personal details behind the transparent window, and the integrated flap securely hides this for security. Shop

Go Travel TSA Approved Luggage Key Padlock, Pack of 2 These two TSA-approved padlocks with keys attach in seconds to your luggage, securing your belongings while in transit. Solid, safe and secure, they allow security personnel to examine luggage without damage. In a colourful orange, these travel padlocks also help to identify luggage quickly and easily. Shop

Stackers Large Hanging Travel Wash Bag Perfect for those who can't be without all their makeup and skincare, this Stackers hanging wash bag features a clear removable bag so that liquids can be displayed at airport security. Shop

Go Travel Compact Snoozer Travel Pillow The Goldilocks of inflatable travel pillows with a Quick Adjust Air Valve for instant push-button shape finessing. The flat back design makes it an ideal companion for upright sleeping and it holds securely in place thanks to its non-slip rear grip. Ultra-compact when packed, it reduces down into the most compact of micro carry pouches. Clip it to your pack and go! Shop

Go Travel 3 in 1 Leak-Proof Cabin Bottle Set Compact 3-in-1 bottle set ideal for home or travel. Set includes three leak-proof bottles suitable for liquids and gels and cabin luggage approved. With the interchangeable heads, you can quickly convert the 100ml pump bottle into a 100ml spray bottle when required. The pumps come in a secure storage case with additional securing with the silicone band to give total piece of mind when travelling. Shop

Stackers On The Go Cable Tidy Designed in a sleek and contemporary wallet style that's stylish and easy to transport, this case is perfect for keeping cables neat and tidy when on the move. Shop

Go Travel Document Organiser For those who don't trust having everything on their phones, this document organiser is the perfect solution for keeping all those important travel documents in one place. A bi-fold interior provides eight separate compartments for easy access to your documents. It's made of a natural cotton that will stand more than just the one holiday. Thanks to a zip running round the edge of the organiser, it's easy to get to your documents, whenever you need them. Shop

DesignWorks Ink Travel Luggage Scale Never exceed baggage limits again! This portable luggage scale ensures stress-free travel with accurate weight readings. Compact and easy to use - your essential travel companion. Shop

Go Travel Worldwide Adaptor UK with 2 USB-A Ports Worldwide Adaptor with twin USB-A, this adaptor connects travellers in over 190+ countries worldwide. It features three sliding plug faces that alternate between American, British and Chinese/Australian configurations. Simply press the button on top of the travel adaptor, slide out the relevant pins, and you're ready to go. In addition, a detachable adaptor converts UK plugs to fit most European sockets. Ideal for powering multiple devices at once, there are two USB-A ports providing 2.4A/12W Max. Shop
When Alistair Kenyon-Brodie sold his house and belongings back in May, he only had one aim - to find a new home abroad and complete his bucket list.

The 32-year-old, from Hull, had a good job at the University of Cambridge working in Press and Assessment but wanted more from life than the nine-to-five drag.

'I'd reached a level of success that my parents were proud of, and I just wasn't happy,' Alistair exclusively tells the Daily Mail.

'I wasn't happy with having achieved what you're supposed to have achieved in life.'

Currently in Japan, he has been travelling with just one suitcase since June and regularly shares his adventures on his YouTube channel @BucketListBrodie.

He explains how his friends and family knew he had the travel 'bug' and was unhappy in the UK.

'I think my mum was the one who was the most against me going,' Alistair admits.

'She supports me 100%, but I think she would be happy if I just stayed working at Cambridge.'

When Alistair Kenyon-Brodie (pictured) sold his house and belongings back in May, he only had one aim - to find a new home abroad and complete his bucket list

The 32-year-old, from Hull , had a good job at the University of Cambridge working in Press and Assessment but wanted more from life than the nine-to-five drag

The passionate traveller first jetted off to South Korea and spent two months exploring the country.

He paid around 400 to 500 for a months rent, 'If I'd have tried to stay in hotels that would have been triple, four times that,' Alistair explains.

Now, he is hitchhiking across the entire country of Japan instead of using the trains.

'That cuts all of my costs down on transportation,' Alistair says. 'The high speed rail can be quite expensive here, but I'm traveling from the very south of Japan in a place called Beppu, that's the hot springs capital of Japan, they're famous for onsens here.

'So I'm hitchhiking from there to Tokyo, which is about 1000 kilometres.'

During his solo travels so far, Alistair admits he hasn't felt unsafe or had any unnerving moments, and he credits the people he has met along the way.

'The Japanese are absolutely lovely people,' he says. 'You would be amazed to see, I stand at the side of a road and it doesn't take me any longer than about 20 minutes to get picked up.

'You get people waving at me as they pass, or bowing their head to say, 'Sorry I can't pick you up'.

'I think my mum was the one who was the most against me going,' Alistair admits. 'She supports me 100%, but I think she would be happy if I just stayed working at Cambridge.'

Now, he is hitchhiking across the entire country of Japan instead of using the trains

'But it's just amazing. So, I've not had any bad experiences at all.'

In September, Alistair will be going to China, where he has a year-long job lined up at a university.

Alistair shares the tactics he has used to keep costs down during his travels but admits he doesn't have 'an endless money supply'.

'It's a mixed bag, so right now I am using savings,' he says.

'But travel doesn't really have to be expensive at all, and there's a lot of ways that you can actually travel very low cost, using certain methods like HelpX, where you work in exchange for food and accommodation.'

Alistair adds, 'I have got a job lined up in China, starting in September, at a university, which is a really good gig working two hours a day for what is an average salary in the UK, and accommodation included.

'So I've got no cost expenditure apart from food. So really, it's a dream. I'm very fortunate I'm in a position where I can sort of afford this lifestyle, but there are decisions that you can make to try and help reduce costs along the way.'

The traveller urges others to explore the world, 'take the risk' and achieve their goals.

During his solo travels so far, Alistair admits he hasn't felt unsafe or had any unnerving moments, and he credits the people he has met along the way

'The key things that I was doing it for - finding where I wanted to live, then going and completing everything on my bucket list,' Alistair explains.

He wants to show people that travel can be affordable and adds, 'Most importantly, don't be afraid to take the risk if you feel trapped in your nine-to-five job, you feel stuck, you think there's more to life than what you're currently experiencing.

'I would say, go for it and do it, whatever that is, whether it's going and starting your own business, or whatever that risk is to you, like, for me, travelling the world.'

Alistair says, 'You don't live forever, and many people will wait until they're into retirement to be able to go and do this stuff. But I think, do it now, do it.'
Nicholas Cullinan in the British Museum's Print Room. Pablo Zamora

Nicholas Cullinan, 48, receives EL PAIS in his office, clad in an impeccable gray suit and a carrying a mug decorated with Rosetta Stone inscriptions. A year has passed since he was named director of the British Museum, the most-visited attraction in the United Kingdom and custodian of one of the most important collections of artifacts in the world. It is also among the most controversial. Its marble statutes from the Greek Parthenon, bronzes from Nigerias Benin City and even the Rosetta Stone itself, which hails from Egypt, stand at the center of fiery debate regarding cultural violence.

Cullinan is far from an unknown in the world of culture. He has worked at Londons Tate Museum, and at The Met and the MoMA in New York. Upon his return to London, he led the National Portrait Gallery for eight years, during which he captained a $55 million renovation that not only changed its physiognomy, but also placed it at the center of contemporary discourse.

Cullinan, who worked at the museums front desk when he was a student and today wields both encyclopedic knowledge and celebrity friendships with Courtney Love and Tracey Emin, brings in artists and museography that breaks with an exclusively Western mindset and, it bears mentioning, a certain academic tedium. The young director manages to win over the erudite public and seduce the common visitor  who attend the museum en masse  without resorting to the openly political.

Highly educated, but opposed to the typical stratification between high and low culture, and driven when it comes to raising funds, Cullinans merits have not gone unnoticed. Last year, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Facade of the main building, by Robert Smirke, 1852. Pablo Zamora

The British Museum is a mix between great public plaza (it is free to enter) and academic institution. Founded in 1753, it houses eight million pieces, receives six million visitors a year, sprawls throughout 30 buildings and, in recent years, has suffered from overcrowding, leaks, stifling heat and even crime: the discovery of the theft of some 2,000 uncatalogued objects from the museums archive led to the departure of its previous director, Hartwig Fischer, in 2023. Some 650 pieces have been recovered to date. To prevent future losses, one of the first projects Cullinan undertook was the digitalization of the entire collection.

Last year, the British Museum welcomed more than six million visitors. Here, one of them looks at the Parthenon Marbles. Pablo Zamora

But there are more shakeups to come. The British Museum is facing the largest renovation in its history, a masterplan valued at $1.27 billion that will take place over the next few decades in order to guarantee that, in the words of its director the most universal museum will be universally accessible. High ideals, a work of dizzying scale and a turbulent world, to say the least. It seems like a job for Nicholas Cullinan.

Question. Trump, the war in Ukraine, the rise of the ultra-right in Europe How does the craziness in todays headlines impact a museum like this one?

Answer. We deal in two million years of human history, which is what we have in the collection. The fact that were the oldest national public museum in the world, were approaching our 275th anniversary Everything we do, we think about it in terms of perpetuity. We are the third most visited museum in the world. There are queues around the block, because people are looking for another timescale or duration or rhythm.

Q. And how does that affect your work?

A. It affects me like everyone else. You could have days when the world feels like its confusing or volatile. That can affect the institution financially. But honestly, part of what you do here is that youre thinking longer term  and that doesnt mean that you think youre above everything. But what you dont do is make decisions based on a news cycle. When we acquired the Portrait of Omai [the 1776 painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds of the first Polynesian to visit England, one of the first portraits of a racialized person in Western art] for the National Portrait Gallery, it was the biggest acquisition, along with the Picasso painting, that this museums made, 50 million [$67 million]. I began work on that acquisition in 2021, and I spoke to lots of colleagues in other museums in London to see if they wanted to collaborate on the acquisition, but everyone was very nervous. There was a cost-of-living crisis, we were still in the middle of the pandemic. They said it wouldnt be a good look to do a big 50-million-acquisition campaign right now.

Q. And then what happened?

A. I thought, well, thats not the point. You dont base your decision on whats happening day to day, because what you do is meant to last far longer. That painting had been in a banks basement for 20 years and it was either going to leave the country for good, or enter a public collection for the first time, which is what happened. We had to turn to the Getty in Los Angeles, because no one would partner with us in our country. But now its hanging in the National Portrait Gallery, and that crisis feels like it took place a long time ago.

Q. There wasnt a reputational crisis?

A. No, it was the crowning achievement of the reopening. In challenging times, people need hope, and they need to feel that theyre being given something that transcends the times.

Cullinan in the museum archive. Pablo Zamora

Q. The British Museum is very related to national identity, a thorny subject. Im referring, for example, to the narrative control that Trump is imposing on the Smithsonian Museum.

A. The issue there is that the Smithsonian is a federal museum. Its funded and run by the U.S. government, which is quite unusual among American museums, because most of the big museums, like the Met or MoMA, both of which I have worked at, are essentially private. In our case, we are in a paradox: were not a political organization and Im not allowed to have any political views publicly, so we never really get involved in geopolitics. But what I would say, when theres challenging times, for whatever reason, it does make you want to focus on providing solace or inspiration.

Q. Im referring to the use of national culture as a weapon.

A. You described the British Museum as sitting adjacent to national identity, and it does, we were the first institution to be called British. But it was always about a very international, cosmopolitan outlook on the world. It was always about bringing people and cultures together in dialogue with each other. We have 67% international visitors, because I think people want to make connections between different times, different cultures. There could be a very echo chamber, nationalistic approach to things right now, whereas my interest is in actually creating dialogue.

One of the rooms in the west wing, created in the 1970s, which will be renovated. Pablo Zamora

When he got to the museum, Cullinan needed six weeks in order to visit every department and speak with every employee. Which is a thousand [people], he specifies. You can read a lot, but you also do it by listening. It was an amazing crash course, just seeing what my colleagues are doing and what theyre researching. Visiting the Africa, Oceania and Americas departments, discovering the massive X-ray machine with which large-scale sculptures are scanned  it measures nearly 20 feet across  was like being back at university.

Q. Where are you at in the restitution debate?

A. The 20 examples that are affected by it are on our website, because we think its very important to be transparent so everyone can see and understand what the claim is, the history of it, the complexity of it. We take all of those really seriously. Theres often a very complex and long-standing discussion.

Q. The Parthenon Marbles are the most urgent example, I suppose?

A. Theyre the most famous. I think its no secret that we would love to find a partnership with Greece where we would be able to lend on a rolling basis sculptures from the Parthenon, and in exchange, Greece would lend incredible things here. I think a partnership with Greece would be a fantastic thing for both parties, and I think we really hope that that will be possible with the Benin [Nigeria] bronzes. Weve got the partnership with the MOWAA [Museum of West African Art, which has a digitalized archive of the bronzes that were stolen by Western countries and houses both pieces that have been returned and those obtained in new archeological digs done in collaboration with the British Museum]. It opened in a soft way in November, but the grand opening is this autumn. I cant wait to see it. The hope is for the partnership to carry on and flourish.

The rooms housing the Parthenon marbles, in the Greek Revival style. Pablo Zamora View of the large glass window that covers the central courtyard of the museum. Pablo Zamora Detail of the Parthenon marbles. Pablo Zamora Image of the offices. Pablo Zamora The central courtyard, or Great Court, was a Norman Foster project inaugurated in 2000. Pablo Zamora Nicholas Cullinan in his office. Pablo Zamora The museum library. Pablo Zamora The tympanum of the Parthenon. Pablo Zamora Interior facade of the courtyard. Pablo Zamora

Cullinan doesnt seem daunted by the challenges pertaining to a collection that is subject to such complex and at-times, bitter debates. The British government prohibits museums from returning pieces, but he is a realist and is committed to cultural diplomacy.

The first thing he did upon assuming his position was reach out to the countries or institutions where there is a claim to see how we can move this conversation forward, he says. There are more specific examples. But the general principle is that weve got a collection of eight million objects. One percent are on show in the museum. One percent. We want to share that collection as much as we can with the public, which was the whole point of the collection and the museum being founded.

The British Museum was the first free national museum, and was founded with 70,000 artifacts from Sir Hans Sloanes collection. This institution is an embassy for all countries, all peoples and all cultures, says Cullinan. Sloane said this is for the benefit of all persons, and when he gave his collection to the nation, he specifically wanted it to be in London, because it had the most international audience. But if London said no, it was to be offered to St. Petersburg, Berlin and Madrid. Universal access to this knowledge is key, says Cullinan. We want the collection to benefit the people who visit the museum, and we are one of the most generous lenders in the world, 2,000 objects internationally.

Q. Going back to the Parthenon Marbles, the final decision is the governments, right?

A. Yes, but it depends more on us, to be honest. We cant give things away, but there is absolutely nothing preventing us from sharing the collection, and we do that all the time. I think you have to focus on whats possible, rather than arguing over what you could try and make happen.

Q. You have in your hands a monumental renovations plan for the museum. There are those who question whether it is absolutely necessary.

A. It is absolutely necessary. I mean, the roof will cave in if we dont do something.

Q. But this isnt about just patching leaks.

A. Its several things. Theres a masterplan for the whole museum, and theres a plan that is evolving to gradually transform and re-hang all of it, starting with the welcome pavilions, to get rid of those white tents. Then comes the Western Range. Weve done a survey of the building, and the roof will cave in if we dont tackle it. Theres already leaks, but eventually the roof will cave in.

Gallery dedicated to the Enlightenment, restored at the beginning of this century. Pablo Zamora

Q. The press has estimated that the total project will cost $1.27 billion.

A. Some of those galleries havent been touched for 50, 60 years. Theres no step-free access if youre having mobility issues. But also, it could just be so much better and more beautiful.

Q. Are you worried about the money?

A. No. I know its a huge amount of money to raise. But the way weve done this, which I think is the right way, is when we chose an architect we didnt say Go away and come up with a finished design and then well give you the contract. We asked all five short-listed architects to come up with design ideas, and now the winning architect, Lina Ghotmeh, will begin a collaborative design process with us over the next year. Once weve got the design, we will cost it and we will know exactly how much it comes to. It will be in the hundreds of millions, but were already having some of the conversations for gifts that will be on a very big scale. The major donors that are in the world today, some of whom have already supported me on the National Portrait Gallery, understand how important this is, how urgent this is. If you have a good idea, money follows. I think whats bad is if you say, We only have this much, we have to make something fit this budget.

Q. In March, you published an op-ed in the Financial Times about the controversy over the British Museum having accepted $67.4 million from the BP petroleum company, arguing that museums cant be activists. Two years ago, the National Portrait Gallery rejected funds from the Sackler family. How are the lines drawn?

A. Its never really changed. Some museums are charities, which means they are beholden to accept funds. There have been very good reasons not to accept funds: if they money could be from an illegal source, or if its not illegal, but the organization decides there would be reputational damage. Everything you do has to be transparent. Museums exist and are run for public good. What has changed is the tone and fervor around public sponsorship. But a bigger thing is that 20 years ago, when there were the protests against the Iraq War in London, the biggest protest in this nations history, a million people marched down Whitehall to Parliament Square. Now, when people want to protest a geopolitical issue, they often think, a museum.

Nicholas Cullinan in his office, which he will soon leave to occupy a new space in the White Wing. Pablo Zamora

Q. The Just Stop Oil people just decided theyre not going to do it anymore.

A. Well, they did. I think they were quite honest in saying that the reason that museums were targeted is because its an image that gets a lot of attention. More than if you lie down on a motorway The problem is that all of this has consequences for smaller organizations and as a result, the public. There are whole programs of community outreach that have been canceled because of activists. And when these small organizations  I wont name them  explained what that was doing, the activists just said, we dont care. Its a very single-issue focus. If you care about the climate or whats happening geopolitically, I was always raised that you donate your time or your money, whichever you have, or both, directly to the cause. You dont call out a small arts organization or go to a museum. Its just a performative way to go about things. Its a kind of thinking that you have to have collateral damage somewhere for you to achieve your goals. March to Parliament Square, thats the place to protest, because thats where the government is.

Q. Do you have any shock moments planned, like the Michael Jackson exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery?

A. Ive got lots of ideas, but nothing like that. Our role is not to be a contemporary art museum, though we do have a very clear series of contemporary interventions, maybe one every year. But I dont think that trying to program things is the way to change them. We are more archeological, and I think the way to change things is by focusing on the masterplan, on the rehanging of the collection and on the new wealth of pavilions we are building.

Q. Preserving free access to the museum is an issue youre very concerned about. You didnt come from a privileged background.

A. We were working class, I was raised on benefits. We were below the poverty line, so financially, pretty tough. But the thing that was amazing is that my parents were very intelligent and had great interest in books, music, the world around them. They gave me access to arts, ideas, culture. So, I feel incredibly privileged, I dont have a chip on my shoulder because I dont feel like I had a hard time. I had a great childhood. We just didnt have any money. We were poor. There were times I was hungry.

Q. Do you think that it is more difficult to access the world of culture today?

A. Unfortunately, yes. I got a student loan when I moved to London, $4,000 a year, in total $16,000 with interest. I made up the rest of the money by working multiple part-time jobs, seven days a week. I worked a lot harder than I do now! The reality is, now its even more challenging because youre taking on a lot more debt. I had people saying to me, dont do art history, youre not going to have a career. I ignored them. It would probably be harder to ignore them now.

Q. Was the class divide ever a problem?

A. No. I was born in America, but my parents were British and we moved back when I was four. But my accent still is kind of weird, it sounds Scottish, its a bit off-radar. Britain is one of the most class-conscious countries. You can literally pinpoint where someones from, how much money they have, by how they pronounce one sentence. But I think people cant totally pinpoint me. That was a privilege, but I dont care about it much. Class is a real thing. I just dont think it should define people. I definitely dont think if someone comes from a working-class background, that they should feel intimidated by that, or that something isnt for them. Thats nonsense.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
A 'harrowing and nightmarish' thriller starring The Crown's Vanessa Kirby has been described as a must-see on Netflix.

Night Always Comes was released on the streaming platform last week and follows the story of a former sex worker on a mission to raise $25,000 to keep her childhood home - and secure a better life for herself.

The film's synopsis reads: 'On a frantic a dangerous odyssey through a single night, Lynette is forced to confront her dark past in order to finally break free.'

Directed by Benjamin Caron, who interestingly directed Kirby, 37, when she stepped into Princess Margaret's shoes in The Crown, its cast also features a number of other well-known faces.

These include House of Cards star Michael Kelly, 56, who portrays Tommy - the man who pushed Kirby's character into sex work when she was 16 years old.

But while there is little in the way of fan reviews available yet, Night Always Comes has had an impressive response from critics.

The 'harrowing and nightmarish' thriller Night Always Comes - which stars The Crown's Vanessa Kirby - has been described as a must-see on Netflix

The film was released on the streaming platform just last week and follows the story of a former sex worker on a mission to raise a whopping $25,000 to keep her childhood home - and secure a better life for herself

Critic Joseph Robinson praised: 'Vanessa Kirby commands the screen in a harrowing spiral of bad choices, delivering a performance as riveting as the story is nightmarish.'

Karina Adelgaard similarly said: 'Vanessa Kirby delivers a portrayal that is nuanced, heartbreaking, intense, and absolutely breathtaking.'

Collider, meanwhile, simply described the film as one which 'needs to be seen' in its glowing review of the film.

The Hollywood Reporter praised: 'Netflixs Night Always Comes is more compelling than the average original streaming movie even if it could use an extra shot of emotional power.'

Film Feeder added: 'A decent ticking-clock thriller that relies on its amusingly sleazy underworld and a barrage of strong performances to carry its occasionally flimsy and on-the-nose storytelling.'

While several other films like My Oxford Year have been heavily promoted by Netflix, Night Always Comes was released with little fanfare.

This was described as an injustice by critic Ben Sears, who said that it 'rises above' many of the other offerings and 'deserves more than being unceremoniously dumped on the platform.'

However, not every critical review was so glowing and IndieWire's Kate Erbland said that while the film is 'handsomely made', it is 'tediously plotted'.

Collider described simply Night Always Comes as a film which 'needs to be seen' in its glowing review

While several other films like My Oxford Year have been heavily promoted by Netflix, Night Always Comes was released with little fanfare

But while there are relatively few reviews on social media, those which do exist are overwhelmingly positive too

The critic wrote: 'Kirby is more than deserving of this kind of meaty, she's-in-every-frame role, but Night Always Comes sunsets long before we get there.'

But while there are relatively few reviews on social media, those which do exist are overwhelmingly positive too.

Taking to X, viewers wrote: 'I loved "Night Always Comes". It's one of the first films that tackles prostitution in a realistic way, without glorifying it.

'Same with poverty, it's raw but honest. Vanessa's presence on screen is magnetic. She manages to reach the audience in an incredible way. I love her.';

'Vanessa Kirby is actually so incredible in Night Always Comes (2025) and I hope more people see it to see her talent because wow.';

'Night Always Comes is suspenseful, unexpectedly witty and showcases Vanessa Kirby's range perfectly.'
For those who walk away cash injections of tens of thousands of pounds, the daunting prospect of going on Dragon's Den is well worth the anxiety.

But for the entrepreneurs who walk out of the Den empty handed, there's a drive to prove the Dragons wrong.

One of those very people is Alessandro Savelli, who co-founded currently serves as the CEO of Pasta Envangelists - a fresh pasta chain which started as letter box posted kits.

Alessandro and his business partner Finn Lagun stepped into the Den back in 2018 asking for a 75,000 investment for a 2.5 per cent cut of the company.

But their pitch was rejected, with Dragon Jenny Campbell even calling Finn 'delusional' and 'a disaster'.

Now worth around 40million, Pasta Evangelists' success grew and grew in the years after its ill-fated appearance on the show.

For those who walk away cash injections of tens of thousands of pounds, the daunting prospect of going on Dragon's Den is well worth the anxiety - but for the entrepreneurs who walk out of the Den empty handed, there's a drive to prove the Dragons wrong

One of those very people is Alessandro Savelli, who co-founded currently serves as the CEO of Pasta Envangelists - a fresh pasta chain which started as letter box posted kits

The company is set to open 100 new restaurants across the UK in the next five years, in the south of England, the Midlands, and Scotland.

Speaking to The Grocer, Alessandro revealed the chain's plans to expand and shared that they are pumping 30million into the new restaurants.

'The demand for our fresh, beautifully cooked artisan pasta is growing,' he said.

'Our intention is to become the UK's fastest-growing, casual dining hot spot and the hottest place to eat for pasta lovers of all ages.'

Alessandro added: 'The hospitality industry is going through tough times at the moment, but we are confident that our business model is robust and dynamic,

'...and the proof of this is we have already bucked the trend with the confirmed opening of five more restaurants in the space of three months, and more to come.'

Many other businesses walked away from the Den with nothing spoke about how they went on to make millions, including BrewDog.

When the boys behind BrewDog, James Watt and Martin Dickie, applied for the show in 2009, they were seeking a 100,000 investment for 20 per cent of their business.

Alessandro and his business partner Finn Lagun stepped into the Den back in 2018 asking for a 75,000 investment for a 2.5 per cent cut of the company

But their pitch was rejected, with Dragon Jenny Campbell even calling Finn 'delusional' and 'a disaster'

They were turned down, but went on to find enormous success anyway, and the business was valued at upwards of 1.8billion in 2021.

It had a revenue of 366milion in 2023, a 14 percent increase from the previous year.

If one of the Dragons had invested the asking amount, they would have seen returns in the ballpark of about 360 million.

They've since gone on to build strong relationships with some of the Dragons, who were each disappointed in the missed opportunity to work together.

'Overall, they make some good decisions and some questionable ones,' James previously told MailOnline.

'It's very hard to judge a business in five minutes, which is what you get to pitch.'

If one of the Dragons had invested the asking amount, they would have seen returns in the ballpark of about 360 million

James, who is now married to Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo, described it as a 'stroke of luck' that they didn't sell 20 per cent of their business at the time.

He had in the past expressed disappointment in the entire process of seeking investors.

He said: 'In the US, people who take risks and create jobs are celebrated; in the UK the best they can expect is to be tolerated. We are far from alone in this regard.

'The BBC in particular has a barely disguised distaste for entrepreneurs (the whole purpose of Dragons Den, for example, is to present entrepreneurs as deluded fantasists. The same is true of The Apprentice).'
Coronation Street bosses could face backlash for casting an actor 'who broke another man's eye socket' as an upcoming storyline reflects the real life event.

James Cartwright, who stars as Theo Silverton on the ITV soap, was given 18 months in jail, suspended for a year, with 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work in 2013 after throwing a punch at Phillip Mason in a nightclub.

The actor claimed to have acted in self defence, but a jury convicted him of inflicting grievous bodily harm following a trial and he was ordered to pay 2,000 compensation to his victim.

In Corrie scenes set to air, James' character's past is set to be revealed with Todd Grimshaw finding out about Theo being convicted of an attack in a restaurant, The Sun reports.

A source told the publication: 'It's all rather unfortunate. The storyline was scripted before bosses found out about James' violent criminal past.

'It's been quite embarrassing and a little awkward for him having to act out Theo's secret past because it's been art imitating real life events.'

Coronation Street and Tracy Beaker aren't the only impressive roles that James has had over the years

The insider added: 'There have certainly been a few raised eyebrows about it all on set but bosses are standing by him.'

Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.

Speaking at the trial in 2013, defence barrister Neil Fryman said James had no previous convictions and a successful acting career.

The judge, Recorder Andrew Long, told Cartwright told James: 'I don't know what possessed you to act in the way you did.

'You launched an attack upon him, punching him very hard in the face for little or no reason. You know you put your life, everything you have worked for, in jeopardy.'

A spokesman for James Cartwright responded when asked about the incident earlier this year by The Sun: 'This is an incident which took place a very long time ago when James was attacked in a nightclub.

'Although not the instigator, James has always regretted his reaction.'

This character scaffolder Theo Silverton first appeared on the Cobbles in March this year.

He is married to Danielle Silverton (Natalie Anderson), but little does she know that he's been having an affair with Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) behind her back.

The pair were set up by Todd's late aunt Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) after a metal pole from some scaffolding he was working on nearly hit her.

James Cartwright, who stars as Theo Silverton, was given 18 months in jail, suspended for a year, with 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work in 2013 after throwing a punch

In scenes set to air, the characters past is set to be revealed with Todd Grimshaw finding out about Theo being convicted of an attack in a restaurant, The Sun reports

This character scaffolder Theo Silverton first appeared on the Cobbles in March this year and is married to Danielle Silverton but is having an affair with Todd

Theo and Julie clashed as he thought she was trying to claim money off him, but later found out that she had terminal cancer.

The scaffolder told Todd that he wasn't gay, but they soon couldn't stay away from each other and started sleeping with each other.

Todd was left heartbroken when Theo's wife arrived at the Street and found out that they had been married for 19 years.

Speaking about the role, he said: 'I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour.'

The actor shared he was 'very excited' about the new role and shared, 'a lot of my memories growing up as a young boy were settling down with my gran after tea, she'd make me a crumpet and we'd sit there and watch Corrie'.

He added: 'I feel like it's a great honour to be a part of something that's brought joy to people for so long.'

Back in the early 2000s he starred in The Bill, Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise, Fuction at the Function and Clocking Off.

After appearing in the Tracy Beaker franchise, he starred in Outlaws, Blackpool, Missing, The Afternoon Play and Instinct.

James has also appeared in Holby City, Hollyoaks Later, Dracula, Doctors, Love, Lives and Records and Downtown Abbey.

More recently he played Humphrey Lash in Sister Boniface Mysteries, Stephen Lampart in Dalgliesh, John I Lackland in Glow & Darkness and Jimbo Riley in Father Brown.
New details have emerged of Justin Baldoni's hiring of social media guru Jed Wallace - namely, that he was paid $90,000 for his services, a cache of newly unsealed documents show.

The court papers also reveal Baldoni's 'crisis management' team - hired over the spat with his co-star Blake Lively on the movie It Ends With Us - cost an estimated $9 million, according to Baldoni's business partner Jamey Heath.

Lively's lawyers filed over 60 exhibits in New York federal court last week including text messages and emails obtained through discovery in her lawsuit against Baldoni.

But in documents that have now been made public, emails show that Wallace was hired by Baldoni and Heath's production company Wayfarer Studios for a three-month, $30,000-per-month contract.

Invoices show Wallace billed the team in August, September and October of 2024.

Though little is known about the social media guru, his since-deleted LinkedIn profile calls him a 'hired gun' with a 'proprietary formula for defining artists and trends.'

Text messages and emails revealed in Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's ongoing lawsuit reveal the actor hired a PR guru for $90,000 after their feud over It Ends With Us became public

An email from August 2024, shows Baldoni's publicist Melissa Nathan introduced Wallace to Heath

Jed Wallace, a PR contractor and owner of Street Relations, was described in her civil rights complaint acting as a 'hired gun' for Baldoni, his agent Melissa Nathan, and her PR firm, The Agency Group (TAG)

In an August 8, 2024, email, Baldoni's publicist, Melissa Nathan, introduced Wallace to Heath.

'Please meet Jed who will be having his team assist on all social activity based off our own conversations as well as their digital plan you are in receipt of,' she wrote.

'Jed and team has worked on some of the most monumental [behind the scenes] projects globally and I'm extremely happy to make this intro between you both.'

Wallace wrote in an email the same day: 'We will work in lockstep with TAG [Nathan's firm], but engaged separately.'

Nathan referred to a two-part quote for 'untraceable' social media services in a text to Heath two days earlier.

'Quote two $25k per month - min 3 months as it needs to seed same as above - this will be for creation of social fan engagement to go back and forth with any negative accounts, helping to change narrative and stay on track,' Nathan wrote.

'All of this will be most importantly untraceable.'

Although she didn't name Wallace or his firm in the August 6 text, she said the quotes came 'from the two teams we use that get the best results.'

A source with knowledge of Wallace's hiring confirmed 'quote two' was referring to Wallace and his firm, Street Relations.

The source said 'creation of social fan engagement' meant using anonymous accounts controlled by Wallace's team to push already-existing pro-Baldoni news stories on social media and argue with Lively fans online.

But the source added that this work ended up being unnecessary due to the large amount of 'organic' criticism of Lively from real accounts.

But Lively's team maintains that there is evidence of a smear campaign against the actress, claiming that the messages allude to a plot using fake accounts to spread negative stories about Lively.

Lively's team maintains that there is evidence of a smear campaign against the actress

A spokesperson for Lively told Daily Mail: 'There is an overwhelming amount of evidence documenting the smear campaign instigated by Justin Baldoni, Melissa Nathan, Jed Wallace and the rest of the Wayfarer Parties.

'All you need to do is look at Melissa Nathan's texts, Baldoni's responses, and Jed Wallace's "services".'

Wallace has denied any smear campaign or use of fake accounts, saying he was merely paid to monitor social media for Baldoni's team.

In July, Judge Liman dismissed Lively's claims against Wallace, who is suing Lively for defamation in Texas over the statements.

'Blake Lively made false statements to the press through a private administrative filing, claiming Mr Wallace and Street Relations had sexually harassed her, retaliated against her, aided and abetted others who did the same, breached a contract with her and engaged in other improper conduct,' Wallace's attorney, Chip Babcock, told the Daily Mail.

'Mr Wallace, who is a very private person, has never met or spoken to Ms Lively. Ever. He has not engaged in a smear campaign against her at any point in time.'

In an internal group text involving Nathan and her employee Katie Case, Case wrote that Lively's team ought to 'grow up' and that her team 'had nothing to do with' negative press aimed at the actress.

'Someone has to tell them to grow up  they promoted a movie about DOMESTIC VIOLENCE as if it was a silly rom com,' she wrote.

'What did they expect?' she added.

In an internal group text involving Nathan and her employee Katie Case, Case wrote that Lively's team ought to 'grow up' and that her team 'had nothing to do with' negative press aimed at the actress

In the same exchange, they argue that most of the backlash has happened 'organically', citing Lively's 'crazy way to market' a movie about domestic violence

She shared an infamous Instagram post of Lively encouraging moviegoers to 'wear your florals' when they go to watch the dark film in theaters.

'Like come on,' Case added. 'We had NOTHING to do with that.'

'This is crazy,' another unnamed member of the chat replied. 'She doesn't have a good reputation. All of this is organic stuff from real people making TikToks  not bots.'

In another text conversation filed on Thursday, a frazzled-sounding Heath texted a friend that he was having to shell out an eye-popping $9 million on a crisis communications team.

'I've hired a crisis management team. Costing 9million dollars (sic),' he wrote on August 4 to the friend, named only as 'Andy' in the document.

'Also our pr team,' Heath wrote. 'Just have to manage every land mine so it doesn't go off. And there's just so much to it.'

A source close to Baldoni's PR team told the Daily Mail that TAG was hired by Wayfarer for $15,000, and suggested Heath was exaggerating the $9 million figure.

Heath (right) serves as the CEO of Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios, which produced the film

In another text conversation filed on Thursday, a frazzled-sounding Heath texted a friend that he was having to shell out an eye-popping $9 million on a crisis communications team

In one group text with film executives on January 2, 2024, Baldoni said he felt Lively had him 'held hostage.'

'Trying to find my balance of captaining a ship and leading it while it's being held hostage,' the It Ends With Us director-actor wrote.

'How to give her most of what she wants while maintaining some of my own vision.'

He added he felt he was 'acting and working with this person who can and will use anything she can against me. It's all scary  yet I know I have protection.'
It's likely unintentional - maybe just a coincidence, or a reflection of the people they've spent their lives around. But once you see it, it's hard to unsee.

For some celebrities, that sense of familiarity shows up in an unexpected way: their romantic partners bear an uncanny resemblance to their siblings.

The reasons include psychological phenomena such as in-group bias, implicit egotism, the familiarity effect, sexual imprinting and more.

This phenomenon has gained so much attention that it has sparked a game called 'Siblings or Dating' that is played on various social media platforms.

Presented with a photo of two people who look remarkably similar, the viewer is asked to guess whether they are related, or in a relationship. The latter answer proves to be correct more often than you might think, sometimes in disturbing ways.

Past research has found that people pick partners who they recognise as looking like their parents, however this may well extend to their sisters or brothers too.

A study found that there was 'clear evidence for perceptual similarity in facial photographs of a woman's partner and her brother'. It found that women are four times more likely to find a man attractive if he looks like their brother.

The researchers found that 'although siblings themselves are sexually aversive, sibling resemblance is not', published in Evolution and Human Behaviour.

This is certainly the case for this batch of stars who found love with partners who look strikingly like they could be related, bearing similar likenesses and features.

Over time there are plenty of examples of this among celebrities. Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow, who dated from 1994 to 1997, shared their blonde hair, blue eyes, sharp cheekbones and powerful jaw shape.

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater pictured together February 2025

Frankie Grande and his sister Ariana in 2016

Ariana and her ex-husband Dalton Gomez

Ariana Grande and her boyfriend Ethan Slater began dating after meeting on the set of Wicked, hitting the headlines when they split from their respective spouses.

Ethan, 31, left his ex-wife Lily Jay just shortly after the birth of their son and began a romance with Ariana, 30, causing upset amongst their fanbase.

Ariana addressed the backlash in her track Yes, And? which included the lyrics: 'Your business is yours and mine is mine/Why do you care so much whose d*** I ride?'

As well as their relationship getting fans talking, Ethan's striking similarity to Ariana's brother has also set tongues wagging since their first stepped out together.

Online critics have branded Ethan her 'literal sibling', with comparisons drawn to her real life brother Frankie Grande.

Similar comments were made about Ariana's ex Dalton Gomez, who she was married to for nearly three years before meeting Ethan.

When the couple announced their engagement, fans were quick to point out Dalton's striking similarities to his fiance's brother Frankie.

One Twitter user wrote: 'Aw I'm so happy for Ariana Grande - even if Dalton looks like he could be her brother'

While another questioned: 'Why does Dalton look like he could be Ariana's brother and a Natalie Portman impersonator/double?'

Weighing in on their likeness, Anastasia Koles, advanced aesthetic nurse and founder of ALTA Medispa, said: ''Ariana's ex-fiance Dalton and her brother Frankie both carry that youthful, delicate bone structure.

'Their smooth foreheads, softly angled jaws, and expressive eyes give them a similar facial flow.

'Its less about exact duplication and more about shared proportions that make them look related.

Wyatt Russell and Meredith Hagner

Wyatt Russell's wife Meredith is often noted for resembling his half-sister, Kate Hudson

This resemblance was particularly highlighted at the Critics Choice Awards where they both appeared this year, leading to numerous comments about their similarity

Wyatt Russell's wife Meredith is often noted for resembling his half-sister, Kate Hudson.

This resemblance was particularly highlighted at the Critics Choice Awards where they both appeared this year, leading to numerous comments about their similarity.

The two stars presented the award for Best Acting Ensemble to Conclave, which was accepted by leading man Ralph Fiennes.

Many suggested they even look like twins, thanks to their bouncy blonde hair and pretty faces with shared features.

One person on Reddit, said: 'I think Meredith looks a lot like Kate Hudson. Does anyone else think that? Then I found out she's married to Kate's half-brother, Wyatt Russell Crazy!'

Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan

Mark Wright and his wife of 10 years Michelle Keegan

Mark's sister Jessica Wright with him in 2010

Mark Wright is another well known name who has picked a partner with more than a slight resemblance to his family members.

The former TOWIE star, 38, has been married to his actress wife, also 38, for 10 years after first meeting at the end of 2012.

Since they've been together, fans have commented on how Michelle looks like Mark's sister Jessica, 39, thanks to their dark locks and delicate features.

It was previously reported that Jessica said it's 'lovely to be compared to Michelle [Keegan]', who was awarded 'sexiest female' 12 times at the Soap Awards.

Just before her 2015 wedding, Michelle also beat out the likes of Kendall Jenner and Jennifer Lawrence to be named world's sexiest woman.

One social media user tweeted: 'Michelle Keegan looks like Mark Wright's sister. #Creepy.'

The expert said: 'Michelle and Jess share a striking aesthetic - dark, glossy hair, defined eyes, and flawless complexions.

'What links them most is facial balance: both have strong cheekbones and symmetrical lower faces, which is often a marker of classic beauty.

'Its easy to see why people notice the resemblance.'

Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr and actor Orlando Bloom pictured during their romance

Orlando's mother with him and his sister Samantha in 2005

While he has recently split from his partner of nine years, Katy Perry, before this he was married to model Miranda Kerr, who he shares son Flynn, 14, with.

The former couple were married for three years before going their separate ways in 2013 and now remain amicable for the sake of their child.

Before they split, Miranda was compared to Orlando's sister Samantha Bloom due to their unusual but stunning heart-shaped faces.

Dr Hayder Ria, aesthetic doctor and founder of Harley Street Dermal, said: 'Miranda and Samantha both have heart shaped faces, which means wider foreheads and slimmer chins.

'Add in their glowing skin and big, smiley eyes, and the likeness is hard to miss. They share that very fresh, youthful look.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik

Gigi Hadid and her ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik

Gigi with her brother Anwar and their sister Bella in 2015

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik co-parent their daughter Khai after dating on and off for six years between 2015 and 2021.

While Gigi has now publicly moved on with actor Bradley Cooper, comparisons are still drawn between Zayn and Gigi's brother Anwar Hadid.

Anwar has also had some high profile relationships, he dated Brooklyn Beckham's wife Nicola Peltz before romancing Dua Lipa before she met Callum Turner.

Highlighting their similarities, one person said: 'Anwar and Zayn look so alike, you wouldn't be able to tell their feet apart!'

Dr Ria said: 'Zayn and Anwar both have sharp jawlines, defined brows and that same intense gaze.

'Their angular features make them look alike in photos, especially because they both carry that model style aesthetic.'

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin

Gwyneth Paltrow and her ex-husband Chris Martin in 2014

Gwyneth and her brother Jake

After famously having one of the most good-natured splits in showbiz history when they 'consciously uncoupled', comparisons have also been drawn between Chris and Gwyneth's brother Jake.

Hollywood actress Gwyneth, 52, and the Coldplay star, 48, were married for 10 years prior to their 2014 split. They share children Apple, 21, and Moses, 19.

In the past, one person spotted the uncanny similarity, and tweeted: 'Is it me, or does Gweneth Paltrow's brother look an awful lot like her ex-husband, Chris Martin?'

Dr Ria said: 'Chris and Jake have almost identical face shapes.

'They both have longer oval proportions, rounded chins and similar colouring, which gives the impression they could be related.

'The resemblance is very strong when you look at them side by side.
As the son of one of the UK's respected chefs, some would have hoped that Marco Pierre White Jnr may have followed in his famous father's footsteps.

But now, it seems the reality star has done little that his father could be proud of, as he once against faces jail for a string of burglaries.

The troubled son of Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White has admitted to a number of burglaries in a west London crime spree, including stealing 1,500 of Jellycat toys.

Marco Jr, 30, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date, with the incident only the latest in a long list of confrontations with the law for him.

The son of the youngest ever cook to attain the coveted three Michelin stars, Marco Jr has secured his own space in the headlines thanks to his wildly rebellious antics.

The ex-reality TV star has struggled with drug addiction, with his father reportedly paying out over 1million over the years for multiple rehab stints.

Marco Pierre White Jr has added yet another brush with the law to his downfall, proving that despite being the son of a Michelin star chef, he's shirked much of his affluent upbringing

The troubled son of Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White (pictured in October) has admitted to a number of burglaries, including stealing 1,500 of Jellycat toys

Marco and his older brother Luciano and younger sister Mirabelle grew up in London, the son of Marco Snr, who is credited as being a major influence on other leading British chefs, and his third wife Mati Conejero.

Speaking to Daily Mail in 2016, Mati, who is now estranged from her son, recalled how Marco, who she calls Mini, has always seemed to struggle in the shadow of his famous father.

'Mini never had to answer for his actions. He was a beautiful boy who grew into a beautiful young man, but his life hasn't been easy growing up in the shadow of somebody like Marco,' Mati said at the time.

Mati said she blamed her ex husband and his fame and fortune for Marco Jnr's 'sense of entitlement', explaining: 'Marco was always too busy working to do much with them. Yet he got irritated with me if they then got bored and started playing up.'

'Everything revolved around the restaurants. A simple, planned trip to the park would end up not happening because first we would go to meet Marco at his restaurant Frankie's in Knightsbridge.

'I suppose it's not surprising Mini misbehaved so badly,' she continued. 'It set a pattern which continues to this day. In a way, it's not really his fault that he doesn't know how to behave properly and knows no social boundaries.'

'He has grown up with a sense of entitlement. He is the son of somebody famous and therefore he is well-known and he is rich and can do what he likes.'

This unruly childhood only unravelled further when the family were forced to visit social services in Notting Hill when Marco Jr was a teenager.

Marco battled drug addiction, with his father even paying over 1 million for him to go to rehab, and despite getting clean in 2023, his brushes with the law have continued

Marco and his older brother Luciano and younger sister Mirabelle grew up in London, the son of Marco Snr and his third wife Mati Conejero

'Marco [Snr] sat there and everybody agreed we could tailor our lives and his career to fit in with the boy's requirements. Even social services got sucked in by his charisma,' Mati claimed.

'This was about the time when we started divorce proceedings, when Marco did the crazy thing of sending Mini off to Thailand with a family friend. That is where he had his first tattoo done.

Marco Jr, who hit out his mother's tell-all interview at the time, has been open about his childhood struggles, recalling in an emotional conversation in the Big Brother house how he was targeted at school because of his dad's celebrity status.

'It's horrible, I never had a normal life, at eight-years old I was being bullied cos I was rich,' he told his housemates.

Despite his early struggles, Marco Jnr has to this day retained a close relationship with his father.

But he has admitted to clashes with the chef after spending 250,000 of his father's money on 'prostitutes, cocaine and alcohol' and claiming he had only agreed to take part in Big Brother to pay off debts.

After leaving school Marco dabbled in art and modelling but it was being the son of the award winning chef, the label he was desperate to be rid of as a child, that landed him is spot in the Big Brother house in 2016 at the age of 21.

The show did little to boost his reputation though. Just days into the series, in some of the most shockingly explicit sexual scenes ever to be broadcast live on mainstream television, Marco Jnr was seen kissing and stripping off with housemate Laura Carter, taking a naked shower with her, before sucking her breast.

The scenes sparked more than 600 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, and days later Marco was the first celeb to be booted off the show.

He exited the house on day 11 to a chorus of boos and a split from his fiancee Kim Melville-Smith, following a 'misunderstanding' about the definition of what a 'hall pass' meant while he was on the reality show.

Marco's struggles with crime resumed four days after his reality show exit when he appeared in a magistrate's court to answer a drug driving charge when he was stopped in a BMW X5 and found to have 200mcg of cocaine in his system.

His multiple offences since have included shoplifting, possessing a knife, and possessing drugs.

In 2016, he was spared jail for spending 2,500 on his ex-girlfriend's bank card.

He bought goods that were traded to buy drugs before he was finally arrested in Bristol.

Previous offences also include one count of using threatening abusive language in 2011, when he was a teenager, and being drunk in charge of a car in 2016.

In 2019, he racially abused a police officer while he was 'drunk as a skunk' at the Cabin Bar pub in Paddington Station, west London.

In January 2019, he was convicted and fined after calling police officers 'f*****s' and 'n******s' while they tried to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly in a train station.

Then in June 2019, he was ordered to pay more than 1,000 for running out on a 27 restaurant bill after his debit card was declined.

The following month, it was reported he had to be dragged 'kicking and screaming' to a police station after being arrested for allegedly smashing windows during a row with his father in Wiltshire.

In July 2019, he appeared in court accused of making off from a cafe without paying the bill after his payment card was declined, loudly proclaiming who his father was.

His longest sentence was handed down in 2022, when aged 27, he pleaded guilty to 14 offences including carrying a knife and racial abuse, getting 18 months in prison.

After being released, Marco vowed never to touch drugs again after spending more than 1million on rehab.

After leaving school Marco dabbled in art and modelling but it was being the son of the award winning chef, that landed him is spot in the Big Brother house in 2016 at the age of 21

In some of the most shockingly explicit sexual scenes ever to be broadcast live on mainstream television, Marco Jnr was seen kissing and stripping off with housemate Laura Carter

Despite his early struggles, and attempts to distance himself from his dad's celebrity status, Marco Jnr has to this day retained a close relationship with his father

In December, Marco was handed a suspended sentence for a spate of burglaries, and he's set to appear in court at a later date after pleading guilty to multiple counts of burglary

He also revealed he had converted to Islam to help him 'stay clean' and reform after years of drug abuse which he has said began at the age of just 13.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail in 2023, he said: 'I have been in rehab 17 times and being in prison has made me realise that enough is enough.

'I have been in rehab all over America and in the UK and the only thing that has cured me is being banged up in a cell for 23 hours a day.

'I have realised how lucky I am and have been. I have seen all walks of life in prison and some people don't have a chance in life. I have had every opportunity and I have thrown them all away.

'I could have done anything I wanted to, but instead I did heroin and ended up in prison. I have been an idiot.'

He added that he was being supported by his father and he had big plans to follow in his footsteps and become a chef.

The recovering drug addict also had the motivation of his young daughter Arabella Rose and he said back in the 2013 interview that missing a year of her life while in prison had also made him determined never to fall into drug use again.

Sadly hopes that Marco was on the straight and narrow weren't to last, as in December, he was handed a suspended sentence for a spate of burglaries.

He avoided jail after being sentenced to a suspended 30-week prison sentence for a spate of burglaries in his hometown.

He only recently moved to Weston-super-Mare with his latest offence coming just over two months after he was handed eight weeks in jail for a spree of thefts in Chippenham and Bath.

Just eight months later, Marco's brushes with the law have only continued, as it was revealed by Daily Mail on Wednesday he has plead guilty to a number of burglaries.

Marco raided an antiques shop on June 19 this year in Westminster, central London.

Prosecutor Ravinder Johal said White wrecked four mounted crystals and the entrance door to the shop.

The ex-Celebrity Big Brother star pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage, but said he disputes the cost of the damage.

On June 12, he burgled an Italian deli store in Kensington called La Piccola, stealing a laptop, tablet, iPod, and a till tray.

Just three days later, he smashed his way into a house in Kensington and Chelsea, and stole two natural rock crystal formations, causing 7,775 worth of damage to the front door.

A month later, on July 21, he broke into another store on Barnes High Street, south-west London, stealing 1,500 of Jellycat toys.

Marco Jr appeared at Isleworth Crown Court via video link from HMP Wandsworth, wearing a grey prison tracksuit.

Marco Jr, of no fixed address, admitted four counts of burglary and one count of criminal damage.

He previously pleaded guilty to the three counts of burglary on June 15, June 12, and July 21, at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court, and those pleas were entered again today.

He denied, however, one count of robbery, and is accused of stealing 26 bottles of personal hygiene products from a beauty store in Kensington and Chelsea on May 25 this year, to a value of 1,331.

Graeme Logan, defending, said: 'Marco disputes the 43,000 figure relating to criminal damage. The figure appears to be an amalgamation for property stolen and damage to the property.

'That figure is disputed. I ask for seven days to submit that plea.

'With the allegation of robbery on May 25, which Mr White denies, an alternative plea of theft will be offered.'

Judge Edward Connell said: 'There will be a hearing for that robbery charge at Isleworth Crown Court on September 2 this year. If the Crown does not accept it, a trial will be set for March 16 next year.'

Judge Connell told White: 'I am going to adjourn your case for two weeks. You have pled guilty to serious offences both in the magistrates' court and today, and at some point you will have to be sentenced for that.'

Marco Jr was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a date to be fixed.
Vic Lorusso has been one of the most recognisable voices across Australian radio and TV for 25 years.

From the early 2000s, his unique voice has been a fixture in cars and living rooms across Sydney as he delivers live traffic reports from a chopper over the city.

Now, after more than two decades since he got his start at Australian Traffic Network, Vic, 44, has worked his way up the ladder and is the CEO of the company that gave him his big break.

Vic was offered the position of CEO at ATN in July 2023, and has since led the ASX-listed company through an incredibly successful re-brand.

Now he runs a team of 50 reporters nationwide and has expanded ATN from covering traffic to also delivering live updates on sports, weather and breaking news.

'I've always loved the business from day one,' he tells Daily Mail in an exclusive interview.

Vic Lorusso has been one of the most recognisable voices across Australian radio and TV for 25 years

'I've always tried to play a big part, more than on air, in the background. Sort of building out the business,' he continues.

'When I was asked if I wanted to lead the business, it was an awesome time. It was a moment where I pinched myself.'

But while Vic may have steered the company into incredible success since taking the top seat in 2023, he has clung to his roots with fiery passion.

As he recounts the days he first took off from Bankstown Airport to deliver much-needed traffic reports, the love in his voice is undeniable - even as he talks about the horrifying moment he almost fell out of the helicopter while capturing footage of the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

'We were flying down to Canberra to get some footage of a bushfire and we got caught in very strong winds,' he recalls.

'My passenger door did fly open. I lost a two-way radio, wallet, keys. Luckily we had harnesses so I didn't fall out, but I remember the pilot grabbing me.'

The near-miss couldn't keep Vic on the ground, as he was back in the chopper the very next day to shake off the nerves.

'I remember the next day it was a weekend, on Sunday. We arranged to go for a fly just to get over the fear of what happened,' he continues.

From the early 2000s, his unique voice has been a fixture in cars and living rooms across Sydney as he delivers live traffic reports from a chopper over the city

'We had a lot of moments in bad weather where you get caught in situations. But safety is number one, so luckily nothing serious has happened.'

Vic was a fresh-faced teenager with a dream to become a rugby league commentator when he landed his job at ATN after a brief stint of work experience at 2GB radio.

He was among the first to take to the skies with an innovative approach to traffic reports, guiding listeners through peak-hour chaos.

While some would say the rest is history, Vic reveals his decades-long career as a beloved chopper reporter almost stalled before it could take off - pun intended.

'I remember I did my first couple of reports [for Mix Network, now KIIS] and thought, "This is so cool. I'm on radio and I'm 19 and everyone's listening,"' he recalls.

'I remember halfway through the shift, I got a call from the operations manager at the time and they said, "Vic, can you just slow it down? You're going really quick in the program."'

But the bad news didn't end there, as he was later told by the founder of ATN that Mix Network never wanted Vic back on their airwaves.

'[They said] they would never allow me back on the radio because I sounded too young,' he explains.

And after more than two decades since he got his start at Australian Traffic Network, Vic, 44, has worked his way up the ladder and is now the CEO of the company that gave him his big break

'I was young, I was 19, I was really excited, I was nervous. I probably would have been calling the traffic like a race caller.

'After that I practised to slow it down and they gave me another shot,' he adds.

Vic was back on their station full-time six months later and has been for more than two decades.

'I do Monday to Friday every single weekday, have done for 25 years,' he says and jokes he 'could be a pilot' as he has now logged 22,000 hours in the chopper.

'I took myself off the afternoon TV stuff just to allow our awesome talent to come through and do it better than me,' he says.

While many Aussies may miss hearing Vic in the afternoons, early birds can still catch him giving traffic reports on the radio for KIIS FM's The Kyle & Jackie O Show and Gold 101.7's Jonesy & Amanda.

Vic gets up at about 3.15am every morning to get in some exercise before he heads into the ATN Australian office for a 4.30am to 5.00am start. The company also has offices in Brazil, Canada, and the UK.

He is 'on air from just after 5.30am until 9.30am', and manages to fit in his work as CEO around his helicopter hours.

'I've always loved the business from day one,' he told Daily Mail in an exclusive interview on Thursday. Pictured with Nine News Sydney presenter Peter Overton

He says people always ask how he manages to still do full-time traffic reporting while also acting as the CEO of ATN - but passion makes everything easy.

'The moment I don't want to get up in the morning to do traffic, I think that'll be the day I hang the headsets up. I don't think it's any time soon,' he says.

Of course, Vic humbly attributes the seamless expansion of ATN - and subsequent 35 per cent stock market rise - to his team, who he says 'makes him look good'.

'We've had a great year on the stock market, but it's more than that. It's about our people. The people here have been here for a long time,' he says.

'Having the right people in the right positions helps me. Everyone makes me look good... but I'm learning every day. I'm learning in this role every single day.

'It's a whole new world in the corporate environment, but that's why I love staying grounded, being on air and never forget my roots of reporting.'

But Vic hasn't let his achievements go to his head.

In fact, he still calls himself a reporter and says 'it's been an honour and a privilege' to lead the Australian business he got his start in.

When Vic isn't working, or spending time with his wife Katie (right) and their four children, he volunteers as an auctioneer for children's charities

And when he's not working, or spending time with his wife Katie and their four children, Vic volunteers as an auctioneer for children's charities.

The media professional has committed as much time to the job as he has to traffic reporting, with two decades' worth of experience as a real estate auctioneer.

'I love giving back and helping when people need help,' he says.

'I'll regularly get contacted by different charities or people in need and anything we can do to help... It's a big part of what I love doing, too.'
Kylie Jenner turned her Kylie Cosmetics line into a family business on Saturday when her daughter Stormi Webster shot her first ad for the products.

The 28-year-old cosmetics mogul shared a short video on Instagram featuring her seven-year-old daughter having a tantrum about buying one of her products.

The ad was promoting new Kylie Cosmetics products that are now available at Ulta Beauty locations, and the motherdaughter duo appeared to have recorded the cute video in one of the stores.

The bonding momentturnedbusiness opportunity came shortly after Kylie's boyfriend Timothee Chalamet's most deranged parasocial fans hatched a vile plot against her on social media.

But she didn't look concerned about that as she filmed herself and Stormi lip syncing to audio apparently taken from a Barbie video, with Kylie acting out the Ken role.

'Don't cry, Barbie. If you stop crying I'll get you whatever you want,' Kylie said as she faced the camera head on after Stormi was shown rubbing her eyes with theatrical sobs.

Kylie Jenner turned her Kylie Cosmetics line into a family business on Saturday when her daughter Stormi Webster shot her first ad for the products

The 28-year-old cosmetics mogul shared a short video on Instagram featuring her seven-year-old daughter having a tantrum about buying one of her products, which was newly available at Ulta Beauty locations

'OK, thanks. Get me a Mercedes,' Stormi replied as Barbie, while grabbing a box of Kylie's Glossy Lip Kit and suddenly breaking out into a smile.

Her mother shot the video in a casual white cropped tank top and hip-hugging dark-blue jeans that showcased her stellar figure and taut midriff.

She let her lustrous raven hair cascade down her shoulders in thick waves, and she had a struggling pink suede Birkin bag dangling from her arm.

Among those jumping into the comments was Kylie's mother Kris Jenner, who was clearly delighted by her granddaughter's performance, as she wrote, 'Hahahaha .'

Other fans were bowled over by how cute Stormi was in the video.

'This is the cutest thing I've ever seen ,' gushed one fan.

'Daughter is an employee now. Love this,' added another user.

Another fan was fairly certain that Stormi wouldn't have been denied anything, especially considering the luxuries her mother has already bestowed on her.

filmed herself and Stormi lip syncing to audio apparently taken from a Barbie video, with Kylie acting out the Ken role. 'Don't cry, Barbie. If you stop crying I'll get you whatever you want,' she said

Stormi was shown rubbing her eyes with theatrical sobs, before replying, 'OK, thanks. Get me a Mercedes,' while grabbing a box of Kylie's Glossy Lip Kit and suddenly breaking out into a smile

Among those jumping into the comments was Kylie's mother Kris Jenner, who was clearly delighted by her granddaughter's performance

Other fans were bowled over by how cute Stormi was in the video

'She indeed will get whatever she wants ,' they wrote.

But one of the biggest takeaways from the comments was that Kylie's fans were in love with her pink suede Birkin bag.

'That's the most beautiful Birkin I've ever seen ,' read one representative comment.

'I think that's the only birkin I've actually wanted ,' wrote one converted user.

'When you get tired of your bag. You can ship it to me ,' joked one envious fan.

Kylie appeared to be sporting an Hermes Birkin 30 Bubblegum Pink Doblis Suede bag with palladium hardware.

Although the bag appears to be long sold out, a similar suede Birkin in a violet shade appears to retail for an eye-popping $50,000, while a brown suede version of the same bag is listed online for nearly $80,000.

In addition to advertising her cosmetics line, Kylie took a moment on Saturday for a somber tribute to a fallen friend.

But one of the biggest takeaways from the comments was that Kylie's fans were in love with her pink suede Birkin bag, which likely cost tens of thousands of dollars

In addition to advertising her cosmetics line, Kylie took a moment on Saturday for a somber tribute to a fallen friend, her late hairstylist Jesus Guerrero, who would have turned 35 on Saturday

In June, Guerrero was revealed to have died from a severe form of pneumonia, with AIDS listed as a secondary cause. The pneumonia was from a fungal infection which is usually seen in people with weakened immune systems

The former Keeping Up With The Kardashians star shared a photo of herself with a small cake decorated in white with frosted green leaves and real strawberries and blueberries, along with five candles, in memory of her late hairstylist Jesus Guerrero.

Guerrero, who would have turned 35 on Saturday, died at a hospital in Los Angeles in February, shortly after he had worked with Kylie in Dubai.

'not a day goes by that we don't think about you @jesushair,' she captioned the photo. 'Happy heavenly birthday. you're forever loved and missed.'

In June, Guerrero was revealed to have died from a severe form of pneumonia, according to an autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

The pneumonia was caused by a fungal infection, and the reported listed that Guerrero had been suffering from AIDS, which was a secondary cause of his death that could have made him more susceptible to the infection.
She shocked her fans this week whens he revealed that she had adopted a baby daughter with her husband Jake Bongiovi.

And now Millie Bobby Brown is going viral again after a clip shot prior to her new adoption is gaining traction on social media.

In it, the 21-year-old Stranger Things star weighs in on whether she would allow her future children to pursue acting as a career while they were still children, just like she did.

Millie  who was seen out on a walk with her new daughter and her husband on Thursday in photos obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail  was asked if she would try to dissuade her children from following in her footsteps while promoting her Netflix film The Electric State, which costars Chris Pratt and has received a scathing six percent rotten rating from the most prestigious critics surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes.

In the clip, the interviewer noted that Millie had just turned 21 and asked her how she would respond 'In the future, if you have a child, and your child was like, "Mummy, I want to be a child actor just like you."'

After noting that audiences had watched the former child star grow up on screen, the interviewer asked if Millie would let her child take the same career path based on her experiences in Hollywood.

A resurfaced interview clip with Millie Bobby Brown, 21, has gone viral after the Stranger Things star was asked whether she would support her future children following her path to become child stars

Fans found the clip from earlier this year after Millie announced Thursday that she and her husband Jake Bongiovi, 23, had adopted a baby girl; pictured together in February in Hollywood

'I would do exactly what my parents did to me, which was just encourage me to be myself,' Millie began.

'And if that's something that I wanted to explore doing, I would support them,' she continued, though she added that she would 'protect them in the way that my parents protected me.'

Millie made it clear that she wasn't interested in dissuading her children from getting into show business.

'I always encourage any young person to achieve their dreams, and if I can help it in any way, I absolutely will,' she said.

The interview, which was shot prior to The Electric State's premiere on Netflix in March of this year, comes after Millie announced that she and her husband Jake had welcomed their first child via adoption, and several of the commenters on the video referenced the new family development.

'I'm here after her adoption announcement ,' one fan wrote in the comments.

'Shell be a very good mom ,' added another user.

One poster wrote, 'She probably thought deep on this because she knew she was gonna have a child soon rather then later.'

In the clip, the interviewer asked her how she would respond 'In the future, if you have a child, and your child was like, "Mummy, I want to be a child actor just like you"'

'I would do exactly what my parents did to me, which was just encourage me to be myself,' Millie said, adding that she would 'support' and 'protect' her child the same way her parents had protected her

Millie got her first TV guest role when she was around nine, after moving to the US a year earlier. Her breakout role was on Netflix's Stranger Things (pictured), which premiered in 2016, when she was around 12

After Millie's family moved from the UK to America when she was just eight, she got her first acting role around a year later with a guest part on ABC's Once Upon A Time spinoff Once Upon A Time In Wonderland as a young version of Alice.

A year later, she appeared in the thriller series Intruders, a co-production of BBC America and BBC Two, which marked her debut in a starring role.

She went on to score guest roles in major shows including Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family and NCIS in the following years, before her breakout role in Netflix's massively popular sci-fi thriller Stranger Things, which debuted in 2016.

The show's fifth and final season is expected to be released in three parts beginning in November of this year, nearly a decade after it debuted.

Since then, she has appeared in high-profile feature films including Godzilla: King Of The Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong, as well as two lower-profile Enola Holmes movies for Netflix and The Electric State, which had a massive budget of a reported $320 million and was savaged by critics.

The Stranger Things star, who wed Bongiovi, 23, last year, made the surprise announcement about her adopted child on Instagram on Thursday.

'This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,' she wrote.

'We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy.

The Stranger Things star, who wed Bongiovi last year, made the surprise announcement about her adopted child on Instagram on Thursday (pictured February 2025)

'This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,' she wrote. 'We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy'

'And then there were three. Love, Millie and Jake Bongiovi.'

The couple have yet to share any images of their daughter but Bongiovi was seen pushing a stroller on July 20 in a post shared by Brown captioned: 'helluva summer thus far.'

In March Brown opened up about starting a family with Bongiovi and revealed that he already knew 'how important' it is to her.

The pair married in May 2024 and the couple had discussed having children , adoption, and their plans on having a big family.

During an appearance on the Smartless podcast, which is hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, the actress said that although she knows she is 'really young,' she is looking forward to motherhood.

'My mom actually had her first child at 21, and my dad was 19. And you know, it's been my thing since before I met Jake,' she explained.

'Since I was a baby... I wanted to be a mom just like the way my mom was to me. And my nan, my grandmother is, she was a huge part of my life.

'And so, yeah, I mean, Jake knows how important it is to me and, of course, I want to focus on really establishing myself as an actor and as a producer, but I also find it's so important to start a family for me personally,' Millie continued.

Jake and Millie, seen here in March 2022, first started dating in 2021 and married in May 2024

Bongiovi was seen pushing a stroller on July 20 in a post from Brown captioned: 'Helluva summer thus far'

The Stranger Things actress pictured with her own parents Kelly and Robert in November 2023

Bongiovi and Brown are pictured with rock icon dad Jon Bon Jovi and mom Dorothea Hurley in 2024

Hours before the bombshell baby announcement, new mom Brown shared a photo with her husband

The couple have been vocal about wanting a big family (pictured February 2025)

Brown is best known for her role as Eleven on Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things

'It's a huge thing. Jake was like, we cannot do that until we get married. So that was his thing.'

Brown then added: 'And my thing was, I really want a family. I really want a big family.

'I'm one of four. He's one of four. So, it is definitely in our future, but, for me, I don't see having your own child, you know, as really any different [from] adopting.'

She went on to say: 'My home is full of love for anyone and anything, and so that is what we kind of stand by, Jake and I, our energy in the house is "the door is always open", and we want everyone to feel really comfortable.'

Her comments come just a few weeks after she opened up to Vanity Fair in February about her relationship with Bongiovi and how they're 'pretty united' on major topics.

'We talked about our political views, what kind of family we want to build, the kind of home we want to live in, the kind of relationship we're looking for, the kind of careers we want,' she told the publication.

'It's such an important decision, and we wanted to make sure we were making the right one. I knew I was. It always felt right with him.'

Brown and Bongiovi, whose father is musician Jon Bon Jovi, first started dating in 2021 and announced their engagement in April 2023.

The couple tied the knot in May 2024 in a lavish ceremony in Italy where they said 'I do' at Villa Cetinale in Tuscany.
Jack Osbourne honored his late father Ozzy Osbourne with a heartfelt tribute over the weekend.

The youngest son of the rock legend and Sharon Osbourne made a rare public appearance a month following Ozzy's death at the age of 76 on July 22.

Weeks after returning to Los Angeles following his father's funeral in the UK, Jack, 39, paid homage to his dad and his legacy on Friday as he ran errands solo.

The TV personality wore a Black Sabbath T-shirt featuring his father on the cover of the band's 1970 self-titled debut album.

The cover featured the heavy metal star at the Mapledurham Watermill  which happened to be nearby Ozzy's farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England.

Jack Osbourne honored his late father Ozzy Osbourne with a heartfelt tribute over the weekend

The youngest son of the rock legend and Sharon Osbourne made a rare public appearance a month following Ozzy's death at the age of 76 on July 22; pictured April 2011 in New York City

Over a week ago, he was spotted for the first time since his father's funeral while running errands in Los Angeles.

The Black Sabbath frontman, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away at the age of 76 on July 22 surrounded by his family. He was buried a week later on July 30.

According to his death certificate, the singer died from an 'acute myocardial infarction' and 'out of hospital cardiac arrest'.

And just days after laying his beloved father to rest, Jack was seen attempting to get back to normal as he ran errands around West Hollywood during a solo outing.

Shortly after his father's passing, Jack had previously took to social media to share a gushing tribute in honor of the Black Sabbath frontman.

Speaking on his death for the first time on social media, Jack said his 'heart has hurt too much' alongside some touching words to remember his father.

Jack wrote: 'I haven't really wanted to post anything since the passing of my father. My heart has hurt too much.

'I'm gonna keep this short because he certainly hated long rambling speeches. He was so many things to so many people, but I was so lucky and blessed to be apart of a very small group that got to call him "Dad."

Weeks after returning to Los Angeles following his father's funeral in the UK, Jack, 39, paid homage to his dad and his legacy on Friday as he ran errands solo

The TV personality wore a Black Sabbath T-shirt featuring his father on the cover of the band's 1970 self-titled debut album

The Black Sabbath frontman, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away at the age of 76 on July 22 surrounded by his family. He was buried a week later on July 30; pictured October 2024 in Cleveland

'My heart is full of so much sadness and sorrow, but also so much love and gratitude,' he wrote. 'I got 14,501 days with that man and I know that is such a blessing. I think this quote best describes my father.

'Hunter S. Thompson once said: "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body... but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride!'"

'That was my dad. He lived and he lived his life fully. I love you dad.'

In late July, Jack also revealed that his dad's final months were filmed for an upcoming BBC documentary.

During his final months, Ozzy also reunited with his band for a farewell concert at Villa Park.

He 'knew' that would be his last ever gig, his close friend Tom Morello has revealed.

In late July, Jack also revealed that his dad's final months were filmed for an upcoming BBC documentary; pictured with mom Sharon Osbourne and late dad Ozzy Osbourne in February 2015

Musical director Tom, a close friend of Ozzy's who helped organize the concert, admitted he felt the rocker knew his days were numbered, after battling Parkinson's disease for many years.

Speaking on US radio station Q101, he said: 'Ozzy Osbourne had lived on the edge for such a long time, the fact he lived as long as he did was a miracle.

'The fact he lived to play and feel that love one more time, to do Paranoid, to do Crazy Train. If you have got to go  and I wish Ozzy lived another 30 years  if you've got to go out... it felt like he knew.'

Tom, a guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, added that he got the chance to thank Ozzy after spending two years with him and his wife Sharon organizing the reunion gig.
Artificial intelligence is a data devourer. For effectiveness, it has to be, but scarcity of what it feeds on can be a serious problem, particularly for AI agents, the conversational robots with the ability to act on behalf of users to buy, respond to emails, and manage invoices and schedules, among dozens of other possibilities. To do so, they need to know about the person they are talking to, learn about their life, and violate their privacy  which sometimes, they have permission to do. Big tech companies are already investigating how to tackle this problem on several fronts. But in the meantime, according to Herve Lambert, global consumer operations manager at Panda Security, AI access to data poses risks of commercial manipulation, exclusion, or even extortion.

AIs problematic relationship with private information has been proven by researchers at University College London and the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria in a study presented at the USENIX security symposium in Seattle. According to the report, AI web browser assistants execute widespread tracking, profiling, and personalization practices that raise serious privacy concerns.

During tests employing a user profile invented by researchers, AI web browser assistants shared search information with their servers and even banking and health data, as well as the users IP address. All demonstrated the ability to guess attributes like age, sex, salary, and interests of users and they utilized such information to personalize responses, even during different navigation sessions. Just one assistant, Perplexity, did not reveal evidence of profiling or personalization.

Although many people are aware that search engines and social media platforms compile information about them for targeted advertising, AI web browser assistants operate with unprecedented access to user online behavior in areas of their online life that should remain private. Even if they offer convenience, our findings show that sometimes, they do so at the cost of user privacy, without any transparency or consent and sometimes, in violation of privacy legislation and their companys own terms of service. This collection and exchange of information is not trivial: in addition to the sale and exchange of data with third parties, in a world where mass hackings are frequent, there is no way of knowing what is happening with search history once it has been collected, explains Anna Maria Mandalari, primary author of the study that was conducted by the UCLs electronic and electrical engineering department.

Lambert agrees with the studys conclusions. Technology is collecting users data, even that which is personal, to train and improve intelligent and automatic learning models. This helps companies to offer  to put it diplomatically  more personalized services. But developing these new technologies, obviously, raises a host of questions and concerns about privacy and user consent. Ultimately, we dont know how companies and their smart systems are using our personal data.

Among the potential risks cited by Lambert are commercial and geopolitical manipulation, exclusion, extortion, and identity theft. These dangers exist even when users have given their consent, consciously or otherwise. Platforms, adds Lambert, are updating their privacy policies and thats a little suspicious. In fact, such updates  and this is important  include clauses that allow for the use of data. But consumers, in the vast majority of cases, accept conditions without reading or thinking about them, to ensure continuity in the service or out of pure haste.

Google is one of the companies that recently changed its privacy terms to, according to an email sent to its users, improve our services. In that statement, it admits to its use of interactions with its AI applications through Gemini, and has launched a new function for those who wish to opt out. That is the so-called temporary chat feature, which allows for the elimination of recent queries, and avoids the company using them to personalize future queries or to train models.

The user has to be proactive to protect themselves from these functions by deactivating the keep activity function and by managing and deleting Gemini app activity. If they fail to do so, their lives will be shared with the company. A subset of uploads submitted starting September 2  like files, videos, screens you ask about, and photos shared with Gemini  will also be used to help improve Google services for everyone, states the corporation. It will also utilize audios recorded by the AI tools and data from Gemini Live recordings.

As before, when Google uses your activity to improve its services (including training generative AI models), it gets help from human reviewers. To protect your privacy, we disconnect chats from your account before sending them to service providers, explains the company in its statement, in which it admits that, even though it is disconnected from the users account, it uses and has used personal data (As before) and that it sells or shares it (sending them to service providers).

Marc Rivero, lead security researcher at Kaspersky, agrees on the risks involved with the dissemination of information, pointing to the use of WhatsApp data for AI: It raises serious privacy concerns. Private messaging apps are one of the most sensitive digital environments for users, as they contain intimate conversations, personal data, and even confidential information. Allowing an AI tool to automatically access these messages without clear and explicit consent undermines user trust.

He adds: From the cybersecurity perspective, this is also troubling. Cyber criminals are taking advantage more and more of AI to widen their attacks on social engineering and collection of personal data. If those attackers find a way to exploit this kind of interaction, we could be facing a new path to fraud, identity theft, and other criminal activities.

WhatsApp insists that your personal messages with friends and family are off limits. Its AI is trained through direct interaction with the artificial intelligence application and according to the company, you have to take action to start the conversation by opening a chat or sending a message to the AI. Only you or a group participant can initiate this, not Meta or WhatsApp. Talking to an AI provided by Meta doesnt link your personal WhatsApp account information on Facebook, Instagram, or any other apps provided by Meta. Nonetheless, it does offer a warning: What you send to Meta may be used to provide you with accurate responses or to improve Metas AI models, so dont send messages to Meta with information you dont want it to know.

Storage and archive transfer services have also come under questioning. The latest example took place after the popular site WeTransfers modification to its terms of service, which was seen as an ask for limitless access to user data to improve future artificial intelligence systems. In response to consumer concerns about the possible free use of their documents and creations, the company was forced to reformulate the clause, offering the clarification: To be extra clear: YES  your content is always your content. In fact, section 6.2 of our Terms of Service clearly states that you own and retain all right, title, and interest, including all intellectual property rights, in and to the Content. YES  youre granting us permission to ensure we can run and improve the WeTransfer service properly. YES  our terms are compliant with applicable privacy laws, including the GDPR [the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation]. NO  we are not using your content to train AI models. NO  we do not sell your content to third parties.

Given the proliferation of intelligent devices, which go far beyond conversational AI chats, Eusebio Nieva, technical director of Check Point Software for Spain and Portugal, advocates for regulations that guarantee transparency and explicit consent, security regulations for devices, and prohibition and restrictions on high-risk providers, as seen in the European regulation. Incidents of violations of privacy underline the need for consumers, regulators, and companies to work together to guarantee security, he says.

Lambert agrees and calls for users and companies to take responsibility in this new panorama. He rejects the idea that preventative regulation represents a step backward in development. Protecting our users does not mean that we are going to slow down; it means that, from the outset of a project, we include privacy and digital footprint protection, thereby becoming more effective and efficient in protecting our most important assets, which are our users.

Alternatives being researched by companies

Tech companies are aware of the problem generated by the use of personal data, not just because of the ethical and legal privacy conflicts, but also because they say that limitations in accessing them are slowing development of their systems.

Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg has directed the work of its Superintelligence Lab towards self-improving AI, systems capable of increasing the performance of artificial intelligence through advancements in equipment (particularly processors), in programming (including self-programming) and through the AI itself training language learning models on which it is based.

And its not just experiences based on synthetic data  tools and guidelines are also employed in adapting behavior to user needs. The startup Sakana AI has created a system called Darwin Godel Machine, in which an AI agent adapts its code to improve its performance carrying out the tasks that it is assigned.

All these advances toward AI that surpasses human intelligence by overcoming obstacles such as data limitations also carry risks. Chris Painter, policy director at the non-profit AI research organization METR, warns that if AI accelerates the development of its own capacities, it could also be used for pirating, weapons design, and human manipulation.

The rise in geopolitical tensions, economic volatility and operational environments that are becoming more complex, alongside attacks that are carried out using AI, have left organizations more vulnerable to cyber threats, says Agustin Munoz-Grandes, director of Accenture Security in Spain and Portugal. Cyber security can no longer be a last-minute fix. It should be integrated beginning with the design of every initiative using AI.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly getting a format shakeup for this year's series following the reveal of the celebrity lineup.

The under-fire show returns to screens this September with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the helm.

Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will also return to the judging panel for 2025.

This year's celebrities have already been revealed, with Emmerdale star Lewis Cope being announced as the final star to join the lineup earlier this week.

However, The Sun report bosses have given the format a shakeup that will see the celebrity and professional pairings switch-up for one week only.

An insider said: 'A switch-up week is a great way to spice up Strictly Come Dancing.

Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly getting a format shakeup for this year's series following the reveal of the celebrity lineup

Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will return to the judging panel for this year's series

'Fans will be able to vote for which celebrity they want to see dance with their favourite professional dancer.'

The source added how the new element could disrupt the flow of the show for the famous faces if they have chemistry with their dance partner.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, a Strictly spokesperson said: 'This story isn't true.'

Kai Widdrington previously took part in switch-up week when he starred on Dancing With The Stars in Ireland back in 2020.

Bosses introduced the format change following its success in the US, with Kai being paired with former Big Brother winner and host Brian Dowling.

Meanwhile, former Strictly pro Ian Waite has called for the BBC to launch an all-star version of the show as he called for his return to the ballroom.

He told The Mirror: 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was an all-star version.

'It can be in April or May as a series with all the top dogs like me and Zoe and, I don't know, Brendan and Natasha!?'

The Sun report bosses have given the format a shakeup that will see the celebrity and professional pairings switch-up for one week only

Meanwhile, former Strictly pro Ian Waite has called for the BBC to launch an all-star version of the show as he called for his return to the ballroom

The 54-year-old also hit out at bosses for 'never' bringing back former pro dancers, despite other shows in the franchise doing so.

He said: 'But Strictly don't even bring back pros  apart from Aljaz [Skorjanec]! You don't find that anywhere else in the  in America, they come and go, same with

'I think it gets to be very tiring and intense. Imagine having a year out then coming back so much fresher. I'm sure a lot of the pros would like to have a break!'

Strictly has already been hit with a fresh scandal just weeks before the new series kicks off.

The BBC have reportedly alerted the Metropolitan Police to investigate a new allegation, after lawyers began an inquiry into the series.

The broadcaster had already launched an inquiry into the family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine.

According to The Sun on Sunday, detectives from the Met Police are allegedly examining other allegations.

Meanwhile, on Saturday it was revealed a Strictly Come Dancing star had been arrested on suspicion of rape.

Love Island star Dani Dyer has signed up for this year's series with training for the very first episode now well underway

Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis has also joined the show, ahead of the final ever episode of the Australian soap airing at the end of this year

The male suspect is reportedly being 'quizzed by police over allegations involving non-consensual intimate image abuse'.

A Met spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse.

'This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us.

'The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.'

A BBC spokesperson said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.'

There is nothing to suggest this is related to the current Strictly production.
Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne have enjoyed a family holiday this week as they put on a united front after saving their marriage.

Soap star Jacqueline, 32, and Dan, 34, appeared loved-up as they spend quality family time in Gran Canaria.

The mum-of-two was beaming as she was spotted heading out in a lime summer dress that featured a plunging neckline.

Another snap from their trip showed how Jac and Dan are visibly close again as she gave him a cuddle while swimming in the hotel pool.

One fan who spotted the seemingly happy couple during their holiday told The Sun how they stopped and took time to greet fans.

They said: 'Jacqueline was lovely  as was Dan. I recognised her from EastEnders. They both seemed really nice and down to earth.

Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne have enjoyed a family holiday this week as they put on a united front after saving their marriage (Pictured in 2023)

Soap star Jacqueline, 32, and Dan, 34, appeared loved-up as they spend quality family time in Gran Canaria (Pictured in 2021)

'I thought they might not want to talk while on holiday but they were brilliant.'

Their reconciliation comes after the couple went on a make-or-break getaway just months ago in a bid to save their marriage.

Former TOWIE star Dan had moved out of the family home in March this year when they briefly separated.

The Sun on Sunday revealed at the time that Dan had packed his bags and moved out with the couple uncertain about their future.

An official statement said: 'Jacqueline and Dan are handling things privately, choosing to keep their lives and relationship out of the public eye. They kindly ask for respect and privacy as they navigate this together.

'Their children remain their top priority, surrounded by love and care from both parents, something that will never change.

'Above all, Jacqueline and Dan have each other's and their children's best interests at heart. There will be no further comment.'

However, just a month later their union was saved following a family trip to Mexico.

In March, it was reported that Dan and Jacqueline's marriage was 'over' and that the couple were living separately after he 'betrayed' her and 'reignited old trust issues'

Former TOWIE star Dan had moved out of the family home in March this year when they briefly separated (Pictured in 2021)

In June the pair celebrated their eight wedding anniversary, enjoying a romantic break at a luxury London hotel to mark the milestone.

Jacqueline took to her Instagram Story to show off their modern suite at the five-star Pan Pacific Hotel, complete with views of St Paul's Cathedral.

She also shared a snap of her husband Dan gazing out the window at the London skyline.

She captioned the post: 'Happy 8th wedding anniversary,' alongside an eyes welling up emoji and a love heart hand emoji.

The actress also posted a photo of a large bouquet of pink flowers next to a personalised bottle of bubbly that read, 'Cheers to you beautiful.'

Jacqueline married Dan in June 2017 and in July last year, she paid tribute to her husband online.

The EastEnders actress, 32, and the former TOWIE star, 34, enjoyed a romantic getaway at a luxury London hotel to mark their eight anniversary in June - despite previous reports that their marriage was 'over'

A family getaway to Mexico reportedly helped the couple mend their marriage just a month after they split (Pictured in 2021)

She wrote: 'Just realised I haven't even posted on the grid about Daniel's birthday or our anniversary and I just wanted to do a little appreciation post for my bestest friend in the world. Over 10 years and seven of them married. Love you more than ever. Crazy little world isn't it.'

The couple have faced their difficulties over the years, with their marriage plagued by cheating allegations against Dan.

Speaking about their woes, Dan said five years to The Sun: 'I've made mistakes, yeah. I've done things I shouldn't have done. Me and Jac have spoken about that and she has forgiven me.

'I know in the past I've denied things when they're not true, then when something has been true, I probably just kept my mouth shut. I was a different person.'
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are reportedly eyeing up welcoming another child into their family following a loved-up display on holiday.

The TV star, 35, has been enjoying a family holiday with Joe and five of their six children as they make the most of the last of the summer holidays.

As the couple publicly displayed their affection for one another following tense therapy scenes in their BBC show earlier this year, sources claim a seventh baby could be on the cards.

They told The Mirror how 'no one would be surprised if baby number seven came along' and that the idea of a baby 'is never off the table'.

The source went on to say: 'They've both got so much love to give and Joe is the best, most hands-on dad.

'They would have another baby if the time was right, but their lives are so busy. They've talked about Joe having a vasectomy but even then they've joked about it being reversible. No one would be surprised if a number seven came along.'

Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are reportedly eyeing up welcoming another child into their family following a loved-up display on holiday

The TV star, 35, has been enjoying a family holiday with Joe and five of their six children as they make the most of the last of the summer holidays

Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Stacey and Joe.

Two years ago Stacey appeared to firmly rule out having anymore kids, explaining: 'Me and Joe spoke about it when we had one night away.

'We could not have any more kids. At this point, we are struggling, to say the least, to be good parents and try to work and do everything else in between. So no, not right now.'

The pair have just returned from their sun-soaked break to the five-star Regnum The Crown in Antalya where rooms start from around 1,000 per person per night.

During their luxurious stay, Stacey kept her fans updated with a plethora of fun snaps, featuring a carousel of stunning family images featuring her five children Zachary, 17, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, two.

On one evening the couple dressed to impress as they enjoyed a picturesque sunset beach photoshoot with their children.

Joe sweetly kissed Stacey's cheek as she leaned into her husband while walking along the shoreline.

She looked stunning in a strapless blue satin minidress which boasted a plunging neckline and pretty black bow.

The pair have just returned from their sun-soaked break to the five-star Regnum The Crown in Antalya where rooms start from around 1,000 per person per night

Stacey's idyllic lookback on her trip has somewhat been tainted as some of her followers have hit out at her for taking such an expensive holiday

On one evening the couple dressed to impress as they enjoyed a picturesque sunset beach photoshoot with their children

During their luxurious stay, Stacey kept her fans updated with a plethora of fun snaps, featuring a carousel of stunning family images featuring her five children Zachary, 17, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, two

Joe coordinated with their children in a pair of white linen trousers which he teamed with a black V-neck T-shirt.

However, Stacey's idyllic lookback on her trip has somewhat been tainted as some of her followers have hit out at her for taking such an expensive holiday, with some even suggesting that she didn't even pay for the trip and was gifted it instead.

Taking to her Instagram stories, Stacey later defended her costly getaway, writing: 'This is the third time I've come back here. This wasn't a free holiday.

'I just love this place so much and think it deserves the BEST reviews and tags ever because it's just incredible.'

Stacey and Joe's family life has been documented for a BBC One reality show, which showed the couple receiving therapy earlier this year.

It was recently revealed the show had been renewed for a second series, with it expected to hit screens next year.
He is reportedly leaving showbiz behind to move to India to pursue the Hare Krishna religion.

But Bobby Brazier has long been a devoted follower of the movement  which follows a branch of the Hindu faith - previously saying that through his relationship with God, he found what he'd been searching for, following his difficult childhood.

The actor, 22, is hoping to spend at least a year abroad, after immersing himself in the movement this summer.

And this week it was reported that he is planning to make the move to India soon after he leaves EastEnders later this year.

A source told The Sun: 'Bobby is really excited and happy about his move to India. Hes been telling everyone about it and preaching to them about why he is devoted to Hare Krishna.

'Hes such a nice young man, his heart is in the right place, but some people are surprised that hes walking away from his career at a time when hes on such a high with it.

Bobby Brazier has long been a devoted follower of the Hare Krishna movement, previously saying that through his relationship with God, he found what he'd been searching for, following his difficult childhood

The actor, 22, is reportedly leaving showbiz behind to move to India to pursue the religion and is hoping to spend at least a year abroad

'He says he expects to be over there for a long while, at least a year, so maybe he will pick up on his career eventually when hes back.'

The Mail revealed that Bobby turned to the organisation after relations became strained between him, his brother Freddy and their father Jeff.

So difficult did things become between him and Jeff, that Bobby moved out of his dad's Essex home into his own Soho apartment, which is near to the Hare Krishna temple.

A source close to the family said: 'Bobby's always had a spiritual side, but this is intentional. It's clear he's trying to leave all the fighting and noise behind.

'Freddy's rebellion is loud  drugs, public slanging matches and legal battles about his nana  while Bobby's is quiet. But actually it's just as defiant.

'He's turning his back on the life his Dad created for them in Essex and following his own path.'

The soap star has been spending more and more time in Soho as of late after immersing himself in the movement at the Hare Krishna HQ.

There he has been immersing himself in daily spiritual rituals, chanting mantras, preparing communal meals and enjoying the religion's peaceful outlook.

The Mail revealed that Bobby turned to the organisation after relations became strained between him, his brother Freddy and their father Jeff (pictured)

The soap star has been spending more and more time in Soho as of late after immersing himself in the movement at the Hare Krishna HQ

And those close to him insist his Hare Krishna practice is no fad, with one volunteer saying: 'He's here every Saturday without fail, he joins our kitchen session, learns the prayers  this isn't a gimmick.'

Earlier this week, Bobby shared his love for the religion on Instagram with a slew of posts, writing: 'Chanting Hare Krsna mantra is so good my heart'.

And he has made no secret of his love of Hare Krishna in the past, speaking about his faith on his Instagram and frequently attending the Hare Krishna Temple in London.

He was spotted out in the West End in June, appearing to be wearing Hare Krishna beads around his neck.

While last August, Bobby was snapped chatting to fellow devotees at the temple's vegan restaurant, and offering a prayer to purify and bless his food before eating.

Over the past year, he has also been spotted dancing and chanting with other Hare Krishna devotees in the capital, with videos of the actor laughing and dancing along being circulated on social media.

Previously opening up on how Hare Krishna had changed his outlook on life, Bobby explained how he had spent a lot of time searching for 'bliss and love and knowledge and peace and contentment'.

He told his fans that he had found these things through his relationship with God, and credited other worshippers that he'd met who had helped on his journey to 'recognise what makes me feel truly happy'.

There he has been immersing himself in daily spiritual rituals, chanting mantras, preparing communal meals and enjoying the religion's peaceful outlook

Over the past year, he has also been spotted dancing and chanting with other Hare Krishna devotees in the capital, with videos of the actor laughing and dancing along being circulated on social media

In the candid video shared to his Instagram in August 2023, Bobby said: 'I had to make a video because I had an experience earlier.

'I was in the temple and when I went in and when I went out the same person was standing outside. And they said, "Wow, you look so much happier now youve come out from when you went in." And it was so true.

'But its just made me start thinking. If youve been following me for a while or if youve known me for a while, youll know that Ive been searching through many different phases for the same thing that were all searching for, that were all hankering after: bliss and love and knowledge and peace and contentment.

'And the place in which I found what Im looking for is in my relationship with God.'

He went on to stress that he wasn't perfect and still 'falls into sin a lot', but that he was trying to be more devoted.

He continued: 'And I dont want to give the impression that Im some great devotee or some great man of God who is devoted in every aspect of his life. Because I am a fool and a sinner, but Im trying my best not to be.

'I fall under the spells of illusion and I fall into sin a lot. But Im intelligent enough to recognise what makes me feel truly happy and what actually ends up making me feel miserable disguised as happy.

'Ive had the blessing of meeting some incredible devotees who have really taken me under the wing and been really merciful upon me. And they are just the most beautiful, happy, content, smart, intelligent people.'

Previously opening up on how Hare Krishna had changed his outlook on life, Bobby explained how he had spent a lot of time searching for 'bliss and love and knowledge and peace and contentment'

Bobby famously had a tragic start in life when his mother Jade Goody died of cervical cancer in 2009, when he was just five, and his brother Freddy was four (pictured together in 2006)

He concluded: 'What I feel like Im saying is that I know where happiness is and I know where happiness is not.

'And my relationship with God is absolutely everything that Im looking for and always have been looking for and always will be looking for. Thats where it lies and nowhere else.'

Bobby famously had a tragic start in life when his mother Jade Goody died of cervical cancer in 2009, when he was just five, and his brother Freddy was four.

Their father Jeff requested privacy for the boys while they grew up in Essex, before later spending time in Brighton, where they attended private school.

However, Bobby struggled to set in and was eventually suspended, before his model looks were noticed by a casting agent by chanvce.

Reflecting on his unhappy schooldays, Bobby said: 'At private school, everyone comes from the same generationally rich families, but my parents didn't.

'I've got insight from both ends of the spectrum, so I felt like I was a bit of a black sheep.'

In 2023, Bobby went on to reach new levels of fame after he appeared on the twenty-first series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Dianne Buswell.

And a source close to him at the time claimed that Bobby attributes his success on Strictly to his devotion to Hare Krishna (pictured with Dianne Buswell on show)

He won scores of praise and fan support, particularly for his moving routine in memory of late mother Jade, and eventually finished runner-up to Ellie Leach.

And a source close to him at the time claimed that Bobby attributes his success on the dancing competition to his devotion to Hare Krishna.

They told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: 'Bobbys belief in Hare Krishna has been the secret to his success while on the show, as it helps him remain calm, grounded and focused.

'Although his image as the snake-hipped pin-up of this years series is in contrast to the look that we usually associate with devotees.

'But Bobby is just one of a long line of artists who have turned to Hare Krishna for their inspiration.'
Hollywood veteran Malcolm McDowell confessed he's never tuned into his daughter-in-law Lily Collins's hit Netflix series Emily In Paris.

The A Clockwork Orange star, 82, explained the plot, which follows Emily Cooper, an ambitious marketing executive from America who moves to Paris after her company acquires a French marketing firm, just simply doesn't draw him in.

'To be honest with you, it's not my kind of thing, and Lily knows that,' he told People. 'But I'm the biggest fan of my daughter-in-law. I think she's absolutely one of the great actresses.'

Malcolm's son, director Charlie McDowell, tied the knot with Lily in 2021  and while the actor doesn't binge her show, he couldn't be prouder of her career.

'She has such a beautiful quality,' he gushed. 'As far as I'm concerned, when she's on the screen, there's nobody else on it, because she's not only a good actress, but she has a beautiful quality. I suppose, it's a sort of charisma.'

The British screen legend even credited Lily, 36, whose father is music icon Phil Collins, with boosting Paris tourism thanks to the series.

Hollywood veteran Malcolm McDowell confessed he's never tuned into his daughter-in-law's hit Netflix series Emily In Paris; seen in 2019

'I'm sure (it) has gone up so much from people in the United States watching and going, 'Yeah, let's go to Paris,'' he added.

It isn't the first time McDowell has praised his daughter-in-law.

Last year, he compared her screen presence to Hollywood's ultimate style icon.

'Lily is absolutely a star. I'm in awe of her work. I think she's one of the best young actresses around,' he said. 'I love watching her  she's got that Audrey Hepburn kind of thing going, which is indefinable in a way, but it's there. There's a sort of light that shines behind the eyes somehow. She's really fantastic.'

And according to McDowell, Lily is just as captivating in real life. 'She's what you see is what you get. She's delightful,' he shared.

Despite the admiration, McDowell admitted he doesn't see Lily and Charlie as much as he would like, as the couple spend much of their time in Europe while he is based in the US.

'They're both wonderful people. I don't see enough of them,' he confessed. 'They live in Europe a lot of the time, so I don't really see them that much, but when I see them, it's always great to just hang.'

The A Clockwork Orange star, 82, revealed he has no interest in watching the hit Netflix series starring Lily Collins, despite her global success in the role (pictured in June 2024)

'To be honest with you, it's not my kind of thing, and Lily knows that,' he told People. 'But I'm the biggest fan of my daughter-in-law. I think she's absolutely one of the great actresses'

Earlier this month, the Et Tu star raved about their 'absolutely gorgeous' daughter, Tove, seven months.

'I love being around them and just watching the antics that go on and the dynamic and the difference between them all. It's staggering,' he said of seeing all his grandchildren interact.

He continued: 'They're so different in personality and everything. It's just beautiful to watch.'

'Of course, being a grandfather, you're kind of watching it from afar,' he explained.

Lily also has a close relationship with her mother-in-law, actress Mary Steenburgen, who divorced Malcolm in 1990 after 12 years of marriage.

Mary has previously gushed how she met Lily before Charlie, and knew right away that she would hit it off with her son.

'I looked at her and thought, "You would just be so amazing with my son,"' she told E! News. 'But I said nothing to him... I said it to my husband.'

Acclaimed actor Malcolm is best known for playing Alex in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange in 1971

Despite her instant feelings about Lily, Mary admitted she let fate lead the way and didn't intervene or attempt to matchmake.

'I met her in Jane Fonda's 80th birthday party, and I fell in love with her. And then when he told me who it was that he was dating, I zipped it!' she explained.

After the couple tied the knot in an intimate Colorado ceremony in 2021, Mary paid a loving tribute on social media, writing: 'Charlie, my son, and Lily, my daughter-in-law!!! Thank you for letting us all bask in the sheer beauty of your love for each other'.

'My heart is overflowing and it almost feels like the last few days were some sort of beautiful dream. But it is all real, and I feel like the luckiest mother in the world.'

Lily also has a close relationship with her mother-in-law, actress Mary Steenburgen, who divorced Malcolm in 1990 after 12 years of marriage (Charlie and Lily pictured with Mary and her husband Ted Danson in 2022)

Lily is currently in Europe working on the fifth series of Emily In Paris. Filming has resumed in Venice this week just days after the show's assistant director collapsed and died in front of horrified crew members.

Diego Borella, 47, was working on the final scenes of the fifth series of the show in Venice when he collapsed and died in front of horrified crew members.

Medics rushed to the historic Hotel Danieli in the city at around 7pm on Thursday, but were unable to save him, La Repubblica reports.

The paper adds it is believed Borella died from a heart attack.

It is understood that following the tragedy, filming for Emily in Paris had been temporarily halted.

But on Saturday the show's star was spotted out and about in Venice as filming appeared to resume.

Lily is currently working on the fifth series of Emily In Paris. Starring Lily as Emily Cooper, the new season will be set in a new city, Rome, as she continues her European adventure

Filming for the fifth series of Emily in Paris began in Venice on August 15 and had been due to be completed on Monday.

It comes after Netflix announced that season five will be released on December 18.

Starring Lily as Emily Cooper, the new season will be set in a new city, Rome, as she continues her European adventure.

The show follows the life and loves of American Emily after beginning a new life in Paris as a social media strategist.
Gloria Estefan and her manager/husband - Emilio Estefan, Jr. - revealed their plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Manzaro Joseph, who falsely claimed he was transported via tunnel through their lavish Star Island Miami mansion to Sean 'Diddy' Combs' neighboring property back in 2015.

The Florida man sued Diddy on April 1 for being 'drugged, transported against his will, and sexually maimed as a victim of a coercive and organized criminal enterprise' during Christian 'King' Combs' 17th birthday bash, and he named Emilio as a defendant.

Manzaro alleged that Gloria saw him beaten up in a 'drug-induced stupor' and demanded someone call an ambulance before Emilio silenced her and ushered her away into the crowd.

The court officially dismissed all allegations against Estefan on July 24 considering the Cuban couple never resided there, but a family member and his toddler were living in the home between 2012-2019 and they would have been notified of such an incident taking place.

'Listen, I'm so glad they throw the whole thing out of the court, because it was ridiculous. Number one...we [were not] in Miami. We [were here] in New York,' Emilio told TMZ last Friday.

'We're going to have to [file] a lawsuit against them because, you know, we work hard to develop a reputation for many years. We have a family, and it hurts the kids sometimes, what they hear.'

Gloria Estefan and her manager/husband - Emilio Estefan, Jr. - revealed their plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Manzaro Joseph, who falsely claimed he was transported via tunnel through their lavish Star Island Miami mansion to Sean 'Diddy' Combs' neighboring property back in 2015 (pictured May 28)

The Florida man sued Diddy on April 1 for being 'drugged, transported against his will, and sexually maimed as a victim of a coercive and organized criminal enterprise' during Christian 'King' Combs' 17th birthday bash, and he named Emilio as a defendant (pictured in 2023)

The 72-year-old producer-musician continued: 'I'm glad that it's over, but I think they're going to hear from me now because they have to pay for it. They're going to have to pay and probably apologize. All that was a set up to make money, and that's not going to happen.'

Estefan also noted: 'You cannot have a tunnel in Star Island because it's all water. It's an island.'

The 67-year-old pop star told the outlet they were 'pleased' Emilio was dropped from 'fantasy' lawsuit but now 'they're going to have some explaining to do.'

'It should be laid to rest. We have nothing to do with any of that, and it's just sad that because we're neighbors, you know, you get thrown into stuff,' Gloria explained.

'The truth will rise to the top.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the reps for Emilio & Gloria Estefan for comment.

The 55-year-old rap mogul's attorney previously denied Joseph's accusations: 'This complaint demonstrates the depraved lengths plaintiffs will travel to garner headlines in pursuit of a payday.

'No sane person reading this complaint could credit this story. [Diddy] looks forward to having his day in court where these lies  and the perverse motives of those who told them  will be revealed.'

Diddy faces up to 20 years in prison at his October 3 sentencing for being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but he was acquitted of the more serious charges (sex trafficking and racketeering) after his federal trial on July 2.

On September 1, the doting grandparents will celebrate Estefan's (born Gloria Maria Milagrosa Fajardo Garcia) 68th birthday immediately followed by their son Nayib's 45th birthday and their 47th wedding anniversary.

Manzaro alleged that Gloria saw him beaten up in a 'drug-induced stupor' and demanded someone call an ambulance before Emilio silenced her and ushered her away into the crowd (pictured May 26)

The court officially dismissed all allegations against Estefan on July 24 considering the Cuban couple never resided there, but a family member and his toddler were living in the home between 2012-2019 and they would have been notified of such an incident taking place (pictured last Friday)

Emilio told TMZ last Friday: 'I'm so glad they throw the whole thing out of the court, because it was ridiculous. Number one...we [were not] in Miami. We [were here] in New York...We're going to have to [file] a lawsuit against them because, you know, we work hard to develop a reputation for many years' (pictured November 13)

The 67-year-old pop star told the outlet they were 'pleased' Emilio was dropped from 'fantasy' lawsuit but now 'they're going to have some explaining to do' (pictured last Friday)

'It should be laid to rest. We have nothing to do with any of that, and it's just sad that because we're neighbors, you know, you get thrown into stuff,' Gloria explained. 'The truth will rise to the top'

The 55-year-old rap mogul faces up to 20 years in prison at his October 3 sentencing for being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but he was acquitted of the more serious charges (sex trafficking and racketeering) after his federal trial on July 2

On September 1, the doting grandparents will celebrate Estefan's 68th birthday immediately followed by their son Nayib's (R, pictured September 1) 45th birthday and their 47th wedding anniversary

Gloria will next appear on NBC's Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson airing this Tuesday

The four-time Grammy winner is promoting her acting role as Grandma Gigi in Ryan Crego's road trip comedy Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie - hitting US/UK theaters September 26 - opposite Laila Lockhart Kraner (L)

Emilio and Gloria - who are also proud parents of 30-year-old daughter Emily - originally began their romance in 1976 while performing in the Miami Sound Machine together.

The four-time Grammy winner will next appear on NBC's Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson airing this Tuesday.

Estefan is promoting her acting role as Grandma Gigi in Ryan Crego's road trip comedy Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie - hitting US/UK theaters September 26 - alongside Laila Lockhart Kraner, Kristen Wiig, Darren Criss, Fortune Feimster, Ego Nwodim, Melissa Villasenor, and Kyle Mooney.

Gloria has scored 29 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 - including Conga, Rhythm is Gonna Get You, and Get On Your Feet - as well as three No. 1 hits Anything For You, Don't Wanna Lose You, and Coming Out of the Dark.

The La Vecina songstress - who's sold over 100M records worldwide - still draws 6.5M monthly listeners on Spotify.

Gloria has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Gershwin Award.
Kylie Jenner shared a heartfelt update about her longtime furry companion, Norman.

Earlier this week, the beauty mogul, 28, posted a series of nostalgic pictures on her Instagram Story of the beloved pet she's had since she was a teenager.

In one snap, her Italian Greyhound was pictured lounging on a white outdoor sofa surrounded by chic throw pillows as the mom-of-two proudly revealed: 'My Norman is 12.'

The next photo showed a much younger Kylie cradling the grey pup in her arms while wearing Christmas pajamas.

While speaking of their special bond, she captioned the shot: 'I was 17 when I got him.'

Jenner also included a throwback of herself holding Norman against a plain backdrop, looking striking in a black crop top and camo pants.

Kylie Jenner has shared a heartfelt update about her longtime furry companion, Norman

A white heart emoji covered the 'yeezus' logo on her shirt, keeping the focus on her pup.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum first introduced Norman to fans back in 2014, when she revealed she had brought home the tiny puppy as a teen.

The post came two years after Jenner first tweeted about wanting her dream dog, writing, 'I want an Italian greyhound so badI'm already picking out names.'

Over the years, Norman has been one of Kylie's most cherished pets, often making appearances on her social media alongside her other greyhounds, Bambi and Harlie, Rosie, Sophia, Kevin, Jack and Jill.

Her pack also includes a few dachshunds.

Back in 2019, she shut down speculation something happened to Norman after adopting a chihuahua, dachshund mix, named Wesley.

In response to a question asking about Norman's whereabouts, Jenner wrote back: 'What makes u think anything happened to my Norman? I dont post my dogs as much but that doesnt mean they arent very much a part of my life still.'

As for how she takes care of so many animals, Jenner previously admitted she gets a lot of help.

Earlier this week, the beauty mogul, 28, shared a series of nostalgic pictures on her Instagram Story of the beloved pet she's had since she was a teenager

One post showed a much younger Kylie cradling the grey pup in her arms while wearing Christmas pajamas

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum first introduced Norman to fans back in 2014, when she revealed she had brought home the tiny puppy as a teen

Over the years, Norman has been one of Kylie's most cherished pets; seen with Kylie's sister Kendall Jenner

In a conversation with Jennifer Lawrence for Interview Magazine back in 2023, she confessed getting a 'dog nanny' was probably her best hire.

When Lawrence asked why she had seven dogs, the reality star explained: 'Because they kept multiplying. One of them had children, and I had to keep the family together.'

In 2016, Norman and Bambi welcomed two puppies.

Jenner also has chickens and a bunny.
Julianne Moore took to Instagram on Saturday to mark her 22nd wedding anniversary with husband Bart Freundlich.

The 64-year-old May December star  who recently shared a makeup-free selfie  expressed regret over her wedding dress as she posted a rare photo from the big day.

When she married Bart in 2003 she eschewed a traditional white dress in favor of a lavender frock.

Reflecting on the decision, she wrote in the caption: 'Happy anniversary baby. 22 years later and I still dont know why the theme was purple [purple heart emoji].'

Two images from a newspaper showed the husband and wife with their two kids on their wedding day.

Julianne held their now-23-year-old daughter Liv on her hip in one photo, while Bart held their now-27-year-old son Caleb's hand in another.

Julianne Moore took to Instagram on Saturday to make her 22nd wedding anniversary with husband Bart Freundlich; pictured in June

The 64-year-old May December star expressed regret over her wedding dress as she posted a rare photo from the big day

It comes after the silver screen siren shared snapshots from her summer earlier this month, writing 'August' as the caption.

One photo showed a beaming Julianne sans makeup, giving fans a glimpse at her life behind the glitz and glamour.

Her dog Hope celebrated turning one year older and the Hollywood star included a slide dedicated to the adorable pup.

She and her husband adopted the lab mix in 2020 from Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue.

And days before that she posted memories from a family trip, captioning that she was in 'Italy with my besties.'

Her husband posed alongside their children in one picture, with golden hour streaks of sun falling over them.

Last week the mother-of-two stunned in a photo spread featured in noise magazine, described as 'a nexus of art and fashion with a human touch.'

In an excerpt from the publication's latest issue, she was quoted saying about the art of imagery, 'I always assumed that because Im an actor, my connection to the world was primarily through words, through language.

But then I started to notice that everything I remembered, I recalled in frames, almost like stills from a film.'

Julianne and husband Bart share son Caleb, 27, and daughter Liv, 23

Earlier this month the silver screen siren shared photos from her summer with her nearly three million Instagram followers

The actress recently shared a makeup-free selfie, ditching the glamour her fans are used to seeing

In June the actress appeared in the Apple TV thriller/drama alongside Sydney Sweeney.

A logline reads: 'Kate's (Julianne) secluded life is interrupted by her troubled daughter (Sydney) when she shows up frightened and covered in someone's blood. As Kate unravels the truth, she learns how far she'll go for her child.'

Directed by Michael Pearce, the film also features Fiona Shaw, who is best known for her previous role as Harry Potter's Aunt Petunia.

Echo Valley received a limited theatrical release in the United States, and was later made widely available on the streamer.
Economists have sounded the alarm about President Donald Trump's pick to become the next commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Earlier this month Trump sensationally fired the former head of the bureau, Erika McEntarfer, after the release of the July jobs report.

The President claimed, without evidence, that the weak numbers for last month were 'phony.'

He also accused Biden-appointed McEntarfer of 'faking' jobs numbers before the 2024 election to 'try and boost Kamala's chances of victory.'

The White House has now nominated E.J. Antoni, a chief economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to replace McEntarfer.

'Our Economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE,' Trump said in a Truth Social post.

In an interview with Fox Business, Antoni said the BLS 'should suspend issuing the monthly job reports' entirely.

Instead he said it should 'keep publishing the more accurate, though less timely, quarterly data.'

Trump claimed, without evidence, that the bureau had previously doctored jobs data

President Donald Trump's pick to run the Bureau of Labor Statistics E.J. Antoni (pictured)

Economist Stan Veuger, a senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, told Axios that Antoni's 'work at Heritage has frequently included elementary errors or nonsensical choices that all bias his findings in the same partisan direction.'

'The articles and tweets I've seen him publish are probably the most error-filled of any think tank economist right now. I hope we see better at BLS,' another economist, Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute, agreed.

Earlier this month Manhattan Institute economist, Daniel Di Martino, also called out inaccuracies he believed Antoni to have published.

'This is one of the many elementary errors that show me Mr. Antoni is unqualified for the labor market data collection and analysis role he was nominated to,' DiMartino said of a September 2024 post by Antoni.

The post claimed that the unemployment rate was being artificially lowered in official statistics.

A fourth economist, Dave Herbert of the American Institute for Economic Research, also claimed Antoni is not fit to head the BLS.

'I've been on several programs with him and have been impressed by two things: his inability to understand basic economics and the speed with which he's gone MAGA,' Herbert told Axios.

'I can only hope the Senate blocks this,' Herbert added.

Economist Stan Veuger claims Antoni's (pictured) 'work at Heritage has frequently included elementary errors or nonsensical choices that all bias his findings in the same partisan direction'

Trump fired Erika McEntarfer after the release of the July jobs report

Antoni's nomination from the White House must now be approved by the Senate.

For now, the release of monthly jobs reports has been paused while the bureau prepares to readjust to Antoni's methodologies, according to the White House.

Experts have warned that political interference at the BLS could undermine confidence that independent agencies are putting out accurate data.

This, in turn, could have damaging effects on trillions of dollar of assets including 401(K)s.

Damaging the BLS's reputation could mean markets do not trust the economic data it puts out, which affects how they price assets and therefore the overall direction of stock indices.

The July jobs report from the BLS showed that hiring growth dropped dramatically last month and unemployment ticked up.

Non-farm payrolls added 73,000 in July, far lower than the 100,000 expected by analysts. The unemployment rate also ticked up to 4.2 percent.

The report also sharply revised down the figures for May and June by a combined 258,000 jobs from the previously released figures.
Postal services across the world announced they are halting shipments to the United States amid President Donald Trump's tariffs.

The president announced last month that he would expand the United States' efforts to close the 'de minimis' loophole, which allowed parcels valued at less than $800 to skirt import duties, to the entire world beginning August 29.

But postal services across the globe have claimed they have not received guidance from the United States about the new rule ensuing they pay import duties on all parcels entering the country - and decided to suspend service to the US until the issue is resolved.

Trump's announcement left 'European postal services with an extremely short timeframe to prepare - especially since these procedures still require numerous clarifications,' LaPoste, France's postal service, explained in a statement to the Financial Times.

It will now stop shipping most merchandise to the US on Monday, as will postal services in Austria and Singapore.

The U.K.'s Royal Mail also said it would halt shipments to the US on Tuesday to allow time for those packages to arrive before duties kick in. Items originating in the United Kingdom worth over $100 - including gifts to friends and family - will incur a 10 percent duty, it said.

Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and South Korea, meanwhile, have said their suspension on shipments to the US go into effect immediately.

Postnord, the Nordic logistics company, and Italy's postal service announced similar suspensions effective Saturday, and Australia Post said it paused 'transit post routed from other countries through to the US,' though that only affects a 'handful' of packages.

Americans may have to wait longer for their packages to arrive, as postal services across the world announced they are halting shipments to the United States

They cite a lack of guidance since the United States suspended the de minimis loophole, which allowed packages to come into the country duty-free if they were valued at less than $800

DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, also announced this week that starting Saturday it 'will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US'.

'Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out,' the company said.

Trump and European leaders had agreed in a trade framework last month to a 15 percent tariff on the vast majority of products shipped from the EU, and without the de minimis rule, packages valued at under $800 will now be subject to the tariff.

Yet La Poste said the US did not provide full details or allow enough time for the French postal service to prepare for the new customs procedures.

Despite discussions with U.S. customs services, no time was provided to postal operators to re-organize and assure the necessary computer updates to conform to the new rules, it said in a statement.

PostNL spokesperson Wout Witteveen also claimed the Trump administration is pressing ahead with the new duties despite US authorities lacking a system to collect them. He said that the Netherlands' postal service is now working closely with its American counterparts to find a solution.

'If you have something to send to America, you should do it today,' he said.

And in India, communications officials said Trump's executive order closing the de minimis loophole requires transport carriers or other 'qualified parties' approvved by the US to collect and remit the tariff duties.

But 'several critical processes relating to the designation of "qualified parties" and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined.

DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, also announced this week that starting Saturday it 'will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US'

'Consequently, US-bound air carriers have expressed their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, citing lack of operational and technical readiness,' India's communications ministry said.

Bjorn Bergman, head of PostNords Group Brand and Communication, added that the pause on shipments to the US from Nordic countries was 'unfortunate but necessary to ensure full compliance of the newly implemented rules.'

If clarification on the new rules does not come by August 29, PostEurop - an association representing 51 European public postal operators - warned that more members will likely follow suit with their own suspensions.

The move comes as experts say Americans will soon see increased prices on common goods.

Experts say tariffs that have gone into effect this month will soon start affecting Americans' wallets

Kyle Peacock, founder of Peacock Tariff Consulting, told Daily Mail that Americans should expect to add an extra $40 a week to their grocery bill within the next three to six months due to tariffs.

'We have started to see certain products suffer,' he said. 'Coffee prices have already jumped, so have vegetables.'

He said consumers will start to feel the blows come October as companies can no longer keep taking on the weight of tariffs themselves.

Arie Brish, a St. Edward's University business professor, agreed, saying the lag is due to taking 'time to propagate in the ecosystem'.

'Some supply and distribution chains prepared themselves and stocked up before tariffs took effect,' Brish told Daily Mail.
At the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal, almost five miles from the charming Old Port that marks the center of the city, four enormous ships are docked. Behind them, following the coast to the north, another can be seen in the shipyards.

The silhouettes of these floating hotels are familiar sights from some of the homes in the humble Saint-Andre neighborhood. Located in the northwest of the city, its the closest to the port area. Residents have to live with the constant roar of the engines of these steel hulks, which must remain running to provide onboard services. The sea breeze makes the smoke spewing from their chimneys barely perceptible today but locals tell EL PAIS that, on some days, the air is very cloudy.

City Hall has a plan to make the presence of cruise ships more bearable: electrify them and connect them to the grid, so they can shut down their engines and still continue operating. The idea is that shipyard repairs  as well as loading and unloading operations at the dock  will also use this energy. But its unclear whether there will be enough electricity to make this feasible. This is because data centers in the port area, active since 2021, have priority when it comes to the energy thats available.

They consume enormous amounts of electricity and reserve electrical power in a speculative and monopolistic manner. This raises the prospect of future usage conflicts regarding the electricity supply, Sebastien Barles, the citys deputy mayor, tells EL PAIS.

In the last meeting between port authorities, regional authorities and residents, it was reported that the ship electrification project was being postponed until 2029. Currently, the data centers only have negative effects on the residents of Marseille, the politician emphasizes.

The opinion expressed by Barles, a member of the Greens, contrasts with that of Mayor Benoit Payan. A member of the Socialist Party, Payan has led the coalition that has governed the City Council since 2020. He views the digital wave as an opportunity for Marseilles economic growth.

Barles perspective also clashes with the vision of President Emmanuel Macron, who in February announced foreign investments of more than 100 billion ($116 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI). Much of this money will be dedicated to building data centers the key infrastructure for the operation and development of this technology.

In the last decade, Marseille has gone from irrelevance to becoming the seventh-largest city in the world in terms of data traffic. The American company Digital Realty has four data centers operating in the city. Three of them are in the port, literally next to the cruise terminal. Particularly striking is the one that occupies a former submarine base resembling a giant bunker, built by the Germans during World War II.

Detail of the water vapor chimneys of the cooling systems of the MRS2 and MRS4 data centers in Marseille. Claire Gaby

The facilities have a futuristic appearance and heavy security measures. To enter the power transformer substation built to support these data centers  a modern and seemingly deserted building on the side of the road, with no signage  you have to scan your fingerprints, under the watchful eye of several video cameras.

This high-level technology contrasts with the rather chaotic atmosphere of the place. A few clueless tourists passing by these cold buildings in search of their cruise ship mingle with port workers, who wear hard hats and yellow vests. While wandering around, you can spot a line of cars, their roofs overflowing with luggage, waiting to board ferries to Algeria or Morocco. These boat rides can be accessed just a few feet from Digital Realtys servers.

Not even half-a-mile away, the company is building a fifth complex where a sugar factory once stood, its large silos reflecting the citys colonial history. It will go from storing food to storing data, Anti, a 30-year-old Marseille native, mutters sarcastically. The work is progressing quickly, he sighs, pointing at the structures. The data center is clearly visible from the hill that Anti climbs. He shows EL PAIS how these industrial warehouses, packed with sophisticated processors, are replacing metalworking and canning factories.

Anti is part of a collective. Named Le nuage etait sous nos pieds (translated as the cloud was under our feet), it seeks to raise awareness about technologys socio-environmental destruction. He and his colleagues are concerned about how data centers are changing the city. Theyve reported continued leaks of fluorinated gases, which are used in computer cooling in the ports data centers. And theyre concerned that these facilities are hogging energy in a city that produces only 16% of its own energy needs.

Sebastien Barles, deputy mayor of Marseille, during a demonstration in the Old Port. SOPA Images Limited / Alamy Stock Photo (Alamy Stock Photo)

The location of data centers in the port is no coincidence: 17 submarine cables currently extend to the facility, with four more planned. The seabed near Marseille has been well-known since the 19th century, when the first cables were laid to connect African colonies by telegraph, Max explains. Shes Antis fellow activist, who, like him, prefers not to give her full name.

Today, fiber optic cables are reaching the city, which has a strategic advantage over other major ports, such as Barcelona or Genoa: it has no large mountains separating it from the heart of Europe. Cables can reach Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or London, without having to cross the Pyrenees or the Alps.

A question of energy

In some places, the main criticism that residents have about data centers has to do with the amount of water they consume to cool servers. This isnt the case in Marseille, however, which is well-supplied with this resource. The authorities have even given Digital Realty access to water from the former underground drainage channels of the Gardanne coal mines, located north of Marseille. The water flows into the port, so the firm can use it to cool its systems. This means that only 10% of the energy consumed by this infrastructure is dedicated to cooling processors, while between 80% and 85% is used to power servers, according to data from a public consultation conducted by Le nuage etait sous nos pieds. EL PAIS hasnt been able to verify this information with Digital Realty.

In Marseille, the main concern of those protesting against the proliferation of data centers is about energy, as illustrated by the case of the failed electrification of cruise ships. The deputy director general of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille estimates the electrical power required for dock electrification activities [to be] at 100 to 120 MW. The total power of the five data centers already operating in Marseille is 77 MW! Patrick Robert exclaims. Hes president of the federation of neighborhood interest committees for Marseilles 16th arrondissement.

Power transformation substation built next to the port to serve the area's data centers. Claire Gaby

When the complex being built next to the port becomes operational next year, Digital Realtys facilities will have an installed capacity of 98 MW. And, in 2028, the company plans to open a much larger sixth center with a capacity of 50 MW in Bouc Bel Air, on the outskirts of the city.

Digital Realty, which declined to respond to this newspapers questions, is one of the largest operators of colocation data centers, which lease out server space or computing capacity to third parties. Its Marseille facilities serve Alphabet, Googles parent company, as well as a French sovereign data project involving Google, Thales, Orange and Microsoft, among other firms. Disney+ was launched in France from these facilities.

Barles  the citys deputy mayor for environmental affairs  recites the figures without hiding his concern. Current data centers represent the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 200,000 inhabitants. But if we add the projects underway, were talking about the equivalent of the consumption of the entire population of Marseille: 850,000 inhabitants. The environmentalist politician explains that this is stretching infrastructure to its limits, while requiring public investment to supply a private business. He also stresses that this compromises the citys ability to develop activities that generate more employment in the future.

The specter of shortages has loomed since the 2022 energy crisis, when Russia cut off gas supplies to Europe. To get through that winter, the authorities established a plan for local power outages in case of supply problems. Neighborhood outages were planned but cutting off power to the data centers was never considered, Barles notes. At the time, he was already a member of the City Council. This raises questions about the priorities of our society, he warns.

Translated by Avik Jain Chatlani.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
As Sudan begins its fragile transition, India must evolve from first responder to long-term partner, leveraging expertise in digital infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and MSMEs to aid reconstruction

On July 29, 2025, India handed over a consignment of 2,000 MT of rice to the acting Humanitarian Aid Commissioner of Sudan. This follows Indias assistance of 25 tons and 2 tons of life-saving medicines in May 2023 and March 2025, respectively. Indias humanitarian aid to the people of Sudan reaffirms its age-old tradition of being a reliable first responder in times of crisis, reflecting the enduring solidarity between India and Sudan.

Traditionally, Indias engagement with conflict-hit and politically unstable African countries has been rooted in deep humanitarian solidarity and a commitment to peacekeeping. From sending food, medicines, and emergency relief to joining the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), India has built a rich legacy of prioritising humanitarian efforts over political interests.

However, the scale and complexity of modern conflicts, such as in Sudan, which has hollowed out the nations institutions, depleted its economy, and devastated over 13 million people, necessitate that Indias efforts expand beyond emergency relief and transition to a comprehensive, multi-sectoral role in reconstruction and development.

Sudan has witnessed an unending spiral of widespread and brutal violence since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The political leadership in Sudan has also accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of backing the RSF with arms and logistical support. Entire cities, from Khartoum to Geneina in Darfur, have been vastly devastated, making Sudan a tragic epicentre of conflict and humanitarian despair.As Sudans crisis continues to unfold, its new Prime Minister, Kamil al-Taib Idris, first since the conflict erupted in April 2023, officially assumed office on 31 May 2025, marking the formal start of the internationally recognised transitional government and the much-needed economic reconstruction plan for Sudan.

The recent developments offer India a critical opportunity to play a significant role in Sudans post-civil war reconstruction, as the stakes extend beyond humanitarian goodwill and align with Indias strategic, economic, and geopolitical interests.

Sudans strategic location, at the crossroads of the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and North Africa, makes it pivotal for regional maritime security. A stable Sudan would strengthen Indias footprint in Africa. With its unique combination of technological prowess, low-resource development experience, and South-South solidarity, India is exceptionally well placed to be a strong and reliable partner in Sudans journey of redevelopment.

Indias proven strengths in solar energy, agri-tech, digital public infrastructure (DPI), health services, MSME development, education, and biofuels can assist in building long-term resilience based on strong foundations. As most of these interventions have already been operated at scale at home and, increasingly, expanded in other parts of Africa, the next task could be to package them into a coherent Sudan Reconstruction Plan that can deliver impact even in an unstable security environment. Indias DPI systems (digital identity, digital payments, and data exchange) offer Sudan a well-tested blueprint to embrace a digital mode of development. Aadhaar-style digital ID systems can be locally adapted to verify beneficiaries.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology  already in use for cross-border payments with several African and Asian partners  can enable instant, low-cost transactions as and when required.

Also, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) provides a neutral, open-protocol marketplace where Sudanese traders, transporters, and service providers can connect with customers without relying on a single corporate entity.

Agriculture has been Sudans economic backbone. The country has the largest proportion of arable land in Africa. Yet, conflict, lack of irrigation, and outdated farming methods have immensely reduced productivity. Indias agricultural expertise  spanning low-cost irrigation systems, solar-driven pumps, drought-resistant seeds, mechanisation, and farmer cooperatives like FPOs  can be immensely transformative for Sudan.

Facilitating value addition through small-scale milling, oil pressing, and packaging units  backed by MSME finance  would also be required to be gradually integrated into the agrarian sector. This would not only enhance domestic food security but could restore Sudans agricultural export capacity, bringing in foreign exchange and enhancing livelihood opportunities.

However, none of this could succeed without a coherent financing and governance structure. Financing could be in a blended form through multiple streams, viz, International Solar Alliance (ISA), Africa50, LoCs through the EXIM Bank, multilateral grants, carbon finance, etc. By enhancing the role of the Indian private sector  MSMEs, affordable healthcare providers, EdTech firms, and renewable energy companies  Indian industries could also find long-term markets in Sudan.

India now stands at a pivotal moment to translate its support for Sudan into targeted, transformative action. By actively engaging in Sudans recovery process, India can demonstrate effective partnership through concrete initiatives in development, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital public goods. It is imperative for India to collaborate with Sudans transitional government and international stakeholders to design and implement a comprehensive Sudan Reconstruction Plan.

Strategic support now will not only aid Sudans transition but also ensure Indias lasting influence as a responsible and committed partner in Africas development. India should seize this moment to lead by example, championing peace, stability, and sustainable progress in the Global South.

The writer is Director of the African Centre of India (ACOI)
Shore Capital reiterated their house stock rating on shares of Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LON:GSF  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports.

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an underperform rating and issued a GBX 60 target price on shares of Gore Street Energy Storage Fund in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, Gore Street Energy Storage Fund has an average rating of Sell and a consensus target price of GBX 60.

Get Gore Street Energy Storage Fund alerts:

Get Our Latest Research Report on GSF

Gore Street Energy Storage Fund Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of GSF opened at GBX 60.80 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of 313.38 million, a P/E ratio of -52.54 and a beta of 0.31. Gore Street Energy Storage Fund has a twelve month low of GBX 42.40 and a twelve month high of GBX 69. The companys fifty day simple moving average is GBX 62.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 58.18.

Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LON:GSF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The company reported GBX 1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Gore Street Energy Storage Fund had a negative return on equity of 1.04% and a negative net margin of 80.72%. Analysts predict that Gore Street Energy Storage Fund will post 2.9007634 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Gore Street Energy Storage Fund

(Get Free Report)

About Us: Gore Street Energy Storage Fund plc is Londons first listed energy storage fund, launched in 2018. The Company is the only UK-listed energy storage fund with a diversified portfolio across five grid networks. The Company is one of the principal owners and operators of battery storage facilities in Great Britain and Ireland and owns and operates facilities in Western Mainland Europe and the US.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Gore Street Energy Storage Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gore Street Energy Storage Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Greggs plc (LON:GRG  Get Free Report) insider Matthew Davies acquired 1,249 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 1,600 per share, with a total value of 19,984.

Greggs Trading Up 2.6%

Shares of GRG stock opened at GBX 1,631 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 1,723.13 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 1,854.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.19, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.39 and a beta of 1.43. Greggs plc has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,499 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 3,250.

Get Greggs alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

GRG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Berenberg Bank increased their price target on shares of Greggs from GBX 3,040 to GBX 3,060 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Peel Hunt restated a hold rating and set a GBX 1,660 target price on shares of Greggs in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Shore Capital restated a hold rating on shares of Greggs in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a sell rating and set a GBX 1,330 target price on shares of Greggs in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 2,016.67.

About Greggs

(Get Free Report)

Greggs is a leading UK food-on-the-go retailer with more than 2,600 shops nationwide and approximately 33,000 employees across the business.

As a food-on-the-go retailer, Greggs specialises in daily fresh shop-made sandwiches, and savouries baked fresh in the shop ovens throughout the day. These are further complemented by popular products and ranges including freshly ground coffee, breakfast, confectionery and evening menu items.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Greggs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greggs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Auckland International Airport Limited (ASX:AIA  Get Free Report) announced a final dividend on Friday, August 22nd, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be given a dividend of 0.063 per share on Thursday, October 2nd. This represents a dividend yield of 92.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 16th. This is a 6.8% increase from Auckland International Airports previous final dividend of $0.06.

Auckland International Airport Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $14.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,275.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 71.09 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.18, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a current ratio of 0.54.

Get Auckland International Airport alerts:

Auckland International Airport Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Recommended Stories

Auckland International Airport Limited provides airport facilities, supporting infrastructure, and aeronautical services in Auckland and New Zealand. The company operates through three segments: Aeronautical, Retail, and Property. The Aeronautical segment provides services that facilitate the movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo, as well as utility services, which support the airport; and leases space for facilities, such as terminals.

Receive News & Ratings for Auckland International Airport Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Auckland International Airport and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Bahl & Gaynor Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 2.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,053 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 900 shares during the period. Bahl & Gaynor Inc.s holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $2,687,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates increased its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 137.5% in the 1st quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 475 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the period. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.41% of the companys stock.

Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BMY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Citigroup dropped their target price on Bristol Myers Squibb from $51.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 1st. Daiwa America downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $42.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Morgan Stanley reiterated a hold rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $56.38.

Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Down 1.2%

NYSE:BMY opened at $47.8420 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $47.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.06. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 52 week low of $42.96 and a 52 week high of $63.33. The company has a market capitalization of $97.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.21.

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.39. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 80.04% and a net margin of 10.58%.The firm had revenue of $12.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.07 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.350-6.650 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, July 3rd were issued a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 3rd. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.2%. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Jump Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Free Report) by 1,611.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 34,565 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 32,545 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLCs holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $8,381,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,733,147 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,572,199,000 after purchasing an additional 438,381 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,689,607 shares of the business services providers stock worth $409,662,000 after purchasing an additional 39,846 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,604,783 shares of the business services providers stock worth $362,825,000 after purchasing an additional 314,323 shares during the period. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. grew its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 1,168,351 shares of the business services providers stock worth $283,278,000 after purchasing an additional 38,527 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 15.3% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,043,126 shares of the business services providers stock worth $235,840,000 after purchasing an additional 138,207 shares during the period. 90.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have weighed in on BR. Needham & Company LLC increased their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $250.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $222.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $259.00 target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $261.50.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock opened at $261.9980 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.69 billion, a PE ratio of 36.95 and a beta of 0.94. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a twelve month low of $206.95 and a twelve month high of $271.91. The firms 50-day moving average price is $247.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $240.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The business services provider reported $3.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.51 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $2.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.06 billion. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 12.19% and a return on equity of 42.72%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.50 EPS. Broadridge Financial Solutions has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.230-9.580 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, September 11th will be paid a $0.975 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 11th. This represents a $3.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. This is a boost from Broadridge Financial Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. Broadridge Financial Solutionss dividend payout ratio is 49.65%.

Insider Activity at Broadridge Financial Solutions

In related news, CEO Timothy C. Gokey sold 84,571 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $259.53, for a total value of $21,948,711.63. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 165,634 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,986,992.02. This trade represents a 33.80% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Maura A. Markus sold 3,556 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.08, for a total transaction of $864,392.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 30,892 shares in the company, valued at $7,509,227.36. This represents a 10.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 150,470 shares of company stock valued at $39,026,774. 1.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Broadridge Financial Solutions

(Free Report)

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC decreased its holdings in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) by 5.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 92,168 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 5,700 shares during the quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLCs holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $4,019,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 44.2% in the 4th quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 584 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.93% of the companys stock.

Get Delta Air Lines alerts:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Alain Bellemare sold 45,423 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.56, for a total value of $2,523,701.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 131,731 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,318,974.36. This trade represents a 25.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Michael P. Huerta sold 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.70, for a total transaction of $151,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 33,245 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,017,971.50. This represents a 6.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 136,473 shares of company stock valued at $7,663,496 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Stock Up 6.6%

Shares of NYSE:DAL opened at $61.6320 on Friday. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 12 month low of $34.74 and a 12 month high of $69.98. The companys 50-day moving average price is $53.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $50.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market cap of $40.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.56.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 10th. The transportation company reported $2.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.09. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.24% and a return on equity of 24.86%. The firm had revenue of $15,507,000 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.36 EPS. The companys revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Delta Air Lines Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, July 31st were given a $0.1875 dividend. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. This is an increase from Delta Air Liness previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 31st. Delta Air Liness payout ratio is 10.87%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on DAL shares. Susquehanna Bancshares increased their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $51.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Friday, July 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $53.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Bernstein Bank upped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $60.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 11th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $62.00 to $65.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 11th. Finally, HSBC upped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $64.00 to $69.20 in a report on Friday, July 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Delta Air Lines has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $66.21.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Delta Air Lines

About Delta Air Lines

(Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Candriam S.C.A. decreased its holdings in Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) by 10.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 9,894 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,143 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.s holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $1,816,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 36.4% in the 1st quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 3,051 shares of the companys stock valued at $560,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 137.0% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $405,000 after purchasing an additional 1,274 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 28.9% in the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,360 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,351,000 after purchasing an additional 1,651 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 17,206 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,185 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 2,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $412,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.34% of the companys stock.

Get Constellation Brands alerts:

Insider Activity at Constellation Brands

In other Constellation Brands news, EVP James O. Bourdeau sold 821 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.00, for a total value of $138,749.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 9,438 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,595,022. The trade was a 8.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 12.45% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. CJS Securities decreased their price target on Constellation Brands from $196.00 to $194.00 in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Constellation Brands from $191.00 to $185.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 5th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $170.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Constellation Brands from $210.00 to $196.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, June 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $213.74.

View Our Latest Stock Report on STZ

Constellation Brands Trading Up 1.6%

NYSE STZ opened at $167.5020 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $168.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $175.97. Constellation Brands Inc has a 12 month low of $159.35 and a 12 month high of $261.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.53 billion, a PE ratio of -70.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.15 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 1st. The company reported $3.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.45 by ($0.23). Constellation Brands had a negative net margin of 4.11% and a positive return on equity of 31.41%. The company had revenue of $2.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.57 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.57 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Constellation Brands has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.600-12.900 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Constellation Brands Inc will post 13.5 EPS for the current year.

Constellation Brands Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 30th were given a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 30th. Constellation Brandss payout ratio is -170.71%.

About Constellation Brands

(Free Report)

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE:STZ  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
China Liberal Education Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:CLEUF  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 80% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $0.18 and last traded at $0.18. 765 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 76% from the average session volume of 3,253 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.10.

China Liberal Education Stock Performance

The companys fifty day moving average price is $0.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.96.

About China Liberal Education

(Get Free Report)

China Liberal Education Holdings Limited provides educational services and products under the China Liberal brand name in the People's Republic of China. The company offers Sino-foreign jointly managed academic programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate education; and diploma and non-degree higher education, and senior secondary education programs in the areas of languages, liberal arts, and businesses.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for China Liberal Education Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Liberal Education and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Alphabet, Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Bullish, Dell Technologies, Fortinet, and Emerson Electric are the seven Cybersecurity stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Cybersecurity stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that develop and provide software, hardware, and services designed to protect data, networks, and systems from cyber threats such as hacking, malware, and data breaches. Investors in these stocks seek exposure to the growing demand for digital security solutions as businesses and governments ramp up efforts to safeguard critical information and infrastructure. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Cybersecurity stocks within the last several days.

Get alerts:

Alphabet (GOOGL)

Alphabet Inc. offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets segments. The Google Services segment provides products and services, including ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Play, Search, and YouTube.

Palo Alto Networks (PANW)

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions worldwide. The company offers firewall appliances and software; and Panorama, a security management solution for the global control of network security platform as a virtual or a physical appliance. It also provides subscription services covering the areas of threat prevention, malware and persistent threat, URL filtering, laptop and mobile device protection, DNS security, Internet of Things security, SaaS security API, and SaaS security inline, as well as threat intelligence, and data loss prevention.

Read Our Latest Research Report on PANW

CrowdStrike (CRWD)

CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions in the United States and internationally. Its unified platform offers cloud-delivered protection of endpoints, cloud workloads, identity, and data. The company offers corporate endpoint and cloud workload security, managed security, security and vulnerability management, IT operations management, identity protection, SIEM and log management, threat intelligence, data protection, security orchestration, automation and response and AI powered workflow automation, and securing generative AI workload services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CRWD

Bullish (BLSH)

Bullish is an institutionally focused global digital asset platform that provides market infrastructure and information services. Our objective is to provide mission critical products and services that are designed to help institutions grow their businesses, empower individual customers, and drive the adoption of stablecoins, digital assets, and blockchain technology.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BLSH

Dell Technologies (DELL)

Dell Technologies Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

Read Our Latest Research Report on DELL

Fortinet (FTNT)

Fortinet, Inc. provides cybersecurity and convergence of networking and security solutions worldwide. It offers secure networking solutions focus on the convergence of networking and security; network firewall solutions that consist of FortiGate data centers, hyperscale, and distributed firewalls, as well as encrypted applications; wireless LAN solutions; and secure connectivity solutions, including FortiSwitch secure ethernet switches, FortiAP wireless local area network access points, FortiExtender 5G connectivity gateways, and other products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FTNT

Emerson Electric (EMR)

Emerson Electric Co., a technology and software company, provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It operates in six segments: Final Control, Control Systems & Software, Measurement & Analytical, AspenTech, Discrete Automation, and Safety & Productivity.

Read Our Latest Research Report on EMR

Further Reading
Freedom Investment Management Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 7.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,357 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 440 shares during the quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $2,937,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ethos Financial Group LLC increased its position in Mastercard by 19.5% during the first quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC now owns 3,174 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,683,000 after buying an additional 518 shares in the last quarter. Whalerock Point Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Whalerock Point Partners LLC now owns 14,678 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,729,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the period. Fortis Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 9.4% during the 1st quarter. Fortis Advisors LLC now owns 871 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $477,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. Canandaigua National Trust Co of Florida lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 36.4% during the 1st quarter. Canandaigua National Trust Co of Florida now owns 693 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $380,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the period. Finally, Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 18.0% during the 1st quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,870 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,766,000 after purchasing an additional 1,047 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock.

Get Mastercard alerts:

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA opened at $598.1480 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $564.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $555.66. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $461.90 and a 12-month high of $601.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $540.73 billion, a PE ratio of 40.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.16.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The credit services provider reported $4.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.05 by $0.10. Mastercard had a return on equity of 200.01% and a net margin of 44.93%.The firm had revenue of $8.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.95 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.50 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 8th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 9th were paid a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, July 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is presently 20.50%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating and issued a $645.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Mastercard from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their target price on Mastercard from $640.00 to $612.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $617.93.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Mastercard

Insider Activity

In other Mastercard news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $585.05, for a total value of $8,220,537.55. Following the transaction, the insider owned 58,451 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $34,196,757.55. This represents a 19.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Raj Seshadri sold 1,100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.77, for a total value of $601,447.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 12,921 shares in the company, valued at $7,064,815.17. This represents a 7.85% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 56,269 shares of company stock worth $30,634,699 in the last quarter. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Mastercard Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Alphabet, UnitedHealth Group, Oracle, Workday, Johnson & Johnson, Salesforce, and Tempus AI are the seven Healthcare stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Healthcare stocks are shares of publicly traded companies operating in the healthcare sector, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical device manufacturers, health insurers and providers. Investors buy these stocks to gain exposure to an industry driven by factors like medical innovation, regulatory approvals and demographic trends. Because demand for healthcare services tends to remain relatively stable even in economic downturns, these stocks are often viewed as defensive investments. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Healthcare stocks within the last several days.

Get alerts:

Alphabet (GOOGL)

Alphabet Inc. offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets segments. The Google Services segment provides products and services, including ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Play, Search, and YouTube.

UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

Read Our Latest Research Report on UNH

Oracle (ORCL)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ORCL

Workday (WDAY)

Workday, Inc. provides enterprise cloud applications in the United States and internationally. Its applications help its customers to plan, execute, analyze, and extend to other applications and environments to manage their business and operations. The company offers a suite of financial management applications to maintain accounting information in the general ledger; manage financial processes, such as payables and receivables; identify real-time financial, operational, and management insights; enhance financial consolidation; reduce time-to-close; promote internal control and auditability; and achieve consistency across finance operations.

Read Our Latest Research Report on WDAY

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension.

Read Our Latest Research Report on JNJ

Salesforce (CRM)

Salesforce, Inc. provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and artificial intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer support at scale.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CRM

Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM

Featured Stories
Mirova decreased its holdings in Roper Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ROP  Free Report) by 0.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,643 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 21 shares during the period. Mirovas holdings in Roper Technologies were worth $3,917,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Roper Technologies by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,717,253 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,318,678,000 after purchasing an additional 142,150 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Roper Technologies by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,963,540 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,515,984,000 after purchasing an additional 500,764 shares during the period. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Roper Technologies by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,171,740 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,049,155,000 after purchasing an additional 20,238 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Roper Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at about $894,764,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Roper Technologies by 92.3% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,401,048 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $826,030,000 after buying an additional 672,306 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.31% of the companys stock.

Get Roper Technologies alerts:

Insider Activity at Roper Technologies

In other news, Director Richard F. Wallman sold 352 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $556.25, for a total value of $195,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 20,510 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,408,687.50. This represents a 1.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP John K. Stipancich sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $564.17, for a total value of $846,255.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 38,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,964,266.44. This represents a 3.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.78% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Roper Technologies Stock Up 1.9%

Shares of Roper Technologies stock opened at $536.84 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.44, a PEG ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $551.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $563.23. Roper Technologies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $499.47 and a 12-month high of $595.17.

Roper Technologies (NYSE:ROP  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, July 21st. The industrial products company reported $4.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.83 by $0.04. Roper Technologies had a return on equity of 10.79% and a net margin of 22.01%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.48 earnings per share. Roper Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 19.900-20.050 EPS. Q3 2025 guidance at 5.080-5.120 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Roper Technologies, Inc. will post 19.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Roper Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd will be given a $0.825 dividend. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 3rd. Roper Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 23.19%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on ROP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Roper Technologies from $561.00 to $577.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and issued a $640.00 price target on shares of Roper Technologies in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Mizuho set a $600.00 price target on Roper Technologies in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Barclays reissued an underweight rating on shares of Roper Technologies in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, William Blair began coverage on Roper Technologies in a research note on Monday, May 5th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $636.36.

View Our Latest Analysis on Roper Technologies

Roper Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Roper Technologies, Inc designs and develops software, and technology enabled products and solutions. It operates through three segments: Application Software, Network Software, and Technology Enabled Products. The Application Software segment offers management, campus solutions, diagnostic and laboratory information management, enterprise software and information solutions, transportation management, financial and compliance management, and cloud-based financial analytics and performance management software; cloud-based software to the property and casualty insurance industry; and software, services, and technologies for foodservice operations.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ROP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Roper Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ROP  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Roper Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Roper Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Oak Harvest Investment Services lessened its holdings in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 17.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,435 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 8,578 shares during the period. Oak Harvest Investment Services holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $5,794,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Quantitative Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Digital Realty Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $3,057,000. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $14,513,000. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC raised its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 399.6% during the first quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC now owns 966,936 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $138,552,000 after buying an additional 773,393 shares during the last quarter. Aew Capital Management L P grew its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 5.4% in the first quarter. Aew Capital Management L P now owns 834,705 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $119,605,000 after purchasing an additional 42,960 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 0.3% in the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 23,645 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,388,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock.

Get Digital Realty Trust alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently weighed in on DLR. Citigroup reissued a buy rating and issued a $200.00 target price (up from $174.00) on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Monday, July 28th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $177.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 17th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. New Street Research raised shares of Digital Realty Trust to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Digital Realty Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, June 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $190.74.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Mark R. Patterson sold 175 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.50, for a total value of $30,887.50. Following the sale, the director owned 6,522 shares in the company, valued at $1,151,133. This represents a 2.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Digital Realty Trust Stock Performance

DLR opened at $166.9370 on Friday. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a 52-week low of $129.95 and a 52-week high of $198.00. The company has a quick ratio of 2.22, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The company has a market cap of $56.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.80 and a beta of 0.92. The firms 50-day moving average price is $172.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $163.57.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.13. Digital Realty Trust had a net margin of 23.98% and a return on equity of 6.46%. The firm had revenue of $1.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.65 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Digital Realty Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 7.150-7.250 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a $1.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.9%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 128.08%.

Digital Realty Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DLR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Synovus Financial Corp decreased its position in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 2.5% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 576,250 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 14,861 shares during the quarter. Synovus Financial Corps holdings in Pfizer were worth $14,602,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 661.1% during the first quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC now owns 57,766 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,464,000 after purchasing an additional 50,176 shares during the last quarter. Southeast Asset Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 13.2% during the first quarter. Southeast Asset Advisors LLC now owns 50,655 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,284,000 after purchasing an additional 5,909 shares during the last quarter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 12.8% during the first quarter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp now owns 22,508 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $570,000 after purchasing an additional 2,557 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 305.1% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 1,260,938 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $31,952,000 after purchasing an additional 949,651 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 21.7% during the first quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 28,575 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $720,000 after purchasing an additional 5,086 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock.

Get Pfizer alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on PFE. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Pfizer from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. UBS Group raised their price target on Pfizer from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Redburn Atlantic lowered their price target on Pfizer from $29.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Berenberg Bank lowered their price target on Pfizer from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Pfizer presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $28.12.

Pfizer Price Performance

Shares of PFE opened at $25.8250 on Friday. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $20.92 and a twelve month high of $30.43. The stocks 50 day moving average is $24.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $24.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $146.83 billion, a PE ratio of 13.74, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.20. Pfizer had a return on equity of 21.42% and a net margin of 16.84%.The company had revenue of $14.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.43 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.900-3.100 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 25th. Pfizers payout ratio is currently 91.49%.

Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wolters Kluwer NV (OTCMKTS:WTKWY  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Friday, August 22nd, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, August 28th will be paid a dividend of 0.9147 per share on Thursday, September 25th. This represents a yield of 179.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 27th.

Wolters Kluwer Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of WTKWY opened at $134.45 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $154.94 and its 200 day moving average price is $164.74. Wolters Kluwer has a 1-year low of $128.73 and a 1-year high of $189.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.68.

Get Wolters Kluwer alerts:

About Wolters Kluwer

(Get Free Report)

Further Reading

Wolters Kluwer N.V. provides professional information, software solutions, and services in the Netherlands, rest of Europe, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through Health; Tax & Accounting; Financial & Corporate Compliance; Legal & Regulatory; and Corporate Performance & ESG segments.

Receive News & Ratings for Wolters Kluwer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wolters Kluwer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Abby and Brittany Hensel, the world's most famous conjoined twins, are back in the news. On August 14, they were seen in a parking lot in Arden Hills, Minnesota, while loading a newborn baby into a car seat to place it inside a black Tesla. The scene, which was captured by cameras and initially published by TMZ, quickly sparked public curiosity.

The images show the sisters, inseparable since their birth in 1990, handling the infant car seat together with complete naturalness. Although it has not been officially confirmed whether it is Abby's son with her husband, Joshua Bowling, the photographs have generated a great stir on social networks. According to Defensa Central, Abby and Bowling's marriage, celebrated in 2021, was kept secret for three years, until in March 2024 the press had access to the official records.

The story of this union surprised many. Joshua Bowling, a nurse and army veteran, first shared a photograph in September 2023 in which he appeared smiling next to Abby and Brittany. The image showed the three of them in a gesture of complicity, marking a before and after in their public life. Until then, Bowling had not shared any photos with the twins on social media.

Months later, in June 2024, the sisters posted a video of Abby and Joshua's wedding dance on their TikTok account. With a remix of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" as the soundtrack, the clip showed the twins embracing Bowling as they swayed from side to side. The scene quickly went viral, receiving thousands of comments of support and curiosity in equal measure.

That same day, they also uploaded another video accompanied by the text: "We know you think you know us #sisterhoodgoals #abbyandbrittanyhensel #happy". In it, moments of complicity between the sisters were seen, with Justine Skye's Collide as background music.

Two lives in one

The Hensels are dicephalic conjoined twins: they share a torso, organs from the waist down, and the same bloodstream. Abby controls the right side of the body and Brittany the left, a perfect balance that they have learned to manage since they were girls. Despite the medical and social challenges, they have managed to lead an independent and full life.

Their story captivated the world for the first time in 1996, when they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Then they were on the cover of LIFE magazine and later starred in their own reality show on TLC, Abby & Brittany, where they showed their day-to-day life as university students at Bethel College and their travels through Europe.

Today, almost three decades after that first public appearance, Abby and Brittany continue to demonstrate that their life is as extraordinary as it is inspiring. According to DefensaCentral, their closest environment supports the discretion with which they manage their private life, especially now that they could be starting a new stage as mothers.
American Century Companies Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL  Free Report) by 26.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 64,896 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 23,479 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc. owned about 0.15% of Carlisle Companies worth $22,097,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Get Carlisle Companies alerts:

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Carlisle Companies by 35.1% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 11,459 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $3,902,000 after acquiring an additional 2,976 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management raised its stake in Carlisle Companies by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,960 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $667,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. CX Institutional acquired a new stake in Carlisle Companies during the 1st quarter worth $49,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in Carlisle Companies by 12.4% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,489 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $507,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in Carlisle Companies by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,103 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $376,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. 89.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Carlisle Companies Stock Performance

Shares of CSL opened at $397.7090 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 2.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.05. The companys fifty day moving average is $387.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $369.36. Carlisle Companies Incorporated has a 1 year low of $311.41 and a 1 year high of $481.26.

Carlisle Companies Increases Dividend

Carlisle Companies ( NYSE:CSL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The conglomerate reported $6.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.67 by ($0.40). The firm had revenue of $1.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. Carlisle Companies had a net margin of 16.12% and a return on equity of 38.16%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $6.24 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Carlisle Companies Incorporated will post 22.31 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 19th will be paid a dividend of $1.10 per share. This is a boost from Carlisle Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 19th. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Carlisle Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 24.58%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on CSL shares. Loop Capital lowered shares of Carlisle Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the stock from $430.00 to $395.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Carlisle Companies in a research note on Tuesday, June 24th. They set an overweight rating and a $500.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Carlisle Companies from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Carlisle Companies has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $450.83.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Carlisle Companies

Carlisle Companies Profile

(Free Report)

Carlisle Companies Incorporated operates as a manufacturer and supplier of building envelope products and solutions in the United States, Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It operates through two segments: Carlisle Construction Materials and Carlisle Weatherproofing Technologies.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CSL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE:CSL  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Carlisle Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Carlisle Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Southside Bancshares (NYSE:SBSI  Get Free Report) and Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations and risk.

Get Southside Bancshares alerts:

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Southside Bancshares and Prosperity Bancsharess revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Southside Bancshares $456.07 million 2.06 $88.49 million $2.82 11.06 Prosperity Bancshares $1.79 billion 3.70 $479.39 million $5.50 12.68

Profitability

Prosperity Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than Southside Bancshares. Southside Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Prosperity Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Southside Bancshares and Prosperity Bancshares net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Southside Bancshares 19.07% 10.59% 1.02% Prosperity Bancshares 29.37% 6.99% 1.33%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Southside Bancshares and Prosperity Bancshares, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Southside Bancshares 0 0 0 0 0.00 Prosperity Bancshares 0 6 9 0 2.60

Prosperity Bancshares has a consensus target price of $84.5714, indicating a potential upside of 21.22%. Given Prosperity Bancshares stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Prosperity Bancshares is more favorable than Southside Bancshares.

Volatility & Risk

Southside Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, suggesting that its share price is 32% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Prosperity Bancshares has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its share price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

55.7% of Southside Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.7% of Prosperity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.0% of Southside Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 4.2% of Prosperity Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Southside Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Prosperity Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $2.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Southside Bancshares pays out 51.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Prosperity Bancshares pays out 42.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Southside Bancshares has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years and Prosperity Bancshares has raised its dividend for 27 consecutive years. Southside Bancshares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Prosperity Bancshares beats Southside Bancshares on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Southside Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Southside Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Southside Bank that provides a range of financial services to individuals, businesses, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations. Its deposit products include savings, money market, and interest and noninterest bearing checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The companys loan portfolio comprises consumer loans that include 1-4 family residential loans, home equity loans, home improvement loans, automobile loans, and other consumer related loans; commercial loans, such as short-term working capital loans for inventory and accounts receivable, short and medium-term loans for equipment or other business capital expansion, commercial real estate loans, and municipal loans; and construction loans for 1-4 family residential and commercial real estate. It also offers wealth management and trust services consisting of investment management, administration, revocable and testamentary trusts, and custodian services for individuals, partnerships, and corporations; safe deposit services; and brokerage services. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated through 56 banking facilities and 73 ATMs/ITMs. Southside Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Tyler, Texas.

About Prosperity Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. In addition, it provides internet banking, mobile banking, trust and wealth management, retail brokerage, mortgage services, and treasury management, as well as debit and credit cards. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Receive News & Ratings for Southside Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southside Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Free Report) and First NBC Bank (OTCMKTS:FNBCQ  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, risk and dividends.

Get First BanCorp. alerts:

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares First BanCorp. and First NBC Banks top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First BanCorp. $1.23 billion 2.92 $298.72 million $1.88 11.85 First NBC Bank N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

First BanCorp. has higher revenue and earnings than First NBC Bank.

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for First BanCorp. and First NBC Bank, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First BanCorp. 0 1 3 0 2.75 First NBC Bank 0 0 0 0 0.00

First BanCorp. currently has a consensus price target of $24.00, suggesting a potential upside of 7.75%. Given First BanCorp.s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe First BanCorp. is more favorable than First NBC Bank.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

97.9% of First BanCorp. shares are held by institutional investors. 2.3% of First BanCorp. shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 8.4% of First NBC Bank shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares First BanCorp. and First NBC Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First BanCorp. 24.71% 17.54% 1.61% First NBC Bank N/A N/A N/A

Summary

First BanCorp. beats First NBC Bank on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About First BanCorp.

(Get Free Report)

First BanCorp. operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico that provides a range of financial products and services to consumers and commercial customers. The company operates through six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Mortgage Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations. The Commercial and Corporate Banking segment offers commercial loans, including commercial real estate and construction loans, as well as other products, such as cash management and business management services. The Mortgage Banking segment engages in the origination, sale, and servicing of various residential mortgage loans; hedging activities; and purchase of mortgage loans from branch and mortgage bankers. The Consumer (Retail) Banking segment provides auto loans, finance leases, boat and personal loans, credit card loans, and lines of credit; and interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking and savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts and retail certificates of deposit (CDs), as well as insurance agency services. The Treasury and Investments segment offers funding and liquidity management services. The United States Operations segment provides checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as retail CDs; traditional commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loans, residential mortgages, term and construction loan, home equity loans, lines of credit, FHLB advances, and brokered CDs; and internet banking, cash management, remote deposit capture, and automated clearing house transactions services. The Virgin Islands Operations segment is involved in consumer, commercial lending, and deposit-taking activities. First BanCorp. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

About First NBC Bank

(Get Free Report)

First NBC Bank Holding Company operates as the bank holding company for First NBC Bank that provides a range of financial services for businesses, institutions, and individuals. The company's deposit products include savings deposits, money market accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises construction, commercial and consumer real estate, commercial and industrial, and consumer loans. The company also offers trust services, credit cards, and wire transfers. As of August 15, 2016, it operated 39 full service banking offices in New Orleans metropolitan area, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the Florida panhandle. First NBC Bank Holding Company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. On May 11, 2017, First NBC Bank Holding Company filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. First NBC Bank Holding Company operates as a subsidiary of First NMTC 2, LLC.

Receive News & Ratings for First BanCorp. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First BanCorp. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Russell Investments Group Ltd. reduced its stake in Aarons Holdings Company, Inc. (NYSE:PRG  Free Report) by 17.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 133,683 shares of the companys stock after selling 28,948 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.33% of Aarons worth $3,556,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Get Aaron's alerts:

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Aarons by 13.8% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,411 shares of the companys stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 413 shares in the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in Aarons in the 1st quarter valued at $215,000. Headlands Technologies LLC increased its stake in Aarons by 1,522.8% in the 1st quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 8,098 shares of the companys stock valued at $215,000 after buying an additional 7,599 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co increased its stake in Aarons by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 8,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $230,000 after buying an additional 583 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC acquired a new stake in Aarons in the 4th quarter valued at $235,000. 97.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Aarons from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. BTIG Research lowered shares of Aarons from a neutral rating to a sell rating and set a $24.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Monday, July 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $41.00.

Aarons Stock Up 6.2%

Aarons stock opened at $34.74 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a PE ratio of 6.87 and a beta of 1.75. The companys 50-day moving average is $30.75 and its 200-day moving average is $29.61. Aarons Holdings Company, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $23.50 and a fifty-two week high of $50.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 5.71 and a quick ratio of 2.82.

Aarons (NYSE:PRG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $604.66 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $586.25 million. Aarons had a net margin of 8.53% and a return on equity of 22.54%. Aaronss revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.92 EPS. Aarons has set its Q3 2025 guidance at 0.700-0.750 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.200-3.350 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Aarons Holdings Company, Inc. will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Aarons Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 19th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Aaronss payout ratio is currently 10.28%.

About Aarons

(Free Report)

PROG Holdings, Inc (NYSE:PRG) is a financial technology holding company based in Salt Lake City, Utah with three business segments: Progressive Leasing, which offers lease-to-own transactions primarily to credit-challenged consumers through e-commerce and point-of-sale retail partners, via online, mobile, and in-store solutions; Vive Financial, which provides consumers who may not qualify for traditional prime lending with a variety of second-look, revolving credit products through private label and branded credit cards; and Four Technologies, which provides consumers of all credit backgrounds Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options through four interest-free installments via its platform, Four.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aarons Holdings Company, Inc. (NYSE:PRG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Aaron's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aaron's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Tritax Big Box REIT (LON:BBOX  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by investment analysts at Shore Capital in a note issued to investors on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

Get Tritax Big Box REIT alerts:

Tritax Big Box REIT Price Performance

Shares of BBOX stock opened at GBX 142.50 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of 3.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.99, a current ratio of 0.54 and a quick ratio of 0.42. Tritax Big Box REIT has a 1-year low of GBX 121.90 and a 1-year high of GBX 166.80. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 143.47 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 142.55.

Tritax Big Box REIT (LON:BBOX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported GBX 4.63 earnings per share for the quarter. Tritax Big Box REIT had a net margin of 60.46% and a return on equity of 4.04%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Tritax Big Box REIT will post 8.9700057 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Tritax Big Box REIT

Tritax Big Box REIT plc (ticker: BBOX) is the largest listed investor in high-quality logistics warehouse assets and controls the largest logistics-focused land platform in the UK. BBOX is committed to delivering attractive and sustainable returns for Shareholders by investing in and actively managing existing built investments and land suitable for logistics development.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Tritax Big Box REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tritax Big Box REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
ATHENS, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Greece's population has fallen over 400,000 in the past 13 years due to plunging birth rates, aging, and outward migration, Greek media reported Saturday.

Citing research by the Laboratory of Demographic and Social Analyses at the University of Thessaly, To Vima reported that the downward trend is projected to continue for decades, with deaths consistently outnumbering births and the proportion of elderly steadily increasing.

According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority, the 2011 Population-Housing Census recorded a resident population of 10,816,286. By Jan. 1, 2024, the resident population was estimated at 10,400,720, reflecting a decrease of over 400,000 people in just over a decade.

Data showed Greece recorded only 72,300 births in 2023, about half the annual average in the 1950s and 1960s. Fertility rates among women born around 1980 remain at 1.3-1.4 children, far below the replacement level. Nearly 23 percent of the population is already aged over 65, with the elderly outnumbering children by almost 1 million.

The study noted that population shrinkage began after 2011, following the financial crisis, which triggered both the return of migrant workers and large-scale emigration of young Greeks. Structural issues, such as lack of career opportunities and housing pressures, have further discouraged family formation.

Researchers warned that Greece faces a "double challenge": younger generations are either leaving the country or delaying parenthood, both reinforcing long-term demographic decline. Enidtem
Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning.

Get TJX Companies alerts:

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on TJX. Citigroup increased their target price on TJX Companies from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Evercore ISI increased their target price on TJX Companies from $150.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $145.00 to $152.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $145.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $143.00 to $152.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $147.58.

Read Our Latest Report on TJX

TJX Companies Price Performance

TJX Companies stock opened at $136.3790 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $127.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $125.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $152.35 billion, a PE ratio of 31.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. TJX Companies has a 12-month low of $111.22 and a 12-month high of $145.58.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 20th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $14.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.12 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.59% and a return on equity of 58.63%. The businesss revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.96 EPS. TJX Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.520-4.570 EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at 1.170-1.190 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that TJX Companies will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 14th will be issued a $0.425 dividend. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 14th. TJX Companiess payout ratio is presently 38.72%.

Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies

In related news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 950 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.09, for a total value of $121,685.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 22,712 shares in the company, valued at $2,909,180.08. The trade was a 4.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 101,141,056 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $12,489,909,000 after acquiring an additional 727,292 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 48,595,536 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $6,001,063,000 after acquiring an additional 285,737 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 26,070,916 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $3,205,927,000 after acquiring an additional 301,127 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter worth $1,808,774,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 15.2% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 13,985,826 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $1,689,628,000 after acquiring an additional 1,845,225 shares in the last quarter. 91.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

TJX Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has welcomed the launch of the brand-new Fixing Factory from Repair & Share Foyle.

Repair & Share Foyle proudly announced the launch of its brand-new Fixing Factory this week, thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Funds People and Communities programme. The 188,094 grant supports three flagship projects  Tech Connect, RePaint, and now the Fixing Factory  all designed to tackle waste and build a more sustainable, circular economy across the Derry City & Strabane District Council (DCSDC) area.

Launching on September 1, the Fixing Factory will expand on the groups popular monthly Repair Cafes, giving local people the option to drop off broken small household electricals for repair by skilled volunteers. Unlike the Repair Cafes, where items are fixed on-the-spot, the Fixing Factory allows volunteers more time to carry out repairs  while also offering workshops for residents, schools and businesses to learn repair skills themselves.

Mayor of DCSDC, Cllr Ruairi McHugh, was delighted to see the new project come to life and encouraged everyone to check it out. He said, I warmly welcome the launch of the Fixing Factory, which is a fantastic addition to the Repair & Share Foyle initiative. This project will not only help reduce waste and protect our environment but also empower local people with the skills and confidence to repair and reuse.

Its inspiring to see community-led projects like this making such a positive impact across our district, and I want to thank The National Lottery Community Fund for their support in making it possible.

READ NEXT: Britain in Bloom judges welcomed to Derry

Andrew Wright, E-waste Coordinator at Repair & Share Foyle, said, The Fixing Factory is important because it adds flexibility. Not everyone can wait at a busy Repair Cafe, so this project opens another route to repair for people who just need to leave an item in and collect it later

With only five pre-booked drop-off slots available each month to start with, the Fixing Factory is expected to fill up quickly. Booking links will be available via the Repair & Share Foyle website, social media channels, and monthly newsletter.

Click here for more information.
For almost as long as there has been professional musicians, there have been orchestras for them to play in. From the Royal Danish Orchestra, with roots tracing back to 1448, to the much more recent Electric Light and Manchester variations, whos roots trace back to 1970 and 2004 respectively, orchestras have been entertaining crowds around the world for centuries.

Recently, I was invited to the Ulster Youth Orchestras Summer concert in the Guildhall where they gave incredible performances of Dmitri Shostakovichs Symphony No. 12 (The Year 1917), Antonin Dvoraks Overture: Othello, Op. 93 and Modest Mussorgskys Pictures at an Exhibition. Afterwards, I got to speak to administrator Lauren Ward and chairman David Smyth and they told me a bit more about the organisation.

David: Were now into our thirty-second year. There are three in England, Scotland and Wales, then theres the Irish National Orchestra then us. Ive been chairman since 2016 and this is one of the highlights. To do that [performance] to that standard is incredible.

Lauren: What we do during the summer, the reason why we have the concerts, is we have a ten day residential. The players in this orchestra met on 7th August for the first time, and over five days they have sectionals with industry professionals specific to their instruments and rehearsals with the rehearsal conductor and then our conductor Michael Seal came in and its full rehearsals from then on, then we have the concerts in the Guildhall and the Ulster Hall. Throughout the year, we do lots of different things. We audition every December, so its a fresh group coming through. Apart from school orchestras and things, this is the only classical training we have here for young musicians. Its very important that we have access to different parts of the country to bring these children together to get the training they require.

Recently, they have been invited to take part in the Young Euro Classic in Berlin. David told me more about that: Were going to a meeting of all the youth orchestras over three weeks. They provide the audiences and we provide the music for at least one of their concerts.

Lauren: Youth orchestras from all over Europe are invited and get to do a concert at this festival, so were going over and actually holding our residential in Berlin and then doing a performance in the concert hall there before coming back over and doing one in the Ulster Hall. Were getting a commissioned piece to play by a former UYO player whos now entering the world of composing. Its lovely that everyone comes back to it.

Speaking about other major venues theyve played, David tells me: We played Dublin two years ago in the National Concert Hall, with the help of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. In classical music, getting a concert hall the size of that one full is good going and we managed it.

And thats it from the Ulster Youth Orchestra. Now, onto other business (and theres a lot of it this week). First up, Dylan Bradley, former frontman of Parker, has just released his first single, Makes Me Feel Good, with his new group Dylan Bradley and the Heat. The song is out now on all good streaming platforms and can be bought directly from Three Mile Records on Bandcamp.

Next, rapper KOBACKs has just brought out his new song ECHO, which deals with his own personal struggles going through therapy following an extremely violent relationship. Its also out now.

We now come to the Suite, who have recently announced the release of their debut EP Square One in September. The EP was preceded by single The Best this past Friday.

Now, one for this week. This week will see Hard to Explain release the title track from their upcoming debut album. Hell To Pay will be available on all good streaming platforms this Friday (August 29th) and the album is out on November 7th.

Moving on to gigs now, September 6th will see some of Derrys best young bands playing St. Columbs Hall when Sanctum, Sunset Theory, the Backroom Bandits and Growing Pains take to the stage for an all ages gig. Its from 7pm to 10.30pm and tickets are 5 on the door.

READ MORE: MacD on Music

And to close, we have Cora Harkin. Cora will be playing a headline gig in the Nerve Centre on September 19th with support from Belfast group Reflect. Doors are at 7pm and tickets are 5 plus booking fee. Therell be more from Cora in these fine pages in the coming weeks.

Finally, after all that, time for the socials. Working backwards, Cora Harkin can be found on Instagram (and TikTok) @coraharkinmusic, Growing Pains @growingpainsband_derry, the Backroom Bandits @thebackroombandits, Sunset Theory @sunset_theory_doire, Sanctum @sanctum_derry25, Hard To Explain @hardtoexplainofficial, The Suite @thesuite.band, KOBACK @itskoback, Dylan Bradley and the Heat @dylanbradleyheat and the Ulster Youth Orchestra @ulsteryouthorchestra.
Save my User ID and Password

Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.

Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
With well over 700 voluntary groups in County Louth, we may be small geographically but we sure punch above our weight when it comes to our community spirit and giving back.

Behind the projects, the events, the festivals and the good causes are the Trustees and Board members. Often unnoticed, they are the backbone providing guidance, direction and governance, ideas and support. You may not have thought of volunteering by becoming a Board member or perhaps you have but werent sure what is involved. How much time do you need? What role might you play? Which of your skills would be useful?

Louth Volunteer Centre is supporting Louth residents to step up and make a difference by joining local boards or committees by offering its Empowering You, Empowering Our Community programme. Now in its fifth year, this initiative is designed to equip individuals with little or no experience on a board with the knowledge and confidence needed, to step into these roles.

Its equally suitable if you are already on a Board or Committee and would like some training to support you. If youre passionate about giving back and want to use your skills and experience for the good of your local area, this is an opportunity to create lasting change.

Being a board member or trustee of a charity, community or voluntary organisation can be a wonderful opportunity to share skills, experience and perspective for the good of our community. It can be hugely rewarding and offers opportunities for personal and professional development. However, four in 10 Irish charities find attracting new board or committee members to be a significant challenge.

A major study published in 2023 found 40 % of people who considered stepping up, didnt follow through due to simply not being aware of whats involved or knowing how to go about it. As many of these voluntary groups are essential to Louth, addressing this gap is more important than ever. Indeed, for organisations to maintain a charitable status, they must have adequate governance and that means an adequate number of Trustees/Directors.

Past participants have praised the programme for its comprehensive and practical approach. Here is some of their feedback, The programme shows how to create a board that remains fresh and innovative and continues to carry out its mission even when founders are no longer directly involved.

Others shared What I found most useful about this programme was the relatability of the information shared. and I liked the format and the delivery of the course. Many participants have since taken on enjoyable and satisfying leadership roles within community and voluntary organisations both in Louth and indeed beyond.

Given the high demand for the programme, which is usually oversubscribed, Louth Volunteer Centre is encouraging those interested to register as soon as possible. Spaces are currently available, and the programme is seeking new applicants from the local community who are eager to make a difference.

The programme begins on Wednesday October 1st 2025 and will be delivered online over four evening sessions, making it accessible for those with busy schedules.

To book a place or make an inquiry, please email info@volunteerlouth.ie

Programme Overview:

WEEK 1  Wednesday 1st October Theme: Understanding the Landscape & Governance Essentials Explore the community and voluntary sector in Louth, understand key players and structures, and learn what it means to serve as a trustee. Includes a hands-on activity mapping your community connections and motivations for joining a board.

WEEK 2  Wednesday 8th October Theme: Good Governance & Compliance An essential session on the Charities Governance Code and the six principles of good governance. Participants will work through real-life case studies to identify risks, responsibilities, and how to build strong, accountable boards.

WEEK 3  Wednesday 15th October Theme: Strategic Thinking & Effective Communication Understand how boards shape the future of an organisation through strategic planning and sound decision-making. Learn effective communication strategies and take part in an interactive planning exercise.

WEEK 4  Wednesday 22nd October Theme: People, Inclusion & Finding Your Fit Learn how to support volunteers, work effectively as a board, and promote inclusion in governance. Wrap up with a self-assessment and personal action plan to help you find and thrive in a trustee role that suits your skills and values.

Graduates will be invited to attend an evening event in November Lead with Purpose: Louth Trustee Celebration & Showcase, recognising graduates of its trustee training programme and promoting board leadership across the county. Featuring a panel discussion, networking opportunities, and a showcase of trustee vacancies, the event aims to celebrate good governance and support and inspire more people to get involved in voluntary board roles.

About Louth Volunteer Centre

Louth Volunteer Centre provides a placement service between individuals and groups who wish to volunteer and organizations seeking volunteers. The Centre provides a range of services, including volunteer placement, support, training, and Garda vetting.

It serves the entire county of Louth, promoting volunteerism as a means of community development and active citizenship. Louth Volunteer Centre believes in the value and benefits of volunteering for individuals, organizations, and society at large. For more information, see www.volunteerlouth.ie
Pictured above: Left to right at Dundalk Credit Union on Clanbrassil St: Rebecca, Dundalk CU; MaryAnne Gosling, host organiser; Janina Balynaite; Phil Kileen; Geraldine Meehan; Betty McCrave; Delma Leahy; Imelda Brennan; Frances McCabe; and Naomi O'Donoghue, Dundalk CU, sponsors of the meeting venue

MaryAnne Gosling, the Dundalk woman who is bringing the Council of European Grandmothers 11th Meeting to Dundalk in September says she is delighted with the response she has received to support the meeting.

She has been heartened by the number of people across community and town services who are helping to ensure the grandmothers receive a great welcome and that they enjoy a wonderful experience in Ireland.

The Council meets annually to share traditional knowledge to the people of today, thus ensuring their wisdom continues to be relevant down the generations. They seek to heal family and community with the gifts and resources of nature all rooted in care, compassion and connection to Mother Earth.

MaryAnne set up a working group of Friends of the Grandmothers with some of her fellow members in Dundalk Womens Shed. The Friends are helping her plan the logistics of the meeting and to publicise it across Louth and elsewhere. She has set up a Go Fund Me page to help defray the many costs associated with the meeting and has been delighted by the positive response from people across the county.

Dundalk Credit Union, a great supporter of community projects, has offered its premises in Clanbrassil Street Dundalk (the former Houstons Store) to use for meetings with the public taking place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September at 10am.

These meetings will offer people the opportunity to spend time in conversation with the Grandmothers and Elders where they will discuss how wisdom, in danger of being lost, can be passed on the next generation to help them live wiser and more fulfilled lives.

Louth councillors Maeve Yore, John Reilly and Bernie Conlon have offered their support to the meeting while Louth County Council will make a presentation to the Grandmothers during their visit, on their very successful Varcities project which was co funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme. Dundalk Library which offers great support to the towns many community groups will host a visit for the Grandmothers during their stay.

They will also explore St Brigids shrine in Faughart, the Cooley peninsula, and our world famous UNESCO site, Newgrange and the historic sites of the Boyne valley. For further information on public meetings with the Granmothers and Elders visit here or call 086 824 1514 ( Linda) or 087 289 3685 (Delma).
Dundalk Institute of Technologys Healthy Campus Working Group recently launched the DkIT Healthy Campus Plan for 2025 -2028.

This plan identifies a number of critical actions across five themes Mental Health, Healthy Environment, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Sexual Health. These actions are designed to result in beneficial outcomes for staff and student health and wellbeing.

A DkIT spokesperson said: "DkIT is committed to promoting a holistic approach to health through its Healthy Campus initiative, which aims to embed wellbeing into all aspects of campus life. In 2023, the Institute established a Healthy Campus Steering Committee to implement the national Charter and Framework. This group has representation from across the campus community and input from a number of relevant stakeholders, including the HSE and Healthy Louth and has been taking a proactive and strategic stance on health and wellbeing across campus since then through a variety of initiatives.

"There are many examples of positive health and wellbeing initiatives already active on campus, and the Healthy Campus Plan seeks to enhance and complement these activities by further promoting what DkIT already does well; through collaboration and consultation developing additional initiatives and most importantly ongoing communication with our staff and students about DkIT Healthy Campus.

"Partnership and collaboration are key to the success of DkITs Healthy Campus. Just some of the beneficial initiatives across schools and working groups to-date include; DkITs Annual Health Fair, which included a range of different stands and activities such as health checks, sexual health demonstrations, basic CPR training and fitness challenges, DkITs Fittest STEPS Challenge, where 26 teams of staff and students logged over 10.5 million steps, and Mental Health and Wellbeing Week, which included a variety of holistic and fitness challenges to foster positive mental health. "

The Healthy Campus Plan for 2025-2028 will build on previous initiatives and also include; the development of walking trails on campus, the development of a healthy eating policy, provision of increased training for staff, launch of the Healthy Campus website to celebrate and promote all the DkIT Healthy Campus Initiatives with staff and students, increased opportunities for physical activities for staff and students on campus and increased support for the Campus Health Fair and Consolidation of sexual health supports.

Read Next: Dundalks Mo Chara wins Craft Beer of the Year award

Speaking following the launch of the plan, Dr. Edel Healy, Chair of DkIT Healthy Campus Steering Committee said: By enabling a healthy campus culture, we are aligning with the Healthy Ireland Framework in addition to having a positive impact on the lives of all of our staff and students in the DkIT community.

"I want to acknowledge the fantastic work of the Healthy Campus Group past and present, whose commitment to this project has been invaluable in enhancing the health and wellbeing of our campus community. We look forward to continuing our evolving journey and continuing to improve the health and wellbeing of all at DkIT.
Uisce Eireann is encouraging customers in Louth to sign up for its free text alert service as it says it is ramping up investment in Irelands water infrastructure to what they call "unprecedented levels."

Planned capital investment of over 10 billion over the next five years in areas such as leakage reductions, repairs to bursts and outages, and treatment plant upgrades will see hundreds of live projects underway in every corner of Ireland. The company say this will lead to major improvements in water quality, security and resilience; however short-term disruptions are inevitable as a result, and staying informed is essential.

By signing up to the free text service, customers can receive real-time updates tailored to their area, helping them prepare for any interruptions. To date over 250,000 people have signed up to the service, and are benefiting from up-to-the-minute information about their water supply. But with almost two million homes and businesses served by Uisce Eireann, the company are encouraging everybody to sign up so they can keep them informed and updated.

The service provides alerts on water outages, boil water notices, and other supply interruptions expected to last longer than four hours. Whether planned or unplanned, these alerts are delivered directly to your phone. Since the service was launched in 2024, over one million text alerts have been issued, providing information to customers across Ireland.

Geoffrey Bourke, Head of Customer Operations with Uisce Eireann, said: Replacing and upgrading Irelands water infrastructure is a national priority, and we fully recognise that this work can result in temporary water outages and supply interruptions. Our text alert system allows us to communicate directly with customers throughout Louth, helping them understand the scale of the work and the potential impacts. I strongly encourage everyone to sign up and stay connected with us as we continue this unprecedented programme of upgrades.

Read Next: Kavanagh Weekend to feature three days of literature and music in Inniskeen

Over 250,000 people have already signed up and are benefiting from timely updates. A prime example is the recent upgrade of the Ballymore Eustace to Saggart mains pipe. Over a 28-hour period, a dedicated crew undertook the largest ever pipe repair in Ireland. The risk to water outages was high, and Uisce Eireann ensured that affected families and businesses were notified in advance via text alerts, received timely updates, and were encouraged to conserve water. This proactive communication helped communities stay informed and prepared. We are urging everybody to join them and stay informed about your local water supply.

Customers can sign up by visiting https://www.water.ie and entering their Eircode and mobile number. The service is free and available to all households and businesses. You can also sign up on behalf of loved ones to ensure they receive timely updates.
HAIKOU, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- South China's island province of Hainan upgraded its emergency response to the highest level on Sunday morning with Typhoon Kajiki approaching.

As of 8 a.m., the typhoon -- packing winds of up to 38 meters per second, was located about 210 km southeast of the province's resort city of Sanya. It is strengthening and moving toward the southern coast of Hainan, and is forecast to make landfall or pass near the coast on Sunday afternoon or evening.

Authorities have evacuated a total of 20,728 people from potentially hazardous areas. All 30,769 local fishing boats have returned to port or are sheltering safely -- with over 21,000 crew members moved to the shore.

Hainan has prepared more than 770,000 items of emergency supplies for vulnerable areas. Over 2,800 rescue personnel are on standby and are equipped with vehicles and equipment.

The city of Sanya has implemented a series of measures, halting classes, work, business operations, public transport and shipping, while also closing scenic areas.

Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from low-lying areas, temporary structures and coastal waves, and to be alert for geological hazards.

On Sunday, China's National Meteorological Center also issued an orange alert for Typhoon Kajiki, warning of gusts in areas near the typhoon center -- and heavy to torrential rainfall in parts of Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi, all located in south China.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response, and a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. 
For Kieran McCarthy, being lord mayor of Cork from 2023 to 2024 was a childhood dream come true.

On a tour of the Lord Mayors office, the Independent councillor looks out the window beside the desk, in what is known as John F Kennedy corner, out across Anglesea St below.

When I was a kid, Id be below looking up, he says, and Id say, Some day

Mr McCarthy has written dozens of books on Corks history, and he is one of the main contributors to a booklet published by Cork City Council, entitled The Office of the Lord Mayor and the Council Chamber.

Being lord mayor, I spent 52 weeks in the office, and I got to explore some of the cabinets and some of the objects, and, with my local historians hat on, to have access to some of the citys civic memorabilia, Mr McCarthy said. It was a huge opportunity to look at them up close, whether that be the chain, or the key to City Hall, or the silver maces.

It encouraged me to do some research during my mayoralty year and to write up some of that research, and Ive been doing tours of City Hall during Heritage Week as well.

During Mr McCarthys year as lord mayor he worked with Jordan McCarthy, of corporate affairs in City Hall, to gather the knowledge he had amassed and put it in booklet form, but that year there was a local election, and time kind of got away from us.

Their work continued into councillor Dan Boyles mayoralty, with Mr McCarthys successor supporting their endeavours, and The Office of the Lord Mayor and the Council Chamber was published by Cork City Council earlier this year.

In his introduction to the booklet, Mr Boyle notes that to be welcomed into the Lord Mayors chambers at Cork City Hall is considered a deep honour by the people of Cork and the many visitors that seek a meeting with the citys first citizen.

It is the traditional first engagement for visiting dignitaries when they arrive in Cork city.

Lords mayor have hosted several presidents of Ireland; the US president John F Kennedy; Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands.

Mr McCarthy describes City Hall as the central hub of civic heritage in the city, and he notes the three busts downstairs in the foyer. Two of them commemorate Corks martyred lords mayor: Tomas MacCurtain, who was murdered by the Royal Irish Constabulary in March 1920, and Terence MacSwiney, who died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison in October 1920. The busts are the work of renowned Cork sculptor Seamus Murphy.

The third bust is of former taoiseach and Cork sporting icon Jack Lynch, and was cast by Cork artist Tom Little from an original sculpture by Murphy.

The Lord Mayors office exudes a quiet dignity and warmth.

It is a formal but welcoming place, and it is filled with objects of considerable historical significance.

In his own introductory notes to the booklet, Mr McCarthy writes: During your visit to Corks City Hall, you can explore the council chamber, built by Cork master craftsmen in the early Irish Free State, a Lord Mayors room with 18th century silver craftmanship, admiral hats linked to the Throwing of the Dart, the formal gold key to open the front door, to the stories of the martyred Lord Mayor Tomas MacCurtain and Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, to the full century suite of portraits of Lords Mayor to pictures of social inclusion projects and festivals.

Each architectural piece, object, document, or photograph has its own unique story, and one could easily present a booklet on the origins and context of each.

The chain

The most significant symbol of the mayoralty is the chain, which dates back to 1787.

Mr McCarthy describes the chain as a gold collar and a very fine specimen of civic insignia, the links of the SS joined alternately by links of looped gold and enamelled cinquefoils, 51 links in all, terminating in a gold portcullis.

Attached to the chain is a medallion, bearing on the obverse the City Arms, and on the reverse the following inscription: Cork, 9th June, 1787, The Right Worshipful Samuel Rowland, Esq, Mayor, was publicly invested by the Common Speaker, on behalf of the Commons, in open Court of DOyer Hundred with the Gold Chain, and immediately after the Mayor conferred the like Honor on the High Sheriffs, and lastly the Ceremony of investing the Mayor with this Pendant and Collar of S.S. was performed by a Deputation from the Council.

Other items prominently displayed in the Lord Mayors office include the 1936 gold key used in the official opening of the new City Hall by the president of the executive council, in effect the taoiseach of the day.

The scene in the Cork city council chamber during the visit of the president of Slovakia His Excellency Ivan Gasparovic during his visit to City Hall in June 2018. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

On the opening of Cork City Hall in 1936, Eamon de Valera proceeded to the main door of the building and opened the main door of the building with a gold key (made from Messrs. Egan and Sons), Mr McCarthy writes.

There were 20,000 people watching the event. A fanfare of trumpets was given by trumpeters of the band, and the tricolour was run up on the City Hall. A second later, the air resounded to the booming of artillery as a salute of 17 big guns was given from the opposite quay by a detachment of artillery from Collins Barracks.

Cork City Council possesses four silver maces, which will be familiar to many people in Cork for their use in processions, and Mr McCarthy says that while they are alike in form and workmanship, they are of varying size.

The sides of each head are unusually straight, and engraved, perpendicular lines divide the heads in to four spaces and between these lines are inscribed the words: John Baldwin, Esqr, Mayor Horatio Towsend, Christopher Carlton Esqrs, Shers 1738.

John F Kennedy corner, mentioned earlier, commemorates the morning of Friday, June 28, 1963, when the US president received the Freedom of the City, something he could add to similar honours bestowed in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Wexford.

The Freedom of Cork casket was decorated with Celtic designs and on the lid the arms of Cork were engraved. On its front was the American eagle crest and on the back the crest of the Kennedy family.

Kennedys Irish visit came at the end of his 10-day European tour, during which, two days before his Cork visit, he had made an historic speech in front of the Berlin Wall.

On a personal note, Mr McCarthy believes he first visited the Lord Mayors office in 1992, when Micheal Martin wore the chain.

The Taoiseach, who says City Hall is his favourite building, recently told The Echo that his year as lord mayor was, for him and for his wife, Mary, the best year of our life.

Across from the Lord Mayors office is the Lord Mayors meeting room. One of the most striking features in it is a suite of black-and-white portraits of the lords mayor of the 20th century, dating from Daniel Hegarty, the citys first lord mayor  the office dates back eight centuries, but Queen Victoria only added the word lord to the title in 1900.

Overlooking the room is a portrait of Jane Dowdall, Cork citys first female lord mayor.

In 1951, Jane Dowdall succeeded her late husband by being elected to Seanad Eireann.

As members of Fianna Fail, she and her husband had been close friends of Eamon de Valera, who was godfather to their son, Finbarr.

In 1959, Ms Dowdall was elected the first female lord mayor of Cork. The portrait of Ms Dowdall, erected by the council in 2010 to mark 100 years of womens right to vote, is by Belfast-born artist Soirle MacCana, who was principal of the Cork School of Art from 1937 to 1967.

It shows Ms Dowdall in her mayoral robes, and was donated by her granddaughter, also Jane Dowdall, in the hope that it might provide some inspiration to young women interested in politics.

Ms Dowdall was the first of only six women to have been lord mayor of Cork. Her successors were Chrissie Aherne, Deirdre Clune, Catherine Clancy, Mary Shields, and Deirdre Forde.

It is understood that, all going to plan, a seventh woman will have joined that group by the end of the current councils term, with Fianna Fails Mary Rose Desmond expected to serve as lord mayor from 2027 to 2028.

On Friday, September 19, as part of Culture Night, City Hall will offer free tours of the Lord Mayors chambers and the council chamber. See corkcity.ie for further information.

The Office of the Lord Mayor and the Council Chamber is available free of charge from the Lord Mayors office in City Hall.
Almost 5 million has been awarded to a University College Cork (UCC) project aimed at developing a digital health system for maternal and child health in East Africa.

The new project, led by the INFANT Research Centre at UCC, is an 11-partner consortium between institutions from Ireland, UK, Norway, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

The funding will be used to help protect mothers and children in East Africa by using smart digital tools to fight infectious diseases and save lives.

Entitled LINDA-FAMILIA, meaning Protect the Family in Swahili,the initiative has been funded under the Horizon Europe Programme aimed at revolutionising maternal and child health in East Africa.

The initiative will deploy scalable, interoperable digital health systems to track infectious diseases and support health services in pregnancy, postpartum, and childhood care.

It will replace paper-based records in four priority regions, including Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Eastern Province, Rwanda; the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, and the Lango Sub-region, Uganda.

Professor Blandina Mmbaga, the project scientific coordinator and director at the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, said that she has seen firsthand the urgent need for stronger health data systems across East Africa.

By replacing fragmented, paper-based records with a scalable and integrated digital system, we can dramatically improve how care is delivered and ultimately, save lives, said Ms Mmbaga.

Using the free and open source DHIS2 platform, the worlds largest health information system, the project will integrate 11 World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended Digital Health Interventions (DHIs) to create country specific eRegistries.

These systems will capture individual level health data on infectious diseases and vaccinations, enabling improved clinical care, disease surveillance, and public health research, at lower cost than existing systems.

In 2020, 70% of global maternal deaths occurred in Sub Saharan Africa, with this project aiming to tackle those high maternal and child mortality rates by improving early detection.

Professor Ali Khashan, LINDA-FAMILIA project lead said that this project addresses a fundamental gap in health systems: access to reliable, timely data.

By combining global scientific expertise with deep local knowledge, were building sustainable digital tools that not only improve health data systems but also support clinical decision-making in maternal and child health, said Mr Khashan.
On the weekend that the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) officially declared famine in Gaza City, hundreds of people took to the streets of Cork to protest Israels war against Palestine.

The IPCs declaration came after months of warnings by aid groups that Israels military offensive, and its restrictions of food and other aid into Gaza, were causing high levels of starvation among Palestinian civilians, particularly children.

Reacting to the IPC determination, Taoiseach Micheal Martin called Israels ongoing blockade of food and aid into Gaza a war crime, saying famine in Gaza had been both entirely predictable and preventable.

The withholding of food and water from civilians is collective punishment of the people of Gaza, and a war crime, Mr Martin said.

The retention of hostages by Hamas is also a war crime, and it is long past time for their unconditional release and an end to this war.

The inhumanity we are witnessing in Gaza has shocked the world. The maiming, mutilation and killing of children simply has to stop. The war must end now.

In May of this year, Mr Martin described in the Dail Israels actions in Gaza as genocide, predicting that its blockade of humanitarian aid was pushing the Gaza Strip toward a hunger crisis.

Saturdays rally was the 98th consecutive city centre protest since the latest and bloodiest round of the decades-long conflict in the Middle East was sparked by the Hamas-backed attacks of October 5, 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered and some 250 hostages taken.

Since then, the death toll in the besieged enclave has, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, now passed 62,000.

Speaking after the rally, Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, said the support for the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaigns weekly marches showed the people of the city and county were in full solidarity with the people of Palestine.

It shows that people will continue to march and oppose genocide, and call for aid to be let through, and call for a ceasefire, he said.

We see it every day, and its getting worse and worse, the slaughter of innocent men, women and children, the genocide is just horrendous.

Mr Gould said it was heartening to see people of all ages turning out to show their support for the people of Gaza.

There was surely close to 1,000 people here today, it was a really big march, the weather was good, its August, with a lot of people away on holidays, but there was a huge crowd there today, he said.
A Cork TD has said that, despite An Garda Siochanas provisional crime statistics for the first half of 2025 showing the largest decrease in crimes against a person in the Southern Region, the figures are deeply concerning.

According to data provided to The Echo by An Garda Siochana, within the first six months of this year, members of the force have initiated, on a national scale, more than 37,000 arrests, created more than 67,000 criminal charges, nearly 100,000 criminal summons, issued approximately 3,200 adult cautions, and more than 6,500 referrals to the Juvenile Diversion programme in accordance with the Childrens Act 2001.

Despite long term trends continuing to demonstrate an ongoing and sustained reduction in recorded crime across the country, with the Southern Region seeing the largest decrease in crimes against a person at -8%, there have been increased reports nationwide in relation to rape and non-aggravated sexual assault, up 4% and 7% respectively, and fraud or economic crime, up 73%.

During this timeframe, within the Southern Region, there were 200 incidents recorded in relation to sexual offences; 178 incidents recorded in relation to rape and sexual assault; and 22 recorded in relation to other sexual offences.

The highest recorded crime offences in the Southern Region were theft and related offences, with 2,953 incidents recorded; followed by theft from a shop, with 1,616 incidents recorded; and public order or other social code offences, with 1,415 incidents recorded.

There were also 1,256 incidents recorded in relation to disorderly conduct in the Southern Region; 1,116 incidents recorded in relation to attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences; and 953 incidents recorded in relation to damage to property and the environment.

ARSON

Additionally there was a notable increase on a national scale in relation to arson, up 20%, as well as the possession of an offensive weapon and the discharge of a firearm, up 2% and 39% respectively.

Within the Southern Region, there were 61 incidents recorded in H1 of 2025 in relation to arson, six incidents recorded in relation to the discharge of a firearm, eight in relation to the possession of a firearm and 103 in relation to offensive weapons offences.

Sinn Fein Cork North Central TD, Thomas Gould said that the statistics show how Cork is a safe place to live, but only to a point.

These figures are showing all the problems that are there due to the lack of garda numbers, said Mr Gould.

Almost 3,000 theft or related offences in the Southern Region is a serious figure  its deeply concerning.

Im not shocked, because we know that we dont have enough gardai on the ground."

Cork has been allocated 25 new gardai at the latest graduation from the Garda Training College in Templemore.

Crime types in the Southern Region which saw the least amount of incidents recorded, with three or less incidents, include manslaughter, infanticide, dangerous driving leading to death, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, driving under the influence of drugs, dangerous use of a boat or ship, interference with aircrafts or air transport facilities, human trafficking, robbery of cash or goods in transit, prostitution, trading offences, conspiracy to commit crime, perverting the course of justice, fireworks offences, importation of drugs, possession of an article with intent to burgle, carjacking/unlawful seizure of a vehicle, abduction of a person under the age of 16 years old and murder attempts.
IN the days when motor cars were an unusual enough sight in Cork city, a road accident was bound to bring out crowds of curious onlookers.

The early versions of modern-day rubber-neckers pictured here congregated on Sullivans Quay in Cork city on the evening of Saturday, July 1, 1939, after a crash in which the occupants had a lucky escape.

The remarkable colourised photo was taken from a rowing boat on the River Lee, by an intrepid Echo/Examiner photographer, and we tracked down the descendants of the people who were in the car that day  and who walked away unscathed from a frightening experience.

******

Brian Russell revealed that there were seven occupants of the vehicle, including his grandfather, Michael Russell, and his father, John, then aged just four.

That Saturday, my grandfather was visiting his parents, Michael and Abina Russell, who lived at 42, McCurtains Villas, near the College Road, and brought his three sons  eldest Michael, my father, John, and Johns twin, James.

While there, my grandfather met with three of his brothers, Jimmy, Johnny and Gerry.

Jimmy was the owner of the car, which he was in the process of selling. A company called Crosss, located at 12, South Mall, were interested in buying it and Jimmy was on his way there with the car that afternoon. Crosss were Austin dealers and had petrol pumps on the South Mall up until the early 1970s.

Johnny and Gerry decided to go along for the spin, says Brian. As my grandfather was living in Needham Place, off Dunbar Street, at the time, he and his three sons also travelled with them.

The seven crammed into the car for the little outing, not aware of the drama that was to follow.

All the streets in Cork, would have been two-way traffic at that time, says Brian. In all probability, they travelled past St Finbarrs Cathedral, up Probys Quay and Frenchs Quay, across the bottom of Barrack Street and onto Sullivans Quay.

Cross's Garage in South Mall, which was the intended destination of the car that day in 1939

But as the car turned onto Sullivans Quay, a horse and trailer, we think belonging to Evans Wholesalers, was travelling towards them. The sight of the car, a rare enough event in Cork at the time, must have spooked the horse, causing it to rear up. In an effort to avoid a collision, the car mounted the footpath, its steering locked, and crashed into the railings.

While the railings suffered considerable damage, luckily they were strong enough to prevent the car, together with its seven occupants, from entering the water.

The fate of the seven, particularly the three young boys, if the car had entered the river, which was 9ft deep and at high tide at the time, doesnt bear thinking about. Suffice to say Brian might not be around the tell this story.

Imagine, I nearly didnt exist! he says.

Brian added: Needless to say, a certain amount of confusion ensued after the accident, as they all sought to get out of the car, fearful that it might topple into the river.

For his grandfather Michael, there were a worrying few moments. Upon exiting the car, he couldnt see my father. One of my uncles had an abiding memory of him leaning over the railings and scanning the river.

However, my grandfathers brother, John, had simply brought my father away from the car and around the corner, onto Sober Lane.

Apart from a slight injury to a pedestrian, Elizabeth Heffernan, aged 30, of 2, Sober Lane, and some damage to the car and railings, the story ended well. The shaft of the cart was broken in the collision and the horse was injured.

The horse and cart was probably returning to the Beamish and Crawford stables on Probys Quay, opposite the side of St Finbarrs Cathedral  the structure housing the stables is still there, added Brian.

The incident occurred at the top of Sullivans Quay, by the South Gate bridge, with the spires of St Finbarrs in the background. Nano Nagle Bridge now situated behind the photographer was not built till 1985.

Brian added: My grandfather worked in the Lee Boot Factory, as did his father.

When the picture appeared on the Old Photos Of Cork City And County Facebook page in 2021, it attracted lots of interest  and a few ball-hops too!

Philip OCallaghan stated: Sullivans Quay CBS in the background, one of the great Cork hurling nurseries.

Dave Morey called the crowd the original rubberneckers, and Patricia McKane added: Look at those young kids at the front, so tight against the rails, no health and safety then, scary.

Ray Meaney said on Facebook: Around 1995, I had to climb down the steps into the river here to retrieve my partners bag. It was an extremely low tide so I was amazed that the mud was able to take my weight.

Arthur Walker remarked: The bend/dent in the steel rail/bar which was caused by this accident is still visible today.

The Irish Independent at the time reported the car struck a double row of protecting bars, carrying away the lower one. The upper row bent but caught the hood and the car halted with its front wheels suspended over the edge of the quay. However, our attempts to find if the dent is still there drew a blank!

This article originally ran in the 2021 Holly Bough.
(Photo: Wikipedia)Church of Kiruna in 2011.

A historic 113-year-old church in Sweden has found a new home and been moved 5 kilometers (3 miles) to allow for the expansion of an underground iron ore mine.

The 672-ton Lutheran (Church of Sweden) church at Kiruna, often voted Sweden's most beautiful building, was lifted onto a convoy of remote-controlled flatbed trailers, DW reported on August 19.

The move was celebrated as a breathtaking engineering feat, but the feelings are not the same for the local Sami community, which has herded reindeer there for thousands of years.

They warn that the mine's further expansion threatens traditional animal migration routes and fear this will imperil the livelihood of indigenous herders in the area, according to DW.

Thousands watched the move across the landscape.

The church operation in an area often called Lapland came to fruition years ago with a plan to move much of the Arctic town of Kiruna after mining weakened the ground beneath its historic center.

Mine operator LKAB is financing the relocation of the church, estimated at 500 million kronor ($52 million), which required widening the road 15 meters (50 feet) to accommodate the church.

- THE GREAT CHURCH WALK

Swedish broadcaster SVT live-streamed the spectacle dubbed "The Great Church Walk," with Sweden's 2025 Eurovision musical entry performing.

"The church is Kiruna's soul in some way, and in some way it's a safe place," Lena Tjarnberg, the vicar of Kiruna, told Reuters news agency.

"For me, it's like a day of joy. But I think people also feel sad because we have to leave this place."

Designed by Swedish architect Gustaf Wickman, the 40 meters (131 feet) tall structure includes designs inspired by the region's indigenous Sami people on the pews.

Kiruna Church progressed along the route at a glacial pace of 0.5 to 1.5 kilometers per hour to (0.31 to 0.93 miles hour) and 0.93.

There were two brief breaks for a traditional Swedish afternoon coffee, according to an Associated Press report carried in the New York Post.

The church was built between the years 1909 and 1912, according to the Kiruna website under the leadership of LKAB's building manager in Kiruna, engineer Bengt Lundgren.

Kiruna Church is shaped like a Sami hut (lavvu), with a wide base and a tapered top.

Sami are the indigenous people in the north.

The light comes in from above because the windows in the lower walls are made of colored glass and only the upper windows are clear.

The church had been called the "sanctuary of the wandering people" and was built specifically to be a gathering place for the entire population of the Kiruna.

Around 3,000 homes and about 6,000 people will need to move as part of the relocation, LKAB said.

The church is now closed for visitors until the opening at the new location at the end of 2026.
Sophie Turner hopes to live in the UK for the rest of her life.

Sophie Turner won't move ever again

The 29-year-old actress lived in the US during her marriage to pop star Joe Jonas, but Sophie returned home to England after their split and she doesn't intend to leave her homeland anytime soon.

Sophie - who has daughters Willa, five, and Delphine, three, with Joe - told Flaunt: "I just feel so at home here; I never want to move again."

Sophie loves that she's surrounded by her friends and family once again.

She said: "Living in the States, I didnt appreciate how much you need friends and family and how integral they are to your wellness until youre away from them. I came back with an abundance of appreciation for them."

Sophie plays an actress who hides in a remote cabin after a scandal in Trust, the new thriller film, and the movie star was able to bring her own life experiences into the project.

She said: "I feel lucky to have worked on something that comments on so much that I have been personally affected by."

Sophie was also able to lean into her experience of motherhood.

She explained: "Being a mother has affected me more than I can ever say. I can now bring so much of that into my work and into this film too."

Sophie recently revealed that she found filming Trust to be a "super cathartic" experience.

The actress was in the midst of her divorce during the shoot, and Sophie actually enjoyed being able to throw herself into the project.

Sophie - was married to Joe between 2019 and 2024 - 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."
This photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows wind turbines and photovoltaic panels at the site of a desertification control project integrated with wind and solar power facilities in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner of Hinggan League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In recent years, Inner Mongolia has focused on the desertification control of the Horqin sandy land. The local authorities implemented projects integrating sand control and wind and solar power industries, establishing renewable energy facilities alongside afforestation and soil improvement efforts. (Xinhua/Ding He)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows photovoltaic panels at the site of a desertification control project integrated with wind and solar power facilities in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner of Hinggan League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In recent years, Inner Mongolia has focused on the desertification control of the Horqin sandy land. The local authorities implemented projects integrating sand control and wind and solar power industries, establishing renewable energy facilities alongside afforestation and soil improvement efforts. (Xinhua/Ding He)

This photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows forests of a desertification control project in Horqin Left Wing Rear Banner of Tongliao City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In recent years, Inner Mongolia has focused on the desertification control of the Horqin sandy land. The local authorities implemented projects integrating sand control and wind and solar power industries, establishing renewable energy facilities alongside afforestation and soil improvement efforts. (Xinhua/Ding He)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows photovoltaic panels at the site of a desertification control project integrated with wind and solar power facilities in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner of Hinggan League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In recent years, Inner Mongolia has focused on the desertification control of the Horqin sandy land. The local authorities implemented projects integrating sand control and wind and solar power industries, establishing renewable energy facilities alongside afforestation and soil improvement efforts. (Xinhua/Ding He)
From: Mitchell P. Davis -- Editor and Publisher of www.ExpertClick.com Washington , DC Saturday, August 23, 2025

News Release  ExpertClick Launches NewsMakerTools Marketing Services From: Mitchell P. Davis  Editor & Publisher of



Washington, DC | Saturday, August 23, 2025 News Release Are Your Press Releases Getting Noticed? ExpertClick Launches NewsMakerTools Marketing Services Optimizing press releases matters more than ever. ExpertClick's NewsMakerTools gives PR pros the edge to make headlines. Discover NewsMakerTools + Free Press Release September Introductory Offer: PR professionals can "stick a toe in the water" with a complimentary press release  written and distributed by our in-house team, free of charge. What NewsMakerTools Delivers Members enjoy special savings on a full suite of services  plus a free press release with membership: Manual Release Distribution  We'll post your content (from copy you send or an e-mail newsletter we subscribe to): $75 each, six-release minimum. (Content provided by client; no writing included.) Banner Ad Development & Placement at ExpertClick  $379 annually. Includes a fully designed leaderboard and placement on the topic of your choice. . Twitter Integration  Connect your News Release Wire account to your Twitter feed: $188. E-mail Opt-In HTML for your ExpertClick profile  $975 setup. Account setup for e-mail marketing

Opt-in lift HTML on your Press Room page

Three-wave automated response e-mail sequence Google AdWords Program to drive traffic to your ExpertClick URL $775 setup

setup 35% monthly service fee

monthly service fee $175 minimum monthly ad spend Prefer a comprehensive solution? We offer a $5,000 annual retainer for complete services. A la carte costs are subject to change. Beyond Distribution Why It Matters "Getting coverage today requires more than sending a release  it takes smart targeting, digital integration, and creative execution. NewsMakerTools gives professionals the right mix to amplify their reach"



 [Insert Spokesperson Name], [Title], ExpertClick Find Us


Most government departments and councils are failing to prioritise British food in public sector catering, despite Labours pledge to back local produce, a new report has revealed.

The study, published by the Countryside Alliance, found that just one out of 19 central government departments has a clear policy of deliberately sourcing British food.

Another, the Department of Health and Social Care, confirmed that 72% of its food was UK-sourced in 202324. The Ministry of Defence admitted it held no data at all on the origins of the meat served to service personnel.

The findings, drawn from more than 200 Freedom of Information requests, suggest a major gap between government promises and reality.

The Labour manifesto pledged that half of all food bought across the public sector would be local or certified to higher environmental standards  a commitment repeated after the backlash to the so-called 'family farm tax'.

Yet according to the Countryside Alliance, without robust policies, proper monitoring and leadership from the top, the target is unlikely to be met.

David Bean, the alliances parliament relations manager and author of the report, said the governments food pledge was one of the most appealing aspects of Labours manifesto for people in the countryside.

However, he warned the findings showed it would be extremely difficult to deliver without far stronger action from public bodies.

The Labour government has pledged that half of food purchased across the public sector will be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards," Bean said.

"For rural Britain, this was one of the most attractive parts of its manifesto at the last election. Our report raises serious questions about whether that target can be met.

According to Bean, only one out of 19 central government departments admitted to having a policy of deliberately buying British food, while just one other department was able to state how much of its supply was from the UK.

He said: The vast majority of councils also had no policies, and no idea where their food was produced. The MoD had no data on where the meat fed to armed forces personnel is sourced from either.

He added that failing to monitor where food comes from makes it impossible to measure progress: Meeting 50% will require robust policies, proper monitoring, and clear leadership from the top.

"We urge Ministers to strengthen the Government Buying Standards and learn from Scotland and Wales, where many councils have benefitted from procurement frameworks that prioritise local and sustainable sourcing. There is no reason why the same cannot be done in England too.

Bean concluded that in the face of economic challenges and other government policies putting pressure on farmers, British farmers deserve more than warm words - they need a public sector that takes meaningful, measurable action to stand on their side.

The Countryside Alliance's report also found that just 12% of councils could provide figures on how much of their food was British.

Scotland and Wales were singled out as stronger performers thanks to frameworks such as Scotland Excel and the Welsh Public Sector Collaborative Food Group, which give preference to local and sustainable suppliers.

The report urges English councils to follow suit by adopting its pro-farming local food motion, highlighting the wider economic, environmental and cultural benefits of shorter supply chains.

Suffolk, Cornwall and Rutland are among the councils that have already passed supportive motions.
Biocide-free, durable ultra-low-friction Coating Piloted on Neptune Aegli Car Carrier

Azra Tech, a pioneer in sustainable marine technologies, announces a strategic collaboration with Neptune Lines Shipping and Managing Enterprises SA, a leading short-sea car carrier operator in Europe and the Mediterranean, to support innovation in eco-friendly vessel performance.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250822716169/en/

Neptune Aegli, photo taken on 2025-03-20 by David David Potter

In July 2022, Azra Tech applied its groundbreaking biocide-free, ultra-low-friction hull coating system to the Neptune Aegli at Odessos Shipyard in Bulgaria. Based on proprietary nano-technology and backed by the Blue Race Performance Guarantee, the system is designed to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Over 36 months of continuous operation across European ports, Azra Tech reports that the coating achieved significant fuel savings and CO2 emissions reduction, outperforming original expectations. During an intermediate survey at Lisnave/Setubal Shipyard, data showed that the hull's surface roughness remained exceptionally low a key indicator of long-term durability and performance. This innovative solution is introduced to the Greek and Omani markets through Green Navis, Azra Tech's exclusive representative in these regions. Fully aligned with IMO regulations, the coating contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14 Life Below Water as it contains no biocides or active ingredients that could harm marine life.

"This is an exceptional result," said Azra Tech. "The performance of Neptune Aegli showcases the durability and efficiency of our coatings and confirms our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable maritime future."

Neptune Lines has applied the coating system developed by Azra Tech on the Neptune Aegli car Carrier. While the performance data is consistent with the Blue Race Performance Guarantee provided by Azra Tech, this collaboration reflects a shared vision for environmentally responsible innovation in the maritime sector.

For further insights into Azra Tech's eco-friendly paint technology and its transformative impact, please visit azra-tech.com.

About Neptune Lines (neptunelines.com)

Neptune Lines Shipping and Managing Enterprises (Neptune Lines), part of Neptune Group, is a leading finished vehicle logistics provider, specializing in transportation and shipping solutions for manufacturers and shippers of cars and high and heavy cargoes. Operating across Europe, North Africa, and the Black Sea, Neptune Lines excels in short-sea shipping, connecting ports with efficient and specialized services.

As a trusted partner for major car manufacturers, Neptune Lines delivers tailored solutions that meet the highest industry standards. Guided by its "Wake Forward" philosophy, Neptune Lines is committed to sustainability, reliability, and customer satisfaction, delivering operational excellence that drives progress in the logistics industry.

About Azra Tech (azra-tech.com)

Azra Tech Inc., a leading U.S.-based Industrial Intellectual Property and Technology Holding Company, boasts a global presence with affiliates in the United States, Europe, Switzerland, and Israel. The company's mission centers on the development and provision of advanced materials and additives based on proprietary patented nanotechnologies. These innovations, pivotal in the realm of multi-functional special coatings and polymers, enhance material properties while reducing the environmental carbon footprint. By aligning with global sustainability goals, Azra Tech plays a crucial role in the decarbonization efforts within industrial sectors, driving innovation, sustainability, and performance excellence to foster a more responsible and efficient future.

In the maritime industry, the ultra-low friction hull coating solution aligns seamlessly with IMO requirements, including EEXI and CII standards. It stands out for its environmentally friendly composition, devoid of biocides and silicon oil. With its enduring protection and reliable performance, this system not only ensures prolonged effectiveness but also delivers exceptional fuel efficiency, contributing significantly to sustainable practices in the marine sector.

About Blue Race (bluerace.ch)

Blue Race Sarl, as the Swiss affiliate of Azra Tech Inc, is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the performance of vessels following the application of the ultra-smooth hull coating solution. Shipowners and charterers stand to gain from the Blue Race guarantee, which promises a minimum of 3% fuel savings during each dry dock cycle. This commitment underscores the Group dedication to delivering tangible benefits and maximizing efficiency for maritime operators.

About Green Navis Quest (greennavis.com)

Green Navis is an innovative company founded in 2022 by the Moundreas family, acting as the representative of Azra Tech. Emerging from one of Greece's oldest shipping companies, George Moundreas Co. S.A., Green Navis was established to address the urgent need for green solutions within the maritime industry. The company's mission focuses on integrating green technologies that enhance the sustainability of vessels.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250822716169/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Azra Tech Communications

Email: media@azratech.us

[+ 1 646 871 7617]
On August 24, 1814, British forces launched one of the most dramatic assaults on the United States by capturing Washington, DC. They set fire to the Capitol and the White House, among other important buildings

An illustration of the burning of Washington, DC, from the 1816 book, The History of England, from the Earliest Periods, Volume 1. Wikimedia Commons

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

On this day in 1814, British forces launched one of the most dramatic assaults on the United States by capturing and burning Washington, DC, during the War of 1812. This was the only time in US history that the nations capital was occupied and set ablaze by a foreign power.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Here is all that happened on this day.

British forces burned Washington, DC

One of the only times that the capital of the United States - Washington, DC- was captured and burned by foreign forces was on August 24, 1814. During the War of 1812, British forces set fire to the US capitals most important government buildings, including the White House and the Capitol Building.

The conflict began two years earlier, as a result of maritime disputes, trade restrictions, and American resentment of British impressment of sailors. By mid-1814, with Napoleon defeated in Europe, Britain redirected more troops and resources to North America, aiming to cripple US morale.

After routing American forces at the Battle of Bladensburg, British troops under Major General Robert Ross marched into Washington virtually unopposed. President James Madison, his Cabinet, and First Lady Dolley Madison fled the city.

A sketch of the capture and burning of Washington by the British in 1814. Wikimedia Commons

Upon entering the city, the British troops systematically torched public structures. First Lady Dolley Madison famously risked her life to save important state papers and Gilbert Stuarts famous full-length portrait of George Washington before escaping. The destruction was extensive, but the British focused solely on government property, leaving private homes and businesses largely untouched.

The British occupation lasted only about 26 hours. A severe thunderstorm, possibly a tornado, swept through the city on August 25, dousing the flames and causing further chaos for the British forces. This unexpected turn of events, combined with the fact that their orders were not to occupy the city, prompted their swift withdrawal.

Nato came into existence

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) was formally established as a collective defence alliance. Although it was signed earlier on April 4, in Washington, DC, the treaty officially came into force on this date after ratification by member states.

The treaty was a direct response to the escalating tensions of the Cold War. In the years following World War II, the Soviet Union had consolidated its control over Eastern Europe and was seen as a growing military threat to Western European democracies.

A view of the meeting room at the start of a Nato defence ministers meeting on June 12, 1997 at the Nato headquarters in Brussels. File image/Reuters

The twelve founding members, namely the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Portugal, pledged to defend one another in case of external aggression. At its heart lay Article 5, a revolutionary clause that declared an attack on one member to be an attack on all, ensuring a united military response to threats, particularly from the Soviet Union.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Over the decades, Nato expansion and adaptation led to the admission of new members and taking on missions beyond its original mandate, including crisis management, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism. Its role became especially significant after the 9/11 attacks, when Article 5 was invoked for the first time to support the United States.

Today, Nato stands as the worlds most powerful military alliance, encompassing 31 nations, including recent entrants like Finland. The organisation continues to evolve in the face of new global challenges, from cyber warfare to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

This Day, That Year

In 2011, Steve Jobs resigned as the CEO of Apple over health issues.

Pluto was demoted from planet to dwarf planet in 2006.

American aviator Amelia Earhart became the first woman to complete a solo nonstop flight across the United States in 1932.
Last week, there was hope that the Ukraine war would pause, if not end. Donald Trump was quick to declare peace, but Russia is not in the mood to listen. Vladimir Putin has demands of his own, and clearly, the US presidents plans have been foiled. We talk about the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict and more in our weekly roundup

A service member of of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fires a 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops near a front line. Peace seems elusive as Russia's Vladimir Putin outlines a plan that involves the surrender of Donbas and no Nato membership for Ukraine. File photo/Reuters

Its been a week of big meetings involving some of the most powerful people in the world. Last weekend (August 15), we saw the much-hyped summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. There was no concrete deal, but Trump said the two leaders made great progress.

Days later, on Monday, the White House was the venue for an important multilateral. Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Washington, DC, along with an influential entourage of European leaders  the UK PM Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian President Giorgia Meloni, among others.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Wonder what came out of it? There was a promise of a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting and a trilateral between Trump and the two leaders, and the US president also hinted at security guarantees. But now, less than a week later, the peace talks appear to have stalled, with the US president signalling to Ukraine to attack Russia.

Moscow, meanwhile, has been busy forging ties with India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was in the Russian capital, where he met his counterpart Sergey Lavrov and President Putin. As the Indian minister headed to Russia, Chinas Wang Yi was in India. All this, amid Trumps constant tariff threats.

In West Asia, the Gaza war only seems to be intensifying. Israel has approved a ground offensive in Gaza City despite domestic opposition and international condemnation. Its defence minister has threatened to destroy the city if Hamas refuses to disarm and release all hostages. Meanwhile, the UN has declared a famine there.

We talk about all these big developments and more in our weekly wrap of news from across the globe.

1. After the Alaska summit came the big White House meeting. This time, Ukraines Zelenskyy was not alone. Accompanying him were some of the most influential leaders in Europe. So what happened when Donald Trump met Zelenskyy in the Oval Office months after the spat? Well, his suit came up for discussion once again. But was there any breakthrough in the Russia-Ukraine war? Not really. However, Trump promised a meeting between the leaders of the two warring nations. Here are the highlights of that day.

2. Donbas. That was what Putin wants in exchange for stopping the Ukraine war. Some senior officials said that he would provide a written promise not to attack again if this demand was met. But why does the Russian leader have his eyes set on this industrial region? We explain.

A serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launches a drone with a grenade attached to it, to fly it over the positions of Russian troops, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, at a frontline in the Donbas region, Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly insisting that Ukraine cede the entire eastern Donbas region if it wants the war to end. File photo/Reuters

3. Not a ceasefire, but Trump was putting his weight behind a peace plan for Ukraine. However, after Russias biggest strikes on the country in weeks on Thursday (August 21), Trump seemed to suggest that Ukraine should hit back. It would be impossible to win the war without attacking Moscow, he indicated. Does peace stand a chance then?

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

4. Yet Donald Trump has been wanting the Peace Nobel. He boasts of having ended six wars, including the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. But is there any truth to his claim? We check the facts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from right, President Donald Trump, Frances President Emmanuel Macron and Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni walk through the Cross Hall of the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. The gathering marked a historic moment, as it was the first time in decades that allies met at the White House for such a pressing issue  to end the war in Ukraine. AP

5. Talking of wars, the one in Gaza continues to rage on. The Israeli Cabinet has approved plans for a massive assault on Gaza City. But sustaining a conflict for close to two years comes with challenges of its own. With 60,000 reservists called up and 20,000 more extended, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) faces mounting fatigue, declining morale, and manpower shortages. How long can it carry on?

Israeli soldiers stand on top of an Israeli armoured personnel carrier, on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza, on August 20. Reuters

6. In the US, Indian truck driver Harjinder Singh grabbed headlines after he took an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, killing three. Now, the US has stopped issuing visas for all truckers. But what really pushed the Trump administration to take such a drastic decision?

Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers.



The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.  Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) August 21, 2025

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

7. Its a bizarre security protocol, one that has piqued the interest of many. Putins bodyguards reportedly carried a poop suitcase to Alaska during the recent visit. Turns out, they collect the presidents faecal waste during foreign visits. Its a practice that is said to date back to 1999. But whats the purpose?

8. This story is about a heist in Dubai. A gang of Asian robbers posed as wealthy buyers and stole a rare $25 million pink diamond. However, the police swung into action and recovered it a few hours later. Heres how it all unfolded.

The rare pink diamond weighed 21.25 carats. Image courtesy: Dubai Police

Thats our reading list for this week. From serious geopolitical news to the odd headlines, we have everything covered. If you like what you read, bookmark this page. Have a good Sunday.
India is all set to create a pool of astronauts to take part in the future human flight mission. The pool would not be restricted to only Air Force personnel and would also include women astronauts.

India is all set to create a pool of astronauts to take part in the future human flight mission. Officials from the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO) told the Indian Express that the pool would not be restricted to only Air Force personnel and would also include women astronauts. The remarks from Isro officials came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted at the same endeavour in his address on the National Space Day.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Prime Minister maintained that India is preparing to set up a pool of astronauts for future missions and urged the youth to be part of this group.

It has been decided that the astronaut pool will not be restricted to the Air Force alone. It will have people from all walks of life. Globally, if you see, its not just researchers but also entrepreneurs who are travelling to space. The decision to include women in the growing astronaut pool has also been taken, a senior ISRO official told the Indian Express on the condition of anonymity.

Experience was required for the first mission

It is pertinent to note that the initial Gaganyaan flights include four Indian Air Force test pilots  Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Nair, Angad Pratap and Ajith Krishnan  who received astronaut training in Russia and India.

The first batch of astronauts had to be selected from the Air Force because we needed very experienced pilots. For the initial flights, the vehicle is still under development and testing, the ISRO official told the Indian Express.

The initiative is seen as a step towards realising the promise made by PM Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort in 2018, when he announced the countrys first human spaceflight mission. An Indian boy or girl will unfurl the Tricolour in space, the Prime Minister had said in his Independence Day speech.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

While delivering a video address to the nation on Saturday, the Prime Minister lauded Group Captain Shubhanshu and encouraged youth to take part in Space Exploration.

In my conversation with Group Captain Shubhanshu, I saw the boundless courage and infinite dreams of the youth of New Bharat. To take these dreams forward, we are also preparing an astronaut pool for Bharat. On this Space Day, I invite my young friends to join this astronaut pool and give wings to the dreams of Bharat," the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, during interaction with Shukla after his return from the United States, the Prime Minister said India should have a ready pool of 40-50 astronauts. As per the current roadmap of Isro, India aims to send its own astronauts to space with its Gaganyaan mission by 2027. This includes the formation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and sending a manned mission to the Moon by 2040.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

So far, the government has approved eight flights under the Gaganyaan mission, two crewed and six uncrewed. One of the six uncrewed missions will also carry the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

We have already reached the Moon and Mars. Now we must delve deeper into those regions of space where many vital mysteries for the future of humanity are concealed. Beyond galaxies lies our horizon, the Prime Minister said in his address.

In his speech, the prime minister also mentioned increasing the countrys launch frequency with the help of private players. At present, we witness about five to six major launches annually from Indian soil. I would like the private sector to take the lead so that in the next five years, we reach a stage where we launch 50 rockets every year. One every week, the PM said.
Amartya Sens battle is less about principles and more about his deep-seated dislike for Naya Bharat in general and Narendra Modi in particular

If democracy has to be defended, it demands consistency  something conspicuously missing in Sen and his followers. Image: PTI

The year was 2013. Narendra Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, had emerged as the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) prime ministerial candidate. Within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), murmurs of discomfort were growing louder in certain quarters. In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a long-time ally of the BJP, viewed Modis rise as a direct threat to his own prime ministerial ambitions.

It was during this turbulent time that N K Singh, an influential bureaucrat-turned-politician, hosted a high-profile dinner in Cambridge. Among the distinguished guests was Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. According to Sankarshan Thakurs book Single Man: The Life and Times of Nitish Kumar of Bihar, Singh posed a pointed question to Sen:

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

What, Sir, do you think are the options before Nitish Kumar?

Sens response was sharp and layered with meaning: Nitish Kumar has several options, but only one honourable one.

The honourable option was for Nitish to break away from Modi and the BJP. Within days, the Janata Dal (United) severed its 17-year-old alliance with the BJP  a move that reshaped Bihars political dynamics and the NDAs future.

Over the years, much has changed in Bharats politics. Nitish Kumar has shifted political sides multiple times, eventually returning to Modis fold. But Amartya Sens revulsion for Modi and his brand of politics remains strong.

Fast forward to August 2025. Amartya Sen has once again stirred the political discourse, this time over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In his latest remarks, Sen has accused the Modi government of risking the disenfranchisement of poor and marginalised communities by allegedly imposing strict documentation requirements and rushing the revision process. He has warned that Bharats democratic fabric could weaken if such exercises were handled hurriedly and insensitively.

However, this criticism is deeply contested. SIR isnt a new initiative, after all. Periodic revisions of electoral rolls have been part of the countrys democratic process for decades. Even the claim that this particular exercise was rushed to influence the Bihar elections doesnt hold up under scrutiny. In fact, in the last such exercise over two decades ago, electoral roll revisions were completed in a shorter timeline than the current one  and that too at a time when the country had far fewer technological and logistical capabilities. With modern digital infrastructure, the process is arguably faster, cleaner, and more robust than ever before.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The fact is that SIR is an electoral process that every democracy worth its salt pursues periodically. It strengthens the countrys democratic process by ensuring that only genuine voters are on the rolls. In an era where concerns about fraudulent registrations are rising, cleaning up voter lists is both responsible and necessary.

By opposing SIR outright, Sen risks aligning himself with forces seeking to delegitimise Bharats democratic institutions.

To understand Sens position on SIR, one must examine his larger ideological lens. For decades, Sen has been among the most vocal critics of Narendra Modi and his vision of governance. This worldview influences his interpretation of political events  every issue becomes a battleground in the anti-Modi struggle.

Amartya Sens anti-Modism has become an ideology in itself. Everything else is moulded to suit this worldview. This explains why, in 2014, he flew from Boston to New York, New York to New Delhi, and New Delhi to Calcutta and took a car to [his] village to vote against Mr Modis BJP candidates, as he confessed in an interview in 2017. This candid admission reveals that Sens stance on SIR isnt an isolated incident  its consistent with a long-standing political bias.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Take his oft-repeated argument on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections: He questioned Modis prime ministerial legitimacy because 69 per cent of Indians didnt vote for him. What he mischievously ignored was that if Modi received 31 per cent votes, it didnt necessarily mean the remaining 69 per cent people were against him. Even if one accepts this argument, it only exposes the hypocrisy and double standards of Sen and other such intellectuals. After all, such statistical arguments were never invoked in the past. Not when Jawaharlal Nehru, in the first Lok Sabha elections in 1952, saw more than 55 per cent people opposing him. (The Congress, in the 1952 general elections, got 44.99 per cent votes.) Similarly, at the height of her popularity in 1971, Indira Gandhi received only 43.68 per cent votes.

Yet Sen and his peers  Kaushik Basu, Ashutosh Varshney, and Raghuram Rajan, among others  never invoked such statistical arguments before 2014. This selective use of data fuels accusations of hypocrisy and double standards.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

There is a clear pattern in the shifting positions of Sen and his ilk: From questioning the legitimacy of the first-past-the-post electoral system to questioning the electoral system itself.

In the past decade, if there is one consistent trend in Bharatiya politics, its that the Modi-led BJP has been further entrenching its hold over the masses: The BJPs vote share rose from 31 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to 36.56 per cent in 2024. As an alliance, the NDAs share grew from 38.5 per cent to 42.5 per cent in the same period.

There is another reason for Sens overwhelming rage against Bharat: the growing Hindu-ness of the masses, their newfound confidence, and pride in Sanatana heritage. He had always imagined Bharat as a divided house, bickering endlessly. In an interview with The New Yorker on October 6, 2019, Sen said, India is a country of more than a billion people. Two hundred million of them are Muslim. Two hundred million of them are Dalit, or what used to be called untouchables. A hundred million are what used to be called scheduled tribes, and they get the worst deal in India, even worse than the Dalits. Then there is quite a large proportion of the Hindu population that is sceptical.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Sen and his ideological comrades simply cannot accept the reality of Naya Bharat. In their rage and desperation, they seem to be giving up on the prospect of change from within. There is a growing clamour for Bangladesh-like regime change in certain quarters. Sen may not have publicly advocated this, but his ideological brethren have no qualms discussing it in hushed voices.

Anyone who has visited Bihar, Bengal, and Assam, especially, would easily discern this outside element in the electoral system: The presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The SIR exercise seeks to remove them from the voter list.

Sens opposition to SIR, thus, wittingly or otherwise, may help in subverting the established democratic mechanism to implant a democracy of his ideological choice  a democracy where the will of the people remains subservient to the will of the intellectual elite.

One of the strongest criticisms levelled against Amartya Sen is his selective outrage. While he spares no effort in criticising Bharats electoral practices, he remains largely silent on similar  and harsher  policies in the United States, his adopted home. For example, US states regularly purge voter rolls, introduce strict ID laws, and restrict voting rights  often disproportionately affecting minorities. Yet, Sens interventions on such matters have been limited, if not entirely absent.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He remains silent on how the US administration has deported illegal immigrants, including Indians, with handcuffs and other humiliations. His liberal conscience isnt perturbed by the Trump governments ongoing war against academia, waged in the name of fighting wokeism. His stance of loudly lecturing the country of his birth while staying conspicuously silent on the excesses of the country where he chooses to reside is both opportunistic and hypocritical.

In the end, its obvious that Amartya Sens battle  and also that of his so-called liberal comrades  is less about principles and more about their deep-seated dislike for Naya Bharat in general and Modi in particular.

If democracy has to be defended, it demands consistency  something conspicuously missing in Sen and his followers. The man who once advised Nitish Kumar on choosing the honourable path now faces accusations of choosing a dishonourable one himself  disowning and dismissing the will of Bharats people in favour of a narrow ideological and opportunistic worldview.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Not at all a good idea, SIR jee!

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Recent weeks have seen tragedy strike multiple Himalayan villages. On August 5, Dharali in Uttarakhand was hit by a cloudburst. On the 14th, it was Chasoti in Jammu & Kashmirs Kishtwar that was struck. In both places, people, houses, commercial establishments, temples and orchards vanished within minutes.

With an economy heavily dependent on pilgrim and tourist traffic, Uttarakhand has long witnessed a debate between development and environment preservation. Large scale construction activity in the sensitive Himalayan state is causing land subsidence. Towns such as Jyotirmath (formerly Joshimath) have become almost uninhabitable. And the same fear now looms over the temple town of Bageshwar. Here, unregulated mining  involving unsafe excavation practices and dumping of debris into drainage channels  has made the place vulnerable to rockfalls and landslides. In a zone that is among the countrys most prone to earthquakes, this is a disaster in the making.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Bageshwar is not just another Himalayan town. Lying at the confluence of the Gomti and Saryu Rivers, it is home to the ancient Baghnath Temple, dedicated to Shiva. Legend has it that Rishi Markandeya did penance to Shiva at this spot, and the Lord appeared to him in the form of a tiger, giving the Baghnath shrine its name. The temples name passed on to the town.

Inside view of the Baghnath Temple

Inscriptions found at the site attributed the current temple structure to the Chand dynasty ruler Laxmi Chand, who built it in 1450 CE, though earlier shrines are believed to have existed here since the Katyuri period (8th12th century). The Gurkhas were the next to arrive, their invasion in 1791 seeing them take control. But that proved short-lived and the British took charge. The region we now know as Kumaon began to take administrative shape. Development was slow  a dispensary came up in 1906, a post office in 1909 and a public school in 1926. Bageshwar gradually became a major hub for trade between India and Tibet, but the 1962 war with China brought that to an end. In 1997, it became an independent district.

The Baghnath Temple complex is today the focal point of Bageshwar town. As in most parts of India, the town has witnessed unplanned growth and buildings seem to dot the valley and are mushrooming on the hills around. The temple is accessed via lanes that seem increasingly narrow. The complex in which the Baghnath shrine lies is itself tranquil, a sanctuary of peace amidst the rush of vehicles on the approach roads and the unceasing construction activity.

The temple is made of locally sourced stone and dominates the complex by its size. There are several smaller shrines around, additions over the centuries by rulers eager to cement their own credibility. These include shrines to Bhairava, Dattatreya, Ganga and more. Both within the main temple and spread around the complex are various free-standing icons of deities, most of which have become shrines, despite being in the open. Some of these have been dated to the Katyuri period, making them older than the main temple. Among these are icons of Ganesha, the Trimurti and Vishnu.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Two Ganeshas flank the entrance to the main Baghnath shrine, one of them curiously defaced. Facing the shrines entrance are two Nandis, one each in black and white stone. The Baghnath Temple is typical of Kumaons shrines, lofty and somewhat plain in terms of embellishment. While the inner sanctum holds a Shiva linga, several other icons are also placed in the mandapa. The number of somewhat random icons found in the complex indicates that some of these may have been brought here from other shrines that were perhaps destroyed or damaged by the elements.

A Ganesha flanking the entrance of the Baghnath Temple

Baghnath witnesses a surge of the faithful on festive occasions, such as Diwali and Maha Shivaratri. On the latter occasion, there is an all-night Puja. And like most temples in areas dominated by an agricultural community, Makar Sankranti is even more special. At this time, Bageshwar hosts an annual Uttarayani Mela on the riverbanks close to the temple. Devotees bathe in the icy cold river water at dawn, and then enter the temple to offer water to the Shiva Linga. Many observe this ritual for three consecutive daysa practice called Trimaghi. As one moves away from Baghnath to visit other shrines in the vicinity, one is reminded that this place finds mention in the Skanda Purana, as one of the ultimate places that liberate a soul from the cycle of birth and death. Perhaps the Trimaghi is a step towards that liberation. Baghnaths spirituality has also found space in socio-religious-political events of the region.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

To understand the extent of this, one needs to go back to 1913, when the British made the practice of Coolie Begar mandatory in the Kumaon. Essentially, this involved the locals giving free coolie service to transport the baggage of British officials travelling to and from the hilly region. Collusion between landlords, village heads and patwaris made it an exploitative practice. Locals forced to serve the British often had to perform the most menial tasks. Resentment grew.

On January 14th, 1921  during the Uttarayani Mela - Hargovind Pant, Lala Chiranjilal and Badri Datt Pandey, defied an order by the District Magistrate and led a huge crowd of forty thousand in a non-violent protest against the practice of Coolie Begar. The ceremonial beginning of this movement was by offering prayer at the Baghnath Temple. Next up came an oath-taking on the waters of the Saryu, where everyone present pledged to never be part of this practice again.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Finally, a group of village heads brought a set of their own record registers where details of various people used as coolies were kept and threw these into the confluence of the rivers. The importance of Baghnath and Bageshwar is thus of a conscience keeper of the hills. One hopes that the development of the town does not lead to the destruction of this sanctuary in the hills.

The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The framed photo, being gifted by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is actually from a Chinese military exercise in 2017 and not the Pakistani Army in action. Image: X

As if no lessons were learnt by Pakistan in the wake of Operation Sindoor, there is no let-up in the military buildup and war hysteria. In the latest, Pakistan is believed to be considering a new force in the military to oversee missile combat capabilities in a conventional conflict, obviously a move to match India. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced (August 13) the creation of the Army Rocket Force at a ceremony in Islamabad to commemorate the worst conflict in decades with India in May this year.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

It was held a day ahead of Pakistans 78th Independence Day. It will be equipped with modern technology, Sharif said in a statement from his office, adding that the force will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the combat capability of Pakistans army. A senior security official, however, said that the force would have its own command, which will be dedicated to handling and deployment of missiles in any event of a conventional war. It is more than apparent that it is meant for India. This comes in the aftermath of the terror attack killing 26 civilians in Pahalgam in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which was carried out by The Resistance Front, a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

In another development, Sharif, on August 13, invited all political parties, stakeholders, and civil society to become part of the Charter of Pakistans Stability, stressing the need to cut across political lines, personal interests, and hollow slogans. Addressing the main event on Independence Day and the commemoration of the Marka-i-Haq victory in Islamabad, he said the proposed charter was not merely an economic revival plan but a framework based on broader national interest. He emphasised that the world should see that, despite differences, Pakistanis remained united for the countrys cause. During his speech, Shehbaz claimed that in just four days, Indias arrogance had been shattered, and its future generations would remember the defeat. Such language and tenor from a prime minister are sadly devoid of any civility and decorum and convey an act of military jingoism.

Shehbaz Sharif must know that his Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, is the de facto ruler, and Sharif plus all his cabinet colleagues are merely puppets in the hands of the military under Munir, which is on its own pursuing a military agenda without any approval from the civilian government. He credited Pakistans nuclear capability as a strategic necessity in response to Indias nuclear might. The Pakistani prime minister also expressed gratitude to friendly countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, the UAE, and Iran, for their open support of Pakistans stance during its military conflict with India.

Sharif also thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts toward a ceasefire, hoping for a resolution to the Kashmir dispute in line with UN resolutions. This was yet another provocative statement, especially with regard to Kashmir.

Shehbaz also praised the leadership of Munir and other top military commanders for what he termed a swift and decisive response to Indias provocation. Such open praise conveys that Sharif is clearly under the subservience of the military chief, apprehending a slight nudge which might lead to his exit towards oblivion. He also stated that the military strategy devised under Munir has been widely recognised by both allies and adversaries. Reaffirming and claiming Pakistans strategic position as the worlds seventh and the only Muslim nuclear power, he said the countrys nuclear programme had always been a deterrent and not a symbol of aggression. Interestingly, military contingents from Turkey and Azerbaijan also participated in the celebrations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In another development, Munir has been honoured with a prestigious war medal by visiting Azerbaijans First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, clearly signalling growing military and political ties with Azerbaijan. This is visible due to the common religion, which should ideally not find any place in todays geopolitics. Colonel General Valiyev conferred upon Munir Azerbaijans prestigious Patriotic War Medal for Services in the Field of Military Cooperation, on behalf of President Illham Aliyev, in recognition of his exceptional contributions in Azerbaijan-Pakistan bilateral military cooperation.

General Valiyev commended Pakistans unwavering efforts in combating terrorism and reaffirmed Azerbaijans determination to enhance collaboration in defence and security. Both the leaders held a meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on the prevailing global and regional security landscape. Munir, on his part, reaffirmed Pakistans deep fraternal bonds with Azerbaijan and reiterated the resolve to further consolidate bilateral relations. He also congratulated the visiting dignitary on the successful conclusion of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Munir thanked Azerbaijans leadership and people for standing together with the people of Pakistan during Marka-i-Haq. Both military leaders expressed a shared commitment to advancing defence cooperation and promoting joint efforts for regional peace and stability. It may be recapitulated that in 2023, Munir had visited Azerbaijan, aiming to strengthen military collaboration between the two nations. It may also be stated that Azerbaijan had signed a massive $1.6 billion deal with Pakistan to acquire JF-17 Block III fighter jets, developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Crucially, we see here a robust, defence-centric reinforcing of ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, which calls for a stricter close watch by Indian policymakers.

In the meantime, Pakistani print media has also stepped up its tirade against India, giving vent to its frustration following Pakistans military humiliation post Operation Sindoor. In its editorial, Dawn (a popular English daily) alleges Indias attempts to isolate Pakistan by creating obstructions on Indus waters. Attempts are also afoot, it says, to depict Pakistan as an irresponsible nation where the nuclear issue is concerned.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Dawn further alleges that India, using unverified reports as a peg, has accused Pakistan of nuclear sabre-rattling, while blaming extremists who could compromise Islamabads nuclear decision-making.

Taking into account the media inputs, Pakistans deepening defence deals with Azerbaijan, Sharifs military-linked warlike statements, the announcement to create an exclusive Army Rocket Force and other related developments, it is becoming increasingly clear that Pakistan is embracing military jingoism. This does not augur well at all. It is time Pakistan learns its lessons from the effects of Operation Sindoor and does not escalate any war hysteria.

The writer is a retired IPS officer, adviser NatStrat, Bangladesh watcher and a security analyst. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
KABUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of 120 onion cold storage facilities are under construction across provinces with the financial support of the World Bank in Afghanistan, the local media outlet Tolonews reported Sunday.

According to the report, the facilities are being built in Paktia, Ghazni, Daykundi, Badakhshan, and Kandahar provinces, each with the capacity to store up to 20 tons of onions.

The initiative would help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize market prices, and strengthen food security in rural areas, the report stated, adding that onion farmers in Afghanistan have been calling for the construction of cold storage infrastructures to protect their products from spoilage and to ensure better income opportunities.

Afghanistan, an agricultural country where farming employs a majority of the population, has often faced challenges of inadequate storage and market access. The introduction of cold rooms, supported by international partners, is expected to boost productivity, enhance livelihoods and contribute to the overall improvement of the agricultural sector. 
Even though the wide-ranging India-US relationship will surely stabilise in times to come, it will leave a bitter taste and will indeed make Indian policymakers wiser and smarter

US President Donald Trumps adviser on trade, Peter Navarro, has made some headlines by parroting the illogical and unfounded tariff tirade against India. Instead of advising his boss as to what is right and factual, he has chosen the cheaper option of cementing the lies to justify an irrational act to begin with. This is so true as far as trade and tariff measures, especially the 25 per cent additional tariffs on India effective August 27, are concerned.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

New Delhi has been accused of fuelling and sustaining the Russia-Ukraine war by buying crude in its own national interest. By continuously targeting India in an illegitimate and unilateral manner, the US has shown that it is as unreasonable and unreliable a partner as it has been through most of history.

Opportunism and hypocrisy are the buzzwords under the garb of Make America Great Again (Maga). Bamboozling the world due to the power differential it enjoys smacks of a neo-colonial mindset. But India has fought against colonialism of any kind forever. Indiaa civilisational state with all the right vectors of demography, geography and economy aligning in full forceis not going to buckle under misplaced priorities and pressure.

The internal resilience will ward off such attempts as New Delhi diversifies and refocuses on some of its other important partnerships in Eurasia, Asia and Africa and the Global South, including Latin America, with new and refined mechanisms, instruments and organisations in bilateral and regional formats. There will be temporary shocks and setbacks in the short run, but the lesson learnt, perhaps the hard way, is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Time has come to have your own robust basket.

Even though the wide-ranging India-US relationship will surely stabilise in times to come, it will leave a bitter taste and will indeed make Indian policymakers wiser and smarter. There are many sane voices in the US who understand the significance of the Indian strategic pivot in the global scheme of things, and their wise counsel will hopefully not fall on deaf ears, since so much is at stake going forward for both sides.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Some lamely argue that New Delhi should be pliable, least knowing Indias resilience and pride in its civilisational heritage. Weak in posture and resolve will perish, like in the famous Sholay film dialogue Jo dar gaya so mar gaya.

Seeing President Trumps first term, it should have been no surprise that more of the same will follow where trade and tariffs and sanctions are concerned, being his favourable currency of international discourse. But this time it has been quite obnoxious and totally irrational. The Indian Minister of External Affairs, during his recent visit to Russia for the intergovernmental commission, prior to the summit, expressed his perplexity: I dont want to comment on any person, but let me say we are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil or LNG. The US asked us to stabilise energy markets, including by buying Russian energy. So, we are quite perplexed. Any rational person will find it difficult to read this US illegible script, since facts and stats speak otherwise.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

How would one justify the statement that if the Russia-Ukraine war does not stop, more sanctions on India will follow. This again attests to the utter bankruptcy and passing the buck approach underscored by the ridiculous presumption that India had a causal connection with the Eurasian war while absolving themselves. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been talking to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging them to resolve the conflict on the table through dialogue and diplomacy, while clearly stipulating that This is not an era of war.

This, India is doing not under pressure, but sanity demands that a principled foreign policy ought to help end this infructuous and devastating war for which the West and the actors are fully responsible due to their blind quest for geopolitical games and objectives. PM Modi again spoke to Putin and Zelenskyy, urging them to end the war before and after the Alaska meeting between the Russian and US presidents.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

One may scratch ones head for eternity to find some rationale for this unifocal, blinkered approach of the US towards New Delhi, decimating the efforts of a quarter century to build solid ties between the largest and greatest democracies for global good. The only other rational-irrational explanation is that President Trump may have been miffed and taken it personally, since unlike their terror-sponsoring old-new friend Pakistan, New Delhi simply told the truth that Pakistan is a bilateral issue and a pause in conflict was acceded to upon the request of Islamabad and not under any mediation or pressure.

Truth often hurts. But I guess, knowing the peculiar characteristics of the current US President, the Indian side could have resorted to the old wise dictum Satyam bruyat priyam bruyat, na bruyat satyam apriyam. Some would say that perhaps a better framing and phrasing of our commentary on the issue could have assuaged the ego of the mighty. But there is no guarantee that even that would be any good to turn the truth into a fib and figment of imagination.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

As such, India will be the next Chair of Brics while it is also likely to hold Quad summit this year. Navigating such divergent groups may be difficult, but Indian diplomacy is far too adept in this art for securing its national interest. Back-to-back meetings between EAM Jaishankar with his Chinese and Russian counterparts and PM Modis upcoming visit to Japan and China are a clear indicator that Indias options are not limited.

Hopefully the India-US relationship will be course-corrected given the exceptional significance rather than being subjected to whimsical mood swings, for which the newly announced Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, a close confidante of President Trump, has a role cut out for him.

Many objective analysts hold the view, like Nikki Haley, that scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster. And Beijing will be smiling all the way. Moreover, there is no doubt that despite the tall claims, the US consumers will face the brunt of such a tariff onslaught, but by then it should not be too late.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Since India has been chosen for singular affection by our so-called global Comprehensive Strategic Partners, New Delhi has doubled up its multi-alignment policy to create buffers and shock observers. Increasing interactions with Japan, France, Russia and China at the highest levels is the right thing to do. FTAs with EAEU, GCC, EU and Oman, etc, are being fast-tracked. With China and Russia being far more vocal against US exactitude against India, closer cooperation in the Eurasian landscape could be decisive in which Brics + will become the fulcrum, much to the discomfort of the US and the West. The hard fact remains that the arrogance of power combined with ignorance is self-defeating, even if its a heady mix in the short run. This has its inherent self-destructive triggers.

Meanwhile, India also moves on despite having kept the strategic silence in the public domain. Expeditious self-reliance and creating firewalls against arbitrary actions of friends and foes alike have to be the utmost priority by developing dependable partnerships and reliable supply chains through a multi-pronged strategy and outreach. In fact, the ongoing US saga may as well become a once-in-a-century opportunity and blessing in disguise for India and several other countries. How we capitalise on it will define Indias future trajectory for a Viksit Bharat. Being held to ransom cant be the way out.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The author is the former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and is currently a Distinguished Fellow with Vivekananda International Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Chinese Presidents recent visit to Lhasa to mark sixty years of the Tibet Autonomous Region was high on pomp and showbut the lingering question remains: do Tibetans really have a choice?

On August 20, at noon, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, landed at Lhasa Gongkar Airport. His fourth visit to Tibet was to celebrate sixty years of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

But what is the TAR?

In 1965, a Tibet Autonomous Region was established to administrate Central and Western Tibet. The area corresponded to the former U-Tsang Province and some parts of western Kham. It was a tragedy for the Tibetans because it meant the partition of Tibet.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Traditional, ethnic, linguistic Tibet was composed of three provinces: U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo. Suddenly Tibet was divided into five parts; TAR was one of them, and the remaining parts were amalgamated into the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan.

Tibet was dismembered. It has always been one of the Dalai Lamas demands to reunite the five parts of Tibet into one administrative and political entity.

Further, the autonomy promised in the name itself was never given; for the past 60 years the First Secretary of the TAR Communist Party has not been a Tibetan, but a Han. There are very few ethnic Tibetans in the higher echelons of the Party, as we could see in the videos of Xi Jinpings recent visit.

The Delegation

Xi was accompanied by a large delegation from Beijing.

The Xinhua release observed that Xi was looking at the long-term stability and high-quality development of Tibet in the new era and the construction of a socialist modern Tibet.

Xi was greeted by a cheering crowd when he stepped out of the cabin and waved to the people. Dressed in festive attire, people from different ethnic groups waved red flags and flower bouquets, dancing to joyful rhythms.

It looked more like a North Korea-type reception with everyone clapping in unison. Did the Tibetan crowds have the choice to not participate? Probably not.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

During the following day, the clapping continued wherever Xi went.

During such visits, it is always important to look at the composition of the Central delegation; it is the best way to decipher the visit.

Xi was accompanied by Wang Huning, No 4 in the Party, chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference and member of the Politburos Standing Committee. Wangs colleague, Cai Qi, No 5 in the Party and director of the General Office of the Central Committee, who often accompanies Xi in his tours, was present.

Three other members of the Politburo came to Lhasa: Li Ganjie, head of the United Front Work Department, along with He Lifeng and Zhang Guoqing; also present was the powerful Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Gen Zhang Shengmin, a member of the Central Military Commission who replaced the CMCs strongman Gen Zhang Youxia, who had accompanied Xi in 2021. Why Gen Zhang did not come is probably because Xi and Zhang have lately not seen eye to eye.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

More importantly and hardly noticed was the presence of Hu Chunhua, a former party secretary in Tibet who was at one time Xis heir apparent. After being apparently disgraced, he seems to be back in favour; his eventual return needs to be followed closely. Incidentally, Hu is one of the very few Han leaders who can speak Tibetan.

Apart from Gen Zhang Youxia, Gen Wang Haijiang, who since August 2021 has been commanding the Western Theatre Command opposite India, was missing in action. Earlier Wang had a long career in Tibet. Has he been purged? Everything is possible in China today. Also missing is Lt Gen Wang Kai, the commander of the Tibet Military District; only the TMDs Political Commissar, Lt Gen Yuan Honggang, was seen around.

These absences are intriguing.

The Fourth Visit

It was Xis fourth visit to the Roof of the World.

In June 1998, then deputy secretary of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee, he came to Tibet for the first time to take back a first batch of Tibet Aid cadres in Fujian and bring a second batch.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In 2011, Xi Jinping, then Vice-President, led a delegation from the Central Committee to attend the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the so-called Peaceful Liberation of Tibet. He then said, The ecological protection of Tibet is an important issue, and it is necessary to protect Tibets blue sky.

His next visit was in 2021. From July 21 to 23, the General Secretary was in Tibet to congratulate the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet and visit and comfort the cadres and masses of all ethnic groups in Tibet.

He also visited Nyingchi Prefecture, near the Indian border, where he inspected the ecological environment protection of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and the Nyang River basin. Later, he travelled by train to Lhasa.

The Programme

President Xi met six representative groups: people of ethnic groups and all walks of life living in Lhasa; then cadres who are posted in Tibet; next were judicial workers and police officers, followed by grassroots role models and patriotic members of the religious circles; finally, he had a photo session with military officers ranked colonel and above.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

During all these sessions, Xi looked tired, sometimes haggard (while the other leaders visited the six cities/prefectures outside Lhasa, Xi remained in the capital to rest).

During his meeting with the religious leaders, Xi had a brief encounter (not more than 5 seconds) with Gyaltsen Norbu, the Chinese-selected Panchen Lama. It was the only time that the latter was seen during the visit, which probably means that Norbu will not play an important role in the selection of the next Dalai Lama, as he was not given any prominent role during the visit.

Wang Huning and Cai Qi attended all the meetings.

The Work Report

Xi was invited to listen to the work report of the TAR government.

During his interaction, Xi stressed that Tibet should fully implement the partys strategy of governing Tibet in the new era, adhere to the general tone of steady progress, implement the new development concept in a complete and accurate manner, solidly promote high-quality development, continue to grasp the four major events of stability, development, ecology and strong edge, and strive to build a socialist modern new Tibet that is prosperous, civilised, harmonious and beautiful.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The usual jargon. Do the Tibetans really believe this? It is doubtful, but do they have a choice?

The Chinese President then made a summary of the Partys successes for 60 years: Its economic and social development has achieved remarkable progress, leading to profound changes in the plateau region. It cannot be denied that materially Tibet has changed.

Xi explained Beijings policies: Governing Tibet, ensuring its stability and promoting its prosperity must begin with maintaining political and social stability, ethnic unity and amity among different religions, calling for further advancing the building of a community for the Chinese nation. Stability is a recurrent issue in Xis discourse.

Xi then emphasised the need to guide Tibetan Buddhism in adapting itself to socialist society. He did not use the usual term of sinisation of Tibetan Buddhism, but the result will be the same, erasing all traces of Indian influence on the propagation of Buddhism in Tibet.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He also asserted that Tibet (now called Xizang by the Chinese government) needs to develop competitive plateau industries based on local conditions, with a particular focus on industries of agriculture and animal husbandry with local features, as well as the clean energy sector. This is being done on a large scale, completely changing the landscape of the Roof of the World and, worse, changing the demography of the plateau by bringing lakhs of migrants from China.

Finally, he mentioned the construction of a series of hydropower plants on the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra, which causes deep anxiety in India: Major projects such as the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and the Sichuan-Xizang Railway project in a vigorous, orderly and effective manner.

He spoke of the promotion of ecological conservation: To make coordinated efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development, and pursue economic growth, so as to protect the roof of the world and the water tower of Asia."

It does not make practical sense. One cant destroy and protect the environment at the same time.

The Return of Zhao Zongqi

During the Gala reception in the evening, India was in for a surprise: Gen Zhao Zongqi, the artisan of the Doklam confrontation (2017) and the Eastern Ladakh Chinese intrusions in 2020, was posturing, seated in full uniform in the row behind the top leader. Gen Zhao retired in December 2020 as Commander of the Western Theatre Command after spending two decades posted in Tibet; after taking command of this sensitive area facing India, he created havoc in the Sino-Indian relations by trying to occupy five places in Ladakh. So, why was he invited?

Probably to show India that the border issue is far from being settled, despite the recent meeting of the Special Representatives in Delhi.

This visit (the shortest of Xis four visits) is ominous for the Tibetans as well; gaining any type of autonomy in the present circumstances is utopian.

And the question remains: are the Tibetans allowed to not clap?

The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Pentagon is drawing up plans to deploy troops in Chicago as President Donald Trump moves to crack down on crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration, a step officials say could be extended to other US cities, says report.

Protesters, police, and National Guard troops congregate at the entrance to Union Station in Washington. AP

The US defence headquarters, Pentagon, is preparing plans to deploy the military in Democratic-run Chicago as President Donald Trump pushes for a crackdown on crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration  a model officials say could later be applied to other major cities, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.

The plan, which has been under discussion for weeks, includes several options such as sending in a few thousand National Guard troops as early as September to Americas third most populous city, the report said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

If approved by the Defence Department, Chicago could see a repeat of Junes operation in Los Angeles, when the Trump administration deployed 4,000 California National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines despite objections from state and local leaders.

Asked about the matter, the Pentagon said on Saturday, We wont speculate on further operations. The department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel, according to Reuters.

Trump on Friday defended the deployment of 2,200 National Guard members in Washington DC, calling it an overdue step to fight crime, and signalled Chicago could be next. Chicagos a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent. And well straighten that one out probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough, he said.

Officials familiar with the matter said military intervention in Chicago had been under consideration for some time and could align with a broader crackdown by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting undocumented migrants.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said the state had received no communication from the Trump administration and insisted there was no emergency requiring National Guard or military deployment.

Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families, Pritzker said in a statement.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Dhaka, where Bangladesh raised long-pending issues from the 1971 Liberation War, alongside talks on trade and energy. The visit marks the highest-level Pakistan engagement with Bangladesh since 2012.

Bangladesh on Sunday raised long-pending issues including an apology for the 1971 Liberation War, during talks with visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the most senior Islamabad leader to travel to Dhaka since 2012.

Dar, who is also deputy prime minister, arrived on Saturday for a two-day visit to rebuilding ties in the wake of former prime minister Sheikh Hasinas ouster last year. He met Bangladeshs interim Foreign Adviser M Touhid Hossain for discussions that covered historical disputes as well as trade and investment opportunities.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

We have raised unresolved issues such as an apology or expression of regret for 1971, claims over assets and the matter of stranded Pakistani citizens, Hossain told reporters. He added that both countries have presented their respective positions, cautioning that problems of five decades could not be resolved in a single day.

Dar, however, maintained that the 1971 questions had already been addressed, first in the 1974 tripartite talks with India, and later during former president Pervez Musharrafs visit to Dhaka when he spoke openly about the genocide.

During the meeting, the two sides signed one agreement and five memorandums of understanding (MoUs). Hossain said Dhaka sought greater access to Pakistani markets under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), including in textiles, energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and IT, while Islamabad discussed the prospect of exporting energy to Bangladesh.

The visit comes after years of strained relations under Hasinas Awami League government, which pushed for trials of collaborators of Pakistani forces during the 1971 war. Ties began to thaw after Hasina was toppled by a student-led movement in August 2024, paving the way for interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus to recalibrate Dhakas foreign policy as relations with India turned frosty.

Dar also met leaders of opposition and Islamist parties in Dhaka, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). Leaders of Jamaat and the NCP stressed that Pakistan must address outstanding 1971 issues for ties to move forward.

Hina Rabbani Khar was the last Pakistani foreign minister to visit Dhaka, in November 2012.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With inputs from agencies
Germany should look beyond a trade deal between the United States and the European Union that slaps 15% tariffs on EU goods by finding new trade partners in coming years, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday urged Germany to seek new trade partners outside the framework of the recently agreed U.S.-EU deal, which imposes a 15% tariff on European goods.

Speaking at the governments Open Day in Berlin, Merz questioned how global trade should proceed if the United States were unwilling to adhere to World Trade Organisation rules.

We should search for partners in the world that share our thinking, added Merz , leader of the conservative CDU party whose approval rating stands at 25%  level with Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD)  according to an INSA poll published by newspaper Bild this weekend.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The July 28 trade framework was negotiated between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. While Merz said Germany still needed strong economic ties with Washington, he suggested fresh opportunities could emerge in South America, Asia and Africa. We must consistently pursue that path, he added.

Merz also said basic questions regarding social security systems needed to be addressed by the end of the year, arguing that the government must rein in welfare spending on employment, pension and health benefits.

We have to make our social security systems fit for the future, he said.

With inputs from agencies
Talks between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US defence major General Electric (GE) Aerospace to co-produce fighter jet engines in India for the Tejas Mk2 are set to begin soon, says report.

HAL-GE talks to start soon for making fighter jet engines in India for Tejas Mk2: Report. PTI

Two years after Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US defence giant General Electric (GE) Aerospace signed an agreement, the two sides are now set to begin commercial negotiations to manufacture fighter jet engines in India for the Tejas Mk2, The Indian Express reported.

The report also said that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has finalised French company Safran to partner with Bengaluru-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment for manufacturing an advanced jet engine in India. This engine will power the countrys indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Officials cited in the report said the aim is to complete discussions on the HAL-GE deal within three months and finalise the agreement to co-produce F414 engines, which are designed for the Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 jets of the Indian Air Force.

GE Aerospace had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HAL in June 2023 for the production of fighter jet engines. The pact was first announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US.

The final deal was expected soon after clearances from the US Congress and the conclusion of commercial terms. While Congress approved the engine deal in August 2023, negotiations have continued over the past two years.

Officials said GE Aerospace has agreed to transfer 80 per cent of the engine technology to India after years of negotiations since 2012, but certain critical components remain excluded from the transfer.

The main parts of a jet engine are the compressor, combustion chamber and turbine.

Back in 2012, GE Aerospace had offered to transfer only 58 per cent of the technology. Under the current 80 per cent transfer, the company is offering 12 key technologies. These include special coatings against corrosion, erosion and heat, as well as machining and coating for single-crystal turbine blades, nozzle guide vanes and other hot-end parts, along with blisk machining.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Despite some limitations, officials said commercial talks remain on track and the deal is likely to be finalised within the next three months, before the end of the year.
Hegseth has dismissed Defence Intelligence Agency chief Lt Gen Jeffery Kruse in a major Pentagon shake-up, following a clash with the White House over an assessment of strikes on Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the first service of the CREC in Washington. AP

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed the head of Americas Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in what US media described as a major shake-up at the Pentagon. Lt Gen Jeffery Kruse, who had been leading the DIA, was removed just weeks after a row with the White House over a leaked assessment of US strikes on Iran. Reports say two other senior commanders have also been pushed out.

The Pentagon has not offered an official reason for Kruses removal. However, it follows President Donald Trumps sharp criticism of a DIA assessment which claimed that the strikes on Iran had only set back its nuclear programme by a few months.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The White House called the assessment flat out wrong, while Trump insisted Irans nuclear facilities had been completely destroyed and described the criticism as an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history.

At the Nato summit in June, Hegseth himself attacked the report, calling it low intelligence, and confirmed that the FBI was investigating the leak.

According to Reuters, Hegseth has also removed the chief of the US Naval Reserves and the commander of Naval Special Warfare Command. The Washington Post was the first to report Kruses dismissal.

The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), a branch of the Pentagon, is tasked with gathering and analysing military intelligence to support US operations worldwide. Unlike the CIA, it focuses mainly on technical and battlefield intelligence.

Critics warn of loyalty test'

US Senator Mark Warner said Kruses ousting showed that Trump had a dangerous habit of treating intelligence as a loyalty test rather than a safeguard for our country.

The move is part of a broader pattern. Trump has previously targeted officials whose findings contradicted his claims. In July, he demanded the immediate sacking of Labour Statistics commissioner Erika McEntarfer after jobs data pointed to slowing growth. And in April, he removed General Timothy Haugh as head of the National Security Agency, along with several senior staff from the National Security Council.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted Houthi military sites in Sanaa, including areas near the presidential palace, two power plants and a fuel storage facility,

Israeli air raids have struck Yemens capital Sanaa, killing at least two people and wounding dozens more, according to the Iran-aligned Houthi group.

The Houthis health ministry said on Sunday (August 24) that two martyrs and 35 wounded were reported after the strikes. AFP images from the city showed a massive fireball lighting up the night sky, followed by thick columns of black smoke.

A Houthi security source told AFP that a municipal building in central Sanaa was among the targets. The Israeli aggression targeted an oil company station on Al-Sittine Street with several strikes, as well as a power station in the south of the capital that was also hit last Sunday, the Houthis Al-Masirah TV reported.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted Houthi military sites in Sanaa, including areas near the presidential palace, two power plants and a fuel storage facility. It said the raids came in response to repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel.

Escalation of attacks

On Friday, Israeli authorities said a missile fired by the Houthis most likely fragmented in mid-air. Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, the Houthis have regularly launched drones and missiles at Israel, describing their attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians.

While most projectiles have been intercepted, the launches have triggered repeated Israeli strikes inside Yemen. Earlier this month, Israel said it had hit an energy facility in Sanaas Haziz district, causing significant damage. The same power station was among the sites targeted again on Sunday.

Regional tensions

The Houthis have also expanded their campaign to maritime attacks, targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden they claim are linked to Israel. Since January 2024, ships tied to the United States and Britain have also been struck, after Washington and London began military operations to secure the key waterway.

Although the Houthis reached a ceasefire deal with the United States in May, ending weeks of intense US bombing, they pledged to continue striking Israeli ships. Israels defence minister, Israel Katz, warned earlier this month that the Houthis would pay with compound interest for every attempt to fire at Israel.

With inputs from AFP
India Post will suspend all parcel services to the United States from August 25, citing new American customs duty rules that end duty-free exemptions on most shipments.

India Post on Saturday announced it will suspend all parcel services to the United States from August 25, joining several European postal operators in halting shipments amid uncertainty over new American customs duty rules.

The Department of Posts said it will stop accepting most consignments to the US from August 25, following changes to US duty regulations that take effect later this month.

Under a US order issued on July 30, the duty-free exemption for goods worth up to USD 800 has been withdrawn. Starting August 29, all postal items bound for the USregardless of their valuewill attract customs duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Only gift items valued up to USD 100 will remain exempt.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The order further states that only international carriers and other qualified parties authorised by US Customs can collect and remit duties on postal shipments. However, with no clear process yet for approving such parties, airlines have said they will be unable to carry US-bound postal parcels after August 25.

As a result, India Post will suspend the booking of all items to the US from that date, except letters, documents and gifts worth up to USD 100. Customers who have already booked parcels that cannot be dispatched will be eligible for postage refunds.

The Department of Posts deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to customers and assures that all possible measures are being undertaken to resume full services to the USA at the earliest, the postal service said in a statement.

India is not alone in halting shipments. Postal operators in Scandinavia, Austria, France and Belgium have also paused US-bound parcel services ahead of the rule change, Reuters reported.

Deutsche Post DHL said its German parcel division will stop accepting standard shipments to the US from August 25, though its premium DHL Express service will continue. Private customers will still be able to send gifts worth up to USD 100, but these consignments will face tighter checks to prevent misuse.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The new US rules come as part of sweeping trade measures introduced by Donald Trump in his second term. Alongside these, Washington has also imposed retaliatory tariffs on several countries, including India. Earlier this month, the Trump administration doubled tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent, citing New Delhis continued imports of Russian crude oil.
Indias Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar said New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from wherever it gets the best deal and take steps to protect its national interest, calling US tariffs on Indian goods unfair and unjustified.

Indias Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar said that India will continue buying oil from wherever it gets the best deal and take measures to protect its national interest amid US tariffs.

In an interview with TASS on Sunday, Kumar addressed the US decision to increase tariffs on Indian imports by 25 per cent, totalling 50 per cent, due to New Delhis purchase of Russian oil, calling the move unfair, unreasonable and unjustified.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He emphasised that Indias energy policy aims to secure reliable supplies for its citizens and that its cooperation with Russia and other countries has contributed to global oil market stability.

First of all, we have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of 1.4 billion people of India and Indias cooperation with Russia as of several other countries has helped to bring about stability in the oil market, global oil market. So the US decision is unfair, unreasonable and unjustified. Now government will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country, the Ambassador said, as quoted by TASS.

And the trade takes place on commercial basis. So if the basis of commercial transaction trade imports are right, Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. So thats what the current situation is, he added.

During the interview with the state news agency TASS, Kumar highlighted that India-Russia trade is driven by mutual interests and market factors and pointed out that other countries, including the US and European nations, also continue trading with Russia.

Our trade is based on market factors and done with the overall object of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. There are other countries, including the US itself and in Europe, trading with Russia, he stated, as quoted by TASS.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

India had earlier slammed US decision to raise duties to over 50 per cent as a penalty for its purchase of Russian oil, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday hitting out at Washington, calling the move unjustified and unreasonable.

Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar said Indias priority was to protect farmers and small producers, stressing that New Delhi would not compromise on their interests.

On the financial front, Ambassador Kumar assured that India and Russia face no problems in payment for oil imports.

India and Russia have a working system of trade settlement in national currencies. There is no problem now in payment for oil imports, Kumar stated, as quoted by TASS.

Beyond energy, India is also keen to expand its exports to Russia, particularly in electronics, automobiles, and construction materials, the ambassador stated during the interview.

He noted that while bilateral trade is growing, Indias exports to Russia remain below potential.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Some of the important areas that we think we need to focus on and improve our exports are textiles and fashion products, construction materials, auto and automobile spare parts and components, also electronics and the entire set of electronics and IT-related products. Also phones. Many of the top manufacturers are also manufacturing in India. We look forward to an increase in those areas also, he said, as quoted by TASS.

Kumar also stressed the need to improve services trade, including financial and digital services.

Indias export to Russia has also grown. But it is still far below what it can be Services are another important part in which we need to do better, including financial and digital services. And, of course, transportation and related infrastructure is yet another area that we need to improve, he added.

The remark made by Kumar came during a time when New Delhi is currently dealing with global economic concerns due to US President Donald Trumps imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods due to its continued purchase of Russian oil.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With inputs from agencies
TUNIS, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A light truck rollover on Saturday afternoon left three people dead and 11 others injured, private radio station Mosaique FM reported.

The accident took place in the Shokat area in the southeastern province of Sfax, a source from the Civil Protection told the radio.

Preliminary reports indicate that the truck, carrying passengers on their way to a wedding, overturned, causing the fatalities and injuries.

Civil protection units and emergency medical services quickly responded, dispatching several ambulances to transport the victims to hospitals. Among the injured, two remain in critical condition. 
The story of Major Chint Singh of the 2nd Dogra Regiment remains one of the most striking examples of wartime comradeship between Indian and Australian soldiers.

Indian military personnel, including Major Chint Singh (Centre), who survived being prisoners of war in World War 2, pose with Australian soldiers after liberation in Papua New Guinea, 1945. The photograph captures a moment of relief and friendship that is rare to come by in wartime stories.

In Australia, the call for building a memorial for the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the Pacific during World War 2 is gaining momentum. This plea is for a monument in Canberra for the 2,800 Indian soldiers who perished in Papua New Guinea during World War II.

But then why is the call to build the memorial growing in Australia if the soldiers dies in Papua New Guinea? This has to do with a forgotten tale of mateship, at the heart of which was Major Chint Singh.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The story of Major Chint Singh of the 2nd Dogra Regiment remains one of the most striking examples of wartime comradeship between Indian and Australian soldiers. His survival through years of captivity in Papua New Guinea (PNG) during the Second World War, and the ties he forged with Australian servicemen, continue to resonate as a reminder of shared sacrifice across borders.

Around 3,000 Indian troops were transported to PNG from Singapore by Japanese forces. Just 200 survived. Deprived of food, medicine and basic necessities, they endured by eating grass, snakes, frogs and insects. Even in captivity, discipline and soldierly conduct were maintained. Among them was Major Chint Singh, whose leadership and resolve kept his men alive until their liberation in September 1945.

The first encounter with Australian soldiers came on 30 September 1945. Lieutenant F.O. Monk recalled the scene with deep emotion: I will never forget the picture of you and your men as you all came ashore at Angoram. It will be with me as long as I live. Singhs men, though emaciated, reported in full military decorum. They were taken to Wewak, where the 15th Australian Field Ambulance provided treatment and care. Australian soldiers went further, writing letters home on behalf of the Indian troops and offering companionship during recovery.

Tragedy followed weeks later when 10 Indian soldiers perished in a plane crash near Rabaul on 16 November 1945. Singh, held back to testify before the Australian War Crimes Commission, was devastated. During this period, his connection with Australians deepened as he shared quarters with officers such as Captain Bruce of the 30th Infantry Battalion.

In January 1946, Singh wrote a farewell letter to the 6th Australian Division: The sympathy, love, and affection shown by every individual of the Division will always be with us hoping that the friendship of your country and India will continue for all the time. The letter, archived at the Australian War Memorial, endures as a testament to bonds forged through hardship.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

A legacy that endured

Honours followed. Singh was invited to sign the Japanese surrender flag, now displayed at the Australian War Memorial. He returned to Australia in 1947 to assist again with war crimes testimony and was received with warmth by former comrades and their families. In 1970, he attended the 25th anniversary of the end of the war at the invitation of the RSL, revisiting old battlefields and renewing friendships.

The following year, the RSL erected a memorial in Angoram to commemorate the 2,800 Indian soldiers who never returned. Though later destroyed by floods, it stood as recognition of the sacrifice. In recent years, efforts have been made to establish a permanent memorial in Canberra, with Singhs son, Narinder Parmar, submitting a proposal in 2022.

Remembering shared sacrifice

For Australians, mateship is a cherished value. For Singh and his men, it was a lived realityan alliance built on compassion, mutual respect and shared survival.

As India and Australia look to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific, stories such as these serve as powerful reminders that their relationship was not only founded in diplomacy but also in shared blood, resilience and humanity.
Israeli forces intensified their offensive on Gaza City over the weekend with airstrikes and tank fire targeting multiple districts, while officials vowed to continue military operations. The escalation comes as residents face worsening humanitarian conditions, with reports of famine and growing displacement amid ongoing conflict.

Israeli planes and tanks blasted the eastern and northern borders of Gaza City overnight Saturday and Sunday, demolishing houses and homes, according to residents, as Israeli authorities pledged to push on with their planned onslaught on the city.

Witnesses claimed nonstop explosions overnight in Zeitoun and Shejaia, while tanks blasted houses and roads in the nearby Sabra district and blew up many structures in the northern town of Jabalia.

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that its forces have returned to battle in the Jabalia area in recent days to remove insurgent tunnels and strengthen control.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

It further stated that the operation enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning to operate in these areas.

This month, Israel approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, which it describes as Hamas last bastion. It is not likely to begin for many weeks, giving mediators Egypt and Qatar time to try to restart cease-fire talks between the two sides.

Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, promised on Sunday to continue on with the offensive, which has sparked concern overseas and opposition at home. On Friday, Katz stated that Gaza City will be destroyed unless Hamas agrees to terminate the war on Israels terms and free all hostages.

Fire lit the skies from the direction of the explosions, causing panic, prompting some families to stream out of the city. Others said they would prefer to die and not leave.

We are not leaving

Around half of the enclaves two million people currently live in Gaza City. A few thousand have already left, carrying their belongings on vehicles, and rickshaws.

I stopped counting the times I had to take my wife and three daughters and leave my home in Gaza City, said Mohammad, 40. No place is safe, but I cant take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire, he told Reuters via a chat app.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Others say they will not leave, no matter what.

We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home, said Aya, 31, who has a family of eight, adding that they couldnt afford to buy a tent or pay for the transportation, even if they did try to leave. We are hungry, afraid and dont have money, she said.

A global hunger monitor said on Friday that Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine that will likely spread. Israel has rejected the assessment and says it ignores steps it has taken since late July to increase aid supply into and across Gaza.

On Saturday, the Gaza health ministry said eight more people died of malnutrition and starvation in the enclave, raising deaths from such causes to 281 people, including 114 children, since the war started. Israel disputes fatality figures by the health ministry in the Hamas-run strip.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen burst into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Israels military offensive against Hamas has since killed at least 62,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry, left much of the territory in ruins and internally displaced nearly its entire population.
Netanyahus coalition government depends on support from far-right members who oppose ending the war and making any deal with Palestinian group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war

A protester holds a sign during a demonstration organised by the families of the Israeli hostages taken captive in the Gaza Strip since the October 2023 calling for action to secure their release and a ceasefire in the war against Hamas, outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, on August 23, 2025. AFP

Israeli former defence minister Benny Gantz on Saturday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to forge a unity government along with members of the opposition in a bid to help release the hostages held in Gaza.

Netanyahus coalition government depends on support from far-right members who oppose ending the war and making any deal with Palestinian group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war.

Gantz, a rival of Netanyahu who nonetheless joined his government in the early days of the war, proposed a temporary coalition that would side-step far-right parties and strike a hostage release deal.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

I am here on behalf of the hostages who have no voice. I am here for the soldiers who are crying out, and whom no one in this government is listening to, Gantz told a televised press conference.

The duty of our state is first and foremost to save the lives of Jews and all citizens, added Gantz, calling on fellow opposition party leaders Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman to also consider the offer.

Both opposition chief Lapid and Lieberman have previously rejected joining any Netanyahu-led government.

Netanyahus coalition faces a risk of collapse after the parliaments summer recess ends, following the loss of support from ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties over legislation seeking to draft students of religious seminaries into the military.

Growing protests

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right member of Netanyahus ruling coalition who could be sidelined if Gantzs plan succeeds, was quick to dismiss it.

Right-wing voters chose a right-wing policy  not Gantzs policy, not a centrist government, not surrender deals with Hamas, but yes to absolute victory, Ben Gvir said in a statement.

The government has faced increasing domestic pressure to secure an end to the war in Gaza, with mass protests calling for a deal that would see the hostages released.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu said he had ordered negotiations aimed at freeing the remaining hostages, adding that the diplomatic push would accompany a new offensive to take control of Gaza City.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The plan to expand the offensive in Gaza, which Netanyahus security cabinet approved earlier this month, has been met with opposition in Israel over concerns for the fate of the hostages.

It has also sparked fears that the onslaught would exacerbate already dire conditions on the ground after more than 22 months of war.

International mediators have been waiting for days for an Israeli response to their latest ceasefire proposal, which Hamas accepted earlier this week.

On Saturday thousands of protesters again took to the streets of Israels commercial hub Tel Aviv.

Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod is held in Gaza, said that instead of saving lives, Netanyahu is sentencing the living hostages to death and causing the fallen to be lost forever.

Out of 251 hostages seized during Hamass 2023 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

Palestinian militants also hold the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a 2014 war.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supervised the test-firing of two new air defence missiles, state media said on Sunday, as tensions with South Korea flared following a border incident earlier in the week.

Missiles being launched in North Korea. North Korea has been steadily advancing its weapons programmes in defiance of international sanctions. File image/Reuters

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test-firing of two new air defence missiles, state media reported on Sunday, a day after Pyongyang accused Seoul of raising tensions at the border.

The launches, carried out on Saturday, showed the improved missile systems had superior combat capability, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The agency gave no details about the missiles or the test site, saying only that their operation and reaction mode is based on unique and special technology.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The firing particularly proved that the technological features of two types of projectiles are very suitable for destroying various aerial targets, KCNA said.

The report added that Kim had also set an important task for the defence science sector ahead of a key party meeting.

More from World India to export EVs to 100 countries, first Made in India chip to hit market by year-end: PM Modi

Tensions at the border remain high. On Tuesday, several North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily fortified frontier, prompting South Koreas military to fire warning shots.

According to UN Command, around 30 North Korean troops were involved, Yonhap news agency said.

Pyongyang denounced the incident as a premeditated and deliberate provocation. Army Lieutenant General Ko Jong Chol warned, This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area where a huge number of forces are stationing in confrontation with each other to the uncontrollable phase.

South Koreas new president, Lee Jae Myung, has pledged to build military trust and improve ties with the North, but Pyongyang insists it has no interest in better relations.

The missile tests also coincided with large-scale joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. North Korea, which invaded its neighbour in 1950 and triggered the Korean War, has long condemned such drills as rehearsals for invasion.
Nigerias military carried out precision airstrikes in the northwest, rescuing at least 76 hostages, including children. The operation targeted militants near Pauwa Hill in Katsinas Kankara district and is part of a broader effort to combat kidnappings and violence in the region

Local authorities reported that at least 76 hostages, including children, were freed after Nigerias military targeted militants with precision airstrikes in the countrys northwest.

Airstrikes were fired on targets near Pauwa Hill in Katsinas Kankara district early Saturday, according to Nasir Muazu, the states commissioner for internal security. The air assault was initiated to track down a notorious kidnapper.

According to the commissioner, some of the rescued hostages were kidnapped during an attack on a mosque in Unguwan Mantau, which lead to the death of at least 50 people.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, it was regrettably noted that one child tragically lost his life during the ordeal, Muazu said.

In recent months, there has been an uptick in attacks on communities in the northwest and north-central regions of Africas most populous country, where farmers often clash over limited access to land and water. An attack last month in north-central Nigeria killed 150 people.

The conflict has become deadlier in recent years, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are taking up more sophisticated arms.

The commissioner said the air assault is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal hideouts, weaken their networks and put an end to the cycle of killings, kidnappings, and extortion that have plagued innocent citizens.

The West African country is also dealing with an insurgency in its northeast region that has resulted in the death of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 2 million others, according to the United Nations.

Also on Saturday, separate airstrikes in the northwest of Nigeria killed 35 militants in a targeted attack.

Despite the efforts by the government of President Bola Tinubu to curb jihadi attacks, the militancy has persisted.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published on Sunday that a group of nations including United Nations Security Council members should be the guarantors of Ukraines security.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Ukraines security should be guaranteed by a group of nations that includes permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Speaking to NBC News Meet the Press in an interview published on Sunday, Lavrov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had raised the issue of such guarantees in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, drawing a link to the failed Istanbul talks of 2022.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

During those negotiations, Moscow and Kyiv had considered a framework under which Ukraine would adopt permanent neutrality in exchange for security assurances. According to a draft agreement reviewed by Reuters at the time, the guarantors were expected to include the five permanent Security Council members the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia along with several other countries.

Lavrov suggested that any future arrangement should again involve the Security Council powers and could also extend to Germany, Turkey and other states.

And the guarantors would be guaranteeing the security of Ukraine, which must be neutral, which must be non-aligned with any military bloc and which must be non-nuclear, Lavrov said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the foreign ministry.

Lavrov also made it clear that NATO membership for Ukraine was unacceptable for Russia, that Russia wanted protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine and that there was a territorial discussion to be had with Ukraine.

With inputs from agencies
If approved, it would be the first time in South Korean history that both a former president and a prime minister are imprisoned.

South Korean prosecutors on Sunday filed an arrest warrant for former prime minister Han Duck-soo, accusing him of aiding ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol in declaring martial law in December and later lying in court.

A court is set to review the validity of the warrant to detain the 76-year-old career bureaucrat in the coming days.

If approved, it would be the first time in South Korean history that both a former president and a prime minister are imprisoned.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is also behind bars on stock manipulation charges.

Prosecutors requested an arrest warrant against Han on charges including aiding the ringleader of insurrection, perjury, fabricating official documents, and damaging public records, prosecutor Park Ji-young told reporters at a news briefing.

As prime minister, Han stood as the foremost state institution guaranteeing the presidents duty to safeguard the nation and the constitution, she said.

These considerations regarding the role of the prime minister formed the basis of todays request.

Yoons stunning December 3 martial law declaration saw armed soldiers deploy to the National Assembly but was swiftly voted down by opposition MPs, leading to his impeachment.

Yoon was formally removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that his martial law declaration  the first in more than 40 years  violated the constitution.

Han assumed Yoons post as acting president and was once seen as a strong candidate of the conservative bloc to run in a snap election.

He resigned from the role in May to pursue a presidential bid, which soon collapsed when Yoons party refused to nominate him as its standard-bearer.
Syrias Kurdish administration has condemned the forthcoming selection of a transitional parliament as undemocratic, after authorities postponed the process in Kurdish-controlled regions

Syrias Kurds condemned the forthcoming selection of members of a new transitional parliament as undemocratic on Sunday, after authorities postponed the process in Kurdish-controlled territories in the north and northeast.

After deposing long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Syrias administration dissolved parliament and approved a five-year transitional constitution.

The selection of a transitional parliament is scheduled for September. Two-thirds of the 210 lawmakers will be chosen by appointed local authorities, with the remaining seats named by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, an election commission official announced on Saturday that the procedure would be postponed in Druze-majority Sweida province as well as Kurdish-held Raqa and Hasakeh provinces, citing security challenges and stating that it could only take place in territories controlled by the state.

The Kurdish administration in the north and northeast said in a statement that defining our regions as unsafe was carried out to justify the policy of denial for more than five million Syrians in the area.

These elections are neither democratic nor express the will of Syrians in any way, it said.

They simply represent a continuation of the approach of marginalisation and exclusion that Syrians suffered over the past 52 years under the Baath regime of the Assad dynasty, it added.

It warned that nearly half of all Syrians would be excluded from the process, including due to displacement.

The interim constitution has been criticised for concentrating power in Sharaas hands after decades of autocracy and for failing to reflect Syrias ethnic and religious diversity.

The Kurdish administration called the parliamentary selection process a superficial step that does not respond to the demands for a comprehensive political solution that Syrians need.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Any decision taken through this approach of exclusion will not concern us, and we will not consider it binding for the peoples and regions of northern and eastern Syria, it added.

Damascus and the Kurds have been in talks on implementing a March 10 deal on integrating Kurdish institutions into those of the central government.

Implementation has been held up by differences between the two sides.

The Kurds have called for decentralisation, which Damascus has rejected.

Druze-majority Sweida province saw deadly sectarian clashes last month, with access to the province still difficult and the security situation tense.
Iran will stand strongly against the United States wanting to make Tehran obedient, the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in comments carried by state media on Sunday.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday vowed that Tehran would resist US attempts to make it obedient, warning that calls for direct engagement with Washington ignore the deeper realities of the standoff.

Those who urge negotiations with the US only look at appearances, Khamenei said in remarks published by state media. In my view, the issue is unsolvable.

His comments come as Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi agreed with his French, British and German counterparts to resume nuclear talks next week, state media reported. The European powers have threatened to trigger a snapback of United Nations sanctions if Tehran refuses to return to negotiations over its uranium enrichment programme.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Concerns in Europe have heightened since Iran, already enriching uranium close to weapons-grade levels, halted all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency after the 12-day IranIsrael conflict in June, which saw Israeli strikes hit Iranian nuclear sites.

That move has left the international community without oversight of Irans stockpile, which includes uranium enriched to 60% purity, just a short step from the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed talks next week and warned Iran that sanctions would snap back into effect unless it reached a verifiable and durable deal to defuse concerns about its nuclear ambitions. He reiterated that time was very short and Iran needed to engage substantively.

Iranian state media said Araqchi and the British, French and German foreign ministers agreed during a phone call for deputy foreign ministers to continue the talks on Tuesday.

During the call, Araqchi emphasised the legal and moral incompetence of these countries to resort to the (snapback) mechanism, and warned of the consequences of such an action, Iranian media reported.

The European trio, along with the U.S., contend that Iran is using the nuclear energy programme to potentially develop weapons capability in violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran says it seeks only civilian nuclear power.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has stated that Iran is nowhere near developing a nuclear bomb, and U.S. national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard testified in March that intelligence officials had not found evidence of Iran moving toward a nuclear weapon.

The Islamic Republic suspended nuclear negotiations with the United States, which were aimed at curbing its accelerating enrichment programme, after the U.S. and Israel bombed its nuclear sites during a 12-day war in June.

Since then, IAEA inspectors have been unable to access Irans nuclear installations, despite IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stating that inspections remain essential.

Iran and the three European powers last convened in Geneva on June 20, while the war was still raging, and there were few signs of progress.

Separately, Irans envoy to the IAEA said an Iranian delegation and IAEA officials had agreed in talks in Vienna on Friday to discuss ways to interact within the framework of a law passed by Irans parliament that curbs Tehrans cooperation with the nuclear watchdog, the official news agency IRNA reported.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The possible move comes after Donald Trump deployed 800 Guard troops in Washington, DC earlier this month, with officials indicating that personnel there would soon be carrying weapons

Members of the California National Guard stand watch outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building on Tuesday, following another day of protests in response to federal immigration operations in Los Angeles. AFP

The Trump administration is considering sending thousands of National Guard troops to Chicago as part of an expanded law and order drive targeting crime and immigration, according to reports in US media.

_The Washington Pos_t said the Pentagon had been sketching out plans for weeks that could mobilise several thousand Guard members to the nations third-largest city as early as September. Officials quoted by the paper stressed the deliberations remained preliminary.

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to confirm the reports. We wont speculate on further operations, one defence official said, adding that the department is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Echoes of past deployments

The possible move comes after Donald Trump deployed 800 Guard troops in Washington, DC earlier this month, with officials indicating that personnel there would soon be carrying weapons. On Friday, Trump told reporters that Chicago and New York would be next, promising: Were going to make our cities very, very safe.

The plans would follow a controversial operation in Los Angeles in June, when Trump ordered 4,000 California National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines into the city over state objections, according to CNN. They would also dovetail with an expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown on undocumented migrants.

Pushback from local leaders

Illinois governor JB Pritzker and Chicagos mayor, Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, strongly rejected the idea. Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are trying to paint their party as one of law and order. That couldnt be further from the truth, Pritzker wrote on X, adding in a separate interview that public safety is under attack by the Trump administration.

Johnson said his administration had received no formal communication about any military deployment, calling such action uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.

Crime trends

Chicago recorded 573 homicides in 2024, police data show. This is an 8 per cent fall compared with the year before. Despite the decline, the city continues to be a political flashpoint, frequently cited by Trump and Republicans as evidence of Democratic failures on crime.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Lin Kuang-hui, a ninth-generation descendant of the Lin family and a founding member of the association for relatives of patriots in Taiwan who fought against Japanese occupation, speaks during an interview with Xinhua, at the Lin family's old mansion in Wufeng, Taichung City, southeast China's Taiwan, June 3, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Jianhua)

TAIPEI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- In central Taiwan, an old mansion with stunning traditional Chinese architecture stands as a silent witness, inviting visitors to discover the story of its owners' steadfast resistance against Japanese aggression and colonial rule for half a century.

Located in Wufeng, Taichung City, the compound is now Taiwan's largest ancient building complex to have been preserved intact. It also stands as a testament to the Lin family's enduring resistance against foreign aggression and their unwavering patriotism.

"Japanese colonial rule lasted for 50 years, so did my family's resistance," said Lin Kuang-hui, a ninth-generation descendant of the family.

Lin Kuang-hui remembered his grandfather, Lin Tsu-mi, often saying, "A family thrives only when the nation thrives, and to truly love one's family, one must first cherish the motherland."

Carrying forward this devotion to the motherland through generations, the remarkable story of this prominent family continues to resonate today.

The Lin family settled in Taiwan after their ancestor sailed from Fujian, just across the Taiwan Strait on the mainland, in 1746.

In 1894, Japan launched the invasive Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. The Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) government was defeated and forced to cede part of its territory, including Taiwan, to Japan. Taiwan was restored to China in 1945, following Japan's defeat in World War II.

During the 50 years of Japanese occupation, the colonizers enforced brutal policies, plundering resources and oppressing the people of Taiwan. Their atrocities were met with relentless armed resistance.

One of the most fierce battles took place in Changhua County in August 1895. Inscriptions on a monument in a local memorial park recount the bitter yet unyielding defiance of the fighters, noting that after three days of fierce combat, more than 4,000 of them were killed, having exhausted all their ammunition.

"Like my family, many Taiwan families trace their roots to mainland provinces such as Fujian and Guangdong. Their ancestors built their homes and livelihoods through centuries of hard work," said Lin Kuang-hui. Inspired by patriotism and a strong sense of national spirit, waves of civil resistance erupted.

Lin Chao-tung, then a military leader, was determined to fight the Japanese aggressors. Even after being forced to leave Taiwan for Fujian, he continued to support the armed resistance on the island.

In 1913, in Japanese-colonized Taiwan, Lin Chao-tung's son, Lin Tsu-mi, surrendered the family's properties in exchange for renouncing Japanese nationality.

Inspired by him, one of Lin Tsu-mi's sons joined the army on the mainland after Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China in 1937 and later fought in a major battle in Guangxi, while a daughter dedicated herself to the frontlines of resistance against Japanese aggression in the revolutionary base of Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

"My family has always been determined to do everything possible to drive the Japanese out of Taiwan and restore Taiwan to the motherland," Lin Kuang-hui told Xinhua in a previous interview.

The Lin family's epic struggle embodies the Taiwan people's relentless resistance to Japanese colonial oppression and their half-century-long fight to return to the motherland.

In addition to armed resistance, members of the Lin family who remained in Taiwan during Japanese colonial rule devoted themselves to unarmed forms of struggle. Among them was Lin Hsien-tang, a celebrated poet and leader of Taiwan's cultural and democratic movement, who steadfastly refused to speak Japanese or wear a kimono throughout his life.

In October 1921, a Taiwan cultural association was founded, with Lin Hsien-tang being one of the founding members. The association played a key role in fostering the sense of Chinese nation among the public through lectures and newspapers.

"Such resistance, although expressed in cultural forms, shares the same spirit and was just as crucial as armed resistance against Japanese colonial rule," said Yeh Wei-nan, a council member of the association for relatives of patriots in Taiwan who fought against Japanese occupation. Lin Kuang-hui was a founding member of the association.

The decades-long resistance of the people in Taiwan against the Japanese colonizers is an important part of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. China's victory in this war in 1945 ended Japan's colonial rule in Taiwan.

"This history and truth must never be forgotten, and by no means should it be distorted," Lin Kuang-hui said.

Regrettably, in recent years, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan and the separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence" have attempted to distort history, sever ties between Taiwan and the mainland, and even whitewash Japanese colonial rule. As a result, some young people in Taiwan have been misled.

For years, Lin Kuang-hui, along with other descendants of anti-Japanese martyrs in Taiwan, has been dedicated to sharing the heroic stories of the Taiwan people and preserving historical truth.

"Our association was founded to reclaim our history," Lin Kuang-hui said. "Only by understanding our past can people truly love this land." 

Lin Kuang-hui, a ninth-generation descendant of the Lin family and a founding member of the association for relatives of patriots in Taiwan who fought against Japanese occupation, speaks during an interview with Xinhua, at the Lin family's old mansion in Wufeng, Taichung City, southeast China's Taiwan, June 3, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Jianhua)
US Vice President J.D. Vance said Trumps tariffs on India were part of aggressive economic leverage aimed at pressuring Russia to end the Ukraine war, as Washington criticises New Delhis purchase of discounted Russian crude.

US Vice President J.D. Vance has said that President Donald Trump had applied aggressive economic leverage, including secondary tariffs on India in an effort to force Russia to stop its bombardment of Ukraine.

In an interview with NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday, Vance explained that the measures were designed to make it harder for Moscow to profit from its oil trade.

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised New Delhi for purchasing discounted Russian crude, even as it has refrained from making similar public remarks about China, which remains the largest buyer of Russian oil.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

India, for its part, has consistently defended its energy policy, saying that procurement decisions  including imports from Russia  are based on national priorities and market considerations.

Despite recent complications following Trumps talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month, Vance expressed confidence that Washington could still help broker a resolution to the conflict, NBC News reported.

We believe weve already seen some significant concessions from both sides, just in the last few weeks, Vance said in the interview aired on Sunday morning.

If the US is not imposing new sanctions, what is the pressure on Russia? How do you get them to a place of getting to the table with Zelenskyy and stopping to drop bombs? moderator Kristen Welker asked.

Trump has applied aggressive economic leverage, for example secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy, Vance replied.

He tried to make it clear that Russia can be reinvited into the world economy if they stop the killing. But they are going to continue to be isolated if they dont stop the killing, he said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Earlier on April 22, Vance while speaking in Jaipur had urged India to drop non-tariff barriers, give greater access to its markets and buy more American energy and military hardware as he laid out a broader roadmap of deeper ties between the two nations for a prosperous and peaceful 21st century.

Ever since Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duties for Indias purchase of Russian crude oil, relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a downturn.

The US has alleged that Indias purchases of Russian crude oil are funding Moscows war in Ukraine, a charge strongly rejected by India.

New Delhi turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at an event in New Delhi, Its funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. He was responding to a question on the US criticism of India on the crude oil issue.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Thats really curious. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, dont buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you dont like it, dont buy it, Jaishankar said.

With inputs from agencies
Appointed earlier this year, Barrack has been tasked with facilitating peace negotiations and easing tensions across multiple fronts, including Syria and Lebanon, amid stalled ceasefire talks

The top US envoy Thomas Barrack arrived in Israel on Sunday (August 24) for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the conflicts in Syria and Lebanon, according to Israeli officials.

Axios first reported the meeting, citing Israeli and American sources. Barrack also held discussions with Israels minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, and the defence minister, Israel Katz.

Thomas Barrack, who serves concurrently as the US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, has emerged as a key figure in the Trump administrations diplomacy in West Asia.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Appointed earlier this year, Barrack has been tasked with facilitating peace negotiations and easing tensions across multiple fronts, including Syria and Lebanon, amid stalled ceasefire talks and tangled regional rivalries.

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, was said to have joined the sessions. The delegation is expected to travel to Beirut on Monday, where senior Republican senator Lindsey Graham will accompany them.

US-mediated talks on Syria

The visit comes against the backdrop of American-mediated negotiations between Israel and Syria aimed at reducing tensions in the south of the country.

Dermer reportedly met Syrias foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, in Paris last week to discuss security arrangements. A first round of talks held in Paris in late July ended without agreement.

Roadmap for Hezbollah disarmament

On Monday in Lebanon, Barrack said Israel should comply with a new plan under which Hezbollah would disarm by the end of the year in exchange for Israel halting its military operations. The roadmap envisages a phased handover of weapons by armed groups, while Israeli forces would cease ground, air and sea actions and withdraw from southern Lebanon.

Lebanons cabinet approved the plans objectives earlier this month despite Hezbollahs refusal to disarm. Barrack argued it was now Israels turn to cooperate. Netanyahus office has so far declined to comment.

With inputs from Reuters
Far-right Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene joined Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders as both sides of the US Congress raised concerns over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza

Far-right Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene joined Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders as both sides of the US Congress raised concerns over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza. The Congress, which mostly remains silent on foreign policy matters, collectively spoke out on Saturday, raising concern over a UN-backed report warning of famine in parts of Gaza.

Lets be clear: President Trump has the power to end the starvation of the Palestinian people, Vermonts politically independent senator Bernie Sanders posted on X. Instead he is doing nothing while watching this famine unfold. Enough is enough. No more American taxpayer dollars to Nethanyahus [sic] war machine," he added.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Lets be clear: President Trump has the power to end the starvation of the Palestinian people.



Instead he is doing nothing while watching this famine unfold.



Enough is enough. No more American taxpayer dollars to Nethanyahus war machine. https://t.co/gM0e3IUSIQ  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 23, 2025

It is pertinent to note that Sanders has pushed resolutions to ban the sale of US weapons to Israel and has long been consistent about his concern regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid the war. Meanwhile, Greene, the outspoken, far-right Georgia Republican, also called for greater compassion for Palestinians in a social media post Saturday.

The remarks from both the leaders came a day after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the famine in the territory as a failure of humanity. In a major departure from the stance taken by her peers in Congress, the US House representative described the Gaza humanitarian crisis as a genocide last month.

In a long post on X, she then said that while Israels war against Hamas was justified, the suffering of civilians was not. Does Hamas deserve it? Yes, Greene wrote, in part. Do innocent people and children deserve it? No.

If America was being bombed day and night because of something horrific our government did, and many innocent Americans and American children were being killed and traumatically injured, and we begged for mercy, but the rest of the world said,



Americans voted for their  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) August 23, 2025

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The innocent people in Gaza did not kill and kidnap the innocent people in Israel on Oct 7th, she continued. Just as we spoke out and had compassion for the victims and families of Oct7, how can Americans not speak out and have compassion for the masses of innocent people and children in Gaza?

I dont want to pay for genocide: Greene

In her post, the Republican firebrand linked the entirety of US financial and military aid to Israel to the conflict, arguing that it means every US taxpayer is contributing to Israels military actions. I dont know about you, but I dont want to pay for genocide in a foreign country against a foreign people for a foreign war that I had nothing to do with, Greene concluded. And I will not be silent about it.

The post eventually garnered a response from far-right influencer Laura Loomer, who reportedly petitioned the White House to suspend the entry of injured Palestinian children from Gaza to the US. Both Greene and Loomer agreed that there has been a major divide among Maga over the issue.

Loomer, in her critique of Greene, falsely described Palestinian children as a national security threat and Islamic invaders. Loomer, who is Jewish, once claimed that her ban from social media platforms for anti-Muslim hate speech was antisemitic.

Why are you advocating for GAZANS to come to the US?



How is Islamic immigration America First?  Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 23, 2025

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Greene has been accused of being antisemitic in the past. During the California wildfires, the US representative claimed that wildfires in the state might have been started by Jewish space lasers. On Saturday, Loomer slammed Greene, falsely accusing her of calling for Palestinians from Gaza to be resettled in the US and asking: Why are you advocating for GAZANS to come to the US? How is Islamic immigration America First?

Gaza faces a major humanitarian crisis

Last week, the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said that parts of Gaza are experiencing a man-made famine. All over the Gaza governorate, which includes Gaza City, the site of a new Israeli offensive.

As this Famine is entirely man-made, it can be halted and reversed, the report said. The time for debate and hesitation has passed; starvation is present and is rapidly spreading. There should be no doubt in anyones mind that an immediate, at-scale response is needed.

Meanwhile, the Israeli agency monitoring aid distribution in Gaza, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), rejected the report, saying it relies on partial, biased data and superficial information originating from Hamas. On Saturday, Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, also sang the same tunes.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The [international] media is missing the real story of famine in Gaza. Hostages ARE starving, Hamas is getting fat, & the UN declares famine while 92% of THEIR food is stolen to be sold by Hamas. Meanwhile, UN food sits rotting in the sun. The UN should declare itself corrupt & incompetent, Huckabee wrote in a post on X.

In her post, Greene wrote that if the US were being bombed day and night, with millions killed or injured, and the world said Americans voted for their government, so they deserve it How would you feel? What would you think? What would you do?
An Indian man from Bihar was among five people killed when a tourist bus crashed on a New York state highway on Friday, police said. The bus, carrying 54 passengers to New York City, veered off near Pembroke, about 40 km east of Buffalo, after the driver reportedly became distracted.

Emergency personnel work at the site of the crash on 23 August 2025. AP

At least five people were killed on Friday when a tourist bus crashed on a New York state highway, police said. The bus, carrying 54 passengers back to New York City, veered off near Pembroke, about 40 km east of Buffalo, after the driver reportedly became distracted. Among the victims was Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Bihar, India.

Authorities confirmed that those killed included people of Indian and Chinese origin. On Saturday (Aug 23), New York State Police commander Major Andre Ray said five people had died, but no other passenger was in life-threatening condition. Several others were treated for minor injuries and released.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

According to ABC News, the victims have been identified as:

Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, from Bihar, India

Pinki Changrani, 60, from East Brunswick, New Jersey

Xie Hongxhuo, 22, from Beijing, China

Zhang Xiaolan, 55, from Jersey City, New Jersey

Jian Mingli, 56, from Jersey City, New Jersey

The crash occurred just after 12:20 pm (local time). Earlier reports suggesting children were among the dead were later corrected by officials.

Its believed the operator became distracted, lost control, overcorrected and ended up over there, said Major Ray, pointing to the wreckage.

He added that mechanical error, impairment, or intoxication were not factors in the crash. The driver survived and is cooperating with investigators. No charges have been filed.

The driver is alive and well  were working with him. We believe we have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control. We just want to make sure that all the details are thoroughly vetted, a police spokesman told AFP.
Vietnam has ordered the evacuation of more than 500,000 people and suspended boat operations as Typhoon Kajiki strengthens, while Chinas resort city of Sanya closed businesses and public transport. Authorities warn of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and widespread disruptions as the storm approaches both countries.

Vietnam declared plans to evacuate more than 500,000 people and ordered boats to stay ashore, while the southern Chinese city of Sanya suspended businesses and public transit on Sunday as both prepared for Typhoon Kajikis intensification.

The storm is expected to brush past the southern shore of Chinas island province of Hainan on Sunday evening before moving on to Vietnam, according to Chinas National Meteorological Centre.

According to Vietnams national weather forecast organisation, the storm had intensified by 0900 GMT, with winds gusting to 166 kph (103 mph).

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

It is expected to strengthen further, with wind speeds reaching 180 kph, according to Chinas weather forecaster.

Authorities in Vietnam plan to evacuate more than 586,000 people from the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Danang, where the typhoon is forecast to make landfall early on Monday, state media reported.

People in the projected path should not go outdoors after 1400 GMT on Sunday, and soldiers are standing by to help, the government said.

Seven coastal provinces in Vietnam banned boats from leaving shore early on Sunday, Tien Phong newspaper reported.

Vietnam Airlines cancelled at least 22 flights to and from central cities on Sunday and Monday. Vietjet Aviation said it was cancelling or delaying flights but did not provide details.

Chinas Sanya, renowned for seafront resorts and sandy beaches, closed tourist attractions, shuttered businesses and suspended public transport.

Worst-case scenarios

Chinas weather agency forecast heavy rainfall and strong winds in Hainan and nearby Guangdong province and Guangxi region, with areas in Hainan set to receive as much as 320 mm (12.6 inches) of rain from Sunday to Monday.

Sanya issued a red typhoon alert on Sunday morning - the highest in Chinas colour-coded warning system - and raised its emergency response to the most severe level, according to posts on the local governments WeChat account.

City officials convened a meeting on Saturday evening, urging preparations for worst-case scenarios, the government said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

All classes and construction were suspended, and shopping centres, restaurants and supermarkets were closed from Sunday. Vessels have been ordered to stop operating in Sanyas waters.

Since July, record rainfall has lashed Chinas north and south in what meteorologists have described as extreme weather linked to climate change.

Natural disasters including flooding and drought caused 52.15 billion yuan ($7.28 billion) in direct economic losses in China last month, affecting millions of people and leaving 295 dead or missing, data from the Ministry of Emergency Management showed.

The Vietnamese government likened the strength of Kajiki to that of Yagi, which battered the country less than a year ago, killing about 300 people and causing $3.3 billion of property damage.
The Trump administration has been severely critical of India for its procurement of discounted crude oil from Russia. Interestingly, Washington has not been criticising China, the largest importer of Russian crude oil.

Republican leader Nikki Haley has called on India to take seriously President Donald Trumps objections to its imports of Russian crude oil and to work with Washington toward a resolution.

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticised New Delhi for purchasing discounted oil from Moscow, even as Beijing, the largest buyer of Russian crude  has escaped similar scrutiny. India, for its part, has consistently defended its energy policy as being guided by market dynamics and national interest.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Haley, a former South Carolina governor of Indian origin, reiterated her position in a social media post on Saturday, citing an opinion piece she wrote in Newsweek earlier in the week. Her intervention came amid criticism from within her own party over that article.

In her column, Haley stressed that India should be regarded as a vital democratic ally, not treated as an adversary like China. Undermining decades of progress in bilateral ties, she warned, would be a strategic disaster.

She added on X, India must take Trumps point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better.

India must take Trump's point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better.



Decades of friendship and good will between the world's two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence.  Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) August 23, 2025

In the article, Haley argued that India must be treated like the prized free and democratic partner that it isnot an adversary like China. Scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster, she wrote.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In her post on Saturday, Haley said, India must take Trumps point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better. Decades of friendship and goodwill between the worlds two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence, she said.

Navigating issues like trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demands hard dialogue. But, we should not lose sight of what matters most: our shared goals. To face China, the United States must have a friend in India. A number of officials of the Trump administration have been critical of India for its energy ties with Russia.

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro on Wednesday accused India of running a profiteering scheme by using discounted Russian crude oil and then selling refined petroleum products at premium prices in Europe and other places.

Washington has been arguing that Indias purchases of Russian crude oil are funding Moscows war in Ukraine.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

India has strongly rejected the charges.

Its funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

He was responding to a question on the US criticism of India on the crude oil issue during an event.

Thats really curious. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, dont buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you dont like it, dont buy it, he said.

The relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a downturn after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent including a 25 per cent additional duties for Indias purchase of Russian crude oil.

New Delhi turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With inputs from agencies
Zelenskyy may soon travel to India, with both sides working to finalise the date of the visit, Ukraines Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting, at Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine in August 2024. File image/PTI

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is likely to visit India, with discussions underway to finalise the precise date, Ukraines Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polishchuk said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, Polishchuk emphasised that preparations are in progress. The Indian Prime Minister invited Zelenskyy to come to India. Both sides are working on this. We expect President Zelenskyy to be in India, definitely. It will be a great achievement in our bilateral relationship We are trying to agree on a precise date, he said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

#WATCH | Delhi | Ambassador of Ukraine to India Oleksandr Polishchuk said, "... In relation to the declaration about the future strategic partnership between India and Ukraine, believe me, we have potential for that. The Indian Prime Minister invited Zelensky to come to India. pic.twitter.com/7DdZpCW57A  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025

The possible visit comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modis trip to Kyiv on August 23, 2024, where he met Zelenskyy and extended the invitation. The two leaders have also held talks on the sidelines of international summits.

The ambassador noted that Ukraine welcomes the growing dialogue with India since 2023 and highlighted Modis remarks that India is not neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war but stands for peace, diplomacy, and dialogue.

Zelenskyy recently met US President Donald Trump for peace talks, following Trumps earlier meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The envoy said Kyiv hopes India will play a more active role in efforts to end the conflict, given its longstanding ties with Moscow. He added that the issue may also see progress during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September.
BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The third comprehensive rehearsal for the upcoming grand gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War concluded in Beijing early Sunday, according to the event's media center.

The rehearsal was held from 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday in Tian'anmen Square.

Organizers said it was a full-process, full-element rehearsal and also the final comprehensive one for the commemoration. It focused on testing the coordination between all processes and segments, laying a solid foundation for the success of the event.

All processes were organized in an orderly manner, with tight transitions and smooth operation, achieving the intended objectives, they added.

The grand gathering, which will include a military parade, is scheduled for Sept. 3 in Tian'anmen Square. 
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.
TEHRAN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Sunday the United States confronts Iran because it wants the country to be "obedient," a demand he called "offensive" and vowed the nation would resist.

Speaking in Tehran, Khamenei rejected calls for direct negotiations with Washington and said U.S. hostility has been consistent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the official news agency IRNA reported.

He referred to a June 13 attack on Iran, saying that U.S.-linked groups met in a European capital the next day to discuss a "post-Islamic Republic" order, even proposing a monarch. Those efforts, he said, were thwarted by the resilience of the Iranian people and state institutions.

Khamenei urged domestic unity and support for President Masoud Pezeshkian, warning that Iran's adversaries were now seeking to stir divisions at home.

He also condemned Israel's campaign in Gaza, called on Western states to halt support for it, and praised actions by Yemen's Houthi movement against Israel as justified. 
Grizzly Reservoir, a forebay that collects water to send through the Twin Lakes Tunnel to the Front Range, sits in the middle of the Lincoln Creek watershed and connects water users on both sides of the Continental Divide. The reservoir was drained during the summer of 2024 so the dam could get a new face.
The Grand Junction City Council approved three measures relating to agreements with Brikwell LLC on Wednesday evening that set the stage for the next phase of its Salt Flats affordable housing development off 28 Road.

The council agreed to lease around 4.4 acres of its 21.5-acre Salt Flats property and authorized City Manager Mike Bennett to sign two letters of intent with Brikwell establishing a partnership between the city and the developer and establishing the intent to sell the leased property to Brikwell at a later date. The sale of the property is contingent on the subdivision of the lot and Brikwell receiving Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing, according to the staff report.

Brikwell is planning to develop the 4.4 acres site into The Ascent at Salt Flats, a 144-unit mixed-income housing project. It also plans a second phase in the coming years that would add an additional 120 units.

The City Council heard an update on the Salt Flats affordable housing development at its Monday workshop. The city has identified Brikwell as its master developer, as well as three other developers that will build a combination of affordable rental and for purchase homes within the development  Volunteers of America, Rural Homes and Vertikal.

One of the challenges we have as a community is weve been producing the same type of housing for 30 years, Grand Junction Housing Manager Ashley Chambers said Monday. And so one of the goals of the site was to offer a variety of housing types including multi-family, town homes, smaller units and just a variety of missing housing, if you will, from our market.

Chambers said the city has signed on to the states Proposition 123 goals, which help the city get grant funding for affordable housing projects, but requires the city to produce 375 new affordable units over a three-year period. This project will help with meeting that goal, Chambers said.

The (Prop) 123 requirements, and what we have committed to as a city, is that there will be no less than 324 units built on (the Salt Flats) site with a goal of 400 to 550 units over the next 10 years, Chambers said. Of all of the things built on the site, 70% must meet the affordability category, which means that rental units can go up to 60% (Area Median Income) and homeownership units up to 100% (Area Median Income).

The city has already secured more than $3 million from state grants for the purchase of the property and some infrastructure development. While the city is helping to facilitate the development of the Salt Flats property, Chambers said it will not be acting as the developer.

Overall the Salt Flat development is not anything that we are developing, Chambers said. Our goal with the site is that we would enable private and nonprofit partners to develop on the site.

One major question that arose at the work session was whether or not the city could be a special partner on the project in order to attain certain tax exemptions. City Attorney John Shaver said that remains an open question that will have to be resolved. However, he said there are other options that the city could pursue if it was not able to act as a special partner.
The newly built Fruita Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse hosted an open house on Saturday. Open houses dont usually happen for LDS meetinghouses, but this is not a usual situation, said Darcy Beus, director of communications for the recently created Fruita LDS Stake. We dont have meetinghouses that get burned down on a regular basis. This is one of those really unique but really great opportunities to kind of allow the community to get to know us. And to see how we respond to something like this.
Russo-Ukraine War - 23 August 2025 - Day 1277

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 134 combat clashes, the opponent made 45 aviation strikes, dropped 81 cab. In addition, Russian forces used 1439 kamikaze drones, carried out 3169 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, Ukrainian soldiers repelled two Russian assault actions since the beginning of the day. Also, the enemy launched five air strikes using 17 controlled air bombs, and carried out 165 shells.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy tried to attack the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk, Ambarne and towards Zelenoy, five attacks were repelled by Ukrainian units, one fight is currently ongoing.

Two attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the Kupyansky direction in the Zagrizovoye district and in the direction of Kupyansk.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers stopped eight attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv in the areas of settlements Grekivka, Ridkodub, Kolodyazi, Mirne and towards Shandrigolovoy, Dronivka, Serebryanka. Five fighting clashes are ongoing.

In the Sivers ,komu direction, the Russian opponent carried out eight offensive actions in the areas of Grigorivka, Pereiznogo, Fedorivka and in the direction of Siversk.

In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped 11 Russian attempts to advance in the area of the Time Jar and in the direction of Markovoye, Stupocok, Predtecinyogo, White Mountain. Two clashes are underway.

In the Toretsky direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders nine times in the area of Scherbinivka and in the direction of Pleschievka, Katerinivka, Poltavka and Popovoy Yar. The defense forces are steadily suppressed the pressure and repelled all offensive actions of the Russian enemy.

The enemy committed 40 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance near the settlements of Mayak, Nikanorivka, New Shahove, Red Lyman, Novoekonomicne, Peace-loving, Dry Yar, Fox, Zvirove, Kotline, Udaachne, Gorihove Novoukrainka and towards the settlements of Rodinske, Pokrovsk, Balagan, Molodetske, Philia. The five fighting clashes are still ongoing.

According to preliminary calculations, today in this direction Ukrainian warriors eliminated 67 Russian invaders and another 40 - wounded. Destroyed a mortar, 16 BPLA, three BPLA control points, two cars, one motorcycle, a REB device and a cannon damaged, a special equipment unit, three BPL control points and six bunkers for the Russian enemy's personnel.

In the Novopavlovsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped 19 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Vilne Pole, Maliivka, Voskresenko, Temirivka, Olgivka and towards Ivanivka, Zaporizhky, eight combat clashes are ongoing.

The Russian enemy did not carry out offensive actions in Gulyaipilsky and Orihivskky directions.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, two Russian attempts to advance at the position of Ukrainian units have failed.t

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Investors who lost money in Hims & Hers (NYSE: HIMS) are being urged to actively participate in a securities class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Hims made misleading statements about its GLP-1 weight-loss drug business and its partnership with Novo Nordisk, which was abruptly canceled.

This comes after Hims stock plummeted by over 34% on June 23, 2025, when Novo Nordisk ended the collaboration, citing Hims deceptive promotion and selling of illegitimate, knockoff versions of Wegovy.

If you suffered substantial losses, you may have the opportunity to serve as Lead Plaintiff. The deadline to apply is August 25, 2025. Hagens Berman urges Hims & Hers investors to submit your losses now.

Class Period: Apr. 29, 2025  June 23, 2025

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Aug. 25, 2025

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/hims

Contact the Firm Now: HIMS@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

The Lawsuit Against Hims & Hers

Class-action lawsuits are underway against Hims & Hers Health Inc., representing investors who bought or acquired company securities between April 29, 2025, and June 23, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that Hims & Hers and its top executives violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements to investors.

Allegations of Misconduct

The core of the legal action revolves around Hims & Hers partnership with Novo Nordisk. The lawsuit claims the company was deceptively promoting and selling "illegitimate, knockoff versions of Wegovy." According to the complaint, Hims & Hers failed to disclose that this practice put patient safety at risk and could lead to the termination of the lucrative Novo Nordisk collaboration.

The Aftermath of the Partnerships Collapse

On June 23, 2025, the alleged misrepresentations came to light when Novo Nordisk announced it was ending its partnership with Hims & Hers. The pharmaceutical company explicitly cited Hims & Hers deceptive promotion and selling of unauthorized versions of Wegovy as the reason. This news caused Hims & Hers' stock to plummet by over 34%.

In a separate development, Bloomberg News reported on August 14 that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is now investigating Hims & Hers over its advertising and subscription cancellation practices.

Hagens Berman Investigates Investor Claims

Hagens Berman, a national plaintiffs rights law firm, is investigating whether Hims & Hers may have misled investors about its business practices, particularly concerning its compounded weight-loss drugs and the terminated Novo Nordisk partnership.

Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation, commented on the situation, This isnt just about a failed partnership; its about whether the company's business model was sustainable and properly represented to the market in the first place. The swift termination of the Novo Nordisk deal and the subsequent stock price collapse suggest there may have been a fundamental disconnect between what investors were told and the underlying reality of Hims' operations.

If you invested in Hims & Hers and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Hims & Hers case and our investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Hims & Hers should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email HIMS@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
VANCOUVER, August 24, 2025 - Golden Lake Exploration Inc. ("Golden Lake" or the "Company") (CSE:GLM)(OTCQB:GOLXF) announces that it proposes to enter into an unsecured, convertible promissory note (the "Note") to borrow C$50,000 (the "Loan"). The Loan has a maturity date of December 31, 2025, and shall accrue interest at a rate of 10% per annum from the issue date, subject to earlier conversion.

The amount outstanding under the Loan is convertible into common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a conversion price of $0.05 per share. Any Common Shares issued pursuant to the conversion of the Loan shall be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities law and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company intends to use the Loan for payments to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to keep the Company's Jewel Ridge claims in good standing.

About Golden Lake Exploration Inc:

Golden Lake Exploration is a junior public mining exploration company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to acquire, explore and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to aggressively advance its exploration program on the Jewel Ridge property.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Mike England"

Mike England, CEO & DIRECTOR

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Telephone: 1-604-683-3995

Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Golden Lake Exploration

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry said on Saturday its forces had smashed a "terrorist" team in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, killing six of its members and arresting two others.

Members of the "terror" team, seven non-Iranian nationals, had entered Iran through the country's eastern border during the past days and sought to perpetrate "precarious and targeted terrorist operations," according to a statement published on the ministry's website, which did not specify the date of the operation.

The statement added the members were equipped with different kinds of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices, saying among the items seized from the "terrorists" were laser-guided grenade launchers, U.S.-made machine guns, grenades, explosive vests, two-way radios, ammunition as well as a number of vehicles and motorcycles.

According to the ministry, the team sought to attack a critical center east of Iran, "exactly the kind of military targets attacked by Israel during its 12-day war" with Iran in June.

It said the available evidence was indicative of the "terrorist" cell's Israeli-affiliated nature.

According to the statement, during the clash with the "terrorists," which took several hours, three Iranian security forces were wounded.

Sistan and Baluchestan, a province bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, has suffered several terrorist attacks targeting both civilians and security forces in recent years.

On Friday, five policemen were killed in an attack by "terrorists" on two patrol units in the province, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. 
Featured

Prof. Bokpin cautions against fixation on exchange rate

Mohammed Ali Business News Aug - 24 - 2025 , 12:34

An economist at the University of Ghana, Professor Godfred Bokpin, has cautioned that Ghanas growing fixation on the cedis exchange rate could undermine broader economic stability.

Speaking on JoyNews Newsfile programme on Saturday, August 23, 2025, Prof. Bokpin said the country was too fixated on the exchange rate, rather than the fundamentals of the economy.

He described the recent sharp appreciation of the cedi as not stability but disruption, explaining that the pace of change left businesses and importers unable to adjust.

Any sharp appreciation that is not backed by productivity or structural reforms reverses in a matter of months. It is not sustainable, he warned.

Prof. Bokpin also urged the Bank of Ghana and policymakers not to rely excessively on directives to control market behaviour.

Dont use forceful regulations to solve things that must be solved with demand and supply, he said.

While pointing to structural weaknesses in the economy, he acknowledged some recent interventions, particularly in cocoa pricing. I see a certain genuine effort on the part of the government to meet the cocoa farmers halfway, he noted.

He urged that savings from inefficiencies in state enterprises should be redirected to support farmers.

The economist argued that long-term stability, rather than sharp short-term appreciation of the cedi, was needed to safeguard jobs, remittances, exports, and the growth of the private sector.
Next article: All senior high schools to reopen in October under modified double track system known as transitional academic calendars

Previous article: Explainer: What happens after your 99-year land lease expires in Ghana

Featured

Flood alert: Bagre Dam to spill two days earlier than scheduled

Mohammed Fugu Aug - 24 - 2025 , 13:03 2 minutes read

Contrary to an earlier announcement that the spillage of the Bagre Dam would take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, authorities in Burkina Faso have rescheduled the exercise to Monday, August 25, 2025.

The decision follows a rapid rise in water levels that has exceeded initial projections.

In a statement, SONABEL, the agency managing the Bagre and Kompienga dams, explained that the speed of the water rise had surpassed their estimates, forcing them to open the floodgates earlier than planned.

As of Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Bagre Dam recorded an elevation of 234.27 metres with a filling rate of 90.24 per cent, just 0.73 metres below its maximum retention level.

Similarly, the Kompienga Dam stood at 177.90 metres with a filling rate of 79.36 per cent, leaving only 2.10 metres before reaching its normal retention capacity.

SONABEL stated:

 Early Opening of Bagre Dam Valves 

SONABEL informs the coastal populations of the hydroelectric dam of Bagre that, following the heavy rainfall recorded in recent days, the water level of the hold has reached a critical threshold and requires a faster evacuation of the surplus.

Consequently, SONABEL will open the valves of the dam flood evacuator from Monday, August 25, 2025 from 08 o'clock, instead of Wednesday, August 27, as initially announced.

SONABEL therefore invites the coastal populations living downstream of the dam to remain vigilant and to take all necessary precautions against the risks of flooding that may result from this measure.

SONABEL, together at the service of a great ambition!

The announcement serves as an early warning to communities along the White Volta Basin in both Burkina Faso and Northern Ghana, which often experience flooding following spillage from the Bagre Dam.
Previous article: All senior high schools to reopen in October under modified double track system known as transitional academic calendars

Featured

Police arrest Ghanaian and Chinese nationals with ammunition in Akwatia

GraphicOnline Aug - 23 - 2025 , 21:13 1 minute read

Police in Akwatia have arrested two men, including a Chinese national, for allegedly possessing ammunition without lawful authority.

The suspects, identified as 32-year-old Enoch Asiedu and 58-year-old Lu Youyan, were intercepted on Friday night, August 22, 2025, at about 9 pm during a routine patrol at the Boadua Livingstone snap checkpoint.

According to the police, the two were travelling in a Toyota Hilux pickup when officers conducted a search and retrieved four live BB cartridges from the vehicle. The suspects were immediately taken to the Akwatia Police Station together with the exhibits.

During interrogation at the charge office, Asiedu reportedly claimed that the cartridges belonged to their employer, one Mohammed, said to be the owner of the Toyota Hilux. Police have since launched efforts to trace Mohammed for questioning.

Both suspects remain in custody assisting with investigations.
Featured

VIDEO: Bawumia fires back and rejects tribal, religious attacks in NPP race

GraphicOnline Politics Aug - 24 - 2025 , 12:44 3 minutes read

Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reacted to what he described as unfortunate tribal and religious attacks against his bid to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the 2028 general election.

Speaking at the 33rd anniversary celebration of United States of America branch of the NPP in New York, Dr Bawumia expressed disappointment that some of his internal rivals had resorted to what he called bigotry in their campaign messages. He maintained that such comments did not reflect the true values of the NPP.

Read also: Bryan Acheampong said Bawumia was a victim, not cause of conflict between Mamprusi-Kusasi - Campaign team

An opponent has said delegates should not vote for me because I am Mamprusi and that we will lose votes in the Kusasi areas. This is so unfortunate, he said. Another contender against me, has also been promoting the religion card against me.

Dr Bawumia's comments followed the circulation of comments by the campaigns of fellow flagbearer aspirants who told delegates that the NPP should change Bawumia as its candidate because of the Mamprusi-Kusasi conflict, which he claimed cost the party votes in 2024.

Dr Bawumia also cited other instances of what he termed religious and tribal bigotry, against his wife, Samira, who has been described as "not a true Ghanaian".

Recently, Mr Asomah Cheremeh, a former minister, former ambassador and former regional chairman of Bono and a coordinator for Kennedy Agyapong, has introduced a new argument into the mix. He says that delegates should not vote for me because my wife Samira is not a true Ghanaian. Really??? So how can we campaign to minorities in a general election? Just unbelievable, Dr Bawumia said.

He questioned why such attacks were surfacing now, when his contributions to the party in the past had not been defined by tribal or religious considerations. When I was defending the party in the Supreme Court in 2013, they did not say that I was a Mamprusi, a northerner or a Muslim. When I was giving lectures and campaigning for the party to come into office in 2016, they did not say that I was a Mamprusi, a northerner or a Muslim. When my campaign in the north made the difference in our winning the 2020 election, they did not say I was a Mamprusi, a northerner or a Muslim. When Samira was campaigning the length and breadth of Ghana for the party, they did not say she was not a true Ghanaian. So what has changed? Why now? he asked.

Despite expressing disappointment, Dr Bawumia was confident that such sentiments would not prevail in the NPP. The NPP will always triumph over tribal and religious bigots, he stated. Let us be clear that these views do not represent the views of the rank and file of the party.

He reiterated that the NPP had historically drawn its strength from diversity. We have been the party that has over the years offered hope to the largest diversity of our peoples. Under our tent it has not mattered where you come from. Whether you are a Sefwi, Fante, Ewe, Ashanti, Ga-Dangbe, Krobo, Dagomba, Wala, Dagarti, Konkomba, Frafra, Kusasi or Mamprusi. It has not mattered what religion you practice, whether you are a Christian, Muslim or a traditional African religious practitioner. It has not mattered whether you are rich or poor or whether you are formally educated or not.
Google can finally stop worrying about Pixel leaks because as the Pixel 10 series went official this week. The lineup is the same as last year with a vanilla Pixel 10, and three Pros  a small, an XL and a Fold. All four feature the Tensor G5 chip, which is fabbed on TSMCs 3nm process, brighter screens and Qi2 support with the new Pixelsnap ecosystem of accessories.

Pixel 10 brings a brighter screen (3000 nits peak brightness) and updated cameras, including a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, a 48MP main and a 13MP ultrawide. It also brings a slightly larger 4,970mAh battery with ever so faster 30W wired charging. Pixel 10 starts at $899/899/799.

Pixel 10 and 10 Pro also received brighter screens which crank out up to 3,300 nits peak local brightness. The screen sizes are identical to last year - 6.3 on the Pro and 6.8 on the Pro XL. Both phones come with 16GB RAM as standard and offer larger batteries than their predecessors at 4,870 mAh and 5,200 mAh, respectively. The 10 Pro XL holds the advantage in terms of charging with its 45W wired and 25W wireless support, thanks to the new Qi2 standard. Pixel 10 Pro starts at $999/1,099/999. The 10 Pro XL is $1,199/1,299/1,199.

Pixel Pro 10 Fold is the first IP68-rated foldable on the market. It features a slightly larger 6.4 cover screen offering up to 3,000 nits peak local brightness and the same 8 main display with the same brightness. Theres a new version with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage and the battery comes in at 5,015 mAh and supports 30W wired charging and 15W wired charging. Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at $1,799/1,899/1,749.

Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, which brings minor improvements over its predecessor.



Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 announced with minor performance gains It offers a slightly overclocked CPU and a 7% faster GPU alongside support for ultrawide displays.





Redmi Note 15 Pro and Pro+ debut with updated chips and 7,000mAh batteries Note 15 Pro+ debuts the new Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip, while Note 15 Pro comes with MediaTek's Dimensity 7400 Ultra.



Xiaomi wasted no time and announced its Redmi Note 15 Pro+ a day later with the new chip. It is joined by the Note 15 Pro as they share similar 6.83-inch AMOLED displays (FHD+ 120Hz), 7,000mAh batteries and triple cameras. Note 15 Pro brings MediaTeks Dimensity 7400 Ultra.

Note 15 Pro+ gets the more capable cameras, including a 50MP main (OV Light Hunter 800), a 50MP portrait lens (60mm) with 2.5x optical zoom and an 8MP ultrawide lens. Note 15 Pro makes do with a 50MP (LYT-600) main shooter and an 8MP ultrawide.

Redmi Note 15 Pro starts at CNY 1,499 ($208) in its 8/256GB trim, while Note 15 Pro+ is CNY 1,999 ($278) for the 12/256GB version.

Redmi Note 15 is the more affordable entry and brings a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, a 6.77 OLED (FHD+ 120Hz) and a 5,800 mAh battery with 45W charging. You also get a 50 MP (Light Fusion 400) main shooter and a 2MP depth camera. Note 15 starts at CNY 999 ($140) for the 6/128GB trim.



Sony Xperia 10 VII redesign revealed It would be the first one in years.



In other news, we saw a leak for the Xperia 10 VIIs design, which is going for a new horizontal camera arrangement. The iPhone 17e will allegedly come with a 6.1-inch OLED screen (60Hz) and Dynamic Island and a 12MP front-facing camera. The device will bring Apples upcoming A19 chip and a single 48MP rear camera.
JERUSALEM, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli officials vowed on Sunday to press ahead with the offensive on Gaza City, as residents reported heavy air and ground attacks and local authorities said the famine death toll continues to rise.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the assault on the city, which has drawn international alarm and criticism abroad as well as in Israel, will continue. "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is acting and will continue to act with full force to defeat Hamas, to secure the release of all the hostages, and to bring the war to an end under the conditions set by Israel," he said.

On Friday, Katz said attack plans had been approved and warned that Gaza City would be razed unless Hamas agreed to Israel's terms to end the war, including the release of all hostages and Israel's permanent security control over the enclave.

The Israeli military said it had expanded its assault on the Jabaliya area in the northern Gaza Strip. "The troops are dismantling terrorist infrastructure above and below ground, eliminating militants, and strengthening operational control in the area," it said in a statement.

It added that expanding combat into additional areas was aimed at preventing Hamas fighters from regrouping. "The troops will continue to operate against the organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to maintain the security of the State of Israel," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Gaza's health authorities said on Saturday at least eight starvation-related deaths were documented over the past 24 hours, including one child, raising the famine toll since March to 281, among them 114 children.

According to the health authorities, Israeli airstrikes and shootings have killed more than 62,000 people in Gaza since October 2023. 
Double sessions are slowly draining the life out of Guams students. I know, because Ive lived it.

Ive gone to Notre Dame, a private school where I experienced small classes and consistent schedules. I went to John F. Kennedy High School (JFK) during double sessions, where mornings and nights blurred together, and exhaustion became normal. And now, at George Washington High School (GW), I finally see what school can be like when we arent split in half by the clock.

The difference is night and day. At GW, I have time for homework, sports, family dinners, even rest. At JFK, double sessions stole all of that, not just from me, but from my classmates too.

As a student-athlete, Ive felt double sessions in an even more intense way. While other schools teams would be finishing practice at 7 p.m., I was just starting. Id get home around 10 p.m., only to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to do it all over again. Thats not just exhausting, its unsustainable. Double sessions take time away from learning, family, and the activities that help students grow outside the classroom.

And Im not alone. Families across Guam are struggling. Parents work late just to pick up kids finishing evening classes. Younger siblings wait hours at daycare because their brothers or sisters dont get out until after sunset. Students arrive home drained, only to start the cycle all over again.

This isnt just about education, its about family, said Dr. Annie Bordallo, a longtime educator and parent. Double sessions force kids and parents into survival mode instead of letting them thrive.

Even Superintendent Erik Swanson emphasized the urgency: We need to make some adjustments so that we can use our facilities better and be better stewards of public money.

Temporary redistricting is that adjustment. Its not permanent, its a bridge until new schools like Simon Sanchez are rebuilt.

And sometimes leadership means making hard choices. Mayor Jesse Blas admitted, I dont like the idea of my school closing, but we have to take the emotion out of it, because the community of Guam expects us to be responsible with our funding and resources. Thats exactly the kind of courage needed to give students what they deserve.

The numbers back it up. Guam once had 30,000 students. Now were down to about 23,466. That means empty classrooms exist, we just arent using them. According to Deputy Superintendent Joe Sanchez, schools are operating at only 69% capacity.

So why are thousands of students crammed into double sessions when space already exists?

The answer is simple: district lines. Some schools are packed, others half-empty.

Temporary redistricting could balance out enrollment until new schools are built.

Yes, its not a perfect solution. Some students would have to switch schools. But ask yourself: is that harder than forcing a generation of students to grow up under double sessions?

As someone whos seen all three sides; private school, double sessions, and regular public school, I can tell you this: the sacrifice of moving schools is nothing compared to the sacrifice of losing your teenage years to exhaustion.

This isnt just a student problem. Its a Guam problem. When students suffer, families suffer. When families struggle, our island struggles.

We dont have to wait five years for a new school. We can act now. We can redistrict now. And we can give students the time, energy, and balance they deserve.

Im living proof that it makes a difference. At GW, I finally feel like a student again, not a shadow running on too little sleep. I want that for every kid on Guam.

The choice is clear. Double sessions are failing us. Redistricting could save us.

Lets not waste another school year.




Haiti - Economy : The BRH in Les Cayes, a first in over 10 years





On Friday, August 22, 2025, Ronald Gabriel, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH), headed a high-level delegation to Les Cayes. He was accompanied by Mathieu Fortunat, its Generl Director, Florient Jean Mari, a member of the Board, Jerry Jacquet, Director of the Building Management Unit, and Gerard Jean-Baptiste, also attached to this unit.



This mission, the Governor's first to the South, is the first visit of a high-level BRH delegation to the region in over ten years, and marks an important step towards realizing the strategic vision of the Central Bank's Board of Directors for greater regional integration into the financial system.



The delegation met with the institution's executives based in Les Cayes and toured the building currently under construction, which will soon house a new branch, including BRH counters and the Directorate of the General Inspection of Caisses Populaires (DIGCP). Located at the corner of Monseigneur Maurice and Stenio Vincent streets, this project will strengthen BRH's presence in the South.



The Governor also presented the progress of a pilot project on the acceptability of electronic payments by micro-entrepreneurs (fruit and vegetable merchants, etc...) and businesses in the settlement of transactions. The pilot project will be implemented simultaneously in Port-au-Prince, Les Cayes, and Cap-Haitien.



Finally, the Governor and his team discussed ongoing projects with Ms. Claire France, Acting Mayor of Les Cayes, and the Departmental Delegate, Linscold Charles. He took the opportunity to announce the launch, in October 2025, of the "Booster PME III" program, designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and boost the local economy in four departments, including the South.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















GAZA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian journalist was killed on Saturday by Israeli army in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources.

Medical sources told Xinhua that Khaled al-Madhoun, a cameraman for the official Palestine TV channel in the Gaza Strip, died after being shot by the Israeli army.

Eyewitnesses reported that al-Madhoun was killed while covering events at the Zikim crossing, west of the town of Beit Lahia in the north of Gaza.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said in a statement that "targeting journalists is an ongoing crime in an attempt to obscure the truth, but it will not succeed in breaking the resolve of the Palestinian media heroes who continue to carry out their mission despite all the risks."

With the killing of al-Madhoun, the number of Palestinian journalists killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, has risen to 240, according to the syndicate.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on this incident.

Israel has been waging a large-scale war in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which, according to Israeli authorities, resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages.

According to authorities in the Gaza Strip, the war has resulted in the deaths of over 62,100 Palestinians and caused extensive destruction of buildings and infrastructure. 
Microsoft is fully committed to artificial intelligence: the AI assistant Copilot is now an integral part of the cloud-based office package M365. Many companies also use this service to edit and process confidential information. It goes without saying that any access to such sensitive documents should be logged. However, Copilot saw things differently under certain circumstances. Microsoft knew about the vulnerability for months, but only fixed it a few days ago. The company did not inform those affected or the public.

Anzeige

"Copilot, please summarize the annual report for the second quarter of 2025"  This or something similar could be a typical request. In the "audit log", i.e. the log of all accesses to documents in the Microsoft cloud, a read access to the source document by Copilot then appears. However, if the virtual assistant was queried in a special way about a document stored in M365, this only generated an empty log entry. To generate this behavior, it was sufficient to request that the document not be linked in the response, but merely summarized.

Zack Korman, the CTO of a SaaS startup, noticed this strange behavior in early July 2025. It seemed problematic to him, because only with complete audit logs can companies implement their security and compliance requirements and detect the leakage of documents into unauthorized hands. An employee who was too curious or even bribed by attackers could exploit the Copilot error and obtain information undetected. Obviously, falsified logs are a security problem.

Security is a process  but which one?

So Korman contacted the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) and trusted that the professionals in Redmond would follow their documented procedure, resolve the problem and inform affected customers. However, his initial euphoria quickly gave way to disillusionment: although the MSRC began to reproduce the problem just three days according to his report, another three days later, on July 10, the technicians had apparently already silently rolled out a bug fix.

This contradicted the company's own process description, which prompted Korman to knock on Redmond's door again and inquire about the status. On August 2, the software giant announced that they would be rolling out an update for the M365 cloud two weeks later, on August 17, and Korman would be able to publish his discovery a day later. When Korman asked when he would receive a CVE vulnerability designation for the gap he had found, the MSRC replied in the negative. They generally do not issue CVE IDs for vulnerabilities in cloud products if end customers do not have to take action themselves.

This also clearly contradicted the statements that the MSRC made coram publico just over a year ago. At that time, it was stated that in the future, CVE IDs would also be issued for critical vulnerabilities in cloud services, explicitly in cases where customers do not have to take action themselves. The MSRC promised that this would ensure greater transparency following a security disaster: presumably Chinese attackers had stolen a master key for Azure. But back to the Copilot gap: When Korman noted this discrepancy, the Microsoft security team pivoted. They understood that he did not have a complete overview of the process, they said in a slightly passive-aggressive manner, but the vulnerability was only classified as "important" and not "critical". This means that it falls below Microsoft's own threshold for assigning a CVE ID.

Anzeige

Faulty audit logs for months? Not worth mentioning!

Korman was surprised once again: he was not aware of any classification of the vulnerability to date. This is usually carried out by the affected company together with the discoverer and discussed if necessary. In this case, however, Microsoft was just as reluctant to discuss the issue as it was to be transparent. On August 14, Korman was informed that the company would not only refrain from issuing a CVE ID, but was also not planning to inform customers about the vulnerability.

Meanwhile, the discoverer had established that the problem must have existed for considerably longer than originally suspected.Michael Bargury, founder of an AI start-up, had already drawn attention to the errors in the logging of AI file accesses in the Microsoft cloud in a presentation at the Black Hat security conference in August 2024, i.e. a year before Korman's discovery. Plenty of time for the Redmond software giant to address the issue, but it only responded last week.

For companies using M365 and Copilot, this leaves a stale aftertaste. They have to face the fact that their audit logs may have been incorrect for months and that accesses have taken place that are no longer traceable. Attackers and industrial spies are also likely to have included the prompt tricks in their toolkit since last year's Black Hat conference at the latest, which is likely to exacerbate the compliance headaches for those affected.

Microsoft proclaimed the "Secure Future Initiative" as a confidence-building measure after last year's Azure disaster, but has been criticized for months for sloppy security patches and miserable communication. heisesecurity founder Jurgen Schmidt summarized this in a comment with a rustic vocabulary: Bullshit. The latest incident seems to reinforce this impression.

(cku)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
KABUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's central bank Da Afghanistan Bank announced a 21 percent rise in the value of the afghani against foreign currencies, notably the U.S. dollar, over the past four years, crediting strategic monetary policies and expanded global banking ties, local media outlet TOLOnews reported Sunday.

"Our effort is to maintain the Afghani's stability in a better way and not allow severe fluctuations to occur in this regard," the media quoted Hasibullah Noori, the bank's spokesman, as saying.

According to the official, the achievement is attributed to effective monetary policies aimed at stabilizing the nation's economy, strengthening the banking sector, and enhancing financial support systems.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to rebuild Afghanistan's economy. 
Pierce Brosnan thought that Ray Winstone would be more appropriate for his part in The Thursday Murder Club.

Pierce Brosnan couldn't help but think of Ray Winstone when reading his part for The Thursday Murder Club

The 72-year-old actor plays retired trade union leader Ron Ritchie in the movie adaptation of Richard Osman's best-selling novel of the same name but admits that he couldn't help but feel that the Sexy Beast star would be great for the role in Chris Columbus' film.

Speaking to the BBC, Brosnan said: "I never asked Chris why he cast me. I thought: 'This is Ray Winstone, bro.'"

However, the former James Bond actor kept his thought to himself.

He said: "(I remember thinking) 'Don't say anything Pierce, just keep going.'"

The Thursday Murder Club book series has been hugely successful in recent times and Brosnan says that the cast - which also includes Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie - felt a big sense of "responsibility" to do the retired sleuths justice in the movie adaptation.

He said: "It's a huge responsibility when you have an audience and the world waiting to see these characters."

Mirren was the top choice of many readers to portray former spy Elizabeth Best and she confessed to thinking in the same way when reading the book.

The 80-year-old actress said: "Embarrassingly, I did. When you read that book, you think immediately this could be a movie and then, if it is, I wonder if they'll ever approach me to play that role, because I'd love to play it. It was sort of a bit of a miracle for me when they did."

On the other hand, Imrie didn't read the book until after she was cast as retired nurse Joyce Meadowcroft.

She recalled: "Dear friends of mine occasionally said: 'You know, you'd be awfully good for this, but I'm quite superstitious.'

"I didn't want to spook things. The minute I was cast I ran down to the bookshop."

The cosy crime film will only be in cinemas for a week before becoming available to stream on Netflix and Mirren finds it "disappointing" that the picture can only be seen in 30 cinemas for a limited time.

The Oscar-winning actress said: "I think it would have done well in the cinema and I wish it was staying for a little longer."

The leading quartet shot a hospice scene on their opening day of filming and Imrie felt that it captured the essence of the older characters at the heart of the story.

The 73-year-old star said: "It was full of what hangs over the story, not in a morbid way, but we are around the bed of someone that is dying and we're all of an age where that is going to happen."

Kingsley, 81, added: "It was the starting point, I think it gives the film some ballast. It's not a little comedy. It has some layers to it... a base note that runs through it."

Pierce Brosnan is an Irish actor, film producer, and activist.
TAIPEI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The failure of a recall vote against opposition legislators in Taiwan on Saturday, together with a similar failed one last month, signals widespread public dissatisfaction with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The results have reflected the latest public sentiment in Taiwan -- a strong rejection of the DPP's policies of indulging in political maneuvers and ignoring people's well-being as well as its attempts to seek "Taiwan independence," said observers, calling the outcome a total failure for the party.

The message is clear: Taiwan society is calling for efforts to prioritize public welfare and well-being and strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

Saturday's recall vote against legislators from the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party came a few weeks after the first round on July 26, which targeted 24 KMT legislators and the suspended mayor of Hsinchu, where none of the proposals received more votes in favor than against.

The United Daily News called the two rounds of failed DPP recall campaigns "a vote of no confidence" in political infighting under Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te. "Voter aversion has reached new heights," it wrote.

Zheng Zhenqing, vice director of the Institute for Taiwan Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said Lai's recall campaigns were indiscriminate political offensives, and as such, it has failed to gain support among residents in Taiwan.

Lai's rhetorics during the campaigns were widely seen as fostering hatred, fanning secession, and suppressing dissidents, Zheng added.

Bao Chengke, a researcher at an institute for East Asia studies in Shanghai, said the landslide failure of the DPP authorities in Saturday's recall vote reflects a release of public grievances built up during the first round of recall campaign.

Shan Hou-zhi, a senior media figure in Taiwan, noted that Lai's narrative of confronting the mainland in defense of Taiwan has taken on a negative tone following the recall campaigns. The DPP and Lai have become emblematic of those out of step with mainstream public opinion.

The DPP continues to hype the so-called threat and infiltration from the mainland, but their governance has been chaotic, said Zheng.

"Alongside judicial politicization and instances of embezzlement and corruption, this has left the majority of the public feeling alienated by its line of confronting the mainland, which is widely seen as driven purely by a secessionist ideology," he added.

In its Sunday editorial, the China Times warned that if Lai and the DPP continue to dig in and push Taiwan toward hatred and confrontation, disregard public opinion, and refuse to adjust their energy policies and cross-Strait strategies, the landslide failures in the recall campaigns would be only a prelude to further public pushback.

The public opinion is clear: people reject political maneuvers framed as "confronting the mainland to defend Taiwan," and instead hope the authorities will focus on economic growth, livelihoods, and cross-Strait relations, said Bao.

"They expect more exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, pursue peaceful development, and aspire to live stable and prosperous lives," he said.

If the DPP authorities continue to ignore the demands of the Taiwan people and pursue separatism, he warned, they will face more waves of public opposition and may accelerate their political downfall. 
German businessman John Rabe, together with some other foreigners, helped save over 200,000 Chinese lives during the Nanjing Massacre, one of the darkest chapters of WWII. His diaries became vital evidence of the atrocities committed by invading Japanese troops.

Who was Rabe and why does his legacy still matter today?

Watch documentary: "Echoes of History: The Good Man of Nanjing."
BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- An international seminar focused on reviewing the historical documents of the South China Sea was held in Beijing on Saturday, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.

Over 40 participants from home and abroad attended the meeting, many of whom believe that China's resumption of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, known in English as the South China Sea islands, after World War II, was and remains an important part of the post-war order established by international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation.

Wu Jilu, director general of the China Institute for Marine Affairs (CIMA) under the Ministry of Natural Resources, said that China's resumption of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao should be firmly upheld -- as maintaining the international order established after World War II is crucial for achieving lasting peace and stability.

Hou Yi, a researcher with the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted that China was the earliest country to discover and name Nanhai Zhudao, and also reviewed how China had developed and managed the region since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with its endeavors ranging from activities such as fishing and guano mining to public services including surveying, search and rescue, and sea turtle conservation.

Hou added that before the 1970s, no countries bordering the South China Sea had challenged China's sovereignty and maritime rights there. However, some countries later illegally occupied islands and reefs in the region and opted to intensify disputes.

"China has historic rights in the South China Sea. Chinese people's habitation and production, endorsed by evidence from archives and maps, show that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao," said Hou. He also said that China has maintained the post-war regional order and taken on its international responsibilities by providing public goods and services in these waters.

The seminar, organized by the CIMA with assistance from the College of Liberal Arts of Shanghai University, attracted experts and scholars from countries including China, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Participants also discussed subjects on managing disputes and building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, a think tank based in Manila, said understanding the history of the South China Sea plays an important role for countries around the region in analyzing disputes and seeking solutions.

"China is proposing negotiation, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of issues in the South China Sea. It tries to make the world a safer and better place," she said, adding that once the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) between China and ASEAN countries is concluded, it will serve as a viable crisis management tool.

The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), signed in 2002 by China and ASEAN member states, outlines the most important principles in the management of disputes regarding the South China Sea. Consultations on the COC involving China and ASEAN member states were launched in 2013. Both the DOC and the COC are aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

Fu Kuenchen, a professor with the Belt and Road Research Institute of Xiamen University in east China's Fujian Province, said that countries bordering the South China Sea should reach a consensus in terms of COC consultations, value peace-loving cultural traditions, and work together to build a collaborative and harmonious community.

"The community can engage in cooperation in some low-sensitivity programs, such as joint enforcement of fishing moratoriums, conserving the environment, construction of navigation safety facilities, and emergency search and rescue," said Fu.

"Stakeholders beyond the region should not meddle and create disturbances, and should respect the tradition and dispute management of countries bordering the South China Sea," Fu added. 
JINAN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Zhucheng, east China's Shandong Province, have identified an exceptionally large tyrannosaur femur fossil, measuring 1.21 meters in length.

After joint analysis efforts also involving paleontologists from the United States and Canada, it was confirmed as the longest tyrannosaur femur ever found in Asia.

The research team also identified a massive tyrannosaur vertebra fossil exceeding 28 centimeters in width. Size comparisons show this vertebra closely matches those of Sue -- one of the largest known Tyrannosaurus rex specimens.

Combined with the oversized femur, this indicates that Zhucheng once hosted tyrannosaurs rivaling Sue in terms of size -- exceeding 12 meters long, according to the researchers.

Zhucheng, notably, has previously yielded fossils identified as the Zhuchengtyrannus magnus, currently recognized as the area's confirmed tyrannosaur species.

"While further identification is needed to confirm if the new fossils belong to the known Zhuchengtyrannus magnus, their dimensions substantiate its status as Asia's largest tyrannosaur. They also provide new fossil evidence supporting the hypothesis that Tyrannosauruses originated in Asia," said Chen Shuqing from Zhucheng's dinosaur culture research center.

Nicknamed "China's dinosaur city," Zhucheng has seen over 10 new dinosaur species named by institutions including the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 
AMMAN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Sunday carried out another airdrop of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and received additional relief shipments from Slovenia, as part of ongoing efforts to support Palestinians amid the deepening crisis.

The Jordan Armed Forces said Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft, joined by planes from Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, dropped about 41 tonnes of food and relief supplies over Gaza. Since July 27, Jordan has conducted 162 airdrops, while combined operations with partner countries have reached 392, delivering around 791 tonnes of aid.

Separately, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization said two Slovenian aircraft carrying urgent humanitarian supplies landed at Marka Military Airport on Aug. 18 and 24. Slovenia has so far sent eight planes, with two more expected before the end of August.

The deliveries come as the United Nations on Friday formally declared a famine in Gaza, citing "systematic obstruction" of aid access during more than 22 months of war. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, about 514,000 people -- nearly a quarter of Gaza's population -- are facing famine, a number projected to rise to 641,000 by late September. 
A performance is staged at a Minnan culture-themed scenic area in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 22, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

A staff member plays the organ on Gulangyu Island of Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 23, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

A couple poses for photos at a marriage registration office on Gulangyu Island of Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 23, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

Tourists walk at a pedestrian street in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 22, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

Tourists visit a Minnan culture-themed scenic area in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 22, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

This photo taken from Gulangyu Island with a mobile phone shows a view of Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 23, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Yu Lan)

This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2025 shows wedding items at a marriage registration office on Gulangyu Island of Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

An actress interacts with people at a Minnan culture-themed scenic area in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 22, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

Tourists watch a performance at a pedestrian street in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 22, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

Tourists visit a Minnan culture-themed scenic area in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 22, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

Tourists take photos on Gulangyu Island of Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 23, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

Tourists visit a Minnan culture-themed scenic area in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 22, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

People rest at a bookstore in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 23, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Yu Lan)

People read books at a bookstore in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 23, 2025. From a Minnan culture-themed scenic area to a century-old street, the emerging new consumption scenarios in the city of Xiamen has been driving domestic demand in cultural and tourism consumption in recent years. (Xinhua/Yu Lan)
GAZA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Sunday expanded its ground operations in and around Gaza City, pushing tanks into residential neighborhoods under the cover of airstrikes and artillery fire, heightening fears of a full-scale invasion of the densely populated enclave.

Residents said Israeli armor rolled into the Zeitoun and al-Sabra districts south of Gaza City, and into Jabalia in the north, as warplanes pounded buildings and homes. Explosions and "fire belts" -- strips of land set ablaze by incendiary munitions -- were reported, forcing dozens of families to flee westward and southward in search of safety.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza's Civil Defense, said air and drone strikes hit homes, apartments, a school and tents for displaced people across the Strip. He said Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians gathering near two aid centers in central and southern Gaza. At least 25 people were killed and dozens wounded since dawn, he said.

Palestinian officials said high-rise buildings were hit in Zeitoun, Sabra and Jabalia, leaving many families trapped. Hospitals, already badly damaged and short of supplies, were struggling to cope. "The displaced do not know where to go. There are no safe areas left," Basal said.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office condemned Israel's threats to invade Gaza City, home to more than 1 million people. It called the plan a "dangerous escalation" and warned an assault would amount to "a major war crime" given the collapse of the health system.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged "decisive international action" to halt "Israel's deliberate policy" of famine. It said Gaza's hunger crisis was not caused by lack of resources but by blockade and bombardment, and vowed to press its case through diplomatic and legal channels.

The Israeli military said its forces had re-entered Jabalia to "further degrade Hamas' military capabilities," dismantling infrastructure above and below ground and preventing fighters from returning. "The troops' activity enables the expansion of combat into additional areas," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Hamas said it had agreed to a partial prisoner exchange and was ready for a full truce, but accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of blocking a deal despite mediation by Egypt and Qatar. Hamas said only a ceasefire could secure the release of all Israeli hostages and held Netanyahu responsible for their fate.

Health authorities in Gaza said at least 10,842 Palestinians had been killed and 45,910 wounded since Israel stepped up its offensive on March 18. That brought the total death toll since the war began in October 2023 to 62,686, with 157,951 others injured. Officials said 289 people, including 115 children, had died from malnutrition or starvation, eight of them in the past 24 hours. 
MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine on Sunday exchanged 146 prisoners of conflict from each side, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Ukraine returned eight residents of Russia's Kursk region. The area was briefly seized by Ukraine in a surprise attack in August 2024, before Russian forces recaptured it earlier this year.

The Russian servicemen are in Belarus receiving psychological and medical assistance before being transported to Russia.

The United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange.

The third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul, Turkiye, on July 23, 2025. After the talks, Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky said both sides had agreed to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners each. 
This screenshot taken from a video by cellphone shows flame and smoke rising during airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 24, 2025. Israeli warplanes launched a wave of airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa on Sunday, targeting government and military sites, Houthi-run al-Masirah television reported. (Xinhua)

SANAA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes launched a wave of airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa on Sunday, targeting government and military sites, Houthi-run al-Masirah television reported.

Residents said the strikes hit the presidential palace, the Capital Secretariat, the state oil company building, fuel depots, and power stations in central, southern and southwestern parts of the city. They reported hearing dozens of explosions and seeing fires at several sites. Ambulances were heard rushing to the scenes. Medics said there were casualties, though no official toll has been released.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strikes in a statement, without giving details. Army Radio said the raids had ended and hit power stations, the presidential compound, and an oil warehouse.

The strikes came two days after Yemen's Houthi movement fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, damaging houses with shrapnel but causing no reported deaths.

The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa and Hodeidah port, have launched repeated attacks on Israel since November 2023, citing support for Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi-held territory. 

This screenshot taken from a video by cellphone shows flame and smoke rising during airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 24, 2025. Israeli warplanes launched a wave of airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa on Sunday, targeting government and military sites, Houthi-run al-Masirah television reported. (Xinhua)

This screenshot taken from a video by cellphone shows smoke rising during airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 24, 2025. Israeli warplanes launched a wave of airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa on Sunday, targeting government and military sites, Houthi-run al-Masirah television reported. (Xinhua)
KABUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A three-day exhibition of domestic products opened in eastern Afghanistan's Panjshir province, the local media Tolonews reported Sunday.

About 20 booths have been set up, displaying a wide range of items including agricultural products, textiles, food items, and construction materials, the report said.

The exhibitions provide a platform for local producers to promote market opportunities for Afghan-made goods, play a role in reducing dependence on imports, and encourage investment in local industries, the report added.

Afghanistan has long relied on imported goods, as local industries struggle with technological gaps, limited funding, and constrained market access. Over the past year, nationwide exhibitions have showcased domestic products, attracting both investors and consumers.